Wash Me Whiter

"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." --King David (Psalm 51:7)

Good Friday is always one of my favorite worship services to plan. Since it's in the evening, we don't need to think about time constraints, since often there isn't another congregation using the worship hall after we do. We also have the freedom to get creative, and I try to make Good Friday services more interactive and experiential than a normal Sunday service.

Sometimes we will set up stations of the cross for people to wander through at their own pace; one time I placed a bowl of water in the front of the room for participants to wash their hands as they silently confessed their sins; once we ended our service in utter darkness and mourning, releasing people silently to make their way home and reflect on the darkness of that first evening when Jesus died on the cross. 

This year, I was feeling very heavy and sorrowful after hearing so much about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the starvation of the Afghan people, and other cruelty and pain around the world, and also hearing about some of my dear ones who had recently lost people they loved to death. The weight of death and the terrible effects of the world's sin was on my mind. But any celebration about Good Friday must still end in hope, though the first disciples may have had none. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful, I thought, if you could actually see the healing of your sin? Wouldn't it be meaningful if you experienced the truth of your sins being washed away? I started to research whether there was any way to have people write their confessions on a paper and then have the paper literally get washed away. 

The short answer... there is! And it's called Paper Solvy, a water-soluable stabilizer. Actually, the original purpose of this paper, and other similar papers, is crafting. You make a craft, printing or drawing a design on the paper, and then sew it onto a fabric, or put it in soap, and when you wash the fabric, the "paper" washes away and your sewn design remains. Genius. 

But for our purposes, it works just as well! During a time of reflection, I invited the congregation to think about the sins they are carrying and write their confession to God. I invited the worship band to play reflective music in the background. After 3-4 minutes, I invited them, if they wished, to bring their confessions and place them in the basin of water in the middle of the room. I didn't tell them what would happen, I just asked them to come. During two of our services, it took awhile for anyone to come forward, but eventually, they did come, first one or two, and then a stream of people. 

With amazement, they watched as the folded piece of paper they placed in the water start to come apart, the letters seeming to float off the paper. And then, as they swirled the water, the entire paper and its contents vanished before their eyes! 

Here's how we did it:

1. What You Need: 

• 1 sheet of Paper Solvy for every four people (give everyone a quarter sheet). Each package contains 12 sheets.
• Blue or black pens (but any kind of pens, pencils or markers should work)
• A table (If you have a large congregation, set up multiple stations. One table should be enough for 50-60 people). 
• A basin for water. I wanted to allow multiple people to do the activity at the same time, so I used an under-bed storage bin.  
• 2 large buckets
• 1 small bucket or pitcher
• A fine-mesh soup skimmer
• A towel for each station
• 4 large popsicle sticks
• 2 people to sit close by and keep the station clean, skim the water as needed and clear the station after the evening is done

2. Setup: 

• Set up the stations with a table, tablecloth, basin, buckets and skimmer
• Fill the basin with water and place the popsicle sticks on the table around it
• Place the quarter-sheets and pens on each chair or give them out at the door
• If you choose to dim the lights during the service, make sure they are bright enough over the seating area so that people can see to write.

3. Explain: During the service, announce that there will be a time for confession and that people can write their confession on a piece of paper. Depending on how comfortable your group is, they may readily do this activity, or it may take awhile for them to come forward. If you really want to help them be more comfortable, you could have them seated at tables. I placed tables around the room for people to use, but no one actually used them; they just remained in their seats to write. 

During the evening, we also included a time for spoken prayers as well as a message and songs around the theme of Isaiah 63:4-5. Check out the worship flow: 

Overall, it was a beautiful and meaningful way to remember Christ's redeeming work which washes away our sin. Sometimes an activity can be very simple yet have great impact for our understanding. May this activity also bless the hearts of your congregation too!

The Pilgrimage

 

Retreating with God

I think it was in seminary that I first developed a love for praying outdoors. During an assignment for one of my seminary classes with my favorite professor, Dr. Steve Korch, I had to scout locations for a prayer retreat. It was a new thing for me to set aside a place that was "ordinary" and yet sacred in some way, to remove myself from distractions, walk slowly and listen for God's voice.

One of the first locations where I started to walk and pray was the beautiful chapel and grounds at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit school. I remember traversing the covered pathways under the creeping vines, thinking about God talking to the saints whose images were all around me, and who had taken walks just like me, asking for God's presence and words of truth. 

The most memorable prayer retreat came some years later. I had just quit my job at the church where I was the worship director and though I knew I was supposed to move on, I didn't have a clue what was next for me, or even what direction I was supposed to go. I had applied to a few other churches, but wasn't getting very far in the interview process. I felt very lost, and sorely in need of direction. 

And that’s when I took a one-day pilgrimage by myself to a little remote retreat site in the Santa Cruz mountains, dedicated to those seeking God in prayer. It is such a simple place and yet, every time I go there, God condescends to meet with me.

An Unexpected Answer

That day, I heard from God. I had spent the day following little paths, sitting still, studying the Bible, and gazing all around me at trees, birds and flowers. I had repeatedly asked God what was next for me, where I should I work, what I should do? Big church, small church, Chinese church, American church, Hispanic church? Which denomination? And which role? If only He would give me a lead, I had told him, I would gladly follow it. 

I remember watching a small sparrow hopping on the ground, picking up bits and pieces, here and there. I had just been reading and studying Matthew 6, where Jesus tells the people listening on the hillside not to worry about what they will eat or drink, because the Lord God Himself would provide for them. As I watched that tiny sparrow, I heard from Him. "You are like this sparrow," He said. "You will not have a job for some time. But I will provide for you. I will give you things that you are supposed to do. Just rely on me" That was hard to hear. But I never doubted that it was the word from God, because I had asked Him for His direction, and I hadn’t been expecting to hear that reply. It wasn’t anything that I could have made up in my head. It was directly from Him. 

At the end of the day, I went back to my life, literally going "down the mountain." In His Word, God often uses mountain-tops as places where someone can be "closer" to God. Moses went up a mountain to talk with God. Elijah met God on a mountain. Jesus climbed a mountain... and was revealed in splendor to his companions.

When I went back down the mountain, I treasured this word from God, and I looked carefully to see whether God would do what he had said. God was true to his word. He did provide things for me to do during the next six months: even without a paid job, I was led to specific people he wanted to me to mentor and spend time with, and though I didn't get called back by the churches I applied to, I was filled with peace and contentment. I knew that God was providing, in his own way and time. Every time I was tempted to doubt whether it had been the right thing to quit my job, or to wonder when I would ever make money again, He reminded me that this was his leading and he would provide for me, just like that sparrow. 

Since that time, not only has God always provided, but he also has reminded me of a need to quietly retreat away from my regular surroundings, away from the distractions and a normal every day way of reasoning that I have. 

The Pilgrimage Material

In a new environment, we can often be more open to God and hear from him more clearly. That’s why I created this devotional material, called The Pilgrimage. 

I invite you, too, to get away from your normal surroundings, to  I pray that as you focus on hearing from God, His Holy Spirit will let you know what purpose God has for your life.

What: Material for one day's quiet retreat. It can also be spread out over two days. 

Who: This is a solo retreat, designed to be done by one person alone.

When: The recommended timing is during the Lent season, before Good Friday. 

Where: Away from normal surroundings; find a place outside in nature that is secluded, beautiful, and free from distraction. If you are unable to go to a public space, you can also use it in your backyard or just find a quiet, comfortable chair.

How: Research a location or locations, including planning what to eat for a meal. Print and bind the devotional material into a booklet. Take a pencil and a mobile device to scan the QR code. 

Download The Pilgrimage here:   

• English
• 中文繁體
• 中文简体

More Details: The material is divided into three stations, following Jesus through three separate locations. When following the material, you will pick three different locations to spend with God. After finishing each location's material, you will either drive or walk to another location. 

• The first location is called The Hill. The reading and reflection questions remind us of God's provision in all things. 
• The second station is called The Garden. The setting is that long Thursday night before Jesus was crucified; that night he was spending time with his disciples in the garden, giving them poignant last words that he wants them to remember. 
• The third station is called The Cross. It was originally written to be done at a church location beside a big cross and a fire pit. If your location doesn't have a big cross, it could be done sitting or kneeling in any quiet place, preferably at night.

Usage Rights: 

Feel free to modify the details of The Pilgrimage to suit your audience, but you do not have permission to change the reflection questions or redistribute or sell this material as your own creation. I pray that this free resource is helpful for your faith community and also for your own relationship with God. 

If you appreciated this resource, please comment below and let us know how you used it!