2Samuel 7: 4-16; Psalm 89: 2-5; 27 and 29; Matthew 1: 16-24

through her
the Holy Spirit
brought life
she followed

to Him
the Holy Spirit
brought life
he followed

through Him
the Holy Spirit
brings life
we follow

How do you follow?

Isaiah 49: 8-15; Psalm 145: 8-18; John 5: 17-30

answering
your call
we pass
from death
to life
knowing
we are more
than flesh
and blood
earth
and stone
but Spirit
that raises us
to love
and kindness
caring
and compassion
restoring
a world
setting us
free
we rejoice!
we give thanks!
we sing!

Have you been set free?

Ez 47: 1-12; Psalm 46: 2-9; John 5: 1-6

we are
your living
water
flowing
from the love
of your
sanctuary
our refuge
and strength
in time
of distress
we live
in your presence
and rise
and walk
with you

What do you say when Jesus says,, “Do you want to be well?”

Isaiah 65: 17-21; Psalm 30: 2-13; John 4: 43-54

in the dawn
you are there
my helper
who changed
my mourning
into dancing
i follow
as a new heaven
and new earth
are created
the past
left behind
with all of
our tears
living
in this place
of hope
and love
we rejoice
and give thanks
for the miracle
of life

Can you leave the past behind?
Do you see a new heaven and a new earth?

2 Chron 36:14-17,19-23; Psalm. 137:1-6; Eph 1: 4-10; John 3: 14-21

light of God
gift
for eyes
of darkness
to see
the truth
revealed
that all
is gift
to us
and
for those
who seek love
an answer
a Son
raised up…
returning
from our exile of
infidelity
having been lulled
to forgetfulness
we remember
as the call
to our heart
from God
is heard…
nothing is earned
the purity
of love
that is
not currency
but grace
fills
and inspires
our works
that live in
the light of God.

Do you believe that all is gift?
Do you let God’s light into your darkness?

Hosea 6: 1-6; Psalm 5: 3-21; Luke 18: 9-14

standing
in the margins
knowing our sin
we ask
for mercy
and a
God of love
sees me
and my soul
once hardened
and dry
is refreshed
with rain
its darkness
flooded
with light
we live
in the grace
of compassion

How do you experience mercy?

Hosea 13: 2-10; Psalm 81: 6-17; Mark 12: 28-34

spirit upon us
like the dewfall
we hear
love God
first
with all
your heart
and mind
and soul
let no strange God
come among you
and take
the love
of neighbor
from you
forgive
let love
blossom
as freely
as the lilies
casting
as wide
a fragrance
as the cedars
and splendor
of the olive branch

Has a strange God come among you to take the love of your neighbor?

Jeremiah 7: 23-28; Psalm 95: 1-9; Luke 11: 14-23

God says
listen
to my voice
harden not
your hearts
gather
with me
into Goodness
into Love
where demons
of greed
and hatred
and lies
and violence
have been cast out
and a song
of Joy
is heard

How do you listen to God’s voice?
To what do you harden your heart?

Dt 4: 1, 5-9; Psalm 147: 12-20; Matthew 5: 17-19

Jesus
you come
to fulfill
a law
written
in statutes
and stone
to one
that lives
in hearts
of flesh
breath
and bone
Spirit
of love
once given
to a chosen few
now
lives in
all

How do you experience God’s law in your heart?