{"id":17293,"date":"2018-02-12T20:13:46","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T00:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17293"},"modified":"2018-03-31T09:04:44","modified_gmt":"2018-03-31T13:04:44","slug":"lenten-devotional-for-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17293","title":{"rendered":"Lenten Devotional for 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Members from three local churches have come together to produce a Daily Devotional for this year&#8217;s Lenten season. The booklets were published in hardcopy form and distributed within the participating churches, but electronic copies of the devotions are presented here.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you want a printed copy, visit or contact one of the participating churches:\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-17315\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_CoverFt._400x300-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"237\" height=\"178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_CoverFt._400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_CoverFt._400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.trinitymullicahill.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trinity United Methodist Church (Mullica Hill)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/zionccumc2.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zion Community Church (Clarksboro)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=619\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pitman United Methodist Church<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Members of the following churches also wrote articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/eumchurch.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evangelical UMC (Clarksboro)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blcdelmar.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Delmar, NY)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/foursquare.com\/v\/calvary-assembly-of-god\/519902452fc6afa3bcd33247\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calvary Assembly of God (Pennsauken, NJ)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/glassboromethodist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First United Methodist Church (Glassboro, NJ)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.umc.org\/find-a-church\/church\/159550\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Hope United Methodist Church (Penns Grove NJ)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nrumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Raleigh UMC (North Raleigh, NC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/providenceopc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church (Mantua NJ)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Daily Devotions for Lent 2018<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The devotional is presented in PDF format (use the free Adobe PDF viewer to read). Instead of presenting the entire booklet in one file (and forcing you to scroll through the whole thing to find the current date&#8217;s article), the booklet is broken up into separate week-by-week files.<\/p>\n<p>To read the article for any given date, scroll down to either February or March, click the weekly tab you want, then click on the button. Except for week 1 (which begins with Ash Wednesday), all the files begin with Sunday and run through Saturday of the indicated week.<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy; and may God bless your devotional time!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">February&#8230;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The Lenten season (and first devotional) starts out with Ash Wednesday (February 14). Here are weeks 1 through 3&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFeb. 14 &#8211; Feb. 17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFeb. 18 &#8211; Feb. 24\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFeb. 25 &#8211; Mar. 3\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\u00a0\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_01.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 1<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Ash Wed. through Saturday 2\/17\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_02.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 2<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 2\/18 through Saturday 2\/24\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_03.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 3<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 2\/25 through Saturday 3\/3\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">March&#8230;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The season continues until we reach Easter Sunday, on April 1. Below are devotionals for weeks 4 through 7 (&#8220;week 8&#8221; is Easter Sunday)&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMar. 4 &#8211; Mar. 10\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMar. 11 &#8211; Mar. 17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMar. 18 &#8211; Mar. 24\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMar. 25 &#8211; Mar. 31\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_04.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 4<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/4 through Saturday 3\/10\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_05.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 5<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/11 through Saturday 3\/17\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_06.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 6<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Sunday 3\/18 through Saturday 3\/24\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_07.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\">Week 7<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> Palm Sunday 3\/25 through Holy Saturday 3\/31\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Easter Sunday (Sunday April 1):<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Lent18Devotional_08.pdf' class='icon-button paper-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Easter Sunday!<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6533\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Banner-Long-Easter-_IMG_1863-96x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"96\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Banner-Long-Easter-_IMG_1863-96x300.jpg 96w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Banner-Long-Easter-_IMG_1863.jpg 261w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Why Read these Devotionals???<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lent is a time to re-evaluate our relation to God; to consider things that might be getting in the way. It is a time of preparation that climaxes with the celebration of our Lord on Easter Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the forward to the devotional booklet (written by Pastor Ron Smith of Trinity UMC)&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">There are few subjects that capture my a\ufb00ection like the Passion of Christ.\u00a0 These Lenten devotionals all speak to that wonder that God would take on flesh and humble Himself to death for you and me. The end result is staggering! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Christ has taken our flesh and removed it as a sinful obstacle by triumphing over death, hell, and the grave! What a victory He has purchased through His su\ufb00ering and blood! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Charles Wesley has best summed up the tangible reality of Christ\u2019s Lenten accomplishment: <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">There for me the Savior stands, <\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8387 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Charles_Wesley_Wikipedia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"148\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Holding forth His nail pierced hands. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">God is love! I know! I feel! <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Jesus weeps, and loves me still.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Easter Symbols&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>During the Lent and Easter season, you&#8217;ll see many symbols- many of which are secular in origin. Just as you use this devotional to open yourself up to God&#8217;s Spirit, use these symbols as reminders of Christ&#8217;s gift of life to us&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Easter Eggs<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6238\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/easter-egg-575698__180.png\" alt=\"easter-egg-575698__180\" width=\"171\" height=\"136\" \/><\/p>\n<p>An ancient Egyptian story of creation relates how the earth was hatched from an egg. Every spring the ancient Egyptians celebrated the world\u2019s birthday by exchanging eggs. The Jews also use eggs in their celebration of the Passover. But to the early Christians, the egg reminded them of the resurrection of Christ, and Easter eggs were colored red to remind them of his blood shed on the cross. Russian Christians give beautifully decorated eggs as gifts to their friends with the joyous greeting, \u201cHe is risen!\u201d to which the friends reply, \u201cHe is risen indeed!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The Empty Cross<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4457\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Seaville Outdoor Chapel Cross _0906041024\" width=\"136\" height=\"191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Seaville-Outdoor-Chapel-Cross-_0906041024.jpg 326w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 136px) 100vw, 136px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the most cherished symbols of the Protestant church is the Easter cross \u2014 an EMPTY cross, for we worship the risen Christ who has conquered death and the evil of the world.<\/p>\n<p>For many, the center beam of the cross stands for man\u2019s reach upward toward God, while the crossarms remind them of the outreaching concern the Christian feels for all men.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Devotion&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As we pass through this season of Lent and Easter, remember the words of Paul (in his letter to the Philippians)&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable \u2014 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy \u2014 think about such things. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me \u2014 put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The devotional presented in this post shares how God has touched each of the writers in a special way. As we read through these articles, &#8220;think on these praiseworthy things&#8221; and allow God to draw you closer to Him during this special season.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-bio'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> Are you in the habit of reading your Bible? Daily opening yourself up to God&#8217;s word could make this Lenten season a life changer. For info on our &#8220;Chapter-a-Day&#8221; Bible Reading Plans, click this button:<\/span><\/p>\n<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=17037' class='icon-button rss-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2018 Bible Reading Plans<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Share Your Stories&#8230;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve found these devotionals to be useful, tweet the link or share this article with your Facebook Friends.\u00a0 Use the below buttons to share on any social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As you read these devotionals, you are opening yourself up to hearing from the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 If something in an article hits you, please share it and let us know how God has spoken to you.\u00a0 Post a comment in the form at the end of this article (your email address won&#8217;t be published).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lent is a time of preparation.  Several local churches have put together a devotional booklet that will help you prepare for Resurrection<br \/>\nDay.  Visit this post daily to read each day&#8217;s inspirational article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,14],"tags":[96,94],"class_list":["post-17293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-godprints","category-worship","tag-devotion","tag-easterweek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17293"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17329,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17293\/revisions\/17329"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}