"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: A Different Expectation

Monday, February 22

A Different Expectation

Enter with the password:  “Thank you!”  Make yourselves at home, talking praise.  Thank God.  Worship God. 

—Psalm 100:4 (The Message)

Sunday mornings have been the primary focus of my life since before I was born as my mother was the pianist for the church in which I was baptized and raised.  Mom’s love of music, my dad’s dedication to serving in worship leadership and my grandpa’s gift of teaching a Men’s Bible study class provided a broad scope of Sunday experiences. There was never a question about how we spent Sundays.

As a minister in local congregations, Sundays have continued to be the primary focus of each week. Although there are times when the responsibilities overwhelm me as I move into a Sunday morning at Trinity, I am regularly reminded of the words of wisdom from my dear mentor Rosalie. A lifelong Director of Christian Education, the now 92 yr old Rosalie who still volunteers in her church said:

            Look for the small unexpected moments of God’s grace, love and joy.  Don’t create expectations for a perfect morning.  Let God surprise you!

And God surprises me EVERY Sunday…receiving the offering plates from ushers Kathy and Sam who grin from ear to ear with joy… observing newborns and 97 year olds arriving to worship God in the community of faith at Trinity…children eagerly join in the Children’s Message…dedicated Sunday School teachers…voices lifted in song and prayer…words of wisdom and hope from the pulpit…written prayers…conversations in Trinity café…and who knows how God will surprise me next Sunday!

Thanks be to God for Trinity - a welcoming and transforming experience:  the love of Jesus Christ.

 Linda Marshall

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Sabbath Day...Rest Day

February 21

Sabbath Day…Rest Day

Isaiah 43: 1-5 (excerpts) Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. ⁴ Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, ⁵ Do not fear, for I am with you.

Moving into this day, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the possibility of a true Sabbath…a day of rest…a time to set aside the “to do list”…a time to allow God’s spirit and grace to intervene.  Perhaps this is the day to engage in conversation with the community of faith at church and to intentionally engage in conversation with God.  Perhaps today, this is the message from God that might just provide a good day!

Good Morning Precious Child of Mine!

This is God

I will be handling

All of your problems today.

I will not need

your help.

So, relax

and have a good day!!

 
Written by and for those of us who need Sabbath

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Confession

Saturday, February 20

Confession

An Invitation for Reflection through Lent Week Two

In the phrase “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” What do you think ashes represent (Jeremiah 6:26)?

            What do you think dust represents ( Genesis 3:19)?

            Are ash and dust the same?

How do we change from ash and dust with the death and resurrection of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 15:47-49?

Have you ever had a “crisis of faith”?

Have you been through a time when your own belief system seemed to be in contradiction or contrast to what you’d been taught or what those around you held to be true or acceptable?

            If so, how did you deal with that difference?

Would you consider going to a church where people are comfortable being uncomfortable, where dirty laundry is no longer hidden and people come just as they are?

           

What about that would be difficult and what would be better than where you’ve been before?

Evans writes, “Cynicism may seem a mild transgression, but it is a patient predator that suffocates hope, slowly, over many years . . .”

            What does this mean?

           

Have you ever been cynical about a situation or lost your hope?

Evans says that “many of our sins begin with fear” . . . where do you see evidence of fear in your life or the world today?

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Sunday Memories

Friday, February 19

Sunday Memories

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

 —Colossians 3: 14-15

Do you ever sit in church and wonder what is going on with those squirming children in the pew next to you?  I am sure that I was one of those kids; but I learned a lot about worship. By the time I remember being in Sunday morning worship, Mom had returned to singing in the choir and Dad worked most Sundays; so it was Great Aunt Cora who ended up with the three Sanger kids!  

She had never had children of her own, but she loved us and she loved the Church. We learned a lot about that love from her. When we squirmed or giggled Aunt Cora went into action.  First came bribery; there seemed to be an endless supply of Life Savers in her purse and it was easier to be quiet with candy in your mouth.  If that didn’t work, she would split us up; one brother on each side of her and my sister on her lap. We learned to follow the service as she led us through the bulletin and pointed to the words of the hymns that we were singing; we grew to love being in worship.

Dear Lord, we pray that children may see your love and grace in the people of Trinity.  Amen.

Dave Sanger

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: My Sunday Story—A Lifelong Meditation

Thursday, February 18

My Sunday Story – A Life Long Meditation

God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.—John 4:24

As a youth, I looked forward to and loved Sunday mornings.  Yes, it was a little hectic for our family (I am the oldest of five children) to all get ready for church at the same time.  We attended the First Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana.  I would be there for both Sunday school and worship.  

After I married, my husband and I couldn’t agree on Sunday morning worship.  He had been brought up Catholic and refused to attend a Protestant service.  I tried some Catholic services with him, but they were the newly liberal “guitar masses” and left me uninspired.

Eventually we fell away from any church affiliation. What took its place on Sunday mornings were lots of sports activities:  hiking, biking, skiing, camping, backpacking, and canoeing.  My husband said it so many times:  “We worship in the church of the great outdoors.”  

When my husband left, I sensed the Holy Spirit urging me to re-connect with a church.  And, not just any church, the Holy Spirit was guiding me to Trinity.  What divine wisdom!  Again, I look forward to Sunday mornings:  learning in Trinity Academy, worship and sacred music in the sanctuary, and connecting with my Trinity family.  

Gracious Lord, Thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit Thank you for the opportunities for worship, learning, service, and friendship that abound at Trinity.  Amen

ML Coburn