Here are the scripture readings for this week!
Second Week of Lent starting February 28, 2010
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17–4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Matthew, chapters 1-4. This section of Matthew will cover what we've learned at UMYF.
Step of Faith: Share God’s love by telling one person (any person) about how you have experienced God’s grace and love.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, November 9, 2009
Loving a Forgiving God--November 8-15th
This week check out Psalm 51 to see how King David of Israel dealt with his own moral failures and sin in the face of God's great mercy.
Wondering what it means to be forgiven? We must also forgive! Check out Matthew chapter 6, especially verses 9-15. What do you think about Jesus' words here?
Are you feeling distant from God? We need to know he still loves us when we feel that he is far away. Read Psalm 22 and note that the first lines are quoted by Jesus himself on the cross.
Want to know what it really means to be in Christ and be forgiven? Refer to Colossians 1:1-14 and see how Paul the Apostle addresses one of the churches with love and reminds them that they are in Christ and FORGIVEN!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Prayer of the Week
Here's our prayer of the week--the Breastplate of St. Patrick
This prayer is attributed to the real St. Patrick who shared the gospel with the Irish in the 4th-5th centuries. His story is an amazing one. Check it out here. The short version is that he was an English teenager who was captured and made a slave in Ireland, escaped back to England, and later God led him back to Ireland to tell the good news of Jesus.
Why read this prayer this week? Read his prayer and you begin to get the idea. The religion of Ireland when Patrick showed up was full of all the legendary things we associate with Halloween--witches, spells, druidism, etc. Patrick's claim to fame is that he showed these people how to love God in a way that was respectful of there culture.
It's nice to see what he needed to pray about in those days. I love the way he has centered on Christ and God's work--yes, there is evil in the world, and things that try to halt God's work, but they can't triumph over Jesus in any way. This prayer is very creative. How many of us think to pray not to be poisoned or drowned? Or to be in harmony with God's creation?
Here it is. Also, find more at this site.
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the
Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession
of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism,
through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial
through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.
I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.
I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature, against everyone who
shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.
I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose
my body and my soul,
against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry,
against spells of women [any witch] and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.
Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning, against drowning,
against wounding, so that there may come abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right,
Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length,
Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the
Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the
Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
This prayer is attributed to the real St. Patrick who shared the gospel with the Irish in the 4th-5th centuries. His story is an amazing one. Check it out here. The short version is that he was an English teenager who was captured and made a slave in Ireland, escaped back to England, and later God led him back to Ireland to tell the good news of Jesus.
Why read this prayer this week? Read his prayer and you begin to get the idea. The religion of Ireland when Patrick showed up was full of all the legendary things we associate with Halloween--witches, spells, druidism, etc. Patrick's claim to fame is that he showed these people how to love God in a way that was respectful of there culture.
It's nice to see what he needed to pray about in those days. I love the way he has centered on Christ and God's work--yes, there is evil in the world, and things that try to halt God's work, but they can't triumph over Jesus in any way. This prayer is very creative. How many of us think to pray not to be poisoned or drowned? Or to be in harmony with God's creation?
Here it is. Also, find more at this site.
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the
Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession
of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism,
through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial
through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.
I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.
I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature, against everyone who
shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.
I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose
my body and my soul,
against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry,
against spells of women [any witch] and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul.
Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning, against drowning,
against wounding, so that there may come abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right,
Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length,
Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the
Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the
Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Be Devoted October 5-11--Read Scripture with us!
Topic: Spiritual Disciplines, or, Strengthening the Muscles of Faith
Monday: Fasting--Luke 3:37 and 5:33, Acts 13:1-4 and 14:23, Deuteronomy 9:15-18
Fasting is a way that people for ages have prepared to come before the Lord in prayer. Have you ever fasted? What would be some ways that something like fasting could be important for you to draw close do God? Why would anyone do this? Think about a time during the week you could fast one meal and use that time to pray.
Tuesday: Another look at Fasting—1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Fasting doesn’t have to be just abstaining from food. This example shows a way a married couple can grow in their relationship with God together. For teenagers, fasting from tv or video games and spending that time in prayer can be valuable spiritually as well. What is something you could give up to spend some more time with the Lord and focusing on your spiritual life?
Wednesday: Holding Vigil—Mark 14:32-42
Sometimes prayer happens when we least anticipate it. Sometimes big things keep us up during the night. Jesus prayed all night on several occasions, keeping vigil while praying to his Father. Staying up all night in worship and/or prayer is called keeping vigil. Times of prayer when the world is asleep is very special, especially in times of great need. What would you stay up all night to pray for?
Thursday: Reading Scripture
As we discussed before, reading the Bible is a great way to draw close to God. Pick anywhere you want to read in the Bible today. Let the Spirit lead. If you aren’t sure where to go, pick something you read last week like Genesis 1 or Psalm 1. Do you hear anything from God? If you don’t, what would you like to hear? What do you need from the Lord today? God’s Holy Spirit will be with you as you pray for what you need.
Friday: Giving—Mark 12:38-44
Every Sunday in church we take up an offering that supports the ministry of our whole congregation. Giving money is a way to be disciplined and grow in obedience to God. Also, it is a way to show your support for the work of the whole church. Read this story and see what God is asking you to give. It may be money to the church or a mission you would like to support, or if you don’t have money, God might be showing you another way to give. And think about the widow—what is her (and your) motivation to give?
Saturday: Serving others, especially the poor and needy—Luke 10:25-37, James 1:27
The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that God wants us to serve others by taking care of their needs when they are helpless. How is God calling you to do the same?
Sunday: Worship—John 4:7-29 (especially 21-24)
The entire book of Leviticus and most of Deuteronomy details the law of Israel that God gave them—and this law was the idea that worshiping the Lord God (Yahweh) was the most special thing in the world. As Christians we worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. What do these words of Jesus say to you about your own times of worship?
Monday: Fasting--Luke 3:37 and 5:33, Acts 13:1-4 and 14:23, Deuteronomy 9:15-18
Fasting is a way that people for ages have prepared to come before the Lord in prayer. Have you ever fasted? What would be some ways that something like fasting could be important for you to draw close do God? Why would anyone do this? Think about a time during the week you could fast one meal and use that time to pray.
Tuesday: Another look at Fasting—1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Fasting doesn’t have to be just abstaining from food. This example shows a way a married couple can grow in their relationship with God together. For teenagers, fasting from tv or video games and spending that time in prayer can be valuable spiritually as well. What is something you could give up to spend some more time with the Lord and focusing on your spiritual life?
Wednesday: Holding Vigil—Mark 14:32-42
Sometimes prayer happens when we least anticipate it. Sometimes big things keep us up during the night. Jesus prayed all night on several occasions, keeping vigil while praying to his Father. Staying up all night in worship and/or prayer is called keeping vigil. Times of prayer when the world is asleep is very special, especially in times of great need. What would you stay up all night to pray for?
Thursday: Reading Scripture
As we discussed before, reading the Bible is a great way to draw close to God. Pick anywhere you want to read in the Bible today. Let the Spirit lead. If you aren’t sure where to go, pick something you read last week like Genesis 1 or Psalm 1. Do you hear anything from God? If you don’t, what would you like to hear? What do you need from the Lord today? God’s Holy Spirit will be with you as you pray for what you need.
Friday: Giving—Mark 12:38-44
Every Sunday in church we take up an offering that supports the ministry of our whole congregation. Giving money is a way to be disciplined and grow in obedience to God. Also, it is a way to show your support for the work of the whole church. Read this story and see what God is asking you to give. It may be money to the church or a mission you would like to support, or if you don’t have money, God might be showing you another way to give. And think about the widow—what is her (and your) motivation to give?
Saturday: Serving others, especially the poor and needy—Luke 10:25-37, James 1:27
The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that God wants us to serve others by taking care of their needs when they are helpless. How is God calling you to do the same?
Sunday: Worship—John 4:7-29 (especially 21-24)
The entire book of Leviticus and most of Deuteronomy details the law of Israel that God gave them—and this law was the idea that worshiping the Lord God (Yahweh) was the most special thing in the world. As Christians we worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. What do these words of Jesus say to you about your own times of worship?
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