Patchwork Heart - Poem

“What is a patchwork heart?” you ask,
Well, most all folks surely have one
A patchwork heart has many seams
Before God’s work is done.

Our hearts were perfect when we came
No scars the surface showed
But in so many different ways
Our hearts reaped what we sowed.

A patchwork heart’s been broken
At least a thousand times
The scars of life are showing
For all of life is not sublime.

A patchwork heart’s most any heart
That’s survived the flames of life
Its seams are stitched together
With joy and tears and strife.

For as He wishes us to be
So shall He mold our hearts
To create a better person
Who from Him will not depart.

So if your heart’s been broken
Like a puzzle fallen apart
Let God stitch it back together
And be proud of your patchwork heart.

Written By: Evegene © This poem is copyrighted 

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Lent In A Bag

Lent in a Bag: An Activity for Church or Home

What is Lent in a Bag?

Great for sending from the congregation out to the "domestic church" by  distributing small bags (cloth, paper, or ziplock bags) with symbols of the season which  assists individuals and families in practicing Lent at home. In addition to the items, include instructions, and reflections (on purple paper of course) to go with each item.

Place the Following Items in a Bag of Your Choice

Instruction Sheet
Include a piece of paper with these (or similar) instructions, or attach it to the outside of the bag:

"Here are two suggestions for using the contents of this bag:
1. Choose one night of the week and invite those around your table to pick one of the symbols as a starting point for conversation for the whole group, including children.
2. For your own devotion, daily or weekly, choose one of the symbols for your own reflection as you make your way through the season of Lent."

Sand
Place a sealable baggie filled with sand. Include the following (or similar) reflection:

"Just between his baptism and the beginning of his adult ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days, ‘to be tested’. What constitutes wilderness in your life?  What have you learned there? What might you learn there?"

Rock
Place a rock inside the bag. Include the following (or similar) reflection:

"While in the wilderness, Jesus was invited to transform stone into bread. Though he resisted the temptation there and then, he became justly renowned for feeding people who were hungry for food, or for love, or for a word of encouragement, or for simple acceptance. Might there be a stony place in you that needs transforming? Some attitude or habit that, with a little attention, might even become a gift for you and others?"

Human Figure 
Use a clothespin or wooden figure. Place inside the bag with the following (or similar) reflection:

"Because Jesus was, as we confess, fully human, he gets us, understands us from inside our skin, and knows from experience that we’re each capable of great things, Godly things. And no matter what we do, he keeps on inviting us to join us in his work which has become our own. As you enter this Lent, what might you plan to do over these 40 days so that come Easter you will more closely reflect the Christ who lives in and through you?"

Candle
Place a candle inside the bag. Include the following (or similar) reflection:

"Lent begins in the dimness of late winter and ends with the burst of bright spring. Jesus is, according to John’s gospel, ‘The Light of the World’ and that Light insists: ‘You are the light of the world. Don’t be hiding under some bushel basket.’  So where do you shine? How do you keep your light lit?"

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Lenten Liturgical Tea

Water Scripture- Matthew 27: 22-25 - for when Pilate washes his hands.


Olives Scripture- Luke 22: 39-46 – these are symbolic of Jesus’ agony in the garden (at the Mount of Olives).


Pretzel Rod Cross Scripture- John 19: 17- 19 – symbolic of the crucifixion.


Hershey’s Kiss Scripture- Luke 22: 47-48  – this is symbolic of the kiss of Judas.


Ritz Cracker with peanut butter and broken pretzel bits around the edge Scripture- John 19: 1-3 – symbolic of the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head.


Sword With Cheese Scripture- Luke 22: 49-54 – To stand for Jesus’ arrest.


Hard-Boiled Egg Scripture- Luke 22: 55-62 – symbolic of Peter’s denial. (Note: Cocks don’t lay eggs, but we can’t eat chicken on Good Friday, and this meal needed a little protein.)


Silver Peppermint Patty Scripture- Matthew 27: 3-8 – Judas’ 30 pieces of silver.


Salt and Vinegar Chips Scripture- John 19: 28-30 –  for when they offered Jesus vinegar to drink.

Pretzel Nets Full of Fish Scripture - John 21:1-14 – Jesus appearing to the disciples, while they were fishing.

http://www.catholicicing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/scripture-lunch-to-teach-the-Easter-story-on-Good-Friday.jpg

• Fig Newtons to remind us of the story of the fig tree in the Garden of Gethsemane
• Flatbread for the unleavened bread that Jesus broke and shared. Pita bread would be great here too. 
• Tic Tacs to symbolize the bitter tears that Peter wept realizing that he denied the Lord, as Jesus had foretold
• Cool Whip to remind us of the “clouds of heaven” that Jesus told Caiaphas that he would be returning on.
• Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime Tea to remind us of how the apostles fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the garden.

Lent Activity Calendar PDF

Also see this Passover Supper Menu "Lenten Food Journey for Holy Thursday" https://chasingtimeanddrinkingwine.com/tag/holy-thursday/ http://raisingyoungones.blogspot.com/search/label/Holy%20Thursday

More Sources / Menus : https://www.showerofrosesblog.com/

http://raisingyoungones.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-friday-2012.html

http://mommyerin.blogspot.com/2010/04/good-friday.htmlhttp://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2013/03/gf-lenten-tea-menu.htmlhttp://www.catholicicing.com/story-of-the-passion-lunch-symbolic-lunch-for-good-friday/


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Is There a Jazz Band Up in Heaven?

Is there a Jazz Band up in heaven? Is Count Baisie on trombone? Is Stevie Wonder at the piano Behind the microphone? Will I hear Ray Charles Singing "Georgia on my Mind"? If I listen hard enough, Who do you think that I will find? Will Eric Clapton be playing, "The Bell Bottom Blues"? And will Elvis be singing "My Blue Suede Shoes"? Will Kenney G be playing smoothly On the saxophone? Well, if there's a Jazz Band up in heaven, Then I'll know that I am home!

Lynn King © 2004

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A Tea Party For Jesus

I awoke this morning wondering If my Jesus would like tea So I took my dollies off the shelf Then asked Him to join me I dressed my dollies lovingly In their awesome Sunday best Then dressed myself up in some bows You know we had to look our best! I got down on my knees to pray Then asked the Lord above If he would like cream & sugar Or just some tea with love For I know my eyes can't see Him But my heart shows me the way With faith I always reach Him I count on that each day I felt His presence with me When pouring the first cup Of course I gave that one to Him And with us He did sup It was a very special day indeed One I will not forget The day that Jesus joined me In the tea party I did set You know He's with us always He is never far away Just talk to Him, and love Him For He will join you too, today

Debbie Looney ©2004
My Dream World of Inspiration

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God's Clock - by Helen McAlerney Barth

God's Clock - by Helen McAlerney Barth

Obituary Find-a_Grave

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The Cold Within - Inspirational Story

Six humans trapped by happenstance In black and bitter cold Each possessed a stick of wood, Or so the story's told. Their dying fire in need of logs, The first woman held hers back For on the faces around the fire She noticed one was black. The next man looking 'cross the way Saw one not of his church And couldn't bring himself to give The fire his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes He gave his coat a hitch, Why should his log be put to use To warm the idle rich? The rich man just sat back and thought Of the wealth he had in store, And how to keep what he had earned From the lazy, shiftless poor. The black man's face bespoke revenge As the fire passed from his sight, For all he saw in his stick of wood Was a chance to spite the white. And the last man of this forlorn group Did naught except for gain, Giving only to those who gave Was how he played the game. The logs held tight in death's stilled hands Was proof of human sin, They didn't die from the cold without, They died from the cold within. © by James Patrick Kinney

 

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