From the Pastor: God’s Eyes and Heart

Dear friends,

By the time you receive this issue, our new building should be just about finished. These last weeks especially have been exciting as we have watched the finishing touches. Our dream has taken shape, thanks be to God!

A few days ago in my morning devotional reading, the lectionary lesson was from 1 Kings 9. In this passage, Solomon has just finished building the Temple and a number of associated buildings, and he has a vision of the Lord. The Lord says to him, "I have consecrated this house that you have built, and put my name there forever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time."

I’ve really been pondering what it might mean that the eyes and the heart of God are here in our new building. We puzzled together at the Congregation Council meeting in September about this same verse. God’s eyes and heart in our Fellowship Center, and in our very welcoming Atrium. What does it mean?

First, I think it tells us that God’s watchful eyes are on all that takes place in our buildings. His eyes are on the times of fellowship that we will share. His eyes are on the homeless people who will be sleeping there again on Wednesday nights this winter. His eyes are on the Alcoholics Anonymous groups that find here support and help with their struggles. His eyes are on the community groups that meet here, to do various kinds of good work in our county. His eyes are on the youth who will make one of those lower level rooms their own. His eyes are on the ministries that we have not yet imagined, but which will happen because we have the facilities and the faith to make them happen.

And then it tells us as well that God’s heart is here. All these things that will happen, they express his love for his people. He delights when we eat together, and play together, and learn together. He delights when we welcome others in his name—the stranger, the homeless, the needy, the children.

Not long ago I heard a great line: "facilities facilitate." The whole purpose of this project we’ve undertaken is to facilitate ministry, to make ministry happen here on West Main St. As exciting as it has been to watch the facility come together, it will be more exciting still to watch it facilitate ministry. That is why we did it.

"Reaching Out for Peace"—that will be the theme of our fall campaign to reduce the debt on this wonderful gift God has given us. With our new additions, we are set to reach out in all kinds of ways—ways we’ve been doing already, but also new ways, exciting ways.

I invite you to join me in praying quite intentionally over these next weeks, thanking God for what he has given and asking him truly to consecrate this new house for outreach and ministry. And then watch out! Wonderful things are going to be happening!

Peace to you

Pastor Richard O. Johnson

Classic Prayers

We confess unto Thee, O God, how weak we are in ourselves, how powerless to do the work of life, how prone to uncharitable judgments of others, to selfishness and to sin. We beseech Thee to grant us strength and charity, the strength of Thy Spirit and the charity of Christ wherein we can think and do what is right and true and kind. Enable us to refuse every selfish inclination, every willful purpose, every unkind feeling, every thought and end and deed of anger and impatience, and to cherish perfect love, constant kindness, to think pure thoughts, to speak gentle words, to do helpful and gracious deeds. Deliver us from all judgment of our fellows remembering that with what measure we judge we shall be judged. Deliver us from all fear of man’s judgment of ourselves. Raise our minds to the contemplation of Thy beloved Son alone, that seeing His divine beauty, we may be drawn near unto Him, and changed into His image, and empowered to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, into harmony with His Spirit and His immortal life. Amen.

--Thomas C. Stone (1801-1895)

Liturgy Notes: The Processional Cross

The use of the processional cross is very ancient in Christian worship. There is some record of crosses being carried in processions outside the church as early as the fourth century, much as a modern “demonstration” might carry signs and banners to attract attention. Some time after that, the use of the cross began to be common in processions in the church itself. The custom seems to have arisen in France. It did not become widespread elsewhere until about the ninth century, when the Emperor Charlemagne suggest to Pope Leo III that he make use of the French custom. Pope Leo tactfully agreed, whereupon Charlemagne presented him with a beautiful French cross which was carried at the head of papal processions. It then became a very common practice in parish churches all over Europe.

Many scholars believe that the processional cross itself actually led to the widespread use of the cross on or above the altar. Early processional crosses were “detachable” from their staff; they were carried in the procession, and then removed and placed on the altar, or near the altar. This led eventually to the custom of having a stationary cross at the altar, and a smaller cross to be used in the processions.

The use of the processional cross is a very dramatic symbol of the Christian life. One writer has explained it as a representation of Christ, moving at the head of his people, leading them in the way of the cross. Several hymns reflect this idea. Think, for example, of the line in “Onward, Christian Solders”: “...with the cross of Jesus going on before.” Or that very popular hymn among Lutherans, “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name.” These hymns use the imagery of the cross at the head of the procession, a symbol of the Lord whom we follow. In many ways, the idea is akin to that of national flags at the head of a patriotic parade.

The person who carries the cross in the procession is called the “crucifer.” It is a very special task, one that is appropriately done by any member of the congregation. The cross is carried at the head of the entrance procession, which may be very short (just crucifer and ministers) or more elaborate (choir, other worship assistants, etc.). One ancient tradition is for the congregation members to bow their heads as the cross passes them--a similar concept to putting one’s hand on one’s heart as the American flag passes. The bow represents reverence and commitment to following the cross of Jesus Christ.

Once inside, the cross is usually placed near the altar. Sometimes the cross is used in different ways throughout the liturgy. If there is a baptism, for instance, the crucifer might carry the cross from the altar to the font, and stand there with it during the baptism as a silent representation of Christ’s presence in the sacrament of baptism. Or on very special festival days, the crucifer might carry the cross before the presiding minister as he goes into the midst of the congregation to ready the gospel lesson--again symbolizing the presence of Christ where the gospel is spoken. At the end of the liturgy, the processional cross again goes before the ministers and people as they leave the church, reminding us that we leave “with the cross of Jesus going on before”, and that we go out into the world to proclaim the love of Christ.

Most Sundays at Peace we use the beautiful processional cross that was constructed by Pastor Clarence Paulsen, with stained glass inlay by Linda Stohl, given in memory of Judy Breninger. Our other processional cross was designed and constructed by Richard Cammerer, who also designed the rest of our chancel furnishings. It was given in honor of Pr. Clarence Paulsen, but is only rarely used as a "processional" cross because it is quite heavy, more than the average crucifer can handle. It stands near the altar normally as a kind of "stationary cross."