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News, views, notes, and quotes

Signs of the Times • 21 October 2016 • No. 93

¶ Processional. “The Prayer,” performed by busker Call Morris. (Thanks Randy.)

Learning to see

Why communities of conviction are important

by Ken Sehested

“The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive. . . .”
—Matthew 13:13

President Barack Obama, speaking at the opening ceremony of the African American Museum in Washington, DC, said: “Hopefully, this museum can help us talk to each other, and more importantly listen to each other, and most importantly see each other.”

The Zacchaeian Encounter: Tell the whole story

A sermon about the wee little man

by Ken Sehested
Text: Luke 19:1-10

It seems like we’ve turned to the story of Zacchaeus on several occasions during this past year. I was surprised when it showed up as the lectionary reading for this Sunday; and I almost chose an alternate text, since we’ve given so much attention to the “wee little man.” But I decided to stay with it, to see what new vistas it might open up.

We’ve given a good deal of attention to questions of economic justice since January. Andy Loving, a friend from Louisville, preached for us in February when he was coming through Asheville, and he spoke about “The God of Maximum Return.” Andy is a certified financial planner and an advocate for socially responsibly investing; and his commentary was so stimulating that several of you asked if we could get him back, to help us think about how we can invest our savings in ways that support our values. He did come back in the spring, to do a forum on alternative investing; and quite a few of you signed up for personal consulting on how to align your investments with your faith commitments.

Pound the doors of heaven

A litany for worship inspired by Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

by Ken Sehested

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you, “Violence!” and you will not save?

We pound the doors of Heaven, shouting “Listen! Pay attention! Are you asleep!”

News, views, notes, and quotes

Signs of the Times • 13 October 2016 • No. 92

¶ Processional. “Am I Wrong,” Damien Escobar. (Thanks Gwenyth.)

Teach your children well

A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 78

by Ken Sehested

Hear, O people of Promise and heirs of Provision,

You who strayed from Providence,

A Prayer for Children

©Ina J. Hughs

We pray for children
who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
who like to be tickled,
who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,
who sneak Popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those
who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
who’ve never squeaked across the floor in new sneakers,
who never “counted potatoes,”
who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in an X-rated world.