This coming Sunday - 1 May 2022 - there will be no Worship service for St. John's, either in-person or on YouTube. Your pastor has this Sunday off and will be out of town most of the day.

For your personal devotion and prayer, here are the readings for this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter.

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The Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6 [7-20]

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”[The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”]

Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,

     restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.

     Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”

By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain;

     you hid your face; I was dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:

“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit?

     Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!”

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

     so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Revelation 5:11-14

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

John 21:1-19

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me."

The Poem "Pangur Ban, my Cat"

 

For some reason, I could not attach the poem to today's posting of the Worship service for the Second Sunday of Easter. So I'll include it here.

The English Translation

I and Pangur Bán my cat, 

‘Tis a like task we are at:

Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
‘Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill-will,
He too plies his simple skill.

‘Tis a merry task to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur’s way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

‘Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
‘Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

When a mouse darts from its den,
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

So in peace our task we ply,
Pangur Bán, my cat, and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.

The Original Old Irish Gaelic

Messe ocus Pangur Bán,
cechtar nathar fria saindán;
bíth a menma-sam fri seilgg,
mu menma céin im saincheirdd

Caraim-se fos, ferr cach clú,
oc mu lebrán léir ingnu;
ní foirmtech frimm Pangur bán,
caraid cesin a maccdán.

Ó ru·biam — scél cen scís —
innar tegdais ar n-óendís,
táithiunn — díchríchide clius —
ní fris tarddam ar n-áthius.

Gnáth-húaraib ar gressaib gal
glenaid luch inna lín-sam;
os mé, du·fuit im lín chéin
dliged n-doraid cu n-dronchéill.

Fúachid-sem fri frega fál
a rosc anglése comlán;
fúachimm chéin fri fégi fis
mu rosc réil, cesu imdis,

Fáelid-sem cu n-déne dul
hi·n-glen luch inna gérchrub;
hi·tucu cheist n-doraid n-dil,
os mé chene am fáelid.

Cía beimmi amin nach ré,
ní·derban cách ar chéle.
Maith la cechtar nár a dán,
subaigthius a óenurán.

Hé fesin as choimsid dáu
in muid du·n-gní cach óenláu;
du thabairt doraid du glé
for mu mud céin am messe.

The YouTube Service for the Second Sunday of Easter

 

The Second Sunday of Easter

Prelude, Welcome, and Information Hymn #365  Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Psalm: Psalm 150 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

The Lord be with you.       And also with you. Let us pray. O God of life, you reach out to us amid our fears with the wounded hands of your risen Son. By your Spirit’s breath revive our faith in your mercy, and strengthen us to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Reading:  Acts 5:27-32

A reading from the book of the Acts of the Apostles

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Word of the Lord

Reading:  Revelation 1:4-8

A reading from the book of Revelation

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

The Word of the Lord.

 

Gospel Verse: 

Alleluia! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Alleluia!                               

Gospel Reading:  John 20:19-31

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

A reading from the Gospel of John

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon (added at the end of the document)

Hymn #619   I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

Thanks and Offertory

Prayers of the Church:  

Lord, we believe; help our unbelief! With that in mind, we offer our prayers for the world, the church, and for all people according to their needs.

[Short pause]

God of New Life, we trust that you will continue to be the giver of life here and now and in our future with you. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust that you will grant us your saving presence in our daily lives as we hope for your gift of the fullness of grace. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust that you will continue to show us the way to follow your Son and care for your people all around us. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust that you will bless our homes and our town. Let us be instruments of your mercy, remembering those in need around us. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust in your care for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, of Iraq and Afghanistan. We pray that wisdom and a true concern for justice and peace will be granted to all the leaders and negotiators. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust in your concern for your people’s health. Keep doctors, nurses, medical technicians, first responders, and all who work for the good of the community in health and strength. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, look with favor on all who minister in the name of your Son. Bless Bishop Michael Pryse and Eastern Synod Office & Support staff. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

God of New Life, we trust that all life, health, and blessing continues to come from you. Hear the prayers we keep in our hearts… * … Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

{*Rose Gotzmeister, Gail Mauer, Bill Ungar, Deb Kirschner}

We trust in the Risen Christ and his compassion. So, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your love and grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Amen.

Hymn #708  Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love

The Lord’s Prayer

Finally let us pray for all things as our Lord would have us ask:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

    hallowed be thy name,

    thy kingdom come,

    thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

    and forgive us our trespasses,

      as we forgive those who trespass against us;

    and lead us not into temptation,

       but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

         and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Closing prayer & Benediction

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts;
that we t0 whom the incarnation of Christ
your Son was made known by the message of an angel,
may by his passion and cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hymn #836  Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

Sending

May the Lord bless us and keep us.

May the Lord’s face shine upon us with grace and mercy.

May the Lord look upon us with favor and X give us peace.

Amen.

Go in peace. Walk humbly with God.   Thanks be to God.

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Services for the next few months will be on YouTube and accessible from an email link or our church Facebook page. Services for the month of May are as below:

May 1                 No service – Pastor’s vacation

May 8               Communion, Saxonia Hall, 11:00am

May 15              Virtual Service on YouTube

May 22              No service – Pastor’s vacation

May 29             Communion, Church, 11:00am

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“Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”

·         We often are quite severe with our judgement of Thomas, calling him “Doubting Thomas” and saying “If I’d been there… well, you know!”

·         Still… would we? I don’t know if I would. I doubt my own faith at times… note I said “at times.” I doubt my fidelity all the time. What I’ve come to NOT doubt is God’s grace and fidelity.

·         So Thomas doubted and demanded proof and serious proof at that! He isn’t alone.

·         Here’s the story.

·         One day in the week before Holy Week, I went to lunch with another pastor. After that I celebrated a service for the residents at one of the local nursing homes. So I was gone from late morning to late afternoon.

·         When I got home, I was told that our one cat, Pangur Ban, missed me. (Her name is Irish Gaelic for “Bleached… Female” so she should be white, but she isn’t. That’s how it goes. It’s also a historical name from a poem of the early Christian era.)

·         The little cat meowed in the office where I work and then went downstairs to the family room and meowed at my sitting chair. She then moved to where I sit to work on my hobby and meowed there. My wife said she was looking for me since I was supposed to be home! With the pandemic, the little kitty was used to me being home and, darn it! Where was I?

·         When I did come home, my wife picked up the cat and came over to me to show the critter that I really was home. Well, she looked and then stuck out her paw to touch my chest. I think she wanted to see if I were real!

·         (Despite all the rumours to the contrary, I am real.)

·         If a cat might do that, why wouldn’t Thomas wonder about the reality of the Resurrection? He wanted to touch the resurrected Jesus, see his wounds, and know he was real. I can’t blame him.

·         John goes on to tell us the word of Jesus: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John add shortly after that: …these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

·         Unless you know something I don’t know, we have NOT seen and yet we BELIEVE. Jesus calls folks like us “Blessed.” We might think that those who saw Jesus, knew him, and ate with him were more blessed. Jesus assures us that we are included in the number of the blessed and are even more blessed then those who were there when it happened.

·         So we might not feel especially blessed. It’s okay. If a kitten want to reach out and touch her buddy who plays with her so she doesn’t climb the bookshelf, we can feel alright if we want to touch the one who brought us new life and salvation. When the time comes, if we want to touch Jesus’ wounds, he very will might let us.

·         ‘Til then, believe!

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

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The Second Sunday of Easter

 

This Sunday service - 25 April, 2022 - will be held over YouTube​. It will begin at 11:00am.

Here is the link: Word & Worship for the Second Sunday of Easter

I hope you'll be able to join in.

Easter Sunday 2022

 

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Good morning! Happy Easter!

Here is the link to the YouTube recording of Easter Sunday's Service of Holy Communion at St. John's.

Easter Sunday 2022

Next Sunday, - 24 April - will be a YouTube Service.

The Sunday following - 1 May - will be a vacation Sunday for Pastor John

The 2022 Good Friday Service

 

Good day!

Here is the link to the YouTube recording of the Good Friday Service at St. John's in Aylmer:

2022 Good Friday Service

I hope I'll see you on Easter Sunday!

Pr. John

The Readings and Sermon for Palm Sunday

 {Better late than never}

First Reading:  Isaiah 50:4-9a A reading from the prophet Isaiah The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.       The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm:  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 all 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.
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.        The Word of the Lord.
Gospel:  Luke 23: 13-49 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.  So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished. As they led him 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. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and 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. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Prayers of the Church

The mercy of God is everlasting. With that in mind, we offer our prayers for the world, the church, and for all people according to their needs.

[Short pause]

Saving God, as we hear again of the passion and sufferings of your Son, lerp us to be ever mindful of your care and grace. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Saving God, help us all follow the example of Christ, who came to the world in humility and self-sacrifice. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Saving God, grant your mercy to all in need in our neighborhood – the sick, the lost, the forgotten, and those without hope. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Saving God, Be with all those who remain vulnerable to the pandemic and with those who work to relieve their sufferings. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Saving God, grant peace to the peoples of both Ukraine and Russia and to the people of Iraq. Grant wisdom to their leaders as well as a true desire for peace and reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Saving God, watch over teachers and students and all who work in education. Let their time together be safe and productive for their future. Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

Saving God, look with favor on all who minister in the name of your Son. Bless the congregation of Trinity, Windsor and their interim pastor, Pastor Jack Dressler. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Saving God, all life, health, and blessing comes from you. Hear the prayers we keep in our hearts… * … Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

{*Rose Gotzmeister, Gail Mauer, Bill Ungar, Deb Kirschner, Pr. Bob Zimmerman}

Saving God, we thank you for your mercy to our sister, Suzie Theiss, newly called to you, and to her family in their grief. Lord, in your mercy,   Hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

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 Sermon

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus

• Every year we hear the “Passion” read either on Palm Sunday or on Good Friday. We know the details almost by heart. Personally I think we need to hear it and hear what it means every year.
• Today’s reading from the letter to the Philippians is an example of theology. Paul takes the story of Jesus’ life and death – yes, and resurrection – and looks at what it means. He looks at what it means for our salvation and the understanding of our own life and death. He also looks at it for what it means for how we act and behave toward one another as sisters and brothers in Christ. It appears that the Philippians were having some trouble with that.
• Paul looks behind the event and applies its meaning to both the proclamation of the Gospel of grace and to the situation of the church in that place.
• Paul tells the people Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, saying the best thing for any Christian would be to empty themselves of personal ambitions and aggrandizement as Christ did. He gave up what he was and taking the form of a slave, becoming as we are, born in human form. This is done so we might serve one another and not so we might be doormats for every manipulative or selfish person. Dealing with that situation requires a very different type of servanthood.
• There’s a theological term for the “emptying” but I’m not going to say it or go into it today. What I will say is that the Christian is to be empty but is not to remain empty!
• We are to be filled with the grace of God, the grace that comes to us through Jesus’ own emptying, the emptying that led to his death on the cross. His emptying leads to our fullness and the fullness of grace leads us to eternal life.
• That emptying took Jesus from death to resurrected life, a specific life and blessed name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• When I was a small child, I was taught to bow my head slightly when I said or heard the name “Jesus.” I still do it now, although not always and not perfectly. But maybe, just maybe, I’m taking part in that confession of Jesus Christ as Lord.

…at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.