A prayer of hope Joel 2:23-32 O God, the earth shakes and the heavens split open. Everywhere we look we see blood and fire and columns of smoke. Our legs are like rubber, our hearts melt with fear. What has this world come to? And yet, we rejoice. We rejoice because our sons and daughters... Continue Reading →
This Mother’s Day…
This Mother's Day, I find my heart dwelling on the ways in which we who never knew the thrill, the pain, the fear, or the joy of the miracle of birth mother the children around us. As my 21-year-old nephew prepares to make the long journey from West Virginia to Idaho in order to live... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: May 5, 2019
Call to Worship: Inspired by Psalm 25 Our lives belong to you, God.Wonderful God, we trust you. We have gathered in this place to worship you, God. You have given us shelter from the harsh sun and the bitter cold. You have rained your mercy down upon us and you have warmed us with the... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: Feb. 10, 2019
Call To Worship Republican, Democrat, or Independent, we have come here to kneel before God's mighty throne. Liberal, Conservative, or somewhere in between, we have come here to be fed by God's divine hand. Man, woman, or child we have come here to hear God speak holy words to us. Sinner, saint, or maybe a... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: Feb. 3, 2019
Call to Worship L: All are welcome in the presence of Jesus. Come and hear his gentle voice speaking words of hope to you: "Friend, your sins are forgiven."P: If we have to crawl through the ceiling, we will come to the presence of Jesus. Here we are, Lord! Speak to us!L: Even those the world rejects... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: January 27, 2019 (Third Sunday After the Epiphany)
Call to Worship: L: Our God has made a covenant with us!P: Yes, our God has taken us by the hand and lead us out of the Land of Egypt.L: Away from captivity and sin, through the wilderness, our God has taken us to a new place, alive with promise.P: Our God has made a covenant with... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: January 20, 2019
The Greater Northwest Area of the United Methodist Church is currently celebrating a "Crossover Year" in preparation of and response to General Conference 2019. As a part of that Crossover Year, churches and fellowship groups throughout the three conferences are joining in learning circles, reading Brian McClaren's We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation. I have decided to join some of... Continue Reading →
Empty Vessels
Vessels.Filled to the brim.Cleansing for the unclean.Hope for the hopeless.All who come will be welcomedwith a just a splash.Wash away the hurt.Wash away the sin.Wash away the shame.Leave the vessels where they stand.Empty.Discarded.Used.Dry.Laughter fades.Singing turns to silence.Whispers reveal the emptinessof joy,of hope,of celebration.What good is itwhen it's all been used up?What is leftafter it's all... Continue Reading →
Liturgy: Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Call To Worship: L: In the beginning, God's Spirit swept over the waters and spoke into existence all that is. P: Move over the deep voids of our hearts, O God, and speak life into us. L: Through the terrifying waters of the Red Sea, Moses lead your people. P: Our hearts tremble in the presence of your might, O God, but we will follow. L: From the water of the womb you brought forth your Son for the Salvation of the world. P: We stand in awe of your mystery, O God, and praise you for your mercy and unfailing love. L: Over the... Continue Reading →
Liturgy Inspired by “Enough: Chapter 2”
CALL TO WORSHIP: Cast aside the concerns of this world. Surrender all that you have. We will let of all our worldly cares and build a treasure for ourselves in heaven. The world will destroy and steal and squander the good things. But nothing can harm our heavenly treasure. Where our treasure is, our hearts... Continue Reading →