Rehearsing Christmas
Cast Party
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 2.41-52.
11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve
Linda’s message for 11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve is rooted in John 1.1-14.
5pm Candlelight Christmas Eve
Matt’s Christmas Eve message for our 5pm candlelight worship at The Table is rooted in Luke 2.1-14.
Dress Rehearsal
Linda’s message is rooted in Mary’s Magnificat from Luke 1.46-55. God partners with Mary & Elizabeth to save the world. In this morning’s worship, Mary moves to center stage and we are invited to join her in a dress rehearsal for God’s coming into the world.
Polishing Rehearsal
Polishing rehearsals are specifically held for the purpose of correcting problems that occurred in previous run-throughs. Actors and directors must discern what to do given certain challenges that have arisen throughout rehearsals. Similarly, John the Baptist is calling everyone around him to “correct problems” that have arisen in their life together. The people ask John what they should do and he replies with concrete next steps. What might we learn for our lives today from the ancient call by John the…
Blocking
Linda’s message is rooted in the story of John the Baptist (Luke 3.1-6). The Word of God comes to John not in the center of political & religious power, but on the margins amidst the wilderness. How might attention to the location or position of John guide us in rehearsing for Christmas?
Read Through
Actors in a play read through the entire script in order to prepare. Similarly, the Christian calendar calls followers of Jesus to read through the entire script of the Good News as a way of preparing our hearts and minds for God-with-us, Emmanuel. Jesus calls his followers to “watch” and “stay awake” amidst the distress of the nations (Luke 21.25-36) near the end of his life. Our socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges are different today, but we find ourselves unquestionably in…