Just wanted to jot down some of the key moments for me from this weekend:

1. loved Matt’s opening set.  creative, thoughtful, Adventy.
2. The Terrys and Swishers did a fantastic job thinking practically about longing for hope.  Gabe, thanks for introducing your family.  Graham, nice reading.  Swisher boys, way to stand proud!  This is a fantastic new tradition.  Can’t wait to hear the other households who will share.
3. getting to wear a purple stole 🙂
4. the middle voice:  “The middle voice is critical to getting the sense and nuance of this passage.  If you use the active voice–  you are doing it:  I am filling.  If you use the passive voice–  it is being done to you:  I am continuously being filled.  If you use the middle voice, there is a sense of cooperation, you are doing it to yourself.  I am continually filling myself.  I am doing it, but I am also receiving it. So the most literal translation of this verse–  ‘continuously fill yourself with the Spirit.’  It is the middle voice that speaks volumes of dignity and worth. Because you are choosing something for yourself.
5. Erin doing the welcome.  She is always so thoughtful and intentional with her words.  I liked the tension of darkness and light.
6. The participle of result.  Realizing that if we choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit, these five participles come with the package (they aren’t upgrades or options, they are standard)–  Addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; Singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart; Giving Thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
7. Putting others in line before yourself.
8. Biblical submission is always for another person’s good, to serve them, to see them empowered, to see them mature.  Biblical submission comes from our Spirit filled capacity, not from our empty dregs.  It is from a posture of generous dignity that we can put someone else ahead of us.  Biblical submission out of reverent fear of Christ can never be demanded, it can only be earned, it can only be given.  It can only come from the middle voice–  I choose to fill myself with the Holy Spirit with the result that I choose to submit myself to others.
9. If you don’t get that you are submitted to One who dearly loves you, who chose you, you don’t get the passage.
10. singing the sanctus
11. meeting so many grandparents and parents who were visiting for Thanksgiving.

Have a great week!  Thanks for worshiping with us.  Happy Advent!!