Habitual Furniture
Habitual Furniture
As Lauren and I approach our 44th anniversary, we’ve noticed a tendency in us and our adult children to laugh and cry about the same stories of our lives together over and over and over again. Say, “every man for himself” or, “Steve, get home quick” and you’ll get an immediate and emotional response. They’re crucial parts of our bigger story and telling them is what C. S. Lewis compellingly phrased, “a part of the habitual furniture of our minds”.
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” But what precisely is “the gospel”? What might immediately come to mind for us, the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, were still future events.
I believe Jesus was pointing to the “bigger” story of God in the world—of which the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension are crucial parts. It’s a story that begins in Genesis 1 and concludes in Revelation 22. A “four-chapter” story that tells not just of human fallenness and forgiveness, but of God’s original intention and ultimate restoration of all his good and beloved creation.
It’s a story of such profound and comprehensive good news that it, too, must become a part of the habitual furniture of our minds.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
News & Announcements
Lenten Home Groups—Survey Deadline Today!
You are warmly invited to participate in our Lenten Home Groups. Groups will begin approximately the week of February 5th and continue through the week before Palm Sunday on March 17th, for a total of 6 weeks.
Our focus this season will be on preparing ourselves for our new church home at 1309 Bay Ridge Avenue. We’ll prayerfully meditate together on selected Scripture passages that describe God’s people on the move, crossing thresholds, making new friends, creating hospitality, discerning where God may be at work…with all the fears, joys, complexities, and opportunities that emerge for us individually and as a community.
If you plan to participate, please take a moment to complete this brief survey as soon as possible, no later than today to help us plan well. We cannot guarantee arrangements for small children, but please indicate if that is a requirement for you so we can try and plan accordingly.
We encourage everyone to participate in our Home Groups this season as we continue live our shared vision of life together as a Redeemer family.
Work Day—Tomorrow, January 20, 9AM-Noon (drop by if/when you can)
Our tasks for tomorrow will be grounds cleanup (weather permitting), more suspended ceiling tile removal, more “junk” removal, vertical blind removal, kitchen cleaning, wall patching, and sundry odd jobs—something for just about everyone. Please bring:
gas-powered leaf blowers (again, weather permitting)
rakes, shovels, brooms, dustpans
tarps for moving leaves
work gloves
putty knives
safety glasses, masks (especially if you’re sensitive to dust), hearing protection
small step ladders/step stools
Lots of work that will be better together!
Important Upcoming Dates
Saturday, January 20, 9AM-Noon— Work Day at the church
Week of February 5—Lenten Small Groups Begin
Wednesday, February 14, 7PM—Ash Wednesday Service
Sunday, March 24—1309 Grand Opening! (Palm/Passion Sunday)
Sunday, March 31—Easter Sunday
