Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Ordinary 19B; Proper 22 Thanks to this week's guest writer! Shelli Latham is pastor at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. As one opens the introductory verses of Hebrews, it is almost like stepping into the middle of an argument. This book, which encompasses both epistle and sermon genres, lacks the gentle greeting of other letters. There is no “grace and peace to you,” but instead the launching of a rhetorical argument of the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all things. The chapters that follow are theologically rich, but also a bit dense and unyielding in their warnings of not falling away from the faith. As a sophisticated book which builds its arguments about Jesus’ supremacy, as our great high priest, on an assumption of Old Testament scriptural awareness, it has the potential to be inaccessible to contemporary worshippers, particularly during a time in which attention spans are strained by the challenges of daily pandemic existence and … [Read more...]
Loving the Little Ones — Weekly Christian ed lesson
Children have more agency and greater influence today than any other period in human history. Yet, they still remain vulnerable. They depend on adults to care for them, to provide their basic needs, and to keep them safe. It is exactly this vulnerability that draws Jesus to the children who seek his blessing. In this lesson, children will explore what it meant to be a young person in ancient Israel as well as the ways they can support vulnerable children in today’s world. Begin the time with your children by asking them to imagine that they trade roles with their parents or caretakers for a week. They would do everything the adults normally do and the adults would become like children. What would it be like to take care of all of the household responsibilities, go to work and care for the adults? What might make this fun? What would make this challenging? Would they rather take on the adult roles or continue being kids? Note that children need time to develop. Adults know it is … [Read more...]
Order of worship — October 3, 2021
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use. Please credit Shelli Latham and the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy_10-03-21 … [Read more...]
Horizons 2 — “What My Grandmothers Taught Me”
Lesson 2: Tamar The trickster is a common character in folk tales around the world. Whether the character is Bugs Bunny in “Looney Tunes” or the court fool in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” the trickster is a character without much or any power who manages to get out of difficult situations through cunning and wits. Rabbits don’t have much power against guns, but Bugs Bunny outsmarts Elmer Fudd. Court jesters could not challenge a king directly, but through humor they can reveal the truth. Midwives in ancient Egypt could hardly defy Pharaoh, but in Exodus 1 the midwives outwit Pharaoh to save the Hebrew baby boys. Tricksters cross societal norms to challenge, expose the truth, entertain and bring about change. Tamar, in Genesis 38, ends up as the trickster. But, for much of the time, she is the pawn of her father and father-in-law. It is a disturbing story. Tamar is given in marriage to one of Judah’s sons, Er. Er dies. Deuteronomy 25:5-10 commands a surviving brother to marry … [Read more...]
18th Sunday after Pentecost — September 26, 2021
Numbers: 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 Ordinary 18B; Proper 21 “The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept.” What a beginning! Clearly Moses has a situation on his hands. This Sunday’s lectionary passage from Numbers 11 highlights the challenges and the burden of leadership — challenges and burdens leaders today know all too well. “I did not realize when I entered the ordination process that I was signing up to be a chaplain to the apocalypse.” This funny/not funny tweet showed up in my social media feed multiple times last week, passed from pastor friend to pastor friend needing a dose of humor in the midst of their stress. As the delta variant spreads and COVID-19 cases rise again, leaders are once again pressed to make complicated decisions for the health and safety of their communities. Should we mandate masks? Should we return to virtual worship? Should we cancel the covered dish? Whatever decision these leaders make, someone will be unhappy. … [Read more...]
Removing stumbling blocks: Family faith formation for September 26, 2021
Note: Gather colored pencils, pens or markers and paper for a doodling exercise. Welcome Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together. One: Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today. All: Who is with us? One: Christ, the light of the world. (Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.) All: Who is with us? One: The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world. (Place a cross on a table in your gathering place.) All: Who is with us? One: The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the Scriptures. (Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.) All: Who is with us? One: The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God. (Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell – on a table in your gathering space.) All: Who is with us? One: Our risen Lord, who meets us at the … [Read more...]
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