Reflections for

Day of Pentecost, Jun 08, 2014

Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

In the World

(Re)writing songs for Pentecost

May 17, 2013 by Steve Thorngate

Somewhere in my queue of non-time-sensitive articles to write—yes, it’s been there a while—is one on the history and practice of making theologically significant changes to traditional American songs. Not just line-level edits like neutering/diversifying gendered language or using “love” in place of “wrath.” I mean re-imagining songs in a thoroughgoing way, while also preserving much of the existing imagery and language patterns. (I posted some time ago about one historical example.)

I write songs and play traditional music, but I haven’t actually tried this approach myself.

From the CCblogs Network

The divine protest of Pentecost

May 16, 2013 by David Henson

The God of Pentecost doesn’t have an official language.

This is the shocking revelation of the day of Pentecost, but one often  lost amid the day’s more bombastic metaphors of rushing winds, descending doves and intoxicated disciples with tongues touched by fire.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Let the Spirit do the talking

Acts 2:1–21

May 13, 2013 by Barry Howard

Back in the dark ages of the 20th century, I remember an ad for the Yellow Pages that urged, “Let your fingers do the walking.” Now that texting has become the preferred means of communication, it seems our fingers actually do the talking.

I’ve been thinking about the complexity of communication with God, especially the challenge of praying at times when words are hard to come by. In response to such a dilemma, Paul essentially tells the Romans to let the Spirit do the talking.

Blogging Toward Sunday

When we need the Spirit's help

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

Sep 24, 2012 by Brant S. Copeland

My Dad was a pastor. He began his ministry in the early 50’s, when mainline churches were growing like weeds and a clerical collar would elicit a discount at the local department store and a complementary membership in the country club.

Not so for my son, who has also worked a pastor. He paid full price for his coffee at Starbucks, where he led discussions with Millennials who wouldn’t dream of darkening the door of his grandfather’s church.

Features

Journey of light

LA’s Our Lady of the Angels

Jul 24, 2012 by Suzanne Guthrie

When you pray at LA's cathedral, you are part of humanity past, future and in the inglorious, unromanticized present.

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Revised Common Lectionary © 1992 the Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission.