“May you be led deeper into a relationship with God through WORSHIP, PRAYER, SCRIPTURE AND SERVICE. May God Bless you as we continue our journey as faithful people of God.”
It was with these words that I ended my January newsletter article. Let’s explore these a little deeper. I would like to offer some comments on these four elements of daily/weekly spiritual practices that disciples of Christ, like yourselves “practice” in order to keep the “light of Christ” or the “jars of wine” open to growth in your relationship with Jesus.
WORSHIP: We worship for several reasons, but two of them are: you worship with others in the faith community in order to receive, together, the Word of God through communal prayer, Holy Communion, singing, hearing the Word preached/shared, and for the shear sake of being together. A “new thing” is being able to worship online. I am grateful that Trinity Lutheran has the capacity to share with those who can not attend, those who on certain weeks cannot attend and for those living a distance that makes it impossible for them to worship in person—this is a type of community as well. The second, but probably most important, is that God wants and needs you to worship. It is reminder that in worship we are receiving, yes, but we are also giving back. Giving back to God because God has giving SO much to us.
PRAYER: This is about communication and listening. We pray communally in worship. It is “intercessory” prayer which is on behalf of others. Personal prayer has SO many forms. You can pray with head bowed, hands folded, eyes closed. You can also pray standing, sitting or laying down. You can pray while you walk, noticing the created world around you…stopping to observe and notice and listen and be grateful. You can pray with scripture, around a labyrinth (ask me if you don’t know what this is!), you can pray doing simple art…the list really goes one. One of my favorite prayers is that of silent, relaxing, listening after reading some scripture and maybe have some quiet music playing. This is a way to really dig in deep with your relationship with God.
A simple prayer model: A.C.T.S. A is Adoration for all that God has done. C: Confessing things you may have done or left undone; T: Giving Thanks and S: Supplication- asking specific requests for yourself, For others, and God centered prayer.
SCRIPTURE: Reading scripture is a personal devotional tool as well as a communal tool. The Bible/Scripture is meant to be read together with other people/disciples. You get different enlightening or challenging interpretations, insight and views. Adult education opportunities are important to participate in. Personal devotion is important as well. You can journal responses to the text you read, pray the text and ponder it’s message to you.
SERVICE: In our baptismal covenant we state:
“In baptism: you are entrusted with responsibilities:
to live with them among God's faithful people,
bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,
teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
place in their hands the holy scriptures,
and nurture them in faith and prayer,
so that your children may learn to trust God,
proclaim Christ through word and deed,
care for others and the world God made,
and work for justice and peace.”
The ways one can serve are many and personal. You find, or something finds you- it resonates with and you take action. Keep on the lookout for that “thing”- in your community, church or school…local, regionally or globally. As simple as helping fold the bulletins, delivering Meals on Wheels, or a more grand scale as an international service trip.
Practice these, explore these, maintain these “practices” and you will be renewed, fulfilled and be the light to one another. It is also a great way to prepare for Lent, which will be the topic of the March Newsletter article!
Once again—HAPPY NEW YEAR and NEW DAY!
Pastor Carol
