Sandy Hook Revisited
It’s hard to believe that three years have passed since Adam Lanza gunned down 20 elementary school children, 6 of their teachers, and his mother. Even harder to fathom is that, three years on,...
Merry Christmas by Langston Hughes
This poem accompanied the sermon, "Making Peace."
MERRY CHRISTMASby Langston HughesPublished In New Masses (Dec. 1930)
Merry Christmas, ChinaFrom the gun-boats in the river,Ten-inch shells for Christmas gifts,And peace on earth forever.Merry Christmas, India,To Gandhi...
Children’s Chat: “Stuffed Animal Sunday” or “The Not So Peaceable Kingdom”
Whenever Isaiah's "Peaceable Kingdom" takes its turn in the lectionary rotation, I look forward to the opportunity to do something creative with the prophet's vision of the world as God intends it. Wolves and...
Making Peace
A version of this sermon was preached at the First Baptist Church of Hyattsville on Sunday, December 6, 2015. The Scripture texts were Malachi 3.1-4 and Luke 1.67-79. Accompanying the biblical texts was a reading of Langston...
Stump of Jesse Altar Arrangement
This floral arrangement was inspired by the prophet Isaiah's words in Chapter 11:1-5, but the materials for this Advent arrangement came straight from our backyard in Maryland. When we first purchased our home, the...
Onward Into Christmas
Onward into Christmas? It’s January 6th. Schools are back in session. There isn’t a silver bell or a red cup to be found. This post is a little late, don’t you think? Shouldn’t you...
Painted Votive Candleholders
The use of candles in worship is an ancient tradition. The light reminds us of The Light that shines in the darkness and can not be overcome. The smoke symbolizes our prayers and petitions...
Christmas Tree of Hopes
I wanted to engage the community living and working near the church in a collaborative project at Christmas. With winter weather, earlier evenings, and busy schedules, that can be challenging. What I came up...
Give Thanks Bulletin Board
So many church bulletin boards are hanging empty or outdated in church hallways now that e-newsletters keep members abreast of the latest church announcements. This is a simple, but impactful use of that space....
Heaven and Nature Sing: A Christmas Ornament Craft
Our 2013 Advent & Christmas theme was "Heaven and Nature Sing" and, to help integrate that theme into our worship setting, the congregation made ornaments for the large tree in the sanctuary using natural...
