Signs of the Times • 16 February 2017 • No. 109
¶ Processional. “What a Wonderful World,” Playing for Change.
Author: ppadmin
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Signs of the Times • 9 February 2017 • No. 108
¶ Processional. “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” John McDermott.
The ‘God-factor’ in our recent elections
A post-election sermon
by Ken Sehested
Texts: Isaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 5:13-20
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdUcr8q2HhE&feature=em-upload_owner
In the weeks before the recent Women’s March on Washington, I heard from several friends around the country who were planning to go. I sent them notes saying, “Look for Nancy and our granddaughter Sydney. They’re going to be wearing some kind of pink hats with kitty cat ears.”
I didn’t realize nearly everyone in the crowd would have one of those hats.
Read more ›Caught in the mess, caught in the mercy
A tale from maximum security
Call to the table, by Nancy Hastings Sehested
It was field day on the prison yard. A couple hundred inmates were competing in basketball and volleyball games and relay races. The cooler of fruit punch ran out, but they had a water fountain on the side of the building. But Montel was in a wheelchair and couldn’t reach the fountain. He wheeled over to the staff tent and asked for a cup of water from the staff cooler. Several staff said no. Then he turned to me, the chaplain, and asked for water. I said no.
I couldn’t sleep that night. Why didn’t I give a man a cup of water? Jesus said something specific about that, and if anyone gives a cup of cold water. . . .
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Signs of the Times • 2 February 2017 • No. 107
¶ Processional. Karim Sulayman stood blindfolded on a New York City sidewalk, with a sign saying what his fears were, inviting people to react: “I trust you.” (3:14 video, with Sinead O’Connor’s “In This Heart” song performed by Sulayman)
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Signs of the Times • 26 January 2017 • No. 106
¶ Processional. “What good is love and peace on earth? / When it's exclusive? / Where's the truth in the written word? / If no one reads it / A new day dawning / Comes without warning / So don't blink twice / We live in troubled times.” —Green Day, “Troubled Times” (Thanks Michael.)
Fear of the Lord
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 111:10 and Mark 1:21-28
by Ken Sehested
The psalmist proclaims: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Who can imagine a fear-mongering, molesting God?
Read more ›You shall also love the stranger
A litany for worship, using texts on immigrants
by Ken Sehested
Gracious One, who jealously guards the lives of those at every edge, we lift our heavy hearts to your Mercy.
We live in a fretful land, anxious over the ebbing away of privilege, fearful that strangers are stealing our birthright.
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Signs of the Times • 19 January 2017 • No. 105
¶ Processional, in honor of this week’s women’s march in Washington, DC (and many other cities). “I can see a world where we all live / Safe and free from all oppression / No more rape or incest, or abuse / Women are not a possession / You’ve never owned me, don’t even know me / I’m not invisible, I’m simply wonderful / I feel my heart for the first time racing / I feel alive, I feel so amazing.” —Tena Clark and Tim Heintz, “Break the Chain”
Pacem in terris
by Ken Sehested
We are indeed strangers; but not foreigners.
This “world” is not our home; but this earth is.
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