"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Renewal

Wednesday, February 17

Renewal

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.—Mark 10:16

As long as I can remember my family went to church. As a young boy it was a challenge to get my three brothers and me ready for church. I remember the “strict” rules my parents had about being dressed and ready to go before being able to read the Sunday comics. We attended the Methodist church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The church is still there, although recently moved from its downtown location to the suburbs. And doing well. That church was full of teaching for me. The Sunday school classes, the MYF, fellowship hall activities, sermons, special concerts, even boy scouts were all there. Even now when I return to visit, my father’s Sunday school class is filled with my former Sunday school mentors.

As an adult I came to find Sunday church a pause in the week for renewal. To have that quiet, reflective time. A moment to be personally wrapped in God’s love and in the fellowship of other believers. To be reminded that Christ is with us and the Holy Spirit is always guiding us. Sunday Church was that break from the hectic week to renew my soul and spirit.  Trinity is even more than renewal. I knew the first time I visited Trinity that this was a “participatory” church. I was deeply impressed with the mission presentation that Sunday, the sermon and the bulletin as to how many activities Trinity was involved in. It didn’t take long for my simple Sunday Church attendance to turn into participation. The opportunities to volunteer are amazing. Finding those that fit my talents and interests was easy and fulfilling.   Recently I joined the Trinity choir. Yes I have some musical background, but I had never sung in a choir before. I thought I might contribute a bit. WOW was I blessed. The Trinity choir is a community that raises each other up, actions our voices in doing good, and renews one’s spirit. O yea, we also create joyful noise to bless the whole congregation.

Let your church take you in its arms. Be the hands that bless all God’s children.

 

Barry Price

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Church Day

Tuesday, February 16

Church Day

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!—Psalm 122:1

I can't remember a time when Sunday was not "church" day.  Sunday was totally "family day" and mornings and evenings were spent in Church. I always looked forward to the more relaxed evening services with singing of old familiar and gospel hymns.

As I grew up, I became more involved in the life of the church - Sunday school to youth choir to MYF to teaching Sunday school, to young adult groups and serving on church committees.

My church life alternated between our fairly large "town" church and the very small country church of my grandparents where most of the congregation were relatives and many took part in the Sunday services.

For me "Trinity is the place to be" for Sunday worship. The more traditional service, the wonderful music and the children all make the service meaningful, uplifting and sustaining for the week ahead.

Prayer:  We thank you God for our day of rest a time for renewing our souls and a time for reflection.  May we always remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.  Amen

Marilyn Hull

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: The Wisdom of Youth

Monday, February 15

The Wisdom of Youth

And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.—1 Timothy 4:12 (The Messages)

It’s a typical Sunday morning, the youth are flopped on the couches in the Youth Room, stretched out and checking in on how everyone’s week has been. We are connecting with one another, listening to each other’s stories. On this particular Sunday we are reading about how Jesus has invited some smelly fisherman to come and follow him. We talked about the opportunity this opened for them when they had the courage to say, “yes.”  “How would your life be changed if you really followed Jesus?” This was a question we asked the youth next, the question that hopefully shifts us all into thinking about how Jesus changes our life. They pondered the idea, and talked about what it meant to follow Jesus. One of the youth responded, “I’d feel more empowered to be me.” The room almost went silent. Yes! Following Jesus does not take us further from being ourselves, but rather invites us to be truly ourselves. What if we lived fully from a place of being truly who we are? Julian of Norwich, the 12^th century Christian mystic, says we are not just made by God, we are made of God. When we follow Jesus we discover our “of God-ness” our true selves are revealed and we are indeed empowered to be ourselves.

Creator God, give us courage each day to live fully into who we are. Made by you and of you. Amen.

Cami Twilling

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Baptism

Sunday, February 14

Baptism

An invitation for reflection throughout this first week of Lent

Through the imagery of the Bible, water is used repeatedly to symbolize life and the presence and hand of God.

           

What are some of the ways in which water is critical to our lives today?

Are there ways that we can relate those images of water symbolically to the work of God?

In the Renewal of Baptism ritual, we say “Remember your baptism and be thankful.”

           

            What do you know about your baptism?

            Where and when were you baptized?

            Who was present at your baptism?

            Do you have your baptismal certificate?

By Rachel Evans’ definition, we are “baptized” by all of the people who introduce us to Jesus.

           

Who would you list as the people who “baptized” you in this sense?  

Who was responsible for introducing you to Jesus?

           

What are the times and church leaders in your life that shaped your early views toward church and religion?

Compassionate Change

By Rev. Lee Anderson

This is the time of year when many people are thinking about change, resolutions, new habits, and new beginnings. Whatever you are attempting to do differently, I invite you to take a journey of self-compassion while doing so. 

In her book Making a Change for Good, Zen Buddhist teacher Cheri Huber describes the difference between self-discipline and self-improvement. She states that “Self-improvement…is based on a false premise (that there is something wrong with you) and results in suffering.” Sure, self-discipline is important in leading a life that allows us be who we want to be, and who God designed us to be. But this is different from believing we are inherently flawed, that something is wrong with us and needs to be fixed. This kind of self-beating leads us further away from connecting to God’s love; we hide our faces in shame rather than turn to God with an open heart. Transformation can and does happen when we are healed and made whole. However, and this is important to remember, even up until your time of healing, you are still worthy of love. God loves you just as you are, and longs for the connection that brings wholeness. You do not need to earn this.  

When there is something you want to change about yourself, it is important to remember this belovedness. First, change does not happen simply by beating yourself up or putting yourself down. I am sure that some have experienced changed habits by doing this, but what about the emotional suffering that comes with it? Does that suffering reflect God’s goodness of creation? Second, if you believe you are already loved, you will be that much more willing to open up and let God in to touch those places that need healing, so you can be the person you long to be. A friend of mine, who is a student of the aforementioned Cheri Huber, taught me this wonderful phrase to start the day: “Your goodness is already established.  How do you want to be today?”

As followers of Christ, we believe in new life and the hope of the Resurrection. This belief is rooted in love. Jesus modeled compassion; shouldn’t we share in that compassion toward ourselves as well as others? As you work toward change for yourself, don’t forget to call on the One who can make all things new.