NORTHMINSTER’S JOURNEY THROUGH LENT 2021
Lent is a time to first go deep in our longing for God, and to reflect on what is hindering our relationship with the Lord and with others. You are invited to read scripture every day as we journey with Jesus toward Resurrection Day. Over these 40 days, our Transitional Pastor Lyn Olson will offer short daily reflections each Monday through Friday on those daily readings, which will be on Facebook Live every morning at 10:00 am. https://www.facebook.com/npcsarasota/.
We invite you also to prepare for Sundays by reading one of the Beatitudes each week, on which we will focus each Sunday during Lent. They are autobiographical of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, and will guide us in growing deeper with God as we approach the cross together.
DAILY READINGS FOR LENT 2021
Wednesday, February 17, 2021: Ash Wednesday – Psalm 51:1-17; Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21; James 4:1-4
Thursday, February 18, 2021: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10
Friday, February 19, 2021: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:15-25a; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Sunday, February 21, 2021: First Sunday in Lent – “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit…” Matt 5:1-3
Monday, February 22, 2021: Psalm 77; Job 4:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10
Tuesday, February 23, 2021: Psalm 77; Job 5:8-27; 1 Peter 3:8-18a
Wednesday, February 24, 2021: Psalm 77; Proverbs 30:1-9; Matthew 4:1-11
Thursday, February 25, 2021: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18; Romans 3:21-31
Friday, February 26, 2021: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 16:1-6; Romans 4:1-12
Sunday, February 28, 2021: Second Sunday in Lent “Blessed are those who Mourn…” Matt 5:4
Monday, March 1, 2021: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 1:8-12
Tuesday, March 2, 2021: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Genesis 22:1-19; Hebrews 11:1-3, 13-19
Wednesday, March 3, 2021: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Jeremiah 30:12-22; John 12:36-43
Thursday, March 4, 2021: Psalm 19; Exodus 19:1-9a; 1 Peter 2:4-10
Friday, March 5, 2021: Psalm 19; Exodus 19:9b-15; Acts 7:30-40
Sunday, March 7, 2021: Third Sunday in Lent “Blessed are the Meek…” Matt 5:5
Monday, March 8, 2021: Psalm 84; 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Tuesday, March 9, 2021: Psalm 84; 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, 16-19; Hebrews 9:23-28
Wednesday, March 10, 2021: Psalm 84; Ezra 6:1-16; Mark 11:15-19
Thursday, March 11, 2021: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Genesis 9:8-17; Ephesians 1:3-6
Friday, March 12, 2021: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Daniel 12:5-13; Ephesians 1:7-14
Sunday, March 14, 2021: Fourth Sunday in Lent “Blessed are the merciful…” Matt 5:7
Monday, March 15, 2021: Psalm 107:1-16; Exodus 15:22-27; Hebrews 3:1-6
Tuesday, March 16, 2021: Psalm 107:1-16; Numbers 20:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
Wednesday, March 17, 2021: Psalm 107:1-16; Isaiah 60:15-22; John 8:12-20
Thursday, March 18, 2021: Psalm 51:1-12; Isaiah 30:15-18; Hebrews 4:1-13
Friday, March 19, 2021: Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 30:1-10; Hebrews 4:14-5:4
Sunday, March 21, 2021: Fifth Sunday in Lent “Blessed are the pure in heart…”and “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” Matt 5:6,8
Monday, March 22, 2021: Psalm 119:9-16; Isaiah 43:8-13; 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Tuesday, March 23, 2021: Psalm 119:9-16; Isaiah 44:1-8; Acts 2:14-24
Wednesday, March 24, 2021: Psalm 119:9-16; Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23; John 12:34-50
Thursday, March 25, 2021: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Philippians 2:1-11
Friday, March 26, 2021: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Jeremiah 33:1-9; Philippians 2:12-18
Sunday, March 28, 2021: Palm Sunday “Blessed are the Peacemakers…” Matt 5:9
HOLY WEEK
Monday, March 29, 2021: Review all the Beatitudes, reading each 4 times in prayer
Tuesday, March 30, 2021: Take inventory before God of the Beatitudes in your life (on line)
Wednesday, March 31, 2021: “Blessed be those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, and are reviled on Jesus’ account…” Matt 5:10-11
Thursday, April 1, 2021: Maundy Thursday TBD
Friday, April 2, 2021: Good Friday TBD
AN INVENTORY OF THE BEATITUDES IN YOUR LIFE
POOR IN SPIRIT
I recognize my spiritual bankruptcy and my need for God. Because my relationship with God depends on his grace, I know I’m incapable of earning God’s love on my own.
MOURN
I feel the pain that sin – including my own – causes. I can let others know when I’m hurting without embarrassment. I can weep as Jesus did, for others and for the city.
MEEK
I don’t have to be the strong one who’s always in control. I can be tender and gentle and humble. I’ve given control of my life to God and I don’t always have to win.
SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND THIRST
I want to know God and his will for my life more than anything – including my own desires, and pleasures, status or success. My heart truly longs for God.
MERCIFUL
I can share the feelings of people who are hurting, lonely or distressed, and walk alongside them in their pain. God has given me a sensitivity for the suffering of others and a compassion to help them.
PURE IN HEART
I am completely honest with God and others. I don’t have to put on a false front or pretend to be something I’m not. My life is marked with openness and integrity.
PEACEMAKER
I work hard to keep channels of communication open with others. Rather than let anger and conflict fester, I deal with them constructively. I help those around me work out their differences without hurting one another.
PERSECUTION
I know for whom and what I am living. And for this I am willing to suffer and (if need be) stand alone for what is right. I can take criticism without reacting defensively or feeling self-pity.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Grant me your ______________ .