CANTUS: For the Beauty of the Earth by Konrad Cocher arr. Paul John Rudoi YouTube video by Cantus

A blessing for Earth Day.

youtu.be/Z1np33RqdkA

Sometimes we confuse humility with timidity. This gives little glory to the one who has given us our gifts.
God uses each of us in our own way, and even if you are not the best one, you may be the one who is needed or the one who is there.

— Desmond Tutu

All who believed were together and had all things in common. They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

—Acts 2

An eagle flies in a blue and grey sky.

The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles.
They shall run and not be weary.
They shall walk and not faint.

—Isaiah 40

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace,
 in peace because they trust in you.
‍Trust in the Lord forever,
 for in the Lord God
 you have an everlasting rock.

—Isaiah 26

Lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace.

—Ephesians 6

Resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing.

—Frederick Buechner

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

—Galatians 5

Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.

And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it.

And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.

—Mark 13 & 14

Jesus said to them, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.”

—John 10

When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

A person’s pride will bring humiliation,
but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

—Proverbs 29

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
for love is strong as death.
‍Many waters cannot quench love,
 neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love
 all the wealth of one’s house,
 it would be utterly scorned.

—Song of Songs 8

“They truly become part of our church family, even if they do not attend Sunday worship,” she said. “Our largest congregation gathers on Wednesday evenings.” #UMC
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When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the foreigner. The immigrant who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the immigrant as yourself, for you were refugees in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

—Leviticus 19

God is our refuge & strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.

The nations are in an uproar.
The kingdoms totter.
The Lord of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.

—Psalm 46

He is the one to whom you belong. For you do not belong to yourself but to the one who has created you and the whole world, from the smallest gnat to the planet and fixed star, without whom nothing would have existed and without whom you too would have been nothing at all.

—Karl Barth

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

—Colossians 3

God’s people sing in defiance of the data. Always.

—Walter Brueggemann

The stone that the builders rejected
 has become the chief cornerstone.
‍This is the Lord’s doing.
 It is marvelous in our eyes.
‍This is the day that the Lord has made.
 Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

—Psalm 118

Pink and purple flowers in front of an embroidered altar cloth.

Alleluia! Christ is risen
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

White Easter lilies.

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’

—Matthew 28

Chrysostom:
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Pink flowers in front of an altar.

Let no one grieve at his poverty,for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again & again,for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen,& life is liberated!

—Easter sermon,John Chrysostom

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

Stained glass window. Christ is shown crucified, flanked by the two thieves. One of the thieves has his head down in despair, the other looks to Jesus for hope.

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull. There they crucified him & with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

—John 19

Crucifixion Window, Peace Lutheran Church, St Louis, MO. Designed by Will Frank.

For the first time, Black women bishops in the UMC share Good Friday pulpit (RNS) — ‘Just as Christ’s work on the cross was countercultural, this service is a counternarrative,’ said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, who leads the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Episcop...

“Just as Christ’s work on the cross was countercultural, this service is a counternarrative, a living witness, a celebration of faithful, fierce and fearless women of God who continue to break barriers, preach with prophetic power & lead with divine authority.” #UMC
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Jesus said,
“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

—John 13

Who are my adversaries?
 Let them confront me.
‍It is the Lord God who helps me;
 who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
 the moth will eat them up.

—Isaiah 50

The Lord God helps me;
 therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
 and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
 Let us stand in court together.

—Isaiah 50

For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 1