Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time

Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Monday evenings 7:00-8:30pm,

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Prayer Practice for the Week

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina, or Divine Reading, is a prayerful way to read scripture that has four steps: Reading, Reflecting, Responding, and Resting. ( Learn more.)

Click the link for an audio file of Greg reading Luke 2:46-49 to you three times with a minute’s pause between each reading. The recording ends in silence to allow you to complete your prayer experience in your own time.

Daily Devotion

Scripture of the Day

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” ( Matthew 25:40)

Reflection

In this parable, a king judges the people. Those who had lived lives in service to “the least of these” received the king’s favor. But the king in this parable suggests that they have done it to him. They are, understandably, baffled; they had never offered assistance to the king directly. The king explains that service to the poor was the highest form of loyalty to him. The king continues to explain that the opposite is also true: to ignore “the least of these” is to betray the king. If I do nothing I condemn myself — not to some afterlife of torment, but to a life now lived incompletely. But it’s so hard when comfort is so comfortable and being truly helpful is not easy!

Prayer

Jesus, you are sovereign at the same time you are a servant. Forgive me every time I am tempted to reach for glory, for power, for my own kingdom. Forgive me when I admire those who have more and strive to reach them. Turn me around to partner with those who have less and to struggle with them. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

In this season of gratitude and generosity, write a list of 25 things you are thankful for. Use the first 10 for the easy, obvious things: family, church, clean sheet day, hot coffee. Then dig deeper: what are the graces that sustain your life?

Interfaith Thanksgiving, Edwards Church, Sunday at 5:00pm

Join your neighbors from many faith traditions for a joyous service of thanksgiving. Sing in three languages! Hear a message of gratitude from Pastor Teresa Hidalgo from El Toque del Maestro! Enjoy music from On the Fence! Bring your kids--there will be a special message for them, and a chance for them to make prayer flags to dedicate in the service!