"The Love Letter that Gets Passed Around" by Pastor Bill Geis

Many of us remember the TV show, “Name that Tune.” Years later, it’s still a party favorite. For many familiar songs, all it takes is hearing the first few notes and we’re all singing. There are two words in the English language that have a similar effect in the spoken word. They invoke instant recall. Instinctively hearts and mouths speak and millions are united.

I’ve prayed this prayer with the youngest of children—kids just developing the speech patterns of sentences. I’ve prayed these words while holding the hands of the dying taking their last breath. I’ve been with Christians from different churches and traditions who were truly one voice as we prayed these words. I prayed in China with an assembly where some spoke Mandarin, others Cantonese, French, English and even Latin. I’ve stood among hundreds of children who have filled me with an indescribably pleasure as they spoke these words. I’ve seen the critically ill revived and muted lips speak as this prayer was offered. I’ve been with dozens paralyzed in time by Dementia or Alzheimer’s, and witnessed these words break through the barriers.

We recognize these words instantly. They are words of love shared together in a vast community called the Church that transcends age, culture, traditions, divisions, gain or loss, strength or weakness. Truly this is a prayer that gets passed around.

St. John’s recently published its 2010 Lenten Devotional Book, “Love Letters.” The devotional journey, written by dozens of St. John’s members and friends, includes a reading of four love letters from scripture (1 John, James, 1 Peter and Ephesians). As Lent begins, we also begin a new series of messages in our weekend worship journey. They look at the ever familiar gift of love that comes out of the Lord's Prayer. While we know it best as "prayer," we could truly call it a "Love Letter."

Wherever there are followers of Christ, they can "name that tune!" There's so much to gain by passing it around. In this prayer we see our mission too. The prayer is rich with opportunity to Meet Jesus, Experience the Support of the Church, and Live as disciples.

The Lutheran heritage around this prayer is rich. The prayer is considered one of the “Six Chief Parts” of our faith. Frequently, it has had a prominent place in Lenten preaching and meditations. So for the next six Sundays (and Monday nights) we will share this prayer as part of the discipline of Lent--meditating on its grace and meaning, delighting in the opportunity to talk to Our Father so freely, and we will embrace the joy that comes out of passing this Love Letter around in Christian community. May this Lenten journey of worship be a holy exchange of sharing this prayer and growing in the love of Christ. That’s why we call this series, “The Love Letter that Get’s Passed Around.”

Feb 21/22	Hallowed Be Thy Name
Feb 28/Mar 1	Thy Kingdom Come
Mar 7/8	Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Mar 14/15	Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Mar 21/22	Forgive Us Our Trespasses as We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us
Mar 28/29 Palm Sunday	Lead Us Not Into Temptation; But Deliver Us From Evil