eBrethren

A message of hope

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My dear friends in Christ Jesus:

As Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (1:3). During these days of physical distancing, I so much miss traveling throughout the church and seeing you in person.

The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have unfortunately become our routine. The uncertainty of what may come tomorrow and in the days ahead makes us anxious. And the physical separation required right now makes it more difficult to provide the community support that comes so naturally for us as the body of Christ.

COVID-19 is affecting some of us very personally, and we fear that will increase as time goes by. Let us continue to undergird each other with fervent prayer.

In these days of uncertainty and concern, I especially want to thank our pastors, who have been beacons of hope and encouragement. They are reflecting the resurrection hope of Jesus to their communities. Through creative pastoral leadership, they are helping all of us discover different ways to be Jesus in the neighborhood. 

In these last weeks, we all have been forced to make major changes in our lives and in our communities of faith. To support pastors and other church leaders, staff of the Church of the Brethren have been working to quickly provide many resources. You can find the latest information at the Church of the Brethren website, www.brethren.org. Please check the site frequently and subscribe to Newsline; information is being updated constantly in this rapidly changing time. 

The need is great, and this is an opportunity for the church to offer the cup of cold water and mutually support one another in our common ministries of Jesus Christ. The Church of the Brethren staff is committed to that end.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we live in the hope of the resurrection. Even with death comes new life. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, but what we do know is that we can come together as the body of Christ to support the needs of our neighbors—those nearby and those far away. As Brethren around the world support each other with prayer and other expressions of love and care, we all feel the deep fellowship of our global Church of the Brethren.

Thank you for that fellowship, which remains strong even though we are apart. May God’s love and strength be with you.

All my gratitude and hope,

David A. Steele
General Secretary

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Youth & Young Adults

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Rebecca House (Youth Pastor at the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren (Va.))

John 15:1-11 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”

Jesus is talking to his closest disciples, those he calls friends, shortly before he is going to be arrested. This is the last discussion he gets to have with them, and he tells them that they are all connected to him – and each other through him, like branches connected to a vine. He will continue to give them strength, all they need to is “remain in me, and I will remain in you.” If the disciples will continue to follow Jesus, even when he is not still physically with them, he will surely be with them. This is great news for us too! Especially in this time of physical separation from each other, from those we call friends, we can know that we are connected by something – someone – at a much deeper level than just physical presence.

Good News: Even when we feel alone, we can continue to follow Jesus’ way and remain connected to the One who will give us strength and peace and endurance.

Discussion question: What are some ways you can set aside time to get to know God better? What are some ways you can continue to show God’s love, either to those you are living with or those you are separated from?

Go one step further: Take the time to contact someone who is alone during this time. Send a text, give them a call, send a letter, or use your imagination to find another way. While you are connecting with that person, ask, “How can I be praying for you?” Then pray for them.

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Eric Kauffman (Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at Bufffalo Valley Church of the Brethren)

John 14:18 “I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you.”

Have you ever felt like you just didn’t belong, or like nobody sees you, or would miss you if you were gone? Have you ever felt abandoned? Have you ever felt like something must be wrong with you?

You are not alone! Apparently even people who walked with the Son of God felt this way. As Jesus said these words, He was getting ready to die and apparently leave the disciples – which is why Jesus gave this promise. Jesus is comforting his disciples before he leaves, and part of that comfort is direction in what to do when he isn’t there to show them. Several times in this teaching time, Jesus says – “if you love me, you will do what I command… my command is this – ‘Love each other.’” This is NOT a condition that we must fill so God will love us. Jesus is giving direction and purpose even when we are in the pits of despair. We need to lift our eyes beyond ourselves and show love to others. In this time of social distancing and quarantine, showing love to others might mean a message, a quick note or comment, or maybe even a phone call. It’s amazing how reaching out to someone else lifts OUR spirits. We realize not only that we are not alone, but that we do matter to someone else. We can help someone else. In giving love, we experience love; even more, we experience God.

Good News: We can experience God even when we feel alone. By loving others, we experience love and we experience God.

Discussion question: How can you reach out to show love to someone today?

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Tyler Goss

John 14:1-17 “…trust in God…”

The first verse of John 14 doesn’t quite have the same punch unless you consider the passage before it. Chapter 13 ends with Jesus saying, “yeah…not trying to point any fingers here, but…one of you is definitely going to betray me **cough, cough, Judas, cough**” and then, after Judas awkwardly slips out, you, as the reader, think, “oh, Judas must just be the one bad apple out of the bunch. Surely, no other disciple will abandon Jesus like that.” But then good ol’ Peter chimes in, “Jesus, I would die for you.” Jesus, not missing a beat, replies “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Or, as I like to think of it, Jesus says, “Die for me? Boy, please! You’re gunna turn your back on me before the rooster rolls out of bed in the mornin’!” Jesus’s closest friends don’t have his back when he needs them most. It’s like he’s saying, “friends…I can’t trust you.” But then Chapter 14 starts, and Jesus says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” Whoa! Wait up. Hold the phone. Did you catch it? You put the end of Chapter 13 right up against the start of Chapter 14 and it’s like Jesus is saying, “Friends…I can’t trust you anymore…but you can trust me.” We don’t have to be perfect to still trust in the Lord. We can come with our doubts, our insecurities, even our denials of Jesus, but Jesus still says, “Trust me.” You may say, from time to time, “Jesus, I don’t know if can follow you like I once thought I could”, and Jesus lovingly replies, “that’s ok…I’m still in it for you.”

Good News: You can bring your doubts and insecurities to Jesus and trust that he will still be there for you.

Discussion question: What does it look like to trust in God?

Go one step further: Check out this song, “I Have Made Mistakes” from The Oh Hello’s

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Jacob Crouse (Music Coordinator at the Washington City Church of the Brethren (D.C.))

Luke 24:1-12 “…he saw and went away wondering about what happened.”

Whenever I hear something that’s sort of beyond my scope of vision, my first thought usually isn’t wonder. Information flows towards us at a wonderfully high rate and not all of it is reliable. It can be desensitizing. It’s not hard to relate to the Eleven’s initial reaction when they heard the news of Christ’s disappearance. They were skeptical that the resurrection had happened. What’s harder and more important for us to relate to the way Peter reacted to the news that the tomb was empty. He heard unbelievable news that, if true, could change everything! He rushed to do his own research and confirm what had happened. When he saw the tomb, his perspective changed from doubting to wonder. As we celebrate Easter in an age of knowing, we should take this passage to heart and gain inspiration from Peter. Following Jesus means to be full of wonder and search for the truth.

Good News: We are called to an active people, full of wonder.

Discussion question: What news have you heard and brushed off lately as just another crazy thing going on?

Go one step further: Next week is Earth Week. In honor of that, research about current issues with the climate. What are some ways human beings affect the environment both positively and negatively? What are some things people are doing to help resolve climate issues, both big and small? Try adding one of the solutions you find to you and household’s routine! If you don’t know where to start, check out www.newcommunityproject.info/earth-care for information and ideas.

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Katie Heishman (Co-pastor at the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren (Oh.))

Matthew 28:1-16 “…afraid, yet filled with joy…”

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to visit Jesus’ tomb, the world literally quakes as an angel rolls away the tomb stone and sits on it. The guards at Jesus’ tomb are so afraid they fall over in shock. The angel encourages the women: “Do not be afraid.” Yet the women are fearful, too, and it’s with fear and excitement that they take off toward Galilee with the news of Jesus’ resurrection. While the women are still fearful, they’re propelled by bravery and joy to share their good news with the other disciples. Once the guards are revived, their fear leads them to act in a cowardly way by taking a bribe and lying about Jesus’ resurrection.

Fear is a powerful emotion and Jesus knows that fear can lead us to take the easy way out, like the guards. He greets the women in their fear and excitement, and tells them, “You’re holding on to me for dear life. Don’t be frightened like that” (The Message). The joy of resurrection is that Jesus seeks to free us from fear that would lead us to be cowardly or stop us from doing hard things. Through Jesus, we don’t need to be afraid of fear or be afraid of hard things. You have good news to share and hard things to do! Do not be afraid. 

Good News: Jesus frees us from fear and inspires us to bravery in the face of hard things. 

Discussion question: Where would you like Jesus to release you from fear, which limits you or holds you back? 

Go one step further: Breath Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixA5xZgvYeo (A helpful way to rely on Jesus and let go of fear is through a breath prayer.) 

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Carol Elmore (Minister of Nurture and Music at the Oak Grove Church of the Brethren (Va.))

Mark 16:9-20 “…go into all the world…”

Mary Magdalene was the first on the scene to find that Jesus’ body was gone. The scripture tells us that she knew Him well and was indebted to Him because he had healed her early on. She was going to take care of Him, one last time, putting spices on His dead body. But He had risen, and was back in the flesh (almost?) to walk and talk among his friends once again. He took the time to tell them to SPREAD the GOOD NEWS that by using Jesus’ name, his disciples could heal the sick, remove demons, etc. (just your ordinary, everyday miracles, wink). “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” I was curious why, several verses throughout scripture, including this one, Jesus goes to sit “at the right hand of God”. Why the right hand? I learned that it, being the most often dominate hand, that it represents power! Jesus has the Power and Authority! This might be where the phrase “He’s my right hand man” comes from. But, the right hand was also used to give a blessing (Jacob blessed his children and grandchildren with his right hand in the book of Genesis). Our hands can tell the Good News of Jesus by doing works of strength (at workcamps, etc.), or through blessings (such as hugging an older person in your congregation, playing with children in the nursery, anointing someone who is ill, etc.).

Good News: Our hands can tell the Good News of Jesus’ love!

Discussion question: How does thinking about the good works of your hands change your thoughts when singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His hands”?

Go one step further:Look at your right hand (or your left, if it is your dominate hand). Think of times you’ve used your hand for good: hard work, a tender act of love. Thank God for ways you’ve used that hand to show the love of Christ to someone, and ask God to show you more opportunities. Sing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey (Co-Pastor at the Oakton Church of the Brethren (Va.))

Mark 16:1-8 “He has risen!”

The resurrection text in the Gospel of Mark says that when the women who go to the tomb discover that it is empty they are scared, confused, and flea. The Gospel even says that they say nothing because they are too afraid. And this is where the Gospel ends. Yet, we know the good news of a risen Lord today, so clearly at some point they got over their fear, and proclaimed that Jesus is alive, he is alive indeed. Even when we are afraid, are confused, and are unsure of what is happening, the reality that God can bring new life even in the midst of death, that God can still roll away stones, gives us hope to step forward. Fear may not go away, but the hope we find in Christ Jesus is stronger than our fear.

Good News: God still rolls away stones.

Discussion question: What worries/fears are burdening you today? What hope is carrying you through right now?

Go one step further: Here is a short video on how to do a Stone Prayer.

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Gabe Dodd (Pastor for Youth and Young Families at the Montezuma Church of the Brethren (Va.))

John 20:19-23 “…I am sending you.”

The disciples were not only fearful and worried about the Jewish people that were looking for them, but they were also grieving the loss of their friend and teacher, Jesus. What an intense week they just finished. It started with a joyful entry into the city, some stark lessons about obedience, and conversations about love. Last week also included meals, footwashing, prayer, tears, pain, suffering, death, forgiveness, and sorrow; the realities of the world did not vanish overnight. Jesus has been redeemed in the midst of angry mobs and chaos. The first gift Jesus brings to his disciples is a message of peace and assurance. “Do not fear in the midst of the chaos of the world. The Lord has redeemed me in the midst of this chaos. The Lord is also redeeming you in this midst of this chaos.”

Though our lives today may seem chaotic, may we not fear, for the Lord is redeeming you in the midst of it. God works in us, even when evil lurks. Be at peace, for the Lord has sent Jesus, and the Lord will send you!

Good News: It is good news to know that God has resurrected Jesus from the dead, and that God will resurrect us too!

Discussion question: Imagine what it would be like to be set free from evil, and sent by God!

Go one step further: Practice stillness and peace via simple meditation. Check out these links for 5-10 minute meditations for teens.

https://www.iamdiscoveringgod.net/home/christianmeditationprayeractivity

http://mindfulnessforteens.com/guided-meditations/

eBrethren

Are we ready to rise?

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Photo by T. C. Perch

By Traci Rabenstein, director of Mission Advancement

    “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
     There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. . . .
     The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.’” ~Matthew 28:1-2,5-7

As Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb, I can’t imagine what went through their minds as they experienced the earthquake and encountered the angel. Maybe a feeling of sickness in their stomachs? Feeling light-headed?  They must have looked at each other with confusion and concern about what everything meant. I wonder if they had to ask the angel to repeat the message—I wouldn’t have been thinking clearly enough the first time and would have needed to hear it again.

“Do not be afraid,” the angel said. “The One whom you seek is not here. He has risen just like He said. Go and tell the disciples that He will meet them in Galilee.”

Matthew says the women ran, with fear and great joy, to deliver the message to the disciples. Again, I wonder how many times the women needed to repeat the message:

“There was an earthquake. Did you feel it? An angel rolled the stone away and showed us that Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. He is alive! And we saw him! Touched him and held on for dear life. He told us to tell you he’ll meet you in Galilee. You can’t stay here hidden, you must go and meet him. He’ll be there!”

Other gospel accounts tell us that some of the disciples went to the tomb to see for themselves. They just couldn’t comprehend what the women were saying and struggled to believe them. Why didn’t they just pack up and start their trip to Galilee? Why didn’t they have faith?

As we reflect on all the events of Holy Week, why do we ever lack faith? Why do we continue to stare into an empty tomb; some days just going through the motions? Even now, it can be easy to become complacent and comfortable with the rituals of our daily lives. “Oh, I’ll read the Bible tomorrow.” “I’ll find time to pray later.” “I’ll make sure Easter is special for me/my family next year.”

What Jesus did—by dying and rising from the dead—was revolutionary. It was a game changer! Even when we endure hardship and loss or the earth rumbles beneath our feet, we don’t need to fear because Jesus has conquered all death, darkness, and despair. We now have hope of God’s presence right now and the promise of eternal life. Our relationship with Jesus gives us assurance that we no longer need to fear anything.

Our mission, much like for Mary Magdalene and Mary, is to pass along the wonderful news that our Savior is alive and waiting for us. We are called to join the revolution of Jesus by teaching about his transformative work and inviting others to come and see him.

Regardless of what we are thinking or feeling right now, Jesus is alive and well and waiting to have fellowship with us. Are we ready for our spirits to rise with our risen Lord? Will we flee from fear, share a message of hope, and show the world another way of living?

Learn how the ministries of the Church of the Brethren reveal another way of living at www.brethren.org or support them at www.brethren.org/give .

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)