Sunday, July 27

This Sunday, the sol cafe will be gathering at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) at 4:00ish to hear from a special guest speaker John Pattison. He's coming to speak about his overseas work, and to share generally on a Christian's response to helping the poor in developing countries, linking the human element (Christ's call to love and help the poor) with the environmental element (stewardship issues). It's also called "peoplekeeping" and "earthkeeping", which John has been doing in Uganda.

The RCL readings for this week are:

Genesis 29:15-28 or I Kings 3:5-12

Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128 or Psalm 119:129-136

Romans 8:26-39

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 22

This week, Sol Cafe will be meeting around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave). We will be celebrating communion, doing a re-cap on our family meeting, hearing from Shirley, and learning a little about one of our predecessors in the faith, Athanasius.

We will also discuss if we should move our meeting time to earlier in the day, as was brought up at our family meeting.

The RCL readings for this week are:

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86:1-10
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39

Hope to see you there!

Family Meeting

This week, the Sol Cafe will be getting together around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) to have a family meeting, led by Winston, one of our regulars. We will be discussing ideas for the future and addressing some of the changes that are in the air.

The verses for this week from the Revised Common Lectionary are:

Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:1-12
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

These may or may not be included in the discussion, but do take a look at them before you come!

We hope to see you there!

A Genesis discussion

On Sunday, June 1, the sol cafe will be gathering around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) to have a thoughtful discussion on this week's selection from the Revised Common Lectionary.
The texts are:

Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19
Psalm 46
Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28, (29-31)
Matthew 7:21-29

Discussion will centre on the Genesis passage, as we continue our talk about biblical interpretation, and the culture and worldview of biblical authors.

Hope to see you there!

sol cafe thought for food

On Sunday, May 18, the sol cafe will be gathering around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) to gather together for a little thought on food. We will spend a little time talking about where food comes from, consumption habits in Edmonton, and how the Bible can interact with what we think about food. And it will, of course, involve some eating!

It doesn't seem to relate directly to this week's readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, but here they are for your self-directed study:

Trinity Sunday May 18, 2008

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm 8

II Corinthians 13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

Hope to see you there!

a sol cafe Sunday

On Sunday, May 11, the sol cafe will be gathering around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) to hear from one of our "roaming regulars", our good friend Ryan. One of the original sol cafe patrons, Ryan went on to do several years of work overseas and more recently has taken on Youth Pastor duties at another local church. But like other sol cafe regulars who now roam the world, you can take the person out of the cafe but you can never quite get the cafe out of the person. We're not sure yet what Ryan will be presenting, but we'll post details as soon as we get them.

It may or may not relate directly to this week's readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, but here they are for your self-directed study:

Day of Pentecost May 11, 2008

*Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

I Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21

John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

Hope to see you there!

God's little bricks

On Sunday, April 20, 2008, the sol cafe will be doing something a little different... a bit of volunteer work perhaps atypical of a church, but a service to our community nonetheless.

Instead of being in our usual coffee shop location, we'll be meeting at 5 pm in the main lobby of the Telus World of Science Edmonton, 11211 142 Street. They need some help taking apart a Lego® sculpture that was made over the summer and sorting the bricks into colours.

Our church's connection is that one of our regulars works at the Telus World of Science, saw a need and made the connection. She has a cousin who said he would come if she could convince him how Lego® is connected to Church. She told him that we are each God's little bricks and by connecting us together He creates incredible things.

Perhaps more profoundly, this is, for her, a public declaration of her faith, in her workplace no less, and a place where faith is not often the first thing on the agenda. Perhaps the question should not be about how Lego® is connected to Church, but how she is.

Hope you can join us and be a part of building some connections with our community, building memories with one another, and building God's church. If you are a bit late, just tell the Box Office you're there for the sol cafe. They'll know where we are. We will read scripture and pray together and dwell among the brick.

The verses for this week from the Revised Common Lectionary are:

Fifth Sunday of Easter April 20, 2008

*Acts 7:55-60

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

I Peter 2:2-10

John 14:1-14

Casual Sunday

On Sunday, March 30, at around 5 pm, the sol cafe will be gathering at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) for an evening moved by the Spirit. We will start it off by reading our week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary, a shared calendar of Bible readings:

Second Sunday of Easter March 30, 2008

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Psalm 16

I Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Or maybe we will be moved in a different direction altogether. Just come with an open heart and an open mind and a spirit of worship and the evening will most certainly turn out the way it should. Hope to see you there!

Casual Sunday

On Sunday, March 9, at around 5 pm, the sol cafe will be gathering at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) for an evening moved by the Spirit. We will start it off by reading our week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary, a shared calendar of Bible readings:

Fifth Sunday in Lent March 9, 2008

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45

Or maybe we will be moved in a different direction altogether. Just come with an open heart and an open mind and a spirit of worship and the evening will most certainly turn out the way it should. Hope to see you there!

coming soon to the sol cafe

A lot of what we do at the sol cafe happens on a wing and a prayer. We like to think of it as a practical expression of our belief that God leads this church.

However, in an effort to not be completely chaotic, the sol cafe follows the Revised Common Lectionary, a shared calendar of Bible readings that covers the entire Bible over the course of a three-year cycle. Please feel free to read ahead and come with any thoughts or questions that might result.

We'll post any further details about our activities if and when we get them!

Second Sunday in Lent February 17, 2008	Genesis 12:1-4a	Psalm 121	Romans 4:1-5, 13-17	John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9
Third Sunday in Lent February 24, 2008	Exodus 17:1-7	Psalm 95	Romans 5:1-11	John 4:5-42
Fourth Sunday in Lent March 2, 2008	1 Samuel 16:1-13	Psalm 23	Ephesians 5:8-14	John 9:1-41
Fifth Sunday in Lent March 9, 2008	Ezekiel 37:1-14	Psalm 130	Romans 8:6-11	John 11:1-45

A Service Sunday

On Sunday, February 24, the sol cafe will be holding its monthly(ish) "service service" where our regular Sunday gathering and worship takes the form of rolling up our sleeves and doing some good. This month we will be meeting at the downtown Salvation Army depot (9618 101A Ave NW) to sort food and do whatever other work needs doing.

If you can join us, please meet at the depot at 5 pm and, unlike our usual "Mexico time" approach, you'll need to be relatively prompt because the facility will need to be locked once we're inside. If you've never been before or need a lift, we will also have a couple of our regulars at Cafe Dabar at 5 pm to shuttle people over. Drop us a note if you think you'll need a lift and we'll make sure to watch out for you.

And for those continuing to follow along, this week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary are as follows:

Third Sunday in Lent February 24, 2008

Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

Casual Sunday

On Sunday, December 9, at around 5 pm, the sol cafe will be gathering at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) for an evening moved by the Spirit. A couple of possible seeds would be discussion of "The Great Emergence" as well as our week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary, a shared calendar of Bible readings:

Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2007

Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

Or maybe we will be moved in a different direction altogether. Just come with an open heart and an open mind and a spirit of worship and the evening will most certainly turn out the way it should. Hope to see you there!

Evan Almighty

On Sunday, December 2, the sol cafe will be gathering at 7:30 pm -- a slightly later time than usual -- at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) in order hold a screening of the movie Evan Almighty. Why, you ask? Because it is relevant, thought-provoking and very funny. A longer defense of movies in church can also be found by clicking here.

The later time is also because elves drafted from among the sol cafe regulars are helping with the Kids with Cancer Society Christmas Party being held at Galaxyland on Sunday afternoon. If you're interested in more details, drop us a line!

Finally, this week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary are as follows:

First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2007

Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

Hope to see you there!

Corinthians Wrap-up (for now!)

On Sunday, November 18, the sol cafe will be gathering around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) to finish our recent series on Corinthians. There has been enlightening discussion, so we hope you can join us.

The sol cafe *tries* to follow the Revised Common Lectionary, a shared calendar of Bible readings that covers the entire Bible over the course of a three-year cycle. Our readings for this week are:

Proper 28 (33) November 18, 2007	Isaiah 65:17-25 or Malachi 4:1-2a	Isaiah 12 or Psalm 98	II Thessalonians 3:6-13	Luke 21:5-19

discussion that demands more discussion

On Sunday, November 11, the sol cafe will be meeting around 5ish at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Ave) for a continuation of last week's discussion of the book of Corinthians. We'll post more details if they become available, or just come with an open mind and open heart and see what God has in store.

For this week, the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary are:

Proper 27 (32) November 11, 2007

Haggai 1:15b-2:9 or Job 19:23-27a

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98 or Psalm 17:1-9

II Thess. 2:1-5, 13-17

Luke 20:27-38

Hope to see you all there!

Evidence That Demands Discussion ...

On Sunday November 4, starting around 5 pm, the sol cafe will be meeting at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Avenue) for an evening of discussion and introspection focusing on the way in which Christianity is presented with the popular Christian subculture and our church. Come have a coffee with us as we explore the role of conventional wisdom and rational thought in relation to evangelism and the presentation of the gospel.

Through the Rainbow

On Sunday October 28, starting around 5 pm, the sol cafe will be meeting at Cafe Dabar (10816 Whyte Avenue) for an evening with a special musical guest. Several years ago, Kent Hanwell lost his wife, and then very shortly after his daughter relapsed and died of cancer. Kent has been writing music as he journeys along since and will be presenting an evening entitled "Through the Rainbow into the Sunshine." We have been trying for two or more years to find a date when he could come play at the sol cafe, so we are looking forward to finally welcoming him!

Download the poster in pdf format

Although we may not study them directly during our gathering, this week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary are:

Proper 25 (30) October 28, 2007

Joel 2:23-32 or Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22

Psalm 65 or Psalm 84:1-7

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

thinking ahead to Thanksgiving

Although some of our sol cafe regulars will be away this long weekend, the sol cafe will nonetheless be having its annual sol cafe Thanksgiving potluck this Sunday, October 7. The gathering will start around 5ish, but not at our usual coffee shop location. One of our sol cafe households has kindly offered to host at their home, and even provide the bird and stuffing.

If you would like more details, please drop a note to rsvp [at] thesolcafe [dot] com to get the address and suggestions for what to bring.

September service service

On Sunday, September 30, the sol cafe will be meeting for one of our regular service services, where our Sunday gathering and worship takes the form of some work in the community. This month we will be back at the Salvation Army downtown food sorting depot (9618 101A Avenue), processing donations and doing whatever other work they might need done.

If you can join us, please meet at the depot at 5 pm and, unlike our usual "Mexico time" approach, you'll need to be relatively prompt because the facility will need to be locked once we're inside. If you've never been before or need a lift, we will also have a couple of volunteers at Cafe Dabar at 5 pm to shuttle people over. Drop us a note if you think you'll need a lift and we'll make sure to watch out for you.

And for those continuing to follow along, this week's verses from the Revised Common Lectionary are as follows:

Proper 21 (26) September 30, 2007

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 or Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 or Psalm 146

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Luke 16:19-31

Praise, Prayer and Sharing

On Sunday, September 23, the sol cafe will be meeting around 5ish at Cafe Dabar for a simple evening of prayer, scripture reading, and maybe some music. Bring a favourite verse to share, if you'd like. We'll also be reading this week's Revised Common Lectionary verses:

Proper 20 (25) September 23, 2007

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 or Amos 8:4-7

Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113

I Timothy 2:1-7

Luke 16:1-13

Hope to see you there!

To worship or not to worship, part 2...

On Sunday, September 16th, the sol cafe will again be meeting at around 5ish at Cafe Dabar for an evening of worship and the discussion of worship, a continuation of the discussion from the week before.

More details to follow, maybe. Or just show up with an open heart and an open mind!

The readings for this week from the Revised Common Lectionary are as follows:

Proper 19 (24) September 16, 2007

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 or Exodus 32:7-14

Psalm 14 or Psalm 51:1-10

I Timothy 1:12-17

Luke 15:1-10

To worship or not to worship...

On Sunday, September 9th, the sol cafe will be meeting at around 5ish at Cafe Dabar for an evening of worship, and the discussion of worship.

For some people, "worship" is simply churchenese for "music." In particular, it is music sung for a very specific purpose -- the worship of God. In that spirit, it is music meant to be delivered in community and with a particular attitude, not merely as background music or entertainment. The point is not