Tuesday's Text--Acts 2:1-21

This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost--the day when the Spirit descended and the people understood one another, even though they spoke in their own languages.  It's sometimes referred to as the birthday of the church.

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.³Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

⁵Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.  ⁶And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.⁷Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? ⁹Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” ¹²All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

¹⁴But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. ¹⁵Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. ¹⁶No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ¹⁷‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. ¹⁸Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. ¹⁹And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. ²⁰The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. ²¹Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

How have you experienced the Spirit at work in your life?

1 John 5:9-13

This second reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter is 1 John 5:9-13.

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Who gets to decide who "has the Son"?

What does it mean to you to have eternal life?

This is the last weekend we will hear from 1 John for awhile.  What new insights have you discovered over the past several weeks?  What new questions do you have?

This week's Bible study--1 John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

The theme of love continues.  What does it mean to you to love God?

The theme of "children of God" is very important in this letter.  How has your idea of being a child of God changed throughout your life?

How does the Spirit work in your life?

1 John Online Bible Study--1 John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. ¹⁵God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. ¹⁶So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. ¹⁷Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

How have you experienced love in your life?

Why is love so important?

How do you describe faith lived out?

Online Bible Study--1 John 3:16-24

We continue with our study of 1 John.  The "rules" for the discussion are posted below.  Folks have been shy about posting, which is okay, but it can be fun to engage some online conversation, too.  Remember, there aren't right or wrong answers.  The purpose is to engage in discussion!  Thanks for participating.

1 John 3:16-24


We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.








On Sunday, our ninth graders will affirm the promises made to them at baptism.  What a great text for that day, right?


What does it mean for you to "love in truth and action"?
What questions does this text raise for you?
What good news do you see?
Why do you think John stresses love so much?










During the season of Easter, you are invited to join with me in an online study of 1 John.  We'll be looking at the texts selected for the Second Lesson for the weekends during Easter.  One of the big themes in 1 John is love and what it means for us as believers.  To learn more about 1 John, check out Enter the Bible (maintained by Luther Seminary).  On Sunday, I'll post a reflection on the text from 1 John.

The "rules" for this on-line Bible study are as follows:
1.  There aren't necessarily "right" or "wrong" answers.  That said, all comments should be respectful. 
2.  You can post comments or questions or respond to posts by others.
3.  The more the merrier!  Even if you're unsure about your thoughts, please post.  Your comments will add to the conversation and help make for better learning and engagement for all of us.
4.  The pastor (ie ME) doesn't have all the answers!
5.  Don't be shy.
6.  Have fun!

Online Bible Study--1 John 3:1-7

During the season of Easter, you are invited to join with me in an online study of 1 John.  We'll be looking at the texts selected for the Second Lesson for the weekends during Easter.  One of the big themes in 1 John is love and what it means for us as believers.  To learn more about 1 John, check out Enter the Bible (maintained by Luther Seminary).  On Sunday, I'll post a reflection on the text from 1 John.

The "rules" for this on-line Bible study are as follows:
1.  There aren't necessarily "right" or "wrong" answers.  That said, all comments should be respectful. 
2.  You can post comments or questions or respond to posts by others.
3.  The more the merrier!  Even if you're unsure about your thoughts, please post.  Your comments will add to the conversation and help make for better learning and engagement for all of us.
4.  The pastor (ie ME) doesn't have all the answers!
5.  Don't be shy.
6.  Have fun!










This week: 1 John 3:1-7

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.  No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.










-What stands out for you in this reading?
-What questions do you have?
-What does it mean to you to be a child of God?  
-This language about sin is rather confusing.  Here are a few words of wisdom from the Lutheran Study Bible: "People are born with a tendency to be self-centered, to live apart from God, and to do evil.  But being God's children and receiving the Holy Spirit empowers us to love and do good" (p. 2015).  Is that helpful?

This weekend's readings are:

Acts 3:12-19

1 John 3:1-7

Luke 24:36b-48

1st John--an online Bible study for the season of Easter

During the season of Easter, you are invited to join with me in an online study of 1 John.  We'll be looking at the texts selected for the Second Lesson on Sundays during Easter.  One of the big themes in 1 John is love and what it means for us as believers.  To learn more about 1 John, check out Enter the Bible (maintained by Luther Seminary).  On Sunday, I'll post a reflection on the text from 1 John.

The "rules" for this on-line Bible study are as follows:
1.  There aren't necessarily "right" or "wrong" answers.  That said, all comments should be respectful.
2.  You can post comments or questions or respond to posts by others.
3.  The more the merrier!  Even if you're unsure about your thoughts, please post.  Your comments will add to the conversation and help make for better learning and engagement for all of us.
4.  The pastor (ie ME) doesn't have all the answers!
5.  Have fun!



SO...let's start with 1 John 1:1-2:2.

Photo by Dan Hille (April 2007)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- ² this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- ³ we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷ but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ² and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

The following are questions to start our conversation...
What is familiar to you in this text?
Are there surprises?
What images stick out for you?
What questions do you have?

Good Friday

The second of the Great Three Days, the Good Friday service continues the journey through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection.  The Passion according to St. John is traditionally read today, celebrating Christ's victory on the cross.  As Jesus draws all people to himself, we pray for the whole world for which Christ died.  Finally, we honor the cross as a sign of forgiveness, healing, and salvation.  With all God's people, we are invited to ponder this mystery of faith.  Christ has died, so that we may live.


Find a Good Friday service near you.  It is guaranteed to be powerful and moving.  Services at Peace are at 1:00 and 7:00 today.


May you find peace in the paradox of this day.








Reading--John 18:1-19:42

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. ² Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. ³ So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴ Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" ⁵ They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶ When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." ⁸ Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." ⁹ This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. ¹¹ Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" 

Jesus before the High Priest

¹² So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. ¹³ First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, ¹⁶ but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." ¹⁸ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ²⁰ Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." ²² When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" ²³ Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" ²⁴ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." ²⁶ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

²⁸ Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹ So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" ³⁰ They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." ³¹ Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." ³² (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) ³³ Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" ³⁴ Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" ³⁵ Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" ³⁶ Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." ³⁷ Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." ³⁸ Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" 

Jesus Sentenced to Death

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. ³⁹ But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" ⁴⁰ They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit  

19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. ³ They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. ⁴ Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" ⁶ When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." ⁷ The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." 

⁸ Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. ⁹ He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" ¹¹ Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." ¹² From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." 

¹³ When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. ¹⁴ Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" ¹⁵ They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." ¹⁶ Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. 

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So they took Jesus; ¹⁷ and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. ¹⁹ Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" ²² Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." ²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴ So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, 

      "They divided my clothes among themselves, 

          and for my clothing they cast lots." 

²⁵ And that is what the soldiers did. 

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 

²⁸ After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus' Side is Pierced

³¹ Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. ³⁵ (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) ³⁶ These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." ³⁷ And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced."

The Burial of Jesus

³⁸ After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. ³⁹ Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰ They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Prayer for Good Friday

Merciful God, your Son was lifted up on the cross to draw all people to himself.  Grant that we who have been born out of his wounded side may at all times find mercy in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

[Prayer for Good Friday from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006]

Maundy Thursday

Today begins the Great Three Days that tell of Jesus commandment to love one another, his death, and his resurrection.  These are the holiest days for Christians and are observed all over the world.  Maundy Thursday, is the day in which we remember Jesus' last supper and his command (mandatum) to love one another.  Services tonight often include the stripping of the altar area as a sign of Jesus' abandonment.  


Wherever you are, it is worth finding a Maundy Thursday service to attend tonight.  It is a powerful service that speaks of the new covenant, the promise, and the depth of God's love.  Worship at Peace is at 7:00.




Reading--John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" ⁷ Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." ⁸ Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." ⁹ Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." ¹¹ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean." 

¹² After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord-- and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³² If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³ Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' ³⁴ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new covenant for all people, and in the washing of feet he showed us the dignity of service.  Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these signs of our life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

[Prayer for Maundy Thursday from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006]

Wednesday in Holy Week

Reading--John 13:21-32

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

Prayer

Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at human hands and endured the shame of the cross.  Grant that we may walk in the way of his cross and find it the way of life and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.








[Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006]

Tuesday in Holy Week

Reading: John 12:20-36

²⁰Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” ²²Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

²⁷“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.²⁸Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” ²⁹The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”³⁰Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. ³⁴The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. ³⁶While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you.  Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service, and that we may not fail or deny you in the time of trial, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

[Prayer for Tuesday in Holy Week from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006]

Monday in Holy Week

Reading: John 12:11
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.




Prayer
O God, your Son chose the path that led to pain before joy and to the cross before glory.  Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we may come at last to joy and glory, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.








[Prayer for Monday in Holy Week from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006]

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 31:9-16

The Psalm for Palm Sunday is Psalm 31:9-16.

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.


I am the scorn of my adversaries,
a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many--
terror all around!--
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.


But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, 'You are my God.'
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.

As we enter into Holy Week, we remember the story of Jesus' passion--his trial, journey to the cross, his death.  What images does this psalm bring to mind for you?

Do you find comfort in these words?  Why?

What does it mean in your life to trust in God even when you feel that you are in over your head?

Throughout the season of Lent, God's steadfast love has been a theme in the psalms.    How have you experienced this steadfast love?

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 51:1-12

The psalm for the fifth Sunday in Lent is Psalm 51:1-12

<To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.> 

Have mercy on me, O God, 

according to your steadfast love; 

according to your abundant mercy 

blot out my transgressions. 

² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 

and cleanse me from my sin. 

³ For I know my transgressions, 

and my sin is ever before me. 

⁴ Against you, you alone, have I sinned, 

and done what is evil in your sight, 

so that you are justified in your sentence 

and blameless when you pass judgment. 

⁵ Indeed, I was born guilty, 

a sinner when my mother conceived me. 

⁶ You desire truth in the inward being; 

therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; 

let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 

⁹ Hide your face from my sins, 

and blot out all my iniquities. 

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and put a new and right spirit within me. 

¹¹ Do not cast me away from your presence, 

and do not take your holy spirit from me. 

¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 

and sustain in me a willing spirit.

What questions does this psalm bring up for you?

What comfort do you find in it?

How does the inscription "To the leader. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba" change the way you hear it?

Do you ever hear the words in verses 10-12 differently in worship?

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

The Psalm for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

     for his steadfast love endures forever. 

² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, 

     those he redeemed from trouble 

³ and gathered in from the lands, 

     from the east and from the west, 

     from the north and from the south.

17 Some were sick through their sinful ways, 

     and because of their iniquities endured affliction; 

¹⁸ they loathed any kind of food, 

     and they drew near to the gates of death. 

¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, 

     and he saved them from their distress; 

²⁰ he sent out his word and healed them, 

     and delivered them from destruction. 

²¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, 

     for his wonderful works to humankind. 

²² And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, 

     and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

-What images come to your mind when you hear "he...gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south"?

-How have you experienced God's healing in your life?

-For what do you give thanks today?

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 19

The psalm for the third Sunday in Lent is Psalm 19.

Earthrise, 1968

   The heavens are telling the glory of God; 

     and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 

² Day to day pours forth speech, 

     and night to night declares knowledge. 

³ There is no speech, nor are there words; 

     their voice is not heard; 

⁴ yet their voice goes out through all the earth, 

     and their words to the end of the world. 

    

   In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, 

⁵ which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, 

     and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 

⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 

     and its circuit to the end of them; 

     and nothing is hid from its heat. 

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, 

     reviving the soul; 

   the decrees of the LORD are sure, 

     making wise the simple; 

⁸ the precepts of the LORD are right, 

     rejoicing the heart; 

   the commandment of the LORD is clear, 

     enlightening the eyes; 

⁹ the fear of the LORD is pure, 

     enduring forever; 

   the ordinances of the LORD are true 

     and righteous altogether. 

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, 

     even much fine gold;

   sweeter also than honey, 

     and drippings of the honeycomb. 

¹¹ Moreover by them is your servant warned; 

     in keeping them there is great reward. 

¹² But who can detect their errors? 

     Clear me from hidden faults. 

¹³ Keep back your servant also from the insolent; 

     do not let them have dominion over me. 

Then I shall be blameless, 

     and innocent of great transgression. 

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, 

      O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

What is your favorite image of God?

What do you think the psalmist meant by "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork"?

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 22:23-31

The Psalm for the Second Sunday in Lent is Psalm 22:23-31.

Photo by Kirsten Fryer

You who fear the LORD, praise him! 

     All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; 

     stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 

²⁴ For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; 

     he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. 

²⁵ From you comes my praise in the great congregation; 

     my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 

²⁶ The poor shall eat and be satisfied; 

     those who seek him shall praise the LORD. 

     May your hearts live forever! 

²⁷ All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; 

     and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 

²⁸ For dominion belongs to the LORD, 

     and he rules over the nations. 

²⁹ To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; 

     before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, 

     and I shall live for him. 

³⁰ Posterity will serve him; 

     future generations will be told about the Lord, 

³¹ and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, 

     saying that he has done it.

What amazes you about God?  God's creation?  God's action in the world?

For what are you grateful?

How would you sum up the good news to tell it to future generations?

Tuesday's Text--Psalm 25:1-10

The Psalm for the First Sunday in Lent is Psalm 25.

Photo by Keith Krinke

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 

² O my God, in you I trust; 

     do not let me be put to shame; 

     do not let my enemies exult over me. 

³ Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; 

     let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 

⁴ Make me to know your ways, O LORD;

     teach me your paths. 

⁵ Lead me in your truth, and teach me, 

     for you are the God of my salvation; 

     for you I wait all day long. 

⁶ Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, 

     and of your steadfast love, 

     for they have been from of old. 

⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; 

     according to your steadfast love remember me, 

     for your goodness' sake, O LORD! 

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD; 

     therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 

⁹ He leads the humble in what is right, 

     and teaches the humble his way. 

¹⁰ All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, 

     for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

What images come to mind when reflecting on this psalm?

What comforts you?

What challenges you?

What questions do you have?