Lenten Devotion for February 19

To the Ocean
by Ed Happ

There was a stream
next to the house
where I spent half my childhood;
I was forever pulling leaves and limbs
from it
so the water that had backed up
behind the impromptu dam
could flow anew—
there was something about water
moving freely by
that called to my tending
as if downstream
was a place to go
without impediment.
When I can’t pray
I think about the wall of branches
that one by one needs to be pulled out
of the way;
And when I do pray,
I’m sailing to the ocean on the last golden leaf.

Ash Wednesday Devotion

Lent 2001
by Joyce Rupp

The cosmos dreams in me

while I wait in stillness,
ready to lean a little further
into the heart of the Holy.

I, a little blip of life,
a wisp of unassuming love,
a quickly passing breeze,
come once more into Lent.

No need to sign me
with the black bleeding ash
of palms, fried and baked.
I know my humus place.

This Lent I will sail
on the graced wings of desire,
yearning to go deeper
to the place where
I am one in the One.

Oh, may I go there soon,
in the same breath
that takes me to the stars
when the cosmos dreams in me.

Snowbound Worship for February 15

If "Winter Storm Neptune" has prevented you from attending church today, here is a worship service that you can use for your Sunday morning devotion.  

Call to Worship

We come, seeking spiritual refreshment, thirsting for Living Water.

We come, waiting to encounter the holy, hoping for a glimpse of God’s glory.

We come, open to the possibility of transformation, receptive to the work of the Spirit.

Centering Music 

“Transfiguration” by Sufjan Stevens 

When he took the three disciples to the mountainside to pray

His countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame

Two men appeared, Moses and Elijah came

They were at his side

The prophecy, the legislation spoke of whenever he would die

Then there came a word of what he should accomplish on the day

Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place

A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade

They fell on the ground

A voice arrived, the voice of God

The face of God covered in a cloud

What he said to them, the voice of God, the most beloved son

Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come

The prophecy was put to death, was put to death

And so will the son

And keep your word, disguise the vision till the time has come

Lost in the cloud, a voice

Have no fear, we draw near

Lost in the cloud, a sign

Son of man, turn your ear

           

Opening Prayer

Light of Our Life, we gather here longing for a sense of your presence—hoping for some revelation, some experience of you that will touch our hearts and revive our spirits. Transform this place into holy ground. Startle us with your radiant love. Touch our souls in life-changing ways. Then send us forth with eyes to see your glory all around.  Amen.

Scripture Reading

Mark 9:2-9 

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Message

“Thin Places”  (Click here to listen)

Response Song   

"Show Me Your Glory" 

 Performed by Third Day

I caught a glimpse of Your splendor

In the corner of my eye

The most beautiful thing I've ever seen 

And it was like a flash of lightning 

Reflected off the sky 

And I know I'll never be the same 

Show me Your glory 

Send down Your presence 

I want to see Your face 

Show me Your glory 

Majesty shines about You 

I can't go on without You, Lord 

When I climb down the mountain 

And get back to my life 

I won't settle for ordinary things 

I'm gonna follow You forever 

And for all of my days 

I won't rest 'til I see You again

Show me Your glory

Send down Your presence

I want to see Your face

Show me Your glory

Majesty shines about You

I can't go on without You, Lord

Reflection

When have you gotten a glimpse of God's glory and wonder and mystery?

What spiritual practices or attitudes help you to be more tuned in to the presence of God?

Sharing  

If you are worshiping with others, share your reflection. If you are worshiping by yourself, take a few moments to give thanks for those times when you have been aware of the nearness of God. Ask God to help you be more attentive and receptive to God's presence.

Praying Together 

Receive God’s gift of time to be in prayer, offering God any burdens or joys that you are aware of for yourself, others, and the world. Don’t rush. Receive silence as well as words. God has all the time in the world for you! Then join in the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples:
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen. 

Closing Song  

"King of Heaven" by Paul Baloche

“Transfiguration”
Words and Music: STEVENS, SUFIJAN
Copyright: New Jerusalem Music

“Show Me Your Glory”
Words and Music: LEE, MARK D. / ANDERSON, SAMUEL TAI / AVERY, BRADLEY B. C. / CARR, DAVID / POWELL, JOHNNY MAC / BYRD, MARC
Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Group

“King of Heaven”
Words and Music: INGRAM, JASON/BALOCHE, PAUL
Copyright: Windsor Hill Music, Integrity Worship Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing, West Main Music

Looking Toward Sunday

"Casting Out Demons"

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

February 1, 2015

The scripture reading for this Sunday is one of the exorcism stories from the Gospel of Mark. (You can read it here.) Jesus is teaching in the synagogue when he is confronted by a man possessed by a demon. Jesus rebukes the demon and casts it out of the man, much to the amazement of those in the synagogue.

For Mark's 1st century audience, such a story wouldn't be considered out of the ordinary. However, It can be difficult for those of us living in the 21st century to wrap our head around the idea of demons and evil spirits inhabiting and controlling human beings. Yet we don't necessarily have to adopt the pre-scientific worldview of Jesus’ day in order to understand that we sometimes find ourselves controlled by powers that are larger than ourselves – powers that can possess us and damage our lives, both individually and collectively. Perhaps demons are every bit as real to us as they were to the ancient world. We just have a very different understanding of what they are. 

Join us this week as we think about our "demons" and the power of Jesus to liberate us from them.

See you on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

"God's Little Bunnies"

Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 18, 2015

This Sunday we'll be taking a look at the beautiful poetry of Psalm 139 (you can read it here). The words speak of God's intimate knowledge of the psalmist and about God's constant presence, which abides in both times of joy and times of darkness. The poem paints a picture of the God whose love hems us in, who will not let us go, who will pursue us to the ends of the earth.

If you're familiar with the children's book, "The Runaway Bunny", this description of God sounds a lot like the mother rabbit who reminds her little bunny that no matter where he goes, she will follow and care for him. 

Is that the way we think about God - as a nurturing Presence, as close as our own heartbeat? Or do we picture God as a distant being, far removed from the everyday stuff of our lives? And what difference does it make which way see God? Join us as we explore those questions and consider what it might mean to imagine ourselves as "God's little bunnies".

See you on Sunday!