It’s a story as old as ministry itself. You begin a ministry to someone, to a group of people, to a certain place and population—fully expecting that YOU are going to serve THEM. Bless their little pea-pickin’ hearts. Won’t they be lucky. And then, before you even know what hit you, you end up realizing that it’s YOU that has been blessed, and served, and ministered to. Whenever that happens I’m always caught off guard. […]
The following is a reflection on Mark 1:4-11, the Gospel Lesson for January 8, 2011 – the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Also on this site is a Prayers of the People for All Epiphany. John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized […]
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And he was called Jesus. It’s a peculiarity that Christianity as we know it came through the furnace of the Latin speaking Roman Empire that we call the Son of God “Jesus.” Unless the Angel Gabriel spoke in Latin to the Virgin Mother, he told […]
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God created every form of life that swims in the deep, which flies in the sky, and which walks on the land. God created us, molding us out of the dust of the ground, and breathing God’s holy breath into us. And, God created us in God’s image—that we might bear the Holy Image in all the world. God spoke to individuals, and God blessed […]
These prayers are based largely on the Hebrew Bible Advent lessons for Year B. The body of the prayers will stay the same through Advent, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week. Celebrant In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, let your will be done with us according to your word, that we might be vessels of your Presence, and eager to pray: Intercessor O God, in days to […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 1:26-38, the Gospel Lesson appointed for December 18th, 2011, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also • a version of the Prayers of the People for Advent 4B. She was twelve. Maybe thirteen. That was the typical age of betrothal in her day. And, this little twelve-year-old was betrothed to a man. I remember […]
These prayers are based largely on the Hebrew Bible Advent lessons for Year B. The body of the prayers will stay the same through Advent, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week. Celebrant In the hushed anticipation of your coming, send us out as witnesses to your light, so all might believe through your son; that we may be ready for your coming, and eager to pray: Intercessor O God, in […]
The following is a reflection on John 1:6-8, 19-28, the Gospel Lesson appointed for December 11th, 2011, the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also • a reflection on the Hebrew Bible Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People for Advent 3B. There was a man sent from God… That phrase hasn’t sat well with […]
These prayers are based largely on the Hebrew Bible Advent lessons for Year B. The body of the prayers will stay the same through Advent, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week. On this site there is also • a reflection on the Hebrew Bible Lesson for Advent 2b, and. • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day. Celebrant In the hushed anticipation of your coming, bring your […]
The following is a reflection on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, the Hebrew Bible Lesson appointed for December 11th, 2011, the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People for Advent 3B. I love church ruins. I love traveling through the English, Scottish, and Welsh […]