Saturday, March 14, 2009

Prayer for Saturday, March 14

March 14, 2009

Day 16 : Creation’s testimony

Scripture for reflection: Psalm 8

Prayer: God of heaven and earth,
I am amazed at the wonder of your creation. The beauty of your earth is a feast
for my eyes. The stars at night sparkle like my tears of gratitude. I thank you for
the gifts that sustain life; for the air I breathe; for the water I drink; for the food I
eat. Lord, allow these wonders to feed my heart and soul. May my life be a song
of praise unto you, wondrous Creator. Amen.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Prayer for Friday, March 13

March 13, 2009

Day 15 : Strength to the Soul

Scripture for reflection: Luke 12:13-21

Prayer: Only through spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously
the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit. Martin Luther King, Jr
Holy and loving God,
Society encourages me to focus on the material aspects of my life. Advertisers
offer many tempting ways to indulge my senses. But my soul thirsts only for you.
Gracious God, strengthen me for the inner battle to re-orientate my priorities.
Break down the barriers I have erected that keep you at a ‘safe’ distance.
Change my heart, my words and my actions in the likeness of Christ. Amen.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

RACE FOR THE CURE is April 19

REGISTER for our team: Go to http://tinyurl.com/komensaz and click “join a team”. Under “join an existing team” look for Catalina Refuge in the drop down menu and click it. Click the “continue” box. Follow the directions. Registration is $30, and then $35 after April 14.
DONATE to our team: You can contribute online to our team at http://tinyurl.com/catalina-race, or you can give donations to Richard or Mindy Jones. You can write your check to RACE FOR THE CURE.

The Third Sunday in Lent: March 15

This Sunday, we consider John's account (John 2.13-22) of Jesus cleansing the Temple. This story explodes our concept of meek and mild Jesus as he forcibly expels animals, merchants, and money changers from the Temple.
What do we take away from this story? There are several interpretations and many implications. [We will discuss some of these Sunday.] But the focus we will take on Sunday is: What is a Christian response to injustice? Jesus ACTED against injustice, he didn't just complain or moan about it. He DID something about it. What injustices exist in our city, in our state, in our country, in our world, in our church? What is God calling YOU to DO about it?

The worship bulletin is here.

Prayer for Thursday, March 12

March 12, 2009

Day 14 : Prayer for the people of Timor-Leste

Scripture for reflection: Isaiah 58:6-12

Prayer: We look north to the nation of Timor Leste, a country emerging from pain
and foreign rule, a people in whose culture and life you, deep God, have
invested yourself. We invite you to remember them, their yearning for
peace toughened through Dili fires, their desire for security deepened by
homelessness, their hope for a positive future shaken as a wounded leader
struggled for life and faith so evidently present. We pray for cooperation
between clans, medicines for healing, staff to listen and respond and
international solidarity that sustains the spirit. We pray for our partner Igreja
Protestante iha Timor Lorosa’e (the Protestant Church in Timor-Leste)−
for sound and responsive leadership, openness to all people and a life shaped
by your Word, Jesus Christ himself, through whom we pray. Amen.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Prayer for Wednesday, March 11

March 11, 2009

Day 13 : ‘Let my people go’

Scripture for reflection: Exodus 3

Prayer: God of grace,
So many people still live under the tyranny of oppression. I pray that you would
raise up peacemakers and prophets to speak your words of truth, justice and
grace. May your words ‘Let my people go’ rumble like thunder to unsettle
despots and governments aligned to the politics of menace. God of peace, do
not let me sit by − empower me to petition for and work towards peace. Amen.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Prayer for Tuesday, March 10

March 10, 2009

Day 12 : The year of the Lord’s favor

Scripture for reflection: Luke 4:14-19

Prayer: Jesus the Liberator,
You began your ministry by proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for
the prisoners, sight for the blind, release of the oppressed and equality and
justice for all. I pray that Australia becomes a place where such good news
is a reality for all. May we become a nation marked by forgiving attitudes, real
reconciliation and costly love. Amen.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Prayer for Monday, March 9

March 9, 2009

Day 11 : Leaving things behind

Scripture for reflection: Luke 19:1-10

Prayer: Liberating God, I pray that like Zacchaeus I would be able to leave behind those things that are not really mine. So often the possessions that I think I own turn out to own me. Free me from those things that bind me. Heal my soul that I might experience a lightness of spirit. May I learn to dance the liberated dance of the unburdened. Amen.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Prayer for Sunday, March 8

March 8, 2009

2nd Sunday : What does it mean to be a ‘Christian’?

Scripture for reflection: Mark 8:31-38

Reflection – Nero

(Nero was a Roman emperor who is rumoured to have played his fiddle as he watched
Rome burn)
All I need has been provided. In Jesus there is bread from heaven as well. Yet the
‘hedonic treadmill’ says more is needed. This is the trap of the developed world. More
is enough!! In truth, less is needed. More is obesity of the spirit, less is healthy. Do I
trust more in consumerism than I do in poverty of spirit?
Surely in today’s affluent first world, discipleship requires giving away and letting go. Too
often I hang onto treasures that rust away or are devoured by moths. Too often I want my
bank balance high and my stomach stretched. Am I not a Nero who plays while the less
fortunate suffer?

Prayer for Lent Event project : East Timor

Scripture for reflection: Mark 2:23-28

Prayer: Farmer God, you tend your creation, care for your people and invite us to be
pilgrims on your way. We can imagine our brother Jesus walking in fields, caring
for animals and working with wood, the sun on his neck, a splinter in his thumb
and, sometimes, in his throat a raw cough from blowing sand or scratchy seed.
We remember before you people among whom he lives still, people who each
day must submit themselves and their families to what weather gives. We stand
with him among people whose too common experience leads them to worry
whether there will be enough food. May farmers in East Timor and Australia
gain skills that make the most of their gifts, support when they need it, markets
for their produce and fair reward for their effort. We look for the day when the
systems that shape our lives embody your fairness, the day when all your
creation honours you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.