![]() |
On Eagle's Wings |
From the very first tale
told around family tables
to that last word written
in the book of time,
you tell us the story
of your love and joy.
From the foundation
laid in Eden's valleys
to the ever-open gates
of the new Jerusalem,
you build a home for
every single one of your children.
How good it is to sing your glory,
Heart of Creation!
Into the abandoned areas
of our lives, you come -
shushing the little imps
who whisper in our ears
of our failings and foolishness.
When we seem unable
to listen to your hopes for us,
you sit down at the edge of our hearts,
once again retelling the story
of your love and grace.
How good it is to sing your name,
Healer of broken lives.
When our dreams dry up
and turn to dust,
you gather them up
and shape them into
a future which surprises us.
When we would pull shut
the curtains of our compassion,
you yank them open,
so we can see those
we are called to serve.
How good it is to sing your peace,
Spirit of patience.
How good it is to sing your praises,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
told around family tables
to that last word written
in the book of time,
you tell us the story
of your love and joy.
From the foundation
laid in Eden's valleys
to the ever-open gates
of the new Jerusalem,
you build a home for
every single one of your children.
How good it is to sing your glory,
Heart of Creation!
Into the abandoned areas
of our lives, you come -
shushing the little imps
who whisper in our ears
of our failings and foolishness.
When we seem unable
to listen to your hopes for us,
you sit down at the edge of our hearts,
once again retelling the story
of your love and grace.
How good it is to sing your name,
Healer of broken lives.
When our dreams dry up
and turn to dust,
you gather them up
and shape them into
a future which surprises us.
When we would pull shut
the curtains of our compassion,
you yank them open,
so we can see those
we are called to serve.
How good it is to sing your peace,
Spirit of patience.
How good it is to sing your praises,
God in Community, Holy in One,
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .
As I opened links to prepare for TLL this week I was moved to wonder if anyone out there is doing something for the Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas this week (either on Thursday or moving it to Sunday)?? If you are, then the readings for that festival can be found here
However I am guessing that most Lectionary preachers will be working with the readings for Epiphany 5B. Those readings can be found here. And what does a quick glance show us this week?
- Isaiah seems the perfect passage for those who need to be renewed and lifted up. Which one of us wouldn't like to be recipients of the blessing in the final verse here? Or then there is a joke about how hard it is to soar like eagles when one is surrounded by....maybe we best not go there.
- Does anyone ever preach on the Psalm reading? So often it is seen as a supporting reading only. But this one has such promise of support and protection. There must be a sermon in there somewhere.
- Corinthians. Paul's claims he is free to be "all things to all people". Modern writers tell us we shouldn't do that, we should be transparently ourselves. And yet isn't a successful politician or speaker one who can translate her/his message into language and imagery that reaches a particular audience? Was Paul putting on a mask or translating a message?
- And then there is Mark. Following directly on from last week's reading we have more healings. And then we return to being renewed. Or at least an attempt at it. Why do I understand the feeling of going to a quiet place for renewal only to have people come find and interrupt me?????
![]() |
Abandoning or leading? |
![]() |
Anyone Doing this? |
Which way do you feel led this week? Or are you off-lectionary and doing something else? It is also Annual Meeting season, how does the Annual Meeting impact your worship planning for that Sunday? All this and more in the comments!
And of course it is Super Bowl Sunday!