A modern Affirmation of Faith, for use at funerals or other times.
The love of God is immeasurable, seeking all depths and knowing no bounds. We are sure of this: neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation can finally separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Ever-present God, remind us today that when we seek you, you answer. Sharpen our minds and strengthen our spirits to see what you have already made known; condition our minds and hearts to do your will, to become ever-more like You, and to live your call graciously, gratefully, and generously. In Jesus’ name, amen.
O God, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Through the praise of children you have established a stronghold. When we consider your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars, the atoms and cosmos, which you have set in place, who are we that you are mindful of us, human beings that you care for us? But you made us, carefully, wonderfully, and have crowned us with the glory and honor of your image, your Spirit, your life. O Yahweh, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
We just changed the language for a corporate setting. “We” exalt you instead of “be exalted,” etc.
We will exalt You, O Lord, among the nations;
we will sing of You among the peoples.
For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory over the earth. Amen.
There’s a lot here that’s true. Especially this: “In a workist culture that believes dignity is grounded in accomplishment, simply reclaiming this alternative form of dignity becomes a radical act.”
I don’t love that the book it’s talking about is connected to TGC. But beyond that, what’s the takeaway? Successful, upwardly mobile post-industrial people certainly sense there’s more to life. But modern churches have been pretty bad at being emotionally and intellectually fulfilling. This wasn’t always the case, but I think it is now.
What to do?
For use any time:
God of all people, God of all seasons, God of past, present, and future; bless us as we gather. Center us in your presence, remind us of your love, strengthen us with your protection, guide us with your wisdom, move us to hear Your call and do the good work you call us too. Amen.
1996 was like my peak teenage year. Sometimes I don’t think I have much to offer people who are “deconstructing” now. I put that in quotes because it’s not what I called it when I did it. I’m in my 40s, I’ve done this work. Sometimes I’m triggered by people doing it now, because they don’t know (and I know they can’t know) that this isn’t a new thing. Fundamentalism is far newer than the balance of the Christian tradition. So sometimes twitter is hard. I don’t feel like I have much to offer. But, I do have this. Call it a hymn of deconstruction. Follow Jesus away from the bullshit. The album cut here is slow, but I always play it fast and happy.
I don’t know where Melanie McCabe grew up, but this feels like so many summers in the mid-Atlantic. Some perfect lines and images here.
Sunday Night
Raymond Carver
Make use of the things around you.
This light rain
Outside the window, for one.
This cigarette between my fingers,
These feet on the couch.
The faint sound of rock-and-roll,
The red Ferrari in my head.
The woman bumping
Drunkenly around in the kitchen …
Put it all in,
Make use.
Worst Church Ever 