It’s still snowy here. In case you wondered.

It was great metaphor for the sermon today, though. Jesus’ resurrection being a kind of hope for the future like a guy standing knee deep in snow declaring it’s going to be summer soon.

Anyway. I thought I’d share a poem (hymn) from the vigil service last night. (yes, I believe we have already established that I am a church geek. But I’m “normal” too. After the vigil service I went to the 400 Bar to watch McKilt play saxophone with X-Ray Hip. It was his rock ‘n’ roll debut…plus he invited me. Put me on the guest list and everything.)

But, I digress!!!

The poem is by my friend Susan Cheriwen (it’s in the current Lutheran hymnal if you’re looking for it.) Stanza’s 2 and 3 really get me. (and of course stanza 4 is all about that “new” commandment…loving, serving, etc.)

But 2′s reference to following even though wounded. A broken but shared life being made holy through God’s grace. And 3, the hope for the future. That being able to really declare Summer! in the middle of a blizzard. It’s crazy sounding. I don’t wonder at anyone who says it is. But that hope, that hope is vital if you’re to keep from just giving up. I find it through this faith. Because I tried the humanism way, the remembering that what God made is Good, but I kept running up against how it’s broken too. And I needed something that said, “Yes! Even though it’s broken (dead, failed) there is hope!”

OK. That’s enough of my extemporaneous sermon. I hope you all had a wonderful day with friends and family who love you.

Rise, O Church, Like Christ Arisen

1 Rise, O church, like Christ arisen,
from this meal of love and grace;
may we through such love envision
whose we are, and whose, our praise.
Alleluia, alleluia:
God, the wonder of our days.

2 Rise, transformed, and choose to follow
after Christ, though wounded, whole;
broken, shared, our lives are hallowed
to release and to console.
Alleluia, alleluia:
Christ, our present, past, and goal.

3 Rise, remember well the future
God has called us to receive;
present by God’s loving nurture,
Spirited then let us live.
Alleluia, alleluia:
Spirit, grace by whom we live.

4 Service be our sure vocation;
courage be our daily breath;
mercy be our destination
from this day and unto death.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rise, O church, a living faith.

Text: Susan Palo Cherwien