"Worship Goes Viral" by Ben Witherington
Dr. Ben Witherington, New Testament scholar at Asbury Theological Seminary, wrote a poignant piece about online or virtual worship. He challenges us to be faithful in the midst of pandemic and fear. He calls us to be mindful of what worship is and does in a culture that is self-absorbed and twisted by radical consumerism. Here's a tease:
. . .Oculi: the third Sunday in Lent
contemplating collects
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
-- . . .
say your prayers, wash your hands, & love your neighbors
life and ministry in a world gripped by fear
Coronavirus. Covid-19. Pandemic. Infection. Quarantine. Death.
These words are filling our headlines, and fear is gripping our hearts. It isn't the first time and it surely won't be the last. How should we think about this from the perspective of our Christian faith? How should we live out our faith in times of . . .
praying in the midst of pandemic fear
In this week's collect, we prayed for God's protection of body and soul.
Almighty God, Who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; . . .
Reminiscere: the second Sunday in Lent
contemplating collects
Almighty God, Who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy . . .
Posted in: collects
Invocavit: the first Sunday in Lent
contemplating collects
O LORD, mercifully hear our prayer, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to defend us from them that rise up against us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
-- Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church
. . .Posted in: collects
Lent (2020)
on sin, hopelessness, and faith
Pow!
Right between the eyes.
The readings appointed for Ash Wednesday hit us hard with our sinfulness, harder than probably any other readings during the Church Year. Today the Law thunders down with sobering fierceness. As we hear it, we must concede that the deliberately examined life cannot help but lead us to . . .
Posted in: lent
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