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MEDITATION:

Written by Julie MacNeil.

During this time of COVID, my prayer life has intensified, as I’m sure it has with many others. Being confined to home with no answers to the pandemic and no end in sight, I found myself turning to God on a much more regular basis. Each night my prayer would begin, “Thank you, God, for getting us through another day.” During the spring, which any other year I might not have even noticed, I would sit on the wooden bench at the top of my yard and thank God for the beauty of the earth, for all the blooming flowers, which seemed to be doing their best to make up for me being confined there. By fall, our Women’s Bible Study small group resumed, with a faithful “remnant” meeting on campus to study Revelation. We found great comfort in meeting together. Winter came, and as one tradition after another fell by the wayside due to COVID, my spirits began to sag. But still I thanked God for the health and safety of my family and friends.

My daughter was expecting a baby in January. 2021 arrived, without fanfare or celebration, and I decided to devote more effort to my connection to God. I began to read again the well-known devotional, Jesus Calling. The January 4 entry challenged readers to start a new habit, of saying out loud, “I trust you, Jesus.” Trust was something I struggled with during times of worry or anxiety. I was the person on call to go care for two granddaughters when it came time for my daughter and son-in-law to go to the hospital. My bag was packed, and I slept with my phone next to my bed. I prayed for them every night. At 11 pm on January 6, the phone rang. It was time. I dressed quickly and left the house. As I drove into the dark, foggy night, I felt a twinge of uneasiness. So, I said, “I trust you, Jesus.” When I arrived at the house, all was quiet. Soon I heard footsteps coming quickly down the stairs. They must be leaving soon. The next sound out of my daughter told me maybe God had other plans. The baby was coming NOW!

There was no fear in the hallway, steps away from the car she never quite made it to, only focus on the tasks at hand. My daughter’s focus was to give birth to that baby. My son-in-law’s focus was to call 911. Mine was to not let that baby fall onto the tile floor! So, I put out my hands. Soon the 911 lady was on speaker phone asking questions and giving instructions. I followed them. Within minutes, I saw in my hands my grandson’s perfect little face, and at 1:46 a.m., he slipped out, arms flailing, and yelling his arrival! I had never felt so close to God. EMT angels arrived just then, scooped up the baby, and whisked him and my daughter off to the hospital with my son-in-law following. I sat for several minutes, trying to comprehend all that had just happened. I had trusted Jesus and he was merciful. I will never be the same.

PRAYER:

Written by Ignatius of Loyola, (1491-1556), a Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Jesuits. Jesuits served the Pope as missionaries.

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. Amen!

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. Altar of Praise Men’s Chorale. Music written by William Kirkpatrick and lyrics by Louisa Stead in 1882.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English Baptist preacher, known as the Prince of Preachers. This is an excerpt from his book “Strengthen My Spirit.”

Love is the spring of true obedience. “This is the love of God that we keep His commandments.” Now a man who is not obedient to God’s commandments is evidently not a true believer; for although good works do not save us, yet, being saved, believers are sure to produce good works. Though the fruit is not the root of the tree, yet a well-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. So, though the keeping of the commandments does not make me a child of God, yet, being a child of God, I shall be obedient to my heavenly Father. But this I cannot be unless I love God. A mere external obedience, a decent formal recognition of the laws of God, is not obedience in God’s sight. He abhors the sacrifice where the heart is not found. I must obey because I love, or else I have not in spirit and in truth obeyed at all. See then, that to produce the indispensable fruits of saving faith, there must be love for God; for without it, they would be unreal and indeed impossible.

PRAYER:

Written by Brendan the Voyager(AD 484-577), an Irish monk. Reputedly he set sail in a small coracle of wood and ox hide from Ireland and ended up in Newfoundland — an amazing achievement in his time.

Help me to journey beyond the familiar

and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways

and break fresh ground with You.

Christ of the mysteries, I trust You

to be stronger than each storm within me.

I will trust in the darkness and know

that my times, even now, are in Your hand.

Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Your Will Be Done. City Alight. Written amidst the COVID crisis as a prayer.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Richard J. Foster, a contemporary author and founder of Renovare, an interchurch movement committed to the renewal of the church. This is an excerpt from his book “Celebration of Discipline.”

More than any other single way, the grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of Service. Humility is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don’t. Therefore, most of us assume there is nothing we can do to gain this prized Christian virtue, and so we do nothing. But there is something we can do. We do not need to o through life faintly hoping that someday humility may fall upon our heads. Of all the classical spiritual disciplines, service is the most conducive to the growth of humility. When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of others and is, for the most part, a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirits…William Law made a lasting impact upon 18^th century England with his book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, urges that every day should be viewed as a day of humility. And how does he suggest that we do this? By learning to serve others. Law understood that it is the Discipline of service that brings humility into the life. If we want humility, he counsels us to “…condescend to all the weaknesses and infirmities of your fellow creatures, cover their frailties, love their excellencies, encourage their virtues, relieve their wants, rejoice in their properties, compassionate in their distress, receive their friendship, overlook their unkindness, forgive their malice, be a servant of servants, and condescend to do the lowest offices to the lowest of mankind.”

PRAYER:

Written by Carlos Carretto (1920-1988), an Italian religious author of the congregation of the Little Brothers of the Gospel.

O high and most glorious God, enlighten my heart.

Give me unwavering faith, sure hope, and perfect love.

Give me deep humility, wisdom, and knowledge,

that I may keep your commandments. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Make Me a Servant. Maranatha Singers. Written by Kelly Willard in 1982.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Irene Dickson.

This past year has brought many changes to our lives. For me, deepening my understanding of the Word of God, and what it means to my life, is a positive. From the beginning of lockdown, every snippet of news from the Church has been welcome and up-lifting. Although I miss the contemporary worship in the sanctuary on Sundays, I eagerly sit at the kitchen table with my iPad at 9am to hear the words, praise and prayers, and see the smiling, positive faces of our Pastors, choir and musicians. The daily devotional notes from Church inspire me to reflect more about the meaning of the words. I’ve saved many, and forwarded several to friends, and they too have been encouraged. Fall Bible study meant I read and studied ‘Revelation’ for the first time. I’d been intimidated by other folks’ opinions that it was ‘scary’! I found the study particularly relevant in these COVID times. Instead of being fearful of the text and graphic mental images, I feel optimistic and grateful as the road ahead is clear. I try to follow the teachings of the Bible by being extra patient and kind to my three young adult children when they complain about working from home, not being able to see friends or travel. I remind them of everything we are grateful for, send them many encouraging notes and devotionals, and occasionally I get a word of acknowledgment back! I’ve taken time to reflect and step out of my comfort zone by reaching out to others on the prayer chain, by sharing some of my early life in the Advent Devotional, and by accepting gracefully the nomination to be an Deacon in our Church.  When things get back to ‘normal’ I won’t reflect back on the baking I did or the closets I cleaned- to be honest, I didn’t do much of that! I’ll reflect on the calm and peace, and the time for reflection, study and prayer, and how God, through our Church, has been constant in this time of uncertainty. The resurrection of Jesus reconfirms our hope for the future. 

PRAYER:

A Prayer from the Celtic oral tradition.

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in dark

You are the heart’s eternal spark

You are the door that’s open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are my Lord and with me still

You are my love, keep me from ill

You are the light, the truth, the way You are my Savior this very day.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

O Jesus I Have Promised. Orchard Music. The hymn was written in 1869 by John Ernest Bode, an Oxford scholar, poet and hymn writer. This is a modernized version.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Christopher Hudson, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “Following Jesus.”

The ancient Hebrew word for peace is shalom. And what a terrific word it is! Shalom doesn’t just mean the absence of tense conflict. It means completeness, soundness, security, and well-being. In a real sense, shalom is life the way God intended it to be. The gospel says this: Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) came to reconcile sinners to God.  He lived a perfect life and died a terrible death (in our place) so that we might have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1), and so that we might enjoy the “peace of God” (Philippians 4:7).  From the new life and ultimate shalom he offers, Jesus wants his followers to live as peacemakers in the world: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).  Take a minute to think about your life and your relationships. Where is the peace of God needed?

PRAYER:

Written by Lysa Terkeurst, a contemporary American author.

Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with Your peace. Lead me to You, my rock. Guide me to Your word which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to You first.  Help me to run to You first. Help me get into the habit of taking my “overwhelmed” and placing it under your will. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

It Is Well With My Soul: Brigham Young University Vocal Point. The hymn was penned by hymnist Horatio Spaffor and composed by Philip Bliss in 1876. They hymn was written following traumatic events in Spafford’s life.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Catherine A. Welch, a contemporary author.  This is from her devotional in Hope-Full Living.

When a whistling kettle calls us, we don’t ignore it. If we do, the boiling water keeps roiling until all escapes as steam and leaves the kettle bone dry and scorching hot.  Lent is like a whistling kettle calling to us. You’re losing spiritual steam! Hope, joy, and peace are escaping. Turn back to God! Lent calls us to stop the roiling—clinging to past sins or denying our sins—before we become spiritually bone dry. We can refresh our souls by hearing and accepting God’s Word. Let us reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection with an honest and good heart. We can bear good fruit. With patience and God’s grace, we can do better loving God, ourselves, and others.

PRAYER:

Written by William Bright (1824-1901), an English ecclesiastical historian and Anglican priest.

O most loving Father,

you want us to give thanks for all things,

to dread nothing but losing you,

and to cast all our anxiety on you

because you care for us.

Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties

and grant that no clouds of this mortal life

may hide from us the light of that love

which is immortal,

and which you have shown us

in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Through It All: Hillsong Worship. Written by Morgan Reuben Timothy and  released in 2002 on Hillsong’s album “Blessed.”

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MEDITATION:

Written by Peggy Stackle.

The old hymns of the church are where I first learned theology.  Yep, I’m a traditionalist and it’s the old hymns that taught me how to sing God’s praises.  One of my happiest memories was standing up to sing during the Sunday worship service at Hollywood Presbyterian church.  I was between my mother, an alto, and my dad, a base, and being immersed in amazing sound in harmony.   What Wondrous Love Is This, is an American folk hymn. The words were published about 1811 in a camp meeting songbook.  The words from the first stanza include: “What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul, to bear the heavy cross for my soul.”  This is what Lent is all about.  It’s an astounding feeling knowing that God loves each of us as He does.  How do we deal with that?  How can we return His wondrous love?  The answer is easy, the implementation isn’t.  We demonstrate our love for God in our relationships with others.  This has been made more difficult during this time of pandemic.  In order to preserve our health, we have to give up being around each other.  We must meet by Zoom – NOT a fan.  Human touch has a healing effect.  One of the best things you can do when visiting the elderly or someone who is living alone is give them a hug. I’m a hugger and I’m part of a group of huggers.  So here’s a hug for you: (8).  You’re the 8, the hug is parenthetical.  God’s love for you is real.

PRAYER:

Written by Columba (521-597), an Irish abbot and missionary who spread Christianity through Scotland. He founded the Abbey of Iona, which was a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries.

O Lord, give us, we beseech You, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, our God, that love which can never cease, that will kindle our lamps but not extinguish them, that they may burn in us and enlighten others. You, O Christ, our dearest Savior, yourself kindle our lamps, that they may evermore shine in Your temple, that they may receive unquenchable light from You that will enlighten our darkness, and lessen the darkness of the world. Lord Jesus, we pray that You give Your  light to our lamps, that in its light the most holy place may be revealed to us in which You dwell as the Eternal Priest, that we may always behold You, desire You, look upon You  in love, and long after You, for Your sake. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

What Wonderous Love: St. Olaf Choir.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American theologian, philosopher and author.

To fulfill the high calling that God has placed upon us in creating us and redeeming us, we must have the right inner substance or character. We must come to grips with who we really are, inside and out. For we will do what we are. So we will need to become the kind of people who routinely and easily walk in the goodness and power of Jesus our master. For this, a process of “spiritual formation”—really, transformation—is required. Spiritual formation for the Christian is a Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self—our “spiritual” or invisible aspects of human life—in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself. In the degree to which such a spiritual transformation to inner Christlikeness is successful, the outer life of the individual will become a natural expression or outflow of the character and teachings of Jesus. We will simply “walk the walk,” as we say.

Christlikeness of the inner being is not a merely human attainment, of course. It is, finally, a gift of grace. Nevertheless, well-informed human effort is indispensable. Spiritual formation in Christ is not a passive process. Grace does not make us passive. Divine grace is God acting in our life to accomplish what we cannot do on our own. It informs our being and actions and makes them effective in the wisdom and power of God. Hence, grace is not opposed to effort (our actions) but to earning (our attitude). Paul the apostle, who perhaps understood grace as none other, remarks on his own efforts for Christ: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). The supernatural outcome that accompanies grace-full action stands out.

PRAYER:

Written by Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), a Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Jesuits. Jesuits served the Pope as missionaries.

As he sat by the river,

the eyes of his understanding began to be opened;

not that he saw any vision,

but he understood and learnt many things,

both spiritual matters and matters of faith and of scholarship,

and this with so great an enlightenment

that everything seemed new to him.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

In the Cross of Christ I Glory: Kelvedon Green.  The text of the hymn is loosely based on Galatians 6:14. The hymn was written by John Bowring in 1825. The first line of the hymn is inscribed on his tombstone.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Judith Walters.

During this past year of social isolation due to the Pandemic, we have been attending church online in our homes, or sitting 6 feet apart wearing a mask, on the church patio.  Far from normal, it has been such a different experience. Usually, Easter and Christmas are the times when throngs of people feel compelled to attend church in a building. Thinking that being there is a ritual necessary to being “Christian.”  In my childhood, we attended church, Sunday School, and choir every Sunday.  On Easter Sunday, it was important to have a new outfit that  matched my sister’s, a new hat, gloves, and patent leather Mary Jane shoes.  My hair was tied in rags the prior night to make long curls.  Colored eggs, Easter baskets and a special Ham or Lamb dinner completed the occasion.

However, my most memorable Easter, occurred in my 30’s, and not in a Church building.

I was visiting a friend who lived on 2 acres of Redwoods in Northern California. My friend a Catholic, and I a Protestant, decided to celebrate Easter Sunday in the majestic Redwood

grove on her property.  Bible in hand, without much of a plan, we walked to our service.

I remember singing “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”(no accompaniment), reading Scripture passages of the Resurrection, saying the 23rd Psalm, sharing our unifying thoughts, and closing with the Lord’s Prayer and singing “Amazing Grace.”  This could not have been a more simple service of our combined beliefs. Standing In the midst of these ancient, stately Coastal Redwoods, I remember feeling that we were in a Cathedral in a forest, closer to God than in any building most people call a church.  I will never forget that experience, the simplicity that we can be so close to God  in celebrating Jesus’ resurrection in a quiet Redwood grove on Easter Sunday.  A gentle wind, chirping birds, and our small voices, God was surrounding us with His Glory!  

This year Easter may be celebrated in my backyard, where I will prepare an altar with a cross and flowers. Or, along the beach.  Wherever I am, I will experience God’s Glory and the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Hallelujah!

PRAYER:

From the Roman Breviary,. the liturgical book of the Latin Church. Published in 1482, it became known as the Liturgy of the Hours.

O Lord,

be our Sanctifier and the Shepherd.

Strengthen and help us,

that in our daily life walk with you,

we serve you in all quietness of spirit;

through Jesus Christ our Master. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Hymn of Nature: Written by Jon Schmidt in 2006, with Stephanie Wayland at piano.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), a Catholic missionary nun who served the poor in the streets of Calcutta.

As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.

PRAYER:

Written by Ruth Haley Barton, a contemporary author, spiritual director and founder of Transforming Center. This prayer is adapted from Ted Loder’s Guerrillas of Grace.

Holy One, there is something I wanted to tell you, but there have been errands to run, bills to pay, arrangements to make, meetings to attend, friends to entertain, washing to do… and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you, and mostly I forget what I’m about or why. O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Eternal One, there is something I wanted to tell you, but my mind races with worrying and watching, with weighing and planning, with rutted slights and pothole grievances, with leaky dreams I keep trying to plug up; and my attention is preoccupied with loneliness, with doubt, and with things I covet; and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you, and how to say it honestly or how to do much of anything. O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Almighty One, There is something I wanted to tell you, but I stumble along the edge of a nameless rage, haunted by a hundred floating fears and … I forget what the real question is that I wanted to ask. and forgot to listen anyway because you seem unreal and far way, and I forgot what is it I have forgotten. O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ. O Father in heaven, perhaps you’ve already heard what I wanted to tell you. What I wanted to ask is forgive me, heal me, increase my courage, please. Renew in me a little of love and faith, and sense of confidence, and a vision of what it might mean to live as though you were real, and I mattered, and everyone was sister and brother. What I wanted to ask in my blundering way is don’t give up on me, don’t become too sad about me, but laugh with me, and try again with me, and I will with you, too. What I wanted to ask is for peace enough to want and work for more, for joy enough to share, and for a awareness that is keen enough to sense your presence here, now, there, then, always.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Just as I Am: Travis Cottrell. Written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835. It has been set to at least four different hymn tunes.

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