MICAH 6.8: 08/20/21

Proper 17B / Ordinary 22B / Pentecost 15

Proper 17B / Ordinary 22B / Pentecost 15
August 22, 2021


		*FOR POETRY PEW CLICK HERE* *FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE* A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP —Use As Much Or A Little As You Choose—
⁠		CENTERING IN PREPARATION Breathe. Breathe deeply. Breathe slowly. Breath. Just breathe. God is as close to us as the air that enters our bodies. Breathe and know the presence of God and be refreshed in God's breath of life. CALL TO WORSHIP Welcome to this holy space where God’s Spirit dwells among us. We come longing to feel the presence of God. Open your hearts, for this is a place of prayer and healing. This is a place of joy and faith. This is the place for you. This is a place for all. Thanks be to God! —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. Abingdon Press. (altered) OPENING PRAYER O God, our God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of us all. Today we want to worship you with gladness and come into your presence with praise and thanksgiving. We invoke your presence among us today so that none who leave this time without the deep assurance of your love, without the strong confidence of your faithfulness, without a fresh and full commitment to live by your power and for your glory. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. Abingdon Press. (altered) PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Holy God, you have the words of eternal life. By your Holy Spirit, let your words pierce our darkness, strengthen our faith, and illumine our witness for you. Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. HEBREW BIBLE LECTION *I Kings 8. 1, 6, 10-12, 22-30, 41-43* 01 Then Solomon summoned the elders of Israel, all the tribal leaders, and the heads of the families of the people of Israel to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH¹ from the City of David, that is, Zion...... 06 The priests then brought the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH¹ to its place in the inner sanctuary of the Temple, the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim...... 10 When the priests came out of the sanctuary, a cloud filled the Temple of YHWH¹, 11 and they could not continue to minister because of it, for the Glory of God filled the Temple...... 22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of God in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, with hands spread out to heaven 23 and said, “YHWH¹, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above and on the earth below—keeping your Covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly to be faithful to you with all their hearts. 24 You kept your promise to your servant David; by your deeds today, you fulfill what you said to David in words. 25 Therefore, YHWH¹, God of Israel, keep your promise to your servant David, when you said, ‘You will never lack for a person to sit before me on the judgment seat of Israel, if only your successors are careful how they behave, walking before me as you yourself did.’ 26 O God of Israel, may the promise you made to your attendant David come true! 27 “But can God really dwell on earth? Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! 28 Hear the prayer and the plea for mercy of your servant, YHWH¹ my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant makes in your presence today. 29 May your eyes watch over this Temple day and night, over this place where you said, ‘My Name shall be there!’ Hear the prayer your servant offers in this place. 30 “Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel as they pray in this place. From heaven where you dwell, hear; and as you hear, forgive...... 41 “And the foreigners as well, those who do not belong to your people Israel, if they come from a distant country for the sake of your Name— 42 for they will hear of your Name, of your mighty hand and outstretched arm—if they come and worship in this Temple, 43 then hear from heaven where your home is, and do whatever the foreigners ask of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your Name and revere you, as do your people Israel, and may know that this house I built bears your Name. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. PSALMODY *Psalm 84* 01 How I love your dwelling place, YHWH¹! 02 How my soul yearns and pines for your courts, O God! My heart and my flesh sing for joy to you, the living God. 03 The sparrow has found its home at last, the swallow a nest for its young— on your altars, YHWH¹, my Sovereign, my God! 04 Happiness belongs to those who live in your house and can praise you all day long; 05 and happy the pilgrims who find refuge in you as they set their hearts on the Ascents! 06 As they go through the valley of bitter tears, weeping of contrition and remorse, they make it a place of springs, clothed in blessings by the early rains. 07 From there they make their way from village to village, until each one appears before God in Zion. 08 O God, YHWH¹, hear my prayer; Listen, O God of our ancestors! 09 O God, our shield, show us your favor and look upon the face of your Anointed— 10 for a single day in your courts is worth more than a thousand anywhere else; better to be a humble doorkeeper in God’s house than to live richly in the tents of the corrupt. 11 For you, YHWH¹, our God, are a battlement and shield, bestowing grace and glory; God withholds nothing good from those whose walk is blameless. 12 YHWH¹, happy are those who put their trust in you! —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. EPISTLE LECTION *Ephesians 6. 10-20* 10 Finally, draw your strength from Christ and from the strength of that mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. 12 Our battle ultimately is not against human forces, but against the sovereignties and powers, the rulers of the world of darkness, and the evil spirits of the heavenly realms. 13 You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day and, having done everything you can, to hold your ground. 14 Stand fast then, with truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, 15 and zeal to spread the Good News of peace as your footgear. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the Evil One. 17 Put on the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Always pray in the Spirit, with all your prayers and petitions. Pray constantly and attentively for all God’s holy people. 19 Pray also for me, that God will open my mouth and put words on my lips, that I may boldly make known the mystery of the Good News—that mystery 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may have courage to proclaim it as I ought. 21 I would like you to have news of me and of what I am doing. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. GOSPEL LECTION *John 6. 56-69* 56 Everyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in them. 57 Just as the living Abba God sent me so those who feed on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It’s not the kind of bread your ancestors ate, for they died; whoever eats this kind of bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus spoke these words while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 Many of his disciples remarked, “We can’t put up with this kind of talk! How can anyone take it seriously?” 61 Jesus was fully aware that the disciples were murmuring in protest at what he had said. “Is this a stumbling block for you?” he asked them. 62 “What, then, if you were to see the Chosen One ascend to where the Chosen One came from? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh in itself is useless. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 Yet among you there are some who don’t believe.” Jesus knew from the start, of course, those who would refuse to believe and the one who would betray him. 65 He went on to say: “This is why I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by Abba God.” 66 From this time on, many of the disciples broke away and wouldn’t remain in the company of Jesus. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Are you going to leave me, too?” 68 Simon Peter answered, “Rabbi, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe; we’re convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CALL TO RECONCILIATION All Knowing God, you look upon our brokenness and call us to come to you and to come together as a people, that there will be healing and wellness. Hear our prayer, O God, and have mercy upon us. PRAYER OF BROKENESS Watchful God, you know our plight. Offended, we have not believed your words. Complaining, we have betrayed your love. We are weak, estranged, wandering, and lost. Seeking to stand in our own strength, we fall. Strangers to your holiness, we wander. Defenseless against evil within and without, we are lost. Shine your light in our darkness, and guide us back to our place in you. Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. WORDS OF HEALING AND ASSURANCE The Living God hears our cry and forgives our sin. The God of Hosts is a sun and shield, bestowing favor and honor on us through Christ, the bread from heaven, who brings us back to God and feeds us with his strength. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation CREDO While we are a people who believe in the resurrection, there are days when challenges overwhelm us, when evil forces seem to threaten all we do and say. On those days, we rise: We rise to speak truth to power. We rise to live in God’s righteousness and in right relationship with one another. We rise to share words of peace, wherever our feet take us. We rise to strengthen our faith in the one who loves us. We rise to embrace the promises of God, to protect ourselves against all hatred and bitterness. We rise to pray for one another and for ourselves. We rise to give thanks. We rise to boldly proclaim the inclusive love of God. We rise because we are God's people. —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. Abingdon Press. (altered) PRAYER OF INTERCESSION O God of Hosts, happy are they who put their trust in you: behold your Church, O God; enable and empower your people to live in peace with justice; defend your Church, O God, against all that would render it asunder Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. O God, you bless with good things those who walk with integrity: behold your world; may your grace and glory shine like the sun over the nations, bringing forth your Kin-Dom as it is in heaven. Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. Almighty Creator, you make a home in your presence for even the littlest sparrow: behold the stewards of creation, O God; may we live at peace with all you have made and be reconciled for the healing of your Earth. Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. Strong God, in your presence desolate valleys burst forth with springs of water: behold those struggling with illness, injury, or addiction; defend and free them from the powers of their present darkness that they may walk in light and clarity all the days of their lives. Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. Holy One of God, your words are spirit and life: behold those in need of prayer this day; in this time of pandemic with a growing concern about the variants of COVID-19, restore all to wholeness and health by your powerful touch. Merciful God of all Compassion, you desire nothing but the best for all your people: help us to trust you in ways that are of discernment and wisdom, knowing you have gifted us with the development of science, and the practice of medicine. Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. O God, Living Bread, you offer yourself that we might live forever: in your mercy, look upon the dying and those who mourn the loss of a loved one. Regard your servant’s prayer; Hear our plea, O God Most High. In all things, O God, help us to trust in you and to follow in the way of Jesus, for the sake of the world and all life within it. —Williamson, Jeremiah D.. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship. (altered) THE PRAYER OF JESUS Parent-Like God, with the love of a Mother or Father you care for us. From heaven your most Holy Name fills the earth with you glory. May your will be done, here and now, just as your Kin-Dom is forever. Give us the portion for this day that will provide for our needs and for the sharing with others. Heal us in our brokenness as we pray healing upon those whose brokenness has harmed us. You, in your mercy, do not test our faith in you, and you keep us from evil ways. For yours is the Realm, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. —by the author PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING O God, Holy, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, we give you the thanksgiving that is due as a sacrifice of our praise. In your word, O God, we can put our trust; to you we can turn when struggling to cope, when faith is confused and it’s wisdom we seek. In your word, O God, we can put our trust; to you we can turn when the world closes in, sin drags us down and we’re back at your feet. In your word we find wholeness and peace, enough for each day. In your word we find hope for tomorrow, such mercy and grace. In your word, O God, we can put our trust. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (altered and abridged) PRAYER OF DEDICATION May worship be what nothing else is—a softening of the edges of doubt, a tickling of God’s great mystery upon our innermost being, a wordless answer to the great questions of life, a tender blowing of the Holy Spirit, an assurance that there is a better way to live together on this planet and that you, O God, are that way. May your presence be palpable, frothy and dancing, alive with your great mystery. May our voices in song impregnate the very air with grace. May our prayers be authentic, heartfelt and healing. May our tears be the morsels of confession that are just so good for the soul. We are here with you. We are together, and we are glad. And, now we return to the world, a time and place of need. Into that need we follow you, O God, now and forevermore. Amen. —Judith K. Hanlon (Tirabassi, Maren C.; Tirabassi, Maria I.. Before the Amen. Pilgrim Press — altered) SENDING FORTH Go out, and make known the mystery of the gospel. Keep alert and pray at all times. Draw strength from God’s power and so stand firm against all that would corrupt you. —Nathan Nettleton, http://laughingbird.net DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING And may God arm you with truth and righteousness; May God give you words of Spirit and life; and may God draw you near to the eternal and imminent presence...and bless you with honor and grace. We go in peace to love and serve God in all that we do. Amen. ___________________________________ ¹ YHWH is the name of God given to Moses. At the burning bush, that was not consumed by the fire, God sends Moses to liberate the people of Israel in Egypt. Moses asks, "Who shall I say has sent me?" To this question God provides the Holiest of Holy Names. We know not how to pronounce this name as has been considered to be too sacred for our profane lips. When YHWH, as a reference to God, appears in the Hebrew Bible, it is indicated with an uppercase "L" followed by uppercase, but smaller "ORD". An error is translation led earlier Christian to use the English word/name Jehovah. This error came about because the Hebrew Letters and Vowel markings were not meant to go together, other than to prevent the accidental uttering of the Holy Name. Thus the Hebrew letters were marked with vowel points from the Hebrew word/name Adonai (which means Lord). In previous version of this blog I exchanged other Names where YHWH appeared in the Inclusive Bible. YHWH because for this purpose here God Most High, or God Of Hosts. This week I decided to go with the text that is used in the Inclusive Bible. I hope this does not cause confusion, But, rather, may it serve to give us a greater and deeper sense of the sacredness of God's Hallowed Name.


		POETRY PEW "Whispers Of Love And Justice" In the noise of ideologies and agendas, you gently whisper, O God; In the cacophony of rhetoric and propaganda, you gently whisper, O God: In the madness of war, the chaos of power-games; the crying of grief, the discordance of disease, the crowding of poverty, the empty echo of wealthy isolation, you whisper your words of love to every broken heart, you breathe your call of justice to every heartless tyrant. And we who have heard the gentle rhythm of your voice, praise you for your quiet proclamation of grace, and thank you for your gentle presence among us; even as we offer ourselves to be quiet voices and muted lives proclaiming in every moment your whispers of love and justice. —https://sacredise.com/whispers-of-love-and-justice/


		A BEAD AND A PRAYER CROSS Welcome to this holy space where God’s Spirit dwells among us. We come longing to feel the presence of God. Open your hearts, for this is a place of prayer and healing. This is a place of joy and faith. This is the place for you. This is a place for all. Thanks be to God! —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. Abingdon Press. (altered) INVITATORY Welcome to this holy space where God’s Spirit dwells among us. We come longing to feel the presence of God. Open your hearts, for this is a place of prayer and healing. This is a place of joy and faith. This is the place for you. This is a place for all. Thanks be to God! —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. Abingdon Press. (altered) CRUCIFORM O God, our God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of us all. Today we want to worship you with gladness and come into your presence with praise and thanksgiving. We invoke your presence among us today so that none who leave this time without the deep assurance of your love, without the strong confidence of your faithfulness, without a fresh and full commitment to live by your power and for your glory. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. Abingdon Press. (altered) WEEK 1 *I Kings 8. 22-30, 41-43* ♦ Then Solomon stood before the altar of God in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, with hands spread out to heaven and said, “YHWH¹, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above and on the earth below—keeping your Covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly to be faithful to you with all their hearts. ♦ You kept your promise to your servant David; by your deeds today, you fulfill what you said to David in words.Therefore, YHWH¹, God of Israel, keep your promise to your servant David, when you said, ‘You will never lack for a person to sit before me on the judgment seat of Israel, if only your successors are careful how they behave, walking before me as you yourself did.’ ♦ O God of Israel, may the promise you made to your attendant David come true! “But can God really dwell on earth? Heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! ♦ Hear the prayer and the plea for mercy of your servant, YHWH¹ my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant makes in your presence today. May your eyes watch over this Temple day and night, over this place where you said, ‘My Name shall be there!’ ♦ Hear the prayer your servant offers in this place. “Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel as they pray in this place. From heaven where you dwell, hear; and as you hear, forgive...... ♦ “And the foreigners as well, those who do not belong to your people Israel, if they come from a distant country for the sake of your Name—for they will hear of your Name, ♦ of your mighty hand and outstretched arm—if they come and worship in this Temple, then hear from heaven where your home is, and do whatever the foreigners ask of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your Name and revere you, as do your people Israel, and may know that this house I built bears your Name. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CRUCIFORM Give us your heart, O God, as we pray for the world you so deeply love. We pray for areas of conflict and war especially where people seek reconciliation. Help us to put on your strength, O God. We pray for protection against any power that would hurt us or others. Help us to put on your strength, O God. We pray for protection against any power that would hurt us or others. Help us to put on your strength, O God. We pray for people burdened with grief or illness. Help them to rest in the strength of this community which is supporting them. Help us to put on your strength, O God. We pray for children who are asked to grow up too soon. Give them wisdom and confidence beyond their years. Help us to put on your strength, O God. Enfold our prayers, O God, into your sacred purposes. We ask this in your strong and sacred name. Help us to put on your strength, O God. —Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B. Wood Lake Publishing Inc. WEEK 2 *Psalm 84* ♦ How I love your dwelling place, YHWH¹! How my soul yearns and pines for your courts, O God! My heart and my flesh sing for joy to you, the living God. ♦ The sparrow has found its home at last, the swallow a nest for its young on your altars, YHWH¹, my Sovereign, my God! ♦ Happiness belongs to those who live in your house and can praise you all day long; and happy the pilgrims who find refuge in you as they set their hearts on the pilgrimage! ♦ As they go through the valley of bitter tears, weeping of contrition and remorse, they make it a place of springs, clothed in blessings by the early rains. From there they make their way from village to village, until each one appears before God in Zion. ♦ O God, YHWH¹, hear my prayer; Listen, O God of our ancestors! ♦ O God, our shield, show us your favorb and look upon the face of your Anointed—for a single day in your courts is worth more than a thousand anywhere else; better to be a humble doorkeeper in God’s house than to live richly in the tents of the corrupt. ♦ For you, YHWH¹, our God, are a battlement and shield, bestowing grace and glory; God withholds nothing good from those whose walk is blameless. YHWH¹, happy are those who put their trust in you! —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CRUCIFORM O God, Holy, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, we give you the thanksgiving that is due as a sacrifice of our praise. In your word, O God, we can put our trust; to you we can turn when struggling to cope, when faith is confused and it’s wisdom we seek. In your word, O God, we can put our trust; to you we can turn when the world closes in, sin drags us down and we’re back at your feet. In your word we find wholeness and peace, enough for each day. In your word we find hope for tomorrow, such mercy and grace. In your word, O God, we can put our trust. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (altered and abridged) WEEK 3 *Ephesians 6. 10-20* ♦ Finally, draw your strength from Christ and from the strength of that mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. ♦ Our battle ultimately is not against human forces, but against the sovereignties and powers, the rulers of the world of darkness, and the evil spirits of the heavenly realms. ♦ You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day and, having done everything you can, to hold your ground.tand fast then, with truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and zeal to spread the Good News of peace as your footgear. ♦ In all circumstances, hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the Evil One. Put on the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ♦ Always pray in the Spirit, with all your prayers and petitions. Pray constantly and attentively for all God’s holy people. ♦ Pray also for me, that God will open my mouth and put words on my lips, that I may boldly make known the mystery of the Good News—that mystery for which I am an ambassador in chains. ♦ Pray that I may have courage to proclaim it as I ought. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CRUCIFORM Watchful God, you know our plight. Offended, we have not believed your words. Complaining, we have betrayed your love. We are weak, estranged, wandering, and lost. Seeking to stand in our own strength, we fall. Strangers to your holiness, we wander. Defenseless against evil within and without, we are lost. Shine your light in our darkness, and guide us back to our place in you. Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. ——————————————————————— The Living God hears our cry and forgives our sin. The God of Hosts is a sun and shield, bestowing favor and honor on us through Christ, the bread from heaven, who brings us back to God and feeds us with his strength. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: 2. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation WEEK 4 — *John 6. 56-69* ♦ Everyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in them. Just as the living Abba God sent me so those who feed on me will have life because of me. ♦ This is the bread that came down from heaven. It’s not the kind of bread your ancestors ate, or they died; whoever eats this kind of bread will live forever.” ♦ Jesus spoke these words while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Many of his disciples remarked, “We can’t put up with this kind of talk! How can anyone take it seriously?” Jesus was fully aware that the disciples were murmuring in protest at what he had said. “Is this a stumbling block for you?” he asked them. ♦ “What, then, if you were to see the Chosen One ascend to where the Chosen One came from? the flesh in itself is useless. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ♦ Yet among you there are some who don’t believe.” Jesus knew from the start, of course, those who would refuse to believe and the one who would betray him. ♦ He went on to say: “This is why I have told youthat no one can come to me unless it is granted by Abba God.” ♦ From this time on, many of the disciples broke away and wouldn’t remain in the company of Jesus. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Are you going to leave me, too?” Simon Peter answered, “Rabbi, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe; we’re convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. CRUCIFORM While we are a people who believe in the resurrection, there are days when challenges overwhelm us, when evil forces seem to threaten all we do and say. On those days, we rise: We rise to speak truth to power. We rise to live in God’s righteousness and in right relationship with one another. We rise to share words of peace, wherever our feet take us. We rise to strengthen our faith in the one who loves us. We rise to embrace the promises of God, to protect ourselves against all hatred and bitterness. We rise to pray for one another and for ourselves. We rise to give thanks. We rise to boldly proclaim the inclusive love of God. We rise because we are God's people. —Scifres, Mary; Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship Annual 2021. Abingdon Press. (altered) INVITATORY May worship be what nothing else is—a softening of the edges of doubt, a tickling of God’s great mystery upon our innermost being, a wordless answer to the great questions of life, a tender blowing of the Holy Spirit, an assurance that there is a better way to live together on this planet and that you, O God, are that way. May your presence be palpable, frothy and dancing, alive with your great mystery. May our voices in song impregnate the very air with grace. May our prayers be authentic, heartfelt and healing. May our tears be the morsels of confession that are just so good for the soul. We are here with you. We are together, and we are glad. And, now we return to the world, a time and place of need. Into that need we follow you, O God, now and forevermore. Amen. —Judith K. Hanlon (Tirabassi, Maren C.; Tirabassi, Maria I.. Before the Amen. Pilgrim Press — altered) CROSS May God arm you with truth and righteousness; May God give you words of Spirit and life; and may God draw you near to the eternal and imminent presence, blessing you with honor and grace. We go in peace to love and serve God in all that we do. Amen.

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THEME

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.

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.