Join Pastor Emily on the 1^st and 3rd Tuesday of the month for a candle ritual, Bible story, activity, song, and prayer.

OPENING CANDLE RITUAL:

God’s holy light surrounds us. Only good can come in. Only good can go out. Amen.

Join Pastor Emily on the 1^st and 3rd Tuesday of the month for a candle ritual, Bible story, activity, song, and prayer.

OPENING CANDLE RITUAL:

God’s holy light surrounds us. Only good can come in. Only good can go out. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S STORY:

“Jesus in the Desert” (Matthew 4) retold by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the “Children of God Storybook Bible.”

THIS WEEK’S SONG:

“Beautiful Things”

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES:

1. Jesus was tested in the wilderness and remained there as he fasted (he didn’t eat) for 40 days and nights. Imagine this for a moment.  What do you think this time in the wilderness would have been like for Jesus?  How do you think he felt?  What do you think he did? Was it difficult or easy?  The bible doesn’t really say much about what happened in the wilderness after the temptation happened.  Watch this video of one artist’s depiction of what Jesus did during those 40 days and nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-6a25Yo2wE  Share any thoughts
2. People sometimes say they go through “wilderness” periods in their lives.  What might it mean for someone to go through a “wilderness” period or a time of testing and hardship?  What are some examples of “wilderness” periods: that you have been through, others you know have been through, or people in our city, country, or around the world are going through? Jesus was tested in this wilderness, just like we all go through times of testing and hardship. This means that Jesus understands everything that we are going through, including the difficult wilderness times in our lives. What are some ways you have felt tested in this pandemic “wilderness”? How might you find hope in our wilderness periods?

3. This Wednesday, Feb. 17 is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent in the church calendar. Lent ends with Holy Week and Easter.  This reminds us that the resurrection comes after we spend time in the wilderness (new life comes after times of struggle and hardship.)  This is also true for us as we journey through this pandemic “wilderness” time.  What are some signs of hope and resurrection you have noticed during this pandemic wilderness?

4. The season of Lent is a time when we are invited to follow Jesus into the wilderness: to simplify our lives so we can make space for God, reflect on how God is present in our lives and in the world, and think about how God is calling us to use our gifts, resources, and talents to share God’s love with others. People often do one or both of the following during Lent: fast (or give something up) during Lent in order to make more space for God and take on a spiritual practice to connect with God in that new space that was made. What is one thing you would like to fast from and one spiritual practice you would like to take on during this Lent?  (You can fast from anything: candy, coffee, social media, cut back tv time, etc.  Spiritual practices can be a wide range of things: try a new prayer practice, offer time, gifts, or money to others, meditate, create art or music, go on nature walks, spend time with family, serve others, etc.)

5. Since this pandemic has been difficult on everyone, particularly those who live alone or have very limited access to connecting with others, come up with a list together of 3-5 different people you can reach out to each week during Lent. You might call them or send them a card, text, or email to let them know you are thinking about them and to find out how they are doing.

6. Participate in the virtual Ash Wednesday service together. If you do not have ashes, you can use olive oil and/or dirt from a houseplant to mark your heads with the sign of the cross.

CLOSING CANDLE RITUAL:

God’s holy light surrounds us. Only good can come in. Only good can go out. We take this light with us wherever we go. Amen.