We Gaze Into Heaven
A Litany for St. Stephen’s Day (Acts 7:55) We gaze into heaven, Even as we yearn for a new world a’borning. We gaze into heaven, Even as we harken to the voices that lead us there. We gaze into heaven, Even as we labor for the glory of full sharing. We gaze into heaven, Even […]
The Way of Palm Sunday
He comes riding a borrowed village donkey. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes from a hill country town. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes, the obscure son of a carpenter. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes in the company of footsore pilgrims. Hosanna! We shout Hosanna!He comes not with bodyguards but surrounded by friends. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He […]
Advent, A Season of Longing
A LitanyA season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for wholeness in the midst of ruin.A season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for liberty midst constraint.A season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for promise midst shabby regret.A season of longing has […]
What Makes an Olive Flourish On Sacred Ground?
All: What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? Solo: When someone sees beyond my haggard, fugitive appearance.What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? When someone pays no mind to my poverty and shabby story.What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? When someone offers me sustenance to which I have no claim.What makes […]
Buried Windfall
Refrain: But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth. (Mt. 25:18)Stories have been entrusted to us: stories of healing, of wedding joy and banquets, of anthems sung with angels, stories of bliss in heaven’s friendship. But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and […]
A Prayer for the Sick
Worship leader brings supplicant forward, as song is sung (e.g. Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior, O Healing River’) The congregation gathers around him/her, laying hands on him/her, some taking him/her by the hand.Anointing: oil may be poured on supplicant’s forehead by elder while saying, The Lord bless you, __________________, and keep you, The Lord make […]
A Parting Prayer of Blessing
God of all sojourns, You bid us greeting in our comings-in, And you bid us farewell at our departures. If we embrace and lay our hands today on ______________, It is in the belief that you have already embraced and laid your hand upon him/her/them, To claim _________ for yourself, to fill ________ with your […]
To the Praise of God’s Glory
Why are we called to set our hope beyond what incurs loss, adversity and grieving, or even beyond achievement and success? So that we might live to the praise of God’s glory.And why are we called to extend grace and blessing in the face of anger, indifference or scorn? So that we might live to […]
What Be This ‘Baptism of Repentance’?
Tell us, seekers all, what be this baptism of repentance? It be a cleansing from paths perverse from neglect, from waywardness, and love of sleep.Yes, and tell us, seekers all, what more be this baptism of repentance? It be a cleansing from all that was omitted, all that was withheld, the fruit of willful blindness.Yes, […]
A Fortress of Light
A litany drawn from Psalm 27 Should we be consumed by darkness, lost to the good by diminished hearts, Let us then, flee to your fortress of light.Should we feel beleaguered by others, or worse yet, be at war with ourselves, Let us then, flee to your fortress of light. Should we tremble at the […]
Adding to Thoughts and Prayers
From Isaiah 58 Should you add to thoughts and prayers, standing with orphans and with the abandoned, Then you will become a fountain of healing and health.Should you add to thoughts and prayers, food for the famished and raiment for the naked, Then you will become an ascendant sun at dawn.Should you add to thoughts […]
But Jesus Came
Some have left us enduring rules and disciplines for life. But Jesus came.Some sent fiery messages to turn us back from ruin. But Jesus came.Some have waved a blessing from lofty heights. But Jesus came.Some have bequeathed us words of great depth and beauty. But Jesus came. Yes, Jesus came. Some have thundered from mountain […]
An Easter Litany of Tidings
You who have risen before dawnTo remember with grief and tendernessThe failed promise of the one you loved, There is news from the garden.You who wince with guilt at leaving his sideOr at disowning his friendship, There is news from the garden.You who are resigned to plod on down a sad pathHaving lost aspiration and […]
A Lenten River Prayer
O Ancient of Days,We come from rivers that are not rivers, From fountains that do not sing of life, From barren springs where promise has failed From stony wells that mock the dream of Jubilee.But from the abundance of your life, Roll down upon us now the tide of your sweet spirit, That flagging faith […]