Sunday, April 12, 2020 – Easter Sunday

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today – UMH 302
(audio version)
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!


Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!


Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!


Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!


Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!


King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!


Charles Wesley

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Psalm 110 English Standard Version (ESV)
(audio version)
Sit at My Right Hand
A Psalm of David.

The Lord says to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Lord sends forth from Zion
    your mighty scepter.
    Rule in the midst of your enemies!
Your people will offer themselves freely
    on the day of your power,
    in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
    the dew of your youth will be yours.
The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

The Lord is at your right hand;
    he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
He will execute judgment among the nations,
    filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
    over the wide earth.
He will drink from the brook by the way;
    therefore he will lift up his head.

Friday, April 10, 2020 – Good Friday

In the Garden, in the World
(audio version)
Read: John 20:1-18

Walking slowly in the dawning
    burdened with grief
    burdened with oil and spices
    burdened with a task – an act of Love

To the tomb they come wondering
    how could He be dead?
    how can we bear it?
    how can we roll away that stone?

Shocked to stillness, to standing
    the guards are gone
    the tomb is opened
    the angel tells them that He is risen

Running to the disciples, then with two returning
    the men look in
    see He is not there
    return pondering, confused

Left behind in the Garden, wondering
    where can I find Him?
    where have they taken Him?
    where have you taken Him?

Asking the Gardener, weeping
    hears Him call her name
    sees Him welcome her
    worships Him, falling at His feet

Listening to His Word, worshiping
    “don’t fear, trust Me
    “don’t hold Me, proclaim Me,
    “tell them to come to Me.”

I see the scene unfold, marveling
    The Tomb is empty!
    The Tomb is empty!
    The Tomb is empty! Hallelujah!

Mary met Him in the Garden
    where will I meet Him? Here?
Mary worshiped Him as soon as she knew Him
    when will I worship Him? Now?
Mary knew Him as her Lord, her all
    what is He to me? Savior?
Mary ran to tell her friends to meet Him
    whom will I tell? Anyone? Everyone?
Mary spent her life serving Him who saved her
    why don’t I? how can I not?


Charlie van Becelaere

Thursday, April 9, 2020 – Maundy Thursday

Exquisite Fragrance
(audio version)
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (The Message Translation)


My mom made homemade bread every Friday. When I close my eyes, I can still smell that scrumptious hot bread as I walked into the kitchen after school on Fridays. The smell of hot bread reminds me of the love and laughter we shared around the table; hot bread, butter and the events of the day were a sweet scent rising to God.

Smell is a powerful sense. I imagine you too have smells that stir up pleasant memories. Perhaps, if you close your eyes, you will smell a new box of crayons, a certain perfume, a favorite dish, pipe tobacco, a certain place, wood shavings, or some other memory filled with an exquisite fragrance.

In Corinthians, Paul says we give off a sweet scent. We, who follow Jesus, are known by the scent of love that wafts from us as we share the love of Christ through our words and actions.

Lent is a time of self-examination and I think it is a good time to ask, how am I doing? Am I leaving the sweet scent of Christ’s love everywhere I go? If not, do I need to spend a little more time with Jesus and let the fragrance of His love infuse me so I can be an exquisite fragrance and a sweet smell to all I meet?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may my words and actions leave the lingering exquisite fragrance of Your love with everyone I meet. AMEN.


Pam Wells (College Grove UMC)

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Brilliance
(audio version)
Read: 1 Samuel 16:7

Ever notice how some flashes of brilliance seem to be "brilliant" only to you? Back a few years ago in a Lenten Devotion I described my mother's penchant for seeing the negative. I summarized that attitude as "every silver lining has a dark cloud!" That to me was surely something that would bring many comments. Strangely, at least to me, I heard not one. So much for brilliant remarks.

The lack of response in no way made me less willing to offer more Lenten Devotions. Because we don't hear a response to a "devotional" doesn't mean it hasn't helped someone(s). I take great joy in reading and taking to heart many of the devotionals our church family has shared even though I don't respond.

Jack van Becelaere

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

We Worship in this Beautiful Place
(audio version)
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Okay, it's two days before the deadline and I haven't managed to write a Lenten devotion.  I'm at retreat with no readily available reference books, a sometimes sketchy internet connection, lots of people who are busy relaxing, and I've got no idea what to say.

As circumstances would have it, we have no ordained clergy with us this year so we have to design a meaningful worship service for tomorrow morning. I'm not naming names but I was sort of absorbed into a group of about six people who were working on the service.

"Faith, hope, and charity" is the theme. We've got a song:"The Bible Tells Me So."  That part is done.  Now we need a couple of hymns and a couple of scripture references. None of us is a scholar of biblical proportions (or scripture).  Sketchy Internet. How do we get this done?

As I write this, seven hours later, I don't remember exactly what we came up with.  I'll find out tomorrow morning.  What I do remember is that ideas started flowing, all tied to faith, hope, and charity.

Do I think that God, at that moment, directed our thoughts? Not necessarily, but I do think that our own faith journeys, the hope to do something meaningful, and our relationships with God led us in the right direction.

How'd the service go?  Was it meaningful?  You'll have to ask somebody who was there because it hasn't happened yet. 

Did we feel God's presence as we discussed possibilities?  That one I can answer: Yes.  God was with us in this beautiful place.

Fred Van de Putte

Monday, April 6, 2020

Continuing to Grow
(audio version)
Psalm 56:3-4 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
3 when I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I am not afraid;
    what can flesh do to me?


When I was in MYF about a hundred years ago, one of the activities at a church overnight was to create a banner with our personal motto or mission statement. Our youth minister was especially good at encouraging conversation without preaching to us. His message to us throughout the year was really pretty simple and clear: You’re about to leave for college and start to design your own life. What is going to guide your life? What will be your lodestar?

On this night, he had all sorts of books, Bibles, hymns, and popular music for us to explore and piles of fabric, paints, glues, and poster boards. We spent hours reading and talking about what we were finding. We were soooooo deep and philosophical! After a couple of hours of this, the young minister shooed us off to think and work by ourselves and create our personal banners.

I settled on Robert Browning’s quote: A man’s reach should exceed his grasp (edited, of course, to become “a woman’s reach should exceed her grasp” because I was, after all, a budding feminist!).

My banner was on rough burlap with colorful triangles of orange and red felt and a long, jagged yellow lightning strike. I’m sure there was some meaning in there, although I no longer remember what that might have been. But the words have stuck with me and, in fact, have been a steady reminder over the years of how I want to approach every day.

I live a pretty comfortable life. I’ve stretched a lot in my lifetime, but I can’t say that I’ve stretched as far as I should have. I’m sure that the girl who first landed on those words had bigger dreams than I have fulfilled. In fact, I know she did.

Falling back into the comfortable is awfully easy to do. Reaching out to do something that’s uncertain and unfamiliar is hard and scary. Even at my age, I want to grow and that means that I must be willing to continue to reach out because growth only happens when we reach beyond our comfort zones.

Prayer: Help me not to fear the unknown but to step ahead knowing that you will comfort and support me in all ways. When I stumble, you will reach out to lift me; when I fall, you will pick me up. In all things, you will be my strength and shield.

Joan Richardson

Sunday, April 5, 2020 – Palm Sunday

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus – UMH 277
(audio version)
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.


First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.


Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"


William H. Parker

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Psalm 45:1-9, 15-17 English Standard Version (ESV)
(audio version)
Your Throne, O God, Is Forever
To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your splendor and majesty!

In your majesty ride out victoriously
    for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
    let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king's enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
    The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
    you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
    your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
    daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;
    at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

In place of your fathers shall be your sons;
    you will make them princes in all the earth.
I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
    therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Friday, April 3, 2020

He is Lord

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:8-11, Revelation 19:16

On the Baptism of the Lord Sunday this year (2020) Heidi was singing Hymn 177 “He is Lord” which goes “He is Lord, he is Lord! He is risen from the dead and he is Lord! Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Such a simple and profound hymn. A hymn which states our belief as Christians “Jesus is Lord!” “Lord of Earth and of Heaven.” We state as a matter of fact “Jesus is Lord!” In the Apostles’ Creed we say “I believe … in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord” and in the Nicene Creed “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jesus is Lord! Simple, yet profound! Lord and God we find in the Shema of ancient Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Early Christians read the Shema and saw Jesus and the Father as one in substance and yet each with their own distinctiveness. In 1 Corinthians 8:6-7 we read, “yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” Christians always and everywhere have believed “Jesus is Lord!”

When we put our trust in Jesus’ Lordship in our lives we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved (Romans 10:9-10). When I heard Heidi singing He is Lord my spirit was saying “yes! Jesus you are Lord! You are my Lord! Help me to follow you” because I want steadfast and faithful love for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit with all that I am, all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. This confession is the foundation of our faith. It is believed Philippians 2:6-11 is one of the first hymns of Christianity. This confession becomes profound when in Philippians 2:11 we see “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Saying this confession in a colony of Roman allegiance would have been a political statement. If Jesus is Lord, then Caesar cannot be lord. We cannot worship both Jesus and Caesar, who will our commitment as Christians bow our knee to? Will we allow Jesus as Lord to be the root and foundation of our belief?

It is my prayer this Lenten time of a called fast, that in this time we might draw closer to the Holy Trinity. May we know Jesus so well as to say “my Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). May it not stop with just a confession, but with a change in our spirit with how we live and have deeper intimacy with this God whom we also call our Lord. I plan on growing this Lenten season to know more about this God whom we all will one day confess is Lord. I hope you will too.

Prayer: My Lord and my God, I pray to know you better as both Lord and God. Help me to follow you as Lord even when I would rather follow the world and Caesar. During this time of fasting, help me to hold to my commitment to your Lordship. May your Holy Spirit empower me to live a changed and holy life. Amen.

Rev. Keith Lenard, Jr.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Living in the Present

Read: Matthew 6:25-34

Sometimes I wish I was more like my dog, Jax. The main reason being that Jax lives in the present. He doesn't let circumstances from the past bother him. Jax doesn't hold a grudge – if he gets scolded for something (sometimes not even his fault), shortly after he's back at my side for a much enjoyed walk or just a loving touch.

How wonderful it would be if we all could practice such forgiveness. The past should not define our current life – it's not productive to play “what if” all the time. He also doesn't worry about the future. He's content to nap in the sunbeam on the living room floor or guard “his sidewalk” from those who dare to walk down it. A dear friend once called me the “Queen of Anticipation.” She was absolutely right – I have wasted a lot of time imagining worst case scenarios when faced with even a small crisis. Most of the time, a simple solution will present itself.

Jesus reminds us in this passage that ultimately we are in God's hands and need to place our trust in Him, which will ultimately make our lives much more fulfilling. So I'm going to work on trying to be more like Jax. Who couldn't use a nice nap in a sunbeam?

Prayer focus: all who worry too much

Sue DeWitt

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

God Is in Control
(audio version)
Read: Isaiah 55:8-11

We need to hear that God is still in control.
We need to hear that it’s not over until He says so.
We need to hear that life’s mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out; they are simply a reason to sit tight.

Father, when we hurt, you hurt with us.
When no one listens to us, you listen.
You wipe away our tears of frustration with your strong hand, and nothing that happens to us surprises you.

Prayer: Remind us, Father, that the most important thing we can do on this Earth is to reach out and help those who have not yet found the key to that life that is to come – eternal life with you.

Glenn DeLodder