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Abide with Me

3/24/2020

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For some reason music seems to be calling to me during these days.  I, as a rule, am generally not a musically gifted person.  I took piano for a number of years and appreciate music but my gifts lie elsewhere.  That said however, I do recognize the power music has to convey reassurance during times of challenge like we are experiencing now and am so appreciative of the various ways it can move us to sense God's presence anew.  May you be reassured this evening as you hear these words from the St. Olaf choir first recorded back in 2012.  And may God indeed abide with you.
Abide with Me - text
1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
​
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see--
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

​3.  I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

4. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
5. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Update:  From Becky Miller in Atlanta, Georgia - another version of Abide with Me for you.
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Gifts ...

3/19/2020

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​One of the unexpected gifts that I have received over the past few days during this pandemic has been the accompaniment from our friends serving in Nepal.  For those who don’t remember or haven’t heard, we have friends from our local YWAM base that we have been supporting and journeying with for the past 3-4 years or so.  (I’m purposely not using their names due to the sensitive nature of their ministry.)
 
On several occasions now they have reached out to share how they are doing, express their prayers for us and thank me/us for our walking with them.  And they have also shared their journey through songs that they have said are giving them strength right now.  It is a witness to the ways in which music can be a way for us to unite across time zones, across shut doors, across whatever barriers we or the world may need to erect.  I thank them for their sharing and share their latest offering with you now.  It is a piece from Sandra McCracken called “My Soul Finds Rest” based upon Psalm 62.  I’ve copied the Psalm below and a link to the song on youtube below it.  Enjoy.
Psalm 62
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
3 How long will you assail a person,
    will you batter your victim, all of you,
    as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.
    They take pleasure in falsehood;
they bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse.
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us.
9 Those of low estate are but a breath,
    those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
    they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no confidence in extortion,
    and set no vain hopes on robbery;
    if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this: 
that power belongs to God,
12     and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all according to their work.
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Sing ... by Fr. Richard Hendrick

3/18/2020

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Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
Click to hear the poem read.
by Pastor Andrew Wendle
Picture
But, they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighborhood so that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
all over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way
all over the world people are waking up to a new reality to how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.

So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
       But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
       But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
       But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
       But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
       But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe. Listen.  Behind the factory noises of your panic the birds are singing again the sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul and though you may not be able to touch across the empty square,
​ 
Sing.

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Pandemic  - by Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

3/16/2020

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Pandemic
​
​
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath--
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
 
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
 
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
 
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

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We will not be cancelled!

3/16/2020

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“Conversations will not be cancelled.
Relationships will not be cancelled.

Love will not be cancelled.
Songs will not be cancelled.
Reading will not be cancelled.
Self-care will not be cancelled.
HOPE will not be cancelled.
 May we lean into the good stuff that remains.
  • Words by Jamie Tworkowski”

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    Psalms in the World
    These are all simple readings of the assigned Psalms for each Sunday.  They are read from a unique spot in our area and meant to inspire, comfort and perhaps challenge the faithful. 
    ​May you be so moved today!

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    The people of God seeking guidance and comfort during these challenging days.

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