by Ashley Goff Worship planning is an art. It’s a discipline. It must be done over and over and over again in order to get worship “under our skin.” How we plan worship reflects what we believe worship should be — a transformative, communal experience of observing, trusting, trying, reflecting, and taking chances for the [...]
Somebody’s Watching Me
by Susie Shaefer Watching people receive communion is one of the privileges of ministry – but never before had people commented to me that they were watching as I received, and then shared, the elements with my daughter. I suppose that wearing a baby on your back will draw some attention. I’m familiar with the [...]
Blue Christmas: Practical Tips and Samples
By Shelley Nelson-Bridger In 2008, the congregation I was then serving, Egypt Lutheran, began the journey of Advent carrying much pain, grief and unanswered questions over the loss of two matriarchs to cancer as well as the murder of a father and adult-son of Egypt and the attempted murder of the same family’s mother. In [...]
Learning How to Live Again
by Name Withheld Like so many other clergy, now is when I feel the stretch of balancing the long to-do list of the Advent and Christmas seasons and the hopes and expectations of family. And while every year brings a unique loneliness, I’ve grown somewhat used to that feeling of being separated from the ones [...]
The Holiday Season Again
by Elsa A. Peters It seems like Advent came early this year. In the texts that we shared in worship approaching the end of Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary, I heard the restlessness that is so familiar to our radical hope in the coming of Christ. I heard it in texts where it might [...]
Story Keeping
by Lee Hull Moses The Herdman children (those beloved bullies from Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), don’t know the Christmas story. They’ve never heard of Mary and Joseph. They aren’t sure what to make of the shepherds and the angels seem like something out of a comic book. They’re angry at the innkeeper [...]
Light in the Darkness: An Advent Playlist
by Leah Grundset I always contemplate how I could make a living creating playlists. Other than being a DJ, I’m not sure this talent is highly desired or sought after in the world. But in my little microcosm of life my friends and I wait for Advent with added excitement. We are waiting for the [...]
The Details of Advent
by Lara Blackwood Pickrel When I was a little girl, Advent was my absolute favorite time of year. It is true that part of the excitement had to do with the promise of gifts under the tree – but my love for the season went far beyond a desire for presents. Looking back, it is [...]