For the Beyond and the Be-near
A Litany for St. Stephen’s Day (Acts 7:55) We gaze into heaven, Even as we yearn for a new world a’borning. We gaze into heaven, Even as we harken to the voices that lead us there. We gaze into heaven, Even as we labor for the glory of full sharing. We gaze into heaven, Even […] The post We Gaze Into Heaven appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .
He comes riding a borrowed village donkey. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes from a hill country town. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes, the obscure son of a carpenter. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He comes in the company of footsore pilgrims. Hosanna! We shout Hosanna!He comes not with bodyguards but surrounded by friends. Hosanna! We shout, Hosanna!He […] The post The Way of Palm Sunday…
A LitanyA season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for wholeness in the midst of ruin.A season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for liberty midst constraint.A season of longing has come in search of us, An ache for promise midst shabby regret.A season of longing has […] The post Advent, A Season of Longing appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .
A Christmas-Tide Monologue The following dramatic monologue features an innkeeper at wits’ end in a Judean hill town. Because the script alternates between mutterings to himself (in italics), and his full voice addressed to family and guests, (bold-face) a microphone would be useful. At several points guests apparently speak to the innkeeper, moments marked only […] The post First Come, First…
All: What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? Solo: When someone sees beyond my haggard, fugitive appearance.What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? When someone pays no mind to my poverty and shabby story.What makes an Olive flourish on sacred ground? When someone offers me sustenance to which I have no claim.What makes […] The post What Makes an Olive Flourish On Sacred Ground?…
Somewhere by a silent, weary sea, that voice calls. Somewhere on a twilight shore, that hand is raised in greeting. Somewhere in the chill of dawn, that hearth crackles with promise. An Eastertide Poem: John 21:4ff The post Somewhere By A Silent, Weary Sea appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .
Refrain: But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth. (Mt. 25:18)Stories have been entrusted to us: stories of healing, of wedding joy and banquets, of anthems sung with angels, stories of bliss in heaven’s friendship. But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and […] The post Buried Windfall appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .
Worship leader brings supplicant forward, as song is sung (e.g. Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior, O Healing River’) The congregation gathers around him/her, laying hands on him/her, some taking him/her by the hand.Anointing: oil may be poured on supplicant’s forehead by elder while saying, The Lord bless you, __________________, and keep you, The Lord make […] The post A Prayer for the Sick appeared…
God of all sojourns, You bid us greeting in our comings-in, And you bid us farewell at our departures. If we embrace and lay our hands today on ______________, It is in the belief that you have already embraced and laid your hand upon him/her/them, To claim _________ for yourself, to fill ________ with your […] The post A Parting Prayer of Blessing appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .
Why are we called to set our hope beyond what incurs loss, adversity and grieving, or even beyond achievement and success? So that we might live to the praise of God’s glory.And why are we called to extend grace and blessing in the face of anger, indifference or scorn? So that we might live to […] The post To the Praise of God’s Glory appeared first on Shared Words, Sacred Words .