Noon devotion - April 7

Noon Devotion

April 7, 2020

Ecclesiastes 3        

Welcome to our noon devotional. 

We begin with a reading from Ecclesiastes chapter 3.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

When I worked at Camp Calumet, I was involved in Music Camp – it was a program where at the end of the week a chorus of over 80 campers put on a concert.  I have fond memories of those concerts.  Every so often one of those songs will pop into my head Vicar Crystal talked about earworms on Wednesday.   Well, last night as I fell asleep, I could not get the chorus of the song Parable out of my head. 

It goes like this:

To everything there is a season,

A time to be born and a time to die,

A time to speak and a time for silence,

A time to wound and a time to heal.

As our time of social distancing continues, I realize that it has offered the opportunity for all sorts of feelings, emotions and experiences. 

There is a time for all of these things. 

As we settle into (if you can even say that?) settle into this time of social distancing, we come to the realization that life still happens. 

Loved ones still go to the hospital. 

Loved ones struggle with loneliness.

We struggle not being able to see and hug friends.   

We remember days of joy…anniversaries, birthdays, potty training, the last day of chemo treatments!

We grieve the days and anniversaries that remind us of loss, that mark divorce dates, death dates, and times when we struggled to get along with one another. 

Families experience joy with more unstructured time together. 

Families experience stress with more unstructured time together and the continued attempt to balance or at least figure out how to do work and school from home. 

There is a time for all these things. 

And it’s okay to experience any or all of these things, even in the same day.

In this season, this new season of distance and concern, life will still happen, and we will continue to experience it all – at different times, at our own pace, and in our own moments.  

Whatever moments you are feeling today, memories, current experiences, it’s okay.  There is time and space for all of them. 

Be aware not only of what you’re feeling, but maybe how others are feeling as well.  And as Pastor Bill said yesterday, be kind. 

While you may be experiencing joy, someone may be experiencing heartache. 

While you are feeling loneliness someone else may be craving alone time. 

We all find ourselves in these sections from Ephesians at different times.  But there is time enough for all of it. 

Know that wherever you are…whatever you are feeling and experiencing, God is with you in that moment. 

Know that others have had similar experiences and are there to listen and care for you.  You are not alone.  We are here for you.  Amen. 

And now for a few announcements.

Noon Devotionals continue this week – Monday-Friday.

Wednesday at 7:30 – Holden Evening Prayer

Maundy Thursday – worship at 7pm

Good Friday – worship at 7pm

Easter Sunday – Worship at 9am

I am compiling a slide show for our Easter Sunday service of ways you all are worshipping and serving right now.  Please email me pictures of these activities, thank you. 

Please call the church office with any prayer requests, food or grocery needs or if you can help with food or grocery trips. 

Continue to keep yourselves and others safe at this time. 

Our time apart, as hard as it is, it for the health and wellness of our greater community, state and nation.  Heed those guidelines and stay safe. 

Let us pray,

Good and gracious God,

Thank you for loving us.

Thank you for your presence in all seasons. 

Thank you for being with us in joy, sorrow, celebration, grief, anger, happiness and all the feelings we have. 

We ask you to hold in your care this day, first responders, health care workers, people collecting trash and recycling, mail carriers, and those involved in delivering food and necessities for others.  We pray for Lucy and Bonnie who are in the hospital and those who love them. 

Remember us in your kingdom as you have taught us to pray. 

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,

for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen. 

And now receive God’s blessing:

May the God of all steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…

May you depart from evil and do good. 

May you seek peace and pursue it. 

May you go from this gathering wrapped in God’s grace now and forever. 

Amen.