[Thursday] Lenten Evening Prayer at Emmanuel Lutheran Church: The Promise of Comfort

[hermionesviolin]

I really wasn't all that taken with this evening's service.

The readings were Revelation 21:1-5

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

⁵He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

and Luke 7:11-17

¹¹Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. ¹²As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. ¹³When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."

¹⁴Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" ¹⁵The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

¹⁶They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." ¹⁷This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea^{[Or the land of the Jews]} and the surrounding country.

Pastor Saling and John (the musician) did a dialogue thing [on grieving and God's promise of comfort] instead of just doing a reading.  Which wasn't really what I'm looking for in a meditative evening service.  I learned afterward that they have a more traditional Wednesday afternoon service and use some of the same material for both (saves on time/energy).

Pastor Saling to me afterward: "So, you ready to dialogue with me?"
My immediate thought was "discuss theology" and then I realized he meant as in participate in leading worship.
"I keep on her," he said to my mother, but in fact he hadn't mentioned it since that Thursday (February 9 -- a month ago).

I did get multiple hugs, which made me happy.