The commandment to keep the sabbath is one that might not seem as important as the one about not murdering. But what, and who, suffers in our society when we value economic security over well-being?

As we give witness yet again to the story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, proclaiming justice for the oppressed, we must also proclaim justice and peace… and rest… for the weary of this world. What systems of our time (“old wineskins”) need to “give it a rest” or be “put to rest” that are harming and oppressing “the least“ among us?

At the end of this series, what “Sabbath” practices have we experienced that made a difference in our quality of life, the quality of the planet, the quality of our time with, and love for, one another? Might we claim them as our “new wineskins” for not just Lent?

One last thing: today we are receiving the annual special offering called One Great Hour of Sharing, benefitting programs for the hungry and those affected by natural disasters. You can give online by going to our main page, clicking Give Now at the bottom, and designating whatever you choose next to “One Great Hour of Sharing”.

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For many of us in this modern, industrial, tech-savvy world, we have lost touch with the seasonality of life. We want what we want, when we want it. We come to believe that no time is off limits and the lines between busy and rest, work and play, have become increasingly blurred. How far are we from the rhythms and “pleasure of our toil?” What cost to ourselves, to our relationships, and to our planet is this frantic pace?

This week, we look at our sense of time and time scarcity. We consider how God views time, and how our faith may be inviting us to a more spacious and abundant approach to our busy lives.

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Many of us live with the tyranny of measuring-up that keeps us weighed down. Questioning and resisting our busyness culture is hard work! It is definitely swimming against the current, and requires daily help from God and regular encouragement from each other. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He called us “salt and light”.
Lightening the load of expectations and “shoulds” is one way to lighten up as well as to literally lighten the clutter that crowds out our serenity. How do we create space to flourish in the ways God intends? How can we “minimalize” our possessions so that they do not possess us?

NOTE: This service also includes a special Minute for Mission about organ donation from COA Clerk Elect Tom Decker

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This week we come to a story of two sisters who approached time with Jesus very differently. Martha was busy. Mary chose to be still, to tune in to Jesus. The lesson here is not that it is bad to work, but that we also need times of connection to God. Tuning in to the holy may mean just taking time to notice things that are beckoning to dwell with us a while.
What contemplative practices can feed and nourish our active lives and help us be more in tune to the present moment? What distractions/addictions consume our attention?

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In this second week of this series, we take a deeper look at one of the most well-known and popular scriptures of all time: PSALM 23. The Twenty-third Psalm is a great comfort to us as we imagine the green pastures and still waters. It also recalls the dark valleys and calls us into the not-so-easy practice of sitting down at the table with our enemies. Think of who Jesus chose to spend time with and who to give His attention. An unhurried God is present with us in the good times and in the difficult times and invites us to be radically present to each other in the same way. Have we been too busy to be really present to one another?

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