Dear God, As we prepare and plan, as we wonder and write, as we cross this t and dot that i, as we attend to every detail for worship tomorrow; help us to remember the sweep of your vast glory, the majesty of your mercy, the grandeur of your eternal promise and presence. Amen. … Read More
Saturday Prayer – Berries in Winter
For berries in winter, we praise your name, oh Creator of all things. For the miracle that is their rich color, taut skin, juice in each bite. For berries in winter, – and every gift that comes unexpectedly deliciously delightfully out of season – we praise your name, Oh Creator of all things. Amen. ________________________________________________________________… Read More
Saturday Prayer -Holy One
Holy One, We thank you for the many mysteries and beauties of this day – for bodies in movement, for hands at work, for hearts that love. We thank you for the opportunity, the challenge, and the joy of gathering as your people. We acknowledge that too often we notice only what our bodies cannot… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Celebrating Cross-Quarter Day
Oh my Savior, I have never celebrated Candlemas, this day your blessed Mother brought baby You to the temple to be blessed. I’ve never blessed candles on this day, although legend tells me it is an auspicious day to do so. Neither have I celebrated Imbolc, which the internet tells me means “in the belly” and… Read More
Saturday Prayer – On solstice, the full moon and the last days of Advent
The night is so long, Oh Holy One. The longest night of the year. Just this once, we pause. We look up: from the blue light of the screen, from the list which grows (how is this possible?) longer the more we cross off, from our own unholy expectations of What Should Be. We… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Winter Haiku
In the frozen ground – a green branch, a yellow leaf. Awake! See the Light! Jennifer Garrison Brownell serves as pastor at Vancouver United Church of Christ in Vancouver, Washington. She contributed to the Revgals book There’s a Woman in the Pulpit and is the author of the not-really-about-a-triathlon memoir Swim, Ride, Run, Breathe: How… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Advent Eve
Just one candle. It seems so tiny. And yet it is sufficient to guide us until the next one is lit, and the next, and then one more. It will illumine the way until the true Light comes. And then the Light will shine in all of the shadowy places, and the shadow will never extinguish… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Don’t Be Afraid
Holy One, You’re always telling those you meet not to be afraid. Meet us today. Another shooting, this one targeting a synagogue, a house of worship. Open our hearts, so they do not close in cynicism or despair. Give our prayers wings, fly love and strength and healing to our sisters and brothers in faith.… Read More
Saturday Prayer – Prayer for Healing
Oh Christ the Healer, This is our prayer. Heal our broken bodies Heal our broken hearts Heal our broken world. And when the time for healing is past and gone or not yet come grant us strength and courage and the holy help of one another. Amen. Jennifer Garrison Brownell serves as pastor at Vancouver… Read More
Saturday Prayer –
God, our Mother and Father Christ, our Friend and Brother Holy Spirit, Comfort and Challenger Thank you for the many beauties of this day For the wonder of creation and the turning of the seasons For bodies that breathe and move For the opportunity you place before us To gather in community. So often we… Read More
