Father Brown, the TV character based on the work of Catholic theologian G.K. Chesterton, often promises people that God loves them and will always forgive them. I admit a touch of envy at the ease of his delivery of the sacrament of confession. Father Brown puts on his stole, hears...
In preaching, we are never telling just one story. The gospel is always old, always new. Our testimony makes the connections, as the gospel comes to life in our midst. My first grandchild was due to be born between December 18 and 22. I went to visit—my son and his...
OMG. Oh. My. God. This is probably the most common extemporaneous prayer ever. It is odd that people change “God” to “gosh” to avoid swearing. Is this an expletive or a prayer? Maybe an expletive is prayer at its most raw: beyond an object or subject, past any niceties or...
Holy One, these days we are not quite sure what season we are in. Some days feel like spring. Even the flowers are pushing through the soil. And then it gets cold, and we feel the winter dragging on. Remind us of another kind of season, a season of faith...
My children are grown now, and I am a grandmother, but I remember those first years of ministry and trying to be both mother and minister, creating new rituals and ways of being together. It was not easy. Christmas Eve: I was alone between services. My children were with their...
Great Spirit, Creator of all life, we give you thanks for the world that we are part of this morning: friends and family, music and poetry, comfort and challenge, promise and hope. We give you thanks for the wonder of the earth: the beauty of winter light on snow, the...
When the ways of the world wear us down with constant demands or unrealistic expectations, we are invited to find refuge in God’s grace. Together, in worship, this is where we find our home. When the morning sun is reflected off the snow and the skies open like a blue...
Illumination du cierge pascal suivi d’un moment de silence. Seigneur, prends pitié. Christ, prends pitié. Que notre prière silencieuse et les mouvements de nos cœurs soient un baume apaisant sur les blessures de notre monde, dans l’amitié et même l’inimitié, par ta grâce. Que ton amour manifesté en Jésus soit...
The Christ candle is lit. A time of silence is held. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. May our silent prayer and our overflowing hearts be a healing balm in a hurting world, for friend and enemy, by your grace. May we be united in the love you show us...
Holy One, as we receive your word today, reach into our hearts and plant your love in us. Reach into our experience and find the unexplored places that need healing and understanding. Reach into our faith with your gospel and shape us with your word of life. Prepare us to...
