Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to God, who is unseen. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for God knows what you need before you ask.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is traditionally a 40 day period (minus Sundays) during which Christians all around the world reflect on their lives and their faith.
Down through the centuries Christians have fasted or abstained from eating meat and/or other favourite foods and pray or reflected upon Scripture. Today, many Christians still give up something in their lives for the Lenten period, while others add a daily practice like meditation, journal writing or a Lenten Bible Study.
Ash Wednesday, so called because last years palm leaves from Palm Sunday are burnt and are placed on the forehead in the sign of the cross with the words : “Human beings are dust and to dust you shall return”. The ashes are a symbolic mark of contrition and confession in the church is always followed by the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Our confessions are a sign of our humility and our humanity and forgiveness is the promise of God’s grace.
Matthew 6:9-14
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, God will also forgive you.
As we cross the threshold into Lent, into this sacred time when we reflect on our lives and look into our hearts, let it be a time of prayer and a time for studying and living out God’s word as it is proclaimed in the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
May you all have a blessed Lenten season.
( The Youtube link for the song can be found on the Texada Island United Church Facebook site)
Spirit Open My Heart
Spirit open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As You love, may I love;
in receiving and in giving,
Spirit open my heart.
1.
God replace my stony heart
with a heart that that’s kind and tender. All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender. (refrain)
2.
Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word and deed,
may my living bring you glory. (refrain)
3.
May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
may we welcome one another, (refrain)
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to God, who is unseen. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for God knows what you need before you ask.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is traditionally a 40 day period (minus Sundays) during which Christians all around the world reflect on their lives and their faith.
Down through the centuries Christians have fasted or abstained from eating meat and/or other favourite foods and pray or reflected upon Scripture. Today, many Christians still give up something in their lives for the Lenten period, while others add a daily practice like meditation, journal writing or a Lenten Bible Study.
Ash Wednesday, so called because last years palm leaves from Palm Sunday are burnt and are placed on the forehead in the sign of the cross with the words : “Human beings are dust and to dust you shall return”. The ashes are a symbolic mark of contrition and confession in the church is always followed by the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Our confessions are a sign of our humility and our humanity and forgiveness is the promise of God’s grace.
Matthew 6:9-14
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, God will also forgive you.
As we cross the threshold into Lent, into this sacred time when we reflect on our lives and look into our hearts, let it be a time of prayer and a time for studying and living out God’s word as it is proclaimed in the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
May you all have a blessed Lenten season.
( The Youtube link for the song can be found on the Texada Island United Church Facebook site)
Spirit Open My Heart
Spirit open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As You love, may I love;
in receiving and in giving,
Spirit open my heart.
1.
God replace my stony heart
with a heart that that’s kind and tender. All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender. (refrain)
2.
Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word and deed,
may my living bring you glory. (refrain)
3.
May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
may we welcome one another, (refrain)
