Prayer for central Tennessee
Lord, as the damage is assessed and the recovery begins, we pray for those affected by the tornadoes that hit central Tennessee...
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Who is God, really?
Who is God, really? And how do we know who God really is? I drive frequently on highways dotted with billboards that..
1st Sunday in Lent — March 1, 2020
Matthew 4:1-11 Lent 1A I picture Jesus, on the cusp of his public ministry, feeling empowered from his baptism and God’s affirming..
Transfiguration of the Lord — February 23, 2020
Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 Transfiguration Sunday Liminal space seems like prime territory for holy transformations. Disorientation, an unfamiliar location,..
Prayer for China and all impacted by COVID-19
Lord, in your mercy you healed those suffering in body, mind or spirit. We cry out to you now on behalf of..
Prayer for students
Lord, our Master, Teacher and Friend, your patience with us is limitless. Your disciples misunderstood your parables, forgot your instructions and fell..
6th Sunday after Epiphany — February 16, 2020
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-27 Ordinary 6A Here we go this week with God meddling in how we ought to..
5th Sunday after Epiphany — February 9, 2020
Isaiah 58:1-9a; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20 Ordinary 5A Greatness, in the kingdom of heaven, consists of fulfilling God’s law, the law..
The power of the song
The Holy did not speak to me through a burning bush. Nor did I hear a booming voice from heaven or a..
3rd Sunday after Epiphany — January 26, 2020
Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 Ordinary 3A Jesus proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The time..
You are who you imitate
I once heard that pastors preach themselves into belief. I don’t know if this is true, but I can attest to the..
Prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
God of all tribes and nations, today we remember and give thanks for your servant, Martin Luther King Jr. His words moved..
2nd Sunday after Epiphany — January 19, 2020
Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Ordinary 2A God called you. God is faithful. This refrain of God’s initiative and God’s..
Prayer for peace
Lord of all nations, as we watch world events unfold, our anxiety about our life together grows. As tensions around the globe..
Baptism of the Lord — January 12, 2020
Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 Baptism of the Lord — Year A God is a gentle bringer of justice who shows..
Prayer for Puerto Rico
God, you assure us that when the earth trembles and the hills shake, your covenantal love remains forever. We cling to your..
Meet Presbyterian Outlook Foundation board member Tom Currie
An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Tom served as pastor of congregations in Brenham, Texas, and Kerrville, Texas, before helping..
Prayer for Australia
God of all creation, we weep at the destruction wrought by wildfires in Australia. The images of land, homes, people and animals..
200 years and counting
I read plaques and historical markers, especially those found in and around churches. Many offer only a name: “Given in memory of _______.”..
2nd Sunday of Christmas — January 5, 2020
Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14;John 1:(1-9) 10-18 Christmas 2A Adjectives abound this second Sunday after Christmas. The Gospel lesson exudes descriptors of the..
New Year’s Day prayer
God of all time, as we start a new year , we look back with thanksgiving for your grace woven throughout each..
1st Sunday of Christmas — December 29, 2019
Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 Christmas 1A The combination of appointed texts for this week scrambles praise for God’s wonderful deeds..
Christmas Day prayer: May we be alert
"Wherever we find ourselves this day, we plead for the wisdom to be alert, aware, awake to your inbreaking and the transformation it brings in us and in all creation," writes Jill Duffield.
Christmas Eve prayer: Tonight we abide, we rest
A Christmas Eve prayer by Jill Duffield.
Pastoral prayer for the country
Lord, we lament the state of our life together. We lament the rancor and the division. We lament our inability to listen..