In Your Presence Lenten Series Week 3

Welcome to Pocketful of Grace, a podcast of Grace Lutheran Church as we begin our Lenten podcast, “In Your Presence” which comes to us from Psalm 51. We say that in Lent we journey to return to God. Our returning is a lifelong ebb and flow in faith. As we travel, do we pause to remember that we are in God’s presence? Can we linger to receive the closeness of God’s love and mercy? In God’s presence we are renewed and empowered to walk with Jesus for our own wholeness and for the sake of God’s world. 

This podcast will work as a worship companion to the Year A gospels, our “All In” devotion and our Midweek worship series on trust. Each week we will offer breath prayer, Scripture, music and reflection to support your awareness of God’s presence, almost like a mini worship break whenever you listen.  

This week's music: "Be Thou My Vision" composed by Judy Nishimura, and recorded by Laurel Sanders, flutist, with permission of ALRY Publications. The score is available at www.alrypublications.com.

Prayers Reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2012. 

To learn more about our ministries at Grace Lutheran Church, visit glcpa.org. 

Transcript

Week 3: Welcome to Pocketful of Grace, a podcast of Grace Lutheran Church. Our Lenten podcast, “In Your Presence” comes to us from Psalm 51. Our journey with God is a lifelong ebb and flow in faith. Can pause to remember we are in God’s presence? Can we linger to receive the closeness of God’s love and mercy? God’s presence renews and empowers our walk with Jesus for our own wholeness and for the sake of God’s world. This podcast hopes to support your awareness of God’s presence as we enter a space for prayer. Breathing in we say: Show me your kingdom. Breathing out, we say: Help me believe. Let’s do that three times. 

This week we journey with Jesus in the words of John 3:1-17: 

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Jesus invites us close to seek understanding and new life. What from Nicodemus story helps as you look for evidence of God’s presence in your own life? Whatever may unfold, can you trust God loves you?

Music for reflection

Prayer: God, we pray for those struggling with new challenge, transitions, faith or understanding. Guide our feet in your path. We pray for those we love and the whole wide world you so love. In places of war, bring peace. In disaster, bring calm. Where hope has grown tired, lift our sight. 

Music for Reflection

Loving God, help me be attentive to your direction and leading. If you call me to go in some new direction, give me courage. If you present me with a mysterious truth, give me a sense of wonder and faith. Amen. 

Breathing in we say: Show me your kingdom. Breathing out, we say: Help me believe. Let’s do that three times. 

OUTRO: Our Wednesday Mid-Week Lenten worship is at 12:15 or 6:15 pm in person.