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Present in a New Year

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this shining moment in the now — David Budbill We call the year “new” but the ancient sun pulls the earth along the same old course. The pattern repeats. The cosmic forces unleashed in the Big Bang will continue after humans are no more, without acknowledgment that we have left, or had ever been. Children know the water is freezing, yet they splash right in the winter ocean, joyful abandonment to this shining moment in the now, though it is fleeting. Let us follow into the deep; only the present is ours to keep.     Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the author of five books, including Gently Between the Words: Essays and Poems. He is enrolled in the doctor of ministry in creative writing & public theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. … [Read more...]

Tagged With: New year • poem

Praying into 2022

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God, you are our Alpha and our Omega, our beginning and our end. In this threshold moment as we pass from one year to the next, make resolutions to work off holiday pounds, and cleanse our homes of clutter, may we also lean into this new year with gratitude and determined hope. We acknowledge the profound loss and heartache that many now carry. We pray for those grieving loved ones lost in 2021. We acknowledge the uncertainty that comes with being human and living in our current moment. We know that there will be both obstacles and joys ahead. But, we are here, and you are with us, Holy God. As we walk into 2022, help us not dwell in despair but keep our eyes fixed on the resurrected Christ, who embodies your promise and our hope. We are grateful for a new year with new chances to live, love, and serve in Christ’s name. We are grateful for the peace you provide in chaotic pandemic circumstances. A new year and new life await. Thank you, God, for the life we are blessed to … [Read more...]

Tagged With: New year • prayer

A candle and call for 2021

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Guest commentary by Liz Rasley Not sure about you, but I cannot wait for the fireworks this year. After all we’ve been through (murder hornets, mysterious monoliths and oh, a world-wide pandemic) I think mandatory fireworks across the entire nation is not too much to ask to ring in 2021. But that’s only my small, humble opinion. If fireworks don’t happen in my tiny town, okay. I’m prepared with a Roman candle of my own to light it all up. While visions of all-day movie marathons and other distractions may be dancing through my children’s heads, my own version of delight is saying goodbye to a year that’s been more bitter than sweet, more heartachy than heartwarming. A Roman candle (the firework kind, that is) — well, that sort of energy resonates with my mostly disappointed mood for 2020. Like you, I had so many grand plans and expectations for it. Now, if I really let myself, I could dive into the deep end of disappointment and despair, feeling very vindicated and … [Read more...]

Tagged With: New year

How will congregations observe Epiphany in the year of COVID-19?

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With many churches worshipping remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, church leaders have come up with some creative approaches for distributing Star Words as a way of celebrating Epiphany. Star Words is an Epiphany spiritual practice some congregations have adopted — with each person given a word in early January they are encouraged to pay attention to throughout the year, “a lens through which to view God at work in the world,” as one pastor put it. Some of ideas that church leaders shared on social media: Email congregants a list of Star Words and let each person choose a word. Or, for those willing to be more labor intensive, email or text each person a word. Come up with a list of 31 words – one for each day of the month – and share the list. The day of each person’s birthday will determine what word that person gets. Mail out the Star Words, after praying over each one. Deliver a bag to each household with communion elements for Epiphany Sunday and a Star Word … [Read more...]

Tagged With: COVID19 • Epiphany • New year

New Year’s Day prayer

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God of all time, as we start a new year , we look back with thanksgiving for your grace woven throughout each moment, every challenge, all of the joys of the past 365 days. When the unexpected shook our faith and inevitable change caused us to be anxious, your promised presence never failed to bring mercy and compassion. Before we race into a new season with resolutions or resolve, anticipation or resignation, we stop to reflect on where we sensed your providence, your provision, your sustaining love and transformative power in all that has brought us to where we are right now. As we recognize your all-encompassing care for all creation, we look ahead with hope, trusting that no matter what triumphs or tragedies unfold, no matter how exhilarating or mundane the day, no matter how delightful or daunting we find this world, you never abandon us, you always seek us. You want nothing less than abundant life for all of us. As we turn the page on another calendar year, make us … [Read more...]

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The art of getting lost

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We just moved to a new city, and even with Google Maps and Waze I'm finding myself lost pretty regularly. As a pastor, I realize that there are some great spiritual components to getting lost. Think about all the stories in the Bible of people who neededto lose their way: the Israelites had to get lost in the wilderness before they were able to enter the promised land, Jonah had to get lost in the belly of a fish before he could follow God's commands and Jesus had to go get lost in the wilderness before he began his ministry (not to mention the stories about God's tendency to pick people up and whisk them off to unknown locations — Elijah, Ezekiel, Philip and John of Patmos for example). I'm not saying that God is miraculously sabotaging GPS satellites to stop me from getting where I'm going, but getting lost has, in fact, been a reminder to me that not everything in life is about getting from point A to point B. And in a new place, that's good news. On a very practical level, it … [Read more...]

Tagged With: New year

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