In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss the last week (plus one day) of the story of Jesus, day by day. Read the Gospel of Mark, chapters 11-16 and listen along to the audio of the conversation. Make this part of your Easter preparation.
Next week for the podcast, we begin a conversation on the book of Acts discussing chapters 1-4! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Psalm 118 – the same psalm from which comes the Palm Sunday declaration of “Hosanna!” – begins with the words:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Take some time to give thanks for all the ways God shows his love to you. You’re encouraged write them out – make a list!
Praise is rising, eyes are turning to you
We turn to you
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for you
We long for you
‘Cause when we see you we find strength to face the day
In your presence all our fears are washed away
Washed away
Hosanna! Hosanna!
You are the God who saves us
Worthy of all our praises
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Come have your way among us
We welcome you here Lord Jesus
Hear the sound of hearts returning to you
We turn to you
In your kingdom broken lives are made new
You make us new
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Consider the following questions prayerfully. Dialogue with God about them and respond in prayer.
What acts of simple, tangible, hands-on service is Jesus inviting you be part of as we near the celebration of Easter?
What does it look like for you to respond to the Good News of King Jesus in a genuine act of praise today?
An act of giving financially can be both an act of service and of worship. May God bless those who share and respond in this way.
How deep, how wide, is the love of Christ
How tender be his mercies
His faithfulness with the morning rise
In patience He does wait for me
How high above is your wisdom Lord
How great are thoughts of eternity
Wisdom and scorn bore the cross of Christ
And on that cross you thought of me
On that cross you thought of me
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna to the King
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna to the King
What gracious heart has embraced the earth
What splendour robed in majesty
The Sacred One ever wrapped in light
Whose beacon ever shines on me
Whose beacon ever shines on me
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LordAlmighty
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LordAlmighty
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
What vision calls out as deep to deep
What sight does the eye ever long to see?
What end lays hope for the weary plight
A God who will come and will set us free!
Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
Maundy Thursday: We will be sending out some music and prayers to accompany your evening meal.
Good Friday: Faith Covenant and Holy Community will have a service of worship and prayer via ZOOM at 10:15am.
Easter Sunday: Check with your church (FCC or HCCC) for their service times and plans!
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Julia, and Gavin discuss chapters 30-31 of Proverbs and finish up their journey with that book. Read those two very fun chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
Next week for the podcast, we have a Holy Week special! So, look forward to that! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Psalm 121 is a prayer of ascent because it was prayed by Jews heading up the hill into Jerusalem. They would look up and see the temple, a reminder of God’s presence and protection. A reminder that their help comes from the God who made heaven and earth. By the time Jesus makes his declaration in Mark 13 that the temple would be destroyed, the people had forgotten that the temple was not meant to replace God. It was meant to facilitate worship of God.
Take a few moments to sit in silence and recognize that while we are not in a church building, God is present with his church. Take some time to recognize that even as you are turning your attention to God, he has not stopped his attention on you.
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus
As he [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”
Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
May this song be your prayer of confession as you bring yourself to Jesus and remember it is all about him.
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
And it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
Go from this time of worship through prayer, Scripture, and song to your regular every day moments of living for the glory of Jesus Christ – for this is worship. Amen.
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 25-29 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
Next week we continue our conversation on the Proverbs discussing and finish it up with chapters 30-31. Read those two chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Jesus tells Martha, in John 11, that her brother Lazarus who has died will be raised up. Martha replies (Message translation) “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.” To which Jesus replies, “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life.”
What part of your existence needs Resurrection and Life right now, this very day? Perhaps jot it down… think on it… and then listen to the song below.
Grab a bible (or use your bible app) and open to Mark 12:18-27 prior to pressing play below.
May this song be your prayer of response and your benediction as you go from this space and on with your day…
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to him
Oh how strange and divine I can sing “all is mine”
Yet not I but through Christ in me
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side my Saviour he will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
No fear I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing “I am free”
Yet not I but through Christ in me
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
“Yet not I but through Christ in me”
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 20-24 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
Next week we continue our conversation on the Gospel of Mark discussing Proverbs 25-29. Read those chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
In this season of Lent, we go with Jesus on his journey toward the cross. In Mark’s account of these days, Jesus asks a lot of questions and we continue to sit with some of these questions allowing the Spirit to stir us through them.
If you are meeting with others, take turn reading lines from this prayer from Scripture. If you’re a household with kids, maybe have the kids read the plain print while an adult reads the bold.
Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you, and you rule over all.
In your hand are power and might to make great, and give strength to all.
Now, our God we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
Amen.
10,000 Reasons
Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years, and then forevermore
Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Who You Say I Am
Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me?
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
I am chosen
Not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who You say
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
Before you watch the sermon video, read the text from Mark 12.
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
Now, after this reading, allow your imagination to do some work recreating the scene. Jesus in in Jerusalem here – near the hubbub of the temple. Pay special attention to any details in the text. If you were there, what would you see, hear, smell…? What are the expressions on the faces of those in the story? What is the tone of their voices? After doing some imagining, read the text one more time.
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
Take a few minutes to quietly sit with the question “What does it mean to give all that YOU have and all that YOU are to God?” Pray. Ask God for some insight on how He is inviting you to respond to Him now, and listen for His answer.
All to Jesus I surrender
All to him I freely give
I will ever love and trust him
In his presence daily live
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at his feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus
Take me now
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Savior wholly thine
May the Holy Spirit fill me
May I know thy power divine
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
Lord I give myself to thee
Fill me with thy love and power
Let thy blessings fall on me
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before You – our Lord and our King; help us to see and know Your unending love for us, so that we may place at your feet all that we have and are. Amen.
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 15-19 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
Next week we continue our conversation on the Gospel of Mark discussing Proverbs 20-24. Read those chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Winnipeg Covenant 