During these weeks of Advent, I’m thrilled to offer you the voices of some articulate storytellers— storytellers with wisdom to share about how their experiences of pain or loss is birthing in them something beautiful. Not in a Pollyanna sort of way of course, but in the spirit of what Leonard Cohen once wrote: “There …
peace
Advent’s Peace: It’s Not What We Expect
Here we are: Advent week #2. Lighting the candle of peace each day. Though it’s the time of year that we sing “Let there be peace on earth.” Though it’s the time of the year when we hear Amy Grant singing about her wish for “No more lives torn apart. And wars would never start.” …
Advent: An Invitation Into the Desert
A sermon preached at The Federated Church, Weatherford, OK . . . Mark 1:1-8 Our lives get really busy this time of year, don’t they? Parties to attend. Presents to buy. Family celebrations to prepare for . . . Even look at the back of the bulletin this morning and you’ll see a list long …
Learning Peace: Day 4- Sarah Jobe
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD— and he will delight …
Learning Peace: Day 3- Dayna Olson-Getty
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great …
Learning Peace: Day 2- Beth Dotson
Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” John 14: 27 I have waited with many who are waiting to have children. Often this path is not full of …
Learning Peace: Day 1- Elizabeth Hagan
Fourth Sunday of Advent There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to …
Peace Through Friendship
I love independent theaters. I love films that may or may not get press or bring filmmakers lots of money, but present a message through their art medium that make you think. I love films that stir up conversation long after the credits roll. For me one such film I recently watched in the documentary …
Week of Peace
Now, two Sundays deep into Advent this year, Washington Plaza as a member of the larger Church is doing some serious thinking about peace. Where are their places in our lives in need of peace? What can we do to bring about more peace in this world as a community? Instead calling Advent a “Sunday only” thing, we are encouraging our members to be …
Making Peace With God
Luke 1:26-38 (Common English Bible) 26When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The …
