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March 01, 2008

Message from Lay Leader – February 29, 2008

Greetings,

As you may already know, Pastor Vickie and her sister are making a surprise visit to Florida this weekend for their mother’s birthday. Let us all keep them in our prayers for safe travels and a wonderful visit.

Congratulations to our newlyweds Judi Kubik and Ron Mumper who were married last Saturday in our sanctuary. It was a beautiful ceremony. We wish them many blessings in their new life together.

We are still meeting upstairs in the chapel for a Lenten service at 7pm on Thursdays. Following the service is a Lenten discussion based on the book, Radical Renovation: Living the Cross Shaped Life by James A. Harnish. Please join us for a quiet reflective evening.

Hopefully, you are finding time for prayer and reflection during this Lenten season. I would like to share with you a resource that I find helpful in my spiritual life that seems especially timely for Lent. It is a book called Paths to Prayer: Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God, by Patricia D. Brown, an ordained UM minister. The book gives step-by-step instructions for 40 different ways to pray, including:

Praying the scriptures (Lectio Divina)
Praying with icons
Novenas
Breath prayer
The Jesus prayer: prayer of the heart
Centering prayer
Prayer walks
Prayer dance
Prayer beads
Fasting (if you were inspired by Pastor Vickie’s sermon a few weeks ago on fasting, this chapter is both encouraging and instructive)

This book is a good introduction to explore many ways to pray and there are resources at the end of each chapter for further study.

Here is an excerpt from Paths to Prayer on the Jesus Prayer that you might like to try:

Discern how much time you plan to pray: two minutes, five, ten or more. Sit alone and in silence; bow your head and close your eyes; relax your breathing, and with your imagination direct your mind from the head to the heart. Regulate your breathing: rhythmic breathing disperses distracting thoughts. While inhaling, say “Lord Jesus Christ.” As you exhale continue with “have mercy on me,” either softly with your lips or silently with your mind. Continue until you can relax. Allow God’s peace to settle over you and rest your mind.

Isaac of Syria, a sixth-century Eastern Church pastor wrote, “Endeavor to enter into your inner treasure house and you will see a heavenly treasure. The ladder leading into the kingdom of heaven is hidden within you, in your heart.” Find that “place of your heart” and abide there.

May you find the Peace of Christ in your heart,

Ellen Star

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Posted by vickie at March 1, 2008 12:02 PM