Read more about the article Getting Ready to Listen to Matthew’s Gospel…

Getting Ready to Listen to Matthew’s Gospel…

A Four-part Study on Matthew Presented in two-2 hour Zoom sessionsAdvent begins November 27 and that means we’ll be hearing a new gospel read on Sundays in our worship services.  If your church uses the Revised Common Lectionary, 39 out of the next 52 Sundays will feature a reading from Matthew’s Gospel This is a four-part study that will be presented in two-2 hour Zoom sessions (yes, we’ll have a short break midway!).Pastor Keith Hammer, a member at Redeemer Lutheran in Boise, will be the Leader/Facilitator.  The Zoom…

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Read more about the article Treasure Valley Cluster Connections – November

Treasure Valley Cluster Connections – November

Welcome to our latest edition of Treasure Valley Connections. We are welcoming readers from the Upper Snake Cluster this quarter. We are pleased to include a submission on Community Asset Mapping. That piece, the Listening with the Ear of My Heart Workshop, and this newsletter are all fruits of our cluster work with consultant Alicia Griffith. Please let us know how your congregation uses the asset mapping tool. We are also including pieces about stewardship, Advent, and our upcoming Synod Assembly and January cluster…

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Read more about the article Re-Membering

Re-Membering

Today, during a trip to the Wood River country where my family resided from the 1890’s through the 1950’s, with three of my cousins on the Schaufelberger side of my family, we stopped in front of the WW II Memorial that sits in front of the old City Hall in Bellevue, Idaho. There, cut in granite are the names of our three parents (or aunts and uncles depending on the relationship from which we viewed their names). Each had served in different theaters…

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Read more about the article WWW and MOM

WWW and MOM

Wash, Wipe, Wearand Ministry of the Month at Redeemer Lutheran, Boise https://youtu.be/mgfXAxMo3UcOn Wednesdays during the Easter season (April 20 – June 1), TVPrays.org is posting videos from Treasure Valley Cluster ELCA congregations that feature congregational outreach ministries and partners from the community who support or assist these congregations in their ministries.   This week’s video features two ministries of Redeemer Lutheran in Boise. MOM - Ministry of the Month and WWW - Wash, Wipe, Wear. Share on facebook Share on twitter

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Read more about the article Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
A doctor hugs and comforts a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Station thirteen - A doctor hugs and comforts a patient It asked a crumb Emily Dickinson Holy God, we pray for healers and for the dying. Grant physicians and nurses strength and resolve in their care of the dying, hold in your loving embrace the ill and isolated. With your gracious compassion and care, alleviate anxiety, offer calm, and comfort the lonesome. We ask these things in the name of the one who heals all, Jesus Christ. AmenAre there photographs, news clips, or stories…

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Read more about the article Jesus Dies on the Cross
A Covid-19 patient lies in her intensive care bed as family members attempt to communicate via video.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Station Twelve - A Covid-19 patient attempts to communicate via video.  Yet - never - in Extremity, Emily Dickinson Almighty God, the healing power of your love binds us one to another, no matter if our presence is virtual or in person. Give your angels charge over those at the boundary of life and life eternal. Comfort and console the bereaved and mourning. We ask these things in the merciful power of your name. Amen. Describe some of the situations when you have…

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Read more about the article Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
A wife weeps while hugging her husband in his final moments in a COV/0-19 unit at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California.

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Station Eleven - A wife weeps while hugging her husband And on the strangest Sea Emily Dickinson God of compassion and consolation, be with us. Help us to confront the reality that this pandemic has laid bare a healthcare system malicious in its care of marginalized communities. We see that black and brown communities are experiencing extraordinary suffering, pour out your love so that we might seek repentance for our complicity. Comfort those mourning and bring peace to the bedside of the sick.…

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Read more about the article Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
A doctor provides care to an unhoused person.

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Station Ten - a doctor provides  to unhoused... I've heard it in the chillest land Emily Dickinson Holy Healer, your love follows us to all places.Make your compassionate presence known toall people. By the power of your Spirit, protectour unhoused siblings, and encourage us toserve them. Fortify and strengthen thedoctors, nurses, and social workers who havededicated themselves to the care of the mostvulnerable among us. We ask this in the nameof the one who loves all people. Amen.Reflect on a time during the…

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Read more about the article Jesus Falls for the Third Time
A maintenance worker sanitizes the handrails outside a homeless shelter.

Jesus Falls for the Third Time

Station 9 - A maintenance worker sanitizes... That kept so many warm- Emily Dickinson God of all goodness, we thank you for thededication of maintenance and janitorialworkers across the world. Their steadfaststerilizing has helped to protect millions inhospital hallways, grocery store aisles, andnursing homes. Help us to better see thegood work of people keeping disease atbay. Encourage them in their exhaustionand grant them rest from their labor, weask all of this in the humble name of Jesus.Amen. Who are some of the people…

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Read more about the article Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
A woman hold a photo of a healthcare worker who died of COVID-19

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station Eight - A woman hold photo of healthcare worker What could abash the little Bird Emily Dickinson Healing God, we repent that we havenot done enough to protect frontlinehealthcare workers. Grant comfort tofamilies grieving the loss of those whohave died as a result of the negligenceof our government’s response to thispandemic. Support and encourage ourfifirst responders as they continue tocare for the sick and dying in the faceof chaos and disease. We ask thesethings in the name of Jesus Christ whois with…

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Read more about the article Jesus Falls for the Second Time
A mortuary worker stands at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery where Covid-19 victims are buried daily in Manaus, Brazil.

Jesus Falls for the Second Time

Station Seven - A mortuary worker stands at a cemetery And sore must be the storm - Emily Dickinson God of all nations, open our awareness to thesuffering of communities far away. Help us toseek knowledge and understanding of placeswe might never visit. We thank you for themortuary and funeral home workers whomake a resting place for the neglected andalone. Give them strength and courage fortheir labor. In your name we pray. Amen.What are some of the photographs or stories that made you…

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Read more about the article Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
A granddaughter and grandmother hug through a plastic drop cloth hung up on a homemade clothesline in Wantagh, N. Y. It was the first time they had contact since the pandemic began.

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station Six - a grandmother and granddaughter hug through a plastic drop And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - Emily Dickinson God of everlasting love,We give you thanks for the elders in our communities. Help us to keep them safe, and forgive us for the times when we have chosen our own personal freedoms at the cost of their vulnerability. Bless them as they are a blessing to us. Pour out your Spirit upon all families separated from one another.…

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Read more about the article Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
A funeral home worker plays the violin as a deacon holds an umbrella before the cremation of a coronavirus victim at a cemetery in Bogota, Colombia.

Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

Station Five - A funeral home worker plays the violin in mourning And never stops - at all Emily Dickinson Holy God, You came into the world in the vulnerability of a human body. You know us in the womb and you know us at our end. We give thanks for the clergy, deacons, lay ministers, and church musicians who bring solace and comfort to families mourning in this time of pandemic. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen.How have you mourned the lives…

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Read more about the article Jesus Meets His Mother
Worshipers of Legio Maria in Nairobi attend a prayer session

Jesus Meets His Mother

Station Four - Worshipers of Legio Maria in Nairobi without the words Emily Dickinson Steadfast God,You draw us together to glorify yourhealing name, whether we’re separatedby physical distance or digital divide.May we boldly proclaim your love in allplaces and circumstances. Remind usthat we are bound to one another inChrist’s love regardless of how wegather. Amen.What are the most memorable worship experiencesyou’ve had in this time of virtual and limitedin-person worship?What are the things you want tokeep from this time?What are the things that havefrustrated…

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Read more about the article Jesus Falls for the First Time
An Opera singer performs "O Sole Mio" from his window in Paris on the tenth day of a strict lockdown in France.

Jesus Falls for the First Time

Station Three -  An opera singer And sings the tune Emily Dickinson God of beauty and whimsy, pour out yourvisionary Spirit on all musicians, artists, andcreators. We thank you for those who haveused their gifts to bring comfort and joy in themidst of loss and anxiety. May the grace weencounter in their creativity draw us closer toyou. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.How have you connected with creativity during the pandemic? What were the stories that engaged you? (Television, novels, games, etc.) Why…

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Read more about the article Jesus Accepts the Cross
A mother and daughter reach out to each other through a glass window at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington. The Seattle-area long-term care facility became ground zero for the West Coast's coronavirus outbreak.

Jesus Accepts the Cross

Station Two - A mother and daughter reach out to each other through a glass window. That perches in the soul - Emily Dickinson Holy Parent and Loving Protector, Heal us from the pain and trauma of separation from our loved ones. Make known the presence of your abiding love to our elders in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. By the power of your Spirit, free them from anxiety and console them with your grace. Strengthen their caregivers and encourage them when…

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Read more about the article Jesus is Condemned to Death
A nurse rests for a few minutes on a COVID ward in Wuhan, China.

Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station One - Nurse in Wuhan Hope is the thing with feathers - Emily Dickinson God of our weary years,We give thanks for the healthcare workerswho have made immense sacrifices to carefor their patients. Grant comfort to thosecaring for the sick and vulnerable, strengthenthem as they endure long hours, separationfrom their families, and surging case loads.Help us to sustain and fortify those on thefrontlines by remaining vigilant, staying homewhen we can, washing our hands, andwearing masks. Amen.Where have you seen courage in the…

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Read more about the article Breathe! And Be!

Breathe! And Be!

We are currently in the midst of the winter season. Earth itself gives us an opportunity to experience and learn from her wisdom. In this season, life itself slows down. The animals react by conserving their energy and some even hibernate through this cold and desolate time of year. It was snowing so hard that I couldn’t see much farther than half a block down the street. It was a “white out.” The trees have lost their foliage and lie dormant waiting, in…

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Read more about the article Hope Eagle Christmas

Hope Eagle Christmas

Hope Lutheran Church 331 North Linder Road Eagle, Idaho 83616 Service of Remembrance Tuesday, December 21 7 PM Indoors Christmas Eve Services Friday, December 24 Parking Lot Services - 3 & 5 PM Stay warm in your car and worship with us outside for drive-in worship. Enjoy live music, readings, and sermon through your radio. Pastor Mike will lead from the beloved, "covered wagon." Indoor Candlelight Service - 7 & 10 PM Celebrate the birth of Christ in the sanctuary with special music,…

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Read more about the article Christmas Eve at Trinity

Christmas Eve at Trinity

Christmas Eve Services All are welcome to join in worship at Trinity Lutheran Church Located at 8 S. Midland Blvd., Nampa 4:00 p.m. - Family Service &10:00 p.m. - Candlelight Service At least one service will be streamed on Facebook Live and available soon after on our website. Sign-Ups are needed to attend in person. Open this post and choose button

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