From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/30 "Rejoice"

Rejoice!

Excerpt from Psalm 96

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.”

Martin B. Copenhaver

This psalm issues a call to rejoice.  It is a common theme in scripture.  Over and over again we are enjoined to rejoice, instructed to rejoice and, indeed, we are commanded to rejoice.  Obviously, someone thinks this rejoicing business is pretty important.

It’s interesting that these injunctions to rejoice are offered in passages of scripture associated with Advent and Christmas.  Is that because this is a season when we rejoice so fully and naturally?  If that were the case, then why would we need the command to rejoice?  That would be like commanding someone to smile when she feels happy.  My hunch is that those who suggested these texts for this time of year were wiser than that.  It seems to me that many of us need to be told to rejoice in this season perhaps more than in others.  After all, it is a dark time—in the world without, to be sure, but sometimes in the world within, as well.

We are reminded to rejoice, not because this is a bright time, but because it is dark, and yet, even here, in the darkness, the light of the world has come.  Our God does not shrink from our darkness, but enters it fully and shares it completely, so that we, in turn, might be ushered into the light.

And that is cause for great rejoicing, indeed.

Prayer

Dear God, we join the heavens and the earth in our rejoicing, for you have come to us in this dark time and infused it with the light of your love.  Amen.

About the Author Martin B. Copenhaver is Senior Pastor, Wellesley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Wellesley, Massachusetts. His new book, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, co-authored with Lillian Daniel, has just been published.

Daily Prayer

As I begin my journey through yet another season of Advent, O Lord, preparing myself for that coming day in which I will rejoice in the birth of the Christmas Child, the precious Prince of Peace, I find a world that is not at peace. How can this be so?


Your prophets of old boldly proclaimed His coming into the world; to show us the true light to follow. His words, his life, were there to lead us down new paths of love and compassionate life together. Yet the news of this day speaks of wars, terrorist acts, and persons driven to despair and hopelessness because of loss of jobs and lack of resources for food and bills. Once joyful hearts now feel despair. Lives once lived in happiness and hope, now are bend over with the heavy burden of not knowing whether tomorrow will provide food for life, or a roof for protection.


And so my journey this Advent beckons me to the vision of your broader plans, God; to prepare not only for Christmas Day, but to prepare my spirit and heart - and my daily life - for the larger celebration of Christ's return. An Advent preparation that requires of me much. A life lived always as a blessing to others. A life lived that always speaks the peace of the Prince of Peace. A life lived that always sees the stranger, the outcast, as my precious sister and brother.


My Advent journey. Celebrating the birth of Christ - of your presence here with us in this crazy world. Celebrating my own life, as a hallmark of the One who came among us so long ago, and who is yet to come among us still.


Amen.

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/29 "Learning to Listen and to Ignore"

Learning to Listen and to Ignore 

Excerpt from Matthew 24: 15-31

“Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” – do not believe it.”

Reflection by Maren Tirabassi

Last week was Thanksgiving, followed by that morning when some of us awakened early and stood in line for holiday gift sales. Yesterday, Advent began, and many of us sang, “O Come O Come, Emmanuel.” Today is the first weekday of Advent, a moment to choose how we will spend the next four weeks and what kind of a Messiah we will be awaiting.

The warning in Matthew 24 is addressed to people in a desperate and dangerous situation. We experience some desperate situations ourselves. Friends and relatives in war zones, crashing destruction of personal security, health crises, family disasters, layoffs and unemployment – even the cultural stresses and expectations of Christmas – feel like chaos. During chaos times, it is so easy to grasp for what Jesus calls false messiahs and false prophets.  Some of them have names -- “perfect gift” or “vodka bottle,” “too-busy-to-think,” “credit card,” “depression,” “do-it-all,” “photo-card family.”

There may be no month more populated by look-at-this false messiahs, but all the jarring, jangling, jostling, frenzy-crying of a crazy world hungry for love and lonely for peace cannot noise away, cannot, haste away, cannot ache away the real One.

Prayer

Emmanuel, God coming and God with us, help us to be discriminating Advent people and lead us to care for the desperate we find all around us. Amen.

About the Author Maren C. Tirabassi is the Pastor of Union Congregational Church of Madbury, UCC, in Madbury, New Hampshire. Her most recent book is All Whom God Has Joined: Resources for Clergy and Same-Gender Loving Couples, co authored with Leanne McCall Tigert.

Daily Prayer

With my rapidly beating heart, like that of scared bird fleeing from the snares that have been laid out for it in the world, I too come home today to rest in the protectiveness of you, my God. For when I can no longer endure the hardships which I bear; when the challenges of life are too much for my spirit to shoulder, you are always there to ease the strain of my troubles, and to wipe the sweat of burden from my brow. In the silent moments of long dark winter nights, you draw me close unto yourself and whisper the words of hope which I long so much to hear, and bring calmness to my soul. 


And so let me now, in the light of another day, lift my voice, like that of my ancestors before me, in praising your goodness your love, your faithfulness: Blessed be the Lord, who has not given me as prey, to a world that would devour me.

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

Psalm 124

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/28 "Advent is a Season I Love"

Advent is a Season I Love

Excerpt from Romans 13:11-14

“ . . . You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.” 

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

I like Epiphany, I respect Lent, I wish we did Eastertide more and better, but it’s Advent that I love.

I love gathering greens from the cedars in our backyard to fold around the Advent wreath. I love the new purple candles, ready and waiting. I love getting out the silver candle snuffer that a college professor gave us as a wedding gift and laying it beside the wreath.

I love the first, haunting strains of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” on the first Sunday of Advent. I wait eagerly to sing, “Watchman Tell us of The Night,” and “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.”

I like purple.

I love that when the stores’ Christmas decorations are already getting tired, Advent is just getting going. I love lighting candles around the house as evening comes and laying a fire in the fireplace. I like hanging the Advent calendar on the wall, and taking turns opening one window a day.

I like the waiting and the watching, and the anticipation. My grandmother, Victoria, used to say, when something good was coming, that she had, “The Anticipates.” Advent is a season for “The Anticipates.” It may be dark now, but a change is coming.

I like the Advent idea of “keeping faith, hope and love alive in the midst of dark times,” because that’s where we so often are and so often need to be. I love that, just when we want to hibernate, Advent says, “Wake up,” startling me like a noon factory whistle. “Wake up,” says Advent, “the world is open at the top.”

I love that when anxiety and fear seem to be so all-over-the-place, Advent’s call to be alert isn’t about fear but hope; that Advent isn’t for mad anxiety but glad urgency. I love the mystery of it.

Advent is a season I love.

Prayer

Wake us from sleep, O God, for the night is far gone, and the day is near.  Amen.

About the Author Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His most recent book isChanging the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts atwww.anthonybrobinson.com.

Daily Prayer

First Sunday in Advent

Precious God of the Past, in the deserts and in the mountains your prophets boldly spoke of you, and tried to prepare a way for the coming of our Lord. And so we rejoice, that through that message of hope your people have dwelt in confidence for your coming reign. 

God of the Present, even now, at this very moment, you are among us. Although we may have failed to discern your presence with us, and have so often felt deserted and alone, you are still speaking; still raising the call for justice to those who listen.

God of the Future, we await Christ's reign. Be with each of us in this new Advent season; teaching us to live in expectation, to honor your creation and to prepare our hearts and homes, that we may faithfully wait and watch today for your glorious tomorrow. 

Amen.

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/27 "Anticipation"

Anticipation

Excerpt from Psalm 85:8-13 

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for God will speak peace to the people, to God’s faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.

Reflection by Ron Buford 

What is it that you can’t wait to hear? Is it that tickets have been released for your favorite performer? That the one you love is coming? That a long-expected baby has finally arrived?

The Psalmist speaks with the same sense of urgency, “I can’t wait to hear what God will say!’” Not only is the Psalmist confident that God will speak, the psalmist is also confident about the outcome: “It will bring peace . . . to those who turn their hearts toward God.”

Why is it so much easier to desire peace than it is to truly turn our hearts toward the Stillspeaking God of love and forgiveness? When we are angry, hurt, afraid, or feeling abandoned, it seems easier to turn our hearts to our old feelings and not toward the God of life-giving liberation, hope, and healing.

So, what’s it going to be today? The old stuff?  Or taking a chance on God? When verbalized, the choice sounds ridicules, doesn’t it?

Because it is.

Walk in a new direction, today. Just do it.

Prayer

Lord, who am I fooling? I have an investment in my old thinking, suspicions, habits, hurts, and anger. But I imagine that making a new peace would be much better -- even though I don’t really want to do it yet. Quite frankly, Lord, I don’t have the power. So I’m turning to walk toward you, trusting that you will bring me the rest of the way. Please give me the courage, power, and wisdom I need. Thank you. Amen.

About the Author Ron Buford, former coordinator of the UCC’s God is still speaking campaign, currently serves as Director of Development for the Northern California Nevada Conference. A consultant, group leader and speaker, he appears in Living the Questions: Resourcing Progressive Christians.

Daily Prayer

Lord, steady my feet, when this chaotic and crazy world tries to rock and shake my faith.

When materialism beckons with coy hands, and wrestles to 'class me", up and against my sisters and brothers; steady my will.

When lust sashays within, and works to distract me from true love and caring; from relationships that are built on your way; steady my heart. 

When fear tugs at my knees, and strives to wrench from me all hope and trust which I place in you, O Lord; steady my faith.  

Show me your goodness, O God, and steady my spirit in you, always. Keep my feet planted, I pray, firmly upon the steady foundation of your truth.

Amen.

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/26 "Abundance or Scarcity?"

Abundance or Scarcity?

Excerpt from Psalm 128

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around the table.”

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

So much of our scripture is a celebration of abundance.  The first chapters of Genesis are a song of praise for God’s generosity.  With each act of creation, the divine refrain is, “It is good, it is good, it is very good.”  And it pictures the Creator saying, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

Many of the Psalms, including the one for today, survey creation and catalogue this abundance in loving detail and with joyful thanksgiving.

Then, in the Gospels, Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes so that there is more than enough for everyone.  At a wedding feast he turns water into wine, and more wine than could be consumed at a dozen weddings.  These highly symbolic stories speak of God’s abundance.  There is enough, there is more than enough.

That’s the biblical narrative.  But the narrative by which we are tempted to live is another story entirely, a story of scarcity, where there is never enough.  In fact, we are tempted to define enough as, “always something more than I have now.”

In spite of all that has happened in recent months, we still live in the most prosperous country in the history of the world.

Do you live out of a sense of abundance or scarcity?  That may be an economic question, but certainly it is a faith question.

Prayer

O God, when I count your blessings, they are numberless as the sands, so I confess that I don’t always get very far with my counting.  So I simply thank you for sharing your abundance with me.  Amen.

About the Author Martin B. Copenhaver is Senior Pastor, Wellesley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Wellesley, Massachusetts. His new book, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, co-authored with Lillian Daniel, has just been published.

Daily Prayer

On this "day after", most gracious God, as I bask in the remembrance of yesterday's Thanksgiving; of food and drink; of friends and family, both near and far, may my mind and spirit return always to you, the Giver of All Good and Life-Sustaining gifts. For all that I have comes from you, and so my unceasing prayer is that I may be drawn closer to you each day; in holiness and in truth.

In that divine relationship with you, please make it so that I would rather choose my own death, rather than to partake in the evils against humanity, which already abound in the world all around me. Make it so, I pray, that I would rather risk my reputation and worldly security, rather than deny your call to me, to work for the freedom and dignity of all your people everywhere.

In continued thanksgiving and praise, I seek to discern your desire for my life, that I may be an instrument of your divine will in the communities of your world, this day and throughout all my days.

Amen.

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/25 "A Thanksgiving Gathering"

A Thanksgiving Gathering 

Excerpt from Matthew 23:37—24:14

Jesus once said, "Jerusalem! Jerusalem …How often I've ached to embrace your children, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you wouldn't let me.”  

Reflection by Lillian Daniel  

My father was not a good cook, but he believed himself to have certain “specialties.” Each year when he and his friends would get together for Thanksgiving, he would volunteer to bring his “famous pecan pie.” But really, these pecan pies were infamous because of the first time he made them for the group.

I remember watching him at his small house in Capitol Hill as we waited, and waited, and waited for the pies to be done. Finally, I pointed out that I had never heard of a pie that took two and a half hours to cook.

“But the toothpick hasn’t come out clean yet,” he explained, referring to the instructions on the bottle of Karo syrup he had been carefully following.

By the time he finally agreed to take the pies out, they were rock hard and flat like Frisbees, but he took them to the party anyway. I remember people laughing, then picking up the pieces and trying to gnaw on them.

That was my father’s first year of sobriety. The Thanksgiving party had been gathered by his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, whose little kitchen was filled up with boisterous, Pepsi-drinking, story-telling characters. One man had been in jail. At the bottom of her slide, one woman confessed that she had run a brothel. Many of them were now successful journalists, but a few had stories about living on the streets.

And now here we all were, celebrating Thanksgiving. We had been gathered as a hen gathers her chicks, a rag tag brood that would otherwise have had nowhere safe to go. But now we were gathered, under a sheltering wing.

Prayer

Gather us in, God. Gather in all of your wandering chicks. Amen.

About the Author Lillian Daniel is the senior minister of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Her new book, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, co-authored with Martin B. Copenhaver, has just been published.

Daily Prayer

On this Thanksgiving Day, as I savor the richness of meal, family, friends, or opportunities, may I not forget to humbly give you the thanks for all that you have provided me, over all the days of my life. And, I pray, may I always remember to make each of the days of my future a day of thanksgiving for the endless mercies which have, and which will continue, to be unfolded before me.


For yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, to which all "thanks" is raised this day.


Amen

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

Fighting Poverty With Faith Mobilization Concludes with Capitol Hill Briefing: The Rev. Chuck Currie

At a time when most American families are about to feast on another Thanksgiving Day meal, more and more individuals and family are are scared about where their next meal will come from, or are not able to pay their bills, or do not know when the financier will arrive to repossess their only means of transportation. And this situation is not showing any signs of improving any time soon. In fact, with all the talk of not extending unemployment insurance for millions, the present condition might just get worst.

UCC Pastor, Chuck Currie's recent blog speaks to the faith-based efforts to directly speak to, and act on, the issue of poverty; an issue which only seems to grow more drastic with each passing day. It's well worth the read, as we are about to gather around tables all across the United States, for another Thanksgiving celebration.

Only problem is that for an expanding number of Americans there are less chairs at the tables, and no celebration.

The Rev. Chuck Currie: Fighting Poverty With Faith Mobilization Concludes with Capitol Hill Briefing

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/24 "Let Me In ..."

Let me in … 

Excerpt from Jeremiah 7:1-15 

 “Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place.”

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell 

The people have been telling themselves that God lives in their temple and will always do so, no matter how they act.  Enter the prophet.

Jeremiah lets loose like a good prophet: do not oppress the orphans and the widows, do not shed innocent blood, do not worship other gods, do not act unjustly with one another.  If you do (you know what’s coming here), then God will no longer be in your temple.

But get this: Jeremiah says that the reason God won’t be in the temple isn’t that God will leave, or will punish the people.  Jeremiah says that God won’t be in the temple because the people won’t let God be.  Jeremiah pictures God outside the temple, asking, “Let me in!”  It’s like Jesus saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

Apparently, our behavior has something to do with whether there’s room for God in our lives—and our temples—or not.  Apparently, God won’t shove God’s way in where people’s behavior declares that God is not wanted.  Apparently, our acts of justice and worship and mercy are the very things that open the door to God.

So the question is, just how much do you want God in your temple?

Prayer 

Holy God, love me so much that I might shape a life that has plenty of room for you in it.  Amen.

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell is Associate Minister of Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

Daily Prayer

Gracious Lord, again you have brought me safely to this new day. As I share in this gift from you, help me to faithfully live it with joy, and in simple acts of kindness towards everyone whose path I may cross. 


Help my life to always be a blessing unto others, wherever I may travel, and may your love always radiate from my being, for all the world to see, and follow.


May your blessings and peace be upon us.


Amen.

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/23 "Life Before Death"

Life Before Death

Excerpt from John 5: 24-30

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes [the one] who sent me has eternal life . . .”

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

Did you notice? The first dozen times I’m sure I didn’t.

When Jesus speaks of eternal life here (and throughout the Gospel of John) he isn’t only speaking of something that happens after we die. He is speaking of something that happens right now.

“Anyone who hears my word and believes [the one] who sent me has eternal life.” Jesus didn’t say “will have eternal life.” He said, “has eternal life.” Whatever eternal life is, it starts when his word burns in our heart and we take the risk of trusting our lives to the One who sent Jesus, the light of the world.

While I do trust that there is life beyond death, I also think that life before death is a good idea. But sometimes life before death seems like a really big challenge.

We spend all our time and energy getting ready for something someday and miss today. Or we become, for all sorts of reason, some understandable and some not, dead people walking. There’s no life in us. We put our hands over our ears so we won’t hear what God, or anyone else, is saying to us. We refuse to even imagine, much less trust, that there really is a God who is up to something and who is on a quest to find us.

Jesus is telling us that eternal life isn’t just a quantity of life. It is a quality of life. It’s a quality of life that happens, that is ours, when we trust him by following him here and now.

Imagine being alive before death! Now’s the time; today’s the day. Besides, there’s a good chance if we don’t start living the life that is true and lasting on this side of the grave, it’s not super likely to suddenly happen on the other side. 

Prayer

There’s death in me, God, but life in you. Raise me from the dead today. Help my ears to hear you, my heart to trust you, my feet to follow you. Amen.

About the Author Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His most recent book isChanging the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts atwww.anthonybrobinson.com.

Daily Prayer

Merciful Lord, help us to always remember that no matter how bleak or depressing things look like today, there is always a new dawn, a new morning, a new creation just over horizon. A new day of your making. A new day brimming over with your eternal love, and compassion for all your creation.

Your mercies are new every morning, for each of us. O, how great is your faithfulness, Lord.

Amen

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/22 "Local"

Local

Excerpt from Revelation 21:5-27

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’”

Reflection by Donna Schaper

I remember when “local” was a bad word.  Most of us went to high school in places where the idea was to get out as soon as you could.  Now local is new, glossy, glisteny.  Who knew?

Last Monday I fell in love with New York City all over again.  I found a table in the middle of the street that overlooks the famous Flatiron Building.  I had just been in to the new Eataly store at 23^rd and Fifth and was wearing that cosmopolitan sheen.  I felt bathed in light.  Great food, Italian imports, shopping carts that had design as opposed to the kind they have at Stop and Shop in the burbs. (The place where New Yorkers come from.)  You can imagine my burgeoning conceit.  Status accumulation, according to sociologists, is often more exciting than money accumulation.  Either way I had a table in a great triangle of a great and large world.

I was reminded of what Tony Judt, the historian, said about Jews. To Judt, the question of how best to live as a small people in a big world is to be in permanent Diaspora. When we are without roots, we become better cosmopolitans. The same may be true for the United Church of Christ.  We may make more contributions as a small church than as a large church. Local or cosmopolitan?  New or old?  Large or small?  All matters reserved while seated at the throne of Jesus, who even makes all the questions new.

Prayer

Renew us, O God, over and over, time after time. Amen.

About the Author Donna Schaper is the Senior Minister of Judson Memorial Church in New York City.  Her most recent book is Sacred Chow: a Guide to Holy Eating.

Daily Prayer

Dear Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; as I journey through this day, and all the remaining days of my life, may I forever be reminded that my journey with you profoundly shapes my journey with others. Draw me, therefore, closer to you with each passing beat of my heart. Instill within me this day:

• the wisdom to discern your yearnings for all humankind
• the strength to live that yearning, as a reflection of you through me
• and the faithfulness to never deviate from the path you may be leading me on

All glory be unto you, my God; for you are4 my strength and my shield.

Amen.

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff