RELEASING AND RENEWING DURING THIS LENTEN SEASON

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

Since the Lenten Season is a time for us to release and renew on both a mental and spiritual level, I want to share a few of the “Release and Renew Affirmations” that I will focus on this Lenten Season.

1. I release problems that seem to overwhelm me. With everything that comes my way I have a powerful choice; fight what is and become mired in the mess or release my resistance and use my energy to create solutions.

2. I release any sense of worry. The law of divine order is at work in my life, harmony is satisfied in me, and I behold myself a tower of spiritual strength and stability.

3. I release thoughts of illness. I renew my openness to the healing power of Spirit. I am open to the presence of life in which I live and move and have my being. As I focus on the Holy Spirit that is within and all around me, I renew my openness to the healing power of Spirit.

4. I let go and let God. I release outworn behaviors and embrace my bright, brilliant future

Prayer: Father/God, I pray the song: It’s working, this is my season for grace, for favor, this is the season to reap what I have sown. You are leaning in my direction, cause, this is my season for grace and favor.

TRUSTEE MARIE DAY KELLY LAY ORGANIZATION CHURCH SCHOOL

WHEN “NO” IS A TEST OF FAITH

Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoeni'cian by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." And he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:26-30 RSV

I have always admired people who pursued sales as an occupation. Getting the proverbial door slammed in your face by the word, no, in all its forms. Constantly, dusting your ego off and creating new strategies to get someone to say “yes” to your proposition. It was never one of my skills and lead me to a more scientific profession.

In our study scripture, a woman approaches Jesus to rid her daughter of demonic possession. Jesus gives the woman in the language of the street His back hand. Calling her and her daughter “dogs” not worthy of His time. However, the woman is the ultimate seller pointing out that even dogs get to eat at the master’s table. She could have easily walked away after the insult but her faith didn’t allow her to accept “no”. Her faith and persistence yielded her the results she sought.

Brothers and sisters, we all will be met with “no” as we try to follow the Great Commission of spreading the word of Jesus but we must be like the woman in this story and let this be a test of your faith.

Prayer: Holy God, grant us the faith to spread the news of Jesus in the face of “No’s”

BROTHER WADE DUGGER STEWARD EMERITUS

Here He Comes To Save The Day

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5: 3, 5 (NRSV)

God of Justice speaks of the poor and meek inheriting heaven and earth! Sovereign God selects a marginalized, unwed virgin teen and anoints her mother of the King of Kings!

The scene: Preteen Carlos on Saturday mornings, watching the cartoon, Mighty Mouse, with his siblings. Yes, a mouse with superpowers (like Superman) who sang in his baritone voice, “Here I come to save the day.” Mighty Mouse fought for justice and was a crusader against evil. This was before video games, so the four of us would enact the scenes to entertain ourselves. I was the oldest and biggest, so naturally I was the hero. My sisters were the youngest (we weren’t enlightened to gender or age bias) and played the defenseless victims. My poor younger brother, Bernard, to his chagrin, was always assigned the role of villain.

Thankfully, through the years, my brother has discarded all the negative roles with which family (me) and society had tagged him. He has, victoriously, assumed the role that God preordained, “Fisher of Men.” Bernard Clifton Botts, this year, became an ordained Baptist minister. The ancestors are rejoicing.

Prayer: Parent God, thank you for your son, who though rich, became poor that we might be rich. Thank you, Jesus for showing us the way to truth, light, and life. Amen.

BROTHER CARLOS E. BOTTS MIGHTY MEN OF METROPOLITAN MUSIC AND CREATIVE ARTS MINSTRY

Lessons From The Cross

And if you do good to them who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

Luke 6:33 NIV

Lessons are learned from each person we encounter in our lives. It can be a relative, friend or a stranger. At the grocery store a lady treated the checkout clerk and me to a cup of coffee from Starbucks. I said, “thank you” and “she replied “it is good to reward people who are nice to you.”

There are four lessons we can learn from the cross at this Lenten season: to pray unceasingly, to fast from food, technology, or whatever you do in excess, to repent as necessary and to love unconditionally. Jesus wants us to draw closer to Him by establishing a relationship with Him. Google states that it takes from 18-254 days to establish a habit and the average person will accomplish it in 66 days. You can get a start on drawing closer to God and even if you are unsuccessful, you will become committed and consistent in your walk with the Lord.

Alfred Ackley explains it so appropriately in his song “He Lives.” In part, the lyrics are: “He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives salvation to impart. You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.”

Prayer: Jesus, help me to be kind to people who are unkind to me.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

WHY ARE BOOKS BANNED?

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 24-25.

Prior to the 15th century the Bible was in print but available only to bishops, priests, religious leaders, and the royals (people with money). In 1592 it was made available for the literate public.

Our enslaved ancestors were not allowed to read or write. If they read the Bible, they would learn that Jesus is love and there is forgiveness. They would learn about the Egyptians who were slavers and how God saved the Israelites. When slave owners learned that some slaves could read, they removed certain sections of the Bible, banned the reading of the Bible and deleted certain sections.

Today segments of our political leadership are banning certain books. Twenty-two percent of the banned books address race and racism. Ten percent address themes related to rights and activism. The more you know, the more involved you are.

Because the Bible was banned it made the slaves more interested in what it said. The same will happen to the books now being banned. God always has a plan. It is not the plan of evil men. What men make evil; God can make good. We have read with our own eyes that Christ is coming again.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, indeed reading is fundamental. Help us, encourage us to read in preparation for a more fulfilling life. Amen

SISTER JOAN W. OXENDINE STEWARD EMERITUS SARAH ALLEN MISSIONARY SOCIETY

IT’S NOT WORK

“They’re busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they’re a nation of right-living people law abiding, God-honoring.” Isaiah 58: 1-3 NMB

We are creatures of habit. It’s human nature. However, our habits are inextricably linked to outcomes that help us keep afloat in a system where winners win big, and losers lose hard. We accept this. The minutia of our daily lives become dictated by working within this unforgiving reality and we find ourselves committing to tasks that are void of satisfaction, discovery, and Heaven knows revolution. Life gurus convince us that organizing a checklist will derive pleasure in continuing this cycle of chores. We even place our worship habits within this tabulated formula. It can be hard not to expect this aspect of our lives to behave in the same way with obvious outcomes, start and finish times, reliability and efficiency. If God doesn’t work that way our spiritual life shouldn’t behave that way.

To fast and concentrate on the Lord, is to upend the expectations of a “bottom line” focused mindset. It reminds us that our truest purpose and freest self cannot be contained. When we walk a path that our Creator has cleared for us, we depart from the path society has paved. Freedom awaits us where only God can shine a guiding light.

Prayer: Mother Universe, reorient us. Remind us that your daughter Harriet lead freedomseekers through swampland, bogs and boats at night. You are the Master Organizer, and we submit to a calling that uproots systems built for the demise of many and profit of the few. Amen.

BROTHER JONATHAN BOTTS CHURCH SCHOOL

Blind Spot

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” Psalm 139:23

Too often we assume our blind spot is the pain we are experiencing and that everything would be clearer and better once the pain is gone. But frequently the real blind spot is the work God wants to do in us, a work we don’t see taking shape yet. Perhaps your blind spot is the realization that God wants to be your provider and pour into your life the love you have always wanted. Perhaps your blind spot is the realization that God wants to fill that place of longing in your heart with Himself alone.

It is possible that God wants you to see Him as a perfect Father who is able to make you complete and whole. Maybe God wants to show you that when you pursue Him with all your heart, you will be living out His dream for you. God understands the longings of your heart even more than you do. He knows what is at the root of everything you desire.

Prayer Father, please expose our blind spots with your light, so they don’t cause us to stand on slippery ground. Amen

“MAKE THAT CHANGE”

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, the Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:21 (ESV)

Recently, my family and I visited New York City and had the opportunity to enjoy “MJ, The Musical,” the Broadway interpretation of Michael Jackson’s life story. The cast did a wonderful job of showcasing his talents as they developed over time. As he grew into manhood, Michael’s music matured as well. The song that resonated with me, both in the show and when it was originally released was “Man In The Mirror.” In its words “if you want to make the world a better place, then look at yourself and make a change.” As he says, there can’t be a clearer message.

The biblical principles given to us in the form of the Ten Commandments provide the outline for us on how to serve God and lovingly live with each other. Are we following those ancient words that can be interpreted to modern times? Think about it. If not, it may be time to “make that change.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, may your Word serve as a beacon of light to us as we strive to live by faith in Your Son.

SISTER DONNA BRUCE CLASS LEADER

ND BOARD OF STEWARDS

GOD’S WORDS OF PEACE

Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. (Ephesians 6:18)

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

I sought the Lord, and He answered me, he delivered me from all fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that peace is one of your gifts to us. Amen.

The Blessing Of Peace

“The Lord gives strength to His people. The Lord blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:10

We are often encouraged to participate in worship. And I do. We also come to worship seeking a blessing. A few Sundays back, we were blessed by our choir’s rendition of my favorite hymn, “When Peace Like a River.” My experience is often reflected in tears at this moment, but I have learned to appreciate the unmistakable peace that follows.

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul. It Is Well.”

As we enter into this time of Lent, be assured the Lord blesses us with peace.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for this assurance.

BROTHER JAMES F. ROBINSON STEWARD EMERITUS USHER

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee, Thou changes not, Thy compassion's, they fail not,

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Summer and winter, springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Keep On Praying

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying Romans 12:12

When life comes fast, PRAY!

Recently, a national football game, turned into a national prayer vigil. We witnessed a young player fall to the ground, suffering cardiac arrest. He needed immediate lifesaving help. The other players fell to their knees and prayed. TV sportscasters and reporters encouraged prayer Nationwide, people from all walks of life, different ethnicities, faiths & beliefs prayed for his life to be restored. They kept praying.

I loved seeing and hearing about so many people praying. It was meaningful to me. For me, prayer is essential Every move I make and every step I take, I whisper a prayer of thanks.

Brothers and sisters, please consider personal and private daily prayer, especially during this Lenten season. Personally, after I tell the Lord all about my troubles (real or imagined), I feel better. If all of us pray to the Lord daily for 40 days during Lent, we may begin a powerful and positive daily practice that extends way beyond the Lenten season.

I’ve found regular and consistent daily prayer is liberating and illuminating. Being able to thank God in prayer for daily blessings, is itself a blessing. Today we need believers earnestly praying more than ever. Spend time with Jesus, you will not regret it. What a friend we have in Jesus Let’s keep on praying.

Prayer: Oh Lord our God, thank you for hearing our prayers and for the privilege to carry everything to You in prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

REVEREND AISHA KARIMAH ASSOCIATE MINISTER

BELIEVE.…

The single word “believe” has appeared lately in many advertisements, holiday decorations and much more. I must say it caught my attention. What does it mean in this context? Believe in what? Is there an anticipated reaction from consumers to believe in or trust the products or advertisers?

Believe - the meaning is Christ centered and taught in the Word of God. We believe There is power in the name of Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. And, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The word believe fills me with hope, trust, joy, inspiration and faith. It convicts me to trust God as the Holy Spirit guides in prayer, believing that what we ask for, we receive. Spiritual belief, especially during this Lenten season, is evident in our affirmation of faith: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead; and buried. The third day he arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”

Prayer: Lord God, we believe you and we thank you for answering our prayers. Amen

Thank You Lord

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” Psalm 7:17

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet ” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

A few days after Thanksgiving, I tested positive for COVID. My physician prescribed Paxlovid which lowered my fever. It took me about six weeks to get back to what I considered normal for my body. The time in isolation allowed me to relax, think and sleep. I took time to pray and thank God for the pharmaceutical science that was healing my body. I was definitely enjoying being alive; because, without that science, my preexisting health issues could have been overwhelmed by COVID.

During this Lenten season, relax, pray, have faith in God’s direction, and thank Him for the hope He gave us when he sacrificed his Son.

Prayer: Heavenly Parent, help us to be open to your direction and thank you for your grace and the sacrifice of your one and only Son, Jesus. Amen.

SISTER BARBARA FARROW JONES STEWARDESS

Gratitude

“…your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23: 4

At watch night service, Pastor Lamar encouraged testimony from the congregation. He suggested that our message could be exactly what someone else needed to hear. As a people, we have similar trials and victories, but too often we have resisted sharing them with anyone. On that Saturday evening, we heard speakers who were grateful for the dawning of a new year; 2022 had delivered a variety of bumps, bruises, joy, and relief.

“Grateful” and “gratitude” occupy a lot of space in advice columns, lyrics, best-selling books, and inspirational décor and accessories. Gratitude is the expression of thankfulness for blessings. However, when life delivers bumps and bruises, gratitude may become simply a nine-letter word, lacking depth or sincerity. At that point, we sometimes find ourselves “faking it until we make it.” Perhaps, that is the feature of faith that has greatest significance as we “hang onto God’s unchanging hand.”

Whether your bumps and bruises are self-inflicted, the result of resistance, or otherwise cast upon you, scripture and the elders have created another set of lyrics that remind us to hold on to witness “the bright side somewhere.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, some days we need a reminder that our souls have a shepherd in the valley and on the mountaintop. Thank you for your abiding presence and power in both places. Amen

BE KIND. BE GOOD

“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Mark: 11: 7-9; NIV

Gregory Porter, a jazz artist, writes extraordinarily beautiful lyrics performed to equally beautiful music. You can become addicted. Among my favorites is his performance of “Take Me to the Alley:”

“Well, they guild their houses in preparation for the King

And they line the sidewalks with every sort of shiny thing

They will be surprised when they hear him say

Take me to the alley, take me to the afflicted ones

Take me to the lonely ones that somehow lost their way

Let them hear me say, I am your friend

Come to my table, rest here in my garden

You will have a pardon . . .”*

This, for me, is not just the message of the Easter season, rather, a reminder of how we can live our lives abundantly. We can provide comfort.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us achieve the grace and courage necessary to stand with others in need and the wisdom to do that which is right.

SISTER GLADYS GARY VAUGHN, Ph.D.

Daniel

ALEXANDER PAYNE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

*Lyrics from “Take Me to the Alley,” written by Gregory Porter, 2016. Source: Musixmatch.

GIVING IN TO “THE PULL”

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke…to set the oppressed free and break every yoke…to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter…to clothe the naked…and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:6-7

Over the Christmas holidays, my husband and I were blessed to visit and babysit for our twoyear old grandson in Santa Monica, California. We had heard about the high cost of living and the affordable housing problems, but we are no stranger to housing issues in Washington, D.C. As we ventured out, the stark realities of the national housing problem were on full display, on a massive scale. In Venice, thousands of people were living in tents at the curb, and en route to the new multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, CA., we saw thousands of people living in “tent cities.” Like in D.C. and all over the country, people are being displaced because of economic policies that can accommodate luxury but not affordability.

Pastor William H. Lamar IV recently preached about giving in to the “pull” many of us are experiencing in these dystopian times. He spoke of surrendering to the pull to use our gifts to serve the “right people.” As we contemplate our calling in life, we may be pulled to serve the people in the tents outside the billion-dollar arena, rather than be the ones who can afford a ticket to the game.

Prayer: Dear Lord, instead of giving up chocolate or alcohol during this Lenten season, help us to choose the right kind of fasting and surrender to the “pull” to “loose the chains of injustice…to provide the poor wanderer with shelter…and not turn away from our own flesh and blood.” Amen