Natasha Vedder

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 WildernessFifth Sunday of LentBiblical figure: DavidGod’s wilderness provision: raisins and figs Scripture: 1 Samuel 25Call to Worship Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,   so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us   and as many years as we have seen evil.Let your work be manifest to your servants   and your glorious power to their children.Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us   and prosper for us the work of our hands—   O prosper the work of our hands!—Psalm 90:14–17 NRSVUEChildren’s Scripture SummaryWhile 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 25Sermon“A Table in the Wilderness for David”Sermon Notes In this story, David and his men are literally in the wilderness, where they had retreated for their safety. In the two stories that frame the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail, David is thrust into an unexpected position of power over Saul, who is still the anointed king and hunting for David, his rival. Will David take matters into his own hands? Or will he put his trust in the Lord? God’s provision in this story is not just the loads of food that Abigail brings; God’s provision of grace is a person who is willing to risk herself, bare her soul, and speak truthfully to another. God’s provision is Abigail in all her wisdom, authenticity, vulnerability, and resourcefulness.Music Suggestions“Shalom Chaverim” anon.“I Need Thee Every Hour” Hawks, Lowry, arr. Shepperd, SATB“Christ Has No Body Now But Yours” Ogden, Porter’s GatePrayer StationSee station 5 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.

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 WildernessFourth Sunday of LentBiblical figure: ElijahGod’s wilderness provision: bread and water Scripture: 1 Kings 19Call to WorshipYour kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,   and your dominion endures throughout all generations.The Lord is faithful in all his words   and gracious in all his deeds.The Lord upholds all who are falling   and raises up all who are bowed down.The eyes of all look to you,   and you give them their food in due season.You open your hand,   satisfying the desire of every living thing.—Psalm 145:13–16 NRSVUEChildren’s Scripture SummaryElijah was afraid and ran for his life . . . a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom brush, . . . 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 NIVSermon “A Table in the Wilderness for Elijah”Sermon NotesThe journey is too long. Every call of God is a journey of great challenge requiring more than what you have and needing what only God can provide. Elijah is exhausted; he has had enough. But a meal of bread and water provides for him. The water provides restoration; the bread provides strength. How have you let the wilderness shape the way you live out God’s call in your life? Have you waited long enough for God to show up with bread and water?Music Suggestions“Blessed Be Your Name” LUYH 343“Come Out the Wilderness” Spiritual“Jehovah Jirah” Watson"Arise, Arise, Arise" Leonhardt et al.Prayer StationSee station 4 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.

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 WildernessThird Sunday of LentBiblical figure: HagarGod’s wilderness provision: water (Genesis 21)Scripture: Genesis 21Call to Worship Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,   whose hope is in the Lord their God,who made heaven and earth,   the sea, and all that is in them;who keeps faith forever;   who executes justice for the oppressed;   who gives food to the hungry.The Lord sets the prisoners free;     the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;   the Lord loves the righteous.The Lord watches over the strangers;   he upholds the orphan and the widow,   but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.—Psalm 146:5–9 NRSVUEChildren’s Scripture Summary 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 21 NIVSermon “A Table in the Wilderness for Hagar”Sermon NotesMany women throughout history have found solace, compassion, and even critique in and through the story of Hagar. Many oppressed people have found comfort in her story. It is a fierce and hard story. Why is the story of a mother and son without water in the wilderness still being told today in so many contexts around the world? The brokenness of our world is revealed in our headlines, but the story of Hagar and Ishmael reminds us of this: God is a God who sees the suffering of his children. God does not abandon his children. God does not forget his promises.Music Suggestions “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” Dorsey“Goodness of God” Bethel Music“Rivers of Living Water” Marrolli, SATB“O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry” Dalles, arr. VanAndel Frisch, SATB“Song in the Night” Swain and Adams, arr. Zach Busch, SAB“How Long?” WardellPrayer StationSee station 3 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.

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 WildernessSecond Sunday of LentBiblical character: IsraelGod’s wilderness provision: manna Scripture: Exodus 16Call to Worship Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;   incline your ears to the words of my mouth.I will open my mouth in a parable;   I will utter dark sayings from of old,things that we have heard and known,   that our ancestors have told us.We will not hide them from their children;   we will tell to the coming generationthe glorious deeds of the Lord and his might   and the wonders that he has done.—Psalm 78:1–4Children’s Scripture ReadingIn 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 to Moses, “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.—from Exodus 16 NIVSermon“A Table in the Wilderness for Israel”Sermon NotesLike the Israelites, we can grumble all we want, but it will not make the wilderness disappear. When we grumble, we forget about the God who takes care of us. The Lord responds to the Israelites in their grumbling and prepares a table for them in the wilderness. Exodus 16:9 highlights the invitation: “Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.”Music Suggestions “Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer” Williams“All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” Dunstan“Be Not Afraid” Campbell, SATBPrayer StationSee station 2 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.

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 WildernessLetter of InvitationThe following letter was sent out ahead of the season of Lent at Fleetwood CRC. The words that appear in blue can be adjusted to fit your church context. A PDF of this letter is available in the resource section below. Dear community members,We would like to invite you to participate in a Lenten journey with us. Lent, a name derived from the Latin word lente, meaning “slow” but also “springtime,” is a beautiful season offering many spiritual resources to those who commit to the forty-day journey. This is especially true when it is a shared journey with a community intentionally praying for God’s love to find new places to bloom in the deserts of our lives. Modeled after Jesus’ forty days in the desert, Lent is a time to become more open to God through the vulnerabilities of life. [Insert a statement about how your community as a whole or individuals within it may be experiencing the wilderness.]  The questions of ancient Israel resound in our hearts: can God really spread a table before us (Psalm 23) in the presence of global and personal fears and sorrow? Our Lenten observance this year comes with an invitation to bring that doubt, fear, sorrow, loneliness, and dryness before God and join with others wanting to taste God’s promised provision in the deserts of life. At [name of church], we’re providing a number of ways for you to take that journey of trust and provision this Lent:[Insert list of events/opportunities for reflection that are available for your congregation, such as the following.]Weekly Sunday worship with communion following the theme “A Table in the Wilderness”Wednesday evening prayer reflecting on psalms of provisionOutdoor prayer path, “Journey Through the Wilderness” that will grow in length as Easter approachesWeekly devotional guide to psalms of provisionLent begins on Ash Wednesday, [add date], marking the beginning of our forty-day journey to Easter. Will you join the community of [name of church] in giving God a chance to feed us with the food only God can provide? [Insert name of the pastor, group, or individual who is sending out the letter along with your congregation’s logo with location, website, phone, and email address.]

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 WildernessFirst Sunday of LentBiblical figure: JesusGod’s wilderness provision: angel food cakes Scripture: Matthew 4 / Mark 9Call to Worship O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,   for his steadfast love endures forever.Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,   those he redeemed from troubleand gathered in from the lands,   from the east and from the west,   from the north and from the south.Some wandered in desert wastes,   finding no way to an inhabited town;hungry and thirsty,   their soul fainted within them.Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,   and he delivered them from their distress;he led them by a straight way,   until they reached an inhabited town.Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,   for his wonderful works to humankind.For he satisfies the thirsty,   and the hungry he fills with good things.—Psalm 107:1–9 NRSVUEChildren’s Scripture Summary At 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 NIVSermon“A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus”Sermon Notes “And angels attended him.” Jesus sets the example of provision in the wilderness. Despite modern conveniences and protections, we know that we still feel vulnerable to the anxieties of the world, especially in these last few years. The biblical witness is that no place is as transforming as the wilderness, and we can go there because Jesus went there first. The preacher could weave in an appropriate introduction to this series and how people are invited to participate, especially if the outdoor prayer path is used in conjunction with the worship series.Music Suggestions“Where I’m Standing Now” Wickham“There’s A Voice in the Wilderness” Milligan“Forty Days and Forty Nights” Smyttan, arr. McConnell, SATB“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” Hernaman“Jesus, Tempted in the Desert” StuempflePrayer StationSee station 1 in "Journey in the Wilderness" for a prayer station connected to this Sunday's service.Revised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—First Sunday in LentYear B: Lent—First Sunday in Lent

This prayer path 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  Prayer PathWhen planning the worship series “A Table in the Wilderness” and this outdoor prayer path, we were in the midst of a global pandemic. While the pandemic is no longer the current crisis, each year congregations face different but possibly no less disturbing challenges. How do we journey through the wilderness of our current context, and what can we learn from individuals throughout Scripture who found themselves in the literal wilderness? This “Journey in the Wilderness” prayer path with stations can be done regardless of your plans for Lenten worship, but it originated in conjunction with the worship series “A Table in the Wilderness”. If the weather in your area is unfavorable for an outdoor path, this journey can be adapted for use inside your church building. You are also encouraged to edit the text to reflect challenges in your current context. Below in the resource section you'll find downloadable art intended to accompany the prayer stations. This art is free to use for non-commercial purposes with attribution. Titles and authors can be found in the station outline.The SetupFootprints painted in our parking lot led people from station to station. The first stop on the journey was a welcome message from the pastor explaining the prayer stations and inviting individuals to participate in other Lent worship opportunities. A template for this welcome message can be found below.  Each station had a wooden bench and a wooden cross with a laminated poster attached. On each poster was a piece of artwork with a descriptive title and a short sentence related to that station’s Scripture text. The artwork we used was by Brother Martin Erspamer, a Benedictine liturgical artist from St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana. That resource is no longer available, but an online search should turn up art you can use (some is free, but other artwork will need to be purchased). Below is an outline of the prayer stations, with art suggestions from the editors of Reformed Worship.A printed guide was available to lead individuals as they prayed and reflected at each station; if participants had a smartphone they could listen to an audio guide accessible via the QR code on each station’s poster. The audio guide was linked to a printed version posted on the church’s website.The print and audio guides included an opening prayer, a Scripture text connected to the Scripture used in worship for the related Sunday, reflection questions, a word from Christ, and a closing prayer. New prayer stations were added weekly to match the Sunday worship text (one station per week, plus one each for Good Friday and Easter Sunday). Individuals were encouraged to return often, each time starting at the beginning, thus slowly extending their journey and time in prayer each week.After the final station, “A Table on the Beach for Us,” which was added on Easter, footprints led individuals to a large wooden table on the church’s front lawn that had the words “All are welcome at the table of God” around its edges. Colorful plastic placemats were fixed to the top, with an invitation for people to write with provided markers their prayers and words of gratitude for God’s provision. In the center we placed a large bouquet of yellow flowering branches. The benches from each station were gathered and placed around the table. Welcome Poster [The words in blue indicate text that should be altered to fit your church's context.]During the season of Lent, Christians all over the world reflect on the great mystery of Jesus’ suffering with and for the world. Walking a path marked by crosses can be a way to connect with Christ and also to pray honestly about the suffering in the world and in our own lives. There is comfort and power for here and now when prayer includes our bodies.  Lent comes with an especially urgent invitation for us to contemplate and trust God’s promised provision in the deserts of life. Can God really spread a table in the wilderness of [name a single, overriding wilderness reality for your congregation, the nation, or the world]?   Yes, says the deep well of Christian faith. Yes, says Jesus. Over and over, God does spread a table before us in the face of all our greatest fear and suffering.   The stations here at [church’s name] are unique to our observance of Lent this year. Over the six weeks of Lent and into the Holy Week of Easter, you will be invited to reflect on stories of people who sat at the table God spread before them in the extreme wilderness of their lives.  Take as much time as you need, and use only what is helpful in the materials provided.  When your heart is drawn to God, often no more words are needed.  Consider making a commitment to walk the path each week of Lent as the prayer path grows.  If you come every week, you may want to spend the most time at the newly placed station.  If anything about your time of prayer needs conversation, or if you would like to know more about the cross-shaped way of Christian spirituality, [provide contact information for the pastor or elders].  A QR code at each station allows you to listen to the Scripture being read and as well as a song about tables in the wilderness. The artwork at each station is by [name the artist you choose to feature or, if using suggested artwork, “artists representing a range of Christian art throughout time and across the world”]. May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. And may he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  Prayer Stations OutlineThis outline of the prayer path includes suggestions for art, which are available free to use for non-commercial purposes. However, you are responsible for ensuring you have the necessary legal permission to use whatever artwork you use and to make sure the appropriate author and copyright information accompany each image.Station 1A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus Suggested Artwork:“Temptation in the Wilderness,” Briton Rivière, Public DomainText for poster:Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days with the wild animals, and angels attended him. Station 2A Table in the Wilderness for Israel Suggested Artwork:“The Gathering of the Manna,” James Jacques Joseph Tissot, Public DomainText for poster:You will not starve. I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Station 3A Table in the Wilderness for Hagar Suggested Artwork:“Son of Hagar,” © Frank Wesley. The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution. The artist must be contacted for other uses.Text for poster:God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well of water. Station 4A Table in the Wilderness for Elijah Suggested Artwork:“Prophet Elijah in the Wilderness,” Dieric Bouts, Public DomainText for poster:Get up and eat, said the angel, for the journey is too much for you. Station 5A Table in the Wilderness for David Suggested Artwork:“David fordert von Nabal,” Anonymous, Public DomainText for poster:Abigail took bread, wine, meat, grain, and cakes of raisins and went out to meet David. Station 6A Table in the Wilderness for a Hungry Crowd Suggested Artwork:“Jesús multiplica los panes,” © Rodrigo Fernández, CC BY-SA 4.0 International license.Text for poster:Jesus took the five small loaves and two small fish and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. Station 7A Table in the Wilderness for Our Savior (Good Friday) Suggested Artwork:“Christ on Gethsemane,” © JESUS MAFA, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. Original source: Éditions de l’Emmanuel, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.Text for poster:Being in anguish, Jesus prayed earnestly, and an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  Station 8A Table on the Beach for Us (Easter) Suggested Artwork:“Breakfast on the Beach,” © Peter Koenig, The artist has granted permission for the non-commercial use of this image with attribution. The artist must be contacted for other uses.Text for Poster:Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”  

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 WildernessSeries IntroductionModeled after Jesus’ forty days in the desert, Lent is a time to become more open to God through the vulnerabilities of life. It comes with an especially poignant invitation to join with others in bringing our doubt, fear, sorrow, loneliness, and dryness before God, hoping to taste God’s promised provision in the deserts of life. Lent’s invitation to slow down was made especially poignant amid the long months of global pandemic. We already felt small and vulnerable, making the concern of ancient Israel resonate in our hearts: can God really spread a table before us in the presence of global and personal fears and sorrow? The answer, of course, is yes! God spreads a table before us in the wilderness, in the face of all our greatest fears (Psalm 23:5). This series highlights one biblical figure each week along with the way God provided food for them in their wildernesses.This worship series includes a communion liturgy written by Rev. Wilma van der Leek and sermon notes throughout prepared by Rev. Joan DeVries. In the resource section following the article you will find links to the downloadable graphic, bookmark, and music. You will need to secure copyright permission or use your CCLI license to utilize the music. Series Outline ScriptureFigureFood Bookmark for Households Lent 1Matthew 4Jesus angel food cakes Lent 2Exodus 16Israelmanna and quail Lent 3Genesis 21Hagarwater Lent 41 Kings 19Elijahbread and water Lent 51 Samuel 25Davidraisins and figs Palm SundayMatthew 14Hungry Crowdfish and bread Good FridayMark 15Our Saviorwine vinegar Easter SundayJohn 21Disciplesfish Visuals For this series we moved our communion table to the center of the stage, where the pulpit is usually located, and set a music stand behind the table, where the preacher stood. Every Sunday during Lent the table was set for communion. We included a special dish in the center of the table representing the provision of food in the wilderness from that day’s Scripture reading. These special dishes included angel food cake, small pieces of bread (or marshmallows) in a basket representing manna, a jug of water, a platter of raisins and figs, and a basket of real fish and bread. On the steps in front of the table we made a “desert” with sand and three large cacti. For Easter Sunday we removed the cacti and made a fake fire (real stones, wood, and translucent orange paper flames) with real fish “cooking” over it.For suggestions of images to use in connection with this series, see the prayer station art suggestions in the related resource "A Journey in the Wilderness."A desert graphic was created for use with this series that is available as a free download. Please use the following copyright line with the graphic: Frank Gutbrod © 2022 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.  MusicOur theme song for this series was “Speak to Us,” by Rachel Wilhelm and Wendell Kimbrough, sung before the Scripture reading and sermon. The first few weeks it was introduced as a solo, and we added a verse each week. A downloadable copy is found in the resource section and can be used with your CCLI license or if you receive permission from the copyright holder. We closed each service with a journey song such as “We Are People On a Journey” DeMey . Other songs that work with the wilderness theme are listed below. Additional suggestions for congregational or choral songs specific to each service are found following each week’s sermon summary.“O Give Thanks (Psalm 107)” Kimbrough“Blessed Be Your Name” Redman“All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” Dunstan“Desert Song” Fraser“Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer” Williams“All Who Are Thirsty” Perry“Speak, O Lord” Getty and Townend“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Chisholm  Call to WorshipOur call to worship each week came from the psalms, particularly those of gratitude for God’s provision. We also used these psalms as the focus of our midweek online contemplative prayer service. Children’s InvolvementWe wrote one-minute summaries of the Scripture passages and asked children in the congregation to record videos of themselves reading it (or part of it). Each week we showed the week’s video at the beginning of the children’s message. Going DeeperWe invited our congregation and broader community to go deeper into this theme of God’s provision in the wilderness in a few ways during the season of Lent. A letter of invitation was sent out that outlined everything we were doing for Lent. An editable template can be found at "Letter of Invitation."   An outdoor prayer path in the tradition of the Stations of the Cross was set up on our church’s property. For more information on the prayer path see the article “Journey in the Wilderness.”   To encourage additional individual, household, or small group reflection, we provided bookmarks listing the Psalm of Provision and other Scripture texts we were using in our weekly worship services. [See example above by the series outline.] These were available at the back of the sanctuary and at the end of the prayer path and were also sent out with the invitational letter. A downloadable bookmark is located in the resources section below.

Taking a break really matters. It matters for worship directors so you can go worship in other churches where you are not in charge, you didn’t plan the liturgy, and you do not even have to show up on time.