"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Sabbath

Saturday, March 5

Sabbath

And on the seventh day God finished the work God had done, and God rested… —Genesis 2:2

In Sunday service our pastor often interrupted himself to say:  “I know the ladies are concerned about the pot roast burning, but  . . . “ then continue his sermon. 

My mother must have anticipated the delay because Sunday dinner was never burned.  Often Mom’s aunts and our cousins from across the river were visiting; or Dad’s family came from farms and small towns nearby; or we went to our grandparents’ farms.

Whether it was at our home or a relative’s, Sunday was a day for family, going to church, playing games, and eating noon meal together.  I remember picnics at lakes, farm dinners, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato salad, and home-made ice cream –a surprise treat that included debate between the uncles about whose recipe was best.  After dinner the adults visited in circles in the living room while we cousins played.

It was Sabbath.  A time to set work aside, to focus on being together forming family bonds that sustained us as we grew up and moved on.  In a way it was involuntary Sabbath because “Blue Laws” were in effect in the Midwest that limited the number of retail stores allowed to open on Sundays.  Shopping, errands, meetings, and school activities were not options.  The emphasis was on rest, renewal, and relationships, a good Sabbath combination that made wonderful memories of childhood Sundays. 

Linda Sperber

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: True Sacrifice

Friday, March 4

True Sacrifice

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.—John 3:16

 

When I was pregnant, I heard lots of advice from all different people about pregnancy, birth and raising a child. Some of it was helpful, some was a little scary (You will never sleep again!). The underlying theme was about sacrifice- the sacrifices I will make for my baby. My sweet baby boy has been in our lives for over a year now and I have never felt that I was sacrificing anything because of him. I imagine this is how God feels about us. While he made the most amazing sacrifice- His only Son-so we can have eternal life. Lent is a time for reflection and to focus on the sacrifice God made for us. During this Lenten season, my prayer is for God to remind me of what a true sacrifice is...

Christine Case

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Getting Ready to Be with God's Presence

Thursday, March 3

Getting Ready to Be with God’s Presence

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.—Jeremiah 29:11  

Turning on the lights in Stiles Chapel, not too bright, just enough to be able to read the scripture chosen for this Sunday, lighting the candles (always preceded by a fervent search for matches), ensuring the Benedictine or Celtic chants are queued and placing copies of the scripture to be used for Lectio Divina on the table in the vestibule.  These are all part of my Sunday tradition for the last three years for that is when Cami Twilling, Director of Youth Ministries and Contemplative Spirituality asked if I would lead the Sunday morning Contemplative Spirituality group and I gladly accepted.

Lectio Divina is described as one of the great treasures of the Christian tradition of prayer which means Divine Reading.  I select several scriptures well in advance and so it still amazes me when someone confides in me that the particular scripture used that Sunday was the answer they had been searching for.  That reminds me that I am not alone in this Sunday tradition; it is all part of God’s plan for good for those of us  who have chosen to practice Lectio Divina early on Sunday mornings.

And knowing that makes it worth hunting for the ever allusive matches - I have learned to bring my own.

Joy Harvey

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Sunrise

Wednesday, March 2

Sunrise

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing, so in the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.—Genesis 2:2-3

Sundays are interesting days. A morning in song simply makes my heart swell with happiness.   And yet, some days the getting-to-church part is a bit challenging.  

When the choir sings at early service, we have to robed and ready to sing by 0730.   One particular Sunday, I was home enjoying a particularly vibrant sunrise and my desire to consume that spectacle conflicted with my commitment to sing.  Going to church, I travel east to west; a perfect route for Sunsets.  The sky was gorgeous. Goodness how I wanted to see that sunrise! Regardless, I had songs to sing.  I drove my car west consoling myself with the possibility of catching snatches of the sunrise through the rearview mirror.    

Suddenly, I realized the power of reflection!  The colorful drama, the splendor-ific sunrise was on display.  I had only to look up at the walls of glass windows on the downtown buildings and it was revealed in reflection!

The power of God is unfathomable.  Each day, each moment is something new.  

Created in the image of God, we too are creators.  Everything we require is provided.  We have only to recognize the opportunity.

Sally Hirsch

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Bushels of Apples - Traditions that bridge generations

Tuesday, March 1

Bushels of Apples - Traditions that bridge generations

I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.—1 Corinthians 11:2

Imagine loading up your 35 gallon copper kettle in a horse drawn wagon to take to church every fall.  My Grandma Luzetta Miller’s faith and devotion has been the biggest “Sunday stories” influence in my lifetime.  The day she was born, the women of the church rushed to sew another set of baby clothes.  Without modern technology, no one suspected that there would be 2 baby girls born on that winter day in 1907!  Their barn was raised with the help of friends and neighbors from the congregation.  My Grandma’s mother was one of the 675,000 US citizens who died during the 1918 influenza epidemic and the church was a source of hope, community and stability for my Grandma and her 11 year old twin sister.  The births of 2 sons and her battle with breast cancer were also supported by church friends.

My Grandma attended Pfrimmer’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Corydon, Indiana nearly every Sunday for 87 years.  Thinking of the generations of families that carry on traditions at churches like Trinity and Pfrimmer’s  brings back the memory of the annual apple butter cooking at Pfrimmer’s – huge copper kettles over wood fires, long handled wooden stirrers, days of apple peeling, chopping, cooking and canning. 

Lea Ann Reitzig

In memory of my Grandma Luzetta Gleitz Miller