Connections February
February 28
2nd Sunday in Lent
Blessings to you! Trinity Lutheran Church Worship for this Second Sunday in Lent, February 28 in-person at 8:30 and 11. Online service posted at:
https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/2nd-sunday-in-lent
I will seek to post the sermon by 10 a.m.
I host Adult Sunday School class at 10 a.m. at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3076722411 please consider joining us.
The Prayer of the Day for today:
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
February 27
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
Mark 8:35
Here is a prayer from the Gospel text for tomorrow, Mark 8. I have a suspicion that we sometimes like to claim to more than we can. Talk of mystery can probably be over done, but it often is the only true word in the face of the lives we lead.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
Pastoral Prayer for Lent 2 B
(inspired by Mark 8:31-38)
God of compassion, the way of the cross is as much a mystery to us as it was to the immediate followers of Jesus. But we have heard how your grace is exercised in the journey of suffering and rejection experienced by Jesus. Help us to hear with ears inspired, to see with eyes opened to your ways, and to respond with lives committed to your service.
God of our Lenten journey, we watch and walk with Jesus.
We repent O God. We cannot name our own cross even though we try. You must show us the cross you give us. Help us see. Give us the faith to respond and follow Jesus. We have heard that it is in losing our life for the sake of Gospel of Jesus that we find our life.
God of our Lenten journey, we watch and walk with Jesus.
- from The Prayers of Our Church, written by Bishop Telmor Sartison. Worship website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
February 26
[Jesus] called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me…”
Mark 8:34
Jesus’ call is given to each and every one of us. “Take up your cross and follow me.”
One question is - “what is your cross?” Often people will say that any struggle or difficulty is your cross. Perhaps the cross that Jesus lays upon is any self-giving love we can expend for another. Care for others, work in the community, sharing of God’s blessings.
Baptized into Christ, you are baptized into a life of love and care for this world God so loves.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 25
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
Mark 8:35
On Sunday we will hear Jesus’ paradoxical call to save our lives by joining him in giving our lives away.
I wonder.
Perhaps the only way to know the truth of this call, is to live it. There is no way to argue this philosophically. One must, instead, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. This is the only way.
It is with the eyes of faith that can see this call as the great gift it is. An invitation to life.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 24
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:1-3
Reminder: Mid-week worship “With Awe and Love - Reflecting on Luther’s Small Catechism” will be available beginning at 7:00 p.m. this evening at https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/feb-24-midweek-worship
Noon hour class today will begin a look at Luther’s Small Catechism to go along with evening worship. I hope you join us on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3076722411
The Small Catechism starts with the 10 Commandments.
The Commandments begin with God’s declaration: “I am the Lord your God who brought you up out the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
The foundation, the starting point for the Commandments, is what God has done for God’s people. Everything that follows is our response to God’s love.
We often miss the fact that the commandments are given out of the relationship that God establishes with us. Luther’s question and response to the command underline this Gospel truth:
1st Commandment. You shall have no other gods
What does this mean?
We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.
Trust is the language of relationship, not the language of calculations or agreements. For Luther, the First Commandment is the most important, and when we keep it - “everything follows on its own.”
I hope to see you at noon, or perhaps you will be able to “join” in midweek worship.
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
February 23
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering…
Mark 8:31a
A bit later with Trinity Connections today…
Right in the middle of the Gospel of Mark, we hear Jesus tell his disciples that his path will lead to the cross.
This is central to the story of Jesus.
I suspect that one thing that is difficult for us to fully understand, is that this is central to our story as well. We join Jesus in caring for this world that God so loves… This will, at times, mean suffering on behalf of those whom God is calling us to serve.
May our serving be faithful and fruitful. Amen
February 22
…during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2
I set this aside a few days ago, it is written by Pastor Julia Seymour, who serves our congregation in Big Timber, Montana.
Gratitude can shape our lives in powerful ways. Here is Pastor Seymour’s insight:
Often, when we take stock of what we presently have, we see the spaces for what we need and what we want. In a culture that prioritizes acquisitions, it is difficult to be satisfied with enough. Truthfully, most of us have more than enough.
This expected and pressured acquisition thwarts our ability to be grateful for what we have. The push to acquire more and more not only challenges our ability to save for the future but also impacts our ability to help our neighbor.
A sense of gratitude helps me to be aware of the abundance in my life. If I work on being thankful for what I have and seeing it as more than enough, I am more likely to resist the siren song of commercialism. Thus, I will have more assets of all kinds for my future and to help those around me. An attitude of gratitude helps us prepare for the time ahead.
excerpt from “A future shaped by gratitude” by Julia Seymour in the November 2020 issue of Gather
February 21
1st Sunday in Lent
The Prayer of the Day today echoes Luther’s Morning Prayer:
Holy God, heavenly Father,
in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen,
and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin.
Renew us in the gift of baptism.
May your holy angels be with us,
that the wicked foe may have no power over us,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
As more of our friends are getting vaccines, it is nice to consider that it is becoming safer for our community to gather. I hope to see you soon.
Peace.
February 20
And the Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Mark 1:12-13
The First Sunday in Lent, we hear the story of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. In Mark, it is told in very few words. Yet it tells the story of Jesus facing temptation and prevailing, and the wild beasts and angels speak of Jesus being in harmony with nature and with God.
In the scriptures, the wilderness is a place of testing and calling and shaping. Moses heard God’s call in the wilderness, the people of Israel spent 40 years wandering the wilderness, and Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness mirrors that experience.
Many of our “wilderness experiences” may seem devoid of God’s presence, but may, in the end, bear surprising gifts. I like this benediction written for tomorrow.
Benediction for Lent
Whatever wilderness the Spirit has brought you to:
walk in boldness, as a beloved child of God
walk in peace, under the shelter of the Most High
walk in faith, knowing Christ walks with you. Amen.
~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/
February 19
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12-13
I shared this line about sin on Wednesday, and will include it here in Trinity Connections.
Sin is the best news there is…
Because with sin there’s a way out....
You can’t repent of confusion or psychological flaws
inflicted by your parents
you’re stuck with them.
But you can repent of sin.
Sin and repentance are the only grounds for hope and joy,
the grounds for reconciled, joyful relationships.
John Alexander
Yes, talk of sin is often one long guilt trip. But the solution is not avoiding any talk of sin. It is in taking note that repentance is the place where sin is addressed honestly, set aside, and we are set free to receive the forgiveness Jesus has in store for us. Talk of sin leads us to God’s forgiveness, which is “the only grounds for hope - reconciled, joyful relationships.”
May your Lent be a time of receiving such great gifts.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 18
And the Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Mark 1:12-13
We began the season of Lent yesterday. Barbara Brown Taylor (a marvelous preacher and writer) gives voice to an excellent notion of what Lent might be:
...the [early] church announced a season of Lent,
from the old English word lenten, meaning “spring”
- not only a reference to the season before Easter,
but also an invitation to a springtime for the soul.
Forty days to cleanse the system
...Forty days to remember what it is like to live by the grace of God alone
and not by what we can supply for ourselves.
Barbara Brown Taylor, Home By Another Way p. 66.
May your Lent be a time of remembrance and joy.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 17
Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying,
“The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God has come near;
repent, and believe in the good news
Mark 1:14b-15
Here is the Prayer of the Day for Ash Wednesday…
Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent.
Create in us new and honest hearts, so that,
truly repenting of our sins,
we may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
full pardon and forgiveness
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen
I have always liked this “definition” of repentance by Frederick Buechner.
This is from his book; “Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC” (HarperCollins 1973)
"To repent is to come to your senses.
It is not so much something you do
as something that happens.
True repentance
spends less time looking at the past and saying.
"I'm sorry,"
than to the future and saying
“Wow”
February 16
Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
Joel 2:12-13
With Lent beginning tomorrow, I would like to invite you to consider how you are going to mark these days that lead us to Holy Week and Easter.
At the same time, I find this insight interesting. We are looking at Lent in a counter-productive way, if we consider it a chance to re-do New Year’s Resolutions - or consider it religious version of them. Lent is not a time of restoring ourselves. This is a season of commitment to the one who makes us new.
I like this from the “Invitation to Lent” in the Ash Wednesday liturgy:
“I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent
— self-examination and repentance,
prayer and fasting,
sacrificial giving and works of love —
strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament.
Let us continue our journey through these forty days
to the great Three Days of Jesus' death and resurrection.”
Blessings to you.
February 15
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Psalm 146:3
Happy Presidents Day to you all.
There are some basic elements of our tradition that serve us very well in our lives. We know better than to put too much trust in one person or another. (Ps 146:3) We know that repentance is the ground of our walk with God. Both of these insights are very important to a thriving human community. They are also easily forgotten or set aside.
I wonder if one of the main gifts of the season of Lent, is to call us to simply return to the basics; the foundations of who we are as God’s people in Christ.
In the 95 Theses, Luther begins with this contention: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent” [Matt. 4:17], he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”
In his Explanation of the 95 Theses - the next year, Luther writes of this first theses: “This I assert, and in no way doubt.”
Our entire lives are a returning to God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Peace to you. Pastor Phil
February 14
Transfiguration Sunday
Happy Valentines Day. Many consider this a great day for poetry and chocolate. Others consider every day a great day for poetry and chocolate. Many more consider every day a great day for chocolate, and poetry, not-so-much. Ha!
There is something about Transfiguration - it is such a different kind of story, it makes me look to poetry to help me hear the story better. This is by an Australian New Testament professor, William Loader. Peace to you.
A PRAYER FOR TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY
Call to Prayer
Let’s go up the mountain.
Let’s go up to the place where the land meets the sky
where the earth touches the heavens,
to the place of meeting,
to the place of mists,
to the place of voices and conversations,
to the place of listening.
Prayer
O God,
We open our eyes and we see Jesus,
the months of ministry transfigured to a beam of light,
the light of the world,
your light.
May your light shine upon us.
We open our eyes and we see Moses and Elijah,
your word restoring us, showing us the way,
telling a story,
your story, his story, our story.
May your word speak to us.
We open our eyes and we see mist,
the cloud of your presence
which assures us of all we do not know
and that we do not need to fear that.
Teach us to trust.
We open our eyes and we see Peter’s constructions,
his best plans, our best plans,
our missing the point,
our missing the way.
Forgive our foolishness and sin
We open our eyes and we see Jesus,
not casting us off,
but leading us down, leading us out -
to ministry, to people.
Your love endures forever.
We open our ears and we hear your voice,
‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him!’
And we give you thanks.
Amen
prepared by William Loader 2/2001 http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/TransfigurationPrayer.htm
February 13
A scribe then approached and said,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:19-20
As we face the bitter cold, let us pray for those who serve us in so many ways and have to work outside. I am thinking of farmers and ranchers, highway workers and electrical line workers. I am thinking about law enforcement officers and more.
Let us also pray for those who have no home. Like the Son of Man, they have nowhere to lay their head, and we have been sent to care for these folks.
Trinity gets to serve the Lunch Together meals this week. Thank you to all who make Lunch Together such an important ministry in our community!
Here is a prayer from our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
God of compassion, whose Son became poor for our sake:
Help us to see the face of Christ in those who are poor,
and in serving them to serve you.
Give us generous hearts so that those living in poverty
may have adequate food, clothing, and shelter.
By your Spirit move us to affirm the dignity of all people
and to work for just laws that protect the most vulnerable in society,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
February 12
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no one on earth could bleach them.
Mark 9:2-3
Some teachers will suggest that it is wise for preachers to read poetry. There are a lot of reasons for that. Unfortunately, I rarely have the patience to work with poetry.
The Transfiguration is a story of wonder. It cannot be broken down to a simple insight, a single “point.”
In many aspects of life, only poetry will do. I think that our hymns are some of the best, and for many of us, maybe the only poetry we encounter.
A speaker I heard years ago talked at some length about Charles Wesley’s closing line of the hymn; “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Changed from glory, into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder love and praise!
I’m not sure of the entirety of what this poetry holds, but I’m sure it speaks about our walk with Jesus, and invites us to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
February 11
And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.
Mark 9:2-3
This coming Sunday we hear the story of the Transfiguration.
Reading worship resources, I liked one prayer that spoke of the sun on the snow. I suspect that the dazzling white that Mark speaks about was like that.
The sun on the snow can be overwhelming, such that it makes you turn away and squint.
The Transfiguration reminds us that there is an element to our encounters with God that bear with it a bit of fear. Not the fear of something cruel, but fear of something so overwhelmingly grand.
Your God. This great, incomprehensible - even scary one - loves you so much, that God has sent Jesus to make you a member of God’s family!
I like this prayer for Sunday…
Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday
(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)
‘they saw his glory…’
Luke 9:32
O God,
whose beauty is beyond our imagining,
and whose power we cannot comprehend:
show us your glory
as far as we can grasp it,
and shield us
from knowing more than we can bear
until we may look upon you without fear,
through Jesus Christ, Amen.
~ written by Janet Morley and originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship
February 10
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
I have a life-size picture of Martin Luther in my office. I set it up sometimes for Zoom meetings. He often brings a smile and a comment or two.
I think that could be a fun metaphor for the many different influences in our lives. Who stands behind you as you make your way through life? What person should you have on a life-size poster, standing behind you on Zoom calls? Parents? Those whom you love and who love you? Teachers and great influences on our Church, like Martin Luther?
Of course, God the Holy Spirit is the one who has called you into the community of faith, and has given you all that you have and all that you are.
This is the foundation of our gratitude, of our faith, of everything.
Thanks be to God.
February 9
And the one who was seated on the throne said,
“See, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 21:5
We sent the Newsletter out yesterday, if you did not get it, please let me know.
This coming Sunday we hear the story of the Transfiguration - Jesus, on the mountaintop, his clothes “dazzling white” talking with Moses and Elijah.
The other day we were driving in the mountains, and we became overwhelmed with the beauty of our surroundings. It is always there, of course, but at that time, and in that place, it was wonderful to behold.
We look head now to the season of Lent, which can be a time to take note of what we always know to be true. Jesus has given himself for you, and made you God’s own child. This deep truth is beyond words, and worthy of our dedication of 40 days of preparation for the celebration of Easter.
I pray that this season may be time for us to reconnect with our God who has made all things new.
Peace, Pastor Phil
February 8
The mighty one, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Psalm 50:1
It looks like the week ahead is going to be remarkable weather-wise. Is the high on Thursday really going to be 6 degrees below zero? Say it ain’t so!!
I smile at the observation that everyone complains about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it.
When we face extreme weather, or other natural events, we can be reminded that God is the creator of all things. Try as we might to alter reality, we are at the mercy of God.
Take note that God is your creator! Maybe register a bit of a complaint with the Lord about this cold, yet also, remember, that all that we have is a gift from this one who makes the sun to rise and set each day.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 7
5 Epiphany
Trinity Lutheran Church Worship for this 5th Sunday after Epiphany, February 7 is now posted at: https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/5-epiphany-february-7 We will record the sermon during the 8:30 service, then post it by 10.
I mentioned yesterday that on Ash Wednesday, February 17, we will have services at noon and 7 p.m. We also will have “Drive-By Ashes” for those who need to remain cautious. We will provide ashes to folks in their cars, in the parking lot. (I had said you could “drive in to the church” - but we’d rather no one did that!)
Here is a prayer grounded in the scripture readings for today.
When Astonishment Turns to Singing: A Prayer
Holy Spirit:
With astonishment,
we see that you renew our strength
constantly.
Allow us not to forget
your presence,
Even in adversity.
And,
in our turn,
we will renew our gratefulness
and we will sing
for your love.
Amen ~ posted on the Sacred Pauses blog. http://www.sacredpauses.com/
February 6
But if we have died with Christ,
we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:8
We are nearing the beginning of the season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday is February 17th.
The Worship and Music Committee met the other day to consider how we should gather for worship in this season. We will have in-person Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7:00 p.m. We will also provide ashes for those who still need to be careful. From 1:00-2:00 and from 5:00-6:00, you are invited to drive in to the Church, and we will administer ashes to people in their cars. “Drive by ashes!”
Over the course of Lent, for the following 5 Wednesdays, our LOGOS youth will work together to help provide online mid-week worship.
It seems “we can see the light at the end of the tunnel” - and we want to continue to be careful. As we come to these last days of the season of Epiphany, I invite you to look ahead and consider how you might make this year’s Lenten season a time of reflection on the great gift of the resurrection, as well as a time of preparation for what lies ahead for us as people of God….
February 5
But if we have died with Christ,
we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:8
Today we have Audrey Doerr’s funeral. She was 99 years old, and came to Sheridan over 65 years ago. She had quite a story, and she delighted in sharing her story with others.
Each and every one of us has our own story, a story that is shaped by where we came from and the people whom we love. Our stories have been united with the story of Jesus, (and one another), through our baptism into Christ…
Among my collection of quotes is this by JRR Tolkien:
"Man is a storytelling animal.
Therefore God has given him a story to live."
In her baptism into Christ, Audrey, like you, was incorporated into Jesus’ story of God’s great love for the world. Our lives are shaped by this story, and our hope is grounded in this story.
May we live this story with joy, and share this love generously.
Peace, Pastor Phil
February 4
In the morning, while it was still very dark, [Jesus] got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35
In the first chapter of Mark, we hear that Jesus took time to be alone in prayer. This is such a simple, every day sort of piety, that you might think that Mark would not mention it. Doesn’t that sort of thing go without saying?
Apparently not.
I think often about how Martin Luther found great, great comfort in Jesus teaching us the Lord’s Prayer. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear Jesus say: ““When you pray, say…” Luther said - often - that this was a command to pray, and inherent in the command, is the promise that God will hear your prayer.
In the morning, while it is still dark, or midday, or maybe a bit later in the day, anytime, really, follow your Lord and turn to God in prayer. Amazingly, God promises to listen!
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 3
“All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD”
Psalm 145:10a
I mentioned a week ago that I had tested positive for Coronavirus, and I want to thank you for your prayers. My symptoms began two weeks ago, and I have been feeling good for two days now. I will be able to come out of quarantine tomorrow, and preside at Audrey Doerr’s funeral on Friday. I am very grateful.
I turn to Psalm 145 today, a Psalm of thanksgiving to God.
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you.” Psalm 145:8-10
One of the great insights of scripture is that God is our creator. Having a creator means that all good things come to us as gift. It means that when good things come our way, when challenges arise, when we are not sure about what is next, we do have one to turn to.
One to thank. One to petition. One to engage us in every chapter along the way.
Your God, the one who has created you and loves you, promises to always be with you.
You are truly gifted!
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 2
…those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
We hear these words of hope from Isaiah 40 this coming Sunday. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
In my reading, I found this to be something I wanted to share with you:
“To ‘wait for the Lord’ is to have confidence, or faith, in the sense of committing oneself to God in hopeful expectation. [The entire reading - Isaiah 40:21-31] amounts to an argument that the dispirited and despondent exiles have good reason to be hopeful. The one who calls them to freedom is the God who created the earth, who calls out the stars, whose strength knows no limits, and who gives that strength to the faint and the powerless, giving those who wait for God the power to fly.” - John H. Hayes, Preaching Through the Christian Year, pg. 94
I am terrible at waiting, and not an especially patient person. I often repeat something my mom liked to say: “Don’t pray for patience. You might get it!”
While few of us appreciate waiting, it is also true that waiting is part of our lives.
May these words of promise wash our waiting in hope in the one who has created and redeemed us!
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 1
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD!
Psalm 122:1
Psalm 122 came to mind this morning. One of the main things we have missed these past several months is being able to safely gather together. I know it will be a while for many of us before we take worship, or family gatherings, or concerts for granted.
I think I already read Psalm 122 differently. I used to think that the Psalmist was speaking of a desire to go and worship God. Surely that was part of it, but now, after this pandemic, I like to think that the poet was also speaking about the gift of being with friends, touching base, catching up, joining in prayer for one another.
As many of our friends are getting the vaccine, as we look ahead to more safely being together, I am grateful for Trinity Lutheran Church.
We resumed in-person worship yesterday, and we had a Zoom congregational meeting. It is good to be together!
I want to remind folks that on Sundays at 10 a.m. - I have been and will continue hosting a Sunday School class on Zoom - Drop in some time and join us…
I am also hosting a noon Zoom pastor’s class on Wednesdays on Zoom. You are welcome any time.
The Sanctuary is open each day for those who would like to stop by to pray.