Wilderness: Dwelling in the Word March 2020

photo of Painted Desert National Wilderness Area by Breen Sipes

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)

1Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written,
 ‘One does not live by bread alone,
  but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
  5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
 ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
  and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
 so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
  8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
 ‘Worship the Lord your God,
  and serve only him.’ ”
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

1.  What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  What do I have questions about? 

This is the text which comes directly after Jesus’ baptism.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus comes up out of the waters, the heavens are ripped open, and the spirit alights on him like a dove.  Then, a voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well-pleased.”  This is an auspicious beginning to Jesus’ earthly ministry.  However, the very next line is this:  “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”  Not a very auspicious beginning.  Straight from baptism to temptation by the devil?  I find this very challenging.  Why is this how it works?  Why not a trail period, or a chance for Jesus to do some good things, some easy things?

          Perhaps I am challenged by this because I also fear that it is the shape of our baptismal life.  When one of my mentors would baptize, she would always say that baptism doesn’t promise us a life without rain or storms, but rather that God goes with us, through them.  Maybe it is a mark of Jesus’ true humanity that he was tempted, just as we are.  Maybe it is a mark of Jesus’ humanity that he spends time in the wilderness, just as we do when we have lost our way.  And maybe this episode reminds that Jesus is also the Son of God, able to resist the pull of the devil in ways that we would find unimaginable.  He is God, and we are not.

2.  What delights me in this text?  What is my favorite part, and why?

I love how dramatic this story is.  I can imagine this face off between the devil and Jesus, with the devil as slick as a snake and the soundtrack rising to an uncertain climax as we await each of Jesus’ answers.  It is a battle of epic proportions, and fought only with words.  It is even a tale with a happy ending, and the arrival of angels to top off the victory!

3.  What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  How does this story connect to my life? 

This story reminds me of the time that my husband Patrick and I spent in the Painted Desert during our honeymoon.  We had visited lots of National Parks during our trip (The Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, etc.), and it seemed that National Parks were a place for a lot of rules:  Don’t stray off the path!  Don’t touch anything!  Don’t feed the animals!   Park only in designated areas!  By contrast, our trip to the Painted Desert seemed freeing.  It is designated, not as a National Park, but as a Wilderness Area, and as such, there were no paths to follow or places to park.  But with that lack of rules came dire warnings:  Tell a Park Ranger where you are planning to go, so if you don’t come back we know where to begin searching.  The sun goes down quickly in the desert; keep track of the time so you don’t get stuck somewhere remote overnight.  And my favorite:  Bubonic Plague is a reality; don’t get friendly with the wildlife.  This experience in the wilderness gave us a sense of freedom with just a hint of danger.  Do what you want, but beware that your consequences have actions.  I still can’t wait to go back!

4.  What is God up to in this text?  What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?

          God is with Jesus just as God is with us.  God gives Jesus the strength to endure, just as God gives Jesus the strength to endure.  God sends to us to the wilderness to learn and to grow, and has angels waiting for us on the other side. 

          I am looking forward to learning alongside you through this familiar text this month.  May God bless our Lenten journeys into the wilderness, as well.

In Christ,

Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

Check out our other Lenten Devotional Resources here:

Easter Vigil Wednesday Night Devotions: https://pbsipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/easter-vigil-devotion-book-2020-website.pdf

Lent Prayer Journal: https://pbsipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lent-prayer-journal-2020.pdf

Sunday Gospel Devotions: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/tag/lent-2020/

The 6th Sunday after Epiphany: February 16, 2020

Focus Verse

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live…(Deuteronomy 30:15-16a NRSV)

Dive Deeper Weekly Devotions

For Kids: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/02/13/daily-devos-heart-to-heart/

For Families: https://lectionarydoodles.wordpress.com/2017/02/17/revenge-justice-or-generosity-epiphany-7-matthew-53-48/

For Youth: https://cmlfaithformation.weebly.com/first-light/february-13-2020-yes-jesus-loves-me

For Adults: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/2/9/heart-to-heart-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-epiphany-6

See & Hear the Word

Focus Image credit: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/2/9/heart-to-heart-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-epiphany-6

The 5th Sunday after Epiphany: February 9, 2020

Focus Verse:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. (Matthew 5:13 NRSV)

Image credit: “Salt Shaker” by financialaidpodcast on flickr.com

Dive Deeper Weekly Devotions:

For Kids: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/daily-devos-salt-and-light/

For Families: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/childrens-devotion-time-love-your-enemies/

For Youth: https://cmlfaithformation.weebly.com/first-light/february-6-2020-adding-salt

For Adults: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/2/3/salt-and-light-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-epiphany-5

See & Hear the Word

The 4th Sunday after Epiphany: February 2, 2020

Focus Verse:

Blessed are the merciful,
​for they will receive mercy.
(Matthew 5:7 NRSV)

Image credit: “Blessed” by wherezjeff on flickr.com

Dive Deeper Weekly Devotions

For Kids: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/01/29/daily-devos-blessings-of-god/

For Families: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/01/29/love-of-god-party-large-group-sunday-school-february-2020/

For Youth: https://cmlfaithformation.weebly.com/first-light/january-27-2020-i-plead-no-contest

For Adults: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/1/28/blessing-first-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-epiphany-4

See & Hear the Word

Sabbath Sunday Worship Setting 2019-2020

The goal of Sabbath Sunday worship is to provide a worship experience where all ages and stages can fully participate and be engaged. It is led by the youth and children of our congregations. You can find more information about the various leadership parts here: https://pbsipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sabbath-sunday-leadership-roles.pdf

Prayer of Preparation

Even though our bodies are present in this space, sometimes it takes a few moments for our hearts and minds to arrive.  As you listen to the ringing of the singing bowl, take a few moments to become fully present and ready to worship God.

Call to Worship

Return to Our Baptism

As we begin our worship of God this morning, we begin at the place where we started, the place where we were baptized, and we remember. We might not remember the day that we ourselves were baptized, but we do remember the promises we received there.

We remember that

…in this water, God promised to forgive us, no matter what

…in this water, God promised to love us, no matter what.

…in this water, God promised us our very own place in the kingdom of God.

We remember that

… because of this water, God knows your name.

…because of this water, God says your name.

…because of this water, God remembers your name.

Everyone will now get the chance to remember their baptism by getting a little bit wet. We are going to put a small amount of water from the font into these small dishes and pass them around. The dishes are plastic, and the worst thing that might happen if you spill is that you get a little bit more wet than you planned. When the dish comes to you, dip a finger in, trace the sign of the cross on your forehead, and say “I am God’s child.” Let’s try it, “I am God’s child.” When everyone has had a chance, my helpers will return the dishes and the water up front, and we will finish with a blessing.

As the water is being distributed, we listen to the song “He Knows My Name” from Pandamania VBS (2011) and Maker Fun Factory (2017) by Group Publishing.

You are a child of God, completely forgiven and well loved. Because of the promises that God freely gives, you have your own place in God’s kingdom.  Thanks be to God. Amen.

Gathering Song

We sing a seasonally appropriate hymn which is familiar to the congregation. The goal of these hymns is to transmit well-loved hymns to the next generations. 

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.  And also with you.

Song of Praise

(Same tune as the Call to Worship)
You are saved by grace,
Yes, you are saved by grace.
Thanks be to God!
You are saved by grace.

I am…

We are…

Prayer of the Day

The prayer of the day is seasonally appropriate and changes quarterly. It includes simplified language so that all worshippers may know what we are praying about. It is done in a repeat-after-me fashion so that it is accessible to those who cannot yet read, or those who find reading the worship folder difficult.

January-March 2020
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Please repeat after me:
Dear Jesus,
we thank you
for being our light in the darkness,
our friend on the road,
our leader and guide.
Help us to come and follow you,
all the way to the cross
and beyond.
In your name we pray, Amen.

First Reading

We use the Revised Common Lectionary text, in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Christ across the world.

Second Reading

We use the Revised Common Lectionary text, in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Christ across the world.

Special Music

See our Youtube playlist for Sabbath Sunday songs here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0V-IJaYUW4K3z7NQAKEe3qEcZ-wMfaW_

Psalm

The psalm is seasonally appropriate, and changes quarterly. The congregation offers the same refrain, with motions, to each verse. It is our hope that these verses will come to be known by heart.

January-March 2020
Psalm 51:1-3, 10-12 (vs. 10 refrain)
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

Experience the Word

Experience the Word is an Interactive Biblical Storytelling event with six main parts and room for all children and youth to be included. More resources for bringing this practice to your context will be available soon.

Gospel

We use the Revised Common Lectionary text, in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Christ across the world.

Sermon

A shortened sermon is offered.

Song of the Day

We sing a seasonally appropriate hymn which is familiar to the congregation. The goal of these hymns is to transmit well-loved hymns to the next generations. 

Apostles’ Creed

We profess the Apostles’ Creed with motions to fully embody what we believe. These motions also help us to understand what we are saying.

Peace

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

Prayers of the People

We pray the Prayers of the People, led by our youth, in the way we do on all other Sundays. We rehearse the response to the petitions in advance. You can access our current Prayers of the People at https://tri-saintsworship.weebly.com/worship-to-go.html

Offering

Offering Prayer

The offering prayer is seasonally appropriate and changes quarterly. It includes simplified language so that all worshippers may know what we are praying about. It is done in a repeat-after-me fashion so that it is accessible to those who cannot yet read, or those who find reading the worship folder difficult.

Please repeat after me:
Come, Lord Jesus,
be our guest,
and let these gifts to us be blessed.
Give us this day our daily bread,
may all the world be clothed and fed. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

We pray the Lord’s Prayer with motions to fully embody what we are praying. These motions also help us to understand what we are praying for.

Blessing

This is the Aaronic Blessing from Deuteronomy, which we want everyone to come to know by heart.

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor ☩,
and give you peace. Amen.

Sending Song

We sing a seasonally appropriate hymn which is familiar to the congregation. The goal of these hymns is to transmit well-loved hymns to the next generations. 

Sending

Dismissal

The Dismissal changes seasonally. It is led by our children and youth.

Go in peace, _______________. Thanks be to God!

Bright Cloud: Dwelling in the Word February 2020

“Cloud Lovers” by moonjazz on flickr.com

Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)

1Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

  9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

1.  What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  What do I have questions about? 

I have always thought that this was a very strange text.  Sometimes, I think, we accept texts like this because we have heard them so many times over the course of our lives.  But, seriously, think about it.  A hike up a high mountain, Jesus is transfigured, his face like the sun, and his clothes dazzling white, and then two people who have been dead for centuries show up.  Not only all of that, but the voice of God!  If I were one of the disciples, I think I would wonder if I was dreaming at the least, and worry about my sanity at the worst.  Maybe that’s why Jesus brought three of them.  Each could corroborate the other’s story, when the time came to tell it to others.

I am also challenged by this text because although I have heard many peoples’ stories of their physical encounters with God, it always seems to me that mountaintop experiences don’t last.  They give us lots of energy and drive in the moment, but that excitement, that certainty fades away with time until we wonder if it ever really happened at all.  Why does God gives us these experiences, if they fade in this way?

2.  What delights me in this text?  What is my favorite part, and why?

One thing that I never noticed before was that Jesus brings the same disciples that he first calls from being fishermen to being fishers of people (with the exception of Andrew…maybe he was sick that day).  Those who are with him at the beginning are still with him at the end.

          Another thing which delights me is that the words God says in Jesus’ Baptism still hold true just as he is about to enter Jerusalem and endure the cross.  He has been at the business of ministry for three years, and God still claims him, still loves him, is still well pleased with him.  For the benefit of the disciples, God adds, “Listen to him.”  We know that what Jesus is going to have to say is going to be hard to hear, so I wonder if this command is also encouragement.  “Hear him,” God says, “and take heart.”

3.  What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  How does this story connect to my life? 

          This episode in Jesus’ life reminds me from a scene in the movie The Neverending Story.  https://youtu.be/73dqr81DDyc The main character in the fantasy world, Atreyu, has to face his true self in a magic mirror before he can go through the gate.  Who he meets is the little boy reading the Neverending Story book in the attic of his school.  It makes me wonder who I would see if I had to face the same mirror.  It also makes me thankful for the promises given to us in baptism, where God names us, claims us, forgives us, and saves us.  Maybe, like Jesus, when we are transfigured, we will reflect the face of God!

4.  What is God up to in this text?  What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?

          In this text, God is revealing Jesus’ true identity to his closest followers.  God speaks, and names Jesus as Son and Beloved.  God commands the disciples, and us, to listen to Jesus.  And Jesus himself tells the disciples to “Get up, and do not be afraid.”  Perhaps this story can help us, too, to get up and cast away our fear, to witness the love of Jesus and to tell others what we have heard and seen.  As we conclude the season of Epiphany light, may your light shine with the love of Jesus for the sake of the world.  I am looking forward to seeing where God leads us in our Dwelling in the Word together this month!

In Christ,

Pastor Breen Marie Sipes

The 3rd Sunday after Epiphany: January 26, 2020

Focus Verse:

[Jesus] said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
​(Matthew 4:19 NRSV)

Dig Deeper Weekly Devotions

For Kids: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/01/23/daily-devos-jesus-calls-the-fishermen/

For Families: https://www.daniellesplace.com/html/bible-crafts-fishers-of-men.html

For Youth: https://cmlfaithformation.weebly.com/first-light/january-23-2020-in-the-beginning

For Adults: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/1/18/the-reign-of-heaven-salts-lectionary-commentary-for-epiphany-3

See & Hear the Word

Baptism of Our Lord: January 19, 2020

Focus Verse:

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NRSV)

Dig Deeper Weekly Devotions

For Kids: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/2020/01/16/baptism-exploration-large-group-sunday-school-october-2019/

For Families: https://blog.cph.org/serve/how-to-celebrate-baptism-birthdays

For Youth: https://cmlfaithformation.weebly.com/first-light/january-9-2020-follow-the-recipe

For Adults: https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/2020/1/8/the-way-of-love-salts-lectionary-commentary-on-jesus-baptism

See & Hear the Word

The 1st Sunday after Epiphany: January 12, 2020

Focus Verse:

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt. (Matthew 2:14 NRSV)

Jesus’ Birth A to Z Daily Devotions

Herod: https://pbsipes.wordpress.com/2020/01/09/epiphany-1-king-herod/

Wise Men: https://pbsipes.wordpress.com/2020/01/04/epiphany-of-our-lord-the-wise-men/

Entire Season: https://tri-saintsworship.weebly.com/uploads/4/1/3/9/41394397/jesus_birth_a_to_z_devotion_books_2019_pdf.pdf

See & Hear the Word

Come & Follow: Dwelling in the Word January 2020

Kerala by sandeepachetan on flickr.com

Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)

12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
 15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
  on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
 16the people who sat in darkness
  have seen a great light,
 and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
  light has dawned.”
17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

  18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

  23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:

1.  What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?  What do I have questions about? 

2.  What delights me in this text?  What is my favorite part, and why?

3.  What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  How does this story connect to my life? 

4.  What is God up to in this text?  What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?