Greetings and Grace to you all.

As we enter into the summer months, I like to think sometimes that our schedules will slow down.  I pray for that after the vigorous work of Advent and Christmas Worship Planning and then Lent and Easter Planning.

Less festivals to plan for now in the Church liturgy.  For some families, this time and season means a break from school and work or a slower pace of life.  But for others, summer brings intense seasonal work, tiring family obligations or taxing travel itineraries.

These months of sultry heat bring back “ordinary” time in the low of the church year.  The last festival of Holy Trinity serves as a hinge-point between the sparkly season of Easter through Pentecost and an extended time of Sundays without festivals.  However, this is not an idle time or a break from gospel celebration.  Rather, the liturgical color turns to green as a sign of sprouting and growing faith in the resurrection life in Christ.

Through all this, there is a common thread of life and growth in faith, and the ongoing story of God’s love for the world, no matter what changes and chances of life arise.  And while you might imagine “ordinary” time as a season without distinction, these next few months may be a great opportunity for us to explore the details that provide foundation and structure to our lives of faith.

Let’s start with prayer.  Throughout the summer, I will post some 5-minute prayer practices each month.  Because no matter which season we are experiencing, we can always find 5 minutes in our day to talk with God.

Consider trying one of these 5-minute prayer practices this month.  Here we go:

To Love God With All Your HEART

  1. Read a short passage of scripture and pay attention to what word or short phrase especially stirs your heart. Write that word or phrase in a journal.  Then write and reflect on how these words help you love God.  His mercies are new every morning.  Enjoy this word or phrase as the new gift of his mercy for you today.

To Love God With All Your MIND

  1. Read as much of a book of the Bible as you can within five minutes. Read relatively slowly without rushing.  Pay attention to what makes sense and don’t worry about the parts that don’t make sense.  Look for recurring words or phrases.

To Love God With All Your SOUL

  1. Read through a short passage of scripture (3-5 verses) three times. Sit quietly at rest between each reading.  Focus on how the passage can help you trust that God is near you without trying to figure it out with your mind.

To Love God With All Your STRENGTH

  1. Read a short passage of scripture carefully and then prayerfully identify one specific way that you can respond to the passage with your words and actions.                   – Pastor Patti