Anguish, anger, regret, guilt, sadness, loneliness, rage, cries for justice — I have felt all of these in this time of COVID-19 and the protests and the riots following George Floyd’s murder. My anguish is at another unarmed Black person killed. My frustration, anger and rage are directed at those who knowingly oppress and dehumanize others and I cry out for justice. My regret and guilt are focused at my own denial of my own racism, even as I work to be anti-racist. All these feelings are gathered up into prayers of lament. Such prayers are acts of faith. Biblically, lament includes a wide range of emotions and situations — even into the dark nights of the soul when we feel deserted by God. Laments are the moans and cries of our spirits uttered to God, out of relationship with God and with trust that God can do something to change the situation. Author Lynn Miller takes us on a journey of biblical lament in her study and art in “Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of … [Read more...]
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Outpost Blog 9 hours ago
On turning 40
At the end of this month, I will turn 40 years old. It feels like such a cliché to be troubled by one’s 40th birthday. I’ve been surprised by the grief and angst that has come with this milestone. Perhaps it’s emblematic of our culture’s slowness to grow up, but in my mind, 40 marks the end of young adulthood. I’m finally supposed to be an adult, ready to face the grown-up challenges of our world. I thought I’d be ready to embrace adulthood (and let’s face it, I have… continue reading... -
Outlook Features 19 hours ago
A vital congregation — A system centered on Christ
Pastors typically experience tensions between what they see as their biblical role and the role imposed on them as leader of a church organization. Biblical notions of church often appear to be in conflict with institutional conceptions. This apparent conflict comes to the fore in considering how to foster what has come to be called in our circles the “marks of a vital congregation”: lifelong discipleship formation, intentional authentic evangelism and outward incarnational-focused living. While there may appear to be a tension between seeking these biblically-rooted and spirit-inspired ideals and… continue reading... -
Worship Resources 1 day ago
Prayer for those in the path of Isaias
Lord you come to us in the storm, refusing to let the perils of life overtake us. Trusting your power and mercy, we pray for those in the path of Isaias. Hurricane Isaias on July 31, 2020 (Photo by NASA) As the storm strengthens and people prepare for it to make landfill, grant safety to all who fear the coming wind and water. We ask for protection for those who lack the means to stockpile provisions, for those already reeling from the impact of the coronavirus, for first responders and… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized131 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews134 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews128 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Prayers of the people for August 2, 2020 July 30, 2020 Worship Resources1 comment Jill Duffield reads the prayers of the people she crafted for this Sunday. You are welcome to share this with your congregation or use it as part of your worship service.
Find the full printed order of service here.
Order of worship — August 2, 2020 July 27, 2020 Worship Resources1 comment You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
It is free for worship use. Please credit Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook.
Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 08_02_20
8th Sunday after Pentecost — July 26, 2020 July 24, 2020 Looking into the lectionary1 comment Genesis 29:15-28; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Ordinary 17A; Proper 12
Who is in a position to condemn?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Paul says emphatically in this letter to the Romans, no one and nothing. If God is for us, who can be against us? Such sentiments are reassuring during this time of much uncertainty and pain. And yet, reading this iconic text in Romans 8 also stings in this season of suffering and upheaval. Nothing separates us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord, but COVID-19 keeps us apart from those we most lo...
Horizons preview: “Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament”
What have we learned from COVID-19?
Someday the extreme dislocations of COVID-19 will end. The question being asked throughout American society, economy and politics is: What then? What will be the new nature of things? Many hope that everything will “return to normal” — whatever your world was doing in February, that’s the way it will be in August or November or next year when a vaccine appears. Don’t count on it. The “old normal” is long gone. For one thing, it’s quite likely we will emerge from COVID-19 into a depression unlike anything since the 1930s — with high and persistent unemployment, shuttered restaurants and stores, entire companies gone, irresponsible banks again in crisis and inequalities of wealth and privilege more severe. Moreover, the lockdown has changed many minds about the fundamentals. Parents and children are in new relationship. Many have found better ways to shop. Congested urban living no longer looks so desirable. Many workers have delighted in working from home. Only a fool … [Read more...]
Mandela greets U.S. faith community (30 years ago)
30 years ago — July 16-30, 1990 Religious “leaders from the United States gathered in the chapel of Riverside Church in New York City to greet and to be greeted by Nelson Mandela.” Sponsored by the National Council of Churches, this gathering brought together Christians from across the denominational spectrum as well as Jewish and other faith leaders. In Mandela’s address, he thanked U.S. religious communities for their support against apartheid in South Africa. After his address they proceeded to the sanctuary for worship. “The air was festive as four choirs and African drummers led the gathering in joyous praise. … Soloist Patricia Ann Barnes moved many to tears with her strong and soulful rendition of ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ and Gardner Taylor, renowned preacher and pastor, … brought the crowd to its feet with his humorous and passionate introduction of Mandela. ... Using familiar words from the prophet Isaiah, Mandela expressed the hope of his people saying: ‘We have … [Read more...]
On turning 40
At the end of this month, I will turn 40 years old. It feels like such a cliché to be troubled by one’s 40th birthday. I’ve been surprised by the grief and angst that has come with this milestone. Perhaps it’s emblematic of our culture’s slowness to grow up, but in my mind, 40 marks the end of young adulthood. I’m finally supposed to be an adult, ready to face the grown-up challenges of our world. I thought I’d be ready to embrace adulthood (and let’s face it, I have matured since graduating from college and from grad school). But the end of young adulthood feels like a loss. I suspect it has to do with the resources and opportunities afforded to me in my youth that I envision closing as I age. I’ll graduate from the Young Women’s Clergy Project. I’ve taken advantage of a ton of resources open to “young, first call pastors.” But with my forehead wrinkles and multiplying gray hairs, I no longer qualify for these opportunities. Underneath the grief is a fear: a fear that as I age, … [Read more...]
Bearing witness: Presbyterians to host Week of Action
LOUISVILLE — As the country continues to reckon with its history of racism and oppression of Black and brown people and take steps toward healing, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is planning to host a Week of Action Aug. 24-30. The week will provide a variety of ways for Presbyterians and other individuals to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement and those who tend to be marginalized by society because of their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. “The Presbyterian Church cares, knows what’s going on, and we’re beyond just making statements,” said the Rev. Shanea D. Leonard, the lead organizer of the Week of Action. “We’re hoping that anyone that is willing to and able to will get involved in some way.” The Week of Action is a collaborative effort by the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA), the Office of General Assembly (OGA) and the Administrative Services Group (ASG). The Week of Action “is an endeavor to provide a public witness that … [Read more...]
PC(USA) offers guidance on baptism, ordination during the pandemic
LOUISVILLE (PNS) — The Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Theology and Worship have together prepared a statement on the sacrament of baptism and services of ordination and/or installment during the COVID-19 pandemic. On baptism When local authorities and medical experts determine it is reasonably safe to do so, hold baptisms in a suitable outdoor location with a pastor or commissioned pastor, a ruling elder representing the church’s session and the one being baptized, including family, if applicable. Others can take part and bear witness via livestreamed video. Attendees should wear masks, wash hands and check temperatures. Coronavirus tests might also be administered a few days after the service. Maintain safe distances during the service, only entering into somewhat closer contact for the act of baptism itself. The water can be poured from a vessel at arms-length, which allows for maximum distance between the candidate and the … [Read more...]
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