A Worship Magazine
Easley Presbyterian Church
Easley, SC
Feb. 2018
Vol. 4 Issue 1
A common thread that joins us together with Christ and with each other.
The Season of Lent Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. People in the pews may be asking questions. Why do Presbyterians participate in Ash Wednesday? Isn’t it a Roman Catholic rite? What is the purpose of Lent in the Reformed tradition? Are we supposed to give up something for Lent A basic guide to Lenten practices may be helpful. Lent The season of Lent leads up to the most holy of Christian days, Easter Sunday. The forty days of Lent begin Ash Wednesday and end at dusk the Saturday before Easter, not counting the Sundays in between. The Sundays during Lent, like every Sunday, are considered weekly celebrations of the resurrection. Many denominations encourage disciples to renew and strengthen their faith during Lent. Plans are made for community-wide Lenten preparation through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, fasting, and service. This preparation is a historical model from the early church. New believers were mentored in the Christian faith weeks before Easter, preparing for their baptisms at the Great Easter Vigil. Fasting or giving up something for Lent can be a good way to explore a deeper expression of
faith. Presbyterians may find it meaningful to give something up for Lent, but it is not required. Some disciples may find a more valuable spiritual exercise in taking something on during Lent—a more Christ-like attitude toward others, a humble spirit at work, or a feeling of gratitude in the midst of scarcity. Ash Wednesday Reclaimed by Reformed churches in the last few decades, Ash Wednesday is the entry point for Lenten preparation. It is a service rich in ritual and symbolism. Palms waved at the previous year’s Palm Sunday service are saved and burned to create ashes for the next Ash Wednesday. Participants on Ash Wednesday come forward for a minister or elder to mark their foreheads with the sign of the cross in ashes, saying the words, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return,” from Genesis 3:19. With these words, disciples are reminded of their mortality and, when combined with the sign of the cross, they are also reminded of the hope of the resurrection. Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent provide time to explore the mystery at the heart of the gospel that being a Christian means a new life through Christ. (Continued on the back page)
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Sunday, February 4
“An Altar at the Oaks of Mamre
“Abraham’s Journey and the oaks at Mamre” Pieter Lastman (1583–1633) was a Dutch painter. One of his pupils was Rembrandt.
Genesis 13:1-18
So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.
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Hymn Meditation: “The Mighty God With Power Speaks” (click title to listen) “What Are the Moments that Shape Our Lives?”
There are moments that change us. That quickly — one moment we are one person, the next, we are a different person. The Mighty God with power speaks, and all the world obeys; There are moments in history that From dawn until the setting sun, God’s wonder earth displays. change this country, change our The perfect beauty all around from Zion’s height shines forth; world, change us as a person. Pearl And stars across the firmament so brightly beams their worth. Harbor, was one such moment. PerGod comes not with a silent form, but riding on the winds; haps the assassination of President Before God’s face, the ragging storm its blast of thunder sends. John Kennedy was another. All hail the Judge, in bold array, whose promise is to bless; My first such world changing event Who sees our sins, yet also feels our thirst for righteousness. was the Challenger accident. We The heavens declare your justice, Lord, as endless as the sky; were all stunned in disbelief and as Against the taunts of disbelief, our God will testify. witness to that moment, it changed Receive my heartfelt gift of thanks, as honor to your might; me. Refresh my faith with each new day; protect me through the night. More recently were the events of — Michael Morgan, 1999 from Psalm 50 September 11th when the world stopped in that moment and when the world breathed again, it had been changed. But there are other life-changing moments for us all. That moment when we say, “I do.” The sound of your baby’s first crying breath — these moments also change us. We live our lives from moment to moment, from hour to hour, and day to day. How many moments have we missed or wasted or let slip away? What do we do with 24 hours? Truth be told, some days, getting out of bed is an accomplishment. We busy ourselves with work. We eat. We sleep. We love and laugh and sometimes cry. But what do we do with 24 hours? What did Christ do with 24 hours? We are reliving those moments together as we take this Lenten journey through the valley and on to Easter. What Jesus did in those moments and hours has altered history and changed lives in ways we cannot begin to comprehend. The change continues to progress toward the completion of the Kingdom. And we are called to bear witness. We are called to share in the process of change. We are called to build the Kingdom. And we are united in purpose and direction because God took a moment to change the world. Amen. — Robert Holy Father, Guide me on this journey. Give me the courage to take these moments that you have given and build your Kingdom. Change the world inside of me so that I can be an effective tool to change the world around me. May all things be done for your glory and for your purpose. Amen
Anthem Meditation: “Down in the River to Pray” (click title to listen) “Deep Roots” He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. —Psalm 1:3
In my orchard are two pear trees. Last summer was extremely dry, yet one of the trees was unaffected and remained green and yielded luscious pears. The other tree did not do so well. Its leaves turned yellow, the fruit shriv-
As I went down in the river to pray, Studyin’ about that good ol’ way And who shall wear the robe and crown; Good Lord, show me the way! O sisters, let’s go down, Let’s go down, come on down. Oh, sisters, let’s go down. Down in the river to pray. —traditional
4 eled, and the leaves and the fruit both dropped to the ground. The tree seemed to be dead. Then came the rains, and the ground was soaked with moisture. The tree that seemed to be dead sprang to life again. Soon it was covered with leaves, and (believe it or not) in the latter part of August it burst into full bloom. Little pears came into view, but then came the frost and no fruit matured. One tree thrived and produced delicious fruit in season. What made the difference? Its roots had grown deep, where they found plenty of water. The other had shallow roots and depended on the uncertain rains. The one was like the tree David described, “planted by the rivers of water” (Ps. 1:3). The other, with belated bloom, bore no fruit. Which kind of a tree are you? Do your roots go deep into the underground streams of the Word of God, or is your devotional life shallow and only occasional? Dig deep, friend, deep into the Book, and your life will produce abundant spiritual fruit. — “Our Daily Bread”, April 1, 2000
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, and I thy true son, Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise; Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
The just are nourished like a tree Set by the riverside; Their leaf is green, their fruit is sure, And thus their works abide. —Anon.
Hymn Meditation: “Be Thou My Vision”
“Where there is no vision, the people perish, but whoever keeps the law is happy.” Proverbs 29:18. High King of heaven, my victory won, For the Christian, vision is true awareness of Christ in May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, all of His fullness and enabling power. This 8th century Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. hymn text from Ireland is still meaningful for us today — Ancient Irish Text with its expression of a yearning for the prescence and leading of God in our lives. The earnest prayer is
5 enhanced by such quaint but tender phrases as “Lord of my heart,” “Thy presence my light,” “bright heav’n’s Sun,” and “Heart of my own heart.” The text states that when we allow God to have first place in our lives, He becomes our treasure; we care no longer for the pursuit of riches or “man’s empty praise.” Christ came to offer sight to the blind. More than just clear vision for the physically blind, He gave vision to the spiritually blind as well. having been healed of our own blindness, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2
Hymn Meditation: “More Love to Thee, O Christ” “And this is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Phil. 1:9-11 To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, … the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love! These were the words of Elizabeth Prentiss, wife of a Presbyterian minister and author of this hymn text. She was often described by her many friends as “a very bright-eyed little woman with a keen sense of humor, who cared more to shine in her own happy household than a wide circle of society.” Although Elizabeth was strong in spirit, she was frail in body. Throughout her life, she was almost an invalid, scarcely knowing a moment free of pain. “More Love to Thee” was written by Mrs. Prentiss during a time of great personal sorrow, More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee! following the loss of two children in a short peri- Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee. od of time. During this period of grief, Mrs. This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee! Prentiss began meditating upon the story of Jacob in the Old Testament. She noted how Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; God met him in a very special way during his Now thee alone I seek, give what is best. moments of sorrow. Elizabeth prayed earnestly This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee! that she too might have a similar experience. While she was meditating and praying one Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain; evening, these four stanzas were born — words Sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain, When they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee; that have since become a universal prayer for More love to thee, more love to thee! devout believers everywhere: “This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ to Thee, more Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise; This be the parting cry my heart shall raise; love to Thee, more love to Thee! This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee! — Elizabeth Prentiss
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Sunday, February 11 God’s Promises Genesis 15:1-21
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.
As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites,Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorit es, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”
Hymn Meditation: “Brother James’ Air”click on title to listen The Good Shepherd Jesus said, “ I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.” John 10:14 MANY years ago I lived in the area now known as Yemen, and I frequently traveled into the country, away from cities. On one such trip I realized as never before the meaning of Jesus'
7 words in John, chapter 10. I met a shepherd with his sheep, and through an interpreter I told him that Jesus referred to himself as a My soul He doth restore again; shepherd. One thing And me to walk doth make puzzled me. Jesus Within the paths of righteousness, claimed to know his Ee'n for His own Name's sake. Within the paths of righteousness, own sheep by name. Ee'n for His own Name's sake. Could that be true? Did he, my newfound friend, Yea, though I pass through shadows death, know his sheep like Yet will I fear no ill; that? For Thou art with me; and Thy rod And staff me comfort still. With a smile he asked Thy rod and staff they comfort still me to point out one They comfort still. sheep in the flock. I did so, and after a brief My table Thou hast furnishd In presence of my foes; pause, he gave a pecuMy head with oil thou dost anoint, liar whistle. The sheep to And my cup overflows. which I had pointed My head thou dost with oil anoint, came slowly towards And my cup overflows. him. The shepherd nuzGoodness and mercy all my days zled the sheep before Will surely follow me; asking me to point out another. This time his whistle was slightAnd in my father's heart alway ly different, and again the sheep I pointed to came to the My dwelling place shall be. shepherd. When I commented, "So Jesus could speak about knowing his own sheep by name?" the shepherd nodded. Then he said, "Your Jesus must have been a good shepherd." I watched as he slowly walked away, the sheep following him, their trust obvious. — E. Philip Schofield (Chester, England) The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. He leadeth me, He leadeth me, the quiet waters by.
Prayer: Good Shepherd, teach us to trust you and to follow you always. In your name we pray. Amen. — Upper Room Daily Devotionals, November 18, 2001
Anthem Meditation: “Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal” Communion of Saints “Those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus [are] called to be saints” -1 Corinthians 1:2 Before I took a particular Bible class several years ago, my definition of saint was an extraordinary person who had done miraculous things. I find it hard to identify with such people. But my new understanding of saint includes all who strive to be faithful, devout adherents to God's word. They devote their time to their relationship with God, striving to love and to yield their will to God. I know people like that. These people have lighted the path of my faith journey, helping me grow in faith by their knowledge of the word or by their example. The "communion of saints" referred to in the Apostles' Creed includes the Body of Christ working in the world today as well as those who have gone before. Now when I kneel at the Communion rail, thankful for God's great gift of sacrificial love, I realize that this "communion" includes those believers around the world who are with us now, as well as those saints who have lived in years
8 Hark, I hear the harps eternal Ringing on the farther shore, As I near those swollen waters, With their deep and solemn roar. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb! Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM. And my soul tho stained with sorrow, Fading as the light of day. Passes swiftly o’er those waters To the city far away. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM.
past. Now I know that I am surrounded by many others - including my parents, my grandparents, Aunt Jamie, Charles Jr., Sara, and Uncle Henry. This expands the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection and is a new reason to celebrate eternal life. For me, it makes all the difference in the world. — Carole King Yoho (Virginia, U.S.A.)
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the sacrifice of your perfect and sinless son, Jesus Christ. Thank you also for our imperfect fellow saints who devote their lives to you and encourage us to do the same. Amen. (From Upper Room November 4, 2007)
Souls have crossed before me, saintly. To that land of perfect rest; And I hear them singing faintly In the mansions of the blest. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM.
— Traditional
Hymn Meditation: “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” click on title to listen “Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great.” 1 Chronicles 21:13 George Matheson was only a teenager when he learned that his poor eyesight was deteriorating further. Not to be denied, he continued straightway with his plans to enroll in Glasgow University, graduation at age nineteen. During his graduate studies in ministry, he lost his eyesight completely. His spirit collapsed when his fiancée, unwilling to be married to a blind man, broke their engagement. George never married and that pain of rejection never totally left him. He consoled himself in thinking of God’s perfect love that is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn, and never uncertain. Out of this experience, he wrote the hymn “O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, “ on June 6, 1882. Matheson went on to become one of Scotland’s favorite preachers. —-”Then Sings My Soul” Robert J. Morgan
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be. O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; My ehart restores its borrowed ray, That in the sunshine’s blaze its day May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that sleekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be. O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be.
—George Matheson, 1881
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“O Nata Lux” click on title to listen The Light of Life
Read Ephesians 5:8-17 [Jesus] said, "I am the light of the world." "You might as well throw that out!" I said in astonishO light born of light, ment. My husband had just planted a Christmas gift, Jesus redeemer of the world, an amaryllis. When he opened the box, he had disGently consider your suppliants' covered that an eight-inch stem had been growing. Praises and prayers which they offer. Nourished only by the bulb, since the soil was in a You who once considered it right plastic bag, the shoot had grown at a right angle To be clothed in flesh for sinners, from the bulb, and having had no light, it was sickly Grant us to be made limbs of your blessed body. yellow. Its budding end lay across the rim of the pot. It was a sad sight. Brighter than the sun in appearance, With clothes white as snow, "Let's see what it will do," he said, placing the pot in a On the mountain before worthy witnesses sunny window. You appeared as creator. In only three days something amazing had occurred. A prophet to your disciples, bringing together The plant had grown toward the light, its color had Old secrets with new, changed to green, the bud had become pink, and You gave to all men divinely the stem was almost vertical. What caused this? Being To believe you are God. in the light, of course! You the father's voice from heaven For years I had read Jesus' words, "I am the light of the Called his own son, world," but this Whom we with faithful hearts plant's transforConfess are heaven's king. mation brought Grant us, we pray, me new underTo shine with caring lives, standing of the That to the joys of heaven verse's signifiWe may be carried by good deeds. cance. As we turn We offer our praises to you, more and more Eternal king of kings, God, toward the Light Who are ruler, both three and one, of the world, we Ruling for all ages. grow, change, and receive new understanding and insight. In time, we can become the persons we are meant to be. —Margaret Tansley (Ontario, Canada)
Prayer: Loving Spirit, thank you for Christ, the Light, who came to make clear the way to a truly fulfilled life. Amen. —Upper Room February 1, 2010
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Love One Another
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is[a]born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested [b]in us, that God has sent His [c]only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:714 In Christ, we are given a new name — Beloved, loved of God. Christ called us to love one another, but he also came to show us how to love one another. Several years ago, I heard a sermon that has really stuck with me. The idea was not new, but it was eloquently expressed: “Hurt people hurt other people; but loved people love other people.” When we are hurt it is very easy and natural to respond with hurt — to lash out at others and hurt them as well (even when they are not the ones who have caused us hurt) — the feeling fills us up and flows out of us. Unfortunately, this truth is found not only in the workplace and schools and communities, but in our churches as well. We will not name names, although we all probably could. We all know that person who is always negative about everything — who always seems angry about something or at someone. They are hurt and filled with hurt and overflow with hurt. Sometimes we are even that person so consumed with hurt. They/we have forgotten who we are! In Christ we are “Beloved”. In Christ we are a deeply and dearly loved person. And loved people love other people. That is what Christ did. He loved us so that we could love each other. It’s easy to forget who we are. That is why scripture reminds us over and over again — and we should remind each other over and over again: Beloved (deeply loved child of God) because you have been loved and know love, we have been freed to show love and give love. Let’s turn to our neighbor and tell them: “Beloved, deeply loved child of God, let us love one another.” —RN Prayer: Holy Father, you have called us your beloved child. But I have known hurt and felt the deep burn of pain. Because of you, I have also been loved and know love. Forgive me when I hurt others. Help me to forgive when I am hurt by others. Remind us of who we are and teach us to love in you name. Amen.
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Sunday, February 18 First Sunday of Lent “Hagar and Ishmael”
Genesis 16:1-16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him,
“Hagar and the Angel” Carel Fabritius,1622-1654, a student of Rembrandt
and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. Abram was eighty -six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
Hymn Meditation: “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
(click title to listen)
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” We have an idealized vision of the wilderness as a place of beauty and recreation because we were raised on Walt Disney nature films and the Discovery Channel. Modern minds often juxtapose the purity of the wilderness with the corruption of civilization. So when we read that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness we might assume it was to enjoy the tranquility of the natural world. To the ancient mind, however, the wilderness was associated with very different qualities.
12 Throughout the Scriptures the wilderness is seen as the realm of chaos—the domain where the order, beauty, and abundance of God’s kingdom is utterly absent and where the forces aligned against God and His people roam. It is a place of banishment, not refreshment. So when the earliest Christians read that Jesus was led by God’s Spirit into the wilderness it would have shocked them. Why would God lead His Son into such an evil place? We soon discover that He is led there to be tested. He is confronted by the enemy and tempted to abandon His Father and His call, but He does not succumb. Having gone through the wilderness and overcome it, Jesus is ready to “Temptation in the Wilderness” by Briton Reviere, 1889 begin his public work. Sometimes life with God means being led into a wilderness—a season or place where we cannot Lord, who throughout these forty days see the order, beauty, and abundance of His kingdom. We For us did fast and pray, want to believe that God will only lead us along smooth, easy Teach us with you to mourn our sins paths, but He is more interested in making us useful than com- And close by you to stay. fortable. If you find yourself in a wilderness today, do not be afraid. Do not assume that God has abandoned you. Do not As you with Satan did contend And did the victory win. assume He has not led you there. And do not catastrophize O give us strength to persevere, your circumstances. Instead, learn to give thanks even for this In you to conquer sin. trial because God’s Spirit is with you, and He intends to use this wilderness for your good and for His glory. —Skye Jathoni And through these days of penitence And through this Passiontide, Yes, evermore, in life and death, O my God, since You are with me, and I must now, in obedience to Your O Lord, with us abide. commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beAbide with us, till when this life seech You to grant me the grace to continue in Your presOf suffering shall be past, ence; An Easter of unending joy and to this end prosper me with Your assistance, receive all We may attain at last. — Claudia Hernaman, 1873 my work, and possess all my affections. Amen. —Brother Lawrence
Anthem Meditation: “Mercy” “Hesed” is one of my favorite words. I first learned the word in my Old Testament class back in seminary. It is a Hebrew word often used in the Psalms. It is not easy to define, but its meaning is clear. In fact, a whole new word was created just to translate “hesed” into English — Lovingkindness. If you come across that word in scripture it is “hesed”. Sometimes it is also translated as mercy or faithful mercies. It is God’s unending , faithful mercy and love, and grace, lavishly bestowed on his children. I love that this extraordinary expression of grace is not easily defined, or easily explained, but once you’ve experienced it, it is simply understood. So many times in my life I have felt that powerful and gentle embrace of the Father’s forgiving arms, now I have a word for it — Hesed. When the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus for condemnation, she looked into his
13 I dare not lift my guilty eyes. I hide my lips in trembling shame. And in the darkness of my soul, I shrink from your rekindling flame. Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, Have mercy. In mercy cover me with grace And blot out my iniquity. Renew my heart and wash me clean; Grant with your pardon, purity. In equal measure of your love, You promise mercy, Tender compassion to the one, Who seeks your face, A broken heart, a fainting soul, A contrite spirit, Together cry for your forgiveness and your grace. Against you only have I sinned. My deeds are evil in your sight, Of your forgiveness let me sing, And in my singing take delight. Kyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, Have mercy. Have mercy.
eyes and saw it — Hesed. When the prodigal returned to a robe, a ring, a calf, and the arms of his father — Hesed. When God’s time was right, he chose to show the world how deep his love really is, how wide his mercies really are, and he raised a cross for an enduring image of grace — Hesed! The writer of Lamentations new that every morning God gives new mercies because every morning we are in need of that mercy — Hesed. Before I knew the word, I know what it meant; I had felt it, I had seen it. How can a little word mean so much? I don’t know, but I am grateful for it. “Hesed” is definitely one of my favorite words. -- Robert Norrris
—Susan Bentall Boersma, 2015
Hymn Meditation: “Amazing Grace” “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7 It’s hard to shake off a mother’s influence. John Newton’s earliest memories were of his godly mother, who despite fragile health, devoted herself to nurturing his soul. At her knee he memorized Bible passages and hymns. Though she died when he was about seven, he later recalled her tearful prayers for him. After her death, John alternated between boarding school and the high seas, wanting to live a good life but nonetheless falling deeper and deeper into sin. Pressed into service with the British Navy, he deserted, was captured, and after two days of suspense, was flogged. His subsequent thought vacillated between murder and suicide. “I was capable of anything.” He recalled. More voyages, dangers, toils, and snares followed. It was a life unrivaled in fiction. Then, on the night of March 9, 1748, was jolted awake by a brutal storm that descended too suddenly for the crew to foresee. The next day, a great peril, he cried to the Lord. He later wrote, “That tenth of March is a day much remembered by me; and I have never suffered it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748 — the Lord came from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.” The next several years saw slow, halting spiritual growth in John, but in the end he became one of the most powerful preachers in British history, a powerful foe of slavery, and the author of hundreds of hymns. Here are some things that you may not know about Newton’s most famous hymn. His original title was “Faith’s Review and Expectation.” (Catchy huh?) It is based in Newton’s study of 1
14 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.
Chronicles 17:16-17: “King David...said: ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far? And yet… you have also spoken of your house O Love that wilt not letservant’s me go, for a great while to come, and regarded me according I resthave me weary soul in Thee; to the rank of high degree…”I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine oceanWe’ve depths its flow there. The final stanza in most hymnals, “When been May richer, fuller be. Ten thousand years…” was not originally a part of this hymn and was not written by JohnO Newton. It was an editorial Light that followest all my way, mistake that occurred many, many years later. An editor I yield my flickering torch to thee; of a new hymnal included John My Newton’s text,itsbut also ray, included heart restores borrowed the final stanza and anotherThat hymn that had been in thy sunshine’s blaze printed its day beMaytime brighter, be. side “Amazing Grace.” By the thisfairer “mistake” was found, the hymn was already in wide and the pain, included O Joycirculation that sleekest me through stanza became adopted into Newton’s hymn. I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.
Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
O Cross that liftest up my head,
“May I never boast I dare not ask to fly from thee; — John Newton, 1772 except in the cross of our I lay in dust life’s glory dead, Lord Jesus Christ, through And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be. which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” — George Mathison, 1881 Galatians 6:14 The cross has been the most significant symbol of the Christian faith throughout church history. It is said that as many as 400 different forms and designs of it have been used. Regardless of the design, the symbol of the cross should always remind us of the price that was paid by the eternal God for man’s redemption. “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” is generally considered one of the finest hymns on the subject. This hymn was written by John Bowring, one of the most remarkable men of In the cross of Christ I glory, his day as well as one of the towering o'er the wrecks of time; greatest linguists who ever all the light of sacred story lived. It is said that he could gathers round its head sublime. converse in over 100 different When the woes of life o'er take me, languages before his death. hopes deceive, and fears annoy, John Bowring visited Macao, never shall the cross forsake me. on the South Chinese Coast. Lo! it glows with peace and joy. There he was impressed by the When the sun of bliss is beaming sight of a bronze cross towering light and love upon my way, over the ruins of a once great cathedral. This cathedral, originally from the cross the radiance streaming built by Portuguese colonists, had been destroyed by a typhoon. adds more luster to the day. Only one crumbling wall survived — the wall toped by the massive Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, bronze cross. This scene greatly impressed Mr. Bowring, and by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, eventually inspired him to write this text. “In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All joys that through all time abide. the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.” In the cross of Christ I glory, This week, determine to allow the glory of Christ’s cross to be towering o'er the wrecks of time; evident in all that you do. all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. — John Bowring
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Sunday, February 25 Second Sunday of Lent “Circumcision” Genesis 17
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlast“Abraham” ing covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been Harry Anderson, 1902-1996 circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, “Return of theincluding Prodigal” those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.Bartolome Esteban Murillo 1670, Seville
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Hymn Meditation: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! and comes down from the Father of Lights, with Morning by morning new mercies I see; whom there is nor variableness, neither shadow of All I have needed thy hand hath provided; turning.” James 1:17 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not con- Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sumed, because his compassions fail not. They Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Join with all nature in manifold witness To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Lamentations 3:22. Of the many gospel hymns written in recent Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, times on the theme of God’s goodness and faith- Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guie; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, fulness, this hymn stands out like a beacon of light. Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! This hymn was not born of some great tragedy of experience, it was simply the result of the author’s “morning by morning realization of God’s personal faithfulness.” Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born in Franklin Kentucky, on July 29, 1866. Without the benefit of high school or advanced training, he began his career as a school teacher at the age of sixteen in the same country school house where he had received his elementary training. He went on to become an editor in the local newspaper and eventually an editor for a paper in Louisville. He also served a short while as a Methodist minister and an insurance agent. But it is as a poet that he has made his greatest contribution. Mr. Chisholm wrote more than 1200 poems, appearing in religious periodicals. In a letter dated 1941, Mr. Chisholm writes: “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health … but I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenantkeeping God, who has given me many wonderful displays of His care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.” Mr. Chisholm sent this hymn text to Rev. W. M. Runyan, a noted musician of the time. Mr. Runyan set the text to the tune FAITHFULNESS and it was first published in 1923. “Misty Mountain Morning” Waynesville, NC Every morning His mercies are new; every morning we need new mercies.
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“Hymn Meditation: “Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated”
Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of thy love. glory of God..” 1 Corinthians 10:31 In this day of self-centered living and pleasure-oriented life- Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for thee.
style, the total commitment of God of body, mind, and possessions portrayed in this text is difficult for many Christians to Take my voice, and let me sing achieve. Even though we realize that we have nothing we have Always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be not received and that we are only stewards of the good gifts Filled with messages from thee. God has entrusted to us, we often fail to apply this basic truth to Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. our daily lives. It was said of Frances Ridley Havergal, author of this text, that Take my intellect, and use Every power as thou shalt choose. the beauty of a consecrated life was never more perfectly revealed than in her daily living. Take my will, and make it thine; She has rightfully been called It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is thine own; “The Consecration Poet.” It shall be thy royal throne. “These little couplets that Take my love, my Lord, I pour chimed in my heart one after At thy feet its treasure-store. another” were for Mrs. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for thee. Havergal the result of an even— Frances R. Havergal, 1873 ing in 1874 passed in pursuing a deeper consecration of herself to God. “Take my voice and let me sing always only for my King” was personally significant for Frances. She was naturally very musical and had been trained as a concert soloist with an unusually pleasant voice. Her musical talents could have brought her much worldly fame. However, she determined that her life’s mission was to sing and work only for Jesus. Frances also sent over 50 pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms to the church missionary house to be sold and used for the work of Christ. Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise! Amen.
Anthem Meditation: “Kyrie” “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13 “Kyrie Eleison” is a very ancient prayer. It is part of the Latin mass, but it is not a Latin phrase — it is Greek. (It is the only phrase in traditional mass that is not Latin.) However, it’s origins are much older than the mass; it is much older than Christianity all Lord, have mercy. together. The phrase means “Lord, have mercy.” It is used as a liturgical response that Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. is spoken or sung. This phrase seams to be a common prayer response from Old Testament worship. Examples of it’s use are found in: Psalm 4:2, 6:3, 9:14, 25:11, 121:3; Isaiah 33:2. It is continued in New Testament writings: (Matthew 9:27,20:30, 15:22; Mark 10:47; Luke 16:24, 17:13). The records of the early church indicate that it had solidified into a proper prayer response. The deacon would pray a short prayer and the congregation would respond with “Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy.)” It continued to develop into a three-fold prayer: Kyrie Eleison; Christe Eleison; Kyrie Eleison. (Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.) There is a beauty to the rhythm and repetition and response of this simple, yet foundational phrase. Grace and mercy.
Kyrie Eleison. Christe Elieson. Kyrie Eleison.
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Hymn Meditation: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” (click title to listen) “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me; are spiritual beings having a human experience.” All along my pilgrim journey, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s quote has been one of my Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. favorites for a long time. It is impossible to imagine the strife, tribulations, and suffering that so many individuals and fami- In my trials, Lord, walk with me; In my trials, Lord, walk with me; lies experienced having to submit to the wretched experiWhen my heart is almost breaking, ence of slavery. But every history book and hymn recounts Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. the undying hope that was so fervent and strong. The spiritual we reflect on today is no different. That hope When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; takes the form of faith in God and knowing that everything When my head is bowed in sorrow, our sisters and brothers had to suffer through here on earth with me. was only temporary. Their faith in Jesus to walk beside them, Lord, I want Jesus to walk lift — Traditional Spiritual them up, carry them, give them grace and peace in their hearts—that kept their souls alive during a very dark time. We are constantly on a pilgrimage, whether we admit to it or not, until we find ourselves united with Christ. We may not be traveling to Jerusalem, Mecca, or Lourdes, but our hearts and our minds are always set on this faith-filled journey as we try to decipher what earthly matters truly warrant our time and energy. Though our daily human concerns may be nothing in comparison to the dark experiences like slavery, famine, war, and violence that are still very present today, we know that as Christ’s pilgrims our hearts can rest easy in God and peaceful in prayer. Prayer Dear God, guide me as your faithful pilgrim. Let me unload my momentary worries and burdens into your hands as you walk with me and carry me closer to you. Amen. —Jackie Lorens, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
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Lenten Devotional
Luke 18:9-14 9 He also told this parable to some who Written by the Rev. Mark Tidd, Interim Pastor, Little Falls Presbyterian trusted in themselves that they were Church, Arlington, Va. / Doctor of Ministry Reformed Focus righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the Jesus directs his words to unnamed listeners who were far temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the from what the prophet Micah said the Lord expected: “to do other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The fasting and tithing of the Pharisee in the ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterparable was contradicted by his arrogance, whereas the tax ers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I collector felt profoundly his deep need for God. While it’s ob- fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all vious who our model should be, it can perhaps be tempting to my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, reassure ourselves that we are not like “those Pharisees”—and standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast perhaps to take just a little pride in our humility. and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a Then comes Ash Wednesday, and with it the words of the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went liturgy: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall down to his home justified rather than return; repent, and believe in the gospel.” We have the oblithe other; for all who exalt themselves gation and the opportunity to confess our sinfulness and to cry will be humbled, but all who humble with the tax collector, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” We themselves will be exalted.” receive the cross-shaped mark of ashes on our foreheads as an intimate sign that all we can do is accept our dependence on the mercy of God. And we just might recognize that the mercy of God is enough, and is reason enough for deep thanksgiving and joy. May we give thanks to God on this Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent for the mercy shown to us in Jesus as we prepare our hearts to observe the shattering goodness of Good Friday and the astounding goodness of Easter.
PRAYER God of grace and mercy, grant us the true humility that abandons pretense about our own righteousness. Enable us to repent truly and to believe your Good News with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. Amen.
(Continued from the front page)
Maundy Thursday The Thursday before Easter Sunday is the day to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. The story of Jesus breaking and blessing bread at the Passover meal, as a reminder of his life given freely for all, is told in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This Passover act became the sacrament of holy communion in the Christian church. Celebration of communion is usually the centerpiece of a Maundy Thursday service. Another element of a Maundy Thursday service may be the act of foot washing. Many scholars believe the term maundy is taken from the Latin word mandatum or mandate. John’s Gospel does not tell about the institution of communion at his last Passover meal; it highlights the story of Jesus girding himself with a towel, taking a basin of water, and washing his disciples’ feet. John 13:34 includes Jesus’ words, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” The observance of foot washing is practiced in some Presbyterian churches as a reminder of the kind of love and servanthood Christ asks of his disciples today. Good Friday The Friday before Easter is the day to remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Many wonder why this day is called good. This Friday is sometimes called Holy or Black Friday, but the term good reminds us of Jesus’ blameless, good, and pious life. Churches sometimes have a special worship service between noon and 3 p.m. to represent the hours that the sky turned dark as Jesus suffered and died. Many congregations base Good Friday worship on Jesus’ last words from the cross. Tenebrae One other Lenten practice often observed during Holy Week is Tenebrae, Latin for “shadows” or “darkness.” The unique feature of this worship service is the extinguishing of one candle after each reading until the room or sanctuary is totally dark. The darkness reminds those present of the days Jesus spent in the tomb. This service can be held on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday. Scripture for this service usually consists of Gospel readings describing the Last Supper through the crucifixion, including the last words of Jesus from the cross. The end of the service is usually marked by the lighting of one candle, reminding those present that the darkness does not overcome; the light will shine again. Easter is coming!