by Tripp Hudgins It astonishes me how comfortably he sits facing outward strapped to my chest as we sing. It is Advent and the music director and I are leading the congregation in an Introit. “Open my heart,” we intone. I am teaching the low voices, Christopher is teaching the middle voices, and the choir … Continue reading
by Dena Douglas Hobbs Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12b-19 (NRSV) “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before … Continue reading
photo by Matt Clingan by Jill Clingan I wrote this paper in undergrad called “How to Have a Quiet Time.” When my grandparents gave me their piano a couple of years ago, I found a copy of the essay in the piano bench. I know I kept that paper, but I can’t find it tonight, … Continue reading
By Chris Lenshyn Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 (The Message) Thoughts: In this text, we have 2 disciples, both weary travellers on the road to Emmaus. They departed from Jerusalem, which was about 7 miles away, having just experienced the brutal death by crucifixion of the man they thought to be savior. They were in mourning, tired, … Continue reading
–from Erika Marksbury Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18, NRSV Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, … Continue reading
~by Jill Clingan I felt a tap on my shoulder, startling me from my reverie. It was a spring Sunday morning. My husband was upstairs helping with the kids. I was sitting alone in my pew. The service was winding down, and it was time for communion. As I was sitting in that pew, with … Continue reading
September 18, 2013 I recently listened to an interview Krista Tippett did with iconic Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. As someone who is usually very down-to-earth, I love Nadia. It was very interesting and almost humorous to listen to her have a conversation with Krista Tippett, the soft-spoken, spiritually ambiguous host of “On Being.” Nadia is … Continue reading
Tomorrow, I will hopefully be waking up in my new home, living a new dream of five acres and trees and a pond and the promise of chickens and goats in the spring. Today, though, I am sitting in a house littered with boxes and stuff I don’t know what to do with and stuff … Continue reading
“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” ~Exodus 20:12 At the church I serve, we are studying our way through the Ten Commandments in weekly worship. This past week, I had the opportunity to preach on the fifth … Continue reading
Spring has begun, and in Kansas the weather has turned pleasant. Sparrows, starlings, and robins visit the feeders in our backyard. The crab apple tree in front now displays a few buds, and the grass is slowly changing from brown to green. My daughter Joy, now three, asks to spend time outdoors, a welcome change … Continue reading
Practicing Families 