Are You There?

When settling in beneath the starry sky
feeling as though I’m an incredibly
minute dot in this universe

yet unified with it in humility
my arms raise and I fall to my knees
soul feeling wild, free as the seagull.

Experiencing in this holy moment
only the Goodness and Truth of
Marvelous Love. Nothing else.

It is sweet to consider loved ones
who have passed from this earth as a
light in the heavenly realm

a flash streaking across the night sky
or a bright star guiding us from one
moment into another.

Even in cloud-covered darkness
I feel their presence and tremble
in heart-opening wonder.

My soul forever remembers.

Ephesians 1:15-23 (CEB)
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians

Since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, this is the reason that I don’t stop giving thanks to God for you when I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength.

All Saints Day

This weekend All Saints Day will be celebrated at Saint Paul. As the names are read and the bell is rung, memories will run through our minds of who each person was and is to us. The music, Holy Communion, message, and fellowship will all contribute to honoring each of those who have joined the communion of saints. It is good to part of a congregation that does not forget that over ninety years of saints have impacted the church we are today.
We might hear this prayer that the Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Ephesus as a prayer to us. Know that we give thanks for you and your prayers. Through them, God’s power is strengthening our souls as individuals as well the soul of the church. Every time we sing a hymn, write a poem, gaze compassionately into the eyes of another, or sit in awe of God’s creation, we are strengthened for the ages.

Prayers for you and yours as we remember,
Rev. Marta Wheeler

To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here:  Devotional MW 2022-11-02