Our baptismal promises lay the foundation for our lives and behavior toward one another and God. The very first one asks us to promise we will continue in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship. It seems a daunting task to continue in fellowship when we gather online or six-feet apart in small in-person groups. Yet
(The first reflection in an ongoing conversation on this topic.) In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; Prayer for Our Country, Book of Common Prayer In the day of trouble, let us continue to trust in God.
The Book of Psalms contains 150 songs, prayers, laments to God which have been with Jewish and Christian communities for thousands of years. Psalms express the range and depth of human emotions and experience in conversation with God. Nothing is held back. Psalms give word to anger, despair, desire for vengeance, and lament over
(We welcome Mr. John Endress, lay preacher, who shares the following reflection for 2021.) As of today, January 7th, resolutions made seven days ago are either lost in the whirlwind of everyday life, or have become a ball and chain which gets in the way of other priorities. Take heart my friend, you are not
This is post 7 of 12 in the series “12 Days of Christmas” Join us in keeping the Twelve Days of Christmas. Each day will bring another small sign of comfort and joy. Merry Christmas Blessed Feast of St. Stephen The Gift of Lessons and Carols Finding One’s Spark Humor Adds Perspective The Ritual of
Today we receive once again Love embodied on this Earth as we celebrate Jesus’s birth. No doubt we each have our favorite carols at Christmas, and my two favorites, “Love Came Down at Christmas,” and “In the Bleak Midwinter” are poems by Christina Rossetti. Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Luke 1:78-79 Being a preacher’s kid (PK to the trade) even as a teen I read my
Over the past week the world conspired to teach the value of generosity, especially the usefulness of generosity in helping us overcome the bitterness of self-focus and complaint. As a literature major Mrs. Gummidge in David Copperfield lingers in the back of my mind. She always had much to criticize and certainly did not think
Christmas, I would say in years past, is the quiet season. Advent Is the busyness of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Yes, Advent Bible studies or new daily devotions have been important, and lighting the Advent wreath at home and in church always has been a delight. This year I plan a
This week’s reflection is by the Rev. Deacon Kay Drebert.* November is Indigenous People’s Month. It is a time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments and the contributions of the peoples who were the first inhabitants of what we now call the United States. President Reagan first proclaimed this celebration in 1986, and every president