Ash Wednesday 2012

I've been busy planning my first Ash Wednesday service (along with the rest of the Lenten season)...well, I guess most of it is fairly traditional, but it's fun to be responsible for putting it all together anyway.

We'll be doing the traditional readings from the lectionary (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10; Matthew6:1-6, 16-21), plus some responsive readings from Psalm 51:15-17 and Isaiah 58.

For music, we'll be singing "Come O Sinners, Poor and Needy," "Kind and Merciful God," "Kyrie Eleison, Have Mercy," and "What Wondrous Love Is This."

I also decided to include the Litany of Penitence (though I use the word repentance because it's more familiar for most of us) from the Book of Common Prayer. We'll pray this very exhaustive confession once all have received the imposition of ashes.

Looking forward to it!

Epiphany Season (Year B) Bulletin Cover

In these weeks leading up to the season of Lent, the gospel passages in the church lectionary introduce us to the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry. In Mark 1:15, Jesus proclaims that the kingdom of God has come near; the invitation to all is to repent, believe, and to come and follow him as disciples, learning how to live in the world while acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate authority and ruler.

To tie this theme together, I created this bulletin cover. I tried to find a photo of a country road here in Nebraska, since we follow Jesus right here and right now.

New Adventures in the Last Few Months

It's been quite a while since I posted anything here! It's been an interesting few months - here's the quick version:

While unemployed for a few months, I decided to act on a dream of mine and opened an Etsy shop. I worked and worked to create a variety of table linens with life-inspired, hand-designed prints. It has been so much fun creating beautiful things, sharing them with others, and receiving compensation for my hard work!

Then, at the end of November, by the grace of God, I was able to act on another dream of mine! I was installed as the Interim Pastor at the Evangelical Covenant Church in a charming little town in northeast Nebraska. Greg and I have now been settled in Wakefield for almost two months and are enjoying life here.

It has been challenging and fun to plan worship, preach on a regular basis, teach Confirmation to four wonderful junior high students, hear the stories of the people who call this church home, work with leaders in our congregation and in the community, and prayerfully discern where God is leading this body of believers.

Slowly but surely, I am finding a rhythm for how life works as a full-time pastor. I know that I need to not just use my head but use my hands and stay in touch with my creative side. I had to take a break from creating new inventory for my shop, but hope to get back at it soon!