Category: First Trinity

College Ministry, Lent, Prayer

“Surround Me” – Lent Week 2 Prayer and Scripture Reflection Guide

Rebekah Freed

Series Note: This year I got to write some prayer guides/reflections to be used in Lenten prayer stations in the chapel for the students, faculty, and staff at the university where I work. They are based on sections of Psalm 139 connected with scenes from Jesus’ passion week journey to the cross. I hope to share some of them here.

READ: Psalm 139:5-6

REFLECT:

After supper, Jesus shared some thoughts with his disciples. We hear these final words with his friends throughout John 14-16. See the pictures below to read through some of the things He said. Imagine what it was like for the disciples to be there hearing these words on that night before Jesus’ death.

What thoughts come to mind as you read those things that Jesus said?

After spending some time with those thoughts, read John 17, a final prayer Jesus has with and for his disciples.

In the Psalm, we hear the declaration that God “hems” us in. It gives this image of surrounding us, going before and behind us, protecting us. It seems Jesus is doing that for his disciples as well in His final words of John 17 too.

He’s telling them what to expect.
He’s preparing them.
He’s reminding them of all the things they’ve learned over the last few years together.
Near the end, Jesus turns His attention to His heavenly Father and pleads for Him to protect, unite, and provide for His disciples.

In the final verses of the prayer though, Jesus’ attention turns to “those who will believe in me through their word…” (vs 20)

That’s us!
That’s you!

You are one who now believes in Jesus because of the work of those first disciples!

In those moments, Jesus was already praying for YOU!

To borrow some words from Psalm 139:6, the knowledge of that truly is “too wonderful” for me to comprehend!

PRAY:
Jesus, thank you for going before me, going all the way to the cross.
Today, please go before me in these areas:
(Write down areas where you need God’s protection, provision, or guidance.)
Go before me to lead the way.
Go behind me to protect me.
Sit with me in moments where I can’t even comprehend you.
Surround me.
Amen.

RELATED SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY AND REFLECTION:

Exodus 13:21
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 14-16

College Ministry, Lent, Prayer

“Know Me” – Lent Week 1 Prayer and Scripture Reflection Guide

Rebekah Freed

Series Note: This year I got to write some prayer guides/reflections to be used in Lenten prayer stations in the chapel for the students, faculty, and staff at the university where I work. They are based on sections of Psalm 139 connected with scenes from Jesus’ passion week journey to the cross. I hope to share some of them here.

READ: Psalm 139:1-4, John 13

REFLECT:

The first few verses of Psalm 139 recount many details of what God knows.
John 13 reminds of many of the things Jesus knew as well.

Jesus knew that his hour had come.
Jesus knew that the Father had given him power.
Jesus knew what was about to happen in the next few days… his suffering… his death.
Jesus knew that the disciples would all flee.
Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times.
Jesus knew that Judas would betray him.
Jesus knew.

And still…

Jesus knew all of those things
and still, he served them, washing their feet.

Jesus knew how his disciples would get scared & run
and still he took time to teach them.

Jesus knew how his closest friends would hurt him,
and still he had dinner with them.

God know us, too.

He knows what we’re feeling when we sit in our dorm room or office.
He knows when we’re being honest… or not.
He knows what stresses us out when no one else does.
He knows our deepest needs and our greatest joys.
He knows.

It seems we all long to be seen, to be known.
It’s one of our deepest human desires.
How comforting to hear in Psalm 139 that the God of the universe knows everything about us!
He knows what our future holds even if we don’t.
He knows what we think and feel.

Yet, sometimes to be completely known feels overwhelming or even scary.
Maybe there are things you wish God didn’t know.
Maybe you, like the disciples have run away, denied, or betrayed those you love or even Him.
Maybe being known by God brings shame instead of comfort.

Whatever the case may be today, we find hope in the fact that Jesus knew what His disciples would do and still spent time with them anyway.
The same is true for you.

God knows. Everything.
And still… He loves you.
Enough to die for you.

PRAY:
Even though God already knows everything, He still loves to engage in conversation with us. Spend some time in prayer about the scriptures and reflection provided. Here is one potential prayer prompt:

Jesus, you know (fill in the blank) and still, you love me. Amen.

RELATED SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY AND REFLECTION:

1 Corinthians 13:12
John 10:14, 27
Exodus 33:12-17
1 Corinthians 8:3

Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

Williamsville North High {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed
Our final school of the week for this year is Williamsville North High!
Fast Facts:

  • Enrollment: 1405 students
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Mascot: Spartans
  • Colors: Green and Gold

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of Williamsville North High, but especially our First Trinity high school students: Adam, Lucas, Abby, Katie, and Ben. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    Principal: Gary Collichio
    Assistant Principals: Andre Thomas, Brian Swatland, and Jason Lehmbeck
  • Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are on sports teams, in music programs, or participate in other extracurricular activities that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

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Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

West Seneca East High {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed
This week we thank God for and pray for West Seneca East!
Fast Facts:

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Mascot: Trojans
  • Colors: Green and Gold

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of West Seneca East High, but especially our First Trinity high school student: Daisy. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    Principal: Jason Winnicki
    Assistant Principals: Mary Beth Sweeney and Paul
  • Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are on sports teams, in music programs, or participate in other extracurricular activities that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

2018-04-03 09.50.14

Blessing, Crossroads, Devotional, First Trinity, Youth Ministry

Count the Days…Make them Count

Rebekah Freed

It feels like everywhere I turn lately the same message has been repeated over and over: number the days… get focused… make it all count!

I first realized the theme in a meeting a while back with two of my teammates. One was sharing some new resources she had gotten for families in our congregation through Orange and the Parent Cue app. A tool they suggest for parents is to use a jar filled with marbles to represent the number of weeks left for a child until they finish high school. By taking one marble out at the end of each week and watching the jar empty slowly over time it is a reminder to make the time they have count.

While I am not a parent, I figured out the stats: at that time I had less than 15 weeks left with the seniors in our high school ministry before our Senior Blessing Event around graduation time. Three weeks have already passed since then. Three more marbles gone. We’re down to 12.

A few days after that meeting I found myself listening to a podcast that was titled A Trip Around the Sun. In it Louie Giglio shares the number of days left in this year’s journey as we circle the giant star that lights our days. He challenged those listening to seek God’s wisdom in how to use each moment this year to make it count. As I think about the things I’m already planning for this year I know … it will fly!

This message was echoed in an book by Chip and Joanna Gaines I finished recently and before all of that countless circumstances, conversations, and situations all seem to be echoing the same prayer Moses has in Psalm 90:12…

“Lord, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

There are only 24 hours in each day. 365 days in a year. I’m guessing your life is something like mine in that there always seems to be more on the to-do list than can fit in the time.

Some may think counting the days only adds stress to that scenario, that numbering the moments is scary. In my own life, though, I have found it to actually reduce anxiety and provide focus. When I really see how much time is left, I become more intentional with how I use it. (Case in point: my college students at UB miraculously become more focused as the deadline for a paper approaches.)

As I realized that the weeks I had left with the seniors in our youth group were so few, I prioritized time with them. With each marble I take out of the jar, I thank God for one more week with them. But my intentionality didn’t stop there; I also prioritized time with my juniors, and sophomores, and freshmen. I found renewed passion to focus on the things that really matter and cut out the fluff. Soon there will only be a handful of marbles in their jars as well. I want to spend the weeks well.

It’s true: numbering the days leads to wisdom. It brings clarity showing what is important and what needs to let go of in order to focus on the important. It gets rid of the clutter and frees me to do the exact things God has created and called me to do.

Lord, forgive me for the days I do not invest well. Help me spend each moment with more focus, more purpose, more passion, and more grace. I still have a lot to learn, and that is why my prayer remains: teach me, Jesus, to number my days. Give me a heart of wisdom! Make my days count. Amen!

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Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

Tonawanda High {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed
This week we thank God for and pray for Tonawanda High School!
Fast Facts:

  • Founded: 1895
  • Grades 9-12
  • Mascot: Warriors
  • Colors: Maroon and White

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of Tonawanda High, but especially our First Trinity high school student: Lizzie. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    Principal: Mr. Michael Brown
    Assistant Principal: Mrs. Sarah Infante
  • Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are on sports teams, in music programs, or participate in other extracurricular activities that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

2018-03-18 15.38.39

 

Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

Sweet Home Senior High {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed
This week we thank God for and pray for Sweet Home High School!
Fast Facts:

  • Founded: 1956
  • Grades 9-12
  • Mascot: Panthers
  • Colors: Blue and Gold

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of Sweet Home Senior High, but especially our First Trinity high school students: Matthew, Ian, Katie, Paige, Mike, and Nikki. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    Principal: Mr. Scott Martin
    Assistant Principals: Dr. Keli-Koran Luchey and Mr. Joseph Zwack
  • Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are on sports teams, in music programs, or participate in other extracurricular activities that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

2018-03-13 10.14.21

 

Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

St. Joseph Collegiate Institute {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed

This week we thank God for and pray for St. Joseph Collegiate Institute!

Fast Facts:

  • Founded: 1861
  • Enrollment: 764 students
  • Grades 9-12
  • Mascot: Marauders
  • Colors: Maroon, Silver, White

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, but especially our First Trinity high school students: Jacob, Adam, and Patrick. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    President: Robert Scott
    Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are on sports teams, in music programs, or participate in other extracurricular activities that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

2018-03-04 07.50.06

Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

North Tonawanda {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed

This week we thank God for and pray for North Tonawanda!

Fast Facts:

  • Grades 9-12
  • Mascot: Lumberjacks
  • Colors: Red and Blue

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of North Tonawanda, but especially our First Trinity high school students: Jaxon, Teddy, and Nadya. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    James Fisher, Principal
    Kristopher Clester, Assistant Principal
    Bradley Rowles, Assistant Principal
    Rachel Wagner, Assistant Principal
    Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are sports teams or in music programs that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

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Crossroads, School of the Week, Youth Ministry

Niagara Wheatfield High School {School of the Week 17-18}

Rebekah Freed

This week we thank God for and pray for Niagara Wheatfield!

Fast Facts:

  • School Opened in 1958
  • Grades 9-12
  • Mascot: Falcons
  • Colors: Black, Red, and White

Prayers:

  • Pray for all the students of Niagara Wheatfield, but especially our First Trinity high school students: Jake, Michael, and Lovelie. Ask God to walk with them each day and give them opportunities to live out their faith at school, in extracurricular activities, and in their homes.
  • Pray for their administrators, faculty, and staff.
    Principal: Michael Mann
    Assistant Principals: Paul Galgovich and Jeffrey White
    Ask God to give all who lead the students wisdom and grace.
  • Pray for the students who are sports teams or in music programs that they would perform to God’s glory, stay safe, and have fun.

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