As we move into Lent, it is tempting to make services solemn and dark, to preach hellfire and brimstone and to focus on all the evil in the world that we must oppose. This is certainly necessary, and the first week in Lent gives much to support this approach. However, there is also a lot to inspire celebration and joy. This first week in Lent offers us an invitation to a life of abundance – found in the practice of spiritual disciplines and in the freedom of taking responsibility for our own light and darkness. And it assures us of God’s care and protection throughout. So, perhaps Lent can be a little lighter this year, and lead us into dispelling the darkness by simply lighting our little candle.

READINGS:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11: Instructions to bring the first produce from each crop as a thanksgiving offering to God, and a recognition of God’s care and provision for God’s people in the past and the pesent.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16: A psalm celebrating God’s care and protection of those who dwell in God.

Romans 10:8b-13: The message of faith in Christ that ensures that we will never be disgraced and that we are saved.

Luke 4:1-13: Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness, and uses God’s Word to stand firm.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
What is interesting about the readings for this week is that the focus, rather than being on Jesus’ temptation, is on God’s care, protection and provision for God’s people. When the temptation narrative is placed in that context, our focus shifts dramatically – and importantly – away from fear of failure or succumbing to evil, and on to God’s resources that are at our disposal to keep us strong and faithful. Perhaps the great temptation of this week in the lectionary is to make it all about evil and it’s attack on us and our world. The Lectionary, however, rightly calls us to make this week about God – God’s care, God’s Word, God’s protection, God’s provision – which means that we can rest assured that whatever we may face, “the best of all is ‘God is with us’” as Wesley said.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: With little scratching of the surface, the three temptations of Jesus are no different than the ones we wrestle with in the world today – power & influence, wealth & consumption, personal appetites and greed. Are there any of the big justice issues that don’t fall into one of these general categories? But, this is where God’s care and protection is so important for us to focus on, or we can easily fall into the trap of fighting this evil on its own terms. Jesus refuses to do so. Trusting in God, and immersing himself in God’s word, Jesus simply embraces a different set of values – self-giving, humility and servanthood, fasting and self-control. Even in the big global issues, simply working to create communities of trust in God’s ways that live out these alternative values is a significant way to contribute and to push back the forces of evil. How can your community embody the values of Christ more visibly and publicly?

LOCAL APPLICATION: There are so many things at issue in this week’s readings, and similarly in our lives today: issues of identity; issues of security; issues of power; issues of appetite and consumption. It is out of these issues – and the knowledge that it is only “under the shadow of God’s wing” that we can hope to face them satisfactorily – that the three Lenten disciplines emerge – fasting (to confront our consumption and appetites); giving of time, abilities and resources (to confront our love of power and pride); prayer (to confront our self-dependence & security issues). As individuals, and as faith communities, embracing these practices – not just in Lent – is the easiest way to confront the evil within and without. As Mother Teresa famously said: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Darkness And Light
Overcoming Temptation

Hymn Suggestions:
I Know Whom I Have Believed
I Cannot Tell Why He Whom Angels Worship
Be Thou My Vision
Saviour, Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Heart Word
How Long? (Link to Amazon.com Mp3 preview)
Thy Word (Link to YouTube video)
Blessed Be Your Name (Link to YouTube video)
Your Grace Is Enough (Link to YouTube video)
Everlasting God (Link to YouTube video)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for the Celebation of Sacrifice

Video Suggestions:
Tempted By The Devil
Temptation
Shine Your Flashlight

After the Epiphany journey which teaches us a little more of who Jesus is, the Lenten season leads us still deeper – from knowing about Jesus, to following him, especially as we face temptation, the call to serve and the approaching cross. It is a dark journey, but also a celebratory one – for even as we face the evil within us, we are offered the hope of forgiveness and life. And, of course, as always, Ash Wednesday is the point which marks the change of seasons at this time.

READINGS:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17: A proclamation that the Day of the Lord has arrived, with a call for repentance, and a plea for God’s mercy.
OR Isaiah 58:1-12: True fasting requires repentance and justice, not just going through the motions.

Psalm 51:1-17: David’s plea for God to cleanse him after his adultery with Bathsheba is exposed by Nathan the prophet.

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10: Paul explains the suffering he and other apostles have endured in order to proclaim God’s appeal for repentance, and God’s offer of salvation.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21: The most authentic way to give, fast and pray – Jesus explains the true practice of the Lenten disciplines.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The Ash Wednesday theme is easy to identify – Our lives, like David’s, are on a trajectory of self-destruction and harm to others. God calls us to hear his warning and convicting voice, and to turn back to the ways of mercy, justice and humble service. The way God offers is not an easy or comfortable way, but it is the way of life. And so, while Ash Wednesday is a day of solemnity and repentance, recognising that we are “sinners in need of a Saviour”, it is also a day of celebration, because what is offered to us is a path that leads to life. And so, as we begin the metaphorical  journey of following Jesus through the wilderness, we are given. already now – right at the beginning – a glimpse of the resurrection that awaits.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: It seems to have become a normal practice to deny responsibility or to avoid acknowledging when our actions are destructive or harmful. Little true repentance has followed the economic crisis, a lot of work is being done to deny human responsibility for climate change, and the broken systems that burden developing countries with debt that outweighs whatever aid they receive are not easily acknowledged in the corridors of power. Yet, before we can possibly begin to create the world we long for, we must admit our sin – our greed, our carelessness, our ignorance, our self-centredness, our idolatry, our consumption. And to do this work of repentance effectively, we need a global spiritual revival, for only in the light of God’s reign can we see our need, and get a vision for what we, as a species, can become.

LOCAL APPLICATION:
While David’s repentance after the Bathsheba incident is famous, it’s always bothered me that it took a confrontation by Nathan the prophet to bring out this repentance. What would repentance look like if we made it a habit that we practiced without confrontation? Ash Wednesday offers us a doorway into developing the discipline of confession and repentance, which not only builds our spiritual connection with God, but which also strengthens our relationships, gives us a clearer and more humble perspective on ourselves, and which leads us to live well in the world, bringing life, rather than bringing pain. Where in our communities and churches could we use a more consistent practice of repentance?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
The Wisdom of Ash
Dust

Hymn Suggestions:
Blow Ye The Trumpet, Blow
Jesus, Priceless Treasure
Just As I Am
No Sack Cloth
Lord Have Mercy (Link to YouTube video)
Change My Heart, O God (Link to YouTube video)
Show Us The Ancient Paths (Link to YouTube video)
In Your Mercy, Lord (From my CD Songs for the Road. Preview it here)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Ash Wednesday

Video Suggestions:
Lenten Reflection
Psalm 51

Additional Resources:
The Sacredise Lent Page
GBOD
A Contemporary Ash Wednesday Service (from the GBOD)

As Epiphany draws to a close the Scriptures turn, as usual, to the Transfiguration of Jesus. There are so many ways to approach this mysterious and wondrous narrative, but I would like to focus on the power of the transfiguration to give Jesus the hope and courage to face the cross, and to draw us into our own personal and communal transfiguration as we seek to follow Jesus. True transformation is never easy, but the alternatives – quick fixes and easy answers – are ultimately even more painful and damaging.

May you discover a new vision of Christ as you prepare, and as you worship, this week.

READINGS:
Exodus 34:29-35: After bringing the tablets of the law down the mountain, Moses’ face shines. And every time after speaking with God in the Tent of Meeting, he addresses the people with a shining face, after which he covers his face with a veil.

Psalm 99: A psalm of praise for God’s holiness and glory, for God’s love of justice, and for God’s guidance and discipline of God’s people.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2: In Christ believer’s hearts are unveiled to receive the truth, and we are able to reflect God’s glory, being change to be more and more like Christ.

Luke 9:28-36 (37-43): Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain where his face is transfigured, his clothes shine white, and the disciples, who had fallen asleep, wake up to find Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
There are two main facets to the Scriptures this week. The most obvious one is that of Jesus’ own transfiguration, which reveals his glory as Messiah, but which also points to the cross – the ultimate glory of Christ. The truth of what the Messianic age means – the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and the establishment of God’s reign among people – is reflected and proclaimed here. The second facet is the transformation of those who encounter God – Moses, Jesus, and then those who believe in Christ. The week then, is a celebration of Christ’s transfiguration, but also of ours. And like Christ, our true transformation comes by embracing the way of the cross.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: There are many voices in western culture that promise quick and easy transformation. Yet as our systems strain under increasing complexity, the transformation we need will require a slow, thorough and sacrificial process. For this we need a hope adequate to the task. In the transfiguration we have this hope – the hope of a clear vision of God – glorious, but also present and accessible. We also have the hope of the glory to which God calls us, and which, by God’s Spirit we can achieve. With this hope in our hearts, the challenges of poverty & economic breakdown, of climate change and creation care, of conflict and disease, can be embraced with courage, and with a commitment to the hard, system-changing changes that must be made.

LOCAL APPLICATION: In every life and in every community we face challenges and struggles that threaten to overwhelm us. Sometimes our response is that of the disciples – to fall asleep, or to check out of life in order to avoid the pain. The transfiguration is a call, though. First, we are invited to encounter God anew, and be filled with hope and courage as we meditate on the glory of the incarnate Christ. Second we are invited to open ourselves to our own transfiguration – to be transformed and to begin to reflect God’s glory ourselves. Of course, as with Christ, embracing God’s glory is also embracing the cross – the suffering of staying awake, and meeting our challenges head on. As we encounter the transfigured Christ again this week, may we refuse the false comfort of quick fixes, and set our minds toward the tough journey of real transformation – in our relationships, our finances, our health, our community’s upliftment, and the trajectories of our nation and our world.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
The One We Worship
Whole-y God
Tough Transformation

Hymn Suggestions:
O Jesus I Have Promised
Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation
I Know Whom I Have Believed
The Mountain
Lord, Reign In Me (Link to YouTube video)
We Bow Down Before You (Link to Sacredise music page – scroll down for links to mp3 & chord chart)
Above All (Link to YouTube video)
How Great Is Our God (Link to YouTube video)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for the Sacrament

Video Suggestions:
Transfiguration (The Work Of The People)
Transfiguration (SermonSpice – a historical view of the transfiguration event)

Image Suggestion:
Skylight

Remember the bad old days when we used to pick teams on the school playground? Were you one of those who was chosen or not? Do you know what it feels like to be chosen last – or not at all? Well, this week in Epiphany (Week 5 – 7 February), that’s what all the people in the readings would have expected. David, aware of his weakness and need of God’s care; Isaiah, with sinful lips and from a people of sinful lips; Paul, the unworthy apostle and Simon Peter, the rough fisherman – all would have expected God to pass them by, and yet, God chose them unexpectedly. What a joyful, inspirational and challenging message this sends us. Can we be those who choose the unexpected the way God does?

May God bless you as you prepare this week.

READINGS:
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13): Isaiah is called to speak God’s hard message of judgement and coming destruction to God’s people. Yet hope remains like the stump of fallen tree.

Psalm 138: David’s song of thanks for the God who is both glorious and worthy, and who cares for the lowly. David’s confidence in God’s plans and God’s care for him.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Paul’s “summary” of the Gospel message, and acknowledgement of his own unworthiness to be an apostle of this Gospel.

Luke 5:1-11: Jesus takes Peter out in Peter’s boat and they catch a huge catch of fish. In spite of Peter’s protestation of sinfulness, Jesus calls him to be a disciple.

REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
This week in Epiphany, the focus shifts, a little, away from Jesus himself. All of the readings turn our gaze to those whom God chooses, and particular to their weakness, sinfulness and unworthiness to be chosen. Isaiah, when faced with god, immediately recognises his, and his people’s, unworthiness. David recognises his weakness and need of God’s care and protection. Paul, rejoicing in the resurrection appearances of Jesus, also protest that he is unworthy to be called an apostle. And Peter, faced with Jesus presence and power, after the great catch, confesses his sinfulness. Yet, each of these people ultimately responded to God’s call, and were used by God in significant ways. When God calls our human standards of eligibility don’t apply, and often the ones called are the ones we would least expect.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: In a world where “might is right”, where “money talks” and where “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, it is tempting to shun and ignore the weak, the poor and the marginalised. Yet, as Christ is revealed through the season of Epiphany, we discover a God who chooses the very ones that would fail to qualify in human terms. What does this say to us as followers of Christ in a meritocratic world system? How do we ‘choose’ those who are most hurt by natural disasters, economic collapse and the consequences of climate change (food shortages etc.) And how do we use whatever influence or resources we may have to change this elitist system from within?

LOCAL APPLICATION: Every day we make choices about people – who we will connect with, who we will listen to, who we will value, who we will ignore or reject. Every day we subtly assess the people we encounter making judgements about them and their value to us or to the world. And every day we do the same as we evaluate ourselves – often causing us to push ourselves harder than we should, or making us defensive and threatened in the presence of those we consider “better” than ourselves. How might our daily living and interacting change if we were to take God’s “choosing” seriously. If we were to realise that God does not evaluate as we do, nor does God consider our worthiness as we do. Who might we choose if we were to choose as God does? How differently might we behave if we accepted our own choosing as an accomplished fact? Who are the people in your community who most need you to choose them today?

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
Chosen
Choosing Differently

Hymn Suggestions:
Come Let Us Sing Of A Wonderful Love
Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Hallelujah! What A Saviour (Man Of Sorrows)
Holy Holy Holy
To God Be The Glory
Indescribable (Link to YouTube video)
Majesty And Mystery (Awesome God) (Link to Vicky Beeching’s MySpace page – Scroll down in the media player to find & listen to the song)
Love Enough (Link to YouTube video – a good song for youth)
Everyone Belongs (Link to Amazon.com Mp3 page – there is a preview option here)
Wonderful Love (Link to Amazon.com Mp3 page – there is a preview option here)

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Communion

Video Suggestions:
Woe To Me