Fasting During Advent

Adapted from Advent 2019.

“Fasting.” Just hearing the word can make us tighten up. Some of us feel guilt. Others become defensive or even angry. It’s a practice many of us have heard is probably a good thing, yet few of us engage in it regularly.

Why is this practice so foreign? Why is it so difficult? Why do we run from it and then justify our avoidance of it? Why can’t we see the gift behind this discipline?

Richard Foster, in The Celebration of Discipline, reflects, “Why has the giving of money, for example, been unquestionably recognized as an element in Christian devotion and fasting so disputed? Certainly we have as much, if not more, evidence from the Bible for fasting as we have for giving. Perhaps in our affluent society fasting involves a far larger sacrifice than the giving of money.”

While there may be no direct command in the New Testament for the Church to fast, the words of Jesus in Matthew 6 appear to imply that all of His disciples will engage in this practice. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (verse 16). Notice He says, when you fast. His assumption is that his followers will fast.

Following this assumption, Jesus is teaching us that our motives are what’s really important when practicing fasting. If we’re looking for praise or some kind of religious trophy, we might receive that—but it’s all we’ll receive. Jesus offers a better way: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (verses 17-18). He is not saying we must avoid others’ knowledge of our fasting at all costs. The Bible is full of examples of corporate fasting (Acts 13 and 14, Esther 4, 2 Samuel 1, etc.). He is, however, concerned with why we’re fasting.

He wants our hearts. He wants us to be focused on Him above all else. He wants to give us a reward that can’t fade or be stolen from us.

So, despite our potentially-mixed bag of motives, we go together before God to engage with this practice. We want to put God first. Or, we want to want to put God first. We deny ourselves food to discipline our body, soul, and spirit and say that God is more important to us than food—than anything.

Below are a few ideas for best practices and questions to consider for individuals, households, and Gospel Communities:

INDIVIDUALS

We’re inviting everyone in the church body to practice fasting on Wednesdays during Advent (December 4, 11, and 18). Set a reminder for this upcoming Wednesday (or Tuesday evening) to join us because it’s so easy to forget!

What exactly is fasting? David Mathis defines fasting as “voluntarily going without food—or any other regularly enjoyed, good gift from God–for the sake of some spiritual purpose.” Some people, for medical reasons or otherwise*, can’t fast from physical food, but that doesn’t mean they’re excluded. Many have found that fasting from social media, Netflix, particular activities, or foods has shown itself to be a helpful way of intentionally engaging with God. Fasting ultimately is about refraining from one thing that we might engage more intentionally with another, namely God.

Sam Storms comments: “The ironic thing about fasting is that it really isn’t about not eating food. It’s about feeding on the fullness of every divine blessing secured for us in Christ. Fasting tenderizes our hearts to experience the presence of God. It expands the capacity of our souls to hear his voice, be assured of his love, and be filled with the fullness of his joy. Let me say it again: Fasting is not primarily about not eating food. It is primarily about feasting on God.”

Before Wednesday, prayerfully consider how you might engage well with God through this practice. Many will choose to go without food for breakfast and lunch. Others will skip one meal or go for 24 hours only consuming water (or maybe a cup of coffee). There isn’t a hard and fast rule here; the end goal is to increase our relationship with God and ask Him to increase our desire for Him.

One healthy practice is to use the time you would’ve spent preparing and eating food to actually stop and pray! We can miss the point if we simply work through the lunch hour to keep our minds distracted from our hunger. Use the questions below to guide your time in prayer.

Many of us will feel some negative emotions and attitudes rise when we go without the food that our bodies are used to. This is normal and can actually be a gift from God. It is often being revealed what is inside us all along – weakness, dependence, anger, greed, etc. We often use good gifts like food to cope and cover up our inadequacies without even realizing it. Take these emotions before God in prayer, and give yourself grace for these feelings that certainly don’t seem very “spiritual.”

A note to those who choose to abstain from something other than food: You may decide that fasting from food is not a good idea because of a medical condition or because you are pregnant or nursing. Others may have an eating disorder or unhealthy relationship with food or body image, and this may not be a practice to try at this time. That’s okay! We’d encourage you to ask yourself before God, “What’s a good gift that I could give up temporarily in order to help train my heart to long for God more than His gifts?” Otherwise, perhaps now is a time to pursue healing and hunger for God in some other way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your Gospel Community Leaders or a staff member if you need help walking through this.

Questions for individuals to consider or journal about:

  • What are some things I hunger for or look forward to more than God?
  • Why am I hesitant or resistant to fasting?
  • How might my relationship to food or other good gifts be an indicator of what I long for?
  • What do I long for God to do in my heart through fasting?
  • What do I long for God to do in my community and my church through fasting?
  • What are some negative emotions, attitudes, and feelings that rise in me while fasting? Bring those before God, asking for forgiveness, healing, and dependence on Him.
  • Pray through this week’s confession of sin here.

HOUSEHOLDS

For families with small children, this practice may not be possible to engage with all together. Depending on the ages of your children, you may be able to choose one thing to give up together on Wednesdays like dessert or screen-time. Read through the “Individuals” category above and decide if you may be able to cast vision for your whole family to practice a form of fasting together. You may phrase it something like, “We wish we wanted God more than dessert, but usually we don’t. Tonight, we’re choosing to pray and ask Him to be happy with His presence instead of eating dessert, and thank Him that many days we do get to enjoy it.” Again, if possible, spend time praying together in the same time-slot you would have been engaging in whatever activity you’re abstaining from. Use the questions below to guide discussion or prayer time together.

For spouses and housemates, read through the “Individuals” category above and decide if you want to practice fasting together in the same manner. You may choose to keep each other accountable to practicing it (regardless of whether you practice it in the same way). Again, if possible, spend time praying together in the same time-slot you would have been preparing and eating food. Use the questions below to guide discussion or prayer time together.

Questions for kids and families to consider:

  • What is fasting?
  • Why does it sound hard?
  • Why could fasting a good thing?
  • What is a good thing we could give up for one day (or half-day) to spend time with God and ask Him to help us love Him more than anything else?
  • Pray that God would help us want Him more than anything else. He is the best thing for us!

Questions for housemates or spouses to consider:

  • What are some things we hunger for or look forward to more than God?
  • Why are we hesitant or resistant to fasting?
  • How might our relationship to food or other good gifts be an indicator of what we long for?
  • How might fasting actually be a good gift for us?
  • How can we help each other engage in fasting during Advent?
  • What do we want God to do in ourselves, our families, or our households through fasting? Take these answers to God in prayer.
  • Pray that God would increase our hunger, dependence, and desire for Him in this season.
in Blog

Covenant Member Update: November 2024

Hi Park Church family,

Around this time of year, many of us brace ourselves for the onslaught of holiday happenings—some welcomed, some not so much. Here’s an invitation to pause.

Is there anything that would be helpful to say “No” to this season? Or, “Not in the same way”? Are there other things that deserve a refreshed “Yes”? At times, Jesus engaged the crowds. Other times, he withdrew to be alone, pray, and get some rest (Mark 6:30–46). May this be a season that we discern the right spaces for each.

As we enter Advent and the end of the calendar year (but the start of the Christian year!), we have three areas to highlight (plus a few tidbits at the end).

Financial Update & End-of-Year Giving

Here is a look at our financial picture at Park Church.

FISCAL 2024–2025 YEAR-TO-DATE (Aug-Oct)

Total Income Total Expenses Surplus/Deficit
’24–’25 Actual: $645,240* $660,217 (14,977)**
’24–’25 Budgeted $654,362 $690,805 (36,443)
Campaign Fund $256,587 — —

*After our first quarter, we are tracking $9,122 below our anticipated giving
**Since our actual expenses have also been down (by $30,588), our actual deficit is $21,466 less than budgeted. We budget a deficit prior to the end of the calendar year in light of anticipated greater end-of-year giving.

We are grateful for the financial health we are continuing to experience this year. As our covenant members, we recognize it is largely through your generosity that God is sustaining financial stability for our church family.

As we shared at our last family meeting, this stability is met with a refreshed sense of direction and a call toward investing in family discipleship, our building project, church planting, and other initiatives that will further our mission to make disciples of Jesus for the glory of God and the joy of all people. We will continue unfolding the vision and direction around this in the new year.

End-of-Year Giving

Right now, we are asking our church family to help us reach our year-end goal of $682,015 by the end of the calendar year. This will allow us to stay on track as we enter 2025.

Here’s where we are right now:

EOY Goal: $682,015
Received: $110,772
Remaining: $571,243

Will you prayerfully consider an additional year-end offering to Park Church to help move the needle toward our goal? As a reminder, here are the current ways you can give towards the mission of Park Church:

  • Online: Log into your Gyve account or set one up here.
  • In-Person: You can make a donation during our Sunday services by depositing cash or checks in the “Giving” boxes near the back of the foyer and gallery.
  • By Mail: You can send a check to Park Church at 3025 W 37th Ave, Denver, CO 80211.
  • By Gifting Stock: If you are interested in gifting stocks to Park Church, we’re grateful and able to receive them! Please email john@parkchurch.org.
  • Cryptocurrency: We are able to receive cryptocurrency. If you would like to pursue giving this way, please email neil@parkchurch.org.

General information about giving to Park Church can be found at parkchurch.org.give.

As many of you know, several staff members working within different teams at Park Church raise support for their salaries. Would you consider financially supporting one of them as well? You can find more info on our leadership page.

Advent & the Apocalypse

The Book of Revelation (or, “The Apocalypse of John”) offers a helpful lens through which to explore the season of Advent. We are invited to consider how the church is to live between the first arrival of Jesus—where God’s light broke into the world—and Christ’s second coming–when all of the darkness and death will finally and fully give way to the glory of God’s new creation. In this “time between” the comings, we face trials and tribulations of all shapes and sizes and experience the unveiling of the presence of Jesus amid those challenges. The reality of Jesus’ coming truly strengthens us to experience the hope, love, joy, and peace Christ secured for us as we wait for Him to come again.

Here’s where we’re headed:

  • December 1: Revelation 1:4–8: The Apocalypse & Hope
  • December 8: Revelation 2:1–7: The Apocalypse & Love
  • December 15: Revelation 19:6–9: The Apocalypse & Joy
  • December 22: Revelation 21:1–6: The Apocalypse & Peace
  • Christmas Eve: Revelation 12:1–17: The Dragon at the Nativity Scene

Advent Events

Advent Weekly Prayer:

Wednesdays, December 4–8 • 12–12:45pm • Gallery

Advent Hymn Sing:

Thursday, December 12 • 6:30–7:30pm

Advent Devotional (Free)

Starting this Sunday, December 1, grab your free copy of Everyday Gospel: Christmas Devotional by Paul David Tripp. The devotional includes a passage of Scripture, a brief reading, and a prayer for each day of Advent. We hope this small gift strengthens your experience of the season and orients your hearts toward our coming King. Look for these at the welcome desk.

New Staff Team Members

Whitney Grimm, External Events Coordinator

Whitney is a Colorado native who has been part of the Park Church community since 2022. She is a gifted artist, designer, and visionary for beautiful events. In this role, Whitney will serve the church by coordinating all components of facilities usage for weddings and other external events held at the Park Church building. This is key to stewarding our beautiful old building as a gift to the broader community. We’re excited for her to join the team.

Kate Elgie, Executive Assistant

Kate joined Park Church a little over one year ago after moving to Denver. She currently leads a Gospel Community and serves on the Welcome Team. In this position, Kate will work to carry strategy into implementation, streamline communication, and oversee various ministries and initiatives into execution–all working toward our mission to make disciples of Jesus for the glory of God and the joy of all people. We’re grateful she’s joining the team! Kate will officially jump into the role in December.

Tidbits at the End

  • Reminder to keep an eye out for our upcoming Vision Gatherings. We’re finalizing the dates and details. If you’re eager to secure a slot, please email me! neil@parkchurch.org
  • Are you aware of anyone looking to work for the local church, use their gifts, gain experience, and be developed? Please direct them to our Ministry Residency program. Information is up, and applications will open in a couple of weeks.
  • As the holiday season approaches, we often spend more time with extended family. This may be a good time to revisit our Family of God series from earlier this year to reorient us toward Jesus and what is going on inside and around us. These sermons and resources will provide a good context for awareness, conversation, and growth.

Grace and peace,

Neil Long
Executive Pastor

in Member Updates

1 Corinthians 16:13–21: Final Exhortation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

in Gary McQuinn • Messy Church, Risen Lord: A Study in 1 Corinthians • Sermons

Holiday Missions Partner Highlight: Denver Rescue Mission

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. During this holiday season, we’re inviting our community to engage with and care for our neighbors by actively participating anew with one of our Mission Partners. We will share about several of these partners in our weekly email over the upcoming month, including specific ways to serve.

Denver Rescue Mission

Mission and Action:

Denver Rescue Mission is committed to helping those experiencing homelessness and addiction in the Denver Metro Area and providing opportunities for change and rehabilitation. DRM serves our city by providing emergency housing services, rehabilitation, housing transition, and continued community outreach.

Who is Served?

Denver Rescue Mission serves those experiencing homelessness and addiction in our city.

Why Is This Work Important

Approximately 9977 people experience homelessness in Denver. 71% of these individuals rely on organizations like Denver Rescue Mission for temporary places to stay safe amidst nights and the weather. (Source: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative). Learn more about the realities of Homelessness in Denver here.

How Can You Serve?

While there are many ways to serve, here are a couple of good starting places for individuals and groups:

How Can You Give?

To give to the mission, visit Denver Rescue Mission’s giving page.

in Blog

1 Corinthians 16:1–12: Generosity, Laborers, & the Mission of God

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

in Messy Church, Risen Lord: A Study in 1 Corinthians • Neil Long • Sermons

1 Corinthians 15:35–58: The Resurrection of the Dead

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

in Gary McQuinn • Messy Church, Risen Lord: A Study in 1 Corinthians • Sermons

Artwork: “Earnestly Desire the Spiritual Gifts” & “Spirit Come & Consume Us”

This fall, our series in 1 Corinthians has focused much of our attention on the spiritual gifts. To that end, we’ve enjoyed hosting a workshop on the Spiritual Gifts and releasing a Park Church Music single by Becca Griffis.

These shared efforts have shared artwork: an image of a building under construction with a “murmur” of birds flying overhead. The intended meaning is simple: in 1 Corinthians 14:12, we who are “eager for manifestations of the Spirit” are charged by Paul to “strive to excel in building up the church.” Likewise, in John 3:8, Jesus tells us, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Though our individual lives feel much smaller, the Church in whole is not. How grand is the scope of what the Spirit is building up? In the same way, though we can’t visualize the wind, how do God’s people move like a flock of birds, born of One who works even higher? However, as with all artwork, this is just one interpretation. What does it make you think?

in Artwork • Blog

Ministry Partner Highlight: Scarlet Hope

This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear from Cassidy, the Director of Scarlet Hope Denver, about the work they do in Denver. If you missed her invitation to action and partnership, you can re-watch her announcement above.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor through the joys of life and through its pains. We are called to be there in times of righteousness and in times of injustice. At Park Church, we encourage everyone who calls Park home to live this mission. As always, we are inviting our community to participate, loving and serving our neighbors by getting involved with one of our Missions Partners. Scarlet Hope is a great example of this kind of opportunity!

Mission and Action:
Scarlet Hope seeks to love and serve those who are in the adult entertainment industry and to share Jesus with those who are exploited and trafficked.

Who is Served:
Scarlet Hope serves those in the adult entertainment industry and often connects with and serves those who are being trafficked.

Why is it Important:
There are 65+ adult entertainment establishments in Denver. Colorado is ranked 15th in the U.S. for highest volume of signals to made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Learn more about trafficking and exploitation in Denver. (Source Scarlet Hope).

Ways to Serve:
There are opportunities to serve with Scarlet Hope’s Outreach (going into clubs to share Jesus and care for the women there) or by providing meals taken to the clubs.

Give:
You can give by visiting Scarlet Hope’s website.

in Blog

1 Corinthians 15:1–34: The Cross & the Resurrection

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ and calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.

in Gary McQuinn • Messy Church, Risen Lord: A Study in 1 Corinthians • Sermons