Posts from February 2014
The way ahead
“The way unfolds like an open hand. The way unfolds like I didn’t plan. And only in looking back do we understand, That the way was true as an open hand…. This song is one that I play often when I walk in the early morning hours. The Table @ Central UMC has unfolded in ways that I never dreamed. Often I am asked “how did you do it?” and I know that the answer is closer to this song…
Story
“It is well to remember what the ancient creeds of the Christian faith declare credence in. God of God, Light of Light…for us and for our salvation came down from heaven…born of the Virgin Mary…suffered…crucified…dead…buried…rose again…sitteth on the right hand of God…shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead. That is a series of largely flesh and blood events that happened, are happening, will happen, in time and space. For better or worse, it is…
Toward Sunday
This week our worship will focus on remembering our story and setting The Table for God’s unfolding future. Worship will be grounded in Isaiah 44.1-8. Dr. Juliana Claassens writes, “Isaiah 44:6-8 as part of the larger context of Isaiah 44 seeks to reestablish a new identity for the broken exiles by reminding the exilic community that their own identity should be understood in relation to the character of God. Having received a new name in vv. 1-5, the exiles are reminded…
Prison Prayer
Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for all who are captive in prison and for those who are affected by or involved in their imprisonment. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love, prisoners, their families, friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the activities of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk…
Justice
some words on Justice by Frederick Buechner from Whistling in the Dark. If you break a good law, justice must be involved not only for goodness’ sake but for the good of your own soul. Justice may consist of paying a price for what you’ve done or simply of the painful knowledge that you deserve to pay a price, which is payment enough. Without one form of justice or the other, the result is ultimately disorder and grief for you…
Incarcerated youth
This is a poem by an incarcerated youth named Keith describing his experience of coming to faith while in prison. Escape I want to escape, I want to get out I can’t take it, I say. “Help me”, I shout I’m afraid to live, I’m afraid to die. Afraid to believe and I just don’t know why The truth, I’ve found is so real. Even more genuine than the pain that I feel/ For so long I lived free, answering…
In jail with Jesus
Alone one night In shame and despair I looked for my help But no one was there, No future…but prison No past…but pain I looked in the mirror My tears…the rain By justice condemned In time to die My only hope God’s Mercy For his grace I cry… Then a seed planted Somewhere long ago In the midst of my sorrows Began to grow… This seed was Christ Who died for me In jail with Jesus I am set free……
Toward Sunday
We conclude our worship series, Don’t Talk About That at The Table; with reflection this coming week on prisons. Outline January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43) January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48) January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18) February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8) February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28) February 16: Sexuality (Romans 1.26-27 & Ruth 1.16-17) February 23: Prisons (Hebrews 13.3) This Sunday will invite deeper reflection on prisons. We welcome Rev. Gary McAnally to the…
Voice Love
There is a magazine called Voice Male which was birthed in 1983 as a newsletter to give voice to conversation regarding masculinity. It often has thought provoking articles and challenges all of us, male and female, to work together. Below is a link to a blog post in which the author shares a recent experience he had on a bus in Washington D.C. There is so much to talk about in this piece. Gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity. On this…
Brainwashed?
What do you think Dustin Hoffman means when he says he has been “brainwashed”?
Sexuality
It might be wonderful to have Frederick Buechner over for a meal. His book “Whistling in the Dark” is a dictionary of topics that we often don’t want to talk about at The Table. Here are some sections from “Nakedness” taken from the second creation story in Genesis: “Everybody knows what everybody else looks like with no clothes on, but there are few of us who would consider going around in public without them. It is our sexuality that we’re…
Toward Sunday
Outline January 12: United Methodist Social Principles (Acts 10.34-43) January 19: Race (Matthew 5.38-48) January 26: Immigration (1 Corinthians 1.10-18) February 2: Abortion (Micah 6.1-8) February 9: Gender (Ephesians 5.22-24 & Galatians 3.28) February 16: Sexuality (Romans 1.26-27 & Ruth 1.16-17) February 23: Prisons (Hebrews 13.3) We continue our worship series, Don’t Talk About That at The Table; with reflection this coming week on sexuality. We will invite deeper reflection on sexuality and faith. The United Methodist Social Principles includes this statement, ¶ 161.F We affirm that sexuality is God’s…
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