“Water in the Wilderness”

September 24, 2023
The Lord Is My Shepherd Alan Pote/Ps.23 The Lord is my shepherd, nothing shall I want. My shepherd makes me lie in fields of green, Leads me beside still waters. The Lord is my shepherd, who restores my life,  Leads me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of the Lord’s name. And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, Your rod and staff will comfort me. You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And in the house of my God I will live forever.

“Using the Keys”

August 27, 2023
My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation. I hear the clear, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Refrain: No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? [Refrain] What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth. What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. [Refrain] The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? [Refrain]
I saw Eternity the other night, Like a great ring of pure and endless light, All calm, as it was bright; And round beneath it, Time in hours, days, years, Driv’n by the spheres Like a vast shadow mov’d; in which the world And all her train were Hurl’d. There is in God, some say, A deep but dazzling darkness, as we here Say it is late and dusky, because we See not all clear. O for that night! Where I in Him Might live invisible and dim! A great ring of pure and endless light Dazzles the darkness in my heart And breaks apart the dusky clouds of night. ~ Madeleine L’Engle
Anthem: How Can It Be? Laura Daigle/ Cheryl Fritz, soloist I am guilty Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become These hands are dirty I dare not lift them up to the Holy One You plead my cause, you right my wrongs You break my chains, you overcome You gave your life, to give me mine You say that I am free How can it be? Yeah How can it be? Yeah I've been hiding Afraid I've let you down Inside I doubt, that you could love me But in your eyes, there's only grace now

“Our Common Cup”

July 2, 2023
Anthem Crowded Table Hemby/McKenna/Carlile Chrissy Westbury, solo You can hold my hand when you need to let go I can be your mountain when you're feeling valley-low I can be your streetlight showing you the way home You can hold my hand when you need to let go I want a house with a crowded table And a place by the fire for everyone Let us take on the world while we’re young and able And bring us back together when the day is done If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep If it’s love that we give, then it's love that we reap If we want a garden, we're gonna have to sow the seed The door is always open Your picture's on my wall Everyone’s a little broken And everyone belongs Yeah, everyone belongs
The Briner Lectureship was established in memory of The Rev. Dr. Lewis A. Briner, former pastor of our congregation. He centered ministry in care for language, scripture, the arts, and how they came together to touch people with good news in our world. In that spirit it is most fitting to welcome today Carrie Newcomer and Gary Walters.