One of my favorite paintings is The Annunciation by Fra Angelico. A few years ago, I’d make frequent trips to the Trinity bookstore in Auburn to gaze at the reproduction, until finally, I plunked down the money and bought it. It’s hung in several places in my home. Yesterday, I brought it to Holy Cross and hung it in my study here. I am finding that in these stressful days, having visual reminders of God’s mysterious love, soothes me and keeps me grounded.
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of The Annunciation of Our Lord. In Luke 1:26–38, we are reminded of God’s immensity being narrowed down into the finite womb of Mary. Her simple response, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” changed everything for us. And yet, before her submission, the angel speaks the words we also need to hear, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
Immanuel, God with us, is here to calm our fears, and soothe our worried brow. Jesus is here in the voice of Pastor Peperkorn each morning as he prays Holy Cross at Prayer, and leads us in worship on Wednesdays and Sunday. Jesus’ presence is real, even if our presence with one another is temporarily virtual. Jesus is present as we read His Word and pray. Jesus is present as we offer gifts of mercy to one another with kind words, prayers, offers to run errands and checking on each other.
Pastor Peperkorn and I are also here for each one of you. We’ve already seen the mercy and kindness flowing between mercy care groups created for our “vulnerable members”. And I am confident that there are countless other acts of mercy happening that we don’t even witness.
We also realize that there are others of you who may be going through some difficult times, and we are unaware of your needs. Maybe you’ve your job, or you are worried about yourself or your loved ones and need someone to talk to. Please, please, please contact either one of us. We are here for you
Always Mercy, Deaconess Pamela
LiveStream and Recording of Wednesday Midweek Service
We are going to livestream our service again at noon today. In order to follow along, please go to:
If you go to the above page, you should be able to see our livestream. We’ll be testing and playing around with it the fifteen minutes beforehand, but Lord willing, we’ll have it all up and going by 12 o’clock.
We will be doing Responsive Prayer II for this service, with three hymns.
If you CLICK HERE, you can download the bulletin for the service as a PDF file.
I expect the service will be 25 minutes.
We will post it on YouTube shortly after the service ends.
Contact Information for Pastor & Deaconess
Pastor Peperkorn: 262–705–3232 and Pastor@holycrossrocklin.org
Deaconess Boehle-Silva: (916) 303–0199 and Deaconess@holycrossrocklin.org
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”” (John 9:5)
Reading
“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.” (John 9:1–7)
Meditation
Jesus is the light of the world. He heals the blind man and He heals us too. He heals us of our sin, our sufferings and our disappointments. He brings new life and light to us. He refreshes us in the waters of Baptism. He feeds and nourishes us at His Holy Table. He walks alongside us each and every step of the way.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Be with Linda this day, O Lord, and show her your great love throughout all the days of her life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Feast of The Annunciation of Our Lord
O Lord, as we have known the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by the message of the angel to the virgin Mary, so by the message of His cross and passion bring us to the glory of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
