Tag Archives: Lutheran

April 30, 2019 · 3:59 pm

A Paschal People

Christ Lutheran’s font ready for an Easter baptism (2019).

As I write this, we have just entered the Church’s most special time of celebration. (Yes, even more special than Christmas.) We are celebrating the Three Days (also called the Triduum). During this time, we remember Jesus giving us a new command to love one another, but also to share in the Lord’s love for us, Holy Communion. “Do this in remembrance of me.” We then recall Christ’s suffering for our sake. On Good Friday, Jesus gave his life so that we might live with him forever. Christians argue about the mechanics of this mystery, but somehow, someway through the love of God, those who trust in Jesus will share in eternal, abundant life. And finally, we celebrate Easter (traditionally called Pascha) with shouts, “Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed!” We welcome the day and one another in celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

But is that really, finally it? No! The Church celebrates the gifts of Easter for fifty days. During the Season of Easter, we will hear tales of the early Church and promises of Christ coming again. The Easter cycle concludes with Pentecost, the day we remember the Holy Spirit descending upon the first people who will become “Church.” Empowered by that same Spirit through our faith and baptism, we share in all the gifts of being Church together with them and all those saints who will come after us.

And even then, it isn’t over. Each Sunday is meant to be a little Easter. We welcome new members to Christ’s family through baptism. We regularly recall and share in the Lord’s Supper. We remember the sacred stories of God’s love for us and especially the Risen Christ. We are a Paschal People called to gather so that we can be sent out to point others to the love of God; the love made most clear through Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection for our sake.

In our life together, Jesus proclaims we are to be his body. People will see Jesus through our shared fellowship, worship and service as we love one another. And as with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we might just catch a glimpse of the Risen Christ on our way. The promises of scripture might even begin to burn just a bit more warmly within us, perhaps with greater clarity and certainty, as we walk this road together.

Dear Church, I pray we experience a blessed Easter, a life with Christ which lasts forever in joy.

“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117)

Originally published in the May 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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April 18, 2019 · 8:31 pm

Among the Ashes

The Hub, April 17, 2019

Image (c) Mirror.com.uk find their original article here.

Perhaps like many of you, I watched the burning of Notre Dame with great sadness. Whether we have been there or not, it remains an enduring part of our shared cultural heritage. Yet, we also should ponder signs of hope among the ashes: in the bravery of the firefighters striving successfully to preserve the main structure; in the crowds gathered kneeling, praying and singing together; and among the ruins, finding a cross preserved and shining forth from the ashes.

Although we do not know the cause of the fire yet, people are already coming forward to fund the rebuilding of this cathedral. The heart of the building, its faith community (and their connection to the communion of saints reaching far beyond Paris), lives on. This all reminds me of a sacred promise, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5).

This is a statement of what was, what is and what yet shall be through the power of the ancient events of Holy Week and the first Easter. It’s a power alive and at work in our community and in all who believe. Our world needs signs of Christ’s light amidst so much ash and decay. Through our fellowship, service and worship, God is doing something new. Jesus, who shared our sorrows, will share his risen joy.

Please be with us, in prayer and in person as you are able, this Holy Week and beyond. For our decaying world needs to find such signs of hope. People need to see that Christ is truly risen and alive in us, and its likely we need to be encouraged in our faith, hope and love as well. For dust we are, and unto dust we shall return, but we remain in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christ Lutheran’s (Fredericksburg, VA) worship schedule for the Triddum can be found at:
http://www.christ-lutheran-church.org/

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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April 9, 2019 · 4:36 pm

Hidden Behind the Palms: The Roots of Palm Sunday

The Hub, April 10, 2019


Photo by Valentin Salja on Unsplash

Palm Sunday, the start of our Holy Week experience, is upon us. Most of us should recall the story, but do you know the ancient roots hidden behind behind the palms?

For many centuries, the palm had served as a symbol of victory in the Near East and Greco-Roman world. This especially became so for the Jewish people as they remembered their liberation from Egypt by God’s power.

Recalling the Exodus at Passover and during Sukkot (the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles each fall), palms helped the people of Israel remember their wondering ancestors who often had to build hasty tents as their dwelling place and eat quick meals. Even the Ark of the Covenant, holding the tablets given to Moses and serving as the “mercy seat” of the Lord, was housed in such a tent (also called a booth or tabernacle).

For the people of Israel, the palm became a symbol of freedom and nationalism. They were a people set apart by God, and in Jesus’ day, they fully anticipated their eventual liberation from the occupying army of the Roman Empire. Could Jesus be the one to accomplish it?

As Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, he was celebrated as a prophet known for authentic teaching and miraculous works. He came into Jerusalem on a donkey much as Solomon did to be coronated. It was also as Zechariah foretold, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

And so, Jesus was met with waving palms and shouts of hosanna, a term of adulation and praise, but it also at its root means, “Save us!” This is as in Psalm 118, “Save us, we beseech you, O Lord.” Jesus would prove a savior, but what kind?

This Holy Week, I invite us all to contemplate and encounter once again his sacred story. Join us as we consider what Jesus’ entry into our lives truly means.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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April 3, 2019 · 2:41 pm

Radiating Love

The Hub, April 3, 2019

Volunteers of our Feed the Children Program radiate love, smiles and blessing through our weekly student food assistance program.

As noted in the very name of [Christ Lutheran’s The Hub] weekly email, Christ Lutheran was meant to serve from the center of our community but have a far reach. Just this week, I went into the interior of our building to find four faithful people filling plastic bags with food. Weekly, volunteer teams of our congregation including youth gather to feed hungry students in our region through our Feed the Children Program. Food is collected earlier and then lovingly packed into 150 sacks, each sack representing a heart like our own with a future filled with hope. Thanks to these simple efforts, one less child will go hungry over a weekend away from school meals and other resources. You might have heard that according to government statistics, one in seven Virginia children live in families that struggle with food insecurity. That means those families don’t regularly have enough food to eat. (This is a bit better than the one in six national statistic, but it still seems dreadful.) Many hands make light work, and so I was invited to help. The task is quick and easy, and it proves a great time to share our own stories and smiles. Within a very short time, the bags were packed and readied for delivery to the local school system. From that little room in the depths of our building where only a handful of believers gathered, I found Christ reaching out into the community. It wasn’t just food but love, smiles and blessing radiating to people and places far beyond our walls.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 27, 2019 · 6:05 pm

Faith & Fun

The Hub, March 27, 2019

Recently, members of our youth group took on the challenge of a local escape room. Inspired by the reported haunting of Chatham Manor, participants had forty-five minutes to find clues and solve the puzzle of why Lady Chatham had returned from the dead. It sounds perhaps frightening, but this family friendly event was not a horror story. There were plenty of aha moments and laughter instead.

This was an opportunity for team work and friendship. Although we did not successfully navigate all the challenges, our youth from varied schools (some not knowing each other well) discovered the gift of deepening friendship as they worked together with common purpose. As with any family, our Christian family grows stronger with shared experience overcoming trials and perhaps even having fun along the way.

Too often, people assume spiritual exercises need to be arduous. Yet remember, Jesus took time to relax with his disciples. He would go away from the crowds and rest. Growing scholarship also lifts up the humor of Jesus, often nuanced or culturally based, but it is there. It appears people enjoyed being with Jesus, and socializing would have been part of his team-building plan with his all too human disciples.

As children of God at any age, it is good that we pray and serve together, but time for play and laughter is important too. We need to share in all aspects of life, and this includes Gospel joy and human friendship. Whether its group outings or shared hobbies, Jesus is there when we gather in his name as his children. We can meet Jesus anew amidst play and laughter. 

Some of the CLC youth who braved the escape room.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 19, 2019 · 6:52 pm

Tangled Branches

The Hub, March 20, 2019

Recently, I came across a piece of art called “Majesty,” by Tacita Dean. Inspired by one of the oldest, most massive, twisted, complete oaks in the United Kingdom, the tree has certainly witnessed much history and has become a symbol of the community. Using an enlarged black and white photograph of the tree split over four overlapping fiber-based papers, the artist used white gouache to painstakingly make every twig on every branch uniquely visible. In person, this reveals the intricate lacework of that ancient yet still living tree.

As we travel through Lent, we are encouraged to use varied disciplines to examine the lacework of our lives. Thus, we gather for Wednesday night worship in community. We will reflect upon some fruits of our faith: grace, mercy, justice, righteousness, wisdom, hospitality, and service.  Despite our being battered by all the elements of life, even sin, life remains. And so, each week, we are adding simple bands of varied colored clothe to a symbolic tree of life. This dead tree will grow and change, and we will begin to note our beautiful interconnectedness to every twig and branch of the Church, as well as to the one called Jesus. As Lent ends, we will remember yet another tree – how Jesus rode on in majesty only to be hung on a cross for our sake. As Isiaiah proclaimed, “See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them” (Isa. 42:9). It is Christ’s love that connects us forever and even now brings forth new life.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 14, 2019 · 5:35 pm

Walking a New Beat

The Hub, Mar. 13, 2019

Police officers in Fredericksburg still feel pain from the relatively recent murder of a friend while on duty. Officers and their families continue to experience repercussions and pressures from past and present systemic problems related to policing here as well in other communities far away. Dealing disproportionately with evil in society, officers everywhere need to be on guard that they aren’t overcome by that evil.

That’s where chaplains come in. They meet the officers where they are, walk with them and their families through the darkness, and seek to help them stay healthy and whole. Doing so, officers will hopefully experience a more abundant life, but it also helps them become healthier servants to all.

Considering my past experiences and training, Chief David Nye [of the Fredericksburg (VA) Police Department] recently asked me if I would be willing to serve our local law enforcement community as a chaplain, and I wholeheartedly agreed.

What does this mean for our congregation? I will be serving our police department’s officers, staff and families seeking to build resiliency and facilitate hope and healing when crises come. Yet, I will also be seeking to serve victims of crime, those recently arrested, people in need of all kinds of services, and everyone I meet.

It’s just another way to live into the beatitudes, to love even some who may now be our enemies, and to help establish peace and justice on earth. Through the Spirit, we are one. You will also be with me as I serve. This is an opportunity to make new and exciting connections in our community as we seek to love our neighbors and our God in new, expansive ways. Please pray for the success of this outreach and the safety of all.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 14, 2019 · 4:55 pm

Amidst Our Mess

The Hub, Mar. 6, 2019

Some memorable items displayed in my new office.

Recently, I faced an ugly reality…my old office. After eleven years, it was time to pack up and move to Christ Lutheran. With the help of my wife, Kristine, we went to work. It took more than a day, but in the end, my things were packed, and the office clean again. I found there was plenty of dust and trash tucked away in unexpected places. Over time without really recognizing it, my workspace had become disordered. Yet, how pleasing it was to find amidst the dirt and grime small treasures that sparked many happy memories.

There are times in our lives that we need to set things straight. Liturgically, the Church offers us Lent. Many Christians give up certain foods or other pleasures as a discipline to help them recall the pain of sin and Christ’s own sacrifice. Others meet with their pastors to confess their struggle with sin and discern ways to make amends. Still others recommit to extra scripture studies, worship, or acts of mercy, charity and generosity. As the clutter clears, we might remember Jesus’ love more and see our lives in a new way.

Through the season of Lent, we reconnect to Gospel joy. Brother Roger of Taizé called Lent “forty days granted us in which to marvel at a love too great for words.” We participate in Lent not to become perfect, not to revel in our darkness with long faces, but to reconnect to a love longing to spark a springtime in our lives. Amidst our mess, we are offered new life through Jesus.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 14, 2019 · 4:32 pm

Gather, Welcome, Serve

The Hub, Feb. 27, 2019

What was one of the simple things that people did to make me feel at home again at Christ Lutheran? They asked me my favorite color. The answer is blue, and this became a challenge to our flower team. They went out of their way to find blue flowers during a season when they are hard to come by. Those responsible succeeded (using hydrangeas mixed with other flowers and even blackberries from someone’s yard), and they were beautiful. This reminded me how all our worship services are cared for down to the smallest detail.

So often, it is the small things that matter most in welcoming others. Once, I had a couple join my congregation just because the altar guild had prepared to welcome them with gluten wafers. I have seen that if the sanctuary was too dark, too light, too cold or hot, perhaps the mic isn’t working just right, or in any other way things seem uncomfortable (even dirty restrooms), it proves a hindrance to worship and relationship. Thankfully, our property team stays on top of this. And when my friends and family shared their first impressions from my installation, they mentioned the spirit-filled music as well as the authentic friendliness of those in attendance. Everything that had been done and all who were there made them feel welcome.

In planning, preparing and attending worship, we don’t just do so for our benefit. We gather and serve to welcome others in Jesus’ name.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 14, 2019 · 4:26 pm

“Still Glides the Stream”

The Hub, Feb. 20, 2019

As my installation ended and the party began, I was presented a gift from our congregation: a beautiful new stole. Stoles have been a sign of public office since the days of the Roman Empire. As stoles became identified with worship leadership in the growing Christian faith, they grew more ornate often with symbols from scripture, the sacraments or church year. My new stole is white, a liturgical color associated with the feasts of Easter, Christmastide, and other high festivals of the church. The white stole is richly decorated with a dynamic stream of varied colors and symbols. The artist’s inspiration was “the river of life.”

Grounded in the waters of our baptism, what a marvelous and appropriate gift. Where have we come from? Where will we be led? With former church members from Mechanicsville, colleagues from my past hospice work, social ministries and seminary studies, as well as members of Christ Lutheran gathered, we represented Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic believers. It was a small but mighty subset of the “great cloud of witnesses,” each with gifts to offer. We are certainly part of something much bigger than ourselves; driving us together, pushing us on, churning us with change and renewal.

One of my favorite poets, William Wordsworth, reflected on the River Duddon, “I see what was, and is, and will abide; Still glides the Stream, and shall forever glide…” Soaked through with the love of God and one another, we are in for a great adventure. God’s grace has set us free.

Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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