St. Michael's Lutheran Church - Roseville, MN
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  • About Us
    • Welcome
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Reconciling in Christ
    • New to St. Michael's?
    • Contact
    • Become a Member
    • Job Opportunities
    • Staff
    • Mission, Values
    • History
    • Gallery
    • Our Church Home >
      • Growing Into the Future
  • WORSHIP
    • Worship Schedule & What to Expect
    • Online Worship
    • Lent & Holy Week
    • Music
    • Sacraments & Special Services >
      • Baptism
      • Marriage
      • Funerals
  • Education
    • Adult Education >
      • Religion in Life
      • Faith In Daily Life
      • Thursday Morning Bible Study
      • DEI Matters
      • Women's Circle
      • Desserters II Book Club
    • Confirmation >
      • Confirmation Retreat
    • Sunday School
    • Youth Group
  • Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
    • Children Ministries >
      • Christmas Pageant 2020
    • Middle School
    • Confirmation
    • High School
  • OUTREACH
    • Local >
      • Habitat for Humanity
    • Youth Mission Trips
    • Global >
      • Guatemala Partnership
    • Caring Ministries
  • Giving
    • Building in Faith Serving in Grace
    • Give Today
    • Why We Give
    • Stewardship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Fellowship
    • Adult >
      • 2023 Women's Retreat
      • Patio Series
    • Intergenerational

Daily Devotional for April 10, 2020

4/10/2020

3 Comments

 
Devotion for Friday, April 10
by Becky Sorlien
 
Reflections and 10 Daily Prayers on the pandemic of 2020
Written on Palm Sunday - April 5, 2020
 
Scripture:  I lift up my eyes up to the hills. From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  --Psalm 121, v. 1, 2
 
Reflection:  As I watched online church today and wished for a palm in my hand and church community, I cried. 
This pandemic is a shock and a surprise.  It has turned the world upside down.
But at this terrible time, we must not be afraid and as Pastor Ali stated today, we are not alone.
One of the most important names for Jesus right now is Emmanuel, God With Us.
 
Every day I become aware of new things in people and situations affected by this virus.
Every day it feels like a war with silent casualties and an invisible enemy.
Every day I search for the balance.  I need to begin each day with a prayer, and then think about how I can help others and if I am able, to act on something that day, while trying to take care of myself and family.
There are so many people and situations to pray for, I needed to start with that.
 
Here are ten things I want to pray for daily:
 
Prayer #1
I pray for those lost to the virus and their friends and families not only for dying in a way we never would have thought four months ago, but for having to adjust to new ways of grieving without funerals and a physical presence of all those who would have grieved with them. Help them keep their memories alive and know their loved ones are all in God’s arms.
 
Prayer #2
I pray for all those on the front lines of this war—not only the medical and emergency community, but also anyone taking care of others and at risk in close contact.  Keep them all well and provide for them the tools and supplies they need.  Help them know we all are extremely grateful for their work, and give them rest and revitalization between working shifts.
 
Prayer #3
I pray for those known and unknown hundreds of people working on a cure.  Provide them insight, help them share their work with one another, and keep everyone risk-free.  I pray with all my heart that the cure be found soon and available for all people.
 
Prayer #4
I pray for those businesses providing products and services we all need including medical supplies, medications, computer devices and internet service, cleaning products, gloves, masks, grocery and drug stores, and providers of funeral services.  As people are working long hours and getting exhausted, worried, and overwhelmed, give them the tools they need for themselves and others, help them also know how much they are appreciated whether they hear it or not, and also give them rest and revitalization between working shifts. Help leaders be honest and fair in pricing and in the distribution of supplies and services. I pray that we can find new ways to keep the economy going to get us through the storm.
 
Prayer #5
I pray for those financially affected in the loss of jobs, pay, and hours.  Enable them find the ability to provide for themselves and their families and for all of us who are able to help them get what they need.  May landlords and owners of properties continue to support helping families stay in their homes.
 
Prayer #6
I pray for the homeless, those in prison, those living alone or in large groups, and any people in at-risk circumstances that feel or have felt forgotten and lost during this time.  Help us help them in providing ways to get them food, housing, medical needs and support.  Help people living alone, young and old, to reach out to others in their isolation and for others to reach out to them as well.
 
Prayer #7
I pray for the families of the world.  While we are fortunate that most children aren’t contracting this virus, help us remember the extreme disruption in their daily lives and help us to talk to them in a positive loving manner. Give all children the tools they need to continue learning with devices, Wi-Fi, and schoolwork mailed home to them, and especially children struggling academically. Be present with those losing and grieving interactions with friends and colleagues, sports, music, other extracurricular activities, and graduations.  Help parents balance home and school for their families and be with those struggling without work.  Keep grandparents and other elderly relatives safe and supported as we connect with them at a distance.
 
Prayer #8
I pray for people to come together in the world against hate of any individual or group of people around this virus such as anyone of Chinese descent.  In all the world, we must realize that hate and fear go hand in hand and it is easier to fear and hate others we don’t know, especially when we are looking for someone to blame.  Help us understand that when we get to know one another as people who want the same things in this world, the energy required to keep up hate and fear diminishes.
 
Prayer #9
I pray for the media and government officials to keep us informed on what is happening in our world.  Provide for them the tools to present information in a truthful and clear manner.  Help them remember the influential power they have and to use this power wisely.  Please be with people combating misinformation, internet interference, scams, and fear tactics and help those who prey on people to gain an understanding in the damage this causes both to themselves and others. Help government officials serve all people, setting partisan politics aside, doing what is best for everyone while taking care of themselves at work and home in this difficult time.
 
Prayer #10
I pray for the mental health of all of us.  Help us all overcome the shame in telling others or admitting to having feelings of worry, depression, anger, and anxiety.  Open doors for all of us to know that one of the keys to combating this is doing what is the most difficult to do--talk to others.  Help us reach out in any manner and use this time as an excuse (“this pandemic has made me feel….”) to directly communicate with someone we trust. Be present with people who at home suffer from physical, emotional, or psychological abuse providing them resources to be safe, and help those inflicting the suffering to know that there is always another way to live if they can but reach out to others to find it.
 
Closing Prayer:  Dear God, we are living in a time of tragedy as well as opportunity.
Help us all grow as individuals, be kind to one another, obtaining a greater ability to see and help others in need.
 
Bio:  Becky was born in Minneapolis, grew up in Brooklyn Park, and moved to Seattle in 1988 where she met Ron LaFond and married in 1992.  They returned to Minnesota in 1996 with their son Ben following the death of Becky’s father Don the year before. They joined St. Michael’s that year raising Ben and their daughter Mia in Roseville.  Becky works for an area school district.  She enjoys being the family photographer, genealogy, nature and gardening.  On days working at home, she, Ron, and Mia (in college) each find a separate corner of the house to work and study. Becky feels grateful that in all this tragedy, there is hope in springtime.
3 Comments

Daily Devotion for April 2, 2020

4/2/2020

1 Comment

 
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.
 
 
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Daily Devotional for March 18, 2020

3/18/2020

1 Comment

 
​Devotion for Wednesday, March 18
By Michael Gregory
 
We are called upon to be peace keepers

Reflection:
There are many references in the Bible about how we are called upon to be peace keepers. One of the most famous is Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” We all have ways in which we can be peace makers. Consider simply sending an email or picking up the telephone and reaching out to another by simply listening.

Listen actively by paraphrasing, summarizing, asking open ended and empathizing. One thing that helps me and may help you is the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. I am suggesting that you take a moment and read this prayer out loud for yourself.

Prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life
 
It is my hope for you during these trying times that this brings some small comfort to you this day as you consider your situation and potentially reach out to others.
​
Bio: Mike Gregory is a qualified mediator with the Minnesota Supreme Court. He has mediated/negotiated over 2,500 times on issues between entities of up to one billion dollars and has regularly volunteered as a mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center in Ramsey County Housing and Conciliation Court, in neighborhood disputes, in public housing and after racially charged police shootings.


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    Welcome to the St. Michael's Daily Devotional!

    As we seek to stay connected and grounded during this time of uncertainty and anxiety, we have asked staff and congregational members to write daily devotions. 

    Devotions are posted Mondays - Saturdays through Easter. To find a previous day of devotions, simply scroll down on the page or access the archives by month on the toolbar below.

    ​If you are interested in writing a devotional, contact Pastor Brad!

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St. Michael's Lutheran Church
1660 West County Road B
Roseville, MN 55113
651-631-1510

Worship Service Times
September through May:
Sundays 8:45a.m.  & 11:00 a.m.

June through August:
Sunday 10:00 a.m. &
Monday 7:00 p.m. (except holidays)
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