John Donne -- Death be not proud

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.


John Donne (1572-1631), Anglican priest and metaphysical poet, writes these words, which may be familiar to many of us. This poem is usually studied in high school as a classic example of the sonnet. I post it here today as a reminder that Easter is not over. We may forget death is nothing more than a servant, so great its power seems to us, snuffing out our existence and tearing our loved ones from us.

Donne's words remind death that he serves a very limited role... servant to fate and chance, to kings and "desperate men" (i.e. murderers, brigands, etc.) In many ways, Donne reaffirms that death is around only because of sin, when he writes, "And dost with poyson, warre and sicknesse dwell," all of which are manifestations of the brokenness in relationships that Sin brings about.

And finally to bring death to its knees and put it in its proper role, Donne reminds death and us readers that there death is but "one short sleepe" after which we will live eternally... and death will itself die.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Easter Vigil Pictures

Thanks to Steve W. for taking these during the Easter Vigil Saturday night...















Gathered around the New Fire















The Exultet
















Chaplain Riegel Praying






























Pastor Bennett Preaching

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Easter Sunday -- Paradox? Mystery!

Readings:
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10

Easter Sunday... Jesus raised from the dead. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Easter Vigil -- The Promise of the Resurrection

Readings:
Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-9

In addition to the office of readings (of which we did nine) that recount salvation history, after the singing of the Gloria and the entrance to the joy of Easter, we heard the great baptismal passage of Paul in Romans 6, and the Easter story in John.

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Good Friday

Readings:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
John 18:1-19:42

Good Friday we recall Jesus' death as recorded by the evangelist John. During the service we cry out, "We adore you O Christ and we bless you, for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world." The cross is our focus.

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Maundy Thursday -- Meal for the Journey

Readings:
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

The name "Maundy Thursday" comes from the "mandate" Jesus gives his disciples the night before his death, "Love one another as I have loved you." This love will be a defining mark of the community who follows Jesus. We also hear Paul recount what was handed on to him, dating back to that very night of Jesus' betrayal. Jesus institutes the meal with which he gives of his very body and blood in the bread and the wine for the forgiveness of sins. This institution takes place in the midst of the meal established by God for Israel to remember their freedom from bondage in Israel.

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Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion

Readings:
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14 - 27:66

This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus' Passion, his suffering and death on the cross. This story is the revelation of how far God is willing to go to reconcile human beings to him. The Passion is the story of God's undying love for us.

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Holy Week Calendar -- March 16-23

Holy Tuesday 3/18
Chrism Mass 11:00 AM
--All are invited to this service of the blessing of oils for use in the synod, and the renewal of ordination/commisssioning vows for rostered leaders

Holy Wednesday 3/19
Choir Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Maundy Thursday 3/20
Maundy Thursday Services Noon & 7:00 PM
--Confession, Foot Washing and Holy Communion at each

Good Friday 3/21
Stations of the Cross Noon
Adoration of the Cross 8:00 PM

Holy Saturday 3/22
Children’s Activities 1:00 PM
Easter Vigil 8:00 PM

Sunday 3/23
Resurrection Matins 7:30 AM
Continental Breakfast 9:00 AM
Festival Service 11:00 AM

Draft Statement on Human Sexuality released.

The first draft of the statement on human sexuality was released. ELCA members and others may download it here (pdf format). Please note, this draft is meant for discussion, study, conversation and comments. The ELCA will be taking official comments until November 1, 2008. Public comments may be made at the end of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly, May 31, 2008. Fortunately for St. Paul members, this year's Synod Assembly is here in Morgantown May 30-31, 2008.

More details about the timeline and the history of this statement can be found at Journey Together Faithfully.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL (March 9—March 16)

Tuesday 3/11
Bible Study 10:00 AM
Adult Study 7:00 PM

Wednesday 3/12
Soup & Bread Supper 6:00 PM
Lenten Vespers 7:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal 8:00 PM

Thursday 3/13
Council Meeting 7:00 PM

Friday 3/14
Piecemakers 10:00 AM

Sunday 3/16 Palm Sunday
Communion Service 8:30 & 11:00 AM
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Confirmation Class 12:45 PM

Lent 5 -- John 11 -- Raising of Lazarus

Readings
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

The readings this week focus us on God's activity bringing life from death. Ezekiel gives us the valley of dry bones, calling the people Israel to life while in captivity. Paul declares to us that Jesus is raised by the glory of the Father. John tells us the story of Lazarus, in which we too may hear the promise to each of us that on the last day Jesus will call us to new life in the resurrection. Perhaps a strange theme to hear in the midst of Lent, but our new life is begun to be made known even now as we die to the old life of sin.

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"Where's Your Cross Made?"

In the most recent issue of Sojourner's, a brief article, "Where's Your Cross Made?" mentioned crosses being made in China by slave labor (to read the article click on the title above). A brief quote,

In the report titled “To­day Workers Bear the Cross,” U.S.-based churches and Christian retailers are accused of selling crucifixes made by slave labor in China. The report focuses on the Junxingye sweatshop factory in southern China, which employs mostly young women paid 26.5 cents per hour—less than half of China’s legal minimum wage.

As we continue on our Lenten journey, we reflect on the presence of sin in the world and our response to it. Our following the cross, our discipleship, is indeed costly. Let us not allow the symbol of our salvation to cheapen another's life.

This Week at St. Paul--Mar. 3 to March 9

Tuesday 3/4
Bible Study 10:00 AM
Adult Study 7:00 PM

Wednesday 3/5
Soup & Bread Supper 6:00 PM
Lenten Vespers 7:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal 8:00 PM

Thursday 3/6
Sunday School Teachers Meeting 7:00 PM

Friday 3/7
Piecemakers 10:00 AM

Saturday 3/8
New Member Class 10:00 AM

Sunday 3/9
Communion Service 8:30 & 11:00 AM
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Youth Group Meeting 5:00 PM

Lent 4 -- John 9 -- Restoration of Sight

Readings:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

John 9 recounts the healing of the man blind from birth. Here we see the evangelist's model of coming to faith through an encounter with Jesus, literally moving from blindness to sight. We see the "works of God" made known in that Jesus seeks out the blind man, mirroring the way the Word made flesh came to earth.

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