Faith
About this blog
Thinking the Faith, Praying the Faith, Living the Faith is written by the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship.
Thinking, praying, and living the faith is at the core of ministry in the Office of Theology and Worship. In the following videos, learn more about what thinking, praying, and living the faith means to the leadership of the Office of Theology and Worship. Discover why it matters and what difference it makes in our lives, work, and worship.
Charles Wiley
Barry Ensign-George
David Gambrell
Christine Hong
Karen Russell
Recent posts
- Our Challenging Way: Faithfulness, Sex, Ordination, and Marriage
- Unity, Confessions, and the Book of Order
- Come and See
- Please and Thank You
- Back to Basics on Ash Wednesday
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Fasting and Feasting
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent.
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, the Old Testament Lesson for the day, calls for fasting: “Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12) and “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly” (Joel 2:15). But elsewhere Joel suggests that the LORD might prepare a feast for the people: “a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God” (Joel 2:14).
Isaiah 58:1-12, the alternate Old Testament Lesson for Ash Wednesday, offers a different perspective on fasting and feasting: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
As you and your congregation prepare for the Season of Lent, here are some resources that may be of interest:
• Daily Readings for Lent 2012
• Fasting in the Bible and Reformed Tradition
• Affirmations of Faith for Lent
• Eucharistic Prayers for Lent, Year B
• Daily Prayer During Holy Week
• Resources for Passion / Palm Sunday
• Resources for Maundy Thursday
• Resources for Good Friday
Looking a bit further ahead, I hope you have considered the celebration of Weekly Eucharist in Easter. Even if your congregation is not planning to celebrate the Lord’s Supper each week this Easter, you may find these brief, lectionary-based eucharistic prayers useful for the communion services that are scheduled.
As Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Confidential to my Louisiana family and friends: happy Mardi Gras!
- Posted at 9:00 a.m.
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