This Advent Season (which begins Sunday, Nov. 28), we're offering another daily devotional ministry, composed by members and staff at Epworth Church. David Garrett coordinates this offering of love from and to our congregation - please contact him if you would like to join our group of devotional writers and share your story and reflections.
When David asked past devotional writers to describe the experience, here's what they shared:
I look forward to doing this twice a year; it challenges me while helping me further explore my faith.
Writing a devotional makes me more committed to reading all of the daily devotionals, in part for the inspiration and in part to see the different ways different people use their personal experiences and knowledge in writing their devotionals.
It was actually like therapy for me to put some of my feelings of things I’ve gone through into words. God is good and I am always amazed and thankful when He uses little ol’ me to be a blessing in someone else’s life.
What a POSITIVE thing the Advent and Lenten daily devotionals are for me personally - I love reading them every day, and love participating as a writer.
Here are the guidelines for the Advent devotionals.
1. Scripture verse(s) - see below or your choice
2. Devotional content--this may be comprised of your personal reflections or story, a poem or hymn, or any combination thereof. (The whole devotional word count should be between 450 and 550 words - about a page.)
3. End with a 2-3 sentence prayer.
For scripture focus, we use the worship focus for the week or a scripture of your choice.
1. Devotionals for the first week of Advent (11/28-12/4 - Right Relationship: Isaiah 40:1-5) due to David by Friday, Nov. 12.
2. Devotionals for the second week of Advent (12/5-11 - Refinement: Malachi 3:1-4) due to David by Friday, Nov. 19.
3. Devotionals for the third week of Advent (12/12-18 - Rejoice: Zephaniah 3:14-20) due to David by Friday, Nov. 26.
4. Devotionals for the fourth week of Advent (12/19-25 - Reverence: Revelation 19:1, 5-9) due to David by Friday, Dec. 3.
