Yesterday we entered the season of Advent, a time in the church calendar where we are called to slow down and simplify our lives as we wait and prepare for the coming of Jesus, the One who came to us in the flesh as a refugee baby 2000 years ago and who will one day… Read More
Advent 1: Sunday Prayer
The day will surely come. Steadfast God, hold us in the meantime that we might not fear the long night. The time will surely arrive. Faithful God, give us signs while we wait until every speck of star and dust is a revelation. The promise will surely be fulfilled. Eternal God, plant the seeds within… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: here comes Advent!
Ready or not, here it comes! The first Sunday of advent is upon us. Whether you are following the RCL with its apocalyptic Advent 1, the Narrarive Lectionary with the lesser-known Habakkuk who somehow manages to speak right into current events, or a series of your own making, now is the time! Bring your ideas,… 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
Friday Festival
As Advent approaches, so do our focuses on certain themes for this liturgical season – specifically waiting for the birth of Christ to bring us a new light into our lives. Yet we rarely see waiting as a gift. As she participated in jury duty, Michelle at Quantum Theology states this: “There was a lot… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Holy Creator of Seasons- Advent’s loving arms filled with hope, peace, joy, and love wait at the end of this week. In these sacred bonus days between the celebration of gratitude and Advent’s commencement, allow your Holy Breath to fill our souls with the reviving energy they need. Remind us that hope cannot be found,… Read More
RCL: Hope, Even While the Seas Roar
Over the years, I have grown to love Advent. In the early years of my ministry, I didn’t exactly love the season. It was too busy, too demanding, too conflicted. It was hard to find a message of hope while ignoring the whole idea of the Second Coming. I had tangled up my unfortunate experiences… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Church Seasons
Jesus said, “Have you never read what David did when he & his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, giving some to his companions too. In the same way, the sabbath was made for humanity’s sake — humanity was not made for sabbath’s sake. The… Read More
Fourth Sunday of Advent Prayer
Overwhelmed by the shadows of this world, O God Most High, we pause to remember and be centered within your power that overshadows all fears and iniquities. In your mercy, incline your heart to our prayer. Your steadfast love is established forever: without fanfare or pride, yet omnipresent and glorious. We magnify you, by whom… Read More
Friday Prayer: Almost but not yet
Holy One, we are in this time of almost but not yet. We tell of your promised return but not yet. Of the wearied hearts who wait and grieve and yet rejoice for it is that time for the Babe to be our King… and yet not quite yet. This Advent winds to a… Read More
