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Lent 2021: Will You Be Forced? by Wade Dugger

Evan Taylor
Apr 1, 2021
2 min read

“Along the way, they came across a man name Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross."


- Matthew 27:32


April 1, 2021



Will You Be Forced?

In Matthew 27:32, Simon from Cyrene (modern day Libya/ Northern Africa) was “compelled” or forced to help Jesus carry His cross to His crucifixion.


Envision you in this scene, standing amongst a crowd on the streets of Jerusalem, watching the march to death of an individual you do not know. Suddenly, you are approached by the “5-O” (the Romans at that time) and told you are going to help this man carry his cross. What would you have done? We face situations every day that require our forced involvement---obeying the laws of God and man, helping others in time of need and distress, being a good Christian.


This brother from Northern Africa was compelled to help Jesus as He was too weak to carry his cross on this journey to his death. Simon’s sons, Alexander and Rufus, witnessed this experience. Study shows that they became Christians of the early church.


What compels you to take action to help your fellow man?

Do you have to be compelled as Simon was or is it part of your Christian DNA?


As we reflect on this “Long Day” as the early church called Good Friday, let us think about what moves us to action. Prayerfully, it is the blood of Jesus the Christ who died for us on this day.


Prayer: Almighty God, place the will to help on our hearts and make us willing servants.



Steward Wade Dugger

Senior Board of Stewards


Lent 2021

The members and friends of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church

have written their devotions and reflections on the impact of the season of Lent

in their lives. Each testimony in the booklet is a personal reflection of their experiences.


We welcome you on this journey with us as we discuss our sacrifices and hope

that some aspect of the scripture, reflections, or prayers will inspire you as you

experience the season.


Read along with us each day or download the book to read along with us offline. May God bless and keep you throughout this season of reflection.


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He's Been Good by Kenny Lewis and He's Able by Deitrick Haddon

The Kollective

Rev. Cozette Thomas

The Kollective

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Sister Kwentoria Williams

Leader: We gather today to affirm our commitment to Christian Education. We are grateful to the teachings of our ancestors, the practices of faith that shape us, and the future of hope that inspires us to live faithfully as Christians. We confirm our choice to be people of faith and share in the work in partnership with God towards our hope and our future. We imagine together the world where hope prevails for all our components, families, churches, and communities. 

 

People: We have and always will be a Christian people of hope.

 

Leader: We recognize those who spoke life into us, who volunteered us for service, and who seeded opportunities in community to share the gifts and talents God has created, called us through, and equipped us with. 

 

People: We have and always will be a Christian people with a divine future.

 

Leader: We acknowledge our calling to follow God, as people who dream of a world as it ought to be, filled with flourishing people, places, and communities. We are determined to bring forth this new world as teachers, learners, sojourners, and community. 

 

People: We have and always will be a Christian people led by God.

 

Leader: We, as people of hope, are rooted in worship, liberation, and service; grounded in theologically sound teaching; committed to organizing for justice; and personified radical hospitality in the church, community, and world. 

 

People: Amen and Ase.

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Joyful, Joyful

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #75

The Kollective

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav'n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!

Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.



 

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Sister Margie Jones

Promises

by Lisa Smith and The Brown Singers

The Kollective

Rev. WIlliam H. Lamar IV

Welcome to Metropolitan

In this house, you'll find love 

In this house, you'll find peace, 

In this house, you'll find overwhelming joy, 

A strong foundation, an historic legacy, 

 

Welcome to Metropolitan 

Welcome to Metropolitan 

Welcome to Metropolitan AME 

 

Love, Peace, Joy, God's got it here for you 

Love, Peace, Joy, God's got it here for you 

Love, Peace, Joy, God's got it here for you 

 

Welcome 

Welcome 

Welcome 

 

Welcome to Metropolitan 

Welcome to Metropolitan 

Welcome to Metropolitan 

Welcome to Metropolitan AME

Your giving is a wonderful expression of God’s generosity. There are several ways to give: via check mailed to Metropolitan AME Church at 1518 M Street NW,

Washington, DC 20005, via credit card on the website at metropolitanamec.org/give via Realm, and via text.

To text to give, text "metro1518" to 73256.

Quincy Muse

Matthew 20:1-16 NRSVUE

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and

He said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

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The Name

by Katrina Smith

The Kollective 

Rev. Thomas Brackeen 

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Rev. William H. Lamar IV

Rev. William H. Lamar IV

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