Sabbath Prayer

Meet me, O Christ, in this stillness of morning.

Meet me, O Spirit, to quiet my heart.

Meet me, O Father, from yesterday’s harms.

From the discords of yesterday, resurrect my peace.

From the discouragements of yesterday, resurrect my hope.

From the weariness of yesterday, resurrect my strength.

From the doubts of yesterday, resurrect my faith.

From the wounds of yesterday, resurrect my love.

Let me enter this new day, aware of my need, 

and awake to Your grace, O Lord.     Amen.

The prayer is from 

Douglas Kaine McKelvey,

 Every Moment Holy, Volume 1,

 Rabbit Room Press, p. 235.

Sparrows Fall

Sparrows Fall

God Knows Why

Lilies grow

And fade

I watch the seasons change.

Sparrows Fall

Without warning

Out of time.

Out of the depths

I cry why.

Answer me.  

ANSWER ME! 

please…..

God knows why we cry.

I will not leave you comfortless.

When sparrows fall, God knows.

God cares.

No one shall pluck you out of my hand.

By grace, these 3 things abide … Faith, Hope, and Love.

Faith is the evidence of things not seen

Love is the greatest

And Hope gives us the strength to Love.

God loves, unsparingly, even sparrows, Even me.

God knows why we cry.

I will not leave you comfortless.

When sparrows fall, God knows.

God cares.

No one shall pluck you out of my hand.

By grace, these 3 things abide … Faith, Hope, and Love.

Faith is the evidence of things not seen

Love is the greatest

And Hope gives us the strength to Love.

God loves, unsparingly, even sparrows, Even me.

© Natalie Grace

April 11, 2007

Thank you to Journeys of Faith-

Contributing Writer

 Natalie Grace Hartwig- 

for this poem and also for the photos.

Therefore- A Devotion

A Devotion by Rev. Donald Schaefer, 

Northern Region Mission Engagement Facilitator

Southeastern District

“Therefore” is the first word in Romans 5

 Paul uses that word to imply the truth

Of what he has just said before 

“Therefore since we are justified by faith

        We have peace with God through Christ”

For Paul this was a certainty that the cross provided

In the succeeding verses

        Paul uses exquisite Rabbinic logic

To show how this given peace leads to a gifted hope

Paul also however knew what it meant to suffer

        His peace and hope did not come from the world

But from the promise of God’s love above the world

        

Paul here reminds us that the light of God’s love

        Shines best in the darker moments of life

When promises that people and things make are broken

For Christian’s “hanging in there” is hanging on God’s grace alone

When we do we discover to our delight 

That god’s grace is enough to see us through

Out of that comes a hopeful peace

        Not imaginary thinking

But a clarity of heart vision

Right now peace and hope seem in short supply

People are angry and fearful

Without being sure even why

As we live out our lives

        In a corner of God’s vineyard 

We do so with a quieting courage

Through our words and actions

        We invite others to see and know

Where true peace and hope are to be found

With this “therefore” we live and die

Encouraged by both a peace and hope

That needs to be shared with the world+

Thank you to Pastor Schaefer for this reflection.

        

Rev. Josh Hileman- Our Savior , Laurel, MD

Welcome to the Hileman family-

 Rev. Josh and Christina

Children- Bryten, Emmitt, Caleb, Maisie

A Socially distance 

Ordination and Installation

took place on Sunday June 7, 2020

at Our Savior Lutheran Church 

in Laurel, Maryland. 

 The service was family only

 and photos of members decked the pews.

 Son Bryten did one of the readings.

Rev. Dr. Tim Saleska

 gave the homily from St. Louis.

Rev. Josh was installed as Associate Pastor.

Senior Pastor- Rev. Peter DeMik

bestows a blessing.

 Rev. Dr. John Denninger- 

Southeastern District President 

presents Rev. Josh 

with the certificate of Ordination.

To remember the COVID19

day of installation.

 A wonderful reception

 was offered to bless this young family.

 After the reception,

 the members did a drive-by

 welcome and salute and greetings!

Welcome to Our Savior!

Welcome to the Southeastern District!

Devotional- With the Lord Begin Your Task.

Read Matthew 6:28

 and let your heart sing

 "With the Lord Begin Your Task".

 Pay close attention to verses 2 & 3. 

This picture of day lilies captures

 in yesterday's withered blossom, 

today's glorious bloom, and tomorrow's bud-

 the lesson Christ would have us hear.

"On the Lord cast ev'ry care."

Thanks to contributing writer

 for Journeys of Faith- Natalie Hartwig.

Rev. Kevin Scott- King of Glory

The Ordination 

and Installation of Rev. Kevin Scott

as Associate Pastor at 

King of Glory Lutheran Church

 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Sunday, May 31, 2020.

Left- Rev. Bill Harmon- 

Senior Pastor at King of Glory

Sam, Bear and Pastor Kevin

Right- Rev. Dr. John R Denninger- 

President of the Southeastern District.

With a COVID19 pandemic-
there were many different decisions.
A different kind of event-but wonderful. 

We welcome you to ministry

 in this District and may you blessed!

Creator

CREATOR

Creator, Maker of all things,

Giver of good gifts, 

El Shaddai

The Holy One,

Giver of all law,

Inscribe now on my heart

Thy will for me.

Defender, God of the fatherless,

Mighty Fortress, 

The great I Am,

The Mighty One, 

Protector of children,

Stretch out now Thy strong arm,

And lift me up.

Jehovah, God of the prophets,

Giving the promise, 

Keeping Thy word.

Heavenly Father, 

God of the ages,

Eternally with us, 

Come dwell within me.

© Natalie Grace

Tune: can be sung to tune by Patricia Cain 

for “Jesus, Name Above All Names” found on page 45 

of Jesus’ People Sing! Songbook, published by CPH.

Thank you to Natalie Grace- 

contributing writer for Journeys of Faith.