Holy Week: Jesus talked the talk and walked the walk!

 

(Google Image)

 

 

WEDNESDAY CHURCH

 

on the Internet

 

with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

 

(Your mid-week Christian power surge!)

 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Holy Week 

 

Welcome, everyone! 

 

This posting of Wednesday Church on the Internet encourages all readers to view Jesus as an authentic role model for their lives. 

 

During Holy Week, the Savior encountered daily trials and tribulations knowing that the fate of human souls lay in His obedience to God's will regardless of the personal angst, pain, and crucifixion.  Jesus talked the talk to all who would listen and walked the walk for all who were watching.  He proved honest as well as authentic to everyone who witnessed the passions of the week.  Can we, who remember the ancient story today, choose anyone but Jesus as our role model for life?

 

Thanks for attending Wednesday Church.

 

Pastor Mike

 

 

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

 

Opening Prayer

 

 God of All Days: Send your peace upon us this Holy Week.  We know that Christ's teachings, challenges, and sacrifices were not in vain.  He is our Savior, our role model, and our encouragement to follow His path the best we can.  Thank You for your love made flesh full of grace and truth!  Amen. 

 

Let's gather for worship!

 

   "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."

(James 4:8)

Let us worship God together!

 

Prayer for God's Presence and Our Confession of Sin

 

Gracious God: Your love is needed today.  Much is happening in our culture that tempts us to move away from the faith.  Be with us and strengthen us now to live in such ways that Christianity and the Church become beacons of light drawing others to the Risen Savior.  Make us pure by the forgiveness of our sins.  That way, we can support Jesus as honest and authentic witnesses to Christ's saving power.  Amen.

 

We are forgiven!     

 

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

(Psalm 145:8)

Our sins are forgiven and renewed life abounds.  Let us sin no more!



 

Scripture                     Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

 

 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Message     "Walking the Walk is Better Than Talking the Talk"

 

In Holy Week, Jesus taught the right way to witness the faith. His talking was good. His example was better. The point is this. Witnessing is never so much as a word spoken as a life lived.

Today's Bible verses are a part of "The Great Commission."  In the text, Jesus assigns the disciples a duty of witnessing to the whole world.  Using all of their gifts, they were to teach, baptize, and bring people into the faith.  Remembering Jesus, they spoke words but relied upon their lifestyles to talk louder.  We receive the same Great Commission.  Think about how you can live in such a way to encourage other people come to Christ.  Make the Great Commission come alive in your life!

 

Let's commit ourselves through prayer.

 

O God: We hear the command of Jesus to witness to the faith.  We promise to do all that we can by words and example to be good ambassadors for the Lord.  Amen.

 

Benediction

 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ bring your Holy Week sorrows into the joys of Easter victory!
 

 

(Google Image)

 

 

SACRED MISCELLANY

 

1. Holy Week Facts

- Before the fifth century, not much attention was paid to this last week of Lent.

- By the ninth century, Holy Week meant solumn fasting and prayer for all Christians.

- After the ninth century, Holy Week became a major spiritual celebration for the Roman Catholic Church.

 

2. After the Roman Catholic Church instituted rites for Holy Week, the days of the week took on special signifigance in keeping with Scripture, church traditions, and worship styles.  Here are the feast days of Holy Week.

 

- Palm Sunday: This worship day commemorates Jesus' familiar entry into Jerusalem.  Formal worship services include a blessing of the palms and a procession into the sanctuary.  It is also called Fig Sunday because that is the fruit grown on palm trees which is served after worship in many cultures.  (The English serve a fig pudding at the big family Palm Sunday dinner.)

 

- Holy Monday: A time for fasting, prayer, worship, and Bible study about Christ's time in Jerusalem.

 

- Holy Tuesday: This day continues the Monday protocol. 

 

- Spy Wednesday: This day's activities remember Judas' agreement to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16)

 

- Maundy Thursday: This day remembers Jesus' command to love one another as He loves us.  It also celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharistic Sacrament as well as that of ordination.  The English sometimes refer to this day as Sheer Thursday as "sheer" means "cleansing" in older English and the church sanctuary is "cleaned" of all the colorful items in preparation for the somber worship of Good Friday.

 

- Good Friday of the Lord's Passion: Good Friday of Holy Week remains a fast day in sadness of the Lord's crucifixion and death.  Worship customs include Veneration of the Cross, singing as well as preaching about the Passion, community Christian services to show unity in Christ's sacrifice, and quiet personal contemplation about the Savior's gift of death so that we may have spiritual life.  Some churches walk the Stations of the Cross (twelve or fourteen versions) as a worship discipline.

 

- Holy Saturday: This is a quiet day of prayer and waiting.  Some individual Christians and congregations hold an Easter Vigil of prayer all night before the sun rises on Easter Morning.                        

 

    

 

(Google Image)

 

 



Thank you for visiting this Wednesday Church on the Internet post for Holy Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  I hope that you found it meaningful and interesting.  Please let me know what is most helpful and what you would like to see more of in the blog.  I can be reached at mefonfara@gmail.com.

 

There will be a fresh mid-week posting on Wednesday, April 3rd.  If you would, please tell your friends about Wednesday Church (www.wednesdaychurch.blogspot.com).  Let's share the mid-week Christian power surge with those people close to us.  Thanks again.  Walk in peace!

 

Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

mefonfara@gmail.com      

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 



Welcome Spring! Welcome New Life!

WEDNESDAY CHURCH

 

on the Internet
 

 with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

(This is your mid-week Christian power surge!)  

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Fifth Week of Lent

 



 

Welcome, friends!  

 

Today is the first day of spring.  Hope abounds for newness in every realm of our lives.  God gifts us with revitalizing opportunities every day through Jesus.  Lest we forget John 10:10, Jesus said that He came bringing us abundant life.  If ever there was a springtime invitation to grab the promised life abundance, this is it.  Let's praise God for the invitation to enjoy a full life through Jesus Christ.                    

 

Let's celebrate the new season together.  I appreciate your company on the journey.  Thanks for worshipping with me!

 

Pastor Mike

 



(Google Image)

 

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

 

Opening Prayer

 

Lord of the springtime, Father of flower, field, and fruit, smile on us in these earnest days when the work is heavy and the toil wearisome; lift up our hearts, O God, to the things worthwhile - sunshine and night, the dripping rain, the song of the birds, books and music, the voices of our friends. Lift up our hearts to these this night and grant us Thy peace.  Amen.

(W. E. B. DuBois)

 

Call to Gather



Your Holy Spirit beckons us, O God.

We cannot resist the chance to praise You.

Receive our praise as we gather for Wednesday Church.

 





Invocation Prayer with Confession of Sin

 

 [Almighty God:]

"May all I say and all I think

be in harmony with thee,

God within me, God beyond me,

Maker of the trees."

[Amen.]

-  Chinook Psalter

 

Lord God, join us in this brief mid-week worship and forgive our sins in the name of Jesus.

 

We Are Forgiven

 

God's love for us is strong. God's willingness to forgive us is generous. Please know our sins are forgiven in the name of Christ Jesus.  Amen!

  

Scripture                                                          Psalm 8:1 (NIV)

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Message                                                 "Look Upon Our Land"

By God's wisdom, we have been created with many senses, such as hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell, to enjoy life.  Are we like most people who forget to use all of their senses daily and thus fail to enjoy life to the fullest?  If so, we should accept the new season's invitation to enjoy the effects of the Vernal Equinox. 

How? 

We can go outside and walk around our properties using all of our senses to notice Mother Nature's signs of winter's end and spring's arrival.  We can be surprised by what we hear, see, smell, and  touch.  Nature is God's greatest show on earth.

Commitment Prayer

Almighty God: You have seen all generations come and go.  You have searched the hearts of countless faithful people.  Search into our hearts and see our resolve to honor You in every way possible.  Thank You for the gifts of nature!  Amen.    

Benediction

May our gracious God bless us and give us abundant life today and forever!
May we always be willing to serve the Savior every minute of the day!
May the Holy Spirit befriend us for God's glory!
Amen.

("New Life" photo taklen by Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.)

SACRED MISCELLANY

1. The first day of spring, March 20 or 21st, is called the Vernal Equinox.  These Latin words mean "spring" and "equal night" in their order.  Day is about twelve hours long and the night is the same or close to it.

2.  Spring is the season many people use for renewal, rejuvenation, and cleaning.  Do you have any plans made for these objectives?

3.  The day and night warmer temperatures, ample water, and increasing daylight cause the flora to green as well as flower and the fauna to be actively feeding, mating, and roaming.  Are not springtime flowers, fruit tree blossoms, sweet smells, green grass, plump robins, running deer, nests with chicks, and other natural features of the season marvelous?

4.  The Chinook Indian Nation in the Columbia River Gorge area have beautful thoughts in their Psalter about a Christian spring.  Enjoy!

"May we forge a new friendship with the natural world and discover a new affinity with beauty, with life, and with the Cosmic Christ in which all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities ... for all things were created through him and for him."  

5.  Spiritually, Christians and their churches get busy in local missions during Eastertide to continue the work of Jesus Christ in the world.  Do you have any ideas for your personal spring mission plans?  How about visiting a nursing home and writing letters for residents with severe arthritis?  You could make cupcakes for your neighbors.  Is there a kindness that you could do for someone in your church?  Well, you get the idea.  Spring, the church season of Eastertide, is for letting your loved ones experience the victory of Jesus through your kindness.

6.  Spring Fever Joke

Four college boys suffered one day from acute spring fever.  So, they skipped class in the morning and ended up at the local beach having a great time.

When they returned to the college, they told the professor that the car had a flat tire.  He seemed to accept that explaination.  Unfortunately, he informed them that they missed a test.  The professor asked the four lads to take out paper and pen in order to complete the test right then.    

With great sincerity, the professor asked the students the first question, "Which tire was flat?"  

 [Busted!]
 

 

(This "Goodbye Winter - 1" was taken by Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.)

I pray you enjoyed your visit to Wednesday Church on the Internet.  Your sharing of this blog is greatly appreciated!  There will be a fresh mid-week posting next Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  Please visit again.  If you would, please tell a friend about Wednesday Church.  Let's share the mid-week Christian power surge with as many people as possible.  Walk in peace!

Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.
mefonfara@gmail.com     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's Wednesday Church Highlights Irish Faith

   WEDNESDAY CHURCH   

on the Internet

(Enjoy your mid-week Christian power surge!)

  with Rev. Mike Fonfara, D.Min. 
mefonfara@gmail.com


Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Fourth Week of Lent

 

Can you believe it?  St. Patrick's Day celebrations are just a few days away.  This Wednesday Church on the Internet highlights Irish religious culture.  There will be quips and quotes.  It's meaningful and fun preparing for Easter the Irish way!

WORSHIP SERVICE

Opening Thought



Christ be with me,

standing in front of me,

standing besides me,

standing behind me,

standing at my right and left hands,

Wherever I go, Christ stands with me.

(A Blessing in the Irish Tradition)

 

 Call to Gather

 

As I always stand in Christ's presence, I worship the Triune God, Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit, with all of my heart and faith.  Search my soul and see my faith, O God.  Come, receive my praise!

 

Prayer of Invocation and Confession

 

Gracious Creator:

 

You created all that there is on earth to live in perfect harmony and balance.  Your Grace displays itself in every good thing.  We praise You for your Presence standing with us every day. 

 

Unfortunately, the earth is damaged by sins perpertrated by others and myself.  Forgive my foolish ways.  In the name of Jesus Christ, please strengthen my soul to reject sin and embrace righteousness.  Thank you for the divine gifts of a clean slate and new chances to live the right way.

 

Amen.

 

Assurance of God's Forgiveness and Gift of New Life

 

 

If God wills it, it will be done.

God's nature is such to love the repentent heart.

God wills mercy upon those faithful whose hearts repent

from the daily errors aganst the Christian Spirit and created earth. 

If you are one of the repentent, your sins are forgiven.

Unrepentent sinners must beware of divine wrath!

(Modern Irish Worship Resource)

 

Scripture                                              Proverbs 16:24

         

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." 

 

Message





 



The Irish demonstrate pure genius as they wield words to offer life's truth in entertaining and comforting ways.  The following sayings are examples of such genius. 

1. Always remember to forget
    The troubles that passed away.
    But never forget to remember
    The blessings that come each day.

2. May your grass always be green.
    May your skies forever blue.
    May God bless the Irish.
    And may God bless you!

3. May you always have work for your hands to do.
    May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
    May the sun shine bright on your window pane.
    May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
    May the hand of a friend always be near you.
    And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Which one did you like the best?  Why?

Closing Prayer

O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have

        freed me from my chains.  I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name

of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,

in the courts of the house of the Lord – in your midst, O Jerusalem.  Praise the Lord.

Amen.

(Psalm 116:16-19)

Benediction

May joy and peace surround you,
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now
and bless you evermore!
(A Traditional Irish Send-Off)

SACRED MISCELLANY

Without a doubt, Ireland is one of most charming European countries.  The people never forget "the sorrows," but live with a cheerful disposition and a twist of humor.  Ireland brings a smile to all people who know the traditions of leprechauns, faeries, and other wee people as they hold on to their strong Christian faiths.  The following is a little different Wednesday Church travelogue to the Emerald Isle.

1.  The harp is the traditional symbol of the Irish Republic.  The original harp resides in Dublin's Trinity College Library and can be viewed by the public.

2.  The majority of Christians claim loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church.  Strong Protestant demoninations claim minority status.

3.  St. Patrick serves as the Island's Patron Saint.  Other saints, particularly St. Brigid, receive much reverence.

4.  The Irish excel in the arts.  Blending the visual arts, literature, music, theater, storytelling, and other expressions of creativity makes for an entertaining culture.

5.  In the Irish culture, almost everybody visits the local pub for libration and great food.   Patrons are equal in the pubs and can freely experess their opinions without risking catcalls and vile ribbing for their efforts.  Of course, they can drown their emotions in a glass of Guiness or Bailey's Irish Cream.

6.  The gift of humor serves as a special element in Irish charm.  It is the comfort food for their sad, tragic, and depressive history.  Humor allows the Irish to thrive in the face of adversity.  Here is a sample of Irish joking.

 

Sean was pleased to invite Murphy over to his humble residence to watch the local 

football goons on the kitchen TV.  The boys were favored to knock the stuffing
out of the rival team.  The game went well for the home team.  Sean and Murphy
celebrated the local team's fierce play by downing many mugs of Guiness. 

When the locals won, host Sean was so overjoyed that he started tap dancing.  The 

festivities came to a quick halt when Sean slipped on the tap and broke his ankle in the sink!

 

With that, I want to thank you for visiting this week's Wednesday Church on the Internet.  Please visit next Wednesday (March 20th) when more worship inspiration, photos, and sacred miscellany will give you a mid-week Christian power surge!   Please tell others about Wednesday Church so that they, too, can enjoy the faith boost.  Thanks again.  Walk in peace!  Aho.  (Native American for something close to "amen.")

 

Rev. Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

mefonfara@gail.com
   

 

Praising God for Ministries of Kindness!

 

 

  WEDNESDAY CHURCH 



ON THE INTERNET

 

 (Enjoy your mid-week Christian power surge!)

 

with Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

mefonfara@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Third Week of Lent

 

"Praising God for ministries of kindness!"

 

 

 

Welcome, faithful friends!  This week's Wednesday Church on the Internet invites you to
consider how you practice kindness as a Christian activity.  Kindness sets the tone for Christian experiences.  You and I must practice it for self, others, and God.

 

 

WORSHIP SERVICE 

 

Opening Prayer

 

Great God:  Our lives are filled with good and challenging days.  Periods of abundance and adversity are our lot.  In all periods of life, we pledge to seek and practice kindness.  We pledge to be kind to ourselves, other people, and to You, O God.  Send the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily kindness adventures.  Amen.

 

We Gather for Worship            

 

"Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord.  Praise the Lord."  

(Psalm 150: 6  Tyndale, The Book)

 

Prayer of Invocation and  Confession

 

Loving God:  This is a great day in the amazing season of Lent.  It provides true joy as we praise You.  Join us in the wonderful celebration of Christian living.  Your presence, O God, is special to us.  Thank You for your amazine love!

 

In the face of this good life, we sin.  Our intentions are good, but the flesh is weak.  We ask for forgiveness of our sinful state in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

Assurance of God's Grace and Our Pardon 

 

God's creation is founded by love.  The Almighty loves the creation.  God loves us.  He hears our prayers for mercy and forgives our sin.  We are redeemed in the name of Christ.  Amen.

 

Scripture                                        Ephesians 4:31-32  (Tyndale,  The Book)

 

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all

 types of malicious behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tender hearted,

forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

 

Message

Christians practice kindness!  No matter where you are in the world, true biblical Christians will be kind to self, family, friends, neighbors, and other loved ones.  Practicing Christian kindness never grows stale.

If you want some different ways of being kind, please consider these tried and true deeds from the December, 2000 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine..

- Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.
- Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.
- Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.
- Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.
- Say "I love you" to someone you love.
- Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.
- Bring your assistant coffee.
- Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.
- Say "please" and "thank you" whenever appropriate.

Can you think of other kindness deeds?

Whatever you decide to do, do it on the name of God!  Your life will be enriched by helping other people and glorifying God with your "kindness ministry."
 

Statement of Dedication

 

I believe in the living God that sent Jesus Christ into my life for the purpose of my salvation.  He brings the Holy Spirit's power to me daily to complete kind acts and loving gestures for other people.  By doing so, I glorify God in heaven and bring happiness to myself as well as people nearby.  I will do it!  Amen.

 

 Closing Prayer       

 

Lord God:  Your strength is my strength.  Walk with me today and for all days as I live and breathe the spiritual mandate to be Christian.  To You belongs all glory through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

Benediction

 

May the Creative God of grace, Lord Jesus Christ of victory, and

the Holy Spirit of faith walk with you now and forever!  amen.

 

 

 

("Winter's Beauty" by Pastor Mike Fonfara) 

 

 

SACRED MISCELLANY

1.  Lent Season Fast Facts:

- While the early Church celebrated fasting and other preparations for Easter on a regional basis , it was not until the 4th century that all the Church agreed to celebrate a Lenten Season.

- Since the 4th century, a six week Lent (not including Sundays) gave time for fasting, gaining new members, baptisms at Easter, and ritual preparations for Easter.

- Lent is not mentioned in the Bible.

- In modern times, Lent's major foci are preparation for Easter and discipleship for life.

- Really nice ways of celebrating Lent today are sharing Bible studies about the life of Jesus with friends, doing acts of kindness, decorating the sanctuary for Easter, walking the stations of the cross at church, and other creative ideas shared with loved ones.

2. Did you know the the number forty (40) is a sacred number in the Judeo-Christian tradition.  It is a large enough time to prepare for the Easter rituals.  Moses and the other Hebews stayed 40 years in the wilderness,  Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness before starting His public ministry.
You get the picture!

3. Let's keep the Roman Catholic Church in prayer as they choose a new Pope.

4. Getting back to kindness as a Lenten (if not all year long) exercise, here are some quips and quotes to start your thinking about the matter.

- Seek always to do something good, somewhere. Constant kindness can accomplish much.  As the sun makes the ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.
(Albert Schweitzer)

- The person who sows seeds of kindness enjoys a perpetual feast.  (Author Unknown)


THE LAST LAUGH

Here is something silly to leave you smiling.

Did you hear about the big fight at the local post office? 
The Postmaster was licking some stamps!

 

 



 (Pastor Mike catches a big bubble in photo at church camp)

 

 

Thank you for visiting Wednesday Church on the Internet.

Please visit next Wednesday when new material is posted.

If you liked Wednesday Church, tell a friend. 

 

Pastor Mike Fonfara, D.Min.

mefonfara@gmail.com