Natasha Vedder

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Eighth prayer stationA Table on the Beach for Us Opening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. . . . When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. . . . Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. —John 21:4–6, 9, 12–14 NIVReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice or feel as I look at this picture? What amazement and awe do I experience this Easter?How has this journey through Lent opened me to trust God’s provision in the wilderness of life?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the Easter Sunday Service in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Seventh prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for Our SaviorOpening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading On reaching the Mount of Olives, Jesus withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond his disciples, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. —adapted from Luke 22 NIV ReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice or feel as I look at this picture? Where am I in anguish? Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of anguish and abandonment?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the Good Friday Service in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Sixth prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for a Hungry CrowdOpening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee. He looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him. He asked his disciples, “Where shall we find bread for these people to eat?” Peter said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. “Let nothing be wasted, “ Jesus said. And his disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. —adapted from John 6 NIVReflect Insert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice or feel as I look at this picture? What is making me skeptical of God’s care in my life?Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of skepticism and anxiety?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the Palm Sunday Service in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Fifth prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for David Opening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading While David was in the wilderness, he asked a wealthy man named Nabal, whose shepherds David had protected, to give food to him and his men. Instead Nabal hurled insults at David. But Nabal’s wife, Abigail, acted quickly. She took bread, wine, meat, roasted grain, cakes of raisins, and pressed figs, loaded them on donkeys, and went out to meet David and his men. David said, “Praise be to the Lord”, who has sent you to meet me and kept me from avenging myself.” He accepted from her hand what she had brought him and sent her home in peace —adapted from 1 Samuel 25 NIVReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice or feel as I look at this picture? What makes me angry and perhaps even wanting to even the score? Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of anger and vengeance?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the fifth Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Fourth prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for ElijahOpening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading Elijah was afraid and ran for his life . . . a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. —from 1 Kings 19:2–8 NIV ReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice or feel as I look at this picture?What is making me afraid or tired? Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of fears and tiredness? Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the fourth Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Third prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for Hagar Opening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy [Ishmael]. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying. . . . Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.—from Genesis 21ReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice as I look at this picture?What is making me sad and thirsty?Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of sadness and thirst?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the third Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  Second prayer stationA Table in the Wilderness for Israel Opening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.Reading In the desert, the whole community of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron: “You have brought us out into this desert to starve!” Then the Lord said, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” In the morning, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. —adapted from Exodus 16ReflectInsert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using or use the following.What do I notice as I look at this picture?What is making me grumble and worry?Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of grumbling and worry? Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance. My Father attends you. He is your Father too. All that is needed God’s hands will provide. Closing PrayerWe adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This station is linked to the second Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This prayer path station is connected to the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”Prayer Path Introduction: A Journey in the WildernessStation 1 | Station 2 | Station 3  | Station 4  Station 5 | Station 6 | Station 7 | Station 8  First Prayer StationA Table in the Wilderness for Jesus Opening PrayerO Lord, can you really spread a table in the wilderness of life? Walk with me as I walk this path of the cross with honest questions of life in my heart and my face turned to find the table you have spread in the wilderness for so many before me, and now also for me. Amen.ReadingAt that time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.—Mark 1:9–13 NIVReflect [Insert wondering questions about the Scripture text and/or picture you are using, or use the following:]Jesus’ baptism must have been a spiritual highlight for him.Why did the Spirit then immediately send him into the wilderness?What do I notice and feel as I look at this picture?How lonely and tempted am I?Can God really provide a table in the wilderness of loneliness and temptation?Christ Speaks: Words of EncouragementTake heart, my child. I will not let the cross you bear grow beyond your endurance.My Father attends you. He is your Father too.All that is needed God’s hands will provide.Closing Prayer We adore you, O Christ,and we bless you because by your life,your death, and your resurrectionyou have shown us how God always spreadsa table in the wildernessin the face of all our fears.Amen.This prayer station is linked to the first Sunday of Lent in the series "A Table in the Wilderness"

This is part of the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”IntroductionLetter of Invitation |  Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4   Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday | Communion LiturgyPrayer Path: A Journey in the WildernessEaster SundayBiblical figure: The disciplesGod’s wilderness provision: fish Scripture: John 21Call to Worship    Awake, my soul!Awake, O harp and lyre!   I will awake the dawn.I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;   I will sing praises to you among the nations.For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;   your faithfulness extends to the clouds.Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.   Let your glory be over all the earth.—Psalm 57:8–11 NRSVUEChildren’s Scripture SummaryEarly in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. . . . When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. . . . Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.—John 21:4–6, 9, 12–14 NIVSermon“A Table on the Beach for Us”Sermon NotesJesus shows up after a long night of work. Jesus works a miracle. Jesus sits with us by the fire. Jesus invites us to bring what we have. Jesus feeds us. How do we respond? As Easter people, this is our one task: to point to the presence and work of Christ in the world every chance we get, to exclaim “It is the Lord!” every chance we get. Music Suggestions“Come Out of the Wilderness” Spiritual“Psalm 136: Let Us With a Gladsome Mind” Milton,“We Walk by Faith” Alford, Marrolli, SABPrayer StationSee station 8 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.Revised Common LectionaryYear C: Easter—Third Sunday of Easter

This is part of the worship series, "A Table in the Wilderness”IntroductionLetter of Invitation |  Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4   Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday | Communion LiturgyPrayer Path: A Journey in the WildernessGood FridayBiblical figure: Jesus on the crossGod’s wilderness provision: wine vinegar Scripture: Mark 15Call to WorshipAs a deer longs for flowing streams,   so my soul longs for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God,   for the living God.When shall I come and behold   the face of God?My tears have been my food   day and night,while people say to me continually,   “Where is your God?”These things I remember,   as I pour out my soul:how I went with the throng   and led them in procession to the house of God,with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,   a multitude keeping festival.Why are you cast down, O my soul,   and why are you disquieted within me?Hope in God, for I shall again praise him,my help and my God.My soul is cast down within me;   therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon,   from Mount Mizar.Deep calls to deep   at the thunder of your torrents;all your waves and your billows   have gone over me.By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,   and at night his song is with me,   a prayer to the God of my life.I say to God, my rock,   “Why have you forgotten me?Why must I walk about mournfully   because the enemy oppresses me?”As with a deadly wound in my body,   my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me continually,   “Where is your God?”Why are you cast down, O my soul,   and why are you disquieted within me?Hope in God, for I shall again praise him,   my help and my God.—Psalm 42Children’s Scripture Summary [for three readers]Narrator: At noon, darkness covered the whole land. It lasted three hours. At three o’clock in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Jesus: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Narrator: This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” Some of those standing nearby heard Jesus cry out. They said, Speaker: “Listen! He’s calling for Elijah.” Narrator:  Someone ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar. He put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. Speaker:  “[Now] leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Narrator:  With a loud cry, Jesus took his last breath. The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. A Roman commander was standing there in front of Jesus. He saw how Jesus died. Then he said, Speaker:  “This man was surely the Son of God!—Mark 15:33–39, NIRVSermon“A Table in the Wilderness for Our Savior”Sermon NotesIt isn’t a table of sustenance that Jesus is being offered, but a sponge dipped in vinegar with a drug mixed in to dull the senses. Some might have seen this as a gracious act, but others saw it as a way to extend Jesus’ suffering to see if he would be miraculously saved. But despite Jesus’ thirst (John 19:28) he did not drink (Matthew 27:34). Neither was he rescued. Nothing could be as bleak as this darkest time, this most profound loneliness. But still, somehow, God’s glory broke through and the Roman guard understood: “This man was surely the Son of God!” What light do we see in the wilderness?—RWMusic Suggestions “Christ Jesus Knew a Wilderness” Huber“Were You There” arr. Leavitt, SATB“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” ClephanePrayer StationSee station 7 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Lent—Liturgy of the Passion