Lord of Life's April 2022 Compass

Lord of life lutheran

APRIL 2022

C O M P A S S

T H E

E M P T Y

T O M B

by Pastor David McCarty (davem@lordoflife.org)

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

So begins the Easter celebration each year. Easter is a time of celebration following Judas’ betrayal on Maundy Thursday, the horror of Good Friday, and the despair of Saturday.

Looking backward, the emotions over those three days would have been incredibly intense for the friends of Jesus, but for us and the millions of Christians since then, these events follow a pretty consistent script unfolding in the same sequence every year.

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Do we ever get to the point when tradition turns into ritual and ritual into routine? We hear the announcement that Christ is risen, take a peek, then step inside the tomb to look around.

Sure enough. He is risen indeed.

Has repetition over the years taken the surprise out of the surprise party? We would never say it aloud but are we to the point where we silently ask, “So what?” in response to hearing, “Christ is risen!”?

Pausing inside the empty tomb provides a chance to ponder that question. During Lent 2019, a group of Lord of Life “pilgrims” did exactly that while visiting Jerusalem.

Bright and early in the morning, our group THE EMPTY TOMB....................................................2-3 journeyed the Via BIBLE 101: RESURRECTION REDISCOVERED..........4-5 Dolorosa (Way of the community life / John GILBERT POEtry.......... 6-7 Cross) taking us along the path Jesus walked CREATION CARE EARTH DAY EVENTs.................... 8-9 after being judged by UKRAINE / COMMUNION ...........................................10 Pontius Pilate. We ABOUT THE COVER / CONTACT US............................11 walked in the footsteps HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE................................................12 of Jesus who carried his cross to the crucifixion

on Calvary. We silently strolled retracing the steps of the world’s Savior, stopping to pray at fourteen stations which mark specific events during those famous three days.

The journey ended inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is built around and over the traditional site of the empty tomb. We stood in line with hundreds of other pilgrims waiting for a turn to enter the empty tomb; we were eventually invited inside. Words can’t express the feelings and emotions of that brief experience.

Fortunately, we don’t need to travel to Israel, and we don’t need words to express the feelings and emotions of being invited into the empty tomb, because we are able to experience that personally each day. Each day we can pause and ponder what it means that the tomb is empty. Christ is risen, so what?

The answer to that question is that the empty tomb changes how I think about life because it changes how I think about death.

The empty tomb changes the world and is a miracle to be celebrated every day.

Our Lutheran funeral liturgy says it well:

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Those are life-changing and world-changing words.

“Christ is risen” means I don’t have to live each day as if it were my last—and the chaos of this world won’t go on forever. Christ is risen means we will too! Welcome to the empty tomb!

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R E S U R R E C T I O N

R E D I S C

by Brian Schroeder (brians@lordoflife.org)

Sometimes I stop paying attention when the big holiday scriptures are read in church. You know, the nativity story, the Palm Sunday story, the resurrection story—I’ve heard them so many times I catch myself zoning out.

But the reason we keep telling these stories is because they are so revolutionary! If we don’t take time to really take them in, we can forget how truly earth-shattering they were.

With that in mind, I’d like to take you through Luke 24’s account of women witnessing the resurrection of Jesus, verse-by-verse, so we can immerse ourselves in this unbelievable story.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.

It’s barely sunrise on Sunday. Jesus died on Friday and was buried. They likely would have wanted to take the spices to anoint Jesus’ corpse on Saturday, but Saturday is the sabbath, so they rested in accordance with the commandment. That day was probably filled with mourning, with silence, with tears, with songs, with stories—a dark day of contemplation, which we now observe as Holy Saturday.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.

Finding the stone rolled away wasn’t necessarily out of the ordinary. Grave robberies were common since people were often buried with valuables, and used crucifixion nails were believed by some to have special powers. Yet it was Jesus’ body that was gone.

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While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground…

Maybe it was still a little dark outside. The sudden appearance of two people in dazzling clothes (Dazzling how? Did they emit light? Did they sparkle?) is enough to scare anyone! …but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”

The way the angels ask the first question reminds me of the almost-frustrated way Jesus talks to the disciples.

“You of little faith—why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) Jesus had already told them that he would be killed and raised to life in Luke 9—they wouldn’t have brought spices to anoint his corpse if they had believed what he said.

Then they remembered his words,

This is a small detail, but the women “remembering” Jesus’ words shows that they weren’t just groupies traveling along with the Jesus followers; they were fullon disciples, learning the way of Jesus. and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

Count the women. There were at least five women in this story, the first witnesses of the good news of Jesus Christ.

C O V E R E D But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

In that patriarchal time, women were not considered credible; they were not even eligible to give testimony in court. Yet God chose them to be witnesses to the resurrection of Christ because God chooses everyone to be witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. We see now the importance of believing women’s stories.

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Thus begins the incredible day of Jesus appearing to his followers. Keep reading. Start at Luke 24:13 and read to the end of the chapter. See how the disciples learn again and again to trust Jesus’ promises. See how their lives are changed. And when you hear this story on Easter Sunday, allow yourself to step into it and see with fresh eyes the life-changing good news of Jesus.

Emerging Worship Leader and Social Media Coordinator Brian Schroeder is also a student at Luther Seminary working on his Master of Arts in Leadership & Innovation in Ministry.

Bible 101 5

C O M M U N I T Y

L I F E

baptisms

weddings

At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. For the next

For details on your wedding, visit lordoflife.org/weddings.

baptism class or to schedule a baptism, call the church office

To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor

(763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.org/baptism.

Michelle Tomlinson (michellet@lordoflife.org ).

February 5, 2022 Everett Gib Petersen February 6, 2022 Kason Joseph Lentz February 13, 2022 Nicolas Lee Escalante Meyer James Knoblauch February 20, 2022 Lincoln Steven Narr February 27, 2022 Harper Yvonne Sexton Marlowe Rose Sexton

welcome Heather Decker Scott & Marcia Decker Carol Estocko Noah & Cate Gilbertson with Lucy & Gavin Aaron & Jennifer Hagen with Ollie & Finn Jerron McDonald & Carly Gamrath Membership at Lord of Life means you make a

bereavements Prayers of sympathy for those grieving the loss of a loved one; may they be comforted in the promise of the resurrection.

Chris & Steve Derner, Laura Franklin, and families at the death of their daughter and sister, Jennifer Derner Joni Hodsdon and family at the death of her husband, Mark Hodsdon Bob Lind and family at the death of his mother, Pam Lind Joy Todd and family at the death of her Uncle Donny Phil VanSchepen and family at the death of his mother, Carol VanSchepen Bryan, Brandon, and Zachary Weiner and family at the death of Bryan’s wife and Brandon & Zachary’s mom, Kate Weiner

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commitment to be an active participant in congregational life. The expectation—of not only new members, but all members—is to worship regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support the church and its programs financially. For more information, contact Katie Gartzke (katieg@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.

org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life faith community.

A Brief For The Defense Sorrow everywhere. Slaughter everywhere. If babies are not starving someplace, they are starving somewhere else. With flies in their nostrils.

But we enjoy our lives because that’s what God wants.

Otherwise the mornings before summer dawn would not be made so fine. The Bengal tiger would not be fashioned so miraculously well. The poor women at the fountain are laughing together between the suffering they have known and the awfulness in their future, smiling and laughing while somebody in the village is very sick. There is laughter every day in the terrible streets of Calcutta, and the women laugh in the cages of Bombay.

If we deny our happiness, resist our satisfaction, we lessen the importance of their deprivation.

We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world. To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.

If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down, we should give thanks that the end had magnitude.

We must admit there will be music despite everything.

We stand at the prow again of a small ship anchored late at night in the tiny port looking over to the sleeping island: the waterfront is three shuttered cafés and one naked light burning.

To hear the faint sound of oars in the silence as a rowboat comes slowly out and then goes back is truly worth all the years of sorrow that are to come.

—Jack Gilbert

““ We must risk delight.

Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem shared the poetry at left during the March 2 Ash Wednesday sermon beginning the season of Lent. If you were unable to worship—or would like to listen again to his message—you are invited to visit lordoflife.org/worship; Page 11 identifies Lord of Life’s YouTube channel as well as the reprint permission for Mr. Gilbert’s work.

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For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

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——Isaiah 55:12 (ESV)

Sponsored by Lord of Life’s Creation Care Ministry—

E A R T H

D A Y

E V E N T S

Webinar: Climate Change and Minnesota Forests We hear a lot about climate change and its impact on weather. What impact will climate change have on Minnesota forests and trees locally? Creation care groups from three Maple Grove churches have asked Lee E. Frelich, the Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center on Forest Ecology, to address these questions.

Frelich has provided consulting services on forest management for the US Army, Air Force, National Forest Services, and National Park Service. He’ll discuss how the forest resources in our state are especially susceptible to climate change. This is for anyone planting trees and who wants to learn what types would be best, and for those concerned about the future of Minnesota forests.

Sunday, April 24, 7-8pm via Zoom

Adopt-a-Highway and Adopt-a-Park Also held on Earth Day is an opportunity to help clean up a twomile section of Highway 101 in front of the church building or one of two parks in Maple Grove assigned to the Creation Care ministry.

Plastic bags and safety vests will be provided; wearing gloves is recommended. Meet in the church parking lot by the garage at 11am.

All ages are invited; an adult must also be registered to accompany participants under age 18. This is a great family service project!

Sunday, April 24, 11am-12:30pm (or as early as work is completed)

For all of these events, register at lordoflife.org/creationcare.

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communion instruction / celebrations

In-person instruction sessions are held at Lord of Life.

During the 2-1/2 hour session, you will visit three stations: instruction by a pastor, a symbolic Seder meal, and making a keepsake stole to wear while receiving first communion. Please note an adult is required to attend the session with the child. Instruction is geared toward youth in grades 3 - 7. There is no cost. Visit lordoflifelife.org/ firstcommunion to register and choose a date and time that works for your schedule:

support for ukraine

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry partner of Lord of Life. They are mobilized and ready to help support our neighbors in Ukraine.

Families are leaving behind everything they own and fleeing for their safety. They need immediate aid including food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical care.

Your emergency gift will deliver urgent support and care, like critically needed items for families who fled their homes, and medicine and supplies for clinics.

Visit lordoflife.org/lwr and prayerfully consider donating funds to help neighbors in need.

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April 18, 6-8:30pm April 21, 6-8:30pm April 23, 9-11:30am Communion worship celebrations will be April 23 at 5:30pm and April 24 at 8:30, 9:45, and 11am or any other service of holy communion at your convenience.

A B O U T

T H E

C O V E R

Lord of Life continues to be blessed by the gifts and talents of its members. This month’s cover features a watercolor by Janet Elsberry (at left).

Jan shares, “The watercolor painting represents the images I have of Easter morning: women at sunrise heading to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. When they approach, they discover the huge stone was rolled away—and to their dismay and fear—they discover an empty tomb. Then they see bright light illuminating from an angel who tells them, ‘He is risen, He is not here.’ From this very frightening divine revelation one can only imagine what they were feeling and thinking! Did they believe—and what does this mean for all of us? For me and many others the resurrection of Christ is so powerful that it instills hope, renewal, and new life. In a troubled world that seems to be increasingly chaotic, Easter reminds us that hope must never be lost. For as dark as the road may seem at times, there always lies light at the end of it.”

Janet Elsberry is a Lord of Life member and participant in the “Love to Paint” group on Tuesdays. If you would like to connect to see more of her work—including pet portraits and cartoons—she may be reached at janetelsberry@aol.com. Thank you, Jan, for sharing your gifts with the Lord of Life community of faith!

LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA)

7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 phone 763.420.5015 fax 763.420.7286 web lordoflife.org Visit lordoflife.org/staff for a full staff listing with photos. Prayer requests may be submitted to prayernetwork@lordoflife.org.

PASTORAL STAFF

WORSHIP / CONNECT

Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org

Visit lordoflife.org/worship for the most up-to-date worship schedule.

Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org

To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson (karenn@lordoflife.org).

Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org

To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand (chelseyg@lordoflife.org).

For all ministry events and calendar items with the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—visit lordoflife.org.

lordoflife.org

office@lordoflife.org

/lordoflifelutheran /lolcyf

/lordoflife /cyf_lordoflife

/lordoflifeluth

Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. Paper is the most sustainable natural resource. After reading, please recycle or share with a friend or neighbor inviting them to Lord of Life’s community of faith. You don’t need to be a member to receive Compass. To receive it in the mail and/or electronically, call 763.420.5015 or email office@lordoflife.org. Credits: Janet Elsberry, Lightstock, Unsplash, Page 7: “A Brief for the Defense” from REFUSING HEAVEN: POEMS by Jack Gilbert, copyright © 2005 by Jack Gilbert. Used by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Lord of Life Lutheran Church

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Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 4665

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Holy Week Palm/Passion Weekend: Saturday, April 9 Sunday, April 10 Maundy Thursday April 14 Good Friday April 15 Easter: Saturday, April 16 Sunday, April 17

5:30pm 8:30, 9:45, 11am 7pm 10am family service 7pm 5:30pm 8, 9, 10, 11am, 12pm

For details on these services, visit lordoflife.org/worship 12