Sunday, March 14, 2021 - Navigating the Uncomfortable
Theme - Preparing to Dance: Navigating the Uncomfortable
Prayer
Esther 4:1-3 Common English Bible Translation
When Mordecai learned what had been done, he tore his clothes, dressed in mourning clothes, and put ashes on his head. Then he went out into the heart of the city and cried out loudly and bitterly. He went only as far as the King’s Gate because it was against the law for anyone to pass through it wearing mourning clothes. At the same time, in every province and place where the king’s order and his new law arrived, a very great sadness came over the Jews. They gave up eating and spent whole days weeping and crying out loudly in pain. Many Jews lay on the ground in mourning clothes and ashes. (Question: What is your initial response when facing something difficult?)
Esther 4:4-8
When Esther’s female servants and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen’s whole body showed how upset she was. She sent everyday clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of mourning clothes, but he rejected them. Esther then sent for Hathach, one of the royal eunuchs whose job it was to wait on her. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was going on and why he was acting this way. Hathach went out to Mordecai, to the city square in front of the King’s Gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him. He spelled out the exact amount of silver that Haman promised to pay in the royal treasury. It was in exchange for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave Hathach a copy of the law made public in Susa concerning the Jews’ destruction so that Hathach could show it to Esther and report it to her. Through him Mordecai ordered her to go to the king to seek his kindness and his help for her people. (Question: How do you respond when someone is in pain?)
Esther 4:9-11
Hathach came back and told Esther what Mordecai had said. In reply Esther ordered Hathach to tell Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and the people in his provinces know that there’s a single law in a case like this. Any man or woman who comes to the king in the inner courtyard without being called is to be put to death. Only the person to whom the king holds out the gold scepter may live. In my case, I haven’t been called to come to the king for the past thirty days.” (Question: Have you ever feared taking action even though it was the right thing to do?)
Esther 4:12-14
When they told Mordecai Esther’s words, he had them respond to Esther: “Don’t think for one minute that, unlike all the other Jews, you’ll come out of this alive simply because you are in the palace. In fact, if you don’t speak up at this very important time, relief and rescue will appear for the Jews from another place, but you and your family will die. But who knows? Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.” (Question: Have you ever felt like you were in the right place at the right time to take action even if it was difficult?)
Esther 4:15-16
Esther sent back this word to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are in Susa and tell them to give up eating to help me be brave. They aren’t to eat or drink anything for three whole days, and I myself will do the same, along with my female servants. Then, even though it’s against the law, I will go to the king; and if I am to die, then die I will.” (Question: What gives you courage when navigating really hard situations?)
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Blessing
Song List
Will You Come and Follow Me - 726 GTG
I Need Thee Every Hour – 735 GTG
Guide My Feet – 741 GTG
Arise, Your Light Is Come! – 744 GTG
Guiding Scripture for Lent
Psalm 30:11-12
“You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Practices to Focus upon During this Season of Lent and Beyond
Prayer – setting a time/alarm twice a day pray/converse with God
-Being open about struggles
-Talking to God about those we love
-Opening ourselves up to following God’s guidance and wisdom
Picking a book in the Bible. Reading a few verses every day.
-Asking questions, noting new insights
-Possible books: Ruth, Proverbs, Mark, Philippians, Colossians
Consuming something every day that helps one to thrive
-Books, Media, Music, Art, Conversations, Podcast, Exercise, Eating habits, etc.…
Checking in with different people every day
-Focusing on cultivating connections
Meditation – Silence
-Taking a few minutes every day to be silent
Lenten Series: Preparing to Dance February 21st – March 28th
Mar 21st – Building, Rebuilding, Living Our Lives
Mar 28th – Confidence that We can Dance