This morning as the secretary and I were talking about the bulletins for the Christmas season it struck me that this month is going by just as fast as October did and I have a shiite load of work left to do for Advent. (Candle liturgy, hymn selection, carols for Christmas Eve, planning sermon/meditations, the Christmas pageant, the Blue Christmas service...).
And so I have resolved that next year I will take a week of study leave in late October or early November to use as a planning week.
Now if someone could just remind me of that around June so I can make arrangements with the M&P committee...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
SAy it isn't so!
6 Weeks! 42 Days!
That's it. THat's all the time there is to Christmas. ANd of course Advent starts in only 3 weeks from yesterday. THe Christmas Parade? 12 days from today
Life is so hectic, where do we find the time to actually prepare for this stuff? (practically, liturgically, psychicly and spiritually)
That's it. THat's all the time there is to Christmas. ANd of course Advent starts in only 3 weeks from yesterday. THe Christmas Parade? 12 days from today
Life is so hectic, where do we find the time to actually prepare for this stuff? (practically, liturgically, psychicly and spiritually)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A MEmorial PRayer for Remembrance Day
God of life and community, once again we gather here to mark the 11th of the 11th. We come together as people from many backgrounds and histories, brought together in one place remembering Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one”.
God of community, you have called us to live with our brothers and sisters in peace and justice. So as we gather we echo the sung prayers “Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now” and “all we are saying, is give peace a chance”. Awaken in the hearts of humanity the drive for a world where peace and justice flourish.
But even as we gather to share our hopes for peace we also remember that we, as the people of the world, have all too often failed to hear your call for peace and justice. And so today we pause to remember millions who have been victimized by wars of aggression, wars fought for reasons noble and base, wars fought in many places on this ball of life we share.
Specifically today we remember places with names that sound strange and foreign to Canadian ears: Ypres, Passchendale, Vimy, Ortona, Juno Beach, Hong Kong, Kandahar – places where young men wearing the Maple Leaf fought and died or fought and were changed in the name of God, King, and country. We also remember those who remained, and remain, at home waiting and wondering and worrying.
God of all the people of the world, on this day we remember more than those Canadians who went and fought in strange lands. WE remember all soldiers, those in uniform and those in everyday clothes, who fight on battlefields. We remember those who are not fighters but are instead caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, civilians trapped between fighting forces. We remember people of many nationalities: German, British, Japanese, Australian, Italian, Dutch, Afghani, American, Iraqi – we remember their losses and pray that all who suffer will know your comfort and compassion.
God of life, we give thanks for the love and bravery of all who answer, in many different ways, the call to serve God and neighbour in times of conflict. We think of their commitment, their sense of duty, their willingness to risk all and we honour them.
Gracious God, on this day of memory, when we think of those who went and never returned, and of those who returned wounded in body or in spirit, we also pause to name those from this Legion community who have died since last we gathered in this way (read names).
Now, God who calls us to be peacemakers and peace-bringers, we who have remembered and honoured prepare to return to the world. May we carry with us a renewed commitment to be people of peace. May all who gather in this way today in communities large and small become activists for peace and justice at home and abroad. Help us to remember the importance of seeking peace, true peace, and that this peace will never come from a gun barrel – only from the changed hearts of your children. May we never forget that the cost of peace’s absence has already been far too high.
God of peace the surpasses all our understanding, we pray our remembrances and our hopes in the name of the one called the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ, who taught us all to pray by saying together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, ...
God of community, you have called us to live with our brothers and sisters in peace and justice. So as we gather we echo the sung prayers “Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now” and “all we are saying, is give peace a chance”. Awaken in the hearts of humanity the drive for a world where peace and justice flourish.
But even as we gather to share our hopes for peace we also remember that we, as the people of the world, have all too often failed to hear your call for peace and justice. And so today we pause to remember millions who have been victimized by wars of aggression, wars fought for reasons noble and base, wars fought in many places on this ball of life we share.
Specifically today we remember places with names that sound strange and foreign to Canadian ears: Ypres, Passchendale, Vimy, Ortona, Juno Beach, Hong Kong, Kandahar – places where young men wearing the Maple Leaf fought and died or fought and were changed in the name of God, King, and country. We also remember those who remained, and remain, at home waiting and wondering and worrying.
God of all the people of the world, on this day we remember more than those Canadians who went and fought in strange lands. WE remember all soldiers, those in uniform and those in everyday clothes, who fight on battlefields. We remember those who are not fighters but are instead caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, civilians trapped between fighting forces. We remember people of many nationalities: German, British, Japanese, Australian, Italian, Dutch, Afghani, American, Iraqi – we remember their losses and pray that all who suffer will know your comfort and compassion.
God of life, we give thanks for the love and bravery of all who answer, in many different ways, the call to serve God and neighbour in times of conflict. We think of their commitment, their sense of duty, their willingness to risk all and we honour them.
Gracious God, on this day of memory, when we think of those who went and never returned, and of those who returned wounded in body or in spirit, we also pause to name those from this Legion community who have died since last we gathered in this way (read names).
Now, God who calls us to be peacemakers and peace-bringers, we who have remembered and honoured prepare to return to the world. May we carry with us a renewed commitment to be people of peace. May all who gather in this way today in communities large and small become activists for peace and justice at home and abroad. Help us to remember the importance of seeking peace, true peace, and that this peace will never come from a gun barrel – only from the changed hearts of your children. May we never forget that the cost of peace’s absence has already been far too high.
God of peace the surpasses all our understanding, we pray our remembrances and our hopes in the name of the one called the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ, who taught us all to pray by saying together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, ...
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Cool
Years ago on THe A-Team Hannibal often said "Gotta love it when a plan comes together"
Well sometimes the best things are unplanned (depending on one's theology of course) --like this that just arrrived in my e-mail
Smile!
Advent is Coming!
Both in meaning and in time that is. In less than a month we will be into Advent. Here is where I am at so far:
1st Sunday December 2 – Christmas is waiting and hope
Character (story or monologue) Isaiah & Unemployed person
Scripture
-Isaiah 2:1-5
-Isaiah 35:1-10
-Isaiah 11:1-10
2nd Sunday December 9 – Christmas is life-changing
Character (story or monologue) Mary & modern Mary
Scripture:
-Luke 1:47-55
-Luke 1:26-46
3rd Sunday December 16 – Christmas is carols and children
Character (story or monologue) Pageant Sunday, White Gifts
4th Sunday December 23 – Christmas is chaos and calm
Character (story or monologue) Joseph & modern parent
Scripture:
-Isaiah 7:10-16
-Matthew 1:18-25
-Genesis 1: 1-2, 31-2:3
Christmas Eve – Christmas is light in the darkness
Character (story or monologue) ??????
Scripture:
-Isaiah 9:2-7
-Luke 2:1-14 (15-20??)
-John 1:1-4
-Genesis 1:1-4
The intent is that each week will include a Biblical story and a modern story around the theme. Much of it will be first person or interview style. I am also thinking of playing with the order of worship in here so maybe the character will pop up a couple times during the service (I think Mary would work well that way). Maybe on the 4th Sunday the service will be split between chaos and calm? Still have to come up with hymns, and the Scriptures are somewhat tentative, but I am hoping that now that I have titles the rest will come easily.
Advent 2007
Christmas is…
Christmas is…
1st Sunday December 2 – Christmas is waiting and hope
Character (story or monologue) Isaiah & Unemployed person
Scripture
-Isaiah 2:1-5
-Isaiah 35:1-10
-Isaiah 11:1-10
2nd Sunday December 9 – Christmas is life-changing
Character (story or monologue) Mary & modern Mary
Scripture:
-Luke 1:47-55
-Luke 1:26-46
3rd Sunday December 16 – Christmas is carols and children
Character (story or monologue) Pageant Sunday, White Gifts
4th Sunday December 23 – Christmas is chaos and calm
Character (story or monologue) Joseph & modern parent
Scripture:
-Isaiah 7:10-16
-Matthew 1:18-25
-Genesis 1: 1-2, 31-2:3
Christmas Eve – Christmas is light in the darkness
Character (story or monologue) ??????
Scripture:
-Isaiah 9:2-7
-Luke 2:1-14 (15-20??)
-John 1:1-4
-Genesis 1:1-4
The intent is that each week will include a Biblical story and a modern story around the theme. Much of it will be first person or interview style. I am also thinking of playing with the order of worship in here so maybe the character will pop up a couple times during the service (I think Mary would work well that way). Maybe on the 4th Sunday the service will be split between chaos and calm? Still have to come up with hymns, and the Scriptures are somewhat tentative, but I am hoping that now that I have titles the rest will come easily.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
THe Sun'll COme Out...
Yesterday the girls borrowed Annie from the library to watch during quiet time today. While watching part of it I couldn't help but be struck by the hopefulness found there.
Even in the orphanage where "It's a hard knock life" Annie still finds the hope to sing about her absent parents coming to get her and to share the promise that the sun'll come out tomorrow.
I wonder, what do we do to foster that kind of hope in our own hearts and the hearts of those around us?
Maybe it helps to remember that "your never fully dressed without a smile".
Even in the orphanage where "It's a hard knock life" Annie still finds the hope to sing about her absent parents coming to get her and to share the promise that the sun'll come out tomorrow.
I wonder, what do we do to foster that kind of hope in our own hearts and the hearts of those around us?
Maybe it helps to remember that "your never fully dressed without a smile".
Monday, November 05, 2007
Called to be Peacemakers
Recently the United Church of Canada launched a new fundraising program called United For Peace. This Sunday evening the focus of our worship (morning worship was potponed yill evening to allow for the Legion Remembrance Day service) will be on peace.
OPENING PRAYER
God, you call us to be people of peace,
but too often the world around us seems to call us into conflict with our neighbours.
You call us to love our friends and our enemies
but the world tells us to fend for ourselves, to compete with our neighbours.
During this hour together, awaken in us the desire for a changed world.
May this time together strengthen our resolve to bring more peace to our lives.
During our worship fill our hearts with hope that peace is possible.
Help us to live out the truth of the words “All we are saying, is give peace a chance”
This we pray in the name of the one who was called the Prince of Peace, Jesus, who taught his friends to pray by saying…
OPENING PRAYER
God, you call us to be people of peace,
but too often the world around us seems to call us into conflict with our neighbours.
You call us to love our friends and our enemies
but the world tells us to fend for ourselves, to compete with our neighbours.
During this hour together, awaken in us the desire for a changed world.
May this time together strengthen our resolve to bring more peace to our lives.
During our worship fill our hearts with hope that peace is possible.
Help us to live out the truth of the words “All we are saying, is give peace a chance”
This we pray in the name of the one who was called the Prince of Peace, Jesus, who taught his friends to pray by saying…
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Another Resource
In my continuing plan to get much of what I have written online (and maybe to avoid some work) I have posted another sermon. Click and read COntract or Covenant?
Remembrance DAy Stories
Whenever I preach on November 11 (Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, or Veteran's Day) I use a story. Well this year will be a dialogue, but still something a bit different from a standard sermon. Since the church blog is formatted for expandable posts I posted two of these stories there.
If you follow the links you can read Bill Remembers or The Dreams
If you follow the links you can read Bill Remembers or The Dreams
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)