Church guide

We are nearing the end of Lent in the western church, and have begun our walking of the ancient path of Holy Week today - Palm Sunday. Bless all on the journey. Bless all who carry heavy burdens and are weary, in need of rest. Bless all who suffer sin, thirst for good news, are bruised under systems of oppression, and long for justice. Bless those who shout "hosana" and "crucify him" in nearly the same breath. Bless us O Lord, and lead us from death into life.

The battle with the Midianites was a bitter one. The aftermath and return to the community costly and difficult. It was at the end of the forty years of wandering, before Joshua was to take over leadership from Moses, that the Midianites allied with the Moabites against Israel to harass, foil, and exterminate them. To complicate matters, Moses was related to one of the tribes through marriage, and given that the Midianites are descended in Genesis from Midian, a son of Abraham, the bonds and conflict are complicated. They were, at one time, allies. On top of this betrayal lay two encampments, two encounters, which soured relations and fomented opposition: the sending of the prophet Balaam on the Plains of Moab to curse Israel, and the leading of the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Shittim (see Midianite gals and Israelite guys). After all this, God speaks to Moses and orders Midian to be “punished,” or Israel “vindicated” or “avenged,” ensuring Israel’s survival. Hard times. Hard choices. A difficult commandment. Moses interprets faithfulness to God’s command as military conquest, and the death of Midianites is seen as God’s judgement. The clash is set in a time when defeating one’s enemy often meant utterly destroying them (Midianites appear again in the time of Gideon, however). The battle is bitter, the cost to the Midianites high, but Israel prevails. The soldiers carry out their orders and work, they show mercy, and the people gather again after the dust settles. This does not erase some confusing, grim, and upsetting details (exaggerated in the form of midrash) about this episode. However, what takes place upon the soldiers return from battle is noteworthy. Moses tells the soldiers, “Camp outside the camp seven days; whoever of you had killed any person or touched a corpse, purify yourselves and your captives on the third and on the seventh day. You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.” (Numbers 31:19-20) The priest, Eleazor, addresses the troops that had gone to battle, instructing them to pass their metal and non-organic gear through fire, and wash their clothes after being together for a week, “and you shall be clean; afterward you may come into the camp.” (Numbers 31:24) In the washing commanded there is certainly a connection to ritual purity and life before God in the practices of Israel. There is recognition of the need to be holy, in right or life-giving relationship with God, creation, and one another. Because of this, there is an awareness of and discomfort in the suffering and death that follows the conflict. As the whole community is affected, there is a need to make things whole again, starting with those called on to serve. The waters of separation were used in preparing to transition from being out of “alignment,” if you will (reminds me of the Greek word for sin, which means “missing the mark” ala archery). The seven days mentioned, the pattern of walking through seven days, echoes the creation story in Genesis: creation and completion, recreation and re-ordering. The time in the camp outside the community was practical in tending to injuries, cleansing weapons and gear, making sure the chance of disease was lessened…but I suspect it addressed the disruption and need for wholeness we may read in Moses’ and Eleazor’s commands. In preparing to re-enter together, the captives grieved and were cared for by their once-enemies, the soldiers prayed and knew quiet/peace, and those in the camp could tell their stories, reconnecting with God, one another, and the lives they had left. After taking upon them the mantle of war, they were given a way to integrate and come home. This need is still present today, as are rituals, community, and time to make the journey home. To that end, and with the opportunity to learn more, Atonement hosted in March a workshop with Rev. (Col.) Ken Duvall, U.S. Army, retired, and currently serving State Army Chaplain (Col.) Daniel Thompson. The workshop focused on resources and intersections of communities in a largely rural state with veterans, emphasizing the care of warrior’s mental health. This was the third and fourth unit of a workshop previously hosted by Atonement. Attendees learned about referrals and services offered by the Veteran’s Administration, as well as ways to build community partnerships. It was this second piece that struck me as connecting to our faith community. Here are some reasons why: 1. While not all veterans are the same, mental health support is already needed. 13% of Montana’s population is veterans, yet veterans make up a disproportionately high number in our suicide rate (70 per 100,000 for veterans, as opposed to 23 per 100,000 for non-veterans). 2. Non-professional support and accompaniment is as important as service by the VA, and often more accessible for veterans. 3. The church is uniquely positioned to be a community partner in reintegration, with a healthy community response of grace and acceptance. Such partnership can provide service and care for others, as well as belonging and comradeship – purposes and patterns veterans have trained for and spent time inhabiting. 4. There are already veterans, and those who have family members actively serving, present in the congregation. 5. All areas of health are aspects of spiritual health and life. 6. Congregations near and far are currently serving veterans and active duty members. Small things are effective and work – for example: some congregations serve meals to troops on drill weekends (ex. at a local armory), others have adopted a veteran family or family whose active duty service member is deployed (cutting grass, watching kids, going to a game, etc.), others have hosted a Veteran’s Day brunch, while still others have brought clergy and mental health care providers together to seek mutual insight and shared resources. After taking upon them the mantle of war, the Israelite soldiers were given a way to integrate and come home. The church can practice what we already know, and share God’s love in Jesus with our neighbors who have served and are serving in the vocation of solider. Is there a local armory near us? Are there veteran’s organizations that could advise us? Are there those around us who could use grace, acceptance, purpose, and community? The prayer “After Returning from Deployment,” found in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Prayer Book for the Armed Services, sums up this work and aspiration: God of steadfast love, you are always present with your abundant blessing. We are especially thankful this day for your grace active in the life of those who have returned from service. As we celebrate their homecoming after deployment, make us mindful of the sacrifice of their service to protect and defend us and this nation. Be with them today and always, and help us do our part to ease their reentry at home, surrounding them with our care and support; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Come and hear beautiful music on a lovely night!

"If you are a preacher of Grace, then preach a true, not a fictitious grace; if grace is true, you must bear a true and not a fictitious sin. God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly. For he is victorious over sin, death, and the world." Martin Luther, Saemmtliche Schriften

VBS Closing.

The prelude.

Energy?

The wave.

"David danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Samuel 6:14a)

Thank you Atonement Quilters for the many hours you dedicated in loving service doing God's work, with your hands this past year! Join us this Sunday for the Blessing of the Quilts before they are shipped off to locations in need around the world through Lutheran World Relief.

Confirmand, Ryan, providing musical offering, "Holy Spirit" ... “Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring the presence of the risen Lord To renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your Word to come alive in me; Give me faith for what I cannot see; Give me passion for Your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. Holy Spirit, come abide within; May Your joy be seen in all I do— Love enough to cover ev’ry sin In each thought and deed and attitude, Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my striving into works of grace. Breath of God, show Christ in all I do. Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made, Show Your power once again on earth; Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways. Let the fragrance of our prayers arise. Lead us on the road of sacrifice That in unity the face of Christ Will be clear for all the world to see. ” — WORDS AND MUSIC BY KEITH GETTY & STUART TOWNEND © 2006 THANKYOU MUSIC

Holy Week at Atonement.

Musical offering at worship this morning. Thank you Michael, Sarah and Sebastian.