Lenten resources

Lenten Resources (2018)

Lent is a season when many people make a special focus on enhancing their ever-growing and loving relationship with God.  You may do this through prayer, worship, reading the Bible, helping others, or something else. Anything that connects you to God is a great practice. Even walking the dog, seeing the beauty of God’s creation, or hearing chirping birds can be a way to commune with God.

“Lent in a bag” is a resource to help you make new connections with God.

• Choose one night of the week and invite those around your table to pick one of the symbols as a starting point for conversation for the whole group, including children.

• For your own devotion, daily or weekly, choose one of the symbols for reflection as you make your way through the season of Lent.

Also included are the daily readings throughout the season of Lent.  You are invited to “pray the scriptures”, using this format:

1)   Read the scripture (out loud is preferable)

2)  What word or phrase caught you attention

3)  Read it again (try another translation – you can find multiple translations at: https://www.biblegateway.com/ )

4)  Was there a different word/phrase or the same one?

5)  What might God be saying to you and your life in that phrase?

6)  Pray to God about what you heard.

Finally, there are additional online resources that are listed at the end of this booklet for you to use.

  

Lent in a Bag

Sand

Between his baptism and the beginning of his adult ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days ‘to be tested’. The desert is a dangerous place and Jesus was hungry, cold, and tired. He was also tempted and tormented, but he didn’t give up. When things get tough, how do we remember God is there for us? What constitutes wilderness in your life? What have you learned there? What might you learn there?

Read the story of Jesus wandering in the desert, then open the sand and touch it. (Matthew 4, Mark 1, or Luke 4.)

   

Rock

While in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil to transform stone into bread. He knew he was not called to do this by God. He didn’t change the rock into food. Later, Jesus became known for doing amazing things. He fed the hungry, offered encouragement, and healed people. When you are angry or sad, it may feel like your heart has become a rock. How does that feel? How can you help someone who has a “rock” in their heart? How does it feel to help others? Think about a time where you helped someone.

Read the story of Zacchaeus. (Luke 19) Jesus transforms Zacchaeus. Jesus transforms us and helps us make better choices. Is there a place in your life where you could make better choices, with Jesus’ help?

                    

Human figure

Because Jesus was fully human, he gets us, understands us from inside our skin, and knows from experience that we’re each capable of great things, Godly things. No matter what we do, he keeps on inviting us to join us in his work which has become our own. Jesus knows that we can do good things on earth, just like he did. In Lent, we are counting down 40 days until Easter. What can you do to be more like Jesus at home? At school? Everywhere?

Read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. (John 13) How can we live like Jesus?

Candle

Winter can be cold and dark. Spring is a time where we think of sunshine and flowers blooming. Jesus is called the Light of the World. Jesus told his disciples to be a light in the world too and make a difference. So where do you shine? What do you think you are good at? What is your talent? How can you encourage someone to see the good in themselves?

Read Matthew 5:14-16 and sing the song This Little Light of Mine. How do you let your light shine?

Shell

Historically, the season of Lent was when new Christians were prepared for baptism. Jesus began his ministry after his baptism. As someone who has been (or will be baptized) what is your ministry? How are you living out the promises made in the Baptismal Covenant? Read through the Baptismal Covenant on page 304-305 of the Book of Common Prayer.

Read the story of Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3, Mark 1, or Luke 3) and look at photos of baptisms of family members.

                                                         

Seeds

 Watching the growth of flower seeds reminds us of the miracle of hope and transformation that is coming in the promise of Easter. The seeds change; they decay as they transform into a new life – a new life that we can’t really imagine when we plant it. Where is there hope in your life? Where is there mystery? What transformation do you hope for during the season of Lent?

Read the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32 or Luke 13:18-19) and the Parable of the Leavened Bread (Matthew 13:33 or Luke 13:20-21) and talk about change. What things can you think of that change?

                                                               

Source:

Modified from the idea of Shawn Schreiner and Vicki Garvey.

Devotional resources

Way to Lead: Committing to live in relationship with God

This resource offers a short service that you can use at home as well as coloring pages to draw you closer in relationship and understanding with God.  A few hard copies are available to pick up.

https://waytolead.org/portfolio-item/2018-lenten-resources/

40acts: every day during lent (except Sundays), wake up to a new generosity challenge and short Bible-based blog straight to you inbox.  Each act is designed to sharpen your awareness and give you practical ways to stretch your faith as well as your generosity.

https://40acts.org.uk/signup/

“Keep Watch With Me:  is an online discussion community for a collaborative daily Lenten reader written by peacemakers for peacemakers. Our contributors are an incredible line-up of folks from around the world: black, white, LGBTQ, Latinx, Palestinian, incarcerated, Native American, Australian, Americans, Irish, South African, clergy, laity, activists, authors, organizers, and more.

Each day of Lent, they’ll share the daily spiritual practice and a question or two for reflection and dialogue.  You may sign up to receive it in your email and/or go to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeepingWatchTogether/

Daily readings for Lent

Feb. 14-17

Wednesday John 10:1-18 The Good Shepherd

Thursday Luke 15:1-7 Lost Sheep Parable

Friday John 10:22-30 Conflict over Jesus’s Claims

Saturday John 10:31-42 Jews Try to Stone Jesus

Feb.18-24

Sunday John 11:1-44 Following Jesus from Death to Life

Monday John 11:45-57 Concern About Jesus’ Actions

Tuesday John 12:1-11 Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Wednesday John 12:12-29 Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Thursday John 12:20-36 Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Friday John 12:37-50 Walk in the Light

Saturday Isaiah 6:1-10 Isaiah’s Prophecy About the People

Feb.25-March 3

Sunday John 13:1-17 Following the Servant

Monday John 13:21-30 Jesus’ Betrayal Foretold

Tuesday John 13:31-38 Jesus Will Be Glorified

Wednesday John 14:1-7 “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”

Thursday John 15:1-7 “I Am the True Vine”

Friday John 17:1-5 “The Hour Has Come”

Saturday John 18:1-11 Jesus Arrested

March 4-10

Sunday John 18:12-27 Challenges of Following: Peter’s Denial

Monday Psalm 27:1-14 My Enemies Will Stumble and Fall

Tuesday Isaiah 45:14-19 God Does Not Speak in Secret

Wednesday John 14:9b-12 Jesus Going to the Father

Thursday John 14:13-17 Jesus Will Send the Spirit of Truth

Friday John 14:18-21 Jesus Will not Leave the Disciples Orphans

Saturday John 14:23b-29 My Peace I Will Leave with You

March 11-17

Sunday John 18:28-40 A Kingdom Not of This World

Monday John 15:8-11 You Will Bear Much Fruit

Tuesday John 15:12-17 I Call You Friend

Wednesday John 15:18-21 The World Hates the Disciples

Thursday John 15:22-27 Sins of the People

Friday John 16-1-4a Stay Strong

Saturday John 16:4b-7 Jesus Will Send the Advocate

March 18-24

Sunday John 19:1-16a The Kingdom’s Power from Above

Monday John 16:8-12 Truth Will Come Forward

Tuesday John 16:13-16 The Spirit Is Coming

Wednesday John 16:17-22 The Disciples Do Not Understand

Thursday John 16:23-28 Ask and You Shall Receive

Friday John 16:29-33 Jesus Has Conquered the World

Saturday John 17:6-9 Jesus Prays for His Disciples

March 25-April 1

Sunday John 19:16b-22 [12:12-27] A Different Kind of King

Monday John 17:10-13 Father Protect Them

Tuesday John 17:14-19 They Do Not Belong to the World

Wednesday Psalm 22:1-5 Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Thursday John 19:23-30 God’s Kingdom Revealed on the Cross

Friday John 19:31-42 Preparing the King for Burial

Saturday Psalm 22:6-11 Hated by the People

Sunday John 20:1-18 Good News in the Garden

Christmas devotions: Jan.6, 2018

Saturday January 6

Matthew 4:12-17 Jesus Begins His Ministry

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

****

Jesus begins to preach after he was tempted for 40 days and nights and after John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod.  This was the beginning of turning the world upside down and turning humanity around; a change beyond anything anyone had experienced, and a change that was bigger in all history.   Jesus called people to repent (to turn around) because the kingdom of Heaven is near.  Huh?  Many had never heard this talk before.  Jesus quoting the Prophet Isaiah about people living in darkness seeing a great light.  Most had not heard these words before.  This was the new Covenant’s beginning, the pendulum starting to swing. 

We have known the rustle of change in our lives, the pain of it (nobody likes change) and fearfulness for not knowing what’s to come.  Maybe you’ve closed your eyes to it. Yet, there is Jesus, beckoning, calling, longing, desiring; standing on the precipice of change saying, “Follow me. I have picked you.” 

Pray on this.

Lynn Byrnes

Christmas devotions: Jan.5, 2018

Friday January 5

Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation in the Wilderness

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
   but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
   and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

****

“… the tempter came and said to Him… but He answered, ‘IT IS WRITTEN…’ the devil said to Him, ‘IT IS WRITTEN…’ Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, IT IS WRITTEN…’ the devil said to him … then Jesus said to him, ‘Go Satan, for IT IS WRITTEN… then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.”

As the devil demonstrated in the tempting of Jesus in the wilderness, he is quite good at not only quoting God’s Word out of context, but also twisting It to fit his purposes/plans.  However, to Jesus, Who KNEW the Scripture, the devil’s words meant nothing.  Jesus fired back the TRUE WORD, in context and untwisted!  The devil tried three times and each time, Jesus had THE ANSWER OF TRUTH that cancelled the devil’s misrepresentations.

This Scripture passage is just as apropos today.  The US Treasury doesn’t waste time showing its agents all the ways to make counterfeits, but instead focuses the training on knowing the real thing so well that a fake can immediately be recognized.  We, as Christians, should operate the same way.  WE NEED TO KNOW GOD’S WORD SO WELL THAT “SATAN’S LIES” ARE SPOTTED IMMEDIATELY AND THEN DELETED/CANCELLED BY THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD!  Whatever temptation comes our way, there is an answer in God’s Word.

Prayer: Dear God-Thank You that You are faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond our ability; but with the temptation You will also provide the way of escape, that we may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)

Thank You for Your Holy Word.  May we, like Jesus, CHOOSE to know It and boldly proclaim It when the devil comes in with his lies.  May we also truly believe what Your precious Word declares about You, about us, about our adversary the devil, and about our circumstances.

“Greater is He Who is in us than he who is in the world!”

In the Precious and Holy Name of Jesus, we pray, AMEN!

Deb Lyon

Christmas devotions: Jan.4, 2018

Thursday January 4

Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus is Baptized

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

****

The day is warm and mild. I find myself sitting on this hill with many others listening and watching John the Baptist speaking and baptizing people in the Jordan. I wonder about his message. Then I see a strange man come along, wade into the water and talk with John. I’m surprised when John leans him back to immerse him in the water. But then I stare in disbelief as I see a bright light in the sky and a dove suddenly descending towards this person. But what I will never forget are the words that came from the sky, “This is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Then I knew without a doubt that the words that John spoke were true. My eyes have seen Jesus – I believe!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to live among us and to die for us. Blessed are not only those who witnessed Jesus and believed but also all who have not been able to witness him but still believe. Amen

Dee Lockshiss

Christmas devotions: Jan.3, 2018

Wednesday January 3

Luke 3:1-18 John the Baptist Preaches

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
   and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
   and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

****

Brood of vipers?  Wrath to come?  Unquenchable fire? This is how John the Baptist proclaims “good news”? Sometimes we want our life as a follower of Christ to be all fluffy clouds and heavenly choirs. But this world is a tough place. We need to be strong. We need the power of the Holy Spirit and the fervent fire of our love of God to hold our own against the threats that the world presents. But John the Baptist also reminds us that some of the things we need to do to lead good lives seem very straightforward and simple – share what we have with those who do not have, don’t cheat others.

The people who gathered to hear John question him as to whether he is the Messiah but John makes it clear that he know that his role is to point us to Jesus as the path to salvation. His words and his actions are all designed, not to promote himself, but to bring awareness to Jesus.

How do our lives reveal God to others? Do we know our strengths (and weaknesses) in how to carry out God’s mission in our own part of the world? Are our words and actions in how we treat others consistent with the message of God’s love that we are called on to share?

Prayer: Father in heaven, help us be good witnesses to your grace and love so that others see our actions as reflections of those gifts. Help us always to lead lives that are not turned inward on ourselves but that reach out and point to you as the one who can fill all needs. Amen

Mary Beth Commisso

Christmas devotions: Jan.2, 2018

Tuesday January 2

Malachi 4:5-6 God Will Send Elijah Beforehand

Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.

****

God is CALLING US, SENDING US, to be the Elijah’s of today.  The fact that we are here, AT THIS TIME, IS NO ACCIDENT!  We are here “for such a time as this…” (Esther 4:14).  God has us here to touch those in our “sphere of influence.”  And, that “touch” is as varied as the individual.  It can be something as seemingly inconsequential as a smile or holding the door to helping with food, kids, yard stuff, and anything else.  What matters is that there is a TOUCH!

Now, the devil knows his time is short and he’s working overtime to keep us from “touching others” at least in the way God means.  There is so much pain in peoples’ hearts.   The LOVE of Jesus can help alleviate it, or in the very least, show that someone cares.  However, how can others know of the AMAZING GRACE and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of Jesus if we don’t share it, IF WE DON’T GO WHERE GOD SENDS US? 

Prayer: Dear God-Thank You for Elijah and the prophets of long ago as well as those of today and those yet to come.  Help us to be as obedient as Elijah and to go where You send us.  Help us follow the Holy Spirit’s prodding, knowing You are right there with us.  May we WILLINGLY share the love of Jesus with ALL OF THOSE You place in our paths.

In Jesus’ Precious and Holy Name we pray, AMEN!

Deb Lyon

Christmas devotions: Jan.1, 2018

Monday January 1

2 Kings 2:7-8 Description of Elijah

Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

****

Monday, January 1, Hallelujah!   A New Year. In our reading, Elisha and Elijah come to the Jordan River. Reminiscent of Moses crossing the Red Sea, Elijah strikes the water with his coat parting the waters so the 2 of them can cross. The 50 following were left to wonder what was going to happen. I feel like one of the 50 left on the other side wondering, what’s going to happen as we enter this new year. I even wonder if Trinity is going to be here in another year, considering our finances. “The river Jordan is deep and wide, hallelujah, and I’ve got a home on the other side, hallelujah. The river Jordan is chilly and cold, hallelujah, it chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah.” You probably recall those words from the song Michael Row the Boat Ashore” sung by groups like the Highway Men and Peter Paul & Mary. The song can actually be traced back to an old Negro spiritual. The slaves who sang that song knew that no matter what, Jesus walked with them. So as we cross into another year, Jesus walks with us. It may be that the Holy Spirit is messing with us, bring us to a new place, a new home on the other side.

Prayer: Lord, walk with us as we cross into the new year. Give us the courage to witness to the Gospel in our communities. And when all seems dreary and cold, warm our souls with your everlasting love.  Amen!

Deacon Charlie Germain