It seems as if everyone in America is obsessed with "bracketology".  You hear conversations and see Facebook posts about how people's brackets were "busted" by an underdog beating a favorite.  Fans sit affixed watching the games, cheering for their favorite team.  Phrases like "Sweet Sixteen",  "Elite eight" and "final four" have become common terminology in our lexicons. 

And this year, the final four "brackets" Easter Sunday.  It's a shame we can't fill this week with a focus on palms, the Last Supper, a cross and a miracle of the resurrection instead of point guards, dunks and three pointers.  I admit I am a basketball fan.  I watch games and cheer for friends teams and the ACC.  But we all must temper that enthusiasm for basketball with a passion for what we are to celebrate this week.

Take time this week to visit your church and celebrate with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Listen to the Palm  Sunday passion and celebrate Jesus entry into Jerusalem.  Celebrate the Last Supper on Maunday Thursday.  Weep with those at the foot of the cross on Good Friday.  And then on Easter Sunday come celebrate the resurrection with us at Agnus Dei Lutheran Orthodox Church at 9am.  May the blessings of the Risen Lord be with you this week and all your lives.

++Richard

It has been a while since I posted.  I had retired from active ministry after 10 years at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in the summer of 2016.  I wondered what God had in mind for me next.  In early 2017 I got a message from a former member of CVLC.  She said she was finishing her M.Div. and wanted to be ordained in the Lutheran Orthodox Church.  I told her I would be delighted.  She was in Tennessee (her husband was in the Army, no surprise for Fayetteville people) so  I thought she would be working with one of our Midwestern bishops.

God had other ideas.  By late summer, she and her husband, along with their two boys and two dogs were in Fayetteville.  And with them came a burning desire to share God's word.  So the discussions began.  What do we do?  How do we work to get out the word?  A board of directors was formed,  sites were inspected, liturgies reviewed and prayers, prayers and more prayers.

With an opening service of Easter Sunday on our calendar, things started moving quickly.  I am writing this less than 10 days from the first service at Agnus Dei Lutheran Orthodox Church.  We are still putting all the finishing touches on everything.  The press release is out to the newspaper and TV stations.  And the prayers continue.

Look for updates and me being back writing again.  God's peace be with you and may God's blessing be on the team preparing to share God's word at Agnus Dei Lutheran Orthodox Church.

++Richard