Liturgy Today we light the third candle of Advent,a single flame dances in the midst of darkness.The light shines in the darkness, andthe darkness has not overcome it. What dances in us this morning?What joy shines brightly in our darkness?What evergreen life encircles usthis winter, what unending love? Advent is a season of preparation, yet howquickly our preparation turns to […]

Liturgy We light the 2nd candle of Advent signifying peace.In prayer, let us begin our liturgy as a community.Our responses will be highlighted in yellow. Lord, what started out as blessing:to be fruitful in the land and to multiply,has coiled into burden causing usto question our nature apart from work. Lord, what started out as pure devotionhas struck our heel […]

Liturgy There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.We have walked and lived in darkness, but wehave seen a great light… For a child has been born for us, a son givento us; authority rests upon his shoulders; andhe is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Wise Men and shepherds saw signsthat foretold Jesus’ […]

Liturgy Where are we left when things are no longer black and white? Where are we left when expectations are missed,fears are realized, and words are not enough? Ashes make way for ashes.A withered elegy heard in the land.And yet, listen!Laughter and lyre bleed the chordsfrom minor to major. How do these come together by the difference of a breath? […]

Liturgy God of our lives, there are days when the burdenswe carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down;when the road seems dreary and endless,the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them,and our hearts are lonely,and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light,turn our eyes to wherethe skies are full of […]

Liturgy Our Savior Jesus gave us two commands:To love the Lord God with all our hearts,and to love others as we love ourselves. Let us take a moment to breatheand reflect on these commands. (pause to take a breath) Love is not something we accomplish.Love is not something we do on our own.Love begins in the simplicity of presence. These […]

Liturgy As we gather around your creations,in all our weaknesses and strengths,with our youth-filled spirits and aging bodies,may we be your people, O God. Honest in our faith and eager with questions,singing our praise and whispering our prayers,may we be your people, O God. Filled with saintly determinationyet mindful of our human limitations,may we be your people, O God. Made […]