Austin Mustard Seed

Round 3

John Chandler — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:04:01 +0000

The Round #3 is coming up at Space12 on November 20th, 7:30-10:30pm. What is The Round?

It is a beautiful intimate evening of musicians sharing the stage with slam poets and live painters.

THE ROUND & how it works:
3 songwriters sit on stage together
often collaborating loosely for a unique performance
sometimes with backing musicians

joined by slam poets and live painters
a relaxed & intimate evening of collaboration
audience sits in rapt attention

There is a $5 cover and donations are accepted. You can learn more or RSVP on the Facebook Event page.

Serve Austin Sunday

John Chandler — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:02:31 +0000

On Sunday, August 30, we will join Austin New Church and the Restore Austin network to be a part of Serve Austin Sunday. Rather than have our usual Sunday gathering, we will help finish the landscaping and plant an organic garden for Foundation for the Homeless from 2:30-4:30pm.

Serve Austin Sunday happens any time a month has a fifth Sunday, which turns out be once a quarter. I’m excited that we can connect with a larger network of Christians in Austin in hopes that the Kingdom of God can be put on display through our work. If you would like to join us on August 30, let me know so we can keep you up to date with any developing details.

The Sermon on the Mount

John Chandler — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:35:10 +0000

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by Jesus’ so-called Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. It is full of memorable, and sometimes odd, ideas.

Further study has only drawn my interest in. As I see how Jesus’ words might have been understood then, I see that it was a complete reworking of the common beliefs of the day. In the weeks to come, we will sit with Jesus’ words in our Sunday gatherings to see how they not only challenged the ideals of Jesus’ day, but maybe some of our own as well.

A New Home

John Chandler — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:24:25 +0000

We are starting to feel more settled in our new house. There are still boxes here and there…and don’t even get me started on the garage. But most of the furniture is in place and it is feeling like home.

Because of that, we’re eager to host the Sunday gatherings in our home once again. Starting this Sunday, August 2, we will once again gather on Sunday evenings at the Chandlers’ house. Our new address is 11726 Running Fox Trail. It is just off Duval between Research and MoPac.

If you are here on the website in hopes of learning more about our church community, you can read more about our Sunday gatherings here. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

July is Road Trip Month

John Chandler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:54:18 +0000

While the Chandler family is moving this month, our Sunday gathering locations will meet in the homes of others in our community until we are settled in our new place. If you’d like to join us for a gathering, please let us know and we’ll make sure we direct you to the proper location for that week.

Looking Back: Lectio Divina

John Chandler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:50:47 +0000

This past Sunday, we shared an experience in Lectio Divina together. This is an ancient way of reading Scriptures that can be practiced both individually and in community. For those who were there who might want to explore it more on your own, here’s a review of the stages we worked through together:

Lectio.
Slow your mind down as you read the words.
Pay attention to what words or phrases stand out.

Meditatio.
Meditate on a significant word or phrase.
Take note of how you are responding to it.

Oratio.
Means ‘speak.’ For the first time, you initiate a thought.
Ask God what to do with what you’ve been given.

Contemplatio.
Quiet your soul and body.
Sit quietly in the presence of God.

A Brief Summer Break

John Chandler — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:18:42 +0000

With many from our church community on the road, we will take a break from our Sunday gatherings on June 14 and 21. We look forward to all being back together on June 28!

May 31 – Pentecost

John Chandler — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:42:20 +0000

This Sunday, May 31, is Pentecost (wikipedia). This is the day when the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, and is traditionally celebrated as the birth of the church.

To celebrate and remember this day, we are going to read the story of Pentecost together as it’s found in Acts 2. Take some time this week to read Acts 2 and come prepared to offer your own questions or thoughts about the text.

Back to Sunday Evenings

John Chandler — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:08:05 +0000

On Sunday, May 10, we are moving our gatherings back to Sunday evenings. We will continue to meet at the Chandlers’ home and have a shared meal and community time together.

Passover Meal

John Chandler — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:55:29 +0000

As the beginning of our time to celebrate Easter together, our community is going to gather to share a Passover meal together. As we eat, we will reflect on the Jewish story of freedom from slavery and Jesus’ initiation of the Last Supper before his death as a continuing story of God’s work of freedom.

We will gather at the Chandlers’ home on Thursday, April 9 at 5:30pm. If you would like more information, or directions, contact us and let us know.