"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

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Shake the Preacher's Hand

Monday, February 29

Shake the Preacher’s Hand

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

The church of my youth was the basement of a Catholic school.   There were pews, an organ, and a preacher.  Sitting in the pew I felt God and goodness, love and acceptance.    During the preacher’s sermons I sometimes squirmed but they did keep me on the straight and narrow.  The organ was small which was fine because few people sang anyway.  

I thought of Sunday as the refreshing start to the week.   Monday-Friday was packed with school, work, and chores.  If we weren’t cleaning the house, Saturdays were a play day with time to go to the library and hang out with friends.  Sundays were about church and family with chicken dinners, fishing, and reading the Sunday paper.  

Craig Morgan captures some of these themes in his song, “That’s What I love About Sunday.”   He talks about cane poles, cutting coupons, naps, walks and church.  The refrain is what grabs me;  

      

That’s what I love about Sunday,

Sing along as the choir sways,

Every verse of Amazing Grace,

And then we shake the preacher’s hand.

As a kid I wanted to sing at church and I wanted to thank the priest for his sermon.  Unfortunately, few people sang so I mumbled and as the first closing notes played on the organ the priest disappeared into his dressing room.   So we all left in a hurry, exiting to cars that would scatter us into the rest of Sunday.   Which is why now, on Sundays, I love belting out a closing hymn and the highlight that starts my week is shaking a preacher’s hand as I leave Trinity. 

Jody Pritzl

"Searching for Sunday" Lenten Devotional Series: Holy Orders

Sunday, February 28

Holy Orders

An Invitation for Reflection through Lent Week Three

What can we tell about a person simply by looking at their hands?

Evans points out, “No one ever said the fruit of the Spirit is relevance or impact or even revival.”

What are the measures by which most churches judge “success”?

What might be a better measure or method to determine if a church is succeeding in its mission?

Why is it a good idea to surrender “all cynicism and pride” before we “take up the basin and towel”?

How does your faith community reach out in service?

What are ways that you can show the love of Christ through the “works of your hands?”