Devotion for Friday, April 3
by the Rev. Lowell Erdahl, former Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod
 
Scripture: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being in him was life and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it." John I. 3,4,5.
 
Refelction: Our thought for today is one of the most obvious facts in all the world; light invades the darkness, dark does not invade the light.  I never found comfort in it until I pondered this little poem by Professor Gerhard Frost of
Luther Seminary.
 
If I am asked
what are my grounds for hope,
this is my answer.
Light is lord over darkness,
truth is lord over falsehood,
life is lord over death.
Of all the facts I daily live with
there is none more comforting
than this:  If I have two rooms,
one dark, the other light,
and I open the door between them,
the dark room becomes lighter
without the light room
becoming darker.  I know
this is no headline,
but it's a marvelous footnote.
And God comforts me in that.
 
Prayer:  We, too, Lord take comfort from the lordship of light over darkness, truth over falsehood, and life over death at this challenging time.  Amen.
 
Bio:  Lowell grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota and attended St. Olaf where he met Carol, and then went to Luther Seminary and Union Seminary.  He served as pastor at Farmington Lutheran Church for ten years, then taught at Luther Seminary for 5 years before returning to serve as pastor at University Lutheran Church of Hope for ten years.  Lowell then was elected bishop and served for 12 years.  While teaching at Luther the Erdahl family were members at St. Michael's (that is Carol and the children--Becky, Paul and Beth were members--Lowell had to remain in the ALC until the merger.) Lowell and Carol returned to St. Michael's as members in 2000.

Devotion for Thursday, April 2
By Mary Jane DeWitt
 
DO YOU FEEL THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE?
 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
 
Reflection:  Bible verses can be very powerful.  I’m sure there are many we can relate to, but there’s always one we seem to go back to.  Verses can be words of joy, contentment, assurance and even words for a time of sorrow.  The Holy Spirit comes in many ways.  It can be through prayer, bible verses, listening to others or maybe a friend.
 
Philippians 4:6-7 has more meaning to me then I could ever express.  There was a time when I needed the words of encouragement and the assurance that God was with me.  It was a friend who recited this verse and I truly believe the Holy Spirit spoke through him.
 
The Holy Spirit is like a strong wind blowing.  We can’t see it, but we feel it as it crosses over our skin.  The wind is very much like our faith in God.  We can’t see Him.  We can’t take Him by the hand or even converse with Him face-to-face like we do with a friend.  But we still know He is present in our lives because we can experience the effects.
 
Anxious thoughts will try to attack us on a regular basis.  Fear can so easily creep into our thinking and rob us of joy, the very treasure we hold because we know Christ.  Thankfully, we have been given the key to protecting our minds and hearts, through prayer.  In coming to God with our petitions and in giving thanks to Him for all He has already done for us, we receive His peace.
 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
 
Prayer:  Our Father in Heaven,
help me to remember that your peace is available to guard me night and day.
Help me to bring everything to you in prayer, trusting in your faithfulness.
Help me not to be afraid in times of trouble, but to remember that
 You are always with me. Amen.
 
Bio: Mary Jane and her husband Stan, have been members since 2018.  Before joining St. Michael's, they were members of First Lutheran of St. Paul.   After retiring, Mary Jane had the pleasure of volunteering in church. The most rewarding was conducting a class on scripture and how it involved in daily life.
 
 

​Devotional Wednesday, April 1
by Becky Anderson
 
“Now We Join in Celebration at our Savior’s Invitation.”
 
When I got up this morning a song came into my head.
I began to hum a tune; then the words came to me: the words of a communion hymn. I went downstairs to the piano and the hymnal and found the hymn titled above.
 
Of all the experiences of community at St. Michaels-- making sandwiches for Union Gospel Mission, singing in choir, Sunday worship, Faith in Daily Life—Communion is the most transcendent. It’s as though we relax in the arms of God for those brief moments and not just our bodies, but our Spirits are fed. Sometimes tears come; sometimes joy; sometimes both.
 
Meditation
Picture yourself at the communion rail surrounded by others. 
You may think of a time that was special for you at communion,
perhaps when you were specially blessed.
 
Choose your favorite communion hymn; read it as a poem or 
sing if you’re inclined. Or use the words below.
 
Now we join in celebration at our Savior’s invitation,
dressed no more in spirit somber, clothed instead in joy and wonder 
For the Lord of all existence, putting off divine transcendence,
Stoops again in love to meet us, with his very life to feed us.
 
Prayer
O God, healer of our every ill, bless us in this time 
of Coronavirus. Help us to be steadfast
in our relationship with you and our relationships with others. 
Keep us mindful of those who are ill in body or spirit,
Show us your way for us this day. Amen.
 
Bio
Becky Anderson is a retired clinical social worker whose first career was teaching English in public school. She has worked for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as a writer/editor and then
in campus ministry. Theological questions led her to Luther Seminary where she found a gracious God (while earning an MA degree). At the advice of a mentor at Luther, Becky earned
her Master of Social Work degree. She worked in the counseling fields for 27 years; retiring late, from her favorite job in the ER Crisis Program at Regions.