Blogging through March

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In preparation for worship each week, please take time to read and reflect on the texts for each Sunday. In addition, during the Season of Lent, I hope you will be in prayer for the church and for your pastor and elders. It is good to be the church—in prayer—in worship—in life.

(Due to bad weather, church was canceled on March 1st.)

March 8, 2015  

Read Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Mark 8:31-38 and reflect on the following:

1. What is the covenant that God makes with Abraham?
2.  In the gospel reading, why does Jesus reprimand Peter?
3. Jesus asks his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. How do you practice self-denial for the sake of the gospel?

March 15, 2015

Read the story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-21.

1. How are the images of light and darkness played out in this text?
2. How might you describe “the Kingdom of God” to an unchurched person?
3. Are there parts of your life that you wish to hide from God?
4. Can you imagine what it would be like to live completely transparent to God’s piercing light?

March 22, 2015

Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 12:20-33 and consider the following:

1. Using the metaphor of a seed, what is Jesus describing?
2. What in your life must die so that you may flourish?
3. What does the voice from heaven say?
4. Whom does Jesus wish to glorify in all that he says and does?

March 29, 2015

Read Mark 11:1-11.

1.  What are we celebrating on Palm Sunday?
2. What do the disciples get for Jesus?
3.  How do the people respond to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem?
4. In less than a week, the people will respond differently. Why?

May the Lord bless you on your Lenten journey. I look forward to our time of worship each Sunday. Come along—and bring a friend.

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging through February

As you prepare for worship each week, please set aside some time to read and reflect on the texts for the upcoming Sunday. In addition, during the Season of Lent, I hope you will spend some additional time in prayer for the church and for your pastor and elders. Then, as a loving, welcoming community, let us gather and give our Holy God all glory and honor and praise.  


February 1, 2015
Read Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28 and consider the following:

1. Who do you imagine is the "new prophet" of whom God speaks in the Old Testament reading?
2. In the gospel reading, what "new" thing does Jesus do? 
3. How do the people respond?

February 8, 2015
Read Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39. Then reflect on the following:

1. Take a few moments to make a list of God's qualities that are mentioned in the Old Testament reading. 
2. What quality resonates most with you? Why?
3. In the gospel reading we find Jesus hard at work. What is he doing that demonstrates his particular authority?
4. How do the people respond?

February 15, 2015

The readings for Sunday include 2 Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9. After reading them, take a moment to reflect on any relationship you see between the two texts. Then consider what Jesus' transfiguration meant in the context in which it happened and what it might mean to you today.

February 22, 2015

Read Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15 and consider the following:

1. What covenant does God establish in the reading from Genesis?
2. How do you feel whenever you see this sign today?
3. The gospel reading concerns Jesus' baptism and temptation. What makes this text significant for this first Sunday in Lent?

I look forward to being with you in worship each Sunday. Come along and bring a friend!

Shalom,

Glenda

[Illustration via Google Images.]

Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Our Lenten journey comes to an end as we travel through the last week of Jesus' earthly life. Maundy Thursday we will sit around tables to enjoy fellowship and good food. Then we will sing hymns, read Scripture, and partake of Communion. 

Good Friday we will gather at the church once more to ponder the last hours of Jesus' life. It will be a somber and holy occasion. Yet, how can we truly celebration our Lord's resurrection if we do not first sit and gaze at our Jesus, hanging from a cross?

As Christians on this side of Easter, we know there is hope for Sunday is coming! Praise God! With hope flooding our hearts we will worship together Easter morning. In preparation, spend some time this week prayerfully reading John 20:1-18. I encourage you to read it through several times, reflecting on the following:

1. At what time of day does Mary come to the tomb?
2. How is this significant?
3. Who else is mentioned in this narrative?
4. Are you surprised that Jesus first appeared to a woman? 
5. What does Jesus tell Mary to do?
6. In your spiritual life, how do you show the world that you "have seen the Lord"?

Image via Wikimedia Commons

As your pastor, it is my hope that you will participate in our Holy Week services. It is my prayer that each service will bless you, encourage you, and through the Holy Spirit, empower you to go forth as bold disciples of our Risen Savior. 

May you never forget that you have been blessed to be a blessing. 

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

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This Sunday is Easter. What a wonderful day to gather with our church family to worship and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the following "Easter Prayer," written by Kathy Galloway bless you on your journey toward our celebration of the Resurrection!

Christ our life, you are alive

in the beauty of the earth

in the rhythm of the seasons

in the mystery of time and space

Alleluia

Christ our life, you are alive

in the tenderness of touch

in the heartbeat of intimacy

in the insights of solitude

Alleluia

Christ our life, you are alive

in the creative possiblity

of the dullest conversation

of the dreariest task

the most threatening event

Alleluia

Christ our life, you are alive

to offer re-creation

to every unhealed hurt

to every deadened place

to every damaged heart

Alleluia.

You set before us a great choice.

Therefore we choose life.

The dance of resurrection soars and surges through the whole creation,

It sets gifts of bread and wine upon our table.

This is grace, dying we live.

So let us live.

May the Lord bless you during this Holy Week.

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday with the Easter Cantata. 

I hope you enjoy the following poem by G.K. Chesterson on your journey toward Sunday. 

Icon via Google Images

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked

And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,

The devil’s walking parody

On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

And palms before my feet.

As always I look forward to being with you during worship. 

Shalom,

Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

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The gospel reading for Sunday, March 3, is Luke 13:1-9. This is a text that lends itself to the spiritual practice of lectio divina. As you likely remember, this is a term meaning "sacred reading." Sacred reading is not done quickly like gobbling up a plate of fast food. Oh no! With sacred reading the words must be consumed slowly, and with care, like savoring a delicious meal prepared by your mother's own hands. So find a comfortable place to sit with your Bible, along with paper, and pen and let us savor God's Word together.

For the first reading, simply read through the passage. Afterward, sit quietly for a time. Note what word or phrase stands out for you.

For the second reading, we will focus on the parable alone in verses 6-9. This time try to put yourself in the story. You are the gardener. Now, read the text. Again, sit quietly and prayerfully before God. After a time, consider what it felt like to play the role of the gardener. What did it feel like to be asked to cut down the tree? How much effort are you willing to put into saving it? Why do you care? What other thoughts and questions come to mind? Take time to jot them down.

Finally, read through verses 6-9 again, but this time you will attempt to place yourself in the story as the fig tree. Read the text. Sit quietly and prayerfully before God. What did it feel like to be the tree in the story? If you imagine your own spiritual life as the tree, are you in good health? Are you bearing fruit? Are there areas where you might need tender care in order to flourish?  If so, bravely lift them in prayer before the Lord.

I pray that you are making yourself available to the Gardener during your Lenten journey. May God bless you and those you love in every way.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

The readings for worship on Sunday include Philippians 3:17-4:1 and Luke 13:31-35. Prayerfully read through each passage at least twice. While reading, pay particular attention to how Jesus and Paul demonstrate their deep, deep love for God's children.

In the gospel reading, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings..."

Image by Sarah Smith via Wikimedia Commons

During the week, take some time to reflect on the following:

1. How do you tend to imagine God? 
2. Do you tend to experience God only as Father, but never as Mother? If so, why?
3. How does it make you feel that God longs to care for you in a gentle, maternal way? 
4. Do you resist such care? If so, why?

May this prayer that I happened upon bring you ever closer to God's amazing love:
God of steadfast love, the third day will always set our hearts dancing with joy. For on that day, the work Jesus began in Galilee and carried to the cross in Jerusalem was finished in an empty tomb. Yet, we can never forget the powerful love needed to carry Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem's cross. That love was, and is, for us. And that love makes our Savior's name more precious to us. Thank you God, for Jesus Christ. Amen and amen!

I trust that your Lenten practice/s are going well and that throughout this important season of the church year, you will be strengthened, refreshed and renewed.

As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday.
Blessings,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Since Sunday, February 17th, is the 1st Sunday in Lent, it is no surprise that the gospel reading for the day comes from Luke 4:1-13. Make a point to spend some time reading and meditating on The Temptation of Jesus. Herein, Jesus fully embraces his status and mission as the Son of God.

During the season of Lent, we may wish to reflect on our own lives. How are we doing on the mission to which God has called each of us? Do we see areas where growth is needed? Is there need for repentance on our part?

The following is a meditation written by Kathleen Norris, entitled "Repentance."

When I'm working as an artist-in-residence at parochial schools, I like to read the psalms out loud to inspire the students, who are usually not aware that the snippets they sing at Mass are among the greatest poems in the world. But I have found that when I have asked children to write their own psalms, their poems often have an emotional directness that is similar to that of the biblical psalter. They know what it's like to be small in a world designed for big people, to feel lost and abandoned. Children are frequently astonished to discover that the psalmists so freely express the more unacceptable emotions, sadness and even anger, even anger at God, and that all of this is in the Bible that they hear read in church on Sunday morning.

Children who are picked on by their big brothers and sisters can be remarkably adept when it comes to writing cursing psalms, and I believe that the writing process offers them a safe haven in which to work through their desires for vengeance in a healthy way. Once a little boy wrote a poem called "The Monster Who Was Sorry." He began by admitting that he hates it when his father yells at him: his response in the poem is to throw his sister down the stairs, and then to wreck his room, and finally to wreck the whole town. The poem concludes: "Then I sit in my messy house and say to myself, "I shouldn't have done all that."

 "My messy house" says it all: with more honesty than most adults could have mustered, the boy made a metaphor for himself that admitted the depth of his rage and also gave him a way out. If that boy had been a novice in the fourth-century monastic desert, his elders might have told him that he was well on the way toward repentance, not such a monster after all, but only human. If the house is messy, they might have said, why not clean it up, why not make it into a place where God might wish to dwell?

During your Lenten journey, may God give you eyes to see and ears to hear. And may God bless you and those you love. I look forward to seeing you at the Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday at 7 p.m. and/or on Sunday morning for our regular worship service at 11 a.m.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

Sunday we have the honor of a visiting pastor bringing a good Word into our midst. Scripture passages that will be read are Joshua 4:1-7 and Mark 1:9-15.

Our Lectionary Group of area pastors met again on Tuesday, and using the ancient practice of lectio divina, we read the gospel text for Sunday. We always end our time together with some spiritual practice. This week was quite special for me. As ministers beginning the season of Lent, we talked about our own Lenten intentions, the happenings planned for each of our churches, and then we prayed for one another. How good it is to be a pastor and have the opportunity to pray for other people, leading prayers, etc. But what a joy it is to BE the one being prayed for by another brother or sister in Christ. What a blessing to hear your own name, your own situation, your own church family, being lifted up like incense before the Lord.

Today is Thursday. Ash Wednesday has come and gone. Have you been asked THE question yet? You know, the question, "What have you given up for Lent?" It seems to be the most asked question of the season. But, as we discussed in our Lectionary Group, it's just as important to ask another question: "For what purpose are you giving up or fasting from something?" Although often overlooked, the answer is simple enough. We fast from something (like fasting each Friday or perhaps one meal a day) or give up something (like TV or desserts) not for the sake of "fasting" or "giving up" alone. No, whatever we choose to stop is only for the purpose of having more time to meditate upon Jesus the Christ. Giving up something may help us be more aware of ways in which we indulge ourselves so readily, but the greater good is to "fill up" on the things of Christ.The Cross, Easter morning, is, after all, our destination.

So if "giving up something" is for the purpose of "taking on something," in what ways might you add the things of Christ? How might you focus more on Jesus in the coming weeks? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Take time to ponder our Lenten devotional, From Death to Life, each day.
2. Start a new spiritual practice, like meditating or beginning a prayer journal.
3. Determine to read through one of the gospels during Lent. (Mark is the shortest:)
4. Plan to spend more time in prayer.
5. Plan to spend more time in nature enjoying God's creation.
6. Each day, pray through our church directory.
7. Fast from watching television.
8. Fast each Friday during Lent, recalling Good Friday throughout the day.

Of course, the list is endless. The important thing to remember is that giving up something for Lent is only part of the story. Replacing whatever you choose with increased mindfulness of Jesus' sacrifice for all of humanity, in whatever way you choose, is the even greater purpose.

I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. Come and support our visiting preacher.
Shalom,
Glenda