Faithful Witness

The testimony of Scripture and of Martin Luther King Jr.

Peace through nonviolent means is neither absurd nor unattainable. All other methods have failed. Thus we must begin anew.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace. . . .” —Isaiah 32:16-17

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.

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Blessed intention

A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 19

by Ken Sehested

Throw off the covers of earth’s darkened slumber! Unplug your ears, you creatures of flesh! From deepest sigh of tear-stained eye, set your sight on Heaven’s resolve.

For the sky’s bright luster, alive with motion, shows the wonder of Blessed intention.

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Hear this, O People of the Dream

A litany for worship commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

by Ken Sehested

Hear this, O People of the Dream: It is good and right that you recall the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the movement which mobilized him. The journey to the Beloved Community is sometimes dark and desperate and dangerous, and we need constellating light to orient our hearts and direct our feet.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray.*

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Every portal of sight

A litany for worship inspired by Isaiah 60:1-6

by Ken Sehested

Arise, shine; for your Light has come, for heaven’s Glory rises to greet you!

But how can such frivolous claims be made? For blind rage covers the earth, and the nations are allied in enmity.

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Only this is sure

A litany for worship inspired by Colossians 3:12-17

Friends, of all the things we believe or disbelieve, only this is sure:

We are a delight to the One who crowns the earth with sky,

Who shines on the soil by day and shelters the heart by night.

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Keeping watch

A litany for worship: The angels' appearance to the shepherds, inspired by Luke 2

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

Keeping watch. In darkest night. Far from hearth and home, stumbling on slumbering hill.

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

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This Is My Song (O God of all the nations)

Old hymn, new lyrics

by Ken Sehested

O Truth Untamed, all boundaries bow before You
All borders bend according to your Word
O grant that every bitter heart be harbored
In sheltered cove, with Mercy’s flag unfurled
Hearken and haste, Desire of every nation
Refresh the heart of hope too long deferred.

Let every mountain call to meadowed valley
And every stream, to ocean grand and wide
Let fertile ground announce the new creation
When all shall come, ’cross every great divide
O bell of liberty ring out for freedom
Break every slaver’s chain, with hope confide

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Another Year Is Dawning

Old hymn, new lyrics

by Ken Sehested

Another year is dawning, dear Abba let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee
Another year of hopefulness, another year of praise
Another year of trusting Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace
Another year of longing: Thy Reign come now with haste
Another year of nursing upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting, of confidence confessed.

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We Three Kings

Old hymn, new lyrics

by Ken Sehested

We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

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