JASON'S REFLECTIONS
Around the time that the nascent congregation of Advent was taking shape in the nineteenth century, a theological argument was developing in America and Europe over the meaning of a specific statement in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” The issue at stake for these theologians was just how depleted Jesus was of his divinity while he walked the earth two-thousand years ago. Some said that it affected who Jesus was, while others argued it only affected what he was able to do, and not do.
These theological tussles eventually parlayed in the twentieth century into discussions on just what it meant for Jesus (that is, God) to die. Can God really die? One of my favorite theologians, Jürgen Moltmann, in the following quote doesn’t really answer that question, but he does, I think, focus more appropriately on what it meant for God to take on humanity, what we call the incarnation:
“When God becomes man in Jesus of Nazareth, he not only enters into the finitude of man, but in his death on the cross also enters into the situation of man's godforsakenness. In Jesus he does not die the natural death of a finite being, but the violent death of the criminal on the cross, the death of complete abandonment by God. The suffering in the passion of Jesus is abandonment, rejection by God, his Father. God does not become a religion, so that man participates in him by corresponding religious thoughts and feelings. God does not become a law, so that man participates in him through obedience to a law. God does not become an ideal, so that man achieves community with him through constant striving. He humbles himself and takes upon himself the eternal death of the godless and the godforsaken, so that all the godless and the godforsaken can experience communion with him.”
What Moltmann is saying to you and me is, I think, what St. Paul explicitly and implicitly intended to communicate to the original readers, and to us, as well. That is, that following Jesus requires something of us: something along the same lines as what Jesus himself was willing to abandon in order to redeem the good and sacred creation.
What is it that we need to “empty ourselves” of in order to truly follow Christ? You know what I think is fundamental to our capacity to individually answer that question? It’s not whether we understand the technicalities of how God “emptied himself,” or apprehend the science and logic of it all; rather, it comes down to whether we comprehend and welcome the notion that to be a follower of Jesus has something to do with our willingness to commune with “the godless and the godforsaken”—the way Jesus was humbly willing to do.
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NEW BENCH FOR MEMORIAL GARDEN
In honor of Oliver Baily
The memorial bench in honor of Oliver Baily has been delivered. Join us for Sunday services and come see the new bench.
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THIS SUNDAY
September 20, 2020 - 8am & 10am
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Our services will be held outside on the lawn. The forecast looks good but if it changes to a 40% chance of rain, the service will be held via zoom
Meeting ID: 949 2968 3353
Passcode: 160375
Phone: +1 929-205-6099 US (New York)
Please remember to bring your mask, a lawn chair, friends, and something or someone to pray for. Don't forget your coffee mug for some third-wave coffee afterwards.
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ADVENT BUILDING RE-OPENING
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Join us in the Sanctuary as we return inside our building. Sadly this will also be Nia McKenney's last Sunday with us. We are thankful for Nia's ministry with us and give her our best wishes to her future endeavors.
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COMMUNION RESUMES
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Bishop Breidenthal has authorized the reinstitution of Holy Communion, confirmations and reception commencing on Sunday, October 18, 2020 throughout the Diocese of Southern Ohio pursuant to the following guidelines:
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ANIMAL BLESSING
October 4, 2020 at 10am
Celebrate St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of pets in remembrance of him and his love for all creatures.
Bring your pet (cat, dog) to the 10am service so they may receive a special blessing. Children may bring their favorite stuffed animal.
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DAILY PRAYER
& Christian Formation News
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 9am
Morning Prayer is now being offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Please see below for each day's format:
Mondays & Fridays
Please join Jason for Morning Prayer via Zoom at 9am.
Meeting ID: 508 076 9883
Passcode: W5LZGm
By Phone:
Dial in: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 508 076 9883
Passcode: 944494
Wednesdays
Join Jason for Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 9am with live music from Bradford Dale. This service will also be live streamed on Facebook.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY & COMPLINE
Bible Study 7:30pm
Jason invites you to a Bible Study via Zoom prior to the Compline service with All Saints. If you are interested in joining Jason for this Bible Study, please email him at clergy@adventcincy.org
Compline 8:30pm
We have been invited by the congregation of All Saints in Pleasant Ridge to join them on Wednesday nights on Zoom to pray Compline.
Dial in: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 783 519 579
Passcode: 496688Compline
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CONNECTIONS
Free to all Members
Connections, is a mailed bi-monthly publication from the Diocese of Southern Ohio. It features regular highlights of ministry priorities of relationships, congregations, formation and mission, but also includes theological reflections, editorials, book reviews, and practical information around a particular theme for each issue.
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Join Now! Diocesan-wide
Sacred Ground Dialogue series
Sundays Oct 18 - Feb 28 at 4:30 - 6:00pm
Our diocese is excited to present a diocesan-wide formation opportunity as part of our commitment to Becoming Beloved Community.
Beginning Sundays on October 18 and through February 28 (4:30-6 p.m), Derek Peebles (Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati) and Betsy Schram (Church of the Redeemer, Cincinnati) will co-host Sacred Ground, a film and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith.
Deadline for registering is October 11; space is limited.
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❖ Join us on Facebook: DSO Becoming Beloved Community
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Vestry Minutes are now available for July 2020, just click the button. Vestry minutes are posted after they have been approved, thus July Minutes were approved at the August Vestry Meeting.
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Consider making a donation or your pledge payment using the link on the left. Your donation is secure and your information will not be shared.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Church of the Advent.
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Advent Weekly Newsletter Submissions
If you have a church event or activity you would like to share in this newsletter, please submit your article to Maaike Chertock, Parish Administrator, at Office@AdventCincy.org
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