“Through the Storm”
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NOTE TO READER: Sundays (at least for a while) I will be posting a one hour video in two parts: Part One will be a worship service, and Part Two will be something else. The video is directly below this text. Below the video on this page is the Order of Service for the worship. And below that is the text of this video (but not the music), in case you would rather read than watch.
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Title: Sunday Worship # 8: “Through the Storm”
ORDER OF SERVICE:
Bell/Call to Worship
Confession of Sin and Forgiveness
Opening Prayer
Kyrie
Scripture Prayer and Readings: Proverbs 10:25 / Joshua 23:14
Hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
Sermon
Hymn “It is Well With My Soul”
Offering
Creed
Prayer of the Church / Lord’s Prayer
Benediction/Bell/Prayer
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INVOCATION: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SIN AND FORGIVENESS: We confess our sins unto the Lord.
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
(Pastor) In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER: God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal Word that does not change. And as we hear your Word, fill us with your Spirit. Soften our hearts that we may delight in your presence. Sharpen our minds that we may discern your truth. Shape our wills that we may desire your ways. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. And now unto him who is able to keep us from falling and lift us from the dark valley of despair to the bright mountain of hope, from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy; to him be power and authority, for ever and ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE PRAYER AND READINGS
Show us your ways, O Lord, and teach us how to walk in your paths. Guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are our God and Savior, and our hope is in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Our Scripture readings for today are two verses from the Old Testament:
Proverbs 10:25 — When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Joshua 23:14 — (Joshua said), “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
This is the Word of the Lord. / Thanks be to God.
HYMN: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Thomas Dorsey
[1]
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home.
[2]
When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home.
[3]
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home.
GOSPEL / SERMON:
Introduction: Earlier this summer, I was asked to preach at one of my former congregations, which was celebrating their 150th anniversary as a congregation this year. So, on June 23rd I preached at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapidan Minnesota where I had served for six years in the 1980’s. Rapidan. Perhaps you remember that name from the news a few weeks ago. The morning I was there, everyone was talking about how much rain they had the night before, how the fields were already drenched, and how fast the river was rising. But no one was expecting what happened the very next day, when the Blue Earth River got so high, it began to flow around the 113 year-old Rapidan Dam, cutting a wide path that eventually destroyed the park, a home, the famous Rapidan Dam Store, and the popular recreation area downstream. The sermon in this week’s video was recorded that morning of June 23rd. The Gospel text was, coincidentally, about a storm—but no one yet had any idea what kind of storm would break on that little community the very next day.
Calvary Lutheran church, Rapidan, June 23, 2024
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the Fourth chapter. (vv. 35-41)
Glory to you, O Lord.
35When evening had come, [Jesus said to the disciples,] “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of each heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
In mid-October of 1991 the National Weather Service began warning of a dangerous situation that was developing in the North Atlantic. Three major storm systems were forming, and were moving toward each other. They were expected to converge somewhere off the coast of New England and create one massive storm—perhaps the biggest North Atlantic storm ever. They began to call this unique convergence of weather systems “the perfect storm.” They were expecting trouble, and trouble came. Coastal towns in the path of the storm were heavily damaged. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, thousands of docked boats were destroyed or damaged, and thirteen lives were lost.
Six of those who died in the storm were on a 70-foot fishing vessel called the Andrea Gail. The storm was devastating on land, so you can imagine that out at sea it created impossible conditions. 60-foot waves were widespread; one place even recorded 100-foot waves. The last communication from the Andrea Gail was from a place near the center of the rapidly developing storm. All six men on board perished and the boat was never found. No one knows if mistakes were made, or if there was a mechanical failure, or, most likely, that the storm was just too big and came on too fast.
In 1997 a book was published that told the story of the Andrea Gail, the men who died on it, and the families who were waiting for their return. The title was “The Perfect Storm.” Three years later, a movie was made with the same title. Nancy and I saw that movie, and I remember two things about it. First of all, I remember the vivid portrayal of the intensifying storm and the escalating fear of the crew members as they began to realize they would probably die in that storm. Second, I recall the last scene of the men on the boat as it sank. The boat was upside-down, the last two men alive were below deck, up to their necks in the rapidly rising water, and they were sharing a few words in the final moments of their lives. It was a terrifying scene because it was so hopeless.
This morning’s Gospel reading, like the story of the Andrea Gail, takes place on a boat, during a storm. Verse 37 says, “A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.” The sea of Galilee is much smaller than the Atlantic Ocean, so the storm was nowhere near the intensity of the ‘perfect storm.’ But the boat was also smaller, and probably overcrowded, with thirteen men on a three-man fishing vessel. It was in danger of sinking, and the men were afraid. What were they afraid of? They were afraid of dying in that storm. They were afraid of death. We might say death is a storm we are all going to face, one way or another; and it will be our biggest storm. That image comparing life’s troubles to storms is used in some of our favorite hymns. For just one example, after Thomas Dorsey’s wife and baby died in childbirth, he wrote: “Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.” I would guess that at least some of you, or even most of you, are in some sort of storm right now—perhaps even that last storm. I’ll get back to that.
Not long after we moved here 42 years ago this Fall, I took a walk through the Calvary Cemetery. Strolling through a cemetery is a good thing to do every once in a while. The Bible says, “Teach us to number our days, O Lord, so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Cemeteries help me do that. It helps me remember that I, like all those out already there, am here for only a little while. I also took that walk because I wanted to get a sense of the history of this congregation I had just been called to serve. The old church had been on that site, so that was the place of worship for many years, and the people whose stones I was looking at were the ones who worshipped there. And now, as I walked those quiet grounds, it occurred to me that all that was left for any of them, anymore, was that promise of Jesus that they heard about in that old church; Jesus, who rose from the dead to say, “Because I live, you also shall live. Whoever believes in me shall not perish, but have eternal life.” That is all they have left now, but that will be enough.
A couple weeks ago, Nancy and I took a drive down this way. We stopped at the Dam Store for a hamburger and an amazing piece of Coconut Cream pie. And then we drove up the hill, and I took another walk through the cemetery—a much fuller cemetery than 42 years ago. Back then, in that first walk in the cemetery, I was not familiar with a single name; now I know something about almost all of the names. Even those long dead before I arrived, I now know about family connections or old stories. But of course, not only that, but I knew many of the people now buried there. I did many of their funerals in the time I was here; and there are many others who are now in the cemetery, who were where you are now, week after week, for the six years I was in this pulpit. Walking around, reading the names on those stones, brought to mind a million memories.
Now, here is the thing. In this morning’s Gospel, the disciples are in a storm. And each one of those gravestones in the Calvary Cemetery marks the story of a storm—of a death, a death either sudden, or long and drawn out. Death never comes at the right time, you know—it is either too soon and unexpected and it’s a hard wallop; or, it comes too late, after too much pain and suffering and agony and waiting. I was here for some of each.
Let me tell you about a couple of them. Joyce and Marvin Hiller were in church every Sunday, and were enjoying their retirement in good health. Both were younger than I am now. One very early morning my phone rang, and it was Joyce. The ambulance was at her house, but it was too late, and Marvin was dead on the floor from a heart attack. Devastating. Way too fast, way too soon, and just like that, Joyce was at day one of 30 years as a widow. It was my first funeral here.
At about that same time, Cleo Reitz was dying of cancer. She never talked about it, and was always cheerful and upbeat. But folks knew she was sick, and some said she must be in denial. But Cleo wasn’t in denial. She knew she was dying, but she wanted to focus on living as long as she could, and not always be talking about her declining health. I knew Cleo was not in denial because she had her funeral all planned out, and she had me come over one morning because she wanted me to tell me how to get it right. So, Cleo and her husband John and I sat around their kitchen table and she told me what to do. And the text Cleo wanted for her sermon was Joshua 23:14. That verse is from Joshua’s farewell to the people just before his death, and he said, “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you, (gave me, she added) has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
Now, someone might wonder why Cleo would select that verse. Here she was, 62 years old, and wasting away from a cancer that would soon result in a slow and agonizing death. John had recently retired, and they had plans; but now their life together would be over. And she wanted me to preach about how every promise of God has been fulfilled, not one has failed. How did that fit her situation?
But when you think about it, Cleo was right. God never promised her, or any of us, a long life and the time to fulfill all our plans and dreams. God never promised that we would not face disappointment. God did not promise that we would never have to leave our loved ones behind. In fact, none of those things that Cleo would be missing out on were ever promised to her, or to any of us, by God.
What God has promised is the strength to meet each day, if we look to him– and Cleo was certainly staying strong. God promised comfort in the midst of even life’s greatest tragedies and suffering, if we believe in him– and Cleo certainly was experiencing that comfort even during this, the most terrible storm of her life.
Most of all, Cleo was a firm believer in God’s promise of the life to come in that place where there would be no more cancer, no more disappointment, no more pain, no more tears, and no more death. With that confident belief in that eternal promise, she had no bitterness about missing out on a few more years here. Cleo had thought a lot about what she wanted said at her funeral, and she wanted everyone to know that things aren’t always as they seem. All of God’s promises for her had been fulfilled; not one failed her; just like Joshua said. As Paul wrote, “Look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We will all meet our own death one way or the other; too soon, or not soon enough. And that will be the biggest storm you will ever face.
Five years ago right now, my strong mother was facing her last storm—she had a stroke, got a bit better for a few years, and then faced a long, slow decline, and after a while, she found that extremely frustrating, and was tired of it. Death was not coming at the right time for her—not soon enough. One day, on the way to the doctor, she asked me why we were going to the doctor again. And I said “well the doctor is just keeping an eye on a few things you have going on right now.” And she said, with a bit of irritation, “Well if you and the doctor weren’t keeping such a close eye on me, I could be in heaven by now and done with all this misery.” And I said, “Yes Mom, I understand. And remember you did sign that Do Not Resuscitate paper, so when it is time, and Jesus is here for you, we will let you go home. We won’t call the doctor to try to keep you here any longer. But you have some things going that won’t end your life, but can make you even more miserable, and we want to keep you comfortable. She said, “Okay, but I am ready to go anytime, you know.”
The disciples woke Jesus up because they were afraid of dying in that storm. And Jesus said, “Why are you afraid? Where is your faith?” In other words, don’t you know I am in the boat with you? My mother, and Cleo, had Jesus in the boat with them, and they were not afraid.
One more story. A woman on a passenger ship was caught in a frightening storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. While the storm was raging, she kept all the little children on board from panicking by telling them Bible stories. After finally reaching the dock safely, the ship’s captain approached the woman, whom he had observed in the midst of the tempest.
He asked, “How were you able to maintain your calm when everyone feared the ship would sink in this storm?” As she looked up, the captain noticed the same quiet peace in her eyes that she had maintained throughout the journey.
“I have two daughters,” explained the woman. “One of them lives in New York. The other one lives in heaven. I knew I would be seeing one or the other of my daughters in a little while, and it really didn’t matter to me which one.”
The disciples in the boat that night were afraid, and on the surface, that was only natural. They could have died that night. But Jesus assured them that they did not have to be afraid, because he was in the boat with them. They could not help but be afraid of drowning and not ever seeing their loved ones again, but on a deeper level, they were still going to be all right. Like we will sing in our closing hymn, “When sorrows roll in, or trials come, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know, it is well, it is well, with my soul.” On that deeper level, in our soul, we need not be afraid. If we believe in Jesus, we have him with us—and one way or another, by healing, by rescuing, or by taking us home, Jesus calms the storm.
So, am I telling you anything new here today? You’ve maybe heard a couple stories you haven’t heard before, but otherwise it’s the same old thing, isn’t it? You’ve all heard of John 3:16, right?; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s all I’ve been saying. Believe in Jesus and you’ll be all right. And that’s enough, isn’t it? That’s more than enough. You know, sometimes the church is criticized for always being the same old thing. But the same old thing is okay with me… And it must be okay with you too here at Calvary, because you made it your theme verse for this anniversary year. Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is THE SAME yesterday and today and forever.”
I have tuned in to a couple of your on-line worship services, and it sounds to me like Pastor Dave is also preaching that same old thing around here, and that’s good. Romans 10:17 says ‘faith comes by hearing.’ That’s how it works, so if we keep hearing His Word, God will take care of the rest.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” For you, FOREVER. That means it will still be there for you even when you are taken out to your spot in the Calvary Cemetery, or some other final resting place. For you, Forever; even then. Amen.
Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
HYMN: “It is Well With My Soul”
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know[b]
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
OFFERING:
At this time, if you have not already done so, make a decision about what you will give to the Lord’s work this week. Reading from God’s Word, as written in Deuteronomy 16:17;
Each of you shall give as you are able, bringing a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” Therefore, with gladness, present the offerings of your life and labor to the Lord. Let us pray: For food in a world where many walk in hunger; For faith in a world where many walk in fear; For friends in a world where many walk alone; We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs..
Most holy God, we pray that you send to your Church throughout the world Spirit-filled pastors, missionaries, congregational leaders, and teachers. Keep them obedient to your Word; fill them with the goodness and holiness of Jesus; and grant that no one entrusted to their care should ever be discouraged in their faith on account of their careless words or unloving deeds. Lord, in your mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son Jesus Christ that those who follow Him may be persecuted. Comfort and encourage all those who suffer harassment, violence, imprisonment, and even death for being followers of Jesus. Strengthen them as you did for all the saints and martyrs who went before, with the confidence that death is of no lasting consequence in your eternal Kingdom. Protect members of the families and church communities of those who are persecuted, and bless the work and ministry of the organizations that support them. We pray also for those who persecute your people. May their hearts be turned towards you through the faithful witness of those they persecute. Lord, in your mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Heavenly Father, we pray for our divided nation. Heal our gaping wounds and growing divisions. Remind our earthly leaders that they have been entrusted with a solemn obligation: to lead with wisdom and to care for their people. Give them a measure of your Spirit, so that they may deliberate, speak and act in accordance with your will, and for the building up of the common good. And give to all of us the ability and the desire to treat our neighbors with respect, kindness and justice, so that we may live peaceably with one another. Unite us as a people willing to work toward common goals, and give us the respect and good will we need when we disagree on how to achieve those goals. Lord, in your mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.
We lift before you the firefighters, police, emergency responders, military, and all others who strive to defend life and liberty here and abroad. Protect them and give to them all they need to accomplish their tasks with integrity, competence, and courage.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Our kind and heavenly Father, you are the comfort of the sad, you give strength to those who suffer, and you give hope and help to those who are in need. We pray for your help and healing for all who are ill, for the grieving, for the poor and the homeless; and, for the homebound. We pray especially for your help and healing for those who we now name in our hearts before you……
Bless all who are in need this day, giving to them your help and strength, and assuring them that their hope is in you. Gladden their hearts, heal their bodies, uphold their spirits, and surround them with the love and care of all who hold them dear.
For all these things and for everything else that you know we need, we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And all God’s people said… AMEN.
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION “The Blessing”
Lyrics: The Lord bless you And keep you Make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you The Lord turn His Face toward you And give you peace Amen May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations And your family And your children And their children And their children May His presence go before you And behind you And beside you All around you And within you He is with you He is with you In the morning In the evening In your coming And your going In your weeping And rejoicing He is for you He is for you He is for you
CLOSING BELL
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