Reflection from your Co-Pastors - Monday, March 22, 2021

Reflection from your Co-Pastors - March 22nd

Psalm 23: 1-6

John 8: 1-11

Psalm 23 was written by King David. It is one of the best known of the Psalms for its universal theme of trust in God. In this Psalm we are asked to see God as our shepherd. This is a more intimate relationship than to see God as our King. For while a King serves the people of his kingdom, a shepherd is said to know each sheep individually, to even seek out the one that is no longer in the fold, and to protect and care for each one individually, as well as collectively.

We know that God beseeched the prophet Samuel to seek out this son of Jesse, to anoint this youngest son who is out in the fields tending the sheep, a shepherd himself. Scripture also tells us that God sees into the hearts of the ones God chooses as the anointed ones. Yet, we also know that King David ordered the death of Uriiah and committed adultery with Uriah's wife Bathsheba. In his darkest hour of repentance, King David wrote psalm 51, "The Miserere." It is from this Psalm that the words from our repetitive Lenten chant come:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God."

It is synchronous that today Psalm 23 by David appears with the Gospel reading about the woman caught in adultery. It is not a Psalm of punishment or rebuttal, but a Psalm of trust in God. Psalm 23 assures the woman caught in adultery that God,

her shepherd and protector, will restore her soul, lead her in right paths, will comfort her, and in the presence of her enemies is by her side. Psalm 23 also welcomes her into the house of the Lord forever.

What a balm for this woman whose life or death is hanging by a thread surrounded by an angry crowd ready to stone her."Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," says Jesus. "They went away, one by one, beginning with the elders…"

"Has no one condemned you?... Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

God did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, nor King David for his sins of murder and adultery, nor does God condemn any of us. Instead, our God of forgiveness tells us, too, that we "shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Let us be grateful for our Shepherd's care. Amen

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

We Beg to Differ

Our ECC Council of Bishops have issued a letter of support for LGBTQIA2+ persons who have been deeply hurt by the Vatican's decree issued this last week. To read the letter from our bishops, click here .)

Co-Pastor Dcn. Rosean has written an open letter and sent to area news outlets for publication titled 'Our Position is Different'. To read the letter, click here.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash Original by design.Le

Lenten Daily Prayer Continuing this Week

Join us for daily prayer, week days at 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) This 15 min prayer time will include contemplative practices, prayer and sharing prayers for our own Lenten journey.

Daily Zoom ID: https://us02web.zoom.usj/5088958935?pwd=VFZJZDI4d0RJK3pLTFVGeExsZXY4UT09

Call-in Audio Only: 1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 508 895 8935 #

Holy Thursday Community Video - Participate in Holy Thursday's three community video

In lieu of foot washing in person we are asking all to send a picture of washing each other's feet to be included in a video played as part of the Holy Thursday service.

And/or....

Send photos or short videos (20 sec) of you/family doing a service project.

Instructions:

Send to Tom at tjmoos@aol.com with only 2 images per email (multiple emails ok.) Use good/higher resolution (2-3 MB)

Clearly identify individuals pictured with first/last name as well as the community name

By sending via email, you grant Tom permission to use the images explicitly for Holy Thursday worship service.

**The deadline for sending photos is March 24th by 5pm**

Upcoming Services and Past Recordings

Mar 28 - Palm Sunday - **11:00 am Service** Presider is Co-Pastor Rev. Jane Reina assisted by Co-Pastor Dcn Rosean Amaral

Drive-up communion after the Service Palms will be available at drive-up communion and this week for pick-up at the church. Stop by Wednesday from 12-2:00 pm or Thursday from 11:30-1:30 pm.

Holy Week Schedule - available here

Service Recordings

View the Fifth Sunday in Lent March 21st. Here is a printed version to assist with prayer.

The video recording of just the homily by Fr. Michael Nicosia is available here.

For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage . Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal

What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin

Click here to visit the Mary of Magdala, ECC website