Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies | MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Archive for the 'Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies' Category

Jun

Jesus Save Me From Religiosity

Categories: Liberation theology and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Church, conflict resolution, Faith, God, history, IMAGE OF GOD, Jesus, Liberation theology, Progressive, Theology

Lately, I’ve developed a renewed appreciation for Jethro Tull – a band hailing back to my drug-crazed youth. Back then, I never actually heard the words, just loved the music. While some lyrics are certainly cynical, two songs in particular call out to me right now – My God and Hymn 43. Below are the transcribed words and video of each. In the case of the live performance of My God, the differences between the recorded version and live version are in italics and brackets. The live version of Hymn 43 is a remarkable (in my opinion) remake of the original by Tull and I hope you like it as well.

Enjoy – I certainly do. Continue reading ‘Jesus Save Me From Religiosity’

May

Justice Prayer

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Justice & Mercy and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Christ, Christian, Church, Faith, Feminist theology, God, Holy Spirit, humility, inclusive, initiatives, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, Schenectady, Theology

Dear Loving Parent of us all,

As we continue to recognize your presence with us,

we pray we are not lulled into unconsciousness by our own comfortable existence.

In this time of waiting give us ears to hear and eyes to see

our sisters and brothers who need our love and care.

Give us the desire to be your hands and legs in this world Continue reading ‘Justice Prayer’

May

Prayer For a Caring Community

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Ethics, Justice & Mercy and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Capital, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Economy, Equity, Ethics, Faith, God, homophobia, inclusive, Jesus, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, reflections, society

Bumped

A PRAYER FOR CARING COMMUNITY

(adapted from the Ten Commandments)

Save your people, God who is our God:

From not loving you as we should;

From the worship of the gods of material wealth and comfort;

Continue reading ‘Prayer For a Caring Community’

May

Litany for Mothers’ Day

By Rev Andy Little 5 Comments

Categories: Feminist theology and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Christian, Church, Feminist theology, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, memories, PC(USA), Progressive, reconciliation, reflections, society, Theology

Eternal God, on this day we lift up all mothers to you. Scripture has prepared us to recognize that by your grace, mothering takes many forms.

We lift up those . . .

… who have experienced joy and fulfillment in mothering

… who have known the pain of a child’s death

… who are facing motherhood again, or for the first time

… for whom childlessness represents a loss
Continue reading ‘Litany for Mothers’ Day’

Apr

Liturgy of Healing & Comfort

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, Faith, God, healing, Holy Spirit, humility, IMAGE OF GOD, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, Schenectady, Theology

A SERVICE OF WHOLENESS

Call To Worship: Ps 13 & Lam 3:21, 22, 24 (NRSV) adapted
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God!

But this I remember, and therefore I have hope: Continue reading ‘Liturgy of Healing & Comfort’

Apr

Recovery – A Poem of Survival

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Liberation theology, Personal Stories and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, God, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, memories, oppression, reconciliation, reflections, remembrance, Theology, writing

RECOVERY

Children survive.
They seem to be built to survive almost anything.
The pain of loneliness, war, crime, rejection,
being ignored, being abused,
being smothered, being used,
predation, exposure,
abandonment, over-protection;
these are just some of the things kids endure.
Continue reading ‘Recovery – A Poem of Survival’

Mar

The Nature of Prayer

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Justice & Mercy and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Christ, Christian, Church, God, Holy Spirit, PC(USA), Progressive, reflections, Theology

What do I consider to be the nature of prayer? I’ve been asked many questions about prayer and people’s prayer lives, but this one caused me to really think about my answer. As it turns out, I’ve written twenty page essays on less involved topics, but will do my best to address the high spots of my thoughts.

Prayer, for me at least, fits into three categories: personal, communal and liturgical. Admittedly the last two are not neatly separated, but in my definition communal prayer is that which occurs between two or more people outside of a formal service or liturgy.

Personal prayer varies considerably but generally fits under an umbrella of “conversation with God”. Continue reading ‘The Nature of Prayer’

Mar

The Fullness of Communion

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies and Sermons & Studies
Tags: Christ, Christian, Church, Faith, inclusive, Kingdom of God, PC(USA), Progressive, reconciliation, Theology

For those who are unfamiliar with the significance of the Lord’s Supper or Communion, I’d like to offer my thoughts. Since Communion is a sacrament observed by the Church, it is a little risky to assume what someone does or doesn’t know about Church, Church Mission and Membership. So, before moving into the discussion of the Lord’s Supper, I’ll spend a little time unpacking the luggage with which it travels. This is necessary because communion doesn’t exist as a separate ritual, but as an integral part of the life of the Body of Christ. It is also necessary because many ask for a quick explanation of the meaning of communion which, for the life of the church, is like asking for a short answer to the meaning of life. Without communion, church may largely lack meaning. Much of this is sourced directly, or interpreted, from the PC(USA) Book of Order. Continue reading ‘The Fullness of Communion’

Mar

Mission Prayer

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Liberation theology and Prayers/Liturgies/Litanies
Tags: Church, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, group dynamics, inclusive, initiatives, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, reconciliation, reflections, Theology

This is a prayer to be said by those going to and coming from immersion mission trips. It is a reminder to hold sacred what others trust you with, especially their hearts. Continue reading ‘Mission Prayer’

... or, preaching from both ends

Rev Andy Little

WELL, HELLO! YOU’RE HERE.

That's too bad - I'm so sorry. Oh, well, just try to make the best of it. What you'll find here is a variety of essays and ramblings to do with things theological, social, whimsical and, sometimes, all three. I don't write to get famous - trust me, I've been told how futile that would be - but to express myself. I love to communicate and browbeat - ummm, I mean dialogue - about the things I find intriguing. Since you're here, and the door's locked, why don't you stay a while. There's a page bar under the header with links to information about us - I mean me. Don't forget to tell me what you think - in a nice way, I mean.