A Maker’s Advent, Week 1: Being Ready

Enter: Settle in to your quiet space with several deep, slow breaths. Light a candle, if you wish. Breathe in: Strengthen my heartBreathe out: I stand before You Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I have made to the house of Israel and the house …

Advent in July: Love

Proper 13 texts at http://www.textweek.com. Hosea 11:1-11          Psalm 107:1-9, 43          Colossians 3:1-11          Luke 12:13-21 This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?      Luke 12:20 This is a love story. This is a story about …

Advent in July: Joy

Proper 12 texts at http://www.textweek.com Hosea 1:2-10          Psalm 85          Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)          Luke 11:1-13 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.     Luke 11:10 Jesus’ disciples knew their Teacher was “different” (feel free to …

Advent in July: Peace

Proper 11 texts at http://www.textweek.com Amos 8:1-12         Psalm 52          Colossians 1:15-28          Luke 10: 38-42 ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.’       Luke 10:41-42a Sometimes the Bible packs a lot of power …

Advent in July: Hope

When I was growing up in church and learning about missions in Girls in Action, my favorite time of year was Christmas (it still is!)—but my second favorite was “Christmas in July,” when our G.A. leaders would set up a Charlie-Brownish little Christmas tree, decorated in red and green baubles, in our church-basement classroom. In …

A Share of Peace

Proper 9 texts on www.textweek.com 2 Kings 5:1-14          Psalm 30          Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16          Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Whatever house you enter, first say “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to …

Epiphany 4: So Much for the Good News.

Epiphany 4 texts at http://www.textweek.com Jer. 1:4-10          Psalm 71:1-6          1 Cor. 13:1-13          Luke 4:21-30 I assure you that no prophet is welcome in the prophet's hometown. (Luke 4:24, CEB) Jesus spoke aloud the prophecies of Isaiah to the gathered congregation, and at his …

Epiphany 3: Going Home

Epiphany 3 texts at http://www.textweek.com Neh. 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10           Psalm 19          1 Cor. 12:12-31a          Luke 4:14-21 Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it. (Luke 4:21b, CEB) What do you do after forty days of fasting, after being challenged by …

A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Offering

Loving God,We are so often distractedby our fears and frustrations,by our losses and lacks,by our angers and anxieties,by the things that offend usand by our need to be on the defensive--we are so distracted,we forgetthat in all thingsin all thingswe are to give You thanks.Still, we knowthat we cannot even begin to worship Youwithout proclaiming …

Advent Day 21: The Return

Today's readings: Micah 5:1-5 and Luke 1:47-55Then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord... and they shall live secure... (Micah 5:3b-4)He has shown strength with his arm... he has filled the hungry with good things... (Luke 1:51a, …