When it comes to Christmas music, I confess that I jump the season. At least in my personal life. Professionally, when I am designing worship, I can maintain tight seasonal boundaries. Stores may decorate. Cards may arrive. Specials may air….
Read more »Scripture: Amos 5:18–27 Standing at my office window, I was startled to see the early morning sky fill with roiling storm clouds. Within minutes, torrential rain mixed with hail pelted the glass. Soon a manhole cover on the street below…
Read more »Scripture: Matthew 22:1–14 We all receive invitations throughout the year that request our presence at various functions. The gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s invitation for us to have a relationship with him. This invitation comes with the certainty of…
Read more »Scripture: Matthew 21:33–46 “Peace on earth,” we say in Advent, we say at Christmas, we say upon the birth of the One we call the Prince of Peace. “Peace on earth,” we say as a hope, a prayer, a longing…
Read more »Pax Christi International invites us to send Christmas prayer greetings to the people of Bethlehem. Once again, Christmas celebrations will take place in a difficult climate for people in the Holy Land. As we prepare to celebrate Advent and Christmas…
Read more »Consider engaging in Morning Prayer Presbyterian Style as a way to prepare during this Advent Season. Thanks to Lynn Shephard, pastor of Afton Presbyterian Church and Guilford Center Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley for sharing this idea,…
Read more »Scripture: Amos 3:12–4:5 It is easy to get caught up in the spirit of things as we enter Advent. We are called to wait upon the coming of the Lord, and yet we are expected to participate in the merriment…
Read more »Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7–19 “Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.” (1 Peter 4:16) Between 1966 and 1976 China witnessed a Cultural Revolution. Many…
Read more »Scripture: Psalm 84 “Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5) The psalmist offers us a glimpse of the energy and grace that come to those who keep their hearts…
Read more »Scripture: Joel 2:21–27 Hope. Talk to the land. Console the animals. Tell them not to be afraid, because we will purge the locusts and start anew. The people of the Andes feel that the earth, Pachamama, is a living being,…
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