Lent 1 – Prayer Chair
Pastor Jason Settle into a chair, breathe deeply, and make the following prayer your offering to God.
For the times when I have run myself and others ragged… forgive me.
For the times when I have asked of myself too much or too little… forgive me.
Help me find the right tempos for the right times, O God.
Help me be gentle in my learning and growing–with myself and with others.
Help me step back when the toxic and overbearing pace of life that I believe I must adhere to in order to live up to some external ideal threatens to tear down my connections to life, love and to you.
In this moment I hear your promise:
My yoke is easy,
my burden light. (Matthew 11:30)
You do not ask me to destroy myself in order to please you.
I am your child, created by you, with whom you are pleased… Just. Because.
I bring my petitions to you this day, O God. Here are the people and things I am worried about …. (offer up to God your joys and concerns)
Holy God, who holds me close as a Loving Parent does,
I honor this life you have given me and this moment to remember what’s important.
I pray that your love will reign in all the earth and in my heart.
Give me what I need to get through the next 24 hours. No more. No less.
Open me to give and receive forgiveness when and if that’s needed so that serenity will return.
Your world is precious. This moment will never pass again.
With this breath I offer my deepest thanks.
Put any worries in your God Box (instructions below), and pray the Serenity Prayer that is printed on the Box. As an “amen,” take a deep breath before you leave the chair.
God Box Instructions
The God Box is a way of handing over the things that we worry (perhaps even obsess) about that are beyond our control. You can make a God Box out of a small box, perhaps shoebox size, and decorate it however you choose and place the Serenity Prayer on the lid (you could cut out the one below). Whenever worries pop up, you are invited to write your worries on bits of paper and put them in your God Box as a sign that you are letting go of that which you cannot control into the care of God. Replace the time spent worrying in your head with speaking the Serenity Prayer by H. Rienhold Neibhur, 20th century theologian. You could also keep your prayer papers in this box.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Miss the sermon this week?
This Week:
Tuesday, March 12th, 6:15 pm Small Group
Wednesday, March 13th, 1:30 pm Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, March 13th, No Choir
Thursday, March 14th, 3:00 pm Ladles of Love, Meal preparation
Thursday, March 14th, 4:00 pm Ladles of Love, Meal delivery
**We need more volunteers for delivery. If you are available, please come to the church at 3:45 pm.
Sunday, March 17th, 11:00 am Worship; Baptism Class Continues (10:00 am & 4:00 pm)
Upcoming Events:
March 23rd, 10:00 am – 12 noon Rise Against Hunger, Service Opportunity, Meal Prep, Shrine Center
March 24th, 12 noon, Fundraising/Fellowship Lunch, Bring your favorite Casserole
March 26th, AM/PM Sanctuary Clean-up/Work-day
March 31st, 5:00 pm, Organ Concert featuring Dr. Andrew Scanlon on our 1923 Skinner Organ
April 13th, afternoon (time TBA), Easter Egg Hunt/Fellowship at the home of Joanie & Jason Williams
April 26th, Lunch: BBQ