For the season of Lent, I wrote a devotional for my congregation, Cayce United Methodist Church. I am sharing an adapted version of the adult version here on the blog.
The family devotional is similar but includes a TON of activities, coloring sheets, science and even some baking (maybe more than practical but I got excited). If you want to see the packets in their entirety you can download them on Cayce's website (www.cayceumc.com). On the website scroll down to below the upcoming events and there are download options: adult, family and the Jesus Storybook booklets.
2nd Sunday of Lent, February 28
Set-up: You will need tea lights (or candles, or a simple pencil drawing of candles and an eraser to take away a flame) and a Bible (or access to an online Bible). Prepare your spirit and your space, set aside distractions. Then, light five of the six tea lights.
Read: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 “I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” (17:6-7)
Wonder: The fundamental theme of the Old Testament is the reestablishment of relationship between God and the nations. God wants to be in relationship with creation. (We learned last week, in studying the rainbow covenant, that creation and humanity are linked, and for the purpose of simplicity I will use the term creation to mean both creation and humanity).
In this week’s text, the scope of God’s redemptive work is a promise for all the nations. Abraham stands at the beginning of God’s promise, but the promise is eternal. God promises to always be God to Abraham and to all of Abraham's descendants (that's us). The size of this promise is startling because again, God willingly binds God’s self to a people who turn away from grace, who are difficult and who get it wrong again and again, yet the divine creator of the universe initiates this covenant relationship with humanity, with each of us. God says, “I will be your God. I will be in relationship with you. We are connected forever.” To mark this covenant, God changed Abraham's name from Abram to Abraham (which means 'the father to many').
One of my wise clergy sisters reminded me that the descendant covenant we read about today in Genesis 17 is part of an ongoing conversation where God promises Abraham he will have many descendants. In fact the Jesus Storybook selection that goes with today's devotion (Sons of Laughter) highlights some of these promises. Earlier in Genesis chapter 15 God says to Abram, "Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!" (Genesis 15:5) The star promise is an inclusive covenant because stars do not get to choose their company. This is the good news. God promised Abraham he would be the father of all nations. ALL. All nations means all, not to the exclusion of any. God desires relationship with all of creation. God longs to be our God and to redeem all of creation, God desires to leave no one out.
Ponder: What are some ways you feel connected to God? How have you benefited from God’s great connection?
Act: Extinguish a candle.
Prayer: During this time of Lenten preparation, we think of those who turned away from the light of Jesus. And we remember that we, too, turn away. Jesus was approached by a rich man. He said he wanted eternal life but he was unwilling to change his lifestyle, and he walked sadly away. We, too, are often unwilling to change even the smallest part of our lifestyle in order to follow Jesus. The darkness approaches when we sadly walk away from Jesus. We extinguish the second candle, confessing our unwillingness to do what is necessary to follow Jesus.
Additional Readings: Sons of Laughter Jesus Storybook Bible, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, and in the UMH #374 Standing on the Promises.
Sources:
Rev. Preston Price, Anaheim, CA appointed to Anaheim United Methodist Church. “Lenten Candle Extinguishing Liturgy.” 2021.
Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor. Feasting on the Word Year B Volume 2. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. 2008.
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