CategoryWorship

The Fourth Sunday of Easter Preview

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.  (John 10:16) Gathering is one of two core values that address ways we help ourselves and others to grow in discipleship. The experience of…

Easter 3 Preview

Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? -Luke 24:32 Jesus Christ is the key that unlocks Scripture. That’s how it was on the road to Emmaus. The risen Lord, Jesus Christ, opened their eyes and their minds to…

Where do you see God in Worship?

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Colossians 1:3). I am sure everyone has had instances when they have had their doubts about something. There are things or situations that are just too good to be true. And what do we tend to do when…

2nd Sunday after Easter Preview

A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him [Thomas], “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are…

Triduum: The Three Days

At the center of the church year, the Triduum (the Three Days) forms the basis of our worship life as Christians. Many portions of our regular Sunday morning worship service are rooted in the themes, lessons, and stories that permeate Triduum, the Three Days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. By that, I don’t…

Lent 4 Preview

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal…

Lent 3 Preview

You shall have no other gods before me. –Exodus 20:3 At first glance when one looks at the 10 commandments, one may see a lot of “no” and “do nots.” It may sometimes leave us wondering what it is we can do. However, once we get past the “thou shall not,” we can see that…

Are you in denial?

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. –Mark 8:34-35 The second covenant in…

Lent 1 Preview

The first Sunday in Lent begins with tension. The tension between the saving and destructive powers of water fills today’s lectionary readings. The waters of the flood overwhelmed the world in the days of Noah, yet God delivered Noah and his family from death. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus only after his baptism by…

Transfiguration of our Lord Preview

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Mark 9:5) The Sundays after Epiphany began with Jesus’ baptism and end with three disciples’ vision of his transfiguration.  In Mark’s story of Jesus’ baptism, apparently…