St. Mary Magdalene Lutheran Episcopal Church

TLDR: Church tomorrow at 4:00 PM. Link at the bottom of the post! --- Dear MaryMags, There’s a verse in our reading for tomorrow that makes me uncomfortable. Jesus says, Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.... It’s uncomfortable until I think about my email inbox and the abiding, never ending nature of the constant communication. Most days I’d like to burn it all down. I’d like my email inbox to be emptied daily, down to zero with each message given thoughtful, careful reply. But that’s just not how it is. My email is, even now, full to overflowing. I’d like to burn it all down and throw it all away. That’s what the scripture text is getting at. God isn’t interested in burning you down or throwing you away. God is interested in getting rid of everything that ties you up, swamps you down, and leaves you in knots. The goal is for you to have a full, whole, life-giving experience of well, life. Your brilliant, whole life, lived in the name of faith is how your Father in heaven is glorified. When you live connected together with faith, your life bears fruit, and that is what God is invested in. So what needs to be tossed out this week? How many spam emails need to be deleted? How many tasks should you let go that just aren’t necessary? What can you trim away and throw into the abyss that were holding you back from bearing fruit and living life this week? God loves you. You and your life belong to God. And with that belonging comes some great fruit through your words and actions. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86056687798 Passcode: MaryMags

TLDR: MaryMags this Sunday at 4:00 PM. Link and passcode at bottom of the post. --- Jesus said, "I have received this command from my Father.... That's the last sentence of our reading for Sunday: I have received this command from my Father. That word command sticks out like a sore thumb. Most of the time we don’t like receiving commands. Sometimes I think about what it must be like as a child again, receiving a constant barrage of commands: - come to dinner yes, right now! - put on your shoes - quiet down, I’m on the phone - stop bugging your sister Jesus seems unprovoked by commands from God, his Father in heaven. He willingly does what’s asked. Jesus stays close and gives what is needed for the sake of humanity to experience what’s often so difficult to find in this life: real love, grace, mercy, and hope. Where can you join this week in being on the receiving end of God’s commands: laying down your life for the sake of gracing members of your household or colleagues at work or friends in your sphere or unexpected strangers with acts of unabashed love? Jesus is for you. So help your child put on her shoes. Do extra to support your colleagues. Send your friend an unexpected note of encouragement. Provide a care package to the homeless person begging at the stoplight. Give extravagantly, as Jesus does for you. The result is always love given, love returned. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86056687798 Passcode: MaryMags

TLDR: Church tomorrow, Sunday, April 18 at 4:00 PM Link and passcode at bottom of post --- Dear MaryMags, ... Jesus calls his friends witnesses. They saw his crucifixion and death, and now he is alive. They are witnesses to new, surprising life. Jesus’ resurrection isn’t a magic trick. What his new life means for us is that he has conquered the enemy of grief and separation, which is death itself. He’s done this so we can be confident that new life is coming our way, too. As Harry Potter quotes 1 Corinthians 15 which quotes the resurrection of Jesus, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Our faith is a witness to trust that death itself has an end, and that like Jesus, through faith we will be raised to new life. We get together at church to be witnesses to life together; to say, yes, God is in the business of life and that’s a God I’m on board with. This is our Easter faith. New life is the truth we bear from the witness stand, together at MaryMags and with every other person of faith who has ever come before and will come after us. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86056687798 Passcode: MaryMags

An important question: help us figure out some questions! The Episcopal side of us is seeking a new bishop since Bishop McConnell is retiring in September. So, what ONE question would you like to ask our bishop nominees? Please share your answers in the replies below!