Day 338 | Saturday, 20 February 2021

Day 338 - Audio Version

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Day 338 | Saturday, 20 February 2021

 Before you get into today's offering, let me say how stunned and humbled Judy and I are to have been declared COVID heroes by the Chautauqua County Executive on Thursday, February 18th.  There are no words to express our gratitude for this nomination and acknowledgement.  We have done what we would just normally do over these 338 days because of our nature and our calling.  The video clip was certainly unexpected but appreciated.  To God be the Glory.

COVID-19 update from 2/18/21 at 2:30pm – total number of cases is at 7,368 with 186 active cases, 542 in isolation and 135 deaths.  There have been 1,906 cases in the Jamestown zip 14701 and 296 in Lakewood, 1,355 in Dunkirk and 880 in Fredonia.  In the USA we are close to 500,000 deaths and 28 million cases.

 Prayers are certainly needed for Texas.  Winter has dealt the people there a severe blow to their already COVID existence. 

 Lent
“The season rolls around again.
 Deep calls to deep.
 Settle down. Look within.
 Be quiet. Listen.
 Are you on the right path? Are you drawing closer to God? Are you more loving?
 Now is the time to reflect and pray.
 Now is the season for silence and giving.
 Thank God for Lent.
 Thank God we journey not alone.”

 Lenten Prayer of Invocation
“Now that we are on the threshold of Lent, O God, prompt us to re-evaluate our spiritual lives. We would worship you sincerely, follow you carefully and grow in grace and holiness. May we be bold in our faith and daring in Christian service to the end that your name be honored on earth even as it is in heaven. Hear our prayer in our Savior's name. Amen.”

 Lenten Prayer of Confession
“God of day and God of darkness, all our time belongs to you. Yet how often we fail to notice your nearness, feel your presence, trust your guidance. We desire only good times, happy moments, and miss your work in the shadows. We avoid conflict with others and fear looking deep within ourselves. Sometimes it feels we have no place left to run no place left to hide.

Loving God hold us during these Lenten days so we can look at ourselves, our relationships, our openness to you. In brightness or darkness, let us always know your healing, freeing, guiding presence. Amen.”

 Lenten Prayer
“Walk with us, loving God, on the path to Easter. Take us slowly through this season so we may truly feel, clearly see and tenderly know the depths of your love that you shared with us in the life of Jesus. Let us take a step to see our own denials, the way we miss seeing you in the presence of those different from us. Let us face our own fears and angers, our fear of being alone, our anger that erupts like Peter's sword. Let us face our own betrayals of those who are close to us.

Loving God, walk with us through pain and searching, be with us through doubt and despair and lead us to the joy of Easter. Amen.”
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 Lenten Blessing
“God sent Jesus not to condemn us, but to save us. Know that God loves the world so passionately that he gave his only Son, and that everyone who believes in him may have the gift of eternal life.”