Family Worship Together

There are so many different things right now.

More than we can count in our new normal -

 not so normal days.

That became weeks.

 And it is certainly feeling like-

 into months.

 One of the things that we have been 

enjoying is our 

Family Worship Time together.

There are 8 littles- 

6 and under-

 and most on the lower end of that spectrum.

They don't last long on a normal 

Facbook or Zoom worship experience.

So at the very beginning of all

 of this we started writing our own

 family worship service
and gather on ZOOM.

We start by making the sign of the cross, 

and we light a candle.

We follow the Lectionary reading for the Gospel.

Papa rewrites the reading for different "parts"

 for Pappa and Gigi to read.

 We began with sock puppets-

but quickly moved to pictures on paint sticks.

Papa plays songs on guitar that are easy

 for our young crowd to learn.

There is often a question 

for the older guys in the troop. 

The BIG GUYS help to lead with the Lord's Prayer.

We started to do the family blessing the way

 we saw families do in a 

Messianic Jewish Worship service in Israel. 

The dad (we do both parents) 

stretches out a prayer shawl

(or blanket) to extend the blessing over his family.

The service is short and to the point.

Each week begins with a short review

 of what we learned last week.

Some things have been very good

 in this COVID19 season.

This is one of them.

Sit Beside the Lord- Lent 2020

                                                             photo credit to Jessica Meier

As we continue to make our homes into 
consecrated places of worship - 
here is a devotional thought from Natalie Hartwig.

Sit Beside The Lord in 2020

Almost twenty years ago I wrote a hymn which I titled, Come and Sit Beside The Lord. This hymn, which celebrated the blessings of corporate worship, was prompted by the observation of congregations gathering joyfully before a worship service. People greeted each other in the shadow of the cross that topped their steeples and spent time there, sharing and encouraging each other before moving into the nave to worship. I still love this ‘narthex time’ of social and spiritual warm up before worship, but I think these days of physical distancing and isolation offer a chance to see a new understanding of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

This understanding begins with the instructions to the enslaved Children of Israel to prepare for the first Passover in their homes. They were specifically advised to prepare only as much food as their family could eat. If their family was too small, they could join another family. The door of the house was marked with the blood of the lamb. They were to stay, safely, inside the house. (Exodus 12:1-13) 

Another great feast, Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), was also commanded by God and specifically described as a small family act of worship. (Leviticus 23:39-43) Each family was to construct and live in a small, temporary booth, to remind them of the journey from the land of slavery to the land of promise when they were both led and fed by God. It is interesting to note that the instructions for the Sukkot begin with the instruction to do no work during the feast, but to concentrate on the Lord.

Finally, we come to Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. She was not in a synagogue or temple, she was in her home, and Christ himself was there. Mary dropped everything and sat down, at the feet of Jesus. When Martha protested that Mary was avoiding the work of the household, Jesus told Martha to stop trying to pull Mary away from him. (Luke 10:38-42) Mary’s choice to sit at the feet of Jesus (the student position of choice) would not be taken from her.

Be careful, I am not trying to establish a pattern of avoiding corporate worship. There are many passages not only commanding such worship, but also speaking of the great joy and blessings associated with the same. Rather, I would have us consider the importance of worship outside of physical church buildings. When we cannot, for reasons of health or safety, gather together for corporate worship, we need to remember that Christ is present in our own homes. He is there whenever 2 or 3 are gathered together in His name. And for the believer who worships alone because he or she lives alone, Christ is also there. You have the Word of God and Christ is that very Word. (John 1:1) 

Just think of the powerful blessing that passage conveys. You can hold The Word of God in your hands and heart. So, stop your worrying and working. Come, sit at the feet of Jesus. Worship with your siblings in Christ. Take advantage of life streaming. Yes, I know the technical term is ‘live streaming,’ I selected the word life on purpose. Think about it. 

COME AND SIT BESIDE THE LORD

Tune: Nettleton HS98 # 876 (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

Come into God’s house with gladness; Come into God’s house with singing;

Come and sit beside The Lord. Come and sit beside The Lord.

He will comfort you in sadness, Hear the bells with joy loud ringing,

He will ev’ry joy afford. Here His graces are out poured.

At His feet now take your places, Brothers, sisters, now He calls you,

Let His words be read aloud. “Come and rest here, by my side.”

See His love on other’s faces Feel His arms surround and hold you

Let no doubt your vision cloud. In His love now safe abide.

Come into God’s house and rest you;

Come and sit beside The Lord.

Choose the one thing needful for you

Choose to listen to The Lord.

“It shall not be taken from you.”

He has promised to abide

With His love forever near you

And to keep you at His side.

Textual basis: Psalm 110:4; Psalm 84:1, 2; Psalm 66:16; Luke 10: 38 – 42

© Natalie Grace 2001

I am so fortunate as to have a devotion written by my Grandmother Pfitzer in which she references a favorite hymn verse of hers. I also have a copy of my mother’s confirmation hymnbook that contains the version of the hymn that grandma would have known. It is much longer than the version included now. Her favorite verse was #3.

Here is the longer version:

ONE THING’S NEEDFUL! (Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book published by CPH, 1927)

ONE THING’S NEEDFUL! (1927)

One thing’s needful! Then, Lord Jesus,

Keep this one thing in my mind;

All beside, though first it please us,

Soon a grievous yoke we find;

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,

No true lasting happiness ever deriving

The gain of this one thing all loss can requite

And teach me in all things to find true delight.

Soul, wilt thou this one thing find thee?

Seek not midst created things;

What is earthly leave behind thee,

Over nature stretch thy wings.

For where God and Man both in One are united,

With God’s perfect fullness the heart is delighted,

There, there, is the worthiest lot and the best,

My One and my All, and my Joy and my rest.

How were Mary’s thoughts devoted

Her eternal joy to find,

As intent each word she noted,

At her Savior’s feet reclined!

How kindled her heart, how devout was its feeling,

While hearing the lessons that Christ was revealing!

For Jesus all earthly concerns she forgot,

And all was repaid in that one happy lot.

Thus my longings, heavenward tending,

Jesus, rest alone on Thee;

Help me, thus on Thee depending,

Savior, come and dwell in me!

Although all the world should forsake and forget Thee,

In love I will follow Thee, ne’er will I quit Thee,

Lord Jesus, both spirit and life is Thy word;

And is there a joy which Thou dost not afford?

Special thanks to Journeys of Faith contributor- 

Natalie Grace Hartwig.

Preschool Chapel and Young Disciples Telling the Story

 Bonnie Hughes teaches at

 Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool

 in Springfield,Virginia.

Not only does she work 
with the littles--- 2 1/2 year olds,

she is the Director of the Art

 that happens in the building.

 Over a period of about 2 weeks, 

she works with the students as they begin to visualize

 the stories leading up to and during Holy Week. 

Zacchaeus leads into the Holy Week prep.
The 4 year old classes make most of the murals.The
Teachers read the Bible story of the mural
 they are going to work on. 
Then they ask the children for ideas 
of how they could tell this story by way of a picture.

The Kindergarten class makes
 the Last Supper mural.
The classroom teacher reads 
multiple versions to the students
 of the mural they are creating.
They also look at different artist's
 interpretations of that story.
Then they discuss how they could
 tell the story and what the essential elements
would be for the mural. 
  Children then create the pieces

 that make up the large murals.

They measure about 3 by 4 feet.

 They are mixed media

 and mixed process creations.
What I really love is how Bonnie talks
 about the art and the young creators.
"This art is an example of 
children working not only as artists, 
but as disciples of Jesus,
 telling important faith stories through their work."

 Painting, cutting, and glueing.

This has been a tradition at Prince of Peace 

for over 30 years.

 I can remember the Easter chapel

 for our own children when the murals lined up

 in the front of the sanctuary for worship.

Now a grandson attends this very preschool 

and will bring this faithful tradition
 to another generation.

The murals remain in the narthex 
to visually tell and enhance

 the Holy Week and Easter story

 to all who step into the building.

You can almost hear the shout- 

Alleluia- Jesus is Alive!

Thanks to Visual Faith coach Bonnie Hughes
 for the photos and this story.

Rev. Andy Jagow- 20th Anniversary Celebration

Something is a bit amiss for worship.

The "Bishop" is robed and sitting 

in the front of church.

Rev. Andy is trying to figure things out.

Somehow things are not as they seem.

The Congregational President explains that there is a 

"Surprise 20th Anniversary in Ministry Celebration."

Surprise? since the Anniversary was last summer?

This was a PERFECT SURPRISE.

Southeastern District President Rev. John Denninger

 preached for the service at 

Bethany Lutheran Church in 

Alexandria, Virginia 

on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

There was a renewal of ordination vows.

The congregation had worked to replicate

 the ordination service the best they could.

The music was outstanding.

There was a blessing 

and laying on of hands affirmation

 for Rev. Andy and his wife, Kathy,

 and their daughters- Claire and Lily.

Then time to lead the Eucharist.

Pastor Joseph Davis, and Andy's wife, Kathy,

 and children had kept the secret surprise.

Time to thing back to all the "altered truths."

A reception for Pastor Andy was highlighted

 with gifts of a new office chair, 2 chasubles, 

and a prayer chain from the congregational members.

There was also a "special brew tea."

 Kathy was also given a gift of her "favorite succulents."

Time to cut the cake

and give thanks for a congregation 

that loves their pastor and shows 

that appreciation for their under-shepherd.

May Rev. Andy and family be blessed

 with many more years of 

serving in ministry in the Kingdom.

 Sermon Notes for the Worship

A prayer card for Pastor Andy and Kathy,
  their family, Bethany Lutheran Church
 and the whole ministry there
 and in their neighborhood.

And a spontaneous tribute.

Our Good Shepherd

                                                                                                        Copyright free image Google

 On Good Shepherd Sunday, we heard Psalm 23,

 sang at least one hymn based on the Psalm, 

and think of the pictures of Christ 

carrying the sheep.

 It is comforting to think of ourselves
 as that lamb, 

safely tucked in the arms 

or draped around the neck of the Shepherd. 

It is a little harder to remember 

Christ’s instructions to Peter,

 “If you love me, feed my sheep.” 

Yes, we are called sheep, 

and it is not a compliment. 

Without Christ, we are the foolish sheep

 who need protection and guidance. 

But with Christ, that is a different story. 

As the workers in the vineyard 

we are to care for each other 

with Christ-like love and concern.

I was thinking about the pictures

of Christ painted

 by artists and poets and then moved on 

to the verbal pictures I carry in my heart 

about the First Person of the Trinity, 

God the Father. 

The first of those pictures formed 

during my high school years 

when an English teacher 

read the poem “The Creation” 

by James Weldon Johnson.

 Once I started to think of the Creator 

in human form, I began to also see Him

 walking in the Garden. 

First, He was in comfortable conversation 

and then in parental confrontation.

 I saw God the Father as a strong protector

 slamming shut the door of the ark

 to protect and shelter Noah. 

But, my favorite mental picture 

of God the Father in human form comes from

 Deuteronomy 33:12 and Hosea 11:1. 

The blessing of Moses to Benjamin 

says that Benjamin is beloved of The Lord

 and rests between His (God’s) shoulders. 

I know many take that to be a physical description

 of the land assigned to Benjamin 

with the shoulders being 

poetic descriptions of mountains. 

I like to think of God the Father picking up

 those of childlike faith and putting us

 on His shoulders just like a human father

 picks up a toddler and perches

 the little one on strong shoulders 

to keep them safe, let them see, 

and keep them from wandering off. 

The closer I get to heaven,

 the more certain I am that heaven

 must feel just like those laughing children

 sitting on dad’s shoulders. 

Think about it, we were in “Egypt Land” slavery 

when God rescued us and led us

 through the waters of baptism. 

Now we are free, 
now we can dance with Miriam,

 sing with Moses, 

and ride on the shoulders of God!

 I like that picture.

More resources: Creation- James Johnson
and here is a reading-
Video- Creation


Thanks to Contributing writer- 
Natalie Hartwig, 
for this Good Shepherd reflection.

Visual Faith Resources for Holy Week

This is a photo of the Holy Week resources 

that are available for download and printing. 

These are perfect to share for 

worship communities, 

schools, family and personal use.

They can be found on the 

Visual Faith Ministry

 website under the Resources heading.
holy-week-sermon-notes

Melinda Ransdell - who writes at 
unconventionally steadfast has created
 a collaborative effort to use 
the images designed by 
Sally Beck 
to create new worship resources.
The resources can also be found here:
holy-week-sermon

A little bit about artist- Sally Beck.

"For twenty-five years I had the blessing
of working for 

Creative Communications for the Parish

 (St. Louis) as art director and illustrator. 

I can't imagine a better career—

one in which I used my art
 to express my faith.

 Creative Communications

 publishes worship and devotional materials

 for adults and children

 with an emphasis on the Church Year seasons

 of Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas. 

One of my many assignments 

was to create yearly collections

 of black and white

 spot illustrations based on the lectionary.

 These illustrations were ones that pastors

 and church secretaries could use as 

worship folder covers or inside illustrations.

 My task was to read the Sunday lessons, 

recognize the theme 

of each week's Old Testament, 

Gospel, epistle and Psalm readings, 

and create a piece of art to fit.

A little calligraphy, a little drawing—

and always with the Holy Spirit

 leading the way. 

The art that appears in the posts 

of the Visual Faith groups

 is the result of those assignments."

We are thankful for the blessing
 of this creative pairing of gifts. 

Lenten Labyrinth

Lenten Labyrinth

Natalie Hartwig shares some thoughts 
for a devotional practice 
that you might consider for Lent this year.

"In this contemplative season the Spirit leads us quietly

 to walk more closely in God’s love. 

One way to do this is to follow a labyrinth while singing.

 A finger labyrinth coupled with a liturgical chant

 or a hymn from the Taize’ Community 

can open your heart and mind to God’s loving care.

This link will take you to a printable finger labyrinth.

Chartres Labyrinth

(There are many more options online.)

The labyrinth formed by concentric lines 

around a heart is my personal choice.

 You can modify most labyrinth designs
 by adding a straight line drawing

 of a cross in the center.
That keeps our focus on Jesus
 as the center of our Lent meditations.

  I also plan to work a labyrinth design 

either with yarn or with fabric paint on canvas 

to create a raised shape that I can trace-
 even with eyes closed.

I suggest starting your chants with the Agnus Dei

 from the communion liturgy. 

Other chants that are favorites of mine are:

 “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”; “Lead Me, Lord”;

 “Jesus Remember Me”; “Eat this Bread”;

 “Open Our Eyes”; “Lord Be Glorified”; 

and “Father, I Adore You.” 

It is advisable to use only one chant per week,

 but if the Spirit moves you
 to use multiple chants- LISTEN.

The Taize’ hymns are not easy to find in 

Lutheran hymn books, 

but some searching on You Tube 

will help you find free downloads of recordings. 

Another source is your own memory 

of music used at retreats, or worship. 

I look forward to using “Allelu!” on Easter Sunday

 while I follow the labyrinth."

Thanks to Natalie Hartwig- a featured contributor
 to the Journey of Faith blog for sharing 

a doable, practical Lenten prayer focus.

This is a great combination of visual and kinesthetic
  movement that may help us to
 keep our focus and deal with distractions.

Sermon Notes Gift- Part 5

                                                                                                        J. Berger
This is the final post 
about the Sermon Notes Gift.
Here we will also share some thoughts
 from the artists. 

First, Debbie Harman shares some honest thoughts

 about "learning along the way"-

"I first started journaling my sermon notes 

after attending a Visual Faith Workshop in 2015.

 Before that, I thought that sermons were something

 to get through before communion. 

But once I started, I found I couldn't stop! 

Now, I even take my sketchbook

 when I go to the beach!"

                                                                                                                                          D. Harman

                                                                                                        J. Berger
"I always sketch in pencil,

 just jotting down notes or little drawings

 to represent the thoughts I have or something

 the pastor said. I then spend the rest of the week

 "making it look pretty."

I have found that the message of the sermon

 becomes more meditative for me.

 I may be drawing or coloring, 

but I'm thinking about the message. 

I never used to remember sermons 

once I walked out of church!"

                                                                                                                                                          J. Berger

                                                                                 J. Berger
                                      "I also have the time 
                                 to do a little more research

 on what the pastor has said. 

I've looked up other Bible passages, 

read about the historical 

significance of certain events,

 and even looked up Greek or Hebrew

 to get a better understanding of context. 

I have also found myself meditating

 on religious artwork as I search 

for inspiration for my own art."

                                                                                                                                       D. Harman

                                                                                                                                            J. Berger

                                                                                    D. Harman
"I think this is a habit 
that will be with me forever. 

I have even journaled congregation
 town hall meetings, 

prayer vigils, and Wednesday night Lenten services.

 I never realized how such a simple exercise 

could make such a lasting impression on my faith."

                                                                                       J. Berger
Jeanne Berger shares a bit about her process.

"The Illustrated Guide to Visual Notetaking

by Mike Rohde

 led me to my current process 

of sketch- noting sermons. 

It tells how to quickly draw simply, 

(even for the non-artist). 

You can pull out key information, 

and enjoy taking notes. 

Sometimes I catch the theme quickly 

and do a bigger picture, sketch/drawing."

                                                                                                                                    D. Harman

                                                                                        J. Berger
"Often, I am just listening to the sermon

 and brainstorming, connecting ideas,

 letting God (and coffee) direct me. 

Don't worry, just go. 

I tend to start in the middle of the page

 and then fill in space around it. 

Not a purposeful thing- 

just what feels right to me."

                                                                                                                              D. Harman

                                                                                D. Harman
"When I know I will be busy,

 I go straight for the pen. 

Otherwise, I draw in pencil

 and go back later and clean it up.

 Layering color and texture later

 is a way of meditating

 and helps to reinforce the message.

 Sometimes I steal away an hour or two 

and pray this way.

 I find a verse 

that fits a prayer need 

or something to inspire me

 and draw that- 

either in my sketchbook or Bible.

 If I am praying for a someone 

and think it will help, 

I will send the drawing to them."

                                                                                                                                               J. Berger

                                                                                   D. Harman
"Initially, I began this process because

 I'd watch my friend Debbie draw in church. 

Then, I went with her to a Visual Faith workshop. 

With the encouragement of my friend, Debbie,

 and Pastor Dave Betzner,

 I have continued this spiritual practice."

                                                                                                                                               J. Berger

                                                                                                                                    D. Harman

  The images of the drawings in these 5 blog posts 

were photos taken from the book gift to Pastor Dave Betzner.

Any cut off words and blurriness are due to this format  

(and my very hurried photo taking to return the book) 

and not the work of the artists. 

I give thanks for the sharing of this body of work

 from these 2 inspired artists.
Perhaps their work will
 INSPIRE YOU
 to be connected to the Word
 in this fulfilling way.

Connie Denninger