Transcription
Weekly LentenDevotionalA gentle guide into the Lenten season
2
Every year during Lent, we are invited to set apart time each day toreflect upon our relationship with God and with one another. As we reflect, we're invited to discover ways that we can renew broken relationships, heal hurts, and return back to a right relationship with God.With this desire in mind, we wanted to guide you along yourjourney to let you know that you are not alone in your journey of faithbut that you have a great cloud of witnesses who will pray alongsideyou, challenge you within your service, and love you through pain.Each day, you'll be invited to join our congregation in a time to pause,a time to reflect, a time to renew your relationship with God and oneanother. As your week develops we'll invite you to light the candle onyour candle of thorns wreath, pray a common prayer together, sing aPsalm, serve with an act of compassion, read a devotional, be still witha mindful meditation and take time to just rest and be with God. Youcan do those in any order but we have set them up in our Lenten Devotional book to flow with:Sunday - Crown of Thorns CandleMonday - Prayer for the WeekTuesday - Psalm for the WeekWednesday - Lenten DevotionalThursday - Act of CompassionFriday - Moment for Mindful MeditationSaturday - Sabbath RestThank you to all who contributed words and songs and reflections forour season of Lent. We pray that this devotional will guide you and willserve as a compass for your journey.3
Ash Wednesday, February 14th[Invitation to the observance of Lenten discipline]Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:The early Christians observed with great devotion the days of ourLord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of theChurch that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty-dayseason of spiritual preparation.During this season converts to the faith prepared for Holy Baptism. Itwas also a time when persons who had committed serious sins andhad separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciledby penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life ofthe Church.In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we allhave to renew our faith.I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holyLent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and selfdenial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.What will you do this Lenten Season to draw closer to God?4
Thursday February 15thMeditate on this song:‘Beautiful Things’ by GungorOh, you make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of the dustYou make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of usYou make me new,You are making me newListening to this songmade me pause and remember a little magnet Isaw in a store a fewmonths ago. Even in thechaos of life, there is always hope and promisethat we can find this innerpeace through Christ. Fortunately for us, God provides us a means to “bemade new” throughJames 4:8-10:5
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Washyour hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubleminded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter tomourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves beforethe Lord, and he will lift you up.”We are invited to pause for a time of reflection and soul work. We humble ourselves and invite the Holy Spirit to come in and root around inour souls and bring to light those things that keep us from having afuller relationship with God.God takes our pain, the things we aren’t proud of, and the things westruggle with and turns us into “something beautiful.”Just as God lifts us up and carries us through grace and love, we arealso called to do the same for one another in Matthew 22:37-39:“Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heartand with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the firstand greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Loveyour neighbor as yourself.’”It all comes down to loving God, loving others, and loving yourself. Andself-love can be hard, but from this comes a beautiful creation“springing up from this old ground.”Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannotchange, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to knowthe difference. Help me to show others grace and love this weekthat we may all continue to grow into “something beautiful.”Blaire Hines6
Friday February 16thReflect on Psalm 107:1-3This passage speaks on knowingthat God’s love is present, evenin the midst of hardship andheartache; and even so, we cangive thanks. As I reflect on thistext, the word steadfast standsout. As a youngster, ‘steadfast’was one of those words that Iheard and saw first at church.Other terms used to describesteadfast include: adherence,firm, immovable, loyal. This seems a fitting word for God’s love. IsGod’s love nothing short of immovable and loyal? To know that God’slove is immovable, firm, and loyal provides great comfort in the gladtimes, and in the darkest of times.I know that God’s love has surrounded me like a blanket in times ofcelebration, joy, and elation. I have felt that blanket of love in times ofstrife, pain, insecurity, and grief. The more I age, the more I am able tofeel God’s love not only in the times of joyous celebration or deepestsorrow, but also in the times of wellness and stillness. I am able toponder God’s love and be glad in it.Everything is fantastic, God! Thank you! Everything is terrible rightnow, God. Thank you. Everything is okay, God. Thank you. More oftenI am able to see God’s love when there is nothing in particular to celebrate or mourn. And that is good. God’s love is good, and steadfast.God’s love is with us, always.Paula Gradney-Garner7
Saturday February 17thMeditate on this song:“Take Up Thy Cross” by Charles William EverestTake up your cross, the Savior said,if you would my disciple be;take up your cross with willing heart,and humbly follow after me.Take up your cross; let not its weightfill your weak spirit with alarm;Christ's strength shall bear your spirit upand brace your heart and nerve your arm.Take up your cross, heed not the shame,and let your foolish pride be still;the Lord for you accepted deathupon a cross, on Calvary's hill.Take up your cross, then, in Christ's strength,and calmly every danger brave:it guides you to abundant life and leadsto victory o’er the grave.8
When I hear the first notes of the hymn, Take Up Thy Cross, I am instantly transported back to my childhood Methodist church in Clinton,Oklahoma, where I learned to sing it as a child. I can see the sunstreaming in through the stained glass windows, hear the voices oflong gone congregation members singing around me, and watch thelook of concentration on the face of Miss Dorothy as she coaxes thenotes out of our small organ.I don’t smell Easter lilies, because we only had two (one on either side of the altar), rather than the masses of gorgeous whiteflowers overflowing the sacred space at Boston Avenue. Therewas nothing grand or spectacular about my childhood church, yetthose memories are as sweet to me as the sight of one of theworld’s wonders.The memories are special because it was there that I learned thelessons of Christ, felt what it meant to be held in the loving embrace of a faith congregation and absorbed the hymn’s exhortation to “take up they cross if thou wouldst My disciple be.” Thecrosses that I have carried have been of varying weights andburdens. I have stumbled and fumbled as I tried to follow Christ,yet after each mishap I have resumed my efforts to “humbly follow after Me.” I am grateful for the lessons taught so long ago toa small girl eager to learn, and for the bedrock belief that “Hisstrength shall bear thy spirit up and brace thy heart and nervethine arm.”Prayer: Gracious God: Thank you for the lessons of faith taughtto many of us as children. Help us bear our own crosses withgrace and forbearance, and let us always seek to imbue futuregenerations with the truth of Your love.Angelyn Dale9
Sunday February 18thThe season of Lent is a time of spiritual retreat for the Christian family. The Crown ofThorns Lenten Wreath symbolizes the suffering and scorn Jesus underwent for us.During our Lenten journey, we make specialsacrifices to remind us of Christ’s sufferingand sacrifice on the cross. Through our Lenten prayer and practices, we hope that Godwill purify and transform our souls to receivethe new life of the Risen Christ at Easter.Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not place burning candles nearflammable materials such as draperies. Donot let candles burn down into the bases ofthe candleholders.Choose someone in the family to light one purple candle. During therest of the week, relight this candle at the evening meal.Prayer: God in Heaven, look upon this family for which Your Son Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Help us this Lent to change ourway of life to conform to Your will. May we follow in Christ’s steps thatwe may open our hearts to His saving love and be blessed by HisEaster victory. Amen.Scripture: Matthew 6:1-1810
Monday February 19thAlmighty God, your blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted bySatan. Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations. And, as you know the weakness of each of us, let each one findyou mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.Tuesday February 20th(sung to LORD, SPEAK TO ME.)PSALTER: Psalm 51: 1-12Be merciful to me, O God,According to your steadfast love;According to your mercy great,Wipe my transgressions all away.Wash me completely of my sin,Cleanse me of my iniquity.For I know my transgressions, andI’m always conscious of my sins.I’ve been a sinner since my birth,Yes, since the day I was conceived.You call me to be faithful, true,So teach me wisdom in my heart.God, turn your face from all my sinsAnd wipe out all the wrong I’ve done.Create in me a clean heart, Lord,A new, right spirit give to me.11
Wednesday February 21stI suppose it is an occupational hazard to associate certain belovedpassages of scripture, like Psalm 51, with famous musical settings ofthese very same words. That is especially true with Psalm 51 or“Miserere mei, Deus” in its Latin form. The time was 1630’s . . . theplace, none other than the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.The mid Chapel composer, Gregorio Allegri had prepared a new setting of Psalm 51 that was to be sung for three of the most importantHoly Week services including Tenebrae on Good Friday. The workwas unusual in that it was set for two distinct ensembles that wouldsing in alternation. The main ensemble would remain stationary in theChoir section of the Chapel while the other, smaller ensemble wouldmove throughout the Chapel and sing their passages from a variety oflocations. In addition, candle light was gradually diminished throughoutthe singing of the psalm so that it ended with only one candle litthroughout the entire Chapel. Suffice to say, all who experienced thesefirst performances of “Miserere mei, Deus” were absolutely astonishedby the work’s power, gravity, and plaintive spirit of confession.The current Pope at the time and all succeeding Popes for over 150years forbid any member of the Chapel to take a manuscript version ofthe piece out of the Chapel or for any other musician to transcribe thework. They believed that it was uniquely inspired by God and did notwant to diminish it by allowing its performance in ‘lower’ cathedrals orcourt chapels. Over time the work developed a mysterious, even mystical reputation as people flocked to the Vatican to experience its power.None of my feeble words could ever come close to expressing thepower of this penitential psalm, especially as set by Allegri. I invite youto find a quiet place. and begin meditating on Psalm 51 as you enjoyone of the choirs recorded on YouTube sing Allegri’s “Miserere mei,Deus.”Joel Panciera12
Thursday February 22ndAct of compassion: Write a letter to someone who you need to become reconciled with and seek forgiveness from. Think about thesituation and try to look at it from their side of the narrative. Thenwrite out an apology. You might mail the letter or you might not.butwrite it as an act of compassion and repentance.Friday February 23rdMoment of Meditation: Prayer labyrinths are great ways to pray withGod as you journey towards the center. With this printed labyrinth,you can follow the path with your finger or color your way to the center. As you journey towards the middle, ask God what it is that youneed to let go of to be closer to God. Then stay in the middle for awhile and be in the stillness of God. As you journey back out, remindyourself of God's gifts of grace and love that will guide you along thepath in the world. This is the hero prayer labyrinth and it is drawn byJeff Saward with the final graphic deigned by Vicki Keiser.Saturday February 24thREST13
Sunday February 25thThe season of Lent is a time of spiritual retreatfor the Christian family. The Crown of ThornsLenten Wreath symbolizes the suffering andscorn Jesus underwent for us. During our Lenten journey, we make special sacrifices to remind us of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice onthe cross. Through our Lenten prayer andpractices, we hope that God will purify andtransform our souls to receive the new life ofthe Risen Christ at Easter.Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not place burning candles nearflammable materials such as draperies. Do notlet candles burn down into the bases of thecandleholders.Two purple candles are lighted and allowed to burn as before.Prayer: Father, the Passion of Your Son Jesus gives us the sure hopeof redemption. May we strip ourselves of anything in our lives that separates us from You. May we willing bear suffering, so that we might joinin the suffering You willingly undertook for our sakes, and thus bestrengthened in our faith. Amen.Scripture: Matthew 27:27-5414
Monday February 26thO God, your glory is always to have mercy.Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bringthem again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace andhold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son,who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for everand ever. Amen.Tuesday February 27thPSALTER: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18(Sung to COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING.)You, O Lord, have searched and known me,When I rest and when I rise:Not a single thought I cherishIs kept secret from your eyes.Ev’ry word my lips would murmurNeeds no speech to make it known.All I do in ev’ry ventureIs as done to you alone.In the brilliance of your glory,Darkest night is bright as day;Shadows flee the path before me,When your wisdom lights my way.You that knit my parts together,Knew my life before my birth,Sees my faults, yet trusts my promiseFar beyond my feeble worth.15
Lord, how precious is your favorShown in your goodwill to me;To the godless in their rancorLet me your confessor be,Search, O Lord, my heart’s ambitions,Thoughts my lips would dare not say;Judge with mercy, and preserve meIn your everlasting way.Wednesday February 28thReflect on Matthew 6:1-6“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seenby them.” In this simple yet powerfulstatement, Jesus reveals how well heknows the human tendency for ego toassert at times, perhaps even as we tryto follow His teachings to love and carefor one another and to commune withHim. Caring for the poor of means andspirit is central to our call and purpose in obedience to God. But hecommands us also to exercise humility in our acts of service and compassion – to offer our help in pure love. To “announce it with trumpets”in the hope or expectation that others will admire or approve of us –even if it is unconscious –shows that we yet have more work to do tobecome fully selfless, as He taught.Jesus also instructs in these passages that our prayers arise from aplace of quiet, intimate privacy with the Father, not for the purpose ofconvincing others of our devotion.16
We are all too often preoccupied, worried, and driven by what othersthink of us, and sometimes, it can even spill over into our spiritual lives.Jesus’s words remind us that in service, prayer, or anything else, theapproval that ultimately matters most is God’s. Our reward as Christians is the joy that comes in choosing actions that fulfill His teachings,reflect His love for the world, and deepen our closeness with Him.Prayer:Holy Father, in this season of Lent, and every day, allow us to draw ever closer to you. Help us to be mindful of shedding distraction andseeking quiet so that we may speak what’s on our hearts to you, listenfor your guidance, and reflect your love and peace to others. Amen.Glenda Silvey17
Thursday March 1stAct of Compassion: Use your words to speak life to others! Todayshare ways that you experience the beauty of God through the lives ofthose you live with, work with and fellowship with. Speak these wordsof affirmation and perhaps your words will help another clearly seeGod's image in them!Friday March 2ndMoment of Meditaiton: Practice some time of silence and just being still with God. As you drive around today, turn off the radio anduse that time to just be still. Breathe in all that is of God andbreathe out all that is not of God. Be calm within your breathingand find yourself in the presence of God. Perhaps this will makeyour commute a little different!Saturday March 3rdREST18
Sunday March 4thThe season of Lent is a time of spiritual retreatfor the Christian family. The Crown of ThornsLenten Wreath symbolizes the suffering andscorn Jesus underwent for us. During our Lenten journey, we make special sacrifices to remind us of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice onthe cross. Through our Lenten prayer andpractices, we hope that God will purify andtransform our souls to receive the new life ofthe Risen Christ at Easter.Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not place burning candles nearflammable materials such as draperies. Do notlet candles burn down into the bases of thecandleholders.Three purple candles are lighted and allowed to burn as before.Prayer: Lord God, out of Your great love for the world, You reconciledearth to Heaven through Your Son Jesus. Fill us with Your tender mercy that we may all be reconciled to one another. May we have thecourage to forgive those who have offended us and the faith to trust inYour redemptive love for us. Amen.Scripture: Luke 23:13-4919
Monday March 5thEverlasting God, because of your tender mercy toward all people, yousent your son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon himself our flesh,and to suffer death upon the cross, that all should follow the exampleof his great humility. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example ofhis patience and also be made partakers of his resurrection; throughthe same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Tuesday March 6thPSALTER: Psalm 25:1-10(Sung to O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST.)To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,In you, O God, I trust;Let all vain things be put to shame,And languish in the dust.Make me to know your paths, O God,And lead me in your ways;To learn your saving truth my heartShall meditate each day.The Lord is goodness, truth, and love,God’s path the saints have trod;And children of the covenantShall walk beside their God.20
Wednesday March 7thTrust is a fragile thing. Babies and puppies come into this world with explicittrust. This trust was not earned it is justthere. As an expectant grandfather,sometime in August, I know I will do allI can to guide this child. Helping his orher parents in any way possible tokeep that trust alive in the child.That trust will be strengthened by the trust the parents have in theLord. The trust that they will show the child the path to take. Teachingcompassion by showing compassion. Teaching humbleness by beinghumble.They will forget past transgression should the child go astray, and remember in the light of their unfailing love. Just as the Lord does forthem. The child will have his physical, mental and spiritual needs met,for the Lord will guide the parents to show them the path to take.The child will get everything it needs to thrive. The child may not geteverything it wants! But will get all it needs.As adults we sometimes lose that trust in the Lord. We can look to thelittle children and their explicit trust and learn from them and bring ourselves back to the path the Lord intends for us.David Olsen21
Thursday March 8thAct of compassion: Give a smile to all of those who serve you todayand ask them how their day is going. Listen with intention and thenthank them for their service. You never know what this one act of kindness will do for another!Friday March 9thMoment of Meditation: Prayer labyrinths are great ways to pray withGod as you journey towards the center. With this printed labyrinth, youcan follow the path with your finger or color your way to the center. Asyou journey towards the middle, ask God what it is that you need to letgo of to be closer to God. Then stay in the middle for a while and be inthe stillness of God. As you journey back out, remind yourself of God'sgifts of grace and love that will guide you along the path in the world.This is the Hero prayer labyrinth and it is drawn by Jeff Saward withthe final graphic deigned by Vicki Keiser.Saturday March 10thREST22
Sunday March 11thThe season of Lent is a time of spiritual retreatfor the Christian family. The Crown of ThornsLenten Wreath symbolizes the suffering andscorn Jesus underwent for us. During our Lenten journey, we make special sacrifices to remind us of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice onthe cross. Through our Lenten prayer andpractices, we hope that God will purify andtransform our souls to receive the new life ofthe Risen Christ at Easter.Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not place burning candles nearflammable materials such as draperies. Do notlet candles burn down into the bases of thecandleholders.This is called “Laetare Sunday” from the Latin wordmeaning “rejoice.” It is a foreshadowing of the joyof the resurrection. Three purple candles and the rose-coloredcandle are lighted and allowed to burn as before.Prayer: Christ the King, You gave Your life for love of us. Teach us tocare for one another with that same selfless love. May our lives witness the joy of serving You and humankind. May our hearts feel thepeace of surrendering our hearts completely to You, so that we mayhelp make Your kingdom come. Amen.Scripture: Mark 15:16-3923
Monday March 12thO merciful Father, in compassion for your sinful children you sent yourSon Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world. Grant us grace to feeland to lament our share of the evil that made it necessary for him tosuffer and to die for our salvation. Help us by self-denial, prayer, andmeditation to prepare our hearts for deeper penitence and a better life.And give us a true longing to be free from sin, through the deliverancewon by Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.Tuesday March 13thPSALTER: Psalm: 31:1-5, 15-16(sung to O WALY WALY.)O Lord, in whom my soul confides;My refuge sure amid the strife;O let me not in shame reside,But through your grace reclaim my life.Be gracious, Lord, for I, in sin,Your loving mercy now implore;My very heart within me swells,To bear its grief alone no more.My life, my days are in your hand,Nor can the threat of death remove;Turn now to me your shining face;Lord, save me through your steadfast love.Lord, be my rock, my sure defense,My fortress, strong, no force can break;You are my guide; now lead me forthTo ever praise you for your sake.24
Wednesday March 14thReflect on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26In this passage Paul is reminding the Corinthians that all are equal inthe eyes of God and God showed this equal grace to us through thegiving of his Son. In this text we are reminded of God's sacrifice to usthrough the death of his only Son. As you read these words rememberGod calls us to treat all people with dignity and equality and rememberthe sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord.I strive to show this equality to all through my work in education. If weare all truly equal then every child should have a right to education, tobecome the best version of themselves. It shouldn’t matter if the childwas born in a rural village in a poor country or in large metropolitan area in the United States. God sees us all as equal are worthy. Heproved this when he sent down his own son, not as royalty, but as theson of a carpenter born in a manger. This proves that God has loveand compassion for all of his children, not just a select few.Let us be reminded of God’s love and equality as we go about our daily lives. Smile at the people you pass on the street, not just the onesdressed the same as you. Stand up for someone if they are being criticized for being different. Make an effort to see something from a different point of you. In doing all of these things we are working towardsfollowing the example of Christ.Prayer:Dear Lord, help me to see the good in all people, not only the ones Ihave deemed good enough. Help me to remember the sacrifice youmade to show the world we are all equal in your grace. In your namewe pray, amen.Hope Wiggs25
Thursday March 15thAct of Compassion: Do a prayer walk around your neighborhood ornear the place that you work. Stop to pray for specific people, for yourneighbors, for nonprofit organizations or local businesses. As you walk,ask yourself: how could you be more compassionate towards yourneighbors?Friday March 16thMindfulness Moment: Spend 20 minutes in quiet prayer and meditationfor each one of our partners in education: Burroughs ElementarySchool, Sistema Tulsa, Boston Avenue Weekday School, and ourYoung Children's, Children's, Mid High and High School Education Departments at Boston Avenue. Pray for the love of God to be shown ineach of the settings and for wisdom to guide and continue to direct theleaders to creating a space where all people are treated with dignityand equality.Saturday March 17thREST26
Sunday March 18thThe season of Lent is a time of spiritual retreatfor the Christian family. The Crown of ThornsLenten Wreath symbolizes the suffering andscorn Jesus underwent for us. During our Lenten journey, we make special sacrifices to remind us of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice onthe cross. Through our Lenten prayer andpractices, we hope that God will purify andtransform our souls to receive the new life ofthe Risen Christ at Easter.Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not place burning candles nearflammable materials such as draperies. Do notlet candles burn down into the bases of thecandleholders.Four purple candles and the rose-coloredone are lighted and allowed to burn as before.Prayer: Saving Lord, may we live simply and humbly, burying our oldselves and awaiting Your transforming work in our lives. Grant us thepeace which the world cannot give, as we trust in Your power to bringlight from darkness, triumph from trials and blessings from burdens.Amen.Scripture: John 19:1-4227
Monday March 19thO Lord our God, teach us temperance and self-control, that we maylive in the Spirit and be mindful of all that Jesus endured and sacrificedfor our sakes, and how he was made perfect through sufferings. Helpus so to keep the fast that you have chosen, that we may loose thebonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressedgo free; through the grace of Christ Jesus our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.Tuesday March 20thPSALTER: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24(sung to WHAT CHILD IS THIS.)Give thanks, give thanks to God alone,Whose love endures forever;The Lord, our strength and song shall be,From whom no fault can sever.Sing, sing with joyful songs,Both now and through eternity.For God has come to us,His love endures forever.The gate that should unyielding be,Is open wide to welcome us,Give thanks and adoration,God’s blessings freely flowing.The stone that the builders judged,Imperfect, weak and tender,Has become the cornerstone,Is unsurpassed in splendor.28
Wednesday March 21stReflect on Psalm 118: 19-29Each day is an opportunityto enter into the realm ofthe Holy. By virtue of beingalive and waking up to anew day we are invited tobe in communion with everything that God createdand is creating. ThesePsalms speak of openingup a gate of righteousnesseach day. How can such alofty goal be accomplished? It starts by being intentional about our purpose each day. Firstorder of business would be to praise God and remember that this isthe day that the Lord has made!Then we move on to the hours of the day and we can remember to askGod for mercy by noon (Here I am Lord; broken and yet worthy of yourgrace). Strive to be His instrument for peace by the afternoon (Here Iam Lord; please help me see the way you see). And meditate on theresurrection of Christ by night (Here I am Lord; my heart is willing tobear your cross). After a fruitful day, we can pray that God says, “Enterin faithful servant and let a new life be poured upon you” now and inthe hour of our death. Amen.Jose Luis Hernandez29
Thursday March 22ndAct of Compassion: Share God's love this week with a random act ofkindness. What is something that you can do for another that will letthem know that God loves them?Friday March 23rdMoment of Meditation: Take a time for prayerful meditation today byfollowing the setting of the day. At the beginning of the day, breathe inall that is of God and breathe out all that is not of God. Then thank Godfor the beauty of the day and for an opportunity to serve. At noon,breathe in all that is of God and breathe out all that is not of God. Thenask God for mercy for the ways that you have not done God's will andseek to live the rest of the day as an instru
we may open our hearts to His saving love and be blessed by His Easter victory. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18 The season of Lent is a time of spiritual re-treat for the Christian family. The Crown of Thorns Lenten Wreath symbolizes the suf-fering and scorn Jesus und
