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Waiting as a spiritual practice

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I think it would be accurate to say that most of life is lived and experienced in the in-between. While it may be those non-in-between moments that keep us excited about life and motivated when we are not yet there yet, there is so often space between each high and low. When we were children, we were always waiting to be one year older, to have one more year of responsibility and one more year of freedom. Now we wait for tests results to come back. We wait to meet someone who gets us and wants to share life with us. We wait nine months (or eight, or a few more agonizing weeks) for babies. We wait for career changes, diagnoses, to see loved ones again, for family vacations, through illnesses, for new construction, for next stages in life and even to see those who have passed away again … someday in the future. In a fast-paced consumer-driven economy and society, it is no wonder that many of us are impatient and struggle with waiting. We have two-day shipping, fast food, email, social … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Seasonal hymns by J. Barrie Shepherd

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Beloved Presbyterian poet J. Barrie Shepherd has crafted hymns for Advent, Christmas and welcoming in the new year set to familiar Christmas tunes and other well-loved hymns. Your hymn purchase includes downloads of  a PDF of the lyrics scored with the music for a half-page regular sheet of paper, a second PDF of the lyrics scored with music for a half-page of legal-sized paper (large print) and a document with lyrics only. You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use. Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man (preview of full hymn text) Good Joseph was a gentle man he loved his bride-to-be, Rejoiced in every blessed hour spent in her company. So when the neighbors told him that his Mary was with child, he heeded what the Angel said and they were reconciled. ST. LOUIS (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”) Click here to purchase "Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man" for $10. Gathered in That Humble Place (preview of full hymn text) Gathered in that humble … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent • Christmas

Silence Falls – Advent hymn

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A new hymn for Advent by Paul Hooker. Your hymn purchase includes downloads of  a PDF of the lyrics scored with the music for a half-page regular sheet of paper, a second PDF of the lyrics scored with music for a half-page of legal-sized paper (large print) and a document with lyrics only. You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use. Click here to purchase "Silence Falls" for $10. PAUL HOOKER is a teaching elder member of New Covenant Presbytery and associate dean for ministerial formation and advanced studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.   Silence Falls NOEL NOUVELET (“Sing We Now of Christmas”) Silence falls in moonlight on a manger bare in the gath’ring midnight, ‘ere the shepherds’ care; in darkness waiting, still in death’s own fold, we anticipate the ancient story told. Silence falls in whispers, trembling in fear; hearts will quake at this: the time is drawing near. Though kings may plait for him a crown … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Responsive Advent prayer of confession

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 As Advent dawns again, O God, we lament that hateful chants, violence, and death have marked our streets. Lord, have mercy! God of all Advents, this season we cry, “If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!” But too often we forget that your arrival sets the captives free, separates the sheep and the goats, and judges those who hoard privilege at the expense of others. Lord, have mercy! Trusting in the promise that Christ is coming to save sinners, we lay bare before you our own failure to work for equality, our capitulation to injustice, and our enjoyment of benefits denied others because of their culture or the color of their skin. Lord, have mercy! Tear open the heavens, O God, dismantle all that destroys our community. Come, Lord Jesus! Help us to heed John the Baptist’s call to repent, for the Lord is near. Put on our lips, and more importantly in our hearts, the question of faith that ripples through the ages, “What, then, should we … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Advent devotions – Year B (2017)

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Are you looking for theologically sound, inspiring and affordable Advent devotions for the congregation? This year, for the first time, the Presbyterian Outlook is offering just that. Download the PDF, print as many as you need and insert them into your weekly worship bulletin. Written by Outlook editor Jill Duffield, each week includes a reflection, daily Scripture readings, suggestions for living out the Bible reading and a short prayer for each day. We hope these devotionals enhance your Advent preparations as you get ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. Your purchase includes a bulletin-insert sized PDF (prints on a half-page regular sheet of paper) and a large-print version.  You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use. Buy 4 weeks of Advent devotions and download now: $19.99 Preview the first week: Advent devotion week 1 preview Here's what pastors are saying about the Outlook Advent devotions: With Scripture, reflection, and daily … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Meandering hope

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I was on my way to class, driving down Burnet Road toward Austin Seminary in Texas. Burnet (pronounced “burn-it”) is classic Austin. It epitomizes what “Keep Austin Weird” actually looks like, with its mom and pop stores, salsa-and-chips-on-the-table-24/7 restaurants and easygoing people who nod and smile as they pass each other on the sidewalk. People wear anything they feel like wearing on their way to doing things important or unimportant. What does matter is that they are all together here in Austin, which is good enough reason to be nice to each other. I grew up in New York, where people are nice to each other in a gruffer kind of way. I love NY, and I also love Austin – I’m especially drawn to its “I’ll do it my way and you do it yours” mentality. I don’t like, however, when this sentiment positions itself in front of me in rush-hour traffic. So, I was driving down Burnet, and this guy on a modest-looking motorcycle was right in front of me, taking full advantage of the … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

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