Page 27 - Lenten Devotional 2023

Saturday, March 11

All Are Welcome - Hymn 641

Hymn 641 - Verse 2
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true. Where all

God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew. Here the cross shall stand as
witness and symbol of God’s grace. Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus; all are
welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

(Click the audio play button on the bottom of the page to listen to the second verse of the
hymn.)

Reflection
On August 28, 1963, millions witnessed one man share his dream for America. Martin

Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking out over a sea of
diversity and proclaimed a gospel truth - a vision of a unified country in which race,
creed, color of skin were no longer dividing factors, but a unifying force. The rock of

faith that this dream was built upon still stands in Christ Jesus, but the grace by which
Jesus loves each of us has yet to find its way into every person’s heart and has yet to be
extended to one another. One day perhaps the love of Christ will end all divisions.

Love of Neighbor Reflection

We need to live in peace with all humankind.
~Kent Hardel (5 yrs with First Lutheran)

Donate money and items, but mostly ourselves to those who are struggling.
~Laura Graulty (27 yrs with First Lutheran)

I think it means to love your neighbor in the good times when it’s easy, but also to
remember compassion for them even in the times when you might not be very fond of
them.

~Shelby Riedman (Granddaughter of Lee & Kay Rockwell)