Holy Week DEVOTIONS

In this time of national emergency and statewide stay-at-home order, we are unable to gather as a church. As we have shared in Home Worship these past three Sundays, we can now share Home Devotion this Holy Week. Home Devotion is Sunday Home Worship condensed. It is still a time for reading God’s Word, prayer and singing.

We encourage you to take time—on your own or with family or roommates—for daily devotion, following Jesus in his Passion. We will continue in our daily reading of the Psalms, and we will also read selections from the Gospel of Luke (corresponding passages in other Gospels are also noted). Also included is reflection and song for each day. 

Here are some instructions on how to approach Home Devotion this week:

• As able, set aside a consistent time each day (e.g. 7:00-7:30 p.m.).
• For those with full schedules and families, devote 30 minutes. As able though, do allow yourself to lose track of time as you read Scripture, pray and discuss with loved ones.
• We have also included instructions for a longer Threefold Communion service you could do on Thursday in Home Worship.
• Minimize distractions. Turn off phone notifications. Quiet your home setting and your soul.
• Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn together after the Last Supper (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26). Sing a song or two in this time, doing live music as able or using recorded music (e.g. YouTube, streaming music).
• For those with small children, organize a time as best for their attention and engagement. Read a storybook Bible or act out/dramatize the Gospel narrative. Ask questions at their level.
• Remember: This is not religious duty or performance. This is a time to know and follow Jesus—in his passion and unto his crucifixion as we ready ourselves for Easter Sunday.

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MONDAY, April 6

• Read:  Psalm 97; Luke 19:45–48; also Matthew 21:12–19 and Mark 11:12–19
• Reflect: Jesus is zealous for us to be a house of prayer. Why? What happens at the neglect of prayer in our lives and church? What happens in devotion to prayer?
• Pray: Pray that God would increase our devotion to prayer. Pray to pray more.
• Sing: “I I Will Trust My Saviour Jesus” (CityALight) 

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TUESDAY, April 7

• Read Psalm 98; Luke 20:1–21:36; also Matthew 21:23–25:46, Mark 11:20–13:37
• Reflect: Read again Luke 21:34-36. Why must we be watchful of ourselves in these perilous times? What are the temptations that could trap you? What is the way of escape according to verse 36?
• Pray: Pray for watchfulness, spiritual discernment to the traps about us. Pray for strength to escape and remain faithful to Jesus.
• Sing: “Joy To The World” (Sojourn) – This hymn by Isaac Watts is based on Psalm 98, 96:11–12 and Genesis 3:17–18. We have made it a Christmas song, but is a hymn for anytime during the year. The arrangement in minor key by Sojourn Music is fitting for reflection during Holy Week and for prayer during pandemic. It is declares the truth of our Savior-King, even as we feel the sorrows of this fallen world.

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WEDNESDAY, April 8

• Read: Psalm 99; Luke 21:37-22:6; also Matthew 26:3-19 and Mark 14:1-16
• Reflect: Even as a plot is conspired for his death, even as a disciple makes a deal to betray him, Jesus is daily teaching the people in the temple. In these days, what has been Jesus been teaching you in God’s Word for life and faith?
• Pray: Pray for a desire to know and Jesus even more. Pray for a desire to learn even more from God’s Word.
• Sing: “It Is Well With My Soul” (Nashville studio singers) – Thirty-one of Nashville’s studio singers came together using their cell phones during Nashville’s ‘Safer at Home’ order to record and lift their collective voices to share this timeless hymn.

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THURSDAY, April 9

(Note: Linked below are instructions on how you could do fuller Home Worship this Maundy Thursday with Threefold Communion. Also below is a shorter Home Devotion.)

• Read: Psalm 100; Luke 22:7-71; also Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12–72 and John 13:1–18:27
• Reflect: Here on the night of his betrayal, Jesus shares a meal with his disciples. Jesus teaches his disciples. And yet they still argue over who is the greatest. Jesus exhorts them saying that greatness is evidenced in service. How is Jesus greatest? How is this pictured in his fulfillment of the Passover meal? 
• Pray: Pray for God to show you more the greatness of Jesus. Pray to have more the heart of a servant.
• Sing: “Jerusalem” (CityAlight)

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FRIDAY, April 10

• Read: Psalm 101; Luke 22:66-23:56; also Matthew 27:1–61, Mark 15:1–47 and John 18:28–19:42
• Reflect: How are you most struck with the crucifixion narrative in this time? How are you moved to love and marvel at Jesus more?
• Pray: Pray God to convict you more of your sinfulness so you can love Jesus our crucified Savior more. Thank God for the grace and forgiveness we have at this cross.
• Sing: “The Power of the Cross” (Keith & Kristyn Getty)

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SATURDAY, April 11

• Read: Psalm 102; Luke 23:56; also Matthew 27:62-66
• Reflect: God become man lies dead and buried. This is the in-between time—between the victory over sin on Friday and the victory over death on Sunday. For the disciples then, this is a time to remember his words and to trust, but they are grieved with sorrows and fears. How are you now in our in-between time—between Jesus’ first coming and his second? What are your anxieties now to cast upon Jesus?
• Pray: Pray for God to teach you more to wait on Him, to trust in Him, to hope in Him.
• Sing: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Trust)” (Kari Jobe)