Advent 3 – First Tuesday Daily Prayer
Daily Prayer Guide for the First Tuesday of Advent. For individual or group use.
In that day, says the LORD, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away, and those whom I have afflicted. The lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
Advent Readings & Meditation – 1st Monday
Micah’s vision of a world at peace, where conflict is replaced by harmony, is a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within our shared humanity.
Advent 2 – First Monday Daily Prayer
Daily Prayer Guide for the First Monday of Advent. For individual or group use.
“He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Advent Readings & Meditation – 1st Sunday
In the gentle whisper of Isaiah’s words, we find a beacon of hope – a promise that transcends the ages.
Advent 1 – First Sunday Daily Prayer
Daily Prayer Guide for the First Sunday of Advent. For individual or group use.
“Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Wednesday Chapel: “Making the Effort”
One old familiar story, one video game, and one big misunderstanding.
Wednesday Chapel: “A Strange But Beautiful Blessing”
A reexamination of the Beatitudes, focusing on the blessings for the meek and those in need. How do we find strength in meekness and humility?.
Father John: Easter Thoughts, Part 2 of 5
In this video, Father John reflects on the resurrection and God’s ever-present spirit based on the account from Matthew 28. He discusses the angel’s message to the women, the shock of encountering the empty tomb, and the assurance that Jesus is alive in spirit. Father John encourages viewers to trust in the constant presence of…
Father John: Easter Thoughts, Part 1 of 5
Once Easter Sunday has passed, we sometimes forget that there is a whole Season of Easter. Father John takes a few minutes to reminds us of some of the lessons of Easter. Part 1 of 5.
Celebrating Vaisakhi – April 21-23, 2023
From April 21 – 23, The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple on 19th Street in Niagara Falls, NY will be commemorating one of their most holy celebrations, Vaisakhi.
The Walk to Emmaus
“The challenge for our Churches, and for those who belong to them, is to be of the same mind as the Christ whom we profess to follow. We must lay aside our earthly power and be the power of the loving Christ in the lives of those who so desperately need to see his saving…
Lenten Reading, Day 48
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 48
Text: Luke 24:13-35
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while…
Day 47, Easter Sunday – Devotional Guide
NEW LIFE: There is a moment, for those of us who believe, when we say, “Ah hah, I get it.”
Lenten Reading, Day 47
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 47
Text: Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on…
Lenten Reading, Day 46
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 46
Text: Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lenten Reading, Day 45
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 45
Text: Luke 23
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man inciting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you…
Day 45, Friday of Holy Week – Devotional Guide
MERCY AND GRACE: I have heard it said that the difference between mercy and grace is this: Mercy is getting what we don’t deserve, Grace is not getting what we do deserve.
Lenten Reading, Day 44
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 43
Text: Luke 22:39-71
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw,…
Father John- Thursday of Holy Week – Day 44
Father John and his wife Kathy Chase lead us through a brief service of sharing in the The Lord’s Supper. They explain the simple items you can use at home to participate with them.
Holy Week Worship Opportunities
Community Missions is happy to highlight a few of the in-person and online opportunities. We hope they will help to make your Holy Week celebrations meaningful, and your Easter filled with joy!
Chapel for April 5, 2023
Today we suggest the Morning Prayer at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. from this past Saturday, April 1. In it, the prayer leader asks the challenging question, what would we leave behind in order to be closer to God.
Lenten Reading, Day 43
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 43
Text: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant shall prosper;
he shall be exalted and lifted up
and shall be very high.
Day 43, Wednesday of Holy Week – Devotional Guide
COSTLY LOVE: Wednesday of Passion Week. I cannot separate myself from the events of the coming days. I try to be like the disciples – not knowing yet what’s coming – but I can’t. I know what’s coming.
Day 42, Tuesday of Holy Week – Devotional Guide
GLORIFIED IN GOD: It is so difficult for us to understand the confusion of the disciples at this moment: they have all followed together, yet now one of them has left.
Lenten Reading, Day 42
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 42
Text:Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night but find no rest.
Be of the Same Mind
“The challenge for our Churches, and for those who belong to them, is to be of the same mind as the Christ whom we profess to follow. We must lay aside our earthly power and be the power of the loving Christ in the lives of those who so desperately need to see his saving…
Day 41, Monday of Holy Week – Devotional Guide
HOPE IN THE PRESENCE: Jesus is present to us, even in our hopelessness.
Lenten Reading, Day 41
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 41
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
“If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Day 38, Fifth Friday In Lent – Devotional Guide
A MATTER OF THE HEART: The workers – the disciples – you and me – the followers of Christ – may be few. Nevertheless, we are called to provide for those in need.
Lenten Reading, Day 38
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 38
Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-13
“You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.”
Father John- Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
Father John shares a text from the Gospel of John that encourages us to be confident when we do God’s work in the world. The text assures us that God will be with us, even when it is hard work.
Day 37, Fifth Thursday In Lent – Devotional Guide
TRUST LOVE?: A word not mentioned in this text is trust, but trust is a very important component in love.
Lenten Reading, Day 37
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 37
Text: John 15:18-27
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Slaves are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.”
Day 36, Fifth Wednesday In Lent – Devotional Guide
WHY?: Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
Lenten Reading, Day 36
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 35
Text: Matthew 10:34-42
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me..”
For The Birds
On the side of my daughter Eileen’s foot are the words, “Consider the ravens.” She says, “I don’t need to be anxious because God provides for the ravens, so, of course, He will provide for me, too.”
Father John- Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent
People often oppose change, sometimes even when the change is learning about God’s radical love for us. Today Father John tells how the Disciples faced the same thing and shares some thoughts about this from the Gospel of Matthew.
Day 35 Fifth Tuesday In Lent – Devotional Guide
TRUTH AND LOVE: From the beginning of all things, our text says, God’s message is that we should live a life based on love.
Lenten Reading, Day 35
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 35
Text: Matthew 10:16-33
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known.”
Discipleship and Commitment
“Jesus made a distinction between following human-made laws and obeying God’s law. Jesus embraced God’s law, summed up in three commandments: Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, love your neighbor, and love yourself.”
Lenten Reading, Day 34
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 34
Text: Luke 9:22-27
If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Day 34, Fifth Monday In Lent – Devotional Guide
RISK LOVE: We are often afraid to give of ourselves when there is a risk that you will not have enough later on
Day 31 Fourth Friday In Lent – Devotional Guide
PLAINLY SPEAKING: “It seems to me when I read some of the things Jesus says, that Jesus expects those who listen to him to search beneath the surface for answers.”
Lenten Reading, Day 31
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 31
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.
Do No Harm
“When Sister Beth Brosmer announced in 2020 that she was stepping down from her position at Heart, Love and Soul it caused many of us to reflect… When I look at our passage today (Romans 13:8-14), I have to think that it was important to her, because of its assertion that love never does harm.”
Father John- Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent
Father John tells us about advice that the Apostle Paul gave to the church in Ephesus, and how it is good advice for us as well.
Day 30 Fourth Thursday In Lent – Devotional Guide
BE RECONCILED: Are we willing and ready to be reconciled to each other?
Lenten Reading, Day 30
Lenten Daily Reading – Day 30
Text: Romans 13:8-14
“Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers”
Fight Evil With Love
It was billed as Germany’s most involuntary walk-a-thon. Instead of greeting the group with protests, they put up banners welcoming them to the “Nazis Against Nazis” walk-a-thon.
Day 29 Fourth Wednesday In Lent – Devotional Guide
SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS: When people learn that I am a pastor, if they themselves do not ‘go to church’ then they will often follow it up with, “I’m spiritual but not religious.”