HOME PRAYER STATION – EXPERIENCING LENT THROUGH SACRED ARTS Lectio Devina (an ancient way of reading and praying using a short scripture passage) Read the scripture passage three times. Use the following to guide you: 1st Reading: What is one word or phrase that stands out? Meditate (think/reflect) on that. 2nd Reading: Reread the passage. What do you feel? What in your life relates to these words? Write a prayer or just pray silently. 3rd Reading: Reread the passage. How might Jesus have responded to this Psalm as he wandered in the wilderness? What might be God’s personal invitation to you from the scripture? Sketch a picture on a piece of paper that expresses your thoughts or pray silently. Psalm 63 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. 1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,* and my mouth praises you with joyful lips 6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Stitchery done by Ann Antoun while living in a Middle Eastern desert, 1986 | ![]() |
0 Comments
NRPC BBQ & Bake Sale:
Saturday, March 13 11:00-1:00 BBQ Sales: we have had numerous requests for the BBQ and Bake Sale. So we are going to do it! There will be a BBQ and Bake Sale primarily for the Congregation on Saturday, March 13. For the BBQ, You must complete the pre-order form Click Here . The BBQ will be chicken or pork accompanied by slaw. Other sides will not be offered. Sauce will also be available for sale. You may invite friends and family to participate but they must pre-order for BBQ. Questions please contact Keith Livengood . As always, the proceeds from the BBQ and Bake Sale will go to support outreach ministries. Calling all bakers – If you’d like to make homemade goodies (sweet or savory) to sell at the bake sale for March Madness celebrations, please contact Krista Allen. Please plan to drop off items Saturday morning, March 13 starting at 9am. Take some time to just sit with this painting. How does it make you feel?
Listen to Danny and Caroline as they read from Matthew 4:1-11. During and after the reading consider these questions: What were the temptations? Was there something the temptations had in common? What temptations do you experience in your life? How does Jesus respond and what might we learn from his response? Click here to watch the video and share in this spiritual activity. Now, offer a prayer to God. Painting: Christ in the Wilderness by Ivan Kramskoi, 1872 Readers: Danny Dove and Caroline Pitts LIVE STREAMING UPDATE
We will be transitioning platforms for our digital worship. Dates to remember:
WORSHIP SURVEY SUMMARY NRPC Worship Committee conducted a survey November 2020 through January 2021 to assess participation in current activities offered by the church and to gauge interest for in person (and indoor) worship opportunities. The purpose of this survey was to understand how well our activities had been communicated to the congregation and to plan, logistically, for how to manage numbers of people who might be interested in attending in person worship were we to offer that. The purpose of the survey was not to guide or influence the decision to proceed with in person worship. Below is a brief summary of results. If you would like any more detailed information, please contact the office at NRPC. We thank you for your participation and feedback through the survey! Summary of Worship Survey
![]() SPIRITUAL PRACTICES WITH SACRED ARTS DURING LENT After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights… (Matthew 4:2) In The Bible, the number forty stands for a long time of hardship, waiting, and wandering. AFTER the earth flooded, Noah spent 40 days in the ark BEFORE God made a covenant with his family. AFTER hearing God’s commandments, Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights BEFORE leading the Israelites in the wilderness. AFTER leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years BEFORE reaching the Promised Land. AFTER his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted BEFORE starting his ministry. Forty is an in-between space – between the AFTER and BEFORE – where transformation takes place. What do you need to take with you in the wilderness? Who do you need to take with you? What supplies do you need? (Used with permission from Theresa Cho) Join us in your own journey during Lent. You will be given a baggie which will contain air drying modeling clay and one candle. You will simply fashion a candle holder from the clay and move the candle each day during Lent. As you move the candle one space each day pray for a person or a place going through dark, difficult times. As your candle journeys in 20 steps and journeys out 20 steps, pray they will know light in their darkness as they journey through the wilderness. Join Brandon on Thursday, December 17th at 7:00pm for this month’s movie night discussion. The film is Children of Men by Alfonso Cuaron.
![]() Longest Night Vespers December 21st will mark the winter solstice, when the sun is at its maximum distance from the northern hemisphere. This longest night of the year is an appropriate time for us to acknowledge that the holiday season is not always glittery and bright, but that it is frequently 'darkened' by grief, sadness and despair. We will gather via Zoom (Meeting ID: 850 6973 5196 Passcode: 11905) at 6:30 pm for a brief service of quiet prayers and reflection as we bear witness to Christ's light even in the darkness. NRPC is holding a coat drive for One Warm Coat and you can help! One Warm Coat is a national non profit that provides free coats to people in need. Our drive will take place from Sunday, Dec. 13 until Monday, January 18.
The coats we collect will be distributed here in our local community, to children and adults in need. How you can help us share warmth--Simply go through your closets and pull out your gently worn coats, wash them and bring to the Faith Ministries Building where there will be a bin labeled One Warm Coat—IT’S THAT EASY!! Don’t have a coat to donate? You are welcome to purchase a new coat OR you may make a monetary donation. Make your check out to NRPC with One Warm Coat in the memo. The first opportunity to bring your coat to church will be on Sunday, December 13 during the Advent Pageant. You may also bring your coat to donate during the Christmas Eve Services. Additional times to drop off coats will be listed in enews. |
NRPC CommunicationsArchives
February 2021
|