Browsing by Sharron R. Blezard

In This We Boast: In Christ We Hope

Holy Trinity Sunday, Year C, May 22, 2016
Dear friends, when the world is too much with you, and when everything that makes sense seems to fall apart, remember the triune God who will not disappoint. Choose to enter the holy dance of Trinity. Refuse to to be pulled at odds with God, creation, and one another and be made whole. (Photo: Thomas Hawk, Creative Commons)

Abiding with the Advocate

Day of Pentecost, Year C, May 15, 2016
We may not have visible tongues of fire hover over our heads, we may not experience a wild and woolly Pentecost, but as the church of Christ in this time and in a particular place, we will have occasion to experience renewal and rebirth. (Photo: Pedro, Creative Commons)

The Tough Work of Unity and Grace

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 8, 2016
The work of unity and grace is tough, sometimes dirty, often heartbreaking, and rarely predictable. The constant is God’s love in Jesus Christ poured out for us on the night he was handed over and always at his table of broken bits of bread and small sips of wine, in body and blood and water and recognition in one another of his real presence among us. (Photo: kiler129, Creative Commons)

The Trouble with Visions

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 24, 2016
Christian activist Shane Claiborne says “The more I get to know Jesus, the more trouble he seems to get me into.” Yes, that’s the trouble with visions. They can lead to some truly unexpected results in strange ways by unexpected paths trodden. And that’s o.k. (Photo: Robert Crouse-Baker, Creative Commons)

The Joy of ‘New’

Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 24, 2016
Tired of the same old thing? Not to worry; this is the day to bring on that which is new! After all, everyone can benefit from a little something new, a fresh dose of hope, and a fresh perspective on our ordinary, workaday lives. This Sunday to celebrate the joy of “new.” You have options! (Photo: Pilottage, Creative Commons)

13 Reasons your Church Needs a Planned Giving Strategy

Planned giving plants seeds that will yield a bigger harvest. A planned giving strategy is a wise investment in your congregation’s ministry, mission, and future.Share this article with congregational leaders to start the conversation about why this needs to be an integral part of your stewardship ministry. (Photo: Ken Mayer, Creative Commons)

The Voice

Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 17
In following Jesus, we are trained and equipped by the Holy Spirit in the beloved community to use our hands to do God’s work and our voices to proclaim the Good News of the Shepherd King whose song is truly unending. (Photo: Alan Levine, Creative Commons)

Creation Care for Children

Blessed Earth offers a great list of resources for lessons, activities, and books to teach children about creation care. You’re sure to find something useful! (Photo: d-olwen-dee, creative commons)

Faith and Fishing

Third Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 10, 2016
Instead of standing around waiting, wondering, or wandering off into our own little orbits, let’s take a cue from Peter and go fishing. Drop a net or a line or an inhibition, and let Jesus guide hands, heart, and mind. (Photo: odysseus-Studio, Creative Commons)

Lighten Up and Let Loose the Praise

Second Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 3, 2016
The “alleluias” are back, and are they ever plentiful! They sound pretty good at the Easter festival services, but have you noticed how they tend to lose their vim and vigor as the weeks go by? Why is that, and what can we do about it?