A L e n t F o r A l l S e a s o n s

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Turn ! Tu r n ! Tu r n !

The song, Turn!, Turn!, Turn!, made famous by the folk rock band The Byrds in 1965, has

lyrics written by Pete Seeger, however, the words are taken almost verbatim from the book

of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, as found in the King James Version of the Bible. The sequence of the

words were rearranged for the song. Ecclesiastes is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon

who would have written it in the 10th century BC, but it is believed by a significant group of

biblical scholars to date much later, up to the 3rd century BC. In either case, the lyrics would

be the oldest ever in a #1 song.

The Biblical text suggests there being a time and place for all things: laughter and sorrow,

healing and killing, war and peace, and so on. The lines are open to numerous interpreta-

tions, but Seeger's song presents a theme and call for world peace because of the closing

line: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." This line and the title phrase "Turn! Turn!

Turn!" are the only parts of the lyric written by Seeger himself. -adapted from Wikipedia

To everything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under Heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under Heaven A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones A time to gather stones together To everything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under Heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace A time to refrain from embracings A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time to love, a time to hate A time of peace, I swear it's not too late

ADAPTATION & MUSIC BY: PETE SEEGER, WORDS FROM THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

OFFERED BY

JEAN MARY TAYLOR

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Hymn

Here is a wonderful hymn from the 1940 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church.

While it is from the Children’s section, helping to identify the different church seasons,

it is just as appropriate for adults!

Advent tells us Christ is near;

Christmas tells us Christ is here! In Epiphany we trace

all the glory of his grace.

Those three Sundays before Lent will prepare us to repent; that in Lent we may begin earnestly to mourn for sin.

Holy Week and Easter, then, tell who died and rose again;

O that happy Easter Day! "Christ is risen indeed," we say.

Yes, and Christ ascended, too,

to prepare a place for you; so, we give him special praise, after those great Forty Days.

Then, he sent the Holy Ghost,

on the Day of Pentecost, with us ever to abide;

well may we keep Whitsuntide!

Last of all, we humbly sing glory to our God and King, glory to the One in Three,

on the Feast of Trinity. Words: Katherine Hankey, 1888 Music: Innocents, Keine Sch’nheit hat die Welt, Pilgrimage

OFFERED BY

SUZANNE SILEK

The Christian calendar begins its new year not on January 1, but on the first Sunday of Advent — which is always four Sundays before Christmas (December 25) and the Sunday closest to St. Andrew’s Day (November 30). Our word “Advent” derives from the Latin Adventus, which means “coming,” and originally referred just to the coming of the feast of Christmas. But over time the season of Advent took on a double meaning. Today it refers both to the “first coming” of Jesus Christ in his birth at Christmas and to his “second coming” at the end of time.

It is important to remember that ADVENT is not just a Season in which we recall an event of the past — Jesus’ birth — but also a time in which we look to the present and the future. When will Jesus come again? When will we see the kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven? Of course no one knows. And so the more important questions are: What can we do as the Church, Christ’s body here on earth, to welcome God’s reign of justice and peace today? What can we do as individuals to reorder our lives in the light of God’s love? What would it mean to live as a people who believe in Jesus as the Savior of all the earth and who expect him to come again at the fulfillment of time? Each Advent we turn to these questions anew.

MEDITATION To enter Advent we leave fear for faith.

What fears must we release in order to level the way for ourselves and for others?

AFFIRMATION We believe in God, Creator of all: The two-legged, the four-legged,

the winged ones, and those that crawl upon

the earth and swim in the waters. We believe in God, One Who Walked with us:

Our Brother Jesus born in humility, who lived and died for us and

who will come again to bring us to glory. We believe in God, Spirit with us:

Ever present and ever guiding, upholding us and showing us the principles to live by.

We hear God’s voice through the prophets. Creator, One Who Walked with us, Spirit with us, Holy One: We are named in the waters of baptism

as your own, all of us related, all of us your children. We watch for signs of your homecoming and

thank you for this sacred circle of life. Amen.

M O N D A Y

6 M A R C H

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The Season of Advent

An Advent Psalm

Awaken, my heart,

God’s reign is near;

the Peaceable Kingdom

is in my hands.

If the wolf can be the guest of the lamb,

and the bear and cow be friends,

then no injury or hate can be a guest

within the kingdom of my heart.

Eden’s peace and harmony will only return

when first, in my heart,

there hides no harm or ruin,

for the Peaceable Kingdom is in my hands.

Isaiah’s dream became Jesus’ vision:

“Come, follow me,” Emmanuel’s echo rings.

“Reform your life, recover Eden’s peace,”

for only then will salvation appear.

For Advent’s dream is the healing of earth,

when the eagle and bear become friends,

the child and the serpent playmates.

Arise, awaken, my heart,

the Peaceable Kingdom

is in your hands.

From Prayers for A Planetary Pilgrim by Edward Hays

T U E S D A Y

7 M A R C H

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OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

W E D N E S D A Y

8 M A R C H

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In The Manger and in Majesty

For the longest time, I thought of Advent as the Christian antidote to the exploding com-mercialization of the Christmas season, a way to keep us focused on the real reason for the season: the coming of Christ.

I always understood Advent to be a time to consider the extravagant love of God for his creation that led Him to break through time and space to take on human form. In what Henri Nouwen called “the downward way”, God, in the form of Christ, came wrapped in swaddling clothes prepared to endure the cross with all its pain. Christ came to teach us by word and by example what God was really like and what He requires of all who would call him Father.

The Bible tells us Christ will come again “at the end of the age”. When Christ returns again, it won’t be quietly but boldly. He will come not to be judged, but to judge. The sky will break open to reveal an army of angels escorting Christ in all His majesty and power. It will be the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a world more glorious than we can ever imagine.

We proclaim both His comings at the Eucharist when we affirm in the Nicene Creed:

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

Yet, preparing for the celebration of his birth seems to be the more immediate, if not more comfortable, priority for me. The need to prepare for his second coming at the end of time seems more remote, if not downright frightening. It has clearly not ever been on my list of the top things to do in December.

Apparently, for all of my adult life I‘ve acted as if God had delegated to me the power to decide which parts of the Bible to take seriously and which to overlook. Year after year, my actions in December have evidenced my decision to ignore Christ’s instruction to “wait and watch” for His return. Did I think he was talking to someone else!?!

He wasn’t. But, if I continue to act as if He wasn’t talking to me, I do so at my own peril. My musings on the manager are essential but not sufficient to acknowledge the complete meaning of Advent, the comings of Christ.

This year I hope I can focus with equal awe on both comings of Christ: then and very soon. When I do, I believe I will experience what St. Bernard of Clairvaux called ”the third coming of Christ”, His coming in sprit and power in my heart to give me rest and peace right now.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. -Matthew 24:42 (NIV)

OFFERED BY

BETTY BEENE

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—————————–—-————— PART I ————–—————-——————

Watch a sunrise at least once a year.

Be forgiving of yourself and others. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

Say “thank you” a lot.

Say “please” a lot.

Return all the things you borrow.

Plant flowers every Spring.

Make new friends, but cherish the old ones.

Use good silver.

Keep secrets.

Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.

Keep a tight rein on your temper.

Give thanks at every meal.

Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed.

Admit your mistakes.

Remember that all news is biased.

Be loyal.

Avoid sarcastic remarks.

Always have something beautiful in sight, even if it’s just a daisy in a jelly jar.

Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover.

Smile a lot. It costs nothing and is beyond price.

Never take action when you’re angry.

Know when to keep silent.

Know when to speak up.

Avoid negative people.

Count your blessings.

Book written by H. Jackson Brown Jr. for his son.

T H U R S D A Y

9 M A R C H

Some Thoughts For All Seasons from “Life’s Little Instruction Book”

OFFERED BY

MARTHA ANN ROMOSER

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Prayer for the Season of Winter

There is a winter in all of our lives, a chill and darkness that makes us yearn

for days that have gone or put our hope in days yet to be.

Father God, you created seasons for a purpose. Spring is full of expectation

buds breaking frosts abating and an awakening

of creation before the first days of summer. Now the sun gives warmth

and comfort to our lives reviving aching joints

bringing color, new life and crops to fruiting.

Autumn gives nature space to lean back, relax and enjoy the fruits of its labor

mellow colors in sky and landscape as the earth prepares to rest.

Then winter, cold and bare as nature takes stock rests, unwinds, sleeps until the time is right.

An endless cycle and yet a perfect model.

We need a winter in our lives a time of rest, a time to stand still

a time to reacquaint ourselves with the faith in which we live.

It is only then that we can draw strength from the one in whom we are rooted

take time to grow and rise through the darkness into the warm glow of your springtime

to blossom and flourish bring color and vitality into this world

your garden. Thank you Father

for the seasons of our lives.

Copyright © John Birch, 2016 www.faithandworship.com

F R I D A Y

1 0 M A R C H

OFFERED BY

KATE GORECKI

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Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:13

I believe that all Scripture is related and all Scripture is relevant. Nevertheless, I was surprised when my November reading in the book of 1 Peter touched on all four themes of Advent—that period of time on the church calendar when many Christians prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ while looking forward to His second coming. During Advent, we emphasize hope, peace, joy, and love, which God sent with Christ.

HOPE. We have an inheritance reserved in heaven, a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3-5). PEACE. We will love life and see good days if we turn from evil and do good and if we seek peace, for the Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers (3:10-12). JOY. We have inexpressible joy even though we have trials because our faith is being tested and proven genuine. The end of this faith is the salvation of our souls (1:6-9). LOVE. We can love one another with a pure heart because we have been born again through the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1:22-23). Because Christ came the first time, we can live with hope, peace, joy, and love till He comes again.

The hope we have in Jesus Christ Brings joy into our heart;

And when we know the love of God, His peace He will impart. —Sper

If you’re looking for hope, peace, joy, and love this

Christmas season, look to God.

By Julie Ackerman Link, December 1, 2001 ©Our Daily Bread

S A T U R D A Y

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Advent Themes

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God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth,

has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.

Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word that we may bring your life

to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

-From The Roman Missal

S U N D A Y

1 2 M A R C H

S e c o n d S u n d a y In L e n t

Christmas

For the church, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. We celebrate this birth not because Jesus was simply a “good man” but because we believe Jesus was — and is — both the human son of Mary and the divine Son of God. That makes Christmas a time to reflect on a mystery that the church calls the doctrine of the Incarnation. This important theological term comes from the Latin word carne, which means “flesh,” and has to do with the divine taking on human flesh and coming among us in human form.

In one of his Christmas sermons Augustine, the fifth-century bishop of Hippo, described the mystery of the Incarnation this way: “Beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal creator of all things, today became our Savior by being born of a mother. Of his own will he was born for us today, in time, so that he could lead us to his Father’s eternity. God became human like us so that we might become God. The Lord of the angels became one of us today so that we could eat the bread of angels.”

Prayer

Wonderful Counselor, whose glory is beyond our understanding

whose love is beyond measure: Let us know your presence now.

Mighty God whose power girds creation,

whose hands cradle the hills, yet whose mercy is boundless Let us know your presence now.

Prince of Peace, righteousness is like the strong mountains

and whose justice is as the great deep: Let us know your presence now.

Emmanuel, whose property it is always to have mercy,

and whose arm is long to save, we lift before you now: [Here, the people may add particular

intercessions or thanksgivings.] Hold all those we love in your unbounded love.

make us your healing presence in the world.

M O N D A Y

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The Seasons of Christmas & Epiphany

Continued Next Page

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Epiphany

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “manifestation, showing forth, revelation.” This feast proclaims our faith that in Jesus, God is revealed to all people — not just to an inner circle or a chosen few, but to all people, in all places, and throughout all time. Christians believe that in the person of Jesus we see who God is, and in the words and actions of Jesus we see God at work in the world. Epiphany marks a series of occasions at which Jesus was revealed to be God’s Son. The feast of Epiphany and the weeks that follow are a time when we reflect on several “manifestations” of Jesus, as he was recognized as the Messiah (or Christ) by many different people. We hear about Jesus’ baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and the visit of the magi, or wise men, who followed the star to Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth. We share the amazement of the guests at the wedding party at Cana as Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into fine wine. And at the end of the season we see Jesus’ glory shown to three of his disciples on the mountain as he is transfigured before them in a blaze of light.

Prayer

Among the lowly you were born. Lord Jesus, save us.

The wise and powerful bowed down before you. Lord Jesus, teach us.

You have come to lead us to holiness. Lord Jesus, guide us.

You ask us to call on you, and so we offer these prayers: [Here, the people may make particular

intercessions and thanksgivings.] Lord Jesus, hear us.

From Daily Prayer for All Seasons, pages 20, 24, 41,55 © 2014 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America

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WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN LIFE CHANGES CHRISTMAS What feelings are you wrestling with? What has brought you here? Maybe you’re like me and wondering what happened that changed life so much. Christmas was a time for our small family to get together and celebrate as a family. Some 35 years later my family is fractured and scattered. My grandparents have all gone “home”. “Home” is heaven. Eternally present with Jesus where there is no more pain, crying, nor tears. My aunt is gone, too. She was lost too soon to heart surgery complications. My sister and I no longer speak. My first marriage failed and I have to split the Christmas break. The family gatherings around the Christmas tree have gotten smaller instead of bigger. Now there is pain. Now there is hurt that seems to fade but never really goes away. Are we on common ground now? Can you trust that I don’t write from a place of perfection, or that I’m a “sunshine” Christian…you know, someone who never goes through any kind of problem or affliction? During this Christmas holiday season let me offer you some words to hopefully help.

THE DIFFICULT FAMILY TIMES DURING CHRIST’S BIRTH The Christmas story is often portrayed as a quiet night when a woman gives birth without pain to a baby in the middle of the night. Shepherds show up, so do the wise men, angels sing, then everyone leaves and it’s a Merry Christmas. Peace on earth. The Bible states that this is not the case. In the first chapter of the book of Luke, we find out that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young woman who had an encounter with an angel, who told her that she would give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. Mary was engaged to Joseph, but they observed Jewish law and were not intimate before marriage. The angel said that she would become pregnant anyway. Here’s Mary’s reply according to the Message Bible:

“Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” (Luke 1:34, MSG)

Supernaturally Mary conceived and became pregnant. Folks, this was scandalous. Joseph nearly lost his mind. His fiancée was pregnant with a child that clearly wasn’t his, and he was upset! He knew Jewish law said that if Mary became pregnant outside of marriage, then she should be stoned to death! He loved her,

and didn’t want this to happen to her. God didn’t either.

In the first chapter of the book of Matthew we learn that Joseph thought about quietly divorcing Mary, but God had a different idea:

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20, NIV)

Prayer When Life Isn’t Easy

Continued Next Page

So, to recap; pregnant teenage girl engaged to be married to a working-class carpenter, but an angel appears to both Mary and Joseph and says “This is all God’s idea.” Not everyone gets this as a warm fuzzy story. Not even Joseph and Mary. They lived it. They lived with the scorn, with the whispers behind their backs, and then…they have to travel. Mary is 8-9 months pregnant and they have to travel a long ways. They get to their destination, Bethlehem, and all of the inns are full. The motels are all out of rooms. Mary goes into labor. There is no hospital. No ER. No paramedics or EMS. Joseph helps deliver his son in a barn. No family. No friends. Strangers show up to celebrate the birth of this baby: Shepherds…the lowest classed citizens of the day. The wise men didn’t show up on the night of his birth. They likely came calling when Jesus was around 2 years old. But here is a scared young girl with a new baby, and her husband who is trying to wrap his brain around this whole scene. Society treats them as outcasts. A baby is born out of wedlock to a young girl. No cameras. No media coverage. The world really didn’t care. The world didn’t care that Mary and Joseph had to rough it. The world didn’t care about this baby. You are not alone. Do you think anyone cares for you? Do you feel like an outcast? Are you scared? Alone? Are the holidays anything but happy? You’re not alone.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not

overcome it. (John 1:1-5, NIV, emphasis mine)

But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31, NIV)

“You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:35, NIV)

“For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the

world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

He has come that we might have life. We are not alone, no matter the day. The baby born to the scared young couple is the author of life, and he is here for you to give life and light. He is light in the darkness. He is life. And Jesus loves you. This Christmas, let the light come in. Let Jesus give to you life that is eternal; it will never end. His love for you will never end. It is the greatest gift in the world and no one can ever take it away.

PRAYER Jesus, whether today is Christmas or any other day of the year, I need you. I need you to be my light and my life. Connect me with you today. Be near me when I feel lost or alone. I know that you are God. My life isn’t easy, I believe that your life wasn’t easy

either and I believe that you understand where I am now. Please help me. Let your love surround me. Breathe your life into me.

Light my way. In your name I pray, Amen.

©David Shelton, December 26, 2016, prayerideas.org

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OFFERED BY

KATE GORECKI

W E D N E S D A Y

1 5 M A R C H

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Mama loved Christmastime. In her home, the season officially began the

morning after Thanksgiving by decorating the Christmas tree. She was like a giddy girl when the tree was being decorated. In her later years, she would sit in a chair in the living room in her robe with her crossed, swinging leg, pointing to where another ornament should be placed, all the time smiling. She was radiant. It was a time of the year when her house sparkled with lights - a decorated tree with dainty ornaments, a nativity scene that belonged to my grandmother, single lighted candles in each window, the whistling train under the tree and stockings laid on the back of the sofa. My mother spent months looking for small, personal gifts that could be wrapped and put in those stockings. It brought her great joy to do the searching for these gifts and to experience us opening those tiny gifts. During Christmastime, Mama often sat in the living room in the evening with only the glow of the quiet Christmas lights and reflected on the reason for this celebration. In a still, small voice she would remind herself and us that the lights are a symbol of Jesus and the light He brings to earth even in the darkest of times. She believed that the lights were a symbol of the eternal light of Jesus’ spirit that brings hope to us all. She reflected with a sense of wonder that the strand of lights winding up to the top of the tree symbolized our enlightened journey to heaven and that she, as a true believer, should share her light of Christ with others in word and deed. Now that my mother has passed I hold dear these memories, sentiments and traditions. I only hope that I remember to share Mama’s Christmastime joy, wisdom and wonder to those I love and those I meet.

Christmastime

OFFERED BY

RANDAL JOYNER

T H U R S D A Y

1 6 M A R C H

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This poem was read by the poet at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 2005.

MAYA ANGELOU inspires all of us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope, joy and love can light up the season

and the world once again.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes And lightning rattles the eves of our houses. Floodwaters await in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche Over protected villages.

The sky slips low and gray and threatening.

We question ourselves. What have we done to so affront nature? We interrogate and worry God. Are you there? Are you there, really? Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,

Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope. And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.

The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season. Thunder ebbs to silence and lighting sleeps quietly in the corner. Floodwaters recede into memory. Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children. It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.

Hope spreads around the earth, brightening all things, Even hate, which crouches breeding in the dark corridors.

Amazing Peace

continued next page

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In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is loud now. Louder that the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence. It is what we have hungered for.

Not just the absence of war. But true Peace. A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.

Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait awhile with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, Implore you to stay awhile with us So we may learn by your shimmering light How to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ Into the great religions of the world.

We jubilate the precious advent of trust. We shout with glorious tongues the coming of hope.

All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, Look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves, And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:

Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister.

Peace, My Soul. OFFERED BY

KATE GORECKI

F R I D A Y

1 7 M A R C H

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THE CALL TO GOD TO GO DEEPER

Deep peace of the running wave to you,

of water flowing, rising and falling, sometimes advancing, sometimes receding…

May the stream of your life flow unimpeded! Deep peace of the running wave to you!

Deep peace of the flowing air to you, which fans your face on a sultry day,

the air which you breathe deeply, rhythmically, which imparts to you energy, consciousness, life.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you!

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, who, herself unmoving, harbors the movements

and facilitates the life of the ten thousand creatures, while resting contented, stable, tranquil.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you!

Deep peace of the shinning stars to you,

which stay invisible till darkness falls

and discloses their pure and shining presence

beaming down in compassion on our turning world.

Deep peace of the shining stars to you!

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you,

of unpretentious folk who, watching and waiting,

spend long hours out on the hillside,

expecting in simplicity some Coming of the Lord.

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you!

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you,

who, swift as the wave and pervasive as the air,

quiet as the earth and shining like a star,

breathes into us His Peace and His Spirit.

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you!

OFFERED BY

CONNIE ORDOWER

S A T U R D A Y

1 8 M A R C H

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The Gray Season

After the Christmas season is over, the decorations are taken down and put away, the music is back to normal, and the playthings that made the kids eyes bright so short a time ago are only a memory, it’s easy to think of this time as a colorless vacuum. Spring seems far away, the warm camaraderie of the holidays is behind us, and winter has set in. The busyness has subsided. Lonely people feel even more isolated. Problems seem larger. Even God may seem far away. Psalm 40 perfectly captures this essence: “Troubles without number surround me. My sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.” (v13) The gray season gives us a chance to examine ourselves and come to terms with our human failings. Have you ever wondered why we have Lent just at this time? Between the advent of the Christ child, and the resurrection of the victorious savior, the depth of winter brings us face to face with ourselves. “I am poor and needy, may the Lord think of me.” (v17) We don’t like to think of ourselves that way, do we? We’d much prefer to project confidence and success! Lent is an opportunity for us to let the Holy Spirit to strip away all that pride and self-assuredness, and concentrate on the only thing that will really get us through – the love of God. In turn, He can use that - in us - to love one another. The psalmist figured that out, too, in Psalm 41. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak. The Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them – they are counted among the blessed of the land…(v1,2). So in the gray season, be encouraged. What feels like lifeless barrenness is really just life hibernating, waiting to burst forth. Snow and cold eventually yield to spring colors. The dry bulbs stored in the basement await only the warmth of the Easter season to be transformed into lilies to beautify the garden. Aided by our reflection during the Lenten season, our hearts are also being prepared to serve in new ways. Why not become a channel for his love to those around you? It really is a great antidote to gray!

OFFERED BY

STEPHEN SILL

S U N D A Y

1 9 M A R C H

Th i r d S u n d a y In L e n t

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Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,

during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the

Jews? We saw this star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.”

- Matthew 2:1-2, 6 (NIV)