January '23

Name of Jesus Sunday

January 1

We can still say 'Merry Christmas' even as we wish one another 'Happy New Year!'

On the 8th Day of Christmas, we mark the naming of Jesus. And so, when Christmas is on a Sunday, this Sunday is Name of Jesus Sunday...

The story is told in Luke 2:21 "After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Here is the Prayer of the Day for today:

Eternal Father,

you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus

to be a sign of our salvation.

Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen


January 2

An angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,

for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will bear a son,

and you are to name him

Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21-22

A blessed 9th Day of Christmas to you.

Yesterday we touched base with the story of Jesus being given the name Jesus… (Yesterday we read from Matthew 1, Luke 2:21 tells us: “After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”)

Jesus bears his name as the one who will save. You, too are named by God. You are named beloved child of God.

I think of this great verse from Isaiah 43

But now thus says the LORD,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

Blessings to you, may you bear your name well! Pastor Phil

January 3

And you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

Isaiah 62:2b

The 10th Day of Christmas finds us still at the very beginning of the New Year. There are all sorts of news stories looking back on the past year, and looking ahead to 2023.

In a way, we could say that Christians regularly look back critically, and look ahead with hope. That is the point of the order of confession and forgiveness when we gather for worship. (Ideally.) We take note of and confess our shortcomings, and we give thanks for the gift of forgiveness. Unburdened from shame - we are set free to live into the new day.

A fuller quote from Isaiah 62 is:

“The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;

but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married;

for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.”

I think of the words of a song I learned at Church Camp - - I Will Change Your Name. The lyrics are meant to be the words of the Lord, speaking to us.

I will change your name,

You shall no longer be called Wounded,

Outcast, Lonely or Afraid.

I will change your name.

Your new name shall be Confidence,

Joyfulness, Overcoming One.

Faithfulness, Friend of God,

One who seeks My face.

May 2023 be a season of seeking God’s grace, knowing that God desires a relationship of love with you.

Peace, Pastor Phil


January 4

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Here is a thought provoking line from Rachel Held Evans.

She was born in 1981, and was a writer who spoke about the American Church and the concerns of millennials like herself. She died 2 years ago due to a severe infection…

In part she was concerned about how much of the American Church is perceived to be judgmental and… well, she was quite a writer…

God's ways are higher than our ways

not because God is less compassionate than we are

but because God is more compassionate

than we can ever imagine.

-Rachel Held Evans

Blessing to you this 11th Day of Christmas. Pastor Phil

January 5

On entering the house,

[the Magi] saw the child with Mary his mother.

Falling to their knees, they honored him.”

Matthew 2:11

Today is the 12th Day of Christmas. It wasn’t that long ago that I learned that the title of the Shakespeare play; Twelfth Night” referred to the last day of the Christmas season…

There is a tradition of marking Epiphany with a Blessing of the Home service. At LOGOS last night, we went over a service for the Blessing of a Home with our LOGOS youth, and encouraged one to take the liturgy home, and lead their family in a blessing of their home.

Here is a prayer for that service - (if you would like the entire service, simply respond to this email, and I will send it your way).

Eternal God, bless this home.

Let your love rest upon it

and your promised presence be manifested in it.

May the members of this household (Names)

grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Teach them to love, as you have loved us;

and help us all to live in the peace of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

One last time, Merry Christmas! Pastor Phil

January 6

Today is Epiphany, the Christmas season has ended, and now we look ahead into the year, and live into the transformed reality that God has given us through the incarnation.

I saw this poem and set it aside for today.

In part, the Epiphany is a celebration of the fact that God has reached out to all the nations with God’s love and grace.

A blessed Epiphany to you! Pastor Phil

We Come with Open Hearts - Philip Britts

We have not come like Eastern kings

With gifts upon the pommel lying.

Our hands are empty, and we came

Because we heard a baby crying.


We have not come like questing knights

With fiery swords and banners flying.

We heard a call and hurried here –

The call was like a baby crying.


But we have come with open hearts

From places where the torch is dying.

We seek a manger and a cross

Because we heard a baby crying.

Source: Water at the Roots: Poems and Insights of a Visionary Farmer - Philip Britts

January 7

Be strong.

Psalm 31:24

I remember when I first saw this beautiful Christmas poem by Howard Thurman. My cousin sent a Christmas card with these inspiring and challenging words.

As we enter the season of Epiphany, I thought it appropriate to share this with you today. (I suspect I’ve shared this in other Connections…)


The Work of Christmas Begins - Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.


I hope to see you in worship tomorrow, at either the 8:30 or 11:00 service!

Peace, Pastor Phil

Baptism of Our Lord

January 8

Worship today is at 8:30 and 11:00, the service will be posted online

The Prayer of the Day

O God our Father,

at the baptism of Jesus

you proclaimed him your beloved Son

and anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

Make all who are baptized into Christ

faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons,

and empower us all with your Spirit,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

Blessings, Pastor Phil

January 9

Be strong.

Psalm 31:24

Here is a Psalm for the week, the opening lines of the Psalm we will hear this coming Sunday, Psalm 40.

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the desolate pit,

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make

the Lord their trust…

January 10

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 40:1

I’ve shared before, some insights from Tish Harrison Warren, a priest in the Episcopalian Church.

In her book “Prayer in the Night”, she begins by sharing a crisis she faced, and how the prayers of the liturgy of Compline (evening prayer) helped her in that time.

She suggests that the prayers of the Church can help to shape our walk in God’s grace in helpful ways:

Every prayer I have ever prayed,

from the most faithful to the least,

has been in part

a confession uttered in the Gospel of Mark:

"I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

That was my prayer

as I repeated the well-worn words of

Compline that night.

And as countless nights before,

the church,

in the midst of my weakness,

responded with her ancient voice: “

Here are some words.

Pray them.

They are strong enough to hold you.

These will help your unbelief.”

- Prayer in the Night - by Tish Harrison Warren pg. 8

The Lord will listen, and the Lord can speak to us as well, with words given to us by our Church.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

January 11

But Jesus answered [John the Baptist],

“Let it be so now;

for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”

Luke 3:15

Our Noon Class meets today, we are looking at the Gospel of Matthew. Consider joining us and being a part of the conversation!

The season of Epiphany begins with the story of Jesus’ baptism, from there, we begin to delve into what it means to be a part of this community through our adoption into the people of God.

Here is a reflection on Jesus’ baptism by preacher, Will Willimon that spoke to my heart. (“metanoia” is the Greek word for repentance):

As he submits to John’s baptism of repentance,

Jesus shows the radical way

he will confront the sin that enslaves humanity.

Jesus’ “baptism,” begun in the Jordan

and completed on Golgotha,

is repentance, self-denial, metanoia to the fullest.…

To be baptized “into Christ” and “in the name of Christ”

means to be incorporated into the way of life

which characterized his life,

the life of the empty one,

the servant,

the humble one,

the obedient one,

obedient even unto death (Phil. 2:6–11).

Will Willimon

Incorporated into Christ’s life, there is a distinct shape to the way ahead.

Peace, Pastor Phil

January 12

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Galatians 5:22-23

Here is a prayer I have shared previously in Connections; I like how this prayer grounds our diversity in God’s Trinity.

As we pray for our country and our elected leaders, let us pray for one another, that we might be loving citizens who help to make our country a more perfect union.

God Bless you, Pastor Phil

The Nation

Holy Trinity, one God,

you show us the splendor of diversity

and the beauty of unity in your own divine life.

Make us, who came from many nations with many languages,

a united people that delights in our many different gifts.

Defend our liberties,

and give those whom we have entrusted with authority

the spirit of wisdom,

that there might be justice and peace in our land.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

our sovereign and our Savior.

Amen.

ELW page 77

January 13

I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice

Proverbs 8:20

For some reason, I am sort of suspicious of the idea of pilgrimage. The idea that you might go someplace and have a special religious encounter.

When I think it through a bit, though, there might be gifts in looking at our lives as a pilgrimage. Wherever we go, of course, is made holy by the love of God. All that we do, is lived in the presence of God. Every breath that we take, is a gift from God. The incarnation means that God has come to be with us, right here and right now.

In his book, “Without Oars,” Wes Granberg-Michaelson makes this observation from a pilgrimage to the Camino, (which is in Northern Spain).

“On the Camino de Santiago, makeshift shrines along the way are littered with things pilgrims have left behind - an extra pair of shoes, a sweater, a razorblade, an inflatable pillow, a book, a pair of pants, a makeup kit. Nearly every pilgrim on the Camino, despite careful packing, discovers that they are carrying too much.”

Wes Granberg-Michaelson, Without Oars, p. 13

As we venture into this Epiphany season - (make our pilgrimage through life?) - we might want to discard those things that weigh us down, and get in the way of love…

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

January 14

I hope to see you in worship tomorrow.

Here is a prayer based on the Gospel reading for tomorrow from the first chapter of John.

O God,

you spoke your word

and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ.

Fill all creation with that word again,

so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations

and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples,

we may become one living body,

your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

January 15

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Worship today at 8:30 and 11:00. The service will be posted online.

The prayer of the day.

O God,

you spoke your word

and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ.

Fill all creation with that word again,

so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations

and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples,

we may become one living body,

your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

Blessings to you today!

January 16

To the church of God that is in Corinth,

to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints,

together with all those who in every place

call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

both their Lord and ours

I Corinthians 1:2

I shared a quote from Bishop H. George Anderson in the sermon yesterday. Someone asked for a copy and I thought I would include it in Connections.

Bishop Anderson was the 2nd presiding bishop of the ELCA, serving from 1995-2001. I believe this is from notes I took when I heard him speak at a gathering of Montana Synod pastoral leaders.

He was talking about the changing times in which we live, and the possibilities for us as members of Christ’s Church. (We’ve been talking about this fast changing culture for some time now, haven’t we?)

I think about how this insight speaks to an interesting reality.

What we want, is not necessarily what we need.

Among the things that Jesus can accomplish in us when we live in relationship with him, is shape not only our forgiveness and love, but also shape our desires…

Here is the quote:

"There is a great spiritual hunger in our world,

but not for the Gospel.

What people want is

comfort, security, and to be left alone.

What people need is

service, sacrifice and being brought together.

People need to see our God

who not simply meets their needs,

but challenges them!"

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

January 17

And the king will answer them,

‘Truly I tell you,

just as you did it to one of the least of these

who are members of my family,

you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

In the Confirmation Service, the Service of Affirmation of Baptism, the Confirmand is asked:

“You have made public profession of your faith.

Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:

to live among God’s faithful people,

to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,

to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,

to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?”

The response is: “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”

Marking Martin Luther King Day yesterday, we might well consider our baptismal call to work for justice and peace in all the earth.

Jesus Christ shapes our life by his call to grace and forgiveness, to self-giving love, and a regard for “the least of these.” Your baptism into Christ sends you to bear God’s creative and redeeming love to all whom you can. While the culture invites us to selfishness bordering on self-absorption, the Gospel shapes us quite differently.

May the cross-shaped call of Jesus shape your life today and always.

Pastor Phil

January 18

For you were called to freedom,

brothers and sisters;

only do not use your freedom

as an opportunity for self-indulgence,

but through love

become slaves to one another.

Galatians 5:13

I like this reflection from Fr. Henri Nouwen, as he relates freedom to Jesus’ call to love and serve the world.

Freedom belongs to the core of the spiritual life;

not just the freedom

that releases us from forces that want to oppress us,

but the freedom also to forgive others,

to serve them,

and to form a new bond of fellowship with them.

In short,

the freedom to love

and to work

for a free world.

- Henri Nouwen

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

January 19

“I have called you friends…”

John 15

For Logos last night, we did a simple service project, and, using “Caring Conversation” cards, had an interesting time of sharing our thoughts about various things. A number of the questions focused on friendship.

I liked the card that invited us to ‘finish the sentence’… “A good friend is a person who…”

I would love it if our youth could know in their hearts, that Jesus has called them a friend, and sent them out to befriend the world with God’s love.

In equal measure, I would love it if you could know this in your heart as well!

Peace, Pastor Phil

January 20

As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

I shared a quote from Bishop H. George Anderson in the sermon Sunday, and in Connections on Monday…

Here it is one last time this week:

"There is a great spiritual hunger in our world,

but not for the Gospel.

What people want is comfort, security, and to be left alone.

What people need is service, sacrifice and being brought together.

People need to see our God who not simply meets their needs,

but challenges them!"

Bishop H. George Anderson

There is enough in this quote to compose another dozen reflections.

(I won’t, I promise.) Just this:

It’s easy to nod our heads at the assertion of great spiritual hunger. This simple statement speaks of all of our deepest desires. There are many places we could look to see the truth of this. I think of U2’s song 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.’

I feel that we may be reluctant to invite others to worship with us, because we feel we don’t have all the answers. I would suggest that what we have in Jesus, is not answers, but one to accompany us on the way. Inviting someone to join us on the journey is a lot less intimidating than claiming to have it all together. (It would also be more honest!)

Well, there are many voices offering all sorts of different answers.

I believe that the one who calls us together at Trinity offers the best companionship for the journey.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

January 21

Here is a thoughtful prayer that fits with our texts for Sunday:

God of Blazing light,

through the power of the cross you shattered our darkness,

scattering the fears that bind us

and setting us free to live as your children.

Give us courage and conviction

that we may joyfully turn and follow you

into new adventures of faithful service,

led by the light that shines

through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

A blessed day to you, Pastor Phil

Reproduced from: Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress


3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 22

I hope to see you at worship today The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day for today:


Lord God,

your lovingkindness always goes before us

and follows after us.

Summon us into your light,

and direct our steps in the ways of goodness

that come through the cross of your Son,

Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord.

Amen

January 23

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

Yesterday we used these words as the Benediction at the close of the 11:00 service. These words send us out awash in God’s love, and commissioned to care for God’s world.

Jesus,

the light of the world,

calls us to follow.

Go and tell the news of God's love.

Cast the nets of grace wide,

that all may see the glory of God.

Go forth and shine with God's light!

May God -

- Source, Word, and Spirit -

bless you with the radiance of love.

Amen

From The Abingdon Worship Annual edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.

I like the images of “the light of the world” - “the nets of grace” - “the radiance of love” as well as the encouragement to “Go forth and shine”.

It is interesting to consider how a benediction might be fitting words for us as we enter the week.

Go forth! Pastor Phil

January 24

[Jesus] said to them,

“Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

Matthew 4:19

I liked this devotional reflection on Jesus’ call to discipleship from our Gospel reading this past Sunday:

Recently I re-read Matthew 4,

where James calls fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John

to follow him and become his disciples.

“Come,” Jesus says. “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

Matthew tells us that all four men immediately dropped their nets,

left their boats, and followed Jesus,

and in that moment,

I wondered what Jesus might be asking me

to leave behind in order to follow him.

When I heard Jesus tell me to drop my nets,

I realized he was asking me

to leave my desire for clarity and direction behind.

I am called to walk alongside him in trust,

even if I don’t know where we are going.

After all,

Jesus didn’t give the disciples any direction

when he called them.

He didn’t point out which way they were headed.

He didn’t offer any clear insights or answers,

not even a hint.

Jesus’ presence was answer enough.

This message is excerpted from “Drop your nets.” by Michelle Derusha in the July 2020 Gather magazine. And was sent as the Daily Grace devotion - 1.22.23

May you know the wonder and comfort, the peace and the calling of Jesus’ presence today and always!

Pastor Phil

January 25

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3

On Sunday we will hear Matthew’s well known passage from the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. These life giving and challenging words have inspired God’s people ever since Jesus proclaimed them.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus proclaimed : “blessed are you poor” - in Matthew, Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

In considering Matthew’s telling, many wonder about how the added phrase “in Spirit” might name those whom Jesus declares blessed.

New Testament scholar and seminary professor, Mark Allan Powell suggests that "the poor in spirit" are more than simply people with few means. They are people who have endured much, and have lost hope.

The gift of the Gospel is a great reversal.

From the tomb, the risen Jesus proclaims life.

From the place of dispirited hopelessness, Jesus proclaims a new hope.

From the place of loss, Jesus promises to find you in God’s good grace, and to empower you to help make the Kingdom of Heaven a reality for the world around us.

Blessings, Pastor Phil


January 26

“Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted…”

Matthew 5:4

On Sunday, we will hear the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew.

One theologian says of these beautiful words that each phrase announces “God’s astonishing seizure of power.”

There is deep comfort here. Jesus declares to us, that in light of the power of his love, the power of death is so completely defeated that those who mourn may be named blessed. No wonder the Beatitudes are so beloved.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…”

As these words ring out, may we care for one another in our mourning, giving space for our sadness, while reminding one another of the comforting promise of the Gospel.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil


January 27

“Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus says, “for they will be called children of God.” I wonder what exactly it means to be peacemakers.

As God’s children, I believe we are called to bear Christ’s peace to every place that we can. Forgiven and set free, we are empowered to bring peace and love and hope with us wherever we go.

In Philippians, Paul ties together prayer, rejoicing, gentleness, thanksgiving, prayer and “the peace that passes understanding.”

I have a suspicion that “understanding” is overrated. We don’t need to wait until we have it all down, understand every angle of every possibility. Christ has announced a new reality.

You are blessed.

Now, you have been sent.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

January 28

A Prayer inspired by our Gospel reading tomorrow...

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds he went up the mountain.

He began to teach them.

Christ,

our teacher,

you are a

peacemaker.


You hunger and

you thirst for justice.


Yet you are meek and

merciful and strong

and powerful

in all that

counts.


Please be a blest

beatitude for

each of

us.


Let us live in you and

be beatitudes

for one

an-

other.


Copyright © 2023, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Blessings to you today! Pastor Phil

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 22

I hope to see you at worship today at 8:30 or 11:00

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day for today:

Holy God, you confound the world's wisdom

in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart.

Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice,

and perseverance in striving for peace,

that in our words and deeds

the world may see the life of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Lord.

Amen


January 30

O LORD, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Psalm 15:1

Here is a nice prayer from the devotional Bread for the Day.

Holy God,

your mercy and forgiveness invite us into your presence.

As you have made us new,

so also make us into signs of your righteousness for others. Fill us with kindness, integrity, and mercy

for the sake of our neighbors.

Amen

A blessed week to you, stay warm! Pastor Phil

Bread for the Day, Augsburg Fortress, 2022

January 31

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot…”

Matthew 5:13

On Sunday we will continue to hear from the Sermon on the Mount.

This sermon has inspired a whole library’s worth of books and articles and sermons. It has also inspired countless prayers.

Here is a nice prayer grounded in Jesus’ beautiful words from Matthew chapter 5:

Almighty God, giver of all things,

give us grace to be salt with flavor

so that we may be helpful in spreading the good news of your kingdom.

Give us wisdom to be light in the world,

not hidden but shared,

so that people may not only hear of your love for them

but find their way into your loving embrace.

Let our salt and light be not only words but actions

that honor by serving our neighbor.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil