By daniel so
Lent 2020
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
— Psalm 42:1-2
What Is Lent?
Lent is the forty days leading up to Easter, not including Sundays (during which we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection!). For the Church, this season is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Many followers of Jesus find it helpful to fast during Lent. Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is Wednesday, February 26th this year.
What About Fasting?
Fasting has been misunderstood in many ways. Fasting is not:
Proving our spiritual worth by how much we can “suffer”
Giving up sins or bad habits (we should be giving up those things anyways)
Trying out a new diet (going on a low-carb diet is not the same thing as fasting).
When we fast, we take a step back from a good gift of God (for example, food!) in order to seek the Giver of those gifts. When our stomachs growl from hunger, or we feel fidgety from a media fast, we are reminded that our greatest hunger should be Jesus Himself. Dr. Bill Bright of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) offers several other wise insights into why we should fast.
As Richard Foster writes:
Fasting must forever center on God. More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.
Simply put, we fast so that we can make more room in our hearts for Jesus.
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Lenten Resources
As we withdraw for a time from some good gifts of God during this season, we also encourage you to draw near to the Giver intentionally through spiritual disciplines.
During this Lenten season, we encourage you to pray, fast, and give. Below you can find some Lenten resources (right-click to save PDF files):
Bible Reading
The Lent Generosity Challenge
What if Lent was about giving out instead of giving up? This Bible plan is an adaptation of the full 40acts challenge. Our hope is that as you explore and practice biblical generosity in all areas of your life, you would experience its transformational impact. Each day contains a prompt for one act of generosity on that day’s topic, with Sunday reflections summarising the theme of the acts that week.
Journeying With Jesus
‘Journeying With Jesus’ is a Bible plan to help us walk with Jesus through the last two chapters of Matthew. We stop to focus on Jesus’ last days on this earth and what that means to us. How does that change who I am and Whose I am today? We will take time to dwell on Scripture and “bring it home” with questions that make us consider where we are on the journey of knowing Jesus.
Here is a simple Daily Readings for Lent 2020 from our denomination.
Families
If you didn’t have a chance to pick one up, you can either find a hard copy at an Anchor City Sunday worship gathering, right-click on the JPG image above and save, or download the PDF file here.
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Seeking & Celebrating Jesus!
We encourage you to break your fast on Sundays. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus each Lord’s Day, and breaking the fast weekly reminds us that it’s not primarily about our self-discipline, but celebrating the Risen King of grace and life.
Advent Conspiracy 2019
The Season of Advent
Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. The word “advent” means “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. We celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, “God With Us” and, at the same time, eagerly await the day he arrives again — to redeem, restore, and renew all things.
This is what the Book of Common Worship says about Advent:
In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice of God’s new world, yet we praise God who raised the “righteous branch” to rule with justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land.
The PC(USA) Directory for worship says, “As God created and appointed days, God created a rhythm of time and appointed seasons for worship.” Advent is a gift — a time for us to slow down, breathe, worship, and hope again.
During our worship gathering, we shared some ideas for practices that we can engage to remind ourselves that God is with us. Here are a few of them:
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- Not being envious of what other people have / receive as gifts
- Spending quality time in Scripture and in prayer
- Unplugging from technology to be more present during family time
- Using technology / plugging into our calendar apps for reminders of Bible verses, time to pray, etc.
- Being more intentional about how we spend our time and money
- Slowing down
- Volunteering and serving others to make San Diego a better community
- Invite a friend over and see how they’re doing. Listen well. (This one’s from the AC site!)
Advent Conspiracy
Anchor City is proud to continue to be a part of the Advent Conspiracy movement. Here’s what Advent Conspiracy is all about (from their website):
Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything—including the way we celebrate Christmas.
You can watch the video below to catch a glimpse of what it means to be a part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to the watching world.
Advent Conspiracy Resources
Here are some resources our friends at AC have generously provided to help you grow deeper in faith, hope, and love this Advent season:
Advent Conspiracy Offering
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22nd, we will have our Advent Conspiracy offering. This year, through our offering, we are thankful to support:
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- Justice Ventures International
- Freely In Hope
- Waves Soccer Club San Diego
- Our NextGen Sunday School students will be supporting World Vision by purchasing farm animals to help a family • donate.worldvision.org
Church Without Walls: PostSecret Reflection Questions
This past Sunday, July 7th, we gathered for Church Without Walls at the PostSecret Exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man.
This week, as you’re reflecting on this experience, review the following questions. Part of holding out the hope of Christ as the anchor for our souls to our neighbors around the city is moving toward understanding for the struggles they endure.
Also, if you weren’t able to join us on Sunday but would like to visit the PostSecret Exhibit on your own, you can use these reflection questions as a guide.
- Take note of the thoughts and emotions that are evoked as you read through these confessions:
humor? Sadness? Anger? Empathy? Judgment? Shock? - Were there secrets — particularly about faith / God / doubt / church — that you could relate to?
- What’s one that stuck out to you or was particularly memorable?
- What’s uncomfortable about sharing secrets? Why don’t we do it more often?
- Why do secrets hold power over people?
- What’s the power of sharing a secret? (Confession) What does sharing a secret offer you?
- While the PostSecret project is a good start towards healing, connecting and being heard, why is it not enough?
- How could a community change by being a space where secrets can be shared?
- What would it take for a community to be a safe and brave space for confessing? Can we be a community that holds people’s fears, joys, pain and hopes?
- If a church were to receive secrets like this, what should it do with them?
Part of the power in sharing our secrets is knowing that someone hears it, that someone is listening.
As Psalm 66:19 reminds us, “God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” We can trust that God hears us.
Quotes for the Lenten Journey
Here are the longer quotes from today’s sermon (Sunday, April 7, 2019):
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Life Together:
Certainly, serious Christians who are put in a community for the first time will often bring with them a very definite image of what Christian communal life should be, and they will be anxious to realize it. But God’s grace quickly frustrates all such dreams… By sheer grace, God will not permit us to live in a dream world…
Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, earnest, and sacrificial…
Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.
Ruth Haley Barton, from The Transforming Center blog:
We want God as long as we can still have our successes. We like the idea of being on a journey of faith as long as it doesn’t require too much…well, faith. We long for the Promised Land as long as we don’t have to leave anything behind. We want space for God as long as it doesn’t intrude too radically on our packed schedules and conflicting priorities. We want self-knowledge as long as it doesn’t cut too close to the ego bone. We want God’s will as long as it doesn’t make us look too foolish. We want love as long as it’s not too inconvenient. We’d like to buy the pearl of great price as long as we don’t have to sell everything we have. We’re willing to wax eloquent about the Paschal Mystery one weekend a year as long as we’re not the one doing the dying!
Advent Conspiracy 2018: Giving Partners
Friends, we’re honored to support three amazing organizations with our Advent Conspiracy offering this year.
Justice Ventures International
JVI’s mission is to secure freedom, justice, and restoration for the poor and oppressed by strengthening ventures that promote justice. Our vision is to see unjust communities transformed into communities ordered according to God’s standard of love.
From the time we’ve planted Anchor City together, we’ve supported JVI through our Advent Conspiracy offering. In 2018, JVI has helped create over 2,700 stories of freedom and restoration. All gifts to JVI before the end of the year will be matched up to $100,000, so let’s continue to give generously!
Below is a short video describing JVI’s impact this year:
Freely in Hope is a faith-based nonprofit organization focused on restoring dignity with survivors of sexual violence through holistic educational opportunities and platforms for dreams to be fulfilled.
This is our second year being able to support the good work of Freely In Hope — we’ve had the opportunity to hear from Founder and International Director Nikole Lim at Anchor City. Our giving will help Freely In Hope continue work such as holistic education: “We provide holistic educational opportunities for young women who are survivors of or vulnerable to sexual violence through academic scholarships, health care, safe housing, and trauma-based counseling. Freely in Hope scholars are high school or college students passionate about using their education to transform their communities toward a violence-free world. We equip our scholars to arise from oppression and achieve their academic dreams.”
Our Mission is to help nourish the spirit of the street homeless of San Diego County by providing dignity, hot food, and comfort. Burrito Boyz was created to honor our brothers and sisters during their struggles and provide them with a hot meal and water served with dignity and respect.
Several members of our Anchor City family, including youth group and NextGen families, have served with Burrito Boyz this year. We’re proud to give toward Burrito Boyz as our local Advent Conspiracy partner, and to help continue their streak of over 400 consecutive Sundays of serving others in need.
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How to Give
Checks can be written to Anchor City Church, with “Advent Conspiracy 2018” in the memo.
If you’re giving through our Tithe.ly app, please choose “Advent Conspiracy 2018” from the “Give To” menu. You can also give through our website by clicking here (again, please choose “Advent Conspiracy 2018” from the “Give To” menu).
Advent Conspiracy 2018
Advent Conspiracy is about the entire body of Christ at work in the world.
As we worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all,
something begins to happen that is greater than any single
person, church, or denomination.
As the Church, we are telling the story of Jesus to the watching world.
Our prayer is that more churches join together to live out
the story of Jesus’ sacrificial love.
God is not finished with our world and He is inviting us
deeper into the Christmas story.
— from adventconspiracy.org
The season of Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day — this year, Advent begins on Sunday, December 2nd. This is a season of watching & waiting, of expectation & hope. The word “advent” means “arrival” — we celebrate both the Incarnation of Jesus (that He arrived into the world that first Christmas day) and the return of Jesus, when He will arrive again to redeem, restore & renew all things.
Advent Conspiracy Partners
Anchor City is proud once again to participate in the Advent Conspiracy movement. This year, our Advent Conspiracy offering (happening on December 16th and 24th) will go to support these amazing partners:
Advent Conspiracy Resources
The Advent Conspiracy movement has made several great resources available to help you grow in your love for Jesus and others during this season. Please click the images below to download these resources:
Fall 2018 Home Groups: Myths of Vocation Study Guides
One of the values we teach at Anchor City is that our primary vocation (or calling) is being a child of God. This is our first and highest calling. This allows us to stay grounded in the fact that our value does not come from what we do but who we are – the beloved of God.
Our secondary vocation, then, is everything we do that helps us to live out this identity as a beloved person. It is an expression of our relationship with the One who loves us.
Below you can find links to view and download the study guides for our Home Group series on the Myths of Vocation:
Church Without Walls — Love God With Our Strength
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Mission Bay, San Diego
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Love So Great
Your love so great
Jesus in all things
I’ve seen a glimpse of Your heart
A billion years
Still I’ll be singing
How can I praise You enough?
How can I praise You enough?
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh, nothing else compares
Creation calls
All to the Saviour
We are alive for Your praise
In earth and sky
No one is higher
Our God of wonders, You reign
Our God of wonders, You reign
Not to us, but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us, but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Oceans
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior
Church Without Walls — Beauty & Creativity
I Love You, Lord
I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear
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An artist knows that what you can see and observe
is only the beginning of our journey to discover the world.
William Blake wrote:
To see a world in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palms of your hand
and eternity in an hour
Every work of art and poetry invites us
to see a ‘world in a grain of sand’ and ‘heaven in a wild flower.’
This perceptive exercise allows for another amazing experience.
We actually can, by truly “seeing,” experience the possibility
of opening the “eyes of our hearts.”
— Makoto Fujimura
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I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened in order that you may know
the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
and his incomparably great power
for us who believe.
— Ephesians 1:18-19 —
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General questions to think about throughout the entire museum:
- What do you like? (It’s okay to say “nothing” if that’s what you feel)
- What speaks to you? How?
- What do you see that helps you open “the eyes of your heart”?
- What feelings (if any) do these pieces evoke? Positive? Negative?
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In any of these pieces, how do you see the Four Chapter Gospel? Individual chapters, the whole story, etc.?
- Creation: Where do you see something that was lovingly made?
- Fall: Is there a piece that expresses pain or brokenness visually, maybe even better than words would?
- Restoration: Do you see any artwork that evokes forgiveness or healing?
- Redemption: Which pieces give you sense of completion, wholeness, or hope?
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At the Moon Gold exhibit:
- Read Exodus 35:31-32
- As you look at the various pieces, think about scale, color, and materials. There are some really BIG pieces, as well as some small ones.
- How do these pieces help you understand the qualities/characteristics of God? Perhaps you can think about the colors (gold & silver) or the size (the big pieces, and how you feel standing in front of them).
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At the Epic Tales of India exhibit:
- Parental Guidance: Parents, please be aware that there are some pieces with themes and depictions that might not be appropriate for your kids.
- Is there piece from this room where you see God’s truth expressed/reflected in some way?
- Note: We are not saying that all religions are the same, but because God created the world, all creation can reflect some glimpses of His Truth.
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Upstairs, at the Art of Devotion exhibit:
- Pastor Jeya will be in this area around 11:30 am — please feel free to ask her questions, look at a few pieces together, etc.
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Questions for kids (and the young at heart)!
Can you find these pieces? Where did you see them?
When you feel “found,” how does that make you feel (Think about if you’ve ever been lost, or if someone really knows you)?
Can you find a painting called Agnus Dei (“Lamb of God”)? What does the Bible say about Jesus as the Lamb of God?
Is there a piece of art that looks like you? Or, can you strike a similar pose?
Ask your parents to take you to the Visible Vaults: As you opened the drawers, what was something that surprised you? Can you draw it? Why was it fun to discover something new? In the world, what helps you discover or know God’s love more?
Are there works that remind you of Bible stories or God’s love for you?
For our younger children — let your kids show you what they want to see.
- What do they see that you didn’t notice as an adult?
- Ask, “What art do you like? Why? What don’t you like?”
- If you see people in the artwork ask, “What are the expressions on their faces? Happy? Sad? How does that make you feel?”
- Ask them to point out colors and shapes (but don’t touch!) and ask which ones do they like? Are there pieces they don’t like?
- Share with them which ones you like and why.
- Remind your kids that they are God’s beautiful artwork!
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Bonus! Find PJ’s favorite non-sacred piece (without running!) • Take a photo of it and show it to PJ — first person to correctly do so wins a prize! • Hint: We showed a picture of it on Sunday • If you need another hint, text PJ
Church Without Walls — Worship Songs
The Love of the Father
Lift up your voices and lift up your praise
Join with the heavens declaring the wonders
Of His faithfulness forever
Sing of the victory, the hope of the world
The Saviour has risen, the Spirit has come to
Bring us into love forever
We are the people of God
With the freedom of hope in our hearts
How great is the love of the Father
Lifted from darkness and into the light
The sons and the daughters are loved at a price our
God has made us His forever
This is the song of the redeemed
The ransomed and the free
Given life at such a price
This is love, this is love
And when the Father calls us home
And we see Him on the throne
Hear the voices sing as one
This is love, this is love
Lord Most High
From the ends of the earth (From the ends of the earth)
From the depth of the sea (From the depth of the sea)
From the height of the heavens (From the height of the heaven)
Your name be praised
From the hearts of the weak (From the hearts of the weak)
From the shouts of the strong (From the shouts of the strong)
From the lips of all people (From the lips of all people)
This song we raise, Lord
Throughout the endless ages
You will be crowed with praises
Lord most high
Exalted in every nation
Soverign of all creation
Lord most high
Be magnified
Here I am to Worship
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
