The Three Days

If you are wondering where I am, you will find me at church. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Our Lenten journey has led me to the point at which I am ready to hear some important words. I will hear, pray and sing these words in liturgy, song, Scripture and sermon. What are these words?

God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.

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.

Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found.

The body of Christ, given for you.

May the sacrament of your holy body and blood so work in us that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended?

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.

Behold the life-giving cross, on which was hung the Savior of the whole world.

Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion, now and forever. Amen.

This is the night.

[My word] shall not return to me empty; it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Breathe your Spirit into all who are gathered here and into all creation. Illumine our days. Enliven our bones. Dry our tears. Wash away the sin within us, and drown the evil around us.

Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!

The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.

Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

It will be an amazing Three Days. In them, I could be selfish. In them, I could hear my own call to discipleship, taste the forgiveness of my own sin, hear the story of my own salvation, and celebrate my own risen savior. I pray that I will resist this temptation. God, help me to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, share the joy of discipleship, make room at the table, interpret ancient liturgies, and share the good news in ways that everyone can understand…not just church geeks like me.

A blessed Easter to you.

Comments are welcome. Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. The artwork comes from http://www.freechristimages.org/. --JC

The Importance of "My" Small Group

I was trying to find just a little time to complete my annual “Report to the Bishop.” Truth be told, I am a little bit compulsive about completing assignments and submitting reports on time. The due date was near. I didn’t need much time; the form is not long or complicated.

Each rostered leader (pastor, associate in ministry, diaconal minister, deaconess) of the ELCA is required to submit an annual report to his or her synodical bishop. In our synod, the bishop personally reads each report. The information in the report is taken seriously and receives whatever pastoral attention is needed.

I wanted to get my report done, so I finally just closed my office door, sat down at the computer, and got to work. For rostered leaders under call from a synod council, the first question is, “What is the name and location of the congregation of which you are a member?” That was easy enough. Next, “In what congregational ministries and activities did you participate last year?” I didn’t exactly fill the box with my answer. If it weren’t for the small group Bible study that I am a part of, I would be largely disconnected from the congregation.

I do worship there when I am able. I try to get to congregational meetings. We faithfully mail our offerings. But, these do not provide opportunities to develop deeper relationships within a congregation. Small groups do.

Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m., I gather with eight others around a restaurant table for conversation, prayer, breakfast and Bible study, in approximately that order. In the years that I’ve been participating, our group has added and lost members along the way. These folks have become my friends. They will pray for me when I need it and I pray for them. Through them, I feel a real part of the life and ministry of the congregation to which I belong. With them, I seek new ways to be a disciple.

Some small groups arise spontaneously within congregations. Others organize around a common interest or need. My Bible study group was organized as one of many within the congregation doing a common book or Bible study.

I have encouraged parishioners to join small groups. I have now had the experience of being part of one myself. I believe they an important part of a congregation’s ministry and a great way to assimilate newcomers.

Care to comment? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com or comment on Facebook. --JC