Author: ppadmin

It is good and proper to give thanks to God.
And to petition these gifts of the Spirit:
Generosity, the secret of wealth.
Reverence, the secret of risk.
Trust, the secret of fearlessness.
Pardon, the secret of power.
Obedience, the secret of freedom.
Laughter, the secret of longevity.
Rest, the secret of resolve.
Humility, the secret of wisdom.
Comfort, the secret of boldness.
Lament, the secret of hope.

Transfigure our lives, O Christ.
Beckon us to that day when
all shall linger ’neath their vine
and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.
Safe, secure from all alarms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms.*

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Micah 4:3. Last two lines from the chorus of “What a Fellowship,” Elisha A. Hoffman.

If we fill our lives with things, and again with things

If we consider ourselves so important that we must fill every moment of our lives with movement and plans and calculations

When will we have the time to greet Messengers under oak trees, as did Abram? Or overhear improbable news, like Sarah?

When power reaps death from countless
killing fields, and every war sows the seeds
     of the next, those in the Great Shepherd’s
           flock resist the bloodletting lure.

Let the mournful rejoice in the Lamb who
     rules, for the Tendering Day draws near!

Both lion and lamb are inheritors of the
     coming peaceful kingdom, but
           the latter’s sleep is the sweeter.

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them.

     Call to worship
The season of Lent is upon us. Listen for your instructions!

Now is the time to flee Pharaoh’s national security state for the insecurity of the wilderness.

Now is the time to listen for the Word whose hearing bypasses the ears of princes and high priests but is heard only in the wilderness.

Oh people of Promise, let your eyes arise to the
hills above the hollows, where a cleft is prepared
and your sustenance is proffered.

God will not let your foot be moved. Heaven’s
Sheltering Wing neither sleeps nor slumbers.

The MercyFull One is your keeper. The tree
of righteousness towers above you.

Kyrie eleison.

Lord have mercy.

Jesus said: “The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”*

By wind’s pillar of cloud, by flame’s column of fire, do we live and move toward journey’s unseen home.

We are coming from slavery, yet with bones grown accustomed to imperial protection.

Whose memory shall we privilege; whose purpose confirm?

In that region there were shepherds, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Keeping watch. In darkest night.

Then an angel stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around, and they were terrified.

Narrator: Shortly before he turned toward Jerusalem, where he knew a confrontation would erupt, Jesus told his disciples, “If you want to become my followers, deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me.”

First voice: Is it OK if I’m just a believer and not a follower?

Second voice: Such negativity! Why didn’t Jesus accentuate the positive?