A Curious Grace: Week 5 (Thanksgiving)

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture 

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”(He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 

 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[ so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.  You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

How can you thank Christ for his extravagant grace in your life?

A Curious Grace: Week 5 (Thanksgiving)

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture 

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”(He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 

 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[ so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.  You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

How can you thank Christ for his extravagant grace in your life?

A Curious Grace: Week 3 (Repentance)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture 

Luke 13:1-5

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus[a] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”  (NRSVUE)

Option 1:

What needs turned around int the world?  

What needs turned around in you to help make that possible?

Option 2:

What needs turned around in the world?  

What needs turned around in you to help make that possible?

A Curious Grace: Week 2 (Christ the Hen)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture for Week 1

Luke 13:31-35

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³ Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵ See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”  (NRSVUE)

Option 1:

When has Jesus been like a mother hen to you--offering shelter and/or protection?

Option 2:

How might Jesus be calling you to shelter/protect others?

 

A Curious Grace: Week 1 (Curiousity)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture for Week 1

Isaiah 58: 16-19 

“Wash and make yourselves clean.
Put away the evil of your deeds
    from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil.
17 Learn to do good,
    seek justice, relieve the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
    plead for the widow.”

18 “Come now, let us reason together,”
    says Adonai.
“Though your sins be like scarlet,
    they will be as white as snow.
Though they be red like crimson,
    they will become like wool.
19 If you are willing and obey,
    you will eat the good of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
    you will be devoured with the sword.”
For the mouth of Adonai has spoken.

Option 1:

What is one thing in the Bible that makes you curious?

Option 2:

What is one thing in life that you would like God to help you reason out or guide you through?