Tag Archives: worship

The Candle of HOPE

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First Sunday of Advent – The Candle of HOPE

advent-1-candleFaith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This means that hope must precede faith. Our faith in God revealed in Jesus is rooted and grounded on the deepest hopes of our hearts and minds. The dreams of a better world that stir our imagination. These are the dreams of Abraham and Sarah, the dreams of King David, the dreams of the prophets, the dreams of Joseph and Mary and the Shepherds and the Wise Men. These are the dreams of Jesus and the Apostles – the dreams of God’s kingdom manifest on earth as it is in heaven.

You and I, by virtue of our calling and baptism into Christ, are co-creators with God of bringing this dream to reality. This church exists so that we can hear the dreams of old, have our own imaginations stirred, and invite our neighbors to work alongside us for the healing of the nations – the way of God’s shalom.

As you enter into this Advent season, what are your dreams? What is your hope, of which your faith in God will be the assurance?

As a prayer for God’s fulfilling these hopes and dreams, we light the candle of Hope.

(The first purple candle is lit as the hymn is sung.)
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Text (c) Ken G. Crawford 2016
Photo credit – stmatthiaschicago.org

911 – A Litany of Remembrance

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north-pool-night_amy-dreher
Today we remember not only those who died on that horrific and unforgettable day in our nation’s history, but all the losses of these years since then.

For those who were passengers and crew in the four airplanes, those in the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and on the ground, and the loved ones they left behind…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For all the first responders and everyday heroes who ran in as others ran out, and the loved ones they left behind…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For the terrorists whose minds and lives were twisted by hatred and bad theology, and for the loved ones they left behind…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For us in the long distance we must travel between revenge, justice, safety, and your call to love our enemies…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For our active duty military and veterans, those who have fallen and those who are broken in body and spirit, and all their family and friends…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For our national and global leaders who seek to balance freedom and security, who seek common ground across chasms of culture, history and religion…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For those today whose minds continue to be twisted by hatred and fear of the stranger, whatever their cultural or religious roots or justifications…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For each of us, as aspects of our own sinful greed, consumption and wanton destruction stir fear and anger in the hearts and minds of others.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For the children of today and tomorrow, that they may one day know your kingdom of peace on earth as it is in heaven…

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

Moments of silence marked by the ringing of bells

German Advent Welcome

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This is the welcome that I wrote and delivered at St. Paul’s UCC. It was an interesting experience. I’d not attempted to speak German in public since High School, and it showed. My accent never was very good, but as several folks commented afterward, “You made the effort, and that matters.” I’ve always found this to be true – humbly and genuinely attempting to speak another person’s language so as to communicate and connect with them is greatly appreciated, even if the language is butchered in the process. It helps to keep a good sense of humor, because folks will undoubtedly laugh at the gaffs, even while smiling appreciatively. And the service itself was a delight. I find it interesting to worship in another language, listening for where I can understand what is being said by the context, and where I’m lost simply trusting the Pentecost Spirit to bridge the gap. Never fails. I also was glad to meet folks from The Goethe Center of Dallas, The German School of Dallas, and of course The Dallas Frohsinn Singing Society and The Alpenhorns who helped lead the service. Kudos to the choir and people of St. Paul’s for a wonderful event under the direction of Will Kanute, Choirmaster.

Welcome delivered at St. Paul’s German Advent Service Deutscher Weinachtsgottesdienst ~ Dez 7, 2014
Welcome to St. Paul’s Church. Willkommen bei der St. Paul’s Kirche !
Whether old friends or new, Ob alte Freunde oder Neue,
whether devout followers or curious seekers, you are welcome here. Ob fromme Folger oder neugierige Sucher, Alle sind hier willkommen.
The Christian Heritage of Germany has many gifts for the contemporary church and world.  Die christliche Erbschaft Deutschlands hat viel den zeitgenossenen Kirchen und der Welt zu Schenken.
This service is but one.  Dieser Gottesdienst ist nur ein Beispiel.
Some of our greatest theologians and composers hail from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  Manche unserer grossartigsten Theologen und Komponisten stammen aus Deutschland, Oestereich und der Schweiz.
Tonight we gather to honor and celebrate that heritage as we prepare to welcome and celebrate once again God’s gift of the Christ child to the world. Heute Abend sind wir zusammen um diese Erbschaft zu ehren und feiern, waehrend wir uns vorbereiten Gottes Geschenk, “das Christuskind fuer die Welt”, wieder willkommen zu heissen.
May the spirit of Christ dwell in us and lead us into the world proclaiming Peace on Earth, Good News to all. Moege der Geist Christi in uns weilen, und uns in die Welt fuehren, um Friede auf Erden und gute Nachricht in Alle zu erklaeren.
Welcome. Herzlich Willkommen .

* Thanks to Baerbel W. for the translation.

First sermon in 4 months

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I know how to preach to the people beside whom I worship, pray, study and serve. The people God has called me to equip for ministry. I’m not sure I know to prepare a message for strangers who are also sisters and brothers in Christ. Obviously relying heavily on the guidance of the Holy Spirit (and the local pastor) in a way that is different from my past decades of preaching.

My last sermon was at Forest Grove Christian Church (DoC) on Feb 2, 2013, the final day of my 10.5 year ministry there. Now, exactly 4 months later, I will be preaching supply for Deb Chisolm @ Central Christian Church, Dallas. I’m grateful, excited, and nervous. I’ve not preached for a congregation where I was not also the pastor in almost 20 years. Also scheduled to preach @ Ridgelea Christian in Ft. Worth on July 21.

This has got me thinking about the responsibility and authority of a guest preacher, particularly when the home pastor is not present in worship for whatever reason. I have chosen to stick with the lectionary text for 6/2 (7/21 is TBD) as it takes some of the control out of my hands, rather like drawing lots or casting the Urim and Thummin. It also saves such a great deal of time wondering and wandering about the scriptures in search of the “right” text. This narrows it down to 4 (or in the case of this Sunday 9) upon which to meditate and pray and seek guidance.

For Sunday 6/2 I have selected 1 Kings 8:22-30;  Psalm 96;  Galatians 1:1-12;  & Luke 7:1-10. I know that Central has some big decisions ahead, so I am mindful of those and at the same time wary of stepping into a conversation that is not mine. These texts have some interesting things to say about where, why, who and how we worship.

What experience do you have with these texts that you want to share?

Call to Worship Psalm 85

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Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.

You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us.

Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

Psalm 85, NRSV