Sunday Stretch: Vol. 179

Hi Readers,

I initially thought I might use this space to provide some helpful ideas for church leaders who are preparing worship services this Sunday and next, with the Fourth of July and America’s 250th anniversary falling next Saturday.

I do want to point you here to the myriad worship resources that have been prepared for you through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Sundays and Seasons. I was honored to contribute to these resources and to share encouragement for church leaders and volunteers. I hope they’re helpful.

I also do want to say that I have heard from some folks that they’re currently feeling tired and overwhelmed. For those of us who have been trying to raise alarms about the growth of Christian Nationalism in America and its violent assault on our freedoms and the wellbeing of our neighbors, this can feel like a frustrating time. If people haven’t heard us by now - will they ever hear? Why do we have to go over this again and again? Can we not just have church?

In that sense - I thought today we might take a step away from the America 250 of it all and return to our study of the Lectionary psalms for at least today. Again, I recently made a post with some resources and writings here:

And I’ll have more coming later this week. For now … let’s get to the Psalm!

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Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18

Psa. 89:1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD,^a forever;

with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

² I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;

your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

Psa. 89:3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to my servant David:

⁴ ‘I will establish your descendants forever,

and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah

Psa. 89:15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout,

who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;

¹⁶ they exult in your name all day long,

and extol^a your righteousness.

¹⁷ For you are the glory of their strength;

by your favor our horn is exalted.

¹⁸ For our shield belongs to the LORD,

our king to the Holy One of Israel.

For our study of the Psalms (and other songs of Scripture), I’m going to make a suggestion. Psalms - like poetry - require deep contemplation and study. Each word is weighted and heavy. So even though my typical tendency is to read quickly, I’m going to force myself to slow down. To read each word again. Aloud.

OK, I just did that. How about you?