L I V I N G S T O N E S P R I S O N C O N G R E G A T I O N M A Y 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

Volume 1, Issue 8 www.livingstonesprisoncongregation.com May 29, 2020

LSPC is a joint ministry of the

congregations of the Southwestern Washington

Synod-ELCA and a member of Prison

Congregations of America

Rev. Chr is Ode P a s t o r

L iv ingStonesPastor @outlook.com

Sandi Nolte Pastoral Ministries Assistant

LivingStonesAssistant @outlook.com

L i v i n g S t o n e s B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

2 0 2 0 - 2 1

As t r id , v ic e - c ha i r

D oug, treasurer

J i m , m em b e r

K r is , s ec r e ta r y

M a lc o l m , m em b e r

M ary , m em b e r

Melanie, synod advisor

T ere sa , c ha ir

L iv i n g St o ne s

P r i so n Co n g r e ga t io n

c/o Faith Lutheran Church

1 2 12 Co n n ec t i o n S t .

S h e l t o n, W A 9 85 84

. . .you also, like living stones, are being built in to a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,

offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . .1 Peter 2:5

a publication of Living Stones Prison Congregation—special WCC edition

To my brothers in Christ, the men of Living Stones. I hope and pray this finds you well: you hold in your hands a revised version of our quarterly newsletter, The Rock. As we cannot gather together in our usual way, we are using this as a means to support and hearten one another. As allowed/appropriate, you are encouraged

to share this with others. /Pastor Chris Ode

We have cut down several fir trees on our property. The prevalence of “widow makers” and fir javelins hitting our roof and impaling our gutters caused us to take action. When the trees were removed years ago, it was quite a project. Neighbors joked that we could have sold tickets. People stood outside, craning their necks upward as the workers scaled the massive firs and cut down our trees in pieces. The scents of sap and freshly cut branches filled the air; it smelled like a Christmas tree farm. After a full day of work, the laborers received their payment as the logs were hauled away. They offered to grind the stumps down, but we had other financial priorities. Stumps won’t fall through our roof, damaging property and lives. After the thrill of the clearing, the stumps sat there looking ugly and lifeless. To make our yard a more desirable place, my husband recently decided to build some raised garden beds around

two stumps for growing vegetables. I couldn't imagine what it would look like when he started it. Something living and vibrant coming from some-thing that looks dead. The word

“stump” is used seven times in the Old Testament, usually to reference the possibil-ity of new life in what appears to be dead. God tends to love and bring new life from

what appears dead. I did not imagine a vegetable garden coming from a stump a few years ago. Sometimes it takes a long

time to see new life coming from death. God has the time and the love. My prayer is that we will see both. Creator God, our vision is often limited, and we struggle to see where you are at work. There is much suffering in the world—and we pray for your healing and presence in it. May you not only provide new life in the midst of such pain, but may our eyes be open to see it. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.

Out of a “dead” stump from Pastor Melanie

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot shall come out

from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow

out of his roots.

L I V I N G S T O N E S P R I S O N C O N G R E G A T I O N M A Y 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

Making it personal from your sister in Christ, Pam

In Psalm 21 a king has found favor and has received joy from the Lord. Oftentimes I will put myself in the scene of written scripture. Is it a romance, a tender friendship, maybe a scolding? Whatever it is, it puts me in direct relationship with God. I thought it would be fun to share how I do this with you. You should try it too! Psalm 21:1-6 (NIV) 1 The queen rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is her joy in the victories you give! 2 You have granted me my heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of her lips. 3 You came to greet her with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on her head. 4 She asked you for life, and you gave it to her, -- length of days, forever and ever. Through the victories you gave, her glory is great; you have bestowed on her splendor and majesty. 6 Surely you have granted her unending blessings and made her glad with the joy of your presence.

God says to me, the queen in this story: “I’ve seen all the things you’ve

gone through. I’ve heard the times you’ve cried out to me, because you’ve come to the end of your rope. I see the pain that you carry that nobody sees and you think nobody can ever understand. I’ve seen your heartaches and all the times your heart has gotten run-over by disappointments and injustices. But you can trust me, child! None of this will go unseen or unnoticed. It’s seen by me. I’ve seen you. I made you! I love you! You've been hurt by people close to you, by circumstances, and hurt even by yourself. This has halted your momentum and kept you from moving in the fullness of your potential. Today is your day of liberation, says the Lord! Today, I am taking you from ‘then’ to ‘NOW’. Soon you will say: “Truly, My Lord has granted me my heart’s desire.” I love you that much that I want you to succeed, and move to glory in everything I would have you do!

Crooked paths made straight from Intern Pastor Mary

I first read this scripture printed on a sign leading to a beach on Lake Michigan some thirty years ago and it has become a part of my daily meditation ever since. I have tendency to rely on my own understanding and this passage brings me back to the Lord who

loves me and knows what’s best for me. As I look back on my life, I am reminded of times of crooked paths, wandering in circles, going down the wrong path and being stopped dead in my tracks. I am also mindful of the consequences for my behavior and the choices that I’ve made. It

is truly amazing that God still loves us and seeks to be in relationship with us after all we have done and left undone, right? This passage reminds each and every one of us that God knows what’s best for us and that only God can make our path through life straight. God loves us so much that each morning we are given a new day in which we can begin again. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.