Follow the Star
This Epiphany prayer by Darcy Gillespie invites us to trust the light that leads us to Emmanuel — even when the path feels long and unclear.
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O Lord, support us: Pandemic prayers
In the circles I travel, there is a prayer by John Henry Newman that has a certain cult following among us. Perhaps..
Enough
My brother Scott is an expert in motivational theory. A behavioral scientist and psychologist, he consults with companies that are realizing there..
Can I suggest an exorcism?
The new year promises to be one of the most challenging in our lifetimes. A relentless, devastating virus has cost us hundreds..
117th Congress, like the old, is overwhelmingly Christian, heavily Protestant
(RNS) — The 117th session of Congress got off to a testy start on Sunday (Jan. 3), including an opening prayer from..
Order of worship — January 10, 2021
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..
Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben named as first woman to serve as House chaplain
(RNS) — A longtime military officer and minister has been named the new chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker of..
Living in tension: Polarities in Presbyterian polity — Unity and particularity
I teach polity at Austin Seminary, and I try to convey to my students two core truths. First, that the Book of..
Imagining Theology: Encounters with God in Scripture, Interpretation and Aesthetics
Garrett Green Baker Academy, 288 pages Once in while there comes a book and author that permanently change the way you see..
Presbyterian will be the first woman to serve as U.S. House Chaplain
(PNS) Retired Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben, a Presbyterian who served as chief of chaplains in the U.S. Navy and chaplain of the..
2nd Sunday of Christmas — January 3, 2021
John 1:(1-9), 10-18 Christmas 2B If John’s majestic prologue is a summary of the whole Gospel, verse 12 is its synopsis of..
Hymn database sees spike in 2020 as Christians worship at home
(RNS) — In 2020, we celebrated holidays at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We worked at home, attended school at home, even..
Stated Clerk, other Reformed leaders join in COVID-19 discernment process
(PNS) The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was among the..
The Essentials of Theory U: Core Principles and Applications
C. Otto Scharmer Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 204 pages Reviewed by Cyndi Wunder If you’re like me, you’ve read dozens of leadership and management..
A candle and call for 2021
Guest commentary by Liz Rasley Not sure about you, but I cannot wait for the fireworks this year. After all we’ve been..
January 3 — Grace and gratitude: Family faith formation @ home
Welcome Bring your family’s Advent wreath to the center of your gathering. Make sure you have matches or a lighter. ..
Anti-racism as a spiritual practice
One of the things I connect with most in Reformed theology is the understanding of sin not as an individual act, but..
Emulating the shepherd boy
Across my dining room table, through the beveled glass of the cabinet, a pair a soft eyes greet mine. They are painted..
World Council of Churches Christmas Message (20 years ago)
20 years ago — December 18-25, 2000 It has been a centuries-old unwritten rule that at Christmas a ceasefire be observed in..
How will congregations observe Epiphany in the year of COVID-19?
With many churches worshipping remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, church leaders have come up with some creative approaches for distributing Star Words..
Beginnings — Christian ed at home
We’re again on the cusp of a new year, though this one seems quite different. Yes, there have been years when we..
Horizons 5: “Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament”
Lesson 5: Lamenting Life Anxiety, anger and turmoil stalked us in 2020. With millions of people out of work and infected with..
This is not who I thought we were created to be
At first, the pandemic seemed as if it was bringing out the best in humanity. Healthcare workers were cheered during shift changes...
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Isabel Wilkerson Random House, 496 pages Isabel Wilkerson explains “systemic.” “Systemic” racism isn’t a blanket accusation against non-Black people. Rather, it encompasses..
Arson suspected in fire at a PC(USA) church in Springfield, Massachusetts
(PNS) Massachusetts State Police, local arson investigators and the FBI are investigating the cause of a Monday morning fire that heavily damaged..
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