A star shines in the heavens!
On earth God breaks forth in unexpected ways.
Those who look up will see the star of hope and promise.
But there are those who cannot be bothered to dream and star gaze.
They will occupy themselves with things that are "practical" and "important" with their eyes fixed on closer horizons.
They keep their world small and manageable.
But the wise stare heavenward to read signs in the stars in a world of ever expanding horizons.
Practical folk call them foolish dreamers, but the scoffers will never find treasure hidden in a stable.

Continue reading "Call to Worship | Epiphany" »

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Cast
Mr. Q – moderator (or Ms. Q if female)
Matthew – scholarly and thoughtful
Mark – excited, talks quickly and to the point
Luke – nurturing and affirming
John – esoteric and mysterious, a little “out there”

Mr. Q – Good day. I’m Mr. Q and welcome to Cross Talk. Today on Cross Talk we have as our panelists four experts on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. I’d like to welcome Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Our time is limited, so let’s get right to it. Tell us about Jesus’ humble beginnings… Mark.

Mark – Jesus’ ministry starts immediately with his baptism by John the Baptist and then immediately he is driven out to the desert by the Holy Spirit and then immediately he goes…

Matthew – I think you are getting ahead of yourself there, Mark. I’ve studied Jesus’ beginnings quite carefully and it all began when an angel came to Joseph, of the lineage of King David, in a dream, and told him that his betrothed, Mary, would bear a son by the Holy Spirit.

Continue reading "Cross Talk - The Gospel Debate" »

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Resurrection Fugue for Voices

Matthew - After the sabbath,

Mark - When the sabbath was over, and very early

John - Early

Luke - on the first day

Mark - on the first day

John - on the first day

Matthew - as the first day

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John - of the week

Matthew - was dawning,

Continue reading ""Resurrection Fugue for Voices" | Play | Easter" »

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The Lord is our Shepherd.
Which would make us the sheep.
And if that is so, the Lord has his hands full. Sheep, contrary to popular notions, are not stupid. They are quite bright, and social, and gregarious. Sheep actually need to be a part of a herd. They are prone to go with the crowd. When one senses danger and bolts, they all bolt together, whether it is wise or not. And sheep are fearful by nature. Anything out of their daily routine brings stress to sheep.
Lord help us.

Lawrence Lee

Continue reading "Call to Worship | Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 23 | Shepherd" »

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We come here to celebrate potential!
Our potential is like seeds that are planted in the ground.
The sower knows that not all seeds grow.
Some seeds do not find good soil.
Some seeds are trampled on the road.
Some seeds are eaten by birds.
But the success of the harvest does not depend on all the seeds, but that some of the seeds find good soil and are allowed to grow.
May we be that soil in which the God's will is allowed to flourish.

Lawrence Lee

Continue reading "Call to Worship | Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23" »

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