Holy Week: Easter Saturday

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: The season of Lent can be barren and lonely,

ALL: but God goes with us through the wild wilderness.

LEADER: Our lives are lived in seasons of transitions and transformations.

ALL: Lent is a time to ponder God's providence and persistence.

LEADER: Together, we seek fruitfulness, for it has been promised to us;

ALL: the barrenness of Lent will give way to the fruitfulness of Easter.

LEADER: In this season of penitence and pondering, let us gather before God.

ALL: We come, as a family, to wait for the Lord with strength and courage.

inspired by Luke 13:6-9

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40  NIV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 ESV

PRAY

Holy Saturday has always been a strange day for me.  The Messiah is in the grave, those who were closest to him where scattered, scared, and hiding. We know the ending, but they were stuck in the pain, in the darkness. Nowadays, however, in America, many community Easter egg hunts are held without much time and thought given to the actual day. I’m not saying we are doing it wrong, I’m just observing, but I can’t help but look at the similarities of this particular day and that first Holy Saturday.  We are separated, many of us are scared and we don’t know the future. But, in fact, we do! The amazing thing about being a Christian is we know what is ahead. We know the ending. 

Through scripture we are told that the narrow road is hard, there will be trials and tribulation… there is sickness, pain and hardship for those who follow. But then, we know that the King is to come again.  We know the ending because it is written. John tells us, "But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” We read the book of Revelation and we know that our King is returning to take back the earth, to bring life and to crush death.  We know that there is another Easter morning coming, we don’t need to be afraid because we walk with Christ.

So, as we observe another Holy Saturday, let us rejoice that we are not in the darkness, we know all the joy that is to come!! 

Let us pray for those who do not know Jesus; those who are living in fear and don’t know the saving grace that is offered through Christ. Pray for those who are separated, scared and feel as though they are without hope. Pray that we all might be lights in the world, light that can shine into the hurt, into the pain, into the darkness. 

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• Find rays of hope in your days. It's not healthy to force yourself to feel happy or ignore difficult feelings and it's okay to feel a whole host of emotions, and Jesus meets you there. But, you can practice gratitude and find comfort by focusing on the good. We can go about our days, good or bad, with gratitude for the moments of beauty and comfort and light that can serve as a reminder that the sad times, the lonely days, the dark moments are a part of a cycle and there will be relief soon. Today is Easter Saturday, but Sunday's coming.

• Join us for online church in the morning to celebrate Easter Sunday together at 10:30 a.m. Whether you choose to show up to watch in your Sunday best or your pajamas, find joy in it! We are glad we get to come together in spirit with you to celebrate the great joy and hope of Easter Sunday.

• Enjoy the Virtual Easter Egg Hunt this afternoon by searching #onebasket2020 on Facebook or Instagram.

Holy Week: Silence

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: On this day we gather to remember Jesus our Savior who loved us and gave himself for us. Let us draw near in full assurance of God's endless love and mercy.

ALL: We give our thanks and praise to Jesus Christ who carries our sorrows, heals our wounds, and redeems us from sin and death.

written by Marlene Kropf, in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross: Good Friday Service

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6  NIV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26  NIV

PRAY

Silence. There is so little of it in these times. Children have been raised with so much noise around them that many feel more comfortable with music playing while they study because they can’t handle the quiet.  We have added more and more noise and distraction into our lives that when we are placed in silence we tend to become uncomfortable. 

I often think of Jesus during his 40 days in the desert. As a mom, the thought of 40 days of silence sounds miraculous, but could I really be silent? We all have things in our lives that pull at us and keep us from any form of silence. But, in reality, if we take more than a few minutes of silence, we start to stress and get anxious, left wandering through our thoughts certain that there must be something more that we have to get done. 

Throughout scripture we are called to become silent in the presence of our God. It’s in the silence that we can really hear, can really sense, can really connect with our God.  Scripture even tells us that if we are unable to pray in that silence the Holy Spirit will intercede in our prayers for us. 

I think of Daniel, praying every day in secret. I think of Esther who was forced to keep her religion hidden and silent. And I think of Jesus who begged his disciples to be quiet and pray in the garden with Him. In the silence, in the still, we can connect on a deeper level than we could ever imagine

Pray that the Lord brings times of silence today. Time to reflect on the immeasurable sacrifice He made on the cross. And when we receive those times of silence may we stop, may we listen, and may we endure the silence for something more. Our world has had to slow down, take this time to slow down too. Press into the Lord. Pray for his path, His wisdom, His grace. Pray that you will be uplifted throughout this time and that silence may become more sacred to you.

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• Are you slowing down enough to allow for growth and transformation? Make a time for meditation each day. Start with a deep breath.

• Join us for the virtual Good Friday Tenebrae service tonight at 7:00 p.m. This somber Good Friday service is characterized by gradually diminishing light to symbolize the darkness of Jesus' death and the hopelessness in a world without God.

• Gather seven candles today so that you can take part in the dimming light of the service this evening by extinguishing a candle at the end of each prayer.

• Tag your #onebasket2020 photos for the Virtual Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow. Re-read the Easter story then post a picture that includes an Easter egg along with what Easter means to you and the hashtag. Tag #2ndpc too or email your picture to Jordyn to be included in the hunt.

• NOTE: Make sure we can see your posts! An individual Facebook posts can be set to public. On Instagram, your account must be public for us to see your photo. And, as always, use discretion on social media and supervise your children as you would with any other time on the internet.

Holy Week: Breaking bread together

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

ALL: God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and has commissioned us with the message of reconciliation.

LEADER: Praise the Lord.

ALL: The Lord’s name be praised.

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Acts 2:42-45  NIV

PRAY

Breaking bread together:

As Jesus gathered for the Passover meal, the night before he was handed over to the Roman authorities, he was with friends and family breaking bread and sharing their lives. Meals are very important in the Bible. In fact, there are many stories and passages throughout the Bible that talk about people sitting down to break bread together and, as in the case of Zacchaeus, it was an honor to have Jesus breaking bread with you. It was more than just eating a meal, it was taking a break from the day, taking a break from whatever was occupying them to spend time together, truly listening to one another. This is part of a reason we have Second Sunday Lunches: we sit together and share a meal as a family.

This time of shelter-in-place has given us time with the people we live with and a chance pause and connect with them. As we begin to come out of this pandemic, I pray that we start reaching out to others in the church to sit and break bread together.  I don’t think there are ever coincidences in the Bible; everything Jesus did led up to the night of Passover. That was a time to look back over where the Lord had brought them from and a time to break bread together.  The Lord is moving and will be bringing us out of this. May we find time to break bread together, to remember where we came from and who we are as a community.

Pray that the Lord blesses us in the times that we are able to break bread together, whether now in our homes or in the future as a community. Pray that we all be nourished during this time- physically, mentally, and, especially, spiritually. Pray that we continue to find ways to connect with one another and the whole body of Christ.

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• Reach out to someone from church that you've been missing or someone you had been meaning to get to know better. Let them know you've been thinking of them and, while it might be too early to make plans yet, you can look forward to the opportunity to break bread together in the future! Or get creative and schedule a FaceTime coffee date or something in the meantime. Click here to look up someone in the Member Directory.

• Join us for the virtual Maundy Thursday service tonight at 7:00 p.m. It's a communion service, so have your crackers or bread and juice or wine ready.

• Join the Virtual Easter Egg Hunt with a photo submission! Take time to read the Easter story then post a picture that includes an Easter egg along with what Easter means to you and the hashtag #onebasket2020 (and a second tag of #2ndpc) before noon on Saturday. Download an egg coloring sheet here if you’d like.

• You can officially search for eggs by the hashtags after noon on Saturday. You can look through the photos that have already been submitted by searching the #onebasket2020 hashtag on Facebook.

  NOTE: Make sure we can see your posts! An individual Facebook posts can be set to public. On Instagram, your account must be public for us to see your photo. And, as always, use discretion on social media and supervise your children as you would with any other time on the internet.

Holy Week: Put on the full armor of God

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: God Most High, gracious and glorious,

ALL: blessed is the one who comes in your name.

LEADER: Lead us now on the road to the cross.

ALL: May we follow with faithfulness and joy,

LEADER: shouting hosanna in the highest heaven;

ALL: through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV

PRAY

Put on the full armor of God:

When we talk about evil, a lot of people get squeamish, but we cannot doubt that there is evil in the world and people can do very evil things. But we are given in scripture, a way to begin our day, a way to begin our prayers. These days it's a lot like putting on your gloves and your mask!

Starting with the belt of truth, we know that our truth comes only from Christ, who we know as "the way, the truth, and the life". We know that he conquered the grave and we can rely on his truth to pull us through. Walking with his truth every day is a blessing.

Our breastplate is a sign that we are redeemed and made righteous and no one can take that away once we have received it. We can only stand in the presence of God as righteous and pure when we are covered by Jesus.

I know that so many of us feel helpless, mandated not to move ... but our feet are ready. Our feet are prepared in the way of Jesus, ready to move in peace. While right now we may be called to stand still, we have the peace of the living, breathing God to move us to those who need it the most. Stand ready friends, our time is coming.

Finally, take up your shield of faith! What I love about the shield of faith is that it is made very clear that our faith will come under attack and our shield is there to protect us. People will not understand. Others have been harmed by those who profess a false faith. Others will be tired and weary. But our shields of faith are big enough to hide behind. Though, instead of hiding behind our shields as a personal fortress, what if we, as followers of Christ, offered that shielded protection to others while they found their faith and had time to heal? Men and women, the world will have so many questions after we come out of this, let us bring them peace, let us shield them as they enter into truth and righteousness.

Pray the full armor every day. Remember, it's not just for us, it's also for those with questions. Pray that they will be drawn to us, pray that Second Presbyterian will shine like a lighthouse into a dark and questioning world and that we may provide that safety and truth that will encourage them to enter into the righteousness that we have already claimed!

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• Find a way to incorporate this reminder of the "armor of God" into your daily life. Maybe it's through a new time of daily mediation or maybe it's tacked onto a morning task, like brushing your teeth, so that your routine serves as a reminder to consider your armor as you get ready for the day ahead.

• Print out an "Armor of God" notecard (download here) so you have the scripture handy, especially as you begin this habit.

• Consider ways you can use your shield in such a way that brings comfort and healing to all God's people.

• Be aware of God at work in your life and in your relationships. Reach out to those people he puts on your heart and be receptive to those who are put in your path. Extend an offer of help even if you expect that it won't be taken up or be a listening ear for someone who might be lonely or hurting right now.

Holy Week: Resilience

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.

ALL: Make your ways known to me, O Lord; teach me your paths.

LEADER: Lead me in your truth and teach me,

ALL: For you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

LEADER: Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

ALL: He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

LEADER: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

ALL: For those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 25 (selected verses)

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

A psalm of praise. Of David.

I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

Psalm 145 NIV

PRAY

Pray for resilience:

Webster’s dictionary defines resilience as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.”  It doesn’t really matter how resilient we have been in the past, we are in a new time, a new space.  As we read about the greatest generation, those who lived through the Depression and World War II, we realize that some of the most resilient people in our world are those who can be most vulnerable now.  I am thankful that we have people among us that can teach us what it is to be truly resilient in times like these.  It is the stories from those who lived to tell the tale that will help us recover as we seek the end of this pandemic.

So let us pray for our divine father's resilience… let us pray that as a nation, as a state, and as a community we seek to be those who are resilient, to be those who can hold the hands of the suffering, to be those who can provide a listening ear. I say it time and time again, God put Second Presbyterian exactly where he wanted us to be, on the East Side of the great city of Charleston. May we pray for the power of Christ to help our city recover.

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• If you are able, take a walk (while respecting appropriate social distancing) and take the time to appreciate all of the flowers in bloom and the return of leaves to what were recently bare trees. Be grateful for the annual reminder of resilience that spring brings with it. Tag #2ndpc if you take the time to snap a photo!

• Look into getting a local produce share. While we might be missing out on the farmers markets this spring, many local farmers are offering no-contact drop off or pickup produce boxes, even if you don't have a CSA. This is a great way save a trip to the grocery store, support a local business, and start a good ecological habit of eating local!

• Wake up early tomorrow and watch the sunrise! The sun rises at 6:58 a.m. tomorrow and there's nothing like daybreak to remind us of the resilient nature of the God we serve.

Holy Week: Thanksgiving

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

In an act of faith and solidarity, we are called to spend Holy Week without the usual presence of one another. Each day throughout this week, though, we can continue to come together in spirit with these daily devotionals as we are called to gather, reflect, pray, and act.As always, reach out! To each other, to your neighbors and friends. Gather your family around the table for a time of reflection or join with others on FaceTime or Zoom to do the same. Allow this experience to transform you in Christ and embolden you to express the love of God in new ways in this new time. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: I will extol the Lord at all times;

ALL: his praise will always be on my lips.

LEADER: I will glory in the Lord;

ALL: let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

LEADER: Glorify the Lord with me;

ALL: let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34 (selected verses)

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5: 18-20  NIV

PRAY

As we enter a new week, I ask you to  join me in raising up our thanksgivings.  It can be so hard to see Alleluia moments when we are separated, when we are afraid, and when we feel helpless.  But we have a King who rose from the dead, who is seated at the right hand of the father, and who will come again. 

One thing we are not promised as followers of Christ is an easy path. But in all things we are called to lift up our thanksgivings!  Thank him for each breath we take, for each meal we receive, for our families near and far.  Our Lord has blessed us in so many ways, in our prayer today let's life up our thanksgivings!

Pray for a thankful heart, pray that the Lord with show you things every day to be thankful for. Thank God for all those on the frontlines working to keep us all safe and caring for the sick, may they feel the power of our prayers as well as our gratitude. Pray that our thankfulness overflows!

ACT

Consider these ideas to extend acts of service, mercy, or grace to those around you and for your own well-being. 

• Sew masks to drop off for those on the frontlines or for neighbors. Find a tutorial here and if you can't find a drop-off location we can get you in touch with someone from the congregation in a hospital system.

• Listen to a song that you find particularly uplifting. Sarah's go-to song for the last few months, "Raise a Hallelujah", is perfect for times like these!

• Make a gratitude list of even everyday things that you miss. These are things that you can look forward to taking part in again with renewed thankfulness. It will also give you a chance to look at your current routine with eyes of thanksgiving.

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

We begin this Holy Week here, together, in prayer. Each day throughout the week we can come together, agaIn, in spirit around these pillars of Christian community as we gather, reflect, pray, and act. Whether you are by yourself or with family in this time of isolation, know that you are not alone. While we are, in fact, all in this together, we specifically come together in manifest spirit to gather, reflect, pray, and act, as led by Christ.

Let's gather.

This special Holy Week edition of the 40 Days of Prayer developed for Second Presbyterian, adapted in part from www.stillpointsa.org.au and www.beaheart.com.

GATHER

Have a member of your household lead or, if alone, read it as a silent meditation. If you connect via social media, have two or three people share the reading.

LEADER: Though we have known hardship and pain, though life has not always turned out as we had hoped, we will stand here and say:

ALL: God’s steadfast love endures forever!

LEADER: Though life becomes more complex, the deepest questions remain unanswered, and the mystery of faith deepens, we will say:

ALL: God’s steadfast love endures forever!

LEADER: And though the pain of the world often seems more than we can bear or address, we will stand firm in our faith and say:

ALL: God’s steadfast love endures forever!

~ written by Ann Siddall, in Lent to Easter liturgies: Year C. 
Posted on stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/

REFLECT

Read the scripture below as a silent meditation, have a member of your household read aloud, or have two or three people share the reading.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,

‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11 NIV

PRAY

Jesus knew he was headed to his death. He asked his disciples to find a young donkey and on the way into the city there was a true celebration. Men and women lined the streets waving palms and singing, "Hosanna in the highest" and laying their cloaks before him. It was the last “mini-Easter” before Resurrection Sunday!

Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of what it is to celebrate in a time of fear and the unknown. The Messiah had come, not on a grand white horse, but a donkey. He lived among them, taught them how to love and, even as he rode toward his death, he celebrated all that was to come.

Palm Sunday is a day to celebrate all that is to come. As we gather in our homes, around our tables, with our families… let us celebrate the Messiah who came only to end it all on Calvary.

Pray for the coming Holy week. As many of us are used to spending this time walking through the week together, we are forced to find a new path, a new way to walk together while we are apart. Pray for the Church as we walk through the holiest of weeks.

ACT

Consider acts of service, mercy, or grace upon which you could begin this Holy Week.

• If you are able, perhaps take a walk (while respecting appropriate social distancing) and imagine Jesus entering triumphantly to your neighborhood and herald him in your heart.

• Say a prayer of thanksgiving, for we are an Easter people and God's love endures forever.

• Make a rainbow to display in a window to offer that hope to the world in what might feel like a dark time.

• If you are alone or have a friend or family member that is alone, you might share this prayer via Zoom, FaceTime or some other social connecting media or share this post to foster community and conversation.

40 Days of Prayer: Our local, state, and national leaders

Our local, state, and national leaders:

How can it be that we are still in Lent? The last three weeks have felt like months to many of us. Regardless of where we fall on political lines, our leaders in charge of making very critical decisions, are the leaders we have. I, for one, would have strong opinions of what I think should be done, but I’m sure that who I am and my personal beliefs strongly cloud my opinions. Now is the time, as people of prayer, that we can lift our leaders as they are making decisions that affect all of our lives. The bible tells us that our prayers make a difference even for those who may not believe and may not be followers of Jesus.
 
So let us pray for our leaders, pray that our all-knowing all-seeing God may work through them to bring about what is best for the people. We cannot, in a time like this, forget the mighty power of our God. Yes, he can use everyone and we are told our prayers count and matter. 
 
I have faith in our God to move in and through our leaders, please pray with me.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 

2 Timothy 2:1-8 NIV

40 Days of Prayer: Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Small Businesses and Nonprofits:

Today I received the news that the Costal Crisis Chaplaincy had to lay off one of our full time Chaplains. I have both family and friends who are losing money and trying to hold onto their businesses. Many are going without paychecks and many are losing their jobs outright. When the economy is hit people are less likely to give to nonprofits. We tend to hold onto our money “just in case” instead of continuing to give back. It’s a hard time and many of us literally don’t know where our next meal will come from. I have seen neighbors feeding neighbors, friends watching the children of other friends and I have seen small business owners on their knees praying to God to pull them through. Every single person in our country is being affected in one way or another right now. Let us continue to seek to be the church during these times. Let us seek to be an Acts church.
 
Pray for peace in the storm for business owners, pray that even when there seems no way, the Lord will shine a light. Pray for the nonprofits that keep our city running, that seek to make the world a better place and are not sure how to pay their employees right now. Let’s lift up those who can’t see through tomorrow, but still put their trust in our God.

The Fellowship of the Believers
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

40 Days of Prayer: One another

One another:

I am so sorry I missed a day; things all seem a little sideways these days. As I prayed for you all yesterday, I was reminded how blessed we are to have one another as a church family. Even though we are not together on Sundays, it makes us no less a family and I pray that we are reaching out to one another.

To make it easier to care for each other, we are in the process of mapping the congregation so that each of us can easily identify who our Second family neighbors are. And, as always, please remember to reach out to a staff member if you need anything. We are a large family, but we want to know if you need anything- even if it's just a listening ear.
 
Pray that we may all feel the power of the Holy Spirit in our homes. That we may overcome fear and sadness. That we feel the arms of our Savior wrapped around us, keeping us safe. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7  NIV

40 Days of Prayer: Children throughout the world

Children throughout the world:

It really doesn’t matter what country a child is living in right now, this virus is affecting everyone’s daily life. For children it can be a time of fear and disorientation, as well as a time where a sense of community has been torn away. What adults around them are saying and doing can either build up a sense of security or a sense fear. Kids have been pulled from schedules, friends, and family and many will lose loved ones without the chance to say goodbye.
 
Children are resilient; past generations have shown that they can adapt more quickly than adults. We are also in a time where the psychology of children is more understood and accepted. May we as adults be living conduits to help the children of the world adapt and grow during this time.
 
Pray for the hearts and minds of children. Pray that, no matter where they are, they may feel connected to someone and something bigger. Pray that they can grow during this time and that their spirits will be uplifted and nurtured.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

40 Days of Prayer: Those with no faith

Those with no faith:

Throughout our journeys as believers we meet nonbelievers every day.  As followers of Christ we are to treat them with the love and kindness of Christ, knowing they too were formed in the very image of God. And, knowing that they may be in a place where our Christian faith may be more than they want to hear, we pray and we live our lives so that others may see that there is something different in those who follow Christ. Can you imagine being lost without hope during these days?

As Christians we must not be afraid to open our mouths and share the gospel. People will not know about Christ just by how we live our lives. It is important that we proclaim the good news. I know sometimes we don’t know how to start or we become concerned with whether or not the person listens or starts to dislike me. 

We need to be God’s workers on earth and help bring people to the truth. We are sent out into the world to proclaim the good news and tell our friends and neighbors of this saving grace. A grace that gives us purpose, saves us, and gives us true hope. Don’t be shy. Sometimes God tells us to go tell that friend, co-worker, classmate, etc. about my son and we think 'I don’t know how'. Do not fear, God is already there and he will help you. The hardest part is getting the first word out, but once you do it will be easy.

What does the Bible say?

Pray for the seekers, for those who feel lost and afraid. For those who have been hurt by “the church” or “followers of Christ” who harm people with false truths. Pray that we may be the true light and true followers of Jesus so that they may see the everlasting hope that we find in Jesus Christ. 

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Mark 16:15-16
 

And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Philemon 1:6 ESV

40 Days of Prayer: Mini-Easter

Mini-Easter:

I was raised in the Episcopal Church and every year on Ash Wednesday we would put away our “Alleluias” during the time of lent. In an Episcopal service alleluias are a celebration. I’ve always loved the word; it’s a word of rejoicing, a word of excitement as we entered Easter. On Easter Sunday we would practically scream them together.
 
This year has been anything but just another Lent and, if you are anything like me, you entered with ideas of self-denial and deeper introspection, but this will surely be a Lent you never forget.  
 
Many of us have been left with way too much time for self-introspection- it’s been a time where we are at least anxious, if not worried. But what a time we have been given1 A time to put others before ourselves, to lift one another up in prayer, to pray over the whole world, and to look for and to lift up Alleluias! So I ask you, family, church of Second Presbyterian, where are your Alleluias? Where are you lifting up and  rejoicing at this time? Are you seeking them, are you praying for them?
 
Let’s pray together for Alleluias in the quiet parts of our day, in the moments where children’s school work is overtaking us, when loneliness is creeping in, in the middle of the night when we wonder about the future, when we talk on the phone to our grandchildren, or simply sit down with a cup of tea… where are your Alleluias right now?
 
Please join me in praying for daily Alleluias and when you see them and when you find them, send them to me and let us, as a church, celebrate with you!

40 Days of Prayer: Worldwide hunger

Worldwide hunger:

• 45% of all child deaths worldwide are from causes related to undernutrition (World Health Organization, 2018).

• Approximately 842 million people suffer from hunger worldwide. That’s almost 12% of the world’s population of 7.1 billion people.

• Ninety-eight percent of those who suffer from hunger live in developing countries. 553 million live in the Asian and Pacific regions, while 227 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 47 million.

Hunger is one of the world’s leading causes of death. In Haiti women bake mud into cookie shapes to help ease the pain of stomach cramps.  When we talk about world hunger the focus is often solely on developing countries and we forget about the very people living directly around us. Parts of our own counties fall well below the poverty line and suffer from lack of food.

Pray for those who are hungry, pray that those who have the power and resource to reach these people may join together to end childhood hunger. Pray for those who will go to bed tonight hungry and those who feel overlooked. Pray that they may find hope.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 
 

Matthew 25:34-40 NIV

40 Days of Prayer: Pastors and church staff

Pastors and church staff:

Wow, what a time to be a pastor! Everything every pastor has ever read or studied about is being a part of the lives of your congregation. If I was to list all the books I have read over the last 23 years about being a pastor none, not one ever talked about not being able to be among your flock. It’s a new time and a new age. When I first started at Second we had conversations about what church looks like in 2019, with no idea what might be coming in 2020. Church is changing, the mission field is changing.  
 
Pray for the pastor and church staff who are finding new ways to tend to our flock. Pray for wisdom and guidance in such a different time. Pray for the Lord's will to be done in all that we do.

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Acts 20:28 NIV