Glory

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Published: Thursday, 19 May 2022 03:19

Message for the 5th Sunday after Easter on John 13:31-35 and Acts 11:1-18 given on May 15, 2022 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church

We were on a summer vacation when the kids were young and one particularly memorable day, we were in Arches National Park in Utah. It was cloudy and rained off and on, but we soldiered on and hiked up to the famous arch and back. It was later afternoon; the clouds were a thick texture of grays that seemed to touch the ground. We had just driven through a squall of rain on our way out of the park and a prism of sun started to shine through this wall of clouds. Suddenly, we saw this amazing shimmering, glowing manifestation of rainbow light bouncing off and through this wall of clouds, it was a light show for us right by the side of the road. Dan stopped the car and we stared at this wonder of nature in awe. Jacob, who was about 8, said, “that looks like something Jesus would walk out of.”

It did. Jacob did not have the word for it, but he knew it when he saw it. “Glory.” It was the very definition of “glory” as we traditionally think of it. Jesus talks a lot about “glory” in our Gospel lesson today—about being glorified, and God being glorified in him, and being glorified at once. He does not refer to clouds or our traditional idea involving a light-show spectacular when we imagine Jesus coming back in glory. But the most important aspect of glory—especially in the gospel of John—that Jacob did articulate was the visible presence of God. God is present in all of creation, of course, and in that moment by the roadside, we came face to face with this glorious reality. Maybe we forgot, and we thought we had just been looking at rocks, and erosion, and dirt, but no; all day at Arches park, we had been seeing God’s visible presence in creation. Glory.
That’s the glory Jesus is talking about in this passage—making visible God’s presence.

God’s presence—which we see in nature, on mountaintops, in shimmering clouds, in cardinals and butterflies—is also made uniquely visible in the concrete presence here, of Jesus himself, the God made human. We see God’s presence in how Jesus loves, forgives, teaches, heals, and prays—all of it is God’s glory because he shows God’s presence to us.
Now this is the same passage we heard in the Lord’s Supper play on Palm Sunday, and in Holy Week on Maundy Thursday, as Jesus washes the disciple’s feet—even Judas’s feet, who betrays him; even Peter’s feet, who will deny him; even all the other disciples’ feet, who will abandon him. So, what do we make of God’s “glory” here? God’s presence and love have become visible among us in the midst of human brokenness—every one of the disciples is going to flunk—and glory is Jesus making God’s presence visible by loving them, loving them, loving them, loving them.

That’s what Jesus’ ministry had always been about. Recall all the intimate ways Jesus shows up in so many people’s lives—in our lives—and makes God’s presence visible, and not just with the big miraculous healings, but also in so many menial tasks: washing feet, cooking breakfast, feeding people lunch, teaching bible lessons, listening to aches and pains and wants, visiting the grieving, healing wounds, private meetings with those too scared to talk in the open, calming fears, teaching prayer, holding children, always welcoming the rejected and outcast—can you see the shimmering light of God’s visible presence in all these acts of love and call it “glory?”

Jesus prepares the disciples for his departure, by telling them that the visible presence of God will expand in the world through them. Jesus passes the glory baton onto the disciples and to all of us, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When we love as Jesus does—we help make God’s presence visible in the world—to love as Jesus does is to join Jesus in shining God’s glory, to be Christ for one another.

This is the part of faith that first made sense to me when I was in high school. My dad worked for 3M and he was transferred back to the headquarters at the time in St. Paul MN. So, my family moved from beautiful San Jose, California to a small town, Hudson, WI just across the river from St. Paul, MN at the end of my freshman year of high school, and it was a true nightmare. Now Hudson functions as suburb of St. Paul, but in the 70’s this was not true. No one in Hudson in 70’s wanted people from California moving into their small town. In California, I was in high school, wore makeup, nice clothes, carried a purse and so on. In Hudson, I was back at Middle school, and looked like an alien from another planet; I thought I had moved onto the set of Happy Days where girls had pig tales, buck teeth, and saddles shoes, and bought their painters pants at the Fleet Farm. It was worse for my older sister Pam, who was at the end of 11th grade. We ended each school day in tears until summer started

But I did start going to the youth group at the church we joined and this became significant. (I also started buying my painters pants at the Fleet Farm--my mom was mortified, but  but I said--you try to fit in with these people--you were the ones moved me here--but I digress!). In the youth group, we could ask questions, struggle, offer and receive support. It did not matter that we were in different grades and hung out with different friend groups in high school—we were church together, and bound by something stronger than I had ever known before. I experienced community, love, acceptance, openness—and it was through that group and our youth leader Joani (who I am still in touch with !) that our faith first started to make sense—others were the light of Christ to me. And I was not a freak from California, I was a little Christ—a small light—we were Christ to each other—we shined the visible presence of God to one another and to others—glory!

This is exactly what Peter learns in his vision in Acts—to love as Jesus loves now means to stop making distinctions based upon human differences of culture, ethnicity, nationality, religious background, and today, we add gender and sexual identity, politics and even vaccine status. Now that Jesus has been raised from the dead, God’s visible presence and Spirit can inhabit everyone, no exceptions! We cannot hinder the power of God’s Spirit! To love as Jesus loves is to look for the shimmering light of God’s visible presence in someone we have deemed unacceptable, and call it, “glory!”

So, the question is not do we as human beings show God’s glory, but how this week are you going to help make God’s presence visible in the world?

It's not just in the grand gestures, the big donations, the heroic moments that come along once in a while, but like Jesus, in the love with which we do the menial tasks of service and caregiving, washing and feeding, interacting with strangers at the grocery store. Jesus has given us his Spirit and filled us with all of his perfect love, so that people can tell by the way you treat them at home, at work and out in public that
• the light of Christ shines through you,
• there is something about you that gives them a sign of the visible presence of God,
• or a palpable experience of love,
• or a renewed feeling of hope,
• something that helps them believe in goodness and God again.

We are all involved in sharing and showing God’s glory—a shimmer of light, the love of Christ, a glimpse and smile of God’s presence, living as a little Christ, for whom no one and nothing is profane.

The morning meditation I sent in the Weekly Word this week is meant to help you consciously start the day filled with light of Christ. I encourage you to make this or another light of Christ meditation a habit to start your day. It’s only 5 minutes. Can you see yourself as one shimmering the light of God’s visible presence for someone else today and this week and call it “glory?”

We may never know the impact that shining our light, and loving as Jesus loves, can have on others. Author, and end-of-life physician, Dr. Ira Byock shares the story of patient in his late 20’s who was close to dying. The patient wrote a letter to his mother and asked her not to open it until after he was gone. After her son died, the mother opened the letter and in it her son told her that this last year had been the best year of his life. Yes, he was dying, but he saw all of his friends, he was surrounded by people he loved, he felt cared for and upheld. He wrote, “People may be wondering if I went to heaven. Tell them I just came from there.”

I can hear Jacob saying, “that sounds like somewhere Jesus was walking.” Glory.

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Grace is in the Details

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Published: Wednesday, 04 May 2022 03:23

Message for the 3rd Sunday of Easter on John 21:1-19 on May 1, 2022 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Richardson, Texas. You can watch a video of this sermon in this recorded worship service here.

Yesterday and Friday two members of St. Luke's and I attended the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod Assembly (the annual meeting of our district or diocese of congregations). There were some wonderful things to celebrate, like the re-election of our Bishop, Erik Gronberg, on the first ballot. We celebrated the generosity of our members in the ELCA, who have given $2 million to support the crisis in Ukraine/ and the generosity in our Synod, whose members gave nearly $300,000 to ELCA World Hunger in 2021. You’ll hear more good news in upcoming reports.

In addition to these celebrations, we also heard again the challenge of sharing God’s love in Jesus Christ in our changing world. We saw a chart of the decline, since 2011, of average worship attendance, baptisms, and Confirmations across our Synod, which is similar across the ELCA. I am grateful that we, at St. Luke’s have been working hard to grow in mission and outreach.

With the Baptism of the precious Eleanor Jeane this morning, we have heard again the faith commitments we have all made as we affirmed our Baptism with her: to be the priesthood of all believers, to let our light shine, to share the love of Christ with others, to bring justice and peace to all, and to follow Jesus in our daily life; but how do we do it? How do we let people know about God’s love in Jesus Christ today, not just to grow the church, but so that lonely people feel loved, and people who are ashamed are freed by forgiveness, and people who are in despair can be lifted up?

In our Gospel reading, Jesus instructs Peter and all the disciples to “feed his lambs, tend his sheep and feed his sheep.” Jesus, amazingly, also demonstrates how to do this by the way he interacts with them. You have probably heard the phrase, “the devil is in the details.” But in this passage, the gospel is in the details—and in those details, we find grace and even some ideas for sharing God’s grace faithfully, as Jesus again calls Peter and the others away from their fishing nets and into mission.

The disciples could have taken their cue from Mary Magdalene and already started telling people that they have seen the risen Jesus. They have received the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ peace and the power to forgive sins, but instead of stepping out into this new resurrection reality, they stepped into a boat and went fishing. They are experts at this profession, but they totally flunk and catch nothing.

When morning dawns, Jesus shows up on the beach and calls out to them using an affectionate term, “children” “little ones” “kids.” Jesus has such love for these confused and still fearful souls, who, several days earlier, had denied and abandoned him. In this detail we have
Sharing Grace Lesson 1: We always start by asking Jesus for his love to work through us—he loves even people who have hurt him deeply and we can ask him to help us love people we cannot love on our own.

Jesus says, “Children, you have no fish have you?” Jesus enters the relationship slowly and asks a question. He engages in conversation based on their experience. Most people like to talk about themselves, and many do have not anyone to listen to them. Which brings us to
Sharing Grace Lesson 2: At church, at school, among neighbors, wherever you are: Ask people about their experiences, even if you already know them, which does in this passage. You may learn something new, you may hear where they need grace, love and forgiveness! It may be your neighbor, co-worker, someone new in a long line at the store, or young person in your own family you have not really listened to before.

Then Jesus says, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some fish.” Can you imagine doing the job you’re an expert at all night and someone comes along and tells you to try to do it differently?
Sharing Grace Lesson 3: Try something new. This was the greatest blessing of the pandemic because we all learned to try new things—new ways to worship, to do meetings, and Bible study, to use a cloth prayer cross to listen to the community. We are stronger, and more flexible for it. And we will continue to try new things. Carol Rizzo has passed out my business card as a way to invite people to church—I have 100’s of them if that’s a new thing you would like to try!

When the disciples saw the abundance of fish they caught, they recognized Jesus. Jesus shows the disciples that in their ministry moving forward, he will provide for what they need in abundance.
Sharing Grace Lesson 4: Trust in Jesus’s abundance--we will get what we need! Look at the abundance of creation itself, the water turned to wine at the wedding at Cana, the abundance of perfume that Mary used to anoint Jesus’ feet, the abundance of St. Luke’s Moving Forward in Faith Capital Campaign, the abundance of over 55 new members since 2018. Where do you recognize God’s abundance in your own life?

When the disciples arrive on shore they see the charcoal fire Jesus has prepared with the bread and fish on it. The only other time we have seen a charcoal fire is when Peter denied Jesus—he stood by a charcoal fire warming himself while Jesus was before the High Priest. But notice Jesus does not mention this—instead he prepares breakfast—both bread and fish—which are reminiscent of the food used to feed the 5,000—more abundance! Jesus asks Peter to get some of the fish he just caught and add it to the grill. Right at the moment when Peter would be awash in shame and guilt, Jesus asks him to bring his own gift, his own contribution—he is valued and important: the place of sin becomes the place of forgiveness; the location of failure becomes the location of restoration; the place of brokenness becomes the place of healing. The disciples all know it—it’s been on the grapevine, on the first-century version of twitter: Peter’s and everyone’s past sins are public knowledge, and Jesus says, “No, we’re not doing that—we are not rehearsing the past. This is the fire of cleansing and healing, this is the meal of restoration, and forgiveness. I am demonstrating for you what it means to feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. This is grace—a fresh start.”
Sharing Grace Lesson 5: No one is beyond redemption. You are not beyond redemption, and neither is anyone else. Everyone needs love. “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.” Love them. We have become a deeply divided and hurting society in the last two years; regardless of your views on politics, ideology or vaccines, Jesus calls us. as much as possible into relationships of restoration, healing, and forgiveness where love is more important than the rightness of our position. Peter’s denial does not stop him from being the rock on which the church is built—because that’s the kind of God we serve—the past does not determine the future! And the same is true for the Apostle Paul in Acts. As we move into this stage of post-pandemic life, where might Jesus call you to participate in or facilitate a charcoal fire of restoration, forgiveness and healing of relationships?

The disciples haul in the fish they caught, and they count every one—there is 153 in all! Such detail! And there is more grace in the details—153 was the number of known number of species of fish in the ancient world.
Sharing Grace Lesson 6: The mission of Jesus’ love includes everyone—all people, all species, all nations, all tribes, all languages, all genders, orientations, and expressions-- no one is excluded. And even with 153 fish, the net did not break. God’s abundant kingdom and Jesus’ forgiving love and grace can hold us all, and so can St. Luke’s! A strong community can hold a lot of diversity.

Jesus invited the disciples to join him, “come and eat.” He did not beat them over the head with salvation, he simply invited them to join him. Then he fed them physically and spiritually by spending time with them.
Sharing Grace Lesson 7: Sharing faith is an invitation—"Come and eat,” said Jesus. “Come and cook burritos with us at our free breakfast, come and hear our awesome choir, come and roll up health kits for refugees, come and meet our youth & kids leader, Lyn; come and check out our preschool, come and have coffee with our pastor." Over 60% of people report being lonely today and would be thrilled that somebody noticed them enough to invite them to a meal, a service project, a worship service. Invite and spend time with them. Feed my lambs, tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.

Finally, Jesus asks us to love him above all else. Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? We have come full circle back to love—not just Jesus’ love for us, but our love for Jesus. That is our motivation for tending, feeding, and caring for all people. I don’t know if you have noticed this, but not all people are loveable, or even likeable! But Jesus asks us to care for them because we love him, not them! 

Sharing Grace Lesson 8: You do not have to like everyone, you just need to love Jesus and he will take care of the rest. How freeing! When you love Jesus and receive his love, then it’s much easier to care for the flock he puts in your path. 

Sharing Jesus’ love has been as simple as it’s always been. It’s about building a relationship of love where we ask, listen, invite, forgive, and try new things, always trusting in God’s abundance and grace which never fail us. These are gifts we are already possess, gifts the risen Jesus has already given us! People experience Jesus’s grace and love in the details of how we ask, listen, invite and love them. So St. Luke’s, let’s share more grace!

Image: Churchart.com with permission.

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A Letter to St. Thomas

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Published: Monday, 25 April 2022 04:43

Message for the 2nd Sunday of Easter on John 20:19-31 given April 24, 2022 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Richardson, Texas

Dear Saint Thomas,
Aren’t you tired of being called a “doubter?”—I mean it’s been two millenia! And I’ve learned that is not even what the text really says. Jesus says, “do not be an unbeliever, but believe.” You ask questions and make demands not because you doubt, but so that you can experience Jesus, so you can understand what he’s up to, and so you can believe. You are seeking faith vigorously, otherwise, why would you bother?!

Maybe many of us forget that this is not the first time you ask questions and make demands of Jesus. Why do we forget the other aspects of your story, the other questions you ask, the other truths you seek? All we remember is one word, “doubt.”

Maybe we have been captivated by your so-called “doubt” for so long because it validates our own doubt and difficulty believing in Jesus really rising from the dead.

We are so glad you asked for proof, for an experience of Jesus, because, the truth is, we need that too. All this dogma and doctrine—it just doesn’t mean that much when too many people we know have cancer, when Covid is an on-going struggle, when war rages, and when people we love are struggling with anxiety, work problems, and other issues too numerous to list here.

But it’s hard to speak up—sometimes we are not sure what to ask for, or what to stay, and we wonder if anything will change; if it matters at all—so we stay silent.

We always think someone has it worse than we do, that we should somehow muddle through on our own, so we do not speak up for what we need from Jesus, or about the things that matter to us, and we do not name those things that will help us, the way you did, Thomas.

We just stay silent, for ourselves, for others, and feel lousy about it. It’s easy to think that someone else will stand up and say something. Surely someone else will speak up –they will give voice to what we feel and know and want. Someone will speak out against the loneliness and isolation. Someone else will stand up and say something about feeling overwhelmed, and unsure, and say that the wounds are too deep and that the pain is too much.

But the truth is, YOU were the one, Thomas. You were the one who spoke out for us. Mary Magdalene and all the other apostles saw Jesus, but like us, you were not there. And it did not make sense. And we needed someone to say it out loud and no one else would, except you, Thomas. You said it. You asked for what you needed—what we all needed for Jesus coming back alive, to make sense: To see and to touch Jesus yourself, to see and touch the scars and to know they are real—yes, Thomas—YOU asked for what you needed from Jesus.

You took Jesus more seriously than any other disciple—you asked Jesus to be a man of his Word. You pushed him to make good on the promise he made when you asked him the last big question! No one else seems to remember, but we do—and it had nothing to do with doubt—it had to do with your vigorous questions to get to the truth! You remember…

Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare an abiding place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

And then you, Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” That was your first big question, Thomas!
And then Jesus said to you: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also.”

Wow, that took guts. Now we wonder Thomas, if your desire to put your hands on the scars and in the side of Jesus was not because you were looking for proof, but because you really began to grasp Jesus’s response to your first question—Jesus is the way to God—and you wanted to be with him. You needed to abide with Jesus in his aliveness in the living dwelling place with him because that is where you experience and know God’s love most fully! You just needed to be with Jesus: to touch him, to feel him, see him, hear him, to embrace him. One more time. You needed to feel that abiding place again, you needed to feel The Way, again. Maybe it wasn’t about the scars themselves at all—they just let you know it was truly Jesus—your real need was reconnecting and abiding in a relationship with Jesus who is the way the truth and the life in the fullness of God.

You were not even after belief, Thomas, were you? You were after abiding, dwelling in Jesus who is dwelling in God—that is the vigorous faith you sought. And it all started –both times –with asking Jesus questions—questions about what you needed—clarity, yes, but really, Jesus’ presence, for his abiding love.

You took Jesus at his Word and asked for what Jesus said you should ask for. You needed what Jesus said is already yours – to abide with him – always.

And Jesus gave it to you! Jesus gave you exactly what you asked for and needed both times—which was not proof, but a relationship with the Way to God—his abiding presence. And in that moment, in that abiding, you saw Jesus as your Lord and as your God. What a “wow” experience!

So, thank you Thomas, for your big questions, and your vigorous faith. And mostly, thank you, for your courage to ask for you what you need, so we can ask Jesus for what we need, too. Which is to abide in our relationship with Jesus always, who is our way, our truth and our life.

Yours truly,
The saints at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, where spirits dazzle!

Image: Doubting Thomas, Mary Jane Miller, 2008.

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Good Friday: Stations of the Cross & Justice in the World

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Published: Tuesday, 19 April 2022 13:25

Good Friday Tenebrae Worship Service: The Eight Stations of The Cross Recorded in Scripture Intersecting with Justice in our Community and World, April 15, 2022 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Richardson, Texas

(I coul not get the art images to load for each station--only the first one--but I listed them so you can look them up or find something similar. Because we have several elderly, this was a sitting rather than moving service; the art printed in the bulletin provided the visual station in addition to the justice issues and resources lifted up for each station. It was modeled after an Episcopalian service we found that was created about ten years ago.)

INTRODUCTION

As begin our Good Friday Worship, consider the world God sent his Son to save. Reflect that in our world today:

 19 million children face extreme hunger
 82.4 million people are displaced from their homes
 More than 1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty; approximately 2.7 billion people live on less than $2 a day.
 6.16 million people have died globally from COVID-19; even so tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria remain far greater health priorities for many parts of Africa
 663 million people worldwide live without access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation, or educational services
 Violent and debilitating conflict rages or continues to have devastating effects in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, El Salvador and other places.

In Jesus’ first public sermon, in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, he described his vocation by quoting Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Is not Jesus’ vocation also the vocation of the Church? How are we as believers called to live into that vocation? At Baptism, and whenever we renew our Baptismal vows, we promise to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Sharing this witness with the leaders of our governments and communities is one way in which Christians live out the vocation that Isaiah and Jesus commended to us.

We will learn how get involved globally or locally throughout this worship service. Our prayers implicate us in some kind of action, even if it is one small effort from our home in writing letters, wrapping up a health kit, or donating food.

OPENING PRAYERS

In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray together:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom is our salvation, our life, and resurrection.

Let us pray.
Mercifully assist us, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may remember with joy the mighty acts whereby you have given us life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Art: Christ before Pilate
Tintoretto, 1566-67; Oil on Panel

The First Station commemorates Jesus being sentenced to death before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. At this station we meditate upon all those throughout God’s creation who are sentenced to die each day because of extreme poverty. The many facets of extreme poverty include income poverty, hunger, conflict, disease, environmental degradation, a lack of basic human rights, and structural barriers to justice such as crushing debt burdens throughout the developing world. These annual debt-service payments to wealthy international creditors hinder poor nations’ ability to spend on the health, education and the well-being of their people. The world's poorest countries pay more money each year in debt than they receive in official aid. The Caribbean island of Jamaica spends more money on debt than on health and education combined. To learn more – and find out what you and your faith community can do – visit Jubilee USA (www.jubileeusa.org). Locally, poor people are incarcerated at an alarming rate because of an inability to pay bail and court fees. Faith in Texas is working to end mass incarceration; you can find more information by clicking Live Free at faithintx.org.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate spoke to the crowd: “What do you wish me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So, after flogging Jesus, Pilate handed him over to be crucified.

God did not spare his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all.

HYMN: Precious Lord, Take My Hand ELW #773 

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at the hands of sinners 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 your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The first candle is extinguished.

SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

Art: Christ Carrying the Cross
Benvenuto di Giovanni, 1491; Oil on Panel

Jesus, who willingly took up the Cross for humanity’s sake, also commanded us to take up our own crosses and follow him. Taking up our own crosses and giving ourselves in self-sacrificial love to help bear the burden of others is the model of vocation that God gave us in his Son. In a world where so many starve for daily bread, this vocation of sacrifice can be seen as amplifying the ancient imperative of God spoken through Isaiah, chapter 58: “If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light shall rise in the darkness. You shall be called repairer of the breach, restorer of streets to live in.” As you meditate upon the Second Station, consider the starving of the world, and the vast gap between the hungry and those who have plenty. To learn how you can participate and help make a difference, visit www.bread.org. or ELCA World Hunger at elca.org. Locally, visit The Network of Community Ministries at thenetwork.org. You can also connect with Unite the Church Dallas and their COPE poverty simulation at unitethechurch.org.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went out to the place called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory and blessing.

The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

HYMN: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross ELW #335, vs. 1 & 4

Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The second candle is extinguished.

 THIRD STATION: THE CROSS IS LAID ON SIMON OF CYRENE

Art: The Way to Calvary
Duccio di Buortinsegna, 1308-11; Tempera on Wood Panel

The Gospel tells us that as the weight of Jesus’ cross grew, the Roman soldiers compelled a man named Simon to step in and carry the Cross for a time. As you meditate upon the Third Station, consider the various weights placed upon God’s children each day, and the fact that often, others have to help carry the load. For example, in much of the developing world, the fees for basic primary and secondary education are so great that families have to choose which child, if any, can attend school. Disproportionately, those who are short-changed are girls, who then stay at home and help their mothers in long days of crushing labor. These young children bear burdens in place of others in their family, often – like Simon of Cyrene – with very little choice. To learn more about how school fees and other barriers to education hurt the world’s children – and what can be done to change this reality – visit Global Action for Children, a nationwide coalition at globalactionforchildren.org. Texas ranks #40 out of all states for funding education and received an “F” mark spending $3,100 less on average per students. Locally connect with Pastors for Texas Children which is working to increase funding for education across the state, at pastorsfortexaschildren.com.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

As they led Jesus away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me
cannot be my disciple.

HYMN: Lead Me, Guide Me ELW #768, vs. 1 & 3

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The third candle is extinguished.

 FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Art: Wall Carving at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Pittsburgh, PA

Jesus, as continues to bear the weight of the cross, stops to speak to the women of Jerusalem, the ones who so often bear the burdens of wisdom and well-being for their families and communities. Education, civic empowerment, and access to health services for women affect not just women themselves, but also their families and communities. Among the most critical health services for women in the developing world is family planning, which gives women and their families the ability to plan and space births, thereby promoting maternal health, reducing child mortality, and allowing for a family’s economic survival. Each year, approximately 295,000 women die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, the majority in developing countries. It is also estimated that approximately one-third of maternal deaths could be prevented annually if women who did not wish to become pregnant had access to and used effective contraception. Additionally, maternal mortality rates in the US are the highest in the Western Hemisphere, and are four times higher for African American women than whites. Learn more at USAID.gov by looking under Global Health and Family Planning. Find out about the ELCA’s International Women Leaders program, and Justice for Women work at elca.org. You can promote economic and leadership for women and girls locally through the Texas Women’s Foundation at txwf.org.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A great number of the people followed Jesus, and among them were women who were wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Those who sowed with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

HYMN: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me ELW #325 

Let us pray.
Teach your church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The fourth candle is extinguished.

 FIFTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

Art: This Disrobing of Christ
El Greco, c. 1600; Oil on Canvas

In a final act of humiliation before being lifted up on the cross, the Roman soldiers strip Jesus of his garments and divide them amongst themselves. As you meditate upon Christ’s humiliation, consider the many acts of humiliation endured daily by God’s people who live in poverty. Among the greatest humiliations is the inability to provide for one’s self, family, and community as a result of unfair international barriers to trade. Like debt relief and development aid, fair-trade policy is an essential pillar of global trade. Whereas debt relief and development aid are, by nature, intermediary steps to lift certain structural barriers from impoverished people, fair trade is a lasting measure to allow disempowered people to build a better future for themselves. To learn more about what makes trade fair, and how you can get involved, visit U.S. Fairtrade.net. Read about prosperity wages at tenbythree.org, and begin to make some of your own purchases from fair trade vendors for items like coffee from LWR.org, or buy chocolate, coffee and other products from shop.equalexchange.coop. Visit the Richardson Farmer’s Market at Coit and Belt Line on Saturdays (10-2) to support local vendors.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When they came to a place called Golgotha, they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. The soldiers divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

They gave me gall to eat,
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

HYMN: Beneath the Cross of Jesus RED #338, vs. 1-2

Let us pray.
O God, your Son chose the path which led to pain before joy and 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 your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The fifth candle is extinguished.

 SIXTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

Art: The Crucifixion
Peter Paul Rubens, 1620-21; Oil on Canvas

“And I, when I am lifted up from the cross, will draw all people to myself.” To Christians, these words of Jesus from the Gospel of John speak of the power of the cross to contain and enfold all the horror, pain and grief of the world in God’s uncompromising and enduring embrace of love. The cross is not merely our redemption, but also our reconciliation and restoration to God and to one another in Christ. As you meditate upon the Crucifixion at the sixth station, consider how we are called to the ministry of reconciliation in our own lives. Consider how all of the problems which afflict humanity – poverty, conflict, disease, injustice, racism – might be combated by building partnerships of reconciliation between nations and peoples. Humanity is fundamentally interconnected; we are, as St. Paul tells us, all limbs and members of the same body. Thus, when one part of the body suffers we all suffer. To learn more about the principle of interconnectedness – and how partnerships of reconciliation can help bring healing to humanity read about Peace Not Walls at elca.org under Publicly Engaged Church. Locally, you can attend the Richardson Interfaith Alliance events on the 3rd Thursday of the month; connect with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation at dallastrht.org.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Jesus; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, and one on the left. He poured out himself to death, and yet he bore the sin of many.

They pierce my hands and my feet;
they stare and gloat over me.

HYMN: Were You There ELW #353 vs. 1-3

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace. So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your name.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The sixth candle is extinguished.

 SEVENTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Art: The Crucifixion
Hans Mielich, c. 150/75
Oil on Canvas

“Through Christ,” St. Paul tells us, “God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things whether in heaven or on earth by making peace through the blood of the cross” (Col. 1:19-20). Despite God’s passionate desire for reconciliation and peace through the Blood of the Cross, humanity, in the first part of the 21st Century remains torn by conflict, strife, and war. Many nations have suffered including Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and now Ukraine. Find ways to help and specific ways to pray by going to Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and Lutheran World Relief. Links can be found at elca.org or you can search these organizations directly. Our Women’s group (WELCA) continues to sew quilts, make health kits and school kits used in refugee camps. If you have extra resources, you can make a donation to help provide their supplies or join them in their efforts (write a check to WELCA and put “Kits” in the Memo Line).

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And when Jesus had received the vinegar he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Christ for us became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.

HYMN: They Crucified My Lord, He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word ELW #350

Let us pray.
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection; who lives and reigns now and forever.
Amen

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The seventh candle is extinguished.

EIGHTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Art: Deposition in the Sepulchre
Marten Van Heemskerk, Date Unknown; Oil on Canvas

At the end of the story of Good Friday, nothing but death remains. Humanity has brought God’s Son to the tomb, sealing him behind an immovable stone. But to God, through whom all things are possible, no barrier is immovable. Through the sacrifice and death of Christ, even death itself is no longer a barrier to life for the children of God. And thus, even at funerals, we proclaim with the Apostle Paul, “O death where is your victory, o death, where is your sting?” (1Cor 15:55). As you meditate upon Jesus in the tomb, consider that the Church – the Body of Christ in the world – is called by God to carry forward Christ’s reconciling sacrifice by helping bring life even in the midst of death. One way we do this is through fidelity to our Baptismal covenant, in which we promise to “strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” To get involved with ELCA’s ministry of public advocacy, visit church’s Office on Advocacy for resources, Action Items and to sign up for Advocacy Alerts: Go to elca.org, click on Our Work, Publicly Engaged Church, and then Advocacy.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

You will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see corruption.

HYMN: O Sacred Head Now Wounded ELW #351 vs. 1 & 3

Let us pray.
O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day. Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy and hear us.

The eighth candle is extinguished.

CONCLUSION
Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.

Let us pray.
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

The ninth candle is extinguished (added because we have a 9-candle candelabra--you can light the taper and carry out the light of Christ, and then come back in for a moment as a sign that the light will return on Easter).

To Christ our Lord who loves us, washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God and Creator, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
Amen.

Please depart in silence and place your offering in the plate on the table in the entry way.

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