Podcasts about now wounded

We revisit a special devotional episode from Good Friday 2024 as we meditate on Christ's death for our sins.  As an aid to Good Friday meditation and devotion, the Ladies welcome listener contributions in a “Write This:” creative challenge, this time inviting their fellow Lutheran ladies to compose additional stanzas to the beloved Passion hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”  Beginning with a brief account of how the hymn came to be and its connection to the Lutheran worship tradition, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel then read and sing their way through 14 listener submissions and several of their own.   Follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge) to read and ponder the text of the lovely new hymn stanzas this Good Friday.   Click to read more about “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” at hymnary.org.  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

SCRIPTUREGalatians 5:22-23"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law."REFLECTIONJavierMUSIC"Dream 13" by Max Rictner"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" by 4HimCONCERT FRIDAY SONG"Worlds Apart" by Jars of ClayI am the only one to blame for thisSomehow it all ends up the sameSoaring on the wings of selfish pride, flew too highAnd like a chorus, I collideWith a world I try so hard to leave behindTo rid myself of all but loveTo give and dieTo turn away and not becomeAnother nail to pierce the skin of One who lovedMore deeply than the oceansMore abundant than the tearsOf a world embracing every heartacheAnd can I be the one to sacrifice?Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow?Take my world apart(To need You) I am on my knees(To love You) take my world apart(To need You) broken on my kneesAll said and done, I stand aloneAmongst remains of a life I should not ownTakes all I am to believeIn the mercy that covers meDid You really have to die for me?All I am for all You areWhat I need and what I believeAre worlds apartAnd I prayTake my world apart(To need You) I am on my knees(To love You) take my world apart(To need You) broken on my kneesOn my kneesI look beyond the empty crossForgetting what my life has costAnd wipe away the crimson stainsDull the nails that still remainsMore and more I need You nowI owe You more each passing hourBattle between grace and prideGave up not so long agoSo steal my heart and take the painAnd wash my feet and cleanse my prideTake the selfish, take the weakAnd all the things I cannot hideTake the beauty, take my tearsSin-soaked heart, make it YoursTake my world all apartTake it now, take it nowAnd serve the ones that I despise (to love You)Speak the words I can't deny (take my world apart)Watch the world I used to love (to need You)Fall to dust and blow away (I am on my knees)I look beyond the empty cross (to love You)Forgetting what my life has cost (take my world apart)I wipe away the crimson stains (to need You)Dull the nails that still remain (broken on my knees)Steal my heart and take the pain (to love You)Take the selfish, take the weak (to need You)And all the things I cannot hideTake the beauty, take my tears (on my knees)Take my world apart, take my world apart (to love You)And I pray (to need You)And I pray, and I pray (on my knees)Take my world apartWorlds apart

Order of Service: - Prelude: O Sinner, Come, Thy Sin to Mourn (J. S. Bach) - Hymn 272 - O Sinner, Come Thy Sin To Mourn - A Canticle (p. 105) - Special Music: Psalm 130: Out of the Depths (Max Reger) - Hymn 452 - Out of the Depths I Cry To Thee: vv. 1, 2 - John 19:16-30: 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. 17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Je-sus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in He-brew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,' but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ' ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scrip-ture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accom-plished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. - Special Music: Responsory Hymn: Stricken, Smitten (Every Sunday Organist) - Hymn 297 - Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted: vv. 1, 4 - Homily - Special Music: Canticle (Psalm 64): Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint (J. S. Bach) - Hymn 255 - Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint: vv. 1, 4 - Kyrie, Lord's Prayer: (spoken) - Special Music: Hymn: O Sacred Head (J. Brahms) - Hymn 335 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: vv. 4, 8 - The Collect (pp. 118-119) - The Benediction (p. 119): (spoken with Amens) - Hymn 593 - On My Heart Imprint Thine Image - Postlude: Prelude in G Minor (Bach/Krebs) Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Preacher), Naomi Anderson (Organist)

Ruth is joined this week by Rasool Berry, teaching pastor and director of partnerships and content development at Our Daily Bread Ministries. They continue our conversations about tarrying, this time focusing on justice and the transformative nature of tarrying. Rasool shares his journey from a non-church upbringing to embracing faith, how tarrying helps him orient himself to God's reality, and highlights the deep spiritual lessons learned through practices of waiting and quiet. The conversation underscores the importance of embodying the spirit of justice and the need for contemplative action in today's disorienting world.   We are journeying through Lent with a podcast season entitled “Tarry with Me Awhile: Learnings from the Black Church.” We will use Dr. Selina Stone's book, Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, as a guide. Black spirituality has much to offer us in understanding the practice of tarrying as a Lenten practice. Together we will seek a deeper understanding of waiting on God in the liminal space—where the resurrection feels far off, and our deaths and suffering are present.    Rasool Berry (TC19) serves as Teaching Pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York, and is Director of Partnerships & Content Development at Our Daily Bread Ministries. He is the host of the Where Ya From? podcast, is featured in the award winning, Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom documentary directed by Ya'Ke Smith. He is the general editor of the book and video series called, The Whole Man which focuses on spiritual development for African American men. Rasool graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Sociology. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Tamica, and their daughter. Music this season is provided by Julian Davis Reed. Julian Davis Reid (TC20) is an artist-theologian from Chicago who uses sound and word to offer hope to the searching, presence to the sorrowful, and rest to the weary. A pianist, composer, and producer, his projects featured on this podcast are the two solo piano records Rest Assured (2021) and Beside Still Waters (2024) and his single Moan (Matthew 2:18) featuring Tramaine Parker, released on Inauguration Day 2025 on the project When Souls Cry Out. Julian steadily releases music under his own name and with his group, The JuJu Exchange. You can learn more about his work at juliandavisreid.com. Mentioned in this episode: Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith by Dr. Selina Stone The Spirit of Justice by Jemar Tisby The Sovereignty of Quiet: Beyond Resistance in Black Culture by Kevin Quashie Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from Lent- Music in Solitude In the House of the Lord My Whole Life Long by Julian Davis Reid   Are you interested in learning more about Haven, our newest community offering from the Transforming Center? Haven is a community that meets alternately online and in person to create space for leaders to forge a stronger connection between their souls and their leadership. Each gathering (online and in-person) offers spiritual practices that increasingly open us to God over time. This new 18-month community experience will provide more intentional opportunities to engage with a diverse community of believers who are united around Christ. Learn more about dates and how to apply!   Alumni: The Alumni Membership Community is here! For Transforming Community Alumni who are still cultivating rhythms that allow them to flourish in their life and leadership, you have the opportunity to stay on the journey with TC alums through a membership community! This exclusive membership is a safe place to be honest about the challenges of spiritual leadership, to remember the teachings and practices that open us up to God, and to be supported by an ongoing community that sustains us in the hope and the mystery of God's transforming work in the world — starting with us! Membership window is open March 12-31, 2025. Join today! Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes with each guest, exploring different practices associated with Lent, such as solitude, self-examination, confession, and more. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!     The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.   *this post contains affiliate links

On October 26, the church commemorates THREE notable Lutheran hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt.   Hold onto your hymnals, friends: this Hymn Sing with Sarah episode is a harmonious hymn fest in triplicate. Hymns featured in this episode include:   “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”  “O Morningstar, How Fair and Bright”  “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”  “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”  “I Will Sing My Maker's Praises” (PDF from CTSFW: ctsfw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LSB-977-I-Will-Sing.pdf) To learn more about these and other beloved hymnwriters, check out Hymnary.org or the monumental Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns from CPH. For readers seeking a more compact treatment, CPH also offers Eternal Anthems: The Story behind Your Favorite Hymns in two volumes.   Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Opening Song: All Your Works are Good (https://open.spotify.com/track/4ruszcUTkL45zpEACGBToj?si=e57b36673c86421c) by ​​Jill Gullahorn, Julie Lee, and Sandra McCracken Lyrics: The moon it marks the seasons The sun knows when to go down The ocean holds its creatures The river knows its bounds The birds the trees the cattle And all things great and small We find our place in creation Your hand sustains us all All Your works are good All Your works are good From everlasting to everlasting All Your works are good He makes the clouds His chariot He wraps Himself in light He stretches out the heavens Like a tent across the sky He knows our every burden When darkness veils our eyes He comes with spring returning Bringing death to life As we labor until evening There's a message on the wind Be still and know your maker Be satisfied in Him Passage: My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with majesty and splendor. 2 He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, 3 laying the beams of his palace on the waters above, making the clouds his chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, 4 and making the winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. 5 He established the earth on its foundations; it will never be shaken. 6 You covered it with the deep as if it were a garment; the water stood above the mountains. 7 At your rebuke the water fled; at the sound of your thunder they hurried away — 8 mountains rose and valleys sank — to the place you established for them. 9 You set a boundary they cannot cross; they will never cover the earth again. -- Psalms 104:1-9 (CSB) 24 How countless are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. -- Psalms 104:24 (CSB) 35 May sinners vanish from the earth and wicked people be no more. My soul, bless the Lord! Hallelujah! -- Psalms 104:35 (CSB) Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer:

Order of Service: - Prelude: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ - Hymn 255 - Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint: vv. 1, 4 - A Canticle (p. 105) - Prelude: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele - Hymn 328 - Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness: vv. 8 - The Lesson (p. 134) - Prelude: Herzlich tut mich verlangen - Hymn 334 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: vv. 4, 8 - Prelude: Christus, der uns selig macht - Christ, Through Whom We All Are Blest: vv. 1, 8 - Kyrie, Lord's Prayer - Prelude: Christ lag in Todesbanden - Hymn 343 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands: vv. 1, 7 - The Collect of Thanks (p. 105) - The Benediction (p. 106) - Prelude: Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag - The Day Hath Dawned — The Day of Days Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

Order of Service: - Prelude: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ - Hymn 255 - Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint: vv. 1, 4 - A Canticle (p. 105) - Prelude: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele - Hymn 328 - Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness: vv. 8 - The Lesson (p. 134) - Prelude: Herzlich tut mich verlangen - Hymn 334 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: vv. 4, 8 - Prelude: Christus, der uns selig macht - Christ, Through Whom We All Are Blest: vv. 1, 8 - Kyrie, Lord's Prayer - Prelude: Christ lag in Todesbanden - Hymn 343 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands: vv. 1, 7 - The Collect of Thanks (p. 105) - The Benediction (p. 106) - Prelude: Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag - The Day Hath Dawned — The Day of Days Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

Order of Service: - Prelude: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ - Hymn 255 - Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint: vv. 1, 4 - A Canticle (p. 105) - Prelude: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele - Hymn 328 - Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness: vv. 8 - The Lesson (p. 134) - Prelude: Herzlich tut mich verlangen - Hymn 334 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: vv. 4, 8 - Prelude: Christus, der uns selig macht - Christ, Through Whom We All Are Blest: vv. 1, 8 - Kyrie, Lord's Prayer - Prelude: Christ lag in Todesbanden - Hymn 343 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands: vv. 1, 7 - The Collect of Thanks (p. 105) - The Benediction (p. 106) - Prelude: Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag - The Day Hath Dawned — The Day of Days Service Participants: Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

Welcome fellow adventurers! This week, the guys share their favorite Easter memories and traditions. The clips are from "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," and "Duck Dynasty."  Be sure to check out our other podcasts, Masculine Journey After Hours and Masculine Journey Joyride for more great content

As an aid to Good Friday meditation and devotion, the Ladies once again welcome listener contributions in a new “Write This:” creative challenge, this time inviting their fellow Lutheran ladies to compose additional stanzas to the beloved Passion hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”  Beginning with a brief account of how the hymn came to be and its connection to the Lutheran worship tradition, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel then read and sing their way through 14 listener submissions and several of their own.   Follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge) or check our Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) to read and ponder the text of all twenty new hymn stanzas this Holy Week.   Click to read more about “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” at hymnary.org.  Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Opening Song: Psalm 22 (https://open.spotify.com/track/1KP4dy5hNaKe4aWfvidbFm?si=21e404e938be428a)by Greg LaFollette Lyrics: My God my God why have you forsaken me My God my God why have you forsaken me You promised me that you would never leave I'm crying out but you are not listening I'm crying out but you withhold your peace from me You promised me that you would never leave He trusts in the Lord all the mockers say So let God deliver him since he loves him My God my God why have you forsaken me My God my God why have you forsaken me You promised me that you would never leave You promised me that you would never leave You promised me that you would never leave Let God deliver him since he loves him Passage: 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. (Psalm 22:1-11 ESV) Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer: I have no other helper than you, no other father, no other redeemer, no other support. I pray to you. Only you can help me. My present misery is too great. Despair grips me, and I am at my wits' end. I am sunk in the depths, and I cannot pull myself up or out. If it is your will, help me out of this misery. Let me know that you are stronger than all misery and all enemies. O Lord, if I come through this, please let the experience contribute to my and my brothers' blessing. You will not forsake me; this I know. Amen. (A prayer from a young Ghanian Christian. Taken from I Lie on My Mat and Pray.)

This week we are taking a break from our conversations with Curt and his book The Deepest Place to talk about a different aspect of suffering: the communal, unmerited suffering that comes from oppression. Friend of the Transforming Center, Leo Ayala, is back with us to discuss this important topic. Leo and Ruth talk about the suffering his community in Puerto Rico has suffered as a part of the colonization and oppression of his country. Leo shares how no one taught him how to suffer in a Christian way and the particular problem of a faith without lament. Finally, Leo gives us practices and processes that help this kind of collective suffering form durable hope. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Leo Ayala served as a family pastor for over 15 years and later as lead pastor. For four years, he has been recovering from burnout, anxiety disorder, and depression. On his journey to heal his soul and develop new life rhythms, he completed Transforming Communities 15 and 18 with the Transforming Center. He is finishing a DMin. in Spiritual Formation on the topic of spirituality during seasons of disorientation. He is a liaison pastor for the Caminando Juntos (Urban Strategies) program, where he looks to improve the holistic well-being of Latino pastors.   Mentioned in the Episode: The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope  by Curt Thompson We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.   This season will not follow the lectionary readings as closely as past seasons. Scripture for Lent 2024 can be found HERE. A digital version of our reflections for Lent resource, Lent A Season of Returning is available for purchase in our bookstore.   Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from Lent Music in Solitude     Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive weekly bonus episodes entitled “The Work,” where Curt and Ruth will discuss and provide practical and applicable practices that open us up to God's presence in our suffering so that durable hope can be formed. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!     The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.   *this post contains affiliate links

Lent is upon us again. In this special bonus episode, Ruth shares her remarks from our recent live, virtual event designed to help us prepare for Lent. Lent is for everyone, but it has a special application for spiritual leaders, providing a needed opportunity to “fashion our own wilderness” (Henri Nouwen) and return to God with all our hearts. On this Ash Wednesday, we invite you to take some time to prepare your heart and mind to enter the Lenten season.   Our next podcast season begins next week. Psychiatrist, speaker, and author Dr. Curt Thompson joins us all season to discuss suffering and how it is the place where durable and true hope is formed. We will be working through the ideas in his new book, The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope.   Mentioned in the Episode: The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope  by Curt Thompson Lent A Season of Returning by Ruth Haley Barton We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.   This season will not follow the lectionary readings as closely as past seasons. Scripture for Lent 2024 can be found HERE. A digital version of our reflections for Lent resource, Lent A Season of Returning is available for purchase in our bookstore.   Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from Lent Music in Solitude   Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive weekly bonus episodes entitled “The Work,” where Curt and Ruth will discuss and provide practical and applicable practices that open us up to God's presence in our suffering so that durable hope can be formed. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!     The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.

On this episode of Weekend Debrief, Dave and Wes discuss the end of the Genesis series as well as what they have been reading. Send comments or questions to (971) 301-2414. Reading Rainbow Recommendation: Dave's Picks: Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel & O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by Jonathan Gibson Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Echo Island by Jared C. Wilson Wes' Pick: Delights and Disciplines of Bible Study by Warren Wiersbe

April 6,  2023Today's Reading:  Matt 26:17-30Daily Lectionary: Ex 12:1-28, Lam 4:1-22, Heb 5:1-14, Psalm 31Matthew 26:26–28: “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Communion is actually the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink.  Like...really. Jesus' blood. Same blood that flowed down from His hands and side on the cross. For you. Drink it. Seriously. We have to admit that's off putting. When the funny looking pastor in funny clothes holds it up and says "the peace of the Lord be with you always" he's showing you where peace comes from. It's not in the air. It's not in each other. It's in the bread that is His body.  These words "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins" show us that in this Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. If you eat Jesus' Body and drink His Blood your sins will be forgiven and you will have life and salvation. Not symbolically. The cardboard-tasting thing called bread and bottom shelf wine are the most precious gifts in all of creation. Eat and drink them and you'll have everything God has to give you. It's so hard to believe that the Holy Spirit has to do it for you. It still leads people to recoil. It's ridiculous. Invite someone to church, and see how quickly the Communion talk feels like more of a burden than a gift. But Communion is not an excuse. It's not a burden. It's not something we need to reason away or struggle to justify. It's an answer. A gift. A hope given for us to cling to in the darkest of days for the worst parts of us. This is for sinners. This is for you, full of jealousy, guilt, shame, rage, and sin. We don't get fixed by ignoring reality, cramming in a room for a meal and pretending everything is OK when it isn't. We're saved by the God who feeds us with His body and blood. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Be Thou my consolation, My shield, when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion When my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfold Thee. Who dieth thus dies well. (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, LSB 449:4)- Pastor Harrison Goodman is Content Executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

April 5,  2023Today's Reading: Luke 22:1-23:56Daily Lectionary: Ex 10:21-11:10, Lam 3:1-66, Heb 4:1-16Luke 22:46: “and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.””In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Garden of Gethsemane is where I brought every idea of what my life should be like, then stared dumbfounded as they were dashed to pieces in front of me.The Garden of Gethsemane is where I came to the painful realization that my life was not turning out according to plan.I think that's what it's there for. It forces us to be honest about our weaknesses. Peter wandered into Gethsemane with hopes of steadfastness, promising to never abandon, let alone deny his Lord. He came with a sword, ready to cut ears off for Jesus. Before the rooster crowed, that all fell apart. Judas came with schemes to profit. By the end of the weekend, he died broke and alone. Mark showed up just not wanting to do anything stupid to embarrass himself. He accidently ran away naked. All of the disciples entered Gethsemane with zeal and daydreams of God's wonderful plan for their lives. They were ready to seize every great thing they were sure He had planned. Then they all fell asleep. Twice.The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.The Garden of Gethsemane is where we find that out. But none of them came to the garden alone. Jesus was there all along, praying through sweat and tears of blood. “Thy will be done.” God's will is done in Gethsemane. It always is.God's will is done among us also. The Garden of Gethsemane isn't where God walks me from where I am to where I want to be. It's where my quest for power like Peter, love of money like Judas, sheer stupidity in the face of reality like Mark, and laziness like all the sleeping disciples are called exactly what they really are. Sin.Yet, Jesus abides in the Garden of Gethsemane for sinners. For me, for you. For when everything falls apart, and for us who broke it. Christ willingly walked down the only path left to Him. He died for the sake of the people. For us. To forgive our selfish sins that condemn us. To bear God's wrath Himself in order to save us. He will drag us out of our sins, through Gethsemane to the cross, and all the way to the Resurrection on Easter morning. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest Friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever! And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never, Outlive my love for Thee. (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, LSB 449:3)- Pastor Harrison Goodman is Content Executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

April 4,  2023Today's Reading:  Mark 14:1-15:47Daily Lectionary: Ex 9:29-10:20, Lam 2:1-22, Heb 3:1-19Mark 14:30–31: “And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I don't know why, but we love the idea that God would test our faithfulness. Peter doesn't hear this as a sad statement of reality, a warning he's going to need some help. It's a challenge. A test. Peter would never do that. He responds. “Nuh uh.” If I must die with you, I'll never deny you. Everyone else might fall away but I won't. I'll prove I'm better than them. I'll prove I deserve your blessingFirst, He's God, He would know…but rather than learn from it, for some reason we have this desire to say, “if I were there I'd have never denied Him” sort of like arguments won later in the shower. We take our surroundings, and imagine ways we can prove to be steadfast. Heroes of the faith. We imagine the awfulness of the present day is a challenge to us. Society. Sin. Suffering. We'll prove we're faithful in the face of them. Is this some sort of test? Do you think God just wants to make sure we're good enough? First, He's God, He would know….but second, you prove what you are all the time. It's called sin.You can measure it. Look to the Ten Commandments. How are you really doing?  Hear the sad statement of reality from our Lord. Before all this is over, you'll make idols out of power and popularity. You'll be afraid. You'll doubt. You'll despair. It's a warning you're going to need some help that we insist is some kind of challenge.  We respond. “Nuh uh.”  Why do you want this to be on you? It's on Jesus, who bore the cross for Peter who denied, for you who were afraid. And He has not left you alone in your struggles. Breathe. Look to the cross. See Jesus there for you. Know who you are, not based on what you've earned, but based on what He's given. You are baptized. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners' gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, And grant to me Thy grace. (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, LSB 449:2)-Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

April 3,  2023Today's Reading:  Matt. 26:1-27:66Daily Lectionary: Ex 9:1-28, Lam. 2:1-22, Heb 3:1-19Matthew 26:11: “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's easy to question the LORD when He encourages expensive perfume being poured on his feet rather than sold to care for the poor. This is the thing that drove Judas to the chief priests for silver to betray Him. Jesus responds, “The poor you will always have with you”.  There will always be sinners who don't care for them. And it's unjust. It's not ok.  We sinners have learned to speak in polarity. Black or white. Full or empty. So on one side, Judas is just wanting to care for the poor. On the other, social justice has become a topic reserved for the ungodly.  What we should see is the importance of God. And somehow we've found ourselves in a position where we turn our backs on either the least of these, which will end poorly on the last day according to Jesus, or Jesus, which…also will end poorly on the last day. Either we seek justice in the world or joy in our Lord, but both times come up wanting.  Instead of contrasting helping the poor with time in church, justice and joy, let them both be found in Christ. He is our justice and our justification. He is our joy. Judas assumes he loves the poor more than the God who took flesh to die for them. Jesus refuses to let poverty imposed by other sinners divorce someone from the kingdom of heaven. There will be days when it is hard to find Jesus. There will be days when the poverty of this world is overpowering. On those days, the cross matters more, not less. Christ bore the cross for the oppressors and the oppressed. For the sinners and sinned against. We gather around His gifts because no matter what we build otherwise, justice will always be out of reach. No matter how hard we try, how much we give, there will always be more pain, but there is always enough Jesus.  That doesn't mean don't try to care for the poor. It means make sure that above all else, the Gospel is the measurement of justice, because in Christ we are justified now. There, joy can endure all things.  n the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown. O sacred Head, what glory, What bliss, till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine. (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, LSB 449:1)- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journey, and the lectionary, we will look at various aspects of justice, its importance to God and why the modern church has often regrettably failed to live out God's call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord.”   Ruth is joined by Gary Haugen on today's episode. Gary Haugen has spent most of his career fighting injustice at the systemic level as a lawyer and founder of International Justice Mission. Ruth and Gary discuss the moment Gary realized he'd grown up his whole life in the church never once hearing a message about how much God cared about justice. They talk about the ways in which the poor are chronically vulnerable to violence, how the church often isn't doing work that addresses this issue, and how, at IJM, attention to their own spiritual formation is crucial in sustaining their justice work.   Lectionary scripture for this week: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41   Mentioned in this episode: Just Courage by Gary Haugen The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen Gary Alan Haugen is an American attorney who is the Founder, CEO, and former President of International Justice Mission, a global organization that protects the poor from violence throughout the developing world. Gary has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a Trafficking in Persons “Hero” – the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership.  He is the author of several books, including Good News About Injustice (Intervarsity Press) and, most recently, The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence (Oxford University Press). Journey with us this Lent! Our season is inspired by A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journey, and many of our guests are contributors to this resource.    Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist O Sacred Head, Now Wounded from Lent Music in Solitude   Support the podcast! This season, in addition to receiving overflow conversation from the episode, patrons at all levels will receive weekly reflection questions intended to help them journey through Lent with both the podcast and the resource A Just Passion! Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!     The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self!

In this Advent Offering from 2020, Bill Haley guides us through a worshipful experience of Advent and Christmas carols old and new, to help us encounter afresh the gift of Jesus' birth and to whet our appetites for His second Advent.Set List: (Full Spotify Playlist)“The First Noel” by Over the Rhine“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent” by John Michael Talbot“The Birth of Jesus” by John Michael Talbot“Cry of a Tiny Baby” by Bruce Cockburn“Let us the Infant Greet” by Loreena McKennitt“O Holy Night” by Sara Groves“Peace on Earth” by U2“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Sixpence None the Richer“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” by 2nd Chapter of Acts“Salvation is Created” by Peter Tschesnokoff“Messiah: Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain” by George Frederic Handel“Of the Father's Love Begotten” by John Michael Talbot“Begin and Never Cease” by The Oh Hellosinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the show

Opening Song: Drive Out the Darkness (https://open.spotify.com/track/2wvTmH3hGUGztde4DZeBgB?si=7519001e0ddf48b9) by Dan Marotta, Isaac Wardell, John Swinton, and Paul Zach Lyrics: Come O come be our light Drive out the darkness Come Jesus come Ev'ry year under the thorn Ev'ry wrong that we have known Ev'ry valley will be raised The ancient ruins will be remade Ev'ry weapon made for war Ev'ry gun and ev'ry sword Will be melted in the flame To be used for gardening In the emptiness of grief Through the night of suffering Ev'ry loss and in the tears God our comfort O be near Come O come be our light Drive out the darkness Come and end all the violence Come and do not be silent Come we cling to Your promise Come You'll break all injustice Come Jesus come Passage: 1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. 5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour. 9 They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. 10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!” Habakkuk's Second Complaint 12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. 13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? Habakkuk 2:1-4 1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.[a] Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer: This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Opening Song: Man of Sorrows (https://open.spotify.com/track/0QcK7XUiGoMs2YKN7zwIhh?si=748d13d02817497a) by Drew and Ellie Holcomb Lyrics: Lord You're weeping with me help me to believe That when my heart is heavy as a stone You say I'm not alone Man of sorrows what a name Bore our suffering bore all of our pain Man of sorrows broken sinners to reclaim Overcame the darkness and walked out of the grave (Overcame my darkness When You walked out of the grave) Lord You're aching with me help me to believe That when my soul is lost in the storm You're acquainted with my grief He was pierced for our transgressions He was crushed for all our sins And the punishment that brought us peace Was laid on Him He was stricken and afflicted But God's mercy would reveal What His suffering would bring us By His wounds we're healed Passage: 8 On that day the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the Lord, going before them. 9 And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Him Whom They Have Pierced 10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness. (Zech 12:8-10,13:1 ESV) Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer: Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen. -Old Anglican Prayer

New Scripture for Today Podcast! Click here: https://sft.fireside.fm Opening Song: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregg Sewell, James Waddell Alexander and Paulus Gerhardt, arranged by Fernando Ortega (https://open.spotify.com/track/57CCLOlx2dqnSynxfjaJYb?si=94ad1380d45a40b0) Lyrics: O sacred Head now wounded With grief and shame weighed down Now scornfully surrounded With thorns Thine only crown How pale Thou art with anguish With sore abuse and scorn How does that visage languish Which once was bright as morn What Thou my Lord has suffered Was all for sinners' gain Mine mine was the transgression But Thine the deadly pain Lo here I fall my Savior 'Tis I deserve Thy place Look on me with Thy favor Assist me with Thy grace What language shall I borrow To thank Thee dearest Friend For this Thy dying sorrow Thy pity without end O make me Thine forever And should I fainting be Lord let me never never Outlive my love to Thee Passage: 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5–11 ESV) Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening Song: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregg Sewell, James Waddell Alexander and Paulus Gerhardt, arranged by Fernando Ortega (https://open.spotify.com/track/57CCLOlx2dqnSynxfjaJYb?si=94ad1380d45a40b0) Lyrics: O sacred Head now wounded With grief and shame weighed down Now scornfully surrounded With thorns Thine only crown How pale Thou art with anguish With sore abuse and scorn How does that visage languish Which once was bright as morn What Thou my Lord has suffered Was all for sinners' gain Mine mine was the transgression But Thine the deadly pain Lo here I fall my Savior 'Tis I deserve Thy place Look on me with Thy favor Assist me with Thy grace What language shall I borrow To thank Thee dearest Friend For this Thy dying sorrow Thy pity without end O make me Thine forever And should I fainting be Lord let me never never Outlive my love to Thee Passage: 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5–11 ESV) Musical Reflection: O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler Reflection Notes: This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity. Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, in your tender love for us you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our nature, and to suffer death upon the Cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and come to share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Order of Service: - Prelude - The Confession of Sin (p. 120) - The Versicles (pp. 120-121) - Psalmody: Psalm 51: 2, 3 Wash Me Thoroughly S. S. Wesley: Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and forgive me all my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. - Mark 15: 42-47: Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. - Homily - Hymn 339 - The Lord Into His Father's Hands: vv. 1 & 2, choir vv. 3, all - The Kyrie (p. 124) - The Lord's Prayer (p. 125) - Hymn 584 - Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord - The Collect (pp. 125-127) - The Benedicamus (p. 127) - The Benediction (p. 127) - Hymn 335 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: vv. 6 & 8 - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Shawn Stafford (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Organist), BLC Concert Choir (Choral Group), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Choir Director)

Opening Song:  O Lord, open our lips and our mouths will declare Your praise.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end,  Amen.    The Scripture for today is 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.    Let's prepare our hearts to hear from God's word as we listen to  Christ Our Hope in Life and Death by Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Matthew Merker (sung by Shane and Shane). This arrangement stretches the march-like contemporary hymn into a more drawn-out, emotional reflection. Each chorus explodes with triumph in a welcome of voices, percussion, and harmony, a representation of Christ's victory over death.  Lyrics:   What is our hope in life and death Christ alone Christ alone What is our only confidence That our souls to Him belong Who holds our days within His hand What comes apart from His command And what will keep us to the end The love of Christ in which we stand   O sing hallelujah Our hope springs eternal O sing hallelujah Now and ever we confess Christ our hope in life and death   What truth can calm the troubled soul God is good God is good Where is His grace and goodness known In our great Redeemer's blood Who holds our faith when fears arise Who stands above the stormy trial Who sends the waves that bring us nigh Unto the shore the rock of Christ   Unto the grave what will we sing Christ He lives Christ He lives And what reward will heaven bring Everlasting life with Him There we will rise to meet the Lord Then sin and death will be destroyed And we will feast in endless joy When Christ is ours forevermore Passage:  12   Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.   20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.   (1 Corinthians 15:12–20 ESV) Musical Reflection:  O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler  Reflection Notes:  This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity.  Prayer: Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Opening Song:  O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Heritage) by As Isaac Lyrics: O Love that will not let me go I rest my weary soul in Thee I give Thee back the life I owe That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be   What kind of love is this? That You would call me friend What kind of love is this? This is my heritage   O Joy that seekest me through pain I cannot close my heart to Thee I trace the rainbow through the rain And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be   What kind of love is this? That You would call me friend What kind of love is this? This is my heritage   Your song over all my years My perfect inheritance What kind of love, what kind of love is this!   O Cross that liftest up my head I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be Passage:  1   For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.   5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;   6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”   7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.  (Hebrews 5:1–10) Musical Reflection:  O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler  Reflection Notes:  This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity.  Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Download Luke 22:1-65 We are in the Christ Stream reading from God's Word Translation. 7streamsmethod.com | @7StreamsMethod | @serenatravis | #7Streams | Donate Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis Oh Dear Jesus, and to think you went right into this and walked through this willingly. You did it all for love...for love of us, so that we could abide eternally with you. As it looks to human eyes, 'the boom' is lowering on Jesus.  He had been too effective in loving people, liberating them and exposing the false hearted religious leaders who neither loved people nor freed them up to worship God.  It's a spooky verse to see that Satan entered Judas. We might add that it was not without invitation. Judas was following Jesus for twisted reasons for most all of the three years. The leaders needed Judas' help in locating Jesus and to do so when their diabolical plans to kill him would not go unnoticed.  Judas facilitated that plan.  He was a turncoat and with this deed he "crossed the Rubicon" and went past the point of no return.  The Last Supper is prepared and eaten together with the disciples.  This started The New Covenant.  This time Jesus was to BE the Passover Lamb, led to slaughter.  It had to be bewildering to be there and hear Jesus utter words that altered the religious landscape forever.  My husband has actually been in that room.  He said, y'can hardly take in what happened there....he said that he couldn't talk for almost an hour after being in the Upper Room. It was a very grave experience for him.  For what it's worth, the parallel stories we go through today are also in Matt. 26, Mark 14, and John 13. It's obvious that Jesus knows who betrayed Him in this hour of darkness.  He always knows who betrays Him today too.  Interesting that as the time to run the gauntlet, a tussle of words breaks out as the disciples argue who is going to be greatest. The selfishness even now makes a startling contrast as to how these disciples became so self-sacrificing after Pentecost clear to the end of their lives.  Their dedication took the gospel fully across Asia; from Portugal to where Shanghai is today by 100 A.D. so let's not rail on them to hard about this "boys will be boys" moment immediately following the Passover meal.  the next 24 hours would be too much for them to bear.    The final words Jesus' spoke shook them all to the core.  Peter pledges his life to Jesus not knowing that he would be frightened to death and deny him. Later that night he would angrily swear that he never even knew Jesus. Think about this: Who knew Peter better? Jesus or Peter? And come to think of it, when we make all kinds of conjectures about how dedicated we are and unflinching we will be in trial, do we know what we are talking about?  It's an open debate, isn't it? Whatever may come in following Jesus, He assures them once again that their needs would be met. They always have been haven't they? Ours always will be too. In the Garden of Gethsemane [Gett-seh-MAH-knee: means "olive press"] the famous prayer session that still inspires Believers today took place. Luke mentions one time the fatigue of the disciples, their sorrow, near depression, that dropped them into sleep.  Matthew and Mark (who were disciples that were actually there) go further to belabor the point that they fell asleep repeatedly and Jesus came back to them over and again to wake them.       When Jesus is arrested Judas approaches him with a kiss that betrays Him by exposing Him which gives Him away to the Chief Priests.  Betrayed with a kiss? Peter was pledging his life to Him earlier and proves it when he lunges and cuts off the ear of the Chief Priest's servant. This was a deed worthy of death, btw, that Peter did! As just mentioned it wasn't long before Peter is screaming and swearing against even knowing Jesus. Pause and ponder this: who would you trust? Judas who kisses you or Peter who screams and swears against you? Who is loyal? Who can you trust? Which will stay with you to the end? You cannot tell. And you also cannot tell the same among whom you think are your friends today.  Just keep that in mind.  By now the trial has begun as they blindfolded and began beating Jesus with what we would call 'nightsticks'.  It was brutal. Before they were done with this viciousness, Jesus would not even be recognizable.  It may do your heart well to grab a hymnal and go through the song, "Oh Sacred Head, Now Wounded." Don't even try to keep it together. Jesus didn't. God didn't either.  It is too much to bear.  That's why he bore this for us. See Isaiah 53 too.

From the medieval aristocracy to the monastery. Bernard of Clairvaux felt the call of God on his life to follow Christ in the monastic ministry. We are blessed that he followed the leading. Not only did he advise kings and popes, but helped preserve the doctrine of the Trinity, was a hymnwriter and more. The hymn O Sacred Head, Now Wounded is often sung during Easter services and gives us much to contemplate about Christ's death on the cross. Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

Opening Song:  O God, Will You Restore Us? By Bifrost Arts Lyrics:  O God, will You restore us, and grant us Your salvation?   I will hear what God proclaims The Lord our God proclaims peace Kindness and truth shall meet Justice and peace shall kiss   "Here is the fast I choose – To loosen the bonds of the oppressed and break their chai    s Let righteousness and justice go out before you Then you will call out and I will hear"   Near indeed is His salvation to those who call on Him He will incline is ear and hear their prayers Truth shall spring out of the earth And Justice will rain down from heaven   The Lord will guide you on a righteous path His vindication will shine down forth as the dawn Your people will be called repairers of broken walls Making straight the path to proclaim His reign!   Passage:  5 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.   6 So the army went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. 7 And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.   9 And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 14 Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. 15 And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.   31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the LORD has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” 33 And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”   (2 Samuel 18:5–9, 14–15, 31–33 ESV)   Musical Reflection: HERZLICH TUT MICH VERLANGEN by Hans Leo Hassler (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded) Reflection Notes:  This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ's death with deep sincerity.  Prayer: This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" by Plymouth Congregational

Hymn - -O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by Plymouth Congregational

Good Friday 4/2/21 Ps. 22, 2, 27, 51 John 19:1-16a John 19:16b-42 Tenebrae 450 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (st 1-3) 450 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (st 4-7) 456 Were you there? (Choir) 454 Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle

In the first every live edition of the podcast, I share the hymn O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.Learn more about the Songs for Worship Project at ericcrose.com/songsforworship.

REFLECTION QUOTES “O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine. What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance, Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance. How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn! Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair; From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there. Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life; Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife. My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me, For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee. I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot; Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not! Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part; O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart, When soul and body languish in death's cold, cruel grasp, Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I'll clasp. The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside, When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide. O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see, Beside Thy cross expiring, I'd breathe my soul to Thee. My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door; Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore! When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own! Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.” ~ “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux in 1153, translated from Latin to English James W. Alexander in 1830 SERMON PASSAGE 1 Peter 2:18-24 (ESV) 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

A special performance by the Flutes of Faith at the service on March 6, 2016. The Faith Lutheran Church of Okemos, Michigan ensemble performed:  “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” by Maker; “o sacred Head, Now Wounded” by Hassler and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” by Dykes