For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. (Malachi 3:6)
In Scripture, we find God’s people fasting in response to brokenness and sin in the world and their own lives. Seasons of preparation are also viewed as opportunities to prayerfully fast. Throughout Church history, Christians have identified certain seasons, like Advent and Lent, as times of corporate fasting as we await our Savior’s return when all will be made new.
As in previous years, this Advent our congregation will observe a collective fast. As our world experiences uncertainty and heartache in many forms, fasting gives us the opportunity to reflect prayerfully even as we root ourselves in faith, hope and love for a new year.
For more of the biblical rationale for fasting, see this sermon Pastor David.
Prayer Calendar and Call
Each of the four Sundays of Advent will have a theme related to God’s character. Every worship service will include communion as well as time to testify to how we’ve experienced this characteristic of God. Additionally, the following passages of Scripture can be used to guide personal prayer during these four weeks.
Week of December 1: God is Faithful
Week of December 8: God is Righteous
Week of December 15: God is Redeeming
Christmas Week: God is Immanuel
- Monday: Colossians 1:15-20
- Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7
- Christmas: Psalm 97
- Thursday-Saturday: Psalm 148
We’ll also meet online for a 15 minute prayer call each Monday morning at 7:00 am during Advent for a meditation on Scripture and prayer for the week.
Following the example of the historic, global Church, we will observe a vegan diet during the fast. Without being overly prescriptive, please simplify your diet as much as possible, including abstaining from alcohol and caffeine. Please adjust the fast to meet all dietary and health needs.
Given the amount of time many of us spend on screens, please abstain from recreational screen time as much as possible to free time for prayerful reflection, rest, and restorative relationships.
Because every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, the Church has typically not fasted on the Lord’s Day. Please treat Sundays as feast days, pausing your fast to celebrate our Lord’s faithfulness.
The fast will end with the Christmas Eve service on December 24.
The Giving Challenge
Historically the Church has connected fasting and generosity. Please look for opportunities to share joyfully with those in need.
Additionally, we invite you to give generously to meet the 2024 budget. 100% of all giving beyond the budget will be given to Matthew’s House in Bronzeville, “a nonprofit community based organization that provides food, daytime shelter and housing referrals for homeless clients.”
You can support the giving challenge by giving on a Sunday morning or online. Thank you for your generosity.