Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email, provide your email address.
This Easter weekend marked some firsts for families in over a year.
What were you able to do this Easter that you were unable to do last year?
Some words that come to mind as I reflect on Holy Week and Easter in the midst of navigating this stage of the pandemic... Savor... Weep... Rejoice...Remember...Mourn...Hope...Joy.
We were finally able to spend quality time with family that we have seen in small spurts in small groups mostly outdoors in the past year.
Sharing the joy of Easter and the little things with Will and my nephews was a gift this year. Worshipping together at Drive In Service was a gift this year. Easter lunch at home with family was a gift this year.
What are some ways you savored, wept, rejoiced, remembered, mourned, hoped or experienced joy this Holy Week and Easter Sunday?
As I think back to last year at this time, I have taken the time to name those things that brought these emotions and experiences to the surface.
We have all been through a lot over the past year. Embrace the miracle of Christ’s resurrection with new eyes, new ears, and a new heart.
John 20:30-31 “Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.”
Prayer for Today
Gracious and Loving God,
Thank you for the gift of life today. Open our eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to know the deep love you have for us.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. -1 Peter 4:10-11
Hope everyone had a blessed Easter.
Many of you know me, and for those who don’t, I am a lifelong Presbyterian and currently serve as an Elder and leader of the Caring Team. Our team is made up of three distinct groups that help people in their times of need: Prayer, CanCare, and Stephen Ministers.
Though the Caring Team is made up of three teams, we sometimes overlap and frequently communicate with each other. For basic support the Prayer Team lead by Alice Ann Nilsen on Tuesdays will pray for your needs publicly or anonymously. Kay Royal leads the Atlanta chapter of CanCare whereby newly diagnosed cancer patients are matched nationwide with cancer survivors to help guide them on their journey and give them hope. Rebecca Eldridge and I lead Stephen Ministry, a nationwide interdenominational organization that is trained in helping people through difficult situations: loss of a job, illness, divorce, or bereavement. Stephen Ministers have a privacy code whereby the care receivers are held in strict confidence that even the other Stephen Ministers do not know the care receivers. A Stephen Minister can also be assigned from a different church if needed. Pastor Gray Norsworthy is the staff support for our team and brings many years of professional experience in congregational care.
All of us on the Caring team feel called to take an active role in the caring ministry. As members of the body of Christ we are all called according to our gifts to help others. If any of your friends and families have needs for care, please reach out to any of the leaders and we will help guide and insure the right people can help. We are also always looking for new volunteers that feel called to the Caring ministry and have regularly scheduled training classes for new associates. Your Stephen Ministers are now helping with the daily Reflections to increase awareness or caring needs and resources.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
-Mother Theresa
Prayer for Today
Father, through the Holy Spirit help us always see and hear the needs of others, guide us in bearing the burdens of others in compassion, just as your Son did for us. Amen.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o-clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "This one is calling for Elijah." Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him." But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"
-Matthew 27:45-54 (NABRE)
The last words of Jesus (from the cross) were the opening words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And those who didn’t understand thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah...
Do you ever think it seems that everyone around Jesus was constantly missing what was happening right in front of their eyes? The disciples were often noted for missing the point throughout his ministry...
And did you read what happened next??? Read it again! The earth quaked... the curtain of the temple was torn... the rocks split open... and if THAT wasn’t enough, resurrected dead were coming out of tombs, walking around, appearing to many in the holy city?? And this was long before the Walking Dead series... Can you even imagine??? It’s as if God the Creator were saying PAY ATTENTION ALREADY—THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!! If you read a little further, you'll see that the centurion and his men didn't miss a beat. It could be no one else. With all of the sudden chaotic events occurring at the moment of Jesus' death, this had to be the Son of God!
So on this Good Friday, I encourage you to read the Biblical account again, contemplating who Jesus really is, and remembering the purpose of his death and resurrection, to cancel our sins, and restore our broken relationship with God, so that we may have everlasting life!!
How will you respond? With thanks and praise to God? Of course! We hope you will worship with us (online or in person) on Easter!
Prayer for Today
Holy God, when this Lenten journey is over, help us to continue walking with you daily beyond the joy of Easter morning. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
-Joshua 24:15
#JOSHUA2415
If you had asked me what an influencer was as a teenager, I would have said someone popular who gets people to do something. I would never have guessed it would become an actual term or career possibility. But the truth is, it’s just new jargon for an ancient job. The term could be applied to far more important people in history who were leaders, judges, teachers, prophets, house-church hosts, clergy, and community organizers. It certainly applies to Joshua and his most devoted followers. The book of Joshua is not at all about God’s special people who always have, do, and will attain victory because God loves them the most. It IS a story of how obedience to God by God’s chosen people AND outsiders leads to victory for all of God’s faithful followers.
Joshua leads his people into the Promised Land. They encounter people who are morally corrupt, people who lead evil lives and sacrifice children. Those who repent and follow God are spared. And when God’s people rebel and do wrong, they fail. When they repent, they are again victorious. The last two chapters of the book are Joshua’s big farewell speech, a reminder of God’s faithfulness and a warning that they should remain faithful in return. Joshua warns them that they have only two choices - to embrace the culture and priorities around them, to worship and idolize and indulge in what people in their land glorify... OR... to worship and serve the Lord. His household will do the latter.
What message could be more relevant in our modern world or in Holy Week as Easter and Spring Break approach? Gallup poll released its 2020 findings about Faith communities this week. For the first time in America’s recorded history, there are more people who are NOT members of churches, synagogues, or mosques than those who are. Membership in houses of worship are down to 47%, to say nothing of attendance (in-person or online). Like the Israelites, we can carry our church with us wherever we go, worshipping at home, in our tabernacle tents, or on vacation. And like them, our worship will be a sign to the people in the land around us. Will we worship only at the altars of resorts, sleeping in, stadiums and fields, or the other distractions of our land, or will we and our household serve the Lord? Whether you join us for drive-in, or in the tent on our ball field, online, or the church nearest your vacation destination, or on a beach, carve out the time, take a selfie where you are, and tag it #JOSHUA2415. I’d love to see where you are, but even more, I’d love for you to influence your sphere of our land. Happy Easter! He is risen!
Prayer for Today
Wherever I go each Lord’s day, help to carve out the day for you. This Easter, use me and my family to influence the world by my presence in worship. Help me lead by example and tell a story with my priorities. Amen.
So, what happened on the Wednesday of Holy Week or what we call “Holy Wednesday?” According to the daily lectionary reading from John's gospel, it could have been these words spoken by Jesus:
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
– John 12:27-36, NIV
I wonder why the voice that came from heaven was understood by some to be thunder, but others to be an angel speaking to Jesus? Presbyterian author and pastor Frederick Buechner has suggested on more than one occasion that much of the Christian faith is ambiguous enough to suggest more than one explanation for events like the one above. As in this case, it may seem like only thunder to some, while to others it sounds like an angel speaking. Faith really does require us to take
"a step" - the outcome of which we are not 100% sure. Faith is always an act of trust, but God promises to always be trustworthy!
Prayer for Today
Trustworthy God, give us the faith and courage to follow you – one step at a time. In the strong name of the Crucified and Risen Christ we pray. Amen.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
-1 John 4:7
As we move through Holy Week I have shared some resources with families to talk about the parts of Jesus’ life that happened this week. One resource I shared is an Easter Story nesting egg and book. Each day you open the egg to find another smaller egg and reveal the story of that day. Today’s passage connects with the deeper message of Jesus’ ministry and how we are called to love one another.
How do you show love? What is your favorite way to receive love? Jesus brought a radical message of unconditional love and it wasn’t always well received.
You likely have people in your life that are easy to love and give love so freely to you. You may also have people in your life that you find challenging to love.
I imagine that at times Jesus even found it challenging to love, but he found a way. He was creative in his approach when things were hard or people weren’t as receptive.
How can you be persistent, patient, creative, and unconditional in sharing love this week?
Go and give it freely following Christ’s example.
You can find more Holy Week at Home resources here:
Loving God, thank you for the many ways you love us and our neighbors. Guide us this week to be open to the unusual ways we can share your love. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Worship the Lord with gladness. . . . For the Lord is good and his Love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100: 2, 4
JCPC will offer three different opportunities for Easter morning worship. Please join us at whichever service fits your comfort level as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. The rebirth of JCPC’s in-person worship on Easter morning utilizing a large tent is symbolic and signals to all who drive by that Christ’s Church is alive and well.
Highlights from the stated monthly meeting
of Session, March 15th, 2021
Special discussion of restarting JCPC outdoor and indoor worship – Based on the Health Committee’s monitoring of the Covid virus metrics of our state and Johns Creek, the Session approved an outside tent Easter Service and its expenses, with the congregation following safe practices of masks and social distancing Session also approved adding an 11:00 a.m. indoor service beginning in May if the virus metrics continue to improve or remain stable. Property, Education, and Worship teams will coordinate planning.
Stewardship - February financials ended with a $4,442 shortfall in giving versus expenses. The special campaign for mission received a good response. First quarter mission funding was approved by Stewardship Ministry Team.
Worship – Plans are to temporarily move the cross to the ball field near the tent so we may return to our tradition of families placing flowers on the cross on Easter morning.
Caring - Meals and More will be highlighted in an upcoming Moment for Mission. Gray has assumed many of Neal’s congregational care responsibilities, in coordination with the Caring Ministry Team and the Stephen Ministers.
Education and Youth - Planning for VBS and the restart of Sunday School continues. Watch for the upcoming Preschool video. There will probably be two youth summer retreats this year including Montreat. The Men’s Fall Retreat is scheduled for September 24-26 and the Women’s Fall Retreat is scheduled for November 19-21.
Missions - JCPC volunteers provided 120 meals for the Central Presbyterian’s Men’s Shelter. Discussions continue on use of the 2020 special gift to missions.
Connecting - Visitor information cards will be distributed at Drive-In services as well as at upcoming in-person events.
All Ministry Teams are coordinating plans for indoor worship. Opportunities for other indoor group meetings are under discussion.
Prayer for Today
Father, help me to see You more clearly than any force that opposes me and run to You for true safety and security. Amen.
“All glory, laud and honor to thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!”
-Refrain from All Glory, Laud, and Honor
The hymn, All Glory, Laud, and Honor, is a well-known Palm Sunday hymn, and one that we’ll be singing together this coming Sunday online and at the Drive-in service. We sing it on Palm Sunday as we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem. The text to this hymn and the music go back farther than you might think.
The melody is originally a Lutheran hymn, composed in 1613, and was originally a hymn for the dying. The melody had nothing to do with Palm Sunday or the text we now associate with this melody, but Bach used the melody in some of his religious works, including the St John Passion. The text for this hymn was written in 820! It’s old as dirt! The text was composed in Latin specifically for Palm Sunday and it had no less than 39 verses. Can you even imagine a hymn with 39 verses? We’d need a much bigger hymnal if all of our hymns had so many verses!
Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday, which leads us to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. We Presbyterians celebrate both Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week. Without dwelling on the Passion, we go from Hosanna to Hallelujah, but we miss the really important stuff in the middle. We may almost rationalize the crucifixion as something that bad people did – we wouldn’t have been with the crowd. But, I wonder if we act in ways that are more like those shouting for crucifixion than we’d like to admit.
Ghandi is often quoted with saying, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ,” and this is something to ponder as we head into Holy Week. None of us is perfect, but if we’re honest with ourselves, there are parts of our lives where we don’t act very Christ-like. Do we welcome Jesus into our lives with joy only to then turn around and act in a way that is contrary to God’s love? As we approach Passiontide, ponder on what sets you apart from the crowd, and what makes you an accomplice with them.
Prayer for Today
God of Peace, we want to worship you with honor, yet we unknowingly cast you aside. We want to skip over the uncomfortable parts of our existence, and rush to the happy sounds of Easter. But we’re not there yet. Silence our hearts and center our minds on you in the challenging week ahead. Amen.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
-Galatians 5:1
I recently had the opportunity to get a vaccination and was so thankful. Many of my colleagues who work as hospital and hospice chaplains got theirs as a part of their job. While my job often takes me to hospitals and I work with first responders, those activities are not every day for me. However, as I recently got asked to do volunteer chaplaincy with the fire department, they wanted all of us to get vaccinated for our work with other first responders.
My only physical side effect was a sore arm and some fatigue. The side effect I had not anticipated was a new sense of freedom. Freedom from the fear of contracting the virus and playing my part to eradicate the virus and reduce the likelihood it would be contracted by my family and friends. And I began thinking about the many verses in the Epistles that frame Christian freedom as the freedom to serve. Even with a mask and careful practices, could I do more now? Could I begin to volunteer with folks in need? Schedule some future youth events indoor in anticipation of their vaccinations too? Plan summer trips? Mission trips?
Perhaps you’ve recently gotten vaccinated or you’re scheduled. Are you feeling a new sense of freedom? How will you use that freedom? We all miss restaurants and family gatherings, small groups and worship, and those are slowly returning. But, as you begin to fill your schedule, how will you fill it?
I’m reminded of the professor who placed a large glass vase on his desk. He filled it first with large rocks, which he said were the most important things in life - family, friends, work, worship, volunteering. Is it full? Yes, they said. Then marbles - sleep and exercise and good food. Now, is it full? Yes! It’s full now. Then he poured in sand - movies and tv, hobbies, entertainment, etc. Now it’s full. Then he poured in a cup of coffee... there’s always room for coffee with a friend in need. We’ve had a year where we couldn’t do everything. Now we can do more. We have the freedom to choose. Will we fill the time with sand or place our rocks in first? Let’s place a few rocks together and use our new freedom to serve.
Prayer for Today
Lord, as I gain freedom, help me use it to serve those most in need. Amen.
Then he [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
-- Luke 9:23, NIV
In the church or liturgical year, we call this coming Sunday “Palm” or “Passion” Sunday. It marks the beginning of Holy Week. While Holy Week begins on a positive note, with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and people waving palm branches, we need to remember that later on that week things will not go well for Jesus. His approval rating will drop dramatically. As one person put it, “The cheers will turn to jeers.” In a few short days Jesus will find himself standing before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate with the crowds no longer shouting, “Hosanna!” but, “Crucify him!” Perhaps if we were a part of that crowd shouting, “Crucify him!” we might be doing the same thing because “Everybody’s doing it.” But does that really make it okay – to do something because “Everybody’s doing it”?
There was an article in The New York Times about moral choices some persons have made -- choices that seem to go against their ethical framework. In the article, Stanford professor Dr. Albert Bandura identified eight mechanisms that people use to rationalize immoral behavior. For example, sometimes we say things like, “We were just carrying out orders.” We may even dehumanize the person we are mistreating, or we might “blame the victim by saying, “they were asking for it.”
However, one of the eight mechanisms is what he calls “diffusion of responsibility.” He describes it as “shifting the responsibility for a transgression with others who took part, or who played indirect roles.” In other words, saying, “Everyone was doing it.” It is sometimes how we rationalize being part of a crowd, but does it make it okay simply because everyone is doing it?
Probably one of the hardest things we will ever have to do is to go against the crowd and take a stand for what is right – even if the crowd around us does not. Maybe that is one of the ways we take up our cross daily as followers of Christ. Join us this Sunday as we hear about someone who literally carried the cross of Christ.
Prayer for Today
Thank you, God, for Jesus, who took a stand for us all on the cross in order that we might find new life. Help us to take up the daily crosses and do the right thing, even if it is hard. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
