Archives for February 2026

A Word about Worship

February 13, 2026 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Lent at Bay Shore is a full senses experience. What we see on Sundays in Lent is different, what we do and say is different, what we sing is different. The season is meant to be this way–it is not “the norm.” In Lent, we are called to review, reflect and for some of us to return to God.

A Word about This Lenten Theme

Have you ever decided to go all in for something?

Maybe it was when you chose a profession or a partner. Perhaps you made the exciting but terrifying decision to become a homeowner. Maybe it was when you joined your current congregation, or, if you came to faith later in life, when you decided to be baptized.

In Matthew 4, Jesus fasts for forty days in the wilderness, then confronts the testing of the devil. Responding to each temptation, he demonstrates the kind of savior he will become: deeply connected to God’s people and God’s creation; committed to cosmic saving power, not flashy tricks; filled with love for God and everything God loves. Refusing easy food, power, and dominion, Jesus goes all in on salvation on our behalf. When his life ends on Good Friday, his commitment will be total, emptied out in love dying on the cross and rising from the grave.

Jesus shows what it is like to be all in for the reign of God. It means being fully invested, deeply committed. There are no backup options. Everything is on the line.

As Christians, God calls us to a life of commitment and caring for our neighbors and our world, even when the cultures around us view our caring as naive and our commitment as pointless. The endless news cycle can be grim and optimism can be hard to find. It would be easier to detach from the need around us, to go numb and to care less as we try to guard our hearts and our expectations. But God calls us to deep engagement instead, to care more in a world trying to protect itself by caring less.

Those outside the church looking in sometimes see a community out of touch with the world around it. They wonder if the church is just for those too naive or too foolish to realize what is going on. But we know that the ancient gifts of our tradition are actually the perfect preparation for investing in the world beyond our church doors. We believe that our sanctuaries, fellowship halls, and Sunday school rooms are the rehearsal space we need to practice what it takes to go all in. This Lent, as we learn about God’s own commitment, we’ll explore how the elements of our liturgy prepare us for active engagement in the world God so loves. Our preaching, prayer, and devotional time help connect us to our neighbors, to the planet we share, and to God.

Before we can go all in, though, God shows us the way. God knows that going all in for this beautiful broken world is a challenge, so God goes all in on our behalf first, revealing what it is like to bet it all on love. God invests in human beings, even though we have a track record of sin that stretches from Adam and Eve in the garden to the present day. God invests in creation, even when we are bent on harming it. God commits to the unknown and to wonder when we want certainty and limits. God tends broken relationships. God goes all in on all the highs and lows that life brings, from moments of transcendent beauty to the deepest hopelessness. And in Jesus, God pours out every last drop of love, all of it for the sake of a world that may never fully understand.

This Lent, God is all in for us. Let’s go all in for God’s love, too.

From Pastor Sarah

February 13, 2026 by BayshoreLutheran Leave a Comment

Every 4 years, the world embraces the Winter Olympics. I do say “world” because this year, more countries were represented than in past years–and it was wonderful seeing that diversity.

I embrace the Winter Olympics wholeheartedly. I remember watching the Winter Games on ABC on my parents’ Zenith television, with an antenna, sitting on shag carpeting. I loved it. Learning about new cultures and watching people from countries I would probably never visit competing was truly inspiring to me.

And every 4 years since, I deliberately plan my life around the events. Something my family finds amusing and annoying at the same time.

We have come a long way since the antenna and Zenith. Now, I have Peacock which allows Live Events and replays 24/7, and I can choose how and when I watch. And this year, I told Pete, I am staying HOME. I called it my Hibernation Staycation. Other than tutoring, I would basically be home and in love with my LG screen.

And so, Bay Shore, I have. Yes, I did some work, but my laptop didn’t care how I was dressed and if I yelled at the TV. All week long, I have watched the biathlon, ski jumping, figure skating, curling, luge, and more. I have yelled at the women playing hockey, and cried with those who just missed the podium (and one Norse skier who disclosed wayyyyy too much in his interview, and obviously needs his own vacation).

And I learned many things.

There is a camaraderie with these athletes who perform at these levels. They know each other, they share the same coaches, they travel together, and they may be sad over their own results, but they always congratulate the other competitors. And some even compete against their country’s enemies. Watching a Ukrainian athlete shake hands with a Russian one–that was a lot. I don’t know, Bay Shore, if I would have had such grace. I don’t. But I was inspired by it.

Watching the Olympics inspires ME. Reminds me that its the little things that matter: the selfies seen on line, the joy of sharing a moment with thousands and acts of kindness told. Lots of kindness. It reminds me that this world is much smaller than we understand. What we do matters where we are, kindness spreads. Words matter.

One announcer said that the Winter Olympics was like a large family reunion every 4 years. I like this idea. With all of the AI and screen time that our world is leaning to, the Olympics requires in person participation. Observers and participants. Talking, cheering, crying. There are some things we can do online, but in person gatherings and activities–they are truly binding and create communities.

And so the other thing I learned, Bay Shore? I miss being at church. I miss our community. I miss you. So I am looking forward to Sunday and all its busy-ness, and I am looking forward to seeing you. Because being in person really matters, and sharing life moments is what creates community and buildings our faith.

May God bless you and your loved ones,

Pastor Sarah

From Pastor Sarah

February 2, 2026 by BayshoreLutheran 1 Comment

Last summer, at the end of June, I began the first of two immersion experiences at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a Benedictine community outside of Madison.

Joining several other clergy members from all of the country and different denominations, we were introduced to several types of spiritual practices and the teachings of the Benedictines.

I especially enjoyed the journaling and the 24 hours of silence (I know, but I did!). For me, to learn several more ways to be in relationship with God and how to express it was extremely moving for me, and I looked forward to my time in Winter 2026.

That immersion just completed on Jan. 29. This time, the rhythms of the monastery felt normal, and the time of silence went fast as we dwelt in it together and made gifts for one another and also worked on our own personal rule.

I have a lot to say about the experience, but I am not ready JUST yet. But I will share the pattern of our normal day now, and perhaps more later after I have thought about it more deeply.

First, the day begins early at 7:35 in the Oratory (think chapel) for worship followed by 15 minutes of centering prayer. Worship had a hymn, a chanted psalm with canticle, a spoken psalm, and prayers. Centering prayer followed worship, and was a time of silence to center ourselves and create space for hearing God’s Call and Word.

Breakfast was simple–a continental meal before our 9 am beginning our own Circle Times.

Circle Times involved singing, praying, movement, art, sharing reflections, and more.

At 11:45, we went back to the Oratory for Worship and Centering Prayer before having lunch in the monastery all together with staff and the nuns.

In the afternoon, Circle Times continued, with smaller groups and reflections on questions concerning faith, renewal, our calls and more. What are Circle Times–I am not sharing specifics since we considered them to be confidential in nature. I want to respect that. But I will share that I found being with a group of colleagues, sharing our faith journeys and concerns in a non-competitive way to be healing and renewing for my own ministry here at Bay Shore.

At 4:30 pm, we would gather again (the bells would be ringing us in!) to the Oratory for Worship and Centering Prayer, followed by Dinner in the monastery dining room. Our meals were delicious, but reflective of what was available in season–the head chef there uses produce and foods locally grown and available. We often saw our meals recycling much as you do at home if you make too much of something and need to re-serve it again! It was a stark reminder of our food consumption–having whatever fruit or vegetable we want, no matter how far it has to come for you to have it. The sisters eat with the seasons, and also live with the seasons. In Winter, it is a quiet, dark time of hibernation and reflection. I personally enjoyed it, and the freedom to just be without the call to be outside and “do something.” I also enjoyed the sense of “stuff.” What is needed is cherished and well cared for, and what is not is given away for someone else’s use.

During the day, I resisted having my phone with me–and so my pictures of the week are limited to what you see below. I found this “fasting” to be wonderful for my thought-process. I also, in my free time, worked with my hands on several things–painting, poetry, journaling, embroidery, and knitting. I had forgotten how this was good for my soul–this handiwork–and how it quiets the mind.

Pete survived in my absence, but he did remark on the boxes from the bookstore that kept coming. I was strongly influenced by my new friends and the sisters’ library. I purchased 6 new books and a few other tools to use–but in the spirit of the sisters, I bought used copies (and three of them, you cannot even tell they were previously owned). I also subscribed to two new periodicals, and caught up on my own subscriptions.

I do want to tell you more, and I am thinking it may be a good Second Series discussion. Depending on March’s plans, I may do it then, or April. But in the meantime, I wish to express my gratitude to Bay Shore for allowing me the time away for this spiritual renewal, and for encouraging me always to grow in my faith so that I can, in turn, lead you all on your journeys, too.

May God’s Blessings not only cover you, but fill you with a Spirit of Love and Grace for others.

Pastor Sarah