It is the day prior to Pentecost and I find myself needing to respond, and yet struggling to find words. Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of the Church, the birth of the Spirit entering into all of humanity. We are given the gift of understanding across cultures and languages. We are given the gift of […]
Continue readingYear: 2020
A Blessing For Opening Day
Opening Day for many of us would normally be this coming Saturday. However, with many areas of the country and world closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m not sure how many gatherings are going to happen. As such, I thought I would share what I have used before as my “pastoral” portion of the […]
Continue readingAn Easter Poem
The following is a poem from Ronald Rolheiser* about Mary Magdala meeting Jesus in the garden on Easter Morning (see John’s account). Somehow, this year I find this very moving. We are at a different time when gathering are not possible. There is something about how Mary touches on the things that we are experiencing […]
Continue readingA Reflection Upon Cyril’s Good Friday Service
Just as I gave some historical information yesterday regarding the Eucharist, so I give some today regarding the crucifixion. Again, this comes from Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker. Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire. Another controversy in Cyril [of Jerusalem]’s community was whether the crucifixion of […]
Continue readingA Maundy Thursday Pondering on the Historical Eucharist
There is a strong tradition of celebrating the institution of Holy Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist and the Last Supper) at today’s Maundy Thursday service. Readings are read from the four gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke account Jesus changing the Passover meal with the sharing of “my flesh and my blood” while […]
Continue readingHoly Week Worship Resources
Just as quick update to let you know I’ve added some Liturgies to the Resources page (see the above Header). We hope this helps you have a more meaningful Holy Week. Blessed Be, Rev. Joel
Continue readingAsh Wednesday Ponderings
It has long been a Lentan Discipline to give something up for Lent. I know some people who give up chocolate – boy was that hard when Valentine’s Day fell during Lent one year! This has roots in being penitent, and trying to make amends for past actions. So, one might give up those things […]
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