Second Monday of Lent by Doug Mabe 3/01/21

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-15

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
-Romans 1:11-12 ESV

In this passage, Paul writes to the believers in Rome of his fervent desire to finally be among them, after many frustrated attempts, so that he may “impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

It is my belief that Christians are called to be in community with other Christians. As Dave Ramsey puts it, “Community is God's desire for us—and a sign of mature faith. When we grow in our relationships with others, we grow in relationship with Him. ... The Bible says the Holy Spirit is present whenever believers gather together.” It is difficult, if not impossible, to live a Christian life in solitude. How can we serve others unless we seek out others to serve? How can we love our neighbor if we choose to have no neighbor?

The past year has been very difficult for believers. Our need to be in community with other believers has been thwarted by a tiny virus. Yet, we have expended considerable effort and resources to find ways to gather together safely with one another so that we may be “mutually encouraged by one another’s faith….” We have held outdoor services, live-streamed our services over the internet, and modified the format of our worship to ensure the proper physical distance to minimize the threat of contagion. We have “made do” in order to “get by.” But when all is said and done, nothing can replace the intimacy of communal worship: the passing of the peace, the singing of hymns, Holy Communion, a warm handshake, or a comforting hug.

If, indeed, “Community is God’s desire for us,” we should seek ways to mutually strengthen one another by our faith. Send a card, make a phone call, pray for a neighbor, be grateful, send an email, offer to run an errand, ask for help, do anything that will cause you to grow in your relationship with others, because that is how we grow in our relationship with Him.

Prayer: Lord, we ask that you will help us to find ways to encourage one another, to be in community with others, and to share our spiritual gifts with others. Amen.

--Doug Mabe

Second Saturday of Lent by Hannah Golliher 2/27/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:1-16

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

-Psalm 139:14 ESV

When I think of God’s creation, my mind conjures up images of majestic mountains, rushing waterfalls, and sandy beaches with a picturesque sunset. These are all beautiful examples of God’s creation, but I often neglect to include myself in this list. Do I really compare to these stunning sights in nature? Psalm 139 reminds me that God created each and every one of us in his image, out of love. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (v. 14), just as breathtaking as the beauty we see around us. The amazing thing is that it doesn’t stop there! Not only did the creator of the universe make you, God knows everything about you and still loves you unconditionally. Life can be lonely at times, especially this past year with our limited interactions due to the pandemic. We are made to live in community with others. Thankfully, we worship a relational God. Who better to be in constant community with than the one who knows each and every thing about us - good and bad? God created us, loves us, and wants to be in community with us. May we remember this whenever we feel lonely or doubt our worth.

Prayer: Creator of all things, what joy it is to know that you created me too. God, you know all of my strengths and even my faults, yet your love for me is unconditional. Help me to draw near to you O Lord, for you are always with me. Amen.

--Hannah Golliher

Second Friday of Lent by Nancy Lee Newell 2/26/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal Spirit within me."
-Psalm 51:10

How many times have you done or said something that you later regret? How many times do you pray that someone you love or care for will forgive you for some thoughtless action? Are you ready to forgive others when they wrong you? Do you find comfort in the belief that God forgives you when you ask for forgiveness? This psalm is David’s plea for help when he is overcome with awareness of his sin.

In the middle of this psalm are very familiar words: “Create in me a clean heart, O God”. These words are set to music in a beautiful anthem that our Long Memorial choir has sung many times throughout the years. Just thinking about the beauty of the music and the fellowship of the choir makes me ache with longing for the time when we can sing together again. But my spirit is made right every day when I walk, pray, ask for forgiveness, watch the sun rise, see the seasons change, and give thanks for all the blessings that I have been given. May our faith provide us with joy and strength, and as we praise our God, may our heart be cleaned and restored.

Thought for the day: Seek the blessing and the freedom of forgiveness today.

--Nancy Lee Newell

Second Thursday of Lent by Hunt Fitzgerald 2/25/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46

"Be still, and know that I am God!"

-Psalm 46:10a NLT

Eight to ten years ago, social media was in its infancy. I was and continue to be a frequent user of Facebook and occasional user of twitter. During this time and still today, political strife is ever-present on social media. Years ago, I never hesitated to jump into a political argument online. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning arguing with friends and strangers. I would have a hard time sleeping because I would be so angry or anxious to see what my nemesis was going to post next. I would awake in the middle of the night and grab my phone to see how the argument had transpired over the last few hours. I was insulted often, called all sorts of names, and even lost some friends over political arguments. This was not who I was.

In the same breath, I was and always will be an avid (albeit rabid) Carolina basketball fan. Just like I lost sleep over political anger, I would lose sleep when Carolina lost. I would jump up and down, scream, holler, and cuss at each play in each game. The anxiety generated by anger kept me awake well past my bedtime.

I eventually came to the realization that this behavior was not emotionally healthy for me or anyone around me. I swore off engaging in political discussions for my sanity. Whenever I saw a post that I disagreed with I would usually type a response, but then I would stop short of posting and send up a brief prayer to God for peace. It always worked. I would never send the dissenting comment. I’m sure in my moment of stillness in prayer, God was telling me, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

God quelled my internal wars and has shielded me from current and future wars. I no longer engage in political or controversial discussion online, and as a side effect I no longer get upset at the outcomes of Carolina Basketball games.

Thought for the day: When faced with adversity or controversy, find refuge and strength in God by the direction of Psalm 46, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

--Hunt Fitzgerald

Second Wednesday of Lent by Kolby Golliher 2/24/21

 

Scripture Reading: Psalm 49

"People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish." -Psalm 49:12 NIV

Psalm 49, like many of the texts we read during the Lenten season, is a sober reminder of our mortality. As if we really need another reminder this year, right? We’re now more than 11 months into a global pandemic that has completely altered the way we live. One of my seminary professors last semester pointed out to me that perhaps the reason many people can’t stand to wear a mask in public is because it reminds us of our mortality, of the fact that we all must die eventually. We have a dis-ease with our disease.

Rather than facing the reality of death, some choose to cope by doing whatever they can to get ahead in this world, hiding behind the power that comes with wealth. Psalm 49 rebukes any attempts to take our salvation into our own hands. Its pointed message strikes deep, revealing the truth of what this coping really is: a delusion. Many have devoted their lives to acquiring wealth, to storing up riches in this life, and what do they ultimately have to show for it? As the satirical Onion puts it, the world deathrate is holding steady at 100%. Jews and Christians alike know that our salvation comes only from God, not money.

In my striving to follow Jesus closely and consistently, the more I come to realize the futility of materialism. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, understood this especially well. At the height of Wesley’s career, he brought in more than $160,000 in today’s dollars annually. However, he decided very early in his life that he would live on a modest $20,000 and give away any extra income he made to charity. So Wesley did just that, because he knew where his real treasure was stored (see Matt. 6:19-21).

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a long road away from living a true minimalist lifestyle. It’s difficult to escape the consumerism that defines our culture. Nonetheless, both Psalm 49 and the example of Wesley challenges us to consider our own underlying beliefs about wealth and salvation.

 

Lord,
You and you alone are the giver of every good and perfect gift. Grant that I may be a faithful steward of all that you have given me. Teach me to be generous with my giving as you have generously given everything to us in the sending of your Son. Remind me today and every day not to place my hope in the treasures of this life but in the hope of the resurrection. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

--Kolby Golliher

First Tuesday of Lent by Cheryl Allen 2/23/21

 

Scripture Reading: Psalm 47

"Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!" -Psalm 47:6 NLT

 

As I read this psalm, I thought of my background in the Methodist Church. I attended a small, rural Methodist church named for one of my great-grandfathers. I grew up and flourished in this church where I knew all the church members and realized in my teens they were my "church family." These wonderful people were in church every week praising God. They sang beautiful hymns and religious songs that made an impression on my life. I grew up hearing the praises of a God full of grace, love, and forgiveness.

As a child I learned songs and prayers praising Jesus and our Heavenly Father. These provided lessons for me to live by. They have always kept me focused on the important things in life. They've helped me to be understanding and compassionate throughout my life. I still love to hear and sing these songs in church every week. I find myself humming some of the songs while I work in my flower, herb, and vegetable gardens; when I walk along the lakeshore and watch the birds; when I sit on my porch and just listen. I consider these moments of praise.

Thought for the day: There are many ways to praise God. Stop, listen, and give praise!

--Cheryl Allen

First Monday of Lent by Mark Galloway 2/22/21

 

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

“Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
-Hebrews 2:18 NRSV

Here, the author of Hebrews gives Jesus the name of “pioneer” as the designation of he who pioneered others through their trials. This designation, “pioneer,” as referring to Jesus appears only rarely. The author of Hebrews is saying that, through suffering, Jesus was made fully able for the task of being the “pioneer” for our salvation.

Why through suffering? The Old Testament has the Almighty identifying with his people, as occurs here. Further, it is through suffering that Jesus is able to sympathize with his people. He literally feels with them. It is almost impossible for one to understand another person’s sorrows and sufferings unless one has been through it too. A person who is fit has no conception of the weariness of the person who is easily tired or the pain of the person who is never free from pain. A person who is never sorrowed cannot understand the pain at the heart of the person into whose life grief has come.

Because Jesus sympathizes, he can really help. He has met our sorrows; he has faced our temptations. As a result, he knows exactly what help we need—and he can give it.

Thought for the day: As Jesus sympathizes with us in our trials, how might I sympathize with the suffering of others today?

--Mark Galloway

First Saturday of Lent by Linda Mabe 2/20/21

 

Scripture Reading: Titus 3:1-15

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” -Titus 3:4-5a NIV

The third chapter of Titus spoke to me in several ways. The verses remind me to be careful to be a good citizen by obeying the law, to avoid quarreling, and to be considerate and gentle. I do those things...most of the time. So, I do have room for work in these areas.

More importantly to me, however, this passage of scripture explains clearly that, as Christians, when we devote ourselves to doing what is good, it is not because we are better than others, but because of what God has done for us. Thus, appreciation to God for his mercy is our motivation.

This idea of why we do good works reminds me of something my dad, who served as the pastor of a small rural church, used to say. When a member of the congregation seemed to be thinking that doing good was the price owed for God’s love, my dad would lead them away from that way of thinking by saying, “We can’t ever ‘out-give’ God.” Then, he would explain the futility of even trying to “earn” the gifts we receive from God.

Thinking about the third chapter of Titus has led me to a thought and a question.

The thought: I am so thankful that God loves me with no strings attached.

The question: What can I do for others in appreciation of that love?

 

Dear God,

Lead me to serve you in response to the grace and mercy you have shown to me. Amen.

--Linda Mabe

First Friday of Lent by Martha Butler 2/19/20

Scripture Reading: Psalm 31

“Turn your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” -Psalm 31:2 NIV

 

Psalm 31 is generally accepted as having been written by David, when he was hiding in caves in the wilderness with his band of supporters, pursued by the army of King Saul. Reading this psalm makes me think of a bird sheltering in a crevice of rock, keeping safe from storms and predators. Just so, we can trust God to shelter and protect us when we face overwhelming circumstances. Though confined for a time, we can rest in the hope that God will deliver us from all evil and guide us to “a spacious place”, an aerie from which we can soar in freedom and confidence.

Our steadfast God is always available to us as our rock of refuge. In times of danger, our Savior’s mighty hand protects us and keeps us safe. When we are in distress, the Lord stills the storms of life and gives us a peace beyond understanding. When we are ill, the Great Physician strengthens and heals us. Whenever we feel isolated and empty, the Holy Spirit grants us assurances of God’s presence, filling and warming our souls. As we grieve the loss of loved ones, the Holy Comforter sustains us with precious memories and the hope of eternal life. When we stumble and sin, we can turn and find our Father’s merciful forgiveness and loving grace.

 

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”

-Psalm 31:24 NLT

 

Loving God, you have promised to gather us under your wings like a mother hen does her chicks. Help us to rely on you. Keep us close in prayer and increase our trust in you. Surround us, sustain us, soothe us, strengthen and heal us, forgive us when we wander away from you. Instill in us a spirit of praise and thanksgiving for all your many blessings. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.

--Martha Butler

First Thursday of Lent by Pam Day 2/18/21

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-18

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” 
-Psalm 37:4 NIV

I was always taught that during Lent I needed to give up something. Forty days without something that I liked or loved. I remember giving up things like chocolate, sweet tea, fast food—the list goes on. Then one year, the pastor said to me, “you don’t always have to give up something, you can always add something to your life.” What could I add? I decided to add an early morning meditation. Now those who know me know that I am NOT a morning person. So, getting up 30 minutes earlier than I really wanted to was a challenge for me.

But isn’t that what it is all about? The challenge? It’s a journey of sacrifice. We walk with Jesus throughout Lent as he makes the solemn and inevitable journey to his crucifixion. But that is not the end. In the end there is resurrection. In the end, there is JOY. So, I challenged myself to make the time to delight in the Lord. Time to be “all in” with the Lord and all that he is. Even through Lent, surely there is time for joy. 

So I did it. For 40 days, I got up 30 minutes earlier to spend that time with God. Each morning, I meditated. I focused on breathing. I tried to stop my mind from wandering. I reflected on the JOY God’s presence brings to my life. I’m not sure I ever got good at meditating, but I loved how it made me feel each day. I was energized. I felt more in tune with myself and with God.

Psalm 37 tells us: “If you are delighting yourself in the Lord, and He gives you your heart’s desires, then your desires would certainly be in line with His desires.”  Right? As we move forward during this Lenten season let us all include a thought and prayer for the JOY of our life.

 

Dear God,

My heart desires you.  Give me a reminder of your goodness today. Thank you for the joy in my life. Amen.

--Pam Day

Ash Wednesday Devotion: Careful / Care-full

 

Joel 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand— 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. 12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. 17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”

 
“Be careful”: It’s a phrase that has a double meaning: In the midst of a crazy world, “Watch out – resist temptation to go it alone.  Resist temptation to blame another.  Resist temptation to forget who God made you to be.  There are plenty of chances to veer off course.  Be careful!” - 

That’s what this day, Ash Wednesday, is all about.  And this day is also about the other meaning: ”Be Careful!  Be full of care.  Care full."  Full of care for your own heart and mind and strength and soul, and full of care for God’s ways.  Full of care for your neighbor, as yourself.  We are dust, and to dust we shall return.  Embrace that, and who knows what blessings God will bestow.  Being careful can make all the difference.

Our world has its bright spots – like the daffodils peeking up on our front lawn, and the laughter of the children playing in the snow, teachers who reach the hearts of their students, the countless examples of folks helping neighbors and first responders acting quickly and saving lives.  It’s not the first time – there’s been beauty in the world ever since the world was the world.  The Garden of Eden was beautiful, the animal diversity on the ark, under the rainbow, the lilies of the field.  In 1967 Louis Armstrong recorded how he thinks to himself, “what a wonderful world!” and we’re still singing it.  Our world has its bright spots.

But there are darker forces at work too. 

An intelligence official recently said if you were to make an around the world tour of all the conflict spots you’d be busy hopping from place to place for a lonnng time. 

A Christian youth ministry newsletter recently came into my inbox saying that teens today are experiencing a dating world that is radically different from even a few years ago.  If a teen broke up with another back in our day, you wrestled with it yourself.  Now because of social media, before you get home you may have 100’s of comments from bullies and online trolls.

Lower income workers – like in the home health care industry – are making less than they were a decade ago, when you adjust for inflation. 

And don’t get us started on this Pandemic. 

Marvin Gaye sang in 1971 words in Inner City Blues that are still true today.  “Makes me want to holler, and throw up both my hands.”

All throughout the Bible, there are good times, and bad times.  In the scripture lesson for Ash Wednesday evening, the prophet Joel is describing the onslaught of a nation-decimating army.  It’s an army of millions – very small but devastating.  Evidently, there’s been a locust plague.  Huge swarms of big grasshoppers, eating the very livelihood and future of a nation.  The people don’t have pesticides.  They don’t have transportation to migrate to other places.  They don’t have semi trucks and freezer storage and canned goods and international relief organizations to outlast the crisis.  People are dying; futures are ruined; society has ground to a halt.

Maybe that sounds too much like today.  Lent is a time to remember our own hearts are in play in this life.  Maybe it is time to remember the sanctity and wholeness of our own heart.  Our heart keeps beating, keeps feeling, keeps longing to be seen and held and appreciated, keeps desiring to be in brother/sisterhood with our neighbors and with our creator.  Ash Wednesday is a day to remember who we are without the noise.  From ashes we came, and to ashes we will return.  The man who lives a subsistence lifestyle off the grid in northern Siberia is just as much dust of the earth as the jet-setting executive.  The one who is making a fancy dinner and has the habit of taking a picture of it for me to drool over is no more worthy of God’s love than the one who burned the grilled cheese and is not sure whether there will be food tomorrow morning.  God’s son came into the world for all of us.  You are a human being.  Yes you.  The cross of ashes we so often receive reminds us that we are simply trying our best, that we have made dust-like messy decisions, that we have failed more times than we can count, and it reminds us that God loves us soooooo much that God would reach out and touch our priceless bodies through the body of Christ the church. 

The world won’t get better if I blame Them.  I certainly can’t change Them (although I can bear witness to the resurrection and hope that God’s grace sinks in), but I can remember who I am in God’s sight – the subject of God’s love.  Maybe during these forty days I can be reminded to quiet the noise and tune into my heart – to gently set aside those behaviors that have helped me forget who I am and what I’m meant to do.

So Joel’s passage, set in the midst of a decimated world that was literally being eaten away, reminds us to not let the headlines distract us from our own heart-life.  The prescription, the medicine, the remedy, is a returning to God, fasting (going without some habitual comforts), weeping and mourning for the losses all around us.  The remedy is to focus on our own lives, to examine and weep for our condition, to put God back in the center.  To strip away that which distracts us from who we are, to turn our backs on that which would cause us to scapegoat someone else for the problems of the world, remembering that God’s salvation is always at work.

And lastly, Joel’s passage inspires us to not sink into a me-first survival mentality.  No, God tells God’s people, people of faith like you and me, ordinary people in the midst of bad times, to come together – to gather together – to pray and worship God and encourage one another.  This is critical stuff.  Joel’s words even use an example to portray the urgency – let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.  Don’t even let what seems like urgent stuff – even a wedding in this example! -  delay your coming together to dwell together as God’s people – to cry out to God on behalf of the whole people.  Going to church isn’t just a bolted on event to make you feel better about your week.  Doing life together as God’s people – praying together – caring for one another – sacrificing together – is a necessity for survival – for God’s blessings to be poured out.  Let the elders come, and the nursing babies, and everyone in between – to follow God together.  Even in the midst of the assembly, it’s tempting to take a me-first attitude.  Have you ever seen one of those survival shows where someone gets caught with a secret stash of snickers bars?  We all have our stashes, don’t we?  We all fall short.  Hence the ashes on our foreheads – we aren’t perfect, we’re like dust, the cross reminds us that Jesus forgives our sins because sin we do.  The cross reminds us that the stashes are for sharing; for losing; and in losing, finding salvation together.

Let us pray:  Dear God, help me Be Careful.  Open my eyes to watch out – to resist temptation to go it alone – to resist the temptation to blame another – to resist the temptation to forget who God made me to be.  I know, God, that there are plenty of chances to veer off course.  Help me to be careful.  Help me to be full of care.  Full of care for my own heart and mind and strength and soul, and full of care for God’s ways.  Full of care for my neighbor, and for myself.  We are dust, and to dust we shall return.  Help us all to embrace that truth, and who knows what blessings God will pour out upon us.  Amen.

--Pastor Ed

Lenten Devotions - Introduction

Today begins the Christian season of Lent - forty days of preparation for Easter.  Our pastoral intern, Kolby Golliher, has organized an effort to collect devotions and reflections written by our Long Memorial friends, to help guide us through.  Thank you Kolby!  And thank you to all who have contributed to make this possible.

The world is disorienting. As I type this, we are digging out from an ice storm, and about to be hit by another.  It is Ash Wednesday, but the ongoing pandemic prevents us from gathering together, and the power outages and internet disruptions have kept us from even an online observance.  I hope that you will find guidance from God to humble yourselves and thank God as you seek God's direction and forgiveness, even though we can't participate in our normal routines.  Perhaps more than ever, the truth of this verse is for us:

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings."  Hosea 6:6 (New Revised Standard Version)

It is our hope that you might be reminded of God's love, and the love of our church, as you journey through Lent accompanied by these devotions.  

May we love one another with steadfast love, and grow in our knowledge of our loving God this Ash Wednesday, and throughout this Lenten season.

--Pastor Ed