This is the little table in the prayer corner at my house. I was inspired to create this space several months ago after I came home from a retreat. If you’d like to see a picture of the family member who spends the most time here, click on over to my guest blog at the…
This is a prayer I wrote several years ago. It ties in nicely with the Romans (12: 1-8) reading for this week. Prayer of Thanksgiving Dear God, giver of life, for each and every part of this church body We give you thanks. For those who teach and those who learn. For those who speak…
To go along with the prayer of confession below, here is my confession to you: Sometimes I am lazy in planning ahead for worship. I will say to the Worship Committee, “Oh, I’ll just preach lectionary that week. Let’s go with the Gospel reading.” So a Gospel reading, say Matthew 15: 21-28, gets put on…
This Sunday at Peace Mennonite I will be reflecting on our recent denominational conference where the theme was: “Make no Excuses, Simply Come to the Banquet.” Our focus scripture is Jesus’ parable of the banquet found in Luke 14: 15-24. Call to Worship The table of God’s love is set before us. Let us come…
To summarize many stressful months as succinctly as possible: I officiated a same-sex wedding; the Leadership Commission of Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA) found my ordination credentials in order; some people are not happy about this. So, to those who are deeply troubled by my action and by the Commission’s decision: I understand that…
This week I’m working with the Gospel lectionary reading, Matthew 14:13-21–the feeding of the 5,000+. We will be talking about the abundance of God, which also ties in nicely with the Isaiah 55 reading. Here are a couple of pieces I have written for Sunday’s worship: Call to Worship Come, all you who are thirsty!…
Since my “pre-sermon ponderings” ended on an ambiguous–yet hopeful–note, I thought some folks might like to see the finished sermon manuscript. The manuscript, of course, is not the sermon. It is what I intended to say. And it is pretty close, I think, to what I actually said. And I can hope that it’s somewhat…
Here is a call to worship I wrote for this week. Our focus scripture is Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-46. The kingdoms of the world value large structures imposed from above, benefiting the elite.The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that grows into a bush where all kinds of birds can build their nests.The…
If you are following the Revised Common Lectionary, the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday is Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. This passage consists of five brief parables that all begin with, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . .”. That’s right, five parables. So as I look toward preaching this Sunday, my first consideration is…
My devotional scripture reading for this morning was Matthew 11: 28-30: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.…
Spacious Faith 