Ashley Bandara, Contemporary Worship Leader  Job 4:7-9 (NRSV) 7 “For there is hope for a tree,     if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,     and that its shoots will not cease. 8 Though its root grows old in the earth,     and its stump dies in the ground, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud     and put forth branches like a young plant.  Reflection: You may have heard the phrase “hurt people hurt people.” It’s a phrase that elicits empathy reminding us that we can’t know what is happening internally with someone else. We can’t [...]

JoBeth Hawkins, Small Group Leader Luke‬ ‭23:32-43‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬ “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The [...]

Cindy Donaldson, St. Luke’s member since 2012, Children’s Council chair, Moms of Littles Bible study co-leader Ezekiel 37:4-6 “Actually, I do. Prophesy to these bones. Tell them to listen to what the Eternal Lord says to them: “Dry bones, I will breathe breath into you, and you will come alive. I will attach muscles and tendons to you, cause flesh to grow over them, and cover you with skin. I will breathe breath into you, and you will come alive. After this happens, you will know that I am the Eternal.”  Reflection: As I’m writing this in February, I’m [...]

Center yourself on today's reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer: Inhale - Speak, Lord Exhale - for your servants are listening. Reflection Practice Read the passage three times aloud. In between each reading, pause and meditate on the words that stuck out to you, and rest in God's presence. John 19:13-30 13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He [...]

Center yourself on today's reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer: Inhale - Speak, Lord Exhale - for your servants are listening. Reflection Practice: Read the passage three times aloud. In between each reading, pause and meditate on the words that stuck out to you, and rest in God's presence. John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had [...]

Center yourself on today's reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer: Inhale - Speak, Lord Exhale - for your servants are listening. Reflection Practice: Read the passage three times aloud. In between each reading, pause and meditate on the words that stuck out to you, and rest in God's presence. John 13:21-32 21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was [...]

Center yourself on today's reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer: Inhale - Speak, Lord Exhale - for your servants are listening. Reflection Practice: Read the passage three times aloud. In between each reading, pause and meditate on the words that stuck out to you, and rest in God's presence. John 12:27-36 27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, [...]

Over the last several weeks, we have journeyed together through the patterns that lead us back to God — conviction, confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Now, we have arrived at Holy Week, the time that marks Jesus’ final days on earth.  This week we will soak in Scripture and contemplation. Each day you will receive a Scripture passage. Read it 3 times aloud pausing in between to rest in God’s presence. You may feel invited to journal or pray. You will close with a time of intercessory prayer for our community, our world, our church, and our personal concerns. It [...]