Mid-week Prayer for February 19, 2025

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In three of the four gospels, we find the story of Jesus and his disciples getting into a boat with the intention of crossing over to the other side of the lake.  While Jesus slept, a terrible storm came up, threatening to sink them all.  In panic and fear, the disciples wake Jesus.  They accuse him of “checking out” right when they need him the most.  It is only after Jesus calms the storm… after they experience what Mark describes as a “dead calm”… that they can proceed on their way TOGETHER.  (See Mark 4:35-41).  

Maybe you’ve felt that way about the storm of chaos and false-truths that have seemingly come out of nowhere in these past weeks.  I know I have.  As the disciples discovered, it is only by clinging to Jesus in the midst of life’s stormy seas, that we can at last find the calm which will allow us to thoughtfully, purposefully, and prayerfully get where we need to go TOGETHER.

In your prayers this week, create a space where you can be still and know that God is present.  Let the peace of God wash over and through you.  Then pray:  for peace in our world, in our nation, in our communities, and in our homes.  Trust Jesus to make a way through to the other side, and to journey there with you and for you. —Pastor Tammy

This Week’s Prayer

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I recently saw a bumper sticker that said:  I am the one Jesus loves.  While I have no doubt that Jesus loves the person driving that vehicle (and every other vehicle bearing that message), the wording suggests that Jesus’ love is reserved exclusively for a very few.  Such a claim stands in direct opposition to Jesus’ expansive, inclusive welcome.  “Whoever does the will of God,” Jesus said, “is my brother and sister and mother”.  (Mark 3:35)

We are part of a very big family, indeed.  It’s no surprise that when Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, the focus is on the many, not the one.  “Our Father”…  “give us…” etc. (see Matthew 6:9-13).  In the coming week, if you pray the Lord’s Prayer, focus on the sense of community the prayer holds, and in your own prayers, try using words like “us”, “we”, and “our” as often as you can.    As followers of Jesus, we are all in this together!    Pr. Tammy

A Mid-week Prayer

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As a young child, my dad spent countless hours teaching and saying bedtime prayers with me. One of the many I learned by heart is this one from an old New England sampler:

God bless all those that I love;
God bless all those that love me;
God bless all those that love those that I love;
And all those that love those that love me.

The prayer’s almost nonsensical structure and wording appealed to my child’s mind – it was simply fun to say. Some 60 years later, as many in our nation are seeking a very narrow definition of who the “neighbor” is that God commands us to love and care for, I find the prayer to be profoundly inclusive in who we are asking God to bless. Consider:

All those that I love – Mostly easy, though sometimes not so much.
All those that love me – This might hold a few surprises.
All those that love those that I love – Here’s where it starts to get really interesting! The circle of love and blessing expands to include persons of all ages and identities, giftedness and circumstances.
All those that love those that love me – The circle of love and blessing continues to expand exponentially! And God has more than enough love and blessing to go around!

I invite you to pray this prayer with me this week. Remember people by name, if you can. And then challenge yourself to imagine all those other “neighbors” connected to you by this circle of love and blessing. Bask in it and share it!

— Pr. Tammy

Access Announcement

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FYI–32nd Street is closed for blocks around the church due to sidewalk corner replacements. They are putting in handicap curb cuts and also have most of 5th Ave S closed in front of our church. Access to the church is detoured to 31st Street for the next several weeks, and access to the handicap parking spaces on 5th Ave S may not be available.

Part-Time Music Director Position at New Hope Lutheran Church

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MINISTRY DESCRIPTION FOR PART-TIME MUSIC DIRECTOR

NEW HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct vocal and handbell choirs in accordance with a seasonal schedule and the groups’ abilities

• Maintain music resource office, music files and choir folders

• Oversee handbell maintenance

• Provide music schedule to choirs, pastor, and accompanist(s)

• Establish and maintain clear communication with Church Musician

• Attend Worship & Music team meetings as called by the committee chair

• Provide Personnel team with a summary of choir activities for annual evaluation

• Ensure musical selections have appropriate copyright permissions

• Facilitate special solo/ensemble music (instrumental and/or vocal)

• Coordinate with Church Musician for tuning and maintenance of pianos and organ

• Coordinate with cantors on weekly schedule and new music/liturgy

QUALIFICATIONS

• Formal training as a music educator/director is required  

• Familiarity with Lutheran worship practices is preferred

• Successful applicant will be expected to be present for all regular worship services and special seasonal services during the program year (September – May) when choir/bells are scheduled

SALARY – Dependent upon experience

Reflecting on Psalm 19: A Harmony of Creation and Law

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Psalm 19 sings a dual song of natural revelation and the beauty of God’s law. It opens with a vibrant depiction of the heavens, a cosmic display of God’s glory, segueing into an ode to the perfection of God’s Word.

The psalmist sees the universe as a grand cathedral, its celestial bodies preaching sermons of divine majesty without uttering a single word. This silent testimony resonates across the globe, a universal language of awe. Then, the focus shifts from the skies to the scriptures, from the natural order to the moral law, indicating how both creation and commandment guide humanity towards God.

The law, for the psalmist, is not a burden but a treasure, more valuable than gold, sweeter than honey. It’s a source of wisdom, joy, and enlightenment. The statutes of the Lord serve as a mirror, reflecting the reader’s soul, revealing hidden faults, and offering the promise of redemption.

In the final verses, the psalmist offers a personal prayer, a desire for purity and acceptance before God. This movement from the grandeur of the cosmos to the intimacy of personal supplication encapsulates a journey from the external to the internal, from the universal to the individual.

Psalm 19 teaches us to look up and within, to see the fingerprints of the divine in both the vastness of the universe and the depths of our hearts. It’s a reminder that God speaks to us not only through the majesty of creation but also through the clarity and conviction of His laws.

In this exquisite psalm, we find a blueprint for living a life that is in harmony with the world and the Word, encouraging us to see every sunrise as a symbol of God’s renewing grace and every scripture as a guidepost on the path to righteousness.

Hope in the Midst of Despair: Finding Light in Psalm 22:23-31

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In the depths of despair, Psalm 22 starts with a haunting question that echoes through the ages, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet, this psalm takes us on a profound journey from the shadows of abandonment to the light of hope and deliverance. The latter verses, 23-31, shine brightly with a message of unwavering faith, communal praise, and the undeniable sovereignty of God.

Verses 23-31 invite us to shift our gaze from our troubles to the greatness of God. The psalmist calls for those who fear the Lord to praise Him. There’s a communal celebration of deliverance that transcends personal suffering. The psalm reflects a deep understanding of God’s nature — His faithfulness and mercy.

This section of Psalm 22 paints a picture of God’s kingdom, where all are fed, remembered, and called to worship. It’s a prophetic vision where the ends of the earth turn to the Lord, and future generations will be told about the Lord’s righteousness. It’s a declaration that God’s dominion is everlasting, reaching beyond the here and now to touch eternity.

The shift from lament to praise in Psalm 22 mirrors our own spiritual journeys. We often start with questions and doubts, especially in times of trouble. But as we remember God’s faithfulness in the past, our perspective changes. We move from questioning God’s presence in our lives to proclaiming His sovereignty over all circumstances.

Psalm 22, especially verses 23-31, serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope is never lost. It encourages us to praise God, not just for what He has done, but for who He is — the Lord of all, whose love and justice extend to all corners of the earth and through all generations.

In this psalm, we find a blueprint for our response to life’s challenges. It teaches us to turn our lament into worship, to trust in God’s sovereign plan, and to join the community of believers in proclaiming God’s goodness to the world.

Let’s carry the message of Psalm 22:23-31 in our hearts. In moments of despair, may we find the strength to praise. In times of abundance, may our songs of thanksgiving rise. Together, as a community of faith, we declare God’s faithfulness to every generation.

Sermon by Bishop Laurie Jungling – 1/14/24

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“Come and See!”

A Message from the Presiding Bishop

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Dear church,

As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have led to unspeakable loss of life and hope. At the same time the ELCA denounces the indiscriminate retaliation of Israel against the Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim.

For the past week we have borne witness to the horrors of the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas. We also watch a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel blocks food, water, fuel and medical supplies and as airstrikes continue to cause unbearable civilian casualties ahead of a just-announced ground assault. We see Israelis and families around the world in the agonizing wait for word about the fate of loved ones killed or taken hostage by Hamas. We are in anguish, grieving and praying for all people who are living in trauma, fear and uncertainty.

Among us are Palestinian Lutherans who are fearful for their families, their communities and their homeland. In our communities we have Jewish and Muslim neighbors, who are also facing the horrors of this crisis and its impact on their loved ones.

It is difficult to find words that suffice in the complexity of this moment, and in the web of relationships that bind us together, as church, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and our interreligious partners. Yet God has called us to be a people who stand with others amid suffering.

We must also call a thing a thing. The power exerted against all Palestinian people — through the occupation, the expansion of settlements and the escalating violence — must be called out as a root cause of what we are witnessing. We are committed to our long-standing accompaniment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

The God who liberates us calls us to be a liberating witness. May it be so. 

In Christ,


The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Psalm 85:8-13: God’s Promise of Peace, Righteousness, and Prosperity Illuminated

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Psalm 85:8-13, part of last Sunday’s reading, offers a heartfelt conversation filled with promises that feel both personal and profound.

Verse 8 begins with a declaration and a gentle warning: “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” It’s as if God is leaning in, whispering peace, but also reminding us not to slip back into old ways.

As we move through verses 9 to 11, we encounter an incredible image of salvation, glory, mercy, and truth all coming together. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” This isn’t just poetic language; it’s a deep insight into how everything in God’s character is interconnected and how it plays out in our lives.

Verses 12 and 13 continue with a promise about the land giving its increase and righteousness going before God, guiding us in His steps. This isn’t limited to spiritual matters; it’s about real-world blessings and guidance. It’s a reassurance that God’s goodness reaches into every part of our lives.

What’s particularly striking about this passage is the emphasis on not just receiving but also listening, respecting God, and following His path. It’s a two-way street, where God’s peace, righteousness, and prosperity are there for us, but we also have a role to play.

So, as we reflect on Psalm 85:8-13, we’re invited to consider not just the comforting words but also the rich and thoughtful insights into God’s character and His promises. It’s a gentle nudge, a reminder of God’s peace, righteousness, and prosperity, and how these blessings are intertwined with our actions and choices. It’s something to carry with us, something to ponder and appreciate as we go about our week.