Worship and Wonder
“Star Child”
I was stunned by Carlton Young and Shirley Murray’s song, “Star Child,” in an Advent worship service this month. Hope Publishing Company brought it out in 1994, but this was the first time I’d heard it, from the songbook The Faith We Sing. It calls Jesus “Star-Child, earth-Child, go-between of God.” Then it identifies many…
Read MoreOffering Tips
One of the sites I check regularly is Alan Wildes, who goes by the name of Generosity Coach. In four brief video clips this past month, he has given tips for the offering which resonate with what I have been teaching, as well. Two clips deal with the importance of language, which shapes both our…
Read MoreSaying God’s Name
Words can shape our reality by forming the way we think about ourselves, the world, and even God. I have known and said that all my life, insisting on gender-inclusive words for people and for God. But this week that truth took a step deeper into my soul. Ever since my first Old Testament course…
Read MoreRedwoods and Growth
Many people are enjoying a Christmas tree in their homes this time of year, often a pine or fir in the European tradition. That’s true of our family, as well. But Christmas aside, I have been partial to the redwood tree for years now, not only because of its beauty but also because you can…
Read MoreExtravagant Generosity
Extravagant generosity is based upon our extravagantly generous God, the Giver of every good gift, the Source of life and love! From Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: A Congregation that Practices Extravagant Generosity: 1. Thrives with the joy of abundance instead of the fear of scarcity 2. Encourages members to grow in…
Read MoreCelebrating a Church Endowment in Worship
Call to Worship Song: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” UM Hymnal No. 400 Litany: Gracious, giving God, You have blessed us with every gift, and especially with the gift of Jesus, who came that we all might have abundant and eternal life. We give You our hearts and our lives! We…
Read MoreSongs about stewardship in “The Faith We Sing”
2185 For One Great Peace – Stewardship as participating in God’s work 2036 Give Thanks – Acting on our gratitude 2239 Go Ye, Go Ye into the World – Participating in God’s work 2048 God Weeps – Participating in God’s work 2162 Grace Alone –Participating in God’s work 2178 Here Am I – Participating in…
Read MoreSongs about Stewardship in The United Methodist Hymnal
413 A Charge to Keep I Have – Especially verse 2; Stewardship as participating in God’s work 147 All Things Bright and Beautiful – The abundance of God’s creation 588 All Things Come of Thee – Giving back from what God has given to us 451 Be Thou My Vision – God as our greatest…
Read MoreSongs about Stewardship in Worship & Song
3011 All My Days – Verse 3 God’s gift of time 3120 Amazing Abundance – Stewards of God’s love for all the nations 3002 Blessed Be Your Name – Thanks for God’s blessing in times of scarcity or abundance 3157 Come, Let Us Dream – Participating in God’s work 3174 Christ, We Are Blest –…
Read MoreCovenant Prayer by John Wesley
I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt; rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing; put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low by thee. Let me be full; let me be empty.…
Read MoreStewardship Sunday
Some churches across our denomination follow the tradition of Stewardship Sunday, which comes this year on November 14. Regardless of whether we are naturally timid or passionate about the subject, this Sunday invites us all to engage in life-giving talk about joyful, faithful stewardship and how we can nurture generous living. I say “living,” not…
Read MoreJames 5: A Community of Stewards
Daily devotions often bring surprises. Take James, chapter 5, for example, which I encountered recently as if for the very first time. In verses 13-20, James describes the basics of Christian community. Pray in your suffering, he says. Sing songs of praise. Pray for the sick. Confess your sins and pray to be forgiven. Pray…
Read MoreOur Language for Offerings
Written 1/18/2011 for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church This Sunday in worship, we received a special offering for Human Relations Day as well as our ongoing offerings for God’s work through the local and connectional (worldwide) church. This act reminded me of a conversation I had this week with a…
Read MoreBasic Training
Written 1/11/2011 for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church After an extended time off, my spunky horse needed to go back to basic training. For horses, this instructional time includes ground work, safety issues, and fundamental cues for mutual respect and attentiveness. It emphasizes communication and affirms our core relationship…
Read MoreCovenant Sunday
Positive change can happen when we are intentional, but it is still not easy. Many people have followed the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions for the year to come. But the problem we have with resolutions is that they last only a week or two — a month or two at the longest —…
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