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
O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW p. 33) Continue reading
Newsletter Column for May 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
How do we live into the Season of Easter when it still feels like Lent? If it was one of the weirdest Holy Week’s ever, this may end up being the most awkward of Easter Seasons. Everything is supposed to feel different after Easter, because in the resurrection God has done something brand new. The economy may open back up a bit in the weeks and months to come, but we are not going back to the old normal. Everything has indeed changed, but the change includes death and isolation. The words of the disciples on the Emmaus Road may resonate with us in a new way during Easter Season 2020, “But we had hoped…” (Luke 24:21). Continue reading
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith in you and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW p. 32) Continue reading
Originally published on Treasure Valley Prays.
Acts 4:32-37: 32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). 37He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
This is an incredibly unique time to be living through. There are moments when I am still frightened about getting sick or about which family members, friends, or parishioners will get sick. I worry about the economy. We hear that COVID-19 is the great equalizer, but I know that is not true. There are populations that will be affected more severely; that is part of the broken system we live in. As I write, a meat-packing plant in my home state of South Dakota has closed indefinitely. This one factory employees 3,700 workers who collectively speak more than 80 languages. Those workers’ pandemic experience is much different than that of people who can work from home.
Clear Phoenix Skyline
In the midst of sorrow over these inequalities, some of us, maybe those of us with time to read a devotion like this one, have time to wonder and ask questions. We might have seen photos of city skylines or mountain ranges that are consistently clear for the first time in many years because pollution has drastically decreased. We might ask, how can that be sustained? We might be spending more time with family and friends, either with the people we are stuck with or thanks to digital platforms. We might wonder, on the other side of this, will we make time for these connections? With restaurants closed, friends and I are sharing recipes and cooking more. I absolutely feel closer to my food sources and I wonder, how can I keep this up when the tap to the economy is reopened? And the big one—life has slowed down. Many of us are walking more, listening to the birds more (at least in Southwest Idaho where spring has sprung), simply enjoying the small things in life. I heard from a friend who teaches at a big state university. She and her husband have four kids. Her summer meetings and travels have been cancelled or postponed. She is disappointed that she will not catch up with colleagues, but she said, “I kind of might enjoy just staying home. It might be fine.” Will we rejoin the cycle of being overly busy when it is available?
There are times when I experience an ugly but real cynicism in myself about what will happen on the other side of this pandemic. But I also have a deep and abiding hope that transformation could occur. Most of us do not have a huge currency for changing the larger world. We are not elected officials or CEOs. What currencies we have are our ability to vote, our money, and our time. The thing about these big systems we are part of is that they are made up of smaller communities which include individual members. On the days when my hope is abundant, I imagine a different world. We know we will not go back to the old normal. How will we live? Before the tap is opened, we could take some of the time we have been given to ask what we want the world to look like later.
In mid-March, a friend shared a YouTube video of Hunter Parrish singing Beautiful City, from the latest Godspell revival on Broadway: “Out of the ruins and rubble, Out of the smoke, Out of our night of struggle, Can we see a ray of hope? One pale thin ray reaching for the day. We can build a beautiful city, Yes, we can, yes, we can. We can build a beautiful city, Not a city of angels, But we can build a city of man. We may not reach the ending, But we can start, Slowly but truly mending, Brick by brick, Heart by heart, Now, maybe now, We start learning how.”
I assume that composer Stephen Schwartz had, as his inspiration, the passage from Revelation 21, in which John is shown the holy city Jerusalem, but the thing about that passage is that it does not contain much about what human behavior should look like. For that reason, I included the passage from Acts Chapter 4, in which resources are shared so that all had enough. Granted, this is a community of people who shared amongst themselves internally. Reading the entire book, we know that this was just the beginning. Eventually the Apostles were reaching out to others, continuing to learn how to bring about the reign of God as Jesus had taught them. That is our calling as Easter people.
Will the beautiful city suddenly appear in our world in six, twelve, eighteen months? I doubt it. Can we take this pause from life as we knew it and ask questions about what our corner of the world might look like later? Absolutely. The last verse of Schwartz’s song is, “When your trust is all but shattered, When your faith is all but killed, You can give up bitter and battered, Or you can slowly start to build!”
Prayer: God our comforter, you are a refuge and strength for us. Enable us so to hear the words of faith that our fear is dispelled, our loneliness eased, our anxiety calmed, and our hope reawakened. Amen.
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, 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. 32)
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ–he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
14 The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
1 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Every Ash Wednesday, I mark your foreheads with ashes in the sign of the cross. I take time to point out that one of the reasons we use ashes is because they remind us of our mortality. In my adult lifetime, I have never before experienced a Lent when the global population was so obviously facing our mortality together. We may have begun the Season of Lent by giving some things up voluntarily. But we ended in collective and communal grief for lives and experiences that have been lost or will be lost.
Holy Week itself has been abnormal. Usually this is one of my favorite weeks to wonder in and out of the sanctuary. Members of our altar guild put in hours behind the scenes this week preparing. There is the altar to set for Maundy Thursday. There are bowls and towels for foot washing. The cloth on our suspended cross gets changed from purple to black for Good Friday. And the smells—oil for anointing, candles burning, and of course Easter lilies. I missed all of that this Holy Week. So much has changed for this week, in our daily routines, in our life as citizens of this world.
But today is Easter, and we get to celebrate together what has not changed. And what has not changed is that Jesus has been raised from the dead. The tomb is not only open. It is empty. Jesus is going ahead of us and so we can proclaim, He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
This Easter, I am not going to try to pretend that the four gospel writers do not have their own way of telling the story of Jesus resurrection. And I am not going to hide my delight that this is Matthew’s year.
I love different aspects of all four of the gospels and one of the things I love about Matthew is how he remembered to draw in the natural world. Matthew’s gospel is the one that includes a star leading Magi from the East to the infant Jesus. Matthew’s gospel includes Jesus giving his long sermon specifically from a mountain. Matthew’s gospel is the one that includes an earthquake at Jesus’ death. And Matthew’s gospel has an earthquake at the resurrection too.
I will admit that until this year I did not have a lot of empathy for those guards appointed to Jesus’s tomb. That changed this year. The earthquake Idaho experiences was downright frightening. It would have welcomed a messenger from God telling me to not be afraid, though I might have rolled my eyes.
When we want to talk about life being difficult, we turn to the metaphor of an earthquake. We say things like, “It feels like the ground beneath me has shifted.” That’s what the COVID-19 pandemic has done. There are so many aspects of our lives that have changed in the past few weeks. So much has shifted. It makes sense that rolling a stone away from the already empty tomb would cause an earthquake, cause the earth to shift. The world would not be the same after Jesus’ resurrection.
God chose to resurrect Jesus knowing our human need for it. Without it, doubts flourish. God knew that we are like the Pharisees who always asked for one more sign from Jesus to prove himself. Knowing this, God raised Jesus from the dead. It’s as if he said, “See, what he was telling you is true. Nothing can separate you from my love. I do not lurk at a distance, ready to pounce on you when you fail. Instead, I walk with you, giving as much as I dare. Look at Jesus and know that everything he said is true.”
The earthquake at Jesus’ death caused rocks to split. Tombs were opened and bodies of saints were raised. There is no question about who will roll the stone away. When the two Marys go to the tomb there is a great earthquake; “for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” The guards shook and became like dead man. The resurrection is an earth-shaking event.
There is more to this angel that rolls back the stone. There is a fabulous painting that depicts Matthew’s resurrection story. In the painting the two Marys are looking up the angel who is sitting on a big bolder. He is looking at them with an expression that says, “Well, what did you expect? He told you he would be raised from the dead. He has gone ahead of you.”
The angel speaks to the women with familiar words, “Do not be afraid.” I could have preached an entire sermon on those four words; how desperately we need to hear the imperative: “Do not be afraid” or “You there. Stop being afraid.” Reject your current state of fear for the angel is bringing you news of great joy.
The angel tells them Jesus has been raised and that they should tell the disciples that Jesus is going ahead to Galilee, where the disciples will see him. The empty tomb is not the end of the story. Jesus told his disciples earlier, “But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” The angel reminds us of that promise and sends the women to a task of calling the scattered disciples to Galilee. The women go with a mixture of feelings appropriate to the perception of this awesome, earth shaking reality—both fear and joy. The women become witnesses and agents of the resurrection.
“They will see me in Galilee.” The promise of the story invites us to a community where tragedy turns to comedy, where things are all shook up. Death no longer holds us. The corrosive crust of our sins is shattered through the forgiveness that comes in the community gathered around bread and wine, where Jesus himself has promised to be. The resurrection is about the invitation to gather in this forgiving community. Only the one who has died because of us and who is raised by God has the power to stand among us and say, “Rejoice! Do not be afraid. Go tell my sisters and brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
For us today, as for the women at the tomb, Jesus’ promise means that he goes ahead of us to lead us into the world–into a transformative way of life that testifies to the power of resurrection wherever we live. Jesus is going ahead–not going away. The empty tomb does not signify absence but presence: it announces the Resurrected One’s presence on the road ahead.
We are to look for experiences of the resurrection presence not only in Galilee but also in Nampa, Boise, the entire Treasure Valley–on all the roads of our lives. Resurrection means that Jesus, the Living One, goes ahead of us. Jesus can be found only when we experience that he is ahead of us and that he opens up a future for us. He transforms our community of followers into courageous witnesses to Jesus’ presence.
What will this community look like? What does it mean to experience the resurrection? I find it helpful to return to the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus speaks of both guideposts and promises. I preached on the Beatitudes the first Sunday in February in our sanctuary. For me, facing the pandemic, experiencing the earth beneath me shifting, today the Beatitudes sound like something we will all be able to relate to a whole new way.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn.
Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who hunger and search for righteousness.
Blessed are those who show mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart.
There can be no doubt in my mind that Jesus both walks with us and is ahead of us on this particular Easter Day. And in that we can find deep hope.
Resurrection means that Jesus transforms our community into courageous witnesses to Jesus’ presence. The resurrection is manifest in the community of Jesus disciples. They walked through the door into a new world suddenly full of hope and possibility. Frightened, discouraged, grieving men and women somehow were transformed into brave, hopeful, loving bearers of good news. Amen.
Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
God of resurrection, from the very beginning you give the church the gift of women as your witnesses: as preachers, teachers, and leaders. Open our ears to their proclamation this day and always. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
All your creation praises you—the earth hums, the seas pulse, the stars shine, and the galaxies whirl in glorious harmonies to honor you. Let us hear and blend our voices in the song. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The countries of the world experience disunity and conflict; even amid a global crisis we set our minds on fear and greed rather than on your rule of justice and steadfast love. Convict the hearts of our leaders and persuade them to choose human life over profit or power. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We still weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn. Cradle the fearful, the suffering, and the dying, assuring them of your loving presence, especially those lives threatened or claimed by COVID-19. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless the creative service of worship leaders this day: musicians, worship assistants, preachers, readers, and all others who provide welcome and hospitality in the midst of homebound isolation and distress. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Risen Lord, you went ahead of us into the grave and defeated the powers of evil. We remember those who have died. Inspire us to live our lives in this resurrection hope and draw us to you in our final days. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
My deepest thanks to my colleague and friend Casey Cross, Young Disciples Minister at Hope Lutheran Church, Eagle, for adapting this for the Confirmation Co-op Students and Families for Holy Week 2020. I will admit that I was not too keen on participating on my own, but I got a nudge from another colleague last night, the weather is beautiful on this Holy Saturday in Nampa, and I needed to stretch my legs. It should not surprise me that it ended up being a very good experience. I hope this becomes a helpful meditation for my readers during the Season of Easter. Maybe you will take the prayer to the streets of your community (on foot, by car, or in your mind).
Home – The Lord’s Prayer
Begin at your “home base” together praying your preferred version of the Lord’s
Pray together.
Place of Healing – Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace…. (ELW Pastoral Care, page 194)
I had my annual physical via telehealth this week through Saltzer. Giving thanks for my doctor who put me at ease and told me how to get tested for COVID-19 if I ever feel symptomatic.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Place of Leadership – We remember in our prayers civil servants, legislators and politicians and pray their work, deliberations and decisions consider the diversity of humanity, factors that contribute to communities flourishing and the well-being of people with critical needs (ELCA Prayer Ventures September 2016).
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Place of Education – God of wisdom, you have created us with the tools we need to learn, grow, and understand. We thank you for the gifts of education and educators. Encourage our educators at this time of uncertainty as they see their vocation in a new way. Energize students to explore, imagine, create, and continue to learn, no matter the circumstances. Keep our spaces for learning safe, healthy, and open for all to boldly ask questions and seek answers.
Nampa High School
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Faith Community – Gathering God, like a mother hen you gather us under your sheltering wings. Though we cannot gather in one location as we are used to, we remain under your wing. It is you that bring us together beyond space and time. Guide us as we explore new ways to be community together, remembering that you – not a building – are what unite us and hold us together through it all.
Trinity and Grace have shared an Easter Vigil since 2011–not this year. Giving thanks for our partnership through the years.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Prayers for the World – You may wish to end your walk together at home, with this prayer for the world.
Every nation has been affected by the far-reaching impacts and loss of life from the coronavirus pandemic. Pray for all countries and for cooperation between nations, our global siblings in Christ, and especially for the health and care of those who are most vulnerable ― elders, people of all ages with severe chronic conditions, and those who suffer poverty and lack of medical care (ELCA Prayer Ventures April 2020).
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Other Options – Feel free to include some or all of these to your list of prayer petitions, walk, and/or site visits.
Senior Community
Prayers for all the seniors who do not have this as a place to gather right now
Closed Business
“Essential” Place of Business
Giving thanks for amazing customer service at Mountain West Bank, as Trinity New Hope affordable housing and Trinity Lutheran applied through them for the Paycheck Protection Program.
A “Non-Essential” Place You Miss
(Like a movie theater, park, etc.)
A Local Park or Outdoor Recreation Site
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