ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 14, 2025Prayer for the Week (revised from worship): When excuses suddenly appear on our tongues, I implore you, Merciful God, to pause our breath and silence the fear-induced justifications before they are vocalized. When we are fully immersed in the joyful celebrations of our faith, we too often miss where the Gospel message is encouraging us to go. Help us to rise above any fears, so
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 13, 2025Today, in worship, we are going to focus on awakening joy in our lives. Among the many parables Jesus shared, I think about the three parables of lostness (the youth focused on one of the parables during Youth Sunday) found in Luke 15. There we read, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 12, 2025The middle section of Luke’s Gospel comes to a conclusion with the words: “After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem” (19:28). Back in the 9th chapter, we heard how Jesus was setting his face to Jerusalem. Ten chapters later, he now arrives. The side gate into Jerusalem is before Jesus, and he’s about ready for the triumphant entry on
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 11, 2025Have you ever been asked for a favor, but you really didn’t know what you were getting yourself into? The disciples were asked to do a simple task, but their actions that day led them into the most significant week of their lives. In Luke 19, we read:When Jesus had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 10, 2025I was on a Zoom call Tuesday night with faith leaders talking about how best to protect the most vulnerable. A Buddhist named Teo Drake said something in passing that caught my attention. I may not have written down the quote exactly, but basically this is what he said: “There is no version of the divine that does not love you. There are lies about
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 9, 2025The closing hymn in Traditional Worship this past Sunday is a beautiful piece, except it is not. OK… I’m going to express some thoughts that some may not like, and I’m okay with that. You are allowed to disagree, and in the end, you might be right. The hymn is, “What Wondrous Love Is This,” and it begins with this amazing declaration about the wondrous
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 8, 2025I received an email last week from a Christian organization. I frequently receive such emails, primarily from individuals actively seeking new supporters and donors for their religious endeavors. The email began by posing a question: “How is it that not everyone believes in God?” It then went on to explain how God put in the Bible dozens and dozens of proofs for the existence of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 7, 2025Prayer for the Week:O Merciful Guide, as we enter a new week, we acknowledge those moments when we feel as if we are staring into an abyss and wondering if there is a way forward. In this Season of Lent, when we are slowing down to become more aware of our own breathing and your presence found within each breath, we begin to find both
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 6, 2025I was at an event recently where most of the folks in attendance knew I was a minister. At the table where I sat, in the lunch line, and even when we had a break and I was headed into the restroom, I had some interesting conversations with people. It’s almost as if people think I’m only interested in talking about religion or church. At
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 5, 2025Yesterday morning, I pulled out my electric hair clippers as it was probably time for another haircut. Yes, as you’ve probably noticed, I cut my own hair… have for 20 years. Over those 20 years, I have purchased two clippers, around $30 each. I’m always trying to figure out ways of saving money, and this was one easy way. Of course, it might be time