In some Puritan churches a man would walk around the worship space with a long pole. On one end of the pole was a feather, to tickle the chins of anyone who fell asleep during the sermon. On the other end of the pole was a hard wooden knob to bop children who were giggling…
Call to Worship based on Isaiah 58:1-9 God is at work in the world To bring justice to the oppressed, To share food with the hungry, To provide shelter for the homeless, To set all people free. We come this morning To be reminded of God’s justice, To be nourished by God’s presence, To find…
Here is a paired call to worship and blessing drawn from Isaiah 42: We gather as beloved children of God. We are each chosen. We are each delightful. We are all servants upheld by God and filled with God’s Spirit to bring forth justice. We each receive our breath from the same God who stretched…
My best-laid plans for posting in Advent were thwarted by a nasty sinus infection. But I’m healthy again and starting the new year with a resolution to publish something new on the blog at least once a week. Star Words I handed out “star words” during worship yesterday. These are words that can serve as…
Today’s Advent poem is by Lucy Shaw. Enjoy.
Just for fun, he’s a re-run of a humor column I wrote for RevGalBlogPals back in 2013. Christmas decorations are heavy on Santa and reindeer and snowmen and bells and glittery doodads of various kinds. But within the Christian tradition we also make space for nativity sets: scenes representing the biblical story of Christ’s humble…
Luke 3:3-6 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley…
Holden Evening Prayer, a contemplative, mostly sung, worship service written by Marty Haugen, has become an Advent tradition at Peace Mennonite. For those not able to join with Peace (or another congregation) for this worship, consider setting aside about twenty minutes to listen to (and sing with) this version on YouTube. Here is a link…
For your Advent inspiration today, a Christmas song from two of my favorite musicians:
Luke 1: 5-25 Advent is a time of expectation. It is a season of watching for the ways that God will be present with us. It is a period of waiting for God to transform us and our world. But, no one told Zechariah that he was supposed to kick off the Advent story. All…
Happy New Year, everyone! (Or maybe I should say “Happy Liturgical New Year!”) This Advent season I plan to share some inspirations with you–things I have written and pieces from other people. Look for a little something new on the blog most days–an attempt to help keep us centered on Christ in the midst of…
Since I last wrote about Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary hiring David Boshart as president, more information about this decision has come to light. I, along with others on the Inclusive Mennonite Pastors leadership team, had a conversation with two people involved in making the decision; The Mennonite has published an article sharing more details; and…
