Daily Devotion for Monday, April 6
by Rev. Brad Froslee
 
This past weekend with gently falling snow flakes and the cool breezes blowing, it didn’t feel much like spring.  Yet over these next couple of days we are promised lovely spring weather again.  We stand on that precipice of seasonal change…and liturgical change.  The season of Lent moves us towards spring and new life—and means quite simply, “lengthening” (as in the days) and “spring.”  We have been boldly moving from Ash Wednesday towards Holy Week in this movement towards new life and hope.  This is something we participate in as a time of reflection, renewal, and re-surrection.
 
Marcus Borg, author of “Taking Jesus Seriously,” writes, 
Lent is about mortality and transformation. We begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday with the sign of the cross smeared on our foreheads with ashes as the words are spoken over us, "Dust thou art, and to dust thou wilt return." We begin this season of Lent not only reminded of our death, but also marked for death.
 
The Lenten journey, with its climax in Holy Week and Good Friday and Easter, is about participating in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Put somewhat abstractly, this means dying to an old identity—the identity conferred by culture, by tradition, by parents, perhaps—and being born into a new identity—an identity centered in the Spirit of God. It means dying to an old way of being, and being born into a new way of being, a way of being centered once again in God.

Put slightly more concretely, this path of death and resurrection, of radical centering in God, may mean for some of us that we need to die to specific things in our lives--perhaps to a behavior or a pattern of behavior that has become destructive or dysfunctional; perhaps to a relationship that has ended or gone bad; perhaps to an unresolved grief that needs to be let go of; perhaps to a career or job that has either been taken from us or that no longer nourishes us; or perhaps even we need to die to a deadness in our lives.

You can even die to deadness, and this dying is also oftentimes a daily rhythm in our lives—that daily occurrence that happens to some of us as we remind ourselves of the reality of God in our relationship to God; that reminder that can take us out of ourselves, lift us out of our confinement, take away our feeling of being burdened and weighed down.
That's the first focal point of a life that takes Jesus seriously: that radical centering in the Spirit of God that is at the very center of the Christian life.
​
As we move through this Holy Week and the events of the world, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I invite you, with me, to take time for personal reflection, renewal, and resurrection.  What opportunities exist for new life to spring forth from the tombs of despair and isolation?  What hopes will you hold for a new and different future?  And very importantly, how will you be changed and transformed by the experiences we have gone through individually and corporately? 
 
Once they journeyed through the events of this week we call “holy,” the disciples were changed and transformed—they believed the world would be different and God’s love unleashed.  As we make this journey, we are invited as Borg notes, to take Jesus seriously and center ourselves in a Spirit that opens us to the new and allows that which is old and weighing us down to pass away.
 
We experience Lent as a season in which the ice and snow around us, the loss and pain within us, begins to melt and spring truly takes hold in the promise of resurrection life.
 
Prayer:  God, made known in daily living and in “holy weeks,” help us to let the old pass away and prepare our hearts and minds for new life—in us, in our relationships, and in the world.  Prepare us for the new life you hold in store.  Amen.
 
Bio:  Pastor Brad is staying busy working from home (mostly) and trying to be a good distance learning teacher (a challenge some days!) To help mark the days there has been much cooking, walks with Bill, Torin, and their dog (Shelby), and reading.

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.

​Tuesday, March 31
by Tracy Danby
 
Micah 6:8  
    God has told you, O mortal, what is good;
        and what does the Lord require of you,
    but to do justice, and to love kindness,
        and to walk humbly with your God.
 
As a seminarian I often thought about how I would live my life as a person of faith in the world and how would I conduct my ministry as a pastor among the people of God. This verse from Micah resonated with me as a good summary of my intentions. It has stuck with me ever since. 
 
Many years earlier when I was confirmed, my pastor charged me with Acts 16:31 as my confirmation verse. There, a jailer had asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. “They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Okay, I was to have faith for myself and my family. As I matured I was also to be just, kind and walk with God with humility. Yikes – is that even possible, particularly for a mere mortal who didn’t even feel all that wise or powerful? With God’s help, I could try. With God’s help, we all can try.
 
It has been nearly 35 years since I made my pastoral vows, still with those words from Micah in the back of my mind. Every year on the anniversary of my ordination I reflect on those vows made so long ago. Much has changed since then in the church, the world and in myself. So it’s good to revisit them.
 
Those vows made by Lutheran pastors include some very daunting, humble and important tasks:

• Will you preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, the Creeds and the Lutheran confessions?
• Will you be diligent in your study of the Word and in your use of the Means of Grace? Will you pray for God’s people, nourish them with Word and Sacraments, and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?
• Will you be a faithful witness in the world, that God’s love may be known in all that you do?

 
“I will, and I ask God to help me.” 
 
Although I am not currently serving the ELCA on the active clergy roster, those vows are things that I still can do in various ways: attend church to hear the Word, receive Holy Communion regularly, gather with this community of faith, participate in the life of this faith community, offer my abilities in service to the ministries at St. Michael’s, pray for others here as well as in the broader community and globally, and try to live my life so that when others see me they might see God at work and they can give glory to God. These are things that I can do whether I am a pastor or a layperson, trusting that God will use them for good and for God’s purposes. You know what? So can you, with God’s help and guidance.
 
Prayer:
We give you thanks, O God, for giving your people the gifts of faith and community. Give all of us kind and willing hearts to pray for others, serve others and be your witnesses in the world so that others may see you, praise you and come to know you. Amen.
 
Bio:  Tracy Danby has been a member at St. Michael’s for over 20 years. A native of Ohio, she has been a Minnesotan since 1985. Tracy serves at St. Michael’s as an Assisting Minister, Lector, Communion Deacon and member of St. Michael’s Chapel Ringers. Her “day job” is working as a Business Analyst in the area of medical imaging by supporting radiology applications and end users. She has retired from showing dogs, but continues to enjoy them as her beloved companions. She also enjoys going for walks, bird watching, gardening and basically puttering around the yard during the warm weather.

Bio​Devotion for Monday, March 30
by Jennifer Mehmel
 
Romans 8: 38-39   For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 28:18-20   And Jesus came and said to them … remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
 
ABIDE WITH ME
As a youth, I attended a Christian camp on an island in the northern part of Lake of the Woods, Ontario. I learned canoeing, camping, and tripping skills.  I was introduced to C.S. Lewis, and the wonderful stories of Narnia.  Like any camp, the evening ended with singing, stories, and skits around a campfire.  Every campfire concluded, at camp or on trail, with the singing of Taps, and Abide With Me. Taps made sense.  But Abide With Me??  It’s an evening song, yes, but not really the uplifting, praising, nature focused songs of campfire.  I was pretty sure I could have done better! And yet….

That song has stayed with me.  We often sing it at Wednesday Lenten services, and I look forward to it every year.   This Lent, as we find ourselves separated and often alone, I think it carries special meaning. 

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

The simplest of requests, really, to conclude the day:  abide with me.   Earlier, we praised God for the beauty of our world.  Our gratitude for the day was sung.  Our prayer requests were lifted up.  Then, Taps:  “Day is done, gone the sun … all is well, God is nigh.”  And, finally, 3 simple words to take us into the darkening hours…. Abide with me. 

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Change defines our very existence right now.  Everything is upended.  All our familiar comforts are relegated to an electronic world.  Yet we are reminded that the presence of God never changes, whatever our world brings us.  Abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.
 
We are not alone.  We may be socially isolated in our homes, we may be hospitalized and without visitors, we may be out of work, or frightened or scared or exposed to a dangerous virus, but through cloud and sunshine, God’s presence is there.  Abide with me.  

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me!

Our foe today is specific – a virus that threatens our community, our economic survival, and our very lives.  We can, we do, we should - pray for the wisdom and courage to defeat this foe.  We can, we do, we should – pray for the people hurt by this foe, and those battling it.  But win or lose this battle, there is triumph, God’s triumph. Abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

“Heaven’s morning breaks” a beautiful vision, really.  Perhaps there was more thought to our closing campfire song than I ever imagined.  Surrounded by the beauty of the north woods, songs of joy and praise came easily, and they always will in such settings. Songs of lament rise spontaneously in moments of pain or sorrow.  This song resonates in any time or place or situation.  It reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that God has promised to journey with and among us.  There is no social isolation from God.  There is no door, no proclamation, no virus that can shut God out.  Whatever our circumstances, 3 simple words bring us back to Jesus’ promise of that all encompassing, loving presence:  Abide with Me.  
 
Prayer:  O God, in these days of uncertainty, we ask for strength for all who are hurting, and for those who care for them.  Keep us ever mindful of your promise that your presence is always among and with us.   Amen.  
 
Interesting footnote:  I discovered the author of this hymn, Henry Lyte, completed it as he was dying of tuberculosis, the pandemic of his time.  
 
Bio:
Jennifer Mehmel joined St. Michael’s in the early 1980’s.  She and her husband, Ex, have 4 sons - the AMEN boys as they’ve been known (Andrew, Matthew, Eric, and Nicholas), a completely unplanned acronym!  She is a practicing pediatrician in St. Paul.  She enjoys battling the deer to try to garden in the summer and battling the squirrels to feed the birds in the winter. She loves reading, jigsaw puzzles, and soccer, as well as traveling.  She will miss their first planned “empty nest” trip this summer to the Tokyo Olympics.  

​Devotion for Saturday, March 28
by Jessica Etten
 
from the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr 
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
 
Reflection:  
The serenity prayer is beloved by many and recognized for its adoption by Alcoholics Anonymous. It was written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the first half of the twentieth century and became widely circulated; it was even printed on cards and distributed to soldiers during World War II. 
 
It’s a meaningful prayer for many reasons – and to me, the understanding of prayer that it reflects is especially powerful. The meaning of prayer is something I have wrestled with over the years. Why do we pray? 
 
One common belief is that we pray to God to change something and then maybe (if we pray hard enough? if we are good enough?) God will make it so. An example of this is praying for healing when our loved ones are sick. If they recover, God has answered our prayers. This understanding of prayer doesn’t have to be limited to life-and-death issues. Many grateful people have exclaimed that God answered their prayers with a new job, a new house, or money showing up in their bank accounts when needed. 
 
I have never been comfortable with this understanding.
 
Why would God answer one person’s prayer for money, but not another’s prayer for her mother to survive a heart attack? Why would God answer one person’s prayer for a new job yet not the prayers of the nine million people who die from hunger each year in our world? Don’t get me wrong: we all need to cry out for help when there is suffering. But if we believe God chooses to answer prayers by intervening in the world, then we must also believe God chooses not to answer the prayers of millions of others who suffer. I just can’t believe that’s how it works. 
 
In recent years I have become aware of different understandings of prayer, thanks in part to our pastors. As a member of the church council, I have had the opportunity to be led in prayer by Pastor Ali at the beginning of many meetings. Often, I arrive in a harried state, with countless daily tasks and responsibilities on my mind. I am quickly centered as Ali leads us with a moment of silence and a deep breath, followed by words that ask God to help us slow our minds, quiet our hearts and be present in our work. This kind of prayer reminds me of the meditation that happens at the end of a yoga class. It reflects an understanding of prayer as centering.
 
Pastor Brad is incredibly gifted with language, and the way he prays demonstrates an understanding of prayer that also resonates with me. His language isn’t about asking God to intervene in the world -- stopping hurricanes, eradicating disease or ending hunger. Rather, his prayers are about us – that we might feel gratitude, see our neighbors’ needs and be stirred to act for peace and justice. 
 
Reinhold Niebuhr said, “Prayer does not change things; prayer changes people, and people change things.” A recent article in Living Lutheran by Kurt Kammi and John Potter echoed a similar belief – prayer is not a way to “mold God to our needs” but “a practice focused on being shaped by God.” 
 
As we face the fear, uncertainty and isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe positive, life-giving things will also emerge. We’re already seeing people finding new and innovative ways to come together and care for others. Perhaps this will be a time where many of us rediscover prayer as a powerful practice for changing ourselves – giving us the “courage to change the things we can.”
 
Bio: Jessica Etten is currently the President of the St. Michael’s Church Council. In her professional life she serves as the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at the University of St. Thomas. She, her husband Jason and their children Tommy and Abby are currently holed up together at home in Roseville, playing musical instruments, competing in board games, organizing closets and watching Netflix. 

Devotion for Friday, March 27
by Dave Yarusso

Let Streams of Living Justice Flow:
One of my favorite hymn tunes is from Gustav Holst and it is used in two hymns in our hymnal: #710 “Let Streams of Living Justice Flow,” text by William Whitla, and #880 “O God beyond All Praising,” text by Michael Perry. To me, the music here is extremely powerful, with or without the words but both of these hymn texts are inspiring as well. For today, let’s look at the words to “Let the Streams of Justice Flow:”
​
Let streams of living justice flow down upon the earth;
give freedom’s light to captives, let all the poor have worth.
The hungry’s hands are pleading, the workers claim their rights,
the mourners long for laughter, the blinded seek for sight.
Make liberty a beacon, strike down the iron pow’r;
abolish ancient vengeance: proclaim your people’s hour.
For healing of the nations, for peace that will not end,
for love that makes us lovers, God grant us grace to mend.
Weave our varied gifts together; knit our lives as they are spun;
on your loom of time enroll us till our thread of life is run.
O great weaver of our fabric, bind church and world in one;
dye our texture with your radiance, light our colors with your sun.
Your city’s built to music; we are the stones you seek;
your harmony is language; we are the words you speak.
Our faith we find in service, our hope in others’ dreams,
our love in hand of neighbor, our homeland brightly gleams.
Inscribe our hearts with justice; your way – the path untried;
your truth – the heart of stranger; your life – the Crucified.

Reflection:
This hymn provides a beautiful image of our hope for helping bring God’s kingdom to reality on earth and our role in that. I love the imagery of the second verse with God as weaver or knitter binding us together in a fabric. The third verse ties our faith to service in the world. Even in this difficult time, we are trying innovative ways to maintain that service to those in need. If you can find a recording of this hymn, I encourage you to listen to it or listen to the Jupiter movement of Holst’s “The Planets” to feel the power of this music to help you feel hopeful. I find myself listening to music a lot during my time at home and it is a source of strength.

Prayer:
God, help us use this time of quiet and inactivity to seek you in new ways. Help us feel your presence. Calm us in our fear. Strengthen us in our resolve to continue to seek your justice on earth. Amen.
​
Bio:
Dave Yarusso is a retired chemical engineer who normally spends his time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Panera bread ministry, the Guatemala team and other work of the Social Justice Committee. He is married to Barb who is in choir and bell choir. His son, Tony, is also in the choir. He is a former member of the Congregation Council. Dave loves spending time outdoors and has been working on finishing a cabin near Two Harbors, MN on Silver Creek.

Thursday, March 26
by Laurie Krachmer
 
Bible passage:  1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
 
Reflection:  When I think about "gifts", I think about the differences that make each of us unique.  I was exposed to many personality and style inventories early in my adulthood.  I was fascinated to learn about myself and how I showed up for others.  I was even more fascinated to learn about why others showed up for me the way they did.  Knowing our gifts and the gifts of others allows us to use them together as we serve and work.
 
The prayers below reflect one style inventory, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.  If you know your MBTI style, go to that prayer. If you haven't taken the MBTI, read through the prayers until you find one that fits.  Reflect on how you bring your gifts to God's work.  And reflect on those you recognize in other prayers.  Offer prayers for them and their gifts.
 
Prayer:  Thank you, God of all gifts, for laughter and joy.  Thank you for creating me with unique gifts; may I use them as I serve and work.  Thank you for the gifts others share with me.  Let me recognize You in them. Amen.
 

​Bio:  Laurie Krachmer has been a member at St Michael’s for about 25 years.  She has been an educator of adults in corporate and non-profit organizations for more than 30 years.  In the past 5 years, she’s been working in diversity (who we are) and inclusion (how we use our similarities and differences for better outcomes).  In April, she’ll celebrate her 40th Anniversary with Mike.  Laurie did not create these MBTI prayers, and doesn’t know who created them.

Wednesday, March 25
by the Rev. Dr. Gary Wilkerson
 
Text: from the Orthodox Kontakion for the Departed
 
Give rest, O God, to your servant with your saints:
Where sorrow and pain are no more;
Neither sighing but life everlasting.
 
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of all:
And we are mortal formed from the dust of the earth,
And unto earth shall we return;
For so you did ordain, when you created me saying:
“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
 
We all go down to the dust;
and weeping o’er the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
 
Reflection:
My heart sings with the phrase, “weeping o’er the grave 
We make our song:  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia”!
Keep making your song at all times and in all places!
 
Prayer:
Fill our hearts with your song as we weep over the grave!  Alleluia!
Amen.
 
Bio:  Gary Wilkerson is a Lutheran Pastor and member of St. Michael’s since 1973.  I enjoy singing in the choir, all music, cooking, reading, fishing, volunteering in the Senior Health Care industry, and being with family and friends.