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…
Many of you know that I have an Advent devotional, Expecting Emmanuel, coming out in September. It has felt rather awkward to be working on it during Lent, but as we approach Mother’s Day, the exploration of the women in Jesus’ genealogy and early life seems quite fitting. This weekend, I will be sending out…
Here is the man! Jesus, accused of being a criminal. Jesus, who threatens the religious establishment.Here is your King!The ruler of a Kingdom that is not from this world.The ruler who threatens the power of empire.Here is the man!Who witnesses to the truth.Who gives no answer.Here is your King!Jesus, son of Mary.Jesus, son of God.Jesus,…
Holy One, God of the valley, God of the wind, God who breathes life into the dry and the dead: Somehow we are part of your audacious and unsettling work of resurrection. We do not understand it. We barely believe it. And yet we hear the rattling. We see the sinews and flesh and skin.…
I haven’t posted much since we started this year’s Narrative Lectionary cycle several weeks ago. So below is a call to worship I wrote for this week, and links to several sermons. Call to Worship for 1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:1-13 (with John 4: 21-24) We are not on the mountain or in Jerusalem. We are…
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 33, New Jerusalem translation) Sing to God a new song! The faithful love of God fills the earth. By the word of God the heavens were made. By the breath of God’s mouth, the stars formed.The faithful love of God fills the earth. God collects the waters of the…
At Peace Mennonite, we have been using the Narrative Lectionary this past year, which means we have the summer “off” to figure out our own worship themes. We’re kicking of the summer with “Extending the Table,” a 5-week series looking at meals in the Bible–and thinking about how we, as a church, can be more…
It seems that most blessings are for peace(if not love, or faith, or some other such vague ideal)–A few words to calm you down and get you out the door.But this is not that kind of a blessing.It will not make everything OKOr pretend you can escape trouble—for yourself or for this world. This blessing…
God, we have questions. Answer us quickly. God, we are overwhelmed. Our spirits fail. Do not hide your face from us. But let us hear. Let us hear. Let us hear of your steadfast love. Let us trust. Let us trust in you. Let us learn. Teach us the way we should go. For to…
This prayer is by my fellow Mennonite pastor, Mark Schloneger. Much thanks for his permission to post it here. Creator of our first breath, Sustainer of our next breath, Redeemer of all deep breath, We remember those who are finding it hard to breathe. We remember those who have died, those who are suffering, and…
Spacious Faith 