Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 · but all make connections between music and our...

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Transcript of Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 · but all make connections between music and our...

Page 1: Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 · but all make connections between music and our Lenten jour-ney. ... This hymn has for a long time been among my top favorites. Here
Page 2: Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 · but all make connections between music and our Lenten jour-ney. ... This hymn has for a long time been among my top favorites. Here
Page 3: Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 · but all make connections between music and our Lenten jour-ney. ... This hymn has for a long time been among my top favorites. Here

Sacred Sounds: Devotional Readings for 2017 is a resource

written and compiled by members of the St. Olaf College Stu-

dent Congregation and the St. Olaf College Ministry Office. You

are invited into the holy season of Lent through music and re-

flection. There are devotions based upon hymns and songs.

There are psalms with accompanying prayers. And, there are

hymn texts. They are intentionally different from one another,

but all make connections between music and our Lenten jour-

ney.

May this devotional book help you to wrestle with the deep

questions of Lent, “Who am I? Who am I not?” May this devo-

tional book be a tool for honest theological reflection, pointing

us again to the power and promise of God’s grace.

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Pr. Matthew Marohl

Just like the sun after a long winter fills a need that you may have forgotten

was there, Lent meets a need that you may not even know exists.

Consider the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. This story serves as

a model for our experience of Lent. Both are forty days long. Both include

fasting and prayer. Most importantly, at the heart of the wilderness story and

at the heart of Lent is the question of identity. Just before his forty days in the

wilderness, Jesus was baptized. At his baptism, God declared, “You are my

Son, the beloved. In you, I am well pleased.” An identity had been given to

Jesus at his baptism. But in the wilderness, Jesus had to answer for himself,

“Who am I?” And, “Who am I not?”

Jesus is tempted to turn stones into loaves of bread. He is famished. It would

have been so easy to produce just a little bit of food. But, Jesus had to ask,

“Who am I? When faced with great difficulty, am I going to look for an easy

answer or a quick get-away?”

When Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness were over, he had accomplished a

great thing. He had confronted temptations. But, he was also emerging with a

sense of identity. He knew who he was and who he was not. He would not

choose to follow an easy and safe path. He would not seek fame, but would

seek to serve. He would recognize God’s love all around him, even during

times of trial and suffering.

Lent is a season to ask the questions, “Who am I?” Who am I not?” These are

college questions. But asking these questions in Lent is different. Lent encour-

ages us to follow two paths. The first is one of honest self-reflection. Who am

I? Who do I want to be? Who do I want to be in the future? But, also, who do I

want to be today? Do my words and actions match my desired self-identity?

Here, Lent is about much more than giving up chocolate. Lent is about giving

up practices that prevent us from being who we are called to be. Lent is about

taking up practices that bring us closer to our desired identity. If the first path

is one of honest self-reflection, the second path is one of honest theological

reflection. When we are honest about who we are, we must be even more

honest and aware of our need for God. Lent is that time to confess our sins.

Lent is that time to strip away arrogance and our tendency toward self-

reliance and confess our need for God.

March 1, 2017

Ash Wednesday

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Andy Jacob '18

"Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" (ELW 750)

This hymn has for a long time been among my top favorites. Here on the Hill,

it can be easy sometimes not to think much about our personal relationship

with God. For example, we all take religion courses during our time here that

ask us to consider great ideas of theology and the ways in which theologians

we read about have encountered God, but we often give little consideration

to our own intimate relationship with God.

However, this hymn text provides a poem full of language of personal devo-

tion to God. It is a prayer spread out over three verses that has us yearning to

see God and proclaiming that in God we fully rely: “And should my heart for

sorrow break, my trust in thee can nothing shake.” Another wonderful aspect

of this text is that it clearly states Jesus’ two greatest commands found in

Matthew 22: 37-40, right in the middle of stanza two: “Lord, grant that I in

every place may glorify thy lavish grace and serve and help my neighbor.”

Finally, the last verse is a wonderful image of us returning home to be with

God for eternity at the time of our death: “And then from death awaken me,

that these my eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, thy glorious face, my Sav-

ior and my fount of grace.”

During this season of Lent, may we take time to consider more deeply our

personal relationship with God. Let us remind ourselves that amid our deep-

est sorrows, it is God in whom we can fully trust. Resting in this love and

grace, may we remind ourselves continually to live each day according to Je-

sus’ greatest commands to glorify God in all that we do and to love our neigh-

bors as ourselves.

Thursday

March 2, 2017

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“The Glory of These Forty Days “(ELW 320)

Prayer -

O God, our deliverer, you led your people of old through the wilderness and

brought them to the promised land. Guide now the people of your church,

that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world

toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978

© 1978, 1999 Augsburg Fortress Publishing House

Friday

March 3, 2017

The glory of these forty days we celebrate with songs of praise; for Christ, through whom all things were made, himself has fasted and has prayed. Alone and fasting Moses saw the loving God who gave the law; and to Elijah fasting, came the steeds and chariots of the flame. So Daniel trained his mystic sight, delivered from the lions’ might; and John, the Bridegroom’s friend became the herald of Messiah’s name. Then grant, O God, that we may, too, return in fast and prayer to you. Our spirits strengthen with your grace, and give us joy to see your face.

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Devin Ames '19

"Here I Am Lord" (ELW 574)

"Here I am Lord, is it I Lord, I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord,

if you lead me."

This hymn has always been important to me. I feel as though it is a hymn that

not only is fun to sing, but also quite meaningful. Especially being at college, a

time where many people are trying to discern how to go forward, this hymn

comes as freeing. The idea of surrendering oneself to follow the will of God

wherever that may lead is scary yet comforting, knowing that God is always

there.

Now more than ever this hymn seems absolutely amazing to me, as I am

writing this devotional while living at a Lutheran Monastery. I am around

monks who have completely surrendered to the will of God in a way that most

people today would never consider. They have chosen a life so structured

around the word of God, and their beliefs, that the other aspects of their daily

lives revolve around prayer and worship. Living in this community helps me to

clear my mind and try to listen more for what I am being called to do, as I am

able to avoid many of the distractions of a normal day.

The above passage from the hymn is so powerful, and learning not only to

listen to the calling, but also being willing to follow the path is terrifying yet

something that can be worked toward each and every day.

Saturday

March 4, 2017

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Lenten Confession

Introduction to Confession

In the Lenten season we hear our Lord’s call to struggle against sin,

death and the devil – all that keeps us from loving God and each

other. This is the struggle to which we were called at baptism.

God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconcilia-

tion. With this good news, we confess our sin against God and our

neighbor.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, forgive me. My will is bound to sin and I cannot break

free.

I have spoken when I should kept quiet.

I was silent when I should have said something.

I acted when I knew better.

I was still when I knew I have should have moved.

For the wrong that I have done, for the good that I have failed to do,

have mercy on me.

Amen.

Words of Forgiveness

By water and the Holy Spirit, God gives us a new birth.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives us

all our sins.

We are sent free to be children of God, to love and serve our

neighbor.

Monday

March 6, 2017

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Janelle Weinman '18

"Earth and All Stars!" (ELW 731)

"Earth and all stars...Sing to the Lord a new song!"

This hymn has always been one of my favorites. A huge smile comes to my

face when we sing it, especially on the last Sunday of the year with the St. Olaf

version.

I love "Earth and All Stars" because it reminds me of the many blessings in my

life. It also inspires me to thank God for these blessings which I am admittedly

not the best at. Overall, this hymn is a joyous song that constantly reminds me

to be thankful of all we have.

"God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!"

Tuesday

March 7, 2017

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“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” (ELW 773)

Precious Lord, take my hand,

lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.

Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

precious Lord, linger near,

when my life is almost gone,

hear my cry, hear my call,

hold my hand lest I fall.

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears

and the night draws near,

and the day is past and gone,

at the river I stand,

guide my feet, hold my hand.

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Thomas Dorsey wrote the words to this hymn in 1932, just after finding out

that his wife had died giving birth to their firstborn child, a son, who also died.

After such a tragedy, Dorsey, who wrote and sang for revival meetings, wasn’t

sure he could ever write gospel songs again. But one day, alone with a piano,

this hymn poured out.

Notice that other than calling to the Lord as “precious,” this is not a praise

hymn, it is simply a cry out of deep darkness, for God to meet us and bring us

home. Sometimes in the midst of deep pain, the first step is simply asking God

to hold us and lead us, when we feel we can’t stand or move forward our-

selves.

Wednesday

March 8, 2017

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Kate Bello '17

“For the Beauty of the Earth” (ELW 879)

Notice.

A delicate fluffy--tailed squirrel creature peaks over the ledge of her nest. She

inhales her first glimpse of creation and flickers into creation’s community.

Twisting and frolicking over petal soft underbrush she realizes her joy. Under

the golden arbor she prudently preserves her wares. She sniffs at the rubbish

tossed to the side of sidewalk and prods at sweet grass at the base of a tree.

She scurries for food while we all lay sleeping, and studies the soft cadence of

the wind. She lives heedless of the time. We never see her. We never hear,

feel, know, or notice her. And when she dies she melts away with the snow.

What a privilege to have shared our time with her, this one little life. These

little infinities unnoticed - --these together make up the beauty of the earth.

Let us become present to all that we never perceive. Amen.

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,

Psalter Hymnal, 1987

Thursday

March 9, 2017

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,

For yourself, best gift divine, to the world so freely given, agent of God's grand design: peace on earth and joy in heaven.

Refrain: Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

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Pr. Matt Marohl

“Away In A Manger” (ELW 277/278)

I sing Away in a Manger to my daughters every night at bedtime. We pray a

spontaneous prayer and the Lord’s Prayer. Then I sing. I should clarify, we

actually all start singing. However, their yawns start kicking in by the second

verse and by the third verse I am typically singing a solo. They are never

asleep by the end of the song, but they are definitely mellow.

You could argue with some of the theology of the hymn. You could pick at its

historicity. If you want to be critical, there are a few lines that might draw

your attention. Was it true that the little Lord Jesus did not cry? But if you let

all of that go and simply sing the song, it is a perfect way to end your day.

It serves as a lullaby and a prayer. “Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray.” With gentle words and an even

more gentle melody, we invite Jesus into our world, our lives. “Bless all the

dear children in your tender care.” As always, we look beyond ourselves. We

lift up all of God’s creation. We can name particular individuals and specific

concerns in our daily prayers, but these words remind us that the world, like

ourselves, is already in God’s tender care. “Fit us for heaven to live with you

there.” The end of the hymn points to our eternal home with God. The incar-

nation is the heart of this hymn. It is the story of Jesus in the world. But at the

end, we are sweetly reminded that we are not only blessed with the power

and presence of Jesus here and now, but that this is an eternal, forever prom-

ise.

Friday

March 10, 2017

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Kelsi Cox '18

"'Tis Winter Now; the Fallen Snow"

(New Century Hymnal 472)

This hymn, a winter favorite, might seem out of place in a Lenten devotional - after all, in 2017, the first official day of Spring occurs almost exactly halfway through Lent. We look forward to Spring, and for good reason - especially on the St. Olaf campus, it is a beautiful time of year. What happens, though, when the weather outside doesn’t match our internal state of being? What happens when spring arrives - when Easter, the greatest time of Chris-tian joy, arrives - and we still struggle with mental illness, grief, physical pain, homesickness, coming out, discrimination, violence, or whatever else we are currently struggling with? I’m going to be a little risky and say that I don’t know. Some days it’s all I can do to burrow into my parka and echo the psalmist in Psalm 13:1, praying, “Lord, how long must I wait? Will you forget me forever? How long will you turn your face away from me?? It’s hard, for me, to reconcile places of darkness, pain, brokenness, and doubt with the joy we are supposed to feel during Easter - but it’s not hard for God. God’s answer comes, for me, each Sunday right before communion, when Pastor Matt and Pastor Katie invite us to God’s table by saying, “Come as you are.” Those four words are powerful. God invites you to come to God’s table and share in the sustaining power of God’s love however you are - including, and especially, on Easter - even if, for you, Easter comes during a time of internal winter. While God doesn’t promise to make life’s wintry days go away prior to Easter (even as our calendar switches to spring!), God does promise to “keep us through life’s wintry days” - warmly enfolding us in the sustaining love and peace of the Holy Spirit. So, even if you struggle with feeling emotionally “out of place” on Easter, God doesn’t see it that way. Jesus’ Resurrection reminds us that winter will not last forever - and, that while it does last, God is committed enough to us to stay right there beside us no matter how cold it gets. Maybe winter isn’t so out of place during Lent, after all.

Saturday

March 11, 2017

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Rebekah Thomas '18

"Send Me, Lord" (ELW 549)

Gracious God,

You have created such a beautifully diverse world. Sometimes I am too

caught up in my own identity that I cannot see the gifts of others. Open my

eyes. Thuma mina.

When I do look around and see such gifted people around me, let me lift up

their gifts instead of selfishly putting myself in the spotlight. When I am inse-

cure, help me to let go of the power that I seek and Send me, Jesus

We do not have to look far to see injustice and oppression on this campus.

Give me courage to speak words of grace in the midst of hatred and Send me,

Lord

You call each of us to lives off the Hill. It is not always an easy life that we are

called to. When I am scared of new experiences, not knowing where they will

lead me, Thuma Mina

God, life is so confusing sometimes. I see other people excelling and shaping

their future and want the same for myself. When I don’t know what to do

next, Send me, Jesus

It is hard to explain what it’s like to feel You calling me to the work I am meant

to do. Let me be bold in trusting You even when friends and family don’t un-

derstand. When I seek to be accepted instead of follow where You lead, Send

me, Lord

With all of my gifts, my quirks, my insights, my experiences, and my full au-

thentic self, Send me, Jesus

Monday

March 13, 2017

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“Create in Me a Clean Heart” (ELW 185)

Tuesday

March 14, 2017

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with your free Spirit.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

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Pr. Matt Marohl

“My Faith Looks Up To Thee” (ELW 759)

Death is given little voice in our culture. Sure some of our music and movies

and television might be violent, but honest discussions of death and grieving

are rare. In Lent, we give death a voice.

For many of us, talking about death seems off limits. Isn’t that strange? We

will all experience death many times over. Our grandparents and parents, our

closest friends, our spouse, perhaps even our children will die. And we will

stand by a casket and in a cemetery, and our emotions will be at their most

raw, we will feel our most exposed, and most people will be unsure of what to

say or do.

In Lent, we name the reality of death. We do not shy away from words like

cancer or stroke or drunk driving. We are not afraid to say out loud that grief

hits hard. And the reason that we are able to name this reality is that we

know that death does not have the final say. We know that death is not the

victor. But, here is the real power of Lent, even though we know that Easter is

coming, and even though we proclaim the power of the resurrection, Lent

invites us to sit in and with the reality of death. We do not have to be afraid

to talk about it. In fact, we must.

So, where does that leave us? Today it is our task to be unafraid to

acknowledge that we are dust and to dust we shall return.

While life’s dark maze I tread

And griefs around me spread,

Be thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray,

From thee aside.

Wednesday

March 15, 2017

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“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

(Psalter Hymnal, 1987)

Thursday

March 16, 2017

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love the way you love, and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life for all eternity.

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Friday

March 17, 2017

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Pr. Katie Fick

“Borning Cry” (ELW 732)

Some hymns have an impact on us because of beautiful poetry or soaring mel-

odies. Others mean something to us because they remind us of particular

times of year, like Christmas carols. “Borning Cry” means something to me

because it is tied to a particular person – my grandmother, my father’s moth-

er. I sang it, when I was in high school, at her funeral, and whenever I sing it I

think of her.

My grandma was in her eighties when she died, after a series of small strokes

had left her unable to speak or walk. The last weeks of her life, she was in a

lot of pain, and I remember my parents calling me from the nursing home

very early one morning to tell me she had died, and thinking, “O God, why this

day, why now? Why not last week? Why not tomorrow?” I felt very confused

about death.

“Borning Cry” is a simple song with a folky melody that takes us through the

life cycle of a person, from birth to baptism to wandering and returning to

faith to middle age to old age to death, reminding us always of God’s pres-

ence. “I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old…” I

sang other more traditional funeral hymns that morning, but that simple re-

peating of “I was there” soothed me, reminding me of God’s presence with

my grandmother even in the midst of her pain. The last line of the last stanza

also called to me: “When the evening gently closes in and you shut your wea-

ry eyes, I'll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise…”

I did not have to have all the answers about death, but I could trust in God’s

presence even beyond death, that even if we do not know exactly what will

happen, God is there, yet again, always surprising us.

Saturday

March 18, 2017

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“Seed that in Earth is Dying” (330 ELW)

Monday

March 20, 2017

Seed that in earth is dying grows into ears of grain.

Grapes that are crushed in the vessel turn into golden wine.

God, through this mystery grant us faith in our deepest darkness,

life in our night and death. We were baptized in Jesus,

into his death and grave, to resurrection’s promise:

praise and eternal life. Heaven’s own praises begin here

where you yourself are near us, deep in our night and death. Seed that in earth is dying

rises to bear much fruit. Christ, as we meet at your table,

give us the bread of life. Lord, we do thank and adore you!

Unceasing praise of the ages rises from night and death.

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Pr. Matt Marohl

“For All the Saints” (ELW 422)

November 1 is All Saints Day. In 2017, it falls on a Wednesday. The custom of

commemorating all of the saints of the church on a single day goes back at

least to the third century. At St. Olaf, we place special emphasis on the faculty

and staff who have died during the previous year. We read their names. We

light candles. We pray for them and for their families and friends. Naturally,

we also look beyond our campus. We remember those in our own lives who

have died. Grandparents, friends, teachers, mentors, we name them silently

in our hearts as we sing and pray.

All Saints Day is also a day to celebrate the lives of all people who make up

the body of Christ. It is a day for the living and the dead. We may hold up the

lives of those who have died as examples of faithfulness. But, they are more

than examples. They are our brothers and sisters. Together, we are the body

of Christ.

For All The Saints is a powerful hymn. It does not shy away from the realities

of life. The words of the hymn acknowledge that, like the saints before us, we

face both the joy and struggles of life. The words of the hymn also proclaim

with strength and beauty that ‘Jesus is our rock, our fortress and our might’

and that it is Jesus who is ‘our captain in life’s well-fought fight.’

Read the words of the hymn. Remember those whom you love that have died.

Honor them and celebrate their faithfulness. And remember, together we are

the body of Christ.

Tuesday

March 21, 2017

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Psalm 95:1-7

O come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land,

which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down,

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice!

Prayer -

Merciful God, the fountain of living water, you quench our thirst and wash

away our sin. Give us this water always. Bring us to drink from the well that

flows with the beauty of your truth through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship,

© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Published by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers

Wednesday

March 22, 2017

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Lisa Brown, College Ministry

“Now the Green Blade Rises” (ELW 379)

I am a gardener. I can’t wait until the soil is warm enough to work in the

spring. I love seed catalogs with their pictures of perfect vegetables, exquisite

flowers and fruits and berries that would fill the most luscious of pies.

When I plant seeds, the hardest thing to do is to wait for them to sprout. Even

when the packet says, “germinates in 14 days” I’m out there in three days

hoping to see something green. The first green sprout of a carrot or bean fills

me with happiness. It also gives me a sense of reassurance that spring always

follows winter and new life always results from seeds “dying” when they are

put into the dark earth.

This hymn speaks to me about rebirth and new life. It reminds me of the mira-

cle of Jesus’ resurrection and that from the grave “love lives again.” In the

winter of life whether it is a loved one’s illness, financial difficulty, depression

or “fill in the blank”, there is always hope and assurance that things will get

better and we will be renewed like “wheat arising green.”

Thursday

March 23, 2017

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"Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness”

John Donne (1572-1631)

Friday

March 24, 2017

Since I am coming to that holy room, Where, with thy choir of saints for evermore, I shall be made thy music; as I come I tune the instrument here at the door, And what I must do then, think here before. Whilst my physicians by their love are grown Cosmographers, and I their map, who lie Flat on this bed, that by them may be shown That this is my south-west discovery, Per fretum febris, by these straits to die, I joy, that in these straits I see my west; For, though their currents yield return to none, What shall my west hurt me? As west and east In all flat maps (and I am one) are one, So death doth touch the resurrection. Is the Pacific Sea my home? Or are The eastern riches? Is Jerusalem? Anyan, and Magellan, and Gibraltar, All straits, and none but straits, are ways to them, Whether where Japhet dwelt, or Cham, or Shem. We think that Paradise and Calvary, Christ's cross, and Adam's tree, stood in one place; Look, Lord, and find both Adams met in me; As the first Adam's sweat surrounds my face, May the last Adam's blood my soul embrace. So, in his purple wrapp'd, receive me, Lord; By these his thorns, give me his other crown; And as to others' souls I preach'd thy word, Be this my text, my sermon to mine own: "Therefore that he may raise, the Lord throws down."

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Luther’s Evening Blessing -

I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son,

that you have graciously protected me today.

I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong,

and graciously to protect me tonight.

Into your hands I commend myself;

my body,

my soul,

and all that is mine.

Let your holy angel be with me,

so that the wicked foe may have no power over me.

Amen.

Saturday

March 25, 2017

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Devin Ames '19

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (ELW 503)

"A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious."

Whenever I hear this hymn being played, it brings with it a sense of awe and

power. Sometimes I imagine it being played in the days of Martin Luther,

before it could have been considered a traditional hymn. The music alone

seems to have a strong and looming presence, and the words only add to this.

Without this hymn I don't know that I would have ever thought of God as "A

Mighty Fortress," but the imagery seems to be quite accurate. A strong forti-

fied location, that is described as mighty, seems fitting for a God within whom

all can find comfort and refuge from their struggles and pains.

My fascination with this hymn only increased when I got to see the oldest

surviving copy of the hymn at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which was just

a tiny book with a few notes on each page, accompanied by some illustra-

tions. The hymn itself is impressive, but this display, along with the fact that

Martin Luther wrote it makes it even more exciting. Especially this year its tie

to the Reformation is exciting, as we are celebrating the 500th anniversary of

the Reformation, which, like the hymn, is awesome and powerful.

Monday

March 27, 2017

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"Open My Eyes, That I May See"

(The United Methodist Hymnal 454) Tuesday

March 28, 2017

Open my eyes, that I may see

glimpses of truth thou hast for me.

Place in my hands the wonderful key

that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes; illumine me,

Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear

voices of truth thou sendest clear.

And while the wave notes fall on my ear,

everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my ears; illumine me,

Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear

gladly the warm truth everywhere.

Open my heart, and let me prepare

love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my heart; illumine me,

Spirit divine!

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Leif Nelson '17 “O God Beyond All Praising” (ELW 880)

“For we can only wonder at every gift you send

At blessings without number and mercies without end”

I can admit that not only this hymn, but the tune itself has been a powerful

and moving piece of music for me over my life. The tune is referred to as

“Thaxted” and was written by Gustav Holst for the piece “Jupiter” from his

Planets Suite. As a young child, this is where I first encountered the tune and

was immediate struck at how the music carried itself with a sense of awe and

wonder. Naturally, “Jupiter” got a younger, sci-fi-obsessed me to think about

the planets in a new a beauteous way through Holst’s music. Later on, I heard

the hymn with the same tune. We sang about the gifts and blessings God

sends us, and the praise that we return to God. In that moment, my faith col-

lided with the planets swirling so far away.

We have been given an amazing gift. Beyond the reaches of our solar system

there is a seemingly infinite amount of stars and planets. In our solar system

there are planets and objects in space for us to dream about, learn from, and

study. Even closer, we have a planet that is capable of life. It sustains us and

we need to take care of it. Closer still is the slightly overgrown bush outside of

Boe Chapel that I make a point to brush up against on my way into Church

every Sunday. We have been given many gifts in this world; it is easy to forget

how important the blessings of the natural world are to us. In this Lenten time

of reflection, as we think about how we relate to Christ, take a moment to

remember how we fit into our natural surroundings. How while we are here

singing God’s praise for the many mercies God has granted us, the planet Ju-

piter is still rushing along its orbit.

Wednesday

March 29, 2017

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Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame;

do not let my enemies exult over me.

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;

let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Prayer -

Merciful God, you continually show us your ways of forgiveness and steadfast

love. Remember not our sins, but recall your compassion to your children,

satisfy the longing of your people, and fulfill all our hopes for eternal peace

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Leaders Desk Edition

© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Published by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers

Thursday

March 30, 2017

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Rebekah Thomas '18

"When Peace, Like a River" (ELW 785)

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows

roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say it is well with my soul”

Nature has a way of evoking so many different emotions in me. Sometimes

the sunlight through the trees brings me such warm joy. Rocks that bulge out

of trails make me feel strong as I climb over them. Heavy new snow weighing

down ginormous evergreen branches brings calm bliss. A few summers ago I

was camping in the Colorado Rockies and on my way back down the mountain

I stopped at the side of a creek to take in the beauty of that place one last

time. As I sat on the bank, on top of boulders half as tall as I was, I heard the

water tumbling over the river rocks and saw the mountains rise high above

me, it was, indeed, well with my soul. These lyrics contrast peace and sorrow.

That kind of peace you can only experience when everything falls away except

the goodness of the present moment. The sorrow that rolls over you and

whips through the most vulnerable parts of you. An unforgiving wind coming

off dark water when you’re not wearing enough layers. Through these two

extremes and every moment in between, the lyricist reminds us that God is

with us in every moment and is present even in the frigid windy time in life.

When I feel like God has left me out in the cold with too few layers, God con-

tinues to inspire me to feel a sense of hope and calm that is only possible be-

cause the Holy Spirit fills me up with trust in knowing that God does not de-

sert or disappoint me.

Friday

March 31, 2017

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Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Prayer -

Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death.

Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life

in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever. Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship,

© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Published by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers

Saturday

April 1, 2017

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Z Quanbeck '17 "Jesus, I Will Ponder Now" (ELW 345)

INRI: the God-forsaken, deformed body of Christ on the cross. The object of

centuries of Christian devotion, the subject of countless graphic, bloody medi-

eval works of art. We typically save meditations on the cross for Good Friday,

but throughout our Lenten pilgrimage we must keep in mind the destination

of our journey: the crucifixion and resurrection.

Yet how can we love the scandalous cross? Should we? Paul tells us the cross

is foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews. Critics call it

divine child abuse, a horrific and degrading glorification of suffering. An ab-

surdity, that an all-powerful, unchanging God could be subject to suffering

and death.

Nonetheless, as Luther reminds us, the cross alone is our theology.

Sigismund von Birken’s hymn text provides us with a prayer to ponder the

event at the center of our faith, not in triumph but with sackcloth and ashes.

As we reflect on the cross using our own logic, how can we avoid following

the critics in affirming its horror and absurdity? Instead, von Birken invites us

to pray to be endowed with the Spirit not to sadistically revel in Christ’s

suffering, but to comprehend how our sin caused this divine anguish. Nor is

the crucifixion merely an event of the past, von Birken reminds us. Christ tells

us that whatever we do to the least of these, we also do to him. Pondering

the cross this Lenten season urges us to repentant grieving as we reflect on

our own sins, that we will not prepare again the cross by unholy living. And it

reminds us that it is amid our guilt and sin that Christ, hidden on the cross, is

revealed. For it is when we despair of the sin within and around us that we

may receive grace.

Monday

April 3, 2017

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Mary Engfelt '18

"There's a Wideness in God's Mercy" (ELW 587)

This hymn shares statements of God’s awesome character, as well as comfort

that we are not alone. God’s forgiveness and mercy are stronger than any

other we may have experienced in our lives.

“For the love of God is broader than the measures of our mind…”

We have an earthly picture of love. When we think of love, we imagine how

we feel for family, friends, significant others, even pets. But we cannot begin

to fathom the love God has for us. As flawed human beings, we do not come

close to feeling or imagining the love of God.

“There is no place where earth's sorrows are more felt than up in heaven”

When we mourn on earth, no one feels it more than God. When we are in

pain, when we have been hurt, when we have grief: God is with us.

“There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea”

God takes us as we are. His mercy is plentiful and, like His love, is greater than

we could ever imagine.

May we feel His goodness through all seasons of our lives as we await the day

of the resurrection. Amen.

Tuesday

April 4, 2017

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Isaiah 52:13-53:6 The Suffering Servant

See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be

very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him —so marred

was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of

mortals— so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths be-

cause of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that

which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord

been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root

out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and

rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as

one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of

no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet

we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was

wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the

punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like

sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has

laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Prayer -

Loving God, even though Jesus was rejected, you do not reject us. When I

have done wrong, draw me closer to you. When I have done your will, may I

give thanks and praise your name. Amen.

Wednesday

April 5, 2017

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Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; he Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time on and forevermore.

I Want Jesus to Walk With Me (ELW 325)

Thursday

April 6, 2017

I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me; all along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me; in my trials, Lord, walk with me; when my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; when my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

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“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” (ELW 332, 611) Friday

April 7, 2017

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto me and rest;

lay down, O weary one, lay down

your head upon my breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

so weary, worn, and sad;

I found him in a resting place,

and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

the living water, thirsty one,

stoop down and drink and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

of that life-giving stream;

my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am this dark world’s light;

look unto me; your morn shall rise,

and all your day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

in him my star, my sun;

and in that light of life I’ll walk

till traveling days are done.

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Pr. Katie Fick “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (ELW 859)

My favorite part of this cheerful hymn comes in verse three, as we get to the

third line and belt out the words, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do!

Infinite Love here befriends you.”

Such words spark imagination within me. Yes, by all means, let us think more

deeply, let us ponder with awe what God can do, as God’s love is poured out

on us! No matter how many times we have thought about it before, this mo-

ment is new, and therefore, God may be doing something new. Remember

that God’s love is without limits. What could it be doing in our lives, here and

now? What could God do tomorrow?

Remember that this is Almighty God who created the world. Who leads peo-

ple from slavery into freedom. Who aligns God’s very self with the poor and

all who are in need. Who dies and in three days rises, defeating death. Who

forgives our sin. Who is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in

steadfast love. What might a God like that be up to in your life?

Perhaps pondering what our Almighty God can do has made you think about

relationships in your life that need healing. Maybe it makes you think about

something in the world, like poverty or violence, that seems so impossible to

address, and realize that in God, hope is never lost. Or maybe, pondering

what the Almighty can do causes you to think about what you yourself can do,

as one who is befriended by God’s infinite love.

Saturday

April 8, 2017

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Z Quanbeck '17 “This is My Song” (ELW 887)

The Finnish Composer Jean Sibelius composed the tune Finlandia (to which

"This is My Song" is set) in 1899 amid Russian imperial censorship. Depicting

several scenes from Finnish history, Finlandia evokes the struggle of the Finn-

ish people throughout centuries of domination by foreign occupying powers.

While Finlandia is a national song celebrating Finnish heritage, the text

written by Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness takes the form of a prayerful

melody recognizing the beauty not just in our country but also in other na-

tions. A passionate love for our own country and its values, landscapes, and

institutions need not be at odds with an appreciation of the humanity of

those in foreign lands.

Yet praying such a prayer is difficult for many of us right now. The powerful in

our nation disgust and horrify us with their disregard for the value and beauty

of our neighbors around the globe, blind to the truth that patriotism need not

entail “America first” and the exclusion of all others. Consequently, though,

many of us are tempted by the opposite extreme: despairing in America and

seeing nothing of value here. We feel that expressing too much appreciation

for the blessings we have here risks reproducing or exacerbating past failures

at worst, or passivity towards our national inadequacies at best.

As I sing "This is My Song," I pray that I may be reminded that love of country

does not involve uncritical acceptance of its flaws; rather, true love desires

the perfection of its beloved. When I am blind to the beauty and grace around

me, I ask that I might find the courage to love my country as I pray and work

for peace.

Monday

April 10, 2017

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Leif Nelson '17 “We Are Marching in the Light” (ELW 866)

When I was in high school, my grandparents took a trip to Tanzania. Most

people would think that they would return with a souvenir or two, and maybe

a camera full of pictures. Instead, my grandparents came back with a goal: to

help bring a Lutheran Tanzanian Choir to Minnesota. Lo and behold, within

the year my grandparents helped an organization plan a tour for the choir to

sing at many churches and schools in southern Minnesota to sing and explain

the community development they were doing in Tanzania. One of the places

on their tour was my hometown of Buffalo, Minnesota and they were to be

hosted at my church for their dinner before moving to the high school audito-

rium. So my family went to the church to meet up with the choir and wait for

the food to arrive.

Now, aside from the director and his wife, no one in the choir spoke fluent

English. Yet here we all were, standing around in the church waiting for food.

No one really knew what to do. It wasn’t until the director looked at us and

said, “Do you know ‘We are Marching?’ From the hymnal?” My siblings and I

nodded furiously. The director turned and said something to the choir and

they all got grins on their faces. They took out their drums and sat down on

the chairs in the sanctuary. They began to sing the hymn that I recognized in a

language I didn’t. My family began to sing along however we could. It is easy

to forget how wide the community of Christ spreads. I typically think of com-

munity of the ones that are immediate or at least close by, but the people of

God are not just in my local church. They are all over, singing, dancing, and

marching in the light of God.

Tuesday

April 11, 2017

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Psalm 70

Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me.

Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”

But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!

You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

Prayer -

Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at human hands and en-

dured the shame of the cross. Grant that we may walk in the way of

his cross and find it the way of peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever more. Amen.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship,

© 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Published by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers

Wednesday

April 12, 2017

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Jesus sings with the disciples at the Last Supper:

Matthew 26:20-30

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were

eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became

greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I,

Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with

me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to

that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for

that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I,

Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he

broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then

he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from

it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for

many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit

of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s king-

dom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Prayer -

Loving Lord, who ate and sang with those who

would betray you, may I respond to your

gracious love with praise for you and compassion

for others. Amen.

Maundy Thursday

April 13, 2017

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Devin Ames '19 “Were You There” (ELW 353) Good Friday is unlike all other days of the church year. It seems more som-ber, in some ways it is more thoughtful, and is a time to remember and think about the death of Jesus, more than any other time in the year. When, on Good Friday, I hear this hymn, I am truly able to slow my mind and think about the importance of this day. “Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?” This verse always strikes me, as instead of talking about the cross it is the tree. When I think about trees, I think either of new life, or the strong and tall trees towering above me in a peaceful forest. I think of nature, and how trees are used to be helpful in life, such as for building homes and other struc-tures. This imagery of Jesus being nailed to a tree is something to ponder. “Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.” To me, trembling is an action that overtakes one's body, a physical display of some sort of pain, either emotional or physical. Repeating this line for each verse is powerful as I feel it helps to remind us how powerful the crucifixion of Jesus was, and is today. The fact that God would send Jesus to be painfully crucified on the cross with criminals for our salvation is truly amazing. Let us remember this Good Friday that Jesus came down to us, suffered for us, and died on the cross so that we may be saved and our sins forgiven no matter how divided and broken we are both as individuals and as members in com-munity with one another. Amen.

Good Friday

April 14, 2017

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Lucas Shurson '17 “Christ, Mighty Savior” (ELW 560)

"Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting, Mirror of daybreak, pledge of

resurrection."

Darkness and light collide strangely in Lent. The depths of winter have passed,

and the days are longer than they once were. Hope beings to appear on the

horizon, yet darkness lingers in the chill of the air and in the clouds of rain and

snow that pass by. The ground is cold even as light slowly returns.

During Lent, this ambiguity enters ours spiritual lives as well. When we look to

Jesus, we see that great struggle. We all know how the story ends, first with a

murder and then with a miracle. In that story, world’s powerful evil and its

persistent good occupy our minds, and we are left to sort out the relationship

between the two. We recognize the presence of real evil and look for the final

completion of creation’s good; both are present, but it often seems that such

a presence for both cannot be possible

In facing our great task, let us look to Jesus as night fell in the garden. As light

failed and the world’s evil descended over Jerusalem, he faced the darkness

by recalling the promises of a faithful God. Jesus drank the bitter cup. He

drank it to the dregs, and he saw that in the drinking of that cup was the ful-

fillment of God’s promise. As we drink from that cup, both at the altar and in

our ordinary lives, may we remember that God’s promises will not fail. When

darkness falls over our world, may we remember that God has promised light.

Saturday

April 15, 2017

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Acknowledgments:

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©

1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in

the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“Tis Winter Now; the Fallen Snow” Text: Samuel Longfellow, 1819-1892.

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Text: Edwin Hatch, 1835- 1889.

“Song of Saint Patrick” Text: Based on St. Patrick’s Breastplate; Marty Haugen, b. 1950.

Tune: Marty Haugen. Copyright © 1986, GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted under OneLi-

cense.net license #A-7-3883.

“Open My Eyes That I May See” Text and music by Clara H. Scott, 1841-1897.

Graphics and prayers from ELW and Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission of

Augsburg Fortress under license #SBL-14026