Liturgy Sunday | Advent | 11.30.25

Follow Along with the Message

Advent Service of Thanksgiving and Praise

Phil and Jill Carnuccio

Focus

1. Liturgy-heavy versus no liturgy…share your experiences with liturgy-based worship. 

2. What emotions does this kind of practice/service evoke in you? Why? 
3. How can liturgy help develop a deeper connection with God in your own life?

Intentionality

1. “As Thanksgiving ends and Christmas approaches, our culture calls us to speed up. Yet, Advent calls us to slow down.” How does this statement speak to you?

2. What can you do to intentionally create space to slow down life and spend time with God, contemplating what Jesus’ birth means for humanity and for your own life?

Practice

Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of slow, quiet, and thoughtful encounter with Scripture that involves reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. It is you saying, “Lord, I invite you to examine my heart.” 

1. Take 15 minutes to practice this as a group. Read John 1:1-4 three times, out loud…slowly. 

• Get comfortable and breathe deeply to settle yourself.
• During 1st reading: Listen for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart. Write down this word/phrase and reflect on it quietly for a minute or two.
• During 2nd reading: Listen again closely. During a few minutes of silence, meditate on the word/phrase and contemplate what God may be saying to you through it. Write down your insights, thoughts, and feelings.  
• During 3rd reading: Listen intently. During a few minutes of silence, contemplate how God may be calling you to act through this word or phrase. Share your insights with the group. 
• Close with a prayer of thanksgiving for the group’s encounter with God’s Word.

Remembrance

1. The first Advent candle is hope. Consider having an Advent candle lighting liturgy in your life group. 

Here are a few passages on our hope in Christ: Hebrews 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:24-25, 1 Peter 1:3, Romans 15:13.