A Lent For All Seasons - Constant...

A L e n t F o r A l l S e a s o n s

2 0 1 7

Hymn

Here is a wonderful hymn from the 1940 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church.

While it is from the Children’s section, helping to identify the different church seasons,

it is just as appropriate for adults!

Advent tells us Christ is near;

Christmas tells us Christ is here! In Epiphany we trace

all the glory of his grace.

Those three Sundays before Lent will prepare us to repent; that in Lent we may begin earnestly to mourn for sin.

Holy Week and Easter, then, tell who died and rose again;

O that happy Easter Day! "Christ is risen indeed," we say.

Yes, and Christ ascended, too,

to prepare a place for you; so, we give him special praise, after those great Forty Days.

Then, he sent the Holy Ghost,

on the Day of Pentecost, with us ever to abide;

well may we keep Whitsuntide!

Last of all, we humbly sing glory to our God and King, glory to the One in Three,

on the Feast of Trinity. Words: Katherine Hankey, 1888 Music: Innocents, Keine Sch’nheit hat die Welt, Pilgrimage

OFFERED BY

SUZANNE SILEK

W E D N E S D A Y

1 M A R C H

As h W e d n e s d a y

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Lenten road, four-laned royal way, lead me to my Beloved in these forty days of prayerful pilgrimage. Royal and rich is the roadway of earnest prayer and worship, and blessed are those who travel it. They will find in the cave of their hearts the One whom they seek. Royal and treasure-filled is the lane of study and reading, hours spent in feeding the soul with food of knowledge, insights in to the divine nature Royal and compassionate is the avenue of alms-giving and of working for the poor. Twice-blessed are those who give of self and treasure as a Lenten work of worship. Royal and fertile with life is the lane of discipline, fast and abstinence which makes all disciples aware of their dependence on the truest ground of being, carrying every pilgrim homeward bound. Spirit of holiness, come to my aid, that I might walk with prayerful passion during these forty days on all four lanes of heaven’s Lenten royal road. From Prayers for A Planetary Pilgrim, by Edward Hays

OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

Lenten Psalm of The Royal Road

F R I D A Y

3 M A R C H

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WE had just had our first "cold" spell of the season in Houston. Having been born and raised near Chicago, I found it quite amusing that the temperature falling to the high 60's was considered to be a cold snap. Everyone it seemed could not get enough of the faint, cool, breezes that crooned through the trees. It's almost like each new season is a new beginning of sorts. It's very representation of newness stirs up changes in our souls. Autumn visions of our favorite warm cozy sweater; rich hot cocoa; and steaming hot apple cider spring into action in our hearts.

The Bible also references new changes and beginnings in our lives as being seasons. Seasons are metaphors for God's perfect timing in delivering us through all the changes He makes in our lives. These certain seasons can bring about the blessings we reap from having been obedient in following him through those changes crooned through the trees. The crisp, new, chilly, autumn air unearthed an enthusiasm and a "get up and go" attitude that had been missing for quite some time. What is it about a simple change in weather that can bring out the best in people even if we did not fully understand or welcome them.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.-Galatians 6:9

This scripture tells us to never give up. No matter how long, strenuous and painstaking the road or trials are in our lives, there is always a new season ahead, a season of new beginnings. Every day we can make the decision to begin again. We can adopt a positive mindset to overcome, conquer, and live triumphantly. All beginnings must eventually come to an end so a new beginning, a new season, can commence. We need to take the opportunity to look ahead at what can be and forget the what-might-have-beens. We can challenge ourselves to be better, live higher, rise above our own self-appointed limitations. We can look ahead to a new season of thinking, speaking, acting and living more positively. Each subtle change we implement towards living a more positive life will eventually take root and manifest itself into our days, weeks, months and years.

A beautiful tree full of wonderful green foliage and rich, ripened fruit can offer shelter, nourishment,

A New Season

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and shade, but only temporarily. The leaves eventually turn brilliant hues of crimsons, golds, reds and oranges, offering us a wonderful spectacle to behold, a brushstroke of genius only God can artfully paint. Then, those leaves must fall, leaving that beautiful tree bare and vulnerable as it must survive the harshest of seasons.The tree must go through that season to begin a new life, a new cycle, with budding blossoms fragrant and beautiful. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its

fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.—Psalm 1:3

We need to be incessantly grateful and thank God continually even when our future seems very unclear. We can still stay firmly planted in faith so we will never wither; but always prosper and produce good fruit. All glory comes then from daring to begin, daring to change, ushering in each new season, and forever trusting God with each unpredictable new step. Never stop believing and growing. We can never fully know what God's intentions are for us, but we can always do our absolute bestwith where He has placed us right now. Only then, when we have learned all there is to learn and are truly grateful in this place, this season, will God move us to a new, more bountiful, and blessed season.

For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.—Ecclesiastes 3:1

OFFERED BY

KATE GORECKI

S A T U R D A Y

4 M A R C H

A Prayer for a Season of Change

PAGE 15

Dear Heavenly Father,

Just when we settle into a pattern,

things change far too quickly.

One door opens, another closes.

We rise, we eat, we sleep.

We smile, we laugh, we cry.

Even change itself is ever changing and

Lord, if I’m truthful, I don’t like change.

Because I desire the control.

Will you forgive my lack of understanding

that Your creation of seasons is exquisite?

Would you remind me that the

ebb and flow of life

is rippled by the gifts of love and laughter?

And that life is measured by memories,

not minutes?

May the season of change fuel me forward

towards another beautiful season of

the blessings of Your Almighty hand.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

- Rachel Wojo

OFFERED BY

KATE GORECKI

An Advent Psalm

Awaken, my heart,

God’s reign is near;

the Peaceable Kingdom

is in my hands.

If the wolf can be the guest of the lamb,

and the bear and cow be friends,

then no injury or hate can be a guest

within the kingdom of my heart.

Eden’s peace and harmony will only return

when first, in my heart,

there hides no harm or ruin,

for the Peaceable Kingdom is in my hands.

Isaiah’s dream became Jesus’ vision:

“Come, follow me,” Emmanuel’s echo rings.

“Reform your life, recover Eden’s peace,”

for only then will salvation appear.

For Advent’s dream is the healing of earth,

when the eagle and bear become friends,

the child and the serpent playmates.

Arise, awaken, my heart,

the Peaceable Kingdom

is in your hands.

From Prayers for A Planetary Pilgrim by Edward Hays

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OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:13

I believe that all Scripture is related and all Scripture is relevant. Nevertheless, I was surprised when my November reading in the book of 1 Peter touched on all four themes of Advent—that period of time on the church calendar when many Christians prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ while looking forward to His second coming. During Advent, we emphasize hope, peace, joy, and love, which God sent with Christ.

HOPE. We have an inheritance reserved in heaven, a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3-5). PEACE. We will love life and see good days if we turn from evil and do good and if we seek peace, for the Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers (3:10-12). JOY. We have inexpressible joy even though we have trials because our faith is being tested and proven genuine. The end of this faith is the salvation of our souls (1:6-9). LOVE. We can love one another with a pure heart because we have been born again through the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1:22-23). Because Christ came the first time, we can live with hope, peace, joy, and love till He comes again.

The hope we have in Jesus Christ Brings joy into our heart;

And when we know the love of God, His peace He will impart. —Sper

If you’re looking for hope, peace, joy, and love this

Christmas season, look to God.

By Julie Ackerman Link, December 1, 2001 ©Our Daily Bread

S A T U R D A Y

1 1 M A R C H

Advent Themes

Christmas

For the church, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. We celebrate this birth not because Jesus was simply a “good man” but because we believe Jesus was — and is — both the human son of Mary and the divine Son of God. That makes Christmas a time to reflect on a mystery that the church calls the doctrine of the Incarnation. This important theological term comes from the Latin word carne, which means “flesh,” and has to do with the divine taking on human flesh and coming among us in human form.

In one of his Christmas sermons Augustine, the fifth-century bishop of Hippo, described the mystery of the Incarnation this way: “Beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal creator of all things, today became our Savior by being born of a mother. Of his own will he was born for us today, in time, so that he could lead us to his Father’s eternity. God became human like us so that we might become God. The Lord of the angels became one of us today so that we could eat the bread of angels.”

Prayer

Wonderful Counselor, whose glory is beyond our understanding

whose love is beyond measure: Let us know your presence now.

Mighty God whose power girds creation,

whose hands cradle the hills, yet whose mercy is boundless Let us know your presence now.

Prince of Peace, righteousness is like the strong mountains

and whose justice is as the great deep: Let us know your presence now.

Emmanuel, whose property it is always to have mercy,

and whose arm is long to save, we lift before you now: [Here, the people may add particular

intercessions or thanksgivings.] Hold all those we love in your unbounded love.

make us your healing presence in the world.

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1 3 M A R C H

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The Seasons of Christmas & Epiphany

Epiphany

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “manifestation, showing forth, revelation.” This feast proclaims our faith that in Jesus, God is revealed to all people — not just to an inner circle or a chosen few, but to all people, in all places, and throughout all time. Christians believe that in the person of Jesus we see who God is, and in the words and actions of Jesus we see God at work in the world. Epiphany marks a series of occasions at which Jesus was revealed to be God’s Son. The feast of Epiphany and the weeks that follow are a time when we reflect on several “manifestations” of Jesus, as he was recognized as the Messiah (or Christ) by many different people. We hear about Jesus’ baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and the visit of the magi, or wise men, who followed the star to Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth. We share the amazement of the guests at the wedding party at Cana as Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into fine wine. And at the end of the season we see Jesus’ glory shown to three of his disciples on the mountain as he is transfigured before them in a blaze of light.

Prayer

Among the lowly you were born. Lord Jesus, save us.

The wise and powerful bowed down before you. Lord Jesus, teach us.

You have come to lead us to holiness. Lord Jesus, guide us.

You ask us to call on you, and so we offer these prayers: [Here, the people may make particular

intercessions and thanksgivings.] Lord Jesus, hear us.

From Daily Prayer for All Seasons, pages 20, 24, 41,55 © 2014 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America

S A T U R D A Y

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The Gray Season

After the Christmas season is over, the decorations are taken down and put away, the music is back to normal, and the playthings that made the kids eyes bright so short a time ago are only a memory, it’s easy to think of this time as a colorless vacuum. Spring seems far away, the warm camaraderie of the holidays is behind us, and winter has set in. The busyness has subsided. Lonely people feel even more isolated. Problems seem larger. Even God may seem far away. Psalm 40 perfectly captures this essence: “Troubles without number surround me. My sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.” (v13) The gray season gives us a chance to examine ourselves and come to terms with our human failings. Have you ever wondered why we have Lent just at this time? Between the advent of the Christ child, and the resurrection of the victorious savior, the depth of winter brings us face to face with ourselves. “I am poor and needy, may the Lord think of me.” (v17) We don’t like to think of ourselves that way, do we? We’d much prefer to project confidence and success! Lent is an opportunity for us to let the Holy Spirit to strip away all that pride and self-assuredness, and concentrate on the only thing that will really get us through – the love of God. In turn, He can use that - in us - to love one another. The psalmist figured that out, too, in Psalm 41. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak. The Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them – they are counted among the blessed of the land…(v1,2). So in the gray season, be encouraged. What feels like lifeless barrenness is really just life hibernating, waiting to burst forth. Snow and cold eventually yield to spring colors. The dry bulbs stored in the basement await only the warmth of the Easter season to be transformed into lilies to beautify the garden. Aided by our reflection during the Lenten season, our hearts are also being prepared to serve in new ways. Why not become a channel for his love to those around you? It really is a great antidote to gray!

OFFERED BY

STEPHEN SILL

W E D N E S D A Y

2 2 M A R C H

Spiritual Seasons Is it winter? Upstate New York just received more than 2 inches of rain in the month of January! What’s up with that? We all know that we have four sea-sons of weather, but often we do not realize that we go through spiritual seasons. Unlike winter, spring, summer, and fall, spiritual seasons do not begin and end in a timely fashion. Rather, we experience highs and lows with our relationship with God that correspond to our life situations. During high spiritual seasons, we feel on fire for God, have a sense of excitement, and feel the need to reach out to someone. During “low” spiritual seasons, we wonder why we feel so discounted, out of place, or have feelings of doubt. We long for support, understanding, and love. As worshiping Christians, we have begun the season of Lent. Lent is a season that begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. On Ash Wednesday, we mark ourselves with ashes, which symbolizes our penitence, morality, and contrition. Marking one’s self with ashes is an ancient practice that even goes back to the time of the Old Testament. The Lenten season in the life of the Christian provides for us a time of reflection, study, worship, and spiritual growth. Through this season, we will participate with the Gos-pel story through the last days of Christ, His teachings, His entry into Jerusa-lem, His last meal with His friends, betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. This season is meant for prayer, reflection, the giving up of something or the tak-ing on of something, fasting, meditation, and solitude. Marcus Borg, a noted professor of religion and culture, helps us understand the value of the season of Lent:

This is what the season of Lent is about, about being born again, about fol-lowing the path of death and resurrection, about participating in Jesus’ final journey. To become somewhat more concrete, some of us may need to die to specific things in our lives–perhaps to a behavior that has become destructive or dysfunctional, perhaps to a relationship that has ended or gone bad, per-haps to an unresolved grief or to a stage in our life that it is time to leave, perhaps to our self-preoccupation, or even to a deadness in our lives (you can die to deadness.) It is possible to leave the land of the dead. So, the journey of Lent is about being born again–about dying and rising, about mortality and transformation. I really like how Marcus Borg helps us understand Lent and our need for re-birth. We journey through a season of dysfunction, grief, or poor relation-ships and we need rebirth. We all have times or seasons when we get into, what I like to call, a “funk.” Sometimes, we need to work through our “funk” by attuning our spiritual life. Lent is a fantastic way to experience “rebirth” in our lives. During the season of Lent, I hope you will join with me in the adventure of this spiritual season. It is my prayer that this will be an uplifting spiritual season for you and your family as we walk the Lenten road to Easter. May God be with you if you walk through a dark and cold spiritual winter, as you look to the warmth and transformation that we can find through spiritual seasons.

February 24, 2010, © Alan R. Rudnick, alanrudnick.org

T H U R S D A Y

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OFFERED BY

SUSAN O’KELLY

The Chronicles of Narnia, particularly the first volume, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, is still a Cox family read-aloud favorite. When I was a little girl, I was com-pletely enchanted by Aslan the Lion, king and hero of Narnia. Not until I was older did I un-derstand the analogy Lewis offers us with his magnum opus – Aslan the Lion in Narnia represents Jesus in our world. Children have a strong sense of fairness, and I remember feeling deeply impressed when Aslan died in Edmund’s stead. It was not right for Edmund to go free. Every child knows that. He was the worst of the children, and Edmund should have been punished. But he wasn’t. When the Stone Table cracks in two, and Aslan stands up and roars again, the whole story sud-denly turns right side up! The Lion says, “If a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor’s stead, the Stone Table will crack and death itself is denied.” And Edmund knew. And the other children knew: Mercy has the last word. Always. Written by Minda Cox From Forward Day by Day, February 13, 2017

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A Season, Reason Or Lifetime?

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People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

- Author Unknown

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13 (NIV)

___________________________________________

Clairvoyant literally means “clear-sighted” in French, and for nearly 200 years that is what it meant in English as well. It was not until the mid 19th century it also took on the meaning of “seeing beyond.” Today, however, the word carries more spiritual connotations.

M O N D A Y

2 7 M A R C H

The Season of Easter

Easter, the oldest celebration of the Christian year, is not a single day but an entire season: Easter lasts fifty days, from Easter Day (the Sunday of the Resurrection) through the Day of Pentecost. The season also includes the feast of the Ascension, when the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven and was seen on earth no longer. Throughout the year every Sunday — even during Lent — is considered a little Easter, a mini feast of the resurrection on what Christians have called the first day of the week. The primary theme of Easter is the resurrection: on this day Jesus was raised from the dead, overcoming the power of death and the grave. We celebrate that we, too, are raised to everlasting life with him in our baptism. At Pentecost we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the ongoing life of the Holy Spirit in the church today. It is the Holy Spirit who breathes life into the Body of Christ, the church; it is the Holy Spirit who provides the gifts and guidance needed to sustain our life. At every Eucharist we pray that the Holy Spirit will sanctify the bread and wine of communion to be “the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.” We also pray that the Spirit will “sanctify us also” so that we may receive the Eucharist with faith and serve God “in unity, constancy, and peace.” It is the Holy Spirit who makes God present and alive in our hearts.

Prayer

God our Deliverer, by water and the Holy Spirit

we have been buried with Christ and raised to the new life of grace:

Give us inquiring and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere,

a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

Amen.

Alleluia! Risen Lord, come be with us, and teach our hearts to live in you. Alleluia!

From Daily Prayer for All Seasons, pages 101, 107 © 2014 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Protestant Episcopal Church In the United States of America

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Easter THE CROSS

The 40 days leading to the Resurrection

For most of my life, the cross to me was a sym-bol of our risen Lord. Why did the Roman Catholics always us a crucifix? They acknowledged Jesus rose and conquered death. Why not use an empty cross?

Ten years ago I was driving to church during holy week, and listening to a CD of songs. The words of one came on – “Behold, behold, the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation. Behold the wood of the cross.” And suddenly as I heard it – Jesus on the cross became real to me. I saw Him hanging there because of His love. Yes, Jesus died on a cross, but it was his hanging there, dying in His love for me, for each of us, that put Him there. It became so real to me. I couldn’t speak. God is love. Love always binds.

The first chance I had, I went to a Roman Cath-olic gift shop (this was in Germany) and bought a wooden crucifix. It has been in my prayer corner ever since. The empty cross is empty now. It was Jesus on it that give it meaning. The wood of the cross, on which hangs my faith and every hope!

The 40 days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter, are a time to think. To know the death I de-served to die. To remember the death the Lord died for us. And then after His death- rising so that we can rise and live with Him forever. Alleluia.

OFFERED BY

ELEANOR SCHUMANN

W E D N E S D A Y

2 9 M A R C H

Love of Animal Friends

Love of animal friends

it is so sweet,

all that reaching out

makes our life complete.

Love of animal friends,

even in memory,

they are so special -

I’m sure you’ll agree.

Love of animal friends

as they are there for you.

There is nothing like it,

and how much it means to you.

Love of animal friends,

they are so sincere.

Their licks and cuddling you’ll enjoy,

they are so true and dear.

by Janis Lange

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OFFERED BY

JANIS LANGE

Maiden May

T H U R S D A Y

3 0 M A R C H

Maiden May sat in her bower, In her blush rose bower in flower, Sweet of scent; Sat and dreamed away an hour, Half content, half uncontent.

'Why should rose blossoms be born, Tender blossoms, on a thorn Though so sweet? Never a thorn besets the corn Scentless in its strength complete. 'Why are roses all so frail, At the mercy of a gale, Of a breath? Yet so sweet and perfect pale, Still so sweet in life and death.'

Maiden May sat in her bower, In her blush rose bower in flower, Where a linnet Made one bristling branch the tower For her nest and young ones in it.

'Gay and clear the linnet trills; Yet the skylark only, thrills Heaven and earth When he breasts the height, and fills Height and depth with song and mirth.

'Nightingales which yield to night Solitary strange delight, Reign alone: But the lark for all his height Fills no solitary throne;

'While he sings, a hundred sing; Wing their flight below his wing Yet in flight; Each a lovely joyful thing To the measure of its delight. 'Why then should a lark be reckoned One alone, without a second Near his throne? He in skyward flight unslackened, In his music, not alone.' Maiden May sat in her bower; Her own face was like a flower Of the prime, Half in sunshine, half in shower, In the year's most tender time.

Her own thoughts in silent song Musically flowed along, Wise, unwise, Wistful, wondering, weak or strong: As brook shallows sink or rise.

OFFERED BY

CHRISTINE KESTNER

Other thoughts another day, Maiden May, will surge and sway Round your heart; Wake, and plead, and turn at bay, Wisdom part, and folly part.

Time not far remote will borrow Other joys, another sorrow, All for you; Not to-day, and yet to-morrow Reasoning false and reasoning true. Wherefore greatest? Wherefore least? Hearts that starve and hearts that feast? You and I? Stammering Oracles have ceased, And the whole earth stands at 'why?'

Underneath all things that be Lies an unsolved mystery; Over all Spreads a veil impenetrably, Spreads a dense unlifted pall.

Mystery of mysteries: This creation hears and sees High and low - Vanity of vanities: This we test and this we know. Maiden May, the days of flowering Nurse you now in sweet embowering, Sunny days; Bright with rainbows all the showering, Bright with blossoms all the ways.

Close the inlet of your bower, Close it close with thorn and flower, Maiden May; Lengthen out the shortening hour, - Morrows are not as to-day. Stay to-day which wanes too soon, Stay the sun and stay the moon, Stay your youth; Bask you in the actual noon, Rest you in the present truth.

Let to-day suffice to-day: For itself to-morrow may Fetch its loss, Aim and stumble, say its say, Watch and pray and bear its cross. -Christina Georgina Rossetti

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S A T U R D A Y

1 A P R I L

An Emmaus Psalm

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How easily, O Christ, do I long for a firsthand touch from you, my friend and savior, risen and glorious, victorious over death, radiant with luminous life. Oh, how easily does my yearning arise to have been one of those in the upper room when you returned in resurrected form. I know that my faith would be strong if, like Mary in the garden, I had reached out to hug your living presence on Easter morning. I do not doubt the quality of my zeal had I broken bread with you at the sunset inn on the Emmaus road. It’s not easy to be among the living faithful fed by second-hand accounts of your resurrection visits, even though they have been passed on with loving care for millenniums mouth-to-mouth. But I take hope today, in this Easter season, that I too can taste and feel your fulfilled promise: “I am with you always, even to the end.” Every time I break bread with friends or strangers or encounter kindness on my daily byroads, when I am visited by you even though my inner doors are locked in fear, let my heart be as open as the horizon for the feast of an Easter visit from you, my Risen Savior. From Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, Psalms for Sacred Seasons, by Edward Hays

OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

continued next page

Breathe

It’s very east To breathe,

But a true talent, To lose ones breath Or learn the magic To take another's.

Just be as still As possible,

And take it in, The everyday magic will, Rain down around you

Like the fires of Pentecost.

And when it happens, And it will;

You’ll be speechless. Trying to catch your

Breath.

- Charles Pullen

Pentecost Praise (psalm 139)

O Lord you have examined my heart

And know everything about me You changed my life the way that it should be

As far as the east is from the west up into the heavens or into the depths of the sea

Wherever I go your Spirit will always be with me You carved me in the palm of your hand

And in your presence I will forever stand We praise you in everything that we do

And Glory Honor and Praise belongs to you Forever and ever Amen

-Taken from the first line of psalm 139

T U E S D A Y

4 A P R I L

H oly Spirit on us fall

O nce, and for all

P ower in the wind and fire

E mpowerment that will never tire

Pentecost

When you left us I saw how the clouds parted,

rent curtains, as you cleared earth’s

drossy smear, and passed into a heaven

bright beyond my wildest imaging.

Bereft, fearful, we shut tight the door

against wolves’ howling and waited for you

to keep your promise.

At first it was a whisper, the sea-ward wind

prying loose our weak wails,

but soon the song rose, until its power overwhelmed us

with chords of faith, and, afire at last,

we spoke!

- Steven Federle

OFFERED BY

KIM KIEC

W E D N E S D A Y

5 A P R I L

Pentecost

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The church was quiet and dark. A few candles were lit around the altar casting yellow shadows over the windows and walls. As I remember, about 15 or 20 of us walked in-to the church from the parish hall. We were all part of a weeklong Faith Alive program at Calvary Church. Several leaders of the program knelt down at the altar and others sat in the chairs along the sides of the front, and some, including myself, in the pews. One of the Faith Alive lead-ers, a young lady, began to sing a most beautiful song in a language I did not know, I only felt how gentle and lovely it was. A couple others were quietly beginning to “speak in tongues” and raise their hands. Though I was not used to this, it all seemed natural and had a magical attractive-ness to it. I let myself go with the experience and the spiritual power was completely transforming. This, I be-lieve, was my first real encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is one of my favorite Sundays. The word means “the 50th day” in ancient Greek, including Easter itself, it occurs 50 days later. If you exclude the day of Easter, it occurs 49 days later, seven weeks, so it always falls on a Sunday. It is related to the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, the celebration of the giving of the law to Moses. Earlier in ancient times it was a wheat harvest fes-tival, and even earlier, in pagan times, a festival of the greening of the land, the blooming of plants in the fields, pastures, and woods.

There is an attractive energy in the air at Pentecost. It seems as if we desire the spirit to give us more fire for life that nature itself displays. To me it is a good feeling and reminds me of the Faith Alive evening at Calvary. We see the red balloons that celebrate the birthday of the church and the red colors that symbolize the tongues of fire com-ing down at that first Christian Pentecost. It seems appro-priate to be in church that Sunday, even every Sunday, or every day, waiting receptively for the descending dove, the breath of God, the counselor, and the work of love and regeneration . . . and receiving it perhaps through faith and the grace of God.

Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists. - Hebrews 11:6

OFFERED BY

ARTHUR R. MADDOX

S A T U R D A Y

8 A P R I L

Be praised my Lord with all your creatures but especially with Brother Sun because you show us light and day through him and he is lovely glowing with great shine from you my Lord: his definition Be praised my Lord for Brother Wind and for the air and cloudy days and bright and all days else because through these you give your creatures sustenance Be praised my Lord for Sister Water because she shows great use and humbleness in hers and preciousness and depth Be praised by Lord for Brother Fire through whom you light nights upon the earth Because he too is lovely full of joy and manly strength Be praised my Lord because our sister Mother Earth sustains and rules us and because she raises food to feed us: colored flowers grass Be praised my Lord for those who pardon by your love and suffer illness and grief Bless those who undergo in silence the poor for whom you hold a crown Be praised my Lord for Sister Death-of-Body whom no man living will escape And pity those who die in mortal sin and everyone she finds who minds you bless: no second death to bring them hurt Oh praise my Lord and bless my Lord and thank and serve my Lord with humbleness Triumphant -St. Francis of Assisi From Earth Prayers From Around The World, Roberts & Amidon

Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon

OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

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S U N D A Y

9 A P R I L

S u n d a y O f T h e P a s s i o n

Pa lm S u n d a y

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“The Donkey” By G. K. Chesterton

When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry And ears like errant wings, The devil’s walking parody On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth, Of ancient crooked will: Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb, I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour; One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout about my ears, And palms before my feet.

OFFERED BY

SUSAN O’KELLY

The theme of Holy Week is Jesus’ passion: his suffering and death

onthe cross. The rites of Holy Week are at the very heart of the Christian year, indeed of our Christian faith. And for many of us they are, year after year, the most meaningful and life-changing services of the church.

It is vital to keep a broad perspective during this week. We walk through the days of Jesus’ suffering and death because we believe they had a purpose — the salvation of the world. We believe Jesus’ death conquered death itself for us all: that is the only reason why the Friday on which he died can be called “good.” Even while we are sobered by the solemn reading of the gospel stories describing Jesus’ death and deeply saddened by the ongoing violence in our world, from that day in Jerusalem to this Good Friday, we hold on to the faith that in Jesus God has brought about a new creation, and death itself has been conquered. “We have been buried with him by baptism into death,” wrote the apostle Paul soon after Jesus’ death, “so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Affirmation As children of God, we affirm:

That God, who is Love, created all and called it good, that God is present with all of creation, and that,

in darkness and in light, God is faithful; therefore we, too, seek to be faithful.

That Jesus came to show us Love with a human face, that he taught justice and reconciliation and

suffered on our behalf, and that through his faithful example, he embodies hope; therefore we, too,

seek to be people of justice, reconciliation, and hope. That the Holy Spirit guides and accompanies us,

that this same Spirit offers wisdom and discernment, and that, when we are open, the Spirit can always find a way;

therefore, we seek to be people filled with God’s Spirit: discerning, loving and transforming our world.

Amen.

From Daily Prayer for All Seasons, pages 81, 84-85

M O N D A Y I N H O L Y W E E K

1 0 A P R I L

W E D N E S D A Y I N H O L Y W E E K

1 2 A P R I L

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Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One. Blessed be these hands that have touched life. Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity. Blessed be these hands that have held pain. Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion. Blessed be these hands that have tended gardens. Blessed be these hands that have closed in anger. Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds. Blessed be these hands that have harvested ripe fields. Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed. Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age. Blessed these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice. Blessed be these hands that have reached out and Been received. Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future. Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One. Diann Neli, From Earth Prayers, Roberts & Amidon

OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

T H U R S D A Y I N H O L Y W E E K

1 3 A P R I L

Mau n d y Th u r s d a y

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May I never boast of anything except the cross of our

Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been

crucified to me, and I to the world.

(Galatians 6:14)

Jesus, you once were condemned; you are still being con-

demned. You once carried your cross; you are still carrying

your cross. You once died; you are dying still. You once rose

from the dead; you are still rising from the dead. I look at you,

and you open my eyes to the way in which your passion, death

and resurrection are happening among us every day. But within

me there is a deep fear of looking at my own world. You say to

me: “Do not be afraid to look, to touch, to heal, to comfort

and to console.” I listen to your voice, and, as I enter more

deeply into the painful, but also hope-filled, lives of my fellow

human beings, I know that I enter more deeply into your heart.

As your passion, death and resurrection continue in history,

give me the hope, the courage and the confidence to let your

heart unite my heart with the hearts of all your suffering peo-

ple, and so become for us the divine source of new life. Jesus,

help me see you in those who are suffering around me.

Today I will…

-Henri Nouwen

Jesus’ Suffering Is Still Happening

S U N D A Y

1 6 A P R I L

Ea s t e r S u n d a y

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

W i t h T h a n k s

A very special Thank You to ALL the authors

and contributors to this year’s Calvary Lenten Book, A Season Of Lent.

A big Thank You to Rev. Debbie Rutter for

her on-going support and guidance; and to Libby Funk, every year helping to make

the book possible.

To Lauren Wells, Maria Dutton, Linda Fleet and Geitra Mickelson:

Thank You for graciously donating your time

and help this year.

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Lord, I thank You for my church and the peo-ple there, my brothers and sisters in Christ. May we grow together as a “family” of believers as we learn to love and serve each other Although we are different, help us to respect each other and seek to build up one another. It is a bless-ing to have people to experience life with, both the good times and the bad. May we be better connected as we all learn to know You and love You more.

Peace be with you!

-From Power Prayers for Women, Jackie M. Johnson, © 2007 Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Thank You To Our Church Family

Please note: This booklet is entirely not-for-profit and provided for spiritual, educational and personal use

only. If you wish to use materials for purposes beyond “fair use,” you may require permission

from the contributor, author, or copyright owner.

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