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Offered by Pastor Sonja Hagander
Memorial Day was first observed in 1868 to decorate the graves of American Civil War dead and is now a national day to honor those members of the armed services killed during wartime. Many families use this day to honor anyone who has died in their family. Set out pictures of loved ones whom you want to remember on this day, particularly those who, in one way or another, have sacrificed their lives so that your life might be better. Light a candle if you wish. For use at home, at graveside or columbarium Opening Prayer: Dear God of our foreparents, give us an understanding mind and a grateful heart as we consider all who have sacrificed so that we might live. Amen. Bible Text: Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her (Matthew 26:13). Reflection: -Name each of the family members or groups of people who have died, and because of whose life and death your life is different (ancestors, those who have fought in wars, for civil rights, for public safety, for better health care, for better education….). Share or write their names in a journal or note. -These sentence starters may be helpful: When I think about these people…..I am most grateful for…..I am most sad about….. Ritual Action: Light a candle naming each person or group, allowing a moment of silence after each name. Song: tune of Amazing Grace To God, with joy, our thanks we bring, Rememb’ring those today, Who gave their lives, a sacrifice, Preserving freedom’s way. Blessing: May God, who journeyed with those before us, go with us this day, making our lives a blessing to all who come after us. Amen. Ritual adapted from “For Everything a Season”
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by Jen Miller
What routines shape your day? You get up, start the coffee, brush your teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, head to work, maybe go to the gym after work, walk the dog, scroll through Netflix looking for something to watch until you give up and go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat. What routines shape our worship lives? We get to church, enjoy the choir prelude, chuckle at unexpected responses during the children's sermon, share the peace, receive communion, sing one last hymn, and then convene in the Fireside Lounge for coffee and donuts. Lather, rinse, repeat. We hold onto our routines, both those in our personal lives and those at church, because they are comfortable. They give our lives structure and predictability. They make it possible to live each day, to worship each week, without having to make hundreds of brand new decisions each time. They make sure we don't forget important tasks. They make life easier. And yet routines can also get in the way. They can get in the way of trying new things. They can make life too easy, so that we overlook the wonder in what we do each day. For those unfamiliar with a routine, that unfamiliarity can create a feeling of marginalization. Certain routines might even exclude certain groups of people--a clear problem, even if unintentional. So how can we make sure that our routines at Christ the King are helping our life together, rather than getting in our way? It can be difficult to find time for such introspection during the day to day work of planning worship, organizing budgets, and convening committees. To that end, Nate Crary and I are helping Christ the King form a Worship Task Force to look at the bigger picture of worship at Christ the King, identifying ways our congregation's practices can grow and evolve while remaining rooted in the traditions that we find meaningful. You can learn more at Sunday's SALT forum, or by reaching out to one of us directly. Whether you would like to be considered for the Task Force or have an idea you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. |
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
1900 7th Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-633-4674 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 9 am - 2 pm Mon - Thurs or by appointment Sunday Schedule Morning Worship at 9:30 am |
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