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SUNDAY READINGS
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:22-30
Philippians 4: 4-8
Mark 8:31-38
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March 6, 2009
Reminder! This Sunday Daylight Savings Time begins, so set your clocks ahead Saturday night.
From the Rector's Desk
Over the next several weeks I would like to share some reflections on classic disciplines that are gifts to us during Lent, as well as the rest of the year. They're part of what we 'take on' during this season, even as Lent is commonly associated with what is given up. Since its beginning in the early 4th century this season of preparation has been associated with prayer, penitence, fasting and almsgiving, all of which form an important part of our journey toward the celebration of new life.
Volumes have been written on prayer over the centuries, so I can only scratch the surface in these few paragraphs. But prayer is the thing that we all agree is needed and helpful, yet I think most of us struggle to include it in our lives to the degree that we would like. Richard Foster, who has done much to renew the life of the church through its disciplines, agrees. In his book entitled simply "Prayer", he offers that "we yearn for prayer and we hide from prayer. We are attracted to it and repelled by it. We believe prayer is something we should do, even something we want to do, but it seems like a chasm stands between us and actually praying." I can relate to that.
Perhaps we are distant from prayer because we're afraid that its something we can't do very well...'that's for other people'. We've picked up the idea that it is something we must master, rather than something we simply enter into. It's helpful to remember that we are made to have friendship with God—that's the picture in the story of creation. Prayer is part of the language of that friendship. We know that Jesus' life revolved around prayer, and that spiritual people through the ages have learned to include in their lives a daily pattern of prayer. In fact, the Lord's Prayer, itself, is a great place to start if you desire to grow in the depth and practice of prayer. It begins with worship, then invites God's will and Kingdom to have sway. It petitions for daily needs, seeks forgiveness (even as it is offered to others) and prays for protection in holy living. The prayer then concludes with worship and affirmation of the kingdom and glory of the Lord. This pattern can be adapted to many different types of prayer and settings.
Sometimes we struggle with prayer because of our busy lives. It is true that we should try to set aside time to pray. That helps us to listen to God, even as we are praying, so that prayer becomes communication. It also centers us in the reality of God's love and presence, so we shouldn't easily give up that goal. But we can learn to pray on the move, if we must. It's at least preferable to not praying at all, and something that I have learned to do, even as I grow in setting aside quiet seasons of prayer. Over time, we can learn to fill empty moments throughout the day with prayers to God and a listening heart, making us more aware of God's presence in all the places of our lives and of the love he has for us and that he desires to show through us to others.
There are many types of prayer—personal, corporate, contemplative, meditative, centering, healing, lectio divina, etc, etc., so it can seem overwhelming. But remember that Lent is a journey, and a journey is walked step by step. So decide to begin something new in prayer, or to take the next step, knowing that you will not master prayer in your lifetime—that's not the goal. But prayer brings us closer to God, sharpening our eyesight and hearing and reception for the things of God. It changes us, even as we often petition God for some other specific outcome.
In addition to the Lord's Prayer, try the Psalms as a place to begin. They are wonderful as prayers. There are also many rich written prayers in the various Prayer Books that have been compiled. As you move deeper into the discipline of prayer you'll discover many other able guides—those who have written on prayer throughout the centuries. A few would include St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Thomas a Kempis, E.M. Bounds, Andrew Murray, Phyllis Tickle, etc...
As we learn to resist the crush of the world and lean in to God in prayer, our lives will change. Life will not necessarily be easier, but we will have a greater sense of God's presence and purpose with us, and what he is calling us to be and to do. I welcome your own thoughts on this, and how God has been teaching you in the places of prayer.
"Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
And Lord, grow our prayers, even as you grow us as those who pray. Amen.
Blessings and peace,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Wednesday Lenten Prayer
Lent is marked by several disciples that we can take on for the forty day journey. They are prayer, penitence, self-denial (such as fasting) and almsgiving, or giving to the poor. Our Wednesday evening prayer gatherings will continue during lent with new urgency. Join us for worship and prayer that will conclude, during Lent, with the liturgy for Compline, a brief service offered at the end of the day. We meet at 7 p.m. at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park.
Redeemer Kids - Lent
This Lent our children will have the opportunity to honor God through prayer and giving.
Prayer... During this season, families are encourage to spend regular time together in prayer. In addition, each Sunday, during our children's worship time, kids will be invited to participate in a time of prayer for those in our Redeemer congregation. Therefore, they need to know what's on your heart. Adults and youth are asked to simply write prayer requests or praises on colored pieces of paper, which will be included in the Sunday worship bulletin, and then drop them in the offering plate. Our kids will then pray for you during Lent. Please know that the papers will be used in a creative project that will be displayed in the future. Our children look forward to supporting their Redeemer family in this very special way! Please join us.
Giving... Sharing with others in another way for children to enter into the Lenten season. Information on an opportunity for our kids to give to individuals in need will be available soon!
Extra Resources... As we seek to engage children in Lent through prayer and giving, resources that help in facilitating this at home are available at the children's ministry table. Theses tools will assist children in understanding Lent in the context of the larger Biblical narrative as well as encouraging the practices previously mentioned.
Help With Alpha
Alpha is now underway or just getting ready to begin, and we need people to help. Specifically we're looking for those who can prepare meals for the groups, either for Sunday noon or Tuesday evening. The meal is an integral part of the Alpha design and important to building relationships as people explore the Christian faith. If you would like to assist please contact Ricki Rosengren at rickirosie[a]sbcglobal.net.
Pray for the Alpha course being offered in the following locations, and invite people to attend, especially the group that is beginning in another 10 days.
Gurnee — Sunday afternoons
Women's Group — Wednesday mornings in Wilmette
Wilmette — Tuesday evenings to begin on March 17th
Office items available...
Redeemer is doing some Spring cleaning and wonders if anyone out there needs some filing cabinets, office partitions, desks, etc. You are more than welcome to have whatever it is that you need, however you must pick up the item(s) yourself from our Glenview storage unit. Please contact Brocki Murphy at the church office if you are interested in having a look.
Ladies Spring Event and Lunch
When it comes to fashion, have you ever wondered what is involved in the design process? What takes place from the inception of an idea to the actual clothing found in the store? Jules Cole, a fashion designer, will be speaking on this very topic on March 21st at Julie Battaglia's home from 11:00-1:00. Jules trained as a fashion designer at East Sydney College, in Sydney, Australia. At the age of 20 she had her first job as a fashion designer. Jules has worked as a designer for many companies, had her own design business and now teaches in Fashion Design programs at the International Academy of Design and Technology and Harper College.
This will be a fun and interactive time of learning a bit more about fashion, color, trends, the design process and much more. This will be an excellent opportunity to welcome others to the Redeemer community! Begin thinking about whom you could invite to this event, as we seek to extend welcome to those in the NorthShore area.
RSVP: reed.katel[a]gmail.com
Stewardship at Redeemer
Thank you, and thanks be to God, for generosity in giving to Kingdom work through Church of the Redeemer. This has enabled us to meet our budget for the first two months of 2009. We will continue to report our progress, even as we all are praying and seeking God's will for our giving and stewardship of time, energy and abilities.
Average amount needed each week: $6,600
Last week's offering: $5,254
Notes...
— This Sunday we will be joined by Bishop Sandy and Gigi Greene.
— We will offer prayer at the end of our Sunday worship services during Lent. Please take the opportunity to enter into this, and also to leave the sanctuary quietly as people will be praying.
— Growing Leaders, Saturday March 7th at 9am, at EC Highland Park
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- God's provision and will in these days
- Our Redeemer staff and other leaders
- Alpha as it begins again at Redeemer
- The poor and suffering, far and near
- That people will find God during this difficult period
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