A New Prayer Practice

In these days when I’m spending pretty much all my time at home I’ve been dressing pretty casual everyday. This means just about every day I’m wearing all those t-shirts and sweatshirts that were usually relegated to Saturdays. And one day as I was putting on a favorite sweatshirt from last summer’s trip to Cape May (Pictured #4) and I thought about all the travel plans that have been canceled or postponed. And I prayed for all the kids who were looking forward to their first trip to Disney, the family reunions that couldn't take place, the grandparents who couldn't travel to be with their grandkids on their birthday. And I held all that disappointment and sadness in prayer and lifted it up to the Lord. 

This became something of a practice for me.  As I would put on a particular t-shirt or sweatshirt I would think about what it represented and offered up a prayer. 

- For Thompson Church (Pictured #1) – for all the members, leaders, and staff. I give thanks to God that we can continue to BE the church even though we cannot meet in person.  I pray for the health and safety for all our members, friends, and their loved ones. I thank God for the hard work of the PNC, the loving care of our deacons, the leadership of our session, and the creativity of our staff.  

- For my alma mater, Ursinus College (Pictured #2), and for all the schools that have discontinued in-person learning and gone to online education. I pray for all the teachers and professors who are exploring ways to communicate, educate, and connect in a completely new way. I lament with all those who are heartbroken over the many events that can no longer take place like gradations, proms, sports seasons, musicals and concerts. And I pray for the parents who have had to move into the new role of homeschool teacher. 

- For Mission Organizations (Picture #3, Mission Trip 2018) who have had to cancel trips for work groups, discontinue their work in communities, and are struggling to ensure that the food insecure are fed. Thompson has partnered with so many mission and service organizations and I prayer for all of them and their staff and volunteers. I also give thanks for those moments that I have heard about where people and organizations are thinking creatively and working hard to make sure we continue to care for and support each other. 

I have a feeling you have a fair amount of t-shirts and sweatshirts (or even mugs) that you have collected over the years and so I challenge you to take up this new prayer practice. Maybe you have a souvenir t-shirt from one of your favorite places to visit, or a well-worn shirt from your alma mater, or that free t-shirt you received for running a 5K, or maybe your favorite sports jersey…you get the idea. Lift it all up in prayer remembering to lay down all your laments and sadness as well as lifting up the joy you have found and your thanksgivings as well. 

The Good Shepherd

Well friends it feels like a long time since we have gathered together in the church building for worship, fellowship, or education. I know that these weeks of distancing can feel drawn out and we’re all missing the many places we used to go. So I thought I would bring a familiar image into my post for this week. This is one of the four stained glass windows in the sanctuary at Thompson Church. In this particular window we see the well-known image of Jesus with a lamb over his shoulder and a staff in his hands. Right under his feet we can read the inscription, “I am the good shepherd.” In the gospel of John Jesus explains what it means to be the good shepherd. 

John 10:11-18

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’

            As we enter into this Holy Week we are reminded of the loving sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Jesus, who was sinless and in perfect relationship with God, laid down his own life so that we who are sinful might find new life in him.  Jesus is the good shepherd tending to the needs of his flock and willing to lay down his life to protect the sheep. Jesus knows our names, each and every one of us, and is calling us to follow him. 

            And yet, while there is a part of us that knows following Jesus means that we will be cared for and protected, we also have a part of us that it prone to wander. We get distracted and stray away. We begin following other would-be shepherds who make empty promises. We run out of the energy and drive to keep up with the shepherd.  

            Particularly in these day some of you might be leaning on the good shepherd more than you have in a long time. In fact, you may feel a bit like the lamb on Jesus’ shoulders as he carries you through this moment. Others may feel that Jesus is far away that he has gone over the hills somewhere and you just can’t seem to find your way back to him because there’s too much chaos and confusion swirling around you. I’m not sure where you are today, but I do know this - Jesus is the good shepherd. Jesus knows you and loves you for the unique person that you are. And Jesus is just as willing to carry you through, as he is to hunt you down when you are lost. 

Congregational Update

Dear Thompson Church Family, 

The session met last night and discussed how we might move forward as a community during this time.  Originally we had closed our building for only 14 days, but with the new information available to us along with the recommendations and orders from the state governments we have decided to extend our closure to April 13. 

For the past two weeks I have been so impressed by how our community has responded to this sudden change. Of course, this is not at all surprising. Members and friends of Thompson have always risen to the occasion. Small groups have met virtually, the staff has created worship videos, and members of the congregation have taken time to check in with each other and pray for each other. Friends, we may not be meeting in our building but in no way have we stopped being the church!  

This extension means that we will not meet in person through Easter Sunday. I know that this might be disappointing news. It’s ok to be disappointed – I’m certainly saddened that we will not hold our typically Holy Week and Easter Sunday services. However, it does not mean that we can’t worship together. We will still journey together from the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, through the pain, suffer, and darkness of his passion and death, and then onto the glorious morning of Jesus’ resurrection.  

This is a time when we will need to come together as a congregation to pray for each other and support each other.  If you are in need of help of any form please let the staff, church leadership, or myself know. If you are an essential worker who needs help preparing meals for your family, we can drop off a meal for you. If you are concerned about going to the grocery store for health reasons, we will pick up your shopping for you. If you are lonely and just need someone to chat with, we will call you. In this time we lean on our church family and our faith in Jesus Christ to carry us through. 

 Blessings, 

Bailey 

TMPC Helpful Resources

Worship With Us - If you have not done so already please check out our worship videos at tmcp.org/sermon-recordings

 Tithes and Offerings – Thank you to those who are giving online. If you would like to set up e-giving you can do so at tmpc.org/giving. You can also send in your offerings by mail to the church. 

 Join us tomorrow, Thursday, March 26 for an Online Gathering via Zoom. You can join the meeting using this link: https://zoom.us/j/162928947

Helping our Community

If you are looking for ways to help during this time check out these sites for more information 

 Bucks County Housing Group - https://www.bchg.org

 Fisherman’s Mark  - https://fishermansmark.org/whats-happening-at-fishermans-mark/

 Morrisville Food Center - https://www.mpcusa.org/food-center

 Doylestown Hospital - https://doylestownhealthfoundation.org/help/

 St. Mary’s Medical Center - https://www.stmaryhealthcare.org/donate-covid-supplies

A Different Kind of Lenten Journey

We are currently in the middle of our 40 day journey through Lent. Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and self-examination.  Many choose to take on particular spiritual practices or give up something they enjoy as a Lenten sacrifice or try to end a bad habit as a Lenten discipline. 

This Lenten season is like none other I have experienced and I imagine you might feel the same way. As we practice social distancing to help slow the spread of this virus we continue to hear reports of more illnesses and deaths. We watch the news and find anxiety and fear over the stock market, lost jobs, and empty shelves. Our daily lives and schedules have been turned upside down as plans are canceled, students are homeschooled, churches worship virtually, and businesses close. 

I read someone’s post earlier this week that read, “Honestly, I didn’t plan on giving THIS much up for Lent.” And yet, we have this interesting challenge and opportunity put upon us to live into a Lenten sacrifice. So many have made the hard choice to set aside our desires to meet in person for worship, to go on vacation, to gather for parties, to hold rallies and sporting events, and so much more all in the hopes that we might help someone else stay healthy. This is good news! We are caring for our neighbors the best way we know how and we are living into the sacrificial love that is modeled by Christ. 

Now, this kind of love can take a toll. Jesus, the very Son of God, had times when he needed to step back, to find quiet, and sit in prayer. 

In Luke 5:15-16 we read, “But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” 

How are you withdrawing to pray? For me, I have found a quiet moment right after the kids are both down to sleep for the night and I stay up a little while to color, pray, and listen to music. The first few days at home I would use this time to scroll through the news and I found that it would only increase my stress and make it harder for me to fall asleep. Now I end my day with calm and prayer. 

I hope that you too are finding moments of peace. That you are withdrawing from the world to spend time with God. I pray that in these days of chaos you may know peace.

40 Day Bible Challenge

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 also known as Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday churches all over the world hold services where pastors, priests, or elders make a sign of the cross out of ashes on the foreheads or hands of the people in the congregation. “Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with a public act of confession and contrition. Acknowledging that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we stand in solidarity as fellow creatures before our Creator, acutely aware of our mortality.  In the face of our transience, we pledge ourselves anew to live unto God’s Word in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word that remains forever.” From Presbyterian Missionof the PC(USA)

In an effort to make good on that pledge to make ourselves new and to live according to God’s Word, many Christians take up a particular spiritual practice over the 40 days of Lent. The most common spiritual practice during this time is fasting. Some people fast from all eating and drinking, other than water, for a period of time each day or one day of the week. More common fasting is the practice of giving something up for Lent like coffee, chocolate, or a bad habit.  The spiritual practice of fasting gives the believer an opportunity to turn their attention away from that particular treat, habit, or food and instead focus their attention on God. 

Fasting is a wonderful spiritual practice and if it is something you are accustom to doing during the season of Lent I encourage you to take up the practice again this Lent. However, if you are looking for a new practice or if you would like to dive further in God’s Word this Lent I invite you to join us for the 40 Day Bible Challenge. This year, we are challenging you to give up 20-30 minutes of your time, a very precious thing, to focus in on God through God's Word. During the 40 Day Bible Challenge, we will read every word of the New Testament. We will begin with Jesus birth and his ministry on earth, then move onto the work of his disciples in the book of Acts as they built up the early church. After that we read through the epistles, or letters, written to those churches. And finally we return to the Gospels to read about Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. It sounds like a big task to undertake, but if you put in the time, it can be transformative. 

AS you read each day you might uncover things in scripture that you have never known before or you might find new meaning as you revisit a familiar passage.  And as you make those discoveries or find those points of connection we want to be sure to give you an opportunity to meet and discuss the readings for the week. We will be forming a discussion group that will meet during Adult Forum on Sunday mornings during Lent, which will dive into the texts of that past week. The class will begin on Sunday, March 1 at 9:45 in the Conference Room and continue through Sunday, April 1. 

On the table of Well Wishing you will find copies of the bookmark that contain the daily readings which begin on the 1st day of Lent, which is Ash Wednesday, February 26. Choose your favorite translation and read during your morning cup of coffee or listen to the text through your Bible App on your way to work. We hope that this particular spiritual discipline will help to ground you in your faith and guide you in your Lenten Journey.