Monthly Archives: March 2013

Devotional

Oreo Jesus

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Lent 2013 Cover     Hebrews 2:1-9

Question for reflection:
“The Jesus in Me Loves the Jesus in You” is often sung at Church of the Brethren intercultural gatherings. As we sing, we move from person to person, holding their hands as we acknowledge that we see Jesus in each other. It is energizing to connect with each other and Jesus in this way. How do you open your heart to see Jesus in others? Can you hear and receive what they have to share?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, help me to be open to hearing and seeing Jesus in others. Help me, also, to be Jesus’ compassionate presence to others.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

A clear call

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Lent 2013 Cover      Luke 18:31- 34

Question for reflection:
Glimpses of discernment flutter briefly across our preoccupied mind like rays of sunshine trying to break through the dense morning fog. We sense that “something important is happening, here” (Henri Nouwen), but the full meaning remains hidden from us, just beyond our grasp. How can we clear our mind of distractions in order to be able to hear God’s voice guiding our next steps?

Prayer for the day:
Ever-present God, help me take time to be silent and listen to your still, small voice calling me to follow.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Abide in me

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Lent 2013 Cover   1 John 2:18-28

Question for reflection:
What do you listen to on the radio? Online? On television? Which songs have you memorized the lyrics of? Whose calls do you always answer? Whose words do you pay attention to? What messages do you want to remain with you?

Prayer for the day:
As I quiet the world around me, I pray for Your message to be loud in my heart. I pray for anointing, O God, that I may recognize the things that are most important and most true. Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Mutualizing

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Lent 2013 Cover    Hebrews 10:19-25

Question for reflection:
Who do you worship with? Who do you gather with to play? To eat? To work? Who is in your community? Who would you want to welcome into your community?

Prayer for the day:
O God, your faithfulness and forgiveness extends to me, to my family, to my community – and beyond. Enable me to see those I meet as You would see them and to welcome them as You would welcome them. Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

By way of sorrow

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Lent 2013 Cover   Psalm 126

Question for reflection:
What are the things you dream of? What are the things that make you laugh? What are the things that give you joy? How would your life be changed, if during this season of Lent, your dreams, laughter, and joy reflected the Lord?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, who knows my dreams, thank you for turning my sorrows into joy.
Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

God’s microphones

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Lent 2013 Cover    John 11:45-57

Question for reflection:
The chief priests and Pharisees called an emergency meeting to ask, “What are we accomplishing?” The people in their communities, witnessing the signs and miracles of Jesus had been begun to believe in Him. Though we may not be able to turn water into wine, what are the signs and actions of our faith? What are we accomplishing?

Prayer for the day:
Thank you, dear God, for the many signs and miracles in my life. As I join the Love Feast this year, help me remember all Your scattered children, reveal to me how I can be a witness to You, and continue the work of Jesus. Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

God’s witnesses

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Lent 2013 Cover    Isaiah 43: 8-15

Question for reflection:
When you look back in your life, when do you remember the presence of God being most with you? Have you shared this story with others? How has the story changed in each retelling as you have a better understanding of how it is part of God’s will in your wider life?

Prayer for the day:
O God, I know it is Your will that is unfolding around me. You have chosen me and I have chosen to be a witness for You. Bless me with the faith and understanding to recognize that Your presence is as with us now as it was in ancient times.  Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Anne with an e

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Lent 2013 Cover   Isaiah 43: 1-7

Question for reflection:
Do you feel that you might be washed away in the rivers of obligations and work and family? Has the heat of conflict and stress felt like it might engulf you? God promises that He is with us and we will not be burned or washed away. When in your life do you feel the presence of God calling you by your name?

Prayer for the day:
O God, in the midst of the busyness of life, let me hear Your voice when you call me; let me recognize my name on Your lips. Though the waters may be strong, I remember Your promise to accompany me and return me to glory. Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Scarcity and abundance

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Lent 2013 Cover     2 Kings 4:1-7

Question for reflection:
Where are there signs of abundance in your congregation and life that offer hope and vitality?

Prayer for the day:
Lord God, help us to care for one another and for your world. Remove our fear and tendencies to assume scarcity. You are the one from whom every family in heaven and earth takes its name. We pray, O God, that according to the riches of your grace we may be strengthened in our inner being to be vessels of your abundance and grace.

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Jubilee

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Lent 2013 Cover     Leviticus 25:1-19

Question for reflection:
In what ways do we take time to contemplate how our busyness, practices, commitments and routines fit into God’s “big picture?”

Prayer for the day:
God, fill our hearts to make space to receive from you. Replenish and restore us so that we are able to serve. Amen.

 

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.