HOLY WEEK HAPPENINGS !!

It's Holy Week in the Christian church calendar!!!-

the week we revisit the final week of Jesus' life and ministry as He makes His way to the Cross to fulfill His created and Divine purpose. Hopefully for those of you who have engaged the spiritual practices of Lent - a time of clearing away the "debris" in our minds and hearts- your anticipation is at a peek and your heart is radiantly and passionately longing for the  Glory-filled crescendo of this spiritual season and the powerfully  poignant dawning of the next!

OR....perhaps not!...

Either way- the varied invitations for reflection on the Last Community Meal, the Garden, arrest, trial, & crucifixion experiences 0f Christ abound, and beckon every soul to consider it's own ultimate response to death itself, and beyond!

But wait!! Perhaps this week is business as usual for you. Perhaps the church calendar, ("whatever!!", you say?), is but a blotchy blurr and the daily stuff of life looms large, shadowing only a faint and far distant image of a special meal, time with family & friends, and the resonant ritual Easter sermon, come Sunday !

I"ve been there! and it reminds me of the story of 5 year old passenger Katie who noticed a billboard alerting her young, impressionable memory that Easter was near. As her mommy responded to the deep sigh in the back seat by checking her rear-view mirror, Katie shreaked, "Mommy, are we getting ready to kill that little baby again, ALREADY!!??"

WOW! Out of the mouths of babes! Sometimes Christmas and Easter seem just a few days apart because life has spun us around like a centrifuge and set us down with our heads and hearts so disoriented we don't even know what's next!!

Well!! The Good news is it's not too late! You can still orient your soul toward the Christ of Holy Week and you don't have to do it alone!
Here are some events you may wish to take in!

1) Prayer Path of the last week of Christ's life! This is an interactive yet highly personal experience mediated with art, music, and much more! The current pastor offered this in San Diego on a college campus and hundreds came every year!

Aurora Nazarene Church

Thursday & Friday March 20-21, 2008 6-9 PM
1900 175th Ave. (1 block west of I-5 & 1 block east of Hwy 99)

Shoreline, WA 206. 542.2111

2) Bethany Community Church

Good Friday Service

March 21 7 PM

3) Easter Sunday Services

Bethany Community Church

8am    9:30 am    11:00 am   5pm

See you there!

Note: If you are a Bethany Prayer Team member please note time changes 

and arrive in Prayer Room 15 minutes prior to services for special instructions. THANK YOU!!!

Resurrection Blessings!

Sharon

Lenten Reflections of The Heart- Rhythms of Grace

Rhythm plays a crucial part in all of Creation! From the cosmos, to the seasons, to the ways we live, move, and function in our daily lives, we are impacted profoundly by the innate sacred rhythms of God's Creation.

In regard to caring for your own heart (Scripture tells us to "guard" the heart) you have established rhythms of "soul (heart)care" whether you've stopped to recognize them or not! How often do you read "soul food?" How often do you stop and intentionally reflect on your inner life & consider the development and growth of your soul (the part of you that is eternal- according to God's Word!). Whether it's sporadic or a regular routine - it's there- your own "soul care rhythm"!

As Pastor Richard invites us to examine our own hearts in the recent sermon series we are engaging a spiritual rhythm that is Biblically and historically key to soul care- the rhythm of the Church calendar that invites us to revisit annually the "rhythms of grace" in the life of Christ. (see Matt 11:28-29 in The Message- it's beautiful!)

Right now we are in the season of Lent ("spring") when we examine our own hearts clearing away the soul-clutter that has distracted us from our life with God and distorted our images and understandings of God's nature and character. We do this to intentionally create a welcoming space of sacred hospitality to receive fresh, new revelations of the resurrected Christ as we celebrate Easter in just a few more weeks.

As you consider your own heart's condition in preparation to minister to others in prayer - read John 14: 27-30 out loud (slowly) 3 times, listening each time for a word or phrase that seems to catch your attention more than any other. Perhaps you will want to listen for anything regarding the rhythms of your own heart...above all, pay attention to what grabs YOU!

Next, put your Bible down and spend 5 minutes just pondering the word or phrase. What does it mean to you? What about it seems to draw you? What questions, images, memories, or relationships does it bring to mind? What feelings does it evoke? Consider the condition of your own heart in relation to what word or phrase you are drawn to.

Now spend 2-5 minutes telling God what you think about what you have just experienced. ASK your questions, SEEK to tell God your honest and most intimate thoughts, offering them as invitation to engage dialogue with God. Say what you need to say and hold nothing back- God is longing for you to come openly and without reserve.

Finally, LISTEN. Sit quietly and openly for 2-5 minutes and just listen. This may seem hard and awkward but just give it a try and see what happens! Pay attention to your next thoughts and whether or not they are new to you or tend to draw you toward God. If they do - consider if you believe this to be God speaking to you! God is always speaking in one form or another - our part is to ask for increased awareness & then pay attention!! If other thoughts invade the space - just let them go and return to your focus on God as much as you are able.

CLOSE your time thanking God for this encounter and inviting God to encounter others Sunday as begin this ministry of prayer in our worship services. Consider anything you have learned about yourself, God, or others that will impact prayer ministry for you.

May the God of all grace grant you peace, joy, and wisdom as you offer yourself to God and others through the ministry of Prayer!

Important Things to Know as Prayer Team Begins Ministry This Sunday!!

Greetings!
The day has finally arrived!!!

In response to God's Word...

"Beloved, pray for us...

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

(I Thess 5: 25, 28)

You are invited as

This Sunday, March 9th

the Bethany Prayer Team

will formally begin ministry after worship services!!

In final preparation the following may be helpful for Prayer Team Members to navigate the day:

1) For the next 4 weeks we are asking ALL Team Members (who have had training and /or registered their intent with Team Leaders) to please come to the new sanctuary Prayer Room at least 15 minutes prior to the service you will attend. We will gather and meet the entire team for that service, assign teams & positions, and pray for staff & worship team along with those who will minister in prayer that day. This is both a team building and organizational time . Please make every effort to join us! After 4 weeks we will reassess & make regular assignments.

2) You will receive your Bethany Prayer Team lanyard and name tag on Sunday along with our "Protocol for Ministry" document if you were unable to joins us for orientation sessions. It is very important that you review the Protocol for Ministry prior to serving. This will address many questions & issues you may have. Please feel free to contact Joe Westfall or myself if you are a Bethany attender and have NOT completed the training & would like to join the team OR need further assistance.

3) We will place "reserved" signs on seats near the designated ministry stations for your convenience. Under the reserved seats you will find a basket with breath mints, kleenex, pens & response cards, extra lanyards in case you've forgotten yours that day, & other materials for referral or support of those you will pray with. Copies of the Protocol for Ministry document can also be found in the baskets for your reference. If persons you pray with desire any kind of follow-up please have them fill out a response card and place it in the "suggestion" box in the foyer near the Information Table. If YOU are concerned re: follow-up or additional support for the person(s) please speak directly to Sharon, Joe, or Phil Maulding, using our confidentiality guidelines.
When you have finished ministering - PLEASE complete the sheet entitled "Weekly Ministry Assessment" and place it back in the basket. This will help us plan for future services and assess prayer needs of the congregation going forward.

4) This Sunday both Joe and I will be in all services to assist you in any way necessary. If you need support as you pray with folks or have questions please don't hesitate to catch our eye, send another to get us, or do whatever is necessary to gain the support needed both for yourself and those you pray with! Staff members will also be available.

5) The Prayer Room will be the designated place to bring anyone for extended prayer if indicated. Individuals will be there to assist you or stand by as needed.

6) Please feel free to use this blog site to get questions answered, give feedback, or just share what God is doing and any God-revelations you encounter! We are all encouraged and up-lifted by the increased awareness of God's activity among us! PLEASE remember to share NO Names and keep your sharing to how God is engaging and changing YOU through ministry! The folks you pray with will want to tell their OWN stories!! Thank you for imaging God's protective heart!

7) Remember CONFIDENTIALITY is key to this ministry and we are the gatekeepers of the stories of others. This is both privilege and responsibility!!! Guard them well dear friends!! This is a critical image of God and His Kingdom Community we are chartered to impart!

8) and finally! relax and enjoy the process of entering into the care and nurture of others by the power of God's Holy Spirit within you! Remember only God invites encounter and gives revelation, insight, healing. We are simply vessels of GOD's Word and power as it is gifted through us!! When in doubt- pray Blessing and the Fruits of the Spirit into the lives of those you minister to!
Please see note below for options for preparing for ministry.

May God richly bless and anoint you as you seek to make the Kingdom of Christ visible and tangible among us through the infinite Power and Passion of prayer!

Sharon
Joe
Richard

and we say:
"I am grateful to God ...when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day...May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Beloved, pray for us.... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
( II Tim 1:3; I Thess 5:23-25, 28)

Please see the "Lenten Reflections of the Heart" (posts 3/7/08) for prayer and Scripture you may wish to engage as you prepare for ministry in the coming days....