Posts from October 2010

Jacob Wrestles

Sunday’s reading in worship will be from Genesis 32: 3-8, 22-32 (New Revised Standard Version): Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, 4instructing them, ‘Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have lived with Laban as an alien, and stayed until now; 5and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves; and I have sent to tell my lord, in order…

God Is In

We’ll be weaving our first Beth Nielsen Chapman song into worship on Sunday.  It’s called God Is In (Goddess In) and it’s from her album called Prism (2007). The lyrics include: God is in the child’s eye, see them wide, wondrous wise God is in the rain and snow, and each snowflake this we know God is in the trees and air, the rocks the birds the bees the bears God is in the clouds above, God is in each…
Michael Krasny writes, I set out to write a book that would help me discover what I believe. I had come across a quote by the British novelist Julian Barnes — who said, “I don’t believe in God but I miss him.” I didn’t know if I didn’t believe in God. But I did miss him. Him was the invisible father I prayed to every night as a boy and felt certain was watching over me. Him was the one…

Are You There God?

We begin a four-week series at The Table this Sunday, October 31, on wrestling with the Divine.  We’ll begin the series with a service that invites reflection on the significance and meaning of faith.  This Sunday’s worship will draw on the story of Jacob from Genesis, Michael Krasny’s recently released Spiritual Envy: An Agnostics Quest, and Judy Bloom’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Are you there God?  It’s me, Margaret.  I’m going to temple today-with Grandma.  It’s a…

Baptismal Journeys

Lisa Myers writes, If you already know how to knit:  teach someone else.  Don’t worry that you don’t know enough – all you need to know is how to cast on, knit, and purl.  Don’t worry if you’ve been told you hold the yarn a strange way, or knit loosely, or if you’re left-handed.  Teach anyone who wants – or is willing-to learn.  There are almost as many ways to knit as there are knitters, and your student can sort…

God Claims You

This morning we will baptize five children at The Table.  We’ll close signing this lullaby to the children: Anna, Amanda, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too. We this day do all agree a child of God you’ll always be.   Clair, Ryan, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too. We your family love you so, we vow to help your faith to grow.     Eleanor, Eleanor God claims…

A Blessing

Steve Garnaas-Holmes offers this blessing, May gratitude to God fill your heart: for as with all her children, her holy ones, the Loving One has claimed you and given you her light (Unfolding Light: a paraphrase of Colossians 1 on July 7 20,10)

Sacramental Vision

Here’s a link to a short video called Sacramental Vision by The Work of the People: http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00800

Water, River, Spirit, Grace

We’ll be weaving Thomas Troeger’s Water, River, Spirit, Grace (The Faith We Sing, #2253) throughout our service of Baptism on Sunday. Consider reading the lyrics over and over today as a form of centering prayer: Water, River, Spirit, Grace sweep over me, sweep over me! Re-carve the depths your fingers traced in sculpting me.  

Surrounded with a Community of Love & Forgiveness

This Sunday we will gather for the Baptism of five children.  As a community we will be asked to support them in their Baptismal journeys.  We’ll respond to their Baptism, With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround THESE PERSONS with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. WE will pray…

Life of Baptism

The United Methodist Book of Worship states: “Baptism anticipates a lifetime of further and deeper experiences of God, further acts of Christian commitment, and ministries in the world.” How might you live out your Baptism in practical ways today?  What opportunities will you have to act out your Christian commitment, to be in ministry in the world?
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