Author: ppadmin

Sisters and Brothers in the God Movement: Hear and heed these words of instruction. Don’t hedge on the truth. Trust the ties that bind us one to another. Truth-telling makes them stronger.

Remember this: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.*

When you become angry with another—and it’s bound to happen—don’t let your anger overwhelm your affection.

With eyes apprised by the urgency of Heaven, with lungs in harmony; with hands contrite—no fear, no fright—we raise our humble plea.

Christ in your mercy, enslave every malice, transform every heartache to glee. Rain mercy upon us; Beloved, conform us, to Heaven’s harmony.

All virtue and valor, bestow on our way. Consign all contempt to the flame. Be thou my vision—freed from its prison—with hope confess, proclaim.

The Radiance of Day is my light and salvation.
No threat can entrap me, no terror encroach.

The Sovereign’s my full-armored haven, safe harbor.
No storm can o’erwhelm me, no gale can prevail.

Though foes clamor ’round, bitter fright falls in torrents,
thy Sheltering Hand’s dense defense doth surround me.

The great and mighty judge had no use for God,
neither for people, save the few with favors to grant
or flattery to display.

Widow woman, widow woman,
     face bathed in tears.

Least of the judge’s concerns were the pitiful pleas
of those with no standing in the courtrooms of the mighty.

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint.

Without revelation, people run wild.

When we are asked—Who are you?—what shall we say?

We are followers of Jesus who believe that doing justice and loving mercy are intimately tied to walking humbly with God.

And if asked—What is you mission?—how do we respond?

All who dwell in the dell of the Blessed Embrace shall raise anthems of joy and grace.

My fortress, my shield, by mercy concealed: O Shelter, my shiv’ring displace.

The Protector uncovers the snare of the fowler and snatches from ravaging claws. ’Neath Redemption’s wide wings every heart soars and sings, every voice, every hand, shouts applause!

After trial in the desert, Jesus, being filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Nazareth, his home town, to speak the Word.

Weeping words, feasting words.

He stood in the synagogue, on the Sabbath day, to read from the Prophet Isaiah.

Reader 1: And what are our dreams for the future? Are they not reflections of the various dreams recorded in Scripture, spoken by the ancients which, even today, still echo in our hearts?

R2: For we remember God’s promise of repentance after the flood: “I will never again curse the ground of humankind; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature." (Genesis 9:12-15; 8:21-22)

R3: We recall the day when Hannah praised God in these terms: “The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The Lord raises up the poor from the dust; God lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with the rulers and inherit a seat of honor.” (1 Samuel 2: 1-8)