This Sunday (1/8/23) we will receive star words as part of our worship at Peace Mennonite. This has become a tradition for us–to claim a word as a gift from God and a guide in the new year. In the past, I have simply handed out the star words randomly to people. Since we are…
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Like so many other people I know, I’ve been sick this week–but thankfully it’s nothing severe. I’m on the mend and looking forward to upcoming times of worship and with family. Also the pumpkin pie. For any of you who don’t have a community to worship with this weekend, you are…
To the tune of Hyfrydol (“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”); also works with Beach Spring and JeffersonBy Joanna Harader (2022) Through the line of Joseph, Mary,Tamar, Judah, Rahab, Ruth,Comes a savior for the nations,born Messiah of humble birth.God’s eternal presence with usThrough the ages grace imparts.Holy power in fragile infantResting in his parents’ hearts. Mary welcomes…
This is a blessing I wrote for my reflection on “Advent for Every Body,” an aural devotional from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Portland). While the blessings in Expecting Emmanuel are written in the voices of individual women (and the community of weeping mothers), this blessing is in the voice of the full line of women connected…
This prayer connects to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. God, We pray for those on the margins,For their safety,For their wisdom,For their power. We pray for those at the centers,For their openness,For their compassion,For their acting toward justice. We pray for ourselves and all the spaces we inhabit.Let us listen well—to others and…
Expecting Emmanuel contains a lot of worship material for those using the book as a basis for Advent worship. The funny thing is, the prayers in the book–a prayer of confession and offertory prayer–aren’t actually the types of prayers we regularly use in worship at Peace Mennonite. So even though I wrote the book, I…
Advent begins in less than two weeks! That means it is a busy time for me both as a pastor and as an Advent devotional writer. I feel deeply encouraged and honored by the excitement people have expressed for my book Expecting Emmanuel: Eight Women Who Prepared the Way. I know that many of you…
I have received my author copies of Expecting Emmanuel and the book officially launches tomorrow (September 6, 2022)! Those of you who have pre-ordered should receive your books soon, and hopefully you will be able to find the book in your local bookstore well before Advent begins. Launch Party, Party, Party I want to extend…
Expecting Emmanuel officially launches two weeks from today, and I would love for you to join me on Zoom to celebrate. September 6 at 7 p.m. Central time You can join with this Zoom link If you’re on Facebook, check out the launch event page and let me know you’re coming! During the event, we’ll…
Spacious Faith 