Last week, I shared my own candle lighting liturgy for Advent but then Maren Tirabassi posted this beautifully simply liturgy inspired by Howard Thurman and I love it. If you haven’t chosen something because you’re exhausted and it’s Thanksgiving and all of the other things that are taking up your time, go and find thisContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent”
Tag Archives: jesus
Pandemic Prayers for Proper 17
In the past week, my clergy groups have been full of posts and comments about how tired you are. Not just because you’re working so hard, dear clergy, or even because you need a vacation. Though, I imagine, those add fuel to this exhaustion but it is not this tiredness that you lament.
Easter at Home with Babies and Toddlers
When I was in my very first call and was still saying I wasn’t sure I was called to be a parent, I led a conversation for the monthly potluck shared by parents and children about faith at home. It felt like a new idea all those ten years ago. Children were supposed to learnContinue reading “Easter at Home with Babies and Toddlers”
Good News for Today
It has been a long time since I was in the pulpit. My friend Elizabeth Hagan reminded me of this fact in her recent inquiry into why preachers should be political. It’s something I’ve wondered often. If I were to preach right now, what would I say? What would I want to say? What needsContinue reading “Good News for Today”
Sweet Baby Jesus
“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for youContinue reading “Sweet Baby Jesus”
Jesus is…
In the midst of another holy season, my pastor invited us to ponder who Jesus is. The question stuck with me and inspired a whole preaching series on christological terms. It’s what has led us in the church I’m serving as interim pastor through Lent. Every week, as worship began, we’ve asked ourselves: who areContinue reading “Jesus is…”
Chickens and Shepherds
I don’t often post my sermons but after worship I was asked for the manuscript for the sermon I had just preached. I went way off script today — which I seldom do — so I decided to try to remember what in the world I said in the hope that it might be a word ofContinue reading “Chickens and Shepherds”
Last Minute Plans for Lent
Lent is just one week away. Most plans have already been laid out. It’s been printed in the newsletter and in the bulletin. Resources have been ordered. Palms have been burned. (I know because the traffic on this old post on how to make ashes skyrocketed two week ago.) Some have already done their foodContinue reading “Last Minute Plans for Lent”
They Were Innocent
I don’t know why my daughter was killed. She was innocent. I can’t get these words out of my head. Surrounded by cardboard boxes that seem to never quite get unpacked, I keep thinking about these words spoken by the father of an Afghan woman who was beaten to death by a mob with sticksContinue reading “They Were Innocent”
In the Middle of the Story
The question always comes up in Bible Study when we find ourselves talking about Jesus. Somewhere in the middle of the Gospel, no matter which Gospel we’re reading, we find ourselves studying a particular passage after he’s born and before the real trial has begun. There’s just been a healing or some other sign. And someoneContinue reading “In the Middle of the Story”
Cooking with Elsa 