On this Sunday in which the northern hemisphere is in deep summer, images of new life and growth show up in our lectionary offerings. In our journey through Genesis, Jacob is on a road trip, fleeing the furious twin from whom he finagled a birthright and stole a blessing. With a stone for a pillow,… Read More
Worship Words for 5 July: I Don’t Do What I Want Edition
Looking for liturgical language that suits this moment in our world — a world of pandemic, uprising against individual and systemic racism, virtual gathering, and so much more? Here we offer some…feel free to use as is, to adapt, or to use for inspiration for your own. If you use these in written materials, please… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Romans 13
In the midst of the current immigration debacle in the United States, I have seen an uptick in quoting Romans 13:1-2: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed,… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Hoping Against Hope (Romans 5:1-11)
When my daughter was young, I would often say, “Hmmm…” as I thought about something. “What hmmm?” she would demand, wondering what I was pondering. We have the same reaction to Paul, as the reading begins with “therefore…” “What therefore?” we wonder. Read the Narrative Lectionary Commentary here. Read the scripture here. With his adept… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Nothing Can Separate Us (Romans 8:18-31)
The Narrative Lectionary readings for the week are Acts 2:1-4 and Romans 8:18-38. The commentary at Working Preacher is here and you can find the podcast nearby. I’m sitting here looking at the blank screen. I’m tired. Seemingly impossibly tired. I’ve been advocating for Medicaid Expansion in my state and the answers that… Read More
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