Every day we journey on this earth is a day in which we make choices: left or right, up or down, in or out, yes or no? Some choices are simple, and some are very complex, but one choice informs all the others: Who will be our God? Who will we trust to see us through this journey?
Who has been with us from before the beginning, bringing us into existence?
Who has loved us and blessed us and sent us on our way?
Who has pointed us toward the path and posted the signs we need to find our way?
Who has been at our side when the road has been smooth and gently curving?
Who has kept with us through hairpin turns and construction zones and potholes and detours?
Who will celebrate with us when we complete our course and seek the comfort of eternity?
Only One. The One and Only.
Holy One. The One and Holy.
Will you choose this day to stay faithful to the One who is faithful to us?
Count us in.
Will you choose this day to place your whole trust in the One who is trustworthy?
Count us in.
Will you choose this day to commit your talents and your resources to the One who first endowed them?
Count us in.
Will you choose this day to love the One who loved us first?
Count us in.
Praying together,
We devote ourselves to you by renewing the covenant—the promise you made to humanity so long ago. Because you are our God, we will be your people. Enlarge our faithfulness, our trust, our commitment and our love so that we may graciously uphold our side of the deal. Help us always to recognize your presence and your blessings throughout our journey. Keep us in your care. Amen.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Call to Worship
This new day is fresh with possibility to encounter the Living Christ.
With bright eyes, let us search.
This new day is fresh with possibility to understand the Living Christ.
With engaged minds, let us ponder.
This new day is fresh with possibility to be moved by the Living Christ.
With compassionate hearts, let us feel.
This new day is fresh with possibility to respond to the Living Christ.
With solid devotion, let us follow.
This new day is fresh with possibility to serve the Living Christ.
With humble intention, let us act.
This new day is fresh with possibility to praise the Living Christ.
With strong voices, let us sing.
With bright eyes, let us search.
This new day is fresh with possibility to understand the Living Christ.
With engaged minds, let us ponder.
This new day is fresh with possibility to be moved by the Living Christ.
With compassionate hearts, let us feel.
This new day is fresh with possibility to respond to the Living Christ.
With solid devotion, let us follow.
This new day is fresh with possibility to serve the Living Christ.
With humble intention, let us act.
This new day is fresh with possibility to praise the Living Christ.
With strong voices, let us sing.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Litany: Confessions Along the Journey
Sometimes we stride through this life arrogantly, believing that our achievements come exclusively via our own brilliance, our own perseverance.
Sometimes we race through this life recklessly, feeling that we must compete and that we must finish first.
Sometimes we tiptoe through this life fearfully, worried that we will be shortchanged of what we need and of what we want.
Sometimes we meander through this life inattentively, unsuspecting that our words may harm or our actions may injure.
Sometimes we slip through this life spitefully, supposing that grudges should be kept and forgiveness should be withheld.
Sometimes we wander through this life obliviously, unaware that small and large miracles surround us.
Sometimes we skulk through this life suspiciously, thinking that trust is a misguided danger.
Sometimes we barrel through this life heedlessly, ignoring that there is goodness and beauty to be noticed.
Sometimes we stomp through this life noisily, forgetting that God just may be waiting to meet us in the silence.
(Be seated and enter into silent prayers of confession.)
Forgive us for treading so gracelessly on this journey.
Forgive us, but then outfit us with generosity, purpose, wonder, humility and courage for the next leg of this journey with you. Amen.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
In a Perfect World
In a perfect world, every Sabbath is a glorious celebration of God’s extravagant generosity and endless grace.
In a perfect world, our devoted worship and authentic relationships make God smile.
In a perfect world, all people belong to God.
In a perfect world, all people KNOW they belong to God.
In a perfect world, we are motivated to welcome the stranger and embrace the neighbor.
In a perfect world, the currencies we most treasure are faith, hope and love.
But we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world: Songs can fall flat and expectations can be inflated. Fellowship can take a partisan turn. People can selectively forget to whom they belong and be distracted from the purposes made plain through Jesus.
Savior,
Save us from all we do to chip away at your perfect truth.
Save us when we are careless with your resources and stingy with our affection.
Save us when our worship is undone by our concern for the clock and the calendar.
Save us when our fellowship becomes exclusive.
Save us when the work we do in your name becomes more self-serving than Christ-serving.
Save us when we believe our most significant investments are on Wall Street rather than in one another.
Where there is Perfect Love, there is forgiveness.
Where there is Perfect Love, there is starting over.
The world may be imperfect, but the Perfect Love that comes from God through the person of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Spirit is ours.
With renewed joy, we feast on faith, feast on hope and feast on love this day. Amen.
In a perfect world, our devoted worship and authentic relationships make God smile.
In a perfect world, all people belong to God.
In a perfect world, all people KNOW they belong to God.
In a perfect world, we are motivated to welcome the stranger and embrace the neighbor.
In a perfect world, the currencies we most treasure are faith, hope and love.
But we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world: Songs can fall flat and expectations can be inflated. Fellowship can take a partisan turn. People can selectively forget to whom they belong and be distracted from the purposes made plain through Jesus.
Savior,
Save us from all we do to chip away at your perfect truth.
Save us when we are careless with your resources and stingy with our affection.
Save us when our worship is undone by our concern for the clock and the calendar.
Save us when our fellowship becomes exclusive.
Save us when the work we do in your name becomes more self-serving than Christ-serving.
Save us when we believe our most significant investments are on Wall Street rather than in one another.
Where there is Perfect Love, there is forgiveness.
Where there is Perfect Love, there is starting over.
The world may be imperfect, but the Perfect Love that comes from God through the person of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Spirit is ours.
With renewed joy, we feast on faith, feast on hope and feast on love this day. Amen.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Litany of Confessing & Assured Forgiveness
This responsive prayer was penned by my partner in ministry and life, the Rev. Darrell Johnson. It is tailored to a uniquely Moravian observance--
remembering the martyrdom of Jan Hus.
O Savior Who makes our hearts rejoice, You teach Your disciples who we ought to be, but we do not always live the mission-minded life of which You speak. We confess that even in our listening we fail to act in ways that show we understand. We choose our own thinking over Your tasks and work.
FORGIVE US FOR MISSING THE POINT.
Jesus, You call us to be meek servants, but we let our pride, selfishness and boasting speak volumes for us. Instead of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, we crave power, possessions and personal gain.
HELP US, JESUS, TO TURN AWAY FROM MAKING MISTAKES AND MISSING THE MARK.
God of abounding grace, You task us with the mission of mercy, but we remain grudge-bearing, vengeful and unmerciful. You teach us that the pure in heart will see You, but our inner selves are lacking, cluttered and impure.
HEAL US O GOD SO THAT WE MIGHT BE MOTIVATED TO HEED YOUR CALL.
Holy Spirit, we are put to the mission of peacemaking and cooperation, but we would rather compete, fight, demand and argue.
SET US, SPIRIT, TO THE FAITHFUL JOURNEY OF MOVING ON IN YOUR HOLY MISSION.
Sovereign, we remember Jan Hus, instrument of reformation and renewal who ON THIS DAY IN 1415 remained faithful in a martyr’s death at the burning stake. In our weak devotion, spark in us a passion for faith and mission that we might stay on fire for our Savior. May a missional mindset mold us.
LEAD OUR ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS TO EMBRACE CHRIST’S CALL TO MISSION TODAY!
There is perhaps no greater joy in God’s heart than at this very moment! Right now, we call on our Savior to forgive, grant new life and move us on to a full-joy journey of mission together.
WE MOVE ON IN MISSION AND GRATITUDE! THANKS BE TO OUR MAKER AND SAVIOR! AMEN.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
You Are Holy; We Are Not
We sing, “You are Holy.”
We pray, “You are Holy.”
We shout, “You are Holy.”
We whisper, “You are Holy.”
Created in your image, we are enough like you to recognize your wonder—
your extravagant love shown in bottomless generosity and endless compassion.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to realize our own limitations—
our human love doled out unevenly depending upon our moods and attitudes.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to understand that we will never BE you—
All-gracious, all-wise, all-empathetic, all-insightful, all-benevolent.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to know we can’t live apart from you—
Your imagination, your inspiration, your revelation.
You are Holy, we are not.
But we aspire to be more like you each time we turn our attention toward you.
And so we sing, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we pray, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we shout, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we whisper, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
We pray, “You are Holy.”
We shout, “You are Holy.”
We whisper, “You are Holy.”
Created in your image, we are enough like you to recognize your wonder—
your extravagant love shown in bottomless generosity and endless compassion.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to realize our own limitations—
our human love doled out unevenly depending upon our moods and attitudes.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to understand that we will never BE you—
All-gracious, all-wise, all-empathetic, all-insightful, all-benevolent.
Created in your image, we are enough like you to know we can’t live apart from you—
Your imagination, your inspiration, your revelation.
You are Holy, we are not.
But we aspire to be more like you each time we turn our attention toward you.
And so we sing, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we pray, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we shout, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
And so we whisper, “You are Holy. Help us to be more like you.”
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sponge Bob Jesus
Vacation Bible School is underway at church this week, and this song provides a way for all kids to become instantly involved during Praise Time.
I originally penned it for use at 4M Camp (1st and 2nd graders) at Mt. Morris (Wisconsin) Camp and Conference Center five or six years ago. I still receive requests for the lyrics.
Sing this to the tune and in the style of the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song.
If you're not familiar with the song, get help from anyone between the ages of 4 and 17.
Must Be Jesus
Call: Are you ready kids?
Response: AYE AYE, CAPTAIN!
Call: I can't hear you!
Response: AYE AYE, CAPTAIN!
Oh, who is the Son of God?
Who's slammin' fine?
MUST BE JESUS!
Who helps out strangers,
turns water to wine?
MUST BE JESUS!
Who can heal broken hearts,
make 'em okay?
MUST BE JESUS!
Who is the truth and the life
and the way?
MUST BE JESUS!
Must be Jesus,
Must be Jesus,
Must be Jesus,
Jesus Savior!
(Whistle.)
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