Prayer of the Week

This week we close out the church year and celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. On Reign of Christ Sunday (as this last Sunday in Ordinary Time is known), Rev. Kent posed the question, “What rules your heart? What is sovereign there?” Jesus’ reply to this question before Pontius Pilate was not the answer of geopolitical… Read more.

The blind beggar in this week’s Gospel lesson from Mark 10:46-52 asks to be able to see, to have his sight restored. Rev. Kent preached the sermon “Bearing the Light” acknowledging the challenge of both carrying the light of love to others, as well as being able to endure the transformations that answered prayers sometimes… Read more.

The United Nations calls upon all nations to set aside September 21st of each year as International Peace Day. Along with many other churches and city organizations we joined in on Sunday as sponsors of a Peace Day picnic, with many fine speakers and lovely weather. In his sermon, Rev. Kent connected the story of… Read more.

Rev. Rachel this week explored what constitutes wisdom and how do we live it? How do we know what cross to take up, and what needs crucified in us so that we can recognize the true wisdom of a true savior? Here is the pastoral prayer offered by worship leader Matt Jadud. May it be… Read more.

The writer of James reminded us this week that it is by being doers of the word that we bring faith to fruition. This Sunday we saw faith done up in every conceivable musical genre as we celebrated a Music Sunday filled with the talent of members and friends. Rev. Kent preached on all that… Read more.

When Jesus proclaims himself to be the “bread of life” in the gospel of John, he sets himself apart from some of the daily fare we encounter. How often do we feed on mistrust, on the fears we so easily manufacture, on the titillation of being voyeurs in a violent world? Rev. Kent in his… Read more.

Two stories of dancing were part of our Bible readings this week. The first comes from the lectionary reading of 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 where we read of King David rejoicing in dance before the tabernacle of God, celebrating the return of the ark and entry into his new capital Jerusalem. The second reading comes… Read more.

This week’s events have been dominated by the shootings in Charleston at the historic Emanuel AME congregation. In addition, many in the congregation and community are suffering with illness or worry for family and friends. Into this tumultuous world we cast our prayers for strength and steadiness. Here is Rev. Kent’s prayer offered beautifully by… Read more.