Blessed Arrival

AWAKE_ADVENT_4

2 Samuel 6:12-19

To Ponder:   I Shall Dance as David Danced
One of my earliest memories of church in Nairobi, where I grew up, was singing everyone in the congregation singing the praise and worship song “Dance as David Danced”. It was the “youth service” which was known for a lively music group – guitars, bass, western drums, African drums. And if that weren’t enough, there were three women who regularly sat in the row in front of us who brought their own percussion instruments – tambourines, shekeres, and sistrums. They did not just shake their instruments, they shook their whole selves –from the tops of their heads to their feet. Being a shy, uncoordinated child I was completely mesmerized by their extravagantly printed and embroidered dresses, their flamboyant hand motions,Shekere and way all their hips moved in unison. I had never seen anything like it in church in America. It was too much and I wanted to look away. It was not enough and I wanted to join in. In the next decade, it would become my normal church experience but at that moment I was an outsider looking in.

The Old Testament rituals of moving the ark and the expectations of Hebrew royalty, can seem strange. I am again a foreigner watching others praise and worship in the Lord. My eyes seeing but my heart not comprehending: I’m part judgmental and part jealous – longing to join in. To let go and just be unselfconsciously joyous from head to toe.

Prayer for the day:
Oh God of Dance and Music,
Invite me to join your song. Teach me Your rhythm.
May my heart, ears, and eyes recognize the joy from every nation, every tribe, and every language as we praise the Lord. I pray that I may join in that Great Multitude.
Amen.

~ Gimbiya Kettering, Intercultural Ministries Coordinator
Save the Date: May 1-3 for “All God’s People Say Amen” Intercultural  Retreat in ANE.

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Brethren Voice: A Litany for Worship

A sunset over the snow at the Church of the Brethren General Offices

A sunset over the snow at the Church of the Brethren General Offices

by Mandy Garcia

Written for the Church of the Brethren staff gathering, February 2014

Reader 1: God of the Bible:

Reader 2: We come to you this day asking that Christ will be at the center of all we do–the very heartbeat of our work, our conversation, and our thinking. We ask that we would be able to discern your yearnings for our ministries–your ministries–as we gather around your Word.

Reader 3: We ask that your Word be our word, and that we would speak with a voice that is grounded in scripture.

All: For your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105)

Reader 1: Creator, our Great Physician:

Reader 2: We ask that you would inspire us to creatively imagine and live out your vision for reconciliation and healing.

Reader 3: We pray that our Anabaptist values would be strengthened, and that you would use them to heal hurts in our world.

All: Fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Reader 1: Holy One:

Reader 2: We ask that you will guide us as we help Brethren express their faith through humble service, simple words, and courageous proclamation.

Reader 3: Be in our words as we inform church members about the activities and values of the Church of the Brethren.

All: Let no evil talk come out of our mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Reader 1: God of the Nations:

Reader 2: We pray that you will bind us together into a community that more fully reflects all your people.

Reader 3: Cultivate diversity among us, yet give us the boldness to maintain our distinct Brethren voice.

All: For there is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to the one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Ephesians 4:4-5)

Reader 1: Divine Servant:

Reader 2: We ask that you would help us to embody you example of servant leadership,

Reader 3: Even as we ask that you would give us courage to communicate broadly and amplify our public voice.

All: May you, the God of steadfastness and encouragement, grant us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together we may with one voice glorify you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)

Reader 1: Sovereign God

Reader 2: We ask that you would show us how to provide opportunities for Brethren to be involved in hands-on ministry, so that your transforming energy is released.

Reader 3: We pray that you would equip up as we equip congregations to speak publicly with their Brethren voice, through word and action.

All: Renew us in the spirit of our minds, and clothe us with the new self, which was created according to your likeness in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

Reader 1: Prince of Peace

Reader 2: We pray that our dedication to peace, simplicity, and community will undergird all aspects of our life and work.

Reader 3: And we ask that you would show us new ways of witnessing to Christ’s peace.

All: To give light to those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79).

(Light a candle.)

Reader 1: Holy Spirit:

Reader 2: Empower us as we do our best to respond to God’s yearning.

Reader 3: In the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy One, our Lord, Savior, and Friend,

All: Amen

Completely at rest

Lent 2013 Cover    Leviticus 23:26-41

Question for reflection:
How well does the way you spend your time and money align with your heart and relationship with God?

Prayer for the day:
God we thank you for the opportunity of activity and rest. Help us to savor the moments of worship, wonder and prayer. Amen

 

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Deep faith

Lent 2013 Cover   Exodus 32:7-14

Question for reflection:
In what ways is the story in Exodus 32 a reflection about you, me and any congregation?

Prayer for the day:
O God, your devoted love is all around us. We confess that worshipping you is not the center of our lives. We occupy ourselves with busyness instead of contemplation. We prefer consumption instead of faithful service. Forgive us for acting out of self-interest and insisting on our own way. May the manner of our life reflect the abundance of your love, O God. Amen.

 

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

The gifts: They keep on giving

Matthew 2:11-12

 

Question for Reflection:
What about this season and the Christmas story overwhelm you with joy? What brings you to your knees with hope and wonder?

Prayer for the day:
Heavenly father, may we always be in awe of you and your wondrous ways. We hope to continue to see your glory in special moments throughout the whole year, not just at Christmas time. Help us to take time to pause and fall to our knees in these moments and praise you for the gifts before us. Amen.

~ Rachel Witkovsky, National Junior High Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

 

Praying the Psalms in Lent

Basin, Towel, and Bible for LentDietrich Bonhoeffer titled one of his books The Psalms: Prayerbook of the Bible. As part of his seminary experiment the students and teachers would pray the psalms together. Though it might seem innovative to some, the book of Psalms has been a hymn and prayer book for the people of God for centuries.

This approach to the book of Psalms stands in pretty stark contrast to our current ways of reading scripture. Rather than reading the Bible for themes, or ideas, or theological concepts, praying scripture teaches us to present the range of our experiences to God. Invariably, while praying these prayers, the reader will encounter emotions or images that say nothing to their current experience. This is not such a bad thing. The language and images of these old hymns refuse to leave us at the heights of praise or the depths of despair. As Don Sailers has said, the psalms speak of humanity at full stretch before God. That is to say, humanity stretched out between the postures of lament and of praise. Praying these ancient words lets us call out to God without reservation. At the same time, they offer words of comfort and challenge from the same God we invoke. In all, the psalms work on our inner life through spoken and read words, shaping us into more Christ like persons with each refrain.

For this season of Lent, I am not going to give something up. Instead, I am going to add something to my daily routine. For the forty days of Lent I will pray through the entire book of Psalms. So that means, six days a week from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday I will be praying at least four Psalms.

If you are new to this way of reading scripture, here is a short article from Christianity Today to get you started. To guide us through the season, a calendar has been posted on our website.

I invite you to join me in this practice. It really does not matter which translation you use, simply find a rendering of the psalms that leads you into prayer. There are many fine translations, some good paraphrases, and multitudes of musical settings.

Let’s take this time as a church to pray together, and not just in our own familiar words, but with the very words of scripture. Let’s let the prayer book of the Bible be our teacher this lent.

 

World Communion Sunday

“By such a supper they portray that they are members and house companions of the Lord Jesus.”  Alexander Mack, Rites and Ordinances

This weekend many Church of the Brethren communities will be taking part in World Communion Sunday, with a particular Brethren flair.  Since the early days of our movement, Brethren have taken the commandment to wash feet just as seriously as the witness of breaking bread  and drinking the cup of Christ.  In the Church of the Brethren today, nearly two thirds of our membership attends Love Feast at least once a year.

What are your memories of Love Feast?  Where will you celebrate the ordinance this weekend? What is your congregation doing for World Communion Sunday?

Brethren Press has published a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated book on Love Feast by Frank Ramirez.

“Where  can you find in the Gospel a plainer command than the words of our Savior to his disciples concerning feet washing?” Peter Nead, Theological Works