This summer, we want to invite our church into a different rhythm. This is an invitation to make room for what matters most: more rest, more presence, more attentiveness to God, deeper relationships, and a less hurried life.
In a culture formed by noise, speed, distraction, and exhaustion, the way of Jesus invites us into another way of being: abiding instead of striving, presence instead of performance, communion instead of constant consumption.
And part of entering that life is learning to clear the deck a little. We invite you to prayerfully ask:
· What is filling my life right now?
· What is crowding out rest, presence, prayer, or relationship?
· What might God be inviting me to release, reduce, or reorder for a season?
Not everything in our lives is bad. But not everything is forming us into love. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is create margin. To say no to some things so we can say a deeper yes to others. So together, as a church, we want to experiment with a slower and more intentional rhythm for the summer. A shared rhythm helps shape a shared life.
A Simple Summer Rhythm
Daily: Prayer, reading of scripture, time in silence, becoming attentive to God
Weekly: Sunday worship, Sabbath, Table, generosity & hospitality
Monthly: Cultivating intentional spiritual friendship & confession (Triads), entering into practices of fasting, service, and simplicity
A Summer Blessing
May this summer teach us to stop. May we rest in the love of God.
May our tables become places of welcome.
May strangers become neighbors, neighbors become friends, and friends become family. May Canopy become a people deeply with Jesus, honestly with one another, and faithfully present to our city.
Practicing Sabbath
Sabbath is a 24-hour period where we cease from work and normal tasks in order to rest and relish the gift that we do not live merely by the efforts of our labor. Life is a gift given and sustained by God.
Genesis 2:1-3 | “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
When we live in alignment with this God-designed rhythm, we find peace and joy, but when we fight it, we fracture our souls.
Sabbath is not meant to be a strict religious duty, but a life-giving day of delight. It’s a full day to set aside striving, performing, and maintaining, and instead just be & celebrate our life with God in his world. And it’s designed to be done in community, not alone. On Sabbath, we choose to stop, rest, delight, and worship as we set apart a day as holy and distinct from the rest of our week.
Choose a 24-hour period where you will cease chores, work, and tasks on your agenda. A common rhythm is Friday evening through Saturday evening or Saturday evening through Sunday evening.
Practicing Sabbath doesn’t happen by accident, it takes intentionality and preparation. Before Sabbath begins, finish what needs to be finished. Prepare or plan a simple meal, and put work, chores, and errands aside. Be intentional with technology. Put away laptops, and either turn your phone off, put it away, or put it on do not disturb.
During Sabbath, you might:
Eat slowly,
Take a nap
Enjoy time outside
Read for enjoyment
Pray or spend time journaling
Lean into play
Go on a walk with a friend
Be restful with other people
Spend time in conversation that feels life giving
Lean into music, art, gardening, baking, surfing, crafting, or anything that helps you become more awake to God and more present to your life
Sabbath isn’t about jam-packing a day off with all the things. This may mean you say no to good things or simply say yes to fewer things. As you practice Sabbath more regularly, you may recognize what rhythm and pace allows you to slow down and experience God in rest.
Historically, Sabbath begins with a shared intentional meal. You may light a candle as a symbol of Sabbath beginning, and go around the Table and ask:
Where did you encounter God most fully this week?
What felt heavy this week that you want to entrust to God?
What are you grateful for tonight?
Find the Sabbath Series here & listen to the Canopy Podcast to continue to explore the practice of Sabbath
An invitation into Community
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An invitation into Community 〰️
One of our core convictions at Canopy is Community. God calls us to be committed to one another in love and one of the ways we live this out is in being a people of hospitality in a culture of polarization. We want to be actively creating spaces of welcome for strangers, neighbors, and friends.
Our hopes are that you would be seeking intentional ways to foster loving connections and build relationships with people both inside and outside our church. As we lean into Sabbath and slowing down, we encourage you to make an active effort to invite people into your life, the simple and perhaps mundane moments of your day, and the fun and more planned out adventures as well. Below is a list we hope encourages fun and inspires you toward creativity as you carve out space for deeper connections.
Are you longing for motivation to move more regularly? Invite someone to go on a walk or join you for a pickleball match.
Is baking or cooking one of your love languages? Take a meal to a neighbor and get to know them!
Do you already have a craft or hobby you love? Invite someone to join you in what you are already doing (reading, embroidery, gardening, etc).
Feel like your life is so full but you’re longing for connection? Invite someone into the ordinary with you. Doing the dishes, cleaning your bathroom, folding your laundry. Life shouldn’t have to be perfect to be shared!
Do you prefer to be outdoors? Pick a day and time to hang at your favorite park or beach and invite others to join you.
Do you want to grow your circle of friends but don’t know where to begin? Invite someone you don’t know well to join you for lunch after church!
Are you more of a homebody or on a tight budget? Plan a movie night at your place and invite others to bring their pillows and blankets for the showing.
Do you feel your kids event schedules are taking up all your time? Invite someone to join you at their next game or show.
Do you love to serve the community? Sign up for one of Love Costa Mesa’s many serve events and invite some folks along for the ride!
Have an idea to invite people into that you’d like to share with the whole church? Send an email to Shayla, Director of Community Life, at sbauer@canopy.church, and we can send an “Open Invite” to the church via Gloo, a text comms system we are starting to try out!
And if you have yet to step into community at Canopy and you are longing to be part of a Table or Triad, please reach out to Shayla for more information!