Fifth Sunday in Lent: Dry Bones Live
Look: Cow's Skull With Calico Roses, Georgia O'Keefe - Source
Listen*: Ezekiel 2, Ashley Cleveland - Spotify | YouTube
Read**: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130 ; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Do: Today's a day to break your fast (at least partially). Enjoy something you've given up, giving thanks to Christ for the abundance we receive from his obedience and great love.
Spend a few moments preparing for the fifth week of Lent.
This week, fast from spending money, and feast on giving alms instead. Let each necessary purchase remind you of the reality of our complete poverty and helplessness before God and without the work of Christ.
Instead of spending practice giving. Almsgiving is a traditional Lenten practice. This week pray that the Lord would show you his face in the most distressing of your neighbors, and lead you to ways that you can show compassionate mercy.
Two giving opportunities to consider:
A local mission or food pantry. With so many out of work, food pantries are already reporting shortages, and Bridgeport Rescue Mission will see a spike in daily meals served and food distributed. Church of the Apostles will be making a special donation to BRM to help in this time. Join us by dropping of non-perishable food items at the mission or making a donation. You can check out news from BRM by following this link.
Go global. Quarantined Refugees are running out of food. Donate through one of my favorite charities - https://preemptivelove.org/food-crisis/
Each Sunday in Lent I’ll share a free Daybook devotional post at the Patreon page for everyone to enjoy. To receive notifications for the free public posts, click "follow" at the bottom of the profile page. The daily devotional posts will then be available to those who subscribe at the Daybook ($5 a month) level.
* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify - Lent: Spirituals & Gospel Songs. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Save to My Library.’
** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).