Prayers, 2^nd Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (April 7, 2024)

Acts 4:32-35 (The believers share their possessions)

Psalm 148 (Praise for God’s universal glory)

ELW: Psalm 133 (The blessedness of unity)

1 John 1:1-2:2 (We declare what we have seen, heard, touched; Christ is advocate when we confess sins)

John 20:19-31 (Jesus appears to disciples – and Thomas)

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Opening hymn: This Joyful Eastertide:

LBW #149 (has only 1 verse), WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482

Hymn of the Day: O Sons and Daughters of the King: LBW #139, LSB #470/471

O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing, ELW #386, version 1

OR We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight: WOV #675, ELW #635, LSB #720

OR Three Things Did Thomas Count as Real: LSB #472

OR The Risen Christ: ELW #390

Communion Hymn #1: Blest Be the Tie That Binds: LBW #370, ELW #656, LSB #649

Communion Hymn #2: Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!: WOV #674, ELW #377, LSB #474

OR Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!: LBW #144, ELW #385, LSB #475

Closing Hymn: In Thee Is Gladness: LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818

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Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for breathing your Spirit and peace upon us. Thank you for giving us your own work of forgiving the sins of all who seek forgiveness and grace. Give us the faith, hope, and charity to believe, worship, and obey you always.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Breathe your Holy Spirit upon your Church. May it never doubt your Resurrection, and always proclaim you as the crucified and risen Savior of the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your Holy Spirit into your persecuted followers. May their faith in you be unwavering, and their witness to you be gracious and bold.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Breathe your gracious Spirit upon this congregation. Make us hunger for your Word and thirst for your goodness. Help us to love you by serving others in your name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Breathe your Spirit upon doubters, and all whose confidence in your grace has been shaken by tragedy. Use us to lead them into your house. Lift them with your wounded hands. Transform their unbelief into unshakeable faith in you, their Lord and God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give the leaders of the nations, and to all people, that peace which the world cannot give. Let righteousness and mercy bless those troubled by the powers of sin, evil and death.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The other disciples sought out Thomas when he was doubting and sorrowful. Teach us to seek out and walk with others when they despair of your love. Give us grace to be gentle, patient, yet persistent as we invite them to taste and see your goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring the peace of your forgiveness, the healing of your dear touch, and the joy of your salvation to all those who suffer in body or spirit. Today we remember before you: {List}. Cheer their hearts, renew their faith, and restore them to fellowship with all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, you have been raised from death. You promise your resurrection life to all whom you have redeemed. We entrust into your care our beloved dead. Wipe away the tears of all who grieve. Turn our doubt into confidence. Grant that all whom you have redeemed may see you face to face and cry out in adoration and joy, “My Lord and my God!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned” (Matthew 4:14-16).

All of Scripture gives testimony of Christ.  Once you begin to understand this, you begin to gain the wisdom the Lord desires for everyone and know that Scripture interprets Scripture.  It all speaks of Christ, and you and I are called into the life of Christ.  The light is shining in the darkness and as many as see the light are given the power to become children of the Heavenly Father.

Through the water of my baptism, You have brought me to a place where I may know that You, my Lord and Savior, have prepared the way before me to become like You.  In the faith You have given me, Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts, words, and deeds to hear the fullness of Your word and then to act upon what You have given me.  Help me to walk in the light of Your purpose and presence.

Lord Jesus, there are moments when I see.  Like Peter, James, and John, I stand in the light.  But then, there are moments when I doubt and become like those who asked for one more sign.  At all times, help me to remember that You are my Savior.  Lead me today, Lord Jesus, so that I may humbly walk in Your shining light and do all that You ask me to do.  Amen.

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:12-13).

Jesus was constantly on the move.  Why?  He knew where He was headed and how things must turn out.  He intentionally went the way He went to bring about the outcome needed in His ministry.  How many times did He say, “It is not yet my time?”  Follow the Lord who is intentional to bring about what the Father intends.  He does not plan for a day, a century, or even a thousand years, but plans for all eternity.

Lord, You are intentional with all that You do.  You are not afraid, nor do You flee, but You do move in mysterious ways to bring about all that needs to happen.  You are good, Lord, and You have poured Your goodness into me.  Help me to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that I too will go wherever You would lead me knowing that You will accomplish all that You purpose.

Come Holy Spirit and open my ears to hear so that my feet may go in the light of your word that You shine upon my footsteps (Psalm 119:105).  Help me to follow through with what You command and go where You send me.  In and through all things, lead me, O Lord, so that I may not walk in the fears of this age, but in the boldness of faith even if it means a cross that is before me.  Grant me strength to walk with You always.  Amen. 

THE PRAYERS, 

Easter Day, The Resurrection of Our Lord, Cycle B (March 31, 2024)

Easter Sunrise:

Exodus 15:1-11(Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously)

Psalm 118:15-29 (I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord)

1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 (Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us)

John 20:1-18 (John and Peter at tomb; Mary Magdalene meets risen Jesus)

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Opening hymn: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (this is the one that DOESN’T have the alleluias at

the end of each line!): LBW #130, ELW #373, LSB #469

Hymn of the Day: This Joyful Eastertide:

LBW #149 (has only 1 verse), WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482

Communion Hymn #1: Let Us Break Bread Together: LBW #212

Communion Hymn #2: Now the Green Blade Rises: LBW #148

Closing Hymn: The Day of Resurrection: LBW #141, ELW #361, LSB #478

(I’d suggest singing the LBW version to the tune for Lead On, O King Eternal, which LSB uses)

OR Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain: LBW #132, ELW #363, LSB #487

Easter Day, Main Services

Isaiah 25:6-9 (A feast of fat things; God will swallow up death forever)

                ELW: Isaiah 25:6-9 OR Acts 10:34-43 (Peter preaches Gospel to Gentiles)

Psalm 16 (My heart is glad; my body rests secure;¹⁰ you do not let your faithful one see the Pit.)

                ELW: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (This is the Lord’s gate; the rejected stone now head of the corner)

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose, appeared to many, including Paul)

                ELW: I Corinthians 15:1-11 OR Acts 10:34-43, as above)

Mark 16:1-8 (Angel announces Resurrection to the women)         

                ELW: Mark 16:1-8 OR John 20:1-18 (Foot race to tomb; Magdalene and Jesus)

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Opening hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today: LBW #151, ELW #365, LSB #457

Hymn of the Day: Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands: LBW #134, ELW #370, LSB #458

OR (if using ELW Gospel): O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing (version 2): ELW #387

OR (if preaching on 1 Corinthians) Christ is Risen, Christ is Living: LSB #479

Communion Hymn #1: I Know That My Redeemer Lives: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

Communion Hymn #2: At the Lamb’s High Feast LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633

Closing Hymn: Thine is the Glory LBW #145, ELW #376

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Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, you have snatched us from the snares of the evil one: alleluia! In you, righteousness and peace kiss one another: alleluia! In you, all God’s promises have their “yes”: alleluia! In you, we shall not die but live, and declare the glory of the Lord: alleluia!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill your Church with the splendor of your life and light. May it forever proclaim: “Alleluia, Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

BLess Christians who suffer for your Name’s sake. Give them the joy of your saving help. Purge the leaven of evil from their tormentors. Hasten the day when they kneel together before you in adoration.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Crown this congregation with unfading joy, unfailing kindness, undaunted hope, and unceasing praise. Let others see your goodness, revealed in our words and deeds.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously bless the guests and visitors among us this day. Kindle the hearts of those who don’t yet believe that you have conquered sin and death. Give them faith to receive your health and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant peace among the nations. Give wisdom and righteousness to our leaders, and justice and mercy to all people. Restore a right relationship with you and each other forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be the strong and righteous arm of all who protect life, liberty, and justice. Make them brave, wise, and good. Shield them from the forces of evil. Fill their loved ones with faith in your triumph over every foe.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of all who suffer in any way, and who crave your mercy, including: {List}. Bring them healing and hope, so they may sing, “I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Savior, thank you for redeeming all who have fallen asleep in your arms. Wipe away the tears of all whose grief runs deep. Feed us with a foretaste of your Kingdom feast. Take away the shroud of sin, suffering and sorrow that troubles this broken world. Give us faith to serve one another in gratitude for your goodness. Let us stand with all the redeemed and sing, “Blessing, honor, glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever! Amen! This is the feast of victory for our God! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant whatever is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you live in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him” (Matthew 4:11).

Our Lord knows that battles in this age wear us down.  We do need to be ministered.  We do need the fellowship and the encouragement that comes when fellowship meets together.  And You have promised to be with us at such times. God does tend to us.  Let us not forget to add to our prayers and ask that the Lord provide what we need that which we have not asked for but know that He needs to provide.  The Lord knows what we need and sends His angels to tend to those in need.

Lord, who are the messengers that You send?  Yet, I know the answer, for there are too many times to count when I have been ministered to both unawares and by strangers.  Help me to understand in faith that You do provide for us at all times, in season and out of season, You are with us, providing all that is needed.  Lead me into the good fight to do what is needed and learn what You will teach me.

Lord God, Father of us all, You have sent Your angels to tend to me when I have been beaten down by this world.  Guide me into the refreshing truth of Your purpose and presence in my life.  You alone are worthy of all the praise I can give.  You know what I need, even before I ask.  Thank You Lord for providing all that I need, even those things for which I fail to ask, for You do know all that I need.  Amen.

Just over a year ago Christine and I found ourselves in Florence, South Carolina.  Nice place just off I-95, we found a fixer-upper on the little lake in town.  Pro tip: don’t buy a fixer-upper in your 60s.  You know you can do the work, but you don’t want to … except finding contractors in a small southern town you trust will bring you back to the pro tip of avoiding the original purchase.  But I digress.

 When people ask where Florence is, I mention South of the Border as you head to Florida.  We’re about 45 minutes south of there.  Or we’re 25 minutes south of the new Buc-ee’s travel center. Wasn’t looking to retire and move to SC, but then our daughter-in-law announced that our first grandchild was on the way.  Christine made clear: “I’ve followed you all over the country for your callings.  I have a calling to be a grandmother and that calling is in South Carolina.”  No way I was going to win that one, so I uttered the only Norwegian I’ve learned from her family, “Yes dear.”

Never moved before without a clear sense of call and certainly not to a place where the person cutting your hair asks if you’ve found a church, three different neighbors stop in and ask, the guy installing your new gutters inquires, the electrician who fixed something, the two fellows who encapsulated the crawlspace and the one other contractor we hired, the fellow who redid two of our bathrooms. 

In a place where everyone seems to be churched and asks where you attend what do I as a Lutheran have to offer?  As David Keener of the NALC likes to say, “We Lutherans are less dense here in the South” and the nearest NALC congregation is 50 minutes away.

Then I attended my second lunch time gathering of pastors who are part of Helping Florence Flourish (HFF). One of its priorities is supporting marriage and families.  OK, you have my attention. The pastor sitting across the table with his wife shared with me, “I fear my granddaughter will never meet a decent, Christian young man to marry.  We’ve lost all our young men and now many of them are just lost.”

At the prior gathering of this group the Director of HFF had pitched a vision for a marriage and family blessing gathering at a local park.  He didn’t have many details in place but lifted up the idea.  It was well and thoroughly embraced which had led to my lunch table conversation with a troubled pastor.

Perhaps someday I’ll share what I’ve found when poking around Luther and his passion for marriage, family, and especially the role of the household in faith formation. But that’s a story for another newsletter.

About a decade ago the last congregation I served embraced something called Faith 5, a process put forth by Lutheran Pastor Rich Melheim that led to a book entitled, “Let’s Kill Sunday School before it kills the church.”  Snappy, eh?  It is a simple, five step, 15-minute way of entering conversation as a household; sharing the pains and joys of the day, reading scripture, seeking ways the Word may speak to the highs and lows, praying for one another and ending with a blessing.  I mentioned this approach to the Director.  He’d never heard of it.  He ran it by one of his staff people.  I showed him an example of the bookmarks that go with the process.  He ordered a stack of them and told me “You’re up to present this to our gathering.”  OK then.

March 3^rd we met in the park.  Because I’m one of those Lutherans I brought along balm from Israel as I planned to anoint as well as pray and bless.  An elderly woman wept.  A young clergy couple spoke with me at length.  Another wants to talk to me about launching a ministry in the drug and prostitution corridor of Florence. I have an invitation to speak in a congregation. We Lutherans have a lot to offer even if we aren’t very dense.

I am very grateful for the recent invitation to have a zoom conversation with the director and associate director of the ELCA’s Reconsiderations process.  This is the task force that has been appointed by the ELCA Church Council to review the 2009 human sexuality social statement and reconsider the provision for “bound conscience.”  I am glad that I was able to share very openly and that they listened respectfully. 

I appreciate the fact that they had read quite a number of articles on our website.  One of their initial questions was what hopes I had for the process.  I told them that I have no hopes for the process.  My understanding is that the concept of bound conscience was first used to justify and defend revisionist views, but over time it came to be used in an effort to calm down and reassure those with traditional views in an attempt to minimize the number of pastors and congregations that would leave.  However, there have been many loud and prominent voices that have been intent all along on eliminating bound conscience.  They sensed at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly that the time had come.  They had enough votes to begin the process that would eventually lead to the elimination of bound conscience.  And they were right. 

They then asked me what concerns I had for the process.  I told them that what is at stake is the question of whether the ELCA can be trusted.  If the ELCA cannot be trusted to keep its promise here – to continue to honor bound conscience – then it cannot be trusted to keep any promise anywhere.  I also said that we all should know that no matter what is stated, included, decided, and approved in a reconsidered social statement now, the ELCA is not going to stay there.

I then went through a history of specific times and ways in which ELCA leaders have ignored communication from traditional voices, not remained within the boundaries of what was actually voted on and approved in 2009, and favored revisionist views, such as in the makeup of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church and ReconcilingWorks’ being given a non-voting position on the ELCA Church Council.

They asked me to communicate to our constituency (and I said I would) the fact that the vote on the social statement will actually occur in two phases.  The first vote, which they call Reconsideration # 1, will take place in 2025.  They describe the matters that will be voted on then as “editorial” – “small, clarifying word changes only” – brought about by the fact that “civil law governing same-sex marriages, public acceptance of such marriages, and diversity of family configurations have changed dramatically since 2009.”

The second vote, which they call Reconsideration # 2, will take place in 2028.  They describe the matters that will be voted on then as “substantive,” namely “examining the coexistence in the 2009 statement of four different but valid convictions that Lutherans can faithfully hold about same-gender relationships.” 

They are still saying that the resolution at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly set in motion a process – “a reconsideration of these ideas but does not determine the outcome.”  But we all know that the empowered and preferred voices will work relentlessly until they have achieved their goal of eliminating bound conscience.  We will keep you posted. 

Many thanks to Kevin Haug for his very insightful article about the DEIA audit which the ELCA recently commissioned a law firm to do of its governing documents.  I hate to think of how many of your benevolence dollars the ELCA spent on this effort.  You will find Kevin’s article in this issue of CORE Voice.  It is a word of warning to all in the ELCA.  You do not need to take my word for it that these recommendations actually are being given as part of this audit.  You can check it out for yourself at DEIA_Report_Part_2.pdf (elca.org)

I am an ELCA pastor who has been retired for nearly ten years.  When I read these recommendations, my first thought was, “I am glad to be retired.”  The immediate response of one ELCA pastor in his early 60’s when I shared these recommendations with him was, “How soon can I retire?”

I thought of the strong, negative response I am certain I would have received if and when I would have shared these recommendations with the congregation council of the church where I was the pastor.  I then thought, “We are already facing the challenge of trying to do everything that we are currently doing.  How am I now supposed to get everyone on board, enthusiastic about, and actively engaged in fulfilling these recommendations?”  And what will be the consequences for us in our synod if these recommendations become requirements and we do not meet them?  If congregations that are DEIA-compliant are rewarded with such things as having extra voting members at synod assemblies and greater access to grants and other financial resources, how will congregations that are not DEIA-compliant be punished?  For example, will they not be given any names of possible candidates for call if the congregation is looking for a pastor? 

Here is just a sampling of the audit’s Recommended Minimum DEIA Standards for Congregations.  A question for all ELCA pastors and congregational leaders is this:  Is this what you want to spend a considerable amount of your time, energy, and resources on? 

1. Upgrade all personnel policies to reflect DEIA values.

2. Require annual DEIA training for all pastors, church staff, and lay leaders, using an Approved (approved by whom?) Provider.  At a minimum this training will cover the following topics:

a.  How does DEIA advance the values of the Kingdom of God?

b.  Is this particular congregation perceived as hostile or unresponsive to members of historically marginalized groups, and if so, how might this congregation reverse that perception?

The ELCA defines “historically marginalized groups” as groups that have for some significant period of history been excluded from participation or leadership in the church on the basis of certain characteristics.  They include racial and ethnic minorities, persons whose primary language is other than English, low income persons, persons with disabilities, gender non-conforming persons, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.  (I have asked ELCA leaders who are so concerned for “historically marginalized groups,” what about “currently marginalized groups”?  Which I would say includes older, white, cisgender, heterosexual males with traditional views.) 

This mandatory, annual DEIA training is also to consider such questions as these –

a.  What additional initiatives can this congregation pursue to promote DEIA values?

b.  What financial resources does our congregation commit to promoting DEIA values and programs, and should we commit more and if so can we do so on an annual basis?

c.  What is Christian White Nationalism, what causes people to adhere to it, and is it consistent with Jesus’ teachings?  How might members of historically marginalized groups be offended by Christian White Nationalism?

d.  What is Black Lives Matter, is it consistent with Jesus’ teachings, why are people drawn to it, what human needs does it address, and can the church do a better job at meeting those needs?

3.  In addition, each congregation is to identify at least one other congregation with opposite or at least very different demographic characteristics and commit to starting at least a one-year relationship with them.  This relationship is to include the following:

a. Periodic meetings between the pastors to discuss ways in which the congregations can get to know each other better and plan joint activities to strengthen mutual understanding on DEIA issues.  These activities may include joint DEIA training sessions with an Approved (again, approved by whom?) Provider and joint Bible Studies or Biblically based book studies on DEIA topics.

b.  Monthly meetings between the lay leaders to plan and administer activities, joint discussions, and ministries.

c.  At least six joint worship experiences, followed by a fellowship social hour.

At best these recommendations will be time and energy consuming.  At worst they will be one more way in which the ELCA is relentlessly being pushed to the extreme left – in the direction of critical race theory and DEIA ideology.

Editor’s Note: Jacob Moorman is a member of River’s Edge Ministries, which regularly hosts and leads mission work locally in Maryland, through City Mission, and annually in other states through Cross Country Mission (CCM).

I am certainly no theologian, so I am merely sharing my reflections from our most recent venture into the mission field. I had the privilege of serving on a CCM trip this year after an F3 tornado left a miles long path of destruction through Clarksville, Tennessee, just a few weeks before Christmas 2023.

Friends from different denominations and different states joined us on the mission to Clarksville. And many people prayed for us from home. Saint Matthew’s Lutheran, a new mission partner from the Baltimore area, provided us with around 80 quilts which we were able to hand out to families. This often opened the door for more intentional conversation and prayer. Mission cannot be done without the support, prayer, and provision of the whole church. Mary and Ken Bates, leaders of the NALC Disaster Response team, paved the way for our ground crew. Members of The Way Baptist Church were gracious hosts, opening their doors to our group so we could serve more effectively.

And yet … despite my experience on other disaster response trips, the Lord taught me new things. I learned about humility (“ … judge not, lest ye be judged.” Matthew 7:1). I learned about His sovereignty (“ … not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9). And I learned about His love (“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34).

It can be easy to enter another person’s “mess” of life and assume you (I) can fix it. I think this is especially true in disaster zones. I am learning, but sometimes it is hard to admit that I cannot fix everything. The rebuilding process is done one house, one board, and one person at a time. This is often humbling. Even our experienced mission group could only do a minute amount of the work that needed to be accomplished in that hard hit area.

God Teaching Me: In disasters, the physical damage is only the beginning. Sometimes we have seen spiritual decay amidst the destruction, even neglect and pain that has clearly gone on for years … way before the hurricane, flood, or storm struck. It’s so easy to pre-judge when this occurs. But the Lord opened my eyes to a new reality this trip. I have often wondered, ‘Why do broken buildings, fallen trees, hard stories, and sorrowed people break my heart?’ I think the truth is … it is my story! I believe witnessing the physical brokenness after a disaster can reveal the spiritual brokenness in my own soul. Just like getting caught in a catastrophic storm, we are truly helpless in this world. We need help from outside ourselves. Perhaps that is why I feel mission is so important, it puts us in touch with Christ. We can begin to see with His eyes—not just the physical needs, but also the spiritual. External appearances do not guarantee that the soul has not experienced its own spiritual destruction.

Stories of His Love: While in Clarksville, we heard that a school had scheduled its Christmas program for Dec. 9th. It was to take place in a large auditorium which could hold 300+ people. However, the program was moved to an earlier day to accommodate some students who would be moving out of state. God’s sovereign grace was manifest when that very auditorium, which would have held dozens of families, was utterly destroyed when the tornado hit on the 9^th of December. Amazing grace, indeed!  

I am astounded at the lovingkindness of our Lord. That despite the loss of material goods, He spared so many holy lives of people. What happened was a tragedy, but He worked it together for good and for life. We saw people with no hope, begin to find hope, as we shared our faith and the life of Christ with them. It’s amazing how acts of charity will show forth the love of Christ in a way that words cannot. “Serve one another … ” (Galatians 5:13) Perhaps, in this, we see the truth and power of the Word taking on flesh in our own lives. Christ entered into our messy and broken world—through His incarnation, death, and resurrection Jesus met us in our darkest hour, healed our souls, and fully revealed His marvelous light … the Way of Salvation.

His Mercy: I had the privilege of working on a house which still had a lot of debris in the backyard. In conversation with the owner, I learned that they were present as the tornado came through. The next-door neighbors were home as well. After receiving a tour of the sacred space where their neighbor had lived, I learned that the neighbor, with two other adults and a child, crowded into the bathroom for shelter … Looking at the house it was easy to see that the bathroom was the only room left standing—all others were torn off and even the roof was mostly blown apart! That family was spared. God’s mercy was truly prevalent.

When I see the path of destruction left in the wake of a tornado (or other ‘storms’), it reveals a greater truth. Homes in shambles. People in shock. Tragic death and loss of what was once good. There’s no way to go back, and perhaps that’s the hardest part of the suffering in this world. We must move on. This storm humbled me. Witnessing the vast devastation put me in touch with the devastation of my own soul. It made me realize how much I need Him. It brought to light the spiritual reality that Christ truly is the only One who can heal and restore. While the team worked, we also saw the Holy Spirit work in the lives of those we served. In this same serving, I believe He healed my own soul. Perhaps that is why St. Paul implores us, “Let us not grow weary of doing good…” (Galatians 6:9)

Christ certainly met us on the road to Clarksville this year. I hope that you have a similar opportunity to join in Christ’s sacrificial love by stepping into the brokenness of the world and sharing His Light with those you encounter. May our souls find greater healing as we dare to immerse our very lives in the mission field.

Photographs courtesy of Teresa Dubyoski.