Worship Words
Joyful, Joyful
I am enjoying time away at Princeton’s Institute for Youth Ministry’s yearly forum. It is a week of learning and laughing with others who love youth. It is a week of worship and table fellowship. It is a week of questions and wondering. I haven’t been here in a few years and coming back makes me realize how much I’ve missed it.
My reflection is inspired by the song, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, which we sang yesterday in opening worship.
As a young child, I began taking piano lessons. I remember practicing this song over and over. And even when I learned other songs, I kept playing this song because it was familiar. As we sang Joyful, Joyful yesterday, the familiar feeling came again. And I wondered what other songs are such a part of my life that they are in my memory from childhood and youth years? And how can I help my youth learn the songs of faith that will stay with them all their lives?
Giver of immortal gladness, We thank you for all the ways you reveal yourself and your amazing love to us. Thank you for giving us the gift of music. Thank you for people of faith throughout the generations who have shared the faith with the next generation. All the good gifts that you have given us call us to rejoice in thee. Help us to rejoice, Loving God. Amen.
Worship Words-Psalm 148
The Psalm for this week is Psalm 148. This responsive reading of the Psalm features the words of the Psalm in italics and my words in regular font. I enjoy the process of rewriting Scripture while remaining faithful to its roots. Using different words to express the same ideas is one way to keep Scripture fresh and new for us. This practice can give you insight into how you see God and how others have seen God throughout time. Why not do a little rewriting of a psalm yourself this week? I’d love to see your results.
All-Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights!
One-All who are faithful, Praise God! All who try to love God offer your praises!
All-Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars!
One-Let all praise the name of the Lord, for at God’s command all were created.
All-Praise God all creatures small and big who live in the oceans and waters.
One-Fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!
All-Hills, valleys, and mountains, fruit and flowering trees, weeds and vines.
One-Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
All-People with power and people with no power, all are God’s children.
One-All ages and all people are God’s children.
All-Let all praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted; God’s glory is above earth and heaven.
Worship Words-A Prayer for Planners
God,
Did you plan what you’d create each day? Did you make a spreadsheet or action plan to create most effectively? How much pre-planning is required when you are God?
I admit it, God. I plan. I organize. I make lists. I like to know what is going to happen when. And sometimes I get frustrated by those who don’t plan. No, that’s not true and prayers should be true. People who don’t plan make me frustrated all the time.
Surprising God, I need you to help me utilize my gift of planning and preparedness in ways that are helpful. I need you, Merciful One, to grant me patience and mercy for the non-planners in my life and in my work. Keep me flexible and open to surprises when I go off schedule. And maybe sometimes, help those in my life to plan a little. Is this a case where all things in moderation would be helpful in my life? Maybe so, God, maybe so. I’ll keep trying and keep asking for forgiveness. In your mercy, hear my prayer. Amen.
PS-This planner loves her passion planner.
Worship Words-How Many Times?
In our Gospel Lesson for Sunday, Jesus repeats the same question to Peter three times.
In our world filled with distractions…
How many times do I need to be asked before I listen?
How many times do I need to see you before I notice you?
How many times do I need to read the words before I understand?
Spend some time thinking about when and where you need to be more attentive to what the Still Speaking God is saying to you.
Worship Words-An Easter Benediction
As you go out into God’s world this week, be Easter people! Be those who say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here. He is risen.” Be ready to be surprised with what God will do next. Look for the risen Christ in those you meet. Let the Holy Spirit nudge and guide you. The tomb is empty because Jesus is out in the world, and now we must go out into the world too! May the joy and wonder of that first Easter morning live in your hearts today and everyday. Amen.
A Prayer in Times of Uncertainty
God,
Why?
Why?
Why?
So much does not make sense in our world today and in the time we remember this Holy Week. We understand how easy it is to be joyful on Sunday. We waved palms and shouted Hosanna! We understand how easy it is to get swept up in the frenzy and soon we are denying who we know and are hiding in fear.
God of All, We do not understand senseless violence. We do not understand hurting others even when we cause the hurt. This week in the church and this week in our world leaves us with many questions.
Faithful God, Give us the courage to ask our questions and not rush to answers. Give us the courage to seek answers through wisdom and patience. Give us courage this holy week as we follow you, Jesus.
We want to follow you and yet we may deny you. We may run away. We may hide. We will be scared. Forgive us and give us the courage to try again.
Be with us this week when the story is so familiar that we forget how difficult it is to remain faithful when uncertainty is all around us. Amen.
Worship Words-Call to Worship-God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever
As I was reading the Scriptures for this week, the first portion of Psalm 118 grabbed my attention. I began to picture what it would look like and sound like to have a full church reminding each other that God’s steadfast love endures forever. Use your imagination and find creative ways to divide up the congregation to share this good news together this Sunday morning.
One-O let us give thanks to our God who is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever!
All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let the right side of the church proclaim this good news.
Right Side-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let the left side of the church proclaim this good news.
Left Side-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let the children and youth shout out this good news.
Children and Youth-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let the adults should out this good news.
Adults-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let us all whisper to our neighbors.
All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
One-Let us smile and wave our palms as we say together one more time.
All-God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Worship Words-A Prayer of Frustration
All of us get frustrated. Maybe this prayer doesn’t reflect your feelings today or maybe it is exactly how you feel today. Whenever you are feeling frustrated, let this prayer be your prayer.
God,
Sometimes I get so frustrated with other people. Why do they say one thing and do another? Why do they hurt each other? Why do they not give enough money to the church and other worthwhile organizations? Why do they ignore the pain in the world? Why do they start arguments and never listen? Why won’t they volunteer? Why do they only care about themselves?
Oh God, I hear you. I am they. These faults I see in others are my faults. Forgive me. Help me forgive others. Help me forgive myself. Ease my frustration with all your children including myself. In the merciful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Worship Words-All That We Let In
Sunday’s Sermon at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
Scriptures-1 Corinthians 12:12-31a and Luke 4:14-21
For many of you this may be the first time you’ve heard much from me. It isn’t easy to write a sermon that is a get to know you sermon that explains my philosophy about youth ministry and mission trips, what I love about cooperative youth ministry, and ties it all in with two Scriptures from the lectionary. And still I’ve accepted the challenge and am giving it a go.
I believe we are all important members in the body of Christ. For my entire ministry I’ve found myself called to work with a specific portion of the body of Christ-youth. And yet, when you work with youth you don’t just work with youth. You work with the parents of youth, the grandparents of youth, younger and older siblings of youth, church members of all ages who you are working to integrate into the youth ministry while you are integrating the youth into the whole ministries of the church. Working with youth helps you to see how we all fit together to be the body of Christ. We are all needed. We all bring gifts. And yes, sometimes it is difficult when so many gifts are present at once and everyone wants to share their gift or when people don’t seem to recognize the gifts that they bring.
My call and gift is gift-awareness. Recognizing the God-given gifts in others and helping each person discern how to utilize that gift to God’s glory. This requires and works well with another passion of mine relationship building. Usually for me to see someone’s gifts, I must know that person. Relationship building requires time, energy, listening, and patience as we grow to know each other and see where God is moving in our lives. Lest you think I am bragging and listing a litany of my God-given gifts, I am aware that I am not the person you should call for any construction, plumbing, electrical, animal removal, cooking or a variety of other important tasks in the life of the church. This is the message of the 1 Corinthians passage today. Together all of us make up the body of Christ.
This portion of the body of Christ worshiping in these walls, TPPC, covenants with another portion worshiping only a few miles away, CCC, for youth ministry. Youth are typically defined as those who are in 6th-12th grade. During these years, youth will (often) move through middle school and high school and navigate all the challenges and joy that are associated with attending school and preparing for adulthood. Some people believe that this is a time where youth are becoming themselves. I believe that our youth are already called beloved by God and created in God’s image. While helping them to discover who they are and how they’ll use their God given talents in their lives, youth ministry is an amazing opportunity for the whole congregation to be involved in the lives of awesome individuals who help us live out our calling to be the body of Christ.
For me not only is relationship building one of my passions, I believe relationships are the heart of ministry. Youth ministry is the perfect place to develop relationships in ministry. It is as easy as presence, time, and listening. And in a ministry built on relationships time must be spent our relationships with God…faith development is essential. Faith development not just of the youth…but of those working with the youth, family members of youth, and the whole congregation. [Read more…]