Anniversary of Ordination

Lift high the cross

The love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world
Adore His sacred name.

Each newborn servant
Of the Crucified
Bears on the brow
The seal of Him who died.

Lift high the cross
The love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world
Adore His sacred name.

Click to listen to the full hymn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbcBXYP4AlE

 

Lord,

whenever I sing this hymn

I get choked up.

It was the processional hymn 

for my ordination 

as a Minister of Word and Sacrament

in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

on this day, July 28, in 2002

by the Presbytery of New Harmony

at First Presbyterian Church, Sumter, SC.

My Installation Commission
at McBee Presbyterian Church

Surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and colleagues,

I took another step on my journey with you.

18 years later

each day is another step 

on the journey of faith.

Some days are hard uphill climbs.

Some days are filled with beauty to behold.

Some days are slogging through.

Some days are tear soaked.

Most days are prayer soaked.

All days are days to learn and lean into your Holy Spirit.

Each day I try 

to live out the words of the hymn 

I try to:

Lift high the cross

The love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world
Adore His sacred name.

May you find me faithful.

Amen.

God of the small and the great

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-45

Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

 

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

God of the small and the great, 

take our small faith, 

our simple acts, and 

our humble offerings 

and with your love cause us 

to move mountains, 

give your amazing grace, and 

share your treasurer both new and old 

with all of our neighbors 

as a sign of your kingdom 

come and coming. 

Amen. 

___

I wrote this prayer for use in worship July 26, 2020

Jesus, you love cities...

Jesus of Capernaum, of Nazareth, of Jerusalem, [of Columbia, of (insert your city)]...

You loved cities - you knew their tables, taverns and tales -
but you did not let your love of cities
tame your stories about the wrongs they do.

Change our cities, Jesus,
and change all who hold power in our cities,
especially those of us who hold power in one hand
and denial in the other.

May we repent,
and lift up our eyes
to that which will save us.

Because we believe - along with you -
that cities are places
where God lives,
and where God breathes,
or might.

Amen.

_______

The above prayer shared from:

https://www.spiritualityofconflict.com/readings/259/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost#prayer

"We Will Meet" a new song in a time of separation

I heard this today and found renewed hope.

I share it with you with gladness.

Click here for the video:

https://iona.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/We-Will-Meet-updated.mp4?_=1

"We Will Meet"

We will meet when the danger is over.

We will meet when the sad days are done.

We will meet sitting closely together

and be glad our tomrrow has come.

We will join to give thanks and sing gladly.

We will join to break bread and share wine,

and the peace that we pass to each other

will be more than a casual sign.

So let's make with each other a promise

that when all we've come through is behind,

we will share what we missed and find meaning

in the things that once troubled our mind.

Until then may we always discover 

faith and love to determine our way. 

That's our hope and God's will and our calling 

for our lives and for ev'ry new day.

Words: Original Norwegian text and English translation by Hans-Olav Moerk,

translation adapted by John L. Bell copyright © 2020 Hans-Olav Moerk and WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland 

Music: John L. Bell copyright © 2020 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland 

Music & Lyrics here:

https://iona.org.uk/download/25766/