A Concord Pastor Comments

9/15/26

Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 9/15

This morning's prayer is more personal than what I usually write, but it's really intended for all of us who getting older - and of course, that's all of us!

Through all my life, Lord, I've always been younger than the pope - until now! Just yesterday Leo turned 71 - while I'm in my 80th year...

I'm older than the pope himself!

In so many times and places now when I look around and survey the crowd: I'm the eldest in the conversation, at the table or in the room...

And I wonder, Lord: do I seem as old to them as they seem young to me?

Now, none of this comes as a gripe or complaint: I'm grateful and pleased to be 79 especially when I consider - as I do with increasing frequency - the impending and only alternative...

But because of all I've loved and learned and lived - I look forward, Lord: to all the beauty my eyes have not yet seen.. and all the music my ears have not yet heard... and all the wonders, blessings, glory and joy - more than mind and heart might imagine - that you have readied for me as one who has tried, wanted and desired to know you and love you and serve you - even if only in my own halting, stumbling, bumbling, too often weak and unfaithful ways...

You see, Lord, it's just that I didn't expect this time to come, well... so quickly...

so unexpectedly... so suddenly... so involuntarily... so frankly... so appreciably... so plainly... so unavoidably... so perceptibly... so physically... so publicly... so candidly... so mentally... so personally... so openly... so spiritually... so actually... so naturally... so bluntly... so really... so undeniably and beautifully...

But the time has come, Lord, this time when more and more - it's you and me... when day by day and night by night - it's you and me... when with deeper faith and increasing trust I know - it's you and me... when with growing clarity and greater comfort I understand - it's you and me... when I've come to see, and I pray to accept, and I do believe that in the end, as in the beginning and as it always shall be: Lord, it's you and me...

And that, Lord, brings me peace...

So, this is a day that you've made, Lord - a day filled with promise, mercy and grace in the 80th year of my life. I pray for many more years of days to spend with you and with those I love: years of days before the day when you call me home to rest in your heart, where days are no longer counted, time no longer measured and it's always you and me, Lord... always you and me...

Amen.

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

9/14/26

Night Prayer: MONDAY 9/14

On the Church calendar, today is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Tonight's prayer is a "prayer in action." It's an elaboration of a beautiful moment in the rites of initiation when those preparing for baptism are signed with the mark of the Cross on different parts of their bodies. As you pray these words tonight use your thumb to trace the sign of the cross (+) on the different parts of your own body. Actually doing this will make a significant difference in your prayer! If you are praying with another person or persons, you might sign each other.

Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your forehead…

It is Jesus himself who strengthens you

with this sign of his love.

Learn to know him more deeply

and to follow him more faithfully.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your eyes…

Day by day,

may you see the glory of God

all around you.

May you see the face of Jesus

in everyone you know and meet.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your ears…

Listen for the Lord's voice

in the whisper of the Holy Spirit,

in the scriptures, in your prayer,

and in the words those

who speak to you…

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your lips…

May you respond to God’s grace

in the words you pray,

may you speak the name of Jesus

with love and reverence,

may all your speech

be charitable and true,

may no harsh or unkind words

pass your lips

and may you always speak the truth.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your shoulders…

May you take up the cross

that is yours in this life

and bear it with grace and patience;

may you always remember and trust

that Jesus who carried his own cross,

will always help you carry yours.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your over your heart…

When you rise each morning

and before you go to bed each night,

invite the Lord to dwell

ever more deeply within you.

Welcome Jesus into your heart of hearts

to make his home in your soul.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your hands…

May Christ be known in all you do.

May you never lift your hand

to harm or threaten anyone.

May your hands be always ready

to lift up, support

and carry your neighbor.

- Receive the sign of the Cross

+ on your feet…

Walk in the footsteps of Jesus today.

May your steps always lead you

closer to Christ.

May you never stray

from the path of Jesus

and his Word, his truth and his grace.

We make our prayer as we always do:

In the name of the Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Cross Has the Final Word

by Cody Carnes

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Sorrow may come in the darkest night
But the cross has the final word

There's nothing stronger
Nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor All the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
Evil may put up it's strongest fight
But the cross has the final word

There's nothing stronger
Nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
All the honor All the power
All the glory to the name of Jesus

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The savior has come with the morning light
The cross has the final word
Oh... Oh... All glory and honor is yours
Oh... Oh...All glory and honor is yours
Is yours

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
He traded death for eternal life
The cross has the final word

The cross has the final word
The cross has the final word
The savior has come with the morning light

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

9/13/26

Monday Morning Offering: /14

Morning Coffee by George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

I'm back from my summer sojourn, Lord,

first to the mountains and then to the sea,

and I noticed upon my return

that already you've begun

to put your brush to your palette,

giving us all a preview of your color scheme

for this fall's leafy fashion show...

Summer's barely gone

but autumn hastens now

to follow her on stage

in a riot of colors:

bright, muted, glowing, speckled,

purpled, brushed and burnished

by the artistry, the eye divine,

the glory of your grace...

Seasons change

and seasons change

and season come and go

and season come again

and seasons change

and something in me longs

to stall the seasons changing:

to stay the summer's end

and hold back the dying

bound to come each time this year

when the sunlight plays

its game of hide and seek...

But this is fall's time, Lord:

when a nip in the air quickens my step and pace;

when barren branches scratch their prayers

across a harvest moon;

when autumn's rare, spare beauty

whispers psalms of praise

within my heart...

Inside and out, Lord,

my soul and body stand between the seasons:

no change in nature’s phases fails

to change in turn

the seasons of my heart…

The rhythms of creation,

of suns and planets, moons and tides

all echo in my heart and my soul knows

how all that lives must die

and how all that dies will rise again

when comes that last and longed-for spring

that has no end,

that will not change

but will remain

when I forever live in you

as you, Lord,

live now in me...

Without grieving an hour's sunlight

or the joy of a warm day's kiss,

while holding close the memories

of rolling seas and mountain heights,

walk me into fall, Lord,

with autumn's leafy glory dropping down,

gently - a russet carpet - a path for me

to walk from summer into fall,

from season into season,

from change to change

until all things, all times, all life

converges to be one in you

my ever changeless

ever loving,

ever living God...

Help me let go, Lord,

what I hold too tightly,
what cannot last the whole year through
and let my empty arms embrace

and trust

that even in the changes,

in the falling,

in the dying,

- you are with me -

present and abiding in the seasons

all the seasons

of my life...

Receive my prayer today, Lord,

an offering of the seasons

that turn and change

and age me:

these seasons of your mercy,

these seasons of your grace

these seasons marking all the years

I live and grow in you...

Amen.

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

9/12/26

$5,000 for your vote: a theological perspective

Among the many online sites I visit daily, one of the most valuable is Arthur Holquin's substack: Liturgy and Life Here you'll find wise commentary on the juncture of worship, belief and daily life - in equal parts probing and sobering.

No surprise, then, that Msgr. Holquin has weighed in sagely on Trump's offer of checks in the amount of $5,000 made out to those who vote Republican in the upcoming midterm elections.

Take a few minutes and follow the link in the previous paragraph. I guarantee you'll be glad you did.

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

A royal funeral - and a song...

The image above is crown of the King of Norway - until very recently worn by King Harald V.

King Harald died on August 28, 2026. I've only recently come across video of his funeral, celebrated in the Evangelical-Lutheran communion. The liturgy is stately, solemn and beautiful in every way. The musical selections are superb. You can see all the funeral rites including a lengthy procession to the church in this video (skip to 2:49:00 for where the procession reaches and enters the church).

In particular, however, I want to draw your attention to one song, Abide With Me, composed in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte. It's a hymn I'm familiar with but to which I've never paid much attention - until now.

The arrangement here is by Norwegian musician and composer Lars Andreas Aspesæter. This setting of a 19th century hymn tune is faithful to the original but deeply textured by more contemporary, soulful themes. Part of the success here is its performance by the Oslo Cathedral Choir and Filipino-Norwegian solist, Hilari Alison. I wondered, when listening, if Aspesæter wrote this arrangement specifically for these voices - so perfect is the match.

I hope the video below and the lyrics below will lift you up in prayer today...

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like thyself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

9/11/26

Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 9/12

If you don't find yourself in this morning's prayer

- then thank God and pray for those who do...

Lord,
   for all who struggle through this day,
       I pray you soften its rough edges...

For all who will grieve a loss today,
   I pray you lift their spirits with your grace...

For all who will find today a long day, Lord
   help them pass the time in peace...

For all who may be lonely today,
   open wide your heart to them and theirs to you...

For all who will be anxious today,
calm their fears and ease their worries...

For all who find today a dark day,
   let your light pierce through the shadows...

For all who will feel empty today,
fill their hearts with simple gifts of joy...

For all who may find it hard to hope today,
refresh their trust and confidence in you...

And for any who find today their last day,
lead them gently home, Lord,

to your everlasting arms...

Amen.

Tweet

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 9/11

Two options for prayer this evening... First, a Prayer for First Responders. While 9/11 is a sad and tragic memory for most of us, first responders live in anticipation of just such danger as part of their daily lives... Second, a Prayer for Peace in Our World and in Our Hearts...

A Prayer for First Responders

Twenty-five years ago today, Lord,

in New York City, Washington, DC

and Shanksville, PA,

first responders rushed into harm's way,

putting their lives on the line

to save the lives of strangers...

And first responders stand bravely tonight

in the face of enemies, accidents and fire,

tsunamis, tornadoes and landslides,

earthquakes, avalanches,

hurricanes and floods,

putting their lives on the line

for sisters and brothers

threatened by war and natural disaster

by the loss of their homes and belongings,

indeed, the loss of their lives...

Among all who perished on 9/11,
we remember these brave and selfless souls

in our moments of silence,

in our tributes and song,

in our prayer together this night...

Hear our prayer for the women and men

who willingly put their lives on the line,

as you have taught us, Lord:

no love greater than this is known

than to lay down one's life for a friend...

Watch over those, Lord, who, night and day,

spend their lives protecting ours:

be their courage, their shield and strength

and hold them close within your arms

in your loving, strong embrace...

Protect us all while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with Christ
and asleep, rest in his peace...

Amen.

There Is No Greater Love

by Michael Joncas

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

There is no greater love, says the Lord,

there is no greater love, says the Lord,

there is no greater love, no greater love

than to lay down your life for a friend

As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Live on in my love.
You will live in my love
if you keep my commands,
even as I have kept my Father's.

All this I tell you that my joy may be yours
and your joy may be complete.
Love one another as I have loved you:
This is my command.

You are my friends
if you keep my commands,
no longer slaves but friends to me.
All I heard from my Father,
I have made known to you:
Now I call you friends.

It was not you who chose me,
it was I who chose you,
chose you to go forth and bear fruit
Your fruit must endure, so you will receive
all you ask the Father in my name.

A Prayer for Peace in the World

and in Our Hearts...

We pray for peace in the world, Lord,

the world you created, the world you gave us,

the world entrusted to our care...

We pray for an end to the scourge of war,
terrorism, violence and bloodshed

and to all the ways, great and small,

that we fail to love our neighbor...

We pray for those who have died in war,

especially those who died in their youth
and for all those who grieve their loss...

We pray for the safety of those in harm's way,
far from home, their families and friends

and we pray for their safe return...

We pray for all the innocent poor

who suffer most keenly the hardship of war:

the victims of battles that others wage...

We pray, too, for our enemies, Lord:

turn their hearts and ours to thoughts of peace

and freedom for all your people...

We pray for peace at our borders, Lord,
and at borders around the world:

tear down the walls we build in our hearts...

We pray for peace among all your people:

we're brothers and sisters all,

no matter our race, our color or creed...

We pray for peace in our cities, Lord,

for an end to violence ruling our streets,

the pandemic of deadly arms...

We pray for peace in our nation, Lord,

and for truth and wisdom to guide the way

in our politics, left and right...

We pray for peace in our broken Church,

for the healing of those who've been abused,

for your Spirit to cleanse and mend us all...

We pray for a peaceful coming together

of all who profess their faith and belief

in your power, divine and holy...

We pray for peace in our daily lives

with those whom we make our enemies,

with those who make us their foes...

We pray, Lord, for peace in those hidden places,

where we're often at war with ourselves,

in our minds, our thoughts and our hearts...

We pray for peace, for healing and wholeness
for all who live with depression,

with anxiety, worry and fear...

We pray for peace in those places, Lord,
where only you can understand

how deep is our need for your presence...

We pray for that peace we can't make ourselves,
the peace, Lord, that comes from you alone,

        the peace of your mercy and grace...

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake
   and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
   and asleep, rest in your peace...

And two options for music after this prayer: first, a four minute recording of the wind-powered bells in the memorial tower at Shanksville; and second, Philip Young's setting of Jesus' words, "Peace I leave with you..."

The Bell Tower at Shanksville

Bell Tower, Shanksville, PA