The Baptism of Jesus – January 11, 2015 Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Today, we celebrate the waters of grace and healing. We rejoice in the waters of the womb of creation, incarnate in our mothers and in Mother Earth. As Masaru Emoto has theorized, water is the blueprint of reality, far from inert but sharing in the vibrations of divine wisdom. Water refreshes, heals, and transforms. It reflects our prayers and emotions, and can be energized... Read more

Second Sunday after the Epiphany Samuel 3:1-10 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 I Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 There is a joke among members of my denomination, the United Church of Christ. When we announce “God is still speaking,” usually someone responds, “But is anyone listening.” Today’s scriptures are about listening for the voice of God and God’s movements within our lives. God is constantly speaking in our lives through insights, encounters, hunches, dreams, bursts of energy, and inspirational thoughts. Our calling is... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Epiphany Sunday – January 4, 2015 Matthew 2;1-15 The Second Sunday of Christmas will also be celebrated as Epiphany Sunday in many congregations. Accordingly, it is appropriate to focus on the spiritual pilgrimages of the magi and the holy family’s flight to Egypt. In both cases, geographical journeys shape spiritual journeys and are at the heart of the Epiphany adventure that is to come. As Jimmy Buffett sings: “Changes in latitudes [lead to] changes in attitudes.”... Read more

Christmas Eve 2014 – “It’s All about a Baby” It’s all about a baby! Not just any baby, but at the same time every baby. The birth of the Christ child is not just the property of Christians. John’s gospel proclaims that this child is the light of the world, and that the light of this child enlightens all humanity and, dare we say, all creation. An ordinary birth in the first century, repeated by the billions over the past... Read more

Progressive Christians struggle with the stories and theology of the incarnation. Following Rudolf Bultmann, most progressives see the angelic visitation to Mary and the virgin birth as myths reflecting the early church’s affirmation of Jesus’ uniqueness not unlike stories of other political and savior figures. Moreover, most progressives also question Jesus’ metaphysical uniqueness and relationship to God – that is, the belief that he was not only different in degree of God consciousness from us, but also different in kind,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Epiphany Sunday – January 4, 2015 Matthew 2;1-15 The Second Sunday of Christmas will also be celebrated as Epiphany Sunday in many congregations. Accordingly, it is appropriate to focus on the spiritual pilgrimages of the magi and the holy family’s flight to Egypt. In both cases, geographical journeys shape spiritual journeys and are at the heart of the Epiphany adventure that is to come. As Jimmy Buffett sings: “Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes.” Whether these... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – December 28, 2014 – The First Sunday of Christmas Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40 In the midst of my Christmas shopping, I noticed an interesting coffee company ad announcing, “Revelation in a cup.” Today’s readings speak of our ability to notice God in our midst. God is abundant, providing hints and revelations everywhere, but do we have senses to notice? If we can notice God in a Bethlehem baby, perhaps we can notice... Read more

A Shark at the Manger You’ve heard of the shepherds and the magi, the angel chorus, the fourth wise man, and the little drummer boy; but have you heard of the shark at the manger? This year’s Christmas pageant at South Congregational Church on Cape Cod inspired a shark to give homage to the baby Jesus. Our congregation’s minister of children’s and youth faith formation gathered the church school classes on the first Sunday of Advent to assign roles for... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 21, 2014 Luke 1:26-55 On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our eyes turn to the call of Mary of Nazareth and her calling to us. Her response to God and her hymn of praise ring out through the ages and serve as a model for our own spiritual journeys. Accordingly, I believe that the congregation would profit from focusing on the entire Mary Saga, Luke 1:26-55, perhaps as a... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Third Sunday of Advent – December 14, 2014 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 I Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Good news is coming! The world is being transformed. God’s way is emerging in a troubled world. God’s Spirit is upon all people and the vulnerable, outcast, and lost will experience healing and hospitality. Such are the words of the prophet Isaiah and our Advent hope. Slightly different from Jesus’ own inaugural speech in Luke 4,... Read more