Just two days before Christmas, Advent invites us into a surprising theme: lament.

In Psalm 80, Asaph — David’s worship leader — teaches us how to pray when God’s promises don’t seem to line up with reality. Rather than suppressing pain or forcing cheer, lament gives us language for suffering that is honest, faithful, and hope-filled.

In this teaching, we explore:

• What biblical lament really is (and what it isn’t)
• The four movements of lament: facing God, complaining, asking, and trusting
• How Psalm 80 unexpectedly points forward to the incarnation of Jesus
• Why lament still belongs in the life of the church — especially at Christmas

As we live between the first coming of Christ and his promised return, lament helps us hold gratitude and longing together. Christmas tells us that God has stepped into the darkness — but we still cry out, “How long, Lord?”

In the video below, Andy introduces us to a big end-of-year goal. The first step in what we believe is a theme for our churches to lean into in the season ahead.  The goal is to give away $50,000 to support organizations that are working with vulnerable youth in each of the cities we live in.  The bulk of the funds will be going to Youth Unlimited, but we are also considering a few other options. 

Prayerfully, this initial gift will lead to relationships and eventually to service opportunities with the youth workers in our cities.

For now, at the end of the year, would you consider giving a special gift above and beyond your usual giving? 

How can you give?

On our giving page, there are three ways you can give to simple churches.  Each of these can be used to support this fundraiser.

• Credit Card - At the credit card link, there is a drop-down menu that lets you give to "Youth Initiative."
• E-transfer - If you give via e-transfer, simply include in the memo how much of the gift you would like to be directed to youth and how much to the general fund.
• Cheque - Same as with the e-transfer, please include in a note or on the memo line how the funds are to be used.