by Liesl Spitz | May 19, 2023 | Devotions
After college when I was living in Brooklyn is the first time I heard the hymn, “Somebody prayed for me.” The words go on, “…had me on their mind. Took the time to pray for me. I’m so glad, I’m so glad, I’m so glad they prayed for me.” I was playing in the gospel...
by Hans Jorgensen | Apr 21, 2023 | Devotions
In Luke 24, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples as they were walking to Emmaus, and teaches them with a walking Bible study the whole way. They don’t get the Bible study, however. They only recognized Jesus when he was breaking bread to share with them. I think...
by Hans Jorgensen | Apr 14, 2023 | Devotions
In John 20, the risen Jesus says to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”I love how Jesus meets Thomas where he is! Thomas won’t believe some pious hope just because his friends do. Thomas...
by Hans Jorgensen | Apr 7, 2023 | Devotions
Over the next few days, we will travel through the stories of the first communion and the foot washing on Maundy Thursday, and then Jesus’ anguish and courage on Good Friday. These are hard days, even when we live in anticipation of Easter. These are days to help us...
by Hans Jorgensen | Mar 31, 2023 | Devotions
When Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, there is a noisy welcome, with excitement from the people greeting him. We feel the joy shining through the humble way that Jesus promises God’s liberating love! What are the ways that your heart yearns for God’s goodness...
by Liesl Spitz | Mar 11, 2023 | Devotions
In the first verses of John 4, Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee. John tells us, “Now he had to go through Samaria.” The thing is, he didn’t. Not geographically, anyway. But because of his detour, Jesus found himself tired, and sitting at a well at noontime. There,...
by Liesl Spitz | Mar 3, 2023 | Devotions
As I visited St. Timothy congregant Kathy Kulstad in her final days, Pastor Ruth who served as her chaplain at Lyngblomsten, let me know that a favorite psalm for Kathy was Psalm 121, which begins, “I look to the hills / where does my help come from?” Kathy loved this...
by Hans Jorgensen | Feb 17, 2023 | Devotions
This Sunday we hear Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration. As Moses and Elijah had major mountaintop experiences, so did Jesus. On the mountain, Jesus had an experience where Moses and Elijah spoke with him in brilliant glory. If you’ve ever had a dream or...
by Hans Jorgensen | Feb 10, 2023 | Devotions
In Matthew 5-7, Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount about a challenging path of discipleship that also brings joy, especially in times of need. Jesus said a number of times in those chapters, “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you.” Jesus engages deeply...
by Hans Jorgensen | Feb 3, 2023 | Devotions
The new believers in Corinth often jostled with one another for prominence. They showed immaturity in their faith community. When Paul visited them, he didn’t speak in lofty words of wisdom or mystery. No, it was more down-to-earth. As we’ll hear on Sunday, Paul said,...
