St. Paul Rehburg

In the conversation with Pastor Rob for his “Art and Prayer” series that I shared in my post here yesterday, we talked about the road that appears in my “Palm Sunday” artwork. I think about that road as moving in two directions: the road comes toward us, with Christ making his way toward us along that path, and the road also stretches out in front of us, inviting us to go out and meet him. Here at the edge of Palm Sunday, which direction might that road be inviting us? As we move into this Holy Week, this blessing is for you.

BLESSING OF PALMS

This blessing
can be heard coming
from a long way off.

This blessing
is making
its steady way
up the road
toward you.

This blessing
blooms in the throats
of women,
springs from the hearts
of men,
tumbles out of the mouths
of children.

This blessing
is stitched into
the seams
of the cloaks
that line the road,
etched into
the branches
that trace the path,
echoes in
the breathing
of the willing c**t,
the click
of the donkey’s hoof
against the stones.

Something is rising
beneath this blessing.
Something will try
to drown it out.

But this blessing
cannot be turned back,
cannot be made
to still its voice,
cannot cease
to sing its praise
of the One who comes
along the way
it makes.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

Image: “Palm Sunday"
© janrichardsonimages.com

This image and blessing first appeared in the reflection “Palm Sunday: The Way It Makes” at paintedprayerbook.com.

Another fun afternoon coming up for our youth grades 6th to 12th with Next Generation !!!!

Happy Epiphany! I love this day of mystery and light, and how it invites us to remember that we find our way through the unknown by being willing to set out into it. This blessing is for you, for this day, with gratitude for your company on the path.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAR TO TRAVEL
An Epiphany Blessing

If you could see
the journey whole
you might never
undertake it;
might never dare
the first step
that propels you
from the place
you have known
toward the place
you know not.

Call it
one of the mercies
of the road:
that we see it
only by stages
as it opens
before us,
as it comes into
our keeping
step by
single step.

There is nothing
for it
but to go
and by our going
take the vows
the pilgrim takes:

to be faithful to
the next step;
to rely on more
than the map;
to heed the signposts
of intuition and dream;
to follow the star
that only you
will recognize;

to keep an open eye
for the wonders that
attend the path;
to press on
beyond distractions
beyond fatigue
beyond what would
tempt you
from the way.

There are vows
that only you
will know;
the secret promises
for your particular path
and the new ones
you will need to make
when the road
is revealed
by turns
you could not
have foreseen.

Keep them, break them,
make them again:
each promise becomes
part of the path;
each choice creates
the road
that will take you
to the place
where at last
you will kneel

to offer the gift
most needed—
the gift that only you
can give—
before turning to go
home by
another way.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

Image: "The Wise Ones"
© Jan Richardson
janrichardsonimages.com

(P.S. If you haven’t seen the new retreat for Women’s Christmas, which some folks celebrate on Epiphany Day: https://sanctuaryofwomen.com/womenschristmas.html. You can download it as a PDF at no cost.)

Today is the eleventh day of Christmas. “Give thanks for the enduring impacts of Christmas and the good news of Jesus Christ, letting them shape your life and guide you throughout the year” (ELCA Prayer Ventures).

Merry Christmas from St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg!

Beautiful

For you, for this Advent day: a blessing inspired by the exchange between someone who said yes to helping bring forth a new world and someone who recognized, blessed, and helped her do that. May we have that kind of courage.

ELIZABETH’S BLESSING

On the day
when you have agreed
to what you could never
have imagined,
let this blessing
first lay its hands
upon your belly,
your brow.

Let this blessing draw you
into the litany
of your breathing in,
your breathing out;
the ceremony of
the beating of
your heart
as it spends itself
in gathering
and release.

Look at each thing
you have drawn into
the circle of your life:
fashioned of
glass and stone,
paper and clay;
how each object
remains unchanged
but for how
it now inhabits this world
where you have
spoken yes,
have offered the word
you will never now
unsay.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

Image: “Magnificat“
© Jan Richardson
janrichardsonimages.com

Blessing and image inspired by Luke 1:39-55.

Rehburg Members - If you have not yet filled out a Time & Talent forms for next year please do so today. I need to have these results in order to work on the 2025 yearbook. Thank you so much for taking a few minutes to fill this out!

St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg 2025 Time & Talents Form Please complete this form and return it to the church office by November 11, 2024

Amen!

Help us to love others even when it is difficult. Amen. ❤

http://www.boldcafe.org/love/

Amen!

"The disciples did not recognize Jesus, even though he was with them the whole time. Likewise, Jesus has been alongside us every moment. Yet, at times, we struggle to recognize Jesus in our midst. . . . Thankfully, Jesus keeps showing up when and where we least expect to encounter him." ✨

Adapted from, "Faith reflections: Feels like Good Friday," by the Rev. Angela T. Khabeb, boldcafe.org June 2020

https://www.boldcafe.org/faith-reflections-feels-like-good-friday/

Bingo and cakewalk prizes still needed for this Sunday's Rally Day.
Snack/drink prizes will be great for Bingo and "Little Debbie " type wrapped sweets will be great for the cake walk. Thank you!!!!

A reminder for us all on this Wednesday!

Rally Day coming up August 25th!
Come join the fun!

Our local Blessings Box needs some love!

Hey Neighbors,

We need some help filling up the Blessings Box, again. 🤍

Any donations can be dropped off directly in the Blessings Box or given to White Horse for overflow.

Thank you for helping to show our neighbors love. ♥️

📣 CALLING ALL YOUTH & FAMILIES 📣

Next Genera✝️ion Presents:

A Pop Up Movie Event 📽️

📅 Friday, July 5th

⏰ 10:30 AM

📍Westwood Cinema 6
2100 US 290
Brenham

🎬 We'll be watching:
Inside Out 2

🎟️ ADMISSION to movie is FREE!!

🍿🥤🍫 Please bring money for snacks and drinks

🥳 ALL area youth and families invited -- Kiddos 8 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult!

Come join us!
All are welcome! 🤍

https://youtu.be/7bVKvKlcC3s
This is the Ash Wednesday service from last night.

Worship Service for Ash Wed.

https://youtu.be/I3B0zD40nQ4
Feb 11 Worship Part 2

2-11-24 Worship Video Part 2

https://youtu.be/uG2lGq0FqHo
Feb 11 Worship Service - part 1

02-11-24 Worship Video Part 1