ASH WEDNESDAY	February 6, 2008
MY LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS SONG My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation, I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Refrain No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? (Refrain) What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth. What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. (Refrain) The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)  Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899 I can see myself in heaven, standing there in front of God, singing a breathtakingly beautiful aria with the celestial choir.  There is at least one problem with this scenario. I sing like a frog. My future as a soloist is as bleak in heaven as it has been here on earth.  I was one of those kids told to lip-synch during the Sunday school Christmas program. My beloved grandfather used to call me Little Missy One-Note. Now that I’m grown up, Papa Tom sings bass and Mama Dallas can’t quite hit high tenor. I really shouldn’t sing in public, at least not loud enough for anyone to hear. I shouldn’t. But on any given Sunday you’ll find me in church, belting out the tunes with gusto.  The songs of the church are the songs of my heart. They are the birthing songs, the baptizing songs, the marrying songs, the burying songs, the songs of growing up and growing old. They are the songs my memory sings when I wake in the middle of the night. Lent, the season of introspection, has officially begun. I feel the ashes on my forehead. Lent is a time for sorrow and repentance, a time to remember the ultimate sacrifice God made for his creation. Maybe I should just sit quietly in thoughtful silence, hearing again the story of Jesus on the road to crucifixion. But I know how the story ends. The Lord my Savior liveth. My toes are tapping and my heart is jumping. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Bless you, Lord, for the grace we have received through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Teach us to sing, Lord, so that we will be brave enough to sing for you. Dallas Cronk
The First Thursday of Lent	February 7, 2008
BORNING CRY Editor's note: Lyrics for the hymn “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry,” (text and music by John Ylvisaker) are not available for electronic distribution. Text and music can be found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship #732 and With One Voice #770. This is considered by many to be a baptismal hymn, but I chose it to be sung at my mother’s memorial service.  A few days after the funeral, one of my neighbors commented on the song’s wonderful lyrics. She said, “Your mother could have sung those words to you.” True enough. My mother was there for the first part of my life journey and witnessed many of the milestones: my birth, my baptism, my wild teenage years, and the years when my children were born and were young. But God was there for all of those wonderful, and not so wonderful, years as well. It is so reassuring to know that even though my mother is no longer here to witness my milestones and guide me, my heavenly Father is still here. He is with me always, giving me strength and comfort and joy — and the promise of a life after this one. Heavenly Father, thank you for being there for me in the past and for continuing to be there in the future. I thank you for all of the blessings you have showered upon me, including parents who brought me to you when I was a child. Susayn Brandes
The First Friday of Lent	February 8, 2008
IN THE GARDEN I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. Refrain And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known. He speaks and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing. (Refrain) I’d stay in the garden with him, though the night around me be falling, but he bids me go; through the voice of woe, his voice to me is calling. (Refrain) Text: Charles Webb Used by permission. © 1989 United Methodist Publishing House You will not find my favorite hymn in a Lutheran hymnal. It is a favorite for two reasons. It is the song my mother sang, always slightly off-key, as she rocked my younger siblings and probably me, too. And the message, whether sung by my mother or the congregation, is always the same: “I am his own.”  There is a saying that good parents raise their children to know right from wrong, but forgive them and continue to love and support them if they do wrong. When I was a child, this hymn reminded me that mine were good parents. Now, it reminds me that our heavenly Father is also a good parent. He tells us how he wants us to act, but he forgives us when we fail, and he always supports us. Is the garden an ordinary one? The Garden of Eden? Or a heavenly garden? It doesn’t matter. The message is that God loves us, no matter what, and that Christ died to keep it that way. Lord, continue to remind us, as we see the marvels of this worldly garden, that we are your own.  Jolene Dougherty
The First Saturday of Lent	February 9, 2008
EARTH AND ALL STARS!  Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets! Sing to the Lord a new song! Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm! Sing to the Lord a new song!  Refrain God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song! Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals! Sing to the Lord a new song! Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos! Sing to the Lord a new song! (Refrain) Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers! Sing to the Lord a new song! Limestone and beams! Loud building workers! Sing to the Lord a new song! (Refrain) Classrooms and labs! Loud boiling test tubes! Sing to the Lord a new song! Athlete and band! Loud cheering people! Sing to the Lord a new song! (Refrain) Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom! Sing to the Lord a new song! Daughter and son! Loud praying members! Sing to the Lord a new song! (Refrain) Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926 Used by permission.  © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. I love to sing and make music, and I enjoy this hymn because of all the things that are singing. I feel that I am in wonderful company when everything praises God or is urged to do so, depending on how you interpret the “sing to the Lord a new song!” — as a statement or as an admonition to sing. Throughout the verses, we hear the natural universe, weather, musical instruments, industry and construction, schools, sports enthusiasts, knowledge and truth. Have you ever noticed that people are mentioned directly only a few times? The loud building workers; the athletes, band, loud cheering fans; the daughter and son (of God); the loud praying members. Why loud planets, loud snowstorms, loud wisdom, cymbals, hammers, test tubes and members? Think about the last time you were ecstatically happy, thrilled. Could you whisper your enthusiasm? Of course not. So when we are truly aware of God’s presence everywhere and in everything, we make a joyful noise. Our praise is new as we see things anew and express our personal praise. We are aware of God’s presence in our lives. We appreciate the marvelous things God has done, and we can rest assured that he will be with us always, even to the end of the age. Sing a new song! Dear omnipresent and loving God, we thank you for everything large and small, near and far in your wonderful creation. Help us praise you loudly, both in song and in our lives.   Dr. Eunice Doman Myers
The First Sunday of Lent	February 10, 2008
IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise! Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render; oh, help us to see  'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee! Text: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908, alt. This hymn brought comfort at my mother’s funeral. Each of my two daughters chose it for her wedding. It was relevant on all occasions. What I love most about it is that it relays the omnipotence and omnipresence of God. God is always with us. He never changes. The verse, “We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee,” is reminiscent of  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. …”  God gave us life. He gave us our very essence. Our time on earth is so short compared with eternity.  God will eternally be our God, and we will be with him for eternity. This is the promise he gave us when he sent his Son to die for our sins. We do not have to earn this gift. All we have to do is to believe and be baptized. Thank you, God, for sending your son to die for our sins. Thank you for the comfort you have given us when those we love die — the comfort of knowing they have gone home to be with you. Thank you for your promise of eternal life.  Judy McDiffett
The First Monday of Lent	February 11, 2008
LOST IN THE NIGHT  Lost in the night do the people yet languish, longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, plaintively heaving a sigh full of anguish. Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon? Must we be vainly awaiting the morrow? Shall those who have light no light let us borrow, giving no heed to our burden of sorrow? Will you help us soon? Will you help us soon? Sorrowing wand’rers, in darkness yet dwelling, dawned has the day of a radiance excelling, death’s dreaded darkness forever dispelling. Christ is coming soon! Christ is coming soon! Light o’er the land of the needy is beaming; rivers of life through its deserts are streaming, bringing all peoples a Savior redeeming. Come and save us soon! Come and save us soon! Text: Finnish song; tr. Olav Lee, 1859-1943, alt. © 1932 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress I first heard and sang this hymn in the seminary choir in Chicago in 1961. A tenor from Latvia sang the first verse in a beautiful, haunting voice that I can hear in my head to this day. He was part of a church full of Latvians who had fled their country during the second world war. For a time they were lost in the night and languished, longing for morning their darkness to vanquish. They were plaintively sighing with hearts full of anguish. The Lutheran World Federation helped them find "morning" and a new day in the United States. They represent all the lost people, refugees from war, all over the world. There are people with a burden of sorrow everywhere. And we who have light must not only lend it to them, but give it freely for them to keep. We won't lose any light that we share. The most moving experiences of my life have been when people with burdens of inner pain from mental, emotional and physical abuse received help from people who knew how to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of fear and anger. Help came soon. Christ came and helped through loving people. The death of loved ones brings the deepest shadows. My first funeral was for a 19-year-old girl who was killed in an automobile accident. Her father, mother and younger sister were sorrowing wanderers for a long period of grieving. The power of Christ's light coming to them gave them the dawning of a new day of radiance. Dear Lord, planet Earth is a land of the needy. Let the light of Christ come to us as awareness of our oneness with you and all other people. Help us to keep on singing for the rivers of life to stream through the deserts, bringing all people the Savior’s redeeming. The Rev. Paul Reimers, retired
The First Tuesday of Lent	February 12, 2008
HOLY GOD, HOLY AND GLORIOUS Holy God, holy and glorious, glory most sublime, you come as one among us into human time, and we behold your glory.  Holy God, holy and powerful, power without peer, you bend to us in weakness; emptied you draw near, and we behold your power. Holy God, holy and beautiful, beauty unsurpassed, you are despised, rejected; scorned, you hold us fast, and we behold your beauty. Holy God, holy and only wise, wisdom of great price, you choose the way of folly: God the crucified, and we behold your wisdom. Holy God, holy and living one, life that never ends, you show your love by dying, dying for your friends, and we behold you living. Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952 Used by permission.  © 2000 GIA Publications.  All rights reserved. I learned this song just a couple of years ago, and it immediately became a favorite. I enjoy singing it, but it is the words that get me every time. God comes to us in totally unexpected ways — in fact, the exact opposite of what we expect or what we see. We know that God is glorious, powerful, beautiful, only wise and very much alive. But we learn these truths by seeing the exact opposite in the life of Christ. Not so long ago, we were celebrating the birth of Christ and experiencing the awe and wonder of God coming among us. Christ, the Word made flesh, stooped to earth and became human. And in that act of humbling himself, Christ showed us his true glory. As we journey toward the cross during these days of Lent, we hear about the life of Jesus. He reaches out to those in greatest need, allowing himself to be vulnerable. And in that weakness, we see his incredible power. We see and experience Christ’s beauty in spite of, and possibly in light of, the ways in which he was rejected by those closest to him. As we hear again about Christ’s final days, we may wonder about the decisions that led to Christ’s crucifixion and see them as a way of folly. Yet, we know the whole story, and we see the infinite wisdom in Christ’s death and resurrection — the act that saves us from our sins. That leads to the final verse, and the best news of all. Christ shows his love for us by dying, but we behold him living. During Lent, we reflect on our own weakness, the ways in which we have despised and rejected God, and our many ways of folly. We recognize our need for forgiveness — our need for a Savior. In that need, we cling to the One who is holy, glorious, powerful, beautiful and only wise — and who lives among us now and forever. Holy God, you are more than we can ever expect or understand. May we always cling to you and continue to be amazed by the incredible ways you come to us and surprise us each and every day. In your holy name we pray. The Rev. Kristin Neitzel, Associate Pastor
The Second Wednesday of Lent	February 13, 2008
CENTER OF MY LIFE Keep me safe, O God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord, “You are my God. My happiness lies in you alone; my happiness lies in you alone.” Refrain O, Lord, you are the center of my life; I will always praise you. I will always keep you in my sight. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight; since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. (Refrain) And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even in safety shall my body rest. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. (Refrain) You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand, at your right hand happiness forever. (Refrain) Text: Paul Inwood, Ladies of the Grail Used by permission  © 1963 GIA, The Grail The words of this hymn, taken from Psalm 16, denote the centrality of God that we as Christians must have in our lives. I recently started taking yoga classes. In the midst of some of our contortions, the instructor says “...resist away from your core.” The “core,” on this level, refers to the heart. As the life-giving organ of the body, it takes and receives the life-giving blood of our lives. So it is with God, for he is both the centrifugal and centripetal force of our lives.  We revolve around and evolve from his divine love. St. Augustine, the famous theologian, said in one of his sermons, “Listen to me, you who are poor: What is lacking if you have God? Listen to me, you who are rich: What do you possess if you do not have God?” Trying to navigate this material world without God is like riding on a bus full of people with all the shades pulled down. The bus passes through a breath-taking landscape of verdant hills, lush valleys and crystal streams. The people inside, however, merely squabble over the best seats and never see any of it. May we be open to God’s love at all times with eyes that see and hearts that love! Loving Father, let us always remember that your son reveals his presence in every detail of our lives. May we cling to this presence always as the center of our very being. Joanne T. Ehrlich
The Second Thursday of Lent	February 14, 2008
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; no merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. Refrain On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain) His oath, his covenant, his blood sustain me in the raging flood; when all supports are washed away, he then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain) When he shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in him be found, clothed in his righteousness alone, redeemed to stand before the throne! (Refrain) Text: Edward Mote, 1797-1874, alt.  The hymn above and a contemporary Christian song together show a paradox that is present in our lives. Artist Todd Agnew has a song entitled “If You Wanted Me.” Part of it is about Peter’s response to Jesus walking out on water and inviting Peter to come to him: “If you wanted me to walk on water, why did you make the solid ground seem so right?” Jesus urges us to have faith in him. Oftentimes, we need answers to our questions before we can make the plunge. These two songs present conflicting images. One shows Christ as the rock, solid and firm. The other portrays an enduring test of faith, telling us that we are to walk into places that we know are unstable – or sinking sand. So which is it? Matthew 14 tells us the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter asks Jesus, “If it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus answers, “Come.” Come. This invitation clears the paradox up for us, and for Peter. “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” is referred to as the Navy hymn. One verse reads, “In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.” In the storms of our lives, the places where we find ourselves unsure, our faith in Christ is our anchor. We can stand on the rock of Christ, the rock of salvation. Christ invites us to come into the places in our lives that we are unsure of – and come closer to him. This is the solid ground, the firm anchor that holds us closely. As our relationship with Christ deepens, the raging sea turns into a rock. Father, we thank you for the solid ground you give us. Invite us to walk with you in unfamiliar situations, trusting in your grace and mercy. Provide for us when we feel we are sinking and give us courage for uneasy times in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Chris Deines
The Second Friday of Lent	February 15, 2008
DAY BY DAY Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me, bringing comfort to my anxious soul. Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal. Love divine, beyond all mortal measure, brings to naught the burdens of my quest; Savior, lead me to the home I treasure, where at last I’ll find eternal rest. Day by day, I know you will provide me strength to serve and wisdom to obey; I will seek your loving will to guide me o’er the paths I struggle day by day. I will fear no evil of the morrow, I will trust in your enduring grace. Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow till in glory I behold your face. Oh, what joy to know that you are near me when my burdens grow too great to bear; oh, what joy to know that you will hear me when I come, O Lord, to you in prayer. Day by day, no matter what betide me, you will hold me ever in your hand. Savior, with your presence here to guide me, I will reach at last the promised land. Text: Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832-1903; tr. Robert Leaf, b. 1936 Used by permission. Tr. © 1992 Augsburg Fortress God is present in our daily lives. His loving will guides us along the path we travel in his kingdom and opens doors of service that add significant meaning to our lives and the lives of others. As faithful Christians, we seek to do God’s will and to live our lives day by day in such a manner that we strengthen our relationship with God and with other people. We serve God by participating in the worship and social life of the church and in the outreach programs that serve our community. Yet our daily lives are not lived entirely in our church community. Do we practice our Christian faith in the world community as we relate to our family, our co-workers, our friends and neighbors? “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown him this grace.” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 35) With a living faith like this, how can we keep from singing? The song of life is the song of faith, joy and love. Let us sing it with the sure hope of salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Heavenly Father, bless me with the strength to serve, the wisdom to obey and the joy of a song in my heart. Marjorie Bender
The Second Saturday of Lent	February 16, 2008
AS THE DEER As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you. Refrain You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you. I want you more than gold or silver. Only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye. (Refrain) You're my friend and you're my brother, even though you are a king. I love you more than any other, so much more than anything. (Refrain) Text: Michael Joncas Used by permission  © 1996 GIA Publications, Inc. My husband and I did not know one another as children. Yet our childhoods mirrored one another in many ways. We both attended camp nearly every summer. We spent that one week away from our homes and, most of all, our parents. We felt a little more freedom than usual. We grew as individuals.  During those weeks away from home, we made new friends. We looked forward to seeing these friends each summer, and we just knew that these friendships would last a lifetime.  At camp, we also grew in our faith in God. While our parents were far away, God was close to our hearts. We learned God would always be there for us. Our personal relationships with God grew stronger and deeper. During the Lenten season, we are reminded of our childhoods with Easter egg hunts, candy and new church clothes. But we can also reflect on the times in our childhood when we learned what it truly means to have God in our hearts. Although we are older now, we continue to build on the foundation of faith that was laid years ago. With each day, we “long to worship you.” Dear Lord, we pray that during this Lenten season we will grow and build upon our personal relationship with you.    Dulcinea Rakestraw
The Second Sunday of Lent	February 17, 2008
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, All ye, all ye lands! Serve the Lord, the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Hallelujah! Glory hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory hallelujah! Text: Psalm 100:1-2, King James Version I remember when I went to church camp for the first time. My brothers had gone camping multiple times with the Boy Scouts, including weeklong stays at summer camp. This was my first time to be away from my parents for a whole week. Of course, my two older brothers were at the same camp, but there were no parents. We did the normal camp things: slept in bunks in cabins; hiked everywhere in the hot, humid Louisiana summer; made crafts; swam; played group games; and went to chapel twice a day. Chapel was a place, but it was not limited to a building. I can remember having services outside in the evening. Chapel was memorable for its music, which hit an emotional chord that ever since has been related to my “happy” feelings. I can still picture a long-haired, ratty-jean-wearing counselor (it was the early ‘70s) strumming his acoustic guitar. This is the song I remember. I knew I would always have the words since I had just received my first Bible. Psalm 100. Even I could remember the location — basically in the center of the book. This was my first connection with being able to find something personally meaningful in the Bible. I remembered this song as my husband and I planned our wedding ceremony. I wanted to share the pleasure it gave me with everyone who came to share the joy of our union. My childhood pastor recited the verses of Psalm 100 in place of singing since we didn’t have music. The words alone still evoked the same happy feelings for me. Dear Lord, please know that I serve you with gladness. You have given me everything that makes me happy, including these beautiful words and my family. Let me share your never-ending goodness with the rest of the world. Karen Vlamis
The Second Monday of Lent	February 18, 2008
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious; he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe has sworn to work us woe! With craft and dreadful might he arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal. No strength of ours can match his might!  We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious. God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it; for God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit. Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child, or spouse, though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day. The kingdom’s ours forever! Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 Used by permission.  © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress Martin Luther — along with being a reformer, a theologian, a fiery preacher and a Bible translator — was also an exceptional musician. He wrote, “I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art that can be placed on a level with music, for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy to the heart.” I love music, too. So Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” is not only a treasured Lutheran hymn; it’s also beautiful music. Lutherans sing it on Reformation Sunday as a reminder of the trials Martin Luther faced as he challenged the religious hierarchy of his day. “A Mighty Fortress,” based on Psalm 46, reflects Luther’s awareness of his own – and our own –  intense struggle with Satan. In difficulty and danger, God is with us. Luther’s words give hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak, truth to the disheartened and belief to the unbeliever. There is nothing that can keep God from being our salvation. He is our strength, our warrior, our helper. He is with us forever. Our God, our mighty fortress, keep us this day from harm, from evil. Continue to strengthen us in our beliefs and in our struggles. We love you for loving us. Barbara Orsak
The Second Tuesday of Lent	February 19, 2008
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711 My mother’s side of the family is crazy — not exactly certifiably crazy, but the religions are several times plural and the lifestyles are diverse. My grandparents are divorced. My grandma’s family was German Lutheran, and my grandpa’s father was a Methodist minister. My great-aunt is a practicing Unitarian from the Deep South. My mom’s sister married a Jewish man, and they live in California. When my two cousins were little, they asked “Are we Christmas tree or menorah?” They’ve been menorah ever since, although one is married to a Hindu man from India. My uncle used to live on a communal farm, and he follows the Muslim teachings of a Sufi mystic from Sri Lanka. But if you ask him, he’ll tell you, “Me and Jesus are tight, man.” My other uncle has kids with a woman who was raised Jewish. They have chosen not to marry. They’re undecided between Christmas tree and menorah, but he might be more of an agnostic. The prospect of saying grace before a family meal has this Kansas farmer’s daughter running for the hills! We’ve had reunions, confirmations, bat mitzvahs and weddings, and we’ve discovered a solution: We all sing the doxology.  Although I love the simple words and melody, it’s become a running joke. Potential awkwardness dissipates when we launch into our rousing (and slightly off-key) rendition of “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.”  We avoid tiptoeing through the minefield of religion and theology with these four lines. This verse brings joy and amusement at a time when our differences could be most heightened. Anyway, the sooner we can get to the conversation of the actual meal, the sooner we can all talk politics! Dear God, help me look for similarities before pointing out differences. Teach me that normal is not another word for “my way.” Allow me to appreciate opportunities of diversity.                                                                                                                                    Jennifer Worrel
The Third Wednesday of Lent	February 20, 2008
WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER (It Is Well with My Soul) When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain It is well (it is well) with my soul, (with my soul,) it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed his own blood for my soul. (Refrain) He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; my sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Refrain) Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend; even so it is well with my soul. (Refrain)  Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888 Music has been a huge part of my life, from my first memories of singing “Christmas Bells” in Sunday school, standing in a circle, holding hands, swaying back and forth. I think I was about three. One of my favorite hymns over the years is this one. I am so fond of it that I have chosen it to be sung at my memorial service. I’m a firm believer in being prepared. Even before I took the time to examine the verses, I was drawn to the refrain: “It is well with my soul.” What does it mean to have your soul at peace? The verses speak to the trials and sorrows of life that will surely come to us. Life will be hard.  Yet we are encouraged by the knowledge that no matter what happens, we will be saved because Christ has shed his blood for us. He fully recognizes our weaknesses and knows we cannot save ourselves. But we can be prepared. We need only to recognize that all is well with our souls since Christ has given himself.  Heavenly Father, continue to remind us that our souls can be at peace because you are our risen Savior. Keep us secure in the knowledge of this, our most blessed gift. Suzanne Koch
The Third Thursday of Lent	February 21, 2008
MORNING HAS BROKEN Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!  Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God's feet pass. Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning, born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise ev'ry morning, God's recreation of the new day! Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881-1965 Text © Miss E. Farjeon Will Trust, by permission of David Higham Associates. Sometimes, it’s all a matter of how we see things. For instance, when I was growing up as a Catholic boy, Martin Luther’s tune for “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” was not the great anthem of faith I now know it to be. Rather, it was the title music for the children’s series “Davey and Goliath.” And “We Plow the Fields and Scatter” was not a hymn but a beautiful, lilting song in the musical “Godspell.” Then there’s the hymn I knew as a delicate, piano-backed piece by musician Cat Stevens. I first heard “Morning Has Broken” as a slightly different pop song back in the early 1970s, when I was in middle school. The tune is catchy, but the lyrics are lovely. Imagine my surprise later to hear it sung in church! I needn’t have been surprised, really. The lyrics celebrate the world around us, the wonders that we see every day. The song of the blackbird, the dew on the grass, the sweet rainfall – all things we may take for granted. But the hymn sees these things for what they are – wonders to appreciate. “Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day!” Many years have passed since I first heard this lyric. The world has changed, of course.  Heck, even Cat Stevens changed – he became Yusaf Islam after converting to Islam. Still, each day in this troubling world, God shows us the splendors of the world he made. No matter our names or faiths, we can certainly still agree on that. Dear Lord, thank you for the wonders you show us each day, in this world you made. Help us to open our eyes to these and to know we need to appreciate them more.  Ken Hobart
The Third Friday of Lent	February 22, 2008
O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure. Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame, from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same. A thousand ages in your sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away; we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op’ning day. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, still be our guard while troubles last and our eternal home. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 Psalm 90 provides the scriptural foundation for this hymn. It has always been one of my favorites because it captures the infinite timelessness of God compared with my temporary nature. Its text makes it a standard hymn for All Saints Sunday.  The Lutheran Book of Worship contains six of the original nine verses. My favorite verse is the last one printed above. This hymn has been sung on a number of important occasions. It was the closing hymn for the last service held on the Titanic. It has been vocalized at the funerals of a number of our presidents — the last being the memorial service of President Gerald Ford. Years ago when I was in the choir at Gustavus Adolphus College, we would sing this hymn at the conclusion of a concert. It was offered as a statement of faith and a prayer of thanksgiving.  This song was sung at our wedding. I have requested that it be included in my funeral service.  Father, I rest in the knowledge that you are always there for me — past, present and future. I thank you for your love and guidance, for you are “our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.”    The Rev. Richard Monson, Interim Pastor
The Third Saturday of Lent	February 23, 2008
JERUSALEM, MY HAPPY HOME Jerusalem, my happy home, when shall I come to thee? When shall my sorrows have an end? Thy joys when shall I see?  O happy harbor of the saints, O sweet and pleasant soil! In thee no sorrow may be found, no grief, no care, no toil. Thy gardens and thy gallant walks continually are green; there grow such sweet and pleasant flow'rs as nowhere else are seen. There trees forevermore bear fruit and evermore do spring; there evermore the angels sit and evermore do sing. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, God grant that I may see thine endless joy, and of the same partaker ever be! Text: F.B.P., 16th cent. Back in seminary days, when Paul had no car and no money, we walked to church and other places.  To use the time, we memorized some hymns. One of the first ones I typed onto a recipe card was “Jerusalem, My Happy Home.”  We liked the tune and the words, and it was short. The idea of a beautiful garden full of trees and flowers and angels was very appealing in the middle of Chicago.  We really had no sorrows in our lives at that point, but that didn't make the thought of heaven any less appealing! When we moved to northeast Wichita, it seemed as if we were surrounded by cemeteries. People have been living and dying here for a long time. But death seems distant in our everyday lives until someone we love is touched by it. We treasure memories of friends like Virginia Leikvold, who left her love of music as a gift for us, a glimpse into the angels' songs in Jerusalem. While we were in Tanzania last July, we saw little shops lining the road, selling fruits and vegetables and fabrics. There also were little carpenter shops, especially on the road that led past the big hospital. Some specialized in wooden caskets, displaying them on the ground along the edge of the road. Many of the caskets were small — painted white with blue or pink trim, maybe even with a few bows. Each time we drove on the road, we were reminded that big and small alike were dying every day. The Ashira pastor said he had about 45 funerals a year, and most of them were not for old people. My friend Kaanaeli said her village had funerals every week, and all families were touched by the plague of AIDS. Young mothers and fathers were dying. Their children were dying. This would seem hopeless, except that we have been promised a happy home in a beautiful kingdom, and the music of angels will welcome us.  What a glorious thought! Father God, what a comfort it is to know that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of seeing the joys of eternal life.    Glennyce Reimers
The Third Sunday of Lent	February 24, 2008
JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love! Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, praising thee, their sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day. All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav’n reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird, and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee. Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, wellspring of the joy of living, ocean-depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other.  Lift us to the joy divine! Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1933 I love the melody of this hymn. I could sit and listen to it over and over. But a great hymn is the combination of beautiful music and inspiring words. Together they make a stream of faith that we can jump in and let flow over us. This assignment forced me to look closer at the words. To my surprise, they really speak to me. They are about many of the things I love. Each verse intertwines God and his creation. The hymn relates the joy of God and the joy in God we all feel. It tells how this love can bring us happiness and take away our fear. When I hear Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” the words of this hymn flow through my head. I realize I have always known and loved them. I feel comfort in this song. We all find comfort in the hymns that have been with us all our lives. The song takes us into God’s world. It lays out before us the many wonders God has created and entrusted to us, from the heavens above to the grandeur that surrounds us. The hymn touches on all of the reasons I love the outdoors. God has built an awesome sight. The earth’s visual aspects are unchallenged. But “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” reminds me of the beautiful music to be heard in nature. It reminds me that we need to stop and listen to the song God is singing. I often admire the beauty of the blue jays, but when did I last listen to their song? I’m drawn to the mountain waterfalls to take a picture, but I never try to record it. I am missing half of God’s creation. The verses also remind us of God’s forgiveness and blessings. These blessings transcend God’s creation, and we need to transcend our petty differences to live together and care for that which has been entrusted to us. We have forgotten how delicate the environment truly is. The earth should be handled like fine china. If it is abused, it will break and become useless. Dear Lord, we speak to you in voices raised in song. We pray that our hymns glorify and exalt you.  Teach us to also listen to the songs you are singing to us. Let us find exaltation in your hymns. Only when we come together, with harmony between our songs and your songs, can we truly find the peace on earth you have provided us, not as a substitute for heaven but as a small glimpse into its magnitude. Bob Weaver
The Third Monday of Lent	February 25, 2008
NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD (Nun danket alle Gott)  Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mothers' arms, has blest us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, and keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all harm in this world and the next. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son, and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven, the one eternal God, whom earth and heav'n adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. Text: Martin Rinkhart, 1586-1649; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878 My first exposure to this hymn of thanksgiving came when I read the account of a family of German immigrants who arrived in the United States shortly after the Civil War. The account was written in 1925 by a woman who had made the journey as a 7-year- old girl. The crossing was stormy and lasted seven weeks. When the ship reached America, the girl’s mother read a scripture, and then they all sang “Nun danket alle Gott.” The hymn had been written by Martin Rinkhart, a Lutheran pastor in Eilenburg, Saxony, during the Thirty Years War in the 1600s. The town had been under siege. Starvation and the plague were rampant. People fought in the streets over a dead rat! Pastor Rinkhart buried more than 4,000 people. When peace finally began to dawn on Germany, he wrote the words to this hymn, expressing his gratitude to God. The Peace of Westphalia, a collection of treaties, finally ended the war in 1648. Pastor Rinkhart died in 1649, having served his parish for 31 years. When we think of the hardships that lay ahead of the immigrant family and the problems that faced Pastor Rinkhart and his parish at the end of a terrible war, we can only wonder that they could still thank God for his blessings. How can we, who have been even more blessed, fail to be even more grateful for the blessings he has showered on us?   Heavenly Father, as we sing this wonderful hymn of thanksgiving, help us to appreciate all the blessings you have bestowed on us. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.  Leslie Riggle
The Third Tuesday of Lent	February 26, 2008
BLESSED ASSURANCE Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. Refrain This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long: this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (Refrain) Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love. (Refrain) Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 I have been a Lutheran all my life and have come to rely on assurances: Just as I am sure Jell-O salad will be served at our next congregational dinner, I am assured of God’s love for all of us.Just as I am sure Jell-O salad will be served at our next congregational dinner, I am assured of God’s love for all of us. Just as I am sure all verses of a Lutheran hymn will be sung, I am assured of God’s promise of forgiveness through Jesus’ death on the cross. Just as I am sure doughnuts and coffee will be served at Sunday fellowship hour, I am assured of eternal life in heaven if I believe in God. These assurances comfort me when my world is chaotic and confusing. These blessed assurances help me focus on what God has planned for me, so I can get back on track to deal with life. These assurances can be some of the examples we use to spread the good news of God’s love to those who haven’t heard his story yet. These blessed assurances can remind us of the paradise that awaits us in heaven when one day our life on earth is done. Dear Lord, thank you for the blessed assurance that you are always with us whenever our world is turned upside down. I pray that you send us out this Lenten season to share the story of Jesus’ death on the cross and glorious resurrection! Sheryl Johnson
The Fourth Wednesday of Lent	February 27, 2008
JUST AS I AM, WITHOUT ONE PLEA Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.  Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come, Just as I am; thy love unknown has broken ev’ry barrier down; now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Text: Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871  Whenever I hear this hymn, I envision my father standing at the bathroom sink while shaving on Sunday mornings. Unlike the other days of the week, his Sunday shave was accompanied by hymn singing. My dad always arose early to complete his daily shave — necessary in a house with four daughters and one bathroom — but on Sundays, his shaving was loud and joyous. It became our Sunday alarm clock. This hymn fits my dad so perfectly. He is the most humble man I know. As the only male in a family of six, he was happy to let the females rule the roost. The lessons my dad taught me about life are so important to me. Give unconditional love to your children. Be kind to others. Judge not, that you be not judged. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is how my dad has always lived his life, and I am so proud of him. Today, at 90, he still lives a quiet, humble life, ever thankful, kind and loving.    So, just as my dad used this hymn as a Sunday morning alarm clock, we can use it as a wake-up call for our lives. Just as we seek to be accepted “just as we are,” we can strive to be more accepting of others, to follow Jesus’ example of loving kindness to all we meet. After all, isn’t love and mercy the message of Christianity? Dear Father, in a world that is often full of conflict and strife, help us to be true to ourselves and to be more accepting of others, moving us closer to a world of peace. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Maureen Hofrenning
The Fourth Thursday of Lent	February 28, 2008
ON EAGLE’S WINGS You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in this shadow for life, say to the Lord “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust.” Refrain “And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of my hand.”  Snares of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear, under God’s wings your refuge with faithfulness your shield. (Refrain) For to the angels God’s given a command to guard you in all of your ways; upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Refrain) Text: Michael Joncas, b. 1951 Used by permission.  © 1979 OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213 All rights reserved. Last October, my 73-year-old father died of lung cancer. The cancer first appeared in March. After he underwent extensive treatments, it was said to be gone. It was not. Cancer was discovered again in late September. He went downhill quickly and died surrounded by all of his children. His death felt like a cruel betrayal — he had suffered so much and appeared to make it, only to be brought down again and taken from us. So I sat in the pew of my father’s church in Topeka for his funeral. It was great that many people had come to pay tribute to him, but still… I had already cried many tears, and I hoped I could make it through the funeral without losing it. I was doing OK. Then, the service closed with “On Eagle’s Wings.” This hymn — with its lovely, simple melody and inspiring lyrics — has always moved me. Now, it lifted me out of my sorrow and brought me to the best hope of that hard day. It assured me that my father had been raised up, as on eagle’s wings, and was now in the palm of God’s hand. So here, in a church not my own, that hymn made me feel at home. I grieved that day — and I still do on occasion — but “On Eagle’s Wings” reminded me that my father’s death was not the end of the story. It carries on. Dear Lord, you are with us in times wonderful and hard, always sheltering us with your love, until that day that you take us in your hand. Thank you for such wonderful love. Ken Hobart
The Fourth Friday of Lent	February 29, 2008
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear – All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness – take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious savior still our refuge – take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. Text: Joseph Scriven, 1820-1886 My first connection to this hymn dates to an early Sunday school class. My teacher encouraged me to pray and ask God’s forgiveness for my sins. I was cautious about opening up that whole can of worms. A 6-year-old with a kid sister can muster quite a list of sins. I had tried a few times to confess sins to my father, and I had been sent to my room to ponder the error of my ways. I decided to clam up about sins. Dad came up with a new approach. He told me he could look into my eyes and tell whether I was being truthful. He tried those X-ray eyes on me, and darned if he couldn’t make it work.  My Sunday school teacher asked about my friends. Did I have special friends I could sit down and talk with, friends I could trust? I told her about my best friends, but Jesus wasn’t on the list. I loved Jesus, but I had not thought of him as my friend. The teacher described a picture of Jesus sitting at his father’s side while I was praying … father and son, my friends in the heavenly kingdom. We went through all the verses of the hymn. Line by line, I began to understand. I have a friend in Jesus, a friend who knows my every weakness and loves me anyway. (That’s even better than my dad’s eye trick!) I can share my sorrows with Jesus, my faithful friend; I can even share my sins. With Jesus as my friend, I can take everything to God in prayer. Thank you, Lord, for sharing your son, my friend Jesus, with us. And thank you for inspiring all the little miracles that happen every week in Sunday school classes around the world. Tom Cronk
The Fourth Saturday of Lent	March 1, 2008
BE THOU MY VISION  Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art: thou my best thought both by day and by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.  Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord. Thou my soul's shelter, and thou my high tow'r, raise thou me heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always: thou and thou only, the first in my heart, great God of heaven, my treasure thou art. Light of my soul, after victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all. Text: Irish, 8th cent.; vers. Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935, alt.; tr. Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931 When I listen to this hymn, I feel I am listening to a prayer. The words are attributed to Dallan Forgaill, an 8th Century Irish monk. Verse 3 states, “Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always: thou and thou only, the first in my heart, great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.” These words are a map of how we should live our lives, and where our focus should be: on the treasure that awaits us in heaven. I think of our young people and their journey to find the meaning of life; it’s a journey fraught with temptations. The temptations they face are the s