When The Foundry Community blog first launched almost one year ago, our desire was to create a place for growth, love, formation, and fellowship. We have been encouraged and blessed by the participation and collaboration from all of you.

Earlier this year, we offered a reading plan for Lent on The Foundry Community, and we were overwhelmed by the response! So many of our readers participated in an intentional time of reading and reflection for forty days. Because of how well that went, we want to offer a similar experience for readers during Advent.

As most of you may know, a group of pastors, leaders, and Foundry Community writers contributed to a new Advent devotional, Long-Expected Jesus. This Lectionary-based resource is for both individuals and church communities, and features daily readings, reflections, and scriptures. Churches across the country have already started planning to incorporate Long-Expected Jesus into their Advent season. (If you are a pastor planning for Advent, this will help.)

We want to invite each of you to participate in Long-Expected Jesus with us as well. On the blog, we will be featuring additional videos, reflections, and resources throughout the season of Advent. Want to join in this community-wide study? Here is what you can look for in the future:

1. To get a sneak peek of the devotional, take a look at an excerpt here.

2. If you want to participate in the reading plan and read the daily reflections, weekly prayers, and discussion times, purchase a copy of Long-Expected Jesus here.

3. On November 13, we will post the Long-Expected Jesus reading plan. You can share this plan with your friends so they can read along with us!

4. Starting December 3, we will begin the reading plan and feature Scripture passages each Sunday on the blog. Also, check back every Monday, starting December 4, for video blogs featuring a different Long-Expected Jesus contributor each week.

To join in the conversation, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. And make sure to follow our partners, The Church of the Nazarene on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and The Center for Pastoral Leadership on Facebook, as they journey with us through Advent.