h2odevos eots 120411 2nd Sunday of Advent PROMISES

H2odevos eots 120411 Promises

2^nd Sunday of Advent

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/the-holly-and-the-ivythe-greatest-gift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holly_and_the_Ivy

Peter’s rendition of “The Holly and the Ivy” is a very cool interpretation of that famous carol. I wasn’t aware of it before that both holly and ivy were understood to be fertility symbols. I guess I must have missed that part of the lecture in seminary when we talked about things borrowed from folk/pagan culture. But, if you check the link to the above article you can learn how holy and ivy came to be prominent symbols of the season.

Here’s part of today’s sermon on John the Baptist.

“I like this character of John the Baptist because he is rough and tough. He eats locusts and wild honey. His clothes are a simple cloak of camel’s hair with a belt. If you saw him walking down your street you’d cross over to the other side or maybe even turn around and head out in the opposite direction. In fact, that’s the whole point of his message and ministry. John’s talking point was simple and to the point- “repent” for the Lamb of God is on his way. And “repent” literally means “a changed mind.” So, in other words you and I are headed in one direction, that is what we know and we are called to stop dead in our tracks and GO in the other direction.

As much as I admire John the Baptist I need to confess this morning to you that he scares me just a bit. It is as if he has X-ray vision. Those of you who grew up on comic books know about super heroes who had the amazing power to see through walls or any permanent structure. John the Baptist with his orthodox understanding of God and sinfulness was able to be very concrete when commanding and demanding that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So, once again he returns to be on point with his message, “REPENT!” He looks at us with those piecing, penetrating eyes and even if he didn’t utter a single word, we know he is calling us to  “REPENT.”  As I said earlier, that means to change one’s mind, to change directions, to head off in a new way.

I’ve shared with you before that whenever I preach a sermon about confessing one’s sins, or the need to repent, to take sin seriously, some people stop me at the door and say, “thank you for that sermon, I just wish that my sister, or my husband or wife would have been here to hear that. Because they need to REPENT.” I always kind of chuckle at that point for if we think the call to repent is only for someone else in our lives, then we’ve missed the point. At the same time, while I take sin seriously and know that you do as well, it is the evangelical Lutheran tradition to take grace even more seriously than sin.

Let me be clear about this. John the Baptist who was a wild-eyed fire breathing, hellfire and damnation preacher was the advance man for Jesus Christ. This Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” This Jesus was sent by the Father to save the world, not condemn the world. This Father so loves the world that his only Son became the perfect Passover Lamb for our sins, so that we might have life.

This beloved Son died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we might live.”

In this holy season of Advent, as we celebrate “stars + promises” may we be mindful of the promises of the past which are realized in the present and totally fulfilled in the future.

“And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”Gen 22 KJV

Deck the Halls,

rtg

Sundays and Seasons

Lighting the Advent Wreath: Advent 2

Use this blessing when lighting the first two candles.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.

John the Baptist calls all people to prepare the Lord's way

for the kingdom of heaven is near.

Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.

Baptize us with the fire of your Spirit,

that we may be a light shining in the darkness

welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us,

for he is our light and our salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26681.

h2odevos eots 120311 GPS LOVE SONGS 120405

This devo was first released on 12-04-05. Today it is an encore performance

12-03-11

S&P 2005 GPS Love Songs12-04-05

Second Sunday in Advent

GPS Love Songs

Zach as JTB + RTG as St. Nick

“Come gather together you children who wander

Looking for dreams that the whole world has squandered

You’ve lost them you’ve sold them for pockets of gold

And you long to come in from the cold…Oh Sing

Joy joy joy in the morning

Joy joy in the afternoon

Joy joy joy for the child is born

This night the promise is given to you”

Sing Joy by Peter Mayer

John the Baptist appears on the Advent scene today. He is a rather unique and unusual character. You won’t see his visage gracing any holiday extravaganza on television. Nor does his picture  get included in too many Christmas cards. He probably wasn’t very good at “small talk” or chit-chat. In fact, if he was asked about  the current debate regarding the designation or naming of municipality sponsored evergreen trees with colored lights he would probably say something like, “Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire.” (Matthew 3:11)  Due to his ability to speak in sound-bytes and use of metaphorical speech, my sense is that John the Baptist would be a frequent commentator on programs like “Cross-Fire” (I think he’d like that name) if he were alive today.

I am drawn to John the Baptist because he was so passionate. More than anything else his love of God and for God drove his message and ministry. It was his job, his calling  to “prepare the way for Jesus Christ.” His message was to “turn around” to repent and come to the Light. In a way, John the Baptist sang  “tough-love songs” to the people in the wilderness.

On this Second Sunday in Advent we hear the word of God recorded by the prophet Isaiah,

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. ²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2)

Those words really speak to me. It might be due to the fact that I have some conflict avoidant tendencies, or that I am a middle child or that my heart and soul is simply  touched by that gracious word of comfort. Peter’s words acknowledge the time of being in the “wilderness”

“Come gather together you children who wander

Looking for dreams that the whole world has squandered”

Advent is a season to listen and sing GPS love songs. Now by GPS, I mean “Grace Positioning Stories.” So John the Baptist, the prophet Isaiah, Advent wreaths, acts of mercy and justice all help us to be oriented when we realize we have spent time in the wilderness or even lost our way.

And what gives me hope and joy is that we have the gift to sing these love songs so that others might realize that the One who called himself, “the Way, the Truth and the Life” is still singing to them and to us…

“Joy joy joy for the child is born

This night the promise is given to you”

RTG

 PS Deck the Halls

h2odevos eots 120111 BLESSED TIMES 2

H2odevos eots 120211 Blessed times 2

http://www.petermayer.com/events/freedom-hallnathan-manilow-theatre-park-forest-il-2

Peter is in the Windy City tonight!

Happy Birthday King James Version

The King James Version is 400 years old this year. You can learn a great deal about what celebrations are happening all over the world by checking out:

http://www.kingjamesbibletrust.org/

Our modern day English language has been deeply influenced by the “Book that changed the world.” Check out familiar and not so familiar phrases at http://bit.ly/UroyO . There are more than 120 of them listed.

We at Bethany will be celebrating this wonderful gift to the church as Handel’s Messiah is presented in our sanctuary tonight,  Friday evening, December 2nd, 2011. If you are in the Denver area,  plan now to attend this fantastic offering by our Chancel Choir under the direction of Dr. Daniel Grace. Or if you check out our website, http://www.bethany-denver2.org/2011/09/blc-video/

at 7pm (Mountain) we are doing live streaming.

A person recently asked me, “Is the Messiah a worship service or a concert?” My answer was, “yes.” For you see, it’s a grand work of art, but at the same time it is “Scripture in song.” What a marvelous way to “kick off” your Advent journey by attending this amazing birthday party for the KJV.

You can see in this portion of the handwritten score, the notes which accompany the words, “Blessed, Blessed are they that considereth the poor.”  I was very taken by the whole experience of visiting the Handel House in London http://www.handelhouse.org/

This particular portion of the score led me to think about the word “poor.” There are many ways to interpret the word. One initially thinks of  “poor” in terms of economic terms. One “echo of the season” is a line from “God of Grace and God of Glory” where we hear the line, “rich in things, but poor in soul.” I know you join me in praying for those who experience poverty in any sense of the word. I thank you for your willingness to “considereth the poor” at this time of year. May you have blessings times two!

May these days find you having an attitude of gratitude. Check out this lovely verse from (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 KJV)

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

Deck the Halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 120111 "Go, TELL!"

H2odevos eots 120111 “Go, TELL!”

World Aids Day

“Go tell it on the mountain,

tell it on the street,

that Jesus Christ is BORN!”

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain

I normally try to write these devos about a day in advance. On Wednesday morning I was out walking because there was a forecast of significant snowfall for the Denver area for late Wednesday night and early Thursday. As I walked around Wash Park I kept listening to Peter’s fabulous rendition of “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” I got so carried away that I was clapping and shouting “Go, Tell, Tell it on the Mountain, Tell it on the Street, that Jesus Christ is Born!” The resident geese of the park who normally scatter the runners, joggers, walkers and bikers with their incantations of goose-speak and wild wing clapping stared at me in disbelief. Soon they took off to “GO TELL!”

My good friend, Dr. Donald Messer has founded an amazing ministry by the name of

The Center for Church and Global Aids,  http://www.churchandglobalaids.org/

One of his books is entitled, Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence

In a recent interview (referenced at the bottom of these next two quotes), he talks about why he wrote what he did:

“My book was an attempt to express what I heard as God’s cry for the marginalized around the world. I saw it academically as an essay in practical theology, but I remember wondering, when I was writing it, if the rhetoric was too shrill and maybe the publishers would tone it down. Fortunately Fortress Press editors were very supportive—and to my surprise the book changed my life! The response of readers led me to a seemingly endless series of speaking engagements, writing assignments, AIDS Conferences, etc. I started a 501c3 charity.”

“I’m an idealist and it is not coincidental that my favorite popular song is the “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha. But I am also a realist and I believe it is possible to conquer hunger and end AIDS in our lifetime. An AIDS-free and hunger-free world are my mantra. What it will take is political will and compassion without borders. This is not simply a romantic vision, but one embraced by scientists, economists, politicians and other persons of goodwill around the world. These goals are not simply within our reach, but also our grasp. Achieving this future is not inevitable, but neither is it impossible. I feel fortunate to live at such a moment in history when this vision is not just a utopian dream, but a realistic possibility. And maybe my work will have contributed in some small way.”

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/5218/pricking_the_conscience_of_churches%3A_from_aids_activism_to_ending_world_hunger/

So one piece of the “GO TELL” theme for World Aids Day is God’s cry for those who are suffering.  Often we pray for God to hear or listen to our cries or the cries of those who are suffering. But, Don rightly turns the tables on us and invites us to listen to God’s crying for the suffering. It is as if God is asking, “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”

So, another piece of this day is for you and me to “GO TELL” what is happening.

It is a time for you and me to stop being silent and speak up and out for all people.

I am so proud of the efforts of the Center For Church and Global Aids.

Full disclosure note- I serve on the Board of Directors.

Additionally, I am very grateful for the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church. You can learn more about what people of faith are doing to “GO TELL.”

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Presiding-Bishop/Messages-and-Statements/112911.aspx

When we celebrate the glorious news of Jesus being born we can talk about anything!

Deck the halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 113011 Bread + Water

H2odevos eots 113011 Bread + Water

St. Andrew’s Day

In Silver Plume, Colorado there is a wonderful bakery. There are five letters printed above the door, BREAD. It’s clear, concise, simple and quite inviting. You can smell the fresh baked bread before you even enter the building. One of my “favorite things” is when we talk about bread at our church sometimes we get the bread machines going in the narthex. As the sermon unfolds people can smell the bread. As they go up for communion, people can smell the bread. When the benediction is said and the sending hymn is sung, people can smell the bread. And then, it’s time to eat the bread!

 

Advent is a time to smell the bread and eat the bread. Just imagine if our places of gathering could be as inviting as bakeries. What if people who sensed their hunger knew, really knew and understood that their desires could and would be satisfied by walking through those doors and encountering the Bread of Life?

I was in London during October. I spent a day going to some of my “favorite places” and seeing some of my “favorite things.”

The baptismal font at St. James Piccadilly has a lovely base which is a tree. It’s maybe even two trees together.  First of all, there is the tree from the Garden of Eden. This tree is the base for the font, which connects us to another tree the family tree of God. Water is definitely one of my “favorite things.”  I am simply amazed that such basic things like bread and water play amazingly key roles in forming faith.

Today, I encourage you to be on the lookout for some of your favorite things that form faith.

Deck the halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 112911 "Evermore + Evermore"

H2odevos eots 112911 “Evermore + Evermore”

http://www.petermayer.com/events/webster-groves-mo  

There is a Stars and Promises concert tonight in Webster Groves, MO!

Check out the above link for more info.

Listen to a sample of the song.

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/of-the-fathers-love-begotten

Peter takes this old hymn and infuses it with a sense of reverence and joy.

Each time I hear this tune it makes my heart feel hopeful.

Evermore and Evermore

“Of the Father's love begotten

      ere the worlds began to be,

      he is Alpha and Omega,

      he the source, the ending he,

      of the things that are, that have been,

      and that future years shall see,

            evermore and evermore.”

ELW 295

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_the_Father's_Heart_Begotten

We enter this holy time of year mindful of all the lists in our lives:

•          (1)  Advent + Christmas shopping list;
•          (2) List of old or new resolutions regarding a healthier, more Spirit filled lifestyle;
•          (3) A list of those things we have done;
•          (4) A list of those things we have left undone and;
•          (5) A list reminding us to make more lists.

The lists seem to go on “evermore and evermore.”

I find in all of these things a wonderful wireless invention that helps me deal with the cycles and circles of time, specifically the Advent Wreath. It is so basic and elemental.

It doesn’t need batteries or a backup hard drive. All it takes is four candles, some greenery and a little bit of time each day.

My faith-forming parents taught me all about the Advent wreath. As I child it seemed to transport me into another place and time As an adult it does the same thing. I’m so grateful to have this Spiritual gift in my life.

May your home be blessed by the light and warmth of this circle of LIFE.

Evermore and evermore,

rtg

CODE

Here's a draft of our Christmas Ad

"Do you find Christmas Puzzling?"

We'll help you put together the "peace's"

h2odevos eots 112811 "My Favorite Things"

H2odevos eots 112811 My Favorite Things

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/my-favorite-things

 My Favorite Things

I’ve been listening to Peter play “My Favorite Things.” It has become now one of my favorite things. If you’ve been reading and/or listening to h2odevos for some time during Advent you are aware that “eggbeaters” are also some of my favorite things. Over the years I’ve collected quite a few of them. I recently learned that it was Willis Johnson, an African-American who received the first patent for eggbeaters in 1884. I think I am so taken by eggbeaters because they embody the collects for Advent, which all begin with the words, “Stir up, Oh Lord and come.” Even as a little boy sitting around the Advent wreath I was enthralled by the notion that for four weeks of the year we prayed for God to come and “stir it up.” As you know, the other 48 weeks of the year we normally pray for God to make the storms to be still and calm so that we might have “smooth sailing.”

Another one of my favorite things is Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. I have quite a collection of them, (just about the whole spectrum of liturgical colors). However, I recently met a woman by the name of Jill who is the “Czarina of Converse.” You will see a picture of her closet in this devo.

Thinking about “My Favorite Things” leads me to want to talk with you about an attitude of gratitude. We just finished with Thanksgiving Weekend. However, I hope we are not finished with “thanks-giving.”  2,000 years ago, St. Paul sent a text message to the Christians in Corinth, in which he wrote,

^“3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind (I Cor 1:3-5)”

St. Paul was thankful for these folks who had problems and quarrels about a plethora of concerns and issues. And yet, he was grateful for them.

My spiritual director, Father Vince has shared with me the work of a man by the name of  Robert Emmons, in fact, one book in particular, Thanks-How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.

http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/labs/emmons/PWT/index.cfm

 Robert Emmons

His work led me to the popular work of John Kralik who wrote a “thank you note” each day for a year.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132263637/perfect-thank-you-notes-heartfelt-and-handwritten

http://www.365thankyounotes.com/

Both men suggest that if one takes time to write down what one is thankful for in life that life itself will become more pleasant and happy. It is such a basic concept, but it really WORKS!

So, today my friends, (I want you to know that I’m thankful for YOU!) and most of all I pray that your Advent journey brings about happiness and joy. So, why not take time right now to make a list of “Your Favorite Things.” And of course, you can amend the title to include people, food, eggbeaters and even cool/stylish tennis shoes.

Deck the halls,

Rtg

h2odevos eots 112711 "Wake-up"

H2odevos eots 112711

First Sunday of Advent

“Wake-up”

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/deck-the-halls

Hi, welcome to h2odevos 2011. This year’s theme is Echoes of the Season.  It is Sunday, November 27^th, the First Sunday of Advent.  Peter Mayer has a lovely rendition of

“Deck the Halls.” It’s an old and familiar song. In some ways I think it is a “wake-up call.”

Now, “wake-up calls” come in a variety of forms and fashions. There is the “old school wake-up call” in the form of a rooster. There is the alarm clock that can be set and reset to go on “snooze.” Traditionally, this First Sunday of Advent is also a “wake-up call.” I have always thought that this season of “Advent is the Cure for Spiritual Tryptophan.”

http://www.howtosayin.com/time+to+wake+up.html

In Mark 13, we hear Jesus say,

^“Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

The notion of “sleep” is used in a variety of ways in the Bible. One of the major thoughts about “sleep” and consequently about “waking up” is the idea of being ready. If one is asleep, one is not ready. On the other hand, if one is “awake” one is ready, mindful and

“Good to go.”  Advent is a time of being “awake” of readiness, mindfulness and goodness.

Additionally, the invitation to “Deck the Halls” is a call to action and service. As I think about “decking the halls” I am aware of the interior work that needs to be done for this season of preparation and anticipation. I’m thinking about what if anything is cluttering the “halls.”  Do the “halls” need a little bit of fresh paint? Are the “halls” well lit? How about the floor of the “halls?” Do we need to do some dusting or some spiritual vacuuming?

Twenty years ago I saw a movie called “Defending Your Life.”  
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101698/
It represents Hollywood’s attempt to figure out what happens after a person dies. In many ways it asks the question “were you ‘awake’ when you were alive? (put in link)

“WAKE-UP” and listen for “echoes of the season.”

Rtg

 DECK THE HALLS

THANK YOU!

It only takes four candles.
You can make your own Advent wreath by taking four candles and setting them up in a circle.
Add some greenery (of the natural or plastic kind) and BEHOLD, you've got yourself an Advent wreath.
Light one candle this first week and then add a candle each week.

Our good friends at Augsburg Fortress have a prayer for this first week:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,

ruler of the universe.

You call all nations to walk in your light

and to seek your ways of justice and peace,

for the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near.

Bless us as we light the first candle of this wreath.

Rouse us from sleep,

that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes

and welcome him into our hearts and homes,

for he is our light and our salvation.

Blessed be God forever. Amen.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26681.

h2odevos begin tomorrow. SEE YOU THEN!

h2odevos resumes on 11 27 11

H2o Devos will begin on Sunday, November 27th, the First Sunday of Advent. This year's theme is ECHOES of the SEASON. You can "taste and see" some of these marvelous tunes by sampling the cd by that name Just click on the link and head off to Peter's website If you know of others who would like to subscribe to h2odevos, just have them drop an email to h2odevos@earthlink.net Blessings, rtg

alleluia h2o devos fia 042411 EASTER SUNDAY

H2o devos fia 042411 ALLELUIA
Easter Sunday

“Welcome child into our family
Washed in water, reborn and free
A sign on your forehead and your heart
The cross that never will depart
Allelujah Allelujah
Allelujah come and sing
Chrorus
Stirrin' up the water
Stirrin' up my soul
A Light comes to the darkness
Come and make me whole
Oh Stir it up, stir it up, Oh Lord
The call goes out to near and distant lands
Come all you children into my hands
Grow like branches on the living tree
Washed in water, reborn and free
Allelujah Allelujah
Allelujah now we sing”
www.petermayer.com/songs/stirrin-up-the-water

I spent some time working on my Easter sermon yesterday. I also spent time working on hot cross buns. You can find the entire photo album on my facebook page, Pastor Ron Glusenkamp. I hope the sweetness of the Gospel message and the sweetness of the “Alleluia” along with the sweetness of the hot cross buns reminds you of the great joy we have because Jesus is risen from the dead. As Peter sings, “washed in water, reborn and free.”

It’s bee a wonderful Lenten journey. I’m so thankful for your participation along the way.
Major thanks and “alleluia” in recognition of Peter for the sweetness of his inspiring words. Kudos and “alleluia” for Delia’s creative and redemptive artistry of angels. Words can’t really express my indebtedness to Cynthia for all she does to get these h2o devos out to you each and every day. Thank you dear friends.

In today’s sermon, I say the following:
“In his book, Barefoot Disciple- Rev. Dr. Stephen Cherry writes, “Abundance thinking generates both humility and hope. If you believe that the resources are there but that they are not yet apparent, you set yourself and others the interesting challenge not of creating them, but of creating the context in which they can and will be offered. Sometimes this will involve asking, and maybe asking big. Presumably Andrew did actually ask the little boy with the packed lunch if it was okay to share it.” (page 144-145)

As you know I’m asking BIG around BE THE BLESSING DAY, May 22. So far,more than 500 people have signed up. http://www.bethany-denver2.org/outreach/btb-be-the-blessing/

On June 1st we begin our $1 a day or pound per day (or both) for 100 Days for Metro CareRing. Our goal as a congregation is to raise $20,000 and 20,000 lbs of food.
(put in avenues of hope graphic) www.metrocarering.org this celebration will be on
9 10 11, September 10th, 2011. On a metro Denver basis we want to raise $120, 000 and 120, 000 lbs of food! We hope to bring healing and love to the streets on the day before the 10th anniversary of 9-11.”

We are called to “go and tell.” It seems to me that we meet Jesus in the “going and telling.”

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matt 29



Monday, April 25th is WORLD MALARIA DAY. As Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl says our efforts around this disease can be, PREVENTABLE, TREATABLE & POSSIBLE. Read more about how you can make a difference
www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/ELCA-Malaria-Campaign.aspx
Tuesday, April 26 is NATIONAL PRETZEL DAY.

Father Dom has graciously shared his recipe with us in the past. Here it is

Quick Pretzels
Yield: 16 pretzels
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1/4 c. warm water
1 3/4 c. warm milk
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4 1/2 c. flour
1 egg, beaten
Kosher or coarse salt (optional)
**NOTE: This recipe has been adapted for high altitude baking- in two areas. So
if you are in lower elevations that original recipe calls for:
1.5 cups warm milk instead of 1 3/4 cups of warm water
and 4.5 - 5cups flour instead of 4.5 cups
• Combine yeast, brown sugar and water in a small mixing
bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand until foamy.
• In large bowl, stir together warm milk and salt. Stir in 4
cups of flour, one cup at a time. Mix in yeast mixture from
small bowl.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 5
minutes, adding as much of the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup of
flour as needed to form a smooth, elastic
dough that is slightly sticky. Cover with a
towel and let rest 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Cut dough into 16 pieces. Roll each piece
into a 12 to 14 inch rope. Twist each rope
into a pretzel shape and place on a lightly
greased baking sheet.
• Brush tops of pretzels with beaten egg and
sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes
or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and let
cool briefly on wire racks. Serve warm.

Note: You can make these pretzels with water, but I like the flavor and
texture of milk-based pretzels better. Serve the pretzels warm with pizza
sauce or cheese sauce for dipping. If you divide the dough into few portions,
you can make larger pretzels. Just be sure that all the pretzels on
one baking sheet are the same size, so they will bake in the same amount
of time.
Notes from Father Dom ...

”Pretzels get their name by a circuitous route. They were originally meant to be
a Lenten bread, made with only water, flour, yeast and salt. The classic shape is
meant to suggest arms crossed in prayer, which gave rise to their Latin name,
bracaella, "little arms." This word became bretzel in Old German, which eventually
shifted to pretzel.
I have made these basic pretzels with people of all ages, and everyone loves them.
The freshmen in our high school especially enjoy making pretzels and eating them
fresh out of the oven. I made these with my nephew Jordan's second grade class
and they turned out beautifully, so don't hesitate to try making pretzels with children
of any age.”

As Father Dom states, “bread is very forgiving”


Ps “have a little faith in angels”

Alleluia!
rtg

STILLNESS h20 devos fia 042311 EASTER VIGIL

H2o devos fia 042311 Stillness

“And you're Still in One Peace
Still in One Peace
We are blessed we are broken
Given one more chance to be
Found in you we are
In One Peace”
www.petermayer.com/songs/still-in-one-peace
Some how, some way, I made a mistake and confused a name of one of Delia’s angels. So, back on April 2, 2011 I wrote about what I thought was “Stillness.” Come to find out that angel (pictured below) is actually named “Dance.”

And this one, for today is actually named “Stillness.” Maybe I should “morph” or conflate the two of them into something called “The Dance of Stillness.” For that is where we find ourselves today, this day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Peter sings, “We are blessed we are broken.” All this week I’ve been watching and listening to Biblical stories told by Dennis Dewey. I saw 5o young people receive their First Communion on Maundy Thursday. They were surrounded by family and friends. Their expectation, anticipation and joy is contagious. On Thursday evening, we “stripped” the altar. The paraments are gone. The candles snuffed out and removed. The palms carried off and placed behind the wall. The communion vessels lovingly tended to, washed and cleaned, still on the shelf until Easter. Our processional cross wrapped in palms carried off and resting. The purple drape on the cross has been pulled down and replaced with a black shroud. We are still.
The Psalmist sang, “Be Still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Today in my “stillness” I plan to make some hot cross buns. It’s a tradition that our daughter Hannah Grace and I started a while back. She’s in Minneapolis and I’m in Denver. I’m gonna see if I can’t SKYPE some of the action to her.

Peace,

rtg

+Redemption h2o devos fia 042211 GOOD FRIDAY+

H2o devos fia 042211 Redemption
Good Friday

The question gets asked at least once a year. “Pastor, why do we call it ‘Good Friday’ if Jesus was crucified on that day?” A full, complete and unadulterated answer would take up more gigabytes than any of us have access to on our computers and in “clouds.”
However, in a word, the answer because of the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ, the answer is: “Redemption.”

“Redemption” is what Good Friday, originally called “God’s Friday” is all about.
“Redemption” has a bent or crooked nail on her front.
“Redemption” is the process of “buying back” or “bringing back” something or some one or some bodies from slavery, imprisonment, junkyards and even death.

On this holy day and most days, the answer to our question is “Redemption.” And
“Redemption” happened and happens because of Jesus.

Peter sings,
“Only You can break down the walls that hide me away
Only You can turn the night into day
Only You can stop the darkness from over taking me
Created the land the sky and sea
I know it in my heart to be true
The answer to me is only You”
www.petermayer.com/songs/only-you


Listen to how Peter tells the story

“We better lock him up the crazy man
He’s causing trouble, brewing storms
Traded fashion for compassion
The revolution fought with kindness not a sword
The word went leaping off the pages
Breaking in the windows and leaping over walls
All you asked for was a cool glass of water
And you got a waterfall
Chorus
Tears of sadness for the hands that kill
Tears of joy when life is born
Heard a bell ring freedom and my sails are filled
In a rusty nail a cross and a temple curtain torn
Chorus
Oh Oh Oh Oh hear the news
Love is loose hey ey
Love is loose in the world
Oh Oh Oh Oh the universe is singing
Loose hey hey God is loose in the world”
www.petermayer.com/songs/loose-in-the-world

TGIF- Thank God it’s FRIDAY
TGIF- Thank God I’m FORGIVEN!

Peace,
rtg

Lovin' Spoonful h2o devos 042111 Maundy Thursday

H2o devos fia 042111 Lovin’ Spoonful

Refrain
From a raindrop to a river
From one word into a song
Source of all gifts, Friend and Forgiver
Bring us together, to pass it on
He has called us, all creation
Every woman, child, and man
To bring our gifts in celebration
To be transformed in the Savior's hands
To be transformed in the Savior's hands
Refrain
In the Word the walls will crumble down
And all are welcome to enter in
In the blood of Christ the great sacrifice
The withered branches bloom again
The withered branches bloom again
Pass it on
Break the bread, lift the cup
Pass it on
The broken will be lifted up
Every gift grand and lowly
Every purpose great and small
At this feast they are made holy
By your name you have been called
By your name you have been called
Refrain
www.petermayer.com/songs/pass-it-on

We begin these three days. In our tradition it is seen and understood that there is one service which is spread over three nights, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. There is a strong sense of “to be continued.” Tonight we welcome 50 of our young people to celebrate their First Communion. I reminded them and their parents just a few weeks ago that the Lord’ Supper is the “real, meal, deal.” It is authentic, it is bread and wine, it is given for the forgiveness of sins.”
As Peter sings,
“Pass it on
Break the bread, lift the cup
Pass it on
The broken will be lifted up”

Delia’s angel “Lovin’ Spoonful” adds a touch of joy to the meal we celebrate tonight. She echoes the love and respect that Mary had when she anointed Jesus. There is an extravagance which reminds one of the Wedding at Cana, the Feeding of the Five Thousand with five bagels and two pieces of sushi and points to the Feast on the Mountain top when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. (Isaiah 25)
I asked Delia “what’s up with the red paint on ‘Lovin’ Spoonful?’” She said,
“The red on Lovin' Spoonful was already there on the metal, just a splash of paint - I didn't put it there. Definitely could be viewed as her heart:)”

So tonight we pray and hope for “just a splash” of good news.
Peter sings,

“In the Word the walls will crumble down
And all are welcome to enter in
In the blood of Christ the great sacrifice
The withered branches bloom again
The withered branches bloom again”

“Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “commandment.”
On this night we hear and receive the commandment that Jesus gave to us,
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13

It’s time to “spoon it out.” Share, pass it on, reach out and touch someone, just do it!

We pray together,
Holy God, source of all love,
on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment,
to love one another as he loves us.
Write this commandment in our hearts,
and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all,
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen (ELW)

“Pass it on
Break the bread, lift the cup
Pass it on
The broken will be lifted up”
peace,
rtg

Fellowship h2o devos fia 042011

H2o devos 042011 Fellowship

“Beside us to stay
Surprised us with grace
Recognized us for who we are and whose we are by name
Chorus
Joy Joy you shine on us
Lord light my way
Peace now to set us free
Love light my way
Bind us in these chains of love
Lord Light my way
Send your blessings from above
Lord Light my way”
www.petermayer.com/songs/light-my-way
I asked Delia to share with us some thoughts about “Fellowship” I initially asked her about the chain that’s on the front. She wrote, “Not sure what kind of chain that is on Fellowship - could be a bike chain - very old and rusty found at the junkyard, of course! The wings, which to me seem to welcome or want to give you a hug, are old
hinges that were from my grandfather's farm. My dad had put them aside
for me. The part that's "hugging" used to be wrapped around a fence
post.”
“Fellowship” is about communion, isn’t it? I mean most congregations have a “fellowship hall.” It’s the space where massive amounts of donuts are consumed with huge quantities of coffee which has been heated and reheated so many times in aluminum containers that even a rookie barista would know that it’s time to let that coffee go down the drain. But, week after week, people come back again and again for “Fellowship.” Delia is right, the “wrap around part of us” wants to hug or be hugged or do both!
Peter sings, “bind us in these chains of love.” The “chains of love” connect us to our past, our present and our futures. As we head into the dark parts of this holy week, it is our prayer, “Lord light our way.”
May you experience “Fellowship” today.
Peace,
Rtg

PS 0n the topic of GRACE- Deb from Denver wrote, “Grace opens doors for complete strangers.”
Brenda from Castle Rock wrote, "Grace" looks like she's a swimmer, about to dive into a pool. Sounds like grace to me, jumping right in to the pool of life.”

Passion h2o devos 041911

H2o devos fia 041911 Passion

“Tears of sadness for the hands that kill
Tears of joy when life is born
Heard a bell ring freedom and my sails are filled
In a rusty nail a cross and a temple curtain torn
Chorus
Oh Oh Oh Oh hear the news
Love is loose hey ey
Love is loose in the world
Oh Oh Oh Oh the universe is singing
Loose hey hey God is loose in the world”
www.petermayer.com/songs/loose-in-the-world

There is a “Passion” in Peter’s music. It comes from the heart and goes right to our hearts as well. His music is about life, death and ultimately new life. It’s about humanity and the divine. People often like to put music, artists and art into categories and boxes. Some folks like to do the same thing with parts and pieces of our lives. It doesn’t always work so neatly or cleanly in the ways that we’d like. My sense is that our desire to classify and identify is really about our need to be in control. If Holy Week teaches us anything it teaches us that we are not in control. And yet, the Good News is, “God is loose in the world.”
“Tears of sadness for the hands that kill
Tears of joy when life is born
Heard a bell ring freedom and my sails are filled
In a rusty nail a cross and a temple curtain torn”
Delia says, “Passion” has a large square spike or nail that I found at an estate sale, digging around in the garage. I thought it was very cool. If you take a closer look, there's a cool pattern on the top of the spike.”
There is a cool pattern to this week of “Passion” as well. We gather around the blessing of the Word. We are mindful of our journey to the upper room, the garden, the judgment halls, the way of the cross and to the tomb.

For God had so much “Passion” for the world that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him may not perish, but have everlasting life.

“God is loose in the world.”
rtg