This version of our Mission, Vision, and Way of Life may help you in your discernment. May God bless you as you ask Him to search your heart and life.

MISSION

We the Church of the Nativity are called together by God

to be and to make faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:19-20; 1 John 2:6; Ephesians 4:15-16; Philippians 1:21

VISION – WAY OF LIFE

As we pursue our Mission, we are to be

safe in God’s hands:

Isaiah 49:15-16; Romans 10:21; Luke 23:46; John 17:20-23; Romans 12:1

forgiven by grace through faith in Christ crucified, expressed in baptism

Psalm 32:1-2; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 4:32

accepted at the Father’s table as experienced in the Holy Eucharist

Isaiah 43:1; John 15:16; Luke 24:35; Acts 2:46;

empowered by the Holy Spirit, demonstrated in being confirmed

Joel 2:28-29; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18

confident in God as we are adopted as one of His people, the church

Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 5:6; Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 1:6

shaped in God’s image:

Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:20, 12:2; Galatians 4:19; Colossians 3:9-10,17

relational as we connect in a flock, a small group or ministry teams

John 10:27, 13:34, 17:23; Acts 2:44-45; Hebrews 10:24-25

reflective as we engaging in the oasis of daily Bible reading and prayer,

Psalm 1; Mark 1:35; Acts 17:11; James 1:23-26

restful as we enter the wellspring of worship and Sabbath rest weekly,

Exodus 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; John 7:37-38; Hebrews 4:9-11

rendering to God our time, talent and treasure in the furnace of self-denial

Matthew 16:23-25; Luke 20:25; Acts 20:35; 1 Peter 1:6-7

serving in God’s mission:

Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 4:16-21; Ephesians 1:9-12

compassionate as we reach out to others as a rescue-station

Matthew 22:37-40, 25:20, 28:19-20; Acts 2:47, 16:9-10; Philippians 1:8-11

curious and convinced as we study and teach truth as a faith fitness center

Psalm 119:105; Acts 17:11; Ephesians 4:14-16; 2 Timothy 2:2,15, 3:16-17;

confessional as we give and receive care as a refuge,

Luke 10:25-37; 1 Corinthians 12:9,26; Hebrews 13:2; James 5:13-16;

content as we celebrating His Life together as a banquet hall

Nehemiah 8:10; Luke 14:13-14; Philippians 4:4-7,11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

All to the glory of God,

and the building up of His Kingdom.

Matthew 6:10,13(KJV)

Church of the Nativity

Northborough, MA

ADVENT 2009

Reflections

Church of the Nativity is asking God to show us the ways to be and to make faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe He is calling us to be more focused on this mission, this primary call on our lives, individually and as a parish. A Strategy Team has been called forth from the Vestry to guide us in better pursuing this call.

This church season of Advent, each of us is asked to reflect on our life in Christ. As we focus on Christ’s second coming during this season, we want to be better prepared to greet Him then, and to follow Him now. Growing out of the “Reveal” survey which many of us took last April, we believe God is calling us to reflect on how we are growing as His followers, and how Nativity Church is, or is not, helping us.

The questions which follow are for your use throughout December. They won’t be collected, but will help us to share with one another what God has shown us when we gather in meetings early next year. All this so that we might discern how our church might better help us and others around us to be and to make faithful followers of Jesus.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19

As you reflect on your life in Christ, what experiences have helped you to become a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ (such as groups, studies, activities, people)?

How has the church helped you to grow in these ways?

At this time, do you believe you are becoming a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ? Describe how this is happening, or how you wish it were happening.

How might the Church of the Nativity help you in this?