Slideshow image

Four Week Studies 

The Archbishop’s Advent Series: 

Mountains and Valleys: Preparing for Advent with the Sermon on the Mount 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit," are the first words of the Sermon on the Mount, come and explore how these and other challenging and inspiring words can help us to prepare for the coming of Christ. Archbishop John will examine highlights of the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 along with the lectionary texts for Sundays in Advent. Please read the sermon in advance a few times to get familiar with its themes and come ready to reflect and discuss together this foundational sermon. Guest presenter, Professor Ron Dart, will join the series for the fourth session. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7hI2APvkRd27clhsr4bzaA 

Tuesdays in Advent beginning Dec.1st 7:00pm-8:15pm 

The Bible Project for Advent 

This series looks at how several scripture passages can expand and illustrate four common themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, love. Each week, watch a short, well-made video, then read, reflect and discuss selected biblical passages together. It can be easily adapted for different contexts too. To see session outlines, see here: https://bibleproject.com/videos/collections/advent/ . The Bible Projects Advent section with more resources is here: https://bibleproject.com/guides/advent/. Prayers for these sessions could also include St. Hildegard’s prayers for Advent found here: Advent collects 

Daily Devotional 

Hallelujah! An Advent Devotional on Handel’s Messiah 

The popular oratorio by Handle is the focus of this Advent devotional which has 26 daily reflections and four weekly sessions to pray and reflect individually or in small groups. Music is one of the great gifts of the Advent season and this is a great opportunity to offer something beyond words for Advent reflection. The guide is available as a digital download from Salt Project – a favourite resource of many parishes in the diocese. https://www.saltproject.org/hallelujah/advent-handels-messiah 

Multi-Generational and Multi-Resource 

Until the Dawn: Advent Resources Bundle 

Daily devotional, sermon planner, children’s curriculum, art, music: it’s all here! The focus is on Advent actions that build hope and trust in God’s realm. Individual parts of the package can be bought and downloaded as well. The publisher Sanctified Art is founded in the Presbyterian tradition and is committed to anti oppression and anti racism. https://sanctifiedart.org/adventchristmas-resources 

A Thrill of Hope: Advent Resources Bundle 

Another collection of themed resources for preaching, prayer, music, family activities, and spiritual practices to offer a coherent and consistent offering across generations in the church. Lectionary based and following the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. It also includes the season of Christmas until Epiphany. The aesthetics of this year’s design would appeal to a number of churches in the diocese. https://get.illustratedministry.com/athrillofhope