Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Dave Whelan

As Lent begins today, God wants us to quietly listen to the words of his son.  What does that mean “quietly?”  Jesus says in the gospel “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.”  He goes on by saying “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.”   During this Lenten period, there are so many opportunities for us to perform “random acts of kindness” that can be done without a lot of celebration or fanfare.  Look no further than provide some type of assistance for those in need down in Haiti.  The survivors will be in need for a period much longer than the next 40 days.  We at Christ the King have already been sending our first fruits from the Silver to Gold campaign to Haiti, but certainly now is the time for each of us to step up that effort.  During the pastoral transition period here at CTK, many programs can be sustained as well as enhanced through several additional hours of your time each week.  Rather than sit back and wait for a new “leader,” take charge of a program, committee or service activity and make it the best it can be.  Let’s not make this just a good place for a new Pastor to join, but a great place to share God’s word and to help those truly in need.  Be quiet about your mission, from whatever pulpit works for you, but do it enthusiastically. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, as we enter into this Lenten season, please allow each of us to quietly yet enthusiastically provide for the needy, pray for the sick and the lonely, and act in so many ways that can assist those less fortunate than us.  Amen

Lenten 2010: Give Up 5 Minutes of Stress, Receive 5 Minutes of Community

Many of the daily devotions that you will read this Lenten Season reflect the troubled economic times in which we live. Troubled times in which many people seek community. Challenging times in which the Church seeks guidance and leadership.  While many seek community via face-to-face contact, others seek community via means that they practice daily. And, to many that means realizing community with others around the world using Internet technologies.

Internet technologies present an interesting set of challenges and opportunities to the Christian Church. At Christ the King, we see cyber technologies as a means to further evangelize the Gospel of Christ. Responding to Christ’s direction – “as the Father has sent me, so I send you” – we go forth into cyber space proclaiming the His glory. We provide devotions at this site as witness to the Word. We hope you find the devotions spiritually interesting and rewarding.

When Ash Wednesday arrives in a few days, we invite you, in the tradition of Lent, to give up 5 minutes of stress each day and give yourself 5 minutes of Christian peace, reflection, and community. In those 5 minutes, join us - the members of Christ the King Lutheran Church and others from around the world - as a community, dare we say a family, of Christian believers come together for spiritual renewal and growth through commitment to Christ and each other.

Here is how you can receive the cyber edition of the 2010 CTK Lenten Devotions:
>Go to the devotions page and bookmark the site now - come back often!
>Or, you can go to the devotions page and subscribe by clicking on "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)" at the bottom of a daily post
>If you received the devotions via email last year, you will continue to receive the devotions via email
>Remember, you are always welcomed to join us for worship (Sunday at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM) or visit us at www.Christ-the-King-Lutheran.org

The Fine Print: All scripture in our devotions is linked to the oremus Bible Browser. We thank Simon Kershaw for his permission to link to this site. We thank the National Council of Churches USA for allowing us to provide scripture text. This blog carefully follows the copyright permission as specified by the NCC USA.

'New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.’

‘New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.’

Easter Sunday

Mark 16:1-8

Pastor Scott McAnally

In my life there have been many moments where I have felt like those gathered around the tomb on that Easter morning as Mark’s Gospel reports. I have felt alone and been afraid, not knowing what’s going to come next. I’m sure that all of us at one time or another have felt this way. With challenges facing us as a society today in the economic and political spectrums, it’s easy to get ourselves down and to lose hope. The world wants us to look at the empty tomb and ‘be afraid.’ (vs. 8)

But that’s not the end of the story. Here we stand some 2000 years later because those disciples refused to let fear ‘seize’ them. They went and they told the story…

Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Today is the day we celebrate that amidst the fears and uncertainties in our lives, there is one certainty that we can proclaim, that Christ has risen from the dead! “This is the feast of victory for our God! Alleluia!” Amidst your doubts, your fears, and your sorrows, Christ comes to you, risen and alive…and raises you up to a new creature in Christ, alive, forgiven, and comforted. Today you are not alone, you are Christ’s and have been named and placed in Christ’s care and love. So…on this day…on the day of Resurrection, know that no matter where you are, where you might be, what challenges might be facing you, and no matter what is ailing you, Christ is with you…Christ is present…and Christ will be with you always! Hallelujah!

PRAYER: God of mercy, we longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Easter Vigil: Do Not Fear

Exodus 14:15 - 15:1

Pastor Scott McAnally

All around the world on this day as the sun sets, communities of faith will gather around a fire and keep watch, holding a vigil. From a small fire, congregations will re-light their paschal candle (the big baptismal candle) and process into a darkened sanctuary, with the shadows of Good Friday still lingering. And under the light of the baptismal promise, up to 12 stories will be told of God’s remarkable activity in the lives of the people of the Old Testament.

Our text today is one of those stories. The story of the Red Sea Crossing is one of the most miraculous stories of scripture. But to get a full reading of it, I urge you to read it beginning with verse 1 of chapter 14. Pharaoh is in hot pursuit. The Exodus journey is losing its ‘newness’ as the days go on and the travel begins to wear on some of the Israelites. Some begin to look back at Egypt, fearing the unknown journey ahead…some even wish for the days of slavery, because at least they had a roof over their head and three square meals a day. And who could blame them? Following God often entails leaving what’s comfortable and stepping out in faith…and the good news my friends is that as God parted the Red Seas, God doesn’t forsake you. God never asks you to do anything that God hasn’t done already.

Faith journeys have lots of twists, turns, and bumps in the road. Mine certainly has. Sometimes I even feel as though there have been some switch-backs and u-turns. Yet the promise as revealed in Exodus, and in all of the 12 lessons read in the Easter Vigil Liturgy, is that God is with me…and God will deliver me. And God is with you. God delivers you…so step out in faith, know that you are loved, claimed, saved, and forgiven.

PRAYER: Eternal giver of life and light, this holy night shines with the radiance of the risen Christ. Renew your church with the Spirit given to us in baptism, that we may worship you in sincerity and truth and may shine as a light in the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ out Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Good Friday: Willing

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Caroline Hawkins

What this passage means is: “Though he was innocent, Jesus freely died to save the world from sin.” That means that when I sin, Jesus will forgive me. I know Jesus will forgive me, because he loves Earth, he loves Heaven, and he loves me.

PRAYER: Lord God and Jesus, Thank you for giving your holy forgiveness. We all pray that we give you our love with our whole, holy hearts. Amen.

Maundy Thursday: Teacher

John 13:1-15

Steve Wilson

One of the greatest lessons in the gospels is the value of being a servant: the strength, glory, and impact we can have, not from being served, but in serving others. In John 13:1-15, Jesus is the model servant, washing the feet of his disciples. Such a humble act. Something the lowliest slave would do. However, Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” This was one of Jesus’ last teachings to his Disciples on the night of the Last Supper.

I often think when I feel I’m losing perspective, wrapped up in worldly things, “what have I done to help others?” We should all look at opportunities in our lives to imitate Jesus the servant. What a special blessing to gain wisdom, humility, and a life well-lived – just from serving others. As the proverb goes, “I raise my children not for themselves but for the impact they will have on those they serve.”

PRAYER: Lord, you give us such great examples that show the truth and glory of your word. Life is fuller…with more spirit…and we are rewarded many times over…if we follow your word and imitate your actions. Amen.

Surely Not I

Matthew 26:14-25

Steve O'Connor

Betrayed. Most of us have experienced a betrayal of some sort in our lives. It hurts. Especially when the betrayer is someone we love.

This passage from Matthew recounts the betrayal of Christ by someone close to him, his disciple Judas, in exchange for thirty silver coins (according to my Bible, the price of a slave). For that price, Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders who opposed his teachings and sought his death. At the Last Supper, after the money was paid, Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray him. Each of the disciples in turn questioned Jesus, in effect denying that he was the one. Even Judas had the audacity to ask “Surely not I, Rabbi?” But Jesus answered with the truth, telling Judas what he already knew—he was the one.

“Betray” has a number of definitions in my dictionary. One of those definitions, “to deliver to an enemy by treachery,” perfectly fits the actions of Judas in this passage of Scripture. “Betray” also means “to fail or desert,” which not only applies to the actions of Judas (and to the eleven other disciples after Jesus is taken into custody), but also to our actions. This is the betrayal that occurs when we act contrary to our faith. It happens in what we think, say and do. We are creatures of sin. Choosing not to attend church. Selfishly not supporting the ministries of God’s Church on Earth. Treating others badly. Jesus said “[i]f you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15. But in these, and so many other ways, we fail to obey. When that happens we betray God by failing to stay on the path He wants us to walk.

“Betray,” however, has another definition, which is “to lead astray.” Does that definition also apply? Maybe. Perhaps by failing to obey what God commands, we betray ourselves in that we lead ourselves astray from the relationship God wants to have with us.

PRAYER: Gracious God, Grant us by your grace the strength to remain steadfast in our faith, so that we may seek not to betray you by what we think, say or do. Amen.