first Sunday in Lent (2021)
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
. . .Lent with Brueggemann
daily devotionals during a season of self-denial
Walter Brueggemann is a fascinating character among contemporary American theologians. He is ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal denominations in the entire landscape of American Christianity. He is principally an Old Testament scholar who taught at the seminary level for more than four decades in both . . .
we've already given up everything!
getting back to the basics of Lent
Lent started yesterday--without the traditional Ash Wednesday service because of widespread power outages and wintry weather in the Houston area. Into the mix of COVID restrictions that have become routine but never "normal," we have added power losses, rolling blackouts, orders to boil water, barren grocery shelves, . . .
Posted in: lent
Ash Wednesday (2021)
contemplating collects
ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; . . .
Sexagesima Sunday (2021)
contemplating collects
. . .O GOD, Who seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do: Mercifully grant, that by the power of Thy Son, the Teacher of nations, we may be defended against all adversity; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Septuagesima Sunday (2021)
contemplating collects
Believe it or not, this Sunday begins the short period of Pre-Lent, which makes up the three Sundays immediately preceding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of our Lenten journey to Holy Week and Easter. As we'll see, the focus of these three weeks is God's grace. This focus gets us ready for Lent's change of perspective . . .
Easter Sunday: Gospel and prayer
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Mark 16.1-18 (NKJV)
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among . . .
