O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW)
May 26, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
The last few months have not been easy, and we are so thankful for the many ways that you have individually and collectively stepped into new ways of being the church. Learning new skills, caring for our neighbors, using our imaginations can be challenging in the best circumstance and these have not been the best circumstances. We had hoped that we would be back to in-person worship for Pentecost, May 31, and both of us are heart-broken that we will not be. If your heart aches, let it ache. Allow yourselves to feel and do not judge those feelings. Continue reading
Dr. Osterholm has become one of my trusted sources when it comes to COVID-19. This Iowa native and Luther College graduate runs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. When I listened to his podcast, Osterholm Update, on Wednesday, he stated that we are still in the second inning of a nine-inning game. No, his podcast will probably not cheer you up. But he did say that just like in baseball, we do not know how long each inning will last.
I have no energy to write more about the pandemic and how the church will continue to adapt. But Osterholm’s analogy did give me an idea–an entire blog post about baseball movies. We will not be going out to the ballgames much this summer. We do not know if we will be watching major league baseball on the small screen. We can keep enjoying baseball films. Continue reading
O God of glory, your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us and ascended to your right hand. Unite us with Christ and each other in suffering and in joy, that all the world may be drawn into your bountiful presence, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Continue reading
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity Lutheran, Nampa,
Idaho Governor Brad Little began gradually lifting the Stay at Home Order and included churches in Stage One of Rebound Idaho, congregational leaders (pastors and lay people) in the ELCA Treasure Valley Cluster have been discerning when we should return to in-person worship and, if so, what would it look like. Trinity’s Council President Kim Mills and I were asked to serve on the Treasure Valley Cluster COVID-19 Task Force. We have been working with representatives from other congregations. Our synodical bishop also provided guidance in a recent letter, which I commend to you. Continue reading
Almighty and ever-living God, you hold together all things in heaven and on earth. In your great mercy receive the prayers of all your children, and give to all the world the Spirit of your truth and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW p. 34) Continue reading
Originally published on tvprays.org (May 14, 2020)
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Continue reading
O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW p. 33) Continue reading
April 30, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
I hope this letter finds you well. I know that the stay home order has been deeply disruptive to our common life and many of us did not expect that it would go on this long. I miss seeing your faces each week. Yet, as we celebrate the Easter Season, we proclaim that wherever we find ourselves Sunday morning, God is with us.
As you know, the governor of Idaho has proposed a four-stage plan (https://rebound.idaho.gov) to facilitate re-opening businesses across the state between May 1 and mid-June. While places of worship are listed in Stage 1 of the plan, Stage 1 also states that “gatherings, both public and private, should be avoided.” Stage 2 allows groups of “less than 10” and Stage 3 allows 10-50 people. It is not until Stage 4 where groups greater than 50 are advised to meet and “large venues” are allowed to open back up. And even then, appropriate physical distancing needs to occur, and “Vulnerable Idahoans” should “minimize exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.” Continue reading
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A Place at the Table 