A New Direction

A New Direction is a daily invitation to experience the season of Lent. Each day of the week has been assigned a particular mode of spiritual practice to encourage intentional time of daily growth. Because Sundays are not traditionally counted in the 40 days of Lent, they are included as days of celebration of life and God’s gifts to us. The other days cycle through the practices of reflection, connection, awareness, discernment, taking things on and giving things up.

This daily calendar is not meant to be another task to complete. Rather, it is a tool to help awaken you more fully to your reliance upon God ... and God’s loving presence in the day-to-day moments that shape your life.

The season of Lent reminds us that after Jesus was baptized and before his ministry began, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasted for 40 days. During this time, Christ was tempted to give in to the vices of power, instant gratification and pride.

Starting on Ash Wednesday, the University UMC community of faith begins its own 40-day journey to reflect and discern God’s movement in our lives, and to acknowledge our own temptations that lead us from our identity as children of God. With the Spirit’s guidance, the journey of Lent is an opportunity to turn our hearts toward God and allow our thoughts and practices to move in a new direction.

To learn more about Lenten practices within the tradition of the United Methodist Church, please visit www.uumc.org/lent

Remember you are dust ...

and to dust you shall return.

Join us forUniversity UMC’s “Sanctuary on the Sidewalk” Imposition of Ashes on Guadalupe Street Noon

Ash Wednesday Traditional Sanctuary Service Begin the new direction of the Lenten journey 6:30 pm

Week One | Awareness

ASH WEDNESDAYMarch 5

Read Psalm 51:1-17Learn more about contemplative

methods for reading the Bible www.uumc.org/lent

You’re invited to keep this page in your pocket today as a reminder of our Lenten journey

Week One | Discernment

THURSDAYMarch 6

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 51; Jonah 3:1-10

Romans 1:1-7

Examine areas of resistance in your life through this prayer

The Welcoming PrayerWelcome, welcome, welcome. I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it’s for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations and conditions. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure. I let go of my desire for survival and security. I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself. I open to the love and presence of God and God’s action within. Amen. by Father Thomas Keating


Take an intentional look back for a moment at each doorway you walk through today. If a person is following behind you, hold the door open and say, “Hello.”

Reflect upon or share your experiences with this practice during your evening meal. Was this experience meaningful? Did it really matter whether you held the door

open or not? What faith-lessons did you discover when you engaged this practice?


Week One | Taking On

FRIDAYMarch 7

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 51; Jonah 4:1-11

Romans 1:8-17


Week One | Giving Up

SATURDAYMarch 8

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 51, Isaiah 58:1-12

Matthew 18:1-7

Bring canned food items to University UMC tomorrow or during the week ahead in support of Micah 6. Place

your donations in one of our “A New Direction” bins located in the north

and south Sanctuary lobbies.

Donations will be given to Austin’s Micah 6 ministryLearn more about Micah 6 at our website: www.uumc.org/lent

List 10 people you are grateful for having in

your life

Write a short note to one of those people and send itYou’re invited to keep this page in your pocket today as a reminder of our Lenten journey

Week Two | Celebration

SUNDAYMarch 9

Today’s ReadingsGenesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Reflect on the meanings you find in this poem

Put your ear to the ground and listen:hurried, worried footsteps,bitterness, rebellion.Hope hasn’t yet begun.Listen again.Put out feelers.The Lord is there.(God) is far less likely to abandon us in hardshipthan in times of ease.

- Dom Helder Camara, Brazil

Week Two | Reflection

MONDAYMarch 10

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 32, 1 Kings 19:1-8

Hebrews 2:10-18


Pay special attention today to ways that you connect with service workers.

Do you make eye contact? Do you engage in conversation? Reflect on the

ways that people go unnoticed during your day.

Week Two | Connection

TUESDAYMarch 11

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 32, Genesis 4:1-16

Hebrews 4:14-5:10


Watch this short video about wealth inequality in America:View this video at our website: www.uumc.org/lent

Week Two | Awareness

WEDNESDAYMarch 12

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 32; Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28

Matthew 18:10-14


Do you allow achievement, money or career pursuits to have the greatest value in your life?

How might you rely upon God to overcome these attractions?


Week Two | Discernment

THURSDAYMarch 13

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 121; Isaiah 51:1-3

2 Timothy 1:3-7

How might you stand upfor someone?

Be mindful of the waysothers are diminished.


Week Two | Taking On

FRIDAYMarch 14

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 121; Micah 7:18-20

Romans 3:21-31


Week Two | Giving Up

SATURDAYMarch 15


Luke 7:1-10

Give up soda, coffee or other common drinks this week. Donate the money you’d normally spend.

Week Three | Celebration

SUNDAYMarch 16

Today’s ReadingsGenesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9


Imagine yourself in this poem by Denise Levertov

As swimmers dareto lie face to the sky

and water bears them,as hawks rest upon airand air sustains them,

so would I learn to attain freefall, and float

into the Creator Spirit’s deep embrace,knowing no effort earns

that all-surrounding grace.

Christ with me, Christ before me,Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height,Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,Christ in every eye that sees me,Christ in every ear that hears me.

From “St. Patrick’s Lorica”

Week Three | Reflection

MONDAYMarch 17

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 128; Numbers 21:4-9

Hebrews 3:1-6


Week Three | Connection

TUESDAYMarch 18


Romans 4:6-13


Make a commitment to serve and connect with those who are on the margins.

Need an idea? RSVP today for University UMC’s Lenten project to build a wheelchair ramp and make security repairs at OutYouth, a group that promotes the well-being of sexual and gender minority youth so they may openly and safely explore and affirm their identi-ties. Adult-supervised children & youth are welcome.

• When & Where: Sat. Mar. 29. Carpool from church at 8:30 am to OutYouth, 909 E. 49 1/2 St., 78751. Return at 5 pm.

• Bring: Hammer, safety goggles, saw, sunscreen, sturdy shoes. Lunch & water provided.

• RSVP: Rev. Bill Frisbie at 512-478-9387 or [email protected]• Learn more: www.outyouth.org

Listen to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’sTED Talk: “The Danger of a Single Story”

View this video at our website: www.uumc.org/lent

Week Three | Awareness

WEDNESDAYMarch 19

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 128; Ezekiel 36:22-32

John 7:53-8:11


Week Three | Discernment

THURSDAYMarch 20

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 95; Exodus 16:1-8

Colossians 1:15-23


Today is the first day of Spring.

Where do you see clues of new life around you?

Specifically, where is Godworking to “make things new”

in your life?

Week Three | Taking On

FRIDAYMarch 21


Ephesians 2:11-22


Keep in your car individual servings of fruit, tuna or water to give to others.

Week Three | Giving Up

SATURDAYMarch 22


John 4:1-6


Clean out your closets and find clothing you no longer use or need. Bring these items to

University UMC tomorrow or during the week ahead. Place your donations in one of our“A New Direction” bins located in the north

and south Sanctuary lobbies. Donations will go to the UMC Austin District’s Free Store

and our UUMC Fig Leaf Clothes ClosetLearn more about these ministries: www.uumc.org/lent

Week Four | Celebration

SUNDAYMarch 23

Today’s ReadingsExodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42


Go to a park, your backyard,an open space, a recreation room.

Now, play. That’s right.

Just Play!

Week Four | Reflection

MONDAYMarch 24

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 81; Genesis 24:1-27

2 John 1-13


Find breaks throughoutthe day to recite this prayer

God unheld by word or wall;lift us from dullness and cynical contempt;

make us ready for your Spiritand turn our hearts

to the mending of the world.Amen.

Week Four | Connection

TUESDAYMarch 25

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 81; Genesis 29:1-14

1 Corinthians 10:1-4


Call a relative or a friend you’ve missed

Week Four | Awareness

WEDNESDAYMarch 26

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 81; Jeremiah 2:4-13

John 7:14-31, 37-39


Listen to this beautiful and challenging poem by Andrea Gibson about

“right & wrong”View this video at our website: www.uumc.org/lent

Week Four | Discernment

THURSDAYMarch 27

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:10-21

Ephesians 4:25-32


Draw a picture of a struggle that is present in your life.

Week Four | Taking On

FRIDAYMarch 28


Ephesians 5:1-9


Bring new or gently-used Caldecott or Newbery award-winning books to University UMC tomorrow or during the week ahead. Place your donations in one of our “A New

Direction” bins located in the north and south Sanctuary lobbies.

For a list of books that have received a Caldecott or Newbery honor, visit our church website: www.uumc.org/lent. Your donations will help

enrich the classroom libraries at our partner school, Zavala Elementary.

Week Four | Giving Up

SATURDAYMarch 29


John 1:1-9


Quietly go withouta meal today

What does hunger teach us about ourreliance upon God?

What does it teach us aboutour compassion for others?


Week Five | Celebration

SUNDAYMarch 30

Today’s Readings1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Celebrate “One Great Hour of Sharing” at University UMC during our worship services at 8:30 and 11 am today. Our community of faith

will dedicate a special offering to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which provides immediate assistance across the globe

to those who are caught in the wake of disasters. UMCOR helps support ongoing ministries of

food, shelter, health and peace.Learn more about UMCOR at www.uumc.org/lent


Week Five | Reflection

MONDAYMarch 31


Acts 9:1-20

Find breaks throughoutthe day to recite this prayer

Spirit of the desert, you drove Jesus to the edge of the world to find his truth and calling: scour our hearts

and awaken our hunger that, freed from empty clinging,we might find ourselves in you; through Jesus Christ,

Amen.


Week Five | Connection

TUESDAYApril 1


Colossians 1:9-14

Eat a simple meal tonight of rice and beans, a staple food in many cultures around the world. If you have

children, encourage them to join you in cooking.

In what ways do the foods we eat connect uswith others around the globe?

Notice where the food you eat today was grown or produced. Pray for those places and the people who produce your food.

Pray for places where food is scarce.


Week Five | Awareness

WEDNESDAYApril 2


Matthew 9:27-34

Read this list of examples ofChristian privileges in the United States

Find this list at our website: www.uumc.org/lent


Week Five | Discernment

THURSDAYApril 3

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 130; Ezekiel 1:1-3; 2:8-3:3

Revelation 10:1-11

Try to memorize this prayer for discernmentEverywhere I walk,

let it be on Your path. Everything I see,

let it be through Your eyes. Everything I do,

Let it be Your will. Every hardship I face,

let me place it in Your hands. Every emotion I feel,

let it be Your spirit moving in me. Everything I seek,

let me find it in Your love. You’re invited to keep this page in your pocket today as a reminder of our Lenten journey

Week Five | Taking On

FRIDAYApril 4


Revelation 11:15-19

Take on this invitation to learn:

Join us tonight at 7 pm at University UMC for a lecture byDr. Marcus Borg as he discusses how we might “reclaim” Christian

language. A major figure in scholarship related to the Historical Jesus, Borg is the author of 20 books and serves as Canon

Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.

If you have not already registered for this event,please RSVP now by email to: [email protected]


Week Five | Giving Up

SATURDAYApril 5


Luke 24:44-53

Turn off anything with a screen today: cell phones, computers, televisions, video games, electronic devices.

This evening, reflect upon your“screen-free” day or discuss it

with others. What lessons from this experience can you

relate to your faith? You’re invited to keep this page in your pocket today as a reminder of our Lenten journey

Week Six | Celebration

SUNDAYApril 6

Today’s ReadingsEzekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

Pick a small bouquet of wildflowers and deliver it

to a friend or stranger


Week Six | Reflection

MONDAYApril 7

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 143; 1 Kings 17:17-24

Acts 20:7-12

Find a solitary place outside to reflect on this prayer

Grant me the ability to be aloneMay it be my custom to go outdoors each dayamong the trees and grasses,among all growing thingsand there may I be alone,and enter into prayerto talk with the onethat I belong to. -- Rabbi Nachman, of Bratzlav, Poland


Week Six | Connection

TUESDAYApril 8

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 143; 2 Kings 4:18-37

Ephesians 2:1-10

Instead of e-mailing or texting others, make a choice to speak face-to-face when possible today.

Do this with co-workers, family members and friends.

What lessons did you learn from this experience?Reflect upon how often you favor technology

rather than personal contact.


Week Six | Awareness

WEDNESDAYApril 9

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 143;

Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41Matthew 22:23-33

Listen to the poem “Shrinking Women” by Lily Myers

View this video at our website: www.uumc.org/lent


Week Six | Discernment

THURSDAYApril 10

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13

Philippians 1:1-11

Spend 30 minutes in silence today


Week Six | Taking On

FRIDAYApril 11

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19

Philippians 1:21-30

Pick up pieces of trash in your neighborhood or

local park


Week Six | Giving Up

SATURDAYApril 12

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 31:9-16

Lamentations 3:55-66Mark 10:32-34

If you have a social media account (such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), go for the day without checking or

updating it


Holy Week | Celebration

PALM SUNDAYApril 13

Today’s ReadingsPsalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Matthew 21:1-11

As we begin Holy Week, we remember Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem, where his message of love and justice confronted the world’s distorted

systems of domination and empire

Traditional Worship Services in the Sanctuary8:30 and 11 am

Contemporary Worship Service at“The Well” in Harris Chapel

11 am You’re invited to keep this page in your pocket today as a reminder of our Lenten journey

Holy Week | Reflection

MONDAYApril 14

Today’s ReadingsIsaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11

Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11

Turn off the radio while you’re driving. Use the extra quiet time to pray forothers who are facing times of trial.


Holy Week | Connection

TUESDAYApril 15

Today’s ReadingsIsaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14

1 Corinthians 1:18-31John 12:20-36

Who do you recognize as a follower of Christ’s way?What qualities of Jesus do you see?

Make time today to let them know.


Holy Week | Awareness

WEDNESDAYApril 16

Today’s ReadingsIsaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32

Read “Letter From A Birmingham Jail”by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Find this text at our website: www.uumc.org/lent


Holy Week | Discernment

MAUNDY THURSDAYApril 17

Today’s ReadingsExodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-191 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-17, 31b-35

How is God shaping your lifeto reflect these words of Jesus?

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:34-35)

Join us tonight for our Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary


Holy Week | Taking On

GOOD FRIDAYApril 18

Today’s ReadingsIsaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22

Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 18:1-19:42

When has evil felt too big to take on?When have you stayed true to love, only to feel defeat? When have you echoed the cries of Jesus:“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Good Friday Services at UUMC7:30 pm in the Sanctuary


Holy Week | Giving Up

SATURDAYApril 19

Today’s ReadingsJob 14:1-14 or

Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16; 1 Peter 4:1-8Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

Have you been forced to “give up” someone or something dear to you? What loss of a dream are you still mourning?

How might your experiences with pain and grief help you identifywith the faithful women at Jesus’ tomb?

What stone do you needrolled away in your life to regain a sense of hope?

Come celebrate the plot-twisting, death-defeating

love that set the world in a new direction

Join us Easter Sunday atUNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2409 Guadalupe St. | Austin, Texas | 78705

8:30 & 11 am Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary

11 am Contemporary Worship Serviceat “The Well” in Harris Chapel

For more information, visit our website: www.uumc.orgFollow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/uumc

A New Direction

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Transcript of A New Direction