WOW. As we continue living in this COVID-19 environment, life seems ever-changing…

Worship? Canceled.

Social gatherings? Minimized.

Faith. Challenged?

Here are a few thoughts/adaptations:

• consider praying aloud the “For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty” prayer at the link HERE (shared by a Mississippi pastor and dear family friend
• worship at home (several streaming worship service links are HERE)
• listen to songs of faith HERE
• call or email a friend to chat about joyful life experiences you have shared
• get outside and take a walk, like the folks pictured below

Our community of faith makes a huge difference.  With our new technological world, “where two or more are gathered” doesn’t always have to be in physical proximity!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 15, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 
• Psalm 95 
• Romans 5:1-11 
• John 4:5-42

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“Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.”

Sound familiar? These words from Frances Havergal, poet and hymn writer, are from the song “Take My Life.”

This SongFacts webpage has a link to an audio version of the song and also contains background of why Frances was compelled to write this just a few years prior to her death. She clearly was an evangelistically-minded individual and one can imagine feeling compelled to write a song after the “Lord, give me all in this house” experience she had in converting and refocusing acquaintances (song lyrics are HERE.)

ACTION: May this day find us all letting our moments and our days “flow in ceaseless praise!”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 15, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 
• Psalm 95 
• Romans 5:1-11 
• John 4:5-42

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WOW! Don’t you just love how the Spirit can sometimes work in mysterious ways?

While writing a prayer note to a friend this morning, the prose of Rainer Maria Rilke, (link HERE) came to me by way of the Northumbria Community Morning Prayer (link HERE.)

May each of us  “live our way into the answers…”

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

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P.S. Reflecting on the number of wonderful Christian resources, it seems now is a good time to highlight those HERE (https://christianplaybook.longmemories.info/resources).

If you have resources you would suggest we add, please email to salong_now @ yahoo.com with the reference and why you enjoy it. Many thanks!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 15, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7 
• Psalm 95 
• Romans 5:1-11 
• John 4:5-42

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

The website SimpleLivingWorks looks interesting…they have lots of resources plus articles like this one on “What Might a Prophet Look Like?” That article includes the comment “Although lifestyle ministry is largely prophetic – urging and equipping people of faith to walk their talk – it focuses on two of the five Life Standards** of “Living More with Less” – “Do Justice” (#1) and “Non-conform Freely” (#5).” The author then shares 9 activities they are performing in support of these two Life Standards.

Reading such articles and summaries makes one pause and consider how as Christians we live a lifestyle that promotes justice. There are many actions possible. May the Spirit move each of us to show love with new and “more just” actions this week!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 15, 2020:

• Exodus 17:1-7
• Psalm 95 
• Romans 5:1-11
• John 4:5-42

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE

Today is World Day of Prayer. It’s nice to think of folks world-wide praying today for God’s peace on earth…

“Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” said Jesus. Our sisters from Zimbabwe are taking Jesus’ encounter to be a call to act in love for peace and reconciliation. “The action verbs suggest that we should not be afraid to act on the word of God. God is offering us the steps for personal and social transformation.” ~ https://worlddayofprayer.net/index.html

You can see more HERE about the program and Zimbabwe, the country of focus for 2020.

Prayers of strength and support are headed out today for all folks working for a more peaceful, loving, compassionate, non-judgmental world!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 8, 2020:

• Genesis 12:1-4a 
• Psalm 121 
• Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 
• John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

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“… So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.” ~ Merrit Malloy

The quote above is yet another nice reminder of ways we can be sharing Christ’s life with all. For those interested, the additional verses are HERE .

This week, may we each live out one or more of the efforts Malloy mentions in this piece – – cry for another, put your arms around those walking the street beside you, let hands touch hands, let bodies touch bodies, let go of children needing to be freed…

PRAYER POSSIBILITY: during the season of Lent, below these Christian Playbook posts will be links to a Lenten Prayer written by Rev. Dr. LP Jones – you can experience this prayer by reading or listening to the words…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lenten Prayer by Rev. Dr. LP Jones: opportunities to read or listen

• read HERE
• listen HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 8, 2020:

• Genesis 12:1-4a 
• Psalm 121 
• Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 
• John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

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“Happy are they who put their trust in you” ~ Psalm 84: 12

Why is it that we have so many anxieties (and not nearly enough serenity?) Pastor Roger Greene share some thoughts about this HERE. Putting our trust in God is difficult and yet peace-inducing.

POTENTIAL ACTION: “Take a moment right now to ask God to liberate you from the false idols asking for your trust. Ask God to reassure you that putting your trust in God is enough and the only road to less anxiety.” ~ A Cure for Anxiety – Pastor Roger’s blog posting

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 1, 2020:

• Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 
• Psalm 32 
• Romans 5:12-19 
• Matthew 4:1-11

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“Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.” ~ Psalm 103:22

Oh Lord We Bless Your Name is a song by Pastor Gregory Chandler, Jr. and performed by The Chandler Family. You can have a listen HERE. It’s a wonderful composition with vocals that lift praise and honor.

As we begin the Lenten journey while enjoying this earth and all God shares with us, may we find activities to take up to make a positive difference in our world. In the Cincinnati area, Pastor Gregory Chandler, Jr. is founder of Whole Again, an important non-profit group working to alleviate childhood hunger in the Cincinnati area {more on this group and possible actions in the months ahead…}

Enjoy the day while lifting praise to God, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 1, 2020:

• Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 
• Psalm 32 
• Romans 5:12-19 
• Matthew 4:1-11

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Altruistic Egoism. Now, that’s a mouthful!

How about “When you give of yourself to others you get so much more in return?”

Jesus shared plenty of words and examples of altruistic egoism including Luke 6:31. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – –  we heard this one regularly from our mom while growing up. It did (and does) resonate within me, helping the Spirit move me to do some things outside my comfort zone.

Our mom not only says the words, she also “walks her talk” (at age 86 she’s still mighty active in the community!) Not only does she bless, she is blessed and grateful.

Many churches encourage their folks to “Take Something On for Lent.” Most of the time, pictures of those shown helping others include smiles and expressions of joy. Another bonus of altruism is that brightening of one’s own day!

PRAYER: Dear God, help us to remember about loving another the way we want to be loved…

ACTION: As we ready for the start of Lent, what can you “take on this week” to help another? Allow the Spirit to stir you to move outside your comfort zone if you can…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 23, 2020:

• Exodus 24:12-18 
• Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 
• 2 Peter 1:16-21 
• Matthew 17:1-9

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“We shall overcome – deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

The song “We Shall Overcome” suffers “copyright confusion”, with roots in Cincinnati, Ohio according to THIS source and yet SongFacts says differently HERE.

While not knowing Charles Tindley nor Louise Shropshire nor Pete Seeger, maybe the important thing to them would be that this song endures with some of the principal musical and lyrical messages they wanted to share. The fact that the civil rights movement could use it effectively and many others now have this in the public domain for use whenever they wish would hopefully please all three!

ACTION OPPORTUNITY: Listen to these songs one right after the other to focus on the messages and hear the similarities

• I’ll Overcome Someday – Charles Tindley version
• If My Jesus Wills – Louise Shropshire version
• We Shall Overcome – this is a 1967 version by Pete Seeger in Berlin with a rather heart-catching additional verse about Montgomery Alabama and “We are Not Afraid TODAY!”

PRAYER: Dear God, throughout our days, may we worry less of credit, and focus more on praise!  Amen.  [Is this prayer a Christian Playbook original or do we need to give credit elsewhere?  🙂  ]

How can you help another overcome this day? Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

“BONUS FEATURE” – check out THIS 8 minute video that includes more background on If My Jesus Wills and includes a wonderful performance of “If My Jesus Wills/We Shall Overcome” arrangement by Berens and performed by the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir, Greater Cincinnati Indian Community Choir, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra led by conductor John Morris Russell.

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 23, 2020:

• Exodus 24:12-18 
• Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 
• 2 Peter 1:16-21 
• Matthew 17:1-9

Know someone who might like receiving messages like this?**  If so, forward this message to them and they can sign up HERE