Week 5: I was sick and you stopped to visit,
LISTEN
An important spiritual discipline is to listen to stories of impact. This week, you are invited to read about the medical care people need as Doctors Without Borders responds to the war in Gaza.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 25:41-46 (NRSV). Listen for a word, phrase, or sentence that captures your attention or resonates with you.
41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
As we reflect on this passage, we confess:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
PRAY
Bishop Desmond Tutu used short one-line prayers in his storybook Bible for children. We will, too, this Lenten season. You are invited to identify three times throughout your day to pray these words:
God, I have not loved my neighbors as myself. Amen.
God, we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.
RESPOND
As we listen, reflect, and pray as a spiritual discipline, we also respond. Each week we will share opportunities to do so.
- Charity:
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders as they care for those who are sick in Gaza and around the world.
- Donate to Packard Health as they provide care to our most vulnerable and under-served neighbors in Washtenaw County.
- Justice:
- Email your members of Congress now and urge them to keep fighting for funding that saves lives, fights hunger, improves global health, and helps build stronger futures for everyone.
- Learn about the affordability challenges of health insurance for families through an interview with Jeremy Lapedis. He is the Executive Director of the Washtenaw Health Project.
Week 4: I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
LISTEN
An important spiritual discipline is to listen to stories of impact. This week, you are invited to read Petey’s Wisdom – a conversation between Petey, a Daytime Warming Center Guest, and Xan Morgan, our Director of Community Life.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 25:31-40 (KJV). Listen for a word, phrase, or sentence that captures your attention or resonates with you.
The Sheep and the Goats
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
As you reflect, listen to this TedTalk on Generosity. Sit with the idea of generosity as a way of living rather than an act of giving.
PRAY
Bishop Desmond Tutu used short one-line prayers in his storybook Bible for children. We will, too, this Lenten season. You are invited to identify three times throughout your day to pray these words:
God, give me a grateful and generous heart. Amen.
God, give us grateful and generous hearts. Amen.
RESPOND
As we listen, reflect, and pray as a spiritual discipline, we also respond. Each week we will share opportunities to do so.
- Charity:
- We continue to host the Daytime Warming Center throughout Lent. This week, we invite you to do as Jesus said, “I was shivering and you gave me clothes…” Take a look at the Amazon Wishlist to purchase socks, underwear, and t-shirts for our guests.
- Justice:
- You can participate in a long-term response to meet the need by donating to, volunteering at, and/or joining the board of House by the Side of the Road: “House by the Side of the Road is a 501(c)(3) organization, located in Ann Arbor, whose purpose is to provide free clothing and small household items to children and adults in need. People come to us after family breakup, job loss, fire, or prolonged illness. We also serve those who are homeless, those who are reentering society from prison, people with mental health issues, recent immigrants, and migrant workers.”
- Learn more about Fed Up’s Buddy Up program to cultivate equitable resource access by connecting neighbors across class division and fostering relationships rooted in solidarity and community care. Contact DJ Reed, our chair of Mission Action, or Xan Morgan.
Week 3: I was homeless and you gave me a room,
LISTEN
An important spiritual discipline is to listen to stories of impact.
This week, you are invited to watch this video clip about an Avalon Housing resident.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 25:31-46 (MSG).
The Sheep and the Goats
31-33 “When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
41-43 “Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—
I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’
44 “Then those ‘goats’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?’
45 “He will answer them, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.’
46 “Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward.”
A Meditation: Opening the Heart
Set the Space: Find a comfortable seat and close your eyes. Bring awareness to the breath, feeling the warmth of your own home and the safety of your surroundings.
Cultivate Gratitude: Take a moment to truly appreciate the shelter, warmth, and security you have.
Acknowledge Shared Humanity: Visualize someone who is unhoused, perhaps someone you have seen at church, outside Delonis, or resting in the library. Recognize that they are not “other,” but a fellow human being who is vulnerable to abuse, cold, and hunger.
Send Loving-Kindness: As you breathe, send thoughts of warmth and peace to those without a home. Silently repeat:
May you be safe.
May you be warm.
May you know your worth and dignity.
May you be free from suffering.
May you find a place of peace.
Reflect on Action: Allow this meditation to turn into a recognition for the need to act in solidarity for those who are unhoused.
Close: Take a deep breath, thankful for the awareness gained, and slowly open your eyes.
PRAY
Bishop Desmond Tutu used short one-line prayers in his storybook Bible for children. We will, too, this Lenten season. You are invited to identify three times throughout your day to pray these words:
God, help me move past apathy and judgement to solidarity. Amen.
God, help us move past apathy and judgement to solidarity. Amen.
RESPOND
As we listen, reflect, and pray as a spiritual discipline, we also respond. Each week we will share opportunities to do so.
- Charity:
- We are hosting the Daytime Warming Center throughout Lent. This week, we invite you to sign up to help host an activity at the Daytime Warming Center to make the time here feel more like home. Activities include hosting a March Madness party, Movie with Popcorn afternoon, and St. Patty’s Day Cookie Decorating.
- Organize a gardening day at an Avalon Housing property for our First Baptist Church Family. Contact Xan (xan@fbca2.org) if you’re interested.
- Justice:
- Become a Front Desk Volunteer for Avalon Housing. Plan to participate in our Habitat for Humanity build days this summer.
- Consider participating in the Shared Housing Program.
Week 2: I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
LISTEN
An important spiritual discipline is to listen to stories of impact.
This week, you are invited to watch this video clip about AMOS Health and Hope and clean water.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 25:31-46 (CEV). Read the passage, focusing on the word or phrase that stood out. Ponder how this speaks to your life, current circumstances, or heart, allowing the Word to intersect with your personal experience.
The Final Judgment
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. 32 The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.
33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. 35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”
37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”
41 Then the king will say to those on his left, “Get away from me! You are under God’s curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.”
44 Then the people will ask, “Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?”
45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.”
46 Then Jesus said, “Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life.”
A Meditation: Waves of Peace
- Fill a large bowl or basin and put it in a peaceful, quiet place. Choose a time when you’re unlikely to be disturbed.
- Get into a comfortable sitting position close enough to the water so that you can reach it with your hand. Take three deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth, to focus your mind and calm your body.
- Reach out and place the palm of your hand on the surface of the water. Take a moment to acknowledge your connection with this element. So much of your body is made from it. You’re in touch with your true nature.
- Notice the buoyancy of the water and the feeling of support it provides. Imagine that your whole body is floating. Let yourself relax into this sensation.
- Listen to the sounds the water makes. Lift your hand a little and listen to the droplets splashing back onto the surface.
- Place your hand back on to the water and, on a slow inhale breath, let the wave of peace that the water brings flow through you, filling you up.
- As you breathe out, imagine the water springing gently from the top of your head and trickling away, carrying any tensions and worries with it.
- Repeat three times, then allow your breathing to return to normal.
PRAY
Bishop Desmond Tutu used short one-line prayers in his storybook Bible for children. We will, too, this Lenten season. You are invited to identify three times throughout your day to pray these words:
God, my story is intertwined with all people. Amen.
God, our stories is intertwined with all people. Amen.
RESPOND
As we listen, reflect, and pray as a spiritual discipline, we also respond. Each week we will share opportunities to do so.
- Charity: Donate $100 towards a water filter for rural Nicaraguans.
- Justice: Learn about the challenges Nicaraguans have accessing clean water and learn ways to respond. Join AMOS Health and Hope’s newsletter distribution and attend worship at First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor on April 19 to hear Rev. Kent Harrop, an AMOS board member, preach
Week 1: I was hungry and you fed me,
LISTEN
An important spiritual discipline is to listen to stories of impact.
This week, you are invited to watch this video clip about the Daytime Warming Center. Notice all the benefits that come with having a place where folks can gather together to have a meal.
REFLECT
Read Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV). Listen for a word, phrase, or sentence that captures your attention or resonates with you.
The Judgment of the Nations
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
Listen to Pastor Anna, the founder of Fed Up as she reflects on the reason she is called to the work of “serving good, healthy, food truck style food with dignity to communities that are food insecure and economically exploited by unjust racial and economic systems in the United States.”
PRAY
Bishop Desmond Tutu used short one-line prayers in his storybook Bible for children. We will, too, this Lenten season. You are invited to identify three times throughout your day to pray these words:
God, Help me see Christ in everyone. Amen.
God, Help us see Christ in everyone. Amen.
RESPOND
As we listen, reflect, and pray as a spiritual discipline, we also respond. Each week we will share opportunities to do so.
- Charity: We are hosting the Daytime Warming Center throughout Lent. This week, we invite you to do as Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me. You can go to our Sign-up Genius to see the needs and choose one that works for you to meet. If that signup fills up, check out this SignUp Genius for more opportunities to offer support.
- Justice: Sign the pledge for affordable housing in Washtenaw County. Contact your Reps to say, “No Federal Funds of Homeless Detention Camps”.