Lenten Devotional

2019

Devin Ames ’19

Paul

The conversion of Paul is quite a miraculous and stunning story. A blinding light, the voice of

God, the return of sight, and suddenly one who was sent out to bring Christians to Jerusalem for

persecution becomes a great paraclete, a great advocate, for Jesus. This is fun to think about, the

great moment when Paul converted, when he was spoken to by God, when his faith was

affirmed. He knew from this moment that he was called to spread the good news of Jesus.

When searching for a calling, it is easy to wish for a big moment such as this one, where

suddenly all the answers are clear. No years of thought or hours of thinking and worrying about

the future. Especially as we move through our time here at college, we can dream of this

revelatory moment. Why can’t we just know what to major in, what career we will have, or

where we will be in 10 years? Think of all the stress that would be lifted if everyone knew that

this miraculous moment would come for each and every one of us. It would be wonderful!

Then again, would it really be wonderful? What about from the perspective of Saul. He’s going

along, sure of himself, his mission in life, his beliefs. Suddenly, he’s on the ground, hearing

voices, and then he goes blind. He’s lead to a nearby town, made to wait for someone he doesn’t

know to restore his vision, and suddenly he has to change his life, his mission, his name, and his

beliefs. The people he had been persecuting don’t trust him yet and the people he had been work-

ing with are now against him. This no longer sounds all that pleasant. Maybe it is nice to take

time to

discover your calling.

Meredith Stolte ’19

Simeon

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Simeon. Simeon was a Hebrew man who spent his entire

life patiently and faithfully waiting for the birth of a Messiah, after God promised that he would

not die until he had seen Christ.

When I’m chomping at the bit, eager to graduate and get on with my life, eager to know which

path I’m meant to take in the coming years, eager to see my hopes for connection and purpose

fulfilled, I think about Simeon. My general way of being, especially in my senior year of

college, is impatience. It would be nice to say that I always trust in God’s promises, and I don’t

let myself get bogged down in doubt or my desire to have “the good life” now. It wouldn’t be

truthful, though. I am eager to see promises fulfilled right now. I spend a lot of time thinking

about Simeon because he models what it means to rest patiently in faith, and to trust that what

has been promised to us is on its way (even if we can’t see it).

Simeon spent his life under Roman occupation. He could have felt hopeless about the state of his

world, the same way many of us feel hopeless about the state of our world now. Rather than

grow apathetic, however, he remained “just and devout” (Luke 2:25-35). He was true to his

community and his values. He was patient. He waited. And waited. And finally, a young boy

wandered into the Temple in Jerusalem, just as God has promised.

When I was studying abroad in Greece, I came across an icon that depicts Simeon, with a long

white beard and deep wrinkles across his face, sweeping up the Christ child in his arms as a

grandparent would pick up their grandchild. On Simeon’s face is an expression of pure joy, of

hopes realized and promises fulfilled. Simeon reminds me that, if we wait in faith and hope, we

can hold salvation in our arms.

Tony Dungan ’20

Jacob

The book of Genesis depicts almost all of Jacob’s life. We’re shown the moment of his birth as

he emerges from his mother’s womb, gripping the heel of his brother Esau, all the way to his

death in Egypt, surrounded by his large family. Since we’re given such a long and thorough

view of Jacob’s life, we have an example of how a lifelong walk with God can change

someone’s character. Near the beginning of Jacob’s life, he’s depicted as a dishonest and

selfish person. He tricks his brother into giving up his birthright and steals the blessing meant

for his brother. These actions have some harsh consequences, as Esau gets so mad he plans to

kill his brother and Jacob flees his home out of fear.

Once he leaves though, Jacob begins to grow closer to God. His journey starts when he dreams

about God at Bethel and God reiterates the promise he made to Abraham: “I will give you and

your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the

earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.”

(Gen 13:13-14). When he returns to his brother almost fourteen years after that dream, Jacob is

now someone filled with humility and says to God that “I am unworthy of all the kindness and

faithfulness you have shown your servant” (Genesis 32:10). This change didn’t happen

immediately after Jacob left his home, it happened throughout all the years he was gone. The

same will happen with anyone that walks with God. Change won’t come immediately, but the

longer one walks with God, the more God will transform you and shape you into someone in

his own image.

Rachel Wyffels ’21

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

The book of Daniel takes place at a time when the people of Israel wrestled with uncertainty

about their relationship with God. Although they had once possessed a temple, a king, and a

flourishing nation, they found themselves in exile in Babylon under a cruel ruler. Their freedom

was gone. Their prosperity was gone. And their temple was destroyed. Faced with these realities

and pressures to assimilate into Babylonian culture, the people of Israel wondered if their

relationship to God was fundamentally broken.

Enter Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The people of Babylon are angry that they have been

given positions of power and demand that Nebuchadnezzar drag them out to worship his golden

statue like everyone else. Despite the fact that they have just gained favor with a volatile king

and the possibility of stable and prosperous lives, they remain faithful to God even when they

don’t know if God is listening.

I don’t know that three men were literally thrown into a fiery furnace and walked out unsinged,

and I also won’t claim to know that they didn’t. But I do know that we live with many of the

same questions and uncertainties that they did. And we also live with golden statues: Academic

success, membership in organizations, social standing, and anything that draws us away from our

foundation as children of God. That is not to say that we can’t have these things (after all, Shad-

rach, Meshach, and Abednego continued to work in the Babylonian court), yet I find that it can

be easy to let them become idols. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego reminds us that

our wholeness is in God who remains with us in the furnaces of our lives.

Rachel Wyffels ’21

My Grandfather

I can remember my Grandpa Don telling me to “go make it a great day for someone else” since I

was little. As he grieves my grandma’s worsening health, I am inspired and changed by the

honesty of his relationship with God.

My grandpa has not had an easy path. When he went to Augsburg College, he

struggled mightily with depression. He had the courage to seek medical help at a time when no

one was talking about mental illness, especially not men. He has never seen his depression as a

sign that he had a problem in his relationship with God or as some kind of test. He has walked

with God and wrestled with God and asked God to carry him through his struggle with an illness

that has come back many times in his life.

Most recently, I have seen his honesty with God as my grandma who has dementia continues to

decline. He loves her so much and is devastated to see her sleep more and more and become

unable to follow a conversation. He once told my family that he comes home from grandma’s

nursing home and yells at God some days. His relationship with God is out loud and real.

Grandpa continues to teach me that having a relationship with God and trusting in God’s

promises doesn’t mean that life’s journey is always bearable or understandable, and that God

does not send these difficulties. But God is there throughout every step of life no matter how

difficult. “Go make it a great day for someone else” takes on a new meaning for me when I

think about it in the context of grandpa’s life. It’s not a promise that today will be better than

yesterday, but it is a commitment to do the best you can and to think of other people everywhere

you go and in everything you do. I would add “and take care of yourself” at the end. I find it

important to remember to take care of myself and advocate for what I need in the midst of life

even though doing so and helping others are not mutually exclusive. So take care of yourself,

and go make it a great day for someone else.

Katie Fick, Associate College Pastor

Moses

The call of Moses (Exodus 3-4) can be seen as quite humorous. God comes to Moses in the form

of a burning bush, and when God calls Moses to go to Egypt to set the people of Israel free from

slavery, Moses, who is currently employed as a shepherd, has many objections. “Who am I to go

to Egypt?” Moses asks. “And if people ask me who is sending me, what should I say is your

name?” Moses questions. “And suppose the people don’t believe me,” Moses worries. “And I’m

not a good public speaker. Please, please God, send someone else.”

God does not, however, say, “Never mind, Moses, go back to tending animals. I’ll find someone

else.” What God says is, “I will be with you, my name is ‘I AM WHO I AM,’ I will give you

signs to perform, and I will send people with you to help you. You will not be alone.” Though

Moses does not feel in any way equipped for the task, God assures God’s own presence and

power. So Moses goes.

This story is a good reminder that God does not always call us to do things we think we are good

at, or qualified to do. God does not wait for us to have training, or credentials, or power in order

for God to put us to work. God calls us not because we have the right skills for the job, but

because we are who we are. God calls us to particular times and places because we are who God

needs in that moment. In other words, it’s not that we are perfect for the task, it’s that we are

right for it because God has called us to do it. It’s God who makes us right for it.

Prayer:

Holy God who calls us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, give me your vision to

see how you might be calling me in ways I do not expect, into places I think there might be oth-

ers better suited for the task. Give me courage to have conversations with people around me, that

we might discern together your various calls for our lives. Amen.

Charles Taliaferro; Professor of Philosophy

Noah

The story of the Flood should resonate with some "Green Christians" (such as myself) who

believe that our planet's ecology is impacted by human vice. The Genesis narrative sees the

cause of wild, life-destroying forces in human wickedness, and the life-preserving forces of

faithful stewardship of community. Some Christians interpret the arc as symbolizing the church;

it is from Noah's Arc that some churches are seen as boats (in some cases, like upside down

boats as when you look up in church and see what could be a ship's hull). After the flood (and

the great story of the dove with an olive branch which has become a universal symbol of peace)

we have the covenant of Noah (the Nohaic covenant) in which God foreswears strict judgment

of the wicked in this life. This is crucial to understanding a shift in theology: wickedness will

(eventually) be punished, but in this world the innocent suffer. We are to see our not being

judged now as grace, as providing us time to repent, to stop our injustice and vice (including

times when some of us might imitate Noah's perhaps understandable, but embarrassing

intoxication).

For All the Faithful Women, ELW #419

For all the faithful women, who served in days of old,

To you shall thanks be given; to all, their story told.

They served with strength and gladness in tasks your wisdom gave.

To you their lives bore witness, proclaimed your pow’r to see.

We praise your name for Miriam, who sang triumphantly,

While Pharaoh’s vaunted army lay drowned beneath the sea.

As Israel marched to freedom, her chains of bondage gone,

So may we reach the kingdom your mighty arm has won.

Recall the outcast woman with whom our Lord conversed:

Christ gave her living water to quench her deepest thirst.

Like hers, our hearts are yearning; Christ offers us his word.

Then may our lips be burning to witness to our Lord.

Lord, hear our praise of Dorcas, who served the sick and poor.

Her hands were cups of kindness, her heart an open door.

Send us, O Christ, your Body, where people cry in pain,

And touch them with compassion to make them whole again.

For Eunice and for Lois, we sing our thanks and praise,

Young Timothy they nurtured and led him in your ways.

Raise up in ev’ry household true teachers of your word

Whose lives will bear clear witness to Christ, our risen Lord.

O God, for saints and servants, those named and those unknown,

In whom through all the ages your light of glory shone,

We offer glad thanksgiving and fervent prayer we raise

That, faithful in your service, our lives may sing your praise.

Kaitlin Scott ’19

Lenten Devotional

My Godparents, Tom and Nancy, have been two of the most important faith figures in my life.

When I stop to think about them and the influence they have had on me and my faith, I can’t

actually think of many conversations we’ve had on faith directly. Instead, I think of how I have

seen them model their faith in their actions. Some of my favorite memories from growing up are

when we would visit them. When I think of these visits, I think of the immediate,

palpable love and warmth of them and their home. I think of how they made sure everyone who

came to them knew they were welcomed and loved. I think of the joy they shared, even in times

of sorrow.

As I think about these examples they set for me, I know that I have learned just as much from

seeing these actions as I would have from having direct conversations with them about faith.

They have shown me what it means to welcome and love unconditionally, and to trust in God,

even in difficult circumstances. In these times, I saw their hope and heard them speak of their

trust in God’s promise of unconditional love and eternal life for all. These are the moments with

them to which I connect most in this season of Lent. When I think of Lent, I tend not to think of

it as a time of joy, or even sometimes as a time of hope. I get caught up in the somberness, and

forget that, while the season does lead up to Good Friday, it also leads up to Easter. Lent has its

own intentions, and Easter has its own season, but this does not mean that we should forget that

Easter is there at the end. Thinking of my Godparents’ love, the joy of their home, no matter the

circumstances, reminds me of this. Their faith has helped them to know that the promise of

Easter is always there, and to apply this assurance to their actions, and I hope to follow their

example.

Matthew Marohl, College Pastor

Lazarus

John 11:1-44

One of the striking aspects of the story of the raising of Lazarus is the very real depiction of

grief. We are invited into a family that has recently experienced the death of a beloved brother.

The community is gathered around the family and they attempt to console each other in their

time of pain. By the time that Jesus arrives at the home of his friends, he too is greatly grieved.

It is in this moment, that we hear both Martha and Mary utter the words, “Lord, if you had been

here, my brother would not have died.” While our experiences of death are most certainly dif-

ferent from that of Martha and Mary, it is not uncommon to hear similar words spoken today.

We might think, “Where is God in the hospital room? Where is God in sickness and in death?”

We might find ourselves saying the very words of Martha and of Mary. “Lord, if you had been

here, my brother would not have died.” But more than simply being biting words of lament, the

words of the sisters offer a helpful model for Christian grieving. They speak these recognizable

words of anguish – “Where were you God?” – in the same breath as they declare their belief in

the resurrection. Stay there for a moment. In this story, Martha and Mary model an important

truth of the grieving process. We can believe in the resurrection and still be frustrated and mad

at God. We can cry out, “why,” and believe in the resurrection. Our belief in the resurrection

need not sugar coat our very real grief. If the words of the sisters offer a helpful model for

Christian grieving, the actions of Jesus offer a powerful image of God’s compassion in the

midst of our grief. Even though he will most certainly breathe life in Lazarus, Jesus weeps. Just

like we can experience the whole range of emotions that accompany grief and believe in the

resurrection, Jesus can stand with us and comfort us during our grieving all the while knowing

that death will not have the final word.

Holly Harrington ’22

Esther: Courage in the Face of Fear

“Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

The book of Esther tells the story of the titular woman, a Jewish girl who became the Queen of

Persia and proceeded to save the Jewish people from destruction by uncovering a plot with the

help of her guardian, Mordecai. Esther’s story has inspired many through its message of the

importance of courage in fulfilling the will of God. Esther is called by the Lord to speak on

account of the Jews in order to stop their massacre before its onset. Despite the danger of going

to see the king uninvited, Esther is urged by Mordecai to speak up.

"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews

from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows

whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14

Mordecai explains to Esther that God has placed her in a position of power to make a difference.

Esther is empowered by courage from God to act on her calling and fulfill His plan. After speak-

ing to the king, he agrees to heed her wishes and create an edict to protect the Jews. This victory

leads to celebration and the praising of God, on account of his constant provision and protection.

“The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city,

wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the

Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews,

for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.” Esther 8:16-17

By being courageous when faced with frightening situations, God’s plan can be achieved and joy

can be found. Esther’s courage is an example of the courage that we should all follow when

conquering the fears of life.

Charles Taliaferro; Professor of Philosophy

Jesus

A student at Oxford once told Tolkien: "I think my tutorials with C.S. Lewis will go rather well.

He is the most interesting tutor to have." Tolkien replied: "Interesting? Yes, he's certainly that,

You'll never get to the bottom of him." Of Jesus it may even more truly be said that it is

impossible to get to the bottom of his birth, life, teaching, healing, power, passion, death, and

resurrection. I became a Christian at 20 years old and in the 46 years since, I experience the

Christ daily as an existentially unfolding reality who surprises, shocks, consoles, and challenges.

These days, this month, I have been reflecting on (I almost wrote, drinking in) Christ as fiercely

youthful, and calling us to the intensity of a youthful experience of the Coran Deo (the presence

of God).

Tony Dungan ’20

Hezekiah

There are a lot of reasons one might waver in their faith in the current day. The political climate

is far from pleasant and the actual climate itself is perhaps more worrying. Then there the

pressures of campus life, like doing work study, the looming presence of finals, and the over-

whelming amount of homework. With all of these pressures and nasty climates, it’s easy to crack

under the pressure and give up paying any attention to nurturing your faith. It doesn’t have to be

like that, though. The Bible gives us examples of countless people who stuck to their faith even

in overwhelming and terrifying situations.

The most compelling of these stories to me is the life of Hezekiah. During Hezekiah’s reign over

Judah, the overwhelming force of Assyria demolished Israel and scattered ten of the twelve

tribes of Israel before starting to assault Judah. Assyria achieved victory after victory until

finally, the army of Assyria arrived at Jerusalem. There were 100,000 soldiers laying siege to the

city, and it must have seemed hopeless. Assyria had swallowed up the northern kingdom, what

chance did Judah have of escaping? Despite the overwhelming force of Assyria, Hezekiah didn’t

forget his faith. He prayed to the Lord and consulted the prophet Isaiah, and the prophet said the

Lord would deliver Judah from the Assyrians.

Now I’m not saying that if you stick to your faith that God will erase all of your problems,

cancel your finals, and make your life perfect. That probably won’t happen. However, sticking to

your faith will give you hope, comfort, and guidance through your problems, as long as you rely

on God to get you there. If Hezekiah can face 100,000 mighty soldiers with his face, God can

help you through any time in your life, no matter how stressful it is.

Madeline Nichols ‘21

Ruth

First, a quick refresher on the contents of Ruth:

Ruth was a Moabite woman who married one of the two sons of Naomi. Due to famine, the

family decided to move from Moab to Judah, but were struck with the tragic loss of Naomi’s

sons and husband. Naomi instructed her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab, as they,

onsidered foreigners in Judah, would not be accepted. However, Ruth remained loyal to her

mother-in-law and the God of Israel and refused to leave Naomi’s side. The women travelled to

Judah together, where Ruth married and had child with Boaz, a relative of her late husband, all

according to God’s plan. She could now provide for her mother-in-law. The amazing part?

Through this line, Ruth would become the grandmother to King David and ancestor to the

Messiah.

What is there to get out of this story? For starters, think of this: Ruth-- a woman, a foreign

Moabite, and consistently reminded of her “smallness”-- was pivotal to the lineage of Christ

himself. God did not discriminate against her gender or nationality; for him, there were no

prerequisites for his love and attention other than faith. Ruth remained faithful to God, and she

was not forgotten because, to God, there is no such thing as an unimportant person.

Devin Ames ’19

Luke

When thinking about Luke in the Bible, we are tempted to simply think of Luke as a subdivision

of the whole. We might be used to saying his name when introducing a chapter and verse that

we are referencing, but oftentimes this is where our conception of Luke ends. So who is Luke,

and why does that matter? Luke is attributed with having written two books in the New

Testament, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. As far as his relationship to Jesus, he de-

scribes himself not as an eyewitness of the life of Christ, but clearly has an association with the

journeys of Paul. At one point, he is also referred to as a physician. All of this may be interest-

ing, but why does it help?

Through his writings, Luke is a storyteller. We learn from his stories more about Jesus and the

early Christian communities. When telling a story, everyone brings their own strengths and

perspectives. For Luke, his stories reflect upon him in two major ways. First, his tendency to

explain medical cases and cures in depth reflects upon his own interests in medicine which

connects to the reference to him being a physician. Secondly, Luke uses a wide range of

vocabulary and fairly sophisticated Greek, showing that he was an educated man.

All of this comes together as it helps us to think about stories, storytellers, and how much we

can learn. When we read something from the Bible, what can we learn about the authors? Who

are the people behind the names that we breeze over like chapter titles in a book? How can our

own stories about faith and belief shape those around us? Next time you read a story, try

thinking about the people behind the words on the page.

Naomi Ruth Brandt ‘20

Love in Vulnerability

In my confirmation class, we read the story of Naomi and Ruth. This, considering both my

name and my dad’s obsession with the story, was not my first time encountering Ruth’s loyalty

and somewhat blind faith in Naomi’s God. However, on this particular occasion, our teacher

said, “Naomi, when you’re upset, do you ever just dramatically say: ‘Call me Mara for the

Almighty has dealt bitterly with me’?” Teenager me rolled her eyes and went back to the Bible

story, but I think about that comment often.

When studying this story, my attention usually wanders to Ruth. She’s the courageous one, who

goes to a land she doesn’t know to a people who won’t accept her due to her being a Moabite.

However, Naomi has a trash-fire of emotions to manage, too—her husband and sons have died

and she must return to the place she’d abandoned years ago. What if the people judge her? What

if they see her as a traitor and refuse to accept her back into the community? “Call me Mara,”

she says, maybe to get sympathy from her hesitant friends. Despite her negative view, Naomi

perseveres, convincing Ruth to work for and gain the affections of Boaz. As we all know,

Naomi’s plan works favorably, and life starts looking up for the women.

The story involves so much courage from both women. Ruth braves the foreign land for her

mother-in-law; Naomi braves risking hers and Ruth’s reputations in order to make this land a

home for both of them. As a college student (and former moody teenager), I think one of the

unrecognized brave moments from the story is when Naomi acknowledges her bitterness and

pain, opening up—just a little bit—to her community. “Call me Mara,” she says, and this

acknowledgement allows her to continue moving forward, renewed in love and hope that she

won’t be Mara forever.

Matthew Marohl, College Pastor

12 Year-Old Jesus Luke 2:41-51

In the first-century Mediterranean world, both boys and girls were raised almost exclusively

by women. Mothers and other women (grandmothers, aunts, and female cousins) raised all of

the children. Girls learned, by watching and by doing, how to do what they would be expected

to do as women. They learned how to gather wood and water. They learned how to cook and

bake. They learned how to be women. During this process, boys were also learning and doing

the same work. When boys were about twelve, however, their fathers would invite them to

learn and do the work that would be expected of them as men. The fathers would say, “Come

and follow me.”

In today’s gospel story, Mary and Joseph and Jesus and their extended family were traveling

to and from Jerusalem for the Passover. It was likely that while they all traveled together, they

were also divided; men walking with other men and women walking with other women. The

children, both boys and girls, would have traveled with the women. The people who first

heard this story would not have questioned Mary or Joseph. They didn’t forget Jesus. Mary

might have imagined that at twelve, Jesus had been invited to walk with the men, to walk with

Joseph. Likewise, Joseph might have thought, “Jesus is with his mother, he is a boy, a child.”

But at the age of twelve, Jesus had entered into the Temple. Jesus was not left, nor was he

forgot-ten. In fact, it is just the opposite. God has called and claimed Jesus as his beloved Son.

Furthermore, we, like Jesus, are called and claimed. God has embraced us. God has said,

“Come, follow me, now is the time.”

Katie Fick, Associate College Pastor

Joseph

If you read the Book of Genesis from chapter 42 to the end, you will discover a theme in the

behavior of Joseph: he cries. Seven times over the course of the story of Joseph he weeps, one

time so loudly it reaches the palace of Pharaoh.

Joseph was a dreamer, often about being a leader over others, and the favorite son of his father,

and this made his brothers very angry – so angry they threw him in a pit, then sold him into

slavery in Egypt, and told their father he was dead. But during all of this, he does not cry. Then,

as a slave in Egypt, he was falsely accused of adultery and imprisoned. He does not cry in

prison. As he helps others discern their dreams, he comes to the attention of Pharaoh for his

wisdom, but he does not cry tears of joy when he is released and made a powerful man, put in

charge of helping Egypt survive during a famine.

It is not until Joseph sees his brothers again, when they come for help with the famine, and

though they do not recognize him, think they have fallen on hard times because of how they

treated him, that Joseph cannot contain himself. He goes off and cries. Again and again,

encountering his brothers, Joseph weeps. When he sees his youngest brother Benjamin. When

he tells them who he is and embraces them. A river of tears falls as Joseph works through his

grief, and his relationship with his brothers. They are tears of forgiveness, they are tears of

healing, and they are tears of love.

For all of the times that it seems like the Bible emphasizes patriarchy or masculinity, Joseph

stands out as a wise, resilient man who is not afraid of emotion, who lets tears freely flow.

Crying is a part of life, a part of healing, a part of our relationship with others, and a part of our

relationship with God. When you find yourself in tears, know it is because sometimes it is

necessary, and know you are not alone.

By All Your Saints, ELW #421

By all your saints still striving, for all your saints at rest,

Your holy name, O Jesus, forevermore be blessed!

For you arose victorious that they might wear the crown

And share the light of glory reflected from your throne.

Oh, magnify with Mary, the God whom we adore;

Rejoice in Christ our Savior, true God whom Mary bore;

And praise the holy Power in her made manifest.

With all the generations acclaim this woman blest.

For Magdalene we praise you, steadfast at cross and tomb.

Your “Mary!” in the garden dispelled her tears and gloom.

Apostle to the apostles, she ran to spread the word;

Send us to shout the good news that we have seen the Lord.

All praise to you for Thomas, whose short-lived doubtings prove

Your perfect two-fold nature, and all your depth of love.

May all who live with questions have faith in you restored;

Grant us the grace to you know, to say “My God and Lord.”

All praise for Jude and Simon, who sealed their faith today;

One love, one hope impelled them to tread the sacred way.

May we with zeal as earnest the faith of Christ maintain,

And foll’wing these our brothers, at length your rest attain.

Apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all the noble throng

Who wear the spotless raiment and raise the ceaseless song—

For these passed on before us, we sing our praise anew

And, walking in their footsteps, would live our lives for you.

Bidding Prayer

from ELW Leader’s Desk Edition

Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church throughout the world.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you have shown your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ.

By your Holy Spirit guide the church and gather it throughout the world.

Help it to persevere in faith, proclaim your name,

and bring the good news of salvation in Christ to all people.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for our sisters and brothers who share our faith in Jesus Christ.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you give your church unity.

Look with favor on all who follow Jesus your Son.

Make all the baptized one in the fullness of faith,

and keep us united in the fellowship of love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God,

long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and your teaching to Moses.

Hear our prayers that the people you called and elected as your own

may receive the fulfillment of the covenant's promises.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you are the creator of a magnificent universe.

Hold all the worlds in the arms of your care and bring all things to fulfillment in you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you created humanity

so that all may long to know you and find peace in you.

Grant that all may recognize the signs of your love and grace in the world and in the

lives of Christians, and gladly acknowledge you as the one true God.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for God's creation.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you are the creator of a magnificent universe.

Hold all the worlds in the arms of your care and bring all things to fulfillment in you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those who serve in public office.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you are the champion of the poor and oppressed.

In your goodness, give wisdom to those in authority,

so that all people may enjoy justice, peace, freedom,

and a share in the goodness of your creation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for those in need.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you give strength to the weary

and new courage to those who have lost heart.

Heal the sick, comfort the dying, give safety to travelers,

free those unjustly deprived of liberty,

and deliver your world from falsehood, hunger, and disease.

Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble,

that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2