The word “Maundy” is derived from Latin “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” On Maundy Thursday (when we celebrate the institution of the Lord’s Supper), not only does Jesus command us to eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of him, he also offers us a new commandment: “that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34, Revised Standard Version). In ...
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Maybe it's not about what you give up or take on, but about who you want to become. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-jnvVbFNw&t=16s You've got some time to think about what you'd like to do for Lent, so don't just think about the what, think about the why. And consider joining me for A Gentle Lent. A Gentle Lent
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Ash Wednesday has been called the most difficult service of the year. More difficult even than Good Friday when we remember the death of our Lord. On Ash Wedensday, we come to acknowledge our own mortality. Traditionally, the words we hear when we have the sign of the cross marked on our foreheads are “From dust you were born and to dust you will return.” Not always an easy thing ...
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Yesterday, I went with my husband to visit his parents. They emigrated from Germany over 60 years ago. As young children following World War II, they were both war refugees when Allied Forces came in to take over the country. My mother-in-law is from the land that became the Czech Republic, and my father-in-law from what became part of Poland. They know first-hand the cost of war. My husband, Rob, ...
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Here's a Lenten ritual you can adapt to use at home--no matter where home is or what the weather is like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJWYjareBQ&t=24s Lent on Lockdown Starts Wednesday. Join us! Learn More
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The final Sunday before Lent is Transfiguration Sunday. It's a pretty spectacular story with a lesson that we need to hear going into the season of Lent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1NHY3Yg4Nc&t=29s Not signed up for Lockdown for Lent: Reclaim the Holy in Your Home? Do it today! Lockdown for Lent
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Lent begins February 17...and even though we can see the end of this pandemic, for many, this will be a Lent on Lockdown--spent largely in our own homes. So use this Lent to reclaim the holy spaces in the place you call home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYiIdfY-EsM Learn More Sign Up Now
Read MoreThis is the last installment of our Lenten series, It's a Nice Song, But It's Hard to Sing...and it's the hardest song, yet. Blessings upon as all as we navigate this new (but temporary) way of being. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKAOaLPbwfg
Read MoreHad a doozy of a time getting this week's message to upload, but here we go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffKaiTqX2HE Mark 12:13-17
Read MoreHere is the second installment in our It's a Nice Song, but It's Hard to Sing Lenten series. The scripture today is Mark 10:32-45. https://youtu.be/VGxtvH8By0w
Read MoreIt's a Nice Song, but it's Hard to Sing starts off with a doozy. Welcome to Lent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHT0Yr7Z17k If you want to keep up with all things Lent, you can sign up here for Lent-specific emails.
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Lent begins Wednesday, February 26. Traditionally Lent is a time to enter into deeper reflection or discipline to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter. Some people give something up. Other's take on a particular practice. If you're not quite sure what to do for Lent yet, here are some options. Are you already listening to Parents Take Five podcast with Jen Evans? If you're a parent, ...
Read MoreThis is a saying I picked up from my grandfather. When he used it, he was generally referring to a hymn he experienced on one of those rare occasions when my saintly grandmother could drag him to church. We all know nice songs that are hard to sing, and I think the idea fits the Lenten scripture passages from the Narrative Lectionary this year quite well. They are familiar passages, ...
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We intentionally step onto this Lenten path hoping to grow in our love of God, love of each other, and love for our own precious, flawed selves. Recognizing that life is fleeting should only cause us to love more fiercely, more deeply and without reservation. Gracious God, it is hard to think that we will die someday. We dream, make plans, and talk about what we’ll do in the near future. We don’t ...
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Here's a run-down on all the options you have to #lightenupforlent. Click the link in each title name to go directly to signup/learn more or check out the videos you haven't seen. Reminder: the idea is not to do ALL of these, but for everyone to find one that speaks to you. Lighten up: Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously (with me!) Weekly exercises to help let go of things that weigh you ...
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The word “Maundy” is derived from Latin “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” On Maundy Thursday (when we celebrate the institution of the Lord's Supper), not only does Jesus command us to eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of him, he also offers us a new commandment: "that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34, Revised Standard Version). In ...
Read MoreThere's no way around it. The miracle of the empty tomb and the Risen Lord don't have much meaning unless you travel through Good Friday and witness the crucifixion. And the crucifixion is ugly and scary and violent and painful. In an increasingly violent world, can't church just be the place where we teach our children that Jesus loves them? Do we have to bring up the story of what is likely the ...
Read MoreThree days into the Lenten challenge of lifting women instead of tearing them down, how's it going? If you find yourself easily slipping into the habit of talking behind your hand about someone else's outfit or even thinking snarky comments to yourself about that person in the office who always seems to get the raise or the good assignments, stop and ask yourself why you're doing it. And how does it ...
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A couple of days back, I posted a post (is there a better way to phrase that?) about how you might want to take on (rather than give up) something for Lent. But giving something up doesn't have to mean sacrificing something that brings you joy, it can mean letting go of things that bring you down. Consider the following disciplines: Give up caring what other people think of you. Give up stuff you don't use ...
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