Elizabeth and Zechariah
From Parent Cue ©2021 Parent Cue. All Rights Reserved
Read Luke 1:13-15
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here. Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus, God’s greatest gift. But before we talk about Jesus’ birth, let’s talk about another important baby’s arrival! You see,
there was an older couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth who didn’t have children. Zechariah was a priest who loved and served God. One day, when it was his turn to serve in the temple, an angel appeared to Zechariah with a very special message.
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What did the angel Gabriel tell Zechariah?
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What do you think Zechariah did when he heard this news?
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Zechariah couldn’t believe it. But if there’s one thing we know about God, it’s that God can do the impossible! And that’s one big reason to celebrate!
Is there something you need help with? If God can do anything, couldn’t God help you?
Stop and pray right now. Tell God about what’s going on, thank
God for listening and trust that God can do anything!
Luke 2:13-14
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “Glory to God.” As you breathe out say, “Peace for all people.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” – Luke 2:13-14
Reflect.
In the whole Christmas story, this scene always amazes me. Those shepherds were just minding their business – quite literally, as their business was sheep and they were tending to them in the fields – when their dark, cold, quiet night got profoundly disrupted. First an angel declaring “Do not be afraid” – how scary must angels be if they need to say that every time they appear? Then one angel introduces “a multitude of the heavenly host” which sounds like something even more overwhelming.
And what do they call out? “Glory to God”, which absolutely makes sense for heavenly messengers to declare. But also: “on earth peace”. It seems that a good start to bringing peace to earth might be not terrifying the messengers you’re about to send out from the fields.
Still, it achieves its purpose. The shepherds are overwhelmed but obedient. They saw, they listened, they shared the story. And somehow, in the midst of so much disruption and chaos and confusion, they found peace within themselves to carry this word of promise.
As we light the candle for peace on the Advent wreath tomorrow, I hope we can carry that same peace of the shepherds. When we face overwhelming circumstances, an ever-changing landscape, and things we simply cannot understand, may we hear God’s promise for peace and let it dwell in our hearts. May we not be overwhelmed, at least not for long, and instead trust in God’s providence as we go out into an unknown future.
May we, like the shepherds, also know the joy of encountering Christ along the way.
Pray.
God, I am sometimes so overwhelmed by the power of your promise and the needs of the world. Speak your peace into my heart so I can continue to share the good news of your Son through any situation. Amen.
Carry On.
What’s one place in your life right now that feels just too overwhelming or disorienting? How can you watch for God’s peace in that circumstance this week?
Jeremiah 29:13-14a
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “God, grant me peace.” As you breathe out say, “Spirit, surround me.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14a
Reflect.
Last Sunday, we lit the candle for hope on the Advent wreath. That one tiny light shines to remind us of the constant presence of God’s promise even when everything seems like shadowy confusion.
This coming Sunday, we’ll light the second candle for peace. The lesson we’ll hear is from the prophet Jeremiah, who bore God’s promise to the people. The word was a hard one: the people were to accept that they had been exiled in a foreign land and would stay there for some time. God’s invitation to peace didn’t mean that things would be made easy and simple. God’s peace meant that God would care and provide for the people even though a disorienting time.
When we think of peace, we tend to think of an absence of struggle. But if we’re honest, has there ever been a time in life when things haven’t been at least a little hard? There are always challenges to overcome, questions to ponder, and evil to endure. If we wait for things to be easy to declare peace, we’ll never know it.
God’s peace is one that comes to us through any time. God’s peace speaks calm and quiet into our hearts. It reminds us that our trust is not in everything working out, but in God making anything work. When we light the Advent candle for peace, we make the bold declaration that God works for good in any situation, even (especially) the hardest ones.
May you know peace today, not because you were able to remove all challenges from your life, but because you recognized that God remained present through every challenge.
Pray.
God, you are peace itself. Remind me of this promise. Ground my heart in your love. Whatever my day holds, call me back to you. May your peace surround me today and every day. Amen.
Carry On.
What will help you stay centered in God’s peace when things get tough? Can you keep a gratitude journal, take time for silence during your day, or go for a short walk?
Isaiah 9:2
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “God, grant me hope.” As you breathe out say, “Spirit, lead me.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
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
Reflect.
On Sunday, we lit the first candle in the Advent wreath. Traditionally, that candle stands for hope. Hope truly highlights the whole Advent season as we light candles against lengthening shadows and prepare ourselves to watch and wait for the coming of Christ. You only wait for something you hope to be true and real – and worth it.
Hope can be a tough thing any time, but especially these days. And I don’t just mean the continuing pandemic and political division that have so tormented us all. This time of year often sees an increase in hopelessness. For some, it brings out reminders of separation and isolation. For others, it highlights the material comfort that simply cannot be. For many, it’s the onslaught of depression exacerbated by lack of sunlight and increased pressures. At the very time we start talking more about hope, many of us are most inclined to give up.
The prophet Isaiah uses these images of light and being lost to point to a promise. In the deepest, most isolating times, even the smallest light can be a profound and powerful beacon. Even those who feel most lost can find promise in the slightest glimmer. This week that one candle on the Advent wreath serves as that beacon of hope.
Hold on to that hope wherever you find it, friends. Be that beacon of hope to someone else however you can. Together, we light our candles against the night and hold out hope that Christ will come no matter what. And that is good news.
Pray.
God, sometimes hope is so hard to come by. Reveal yourself to me in even the smallest ways. Tune my heart and mind to your action in the world. Let me be a light for you so that others might find hope in you, too. Amen.
Carry On.
How will you pay attention to God’s action in your life this week? Can you take some time at the end of the day to write down a few places you saw God’s presence giving you hope?
Wait?
Stop
Do you hate to wait?
Listen
Psalm 130:5–6 (NRSV)
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
Reflect
We begin Advent this weekend. Advent is a season that embraces the darkness and pain of waiting. It is a season designed to help us put on the skin of the Israelites as they sat in the darkness of Exile and waited for God’s Messiah to deliver them.
What are you waiting for today?
How does it feel in your soul, deep in your bones, when all you can do is wait?
I think we are all very familiar with that feeling in deeper ways than we could have imagined as we sit in this moment, 19 months into the pandemic. We were in lock down for so long. Now we live with the new normal of masks and the constant debate over vaccinations and the ubiquitous fear of infection, and the paralyzing feeling of not knowing what is right and best in most situations.
It’s exhausting.
It feels like a long, dark night.
And all we can do is wait.
Like the Psalmist, we wait for the LORD. We wait for something to show us the good and the beautiful in this thing that seems so dark and desperate.
Read the second line of verse 5 again. “and in his word I hope.”
The word of God is the promise of God that God is with us, God is for us, and God will not give up on us, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how many times we mess it up.
In this word we hope.
Tertullian said, “Hope is patience with the lamp lit.”
Hope means we trust that the good will come, eventually.
And, so, we light the candle of hope.
And wait.
Pray
Oh God, we wait for you. Give us patience. Give us grace. Amen.
Carry On
Spend some time each day to light a candle and breathe. Stare into the candle, as if you are staring into the heart of God, and take in deep breaths. Waiting is not the end. Embrace the moment, and keep hope burning.
Eucharist
Stop
The word eucharist means thanksgiving.
Listen
Matthew 26:27–28 (NRSV)
27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Reflect
It is Thanksgiving Day. Will you enjoy the eucharist today?
Huh?
The verse above is from Matthew’s version of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. You probably recognize the lines from when the Pastor speaks the words of institution before the communion service.
The phrase “giving thanks” translates one Greek word: eucharisteo. The root is eucharist. Look at the illustration above. Eucharist is a compound word: eu = good; charis = joy, favor, grace, gift. Perhaps you have heard the communion meal referred to as the eucharist.
When we give thanks, we speak to a person who has given something to us and acknowledge the value of that thing. We hold up the thing and say to the person, “This thing you have given me is a good gift and I owe it to you.”
The Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples was a Passover meal. Jesus held up the cup to God to remember the blood of the Passover lamb and said, “Father, this is a good gift of our salvation, and we owe it to you.” Then, Jesus looked at his disciples and told them that, from now on, this cup would also represent his own blood that he would shed for the sins of the world.
Every time we come to communion it is a Thanksgiving meal.
Let me flip that for a moment. Every time you take time to give thanks to God you share a eucharist moment.
Pray
Gracious God, we give you thanks for all that you have given us, in relationships, in grace, in food, and shelter.
Carry On
As you celebrate Thanksgiving today, make sure you direct your thanks to God, and enjoy your eucharist.
Christ the King
Stop
What does “Christ the King” mean?
Listen
Romans 14:17–19 (NRSV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. 19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Reflect
We just celebrated Christ the King Sunday.
Christ the King. Ponder that.
Close your eyes for a moment and try to imagine a king. What do you see?
My guess is that you see gold, fancy clothes, a crown, and someone surrounded by an air of power and authority. A King is a person with supreme power.
The old saying is: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Most human kings couldn’t handle that kind of power, therefore most human kingdoms ended up becoming oppressive systems that used and abused humans for the sake of preserving and expanding the domination of the kingdom over others.
Jesus is not that kind of King. The Apostle Paul told us that Jesus gave up that kind of power and emptied himself and took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:4-8). John showed us that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet (John 13) and told them to do likewise.
The crown that Jesus wore was made of thorns. He absorbed the violence of corrupt power into his own body on the cross. He conquered Sin and Death, not with violence, but with sacrificial love.
This is the King we follow.
Pray
Christ our King, we thank you that you rule with love, truth, and peace. Give us the courage to live in your kingdom today.
Carry On
How can you take the towel of Jesus today and seek ways the make for peace and mutual upbuilding in your spheres of influence?
Bemidji Faith Story
Stop:
So to begin this time lets focus on your breathing and try the box exercise, do that 2-3 times
Box exercise: There is a breathing exercise that we have done in youth group a few different times to calm our brains, bodies and spirits. I don’t know if it has a name but we just call it the box exercise. The idea is to take your figure and trace a box in the air. And as you trace you breath. So as you trace the top of the box you inhale, for a count of 5, as you trace the side you exhale for a count of 5, trace the bottom inhale, side exhale.
Listen
Colossians 3:12-17
12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 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. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reflect
Twice a year I take high school students to Bemidji for a mini service trip. We leave on a Thursday and come home on Saturday. Our trip is always on a Friday when high school students in school district 196 have Friday off. We do this so that we can serve at a school in Ponemah, MN which is on the Red Lake reservation. I have a friend who is a Kindergarten teacher there. We also serve at a homeless shelter designed for families and the local food shelf. It is a full, exhausting weekend. The service is great and rewarding but I think the part that most stands out, the part that generates the most conversation and reflection from students is listening to the stories of the people we meet. In the simplest terms it is their faith story, how their faith calls them to the vocation they are in, why it keeps them there and how it sustains them. We hear stories of I am called to feed people; I stay here because these people accept me, accept my brokenness; I am here because of an experience I had 15 years ago that I am reminded of everyday. It felt like an invitation from God to lead this organization.
These stories aren’t just impulsive reflections. They are shaping, defining, chewed on, celebration of life stuff. It is almost as if they cannot not do what they do. And it has come from a life of listening, praying, discerning, risking. Hearing their stories, listening to them share the vulnerability, recognizing that our hosts are knowing their why, has given our high school students greater wonderment and mystery into what is God doing in their lives and where is God calling them to be.
Pray
God you know us better than we know ourselves, help us to listen to discover the life you have called us to live.
Challenge
I know this seems like a monumental task, but I want to encourage you to spend some time reflecting, writing your faith story and then share it with someone(s).
Gratitude
Stop
There is a breathing exercise that we have done in youth group a few different times to calm our brains, bodies and spirits. I don’t know if it has a name, we just call it the box exercise. The idea is to take your figure and trace a box in the air. And as you trace, you breathe. So as you trace the top of the box you inhale, for a count of 5, as you trace the side you exhale for a count of 5, trace the bottom inhale, side exhale.
So to begin this time let’s focus on your breathing and try the box exercise, do that 2-3 times
Listen
Psalm 106:1
Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Reflect
There are many verses that talk about Gratitude in the Bible these are two of my favorite. One of the interesting things about gratitude is that people who express and show gratefulness are generally happier people. It is kind of fascinating that people who express their appreciation and gratefulness to others become happier people. In fact there was an informal study done in which random people were invited to take a happiness test. Then they were asked to think of someone who has been really influential in their life. They were then asked to write about what this person has done for them and what they mean to them, why is this person important in their life. When they finished, they were invited to call that person and read to them what they wrote about them. The experiment closed with the participants taking another happiness test. The results, everyone improved in their level of happiness. What was even more fascinating is that the person who came in as the least happy person in the group, had the greatest increase in their happiness level after the doing the experiment.
I can’t help but think about what that says about us. We become happier people when we improve the lives of those around. Isn’t that part of what sharing gratitude is. You are thanking someone for the role that they play in your life, the positive influence that they are. That is affirming stuff and it can only make the recipient feel better. At the same time, and as this experiment seems to indicate, you as the giver of truth, you get a benefit too.
It is also further proof to me that God designed to live in community, we are designed to be together, we are designed to share, and thank and encourage one another.
Pray
God we give you thanks for the people that you bring into our lives to help us in our journey of life. They are ones that we have leaned into for council, support, love and shoulders to cry on. Thank you for bringing us together. Amen
Carry On
Try this for yourself. Take some time to think of someone who is influential in your life, an encourager, supporter, affirmer, anyone who has played an important role in your life. Write down what they mean to you or why do you appreciate them and then call them and tell them that.
Visio Divnia
For today’s devo I wanted to try something a little different, engage a few more senses
Stop
First I invite you to find a comfortable space and a space where you won’t be interrupted for 5-10 minutes, its ok if you have to go sit in the car.
Once you are in that space take a couple of deep cleansing breaths, completely fill up your lungs with air, hold that for a count of 4 and then slowly exhale.
Read
From Psalm 34:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Reflect
Take a few seconds looking at each image. In each image, reflect on where do you see God? How is God present or how is God making Godself known in each image?
Pray
God we are in a rush, we are always moving, we often think about what is next and not what is now! Help us to stop, breath, reflect and SEE where you are in each moment. Help us SEE where and how you are present and how you are making Yourself known.
Amen
Carry On
Take a post it note and place it on your phone or car steering wheel car radio, etc. And when you notice the note, look around and ask yourself, where am I seeing God, right here and right now. Go for a walk and look around, where do you SEE God. At the end of the day, write some notes down on where you saw God today, what it hard to see God, was it easy to see God? Why might it have been harder or easier to see God today? Maybe even include these reflections on the comments.
I Give You Praise
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “Thank you, God.” As you breathe out say, “I give you praise.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
Reflect.
Tomorrow, in worship, we invite everyone to bring in their statement of intent. This document lets the staff and leaders of this congregation know what you intend to give financially to the mission and ministry of Easter Lutheran Church in the year to come. If your information on the appeal, along with your statement of intent, didn’t come in the mail, you can find everything you need online: https://www.easter.org/annualappeal
As I pray for all of us, that we would take the time to discern what God calls us to give, that we would see our stewardship as an act of faith, and that God’s abundance would be made known through our financial gifts, I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude. As Paul writes, I feel a great thanksgiving to God for how God’s goodness is made known through your giving. This is a great joy.
But as Paul also says, I also give thanks for the ways I feel enriched by your generosity. Your giving inspires me. It points me to God’s love. It moves me to greater acts of compassion to ensure justice, equity, and hope for our neighbors. Your giving supports this church and its ministries, yes – but it also encourages me in my personal faith and devotion.
It is my great hope that as you hear God’s call to financial giving for the sake of the church that you will look around you. I hope that you will see other faithful givers, whether in this congregation or in your personal life, and be inspired by their faith at work through their acts of stewardship. Together, we do the work of the church to which the Spirit calls us. But even more, we lift each other up and are enriched for greater ministry. We come together in Christ’s name, united by the gospel, for the sake of our church, our community, and our love for each other.
Thank you for what you share in God’s name and the love you share for each other through your witness.
Pray.
God, you have given me models of faith and generosity throughout my life. I praise you for these saints in my family, my church, and my community. By your Spirit’s guidance, move me to generosity for the sake of your church, your world, and any who might know your abundance through my gifts. Amen.
Carry On.
Who taught you about the importance of giving? How can you thank them for their witness to you?
There Is Always Enough
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “I serve you.” As you breathe out say, “There is always enough.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land. – Deuteronomy 15:11
[Jesus said], “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.” – Matthew 26:11
Reflect.
In Matthew 26, a woman anoints Jesus with an extravagant amount of oil. When his disciples criticize her for the perceived waste of resources that could have gone to those in need. Jesus responds by reminding them that the poor will always be with them, but not him. Indeed, Jesus will die soon, unbeknownst to his disciples. However, this text gets removed from this context. Instead, too many believers have heard this verse as an excuse not to use their money to care for those in need.
Jesus is not saying that the pervasiveness of need excuses us from doing anything about it. Instead, Jesus is pointing back to this instruction from Deuteronomy. The verse comes in the middle of a long series of laws about caring for those in need. Jesus names the reality that this law affirmed: there is no shortage of good we can do for our neighbors. But we do that work in the name of our Savior, as an act of worship and love, realizing that we worship God and serve our neighbor in all we do.
Too often, we try to separate the two things. We assume that our money can only do one thing: worship Jesus or serve our neighbor. We make inauthentic divisions between outreach ministry and internal ministries. We pretend there isn’t enough to support both our worship and our global partners. We lean into scarcity and use this one reference from Jesus out of context to make ourselves feel better.
But instead, what Jesus says is: we can do both. We can choose to glorify God by building up our buildings, ministries, and worship. We can choose to serve our neighbor by supporting outreach partners, service organizations, and those in need. We can do both. We have enough to do both. We have more than enough to do all the work to which God calls us.
This, my friends, is good and joyful and liberating news.
Pray.
Jesus, your ministry shows us that you call us to a life of both/and. We want to think we have to be either/or, but you call us into the challenging and liberating news that you have given us what we need to serve you and serve others in freedom and abundance. Thank you for giving us all we need to do this work. Amen.
Carry On.
How does your giving of time, money, and energy reflect Jesus’ call to worship and serve him and care and provide for others? What can change or adjust in your life to live into this invitation?
You Will Provide
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “I have enough.” As you breathe out say, “You will provide.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. – Matthew 6:24
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? – Matthew 6:25
Reflect.
Far too often, we separate these two verses from Matthew’s gospel. They both come in the context of a much larger teaching from Jesus, so admittedly, we’ve got to break somewhere. But when we pull these two verses apart, we make them into something that doesn’t quite make the whole truth clear.
We hear verse 24 as a caution against loving money too much. We’ve all heard many a bad sermon trying to softball Jesus’ very clearly-worded statement of truth: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Or, conversely, we’ve heard this verse as part of a larger request to part with our money in service of a cause. While the verse does indeed invite us to consider our relationship with money, this verse can easily be twisted into something like: if you don’t give us your money, you obviously love money too much and don’t love God enough.
And then, we usually hear verse 25 in a completely other context, absolutely divided from its original setting. When we hear verse 25 without verse 24, it becomes part of a “don’t worry, be happy” sermon. Your life doesn’t really matter that much, right? God will take care of you!
But notice a very important word: therefore. You cannot serve God and wealth, therefore, don’t worry about your life. You can’t serve two masters, therefore, remember that life is more than food. The two statements have to come together.
When we consider our relationship with money and how God calls us to use it righteously and well, we remember that we walk a delicate but essential line. We cannot and will not worry and obsess about it too much, because money is but one of God’s many gifts and God has promised to care for us. However, we also realize the power money has to glorify God, care for our neighbors, and provide for our own needs. We hold all these things in tension and recognize money for the meaningful tool and gift from God that it is.
Therefore, we know that we are free to share God’s good gifts – including our money – without fear and in joy. We continue to worship and praise God by talking about, praying about, and maintaining a right relationship with our money. Financial stewardship is an act of bold faith.
Pray.
God, I confess that I get my relationship with money all wrong. I either worry about it too much or make it into more than it should be. By your grace, help me see money as a gift from you meant to do good in my life, my neighbor’s life, and the life of your church. Amen.
Carry On.
How will you contribute to Easter’s ministry in the year to come? Have you prayed and talked about what you will share on your statement of intent for this fall’s generosity appeal?
I Serve You With Love
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “I serve you with love.” As you breathe out say, “I serve all in your name.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2
Reflect.
Whether in your email, on the website, or in worship, you’ve heard more this fall about our annual generosity appeal. On November 14, we will invite everyone to make a financial commitment to the mission and ministry of this congregation. After prayer, reflection, conversation, and planning, you will be able to turn in your statement of intent for 2022. Your faithfulness makes ministry happen here at Easter.
It’s always thrilling to talk about the new, bigger, and greater things we can do. This year, we’re especially focusing on sustaining the buildings that house and strengthen our ministry and investing in the care and outreach to which God calls us. Sometimes, however, what we’re called to do isn’t always fancy or flashy. Sometimes it’s investing in the daily, vital, sustaining work of ministry that keeps happening here.
Sustaining ministry excellence means continuing to support our staff with fair wages, our programs with ample funding, our fiscal responsibilities with prompt payment, and our property maintenance with an eye to safety. Sometimes people shrug and talk about it as “just keeping the lights on”, as if that doesn’t mean much.
But honestly, keeping the lights on is where the daily work of ministry really happens. These basics support the staff who do such incredible work for our church and community. They keep up the spaces that help believers of all ages learn about and experience Christ in their lives. They help us be church in the world by paying electrical bills, covering fees, and fairly compensating those who do the work.
This is the real work of faith: the minute-to-minute sustaining of the mission that we know we share. This is why I’ll grow my financial giving to Easter this year. I get to see first-hand how vital this work is and it is my joy to sustain it year after year. I hope you’ll join me as our financial giving sustains ministry excellence in our congregation.
Pray.
God, we thank you for the holy work of being church together. Bless us as we each support your mission in this place. Give us the endurance and wisdom to care for what you have given us so we can keep preaching the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Carry On.
Is there a staff person, volunteer, worship leader, or ministry partner you really appreciate at Easter? Let them know! Write a note of support and encouragement this week.
You Are Love
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “You are love.” As you breathe out say, “I go out in compassion.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
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. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:13-14
Reflect.
When I first began to discern my call to Easter Lutheran Church, I asked around. What did people think about this congregation? I consistently heard one clear message: this is a place that really cares about its community and has devoted itself to serving their neighbors.
In my first months at Easter Lutheran Church, I had the privilege of gathering for listening sessions with members of the congregation, both carefully distanced outside or via Zoom. Where did people feel the greatest sense of joy in this congregation? Where did they feel God calling us deeper? I consistently heard one clear message: the work we do to love and serve our neighbor in Christ’s name means so much, and the new call to equity and justice fits perfectly with the mission we share.
It felt exciting to know that what people said about Easter matched what Easter people thought of themselves. It felt even more exciting to know I got to serve in a place that wanted to make its devotion to the gospel known in worship, learning, and vitally, in service to their neighbors. Today, it continues to give me great joy to see how we help feed hungry people, support youth, engage with our global partners, work for housing stability, and learn about and work towards racial equity.
Last year, our generosity appeal named this work as one of our most important goals. Because of your faithful giving and your devotion through love to serve others, we have been able to grow these programs and opportunities. There’s more to do, and it is thrilling to consider where God might be calling us.
On November 14, you’ll be invited to share your statement of intent with this congregation. That means you’ll make the prayerful, faithful decision to give financially to the church in celebration of all God’s gifts to you. It also means you get the opportunity to support this life-giving, identity-making work that Easter so greatly values. This outreach remains central to Easter’s identity, and together, we will keep doing this holy work.
Pray.
God, we praise you for the freedom to serve others without fear or selfishness. Open our hearts and hands to freely share all your gifts with all your people. As we grow deeper in love for you, call us deeper into generosity and service for the sake of the whole world that you so love. Amen.
Carry On.
What do you know about Easter’s many outreach partnerships and areas of focus? How could you learn more about our priorities? What do you most want to be a part of this year?
You Are My Rock
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “You are my rock.” As you breathe out say, “I build on you.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
[You are] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. – Ephesians 2:20-21
Reflect.
Here at Easter, you’ve heard us talk more over the past few weeks about generosity. On November 14, we will invite everyone to make a financial commitment to the mission and ministry of this congregation. After prayer, reflection, conversation, and planning, you will be able to turn in your statement of intent for 2022. That bold act of faith will demonstrate your trust in God and gratitude for all God’s gifts in your life.
Our staff and leadership spend a lot of time in prayer, discernment, and conversation around where God calls us as a congregation. This year, we’re very aware of the role of our physical buildings. For nearly two years, we’ve had to dramatically adjust the way we use our buildings. From shifting to digital formats to adapting for pandemic restrictions, the way we use our physical resources continues to change. Still more, both of Easter’s sites need updates and maintenance to stay safe, welcoming, and high functioning. We know that God calls us to care for the gift of our physical locations.
At first, it may not feel exciting to give to the maintenance of our buildings. But then, think of all the ministry that happens inside these walls. We share in the sacraments, we hear God’s word, we encourage each other, we learn about scripture, and best of all, we get what we need to serve God and our neighbor outside these walls. Caring for our physical locations is a bold and meaningful faith act.
Together, as we continue to gather in our buildings for worship, learning, and service, we experience what it means to truly be gathered as one people, built on the rock of our faith. It is a joy to be present and engaged with you in this shared ministry.
Pray.
God, we thank you for all you have given us. We especially thank you for our church and its resources. Grant us what we need to strengthen our buildings and the ministries they support. Call us to great acts of generosity for the sake of the mission we share. Bring us together and send us out in your Son’s holy name. Amen.
Carry On.
Think about the special faith events you’ve experienced inside Easter’s walls. What did those encounters mean for your faith and life? How will you express your gratitude for these opportunities?
Returning
Stop. Take a deep breath—3 seconds in, 6 seconds out. Good. Now do it again. Keep breathing deeply. Gracious God we ask you to help us examine our hearts and lives throughout this devotion time. Amen.
Listen. Genesis 32:9-12 9 And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. 12 Yet you have said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.’”
Reflect. Jacob notes that when he fled (likely because he fled quickly because his brother Esau wanted to kill him) he fled with only a staff. Since he fled, Jacob has worked for his father-in-law Laban, married two of Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel, and has accumulated livestock and servants. He had only a staff and now returns to his homeland with an abundance. He returns with a lot of uncertainty but it’s time to be the person God has asked him to be.
At Easter Lutheran Church, many of us are returning, too. We closed down our campuses on a moments’ notice in March 2020 not knowing when we would re-gather. We left without even a shepherd’s staff but something better—the grace of God. Many have started to return for in-person worship and ministry programming. The grace of God remains and we are returning with an abundance:
An abundance of joy at seeing friends and making new acquaintances
An abundance of Spirit-filled music
An abundance of faith as we hear God’s Word and share in the Lord’s Supper
An abundance of connection after months of isolation
An abundance of uncertainty and loss (it’s good to name even the negative things)
An abundance of hope in what God is up to in our midst
In a year when so much has been taken or lost due to the pandemic, we remember and celebrate all God has provided. It is in this same Spirit of gratitude and celebration that we thank God with all that we are and all that we have.
Pray. Gracious God, thank you for showing up in powerful ways throughout this challenging year. Thank you for the many ways we are returning to in-person worship and ministry at Easter and the many ways we have been re-gathering with family and friends. While the future remains uncertain, we are certain of this: that you are with us and go ahead of us to prepare the way. Amen.
Carry On. In response to all God has provided, we have an amazing opportunity to commit our finances to God’s work through Easter Lutheran Church. Sunday, November 14th is Commitment Sunday where we return our Statement of Intent for financial giving in 2022. For those who have experienced an abundance this year I encourage you to prayerfully consider increasing your household’s donation amount. In addition, if you have been negatively affected by this pandemic, please let me know as your church cares about you and is here to support you.
God in the Dark
Stop. Take a deep breath—3 seconds in, 6 seconds out. Good. Now do it again. Keep breathing deeply. Gracious God we ask you to help us examine our hearts and lives throughout this devotion time. Amen.
Listen. Genesis 32:24-26
24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
Reflect.
Jacob has wrestled all night with this mysterious man whom he refers to as God afterward. The two are exhausted. It’s a draw. Jacob’s opponent asks to be let go. Jacob holds on until he gets a blessing. In the Lutheran tradition we often talk about God holding onto us or God never giving up on us. In this story it’s Jacob who holds onto God. Perhaps this is faith.
Jacob’s circumstance is dire. As mentioned in the previous devotion, both of Jacob’s options (stay with Uncle Laban, move forward and into his brother Esau + Esau’s 400 men) are impossible and would likely not end well for him (he believes).
Perhaps you have found yourself in an impossible situation accompanied by a night or more of restless sleep. Struggling with a relationship, diagnosis, loss, circumstance, decision, or otherwise. No matter where you look the options are not life-giving.
Yet Jacob holds onto God and fights for a blessing. Why? Because even in our darkest moments God still gives us something of value. Even in our darkest moments God still says we are valuable. God gives us God’s self. Yes, we may still walk away with a limp but that is faith. To have been through the ringer of this life and still come out trusting God.
Pray. Gracious God, show your presence to us in the midst of challenging circumstances. Help us hold onto you even when all else is failing. Send us with your blessing that we might be a blessing to others. Amen.
Carry on. How about instead of wrestling with your colleagues, family members, or friends, you just give them a blessing (and skip the wrestling)? Tell them this: Remember that Jesus loves you and so do I. Amen. OR simply say “I’m so glad you’re my [insert their place in your life—colleague, sibling, friend, etc.]”.
Move Forward
Stop. Take a deep breath—3 seconds in, 6 seconds out. Good. Now do it again. Keep breathing deeply. Gracious God we ask you to help us examine our hearts and lives throughout this devotion time. Amen.
Listen. Genesis 32:22-23 22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
Reflect. Jacob has really gotten himself into it. Here he is at the Jabbok River which serves as a divide for him. On one side is his Uncle Laban where he has stayed for the past 20 years, whom he has tricked out of a lot of livestock and wealth. Jacob is not welcome on Laban’s side. On the other side is his brother Esau, whom he fled from 20 years ago after stealing his blessing from their father Isaac. Jacob fears he is not welcome on Esau’s side. There has been a lot of back and forth across the Jabbok in this story and I honestly don’t know if Jacob sent his family ahead of him to the side where Esau was or behind him to the side where Laban was.
But I do know this—Jacob cannot return to what once was. The road ahead (Esau) looks quite unpleasant but it’s the only option. Jacob has to leave Laban and his life of 20 years behind. Next weekend is Reformation Sunday. The church reached a Jabbok River of sorts. Martin Luther wasn’t trying to start a new church but as he looked back he saw the sale of indulgences and the accumulation of merit by good works and he struggled to see Jesus in it. As he looked forward he saw a challenging road but it was a faithful step to cross the river and walk into God’s promised forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ.
Phyllis Tickle says that every 500 years the church has a giant rummage sale—sorting through doctrine, traditions, and practices that no longer serve God’s kingdom or people. As we think about Jacob and Luther, is there anything you need to leave behind? Is there something that no longer serves you or your neighbors? Perhaps it’s time to name that thing (or things), step over the Jabbok River, and move forward trusting that God will lead, protect, and love you… trusting that what lies ahead is better than what we’ve left behind.
Pray. Gracious God, as we rummage through the garbage of our own lives, help us to discard the accumulated junk from our lives. Help us to simplify. Help us to lighten our burdens. Help us to let go. Help us to follow you. Amen.
Carry On. Sort through your things. Maybe just one closet. Bring a donation to your favorite charity.
El Roi
Stop
Today we look at a third name that describes an attribute of God: El Roi. It means the God who sees.
Listen
Read Genesis chapter 16, a story about Hagar. Genesis 16:13 says, “So Hagar named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?”
Reflect
This is a very disturbing story. Sarai did not believe God’s promise. She gave in to fear and took matters into her own hands. She gave her slave, Hagar, to Abram to make a baby. Hagar became pregnant and gave birth to a son, whom they named Ishmael. Hagar sees the fact that she gave Abram a son as a way to belittle Sarai. This angers Sarai and she tells Abram to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. Abram relents and sends them away.
Sounds like a soap opera, doesn’t it?
Imagine how Hagar must have felt. First, she is a slave. She was most likely given to Sarai by the Pharoah in Egypt. She is not seen as a human being with value. She is seen as an animal that exists only to serve the whim of her masters. She was sexually violated when her masters made her conceive a child. Then, when her body is used and abused in this way, she is punished for it.
She can’t win.
She has been cast out, discarded as even more worthless than a slave. It can’t get much worse than this. Can anyone see her? Does anyone care?
God does. God sees her pain…and loves her. God blesses her and Ishmael.
Hagar is the only person in the Bible who calls God El Roi: the God who sees.
Pray
Oh God who sees the unseen, who hears the voiceless, please give us your eyes and ears. May those who feel invisible know that you see them. Amen.
Carry On
May you go into your day with two truths today. 1. If you feel invisible, know that God sees and loves you. 2. God sees the invisible people when those whom the world sees take notice of them. Notice who you notice today.