Category: Lent Devotional

Written by Grace Han, Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church, Alexandria, VA My father died earlier this year. He died peacefully, on his own terms, with family bedside. The last time we went to the hospital, my dad knew this was his final visit. He told the medical team he was ready to die. When he…

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Written by Brian Johnson, Pastor, Haymarket Church, Haymarket, VA                   We were so excited to meet our niece that night.                   She was our first niece (or nephew) and she’d just been born.  After our oldest son finished his day at school (he was in first grade at the time), we loaded the family in the minivan,…

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Written by Matt Benton, Lead Pastor, Messiah United Methodist Church, Springfield, VA I dreamed a dream in time gone by When hope was high and life worth living I dreamed that love would never die I dreamed that God would be forgiving In 1962 Fannie Lou Hamer was 44 years old. She’d been working in…

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Written by Drew Colby, Lead Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church, Manassas, VA I have a Lenten discipline that you may find odd (some people call me extra). Every Lent, especially during Holy Week, I make sure to mow the grass. That in itself is not that remarkable. However, while I mow the grass, I listen…

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Written by Sarah Calvert, District Superintendent, Mountain View District of the United Methodist Church, Virginia What’s left to say?These prayers ain’t working anymoreEvery word shot down in flamesWhat’s left to do with these broken pieces on the floor?I’m losing my voice calling on you ‘Cause I’ve been shakingI’ve been bending backwards ’til I’m brokeWatching all…

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Written by Matt Benton, Lead Pastor, Messiah United Methodist Church, Springfield, VA “And at once, I knew I was not magnificent.” I was born and raised in Fairfax County, a place that runs on achievement and exceptionalism.  And whether being formed in a place that demands excellence or simply because it was how I was…

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Written by Brian Johnson, Pastor, Haymarket Church, Haymarket, VA One of my favorite continuing education events that I’ve attended recently was a “Seminary for a Day” event sponsored by the United Methodist Church’s Northern Virginia District.  This event is designed to help pastors dig deep and think theologically – and for a nerd like me,…

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Written by Sherry Hietpas, Associate Pastor of Digital Ministry, Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, Vienna, VA Text: Luke 15:11-24                   I fell in love with music while riding in the car. Because my parents divorced before I could walk, every other weekend, my dad would drive two hours, one way on Friday evenings and back on…

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Written by Gennie Bowles, Pastor, Prince of Peace UMC, Manassas, VA A common refrain in my Eastertide preaching is that in some ways it’s a shame that we know what’s going to happen on Easter morning. We miss out on the holy shock and surprise of the resurrection after the heaviness and grief of Holy…

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Written by Joe Walker-Lenow, Rector, St. James’ Episcopal Parish, Lothian, MD This is a Lenten song, right? I’ll admit that it’s pretty breezy, pretty upbeat—but then again, how many rootsy-rock songs are about how you want to die? I love this song, and I love Theo Katzman. You may or may not have heard of…

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