Fall of 1970, my freshman year at Indiana University. It was not going as well as I had hoped; academically, athletically, socially. College had pulled back the veil of a new world for me. One late fall Sunday I walked across campus to LCMS’ University Lutheran Church located across the street from center campus’ Dunn Meadow. A drum circle was playing on the Meadow already.  ‘Smoke’ was in the air. I got to church late because I was gawking on the way!
 
No communion. Uggh. Even then that was the one part of worship I felt a pastor couldn’t screw up. I still think that way. And if you need a reason to worship in person, that is a good one!
 
The pastor announced that “if you’ve ever wondered why your prayers don’t seem to be working, come join me in the basement after worship to talk about it over pizza.” The struggle was real to me at that moment, and he had me at pizza. I expected a Bible study, which I had already endured plenty in my life, but the prospect of free lunch on a Sunday worked. It was cheese pizza. Then he put his brand new Janis Joplin vinyl (see smoke and drum circle reference above) on his player, and LOUDLY sang along with her song “Mercedes.” He finished by saying, “I’m gonna sing that again, but be thinking about what she has right or wrong about prayer.”
 
Here are the lyrics and a YouTube link in case you want to turn up the volume and sing along.  
 
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
 
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
Dialing for dollars is trying to find me
I wait for delivery each day until three
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
 
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
 
I will forever be thankful for a pastor who talked honestly with some young adults about the gift and struggle of prayer. 
 
This Sunday’s readings in worship are all over the place on that subject of prayer. Abraham sappily barters with God. What? The disciples ask “Lord, teach us to pray” and Jesus does. No pizza, but there will be coffee. We’ll pray and, I give thanks, the bread and wine of new hope will again be served.
 
Pastor Jim
 
P. S. Janis Joplin died tragically by overdose later in 1970. God loved her, but she never got a Mercedes Benz. She did leave her sweet 1964 Porsche psychedelic art car to her siblings. They sold it for $1.7 million in 2015. I want to think that her challenging song about prayer was even more priceless help to others. Nothing like the teaching of Jesus, but so honest.