Lent 4

Fast·Pray·Give
Week4

Pastor's Peace

Grace to you and peace, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps, one of the most challenging concepts for a contemporary Christian to understand is, "What is Sabbath Keeping?"

Sabbath Keeping is a biblical mandate from Old Testament times.  It is a time of "resting with God."  That both Christian and Jewish traditions uphold this time as a sacred practice rooted in faith is significant, even for us today. 

Dan Gilder, a UMC pastor in KY who has been practicing "Sabbath Keeping" for seven years,  sums up this practice for him in the following way, "I use this time to relate, delight, reflect and rest."  From Dan Gilder:  "I turn off any electronics that might distract me.  I try to spend time with relationships that give me life.  I try to nap.  I stop anything that reminds me that I am what I produce.  The second part is to rest, just as God did in our creation.  The other two are delighting and reflecting.  Delighting is where you give yourself permission to enjoy the things that God has given you.  On my Sabbath, I like to read.  Some people I know like to work in the garden.  That doesn't me life.  The last one is reflection."

Other tips for Sabbath Keeping:

Start small. Choose a specific time to begin.

Set aside four hours the first week

Add one hour each week

Consider observing Sabbath with a close friend, prayer partner, your family, a small group.  Accountability is important.

Make Sabbath Keeping part of your annual routine.  Begin and end the day with prayer.

Think about "investing" in a week-long annual retreat.

Incorporate relating, delighting, reflecting and resting in your Sabbath Keeping.

Don't forget to nap.  It helps the body recalibrate. (My personal favorite)

Blessing for the Way,

Rev. Tracy

The source for this liturgy is Feasting On The Word: Liturgies for Year C, Worship Companion.

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Invitation to Lenten Discipline

Here's a little "bread for the journey"

Thank you to Jennifer Weatherford for telling me about the History Channel's new series on The Bible. 

From the History Channel's website:

The Bible comes to life in HISTORY’s epic new series. From Genesis to Revelation, these unforgettable stories unfold through live action and cutting-edge computer-generated imagery, offering new insight into famous scenes and iconic characters. Created by producer Mark Burnett and featuring an international cast that includes Roma Downey, this 10-hour docudrama explores the sacred text’s most significant episodes, including Noah’s journey in the ark, the Exodus and the life of Jesus.

This certainly sounds like something worth tuning into, especially during this Holy season of Lent.

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Texts for Lent Week 4:

Joshua 5:9–12:2                      Corinthians 5:16–21

Psalm 32                                 Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32

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Prayers

Household Prayer: Morning

Loving God, in all I do this day, use me as a sign of your reconciling love.

Let me not view anyone from a human point of view,

but let me see all whom I will encounter with the eyes of Christ,

through whom I pray. Amen.

Household Prayer: Evening

Merciful God, if like the Prodigal Son I have strayed from you this day,

call me back to your loving embrace.

If like the elder son, I have harbored resentment for the grace you give to others, reprove me.

Help me claim in thought and deed the inheritance of the saints

who share with Jesus compassion and forgiveness to all who lose

their way. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

In peace let us pray to the Lord saying,

Lord have mercy.

For the church throughout the world, that all Christians may embody the reconciling love of Christ,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the nations of the world and its leaders, that all may dwell in peace

and that justice may be tempered by mercy,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the planet Earth, God’s gift to humankind, that all may share wisely its resources and conserve its riches for our children’s children and their children,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For our enemies, that we may regard them with the reconciling love

made manifest in Christ,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick or in trouble, for the defenseless, the weak, and the poor,

that they may be restored to wholeness of life and livelihood,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the lost, for those who have abandoned God, friends, or family,

and for those who have never known such love,

that they may come to know the joy of love’s embrace,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Loving God, hear the prayers of your people for the sake of our world,

and our Savior Jesus Christ, through whom we pray.

Amen.

For your Reflection

For Your Reflection

In what ways am I like the Prodigal Son?

In what ways am I like the elder son?