S19 E7 - Sacred Elements: Wine

In this episode, we conclude our series on sacred elements and reflect on wine as a sign of surrender, transformation, and new life. Just as grapes are pressed to release their juice, we too go through seasons of being pressed, and God is right there with us in the pressing, bringing new wine out of what we suffer. We talk about the difference between surrender and resignation, how old patterns can keep us from receiving what He is doing, and what it looks like to become new wineskins. The One who turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine is still making new wine in the places where we feel pressed, and He longs to fill us with His Spirit until our joy overflows.

Heather's One Thing - God of Wonders/ Agnus Dei by Brianne
Heather's Other One Thing - New Wine by Hillsong Worship
Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Milwaukee Brewers World Series Win!
Michelle's One Thing - The GIVEN Institute | APPLY HERE for the 2027 Forum! | Apply here to be a 2027 Mentor!

Other Resources Mentioned:

• I Love Lucy Video Clip | Lucy Crushing Grapes

Announcement:
This year for Advent we will be doing a series called "Held in His Story". Within Jesus' genealogy are the stories of women who knew longing, heartache, courage, brokenness, and hope. Together, we will journey with Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary to discover the sacred gift of God woven within our own stories.

Journal Questions:

• How is God inviting me into being pressed and crushed?
• What is my suffering bringing to the surface?
• Where have I become resigned in my life?
• Where in my life have I allowed the wine of the Holy Spirit to run out?

Discussion Questions:

• How is the Lord purifying you in this season of life?
• How has the Lord transformed your sorrow into glory?
• What is the difference between surrender and resignation?
• Where do you need to choose to trust the Lord?

Quote to Ponder:
"He wants her to drink in conformity with her desire and become wholly inebriated, drinking of all the wines in God's storehouse." (St. Teresa of Avila, Meditations on the Song of Songs, Chapter 6)

Scripture for Lectio:
"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9:16-17)

Sponsor - The University of Mary:
What if advancing your education didn't require choosing between your family, your work, and your faith?
Many of us sense God inviting us to grow, whether by advancing a career, moving into a new field, or serving others more fully. But with work and family commitments, graduate school can feel out of reach.
The University of Mary offers fully online graduate programs designed to fit real life, so you can study on your schedule and keep moving forward.
Programs that prepare you to serve. Earn…