Picture of the United States drawing scribbled over/colored by a child “What we know so far” Shared by Dan Chan @danchaon.bsky.social on bluesky social app
So many have done what they can to sew peace
To establish humanity human rights
And Lord have mercy because we are already exhausted
“Next Week Has Been Exhausting” by Diane Duane
Anticipatory Exhaustion may be the hardest
I remember when my child was in the run away and legitimate insomnia (beyond normal) phase
And I would wake up looking forward to a nap I would have for the day after today
God you know My soul is weary Is your soul weary God?
Because even after the election
You know We know That no matter the outcome
There is hard work to do
This is about more than leadership
(I remember in the Old Testament When Hebrew people wanted a King and you warned them That is not enough)
And yet Breathe in: I am here Breathe out: God is here
This is true today This is true tomorrow
This is how I will wait Because all good work counts
Maybe especially when it seems like it doesn’t
Pneuma Holy Spirit Breathe for me When I can’t
Breathe in: I am here Breathe out: God is here
Amen
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
God, I am praying for the young adults, the teens, the kids who take the wrong turns Sweet Resurrected Jesus You and I know, that I have no sense of direction– How many times have I been lost and alone in the car Making my way across the country (Pre-cell phone directions even) –Luckily I am a white girl But the shooting mere miles from my house In upstate NY proves that it’s the guns the guns the guns. And Lord save all the Black Boys, The beloved Beautiful, made in your image Black Brothers My soul keens for them
God, you hung up your weapon, your bow, your version of a gun in the sky–way before Jesus In the time of Noah–so that every single time we see it
We might, maybe possibly remember That you are a Disarmed God A Weaponless God A God who refuses to Destroy anymore
A God of Peace
And when we refused to believe it You sent your Son What-His-Name The Prince of Peace
Down to Earth You don’t bring the Weapons I’ll bring the Revolution “Drop your swords” He says When he is being arrested– By the Empire no less “And I’ll heal your ears, so you can hear my words of peace”
And when you were resurrect Jesus Among the huddled and fearful disciples Did they raise arms against you in “defense” and fright (Its a question I don’t want to think about)
You replied to the fervor of frightened humans “Peace be with you”
When we are lost or feel invaded or scared or alone
“Peace be with you”
Disarm yourselves God demonstrated coaxes whispers
If you really trust God, I promise, you won’t need any guns the end of the world won’t be with a bang
It will be with the whisper “Peace be with you”
I’m still praying for the kin(g)dom come
Peace be with you Amen.
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
Rainbow and clouds with an orange car heading towards it, created on canva by Katy Stenta, feel free to use
“He gets You” is really appropriative, because its more about “He gets me: white, straight, cis, conservative, men”
Whereas Jesus does not say “I get you” Jesus says, “Do you see me” And when people ask, “Where were you” He says “I am among the poor, the immigrant, the forgotten, the widowed, the queer, the homeless, the ones without identification, the imprisoned, the ones your eyes slide over because you have deemed them unimportant, the dispossessed, the naked, the hungry, the powerless, the ones you refuse to listen to…” (Matthew 25) Ministry isn’t even about power, its about something else altogether
You can’t brand Jesus for the masses Because that’s getting the whole message backwards
The Membership Questions: If I Wrote them Expanded: Do you reject Evil Of Guns Of White Supremacy Of the False Gospel of Hate Of the Nationalism Of trying to Control Your Child’s Life Do you reject the idolatry of Power, Greed, Imperialism, Capitalism and Control?
Do you surrender to the Loving and Searing Truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who opens your heart in such away that you continually examine your life and ask–am I living in a way that adhere’s to God’s Life Giving Standards?
Do I, to Love my Enemies, Are the Imprisoned? Give Food to those in Near, Somehow free myself To Not Judge those different than you and to Welcome those who are different in Gender, Race, Sexuality, Age and Ability to my House, Home, Table and Life?
Do I affirm the Apostles Creed, as far as I understand it, knowing that it is a lifelong mystery. Do I affirm what I know and commit to continual study of the Apostles Creed and God?
If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.
If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!
Call to Worship
God you call to the outsider
You care for those who are imprisoned, different or are alone
You are with the marginal
God you are the God of the least of these
How mighty is our God, who cares for those we forget
Praise be to God, let us bless God
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 146)
Praise the Lord, O my Soul
God made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, and keeps faith forevers
God executes justice for the oppressed, feeds the hungry, and sets the prisoner free. Thisis our God!
Come let us Praise the Lord!
Call to Confession: Come let us carry any piece of ourselves that is different or imprisoned to God.
Confession: Holy Spirit, I confess that I am not Joseph, but there are times in my life where I have felt like an outsider or trapped by my actions. There are times where I have felt different. God I confess it is easy to become embittered about those harsh times in life, or to hate as a result. I confess that it is easier to believe in a God of winners and powerful ones, than a God who wants to care for those who are vulnerable and powerless. Remind me that you came as a baby to show me that you are not interested in power, but love. Help me to understand a hope that is different and a freedom that is not political I pray. (Silent Confession). Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Jesus comes to free you from all sins, you have already confessed, so you can now rest, safe and secure in the good news, come let us whisper the truth to one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, help us to see and accept and free the Josephs of the world. Remind us that you are always working towards justice and good, and human machinations are nothing towards your mercy. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Hymns: Live Into Hope, We Meet You Christ, There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy, O God of Every Nation, If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee
Children: Talk about God being the God of the “Marginal.” Define that word to mean not in charge. Explain that this means that God is not interested in Christianity being in charge or in control, because God is most interested in caring for those left behind and forgotten. Brainstorm who those people might be. Book Suggestion: “Martin Luther King Jr: A Kid’s book about advancing Civil Rights with Nonviolence” by Mary Nhin “The Star Bellied Sneetches” by Dr Suess
If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.
If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!
katyandtheword 
