Holy Saturday, March 26

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!

Isaiah 6:3b

It’s a Holy Thing

Birth is a holy thing. Death is a holy thing. And I truly feel the passing of my husband of 56 wonderful married years on the Lord’s birthday, Christmas day, was a holy thing. With great appreciation for Heartland Hospice Care, Bruce was able to be at home. His friends knew how much this meant. Never without his cell phone at the institutions he was taken to, he would call everyone he could, to meet him at the door and take him home! He truly believed he didn’t need to be at the hospital or nursing home.

The most positive man in the world, he never ever thought that anything was wrong with him. “I’m just fine!” he would say, and he was convincing! So many were shocked at the news of his passing. May they be comforted by these scriptures:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.

Ephesians 1:3-4

Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgements have been revealed.

Revelation 15:4

I pray the Holy Spirit guide, comfort, and enable us to be the best He would have us be.

Sheryl McCristal

Good Friday, March 25

For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set for in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:9-10

The waning light lit the raindrops as they fell and flowed in rivulets along the steep narrow street in Cincinnati. The people were lining up with umbrellas as far as the eye could see to climb the steps to the stately stone church on the hill with its tall green steeple.

I had come to watch them again this year. The old woman dressed in a black babushka knelt on the first step and began saying the Rosary, “Hail Mary, full of grace. . . . .” Up this steep cascade of at least sixty stone steps, people were standing, kneeling, and praying. There were women, men and children holding their grandfathers’ hands, learning this ritual that had gone on for years and years on Good Friday.

“These people,” I thought, “care about the Savior dying.” They would stand for hours to pray and unite with a mystery beyond their comprehension. At last they would silently go home and wait through the hushed hours of Holy Saturday Triumphantly, on Easter Sunday, they would make their way back to the church to celebrate in joy the deliverance of all humankind. They knew how to connect with the deepest places in the human heart, offering themselves up in prayer to the crucified Savior.

They return year after year to the church on the hill. Finally, in time, the children become the old men who hold their grandchildren's hands and the old women in babushkas reverently kneeling on the steps, in the rain, on Good Friday.

Dear Lord God, we do not want this time that your son, Jesus Christ, suffered death at the cross to go unheeded by us. We are silenced by the mystery and enormity of his sacrifice. We ask that our hearts be united with you this day. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Sally Muir, from the 1995 Lenten Devotional

Maundy Thursday, March 24

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Salt Lick Bar-B-Que in Driftwood, TX was how we remembered my grandmother. After her funeral, family members and friends caravaned out to the Texas hill country to feast on smoked brisket and sausage, slaw and sweet corn. We told stories about how my grandmother taught us table manners and encouraged us to follow our dreams. We laughed and cried some. And, boy, did we enjoy that meal.

My grandmother never told us to eat sausage or drink beer in remembrance of her. But we did it anyway. And it made sense. It brought back memories of my grandparents’ last anniversary and my cousin’s graduation party. The Salt Lick was where we’d go for big family gatherings, with all the aunts and uncles and cousins, and Gromma sitting at the head of the table, reminding us to take off our hats and keep our elbows off the table.

Jesus gives us the Eucharist (which comes from a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving”), the Lord’s Supper, Communion, as a way to remember him and all he taught his disciples. Like our post-funeral gathering at the Salt Lick, this meal brings back stories and lessons. It builds us up and nourishes us for our life of faith. It is an experience of sorrow and great joy. It is a time for all the family to gather together, with Christ at the head of the table, reminding us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” And it is a meal we are invited to enjoy. We give thanks around the table for Christ’s life and sacrificial death, for his resurrection and our hope for eternal life through him. We give thanks for the lessons and stories, for the joy of this meal that unites us with all Christians in every time and place. Christians like my grandmother, who loved the Salt Lick, who loved Jesus, and who loved her family.

Today, may you remember special meals that help us to remember special people. May you give thanks for those people and those meals. And especially, I hope you will share in the feast which Christ has prepared, a meal of remembrance, of love and grace, of healing and hope. Come to the table, for all things are now ready.

Loving God, we thank you for the table at which we are nourished by your body and blood. We thank you for all who have shared in this feast and for uniting us with them and with you in this sacred meal. Thank you for all of the special meals that help us remember special people who now live with you eternally. Amen.

Rev. Amy Morgan

Wednesday, March 23

Now when Jesus learned of this, he went away from there. Great crowds followed him, and he healed them all. But he sternly warned them not to make him known. This fulfilled what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Matthew 12: 15-21

In which Christ may suggest that His mission is inspired by the words of Isaiah (see Is 42:1-4)
Author Aviya Kushner, describes living these words in her book The Grammar of God. Ms. Kushner grew up in an Orthodox home speaking Hebrew as her first language. Argument of scriptural interpretation was the sole topic of dinner table conversation. Here are excerpts of her comments:

“Comfort oh comfort my people says your god.”

Ms Kushner continues:

“Isaiah 40 moves along the hills like an old man who knows every stone, every weed in his path.”

Dabru al lev yerusbalayimm – ”Speak to the heart of Jerusalem”

V’kir Oo eleha – “Call to her”

That word, ‘to call’, is the same as ’to read’. “read to her,” a stranger to Hebrew might think. “the time has come, it is over. She has suffered doubly for her sins.”

Then suddenly the lines are talking to each other:

A voiced rings out: “Proclaim!”
Another asks, “What shall I proclaim?”
“All flesh is grass,
All its goodness is like flowers of the field.”

She continues: “The words belong to us and they belong to these hills, this air. I sit and listen to Isaiah, a prophet I have loved …. I listen to the darkness of the hills. ‘Comfort’ repeats; it is an imperative verb. {Not a noun. Catch that? (Ed.)} Everything in these sentences is doubled, from the punishment to the soothing, and then the voice itself splits into two – speaker and listener, who are also one and the same.”

“All flesh is grass, All its goodness is like flowers of the field”

What is going on here? Not only are we very temporary on this earth; but worse really, any ‘goodness” that we manage to share, any comfort that we can give is as perishable as the flowers of Summer. We cannot build up a bank balance of good works.

“Speaker and listener” (are) “one and the same” Do we read it that way? If it is, ‘one and the same’, are we the ‘one’? Do we read it or identify with it? Read it or live it?

So I have to ask myself: Since when did I listen to Isaiah as more than magnificent poetry, more than inspiration of later scripture, but an imperative? When did I consider the comfort of strangers as a priority; much less a doubling priority? Ms. Kushner’s example to us is not one of intellectual consideration of scripture and relationships, but one of living the words of Isaiah and finding, yes, comfort in sharing them with others.

Father God, Help me to recognize God's special servant so that when she speaks, I will be listening. Amen

Ross Stuntz

Tuesday, March 22

See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

I John 3:1

Baptizing Ricky

On a recent Sunday at FPCB, we held a worship service in the style of our Sunday afternoon bi-monthly Rejoicing Spirits services. This service was especially meaningful because we were celebrating the baptism of an adult who is active in our congregation and in our Rejoicing Spirits Community. Richard Perkins Lee, Jr. (Ricky) was born with Down syndrome nearly 50 years ago in South Georgia. His parents divorced in 1970, and his mother placed him in a state institution where he lived from the age of 7 to 25 followed by several group homes and a nursing home for ten years. Fast forward to 2014 when Ricky’s half-sister, Amy Montri found the brother she had never met and for whom she’d been searching since the 1990s. Just weeks later she took her husband, Michael back to meet Ricky, and a few months later they brought Ricky to Michigan where he has become a vibrant part of the Montri household and our FPCB congregation and Rejoicing Spirits Community.

There are many gaps in what is known about Ricky’s upbringing, but we do know that he likes music and knows many church songs. The first time Ricky attended our Rejoicing Spirits service he sang “Jesus Loves Me” into the microphone during the prayer time. We did not know at the time that it his signature song. He sings it every night at bedtime.

Pastor Amy: Ricky, do you love Jesus and want to follow Jesus?

Ricky: Love Jesus Yes!

Pastor Amy: Will you be a part of this church?

Ricky: (Signing) Church, yes!

Pastor Amy: (Interpreting) Ricky loves church!

Ricky leaned with eager anticipation over the font waiting for the baptismal waters to flow over him. He was clearly excited for this moment and wanted to share the joy of it with his nephew Carter. When he was presented with a cross as a reminder that Jesus loves him as we do too he took the cross off and placed it around Carter’s neck. Ricky knows Jesus’ love for him and shares it with all of us by his very presence among us. Thanks be to God!

Loving God, thank you for the gift of Ricky and his love for you. May the eyes of our hearts be opened as we witness resurrection moments of your love at work in the world and in us. We pray in the name of the One who loves us so much that we all are called Children of God. Amen.

Cindy Merten

Monday, March 21

The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything...

John 14:26

REJOICE!

“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me,” sings the familiar hymn. And it has. And He does. I don't always understand what’s happening, but I do feel the presence of God as He walks with me through sometimes difficult, often joyous times in my life.

Many years ago, as I was passing through a particularly difficult time, I embroidered a cross-stitch picture with the saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It seemed to lift my spirits. Some years later, I heard a sermon on the familiar verse from the Psalms: “This is the day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” I hurried home to design and stitch this verse, then replaced the earlier one with this one. It still hangs in my kitchen, and many days I awake with this verse in my thoughts.

God doesn’t make the road straight, or even smooth. However, I have often had the sensation of being carried over the roughest parts. He has melted me, molded me and still walks with me. What better friend can anyone ask for?

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me, Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Amen.

Marilyn Bura

from the 1995 Lenten Devotional

Palm Sunday, March 20

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

John 12: 1-8

GIVE ME A MERRY HEART

What would you do if Jesus were coming to dinner? Dinner for Eight, perhaps. Clean and polish the house ‘til it sparkled? Set out refreshments? Make a good impression? Or would you go out and buy the best ointment you could find to wash his feet?

One works all day to prepare. The other one sits at the feet of the Lord to her sister’s annoyance. Who was right? Mary? Martha? Did Jesus scold Mary for not helping? No! He praised her. “Leave her alone.” he said. Let her alone to do her work. It’s not how well you prepare or how the house shines that matters but a good heart, a willingness to serve and learn.

Was either wrong? No. Jesus chooses everyone. He reaches out to all, even to the women. And they follow. Including Mary. She was ahead of her time.

Lord, give me a Mary heart that is willing to learn and serve others and not to worry about what others think. Give me a Merry Heart full of joy with each new day. Amen

Maggie Garza