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Narrative Lectionary Reflection for December 14, 2014 (Year One) Third Sunday of Advent
Sometimes we just need to lift our eyes, open our ears, and tear away those protective layers in which we wrap our hearts in order to hear a word of hope. Read this week’s lesson again. Read it out loud. Read it again and again until the words fill the broken and bruised parts of you. Fill yourself with he good news that God is God and is always doing something new. (Photo: Lau Lau Chan, Creative Commons)

Streamline your Life with Good Stewardship Habits

Good stewardship habits are good for both your life and your wallet, according to Consumer Psychologist Kit Yarrow, who includes sharing, gratitude, and contentment among her twelve tips to streamline one’s life and budget. Dr. Yarrow’s suggestions are particularly timely for this season of Advent when we are bombarded with messages to overspend and overbuy. (Photo: Rubbermaid Products, Creative Commons)

Stewards of Advent Time: Prepare

Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent Year B, December 7, 2014
This Advent as we watch and keep awake we are also expected—all of us—to be active participants in preparing for Christ’s coming among us in the Day of the Lord. Read on for five suggestions and for ideas for worship (continuing the Advent visual), and time with youth and children. (Photo: /\ \/\/ /\, Creative Commons)

A Short Film about Gratitude

Here’s a short, inspirational video, Gratitude, that features Brother David Steindl-Rast’s spoken words, Gary Malkin’s musical compositions and Louie Schwartzberg’s cinematography. This is a this a stunningly beautiful film, reminding us to grateful for the gift of life and all of God’s goodness. (Photo: epSos.de, Creative Commons)

Stewards of Advent Time: Awake

First Sunday of Advent, Year B, November 30, 2014
It’s Advent again. What’s a Christian to do? We wait, we hope, we sin, we mess up: wash, rinse, repeat. According to Jesus in Mark’s gospel this week, we must remain awake and be fully present and attentive every day. (Photo: Alan Turkus, Creative Commons)

A Mouthful of Divine Words

Narrative Lectionary Reflection (Year One, Week Ten), November 23, 2014
Jeremiah’s call to speak prophetically to God’s people is a tough one, but God puts the words in his mouth and goes with him. Yes, God equips ordinary people like you and like me to speak. When we do so, we can count on God to be sowing seeds of hope and abundance–even when the situation looks hopeless. (Photo: emdot, Creative Commons)

Team Goat, Team Sheep, and the Strange King of Everything

Christ the King Sunday Year A, November 23, 2014
Is it really a case of “Team Goat” vs. “Team Sheep” and winners and losers of eternal proportions? Maybe Jesus’ point with this story is something quite different. After all, he is the King of Everything! (Photo: Jirka Matousek, Creative Commons. Thanks!)

Stewardship Basics in a Rural Setting

This article, written by Pastor Todd Nelson, is one of many valuable weekly newsletter offerings from the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary. Be sure to visit their website for this and other resources, as well as recordings from past Renewing Stewardship events.

Creative Stewardship Parody Video

Getting parishioners to sign up for cottage meetings or home visits can be tough. Check out the clever way St. James Cathedral (ECUSA) successfully addressed this challenge. (Photo: ECF Vital Practices)

Talent Show

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Lectionary Reflection
This week’s parable has me wondering how our churches and individual disciples would fare if we had a “faith and mission” version of Simon Cowell’s “Got Talent” show. How would we be judged on the use of our God-given, Spirit-fed, and Jesus-led talents? (Photo: Wikipedia)