Author Archives: RRowan

Devotional

And with Him … others

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A Community of Love  John 18:1 – 19:37

Prayer for the Day:
God, you hold absolute power over the world, even the power to give over your son, our King, to the reality of death. I know that at times I contribute to small deaths like those that led to Jesus’ crucifixion: failed courage, self deception, betrayal of a friend, passive bystanding, and giving over to another what really belongs to you. Forgive my acquiescence to death. Help me to live beyond the shadow of the cross. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, I pray. Amen

Question for reflection:
Pilate seemed to have a desire to release Jesus, and yet he ultimately handed him over to those who would crucify him. What might God be nudging you toward that you are struggling to hear and to obey?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Love one another

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A Community of Love  John 13: 1-17,  31-35

Prayer for the Day:
Jesus, while I might not fully understand all that you do for me, make me receptive to your loving service. I want to have a part with you. I want to share in your love for my family, friends and neighbors. Nourish your love within me so that it overflows in my love for others, and so that your love for the world might be seen through my actions.  Amen.

Question for reflection:
Which of your actions today most exemplify the servant love of Jesus? Which actions are inconsistent with Jesus’ example and call to love one another? What is one specific step you might take to be more loving toward another in your life?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Betrayed

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A Community of Love    John 13: 21-30

Prayer for the Day:
God, my desire to remain faithful to you is challenged by many circumstances in my life. Have mercy on me for those actions which go against your will. Pardon me for the times when I speak in betrayal rather than love. Help me, Jesus, to eat the bread that you extend to me this week, with a clear conscience and a certain heart.   AMEN.

Question for reflection:
What does betrayal look like in your life?  When are you the betrayer?  When have you been betrayed?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Again?

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A Community of Love  John 12:20-36

Prayer for the Day:
Like the Greeks at the festival in Jerusalem, O God, we wish to see Jesus, too. Remove from our lives whatever might cause us to walk in darkness, and help us see the Light. Lead us, Lord, we pray, so that we may become children of light.  Amen

Question for reflection:
Jesus fills this passage with many images: grain bearing fruit, living life as a servant, walking in the light, and becoming children of light. How do you serve God? What fruit do you bear? How can you help others “see” Jesus?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Love and Money

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A Community of Love  John 12:1-11

Prayer for the Day:
Extravagant God, sometimes we want to hold things too tightly. We are afraid to let go and share our money, our love, ourselves. Help us to be more like you, who shared so extravagantly by sending Jesus to show us how to live. We thank you for this priceless gift.  Amen


Question for reflection:
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford asks this question in her Lenten meditation for today:  When it comes to money, can we allow passionate, extravagant love to direct us?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Hosanna!

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A Community of Love     John 12:12-16

Prayer for the Day:
Like the great crowd which came from all over the world to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem, we praise you: Hosanna! Blessed are you, Jesus! Like the psalmist in distress (Ps 118), we cry out to you: Hosanna! Save us, we beseech you! Blessed are you, our God. We give thanks to you. Your steadfast love endures forever. Hosanna, Amen!


Question for reflection:
The crowd in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna” and waving palm branches. How do you welcome Jesus into your life? How does your congregation reflect God’s love to your community?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

To See Again

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A Community of Love  Mark 10:32-52

Prayer for the Day:
Forgive us, God, when we think only of ourselves and are blind to the needs of others. Give us a new way of seeing and being – open our eyes to the needs of our world and help us respond as your servants. Strengthen our faith as we journey with you.  Amen


Question for reflection:
Jesus, servant and savior, asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Let me ask you, “What is it you want or need Jesus to do for you?” How can you, as a follower of Jesus, respond to the needs of a hurting world? What cost might you pay for being a disciple of Christ?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

Laughter’s Return

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A Community of Love   Jeremiah 33:10-16

Prayer for the Day:
In times of desolation, Lord, we cry out to you. Make your presence known – give us hope and consolation. Help us to hear again the voice of gladness and laughter that your promise of restoration brings. May we proclaim our thanks to you. “For the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Jer 33:11)  Amen

*Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today, Living the Questions DVD


Question for reflection:
Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggemann has described God as a magnet for cries of human pain and distress.”* When have you experienced times of despair and desolation? How has God responded to your cries? In your life, what do you need God to restore?

~ 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 Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

The interests of others

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A Community of Love  Philippians 2: 1-11

Prayer for the Day:
Beautiful Savior, glory to your name and to the blessings that you bestow to me each and every day. You provided us with the ultimate examples of how we should live our lives for ourselves but more importantly for others. Bending down, taking on the role of a servant to wash or brothers and sisters feet. You humbled yourself so much to die for my sins on a cross. I can’t ask for a better gift than that. Thanks for taking my burdens onto your shoulders, carrying the weight of our world and being ever present for me, even when I think that you aren’t listening. Thank you!


Question for reflection:
How can I imitate Christ’s humility?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.


Devotional

But you never have enough

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A Community of Love  Haggai 1-2

Prayer for the Day:
Ever Present Lord, You call us in so many ways to work to create your kingdom on earth today. Too often we get wrapped up in thinking about our own needs: what we will eat, drink, and wear when we should be helping out our brothers and sisters. (Take some time and pray for your neighbors that you know and don’t know). Help us not to forget the least of these brothers and sisters of the word. Amen.


Question for reflection:
Take a hard look at yourself for a few minutes. What have you done to help yourself get ahead in life? What have you done to help to build the kingdom of heaven in this world, today?

~ Carol Fike, National Young Adult Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent devotional written by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford. (Available from Brethren Press) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Cheryl’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.