Tag: December

Opening Activity Part 1 Set Up: As you gather with people, have a jar of gummy worms and a jar of honey at each table being used for this activity. Hand out at least two gummy worms, if not more, and preferably blue in keeping with the Advent season. The jar of honey is only for decoration purposes, reminding everyone of John the Baptist’s meal of honey with locusts. Invite all participants to think of each gummy worm as a physical reminder of something that they have done over which they feel grubby. They do not have to share what…

Opening Activity Place a large piece of soft cloth on each table for this activity. It’s best if the cloth is blue to match the Advent season. As participants find their seats, invite them to touch the piece of soft cloth. What thoughts, feelings, or memories stirred as they touch it? Some examples might include: a memory of a soft blanket that is special to them a thought given to those who have made the fabric a feeling of being safe and warm in a coat, etc. Before reading, invite participants to listen for Jesus’ words about people who wear…

Note from the Editor: This week on Faith Lens, we’re revisiting a post from the archive. Originally published several years ago, the article still speaks with quiet strength and hope today. As Advent draws to a close, this reflection offers a grounding reminder at just the right moment: Emmanuel, God is with us. In a season that invites us to name our fears and watch for God’s nearness, this piece remains a faithful word for young people and leaders alike. One more note: in partnership with ELCA Children’s Ministry and ELCA Youth Ministry, the ELCA Youth Gathering is launching a…

Catalyst Question When you think of words like “education” or “school,” what comes to mind? Witnessing a New Era Merry Christmas! Now, you might be thinking, “How was Jesus forn was just a few days ago, and now already he’s a 12-year-old?!” Rather than a mutant-like growth pattern, a la Marvel’s X-Men, this is simply a reflection of how little scriptural material addresses Christ’s childhood. Even so, it’s remarkable how normal this childhood appears. In Luke 2:41-42, we find Jesus in school. Not exactly like the middle school that today’s 12-year-olds attend, but a school quite common for the day:…

Catalyst Question How do you define success? Witnessing a New Era This week, a new era in began in college sports: a twelve team playoff to name the national champion in collegiate football. For many years–in fact, for more than a century–champions were determined through voting of either coaches or media professionals. In 2014, a four team playoff format began. This week, this playoff expanded to include twelve contenders, with teams from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame inaugurating this new era. With more games, there will be more fans who witness the plays on the field, and…

Catalyst Question In some situations in life, we know the right thing to do and yet don’t do it, even in the simplest of circumstances. What do you think prevents us from taking action to do the right thing? Active Waiting Sometimes Advent can seem a bit boring. People can treat this powerful season of life like it’s the waiting room for Christmas. They endure these four weeks as though there’s nothing to do but scroll through the lectionary until the heavenly doctor arrives. That approach clearly doesn’t take the Advent readings seriously, especially this week’s Gospel. In Luke 3:7-18,…

Catalyst Question What’s your favorite remake? It could be a song, movie, or other piece of art. How does it compare to the original? What’s Wrong with a Remake? In Luke 3:1-6, John the Baptist cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Straight paths. Leveled hills. Smooth roads. It’s all so unoriginal. Hundreds of years before John’s wilderness prophecy, another prophet said the exact same things. In Isaiah, after Jerusalem is overrun by enemies and God’s people are forced into Exile, the prophet similarly calls for leveled trails and paved streets. But is there anything wrong with a remake?…

Advent begins today. So also, today begins a new format of Faith Lens. Don’t worry. Faith Lens will still bring current events into conversation with the rotation of Bible passages many congregations use on Sundays. If you’re curious about that set of readings, which is called the Revised Common Lectionary, you can find many helpful resources here.. You can also read more about the Revised Common Lectionary’s history. Advent is a word that means “arrival,” “start,” or “approach.” The advent of something isn’t its completion, but it is the beginning of the thing. We’re beginning this era of Faith Lens…

There is no Faith Lens post this week   “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him he gave power to become the children of God” (RSV) ELCA Blogs

Linnea Peterson, Minneapolis, MN Warm-up Questions Have you ever tried to talk about something that happened to you and had someone refuse to believe you?  Do you think some people are believed more than others when they talk about their experiences? What do you think leads to that difference?  Believe Me A couple of months ago, pop star Britney Spears released a memoir, The Woman in Me, bringing her back into the national spotlight. Though her most popular songs came out over 20 years ago, Spears has received attention in recent years with the #FreeBritney movement, which was an effort…