In the darkness and stillness of the night Jesus was born.

“We wait in the darkness, expectantly, longingly.

In the darkness we can see the splendour of the universe –

blankets of stars,

the solitary glowings of the planets.

In the darkness of the womb,

Mortals are nurtured

And the Christ-child was made ready for the journey into light.

In the darkness the wise three found the star

That led them to you.

In the darkness of dreams you spoke to Joseph

And the wise ones

And you speak still to us.

In the darkness of despair and distress we watch

For a sign of hope from the Light of Lights.” (prayer rhythms)

thoughts?

Your thoughts?

One Body, Many Stories from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

Following through on our “This summer…” series, here’s the current schedule of cross-learning presentations (subject to change)

Sept. 11th – Jonathan, Sophia, Christina
Sept. 18th – Alfred, Anna, Vince, Shuk-Ka
Sept. 25th – Harry, Carol, Bonnie, Felix
Oct. 2nd – Yvonne, Lon, Jim, Helen
Oct. 9th – Po Man, Josephine, Cindy, Ian, Jon, Gma
Oct. 16th – Ken, Ella, Tim, Kathy
Oct. 23rd – Monica, James, Amy, Jon
Oct. 30th – Ka, Jennifer, Kadia, Kandice

If you’re not on this list yet (and are dying to) it’s just because I haven’t spoken to you personally yet. We’ll see how this rolls out, can’t wait!

Mosaic is going to experiment by sending everyone out on a summer project.

What is this and why are we doing it?

- We’re modelling this after Independent Study Projects which many have already done in school
- Working on separate distinct projects fits well with our current decentralized mode of church
- We wanted to practice living highly intentional with the moments we’ve been given on earth
- We’re hoping the 6-8 week span of the summer will allow us to do something substantial, maybe even remarkable
- The cross-learning of what God is doing in our own circles as we’re living intentionally ought to be quite enriching
- Christ-like character building is of primal importance to us, and we’re hoping that as we step out in action doing all that is good, beautiful, and true in the name of Christ, our character will be forged in the process

Everybody ends up somewhere. But very few people end up somewhere on purpose.

We want to soak in every bit of opportunity at life we have this summer, and all the end of the it all be able to answer the question “This Summer I… ” knowing we lived well in light of God.

Below is a few generic items mentioned that you could commit yourself to this summer. Feel free to think far beyond this as well.

Closing out our journey through the Gospel of John

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,”Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, ”Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, ”Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, ”Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, ”Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ”Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, ”Feed my sheep.18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ”Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, ”If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ”If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

I like how Jesus waited until they finished eating before ‘reinstating’ Peter.

Peter was welcome at the table to dine with Christ even before declaring his love or responding to any call to feed his sheep

I’m not sure if Peter fully understood what Christ was telling him about the consequences of following him – but it couldn’t have sounded like good news.  Sometimes we need to go where we do not want to go.

“Lord, what about him?” – This is our question as we’re following Christ and things are tough.  We want to live out our unique divine calling, but we often get lost in comparing and wondering about others.

How about you?