As part of the worship resources for this series, we have put together a playlist for inspiration, meditation, and reflection through Lent. Click here to see the full playlist. At the end of the worship planning notes for each week, you will find a social media devotional and YouTube video link that link the themes of that service with the related song from the playlist.

Humor is more difficult than it appears. Laughter too often comes at the expense of another person. Yet, when used well, humor is a binding agent, bringing total strangers together in a shared experience. So, this is not a call for worship to be replaced with a stand-up comedy routine. Yet, a lightness of heart seems called for this week—the ability, perhaps, to see blessings instead of burdens. This laughter is not because something is funny – though it might be. Rather, we laugh because of the sheer joy of living. We give thanks for the gift of living and loving, for being in community, for having space to worship. Gratitude leads our prayer time this week.

The psalm for this week has a hint of overcoming. While the psalmist doesn’t say much about what has been overcome, there is the remembrance of rescue. That’s the connection with our playlist song for this week, “Cover Me in Sunshine” by Pink. While the song appears to be living in a difficult time, the call is for the ability to see hope, to be covered with sunshine and the confidence that all will be well. So, what have we overcome for which we can give thanks today? How has God rescued us and given us the space and the breath to laugh again, to see beauty and wonder in the world around us? Suffering limits our vision; redemption raises our vision. Let’s celebrate the new hope that we have or the constant hope that we remember.

But be careful. We can celebrate new hope, some may still be struggling. There may be some in your congregation for whom the latter part of the psalm resonates more deeply. Restore us again, the psalm claims:. “Those who go out weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy...” (Ps. 126:6 NRSV). Some are still in process, longing for the joy that others feel. Some are still trapped and don’t feel strong enough to rise. Remember them as you prepare liturgy for this day. Laughter might be divisive for those who don’t see the joy just yet.

So, cast the vision. What is there to laugh about? What joy is within reach? What testimony can we give to redemption, rescue, and hope? You might project pictures of beautiful places as you give thanks today. Or post pictures of your community and the people around you; there is beauty and joy there. Find ways to lift the hearts of those who have gathered, so that they might see themselves laughing together.

Does this seem out of sync with Lent? Maybe our usual expression of this season does seem antithetical to laughter. And yet, the Sundays in Lent were always supposed to be feast days, days of celebration and laughter. So, recapture some of that holy space during an intense season and let everyone rejoice in the hope that Easter is coming.

PLAYLIST SOcial Media Post

“Cover Me in Sunshine” by P!NK and Willow Sage Hart

“Fill me with laughter.” This is not what we expect so deep into the season of Lent. We are supposed to be getting more serious the closer we get to Good Friday, right? Or, perhaps Psalm 126 is right on time. Laughter, stories, and memories of God’s provision are necessary at all stages of our journey with God as individuals and as family in Christ. They shore up our faith and feed our hope. They remind us that God’s goodness still infuses all creation, and God’s love remains steadfast. So, as you listen to P!NK’s “Cover Me in Sunshine,” take in the words and consider how they might serve as a prayer, a call to God to bring sunshine and laughter as reminders of God’s sustaining and life-giving love.

Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries, served churches in Indiana and Arkansas and the British Methodist Church. His PhD is from University of Edinburgh in preaching and media. He has taught preaching in seminary and conference settings for more than 20 years.