from Christian Century
The parish liturgy committee decided to adopt the contemporary version of the Lord’s Prayer for use during worship. From now on, at least at one of the services, we’d be “sinners” instead of “trespassers.” The next Sunday a distraught man cornered me. “You’ve taken the Lord’s Prayer away from us!”
I was shocked. What did he mean? We’d been preparing and educating people for this small change for years. How could changing a few words “take away” the Lord’s Prayer?
I thought: maybe the Lord’s Prayer was not part of …

If we’re honest, isn’t that what we long for?  To know there is something bigger, something larger than anything we’ve imagined?  What would it feel like to completely and honestly give yourself over to something that is larger than our imagination?  Come and see.  Worship at St Timothy’s this Sunday.  Come at 7:30 for a contemplative service in the chapel.  Kneel in a space built by the first members of St Timothy’s and pray in a language that is as old as our unique Anglican heritage.  Or come at 9:00 …

Wednesday is the final Rogation Day of 2010.  Rogation Day? you ask.  No, it is not a day of prayers and supplications for the regrowth of hair (that’s Rogaine Day, and it’s not on the church kalendar).  Rogation Days are the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day – the 40th day after Easter and it falls on a Thursday.  A quick definition from the Episcopal Dictionary of the Church –
Traditionally, these are the three days before Ascension Day on which the litany is sung (or recited) in procession …

Why chant?
Ask my family and they will roll their eyes with stories of their father and husband chanting even the most mundane of household conversations.  I’ve chanted “What are we having for dinner?” all the way down to “Will you please pass the salt?”  That being said (or chanted), this is not why chant is used at 11am. In antiquity, if you wanted to communicate something sacred, you either sung it or whispered it.  Think about the things you whisper.  Also think about the times when saying something …

Last night’s Interfaith service went well.  Highland Presbyterian was essentially packed.  Lots of food items were delivered for Crisis Control and there were many faith communities represented.  On almost every level, it was a success.
There were some humorous moments – at least to me – that speak to a larger issue about interfaith worship services and whether or not is is possible or even a good idea to have an interfaith worship service.  I’m not saying at all that interfaith gatherings are bad and shouldn’t happen – but from a …

His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.  (Psalm 97)
“See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21)
Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of you, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer… (Collect for Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln)
take away the arrogance and hatred …