At Peace Mennonite this year, we will begin Advent with a service of prayer and anointing. This is similar to what other churches do for “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night.” The order of our service is below. Blessings to all as you begin the Advent season. Welcome/Intro Welcome, each of you, to this service of…
This year for Advent we are looking at four different songs from scripture: Psalm 147, Hannah’s Song in 1 Samuel 2, Mary’s Song in Luke 1, and the Song of the Angels in Luke 2. Secondary readings for each week are chosen from the Lectionary options. This week we will read Romans 13:8-12. The call…
Yes, it’s true. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Ready or not . . . Some of the Rev. Gals are helping each other out by sharing Advent resources today, and I thought I would join the party. Yesterday I posted this piece over at Practicing Families about Advent practices at home.…
There has been a bit of discussion among bloggers recently about the merits and pitfalls of daily gratitude posts on Facebook. You can read my contribution to the discussion–and see my random list of ten things I’m grateful for–over at Rev. Gal Blog Pals.
I’m excited because Jill Clingan, my good friend and a fabulous writer, is preaching at Peace Mennonite this Sunday! We are still worshiping our way through Acts, and she will be focusing on Acts 21:17-26. I’ve chosen Psalm 119:33-40 as the Old Testament reading–thinking about our love for the law and the interplay of grace.…
Acts 19:11-20(See full sermon here.) Today, in our culture, we don’t understand the world to be filled with demons–except maybe on Halloween. Otherwise, we’re more likely to ascribe illness to a virus or bacterial infection or cancer; erratic, illogical behavior is blamed on mental illness; a series of tragedies chalked up to bad choices or…
Just a little Call to Worship for All Saints day. Our opening scripture is Isaiah 25:6-9. This morning we remember our loved ones who have died, And we remember God’s promise of eternal life. This morning we mourn the absence of many, And we celebrate God’s continuing presence. We listen for the Divine voice…
I have a family devotional reflection today over at Practicing Families. Thinking about the story of Zacchaeus took me right back to my Sunday school room, singing that great song about the “wee little man.” As a wee little woman, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the guy. I do wonder,…
This week the sermon will be on Acts 17:22-31, which lead to an opening reading from Genesis 2:4-9, which led to this call to worship and benediction: We believe God still creates–We want to see more clearly.We believe God still speaks–We want to listen more carefully.We believe God still guides–We want to walk more faithfully.We…
Recently my brother in Christ (cough, cough, ahemmmm), Mark Driscoll, has unleashed on the world yet another macho tirade masquerading as biblical interpretation. I’ve seen lots of buzz about this article because in it he claims that “Jesus is not a pansy or a pacifist.” Them’s fightin’ words for Mennonites! And there is a lot…
Spacious Faith 