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RhythmsTHE

PROJECT

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RhythmsVOLUME THREE

ADVENT 2014

light

dark

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We are immersed in rhythms. They surround us. The sun rises and the night falls. The tides roll in and out with the passing moon. Birds chirp, clocks tick, raindrops fall – all to a consistent tempo. The world around us is full of these regular, repeated patterns. But they aren’t just around us – they are within us. Our hearts beat and our lungs breathe. Our veins expand and contract as life flows through them. Even our bodies are subject to these regular movements. It is even by rhythms that we mark time. Hours, days, years, are all lived in the ebb and flow of work, sleep, and meals. All are rhythms – within and without. Our Creator has made everything in this way.

But we don’t just find rhythms in the created order. Throughout the Scriptures, God provides His people with rhythms by which to order their lives. In the Old Testament, we see that He gave the people of Israel Sabbaths and feasts to help them remem-ber His work as Creator and Savior. In the Gospels we read that on the night before Jesus died for us, He instituted the Sacra-ment of Communion. When we partake in the bread and wine, we remember His suffering and death on our behalf. Over the past 2,000 years, the Church has instituted feasts, holy days and seasons in order that we might orient our lives around the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. All these patterns are given as means of grace by which we are reminded who God is and who He’s called us to be.

As Anglicans, we have been given the Book of Common Prayer – a collection of prayers, Scripture readings, and liturgies that help us immerse our lives into the life of Christ. Introduced in 1549, the Book of Common Prayer was created to provide the peo-ple of England with a resource to engage in Scripture, learn to pray, and ultimately, deepen their understanding of the Gospel. Christians all over the world have used it for almost 500 years. It is Scriptural, practical, and beautiful, but it can also be daunting.

The aim of the Rhythms Project is to compile the proper readings from the Daily Office and the Collects (Prayers) in a way that is simple and easy to use. Corresponding readings from the Jesus Storybook Bible have been added to encourage times of family worship. This third installment of The Rhythms Project will con-tain a four week journey through Advent. Our hope is that this resource will give you the tools to immerse the rhythms of your life into the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

PREFACE

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The Rhythms Project seeks to combine the best of the Book of Common Prayer, the Church Calendar, and the Jesus Storybook Bible into an accessible resource to guide spiritual life over the next four weeks. It is made up of daily personal readings and weekly family worship resources that will encourage the readers to journey through the Christian Calendar together.

As you begin, stop and pray for the Holy Spirit to use this time to illuminate the Scriptures to you. Then, read through the Daily Of-fice readings for that day. Pick one of the passages that “jumps” out at you and walk through what we call SOAP. Write down the Scripture. Make an Observation about it. Apply it to your life to-day. And say a Prayer for Jesus to help you walk in that newly re-vealed truth. Then take the time to pray the Collect of the week or say the Lord’s Prayer.

For your family (or communal) worship time, set aside thirty min-utes to gather with your family or friends. Begin by praying the Collect of the week together or pick one person to pray it out loud. Then read a passage from the Daily Office readings and dis-cuss it together. If you have children (or even if you don’t!) read the selected reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible. You might ask questions like: What does this passage say about Christ and His finished work of redemption? What does it say about your identity in Him? What might He be calling you to do in response? Finish by singing a song or praying the Lord’s Prayer together.

The Daily Office, identified by the dark purple book icon, are per-sonal Scripture readings for each day. Family Worship, identified by a purple house icon, includes a Christ-centered Bible reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible. The Collect, identified by the dark green arrow icon, is a prayer to be used daily and weekly. Follow along the Rhythms readings on your iPhone with an app from iphonelectionary.com.

HOW TO READ THIS BOOK

DAILY OFFICE

FAMILY WORSHIP

THE COLLECT

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THE SEASON OF ADVENT

For most of us, Christmas is a time of joy, filled with light, laugh-ter, family, and feasting. This is as it should be, for Christ’s birth demands only the grandest of celebrations. But for some, this holiday can be dark and painful. For them it is a reminder of all of that is wrong with the world. Broken relationships, poverty, sickness, and death are ever-present realities in any season, no matter its significance.

The season of Advent calls us to remember that before the light, there is darkness; before the rescue, there was peril. Before a Savior was born, there was no salvation. Throughout this time, we are called to reflect on the brokenness of the world and our lives, and to respond with ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’ Because Christ came once to save and redeem, we are assured that he will come again to restore and recreate. He will come again to make us, and this world, new again.

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“HE BECAME WHAT WE ARE THAT HE MIGHT MAKE US WHAT HE IS.”

-SAINTATHANASIUS

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DARK | LIGHT

Over the next four weeks, we will explore the themes of Dark and Light. By reflecting on the darkness in our lives, our relationships, our communities, and our world, we will see the ways that the light of Christ brings courage for today and hope for tomorrow.

On the following pages, you will find a personal reflection writ-ten by a member of Saint Peter’s that corresponds with each of these themes. The purpose of these reflections is to create a communal testament to how Christ has shined in our heart and in the lives of real people around us. We invite you to read these stories and remember that Christ has brought light into the dark-est places in all of us.

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by Emily Padgett

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had never been asked to pray with anyone before. I thought we would probably just say the Our Father and have tea. In the church office that day, Rees and I began healing prayer.

CHRIST ILLUMINES

THE DARKNESS WITHIN ME

Three years ago, Rees (our Pas-tor’s wife) asked me to pray with her. We had been attend-ing Saint Peter’s for 2 years mostly because I thought it was a good thing to do since we had just started a family. I had no idea what to expect—I

by Emily Padgett

“I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT. I HAD NEVER PRAYED WITH ANYONE

BEFORE.”

Walking into it, I had no idea I need-ed healing. I thought I was fine. As we prayed, I began to confess all of my sin to God: partying, gossip, pride—all of my yuck. I pictured Jesus in these plac-es of hurt and brokenness. It brought me to tears. At the end, Rees asked me to picture how Jesus sees me now. An image of a waterfall popped into my mind and the sound of rushing water filled the office. At the time, I did not understand what it meant.

Years later, God spoke to both my husband (Damon) and I and told us to have a baby. Our tiny house in the Old Village had been for sale for months with no prospects for purchase. We did not have space for another baby. A few weeks later we found out we were expecting. During my first trimester, God asked me to deal with some old sin that would affect our family very per-sonally. My human mind could not wrap around this one. Why would he want me to walk through this specific darkness now? But God pressed in on me. He spoke through everyday happen-ings and through scripture. It led me to confess. It was a hard time. We both leaned hard into the Lord, and into our friends at Saint Peter’s. Something began to happen in our marriage—it really became one! Walls came down for both of us. We began to communicate better, love more, share more, and most impor-tantly—Satan had nothing on us anymore.

Recently, when our third son was baptized, Christ reminded me of the vision regarding water. Water is cleansing, renewing and life-giving. I was reminded of the moment in Rees’ office when I fell hard for Jesus. This was the first time I truly saw the power of God and realized his love for me.

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“HIS OWN SOFT HAND SHALL WIPE THE TEARSFROM EVERY WEEPING EYE,AND PAINS, AND GROANS, AND GRIEFS, AND FEARS, AND DEATH ITSELF, SHALL DIE.”

-ISAAC WATTS

NOV 30 to DEC 6

Advent

WEEK ONE

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Isaiah 64:1-9Psalm 80:1-7, 16-181 Cor. 1:3-9Mark 13:24-37

Operation No More Tears (pg 144)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalms 1, 2, 3Isaiah 1:10-201 Thess 1:1-10Luke 20:1-8

Psalms 5, 6Isaiah 1:21-311 Thess. 2:1-12Luke 20:9-18

Psalm 119:1-24Isaiah 2:1-111 Thess. 2:13-20Luke 20:19-26

Psalms 18:1-20Isaiah 2:12-22 1 Thess. 3:1-13Luke 20:27-40

Psalms 16, 17Isaiah 3:8-151 Thess. 4:1-12Luke 20:41--21:4

Psalms 20, 21:1-14Isaiah 4:2-61 Thess. 4:13-18Luke 21:5-19

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday Friday Saturday

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planning their wedding. They were married two weeks before we left for our summer trip to Hungary.

CHRIST BRINGS LIGHT TO

OUR CLOSEST RELATIONSHIPS

For a number of years, I worked with a friend to support church planting teams in Hungary. In 2007, while we were planning the upcoming project in Hungary, my son and my friend’s daughter were

by Jeff Adkins

“THERE WAS NO LIVING ‘HAPPILY

EVER AFTER’ FOR ANYONE IN THIS STORY. IT HURT. A LOT.”

Just days after our return, we learned that this young marriage had problems—big problems. These problems soon involved counselors, pastors, and, ultimately, attorneys. Month after month, things went from bad to worse, while my friend and I planned the next year’s work in Hungary. A dark cloud hung over everything while we did our best to remain faithful to God’s good work. This continued for another two years, concluding with the end of that marriage. There was no living “happily ever after” for anyone in this story. It hurt. A lot.

God’s grace was sufficient. Even in the ugliness and brokenness of life, God brings redemption and fulfills his ultimate purpose of re-shaping his people, in order to each day make us more and more like his Son. God’s work in me will continue until its comple-tion on that day when we stand together before Him in a crowd too large to number. For His own good reasons, God didn’t swoop down and make everything ok. Instead, he let us walk through a hard, bitter path that led to an unhappy ending. He walked with us every hard step of the way, kept us safe, and worked, even in these circumstances, to accomplish his good will for us all. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.” This verse from Isa-iah (11:1) refers to a tree stump that represents King David (Jesse’s son) and all the kings of Israel and Judah who descended from David. It’s a stump because these kingdoms came to an end as God’s judgment on his people’s disobedience. For hundreds of years, God’s people served foreign kings or lived with no king at all. But then, in God’s perfect timing, David’s son, Jesus Christ, came like a fresh green shoot out of that old dead stump. God’s good work in redeeming his people cannot be thwarted. God, not sin, speaks the final word.

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Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;

Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.

To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior,

When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,

How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.

To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger they found Him,As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;

True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,And lightens every load.

- Theodore Baker

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Isaiah 40:1-11Psalm 85:1-2,8-132 Peter 3:8-15aMark 1:1-8

Get Ready (pg 170)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our sal-vation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and for-sake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming

of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 25Isaiah 5:8-12, 18-231 Thess. 5:1-11Luke 21:20-28

Psalms 26, 28Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-251 Thess. 5:12-28Luke 21:29-38

Psalm 38Isaiah 6:1-132 Thess. 1:1-12John 7:53--8:11

Psalm 37:1-18Isaiah 7:1-92 Thess. 2:1-12Luke 22:1-13

Psalm 31Isaiah 7:10-252 Thess. 2:13--3:5Luke 22:14-30

Psalms 30, 32Isaiah 8:1-152 Thess. 3:6-18Luke 22:31-38

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday Friday Saturday

DEC 7 to DEC 13

Advent

WEEK TWO

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THOU, THE FATHER’S ONLY SON, HAST OVER SIN THE VICTORY WON.

BOUNDLESS SHALL THY KINGDOM BE; WHEN SHALL WE ITS GLORIES SEE?

-AMBROSE OF MILAN

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is where His light shines brightest. The same can be true in this community. In order for a light to shine, there must be darkness. Jesus is alive because His light shines in the lowest places. I have witnessed Christ’s light blazing within a ministry for little girls (aged 6–14) called “What Are Little Girls Made Of?”

CHRIST SHINES THROUGH

US TO OUR COMMUNITIES

“I BELIEVE GOD CAN USE THESE

GIRLS TO REVIVE AN ENTIRE EAST

SIDE COMMUNITY.”

Being from the East side community, I under-stand the overwhelm-ing darkness that abides here. I could have been caught in this vicious cycle, had it not been for God’s saving grace. I have learned that of-ten times my darkness

by Shantell Scott

I was called to this ministry to invest in the lives of girls who are often forced to reside in spiritual and sometimes phys-ical darkness. As we’ve met, these girls have shared issues that weighed heavy on their hearts. Some don’t know their fathers, some are ignored and mistreated by parents and family members, and one was con-cerned about her great-grandmother who cares for all of her sib-lings. As we have prayed to break strongholds, I have seen an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Whether these girls make good or bad decisions in the future, I am hopeful that their relationship with Christ will be ongoing and that, despite their circumstances, they will trust Him. Having seen the Holy Spirit move in the lives of these girls has helped me believe that God can use them to revive the entire East Side Community.

Whenever we experience darkness, we must consider there is a God who is greater than our rough times. When a child who is born into a broken family with no self-worth can look to God for inspiration and intervention, it is an example to us. We must choose to give ourselves to Christ for His light to illuminate this world.

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Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11Psalm 1261 Thess. 5:16-24John 1:6-8, 19-28

He’s Here (pg 176)

Psalm 41, 52Isaiah 8:16--9:12 Peter 1:1-11Luke 22:39-53

Psalm 45Isaiah 9:8-172 Peter 1:12-21Luke 22:54-69

Psalm 119:49-72Isaiah 9:8-172 Peter 2:1-10aMark 1:1-8

Psalm 50Isaiah 9:18--10:42 Peter 2:10b-16Matt. 3:1-12

Psalms 40, 54Isaiah 10:5-19 2 Peter 2:17-22Matt. 11:2-15

Psalm 55Isaiah 10:20-27Jude 17-25Luke 3:1-9

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Sunday

Thursday Friday Saturday

DEC 14 to DEC 20

Advent

WEEK THREE

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Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day,

when He shall come again in His glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“REJOICE AND BE GLAD THAT SO GREAT AND GOOD A LORD, ON COMING INTO THE VIRGIN’S WOMB, WILLED TO APPEAR DESPISED, NEEDY, AND POOR

IN THIS WORLD, SO THAT MEN WHO WERE IN DIRE POVERTY AND SUFFERING GREAT NEED OF HEAVEN-

LY FOOD MIGHT BE MADE RICH IN HIM.”

- ST. CLARE OF ASSISI

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pounds of leg casts. Truly, only the LORD knew His plan for Aaron Josue!

About this same time, two young people (both former LAMB volunteers) were planning their wedding. Chris and Katie had no idea that one day, when the time was right, they would be moved by the Holy Spirit to receive this tiny ambassador of hope into their family.

CHRIST REDEEMS

OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY

In February 2007, an under-nourished, malformed baby boy was placed in my arms: “When he dies, call us, and we will help with the burial.” The Honduran Social Services caseworker was not hopeful. I was holding seven pounds of baby and another two or three

by Suzy McCall

“WHEN HE DIES, CALL US AND WE WILL

HELP WITH THE BURIAL.”

AJ gradually, and with tremendous effort and the encouragement of many friends, outgrew his severe breathing problems, learned to use a wheelchair, and also survived a nursery fire at the children’s home. His daily life has testified to the power of the grace of Jesus Christ working through weakness to build the faith of an entire community.

In September 2014, AJ became a U.S. citizen, the son of our dear friends, Chris and Katie. Mission brought Chris and Katie to Hon-duras. Mission took me to Honduran Social Services. Mission built our children’s home. What none of us had seen became a reality because of hope in Jesus, who sees, loves, and redeems.

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2 Samuel 7:1-11Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26Romans 16:25-27Luke 1:26-38

The Light of the Whole World (pg 184)

Psalms 61, 62Isaiah 11:1-9Revelation 20:1-10John 5:30-47

Psalms 66, 67Isaiah 11:10-16Rev. 20:11--21:8Luke 1:5-25

Psalms 45, 46Isaiah 35:1-10Rev. 22:12-17, 21Luke 1:67-80

Sunday

Monday Christmas EveTuesday

DEC 21 to DEC 24

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily vis-itation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Advent

WEEK FOUR

by Kelly Northrup

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Christmas Eve

the darkness. And if we’re all being honest, it is no easy task. I don’t know about everybody else, but there’s more or less a point in every day where I’m kind of ready to give up. Throw in the towel. Give in to all my selfish desires and wanderings. Be the darker version of myself. I am honest when I say I think about it. I believe we all do.

It wasn’t that long ago, though, when a baby was born in the most unheroic circumstances with details so crazy that even the most creative writer could not have constructed them. And with

THE LIGHT

HAS COME

“For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stum-bling.” Psalm 16:8

Darkness is inevitable in this world. It’s a part of all of us. Every day is a newer and more extensive exercise in expelling

“THERE IS A POINT IN EVERY DAY WHERE I’M

READY TO BE THE DARKER VERSION OF

MYSELF.”

that baby came thirty-three years of pain-staking ministry that culminated in the greatest gift ever given to man: light and life. To the fullest.

So, in honor of him; in devotion to him; and in praise of his Holy Name, I rejoice today for the unsurpassed love of Jesus and what he has done for me. I find joy in the truth that he pulled me out of my sin, my carnage, and my need for resto-ration. He has brought peace and hope even in the continuing darkness of my life.

Light has come. And so, we rejoice.

by Kelly Northrup

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The Rhythms Project is brought to you by Saint Peter’s Church, a community of connection and transformation in Christ in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Visit www.saintpeters.me for more in-formation.

Edited by Patrick SchlabsCompiled and Edited by Kelly NorthrupDesign by Meg Austin DesignPhotos by Margaret Crane and Lindsey Harris

You are encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Saint Peter’s Church.

CREDITS

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