Ken Sehested & Nancy Hastings Sehested
13 October 2024, joint sermon at Circle of Mercy Congregation, Asheville NC
Part one: Ken begins
The text for today is a selection of verses from Hebrews 11 and 12.
Read more ›Commentary
The US Flag Code
Few know the federal regulations for handling and displaying Old Glory—and frequently are in violation of those laws
Ken Sehested
Invocation. “But your flag decal won't get you / Into Heaven any more. / They're already overcrowded / From your dirty little war. / Now Jesus don't like killin' / No matter what the reason's for, / And your flag decal won't get you / Into Heaven any more.” —John Prine, “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Any More”
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Read more ›Monarchy redux: The US Supreme Court paves the road back to the divine right of kings
Ken Sehested
Who'd thought that just prior to commemorating our overthrow of a king, the US Supreme Court would reinstate monarchy?
That might be an exaggeration, but only a teeny-weeny one. With today’s Supreme Court ruling, presidents of the US have “at a minimum, a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts.”
Read more ›Happy birthday, John Wesley!
Invocation. “I was blinded by the devil, / Born already ruined, / Stone-cold dead / As I stepped out of the womb. / By His grace I have been touched, / By His word I have been healed, / By His hand I've been delivered, / By His spirit I've been sealed.” —“Saved,” Bob Dylan
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Methodism’s founder John Wesley, an Anglican priest, was born on 28 June 1703.
Read more ›When discussing the war in Gaza, we must ask the question about genocide
The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus
Reflecting on our political pandemonium
through the lens of an ancient religious observance
Ken Sehested
Text: Luke 24:44-53
12 May 2024, Circle of Mercy Congregation, Asheville, NC
Invocation. “People killin’, people dyin’ / Children hurt and you hear them cryin’ / Can you practice what you preach / And would you turn the other cheek.” —Black Eyed Peas, “#WHEREISTHELOVE”
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Read more ›Why Psalm 104:35a needs to be included in the reading for Pentecost Sunday
by Ken Sehested
The lectionary psalm for Pentecost Sunday (104:24-34, 35b) omits the wrathful premise (35a) of the final verse, which reads: “Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.” Only then does the latter half of the verse return to proprietous devotion: “Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!”
I’m guessing the lectioners omitted that appeal for fear of inciting unruly discontent within the temple of pious obeisance and prudent civility.
Read more ›A musical playlist for commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth anniversary (with a preface)
Ken Sehested
Preface
As I write, the fifth day of Eastertide (which began on Easter eve ending 50 days later on Pentecost Sunday) draws close. As does the moment in 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while standing just outside his Lorraine Hotel’s second floor room in Memphis, Tennessee.
It was 6:01 p.m. CST. The fourth of April. Barely a half-century ago. He was 39 years old.
Read more ›Happy feast day to St. Patrick and birthday to saintly Bayard Rustin
Ken Sehested
Invocation. “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder (traditional chain gang song),” One Voice Mixed Chorus in remembrance of Bayard Rustin, the least-known-most-important civil rights leader.
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Read more ›Horses, houses, and human hearts
Giving your heart to Jesus will make you odd
Ken Sehested
Invocation. “Give Me a Clean Heart.” —James Cleveland & the Southern California Community Choir
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