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Plan a ‘Creation Sunday’ Celebration
This April 22 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. Why not celebrate the occasion with a special Earth Sunday or Creation Sunday worship on the April 19 or April 26? You can make it a celebration of the natural environment, or possibly a blessing of the seeds, farms, orchards, gardens and fields. Why not preach on how we must take better care of God’s good earth. Here are some places to get ideas and resources.
Your Church Should Have an Endowment
Every church should have an endowment. Sometimes congregations have more than one. And that can be confusing, especially if the policies and guidelines governing each aren’t clear. But an endowment can play an important role in your congregation’s overall financial management strategy. This article can help you plan. (Photo by DanielSTL, used by Creative Commons license)
Stewardship Lessons from the Passion Story
Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), Year B
March 29, 2015
So just what does stewardship have to do with Holy Week and the Passion story? Actually, quite a lot. Holy Week provides an excellent chunk of time to be intentional about the stewardship of time, resources, and relationship. (Photo: Lian Chang, Creative Commons)
Language of the Heart
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B March 22, 2015 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and […]
Living in the Light
Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B, March 15, 2015
We convince ourselves that Jesus came because God loves us and other people like us. Everything is fine and dandy as long as our notions of who is worthy of God’s love aren’t challenged too much. But here’s the thing: John 3:17 does challenge us because we learn that God doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, that all of creation is worthy of salvation. (Photo: Eric Golub, Creative Commons)
Ready for the Party?
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for March 8, 2015
We possess a great treasure in the good news of Jesus Christ. We have been invited to dine with God, to taste and see that the Lord is good, and to be strengthened with a taste of the reign that even now is breaking into our world in surprising ways and unexpected places. (Photo: torbakhopper, Creative Commons)
All Consuming Jesus
Lectionary Reflection, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B
March 8, 2015
Lest we think this week’s gospel reading has nothing to do with us in 21st century western Christendom, it would be wise to consider what moneychangers exist in our modern congregational edifices. What currency must be exchanged in order to “rightly†worship and enter the community today? (Photo: Luca Giordano, Wikimedia Commons)
Go Green! Getting Started in Your Church
Greening your church provides a wonderful opportunity to make qualitative shifts in your church life. You can adopt practices that save money; explore new perspectives on faith, worship and spirituality that will renew and energize your members; engage Christian education students of all ages; and involve new people in your ministry! (Photo by Michael Coghlan, used by Creative Commons License)
Usual Daily Wage
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for March 1, 2015
The parable of the workers in the vineyard is certainly applicable to 21st century disciples, too. Perhaps as individuals we can be sort of stingy with God’s grace—not to mention sharing our own resources. Do we really trust God so little that we fail to believe the divine promise of plenty? (Photo: Chris Potter, Creative Commons)
This is Good News?
Second Sunday in Lent, Year B Lectionary Reflection
March 1, 2015
The way of the cross is not about self-flagellation, destructive behaviors, or irresponsible actions. Following Jesus is about publicly proclaiming with your life’s witness that Jesus matters—more than anything else—and in him is the source and wellspring of abundant life. (Photo: Doug 1021, Creative Commons)
