Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/daily.php?year=A Psalm 102:1-17 We will sit with this Psalm for three days. For these three days pay attention to your senses. What are you seeing? What are you smelling? What are you tasting? What are you hearing? What are you feeling? Write down and lift up in prayer these ways that you process your surroundings and situations. Exodus 13:17-22 God considers the consequences of the escape route for the Israelites. God could lead them the shorter way, but it would be more difficult and would probably result in people wanting to turn back to Egypt again. Instead, God chooses to lead the people the long way, through the Red Sea. One of my favorite images in scripture is God leading the people to freedom. God went before them as a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. What kind of assurance would you find if God was leading you through a difficult journey? How is God out in front of you now, by day and by night? Acts 7:17-40 The lectionary continues with Stephen's testimony of God's activity through time. Stephen recites the story of Moses leading God's people. This account also reflects on some who were on the journey but would not follow. Stephen says that in their hearts they turned back to Egypt. That phrase keeps rolling through my mind as I watch people disregard the dangers of COVID-19 and rush into stores, restaurants, and gathering places with no masks or sense of social distancing. There seems to be an effort to make a statement opposing the direction of this journey we are on together. Perhaps their hearts have turned back to Egypt, desiring the known and what used to be rather than the unknown and uncertainty of a difficult journey ahead. How do you act when you get scared? What can we learn from God's work throughout time and what it takes for a group of people to work together for a higher purpose? Peace, Dean
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Here is something to celebrate. Taking all the necessary precautions, Dave and Marcia Coates went to the church this week and spent quality time in the Memorial Garden. They did all the work that was needed to ready the garden for the spring and summer. They even cleaned out and beautified the lower part of the garden! Thank you, Dave and Marcia! The pictures are amazing. So, celebrate today the life that continues. I will be sending out a letter next week with some insight into when and how we will be able to come together again as a congregation. It may not happen right away but someday we will return to our spiritual home and rejoice. Tune in to worship tomorrow at 10 am. Go to www.wesleypark.org/live-stream and click the link that will take you to the service. Our Zoom Coffee Hour starts at 11 am. I'll send the link out Sunday morning. You can also watch worship anytime after 11 am at vimeo.com/showcase/wesleypark. The stories and music for this Mother's Day are so moving. I hope it is a time of worship that fills you with blessings and hope. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A While out shepherding the flock of his father-in-law, Moses comes upon a remarkable sight. Moses finds a bush that is burning but not consumed by the flames. Intrigued, Moses approaches, and the bush speaks with the voice of God, alerting Moses that he is standing on holy ground. Moses is reverent in God's presence as God's voice from the burning bush lays out the plan to save God's people. Moses would play a pivotal role. And when the people are finally free, they will return to that very mountain and worship God. How have you been in worship with God in these days of separation? Where have you experienced God in surprising ways and knew you were standing on holy ground? When have you approached the one who saves with awe, wonder, and reverence? If you are interested in resources to help you worship throughout the day, attached are prayer services from The United Methodist Book of Worship. They could be used along with the Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A. These Praise and Prayer Services for Morning, Midday, Evening, and Night can help us remember God is present, and God calls us into worship. Peace, Dean
Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A In the Gospel of Luke Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5, "into your hand I commit my spirit." These were his last words from the cross before he breathed his last. Astute students of the Bible would recognize the reference Jesus was making. They would be able to reflect not only on these words but also on the tenor of the entire Psalm. Psalm 31 looks to God for refuge and rescue, understands God to be a rock and a fortress, and relies on God's love and power to save. The assurance of our lives in God's care is repeated in Psalm 91. No matter your struggle right now, offer God these words, "into your hand I commit my spirit." Allow God to work on you, in you, and through you. Trust that God loves you. Place your spirit in the palm of God's hand.
Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A Shepherding is a central theme in the story of our faith. A good shepherd was essential for a nomadic people like the Israelites. Well cared for sheep provided wool to make clothing and blankets. They were a source of food, a valuable commodity for trade, and a sign of hope and security for the people of God. It was no wonder that Shepherds, like David, were recognized as having the gifts necessary to watch over God's people. A good Shepherd could think quickly and act decisively. And, the people believed God would send another Shepherd to save the world. Today's Gospel text is much like many for Jesus. He is shepherding his sheep. Two of the twelve disciples want an elevated status. Their mother even comes to ask Jesus to honor her sons in this way! The shepherd sees the complicated family dynamics at play. He leads his flock through his words and example, "Whoever wishes to be first among you must be a servant." The Good Shepherd watches over the sheep. There have been stories of sheep who have not been watched over. They have run away and hid in caves rather than be shorn of their wool. One, named Shrek, was found after six years. His 60 pounds of wool was shorn on national television with the proceeds going to help children's hospitals. Sheila, another who evaded her shepherd for years, could hardly see because the wool was literally covering her eyes. Which reminds me, I need to cut my hair. Stay prayerful. Stay hopeful. Let us follow the Good Shepherd. May God bless you and bring a smile to your face during this extended journey. Peace, Dean Dear friends,
It’s Giving Tuesday. I am giving to Wesley Park UMC in celebration of Phyllis Prentiss. Do you want to make the world a better place? She has ideas to help. She is loved and loving. She is funny and wise. She has made a difference in many people’s lives, maybe yours. Wesley Park UMC is her community of faith. I encourage you to share your stories of my mom with someone who needs inspiration today, or post about someone who has inspired your faith journey. Give to Wesley Park UMC by sending a check to 1150 - 32nd Street, Wyoming MI 49509, or give online at www.wesleypark.org, or text-to-give at (616) 213-0707. #IGiveUMC Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
All three readings today focus on shepherds, sheep, and the flock. We are sheep. God will send shepherds and elders to care for the flock with compassion and justice. Take a look at the attached drone video of a sheepdog herding sheep into their pen. It takes skill and perseverance to help the sheep move to a place that is safest for them to be. It's not easy. As soon as it looks like one part of the flock is in line another part needs attention. As the weather gets warmer we will want to wander. We might feel restless or impervious to the virus. It doesn't seem as bad here as other places. We could be tempted to ignore the voice of the shepherd and go our own way. Please remember that your life and the lives of others are precious and dependant on each other. One writer yesterday shared this stark reminder: My dad is an ICU doctor treating COVID-19 patients. In the past WEEK he has set more “I’ve never seen a heart rate/RBC count/etc. like this” records than in his decades-long career. What this virus does to the body is like “sticking your finger in an electric socket.” Stay home. She went on to say that her dad, the ICU doctor, gave one person 8 blood transfusions in one morning even though the patient was not bleeding. The coronavirus was destroying the red blood cells faster than his body could make them. That is why we will be thoughtful and careful about when and how we return to worship. The Guidance Team meets this morning to talk about this. They will no doubt bring the congregation into the conversation soon. Please pray for the best way to be the sheep of God's pasture in these challenging times. Psalm 100 Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Ezekiel 34:23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 1 Peter 5:1-3 I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it —not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
A shepherd watches over 100 sheep. One is startled and overwhelmed. That one gets lost and is afraid. The one sheep feels disconnected from the rest of the flock and is more vulnerable than ever. The shepherd counts the sheep continually. Can you imagine, counting 100 sheep hour after hour? The shepherd's purpose is to protect the sheep. One is missing, in danger, and alone. The shepherd will not stop searching until the sheep is rescued. Placing the sheep across the shepherd's shoulders, they return to where it is safe. God is watching over us in this way in these days. In our social distancing, we may feel isolated and lost. We might feel disconnected and afraid. But there are shepherds who are ready to lift us up and carry us to safety. They are phone callers and letter writers. They are the Zoom check-ins and online worship services. They are the people who are just a text message away to provide help and support. I read this story this morning. Any in Michigan can text the word RESTORE to 741741 and a trained counselor can provide assistance to anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, 24/7. And the shepherd calls out to the neighbors, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost." Online worship is tomorrow at 10 am at www.wesleypark.org, with a Zoom Coffee Hour to follow. The service will replay at 2 pm on Facebook. You can watch the worship service anytime after 11 am on our website under Livestream/Worship Videos. We are celebrating a Love Feast, so make a meal for yourself, set a place for Jesus and your family and friends, and give God thanks for the grace that is present in these days. Peace, Dean |
REv. Dean N. PrentissI am blessed to be the Pastor at Wesley Park UMC. Find Daily Lectionary Readings Here. Archives
February 2021
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