Friday Prayer

Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals  and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord.They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. -Jeremiah 17:5-6 Oh Source… Read More

RCL: Negotiating the Path

How have we arrived at the end of August so quickly? Even with pandemic this summer has sped by at an alarming rate. Many of us might be on vacation this week; I am. For those of us who are preaching this week, the texts contain countless sermon possibilities. Admittedly, I am seeing them all… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: God’s Hope (Jeremiah 33:14-18)

The text for this week is so short I figured I would just put it here: Jeremiah 33:14-18 14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will… Read More

Revised Common Lectionary: The Days Are Surely Coming…

As a church professional, I get to hear some pretty terrible theology sometimes, from people who assume that I believe as they do. Can you relate? One of those things that I often hear is that the “Old Testament God” is vengeful while the “New Testament God” is forgiving. Passages like this week’s from Jeremiah… Read More

Sunday Prayer for 7/21/19: Prayer for the heat of the day

Photo of Chute de la Dame Blanche near Quebec City, 8/16/17, by Barb Hedges-Goettl Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: Minimum Protection (Jeremiah 1:4-10, 7:1-11)

Watching the work that people in my congregation do, it’s clear that they’re called by God to use their gifts as teachers or social workers, as parents or attorneys.  Sometimes they say they just drifted into the work they do, not seeing the steps as part of God’s leading.  Other times they have a certainty… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: Settle In (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14)

Recently, my dad has had a full schedule of hospital appointments and doctors’ visits.  Because he’s using a wheelchair, a Care Transport van picks him up for each appointment.  Without fail, the driver is a gentle man in the uniform of brown pants, brown shoes and a green jacket, with limited English, and careful driving… Read More

Revised Common Lectionary: Listen Up!

As I reflect on this week’s readings, I’m enjoying a little vacation before my kid goes back to school. This week’s readings almost make me wish I were going to be in the pulpit this Sunday. Almost. I’ve been sitting with Jeremiah for most of this year and have committed to using it for personal… Read More