When I was writing pandemic prayers, I thought to offered this blessing. I thought I did but I can’t find where I mentioned it even if I never offered a resource. That changes now because this is such an easy way to make space for more daydreaming, planning, pastoral visits and plain old rest inContinue reading “One Worship Bulletin for the Whole Summer”
Author Archives: Elsa Anders Cook
Adventures in the Tulips from The Hague and Haarlem with Kids
When it became clear that my husband wasn’t going to be able to join us on spring break, I became clear on two things. We would definitely be taking the train on this adventure and I really wanted to bike through the tulips with my kids. Seeing the tulips in Holland in the weeks surroundingContinue reading “Adventures in the Tulips from The Hague and Haarlem with Kids”
Adventures in Porto with Kids
Our little family was eager to explore Portugal but once I started researching what we might see and do, it became clear we could spend weeks meandering the coast. As lovers of wine, my husband and I knew we wanted to go to Porto but our first thought was not to spend an entire weekContinue reading “Adventures in Porto with Kids”
Psalm for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Lent has felt like a wilderness this year. It began without ashes for me and I haven’t found a rhythm to the living of these days. Two weeks ago, I wandered through the streets of Cologne with one of my oldest friends. We met through church. He pointed out how many years ago though IContinue reading “Psalm for the Fifth Sunday in Lent”
Starry Christmas Morning Worship
Christmas morning falls on a Sunday this year. Just a few hours after the good news of Christ’s birth is shared at the late, late service on Saturday night, a few of the faithful will gather again to share in the old, old story on Sunday morning. I shared another complete service for Christmas thatContinue reading “Starry Christmas Morning Worship”
Candlelighting in the Shadows of Advent
Advent begins with one candle flickering in the shadows. It is then that we start to pay attention. It is when that match strikes that we start to notice the fullness of the shadows. It is not just dark or there would not be shadows. The light never disappeared. It was always there for weContinue reading “Candlelighting in the Shadows of Advent”
Lovely Dwelling
As summer fades, our churches are preparing for the same rush that school teachers are imagining with great anticipation and joy. There are lots of events and details for which pastors and teachers are eagerly planning. You, dear pastor, are starting to get excited for what might feel like the first ‘normal’ year of programmingContinue reading “Lovely Dwelling”
Post-Pandemic Home Blessing
My home church called it Homecoming Sunday. I never thought anything of it because the same verbiage was used in my first call too but I’ve heard that other places call it Rally Day or Kick Off Sunday. Maybe there are other names. I’ve been thinking a lot about home lately. We have been inContinue reading “Post-Pandemic Home Blessing”
Prayers for the Incomprehensible Ascension
A dear friend asked what it’s like to be here in Germany now. Another assumed that the news cycle most familiar would be the one that surrounds my physical place but it’s not true. We might live in Germany worlds away from our homeland but we have our own little American island in our apartment.Continue reading “Prayers for the Incomprehensible Ascension “
Adventures in Paris with Toddlers
Though it seems like ages ago now, there may be others getting ready to pack their bags for a summer adventures in the City of Love. And so, I’m delighted to share our six-day trip to Paris. We took the train from our home in Germany to Paris which was a trams, trains and automobilesContinue reading “Adventures in Paris with Toddlers”
Cooking with Elsa 