Author Archives: RRowan

Devotional

A genealogy of grace

Posted on by
Reply

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 1:17

Prayer for the day:

Surprising God,
like those who experienced the first Christmas so many generations ago, we stand amazed in your presence. Thank you for giving us the gift of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate and whose life we emulate.

God of grace,
help us to use this Advent season to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ into our world and into our lives.
Amen

Question for reflection:
Tim Harvey shares the story of how his great-grandfather, an outcast, was welcomed into the community of faith. This Christmas, how are you and your congregation welcoming people who are marginalized by our society?

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

Devotional

Everyone counts

Posted on by
Reply

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   Matthew 1:3-6

Prayer for the day:
O God, in whose image we are created, help us not to judge others, and instead try to see your light in everyone we meet. We acknowledge this isn’t always easy, so give us grace-filled hearts to recognize that all people count in your eyes.
Amen

Question for reflection:
Who are the people who have influenced your life? How have they done so? Have you shared with them how meaningful their influence has been?

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

Devotional

Holy pedigree

Posted on by
Reply

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res Matthew 1:1-17

Prayer for the day:
God of the Ages,
as we read through the holy lineage of Jesus, we become more aware of your movement through the generations and the many lives you have touched. Help us feel your presence in our lives so that we can share the Good News of Jesus with our world today.
Amen

Question for reflection:
How are you sharing the Christmas story with others this Advent season?

~ 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 Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Here there is life

Posted on by
1

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  John 1:1- 5; Genesis 1:1- 5

Prayer for the day:
Maker of life, help me to see your fingerprints all over my world today. When I see light or darkness, remind me of the ways you separate the light from the darkness. When I see earth, and water, and creatures, let me remember your creative genius. When I encounter my sisters and brothers today, nudge me towards actions which deepen relationships. In you and your creation  I will find the source of all my joy – alleluia! Amen.

Question for reflection:
How is God calling you to new life this advent season?

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

An orderly account

Posted on by
Reply

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:1- 4

Prayer for the day:
Breath of Heaven, whether I use words or my hands and feet to express your love in the world, purify my intentions and bless my efforts. May the way I move through life help others to know your goodness and grace.

Question for reflection:
Think back over the day or back to yesterday. When and where did you observe someone expressing their love for Christ and the church? What was it like?

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Beginning well

Posted on by
Reply

2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Haggai 2:7

Prayer for the day:
If you tend to be anxious about time, set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes. As you center yourself for prayer this day, quiet your mind. Close your eyes, and find a comfortable position for your body. As you inhale, repeat the first part of the phrase in your mind. When you exhale, repeat the second part of the phrase. For the minutes you have set aside to pray, continue this pattern as you breathe in and out at a comfortable pace.
Phrase: “Jesus, help me…..to find you again.”

Question for reflection:
What does the phrase “Jesus, help me to find you again” stir in you?

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central 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, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

Devotional

Called by name

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   John 20:1-18

Question for reflection:
Why at times is it so hard to recognize Jesus?  What does it sound like to you when Jesus says your name? How do you respond?

Prayer for the day:
Heighten all my senses, God, so that I might know Jesus is near. I am straining to hear my name. Surprise me with your familiarity. Turn my mourning into rejoicing. Send me into the world, proclaiming like Mary, “I have seen the Lord!”  Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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

Constant love

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover  1 Peter 4:1-8

Question for reflection:
How do I show those around me that I love them? Who could I love better? What is preventing me from being more loving?

Prayer for the day:
I want to be loving, God, spilling over with the kind of love that transforms the world, your love. Break down the barriers that get in the way of my loving. Love me through the waiting between Friday’s crucifixion and Sunday’s resurrection, so that I, too, can love. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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

Graceful obedience

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   John 18:1–19:42

Question for reflection:
What am I holding onto too tightly? What do I need to learn, experience, or do in order to live more trustingly with God?

Prayer for the day:
Help me let go, God, of everything that gets between me and you. Open me to experiences of grace. Compel me toward your promises. Usher me from death into life. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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

Washing feet

Posted on by
Reply

Lent 2013 Cover   John 13:1-17, 31-35

Question for reflection:
Whose feet do I need to wash today? Whose act of servanthood do I need to be prepared to receive?

Prayer for the day:
God, prepare me to wash the feet of my sisters and brothers in Christ, but also ready me to serve less familiar folks in uncomfortable places. Remind me that sometimes it’s just as important to humble myself for others to wash my feet as well. Orient my life through the power of the towel. Amen.

(follow this link for a musical meditation on washing feet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kSe0xbcAmo&feature=youtu.be)

~ Jonathan Shively, executive director, Congregational Life 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.