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…
Call to Worship for Pentecost Sunday (that includes baptism and communion) God of wind and fire, When you send your Spirit, we are created anew. God of mighty oceans and still waters, When we receive your baptism, we are born anew. God of bread and wine, When we eat at your table, we are nourished…
Holy God of the Resurrection, we fall before you with relief, with sorrow, with fear. Hold us in the depths of your love. Protect our bodies from those who wish us harm. Protect our spirits from the fear and hatred that would lead us to rejoice over the death of another human being. Grant healing…
I was in liturgy writing overdrive last week, so nothing new this week. I’ve pulled out a prayer of blessing for graduates that I wrote a couple of years ago. It is about that time of year again . . . Prayer of Blessing for Graduates Creative and Creating God, We thank you for [names…
*This liturgy is an adaptation of the traditional Great Thanksgiving liturgy. The concluding prayer of thanksgiving was (heavily) adapted from a prayer by Katherine Hawker. Communion Liturgy for Easter Sunday Friends, let us come out of the darkness and join together in the light of God’s love. You are invited to this table of life…
I’ve posted the sermon I preached this morning on Mark 11:20-25. I was honored to preach for one of our ecumenical mid-day Holy Week worship services here in Lawrence. We pastors had decided to take the texts chronologically for the week. I agreed to preach on Tuesday without knowing what I was getting myself into.…
I’m finishing up a beautiful novel: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards. At one point in the novel, Bree is talking with her sister Norah. Bree has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and Norah is worried about her. Bree says, “I’m on the church prayer list. That helps.” This comment struck me first…
This prayer of confession emerges out of the story from 1 Samuel 16:1-13; particularly from God’s statement to Samuel: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord…
Holy God, You led Abraham and Sarah to a new land; You led your people across the Egyptian border to freedom; You sent your angel to warn Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to a foreign country, because their homeland was not safe. You are a God who calls us to love and care for…
Holy God, Our nation is involved in another war– We read yesterday of missiles launched in Libya which is the other side of the world, but also in our homes; in our hearts. Gadhafi tortures and kills his own people, Desperately grasping at power with weapons, threats, force. The Libyan rebels launch bloody attacks, hoping…
Spacious Faith 