Every time I consider Jesus’ miracle stories I think someone in the congregation is thinking, “Yeah. That’s Jesus. I can’t do that.” Because we can’t, can we? Jesus performs miracle after miracle, and I have to tell you, I’ve never performed one single miracle! But reading Ched Myers (Binding the Strong Man and “Say to… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Miracle of Miracles (Mark 1:21-45)
We’ve finally made it! The Gospel Readings are here! Okay, technically they were here last week but if you’re like me, your church did something special or you had a guest preacher or something. Our scriptures this week are challenging enough, but if you did do something special last week you may want to read… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
God we come ready to listen waiting to hear Your still speaking voice Send Your Spirit to fall afresh on us To break open those closed places in our hearts And soften those hardened places in our souls And heal those troubled places in our minds So that we might hear You above the noise… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Praying, praying, praying… for peace for joy for healing for justice for love for ALL Trusting, trusting, trusting… that you hear us, Dear God and that you know what we need RIGHT NOW Amen and thank you in advance Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks (she/her/hers/ella) is a queer womanist freedom fighter, minister, spiritual entrepreneur, teacher, and… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Creator God, In a time where some ponder ways to commodify the melting of the ice caps, while others are waist high in devastating waters, their entire lives floating around them Forgive us Stir within us a deep desire to not only change the news channel in frustration and resignation But to find ways to… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Amazing God, On this day in the middle of the week In this moment in the middle of the morning As we journey in the middle of the Lenten season We stop and catch a view of both the sun’s brilliance and the moon’s light in the deep blue sky And we are convicted to… Read More
Friday Prayer: By the Bedside
Jesus- The written Word tells us that you wept over the death of your friend Lazarus. It also tells us that you waited until he died before you came to the side of his sisters. I have mixed feelings as to whether your actions were compassionate. A resurrected brother is not the same as not… 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
Wednesday Prayer
God of many names We lift up those facing the ravages of storms that go by many names Present storms and storms that have passed, leaving stark reminders of just how small and vulnerable we are The fear is real The loss is real The trauma is real Bring peace and restoration to every person,… Read More
RCL: Waiting for Morning
The nights of weeping feel endless these days. I can’t help but ask when the joy of morning will come. The promise of the dawning joy is woven throughout this week’s texts. Lamentation and yearning lean in toward hope and healing in a way I desperately wish were true in the world. I live and… Read More
