Cultivate Lent, Good Friday

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.  

Good Friday, April 2

Set-up: Prepare your spirit and your space, set aside distractions, gather your devotion packet and a Bible. Then, set out all the tea lights but do not light them. Have a napkin or a hand towel, something to drape over the unlit candles.

Read: John 18:1-19:42

Wonder: We have a longer reading today, and our inclination may be to rush through or even skip over the reading for Good Friday; but without Good Friday we might miss the significance of the resurrection. John’s gospel has some interesting perspectives to offer. John unifies the crucified Jesus with the resurrected Jesus. The crucified Jesus we behold (John 19:5) is our Lord and God and an atonement/sacrifice. The suffering Jesus is the glorified Jesus. This is worth noting. Jesus is always both/and. Jesus is both human and divine, suffering and glorified, crucified and at the same time victorious over death. One does not look upon the cross without anticipating the resurrection. We anticipate the resurrection, but at the same time today we sit with our humanity, our personal need for a Savior. Good Friday gives us pause, a time for self examination before we receive (the sometimes hard to comprehend) love, grace, forgiveness and salvation of God. Take some time to ponder today's reading. Is there a character you relate to? (Peter, High Priest, the two crucified with Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus…) Can you imagine being a disciple of Jesus and not knowing the rest of the story? What does it mean to know the rest of the story as we read about Jesus’ death? 

Act: Gently drape the napkin or towel over the candles. (Note: do be careful not to damage the wicks; we’ll need the candles again for Easter.)

Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, You willed that Your Son should bear for us the pains of the cross, that You might remove from us the power of the adversary. Help us to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may obtain remission of sin and redemption from everlasting death; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Additional readings: A Dark Night in the Garden AND The Sun Stops Shining story booklet, Isaiah 52:13-55:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25. 

Cultivate Lent, Palm Sunday

 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.  

6th Sunday of Lent, March 28 Palm Sunday

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 one of the six tea lights.

Read: Mark 11:1-11   Hosanna, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  (11:9)

Wonder: Today we are switching gears from the covenants and promises in order to read the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This story is a dramatic event in the beginning of Jesus’ moving towards his destiny, a destiny foretold by prophets and by Jesus himself (see John 8: 31-32, 9:30-32 and 10:32-34). We as modern readers know the whole story; we know this journey leads to the cross and ultimately to God’s victory, but the disciples did not. We also know that Jesus is not the messiah that the crowds expected or wanted. Since we have been reading and learning about how God longs for relationship with us (and has demonstrated that through covenants), do you see the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem differently than you may have in years past? 

Do: For further wondering, and because I think I did a good job. I offer my sermon from Palm Sunday. The sermon starts at 14:26 right after Lydia's sweet solo "I've got the Joy." https://www.facebook.com/cayceumc/videos/855855664977135

Act: Extinguish the last 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. Peter was the one Jesus entrusted to "build his church." He was willing to step out in faith. But he was the one who denied . . . who chose the way of darkness rather than light. We, too, deny Jesus — even when we feel so very close to him. We refuse to follow his example day in and day out. We recoil from service. And in the face of social pressure, we are floundering witnesses to his love for us. We extinguish the sixth candle with the confession that we have allowed others to define us rather than the light of Christ.

Additional Readings: The Servant King story booklet, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1-15:47. 

Cultivate Lent, week 5

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.  

5th Sunday of Lent, March 21

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 two of the six tea lights.

Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34  But this covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, say the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts. (31:33)

Wonder: The prophet Jeremiah is sometimes called the "weeping prophet." He served God during the last 40 years of the kingdom of Judah. A time when the people of God were not following the Lord. Jeremiah called the people to repent and revive their faith. The scorned and ignored him, and God allowed the people to be captured, oppressed by their enemy Babylon. The temple was looted and burned, significant for the Jewish faith as the temple is where God abides. It was a difficult time for the people of God and a time that strained their relationship with God. The covenant that prophet Jeremiah is speaking of in chapter 31 is that the word of God will be written upon our hearts. Having God's word written upon our hearts also means we will have help to follow God's word from within. Obedience will no longer be difficult because God's word is so intrinsic to who we are that we will not be able to stray. The embodiment of this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus means we can know the heart of God. Luke 6:45 reminds us that: "The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Jesus is the treasure of our hearts. God's word is the treasure of our hearts. Jesus is the renewed moral consciousness and embodiment of sacrament only made possible by the initiative of God. What that fancy phrase means is that God is always reaching out to God’s people, longing for a way to connect, to build relationships. Jesus is the embodiment of that desire. The Divine was made human so that we humans could relate to God. And Jeremiah’s prophetic covenant is fulfilled in Jesus’ coming to earth, living a human life, dying on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus’ sacrifice makes us worthy. God's sacrifice also allows us to live our most authentic life, we no longer need to be one person in worship and another in work. Our hearts and minds are aligned in having access through the Holy Spirit to the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:10-16). We will know God so well through the lens of Jesus that we cannot be anything other than believers, followers and partners with God. God's word through us, as it is written upon our hearts, will no longer be used for hate or exclusion, but for love.

Ponder: How are you connected to Jesus? What does Jesus really mean to you? What do you need to change in your life so that others can see God’s law and love written on your heart?

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. The Pharisees fancied themselves as modern, up-to-date thinkers. But they so enjoyed the power they possessed that they were unable to recognize the power of God in Jesus. We are people of power.  Our power often blinds us to the simple power of Jesus' love for all creation and all people. We extinguish the fifth candle, fearful that our own powerful status will close our eyes and hearts to the light of Jesus.

Additional Readings: Written on our hearts story booklet, Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrews 5:5-10 and John 12:20-33, and in the UMH #374 Standing on the Promises.

Cultivate Lent, Week 4

 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.  

4th Sunday of Lent, March 14

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 four of the six tea lights.

Read: John 3:14-21 So that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. (3:16b-17)

Wonder: This pericopy contains is one of the best known and most beloved verses in the Bible. John 3:16. This scripture proclaims God’s extravagant love for the world. Jesus’ coming is an embodiment of God’s promise and the relationship God desires to have with God’s creation. God died for all and desires to have a relationship with all people. This is perhaps the loveliest of all the promises of God. We are promised eternal life not because we deserve it but because God freely gives it. Rachel Held Evans, an author I admire whose voice lives on in her writing said: "Jesus did not simply dies to save us from our sins; Jesus lived to save us from our sins. His life and teaching show us the way to liberation." Liberation looks different for each of us, God's extravagant love and grace looks different for each of us. Liberation from sin for the rich young ruler looks different than the woman caught in adultery. The Good News Jesus Christ is the Messiah is different for John the Baptist, a Jewish prophet part of the inside crowd than for the Ethiopian eunuch, a gentile and an outsider. Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the resurrection, understood liberation and the Good News differently than the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. There is no formula, though we may desire one, to be saved. Liberation comes through relationship with God. John 3:16 may be one of the most well know versus of scripture but I like verse 17, which reminds us that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but to save it. God desires to be in relationship with God's creation. God longs to proclaim liberation in relevant ways that will change your life.

Ponder: How have you experienced God’s extravagant love in your life? How have you shown others God’s extravagant love? 

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. Throughout the life of Jesus, it is clear that the disciples never really "get it." They are unable to hear with their hearts the radical message of love Jesus brings. We, like the disciples of long ago, often close our hearts to the radical message of love that Jesus teaches. We lazily hate and offend. We purposefully hold onto our prejudices and anger. Darkness engulfs us. We extinguish the fourth candle, admitting our own lack of love and our closed hearts.

Additional Readings: Get Ready story booklet, Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 108:1-3,17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, 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.

Lloyd-Jones, Sally. The Jesus Storybook Bible. Zonderkidz. Grand Rapids. MI. 2007.

The Wayfinding Bible. NLT. Tyndale House Publishing. 2013.

Cultivate Lent, Week 3

 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.  

3rd Sunday of Lent, March 7

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 four of the six tea lights.

Read: Exodus 20:1-17  Then God gave the people all these instructions. (20:1)

Wonder: One of the central convictions of Jewish and Christian faith is that human life is to be lived before God and that such life has an order and structure, constituted by God’s commandments. John Wesley, founder of Methodism, would agree with this sentiment. We are called to be intentional and methodical, even about our faith, participating in personal devotion (like reading our Bible) to social holiness (helping our neighbor/feeding the poor). To modern ears the Ten Commandments might sound like moral principles, but that is a thin reduction. The Ten Commandments are a window to help us understand the covenantal relationship of a life before God. We have instructions for what we as followers of God are to do. John Calvin says there are three uses for the Ten Commandments: 1) to show us how to live before God and with neighbor, 2) to show us how to be good citizens and restrain sin, and 3) to play an indispensable, positive role in Christian life. They are a guide for our journey of life.

Ponder: How do you view the Ten Commandments? How have you benefited from these clear boundaries in your relationship with God?

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. We will never know the motivations of Judas's betrayal. All we know is that Judas thought his agenda was more important than Jesus. We, too, are often willing to put our agenda and priorities ahead of the Light of the World. We extinguish the third candle, recalling with regret the times we have betrayed Jesus by the darkness of our own self-centered willfulness.

Additional Readings: Ten Ways to Be Perfect story booklet, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2: 13-22, 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.

Lloyd-Jones, Sally. The Jesus Storybook Bible. Zonderkidz. Grand Rapids. MI. 2007.

The Wayfinding Bible. NLT. Tyndale House Publishing. 2013.