Prayers in Church on Mother’s Day

As a motherless daughter, I have some strong feelings about one of the celebrations that comes again this Sunday. I have not been quiet about it either and people have been less than kind about this particular opinion. People in my own family have been more unkind than people in the pews, if you canContinue reading “Prayers in Church on Mother’s Day”

Pandemic Psalms for Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

When I began this meditation on the psalms seven weeks ago, I thought it would welcome the wide array of emotions that I know are in these ancient songs. Those emotions are there in the other texts in these Sundays but the psalms seemed to hit only one or two notes. I thought it mightContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Seventh Sunday after Epiphany”

Pandemic Psalms for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Though there was a nod to hearts last week, it always feels like the celebration of Saint Valentine sneaks into our worship. It’s not a liturgical holiday and I have feelings about such things — but there is something about love even if what we are cherishing right now is friendship. (This Sunday is afterContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany”

Pandemic Psalms for Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

I wonder what leads us into praise. That’s what I got caught up thinking about in this psalm in this series of prayers inspired by the Revised Common Lectionary. I talk about how this wondering started here. I also got to thinking about God’s heart and that song that I so loved singing as aContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Fifth Sunday after Epiphany”

Pandemic Psalms for Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

As you may well know, I’m wandering through the psalms in this season after Epiphany. Still looking for light and wondering where Christ might lead. All of that and some passionate engagement with these ancient songs. You can read a little more introduction here. I shared some other ideas for this season in my newsletterContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Fourth Sunday after Epiphany”

Pandemic Psalms for Third Sunday after Epiphany

In this season after Epiphany, I’m focusing all of my energy on the psalms. As I shared last week, I’m offering one prayer inspired by the psalm from the Revised Common Lectionary knowing there are tons of wonderful resources out there that could add to this simple practice for your weekly worship. I’ll share someContinue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Third Sunday after Epiphany”

Pandemic Psalms for Second Sunday after Epiphany

I want the bright lights that send the wise people home by another way to carry beyond Epiphany Sunday. I want it to be something that we continue to find again and again in the weeks that follow as we try to understand more and more about who and what Christ is in our lives.Continue reading “Pandemic Psalms for Second Sunday after Epiphany”

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 Fourth Sunday of Advent

This lovely meditation on the Magnificat was in my email from The Work of the People a few days ago. I love the slightest twist on the more familiar words from those verses in Luke’s first chapter. If you’re looking for another paraphrase to bring these words to life, there is this adaptation by JimContinue reading “Pandemic Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent”

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”