Monday, March 26, 2018

Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of the Lord

My Companions, pray with me:
Lord, we remember, especially this week, your suffering and death on the cross. We humbly seek forgiveness for our sins that cause such pain and anguish. Open our hearts and live your love through us so we experience your Resurrection from the dead each day. Please help all who suffer from physical and psychological pain; help them to know how you suffer with them and seek to bring us abundant life.
  We ask all of this in Jesus name. 
     Amen

Companion EventsBirthdays: Carlos Garcia (3/26), Jay Klaus (3/26), Greg Stokes (3/29), Mark Ross (3/29), Michael Olson (3/29), Marty Sipos (3/23).   In memoriam: Gorden McKeller (3/27/14).

Keeping In-touch: We kept very busy with chores around the house last week. And, of course, we celebrated growth in wisdom (maybe), grace (maybe), and age (for sure). We finished the Breathing Underwater presentations and look forward to our celebration of Holy Week and Easter. We wish you all a Blessed Easter.



Some Commentary for prayer or study: The Sunday Website

My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I can become overwhelmed when I contemplate all the suffering in our world. Without knowing that God has taken on all this suffering and has joined in all the pain we can find no excuse for all of it. Not only does the Lord suffer with us, we have been given a glimpse of the glory that is to come. Let us not live in doubt and despair, let us live in hope...great expectation. 

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

My Companions, pray with me:
Lord, we cry inside as we contemplate your suffering and death. But for our sins you would not have suffered such a terrible death..
Forgive us all of our failings and help us to make amends to you and all the people we have hurt. Thank you for all the gifts you bring to us each day, especially the gift of faith and the gift of your awesome love. Please bless and heal all who suffer in body, mind and spirit from alienation from you and your glory. And welcome home all who have gone before us to your guiding light, especially Edmund Lay on the first anniversary of his leaving us.
  We ask all of this in Jesus name. 
     Amen

Companion EventsBirthdays: Bob Weed (3/18), Chris Norton (3/19), Camila Castillo (3/22), Karen Carnegie (3/22), Rachel (Kobza) Varra (3/23), Sallie Dembeck (3/23), Tom Fatter (3/23), J.D. Plunk (3/24) Sandy Miller (3/24), Peggy Silvers (3/24), John Lay (3/24).   In memoriam: Tom King (3/21/12), Bishop Oscar Ramero (3/24/80), Bud Ferdon (3/24/15), Edmund Lay (3/24/17) .

Keeping In-touch: We spent some time watching college basketball and celebrating our February and March birthdays. I worked on some chores and find that the body just can not do what it used to do...and reminds me longer for getting in contorted positions. We look forward to celebrating Holy Week and hope your celebrations bring many blessings.


Some Commentary for prayer or study: The Sunday Website

My comments and an invitation for your comments:  I feel more saddened this year as I contemplate Christ's Passion. Maybe I'm more aware of my sinfulness or maybe I'm just more aware of God's awesome love that we could never diserve. 

Monday, March 12, 2018

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A Scrutinies
My Companions, pray with me:
Lord, you raised Lazarus from the dead and taught that "if the grain of wheat doesn't fall to the ground and die, it remains just a grain of wheat. May we bring you glory by offering all our sufferings (our little deaths) for your kingdom.
Forgive us all of our failings and help us to make amends to all we have hurt. Thank you for all the gifts you bring to us each day, may you find joy in our use of these gifts. Please bless and heal all who are struck by sickness these days, especially Lindsay Smith, Becky Dvorak, and Bev Grau (sciatica pain). And welcome home all who have gone before us to your guiding light.
  We ask all of this in Jesus name. 
     Amen

Companion EventsBirthdays: Neil Draxler (3/12), Wendy Fieldler (3/12),  Charlie Stevens (3/17), Lindsay Smith (3/17), Rick Dunn (3/17), Trish Buckley (3/17).   In memoriam: Myron Defrancia (3/17/12).

Keeping In-touch: The month of March is marching on rapidly! We enjoyed staying with our grandson, Nate, and his father, Tony, while Lori Beth attended a conference. The energy of a second-grader amazes us older folks. Now that we returned home we have many chores. Breathing Underwater keeps us thinking! and challenges us to renew our quest for unity with one another and God. And we're filling out our March Madness brackets.

The Readings: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Some Commentary for prayer or study: The Sunday Website

My comments and an invitation for your comments:  No one wants to say "good-bye" to our family members and friends. Jesus also wept when his cousin, John, and his friend, Lazarus, died. But Jesus also taught us by his life and his word that our sufferings and even our death will bring life greater than we can imagine!

Monday, March 5, 2018

Fourth Sunday of Lent

My Companions, pray with me:
Lord, you cured the man born blind and you taught Nicodemus to see the light. Please help us see; help us open our hearts and minds to your loving kindness.
Thank you for all your glory that shines for us. We have hearts of gratitude for all our gifts. Please touch and make whole all on our list of those who need your healing, especially Becky Dvorak (Connie's sister who will under go more tests for cancer).
Bring all our loved ones who have gone before us to more fully experience your loving-kindness, especially Rev. Dennis Ryan who died yesterday.
  We ask all of this in Jesus name. 
     Amen

Companion EventsBirthdays: Bill Lay (3/8),Mary (Himpleman) Weightman (3/9),  nephew, John Lay (3/10)   In memoriam: Rev. Dennis Ryan (3/4/18), Sam Eccher (3/6/10).

Keeping In-touch: We returned from our Iowa trip and continue our "regular activities" and enjoyed some nice sunny, warm days. I attended our Men's Retreat that took place at the Seminary. Now we're visiting at the Gulmantovicz's, enjoying the mountains and with-standing the high winds...

The Readings: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Some Commentary for prayer or study: The Sunday Website

My comments and an invitation for your comments:  Through my companions, prayer and my presentations and study, I experience more each day the love that is always, unconditionally offered to us. I know the Lord loves us and wants to heal us of all our blindness. He wants to take away our "stinking thinking" and help us to see the light.