FROM THE PASTOR Drenched in Joy My family was able to join us for Easter Sunday this year and after the service, Clyde and I hosted them for a meal at our house. My sister shared that as I entered the sanctuary in the procession, with a bowl of water and ‘water-flinger’ in my hand (also known as an aspergillum), she saw me begin to sprinkle the congregation with drops of water, however, someone near her was facing forward and did not see me approaching. After being splattered in the face with water, she turned with irritation in her eyes to see who had just drenched her, only to see me passi ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Reflections of a Short Timer As I enter the last month of my contracted interim at St. Luke’s, I thought it might a good time to share some of the things I’ve been thinking and feeling in this transition. How can I help? I retired from Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care at the end of 2015. I spent the largest part of my professional life there and through most of those years established and managed the Spiritual Care & Healing Arts staff. But there were changes as there always are in health care, and it was time to go. Less than six months later Pastor Dick Johnson asked ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Mystagogy Dear church, Much will happen or has happened this week, depending on when you are reading this post. In worship we: Heard a word of individual forgiveness Traced a cross of chrism (oil) on your forehead Received the gift of someone washing your feet Feasted on the Eucharist – perhaps, like for Nathan, for the first time Stripped away all the furnishings and decorations Venerated the cross with a touch, a kiss, or a simple prayer Lit a candle and watched the flames dance in the night Listened intently to God’s saving acts throughout all of history Proclaimed Christ ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Solemn Reproaches Dear church, As we enter Holy Week, I thought it would be appropriate to offer a little devotional based on the “Solemn Reproaches,” a series of laments often used during Good Friday services. These texts are a poignant part of the observance of Christ’s Passion, expressing the sorrow and betrayal Christ felt towards humanity that, despite his love and sacrifices, often strayed and rejected him. Historically, the Solemn Reproaches date back to at least the 9th century. Each reproach begins with Christ expressing a specific act of love or sacrifice he has mad ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Please Invite Me Dear church, To the surprise of some, last week I shared: “I look forward to meeting and getting to know you.,, Drop in and say hello (aside from Friday…that’ll be my regular day off). Send me an email (kseverson@stlukespr.org) to set up a time for a beverage and conversation. Ask me to tour your workplace or volunteer with you and show me an aspect of your life. Share with me your kiddo’s musical, sporting, and other events so that I can support them with my presence. Invite me to a meal in your home to peek into your busy and chaotic world. This is the jo ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Dear Church I am so deeply humbled and excited to join you as we continue to live into the mission God has called each of us – to be a clear and unashamed witness to God’s love, in every aspect of our lives, in a world so desperately in need of such a life-giving message. As we enter the 110th year of faithful ministry as a congregation, God has much in store for us. Let’s us embrace that call with JOY! Bishop Deon Johnson of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri wrote a benediction for such times… Meet us at the beginnings, O God,When the unknown stretches before us,When the way ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Little Laments Below are the reflections and questions to guide our meditation on the laments of our lives and our opportunity to be present with others to enable their stories of lament.  The reading will be Psalm 42.  The psalm begins with a familiar verse: “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.”  This longing for God’s presence is picked up in ELW Hymn 331: “As the deer runs to the river, parched and weary from the chase, we have come from hurt and hurry, thirsting for your healing grace.”  Reflection  This week we ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Let the Good Times Roll Two weeks ago, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Judy and I hosted the Sunday Coffee Hour as a celebration of Mardi Gras. It is a favorite holiday, not only for the food, music, and memories of New Orleans, but also for its place as prequel to Ash Wednesday and the observance of Lent. In hosting Coffee Hour (for the first time since COVID), I learned three things: Yes, it is a lot of work – shopping and transporting food, making coffee, organizing the serving table, making sure everything needed is in place (cups, plates, napkins, utensi ..read more

Holy Lamentations We will gather each Wednesday morning in Lent at 10:00 a.m. for brief worship.  The theme will be lamentations.  In the Bible space is given for people to share their pain, their sorrow, their loss, the things which cut deep in their souls.  The ministry of lamentation does not only call for each of us to identify and tell our own stories of lament, but also to show up for others to listen and hear their stories as well.  In the midst of Lamentations is a healing God who listens, loves, and moves us toward healing and new beginnings.  The first Less ..read more

FROM THE PASTOR Transfiguration Thoughts In the verses preceding Mark’s Transfiguration passage, Jesus has just articulated what is arguably his most disturbing, difficult teaching of all: that he must suffer, die, and rise again – and that anyone who wishes to follow him must “deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”.  The Transfiguration’s light, then, acts as a kind of reassurance for Peter, John, and James (and for the rest of us!).  It’s as if Mark is saying: We’re now making the turn toward Golgotha, and that means descending into the valley of the shadow of death ..read more