The Blessing of the Animals service was today–it is one of my favorite services of the year. I chose to do something a little different for this year’s sermon, and I wanted to share it. I hope you like it. “Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is…… Continue reading The Feast of St. Francis
Category: Creation
Going Deeper with the Feast of Creation
For our opening worship this academic year, we commemorated a new liturgical festival: the Festival of Creation in Christ Sunday, or, more simply, the Feast of Creation. It is meant to be celebrated every year on the first Sunday in September, to praise God our creator, and to inspire care for God’s creation. This commemoration…… Continue reading Going Deeper with the Feast of Creation
Considering the Animals on Earth Day
Any day is a good day to lift up and celebrate God’s deep relationship with and providential care for the animal kingdom, which is valuable and precious to God in and of itself, not just through God’s relationship with humanity. At the same time, Earth Day is a particularly good day to do this, and…… Continue reading Considering the Animals on Earth Day
Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
Photo by Eusebiu Soica on Pexels.com Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Surely, you have heard this question before. Perhaps in a sermon, perhaps you read it in a book, or perhaps you came across it in a TED talk, or some other presentation. Or,…… Continue reading Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
Thank you, Jane Goodall
Today, on the feast day of Saint Francis, when churches around the country and around the world celebrate God’s love for the entire cosmos, and especially the animal kingdom, it seems like a good day to commemorate Jane Goodall, who died at the age of 91 on Wednesday. I encourage you to read more about…… Continue reading Thank you, Jane Goodall
A Christian’s song in a messy, beautiful world
Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com Earlier in the week, I was preparing a blog post about the juxtaposition of two hymns that we sang in chapel this week. Both of them were focused on the world, but each of them had a very different message. Here is the first one, from All Creation Sings:…… Continue reading A Christian’s song in a messy, beautiful world
Come, Holy Spirit
When I was selecting a prayer for a meeting this morning, I went back to the worship book from the latest Lutheran World Federation Assembly: One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, 2023. I found this prayer, and I loved it–it is timeless and timely, and worth sharing. I hope you find a place to use…… Continue reading Come, Holy Spirit
Do Not Remember
“Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19 Many of us, I imagine, love Isaiah 43 and what it promises: God’s guidance, protection and care as the Holy Spirit leads us into…… Continue reading Do Not Remember
The Legacy of the Celtic Church
There are many streams that make up the great coursing river of Christianity that ebbs and flows throughout the entire world. The streams all have their source in Jesus Christ, of course, but their shape, taste, depth, and breath all vary, flavored and colored by their different histories and geographies. But as they come together,…… Continue reading The Legacy of the Celtic Church
Fervor in the Face of Futility
I wanted to share some reflections from an article in the recent issue of The New Yorker. The title of the article was “Helicopter Parents” (by Nick Paumgarten), and from the title alone, I imagine the same topic jumped into your mind as it did into mine: those human parents who hover over their children,…… Continue reading Fervor in the Face of Futility
