Church Resource Guide. Waiting for Water Mobilizing churches to provide safe water during Lent and Easter

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1 Photo by David Uttley Church Resource Guide Waiting for Water 2013 This guide walks you through the various components of The Easter Journey and how to use them in your own church. Included are detailed instructions on how to participate, a working timeline, a list of weekly themes and scriptures, ideas for moving forward, and examples of downloadable resources. Waiting for Water provides all these materials to your church at no cost. Mobilizing churches to provide safe water during Lent and Easter

2 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Contents Introduction...3 Weekly themes and scripture passages...4 Printable checklist...5 How to implement The Easter Journey in your church...6 Frequently asked questions...11 Now what: where to go from here...13 Appendices...15 List of Appendices List of resources available on our website Sample Bible study sign-up sheet Sample Bible study Sample sermon aid Tabletop calendar Collection container label Promotional poster The Easter Journey feedback form A friend of mine went on the Waiting for Water website after hearing about the program at her church. She told me that while she watched the video, she was given a feeling of hope. The simple message that we can all do something, but together we can make a real difference in the world, moved her to tears. Pat Klever, Lifewater International

3 Introduction Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Waiting for Water is an ecumenical network of Christians who recognize that millions of people around the world are still waiting for access to safe water. That is why we are mobilizing followers of Jesus to provide clean water during the Lenten and Easter season. On our website, we provide free resources for churches and individuals to use as they participate in Waiting for Water s Easter Journey. Participants in The Easter Journey encounter and respond to Christ through weekly Bible studies and devotionals learn about the global water crisis and discover ways to serve their local communities Our mission is to mobilize followers of Jesus to provide safe water during Lent, Easter, and beyond. We envision Easter as a launching pad for the cause of safe water for the world s poor. take action by giving up a favorite beverage or activity during Lent and donating the money saved to provide safe water To learn more about Waiting for Water, join our network, and download free resources, please visit our website at How can churches participate? Together, your whole church can take The Easter Journey. This guide, along with the Bible studies and sermon aids on our website, will equip your church members to give up a favorite beverage or activity during Lent and donate the money saved in marked collection containers to provide safe water participate in weekly Bible studies centered around the theme of Encounters with Jesus learn from weekend sermons which incorporate the same themes collect the money saved and celebrate Easter like never before dive into an optional three-week response period focused on local action after Easter What does this guide contain? Using this guide, you can implement The Easter Journey in your congregation. Here you will find an overview of the weekly themes and scriptures, followed by a printable chronological checklist to help you prepare and implement The Easter Journey at your church. Our set of detailed instructions for The Easter Journey and frequently asked questions take you through all the nitty-gritty details of implementation. The last narrative section gives you some inspiration for long-term action. Finally, you will find a valuable appendix chock-full of printable resources. These include a promotional poster, collection cup label, bulletin insert, and tabletop calendar. You will also find a sample Bible study, sermon aid, and small group sign-up sheet as well as a full list of resources available on our website. 1 1 All resources are available for download at no cost from the resources section of our website at Bible studies can be downloaded as PDFs, or you can order multiple printed and bound copies through a third-party website. See page seven for more details.

4 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Weekly themes and scripture passages Encounters with Jesus, Responding With Compassion Jesus caused a response from every encounter he had. In a word, he was unforgettable. Some who met Jesus left feeling loved. Some left feeling frustrated and angry. Some confused. Some healed. Some forgiven. In all of these encounters, we learn about Jesus and his mission. We also discover things about ourselves and God s mission in the world. This study is designed specifically to reflect on how to respond to the need for safe water throughout the world. Each week, the study will open with a situation that describes a present need for water in the world. As you reflect on your personal response to Jesus, you ll be challenged to consider how that response might impact the way you can help to provide safe water to those in need. THE EASTER JOURNEY WEEKLY THEMES Week One: Mary Luke 1:39-56 As you explore Mary s response to God for bringing Jesus into her life, consider how her song reveals God s character and our call to model that character in the world. Week Two: Simeon and Anna Luke 2:21-40 After years of waiting, Simeon and Anna saw Jesus as an eight-day-old baby and in response, they told the world about Jesus mission. Week Three: People of Nazareth Luke 4:14-30 When Jesus made a radical claim that he was bringing God s kingdom to everyone, how did the people respond? They wanted to throw him off a cliff! Week Four: Unnamed Sinful Woman and Simon Luke 7:36-50 Jesus attracted all kinds of people: the religious rulers who invited Jesus into their homes in order to test his theology and lifestyle, and others who were drawn to Jesus out of a deep need for love and forgiveness. Week Five: Crippled Woman and the Religious Ruler Luke 13: Jesus had a way of pointing out the religious leaders hypocrisy at those times when the religious leaders were trying to point out how Jesus was not very religious. Week Six (Palm Sunday): Ten Lepers Luke 17:11-19 As Jesus headed toward Jerusalem where he would eventually encounter crowds of people shouting Hosanna, ten lepers shouted his name calling for Mercy. Week Seven (Easter): An Easter Story: Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 The transformation of a tax collector named Zacchaeus offers hope to all who feel as though they ve simply done too much for God to actually forgive them. RESPONDING TO EASTER: A OPTIONAL THREE-WEEK JOURNEY Week Eight: A Man Named Barnabas Acts 4:32-37 Barnabas and his whole community of Christians saw their relationship with God as a call to care for people in need. Week Nine: A Man Named Stephen Acts 6 The apostles commissioned Stephen to care for the widows, and his response to the resurrection developed into a life of service. Week Ten: A Man Named Peter Acts 10 Peter encountered Jesus repeatedly and with power. But even Peter did not understand the full extent of God s love until he had a dream that showed him just how inclusive God s love would become.

5 Printable checklist Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Print this checklist and refer to it often as you prepare for and participate in The Easter Journey. Step one: get ready Time frame: prior to January 27, 2013 Read through this resource guide and explore Decide whether to use 7- or 10-week program Pastor: download sermon aids from website to use in message planning Recruit 4 Team Leaders for the following: small groups, resources, funds management, and promotion/events Small groups leader: prepare sign-ups for Lenten Bible study groups and begin recruiting of group leaders and members Resource team leader: download small group Bible studies (or order published Bible studies; see website) and copy collection cup labels and posters Gather collection container(s) for the church, such as empty 5-gallon water bottles Optional: make copies of the tabletop calendar and children s art project from the appendices section of this guide Step two: get your church ready Time frame: 3 Sundays, January 27 February 10, 2013 Introduce The Easter Journey to congregation by showing the video several times Promotion/events team Leader: create display using poster, sample collection container Distribute collection container labels for people to use at home Small groups team leader: launch sign-ups for Lenten Bible studies; identify group leaders and assign people to groups Small group leaders contact each member assigned to their group with meeting info Optional: distribute copies of the tabletop calendar and children s art project for people to use at home Step three: take action Time frame: 6 Sundays, February 17 March 24, 2013 During services each week, show the video and use weekly sermon aids Funds management team leader: collect, tally, and turn in funds from collection containers each week Begin weekly small group Bible studies Optional: incorporate our liturgical worship aids into weekly services Optional: observe World Water Day on Sunday, March 17 (see page 9 for ideas) Step four: celebrate Easter Time frame: March 31, 2013 Celebrate the resurrection! Incorporate this week s sermon aids in your worship Service Remind people to make final contributions and announce how funds will be used Step five: follow through Time frame: April 7 April 21, week option: participate in the additional 3 weeks of Bible studies and sermons which emphasize compassionate response in your local community Share the total amount of funds raised with your congregation Make your gift to provide safe water Access the resources and ideas found in the Now what section of this guide Develop a plan for how your church will continue to provide safe water in the world Upload your pictures, stories, and ideas to the share stories section of our website Optional: celebrate your Easter Journey as a congregation through a potluck, community carnival, or other special event. The promotion/events team leader should organize this.

6 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide How to implement The Easter Journey in your church Here you will find more detailed instructions on how to guide your church through participating in The Easter Journey. These instructions are divided into five sections, or steps, which correspond with the Printable checklist provided on page five. Step one: get ready Time frame: prior to January 27, 2013 Read through this guide and explore This is the first step in preparing for The Easter Journey. In addition to detailed instructions and a time line, you will find many helpful resources and ideas to make your journey successful. It is optimum to complete this step during the month of November, before the Advent season, to assure time to recruit Team Leaders and make plans for registration on January 27, We also recommend downloading the sermon aids from the website well in advance for sermon preparation. Decide on a 7-week or 10-week program. The main group of resources focuses on the 7 weeks of Lent and Easter. These small group Bible studies and sermon aids help church members encounter Jesus and respond with compassion by providing safe water in the world. For churches that want to extend their involvement, we have created an additional 3-week module focused on showing compassion in the local community. Some churches will want to end their Easter Journey with the week of Easter (7 week program) and others will decide to turn their efforts toward local ministry for 3 more weeks (10 week program). Regardless of which you choose, be sure to review the Now what? section of this guide for help in long-term engagement. Decide which water agency you will support. On our website, we provide a list of faith-based organizations which are providing safe water throughout the world. i You may choose to support any of these agencies or another agency with which your church has a relationship. In the past several churches have also chosen to give their gifts to Waiting for Water and asked us to divide the funds amongst our nonprofit partners. ii Recruit a team. You should recruit 4 people to be team leaders in the following areas: small groups, resources, funds management, and promotion/events. Their job descriptions are as follows: team leader job descriptions small groups recruits group leaders manages sign-up process for Bible study groups assigns group leaders and members resources downloads and prints resources from website distributes resources to appropriate team leaders orders published Bible studies from lulu.com (if applicable) funds management acquires collection containers for donations places containers in church building collects and records donations weekly promotion/events promotes Easter Journey through video, posters, and announcements creates a display where people can learn about Easter Journey and obtain resources organizes events such as celebration potlucks

7 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Resources. All of the resources your church will need to participate in The Easter Journey can be downloaded free of charge from Waiting for Water s website. Following is a list of the resources which will be available to you after November 1, 2012: Bible studies collection container labels sermon aids promotional poster liturgical worship aids printable tabletop calendar weekly devotional and art project three-minute promotional video PowerPoint announcement slide Printable bulletin insert Published Bible studies. In addition to the option of printing and copying materials from our website, this year we are offering an exciting alternative: published small group booklets. Churches who do not wish to print and copy all of the Bible studies for their congregations will have the option of ordering as many printed and bound copies as they need through lulu.com, a third-party publisher. We anticipate the cost per booklet will be around ten dollars, and will save your church many hours of time and reams of paper. Published small group Bible studies are available for order at cost through a link on the Resources section of our website. Churches should place their orders no later than February 7, 2013, to ensure on-time delivery. Collection containers. Five-gallon water bottles like the one pictured at right make ideal collection containers for church congregations. People collecting money at home can affix an Easter Journey label to something as simple as a plastic cup. Figure 1. Photo by David Uttley Step two: get your church ready Time frame: 3 Sundays, January 27 February 10, 2013 Introduce The Easter Journey to the congregation on the three consecutive Sundays leading up to Lent. We offer the following resources to help you in your efforts: two-minute video (available for download on website; you ll find instructions there) PowerPoint announcement slide (available for download from the resources section of the website) bulletin insert (included in the appendices section of this guide or by download from the website) Waiting for Water poster and water bottle labels (located in the appendices section of this guide)

8 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Share the following key points with your congregation: Turn your beverage (or activity) into safe water. Give up a favorite beverage or activity during Lent and donate the money saved in marked collection containers (at church and home) to provide safe water. Options are almost limitless but include giving up coffee, soda, restaurant meals, or trips to the movies. Participate in weekly Bible studies. Each week is centered on the theme of Encountering Jesus and responding with compassion. Participants study the Bible together, hear stories from people affected by the global water crisis, and learn how to respond by making a difference. Collect the money saved and celebrate Easter like never before. Gifts from the whole congregation will be pooled together on Easter Sunday to provide safe water through a Christian water organization. Launch into long-term action. The Easter Journey will equip your congregation to continue responding to global and local needs. Promotion/events team leader: Create a display at the church using the poster, sample collection containers with labels and other creative elements. The display can be set up on January 27 and remain throughout the Easter Journey. Be sure to us a photo of your display! Optional: Distribute copies of tabletop calendars (found in the appendices) for people to use at home. Small groups team leader: Launch sign-ups for small groups at church or online. The information collected for sign-ups should include name, phone number, address, and the days and times each person is available to meet. (Sample sign-up sheet is available in the appendices.) After reviewing the sign-ups, the team leader places the registrants in groups (approximately 8-12 members), appoints a leader for each group and asks each group leader to make personal contact with everyone in their group by phone or to supply details about when and where the small group will be held. The first week of small groups follows Sunday, February 17, Alternative: If there are existing small groups in the church which want to participate in The Easter Journey, the small groups team leader should just orient them and ensure they have Bible study booklets in hand by February 17. Resource team leader: Distribute labels to be affixed to beverage containers in the homes of the congregation. Varied beverage containers can be used such as personal water bottles, soda bottles, milk cartons, or 5-gallon water delivery bottles. Step three: take action Time frame: 6 Sundays, February 17 March 24, 2013 Incorporate the Sermon Aids designed for each of the Sunday services. Optional: Incorporate liturgical worship aids into weekly services which are available on website.

9 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Funds management leader: Each week, collect and tally funds from collection containers. For purposes of integrity, we strongly suggest you involve two people in this task, and that they turn in a tally of money collected to the pastor/secretary each Sunday before leaving church. Before turning funds in to the church, you can take change to a coin machine, located at many grocery stores, to be automatically sorted, counted and redeemed in cash for a small percentage. Coins can also be cashed in at banks if they are rolled and labeled properly in wrappers provided at banks. Continue to track total of funds collected throughout The Journey and ensure your record-keeping matches that of the church office. Bible Study groups begin meeting each week. World Water Day World Water Day is observed all over the world every year on March 22. Consider joining in this observance as a congregation. If your church supports missionaries or development workers in areas where safe water is an urgent need, you can highlight their work and also heighten general awareness. You can find water facts on the Waiting for Water website at Learn more about World Water Day at Step four: celebrate Easter Time frame: March 31, 2013 Incorporate the Easter Sermon Aids in your worship Service. Announce total of current contributions and remind people to make final donations. Explain how the funds will be used. If using the 10-week program, explain to the congregation how the next 3 weeks will give them an opportunity to show compassion in their local community. The congregation can continue to donate change during the next 3 weeks to be donated locally, or other methods can be used to give to your community. (Ideas are found in the Now What section in this guide.) Small groups meet for the final time. This is the last week of the 7-week study. Step five: follow through Time frame: April 7 April 21, 2013 If using 10-week program, incorporate sermon aids in worship services. Small groups continue with Bible Studies focusing on showing compassion to local community.

10 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Funds Management Team Leader: Announce total amount raised by congregation to provide safe water and works with church staff to donate funds to water agency of church s choice. Have a party! This is an excellent time to celebrate what God has done in your congregation in the past 7 or 10 weeks. With the leadership of your promotion/events coordinator, organize a potluck, carnival, block party, or dessert social, and encourage members to invite their friends and neighbors. Give us your feedback. your assessment of the program (found in the appendices section), including inspirational stories, the amount that you donated to provide safe water, pictures, and constructive criticism, to waitingforwater@gmail.com. Move forward. It may be appropriate to appoint a committee to consider ways that the church can continue to support the expansion of safe water or other local needs in the community. The Now What section in this guide can help generate ideas and action. Figure 2. Photo by David Uttley

11 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Frequently asked questions 1. What resources do you offer? We offer a wide variety of free resources for churches, small groups, and individuals. For a comprehensive list, visit the resources page of our website or see the appendix to this guide. 2. When does The Easter Journey begin? The Easter Journey officially begins when Lent begins, on Ash Wednesday, February 13, However, you will want to begin preparing well before then; this guide provides a timeline and walks you through all the steps of preparing for and participating in The Easter Journey. 3. Is there a live person who can help me? Yes! The Waiting for Water steering team is here to answer your questions and support you. us at waitingforwater@gmail.com and we ll get back to you. 4. Where do I get the Bible studies? You have two options for getting small group Bible studies: Download and print out the PDFs from our website at This is appropriate for churches that don t need too many copies of the studies. Order the number of printed and bound Bible studies your church will need. Copying and assembling hundreds of Bible studies is not practical for many churches. We provide a link to a third-party publisher from the resources page of our website where you can simply order the number of studies you need and have them delivered to your door. We are offering the booklets at cost for about 7 dollars; you can choose to pass this cost on to your church members or subsidize it from the church budget. 5. Do I have to use the sermon aids? No, you don t. Some pastors find these aids helpful in planning their sermon series and making sure they are giving a unified message to their congregations during The Easter Journey. However, the sermon aids are just meant to be used as helpful tools and are not essential for a successful experience. 6. Why should my church participate in The Easter Journey? Pastors and church leaders want to see their people grow as followers of Christ and become more outwardly focused. The Easter Journey helps you reach that goal by providing free, highquality resources and a comprehensive guide to implementation. You also gain access to multiple high-quality Christian organizations with whom your church can partner to make a real difference. (For more ideas on nonprofit partnerships, see page 12.) 7. How do I get printable resources like posters and collection container labels? The Appendices section of this guide gives you printable copies of the Waiting for Water poster, collection container labels, and a tabletop calendar. 8. How do I get electronic resources like the video and announcement slide? For the announcement slide, which is in PowerPoint format, go to the basic resources section of our website at For the video, ensure you are connected to the Internet and go to our YouTube channel at Select the 2013 Easter video, and when you are

12 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide ready to share it, click play. To make the video fill your entire screen, click the full screen icon in the lower right-hand corner of the video player. 9. What if we want to support an organization not listed on your website? Go for it! If your church already has a relationship with a nonprofit organization which is providing safe water in the world, we encourage you to keep that relationship going and apply funds raised to that organization s work. 10. I have another question not listed here. Our website can answer most questions, but you can always feel free to us directly at waitingforwater@gmail.com.

13 Now what: where to go from here Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Congratulations on finishing your Easter Journey! However, we hope that this experience serves not as an end, but a launching point into new and exciting forms of ministry for your church. You ve already seen that your congregation can work together to grow as followers of Christ and make a real difference in the global water crisis. We hope you will continue doing acts of compassion, both globally and locally. Following are several ideas to get you started; please share your own stories, ideas, and photos with us by ing waitingforwater@gmail.com. Global response. Continue the momentum you have started by sharing Christ s love with a world in need. If you don t already have a successful international ministry program, we suggest you take advantage of the expertise and connections already available to you through partnership with a Christian nonprofit organization. There are many nonprofit organizations working to make a difference in the global water crisis in Christ s name. Several of them are listed on our website. 2 Your church can serve a vital Kingdom role as you link with one of these organizations. Following are just some of the ways you can partner: a. Form long-term relationships. Several nonprofit organizations link North American churches in long-term relationships with churches in areas where safe water is a primary need. The churches often form mutually helpful friendships which extend for years and branch out to meet other needs beyond just safe water. Healing Waters International ( is an excellent example of an organization which is facilitating this type of healthy, long-term relationship. b. Volunteer. Many church members are eager to volunteer their time in worthy causes, and many churches regularly send out teams on overseas trips; consider helping your members to become highly skilled volunteers for a nonprofit organization. Living Water International ( and Lifewater International ( both make extensive use of volunteers. c. Advocate. Your church can raise its voice to advocate on behalf of those who are poor and thirsty in our world today. Sponsor an athletic event, form a water action group, or hold a water carnival. The Water Project (thewaterproject.org) and Blood:Water Mission ( both offer many resources to equip you for advocacy. Local response. As your local church engages globally, it can also impact its own community. We suggest looking for ways to forge long-term, focused relationships in your community. Following are just a few suggestions for kick-starting your own local outreach: Partner with another local church to dedicate a larger portion of your churches budgets to outreach activities in the next year, and hold each other accountable. Plan joint outreaches, and celebrate together when you reach your shared budget goal. 2

14 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Form a long-term relationship with a local school; work with school staff to determine how your church can help out and follow through. Possibilities include playground maintenance, back-toschool supplies, after-school tutoring, and teacher appreciation. Resolve to become the best friend your city ever had. Contact the mayor s office to learn of volunteer opportunities such as park clean-up or graffiti removal. Host a sports league, such as Upward basketball ( and blow your participants away with hospitality and fun! Every August, hold a single parents fair. Offer school supplies, free oil changes, basic health screenings, or kids haircuts. If your church is small, partner with another church or group of churches to pull it off. Engage your seniors. If your church has active older adults, consider starting a Seniors in Service group which can plan and lead various outreaches in your area. These might include reading to schoolchildren or collecting items for a pregnancy care center or low-income preschool. Figure 3. Photo by Carol Nowlin

15 Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Appendices 1. List of resources available on our website 2. Sample Bible study sign-up sheet 3. Sample Bible study 4. Sample sermon aid 5. Tabletop calendar 6. Collection container label 7. Promotional poster 8. The Easter Journey feedback form

16 List of resources available on our website Easter Journey Church Resource Guide Following is a comprehensive list of the resources available for download or order from the resources section of our website at Resources 2013 Resource guide 2013 W4W Video 2013 Bible studies 2013 Weekly Sermons PowerPoint announcement slide Posters (Legal Size, Letter Size, and Tabloid Size) Postcard Sticker Label Tabletop Calendar Published Small Group Bible Study Books ($7) Weekly Devotionals & Art Project Liturgical Worship Aids i ii For information on how to donate to Waiting for Water, see

17 Easter Journey Small Group Sign-Up Sheet Sign up below to be placed in an Easter Journey small group Name address Phone number Comments/requests

18 1 Mary and the Angel written by Eugenia Gamble introduction During the early winter of my senior year in seminary, in the beautiful hills of Louisville, Kentucky, my professor of worship (who also happened to be my spiritual director) suggested that I might benefit from a silent retreat. Vastly more comfortable with doing than being, I was scared to death by this notion. Still, since I was very much wed to being a good girl, I made arrangements to spend twenty-four hours with the sisters at the convent of Loretto, about an hour s drive from the seminary. It was a pretty brutal experience, as I recall. My discomfort rising like the steam from the old clanking radiators, I had no idea what to do or how to be in that environment. At one point, cold and confused, I took a walk on the working farm. I stopped to look at the cows with their great eyelashes coated with frost. Hello, sister cow, I muttered, feeling nothing, yearning for some kind of predictable spiritual sparkle. Nothing. As I turned to return to my room, my eyes landed on a small pond near the barn. In the center of the pond, on a simple mount, was a stone statue of Mary, all peace and outstretched arms. Suddenly, my breath caught in my throat and I wondered with new wonder just what it might be like to bear Christ to the world. That wonder-full wonder still captures me whenever I read this week s passage. It is an intensely spiritual and political text in which one woman, chosen by God for a special purpose, must wrestle both with the nature and cost of saying yes. When God turned to Mary to bring Jesus into the world, it made no sense at all. To understand Mary s Yes to God, we need to understand a bit about marriage customs in her day. The marriage process began with the selecting of a bride by the bridegroom and the negotiating of a contract between an agent of the groom and the bride s father. The engagement was confirmed by oaths and was accompanied by presents to the bride and her family. Afterwards, the bride lived at home for one year. The woman was usually between twelve and fourteen years old. At the end of the year, the groom came and took her to his house where the marriage was consummated and a marriage feast lasting up to a week ensued. A woman was considered married from the time of her engagement. If the groom died during that year she was a widow. If she became pregnant and the pregnancy was deemed adulterous, she faced public disgrace for a lifetime, at best, or death by stoning at worst. To say yes and to say yes now was a nearly unimaginable risk. Why would she do it? In our own smaller ways, why do we say yes when asked to step out in God s mission? The Rev. Shannon Daley-Harris tells a story about boarding an airplane at Dulles airport to go to a speaking engagement in Florida. As she boarded, she noticed a young father with his son, about three years old, getting settled in the seats in front of her. The little boy was very excited. It was obviously his first flight, and he was intent on scampering over his father and pulling the plastic window covering up and down. As it happened, they were well back in the line for take-off and Rev. Daley-Harris settled into her seat with a mound of work on her lap. As they crept down the taxiway waiting for each plane to take off ahead of them, she heard the little boy turn to his father and ask, Is this as fast as it goes?

19 Perhaps Mary, in one way or another, had heard her people who waited so long for liberation say, Is this as fast as it goes? Perhaps it was that urgency that drove her yes now. Perhaps the 4,100 children who die each day from water-related diseases in our world ask the same question of us, Is this as fast as it goes? Mary s response asks us to consider our own urgency as we offer ourselves to God as agents of liberation, salvation, and healing today. In Christ, God speaks the great divine Now! Now is the time for the tables to turn. Now is the time for the suffering to end. Now is the time for the poor to be lifted up and out. Now. Now was the time for Mary s yes. Now is the time for our yes as well. group question: Can you think of a time when you felt that you were led to do something special for God? What was the risk involved? encountering Jesus read: Luke 1: In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (NRSV)

20 discuss: Discuss the following questions as a group. 1) As soon as Mary said yes to God s call on her life, she recognized the need for community in order to have the courage and support needed for the adventure before her. So she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant. Elizabeth s child would be John the Baptist. How did Elizabeth greet Mary? What emotions might she have felt? 2) Elizabeth had keen, Holy Spirit insight as to what God was doing. As soon as she saw Mary she realized that God was doing the new thing for which they had longed and waited. What was the sign that Elizabeth experienced that helped her know what was happening? (v. 44) Are there signs that God uses with you to help you grasp what is happening? 3) Mary responded to Elizabeth s insights with one of the most stirring and powerful songs in the Bible. She said that her soul (her inward being) was so exultant that it (her soul itself) made God look magnificent. (v. 46) What are the two reasons she gave for her rejoicing? (v. 48) 4) The word in Greek that we translate blessed (v.48) means to be declared indwelt by God and thoroughly satisfied. Mary said that all people will call her that forever. What two reasons did she give for this? (v. 49)

21 5) In verse 50, Mary gave a wonderful list of God s characteristics. She made eight powerful claims about what God has done and is doing. Can you pick them out? (vv ) Those claims were as counter-cultural in her day as in ours. How do you think her song was received? Imagine it was a speech at a political convention today. What would the pundits say? 6) The Greek word for proud means haughty and refers to those who think they are better than others. According to verse 51, what happens to people like that? What do you think that means for us? 7) Mary said that when God is doing a mighty work, the hungry are filled with abundant good things. What does she say happens to the rich? What do you think that means for us? 8) In verse 54, Mary claimed that God, by moving through her to bring the Messiah, had helped Israel. She made two supporting claims. What are they? 9) How long did Mary stay with her cousin? Can you imagine reasons for that time period?

22 responding to Jesus personal response: There is a wonderful Greek word, theotokas, which means the God bearer and it is often used of Mary in her capacity of bringing Jesus to birth for us. Of course, God does not ask us to literally give birth to a new Messiah. Jesus was and is enough. Yet we are each asked to bring Christ to awareness or reality to those around us. To do that we must bear witness to the truth that God is still doing the things that Mary discerned. How might you be a Christ-bearer this week? In what creative ways might God use you to make Jesus come alive for others? global response: There are 785 million people today who do not have a clean, safe water supply, and 2.5 billion without proper sanitation. If Jesus is the Living Water and you are a Christ bearer, then how might God be calling you to take concrete action to address this crisis during this Lenten season? As a group list three first steps that you can take before you meet again. How will you take those steps? Who will do what? group prayer Magnificent God, God of wonder and surprising callings, we praise you today for coming to be with us, right here and right now. We thank you for our ancestors, especially Mary and Elizabeth, who show us the value of community and shared joy and who saw you and your ways of justice and power so clearly. Help us this week to go forth as your theotokas. Give us courage that we may take risks to continue your work in the world. Fill us, Lord, so that we may be poured out. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

23 1 Mary and the Angel Written by Eugenia Gamble introduction Years ago I came across a vignette by a Christian Clown named Margie Brown. It comes from a little book called The Stick Stories that is no longer in print. In a fun and fanciful way, the following monologue tells the story of Mary s encounter with the angel Gabriel. You might want to act out or have a member act out this story as an opener for your sermon. It should be read as a conversation, with the angel s responses to Mary assumed but inaudible after each line. Coming, I m coming! Good morning. Yes, I m Mary. How do you do, Gabriel. Can I help you? A message. The Lord is with me. I don t see anybody Do you have someone out in the hall? I ve found favor with the Lord. You go tell him that I like him, too But if you ll excuse me I have a lot of work to do. No, I don t understand! Blessed be the fruit of my broom? Mister, I have all the sweeping up that I need. Blessed be the fruit of my womb? You re not making any sense! If you have a message for me, just say it straight and simple. Oh. That s pretty straight and simple. You re telling me that I m going to have a baby. Mister, I don t think that you can do that kind of thing door to door. You re serious aren t you? That s a pretty crazy proposition. Why would I want to do that? I m not even married.

24 This must be some special kind of kid to come this way. Well, what kind? Yes. Yes. Really? Jesus Christ. Magnificent! Well mister, If what you re saying is true, Then what can I say? I guess you can go tell your boss that he s got himself a little mother. Am I scared? No Yes It is scary, and people will talk, but how can I pass up an adventure like this? Yes. Good-bye, thank you..i think. Have a nice day. Joe? Hey Joe! Guess what? No. You ll never guess scripture: Luke 1: In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (NRSV)

25 sermon Today s lesson from Luke may seem like a strange place to befin our Lenten journey. We are used to this story in Advent when we focus on preparing to again welcome Christ into the world at Christmas. We are accustomed to hearing this story when we are ripe with waiting, when we are heavy with longing, and when we are ready to burst with the need to be delivered. We are accustomed to hearing the story of two courageous women bonding over their pregnancies, with all of the hope for the future and wonder at the miracle that pregnancy usually brings, in the midst of evergreens and holly, shiny lights and eggnog. But this year, it s different. The tree is long since down. The presents of Christmas morning are now treasured possessions that we take for granted. The carols are tucked away with the tinsel crowns of the little angels from the Christmas pageant. And we are set today, with our noses pointed to Calvary, to walk with the babe now a man to the hill where he will fulfill his mission. Born in hope. Finished for hope. Perhaps it is not so strange, really, to begin Lent with Mary and Elizabeth s encounter and Mary s song of hope and wonder. After all, if there is nothing else we learn from life and Lent, it is that carols and cross go hand in hand, two sides of the same wondrous story of salvation and wholeness. So what can we learn today about walking with Jesus to Calvary from this first walk of his mother to visit her cousin in the hill country? First of all, saying yes to God, agreeing to in some way be a God-bearer in your life, is risky business indeed. Each time I read the text I am amazed at Mary s response to the angel s message: Okay God, if you say so. Now granted, it took a pretty intense and specific encounter with an angel, but still. For a thirteen-year-old poor, Hebrew girl whose name, Miryam, meant rebellion to say yes to the miracle of God was pretty amazing and had some pretty amazing results. In saying yes, Mary became the God bearer, the one who would be used by God to help her people meet God face to face. With her yes, she showed us what faith really looks like and what its purpose is. As I think of Mary, the God bearer, and her resounding yes, I am humbled to think of the times that I have said no to the unexpected movement of God in my life, even in little things. No to the inner nudge to pick up the phone and call a friend when I m tired and just want to be alone No to the nudge to send a note of thanks a word of blessing to someone who has extended me a kindness No to the inner nudge to write an extra check for a needed ministry instead of buying some new trinket for myself No to the inner nudge to confront a friend s or parishioner s destructive behavior No to the inner nudge to say I m sorry to someone I have wounded when a long-ago hurt crosses my mind. No to the nudge to speak my faith into the tyrannies of racism, sexism, xenophobia, to all the isms and phobias that make objects of people and gain ground by diminishing the full humanity of others No to the tiny, subtle, daily opportunities to be overshadowed by grace and transformed a little more closely into one who might bear God to a broken and graceless world.

26 To say yes to God s call, to bear Christ, is risky business indeed. Yet, if Christ is to be constantly born of us today we must be prepared, as Mary was, to risk all to bring him to life. I grew up in the 1960s in the Jim Crow south. The Civil Rights Movement shaped my life and family from the time I was a tot. After the total desegregation of the school system, I attended a high school where 80 percent of the students were African American. As a child of white privilege, I attended the school as a matter of choice. I believed in desegregation. I believed in public school. So, I went to public school. During my senior year a friend of mine, a young African American boy, and I decided that we were going to help with voter registration after school in the public housing projects in our community. We didn t have the sense God gave a turnip. But that was what we decided to do. Somehow, word of our plan reached the school librarian, a wise and wonderful African American woman who had seen it all. She called us in to her office one day after school. Telling us what she had heard, she told us that we simply could not do it. I remember rising up to the full stature of my sixteen-year-old indignity and saying, But we are working for the truth. She leaned over her desk, clasped her enormous chocolate eyes on me and said something I have never forgotten. Genie, you be careful of the truth. The truth can get you killed. Mary knew from the first flap of angel wings that the truth could get her killed. Yet she was able to respond with joy and abandon. Why? Perhaps it was just who she was. Perhaps the Spirit prepared her especially for this opportunity. We don t know. But in the moment, she made her decision. Yes. She would be who she was created to be and she would do what she was created to do no matter how inconceivable, no matter how inconvenient, no matter how incongruous. The risk of saying yes to God s call on your life may be great. But the payoff in intimacy with Christ will be greater. A second thing we learn from today s story is that if Christ is to be born in us, we must be open to becoming a miracle and not just getting one. Mary knew immediately the radical change that God was bringing into the world through her. She knew that there would be no more same-old-same-old once the Christ was born. She knew that no power structures would hold his presence, no privilege would go unquestioned, no injustice go unanswered. She knew that the way things were would change on the metabolic level. Nothing would ever be the same, because God was moving the world toward justice. God was moving the world toward love. God was moving the world toward reconciliation. God was moving the world home. Not even the powers of hell could stop it. The light was coming and it would change everything. Many of us don t think of ourselves as miracle workers, light shedders, and power tumblers. Many of us may feel more in need of miracles, insight, and a little Godly power. Yet, although we are different, Christ is inside each of us as he was inside of Mary. Jesus longs to be brought to term in our lives, to be delivered to deliver. When we, like Mary, say yes to that calling, unjust powers tumble and arrogant ideas of entitlement at the expense of others crumble. When we offer ourselves to be miracles, God does them. One of my favorite stories from the life of Mother Teresa comes from the time when she was a young nun working with the poorest in Calcutta. One day she became convinced that God was calling her to open an orphanage for the children of those who were dying daily in the streets. So she went to talk with her bishop about the project. He listened attentively to what she outlined. After she finished, he asked, How much money do you have? Two pennies, she answered. The bishop laughed out loud. You can t start an orphanage with two pennies. No, she replied. But with God and two pennies I can. And she did. What if you really believed that God was calling you to the work of water justice? What if you believed that Jesus wanted to flow from you in clean flowing water? Could you dig a well? Could you dig a latrine? Could you become politically active? Could you give up something important to you in order give more lavishly? Can you become the miracles you want to see in the world? Maybe you think you don t have the resources. But, here is the news flash. You are the resources. Mary didn t have the resources to do anything, not even the human resources to get pregnant.

27 God did. It is God s capacity and not our own that bursts forth into the world when we say yes. It is no wonder that Mary calls herself blessed, that is, indwelt by God and fully satisfied. It is our state too; remember that! Finally, Mary knew at once that she would need support. After her amazing yes, Mary set about finding a community of support to see her through and to fuel her hope. We have that amazing support in one another right here in our church and with all the others who come together to work out God s justice in the world. We have people to sing with, to celebrate the birth of new ministries and miracles with us. We have people to spark our ideas and to hear our outlandish schemes. We have people to shoulder the load with us. We have Christ s very being alive within us to comfort and confront us, to empower and spur us on. God is doing a miracle inside of you right now. Who knows? Perhaps this Lent it will be brought to term.

28 Easter Journey Tabletop Calendar Instructions The tabletop calendar on the next page is designed to be printed, folded, and taped together to form a triangle which can stand up on your table or countertop throughout the Lenten season. We made this calendar as a way of keeping ourselves daily connected to Christ and to the issue of safe water throughout the Easter Journey. Reading it by yourself or with others over breakfast or during dinner will only take a few moments each day, but we hope it will act as a compass, steering you back toward the heart of God. Some calendar entries are simply quotes which you can read, discuss, and think about. Other entries suggest a short activity or point you toward a relevant scripture. As you find your way to each day s calendar entry, take heart knowing that thousands of people across the country are reading these lines, engaging with these stories, and growing along with you. Steps to construct your tabletop calendar: 1. Print out the calendar on the following page 2. Fold it in thirds on the dotted lines so that the text faces outward 3. Tape the sides together so the calendar forms a triangular cone 4. Place it in a convenient location where you can read it daily

29 Tape here. TABLETOP CALENDAR Wednesday, February 13 Calculate the number of minutes your household spends in the shower each day. Pray for the 800 million people who lack safe water for drinking and bathing. Thursday, February 14 [O]ur children can now go to school since we are not keeping them at home to help in fetching water. George Ouni of Onywaloyere village, northern Uganda Friday, February 15 In a village in Cameroon, I walked to the river s edge and saw where a community latrine had toppled over and been washed away. It was a graphic reminder of how poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water combine to spread disease. Carol Nowlin Saturday, February 16 One child dies every 21 seconds from a water-related disease. Throughout your day, stop to remember these children and pray for their families. Sunday, February 17 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them John 7:38. Ask God to fill you with rivers of living water today. Monday, February 18 Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, says, Ordinary people are God s plan to change the world. Tuesday, February 19 I had been suffering from stomach problems for a long time, because the unprotected spring we were fetching water from was giving me worms. I tried to treat myself and spent a lot of money. Grace, a woman from northern Uganda Wednesday, February 20 Turn over the couch cushions! Race to see who in your house can find the most spare change. Add the money you collect to your Easter Journey total. Thursday, February 21 Each year, 443 million school days are lost due to water-related illness. Does someone in your household attend school? Thank God for the privilege of education and pray for all children to be able to have this same right. Friday, February 22 Before receiving help from Living Water International to repair his community s well, Nonguierma O Herve, a farmer in Burkina Faso, reported, When we came to pump water in the morning, the water was black. Now the water runs clear! Saturday, February 23 Water is mentioned throughout the Bible. List all of the water passages you can think of, and then read one of them together. Sunday, February 24 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2. Close your eyes; imagine the Spirit of God hovering over you and breathing life into you. Monday, February 25 In just 1 day, 200 million work hours are consumed by women collecting water for their families. As you work, pray for rest and relief for women around the world. Tuesday, February 26 The Water Project and Living Water International employ former child soldiers and women who were victimized during the civil war to repair wells and offer hygiene education in Sierra Leone. Who can you offer a second chance today? Wednesday, February 27 Half of the world s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from waterand sanitation-related illness. Pray for those you know who are ill or suffering. Thursday, February 28 People living in urban slums often pay 5-10 times more for water than wealthy people living nearby. Pray that this injustice would not go unnoticed. Fold here. TABLETOP CALENDAR Friday, March 1 Nearly 100 percent of people who lack safe drinking water live on less than $2 a day. What would you live without if you only had $2 per day to spend? Saturday, March 2 Did you know that a lack of sanitation, such as a latrine or a flush toilet, is the world s leading cause of infection? Thank God today for your toilet! Sunday, March 3 Remember the old song I ve got a river of life flowing out of me? Sing it together and enjoy being reminded of God's living water inside of us. Monday, March 4 Find your most recent water bill. Brainstorm some ways you can reduce your water usage, and consider giving the money saved to provide safe water. Tuesday, March 5 How's your collection jar coming along? Take two minutes to run out to the car and check for loose change. Add it to the jar and total up your money thus far. Wednesday, March 6 Name as many oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and streams as you can. Pray that followers of Jesus would lead the way in being good stewards of our blue planet. Thursday, March 7 More people in the world have a mobile phone than a toilet. Friday, March 8 Find out where your water comes from. Visit your local water utility s website, call and talk with a technician, or read the latest report on your water s quality. Saturday, March 9 Jesus said in John 4:14, those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Mention the name of Jesus to someone today he is the wellspring of life! Sunday, March 10 Take a minute to reflect on your favorite body of water. What is it that you like about that place? Describe your special place of refreshment. Monday, March 11 List all of the places where you can get a drink of water. Thank God for your abundant supply of safe water, and pray for others who lack access to safe water. Tuesday, March 12 Liz Reberry from Healing Waters International was helping advertise the opening of a new water system in Guatemala. A stern-looking mechanic accepted a bottle of water and a flyer. As he sipped his water, his gaze softened. He said, Keep up what you are doing. This community needs it. Wednesday, March 13 Time to raid the junk drawer! Dump out your collection of odds and ends to see how much spare change you might find. Add it to your Easter Journey collection. Thursday, March 14 Across sub-saharan Africa, just 2.2 percent of freshwater resources have been tapped. Yet only 61 percent of people there have access to a safe supply of water. Pray that many more people will be connected to this resource. Friday, March 15 Author Anne Lamott recently said, The main thing I believe Jesus wanted us to do, besides pray, is to get thirsty people water. Why do you think she said that? Saturday, March 16 Edwin Garcia pastors a church on a city dump in Cienfuegos, Dominican Republic. Last year Healing Waters International helped him install a water purification system. He shared, This purification machine came to us from above. It is an evangelizing machine. It does the preaching for us. Fold here. TABLETOP CALENDAR Sunday, March 17 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25. Are you waiting for good news? Pause and give your request to God. Monday, March 18 Sidewalk challenge: This week keep your eyes open as you go around town. When you find loose change on the ground, add it to your Easter Journey collection jar. Tuesday, March 19 The best water I ve ever tasted was from a contaminated river after it had been run through a Biosand filter. This concrete-and-sand purification device at a village home in Cameroon filled my bottle with cool, clear water, sweetened by the hospitality of the family who offered it. Carol Nowlin Wednesday, March 20 No, no, we are not satisfied and will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Is there a connection between water and justice? Thursday, March 21 Jesus met the Samaritan woman at a well; wells have always served as community meeting points. Where do people meet in your community, and how can you invite Jesus to be there? Friday, March 22 Handwashing with soap and clean water is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease. Be mindful as you wash your hands today. If you have children, sing a song with them while you wash. Saturday, March 23 With help from Healing Waters, a church in Berriozabal, Mexico, sells safe water to its neighbors at an affordable price. The church then gives away more than $500 each month to meet other community needs! Sunday, March 24 Shouts of praise and joy often erupt when water gushes forth from a new well. How can you praise Jesus, the bringer of life, on this Palm Sunday? Monday, March 25 Public sanitation is widely credited with saving millions of American lives in the 20 th century. Today, pray for others who are still waiting for this basic resource. Tuesday, March 26 Put your senses in connection with water today. Visit a local beach; soak in the bathtub. If you have young children, fill the sink and supervise them as they play. Wednesday, March 27 Tippy-taps are handwashing devices made from household objects. Type tippytap images into your Internet browser to see a picture of one. Feeling adventuresome? Download instructions and build one yourself today. Thursday, March 28 Research shows that charitable giving declines as income goes up. Why do you think this is? How can you buck the trend and show increased generosity today? Friday, March 29 Today is Good Friday, when Jesus, who came to give us abundant life, was killed. Share with your family or housemates what his living water means to you. Saturday, March 30 Young children often carry the equivalent of an airport luggage allowance on their heads as they transport water for their families. With your family or housemates, carry a bucket or bowl filled with water on your heads across the room. Who can do it without spilling? Sunday, March 31 Easter has come! Respond to God s extravagant gift of eternal life by gathering up the money you have set aside during the Easter Journey. Pray that this gift would provide safe water, and also knowledge of Jesus living water, for another person or family.

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