by Ken Sehested
When we are asked—Who are you?—what shall we say?
Read more ›Litanies & Prayers
Covenant Vows for new and renewing members
A litany for worship
Background: Circle of Mercy Congregation has no indefinite members.
Each year, on the anniversary of our founding, both new and renewing members join
in a covenant reaffirming our vision and mission, on the first Sunday of Advent
(or second, if the first falls on Thanksgiving holiday weekend).
{Leader} In this watchful season, we gather ’round the table of bounty to embrace newcomers to our Circle and to renew our covenant vows. To these new ones, we ask: Do you know where you are, what are you promising, and what is being promised to you?
Read more ›Go to the hallowed abode
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 122
by Ken Sehested
In the face of endless aggrievement and obstinate bereavement, despite hope-contempting fear on display in every mother’s tear,
Let us go, let us go to the hallowed abode of the One who brings solace and cheer.
Read more ›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!”
Read more ›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,
Read more ›Set our hearts on fire
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 65
by Ken Sehested
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall praise be given and promises be made.
Praised be your presence, and worthy be our promises.
Read more ›In this Law I delight
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 119
by Ken Sehested
Happy are those who walk in the Way of Beauty, harnessed in the Bridle of Mercy and according to the Weal of Justice.
In this Law I delight! May it rule soul and soil and society alike.
Read more ›Testimony in a Time of Terror
Standing with the Word of God, for the earth and against the world: A litany for worship
by Ken Sehested
Our nation is at war, and our hearts are torn. The seeds of fear are planted in terror and harvested in violence.
How long, O Lord, how long?
Read more ›The payback of Heaven
A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 103
The payback of Heaven neither tortures nor torments.
The vengeance of God is Christ’s victory of mercy,
o’er all venal indenture and vile deception.
The terror of God is the Risen One’s threat
to every merchant of death, every marketer’s breath,
every peddler of gun-wielding promise of power,
No one can serve two masters
A litany for worship inspired by Luke 16:1-13
by Ken Sehested
Hear this, oh people of the Covenant: The claim of Heaven’s Reign and the clamor over earth’s rule are woven together. The seed sown in one is harvested in the other. All questions of piety are questions of power. But the nature of power is contested.
No one can serve two masters.
Read more ›