WORSHIP IN INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND PROGRESSIVE THOUGHT

Proper 24B/Ordinary 29B/Pentecost 22

Proper 24B/Ordinary 29B/Pentecost 22
October 17, 2021

God answers Job out of the whirlwind
—William Blake 1757-1827

FOR POETRY PEW CLICK HERE


FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE


A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP

—Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose—





"Whoever wishes to be first among you must be the servant of all, for the Human One came not to be served but to serve."


Centering In Preparation

Eternal God, worshiped and served by the hosts of heaven, come near to us, Who seek to worship and serve you on earth.
Without your aid we get our values and priorities mixed up.
We cannot worship or work in ways pleasing to you.
But with your presence and blessing all life will be radiant.
Come near to us we pray for we ask all in and through the merits of your Only Begotten One.
—Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted)

Call To Worship
Bless God, O my soul, and all that is within me.
Blessed God's holy name.
Bless God, O my soul, bless God,
and never forget a single blessing.
God forgives your sins—every one.
God heals your diseases—every one.
God redeems you from hell—saves your life.
God crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
God wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
God renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
Bless God, O my soul, and all that is within me.
Blessed God's holy name.
—Psalm 103. 1-5, NRSV/The Message, Peterson (adapted)

Opening Prayer
Creator God, reveal yourself to us through your eternal word.
Precious Jesus, reveal yourself through us in the love that we share.
Holy Spirit, reveal yourself in us through the gifts that we use.
Three in One, One as Three, be the life within us as we journey with you.
—Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted)

Invitation To Acknowledge Our Brokenness and Seek Healing
Sisters and brothers, daily we know and suffer in our brokenness,
Let us turn to God and seek the healing only God can bring—
the reconciliation of justice and peace.

Prayer For Acknowledging Our Brokenness
Forgive us, O God, when our prayers are all about self and our focus is simply on what we expect to receive.
Remind us of all you have done for us, that we might sing your praises.
Remind us of all that you mean to us, that we might share your story.
Remind us of all that you ask of us, that we might turn to service.
Forgive us, O God, when our prayers are all about self; may our focus be simply upon you, our neighbor and this, your beautiful world.
—Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted)

Trisagion
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: Have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: Have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: Have mercy on us.

Word Of Healing and Assurance
In the midst of our self-centered complaints and desires, God opens our eyes to all that surrounds us. God is in it all. God's love fills all in all.
—Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021.

◊ ◊ ◊

People of God, our erring ways are forgiven, for the God who made all things, and makes all things new, knows our weaknesses.
Our brokenness is clearly visible and keeps us from living as the people God created us to be.
Therefore, let us turn away from the wrong we have done in thought, word, and action, and let us obey the ways of God.
Be reconciled to the community in service and love.

—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)

Prayer For Illumination
For your word, O God, active as a sharpened sword, cutting through the wisdom of this world, we praise you.
For your word, O God, a light into the darkness, reaching to the heart of who we are, we praise you.
For your word, O God, revealing your majesty, drawing us into your loving arms, we praise you.
Speak to us the message you would have us hear this day.
—Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted)

Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures
Job 38.1-7 [34-end]
Then God answered Job from the heart of the
storm: who is this obscuring my plans with such ignorant words?
Hitch up your belt like the fighter you are; now I will ask the questions and you will answer me!
Where were you when I created the earth?
If you know the answer, tell me!
Who decided its size? Do you know?
Who stretched the measuring line across it?
Into what foundation were its pillars sunk?
Who laid the cornerstone while all the choruses of morning stars sang and the heavenly court shouted for joy?
Can you boom out your voice at the clouds, and cause them to rain on command?
Can you send the lightning on its way?
Does it report back to you, “Here we are?”
Who instills the ibis with its prophetic wisdom?
Where does the rooster pick up its intuition?
Who classifies the clouds, and pours out the heavenly water jars until the soil is muddy, and the dust has become solid?
Do you stalk the prey for the lioness? Do you provide food for her cubs, when they lie low in the den, or crouch in a culvert?
Who provides the raven its nourishment when its young cry out to God; when they wander about without food?
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

Psalmody From the Book of Psalms
Psalm 104.1-10, 26, 35c
Bless God, O my soul. O God, how great you are clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in a robe of light, you stretch the heavens out like a tent.
You lay the beams for your palace on the waters above; you use the clouds as your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind; you use the winds as messengers
and fiery flames as attendants.
You fixed the earth on its foundations so it can never totter, and wrapped it with the Deep as with a robe, the waters overtopping the mountains.
At your rebuke the waters bolted, fleeing at the sound of your thunder, cascading over the mountains, into the valleys, down to the reservoir you made for them; you imposed boundaries they must never cross so they would never again flood the land.
O God, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
I will sing to God as long as I live; I will make music to my God while I have my being.
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

Reading From the Epistles
Hebrews 5.1-10
Every high priest taken from among the faithful is appointed on their behalf to deal with the things of God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
The high priest is able to deal patiently with erring sinners, being likewise beset by weakness—and so must make personal sin offerings as well as those for the people.
One doesn’t take on this honor by one’s own initiative, but only when called by God, as Aaron was.
Even Christ didn’t presume to take on the office of high priest.
Christ was appointed high priest by the One who said, “You are my Own; today I have begotten you”; and in another place, “You are a priest forever, a rightful Sovereign by my edict."
In the days when he was in the flesh, the Only Begotten One offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, who was able to save him from death, and Jesus was heard because of his reverence.
Firstborn though he was, Jesus learned to obey through suffering.
But having been made perfect, Jesus became, for all who obey, the source of eternal salvation, and he was designated by God to be a high priest, a rightful Sovereign by my edict."
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

Reading From the Gospels
Mark 10.35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’
And Jesus said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’
But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’
They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.
So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.
But it is not so among you . . . whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be a servant of all.
For the Son of Humankind came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

Prayer Of Response
God of wind and water, God of love and compassion, God of all that is and all that ever shall be, when Job insisted he was innocent of every sin, you came to him in a whirlwind, and showed him the wonders of a world he had not made.
When James and John asked Jesus for power and glory, he told them that they would share in the bitter cup that he would drink, and in the baptism of suffering that he would endure for the world.
Remind us that we are members of the body of your Christ, and that we are called to serve your creation in love and compassion. Amen.
—Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. (adapted)

Prayer Of Intercession
For the Church: that we embrace both the dying and the rising in our daily lives and grow into a fuller sharing of new life in Christ . . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For the grace of to bear affliction: that God will strengthen us in the face of trial and hardship so that we may remain faithful disciples each day
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For the grace of detachment: that God will free us from the bonds of our egos and attachment to power and prestige so that we may make service of others our priority
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For a deeper identification with Christ: that in times of temptation we may look to Christ who was tempted in every way but who remained the faithful Child of God
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For the grace to surrender pride: that we may honestly appreciate our gifts and weaknesses, and surrender our false sense of self to God who heals all weaknesses
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For the grace to seek forgiveness: that we may confidently seek God’s forgiveness knowing that Jesus was tested on every way that we are tempted
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who exercise authority: that they may use their authority to free those who are unjustly restrained, call forth the gifts of others, and lead others to wholeness and service
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who are oppressed: that God will bring refugees and victims of war to safety, help them find shelter, food and medical care, and inspire many of us to help lift their burdens through our efforts and resources
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For the Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission: that we may open our hearts to Holy Spirit and participate in furthering the life and mission of the church
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all with mental or emotional illness: that God will grant them strength, guide them to life-giving resources, and help them to live life fully . . .

O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who are caught in human trafficking: that God will free them, heal their wounds, and restore them to their loved ones
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who are recovering from storms, floods and other natural disasters: that God will relieve their suffering, ease their fears, and give them strength to move forward
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For greater awareness of the fragility of earth: that God will help us to be good stewards of the earth and work to preserve it for future generations
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who are ill: that God will suppress the Coronavirus, heal the sick, and strengthen all who are carry for the sick or seeking a cure
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
For all who have died: that they may find healing and mercy as they approach the throne of grace
. . .
O God, in your mercy and compassion: Hear our prayers.
—Joe Milner, https://liturgy.sluhostedsites.org/

Prayer Of Thanksgiving
Thank you, O God, for the earth on which we walk, each mountaintop, the sunlit sky.
Thank you, O God, for the beauty that we see, fragrant flower, butterfly.
Thank you, O God, for the peace within our hearts when filled with joy or sorrow.
Thank you, O God,, for the journey that we make, your footsteps that we follow.
—Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted)

Prayer Of Dedication
O God, you show us the way of servanthood.
You have given us much so that we can bless others and not seek gratification for ourselves.
Help us to seek your path and keep us in humility so that we can be the love of Christ in the world.
In the name of the One who came to serve, we pray. Amen.
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion.

Sending Forth
Go from here strengthened in your inner being.
Be established in love.
So that everyone you meet may be touched by God's love,
As we serve one another In the humility and grace of your Anointed and Beloved One.
In the way of Jesus, go forth.
—Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted)

Dismissal with Blessing
May the knowledge and love of the one who knit the earth together rest with you and give you strength to help others, for the glory of God.
For blessed are You, O God, and blessed is your Kin-Dom, now and forevermore. Amen.
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)

Yehudit Shadur
Then God answered out of the whirlwind and said, 
who is this that darketh counsel by words without knowledge.
God finally intervenes and evokes the powerful forces of nature challenging Job to explain the mysteries and wonders of the universe. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast the understanding.









POETRY PEW


A Hymn Of the Dakota People
(the italicized words are from the language of those indigenous people)

Wakantanka taku nitawa tankaya qa ota;
Many and great, O God, are your works, maker of earth and sky
mahpiya kin eyahnake ça,
Your hands have set the heavens with stars; 
maka kin he duowanca;
your fingers spread the mountains and plains.
mniowanca śbeya wanke cin, hena oyakihi.
Lo, at your word the waters were formed; deep seas obey your voice.

Woehdaku nitawa kin he minaġi kin qu wo; 
Grant unto us communion with you, O star-abiding One.
mahpiya kin iwankam yati, 
Come unto us and dwell with us;
wicowaśte yuha nanka, 
with you are found the gifts of life.
wiconi kin he mayaqu nun, owihanke wanin.
Bless us with life that has no end, eternal life with you.
—Paraphraser: Philip Frazier (no information available, in public domain)




Water That Does Not Come Bottled
—On reading Psalm 104

Creator God, we celebrate you:
you make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal,
the wild asses quench their thirst.

You send rain and water the earth,
it springs to growth,
we eat and are satisfied,
we thank you and easily push back from the table.

In our comfortable plenty,
we notice drought here and famine there,
the work of human hands.

The lacks seem remote from us,
but in solidarity we register the loss,
and the fear, and the death.

We count on water and rain and growth and bread.
We count on your regularities,
but then we look for peace but find no good,
for a time of healing,
but there is terror instead.

We do not expect failed rain,
or failed bread,
or failed peace,
or failed healing.

The failure lies deep in the fabric of our common life.

We turn away from that self-destructiveness,
back to you.

You—Creator, beginning and end,
first and last.
You—seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter
You—whose patience we try.
You—whose sovereign will for good overrides our capacity for self-destruction

Look to this world of need: restore,
recreate,
enliven,
give rain,
give food,
give peace.

For there is no other source.
None except you in your sovereign reliability.

—Brueggemann, Walter 
Prayers for a Privileged People
https://www.walterbrueggemann.com/

Walter Brueggemann is surely one of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time. He is the author of over one hundred books and numerous scholarly articles. He has been a highly sought-after speaker.
    Brueggemann was born in Tilden, Nebraska in 1933. He often speaks of the influence of his father, a German Evangelical pastor. Brueggemann attended Elmhurst College, graduating in 1955 with an A.B. He went on to Eden Theological Seminary, earning a B.D. (equivalent to today’s M.Div.) in 1958. He completed his formal theological education at Union Theological Seminary in 1961, earning the Th.D. under the primary guidance of James Muilenburg. While teaching at Eden, he earned a Ph.D. in education at St. Louis University.
    Brueggemann has served as faculty at two institutions in his career: Eden Theological Seminary (1961-1986) and Columbia Theological Seminary (1986-2003). He is currently William Marcellus McPheeters professor emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia.












A BEAD AND A PRAYER


CROSS
God of all creation, like Job before us, we have heard your voice in the whirlwind, and remember that you are the center of our lives.
—Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021.

INVITATORY
We confess, O God, that we have wanted reward without sacrifice.
We have been unwilling to serve and have not humbled ourselves in obedience.
Forgive our hubris, gracious God.
Correct our ignorant ways and help us to know your glory through servanthood.
Guide us to be true followers of in the way of Jesus.
To the glory of your Name. Amen.
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)

CRUCIFORM
Creator God, the heavens proclaim your wonderful glory, the earth is full of your wisdom.
You have made your whole creation a blessing, and revealed to us our place among the lowly.
Therefore, we would defer to your divine will, and serve all in love, in peace, and in justice.
—Slemmons, Timothy M. When Heaven Stands Open: Liturgical Elements for Reformed Worship, Year B. (adapted)

WEEK I
Job 38.1-7 [34-end]
● Then God answered Job from the heart of the storm:
who is this obscuring my plans with such ignorant words?
● Hitch up your belt like the fighter you are; now I will ask the questions and you will answer me!
Where were you when I created the earth?
If you know the answer, tell me!
● Who decided its size? Do you know?
Who stretched the measuring line across it?
Into what foundation were its pillars sunk?
● Who laid the cornerstone while all the choruses of morning stars sang and the heavenly court shouted for joy?
● Can you boom out your voice at the clouds, and cause them to rain on command?
Can you send the lightning on its way?
Does it report back to you, “Here we are?”
Who instills the ibis with its prophetic wisdom?
● Where does the rooster pick up its intuition?
Who classifies the clouds, and pours out the heavenly water jars until the soil is muddy, and the dust has become solid?
● Do you stalk the prey for the lioness? Do you provide food for her cubs, when they lie low in the den, or crouch in a culvert?
Who provides the raven its nourishment when its young cry out to God; when they wander about without food?
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

CRUCIFORM
Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” As members of the household of God and fellow servants of Christ, let us pray together, saying, Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
Silence
Almighty God, give your Church to works of mercy; give us hearts to serve; give us the courage to follow Jesus.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
Almighty God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: grant to the peoples of the world peace and freedom.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
O God, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. We are in awe of your greatness.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
Jesus, you call us to service: We thank you for the ministries in our community with which we work closely. We pray you bless them; bless all those who benefit from their generosity; and bless our common mission.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
Jesus, our great high priest, you know our weakness and our suffering: bless and heal all those in need.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
O God, you alone are able to save us from eternal death: grant us, and all those we love but see no longer, eternal salvation through your Son.
Silence
Bless God, O my soul and all that is within me.
Allelluia.
—Williamson, Jeremiah D.. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship. Church Publishing Inc.

WEEK II
Psalm 104.1-10, 26, 35c
● Bless God, O my soul. O God, how great you are clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in a robe of light, you stretch the heavens out like a tent.
● You lay the beams for your palace on the waters above; you use the clouds as your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind;
● you use the winds as messengers and fiery flames as attendants.
● You fixed the earth on its foundations so it can never totter, and wrapped it with the Deep as with a robe, the waters overtopping the mountains.
● At your rebuke the waters bolted, fleeing at the sound of your thunder, cascading over the mountains, into the valleys, down to the reservoir you made for them; you imposed boundaries they must never cross so they would never again flood the land.
● O God, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
● I will sing to God as long as I live; I will make music to my God while I have my being.
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

CRUCIFORM
In the days of his flesh, Jesus prayed, with loud cries and tears, to the One who is able to save from death. Now enthroned in heaven, Jesus hears our prayers, our cries, our tears, offering salvation to all who trust in God. 
Therefore we pray: Satisfy us, O God, with your gift of life, and show us your salvation.
With all who are persecuted and oppressed we pray for justice, freedom, and peace. . Satisfy us, O God, with your gift of life, and show us your salvation.  
With all who are afflicted with sickness or sorrow we pray for healing, comfort, and hope. . .
Satisfy us, O God, with your gift of life, and show us your salvation. 
With all who work for the good of the community we pray for vision, strength, and joy. . .
Satisfy us, O God, with your gift of life, and show us your salvation. 
With all who humbly serve the last and least we pray for faithfulness, patience, and love. . .
Satisfy us, O God, with your gift of life, and show us your salvation. 
All this we pray through your Christ, the source of our eternal salvation and our great high priest forever. Amen. 
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)

WEEK III
Hebrews 5.1-10
● Every high priest taken from among the faithful is appointed on their behalf to deal with the things of God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
● The high priest is able to deal patiently with erring sinners, being likewise beset by weakness—
and so must make personal sin offerings as well as those for the people.
● One doesn’t take on this honor by one’s own initiative, but only when called by God, as Aaron was. Even Christ didn’t presume to take on the office of high priest.
● Christ was appointed high priest by the One who said, “You are my Own; today I have begotten you”; and in another place, “You are a priest forever, a rightful Sovereign by my edict."
● In the days when he was in the flesh, the Only Begotten One offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, who was able to save him from death, and Jesus was heard because of his reverence.
● Firstborn though he was, Jesus learned to obey through suffering.
● But having been made perfect, Jesus became, for all who obey, the source of eternal salvation, and he was designated by God to be a high priest, a rightful Sovereign by my edict."
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

CRUCIFORM
God of wind and water, God of love and compassion, God of all that is and all that ever shall be, when Job insisted he was innocent of every sin, you came to him in a whirlwind, and showed him the wonders of a world he had not made. When James and John asked Jesus for power and glory, he told them that they would share in the bitter cup that he would drink, and in the baptism of suffering that he would endure for the world. Remind us that we are members of the body of Christ, and that we are called to serve your creation in love and compassion. Amen.
—Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021.

WEEK IV
Mark 10.35-45
● James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’
And Jesus said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
● And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’
But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’
● They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them,
‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
● but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
● When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.
So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 
● But it is not so among you . . . whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you must be a servant of all.
● For the Son of Humankind came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
—The Inclusive Bible. Priests for Equality. (adapted)

CRUCIFORM
Dear God, whose Only Begotten and Anointed One is our high priest who offered up for us with prayers and tears, the life you gave. Help us to pray and offer supplication for ourselves and our community. We pray for the local, national, and global church— that it might exhibit the way of service in faith and love. We pray for the international community— that it might learn the way of peace. We pray for anyone who suffers— help us be the healing they need. We pray for the earth—help us to be proper stewards of your creation. We remember those who have come to their eternal rest, and we wrap our loving arms of comfort around those who grieve. We lift up, in silence, any prayers we hold in the corners of our hearts—for you know and understand all things. We ask all these things in the name of our Creator, our servant-priest Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)

INVITATORY
O God, you show us the way of servanthood. You have given us much so that we can bless others and not seek gratification for ourselves. Help us to seek your path and keep us in humility so that we can be the love of Christ in the world. In the name of the One who came to serve, we pray. Amen.
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion.

CROSS 
May the knowledge and love of the one who knit the earth together rest with you and give you strength to help others, for the glory of God.
For blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom, now and forevermore. Amen.
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)
◊ ◊ ◊
Just as Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give his life for the sake of the world, let us go forth to love and serve all of creation in the name of the one who calls us to delight in all its goodness.
—Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021.
◊ ◊ ◊
God deliver and protect you.
God answer you when you call.
God satisfy you with long life and offer you salvation.
Alleluia!
—Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion.(adapted)
◊ ◊ ◊
Go forth in the name of Jesus the Christ, make no pretension to superiority, deal gently with those who go astray, serve one another with meekness, encourage one another with kindness, and may God Most High smile at your humbleness.
—Slemmons, Timothy Matthew. When Heaven Stands Open: Liturgical Elements for Reformed Worship, Year B. (adapted)



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In a world where violence seems to rule, we commit, O God, to small random acts of peace making. Where people are oppressed because they look, act, speak, think or love differently we will affirm their freedom. Where people are exploited because they lack the strength or resources to refuse, we will seek to create alternatives. Where people are controlled through threat and fear, we will offer safety and hope. Where people believe their violence and power give them the right and ability to act as they please we will call them to account. Wherever violence is done to another, through physical force, manipulation of truth, or the subtle workings of power, we will opt out, we will speak out, and we will stand out in opposition, through small, random acts of peace making.



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  • ♦ Worship: The Work Of the People
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BLOGS AND LINKS I FOLLOW

  • ♦ + Bp. Peggy Johnson Blogspot
  • ♦ A United Methodist Movement of Faithful Resistance to Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies and Practice
  • ♦ Black Lives Matter
  • ♦ Human Rights Campaign
  • ♦ Mental Health Ministries
  • ♦ ResistHarm—The New Methodists for a Love Seeking Justice and Liberty
  • ♦ Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney Blog
  • ♦ April Fiet: At the Table
  • ♦ Bosco Peters—Liturgy (Anglican Church, New Zealand)
  • ♦ Cindy Otis
  • ♦ Disability Ministries United Methodist Church
  • ♦ Dr. Jennifer Grace Bird, PhD Website
  • ♦ Faith Matters (facebook site)
  • ♦ Faith@Home
  • ♦ Forward Movement
  • ♦ Fr. Scott Gunn—Exec. Dir. Forward Movement, Cincinnati, OH
  • ♦ Fr. Tim Schenck—St. John's Hingham, MA (TEC)
  • ♦ Global Christian Worship Blog
  • ♦ James Howell Weekly Preaching
  • ♦ Journey With Jesus—Webzine For Global Church
  • ♦ Lent Madness
  • ♦ Liberation Methodist Connexion
  • ♦ Life In Liturgy—CC(DOC) Resources For Worship
  • ♦ Liturgy Link
  • ♦ Maran Tirabassi: Gifts In Open Hands Poetry
  • ♦ Ministry Matters—Resources For Worship
  • ♦ Mother Jones
  • ♦ Oremus—Daily Prayer and More
  • ♦ Progressive United Methodist Clergy
  • ♦ Sacredise—Progressive Liturgical Resources
  • ♦ TextWeek—RCL Worship Resources by Jenee Woodard
  • ♦ The Adventurous Lectionary
  • ♦ theBOOKCellar (Good Books|Great Prices)
  • ♦ Tim Vermande's Blog Site
  • ♦ Vanderbilt University—RCL Worship Resources
  • ♦ World In Prayer—Weekly (Thursdays)



ABOUT ME


As a clergyperson I am an ordained elder (i.e., presbyter, priest, pastor) in the United Methodist Church, now retired as of 07/01/2020. My ministry of preaching began in 1978 as a certified lay speaker. I continued my education, following 3 years of course work at Penn State University in 1972-1975, completing my BA in both Psychology and Religion in 1985 (with honors) at Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA). I then began my seminary studies at Duke University Divinity School (Durham NC), transferring after my second year to The Theological School, Drew University (Madison NJ) where I graduated magna cum laude with a MDiv degree in 1990. All the while serving churches as a Licensed Local Student Pastor, my first appointment beginning in April 1982. Ordained as a Deacon in 1989 and an Elder in 1991, I have served congregations in rural, small town, and suburban communities. My ministry has always focused on personal and community spiritual growth and wellness, ecumenical relations, the art of preaching, liturgical and sacramental theology and praxis, systems theory and conflict management, and ministry with persons of disability. I am a member of the Psi Chi academic honors fraternity. I am married to a wonderful woman, Mary, who is an ordained pastor in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 1981, and has served congregations in that denomination, the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), and the United Church of Christ through their covenant relation program. She also has provided pulpit supply in the United Methodist Church. We and our four fur-kids—Dollie Jayne, Bichon and Maggie Lynne, Shih Tzu—[sadly, Mollie Mae crossed the rainbow bridge in October 2020, and Webster Andrew follow in April 2022] enjoy life being involved in various spiritual and community endeavors. I am an advocate for people with disabilities and focus my current study on God and Disability, along with, a Theology From A Context Of Disability. I am also an advocate for equal rights, feminism, womanism, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQAI+ inclusion. As a pacifist, I have always tried to live following in the pathway of Jesus, seeking just peace and economic reform. In a world of billionaires there is no excuse for poverty. In community as it is understood according to the biblical mandate, there must be equal access to all resources and benefits of life. My hobbies include Model Railroading, Reading, Writing, Photography and Music. I share this blog with the hope that something here will inspire the liturgy and worship that you share with your community or in your own journey.



WHY A BLOG?

As a clergyperson with a disability now retired, this is my humble attempt to provide a ministry that some will find helpful. I have always focused on be inclusive and have struggled with the church's tradition of referring to God and humankind with masculine names and pronouns. Since the 1970's, thanks to my dear sister-in-law, I have been aware of the discrimination of women and have worked in the parish and community for equal rights with an equity of access to the resources that add blessing to life. I hope this site is of meaning to those who read it and worship with me and others within it. Peace.


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