Winter

Conversations

Second Presbyterian Church, Oil City

Sunday evenings, 7:00 – 8:05

“The Praying Life”

1. 2/22 Prayer:

What/Where/When/Why/How

2. 3/01 Processes of Prayer:

Historic/Situational/Us

3. 3/08 Content of Prayer:

Healing/Hope/Focus/Connection

4. 3/15 Who:

Communal/Individual, Scripted/Free-form

5. 3/22 What are We Learning/Doing

Regarding Prayer

2015 LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

Installment 2 of 3

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Oil City, PA

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for using this 2015 Lenten Devotional. It is

coordinated by the Christian Formation Committee

and is a work of many of the saints at Second Presby-

terian Church in Oil City, PA. We are blessed by and

grateful for the contributions of so many.

The devotional is intended to guide you along the jour-

ney with Christ to the Cross.

Each devotion is accompanied by a brief, but specific

Bible verse. As you use this daily devotional through-

out Lent to learn something from our savior, we en-

courage you to have your Bible at hand to and read the

short passages that accompany each devotion. Then,

please spend a few moments with God pondering each

devotion.

This year, the devotional will be distributed in three

installments, and this is the second of those.

This booklet also contains information about the full

experience that will unfold during the Lenten Season

here at Second Church. As you journey with Christ,

you will have the opportunity to participate in Wor-

ship Services, Bible Studies, Meditations, Conversa-

tions, Communion Services, Meals, and more in fel-

lowship with other disciples of Christ.

HE IS RISEN!!!

Our celebration of the resurrection will begin

at sunrise with a service at Murray's Scenic View

located next to "Fat Dogs" on Grandview Road,

followed by breakfast.

Receive Eternal Life Mark 16: 1-8

The celebration will continue at 11:00 am with a

CHORAL CANTATA and COMMUNION

in the sanctuary at Second Church

HOLY WEEK MEDITATIONS AND SERVICES

Holy Week Meditations are being planned focusing on the scriptures indicated: Monday *Psalm 25: 1-10 Tuesday *Psalm 22: 1-21 Wednesday *Psalm 71: 1-14 Holy/Maundy Thursday *Receive the Meal: Great Banquet Luke 14: 7-24 [Holy Communion] Good Friday *Ladies' Good Friday Breakfast/Program *Laymen's Good Friday Breakfast/Service *Second Church Meditation Receive the Sacrifice Mark 14 & 15 Saturday *Psalm 22: 20-31

Bible Study/Teachings/Worship As we journey to the cross, you have the opportunity to participate in a coordinated program of study, teachings, and worship. Bible Studies that relate to Sunday morn-ing teachings and worship are held three times a week at varied times to accommodate almost any work schedule: Tuesdays at 7:00 am in the first floor lounge Wednesdays at noon in the first floor lounge Thursdays at 7:00 pm at the Open Door Cafe on East Second Street The teaching schedule follows for your reference: 3/15 Lent 4: Receive Grace Matt. 20: 1-16 Vineyard Workers 3/22 Lent 5: Receive Forgiveness Luke 15: 11-32 Father &Prodigal Son 3/29 Palm Sunday: Palm Parade & “Receive Love” Mark 11: 1-11Luke 15: 1-7 4/05 Easter / Resurrection Day! [Communion] Receive Eternal Life Mark 16: 1-8 CHOIR CANTATA

Wednesday Evening Meditations will begin at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.

This Lenten Series will focus on God's Covenants with His Chosen People

and are intended for a more intimate and meditative time with God.

3/11 Lenten Wednesday #3 Exodus 20: 1-17 (The Decalogue) 3/18 Lenten Wednesday #4 Numbers 21: 4b-9 (Resistance to covenant, Punishing AND curing disobedience) 3/25 Lenten Wednesday #5 Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Vision of the New Covenant) *Evening meditations will be available daily through-out Holy Week beginning on Monday, March 27th.

The Good Friday Laymen’s Service Jesus Died and Rose for You.

2015 Join men of all ages April 3rd, 2015 for the

48th Good Friday Laymen’s Service.

For the past forty-six years men have gath-ered to sing ‘ The Old Rugged Cross” and “Ten

Thousand Angels” as well as hear a message that links Christ’s crucifixion to our daily lives.

This year’s speaker will be David White of Greenville.

We gather for breakfast at the Oil City K of C Hall at 6 a.m. and dismiss next door to the Grace United Methodist Church for the 7 a.m. worship

service. The service concludes about 8 a.m.

Tickets are $8 and available at the door. Friedhaber’s Appliance in Oil City

Williams Decorating in Oil City Somers Family Dentistry in Seneca Victorian Art and Frame in Franklin

Gill Consulting in Reno David Somers @ 676-1308 evenings

Ladies Good Friday Breakfast

Program

April 3rd, 7 am

This year YFC is pleased to present

Speaker/Singer/Songwriter

Ami Sandstrom Shroyer

Location: Seneca United Methodist Church

196 East State Road, Seneca PA

Advance individual Ticket $16

Advance Group tickets (10 or more) $14

after March 30th tickets will be for program only and $18 at the door

To get your ticket, send a self addressed stamped envelope to

Venango YFC, PO Box 27, Seneca PA

Child care for infants through 1st grade $3 per child

Venango YFC PO Box 27 Seneca, PA 16346 814-677-7013 ~ venyfc@gmail.com

Jesus Calms the Storm The storm that the disciples experienced as they crossed the lake with Jesus was extremely traumatic and scary to them, and yet they had something better than any life jacket or help device made.....they had Jesus. How often do we do the same thing when storms of life come bearing down upon us? We, cry, we scream, we turn to nothing of any help.....and right there......right beside us is all the help and peace we need in the adoring eyes of Je-sus. And He says the same thing to us.......why are you frightened.....don't you know you have me, that I am right here? As I was writing this, a song that I love came to mind, I will share one verse and the chorus, as I think it says it all....... Circumstance may overtake and bring me to my knees But when I feel I cannot cope with this life's stormy seas I call on Him whose voice can still much greater storms than these But then the Lord speaks to my soul when He says, "child I'm in control" And with one touch He calms the storm in me..... Chorus: Sometimes He calms the storm, sometimes he calms me Sometimes the storm still rages on but I feel the sweet-est peace It's such a joy to know that my Lord knows just what I need Sometimes He calms the storm.......and sometimes He calms me. Praise, and thanks be to God for knowing that after the storms, comes the rainbow.......

Monday March 9, 2015 Mark 4: 35-40 Judy Slater

When reading this verse you can see the acts of judgment and doubt of our peers existed in Jesus' time the same way they do today. Often, we as humans are quick to judge ones abilities and strengths based on their past history. Sometimes we concentrate on the failings of others and fail ourselves to believe that someone is capable of greatness and their ability to use the special gifts God has given them.

Many times we overlook the positive acts and changes in a person and concentrate on their mistakes or the pre-conceived judgments we have created. We may use these feelings to define the person or limit our beliefs in ones true potential or capabilities.

In this Lenten season it is important for us to concentrate on looking past our judgments and seeing each other with fresh eyes, believing in each others greatness that was given to us by God and dwelling in the importance of the gifts that have been chosen by Him for each of us. It is by our past, our experiences, our failures and suc-cesses that we become the works that God has in-tended us to be.

Tuesday March 10, 2015 Mark 6: 1-6 Nicole Snyder

The Good Friday

CROSS WALK Dear Fellow Christians,

The Cross Walk in Oil City is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on April 3.

This invitation is being sent to churches in the Oil City area.

The Cross Walk will begin in the parking lot at the corner of Main and

Petroleum Streets in Oil City. The Walk will proceed across the Petroleum

Street Bridge, through the South Side, over the State Street Bridge, along

Seneca Street, back Elm, over the Center Street Bridge and back to the parking

lot.

It usually takes slightly less than one hour for walking and prayer.

Please join in the blessing and the witness.

Phil Thompson

154 McLaughlin Lane

Franklin, PA. 16323

814-758-6208

pthompson1@pa.rr.com

INSIGHT--COL. 4:2-6 Paul concluded his letter with some final practical advice and greetings. Christians who desire to share their faith must pray and watch for opportunities.

DEVOTIONAL--Colossians 4:2-6 Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in pris-on. Pray that I can speak in a way that will make known it as clear as I should. Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

THINK ABOUT THIS! Disciplined thought and plan-ning should go into evangelism! We must think whenev-er we talk with outsiders--wisely making the most of every opportunity. Whether with someone you’re around frequently or with someone you have met for the first time. I think the best way to turn the conversation toward spiritual matters is to ask how you can pray for him or her. Most non-Christian don’t know of anyone who is praying for them. Most non-Christians don’t know of anyone who is praying for them and are deeply moved by this unusual expression of concern.

You will need to discipline yourself to ask your neighbor how you can pray for them, eat a meal with them, or even just visit with them. Don’t wait for this to happen spontaneously! Pray and ask God to give you the oppor-tunity to tell others about Jesus!

Sunday March 22, 2015 Colossians 4: 2-6 Eileen Murray

The scripture lesson for today has us reading and discerning God’s will for us in the first four of the Ten Commandments. Just the first four:

3 You shall have no other gods before me.

4 You shall not make for yourself an idol.

7 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

As I ponder why we are just concentrating on these four, I think about the meaning of Lent and preparing for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God had given the commandments to Moses while the Israelites were wandering in the desert. They had just escaped from Egypt, a land of many gods and idols, and God wanted to make sure his chosen people knew that he was their one and only god.

Because the Lord God is holy, He insisted that His name never be mis-used.

In addition, God reminded his people that he made the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. He expected His people to keep a day of rest, a day holy to the Lord.

So it was that by the time of Jesus’ life, God’s chosen people were no longer keeping these commandments, these commandments that con-centrate on God, his holiness, and his Sabbath. Jesus had to come to get the people back on the right track, and He had to give his life for this.

Time hasn’t changed things much. We still don’t keep the command-ments as we should. “No other gods before me!” Everywhere we look we have other gods….gods in the form of money, possessions, work, fame. Anything we value more than God. And of course, we make these things into idols.

I think if we can try to obey the first commandment, all the others will fall into place. As we go through this period of Lent remembering what Christ did for us, that He died for us, He died to set us free, may we obey, with our whole heart, these commandments: To have no other gods, no idols, do not misuse the Lord’s name, and keep the Sabbath.

It is my hope and prayer that we, as a church, will recommit ourselves to serve the Lord, that we will all look forward to celebrating the risen Christ on Easter Sunday.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep your commandments. Amen.

Wednesday March 11, 2015 Exodus 20: 1-11 Joanne McDowell

This section of the Ten Commandments are six of the laws that God gave to Moses. When He was talking of "honoring your father and mother He added " so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." This re-fers to the time they were going into the promised land. For us, honoring your parents might refer to remembering your heritage or cherishing time spent with your family. We also need to acknowledge all that our parents have done for us , and forgive any discords that arise in families.

Most of us wouldn't think of murdering someone, but you can "murder" someone just by making them feel as if they don't matter. You can even go so far as to shut them out of your life.

"You shall not steal" might seem pretty straight-forward, but there are many ways to steal, so we must be aware of the different ways that we can steal from a per-son. It doesn't have to be a tangible thing. Greed is so prev-alent in our world today, and it's consequences can show up in many different ways. The things that greedy people do make unwelcome differences in the world around us.

Coveting means wanting what someone else has, and be-ing jealous that our lives aren't as comfortable or as easy as those around us. It causes resentment on your part, and you question why your life isn't exactly what you want it to be. It takes a lot of maturity and thoughtful prayer to un-derstand that you are right where God wants you to be no matter where that is.....and He wants you to be content with what He has for you. That peace of mind that comes from listening to Him and obeying Him enables you to be the kind of person He wants you to be. His rules are to make it easier for you to be more like Jesus and to live the life that will eventually lead you the Kingdom and to the precious presence of our Lord.

Thursday March 12, 2015 Exodus 20: 12-17 Rita Lore

It is not hard to understand why

the older son was upset. I am sure

most of us at one time or another

had some of these same feelings

whether it be with our own family

or at work.

The feeling that someone else

has received a reward but has not

earned it. Thank God we do not

have to earn our place in heaven.

Just ask Jesus for forgiveness and

we will be celebrating with our

brothers and sisters in Christ for

eternity.

Thank you Lord!

Saturday March 21, 2015 Luke 15: 25-32 Todd Sandrock

A lesson in true unconditional , sacrificial love.

Shamefully I have been the prodigal Older Brother/(sister) . As a child in school I perceived myself as the elder Son in the rest of the parable . ( Luke 15:25-32) In my eyes I was the more responsible one , the one who did the most and did it right. Now it seemed to me , my younger Brother was given more and allowed to do more . We shared a brand new 10 speed bike and of course it had to be a boys bike. Looking back that was the only logical choice. I found that bike became more my brothers than it did mine he was always riding it going somewhere with the neighbor boy's . But what did I expect since I never left the house what use to me was it. You can only entertain your self so much circling the house. Yet I coveted that bike.

The problem was I was a Big sister with a selfish heart, a little mind, and lacking in love. Had I truly loved my brother, as Jesus loves us. I would have went out of my way to give my brother all I could , to rejoice in his happiness, to not covet his bless-ings , to think less of myself (my desires) and more on how to make his live bet-ter. My maturity is a very slow process which by the grace of God I may realize some day .

Now through all my selfish years ...... when I felt more put upon , I knew I was never less favored by my parents. My parents my Uncle and Aunt who raised me were the most loving parents . At first God chose my biological parents for a reason .Perhaps to help shape my character through the combination of their genes , strengths and weakness . Also through the trials and lessons to come. Then God picked the perfect parents to raise my brother and I. They were full of Love and a very giving couple to all not just to us. They did the very best they could to treat us equally. In this para-ble the fathers love was so strong he waited and watched for his son's to come home and fretted over their wellbeing . It filled his heart with joy to be with them and give them all he had denying himself of his own wealth just to bless them out of his un-selfish love . So it was with my parents. Where I went wrong was , I always felt a deep need to please my parents , to do the right things, to be the perfect one in their eyes. When all I needed to do was to love them and enjoy their love.

God you remind us in this parable of your unconditional Love, a true love that sac-rifices all things, that delights in giving and in the joyous blessing of others. Only the pure deep love of a father would sacrifice all that he values most to bless his children and rejoice in their presence, no matter how they have hurt him. What a wonderful experience it is to be loved and to love in that way.

As in all life one experience cannot be separate from another. At the time the prodi-gal son was experiencing unconditional love from the father so was the prodigal elder son wrestling in his selfish heart the meaning of true sacrificial love. You tru-ly cannot separate this parable as it plays out together. Your attitude and every thing you do in this life effects others lives either now or in the future.

So I will ask my self and others. What impact am I leaving on others? What am I experiencing in reality verses my perception of reality? What am I regretting and what am I doing I will regret? What level of true sacrificial love have I reached?

God I realize today is the day to change tomorrow's memories and the way I will perceive tomorrow's happenings and what I will do about my reaction to them . I desire to develop your true sacrificial love so I can experience the fullness live has to offer in you. With your help and guidance I will mature. Grateful for your love, Sue

Friday March 20, 2015 Luke 15: 11-24 Susan Wilkinson

This parable is found only in the Gospel of Mat-thew and discusses the hiring of workers to work in the vineyard early in the morning and then oth-ers being hired throughout the day, some working for only a few hours.

At the end of the day the landowner gathered all the workers together to pay them, which was the custom at that time, and he paid them all the same amount regardless of how long, or how briefly, they had worked.

Those working all day complained even though they were paid what they had agreed to with the vineyard owner.

In our work day lives, we have established a “fairness quotient,” but in God’s kingdom there is no such thing. I think this parable is teaching us that it doesn’t matter whether you are a believer in Christ for one year or for seventy years. The king-dom of God is available to you!!!

Prayer: Help us, God, to spread Christ’s story to people of all ages that they may understand God’s grace and know that it is for them. Amen.

Friday March 13, 2015 Matthew 20: 1-16 Gene McDowell

The Lord is trustworthy. If you ask him to help, he helps.

When we find ourselves in unsuitable situations (financial, personal relationships, occupational or spiritual) we as humans have many options on how we can deal with these hard times. We can as David puts it "cling to worthless idols," or we can trust in the Lord.

The first option is often very tempting: Maybe my money troubles will end if I just play the lottery; If I dress a little more sexy the men will notice me more and I'll find Mr. Right this time; I just need some chocolate (beer, wine, pills) to get me through this; What does my horoscope tell me to do. The end result to these options, however pleasant in the here and now, is often shame, guilt, and remorse.

When we trust in the Lord and ask Him for help, he will be our Rock and Fortress. He will "keep us from the traps that are set for us" and "from the hands of the enemy." How comforting is it to know that God loves us so much that he cares about our every need, our well-being. He gave us tangible proof of this love by sending his son to die for us. So why not ask Him to intervene when there is trouble in our lives? He has proven Him-self trustworthy time and again. Besides, His love, mercy, and grace are so much sweeter than choco-late and leave you with a lot less guilt!

Saturday March 14, 2015 Psalm 31: 1-8 Jessica Collins

As I see it...MARK 13: 32-37

BE ON GUARD! BE ALERT! You do not know when THAT HOUR will come."

MARK 13: 33

We, as CHILDREN OF GOD, are to live as if GOD will re-turn momentarily, for in fact, that might actually be the case. This reminds me of the many VISITS we have had from our own CHILDREN. Often, because of work issues or other personal matters, we were never quite sure of their arrival time. But we still knew they would be pulling into the drive-way sooner or later. Hence, we did not wait to prepare food and lodging for them. NO, we had been preparing right along. So, too, we must constantly be" PREPARING" for OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S RETURN by living a life of RIGHTEOUSNESS and PIETY and SAC-RIFICE and FAITHFULNESS. As fellow CHRISTIANS, we all know the IMPORTANT THINGS we must do to prepare ourselves for CHRIST'S RETURN. These would in-clude: studying GOD'S HOLY WORD, being KIND and CONSIDERATE to one another, seeking PEACE and HAR-MONY in all things, resisting the urge to JUDGE and CONDEMN, and LOVING our fellow man as CHRIST first loved us. We should indeed RESIST the HUMAN URGE to QUIBBLE and ARGUE and JUDGE and CONDEMN.

Living a true CHRISTIAN LIFE allows us to be more CON-FIDENT and ASSURED of our fate as we await that FINAL HOUR. We must always be on GUARD and ALERT for the "END" may come as we sleep or as we play. BUT, we can rest-assured that for a TRUE CHRISTIAN, this ending is actually a NEW BEGINNING where we will come face to face with OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and be with Him for all ETERNITY. Once, we were "alive" here on earth; but now we will be FULLY ALIVE in GOD'S HEAVENLY KINGDOM! HALLELUIA!!

Thursday March 19, 2015 Mark 13: 32-37 Nancy Gill

Wednesday March 18, 2015 Numbers 21: 4-9 Dale Power

We see in this passage the realness of our "flesh nature" enduring cir-cumstances and tolerating discomforts until it reaches a "rightful" indig-nation (or so we think). Like Popeye the Sailor Man would say, "That's all I can stands, cuz I can't stands n'more!" Then things get real ugly as they always do. God's people, in their discouragement, went to Moses and complained, "...there is no bread, neither is there any water and our soul loatheth this light bread (i.e., the manna)...and the people spake against God and against Moses. The "flesh nature" always feels justified in its complaints and murmurings and it will always end in accusing God (or any real "Moses" He has raised up for you in your life) - maybe not directly or outwardly but indirectly and inwardly in our heart and in our spirit. Our flesh knows how to hide (just as it did in Eden) and tries to operate covertly rather than overtly. But the Lord knows how to bring the hidden things of darkness to light (1 Corinthians 4:5) as He did in this passage with His people.

The wrath and judgment of God that followed was severe. God "sent fiery serpents among the people...and much people of Israel died." How severe do the judgments of God need to be? In our "flesh nature," we will always find fault with the Lord. Rather than approach the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, we in our "flesh nature" would rather murmur, complain and find fault with God (either that or just blame the devil).

However, the Lord God is a God that "delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18). His mercy, in this passage, was extended in a very particular way: He instructed Moses to make a bronze image of one of the fiery serpents and to set it upon a pole. But why a fiery serpent? Because it was the very image of the severity of His judgment and His wrath that He brought upon the people. The level of the severity of our own sin can be somewhat realized by beholding the severity of God's judgment upon it. He told Moses to tell the people that if any man would look at the bronze image, he would live. They had to face it, they had to look at it, lifted up and upon a pole. He who beheld the image of the serpent of brass lived...and the mercy of God was realized.

God's mercy continues to be extended in the same unique way. John

3:14 says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Therefore , as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compas-sion, kindness, humility, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever griev-ances you may have against one anoth-er. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

This passage in Colossians is one that as disci-ples of Christ, we should all commit to reflec-tion on a daily basis. Paul teaches us how to "dress" Wearing the attributes of Jesus, ena-bles others to see His light shine through us. Bear in mind that to practices these vir-tues without covering them with love will lead to distortion. Forgiveness is perhaps the most difficult practice we are called to do. By re-membering God's infinite love for us and the price He paid so we may be forgiven, should help us to love and forgive others.

Remember the saying you are what you eat and wear. Our prayer should be that each day we will be fed and clothed by God's own word .

Sunday March 15, 2015 Colossians 3: 12-14 Barb English

The Israelites were afraid to have God speak to them. After seeing lightning, hear-ing thunder and witnessing an earthquake they thought they were going to die if God spoke to them directly. "Moses" they said, "God can speak to you then you can tell us what he says." The Israelites standing at the foot of Mount Sinai did not have the knowledge of the New Testament reassur-ance of grace through Jesus Christ that we have today. Moses told them, "Don't be afraid."

Even though we have the knowledge and presence of Christ we still get fearful of God's opinion of us. In her book "Let Go", Sheila Walsh writes, "The negatives we re-ceive from others we project onto God, and we walk through our lives thinking we have let him down and he is very disappoint-ed...Jesus told us that's not how our Father thinks. Jesus never minimized sin but he separated the sinner from the sin...this means he might not like what you do, but he absolutely unconditionally adores you yourself."

Monday March 16, 2015 Exodus 20: 18-21 Lori Long

Easter, as many important holidays, brings back many won-

derful memories. As a young boy, it was family tradition to

wait until everyone was up before we raced downstairs and

ransacked the house looking for our well hidden Easter bas-

kets. Oh the excitement and anticipation of finding that

wicker basket with colored grass overflowing with unimagi-

nable chocolates and candy treasures. As difficult as it was for

a child, it was family tradition to wait until everyone was

ready before we could seek our baskets.

When the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law questioned

Jesus about his disciples eating with unclean hands (THEIR

TRADITION AS PASSED DOWN BY THEIR ELDERS), Jesus replied.

Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites, as

it is written "These people honor me with their lips, but

their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their

teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the

commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of

men." Jesus scolded the Pharisees in a gentle way and told

them they were worrying more about their traditions than

following God's commands. And so it is the same with us to-

day. We tend to want to cling to traditions when Christ is

clearly saying "Follow me." Let us not dismiss the importance of life's little joys

and treasures such as wicker baskets with colored

grass. Never forget our family traditions. Let us walk

hand in hand with God through this Lenten season

and let us be focused on God's commands.

WWJD.

Tuesday March 17, 2015 Mark 7: 1-8 Bill Snyder