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”
Tag Archives: joy
Another Pandemic Christmas Eve
I was busy updating my favorite poems for Christmas Eve when a colleague posted about permission for a beloved Christmas poem she hoped to use Christmas Eve. It was just another one of those reminders that pastors, like you dear one, are juggling so much right now. You’re not just crafting worship but tending toContinue reading “Another Pandemic Christmas Eve”
Pandemic Prayers for the Third Sunday of Advent
A few years ago, I heard Gaudete by Brad Reynolds in worship and I loved it so much that I have no idea what happened through the rest of the service. I was lost in wonder of these joy-filled words. I am not sure I am one of those people that does joy well. IContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Third Sunday of Advent”
Pandemic Lighting of the Advent Wreath
There are some readings that can be handed out to the families of your church without explanation. They know to read the script and light the candles. This is not that. This Advent is not that. We have learned to do worship differently in the past two years. Our traditions have shifted and we haveContinue reading “Pandemic Lighting of the Advent Wreath”
Pentecost in Coronatide
Packed among the things that are headed to Germany this week are my two brilliant rainbow kites that whirled down the center aisle of one of the churches I served on Pentecost. It wasn’t the first Pentecost that I had referenced the notion of kites in worship. There was a passing reference in a prayerContinue reading “Pentecost in Coronatide”
Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
I have seen pictures appear in my feed of pastors taking that much needed break after Easter. Some didn’t go much further than their backyard but they have their feet up and they are relaxing. Others — having been fully vaccinated — are enjoying the pleasure of good friends and family for the first timeContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Third Sunday of Easter
It’s hard not to hear that last line in the Gospel Lesson and not instantly think of the trial surrounding George Floyd’s life. Or to recall the witnesses that stood there documenting the injustice that they had no control to change. I’m not sure about that. It seems that to witness always means that weContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Third Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Second Sunday of Easter
I hope and pray that you have this Sunday off. I hope that you are enjoying rest and renewal after proclaiming the good news with such love and joy. I hope that you have found some way to curate worship that doesn’t involve you having to edit videos this week together to create a worshipContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Second Sunday of Easter”
Pandemic Prayers for the Resurrection
Hope comes again despite all that has happened. The worst thing is not the last thing. There is still more that God will do. There is still more that God is doing and I pray that is especially true for you, dear pastor, after a whole year of curating worship, fellowship and care remotely. IContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Resurrection”
Pandemic Prayers for the Return of Lent
I do not feel ready for this season to arrive. I know that it will be different. It will be less disciplined but no less introspective than every other day since that first case changed our whole lives. There is the Lent that I typically yearn to experience where I exert extra energy on figuringContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Return of Lent”
Cooking with Elsa 