Year A, Second Sunday after Christmas
Theme: Supersized Superheroes Quotes What do we do with our lives;we leave only a mark.Will our story shine like a lightor end in the dark? Give it all or nothingTerry Britten, Gary Lyle, We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) Superheroes were born in the minds of people desperate to be
Year A, Advent Four
Theme: Babies and Stars: Promise or Potential? Quotes Potential has a shelf lifeMargaret Atwood All we are not stares back at what we are.W. H. Auden Revised Common Lectionary Readings Isaiah 7:10-16Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19Romans 1:1-7Matthew 1:18-25 For complete texts, please see Vanderbilt Lectionary Resources: Revised Common Lectionary Texts For commentary
Year A, Advent Three
Theme: Hard Work Quotes Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents When you live for a strong purpose, then hard work isn’t an option; it’s a necessity.Steve Pavlina Revised Common Lectionary Readings Isaiah 35:1-10,
Year A, Advent Two
Theme: Those Crazies; They Have Always Been with Us Quotes Being crazy isn’t enoughDr. Seuss Looks like what drives me crazyDon’t have no effect on you–But I’m gonna keep on at itTill it drives you crazy, too.Langston Hughes, Selected Poems In a world full of people, there’s only some want to
Year A, First Sunday after Christmas
Theme: Accompaniment: It takes all of us. Quotes It was no messenger or angel but one’s presence that saved them.Isaiah 63:9 Amended Be here now.Ram Dass Revised Common Lectionary Readings Alternate Readings Words to Introduce the Readings We celebrate a new year by singing out the old year and making
Advent Candle Lighting
Many Protestant congregations adopted an Advent Candle Lighting ritual several decades ago. I don’t recall having one in our church when I was a child, but I do remember it feeling like a special part of the December services when I would return from university for the holidays in the
Year A, Advent One
Theme: Raw and Ready Quotes A sage traveling all day is never far from the supplies in his cart, and however spectacular the views he remains calm and composed.Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching Invitation to Gather Before our eyes opened to this daynaught but darkness lay beneaththe lashes, closed, that sheltered
Resources for inspiring community
Over the years, I have collected and written huge amounts of material and hope you might find it useful as you create opportunities for people to fall in love with being together, the most important achievement of church or any gathering we might hope to create. I’ve two projects underway.
Over the Backyard Fence
Hello, my neighbours! It’s been too long! Scott and I have lived at XXXXXXX since XXXX. We’ve waved at a few of you, patted some of your pets, and said hello at the mailbox a few times. But we’ve not yet managed to get to know you. The challenges of
What use is prayer?
A day of sorrow and anger elicits frustration with the act of prayer.