Sharing Love, Seeking Justice: The fourth week in Lent

April 2, 2025

Welcome to our 2025 series of weekly Lenten devotionals, a gift from New Brunswick Theological seminary. At the beginning of each week, the Theological Writing Center will post a devotion or a story of a local congregational ministry, along with a prayer and a few psalms on which to meditate during the week. During Holy Week, there will be eight days of devotions from NBTS faculty members.

The fourth week in Lent

Feeding Neighbors, Building Community

Food insecurity is hiding just beneath the surface of many communities. Loneliness is usually lurking there with it. A number of years ago, First Reformed Church of Wynantskill, New York, began to face this problem head-on. Every Wednesday evening from October to May, the congregation hosts a simple, free dinner: spaghetti, green beans, and dessert. It’s a consistent, reliable meal every week. Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay, church membership, or anything else. Everyone can come and eat. Everyone who wants to can talk and laugh and share. Donations from the congregation and community make is all possible.

https://www.frcw.org/communitydinners

Prayer:
               God who accepts the hospitality of friends and strangers,
               who feeds the hungry wherever possible:
               keep us ever aware of those who need a meal to eat
               and a friendly face across the table,
               and help us to offer them both,
               that we may also feed and be fed by you.
               Amen.

Reflection for the rest of the week:      The next three Ascent Psalms: 129, 130, 131
                                                                               The Ascent Psalms were sung by pilgrims heading for Jerusalem.

Prayer:                 
               Mighty God, who resist the proud and gives strength to the humble;
               don’t let us lift ourselves up in pride for ourselves or our good works;
               but help us be humble, making no pretense of pride before your divinity;
               and let us humble ourselves more and more
               so we may continually feel your loving favor, mercy, and assistance,
               hrough Jesus Christ, your Son.
               Amen.                                                              _{Adapted from the prayer for Psalm 131 in the Scottish Psalter of 1595}