Month: March 2018

An Easter Call to Worship for All Ages

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I remember the joy of Easter morning when I was young. My sister and I always had new Easter dresses (that sometimes needed a winter coat on top) and candy hidden around the house that we could hunt after Easter services. I remember sanctuaries filled with Easter lilies and joyful songs to celebrate this important day.
I wanted to create a call to worship that shared that same excitement and joy as I remember from my childhood. My idea is that the congregation will respond by saying Alleluia and each time they say it they will get louder. So the first time, it needs to be whispered and by the end everyone should be yelling. This call to worship will work for all ages because the congregation doesn’t need to read along just repeat Alleluia louder and louder. While some people may not approve of yelling in church, if there is any day for Christians to shout for joy it is Easter morning!
One-Mary Magadelene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away.
All-Alleluia!
One-She ran to tell the disciples and they went to the tomb. They saw that the tomb was empty and went home.
All-Alleluia!
One-Mary wept outside the tomb and angels asked her, “Why are you weeping?”
All-Alleluia!
One-Jesus asked Mary, “Why are you weeping?”
All-Alleluia!
One-Jesus called Mary by name and she recognized him.
All-Alleluia!
One-Mary went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
All-Alleluia!
One-Today we celebrate the risen Christ in our midst and share the good news once again.
All-Alleluia!
This Call to Worship is based on John 20:1-18 from the New Revised Standard Version.

Tea with a Friend

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This week I had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of tea with a friend. I love tea. I love good conversation and time with my friends. So tea with a friend was the perfect way to spend part of the afternoon. I enjoyed a chai tea latte with oat milk at my favorite local coffee shop, Rise Up!

I am ready for the seasons to switch over from a cold, long Winter to a long awaited Spring of blooms (and sneezes) and buds (and sneezes) and pollen (and sneezes). I am looking forward to sunshine and warmer temperatures.

Wherever you find yourself this week, I hope you will take the time to have a favorite beverage with a friend and engage in some good conversation. I think taking the time to listen and talk together is what we all need right now.

God, You created us to be in relationship with one another. So slow us down over a cup of tea. Open our ears to listen to each other. Close our mouths so we begin by listening and after we have listened open our hearts to share honestly. And then, inspire us to do this regularly. To make time for each other. To build up the relationships in our lives and to create new ones. Thank you, God, for cups of tea to inspire conversations. Amen.

Thankful for the Rain

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Today I am thankful for the people in my life who remind me of things I need to hear. In my work, it is much easier to do my job on sunny, warm day. No need to worry about a coat as I rush from my car to the front door where I might stand there shivering until someone invites me inside. No need to worry about where to park my car when the driveway and street are full of snow. No need to open the umbrella and avoid the puddles on my way back to the car.
You won’t be surprised that as I write this it is raining outside and cold. I know I need to put on an extra sweater, grab my raincoat, put an extra pair of shoes and socks in the car (just in case the first ones get too wet to wear), make another cup of tea in a to go cup, and hit the road. The weather makes my job more challenging. And on days like this I am reminded of the wise words of one of my hospice patients. Whenever she asks about the weather and I wish for a sunny day, she smiles and says you know the ground needs the rain. We don’t get to pick the weather because we would not think about the plants, animals, and ourselves and how much we need all types of weather. Each time she reminds me to be thankful for the non-sunny days I am humbled by her wisdom and her ability to give thanks in all circumstances.
Today I encourage you to listen for those who are reminding you of what you need to hear. It is often not the words you want to hear, so listen with an open heart and an open mind. As I was writing this today I am reminded of Natalie Sleeth’s Hymn of Promise which tells us that we must wait patiently because there is much more in God’s plan than we can currently see. (I don’t have permission to share the words since they are under copyright, so I encourage you to check them out here!).
God, Help us to be open to the words we don’t want to hear and so desperately need to hear. Remind us that those who are wise are not always who we expect. And give us the courage to say the hard and true things for others who need to hear it. Amen.