February 1
A blessed Saturday to you.
Here is a prayer grounded in our scripture readings for tomorrow:
O God of all the prophets,
you knew us and chose us
before you formed us in the womb.
Fill us with faith that speaks your word,
hope that does not disappoint,
and love that bears all things for your sake,
until that day when we shall know you fully,
even as we are known by you. Amen.
Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
February 1
But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Luke 4:30
Oops. I clicked on the wrong date for today’s email, and it was sent yesterday. So, rather than re-send that one, I will include Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes’ reflection grounded in tomorrow’s Gospel story.
Blessings to you this Saturday, I hope you can join us in worship tomorrow.
They drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill,
so that they might hurl him off the cliff.
But he passed through the midst of them
and went on his way.
—Luke 4.29-30
He didn’t argue with them,
didn’t fight or outsmart them,
made no clever ninja moves.
In the arms of the breeze
at the cliff edge,
light falling like rain,
before they did something stupid
he gave himself to them fully,
forgiving them already,
which raised a question
that doused their shouting,
that spoke a silence
that cut through their first-stone piety,
that passed through to their midst,
their center,
and finally
they were not
so sure of themselves,
which was not so much
his salvation
as theirs.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 2
I hope you can join us for worship today at 9:00 a.m.
The service is posted online
The Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love;
and that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
February 3
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord...
Luke 2:22
Although we marked yesterday as the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, February 2nd is also The Feast of the Presentation. That is, 40 days after his birth, Jesus’ parents brought him to the Temple for purification for both Jesus and Mary.
There Simeon proclaimed his words of praise: (I prefer the RSV version):
Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word;
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”
Here is a prayer for the Feast of the Presentation:
Lord, set your servant free,
let us go in peace as you have promised;
open our eyes to see the Savior,
the one you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.
In the darkness inspire us to bring light to your people
who still sit in darkness
and to proclaim release for those who are not free to go.
In the name of the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
February 4
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Psalm 89:2
I got to pray the Invocation at our Sheridan City Council meeting last night.
Before sharing the prayer, I mentioned that in the Small Catechism, Martin Luther, says that in the Lord's Prayer, when we pray for daily bread, among the things meant by daily bread is “good government.”
We are so fortunate to have the government that we have, to have the many services that make our lives what they are. I mentioned that I was grateful to those who plowed the snow on our streets. If you think about it, we are quite blessed simply to have streets, and so much more!
I shared a prayer from our hymnal
Almighty God, we lift before you all who govern this Sheridan.
May those who hold power understand
that it is a trust from you to be used,
not for personal glory or profit,
but for the service of the people.
Drive from us cynicism, selfishness, and corruption;
grant in your mercy just and honest government;
and give us grace to live together in unity and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ELW page 77
Blessings to you, let us be grateful for our government, and let us be responsible citizens, who work to serve God’s justice for all.
Pastor Phil
February 5
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:34
Here is a nice stewardship reflection from Pastor Tim Brown, our ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship Support. Pastor Brown spoke at our Synod Assembly two years ago. (I think he was here two years ago. They sort of start to blend together!)
His stewardship question also serves to be a fitting question for a community that is looking ahead to transitions and new beginnings.
I hope you appreciate Pastor Brown’s wise words.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
A Stewardship Question: Who Are You?
The Christmas lights have long been put away in most homes, though some still illuminate our neighborhood in the dusk hours. The magi have made their way home, taking a different route than the way they came.
And now?
Now the church begins the hard task of hearing story after story about who this Jesus is. The magi give us a glimpse. The baptism by John in the Jordan gives us some idea. The wedding at Cana offers another piece to the puzzle. The first sermon Jesus gives, identifying him as a preacher and prophet, was heard [two Sundays ago] in many churches.
And this [last] Sunday?
We heard that, after his first sermon, the people try to throw Jesus off a cliff because they don’t like what they’ve heard…
Between the magi visiting and the transfiguration, this season in the church year is designed to give clues to one question: who is Jesus?
This should invite each of us, and each of our congregations, to ask a follow-up question:
Because of Jesus, who are we?
Who are you? Who is your church?
Being clear about identity is a key stewardship question, beloved.
When we know who we are as a congregation, we can better identify what God is calling us to do in our particular plot of creation and how we are to steward our time and resources.
Have you worked on being crystal-clear about who you are as a congregation? Have you moved ...to a specific identity in Christ that can guide your mission in the world?
These early days of the year, when we’re exploring through the Scriptures just who Jesus is, are a perfect time for [Trinity] to also identify who you are, by God.
After all, when we’re clear about who God is calling us to be, we can then be specifically clear about how God is calling us to be in this world.
Pax,
The Rev. Tim Brown
Director of Congregational Stewardship Support
February 6
Jesus said to them,
“You give them something to eat.”
They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish...”
Luke 9:13
Last night our Logos youth prepared a few posters inviting you to join them in the effort to "Tackle Hunger."
"The Souper Bowl of Caring" began with a single Church youth group and has become a tradition. Following worship on Sunday, you will be invited to toss a dollar (or more) into a soup pot, and this year, that money will go to The Food Group.
Feeding the hungry is a core discipline for all who are called to follow Christ, and I am glad we can work together with our youth to be a part of this work in God's world.
Here is a prayer from our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
The poor
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.
ELW page 79
February 7
So if you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God
Colossians 3:1
In our Wednesday noon class, we are looking at the book of Colossians. We are in chapter 3, and you are welcome to join us - I think we may spend a few weeks on these 25 verses.
Paul exhorts us to live our lives shaped by the Gospel.
In Colossians 3:4 we hear: “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).”
One commentator, speaking of this passage wrote about the “the idolatry of covetousness.”
That caught my heart and mind, and it rang true. Covetousness and greed truly are idolatry. I think of a comment from one of my teachers, who said that Luther contended that the entire Gospel was contained in the First Commandment. If we were to live with God as our God. If we were to have no other gods, we would live in the blessedness of the Gospel.
Our sin is that which separates us from God, and our neighbor.
This coming Lent we will spend some time with Colossians 3, and dive a bit deeper into these words of encouragement and grace.
Peace to you this weekend. Pastor Phil
February 8
For he and all who were with him were amazed
at the catch of fish that they had taken
Luke 5:9
A reflection on tomorrow’s Gospel
Blessings to you today!
Broken nets,
hold-overs,
loaded
with
fish.
Do not be afraid. Now it is
my sea of humanity.
From here on
you will
catch
men
and
women.
Lord,
give us your worthiness
instead of our non-
worthiness.
Make us
deeper
than
our
doubts.
Let us fall
on our knees
as did Simon Peter.
Help us in the catching
and surely in the being caught.
Copyright © 2025, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 9
I hope you can join us for worship today at 9:00 a.m.
The service is posted online.
The Prayer of the Day
Most holy God,
the earth is filled with your glory,
and before you angels and saints stand in awe.
Enlarge our vision to see your power at work in the world,
and by your grace make us heralds of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
February 10
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace toward me has not been in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:10a
The 15th chapter of First Corinthians holds some pretty wonderful teaching for us from Paul. We should all probably spend a good deal of time with these words that teach a great deal about the resurrection.
Verse ten holds Paul’s wonderful confession/admission/standing place: “by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain…”
Oh that we could all come to this conclusion, that - by grace - we are who we are, created and recreated in God’s image.
The entirety of verse ten reads:
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace toward me has not been in vain.
On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—
though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
I liked this commentary written by New Testament professor, Carla Works, who is New Testament professor and College Dean at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
'In this season of Epiphany, we are reminded that seeing the resurrected Christ changed the trajectory of Paul’s life. Without the revelation of Christ, there is no good news. When God reveals God’s self, our little worlds are transformed. We cannot go on with life as normal, because we cannot un-see God in our midst. Like Paul, we are unworthy of this life-changing revelation. May we work tirelessly — as Paul did (1 Corinthians 15:10) — to extend God’s grace to others.'
I like how Paul rests in grace - the gift is given, I am who I am - and he works tirelessly as well. Quite a pattern for us all.
Peace to you today, Pastor Phil
February 11
Happy are they who have not walked
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
...They are like trees
planted by streams of water
Psalm 1:1, 3a
Our Psalm this coming Sunday is Psalm 1. It serves as an introduction to the entire book.
I like how Pastor James Howell, opened his reflection for preachers to consider these verses on Luther Seminary’s preaching website:
How fascinating: the book of Psalms, the prayer book of the Bible, the hymnal of ancient Israel, opens with a poem about ethics, lifestyle, and decisions.
It is as if the secret tip is being shared before we bother praying or worshipping. The goal is a changed life. God requires a decision, it’s black and white… A thousand little decisions and the occasional Big Decision: do you “walk in the counsel of the wicked or delight in the law of the Lord?”
Once the choice is framed this way, it’s no choice at all, is it? I mean, you would never knowingly choose evil or destruction. Will I jump off a cliff? Or sit down to a sumptuous dinner with those I love? Will I ruin my life? Or fulfill my destiny?
But if the choice is so easy, why then do we find our ears perking up to the whispering of wickedness? And why would our attitude toward “the law of the Lord” not be fairly characterized as “delight?”
The “counsel of the wicked” is sneaky, isn’t it? The devil doesn’t jump out in a red suit, breathing fire, and wielding a blazing pitchfork. No, the devil dresses up like an angel of light, promising you the moon.
The “good life” is defined by society in ways that mimic the good life God offers, yet different enough to fool us. Then, we are led to a vapid life that pays little attention to God and leaves us hollow inside: wealth, pleasure, leisure — not evil−but a bit out of kilter with God’s adventure, which would be the richness of generosity and prayer, the pleasure of service and worship, and the leisure of Sabbath rest and silence in the presence of God.
James Howell, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
In the water and the Word, God has made a decision about you. May our resulting decisions help us to follow God’s way, so that all whom we know may prosper.
Peace, Pastor Phil
February 12
[Jesus said]
“I will not leave you orphaned;
I am coming to you…”
John 14:18
Our Transition Team met for the second time yesterday. They will be working with Council to help prepare us for what God has in store for Trinity for the days to come.
I ran across this reflection by Will Willimon around Christmas time, and thought I would use it some day for connections… This is a word that speaks to us now, as we look to the future. It is good to be reminded that God is with us, and will not leave us forsaken. Peace to you, Pastor Phil
The best Christmas sermon I ever heard was from the preacher who stood up on Christmas Eve and simply said to his congregation.
“Tonight, I have some breaking news.”
Then he leaned into the microphone for good effect and said, “Good news. Tonight, the invasion has begun. We’re about to be liberated. God’s come for us.”
He sat down and we sang Christmas carols like our lives depended upon it, which of course, they do.
Sorry if you thought God was a projection of your fondest wishes and deepest desires, a technique for getting peace or justice or happiness or joy or whatever it is you think you just must have more than God.
One comes to us; one whom we did not expect. Your world is about to be rocked. Don’t be surprised that you are surprised.
Will Willimon
February 13
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.
Malachi 3:1
This devotion was in Christ in Our Home two weeks ago. Someone shared it with me and thought it was fitting for us all. I have to agree…
I lie how this invites us to look ahead with expectation for God to provide a messenger to bear God’s message of hope and love.
This is written by Pastor Paul Lutter…
God's messenger
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. Malachi 3:1
As an interim pastor, I work with congregations to prepare them for their next pastor. This work is shared by the whole congregation. At each stage, members are invited into conversations that reveal both what ministry has been happening and what the congregation hopes and imagines for its future. In grief over what once was and has now ended, the congregation takes stock of what it needs to release so the faith community may grow in its discipleship and mission in Christ. At the same time, in celebration, people may wonder how their strengths may continue to increase. Grieving while also celebrating can be difficult. Still, through all of it, God prepares the people for a future with hope.
Though he was a prophet, it could maybe be said that Malachi was an interim pastor. He announced the coming of a messenger, one "in whom you delight" and whose purpose it would be to proclaim a new and present hope for the people (v. 1).
Prayer: Thank you for those whom you have sent to proclaim good news to us. Open us to their message. Amen.
February 14
My beloved speaks and says to me:
“Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.
Song of Solomon 2:10-11
A blessed Valentine’s Day to you!
While Lutherans tend not to make much of saint’s days, I sometimes think we can be wise to remember the witness of remarkable Christians of the past. Here is a good Valentine’s Day quote from Martin Luther.
Faith brings you to Christ
and makes him your own with all that he has;
love gives you to your neighbor
with all that you have.
- Martin Luther
Those are typical of Luther’s perspective, that the love we live out as God’s people in Christ, is a love that is directed toward those around us.
Another Valentine’s Day quote you may appreciate, this by essayist Rita Rudner: “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”
Ha!
Have a great day, Pastor Phil
February 15
When I remember you in my prayers,
I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints
and your faith toward the Lord Jesus
Philemon 1:4
The Montana Synod Prayer Calendar has two churches on their list this week:
Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheridan, WY; Hope Lutheran Church, Powell, WY
It is good to know that there are folks across our Synod praying for us this week. Here is the Prayer of the Week from the Montana Synod weekly email announcements…
Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil
O God,
it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace.
Let the design of your great love
shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows,
and give peace to your church,
peace among nations,
peace in our homes,
and peace in our hearts;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 16
I hope you can join us for worship today at 9:00 a.m.
The service is posted online, click here. https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/6-epiphany-february-16
We will try to livestream the service, click here. https://youtube.com/live/BNTwqdUWUN8?feature=share
The Prayer of the Day:
Living God,
in Christ you make all things new.
Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
February 17
To the King of the ages,
immortal, invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
Our first hymn yesterday was “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”. I mentioned in worship yesterday, that I think one could turn to the words to that hymn for reflection and devotions for quite a while. Our hymnal tells us the lyrics were written by Walter Chalmers Smith, who lived from 1824-1908.
Looking online, I see that he was a Scottish Free Church minister.
The United Methodist Discipleship web site says this about Smith’s well loved hymn: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-immortal-invisible-god-only-wise
How do you express the inexpressible mystery of the Creator whose name was unutterable in Hebrew Scriptures, save the self-described "I AM"? How do you put into words what cannot be known? How do you sing about the One who is ineffable -- beyond all words?
Walter Chalmers Smith attempted this in his classic hymn, "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise."
I really like the final stanza:
Thou reignest in glory, thou dwellest in light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
ELW #834
There is a category of Christian theology that speaks of “the hiddenness of God.” That is the fact that God really cannot be proved, but must be encountered as God chooses to be revealed. Luther spoke often of how the glory of God is hidden in Jesus’ suffering and cross.
Our inability to always see and perceive God’s presence is not a deficiency in God, but it is a matter of our poor vision, and perhaps, also, God’s blinding glory.
May you know God’s presence today! Pastor Phil
February 18
When they had finished breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him,
“Feed my lambs.”
John 21:15
I received this note from ELCA World Hunger yesterday, and I thought I would share it with you. I am deeply grateful for the faithful work of our Church, and the ways we are able to serve with people throughout the world to bring God’s loving care for people in need.
This coming Sunday we will have our Noisy Offering which goes to ELCA World Hunger…
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
Despite changes to humanitarian aid, ELCA World Hunger is steadfast.
For over 50 years, ELCA World Hunger has worked to end hunger, connecting people with food, health care, job opportunities, clean water and education. U.S. foreign aid is shifting constantly, and we’re already seeing the impacts in Tanzania and South Sudan. But ELCA World Hunger stands with the individuals and communities it serves.
Our call to build a just world where all are fed is more urgent than ever. We can do so much more together than we can alone — will you join us?
Meet Daniel.
Daniel Budongo lives in rural Tanzania and has a small farm where he grows food for his wife and four children. Despite his hard work, his farm faced environmental changes and other challenges, and it wasn’t producing enough to feed his family for more than a short time.
By making a gift to ELCA World Hunger today, you empower people such as Daniel to feed their families — and build a more secure, hope-filled future.
After joining a community loan group supported by ELCA World Hunger, Daniel was able to buy a motorbike, build a simple retail shop and expand his family’s farm. He also received the training and supplies he needed to start growing climate-resilient cassava.
“Now I have peace of mind,” Daniel says. “My family has an assurance of sufficient food and other basic needs.”
When you give to ELCA World Hunger, you are not just giving a meal. You are providing sustainable futures for whole communities. Will you donate today?
As a church, we respond to the call to “love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). ELCA World Hunger has over 50 years of expertise in the work to end hunger. This ministry is uniquely positioned to reach those in need through deep relationships with local communities, churches and programs in over 65 countries across the globe.
In the face of uncertainty, our faith calls us to be a stable presence in the lives of families such as Daniel’s. Give today, and together we can build a just world where all are fed.
In Christ,
The Rev. John Eggen
Senior Director, Annual Giving
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
February 19
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
The Center for Congregational Health provides some information for congregations facing transitions. On their web site, they had a devotion by Tony Robinson. He is a UCC minister and he consults with congregations. I thought I would share this with you today:
Memory Work
By Tony Robinson
“My mouth will proclaim the Lord’s praise, and every living thing will bless God’s holy name forever and always.” – Psalm 145: 21 (CEB)
Psalm 145 is an alphabetic acrostic poem, which means that each verse is keyed to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This device is an aid for memorization.
After Christmas one year I drove five hours to visit my father, who had Alzheimer’s. He was then in a care home with twenty other people whose memories were also shot.
He was asleep when I arrived, which was not unusual. Previous experience had taught me it was better not to wake him, but to wait and let him wake of his own accord. A good nap often restored a bit of lucidity, if briefly.
So I sat and waited. To pass the time I sang Christmas carols. I was also hoping that the familiar words and tunes might summon him to consciousness. He slept on, peacefully so far as I could tell.
When I ran out of carols, I tried a few familiar verses from the Bible, like the 23rd and 121st Psalms. He did not stir. Since I seemed to be conducting a sort of worship service for the sleeping (not the first time), I moved to the Lord’s Prayer. My Dad had taught me the Lord’s Prayer when I was a child. We said it together most nights before I went to sleep.
As I prayed the Lord’s Prayer, I noticed his hands at his sides had begun to float slowly upward like two giant fluttering moths. “Forgive us our debts . . .” His hands came together — praying hands. “For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” As I said those last words, he opened his eyes and smiled. He said, “Oh, it’s you. What a nice surprise.”
We are to write the words of Scripture upon our hearts, said the rabbi, so that when our hearts break, God’s word falls into them.
Prayer
For the precious and fragile threads that connect us one to another, we give thanks, O God.
Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher, and writer. His newest book is, Called to Lead: Paul’s Letters to Timothy for a New Day.
That brings to mind this story that I set aside years ago:
A disciples asks the rebbe, 'Why does the Torah tell us to "place these words upon your hearts"? Why does it not tell us to place these holy words in our hearts?' The rebbe answers, 'It is because as we are, our hearts are closed, and we cannot place the holy words in our hearts. So we place them on top of our hearts. And there they stay, until, one day, the heart breaks and the words fall in.’
May God’s words of promise keep you warm today.
Pastor Phil
February 20
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Matthew 6:36
I want to mention here that on Sunday we will have a Luncheon at 11:30 to meet and thank those who are serving on our Transition Team. I hope you can join in for that time of fellowship. I want to once again ask you to pray faithfully for them as they endeavor to lead us forward to live into the changes God has in store for Trinity. They are: Dayton Alsaker, Stewart Deines, Susan Dewald, Wendy Gnehm, Jake Mack, Shawna Michelena.
Also on Sunday we will hear more of the Sermon on the Plain. Our reading Sunday begins:
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”
I have been looking ahead to our reflection on this Word from Jesus for a few weeks now. There are many questions we could ask that would only begin to plumb the depths of Jesus’ proclamation of God’s Kingdom ways in the world. One that David Lose asks is whether this is a command or a promise. That is to say, is this a rule that we must follow? Or is it an invitation to live in an entirely new way in this world.
Dr. Walter Brueggemann offers insights that visit well with the Sermon on the Plain and suggest that Jesus has offered us an invitation to a New Song:
The new song never describes the world the way it now is. The new song imagines how the world will be in God’s good time to come. The new song is a protest against the way the world now is. The new song is refusal to accept the present world as it is, a refusal to believe this is right or that the present will last. The church is always at its most daring and risking and dangerous and free when it sings a new song. Because then it sings that the power of the gospel will not let the world finally stay as it is.
Walter Brueggemann
The New Song of the Gospel invites us to live in God’s beloved community where all are welcome, and no one is in danger. May we seek to live in tis community always.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 21
[God’s] anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5
I continue to wrestle with our Gospel reading for Sunday. Jesus says that his instruction to us is for us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us. This brings to mind this line I set aside from Marilyn Robinson, I believe it is from her novel, ‘Gilead.'
…It seems to me people tend to forget that we are to love our enemies, not to satisfy some standard of righteousness, but because God their Father loves them.”
Marilyn Robinson, Gilead
I think about the insight offered in the book “Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms” by Dr. Rolf Jacobson, OT Professor at Luther Seminary. In speaking of the Anger of God, he says that God is angry at those things that hurt us, and those things that hurt others… God’s anger is but for a moment, God’s favor for a lifetime. The call to love our enemies, is an invitation to dwell in God’s favored life for all.
Peace to you this weekend, Pastor Phil
February 22
"But love your enemies, do good,
and lend, expecting nothing in return."
Luke 6:35
Here is a prayer based on tomorrow’s Gospel.
Blessings, Pastor Phil
Injured?
Offer the other cheek.
There is only embrace and kiss.
Don’t lend and demand repayment, you say.
There is only give all your money, or whatever you have.
There is no get-that-cloak-back when someone takes your coat.
Instead, buy the person a wardrobe.
God of inexhaustible love,
pour your gift of love on us, over us and within us,
all of it, shaken down, overflowing.
Let us love each other well,
with your own
prodigal,
radical,
love.
Copyright © 2025, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
February 23
I hope you can join us for worship today
The service is posted online.
The Prayer of the Day
O Lord Jesus,
make us instruments of your peace,
that where there is hatred, we may sow love,
where there is injury, pardon,
and where there is despair, hope.
Grant, O divine master,
that we may seek to console, to understand,
and to love in your name,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
February 24
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
I Corinthians 15:26
Our Gathering Hymn yesterday was "All Creatures of Our God and King.” The hymn is a paraphrase of a poem written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225. The Canticle of the Sun is based on Psalm 148.
I wonder how often I have sung this hymn, and it was just yesterday that I found the 5th stanza to be wonder inducing poetry.
And you, most gentle sister death,
waiting to hush our final breath, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Since Christ in light has pierced your gloom,
fair is the night that leads us home
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
ELW 835
Jesus says we are to love our enemies. Paul says that death is the last enemy destroyed by God in Christ. The hymn speaks to death and proclaims that Christ “has pierced your doom.” The victory Christ gives through the resurrection is the only way we can sing a song such as this.
As we look ahead a bit over a week to the beginning of Lent, let us remember that each day is lived in the light of the Easter hope God gives us through the resurrection.
Blessings, Pastor Phil
February 25
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…
Luke 4:1-2a
I know that Ash Wednesday is a week from tomorrow, but I am thinking about Lent, and for the next few days I thought I would share some incisive quotes I have set aside..
Here is an excerpt from a First Sunday in Lent sermon by Barbara Brown Taylor from her book, Home By Another Way, (That title comes from an Epiphany sermon about the Magi, who, as they left Bethlehem, went home by another way...):
...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 we always live by grace alone, Peace to you, Pastor Phil
February 26
Wretched man that I am!
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Romans 7:24
Ten years ago, Rev. Sarah Condon wrote a pre-Lent reflection titled: “What Would Jesus Do for Lent?” Her concluding words fix our eyes, not on our selves and what we can do, rather, they are focused on Christ, who gives himself for the life of the world. (She finishes with a different translation of the second verse of A Mighty Fortress)…
I would argue that Lent is not about us giving something up. In fact, it is not about our actions at all. Lent is a moment when we watch Jesus from afar. We are on the other side of the desert, watching him deny himself, bearing witness to his teachings and miracles, observing the disciples failing to stay awake, knowing that the agony of the cross is close at hand.
Lent is not sad because we can’t eat carbs. Lent is sad because we are forced to watch the slow, deliberate movement of our Savior from his ministry to his cross. And it reminds us of our sin and our powerlessness over it.
We were not in the desert for 40 days fending off the devil and all manner of temptation. Jesus was. For us. Because we are sinners. And as such, we would have taken all the devil offered.
Cue my Lenten jam:
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
-A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Martin Luther
Sarah Condon
Blessings to you! Pastor Phil
February 27
For this reason,
though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty,
yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—
and I, Paul, do this as an old man,
and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
Philemon 1:8-9
I ran across this beautiful and thought provoking line a few years ago when preparing for an Altar Guild conversation:
“Duty makes us do things well.
Love makes us do things beautifully.”
Beginning June first, we will be having guest preachers regularly, and we will need people to serve as hosts and worship leaders. I would like to invite anyone who would be willing to learn a bit about serving in this role to consider the possibility. We will schedule a learning session soon.
“Duty makes us do things well. Love makes us do things beautifully.” This is from Phillips Brooks, the 19th century Episcopal priest who wrote the Christmas carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. In this day and age, we tend to see duty in an entirely negative light. Yet, when undertaken in love, many things are transformed from a bother, to a privilege.
In his book on Biblical stewardship, Mark Allan Powell speaks of giving as our duty and delight.
So, I want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of those who fulfill the many ‘duties’ that are undertaken for Trinity to function as this life-giving church that we are. “Thank you" to all those who work together to make Trinity a wonderful church. As a congregation we call one another gather together around the great Good News of the Gospel, and we send one another out to bear God’s love in every context in which we live.
A duty and delight indeed!
Blessings to you all, Pastor Phil
February 28
“The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.””
Luke 5:35
I shared something a lot like this last year on the Friday before Ash Wednesday…
I am thinking about something I set aside years ago. A preacher said that she thought we make a mistake when we do not encourage people to fast during Lent. I have to admit that I am guilty of this. I’ve often suggested taking something on instead instead of giving something up. Inviting us to be more intentional in prayer, or to add Wednesday evening worship or something like that. She says that is, quote: “a bunch of bunk.”
Not only does this hurt my feelings, it makes me think.
She suggests that we miss out on one of our few chances to encourage self-sacrifice.
The preacher is Rev. Barbara Schmitz. She wrote:
“…the purpose of giving something up is to sharpen our senses. It is to realize, ‘I am really hungry.’ …And then to sit with it. To sit with the thirst, the hunger, the emptiness, the loneliness, and let it be real. …And then the most important step: to invite God into that vacuum.
‘Oh, God, I'd love a cup of coffee this morning, but how much more so, oh God, do I need you! Come and fill me, fill me up, I am empty, Lord, and I need you!’
Rev. Schmitz concludes:
The key is to become empty so that God can fill us up.”
Preaching To Myself: And Other Hints On How To Preach Great Sermons 52 Weeks A Year by Barbara G. Schmitz
I find that she has quite a point. Lent is not a time to improve ourselves, or achieve anything. Perhaps it is, most of all, a time to tune our ears and our lives to our great need for the love of God and the overflowing grace of Christ.
Perhaps fasting, or adding Wednesday worship or some such discipline can help with that.
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil