February 21st, 2023
by Sarah Turner
by Sarah Turner

Day 1
Wednesday, February 22
John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
The Word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without the Word
nothing came into being.
What came into being
through the Word was life,[a]
and the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light.
He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.
The true light that shines on all people
was coming into the world.
The light was in the world,
and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light.
The light came to his own people,
and his own people didn’t welcome him.
But those who did welcome him,
those who believed in his name,
he authorized to become God’s children,
born not from blood
nor from human desire or passion,
but born from God.
The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘
He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;
as the Law was given through Moses,
so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
God the only Son,
who is at the Father’s side,
has made God known.
Reflection
Let’s begin this Lenten season with a fanfare. Strike up the title theme to Star Wars. Can’t you hear the trumpet boldly blaring out the prologue...the beginning to this famous film! Then, as you are held in the anticipation that something magnificent is opening up,.......Morgan Freeman's wonderful deep voice speaks these words.....”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.....”
And so the Gospel of John begins. Five incredible verses that herald the entrance of God into the world through the person of Jesus. “And what came into being was life....and this life was the light for all people.” It appears that Jesus had been hanging out with God (in God) for all of those centuries prior just waiting for an entrance....a new beginning for the world. That's big!
In some way I liken this Lenten season to the portal system in college athletics. This new addition to college sports allows athletes an opportunity to change schools, to have a fresh start with a different school and not be penalized by having to sit out a year. The portal is like a waiting room to see if other schools invite you to their program and what exactly you want to change. I'm sure it is a bit of a risk, a wonderment, but those athletes obviously needed something different; hopefully even something better?
Not that I am a fan of the portal system....but I really like Lent.
So, Lent is the set apart time of the year....the portal, that invites us into some honest spiritual reflection. What might I want to change, how might I buff up some dulled relationships, what needs to go and how do I move closer to Christ? Where can I...(we) be a little ray of light for others to see. How can I (we) be more attentive to the light shining in others?
Why not take a look around in your faith life....and consider what you might need to change, review, or be spiritually aware of and open to? I think I will make a space in my cell phone notes for a daily entry of reflection. Where was the light for me today? How did I try to dispel the darkness? How do I see God in my day? What needs to change in me?
This is your spiritual portal time.
By Sue Mitch
Wednesday, February 22
John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
The Word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without the Word
nothing came into being.
What came into being
through the Word was life,[a]
and the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light.
He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.
The true light that shines on all people
was coming into the world.
The light was in the world,
and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light.
The light came to his own people,
and his own people didn’t welcome him.
But those who did welcome him,
those who believed in his name,
he authorized to become God’s children,
born not from blood
nor from human desire or passion,
but born from God.
The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘
He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;
as the Law was given through Moses,
so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
God the only Son,
who is at the Father’s side,
has made God known.
Reflection
Let’s begin this Lenten season with a fanfare. Strike up the title theme to Star Wars. Can’t you hear the trumpet boldly blaring out the prologue...the beginning to this famous film! Then, as you are held in the anticipation that something magnificent is opening up,.......Morgan Freeman's wonderful deep voice speaks these words.....”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.....”
And so the Gospel of John begins. Five incredible verses that herald the entrance of God into the world through the person of Jesus. “And what came into being was life....and this life was the light for all people.” It appears that Jesus had been hanging out with God (in God) for all of those centuries prior just waiting for an entrance....a new beginning for the world. That's big!
In some way I liken this Lenten season to the portal system in college athletics. This new addition to college sports allows athletes an opportunity to change schools, to have a fresh start with a different school and not be penalized by having to sit out a year. The portal is like a waiting room to see if other schools invite you to their program and what exactly you want to change. I'm sure it is a bit of a risk, a wonderment, but those athletes obviously needed something different; hopefully even something better?
Not that I am a fan of the portal system....but I really like Lent.
So, Lent is the set apart time of the year....the portal, that invites us into some honest spiritual reflection. What might I want to change, how might I buff up some dulled relationships, what needs to go and how do I move closer to Christ? Where can I...(we) be a little ray of light for others to see. How can I (we) be more attentive to the light shining in others?
Why not take a look around in your faith life....and consider what you might need to change, review, or be spiritually aware of and open to? I think I will make a space in my cell phone notes for a daily entry of reflection. Where was the light for me today? How did I try to dispel the darkness? How do I see God in my day? What needs to change in me?
This is your spiritual portal time.
By Sue Mitch
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March 21st, 2025
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March 20th, 2025
Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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