Authors: Carol E. Bayma

We are an immoderate people, Lord, a people of hills and valleys; our spirits ebb and flow. Today we surge with energy and enthusiasm, catching a vision of being your people, building your church. Eagerly we respond to your call. Tomorrow, or even this very afternoon, we may become bored...

Do you notice us waving to you? Come now, Jesus, we are so excited to call you God when the whole world is praising your name. We have spread the palm leaves of our hearts before you and said, “The God of the universe, the Creator of all, dwells in...

When Abram was 75 years old, he and Sarai started out from Haran, as the Lord had told him. Today we are called from our homes and work into God’s glorious presence. Like Abram and Sarai, we must enter in faith, trusting that God is on the journey. May we...

Editor’s Note: The words and music for “The One is blest” (The Presbyterian Hymnal [USA], Hymn #158) can be found at www.hymnary.org . An alternative would be the refrain from Psalm 1 VU p. 724. Choir sings: “The One is Blest” verse 1 Blessed is the person who does not...

for Ascension Day Here we come, Jesus. Your resurrection people are here to sing your praises and crown you the ascended Lord. We have you where we want you: high in the heavens, making peace for us with the holy God. We want to get back to our daily routine...

O God, be gracious to us. Receive our prayer and forgive the foolishness of our pride. We want to be in control, and it is so much easier to control others than to discipline ourselves. We are like children playing “king of the hill,” changing the rules to suit ourselves...

With what shall we come before you, O God? What offering can we bring that is worthy? What praise from our lips befits your glory? What gift extols your majesty? When we bring you our excess material wealth while some of us, here and in nations everywhere, languish in poverty...

Let not your hearts be troubled: God’s Word is sure. Let us come seeking the place made for us in Jesus. Let us come to Christ with our questions and confusion. Let us come to seek and to serve our Risen Lord. Let us worship God.

We confess that we are a people of the moment, God. Everything is now. If it happened yesterday, we are done with it. What will happen next week concerns us not. Too often we are religious thrill-seekers, demeaning your presence among us by focusing on your deeds. Keep us from...