November '23

November 1

I am reminded of your sincere faith,

a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois

and your mother Eunice

and now,

I am sure,

lives in you.

II Timothy 1:5

Today is All Saints Day, a time to remember the gifts of those who have witnessed to us there faith in our God who loves us all.

For our Noon class today, we will consider some of the Saints who have been a gift to us in our lives. I would love for you to join us.

Peace to you this All Saints Day! Pastor Phil

Here is a prayer for All Saints Day:

Almighty God,

you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship

in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:

Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints

in all virtuous and godly living,

that we may come to those ineffable joys

that you have prepared for those who love you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.

Amen.

Great is the multitude, God of all holiness,

countless the throng you have assembled

from the rich diversity of all earth's children.

With your church in glory,

your church in this generation

lifts up our hands in prayer, our hearts in thanksgiving and praise.

Pattern our lives on the blessedness Jesus taught,

and gather us with all the saints

into your kingdom's harvest,

that we may stand with them

and, clothed in glory,

join our voices to their hymn of thanksgiving and praise.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

Amen.

From Prayers for Sunday and Seasons, Year A, Peter J. Scagnelli, LTP, 1992.

November 2

Therefore, since we are surrounded

by so great a cloud of witnesses…

let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,

who for the sake of the joy that was set before him

endured the cross, disregarding its shame,

and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Since yesterday was All Saints Day, I thought I would share a couple of quotes from one of my favorite Saints; Martin Luther.

In his Preface to the book of Romans Martin Luther wrote these two lines to begin consecutive paragraphs:

"Faith is a work of God in us,

which changes us and brings us to birth anew from God…”

"Faith is a living, unshakable confidence in God's grace;

it is so certain, that someone would die a thousand times for it.”

Often people think that faith is something that they do. No. Faith is a gift. Faith is a trusting in God’s promises and God’s great love for you. Faith is a living in this great Good News, and a sharing of God’s love in generosity and joy.

May your walk in faith today be washed in God’s grace and love, Pastor Phil

November 3

I thank my God every time I remember you,

constantly praying with joy

in every one of my prayers for all of you,

because of your sharing in the gospel

from the first day until now

Philippians 1:3-5

We need someone to serve coffee hour on Sunday!

(Please call me if you care to take that task on for us on Sunday.)

The November Newsletter will be sent in a couple hours.

This weekend we mark All Saints. I have mentioned often a great line I learned from one of my theology professors. It might help to know that this person is a very intense scholar, and could be an intimidating professor. He cared passionately about theology, and could argue his perspective ferociously.

He is the one whom I quote often as saying:

“The song has it wrong.

It is not “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

No.

It’s “Jesus loves me this I know for my Mommy tells me so.””

Faith is a relationship you have with God, and we learn this faith in our relationships with one another. As we give thanks for the lives and witness of those whom we love best and have lost, we know that it is relationship that matters most.

On this All Saints weekend, I am grateful for your relationship with Trinity, your relationships with one another, and with me as well.

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

November 4

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:3-9

For All Saints Sunday this year, we hear Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

Here is a prayer based on this text:

God of unfailing light,
in your realm of glory
the poor are blessed,
the hungry filled,
and every tear is wiped away.
Strengthened by this vision,
may we follow in the way of holiness
that your Son made known in life and death.

Amen.

All Saints Sunday

November 5

I hope to see you at All Saints Sunday worship at 9:00.

The service will be posted online.

I really like the Prayer of the Day for today:

Almighty God,

you have knit your people together

in one communion

in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints

in lives of faith and commitment,

and to know the inexpressible joys

you have prepared for those who love you,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

November 6

Greet …all the saints who are with them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:15b-16

I really liked the prayers/poetry posted by Diana Butler Bass in her weekly Sunday reflection on scripture.

The poem “For Those Who Walked With Us” is by Jan Richardson. (I think I’ve shared poetry by Jan Richardson before. She is a Methodist pastor, artist and writer. You can see her work click here.)

The prayer is written by author, poet and liturgist Janet Morley.

Blessings to you this coming week. Pastor Phil

For Those Who Walked With Us

For those

who walked with us,

this is a prayer.

For those

who have gone ahead,

this is a blessing.

For those

who touched and tended us,

who lingered with us

while they lived,

this is a thanksgiving.

For those

who journey still with us

in the shadows of awareness,

in the crevices of memory,

in the landscape of our dreams,

this is a benediction.

While Jan's poem is a reflection on All Saints, this prayer by Janet Morley is a reflection on Sunday's Gospel reading, The Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5.

Vulnerable God,

you challenge the powers that rule this world

through the needy, the compassionate,

and those who are filled with longing.

Make us hunger and thirst to see right prevail,

and single-minded in seeking peace;

that we may see your face

and be satisfied in you.

- Janet Morley

November 7

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.

The friends who are with me greet you.

All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 4:21-23

I liked this devotion provided by the WELCA daily devotion; "Daily Grace" on Wednesday, All Saints Day.

Peace to you today, Pastor Phil

Giving Thanks for All Saints

All Saints Day is one of my favorite festivals. In the Lutheran tradition, saint simply means “baptized child of God.” Each and every one of us gets to claim that name.

It seems especially appropriate that All Saints Day begins the month we focus on giving thanks. All Saints Day is when we remember the dead, yes, but over time it has developed into a day to honor all saints, both past and present. What better way to honor them than to give thanks to God for their lives?

On All Saints Day, and hopefully many days besides, I give thanks to God. I give thanks for all those who have gone before me, and paved the way for my life, the church, and my congregation to be what it is today. I give thanks for all those who have modeled for me the diverse ways we can live out God’s grace in our lives. I give thanks that, in spite of the mistakes we still make, the saints-and-sinners that we are, God shines through and calls us back to love.

This message is excerpted from “Honoring our saints” by Michelle Terry in the October 2015 Cafe online magazine.

November 8

But we do not want you to be uninformed,

brothers and sisters,

about those who have died,

so that you may not grieve as others do

who have no hope.

I Thessalonians 4:13

This coming Sunday, one of our readings is from I Thessalonians 4. The marvelous opening lines call us to live all of our lives in the hope and promise of the resurrection. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.” (I Thess. 4:13-14)

The promise of resurrection speaks an eternal promise to us as we commend those whom we love to God’s eternal care. At the same time, the promise of resurrection speaks to the rest of our lives as well. God is one who will step into those most difficult chapters of your life, and promises to raise new life where all seems lost.

Do not be uninformed, lift up your eyes and look for the promised resurrection!

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 9

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.…”

Matthew 5:3-6

Trinity has received a wonderful gift of a concert grand piano!!

I have not mentioned this very widely, as it was unclear when it would arrive, but there is - right now!! - A Concert Grand Baldwin Piano in our sanctuary.

Perhaps you saw the article almost exactly 3 years ago in the Sheridan Press https://www.thesheridanpress.com/news/local/the-piano-guy-krikac-long-term-lends-17-pianos-around-sheridan-country/article_015bcab6-25e7-11eb-9ca9-ab5af4704584.html that told of Ron Krikac and his love of pianos and his generous stewardship of that passion. He finds pianos in need of work, purchases them, has them restored, and then loans them out to churches and to promising pianists. (Our son David plays a concert grand piano he received from Ron last year.) The Sheridan Press article speaks of 17 pianos. We have received number 30 of this amazing project.

What do we do with such a gift?

Enjoy it!

Use it well in worship.

Perhaps look for concert and recital opportunities to share it with others in our community…

On Sunday, Nancy played a wonderful arrangement of “Blest Are They” hymn number 728 in the ELW. We often quote the adage that whoever sings, prays twice. Ron Krikac has joined the many gifted musicians of Trinity by sharing the wonderful gift of music with us. I look forward to joining in song with you, accompanied by those who will add their talents to this piano to help us sing out, and enrich our prayers and praise.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 10

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in you;

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2

I want to remind you that on Tuesday evening at 7:00 we will be hosting Harpist Karin Gunderson as she presents her program “Lift the World: An Experience of Love’s Transforming Power”

I am looking forward to this evening of music and I encourage you to consider being there, and inviting any friends who might also enjoy this.

Here is a quote for today, one fitting for this month of November:

Thanksgiving is the language of heaven,

and we had better start to learn it

if we are not to be mere dumb aliens there.

A. J. Gossip

Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

November 11

Veterans Day

In gratitude for the service of our veterans on this Veteran’s Day, I share a prayer from “The Prayer Book for the Armed Forces” a companion to our ELW.

A Prayer for Veterans

Almighty and ever-living God,

we give you thanks for the men and women

who have served and defended our country

and the values of freedom and justice we hold so dear.

Help us be mindful of the sacrifices they made

and the hardship endured by their families and friends,

so that we never take for granted

the privileges they have secured for us.

Hear us, we pray, through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

(ELW The Prayer Book for the Armed Forces p. 66)

24th Sunday after Pentecost

November 12

I hope to see you in worship today, service at 9:00

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day

O God of justice and love,

we give thanks to you

that you illumine our way through life

with the words of your Son.

Give us the light we need,

awaken us to the needs of others,

and at the end

bring all the world to your feast;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory forever.

Amen.

November 13

“Keep awake therefore,

for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:13

I liked this closing stanza from a prayer grounded in the Gospel reading for yesterday.

Please bless our searching for you,

flasks full and lamps trimmed.

Let us find you in

all things.

I like the idea that the parable of the bridesmaids might be heard as a call to look diligently and faithfully for God to be present always and everywhere.

May you attend to God’s presence with you today and always, Pastor Phil

November 14

“Next to the Word of God,

music deserves the highest praise.”

Martin Luther - LW 52 pg 323

Tonight at 7:00 we host harpist Karin Gunderson and her presentation of “Lift the World: An Experience of Love’s Transforming Power”.

I hope you can be here and please invite any friends who might enjoy this concert. A free will offering will be taken.

There is a wonderful power in music. Perhaps we’ve all encountered stories of how music has helped revive people’s memories and how it has been used to help people in healing

November 15

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,

about those who have died,

so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

I Thessalonians 4:13

I find myself returning to this verse so very often.

I love how this statement by Paul acknowledges that the gift of the Gospel does not take us out of this world and its challenges and problems and joys. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”

Grief is not taken away. Rather, grief is washed in promise.

This is, indeed, something about which you surely want to be well informed!

Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil

November 16

Bear one another’s burdens

and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 RSV

Trinity Lutheran Church is bearing sad news today, as Trevor Jackson died Tuesday evening.

Since All Saints worship on the first Sunday of the month, I have been thinking quite a bit about how our faith journey is a venture we go through together. I think about how Paul commends us in Romans 12 to:

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

It was years ago (and miles away) during worship announcements that I first thought to tell the congregation to look to their left and right, and to pray for that person. While each of us is called to faith, and each is to live out the calling you received in your baptism, at the same time, we are in this together.

I am praying for you. I am praying for Trinity Lutheran Church. I am grateful for your prayers for one another and your prayers for me. May we all trust the faithfulness of God who will wash over our losses with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 17

May the LORD give strength to his people!

May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29:11

I want to share the Serenity Prayer with you for this coming weekend.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.

November 18

I liked this reflection on Sunday's reading from I Thessalonians and I share this poem as today's prayer.

Whether Awake or Asleep

For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining

salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.

– 1 Thessalonians 5.9-10

How would it be for us to become so awake to God that we know God even in our sleeping: the sleeping we do in the rhythm of daily life, and the final sleep that will carry us beyond this life? What would it be like to live completely present to the hope that makes a home in our grief (to pick up on Paul’s words last week from 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18), the hope that draws us beyond death? How might it be to live so aware of God’s love for us that it becomes our light, our heartbeat, our breathing to the end of our days—and the beginning?

How will we stay awake to this hope, this love, this God who lives with us in every moment?

Whether Awake or Asleep

A Blessing

This is the blessing

that writes itself

in your sleeping.

This is the blessing

that inscribes itself

in your waking.

This is the blessing

that twines through

your heart

with every beat,

that lays itself

across your brow

in every moment,

that breathes with you

in every breath

so that even

in your resting

you know

and even

in your slumber

you are aware

and even

in your dreaming

your heart keeps time

with the voice that calls

to you

awake

awake.

– Jan Richardson

https://paintedprayerbook.com/2014/11/10/whether-awake-or-asleep/

25th Sunday after Pentecost

November 19

Worship today at 9:00 a.m.

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day

Righteous God, our merciful master,

you own the earth and all its peoples,

and you give us all that we have.

Inspire us to serve you with justice and wisdom,

and prepare us for the joy of the day of your coming,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen

November 20

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Today we gather for Trevor Jackson’s funeral service. May God be with us as we seek to comfort one another and Trevor’s entire family with the great promise of the Gospel.

Here is a reflection written by Pastor Amanda Kempthorne that I quoted in the sermon yesterday…

These people get it. They know what to watch for and how to be prepared when the day of the Lord comes (and I don't mean they've built and stocked bunkers under their homes.) They aren't afraid like a child in the dark without a flashlight. Their eyes are open, their hope secure and their minds and hearts ready for what may come.

We too, are children of the light and day, awake and ready. We choose what we live out in this world, just like we choose what to wear in the morning. We, too, "put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." If we expect a chilly reception from a co-worker, we can choose to put on the warm kindness of love. When we expect harsh words of judgment, we can offer back the hope we have in Christ.

Prayer: Wake me up to the lives of the people around me. Help me see from their perspective and keep a level head when my first reaction is anger. Instead, may I reflect my hope in Christ. Amen.

November 21

I do not call you servants any longer,

because the servant does not know what the master is doing;

but I have called you friends…

John 15:15a

This line came to mind for me today, and I thought I would share it with you.

Nothing human keeps our gaze ever more firmly on God,

than friendship for the friends of God.

Simone Weil

Blessings to all who are embarking on Thanksgiving journeys to see friends and family. Safe travels! Pastor Phil

November 22

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

My internship pastor, Pastor Joe Wahlin, liked Colossians 3 as a text for wedding sermons.

Verse 12 says; “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Paul goes on to say; “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.” A few lines later, we read: “And be thankful.”

This sentence is almost as brief as “Jesus wept" and possibly just as profound.

I really like Paul’s encouragement in Colossians 3, and I have this lesson in a list of verses I give to those considering their weddings. It is quite a call: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness. All topped off with a nod to gratitude.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I trust you share my gratitude for the community of Trinity Lutheran Church.

I am deeply grateful for your generosity, your faithfulness and the joy of being in this community together with you.

Blessings to you this season of gratitude and joy, and know that I am grateful for you.

Thank you. Pastor Phil

November 23

And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

The Prayer of the Day for Thanksgiving:

Almighty God our Father,

your generous goodness comes to us new every day.

By the work of your Spirit lead us

to acknowledge your goodness,

give thanks for your benefits,

and serve you in willing obedience,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Blessings to you and yours! Pastor Phil

November 24

“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

I think often of a comment Mother Theresa made in an interview I read a long time ago.

A journalist asked her something like: “For what are are you most grateful?”

I thought perhaps she should say something about the Gospel, about God’s gift of sending Jesus to save us…

Her response was more like this. “I am most grateful for the poor. For through caring for them, I may love my Lord.”

For what are you most grateful? Family, friends, the great freedoms we enjoy and the many blessings that come our way. They all are part of the gifts for which we give thanks.

Let us join Mother Theresa, in gratitude for the great gift that God has given us. The gift of calling us to respond to the outpouring of God’s love in Jesus Christ, by pouring ourselves out in love for the world.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 25

THE GOSPEL
Matthew 25:31-46

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me drink.

O Jesus,
King of Creation,
you came from glory,
to the rough fields of Galilee;
you took a crown of sharp thorns,
and received a killing cross for your throne

You put on poverty, to be like us,
so that we might be holy
like you are
holy.

So
let us care
for your creation that is ill, do
whatever helps end wars,
welcome the stranger,
visit him in prison,
feed her and
clothe
her,

and slake
your deepest thirst.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Christ the King

November 26

Christ the King worship this morning at 9:00; I hope to see you here.

The service will be online, click here. https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/christ-the-king-november-26

The Prayer of the Day today:

O God of power and might,

your Son shows us the way of service,

and in him we inherit the riches of your grace.

Give us the wisdom to know what is right

and the strength to serve the world you have made,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

November 27

Come, let us sing to the LORD

Psalm 95

Yesterday we opened worship with Psalm 95, which is a wonderful Psalm of praise.

Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before God's presence with thanksgiving

and raise a loud shout to the LORD with psalms.

For you, LORD, are a great God, and a great ruler above all gods.

In your hand are the caverns of the earth;

the heights of the hills are also yours.

Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

For the LORD is our God,

and we are the people of God's pasture and the sheep of God's hand.

This Psalm is traditionally a part of the Morning Prayer service, (also known as Matins).

I think it is interesting that we turn to this Morning Prayer song as we come to the end of the year. There is something poetic in that choice.

May you have a wonderful week as we look ahead to Advent and all that follows!

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 28

Let us come before God's presence with thanksgiving

and raise a loud shout to the LORD with psalms.

Psalm 95:2

Sunday we heard Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats. As we engage this word of judgment and promise, we might well wonder together why we gather for worship. I like the insight I heard years ago in a lecture, that when we miss out on worship, we miss out on appropriate words of affirmation and judgment.

Our hearts are shaped by gratitude to God for all good things, and our lives are shaped by God’s call t serve those whom God loves.

I hope you will consider joining here tomorrow evening at 7:00 for a simple Advent Evening Prayer Service.

Blessings, Pastor Phil

November 29

“I came that they may have life,

and have it abundantly.”

John 10:10

With Christ the King Sunday this past Sunday, I would like to share with you a question we considered years ago here at Trinity as part of our Stewardship conversations.

The question comes from New Testament professor Dr. Mark Allan Powell. . .

What would happen if God were in charge of your finances?

Would you use your money differently?

Do you think you would have less money?

Or more?

Interesting questions to ponder as we consider how Jesus Christ reigns over all of our lives… Is that reign something that enhances life, or is Christ’s reign something that limits who we are?

Of course, I offer that as a rhetorical question…

May we rejoice together in the rich life to which God has called us!

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

November 30

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

Last night in worship, we let the words of the Advent hymn “Creator of the Stars of Night” guide our reflection and worship. I invite you to consider these verses as words fitting for contemplation and mediation.

Creator of the Stars of Night ELW #245

1 Creator of the stars of night,

your people's everlasting light,

O Christ, redeemer of us all,

we pray you hear us when we call.

2. When this old world drew on toward night,

you came; but not in splendor bright,

not as a monarch, but the child

of Mary, blessed mother mild.

3 At your great name, O Jesus, now

all knees must bend, all hearts must bow:

all things on earth with one accord,

like those in heav'n, shall call you Lord.

4. Come in your holy might, we pray,

redeem us for eternal day;

defend us while we dwell below

from all assaults of our dread foe.

5 To God the Father, God the Son,

and God the Spirit, Three in One,

praise, honor, might, and glory be

from age to age eternally. Amen.

This is an ancient hymn which reaches back to the 9th century, and some have even attributed the hymn to Ambrose (most likely this is inaccurate, but interesting, since he lived from 339-387).

I invite you, as this month comes to a close, and the new season of Advent is around the corner, to reflect on these rich lyrics.

The God who sent Jesus, “not in splendor bright”, has called you to a relationship of love with God, and with the world God loves. I look forward to celebrating this wonderful Gospel with you soon.

Peace, Pastor Phil