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Isaiah

Everyone Who Thirsts: A Sermon on Inclusion for Lent 3C on Isaiah 55:1-9

by Rachael Keefe
Sermon on Inclusion Isaiah 55 Lent 3C

What happened to God so loves the entirety of the cosmos (John 3:16) and all are equal before God (e.g. Genesis 1:27, Galatians 3:28)?

Categories Sermon Starter, Musings Tags change, church, Isaiah, Lent, Love, White Supremacy

Seeking Wings Like Eagles

by Rachael Keefe

There’s not a lot of raising up happening, at least not in my neighborhood. I’m not even sure there are folx waiting for the Lord. I don’t think we know and we’ve dismissed so much of what we have heard. Sure, we might say that God is the Creator of all that is. I’m just … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags church, Epiphany, healing, hope, Isaiah, Mark, Peter

Joy, Always Joy

by Rachael Keefe

Here we are at the third Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, this is the Sunday of Joy. On this day we shift from penitential waiting to joyful anticipation. The tone of Advent shifts from somber to joyful. We know that God is drawing near. We celebrate the Christ who was, who is, and who shall be. … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags 1 Thessalonians, Advent, hope, Isaiah, John, Joy, Love

Bidding Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent

by Rachael Keefe

Come, let us pray for the people of God here and everywhere. (People silently or out loud offer their prayers.) Bringer of peace and hope, we turn our hearts and minds to you. We see your people in need all around us, all around the world. You frequently remind us that all people are your … Read More

Categories Bidding Prayer, Liturgy Tags Advent, Bidding prayer, COVID-19, Isaiah, Mark, pandemic bidding prayer, peace, Psalms

Call Me Grateful (Mostly)

by Rachael Keefe

When I was very young, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I loved the beach in all seasons and collecting shells and rocks and discovering the names of them was one of the great joys of my early life. Then someone told me that in order to be a marine biologist I would have … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags change, church, Discipleship, Epiphany, gratitude, hope, Isaiah, Matthew

How is it with Your Spirit?

by Rachael Keefe

On January 17, 1991 between 6:30 and 7:00pm I was in a friend’s dorm room writing a paper on their computer. I had the news on in the background and wasn’t paying too much attention, at least not until the clips of bombs being dropped on Bagdad. In those moments I felt as if everything … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags Acts, change, Epiphany, healing, hope, Isaiah, Mental Health, Mental Illness, politics, Psalm

Faith and Politics: A Matter of Vocabulary

by Rachael Keefe

My first awareness of politics was in the late 1970s when Ford was President of the U.S. I didn’t understand anything about Watergate but for some unidentifiable reason I recognized that Ford had not been president for a full four-year term. I, as a child of nine or ten, noticed. I did a bit more … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags Advent, change, church, Faith, fear, hope, Isaiah, Love, Luke, politics

Good News for Reluctant Hearts

by Rachael Keefe

I gave up trying to be happy and joyful just because it’s the holiday season a long time ago. Growing up, I thought I was the only one who didn’t have the perfect Norman Rockwell (or, these days, Hallmark) family. Nearly every year I would end up in tears on Christmas day because it was … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags Advent, change, healing, hope, Isaiah, Matthew, peace

Between the Prophets and the Apocolypse

by Rachael Keefe

Somewhere between a prophetic vision and an apocalypse, there is Advent. The beauty and wonder of the season often gets lost in the shopping and parties and full schedules. I remember my first few years as a pastor, Advent was full to bursting with additional responsibilities with little time for rest and appreciation of what … Read More

Categories Musings, Sermon Starter Tags Advent, change, hope, Isaiah, Matthew

A Poem for the Year’s End

by Rachael Keefe

Jesus Replied (Luke 23:43) Year ends. God reigns whether we notice or not. Promises made long ago remain true – all are loved, all are valued, no one excluded. Advent draws near, calling us to pause and listen, watch, prepare, and begin again. The days are surely coming when all feet everywhere will travel in … Read More

Categories Poetry Tags change, Faith, hope, Isaiah, Love, Luke, New Life, poetry, Psalms, Reign of Christ, transformation
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Matilda the Moose a Christmas Story
Story

How Matilda, a Minnesota Moose, Saw the First Christmas: A Christmas Story

ByRachael Keefe December 27, 2022December 29, 2022
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