June 27 - July 3, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of verses about PRAYER

Saturday, June 27: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We are thankful that You never tire of hearing our prayers, but desire for us to communicate with You continually.

Sunday, June 28: “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place… Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:1-2, 6-7). Lord our Rock, when we cry to You for help, You hear us and come to our rescue. We are so thankful for Your constant attention and care!

Monday, June 29: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). We praise You, ascended Lord Jesus, for Your place of honor at the Father’s right hand. We praise You for interceding for us.

Tuesday, June 30: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God” (Psalm 42:1-2)? We ask that You would give us a deep passion and desire to cry out to You, to seek only You, the Living God.

A month of prayers focusing on GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Wednesday, July 1: “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’” (Exodus 34:6). We thank you, O Lord, that you, our God, are abounding in faithfulness – that is who you are.

Thursday, July 2: “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness” (Psalm 33:4). Holy Spirit, help us to know and remember that all that the Lord does is done in faithfulness.

Friday, July 3: “No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you are tempted, call on God. He is with you. He is faithful to strengthen you and provide a way out.

June 20-26, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of verses about PRAYER

Saturday, June 20: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). You alone, Lord, know our hearts and all of our thoughts. Help us to submit to Your examination of our hearts and to agree with You about what needs to change in our lives.

Sunday, June 21: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Father, may we see prayer as a great gift from You, a way to deepen our relationship with You, a way to get to know Your heart.

Monday, June 22: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:6-7a). We are so privileged to know our Maker, to experience His faithful, loving care. We worship You! 

Tuesday, June 23: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). Lord, we thank You for the wondrous gift of Your Holy Spirit and His power within us to give us strength, to grow our faith, and to experience Your love for us.

Wednesday, June 24: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:4-7). We praise You, God, because You hear our prayers and answer us. You send us help and deliverance.

Thursday, June 25: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). We praise You as a God of plans and purposes, Who makes promises and keeps them. Thank You for listening to our prayers when we seek You with all our hearts.

Friday, June 26: “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me” (Psalm 66:16-20)! Thank You for calling us to confess our sins and for cleansing us every time we confess. Thank You for the wonderful way confession restores us to comfortable fellowship with You.

June 13-19, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of verses about PRAYER

Saturday, June 13: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).

Sunday, June 14: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Thank you, Father, that we may approach your throne with confidence because of Jesus. Thank you that you desire to give us mercy and grace.

Monday, June 15: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Spend time in confession and thanks – that our God is faithful and forgiving.

Tuesday, June 16: “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:1-3). Our Father God, we praise You today and exalt Your Name. You alone are worthy of our praise!

Wednesday, June 17: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). We thank You, Lord, for inviting us to come to You in prayer again and again to lay our requests before You.

Thursday, June 18: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11). Thank you for teaching us Your ways and guiding us in Your truth, for giving us new hearts that are like Your heart.

Friday, June 19: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). We are grateful, Father, that You understand our tendency to be anxious and to worry and You invite us to transfer our cares to You through prayer. Thank You for bearing our burdens and giving Your peace that calms our fears. 

June 6-12, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of verses about PRAYER

Saturday, June 6: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things” (Jeremiah 33:3). Father, thank you that you say you will answer when we call and that you will reveal things beyond what we could know on our own.

Sunday, June 7: “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38). Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of all his people to all be laborers for his harvest.

Monday, June 8: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3). Wait in anticipation to the Lord’s answers to your prayers.

Tuesday, June 9: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Father, sometimes we admit we get tired in our praying.  Forgive us and thank you that call us to keep coming to you and not give up.

Wednesday, June 10: “In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). Give thanks that we have been given the Spirit, that he helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us.

Thursday, June 11: “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling” (1 Timothy 2:8). Pray for people to be able to gather in prayer in worship of God without discord.

Friday, June 12: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). May we always be alert to all the ways the Lord calls us to prayer -on all occasions, with all kinds of prayer, and for all his people and to do so in the Spirit.

May 30 - June 5, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of praying for our government leaders:

Saturday, May 30: Help us, Lord, to set our hearts and our souls to seek first You and Your righteousness.

“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord” (I Chronicles 22:19).

Sunday, May 31: Pentecost Sunday: We thank You, Lord, for the amazing gift of Your Holy Spirit, given to all who believe in You.  We thank You for Your constant presence and power dwelling in us! 

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4).

June 2020: A month of verses about PRAYER

 Monday, June 1: “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Lord, we thank you that you call us to yourself, to be a people of prayer.  May we seek your face always.

Tuesday, June 2: “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right” (1 Samuel 12:23). Take time to specifically remember others in prayer and be reminded of what a privilege it is to do so.

 Wednesday, June 3: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened“ (Psalm 66:8). Lord, help us to recognize the sin we hold onto that we may confess it and come before you in prayer with a clean heart.

 Thursday, June 4: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). Thank you, Lord, that our prayers bring you delight.

Friday, June 5: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Father, it can be hard to pray for those we are at odds with. Help us though to be obedient to your call to pray for them.

May 23-29, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of praying for our government leaders:

Saturday, May 23: We thank You for our leaders who are Christians, and pray that You would empower them to live righteously and blamelessly before You, and to keep them firm and strong.

“For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it” (Proverbs 2:12).

Sunday, May 24: We lift up our government leaders and ask that You would bring to light any hidden things done in darkness, and expose the secret dishonesty of their hearts.

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5).

 Monday, May 25: Father, bring our nation to repentance and help us to return to righteous and godly works and ways.

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Revelation 2:5).

Tuesday, May 26: Our Father God, we ask You to once again send forth Your Word in power to to the people of our nation and rescue us from evil and destruction.

“He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave” (Psalm 107:20).

 Wednesday, May 27: Father, we are thankful that You have been long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

 Thursday, May 28: We pray that You would raise up intercessors, mighty men and women of prayer, who will stand watch over our nation.

“He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him” (Isaiah 59:16).

Friday, May 29: Arise, shine through Your people and fill our land with Your light and truth.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip” (Isaiah 60:1-4).

May 16-22, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of praying for our government leaders:

Saturday, May 16: We pray Lord that your glory would be revealed in our land.

“And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 40:5 ).

Sunday, May 17: Heavenly Father, we ask that You would pour out Your Spirit upon those who govern us and make Your Word know to them. 

“Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings” (Proverbs 1:23).

 Monday, May 18: We pray that You would help our government leaders to be men and women of integrity with an understanding of Your principles, that they may act justly and righteously.

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you” (Psalm 25:21).

Tuesday, May 19: Lord, please empower our leaders and guide them to make wise and godly choices; guard them and protect them from danger. 

“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:11).

 Wednesday, May 20: We ask that You would deliver our government leaders from evil ways and from evil men. 

“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse” (Proverbs 2:12).

 Thursday, May 21: Ascension Day: We praise You, Lord Jesus, that You have ascended to heaven and are reigning in power. 

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Friday, May 22: We pray Lord, that You would give us upright, just and fair men and women at all levels of government, that our nation would be secure.

“In righteousness you will be established, Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you” (Isaiah 54:14).

May 9-15, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of praying for our government leaders:

Saturday, May 9: Lord, we pray that you would pour out your Spirit on us all.

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls” (Joel 2:28-32).

Sunday, May 10: Lord, may we as your people, citizens and leaders alike, humble ourselves before you and seek your face.

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land“ (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 Monday, May 11: Pray that those in authority over us would lead us in turning from darkness to light

“… to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18).

Tuesday, May 12: Pray that our leaders would know that they are called to maintain justice and righteousness.

“Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness” (2 Chronicles 9:8).

 Wednesday, May 13: Pray for those in authority who are Christians.  Ask God to help them be strong and courageous, standing firm in their faith.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

 Thursday, May 14: Lord, remind your people that they engage the world not with worldly weapons but with your divine power.

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Friday, May 15: May our leaders know that they are God’s servants to do good.

“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4a).

May 2-8, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

A month of praying for our government leaders:

Saturday, May 2: Lord, we pray that the decisions of those in authority may enable us to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and holiness.

“..that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2).

Sunday, May 3: Lord, give our leaders hearts that are obedient to you.  May they be willing to do what you ask of them rather than seeking approval from men.

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” (Acts 5:29).

 Monday, May 4: Pray that our leaders would desire and seek out Godly wisdom and knowledge and turn away from the counsel of the wicked.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Tuesday, May 5: Ask the Lord to enable our leaders to do what is right in His eyes.

“He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:32).

 Wednesday, May 6: Ask the Lord to reveal any areas of evil or corruption that need to be removed.

“In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there” (1 Kings 22:43).

 Thursday, May 7: Lord, we pray that our leaders would live lives that are above reproach.

“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect” (1 Timothy 3:2-4).

Friday, May 8: Ask the Lord to be the defender and protector of our leaders, that He would always keep them on their guard.

“…for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you” (Proverbs 23:11). “The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—he does not give them over to the desire of their foes” (Psalm 41:2).

April 25-May 1, 2020: Weekly Prayer Calendar

The following prayers and scripture passages remind us of what we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Saturday, April 25: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am His dearly loved child and His love enables me to love others.

Sunday, April 26: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

When Jesus conquered sin, death and hell, He rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and brought me into His kingdom, where I am redeemed and forgiven.

Monday, April 27: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection and my belief in Him, I am forgiven and empowered to forgive others.

Tuesday, April 28: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26

Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life and I belong to Him, I have eternal life.

Wednesday, April 29: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7

In Jesus death and resurrection, He showed His amazing love for us, and empowered us, through His Spirit, to know the depths of that love, and to love others.

Thursday, April 30: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the mighty power shown in His resurrection, He opened the way for us to belong to God, to be His chosen people.

Friday, May 1: Lord, in this time that we find ourselves, we desire to be obedient to you and bring before you our government leaders and all those in authority over us. Lord, as you have commanded, we give thanks for them and intercede for them.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority“ (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

April 18-24, 2020: Weekly Prayers

The following prayers and scripture passages remind us of what we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Saturday, April 18: Praise God that through Jesus we have overcome the world. “….for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5

Sunday, April 19: Father, since we are united with Christ, help us through your Spirit to be one in spirit and mind with Him. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2

Monday, April 20: Thank you Father, that through Jesus’ blood we are reconciled to you. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

Tuesday, April 21: Give thanks that through Jesus we may know the one true God. “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20

Wednesday, April 22: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30). Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I have been justified.

Thursday, April 23: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Because Jesus died and is risen, I have His Spirit, a Spirit not of timidity, but I am given power, love, and a sound mind.

Friday, April 24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). After Jesus ascended, He sent His Spirit to dwell in all believers, enabling us to bear much good fruit.

Easter Worship

Dear Maranatha Family,

Christ is risen! Indeed!

May this glad announcement prompt you to rejoice today, even amidst the circumstances we face. We invite you to join together in worship by clicking here. Once again you will be directed to a video playlist that will proceed automatically through our service.

And now, come. Let us worship Jesus the risen King!

Much joy and peace to you,

Pastor Matt

April 11-17, 2020: Prayers for Lent

These Prayers for Lent (April 11-13) are taken from “Lent and Easter Wisdom” compiled by John V. Kruse.

Saturday, April 11: Lord God, I give you thanks for all of the blessings with which you have showered me: the  gift of life itself, my family and friends, the beauty of creation, and all that which sustains my life. I give you thanks not only for the seemingly good things of life but for all of my life, including the times of challenge, trials, and suffering. I thank you especially for calling me to share in your Son’s victory over sin and death.

Sunday, April 12: Resurrected Lord, I join with all creation in celebrating the feast of your victory. Alleluia! The light of your resurrection gives new meaning to all of life. Death and suffering no longer have the final word.  You have conquered the night and death and brought to us day and life. May the joy of Easter be with me always. Renew me and fill me with your risen life as I seek to bring the good news of your resurrection to the world.

Monday, April 13: Christ, through these past days of Lent and Easter, I have entered into the sorrows of death but have also risen to the joys of new life with you. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may remain faithful to you.  Help me to share through word and deed what I have gained this Lent and Easter with all whom I encounter.

The following prayers and scripture passages remind us of what we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Tuesday, April 14: Give thanks that in Christ the fullness of God lives and you have been given fullness in Christ. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10

Wednesday, April 15: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

Thursday, April 16: Give thanks that there is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:1, 34

Friday, April 17: Confess the times you live in fear, forgetting you are a child of God. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:15-17

Maundy Thursday Worship

Dear Maranatha Family,

The Lord be with you.

Ordinarily we would be making preparations to gather together this evening to worship seeing that today is Maundy Thursday. As we are all too well aware by now, though, the times in which we find ourselves are anything but ordinary. Accordingly, we have once again prepared resources for this service that you can access by video while at home. The videos have been incorporated into a single playlist which you can find by clicking here.

As you make your way through the service, you'll note once again that a number of people contributed their time and efforts. We are, once again, grateful for their participation--and for the technology that allows us to see each other while apart.

Now, one note about an element of this service:

The second half of this service is a remembrance of the events Jesus endured after leaving the Upper Room. We will hear seven passages read from John 18-19. Following each reading, we will sing one verse of a hymn. At the end of each verse, we will be prompted to extinguish a candle--if you wish, of course. Candles are often included during this evening in Tenebrae services. "Tenebrae" means "shadows" or "darkness," and as a Tenebrae service proceeds, the darkness grows. If you so choose, we invite you to participate in this aspect of the service. What you will need are seven candles. They do not all need to match :) You could even use birthday candles if that's all you have at home! In any case, you might choose to light the seven candles at the beginning of the service (or, if they are shorter or fast burners, when we get to the hymn "Go to Dark Gethsemane"). Then, as you are prompted, extinguish one candle at a time. By the end of the service, all seven candles will be extinguished to remind us of the darkness Jesus endured on our behalf.

Whether you choose to incorporate the use of candles or not, we pray the Lord will bless you and draw you ever closer to himself as you pause to worship him on this Maundy Thursday.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor Matt

Sunday Worship - April 5, 2020

Dear Maranatha Family,

The Lord be with you!

Today marks the fourth Sunday already that we worship together though apart due to "social distancing". I suspect that with me you are eager for the day when we can gather together again in the sanctuary. May the Lord bring about that day in his good timing.

Until then, we will continue to provide resources for you to worship at home. This week we are attempting a more user-friendly way for you to access our service. We are making the same "moves" we've made in previous weeks, but instead of moving back and forth between a liturgy and video links we have created a single YouTube playlist. Once you click on the link, the service should proceed on its own. In the playlist are several videos that help us move through the liturgy and facilitate our singing. To access the playlist, click here (and then click "Play All").

For an overview of the service, and a quick way to access specific parts of the service, here is the order with individual links:

Prelude: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Call to Worship (Led by the Klinkmans)

Opening Song: Hosanna, in the Highest

Our Cry (Led by Brent & Karmen Pollema)

Song of Response: Hosanna (Hillsong)

Scripture Reading: John 12:20-36 (Read by Toni Larson)

Poem (Read by Chris Larson)

Message: "Seeking Greater Glory and Honor"

Closing Song: Hosanna (Paul Baloche)

One element that is not incorporated into this order is a time of prayer. With that in mind, we encourage you to spend some time today praying for the Church, for the world, and for the needs of our community. In particular this week, we lift up Art Wyma as he grieves the passing of Joyce and anticipates a private graveside service on Monday morning.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

April 4-10, 2020: Prayers for Lent

These Prayers for Lent are taken from “Lent and Easter Wisdom” compiled by John V. Kruse.

Saturday, April 4: Lord, often I become so distracted by my busy life that I lose my focus on you.  Teach me to keep you as the ultimate priority in my life.  May my work and activities serve as means by which I am brought into deeper relationship with you.

Sunday, April 5: Lord Jesus, hear my cry and draw near to me when I call upon your holy name.  I humbly yet firmly trust that, through the power of your name, all things can be accomplished.  May your name always be praised.

Monday, April 6: Jesus, forgiveness can be one of the toughest things to do in life.  Wounds inflicted by others can pierce me deeply.  Keep me mindful of your unconditional love for me so that I may be truly sorry for having offended you. As I remember your own willingness to forgive me of my failings, I ask for the inner strength to forgive those who wrong me, especially when it is most difficult.

Tuesday, April 7: Generous Father, knowing that I am in your loving hands, I turn the cares and anxieties of my life over to you and confidently trust that you will take care of all of my needs.

Wednesday, April 8: Lord Jesus, you demonstrated your great love for me by all that you were willing to suffer for my sake.  I cannot begin to comprehend the depths of this love.  Keep me ever mindful of the great magnitude of your sacrifice.  Enkindled by the fire of your love may I too be willing to pour out my life so that I may make your love known in the world.

Thursday, April 9: Lord Jesus, giving of myself for the sake of others is one of the most difficult things to do in life, yet this is what you call me to do.  At the last supper you celebrated with your friends, you showed me that this is the way to a life worth living, this is the way to life with you.  May the example of your great sacrifice and loving service to others inspire and strengthen me to lay down my own life in loving service to others.

Friday, April 10: Jesus, my Savior, there are many reasons this day is “good”. Today we remember how you showed your love for us, how you conquered death and suffering and won our redemption for us, and how you demonstrated that to come to life, we must first die to ourselves.  Because of your sacrifice, death and suffering no longer have the final word.  The victory which you won through your death is truly good, and I praise you for it.  Today I unite my trials and sufferings with your own so that they too might become good.  I ask you to continue to pour out your blessings upon me and to be my strength as I seek to be your faithful disciple.

Sunday Worship - March 29, 2020

Dear Maranatha Family,

"The LORD is good, and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

--Psalm 100:5

Even in this season, even as we voice our laments and our urgent intercessions, we affirm this to be true. And since we do, we continue to turn to God in worship, offering our praise and our prayers, our cries and our trust, as we tune our ears to God's Word. 

Our format for worship this week will be very similar to the format we followed last week. Once again, we are providing the following resources:

• A Liturgy/Order of Worship. You will find this document ATTACHED. There are several transitions written into the document that help facilitate this service--as well as a beautiful prayer written by Gail Wiersma. If you are worshiping with others present, I would encourage you to read these sections out loud to share in this together. If you are home by yourself, perhaps you could connect with a family member or friend over the phone or Facetime and worship together that way. In any case, I trust the attached liturgy will give you a sense of participating in a regular service even while we're apart.

• Video Links. In order to facilitate our singing, Scripture reading, and the sermon time, here are several links for you to click when prompted to do so in the liturgy:

  • Opening Songs:

    • This Is My Father's World

    • The Lion and the Lamb

  • Song of Assurance: Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)

  • Scripture Reading (read by Kevin Bashaw)

  • Sermon. This video includes:

    • A (Brief) Word to (All of Us) Children

    • Message: "Aching for the Glory of God"

    • Benediction

  • Closing Song: Great I Am

May the Lord bless our worship together.

As we prepare to worship, let's remember that we worship mindful of the gift of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is God's gift to us. It's time to rest and to center our attention on God. It's time to remember God's past deeds of creation and redemption and to anticipate what God will yet do through Jesus Christ. It's time to take note of God's good gifts and to give thanks. Even as we find ourselves enduring a season that is uncertain and distressing, may the God who gives and promises Sabbath Rest refresh and sustain you through Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

Tuesday, March 24 Update

Dear Maranatha Family,

"We lift up our eyes to the mountains--

where does our help come from? 

Our help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth."

--Psalm 121:1-2

So here we are--Day 1 under the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order. As we continue to feel the effects of the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19, let's continue to lift up our eyes--and our hearts--to the LORD, let's continue to pray, and let's continue to find ways to support and encourage each other and our community during this time. The Lord will see us through--and we're all praying the Lord will do so quickly.

In light of Gov. Whitmer's Executive Order, we wanted to send a brief update regarding how this affects our operations at Maranatha. Given all of the changes we implemented last week, this update is much shorter, but we do wish to inform you of the following:

1. For these next three weeks, we will not be keeping regular office hours, so the building for the most part will be locked.

2. Although the office will not be open, office staff will continue to be accessible by way of phone, email, and text. Please do not hesitate to contact staff members. In addition to being accessible by email and cell/home phone, we will regularly check the office voicemail, so if you leave a message for a staff member at church, we will get your message and respond to your call.

3. Tammy is going to continue to operate Grace Space in "curbside pick-up/delivery" mode. If you or someone you know has need of any household items--or if you would like to help keep Grace Space's inventory well-stocked--please contact Tammy.

4. If you are willing and able to financially support Maranatha's ministry during this time, we would continue to be most appreciative. Amber will regularly check the mail, so with the building mainly locked for the time being, we ask for now that if you are going to contribute an offering, you send it by way of mail. The Deacons will see to it that these offerings are counted, recorded, and deposited on a regular basis.

5. Lastly here, it should go without saying, but to reiterate--if you or somebody you know is in need of food, household items, or financial assistance, please get the word out. We will do our best to meet each other's needs.

In addition to these updates, we also wanted to share the following with you:

• Matilde Gonzalez Diaz shared information about a wonderful effort underway to help stock the inventory of medical supplies. Click here for more information.

• If you would like to contribute to the community's coordinated response to COVID-19, here, once again, is the link for more information.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

March 28-April 3, 2020: Prayers for Lent

These Prayers for Lent are taken from “Lent and Easter Wisdom” compiled by John V. Kruse.

Saturday, March 28: Lord, you did not lead by intimidation and fear but by loving service.  Teach me that the most effective means of leadership can be found in laying down my life and becoming the servant of others.  May I become the kind of leader who leads others to you.

Sunday, March 29: Lord, may I come to a deeper respect for the sacred space of your house where you are present not only through your Spirit but also in the body of believers gathered in your name.

Monday, March 30: Jesus, following you is not always easy and carefree.  It does require something from me; I must follow our commands.  Often out of pride or convenience, I seek to follow my own will instead.  Lead me through the narrow gate.  Be merciful and soften my heart when I stubbornly refuse to follow you.  Remind me that life with you is well worth any cost I may incur in following you.

Tuesday, March 31: Lord, I bear many burdens in life, some of which are imposed upon me by others.  There is also much that concerns me; bills, work, family, relationships, and simply how I am going to get through the day.  You knew very well the tribulations of human existence.  Yet you patiently accepted the shortcoming of others and the trials of life, even to the point of death.  When I experience trials and worries, I often become impatient and want instant solutions to my problems.  Give me strength and wisdom to be patient as I face the burdens and concerns of this life.  In doing so, may I learn the wisdom that comes in trusting in you and waiting on your assistance.

Wednesday, April 1: Lord, sometimes I avoid silence out of fear of what I might hear.  Help me to overcome this fear and to quiet the many noises that surround me so that I can better hear your voice in my life.

Thursday, April 2: Lord, may the example of your own life strengthen me as I seek to overcome the pride, jealousy, and backstabbing that lead to divisions between others and myself.  Help me to channel the love that you have given me so that I may develop life-giving relationships with others.  Unite us in our love for you and one another.

Friday, April 3: Jesus, given your own life experiences, you certainly understand that there are people who make life difficult for me.  I ask you to change my perspective.  Rather than seeing such people as a burden in life, may I see them as blessings.  Lead me to an awareness of how the trials and pain that such people bring can actually lead me to you.  Given my own shortcoming, teach me the wisdom of being patient with others as I surely want them to be patient with me.

March 21-27, 2020: Prayers for Lent

These Prayers for Lent are taken from “Lent and Easter Wisdom” compiled by John V. Kruse.

Saturday, March 21: Christ, I fill my life with so many activities and projects that I often make it more complicated than I need to. I further complicate my life by trying to understand and control all that is happening around me. In so doing, I distract myself from simple faith in you. Help me as I seek to unclutter my life and teach me the wisdom of simply and unconditionally trusting you.

Sunday, March 22: Lord, you call me to follow you because you want what is best for me in life. Yet, sometimes I turn away from you and then suffer the consequences of having rejected your life and love. When I choose darkness and death, call me back to your light and life. I ask for forgiveness for the times I have hurt my relationship with you.

Monday, March 23: Lord, this Lent I hear you calling me to turn toward you, the source of true life, and away from the “dead-end” of my old way of life. May the acts of self-sacrifice I perform this holy season serve not as a cause of self -satisfaction and pride but be means by which I am reminded of my spiritual hunger for you.  Turn me to you, Lord.

Tuesday, March 24: Lord, it is easier to speak of my faithfulness than to live it from my heart. I do not want to live a life of hypocrisy where my words say one thing but my heart and actions say another. Give me the strength and courage so that I might be a person of integrity. Permeate me with the fire of your love so that my words are not empty but reflect a heart and life devoted to you.

Wednesday, March 25: Lord, this Lent help me let go of the pride that hinders my relationships with you and with others. Lead me out of my sense of self sufficiency and superiority to recognize my total dependency on you. As I grow in humility, let me cling to the treasure that can be found through life with you, a treasure that the world does not begin to offer.

Thursday, March 26: Lord, as I gaze at your face I see myself as you call me to be. May my heart, mind, and will be stirred by this encounter. While you serve as a mirror of me I also desire to become a mirror that reflects your presence to the world. Assist me as I strive to become more like you by living in simplicity, humility, and love for others.

Friday, March 27: Lord, you call me to follow you by taking up my own cross in life. Grant me strength and courage to more willingly and lovingly embrace the trials, struggles, and persecutions of my own life so that your glory might shine through me.