Fasting and Feasting Worship Theme

HOOK: Bring canned food to donate to a local food pantry…decorate the space with the canned food; Could also have Communion during this service as a way of feasting…thus Table set with bread/wine for the feasting aspect and maybe a box on the altar in which people could imagine placing the thing(s) from which they might want to fast.

THEME: Fasting and Feasting

SCRIPTURE: -Exodus 34:28; Neh 1:4; Isaiah 58:6; Dan 9:3; Mt 4:2; Lk 2:37; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23

EXPERIENCE: *this is not mine…it was given to me and I do not know the name of the author

A Lenten Prayer
During Lent, let us…
Fast from judging others;
feast on the Christ within them.
Fast from emphasis on difference;
feast on the unity of life
Fast from apparent darkness;
feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness;
feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent;
feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
feast on optimism.
Fast from complaining;
feast on appreciation.
Fast from worry;
feast on trust in God’s Care.
Fast from unrelenting pressure;
feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from facts that depress;
feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy;
feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts that weaken;
feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow;
feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
feast on prayer that under-girds.

*Questions: (could be used for active discussion or quiet reflection during the service or Lenten journaling)

1. Name something of which she/he is too full or
something for which she/he hungers

2. What are your general reactions to the idea of fasting?

3. In realizing that fasting does not necessarily involve food, what are
something other items from which we can fast? Make a list (tv or at least a favorite show, cell phone, email, facebook/my space, smoking, etc)

4. What does it mean to hunger for God? Does fasting deepen your hunger for God or satiate your hunger? How?
5. Are there times when we hunger for God more than others? What are those times?
6. Does God hunger for us? If yes, in what ways? If no, why not?
7. When do we feast with God?

SENDING: “Do not take away the hunger of my soul or let me fill it with spiritual trifles, ready to hand, sweet to the taste, but good for only a moment’s satisfaction. Deepen my hunger . Enkindle my desire. Come to me in the longing in my heart, for in my emptiness you are present.” (God Hunger, John Kirvan, 33)

-By Becky Jones, Pastor