lent 1a: reclaiming the vision

March 1, 2014
by rick
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The version of the Creation in Genesis chapter 1, as we know, shows a remarkably ordered world, with an unfolding plan of creation that springs forth from the words of our Creator God. There is a place for everything, and everything is in it’s place.

The creation story in Genesis chapters 2 and 3 is a little different. God is still creator, but he’s hands-on, digging in the earth and collaborating with others in the naming process.

This second creation story marvelously shows the world as God intended it to be. Read More

Lent 1a Prayers of the People

March 1, 2014
by rick
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Lent / Prayers of the People

These prayers are inspired by the great Psalm of contrition, Psalm 51. These prayers are designed to be used each week in Lent, except for the closing prayer which will reflect each week’s Gospel lesson. These prayers will work best if a brief pause is observed before the couplet. All churches have express permission to use, modify, or adapt these prayers in a way that best serves the individual community.

Celebrant Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your great compassion, hear our prayers.

Intercessor We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God.

Wash us through and through,
And cleanse us from our sin.

We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge.

Purge us from our sin,
And we shall be pure.

We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head.

Make them hear of joy and gladness,
that those who are broken may rejoice.

We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely.

Give them the joy of your saving help,
and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.

In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for those who have died, (especially _____ )and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace.

Cast them not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from them.

We especially pray for… (the sick, those serving in conflict, etc…)

We pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week…

Celebrant Lord Jesus, you were tempted by the Evil One in the wilderness and yet did not succumb. Be present to us who live with temptation day by day, and give us your strength, and your amazing grace. Amen.

last epiphany a: overcome with fear

February 19, 2014
by rick
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Gospels / Jesus / Lectionary / New Testament / Religion / sin / temptation / Year A

The mission of the Church is to be a vessel where transformation can happen. Where lives may be changed by the Presence of God. Where people are reconciled to God in Christ, and to each other as neighbors.

That transformation isn’t a small thing. It’s not a fresh coat of paint. It’s not even an upgraded operating system.

It’s metamorphosis. It’s wholesale change. From the bottom up. From the inside out.

And, to be honest…it’s not always something that I want. Read More

epiphany 5a reflection: lose the morons

January 31, 2014
by rick
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Current Affairs / Epiphany / Gospels / Jesus / Lectionary / New Testament / Religion / Year A

It is to be noted that the semantic parallel of “low-grade” with imbecile is far closer than might have been expected. (The Anchor Bible Commentary: Matthew by W. F. Albright and C. S. Mann. Page 55.)

That is, quite possibly, the funniest statement that I’ve ever read in a biblical commentary. Had I been enjoying a beverage whilst reading that statement, I would have soiled the book.

Albright and Mann have a quite different translation in their Anchor Bible Commentary than the NRSV of Matthew 5:13. The salt hasn’t “lost it’s saltiness,” but it’s “low-grade” salt. The Greek word here translated as “low-grade” is “moraino”.

Etymologically related to: moron. Imbecile.

Salt can’t “lose it’s saltiness.” There’s no “sell by” date on salt. It’s salt for goodness sakes.

But, salt can be diluted. Or it can be contaminated by other materials which make it taste bad.

And, if that’s the case, it’s time to throw the salt out. It’s useless. There’s no going back.

Fuggedaboutit.

Jesus in in the opening stanzas of the Sermon on the Mount here, and he’s talking about us. “You are the salt of the earth” he proclaims to the disciples, and to us. Great things are expected of us, and great things can we do in the name of God and God’s Kingdom.

But, there is another way to go. We can do great things…or we can be morons.

This is literally Jesus’ big speech where he turns to his followers and tells them/ us not to be an embarrassment.

I love Bishop Michael Curry’s push to create more “crazy Christians.” I love the holy fools who throughout Christian history have given up their material goods, their freedom, and their lives to live out the values of the Kingdom.

But, there is a line, and if you cross it, you go from “crazy Christian” to imbecile pretty quickly. It’s hard to define where that line is…but we all know it when we see it. We all know it when we stand squarely on the other side of the line, and looking back we see Jesus standing there shaking his head. We all know it when we turn on the TV and another yay-hoo with “Rev.” in front of their name is proclaiming why this tornado or that hurricane struck a particular area.

So, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

But, quit being a moron.

advent 4a: prayers

December 16, 2013
by rick
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Prayers of the People

Officiant    In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, remind us that you are always with us, that like Joseph we might always be eager to fulfill your will, and be eager to pray:

Intercessor    O God, in days to come the mountain of your house will be established, and your joy shall reign. We pray for the church (especially…), that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your paths.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and you, O God, shall judge between the nations. We pray for our nation, and all nations, that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord, wolves lie down with lambs and children play with serpents without fear. We pray for the sick, the suffering, and those in distress of any kind (especially…); that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief, and settle all wrongs.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord, even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice. We pray for those who rejoice this week as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…); that they might obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing might flee away.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In the fulness of time, O God, you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary. And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us. We thank you for your Presence with us, and we pray that you might be always present with those whom we love but see no longer.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

O Christ, hear our prayers, restore us, and show us the glorious light of your countenance, that we might be saved. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Advent Wreath Lighting

Leader   The light shines in the darkness
People   And the darkness has not overcome it

Reader   On this Fourth Sunday of Advent we light these four candles to remind us of the Light that shines in the world; the Light that we wait for; the Light that is coming: Jesus our Redeemer.

(Light the candles)

Leader   Let us pray,
Let these candles, O Lord, be a reminder that you are Emmanuel – God With Us, and because of your Holy Presence among us always there is no reason to ever be afraid; Restore us, O God of hosts, and let Your light shine within us. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

advent 4a reflection: looking back

December 16, 2013
by rick
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Advent / Exodus / Gospels / Jesus / Year A

Everything in the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel – which tells of God doing this wondrous thing in the birth of Jesus – seems to point backwards.

Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy, starting with the Patriarch Abraham. Then we have the reference to Isaiah’s prophesy that the child shall be called “Emmanuel.” And then the child is given the name “Jesus,” which not only means “God saves” but in Hebrew it’s also the name of the one who brought the sojourning People of God out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land: Joshua.

Add to this a Joseph…who’s a dreamer…and who will go off, under duress, to Egypt…

All this Joseph needs is a fancy technicolor coat and he’d be all set. Read More

advent 3a: prayers

December 7, 2013
by rick
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Prayers of the People

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Officiant    In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, remind us that in you we never need to be afraid, that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray:

Intercessor    O God, in days to come the mountain of your house will be established, and your joy shall reign. We pray for the church (especially…), that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your paths.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and you, O God, shall judge between the nations. We pray for our nation, and all nations, that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord, wolves lie down with lambs and children play with serpents without fear. We pray for the sick, the suffering, and those in distress of any kind (especially…); that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief, and settle all wrongs.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord, even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice. We pray for those who rejoice this week as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…); that they might obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing might flee away.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In the fulness of time, O God, you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary. And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us. We thank you for your Presence with us, and we pray that you might be always present with those whom we love but see no longer.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Officiant    O Christ, hear our prayers; and come among us soon; for we are waiting for you, and none other. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING

Leader   The light shines in the darkness
People   And the darkness has not overcome it

Reader   On this Third Sunday of Advent we light these three candles to remind us of the Light that shines in the world; the Light that we wait for; the Light that is coming: Jesus our Redeemer.

(Light the candles)

Leader   Let us pray,
Let these candles, O Lord, light the Holy Way that leads to you, your kingdom, and the crude manger in which he was laid; that when our Lord Jesus comes he might find his light burning in us, in our homes, in our community, and in our church. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

advent 3a reflection: the holy way

December 7, 2013
by rick
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Advent / Old Testament / Religion / Year A

Many years ago my wife and I moved to Atlanta. We roamed around our new city, taking in the sights and sounds of our exciting new home. On one of our travels we happened by a place where there were some interesting shops. Above the shops was a towering building with a very unique cantilevered roof.

Not long after that trip her birthday was coming up, and I wanted to go back to those shops and find a little something for her. So I hopped in my car…looking for the tall building with the roof.

I had no other directions. No other landmark. I was just driving around one of America’s largest cities looking…for a tall building.

Funny thing is…there are quite a number of tall buildings in Atlanta. Read More