Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor: Recent Episodes
Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor
We talk about the form and structure of our Sunday morning service to give us a better framework for why and how we worship the way we do. Learn more […]
Congregant Bruce Umpstead shares about how he came to a more inclusive faith, and the meaning he’s found in practices like Lectio Divina. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. […]
We inhabit a world filled with love and with possibilities for love: opportunities to meet one another with freedom and presence, to take one another’s joys and sufferings seriously, and […]
As we continue our sermon series on the Song of Songs, we will be considering the importance of beauty, how beauty leads us to wisdom and love, and how it […]
To love creation is to recognize that the earth isn’t merely the stage on which our lives unfold but it’s a living community to which we belong. In order to […]
This week we open a new sermon series where we’re looking at the Song of Songs through an ecological lens to discover what it might have to say to us […]
Leadership is the Spirit-given work of helping a community live into its calling. Pastor Emily weaves in the voices of several people with a leadership gift to highlight some godly […]
The gift of faith is the Spirit-given ability to trust deeply in God’s presence and goodness, especially when circumstances make that trust difficult. We talk about how people with this gift […]
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the book of Acts. As followers of Jesus were busy debating who could be baptized into the community of […]
We talk about what prophecy and discernment look like in practical terms, and how they work together to encourage us and provide wisdom. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
Sister Elena Guerra, Pope Leo XIII, Agnes Ozman, William Seymour, and Lucy Fallows: The Story Behind the re-emergence of the Spirit’s quirkiest gift. (And a bonus: what Pope Leo XIV […]
The Bible is full of stories about healing, especially the Gospels. For this reason, the expectation of divine healing has been a normal part of the church’s life. In this […]
Looking at the Book of Acts and the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke, we talk about how the gifts of hospitality and generosity can be seen […]
We’re starting a new sermon series this morning on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We talk about how the stories between Easter and Pentecost point to a God whose Spirit […]
We talk about the Road to Emmaus, and the invitation is to keep walking on a journey of faith. To stay attentive. To remain open to the possibility that there is more happening […]
On this Easter Sunday, as we remember the story of Jesus’s resurrection together, it might be surprising to consider that Easter doesn’t take place outside of the wilderness. Easter happens right in the […]
Wilderness tales often include tests of character in the Bible; it’s probably clearest in Jesus’s story. In the wilderness God realized he could trust Jesus to use his authority and influence with […]
We look further at the story of Elijah to help us navigate questions around burnout, rejuvenation, and discerning what’s ours to carry and what’s not ours to carry. Learn more […]
Using the story of Elijah and the ravens, we talk about how God provides for us and sustains us in the hardest times of life. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
The wilderness is a common image in scripture. It signifies the places in life where God feels absent and it seems like we’re alone. The story of Jacob offers us […]
Using the story of Joseph we talk about hard-won survival wisdom gained in the wilderness. The boy who had big dreams becomes a man who can manage a crisis. Learn […]
We open our new sermon series and talk about how remembering God’s faithfulness and other ways we get through hard times builds resilience. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. […]
In 1937, while leading a seminary declared illegal by the Nazis, the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote one of his most famous books: The Cost of Discipleship. In the book, […]
We look at the ending of the story, focusing on some of the comic elements, and talk about how the story of Gideon is trying to teach us that friendship with God […]
Bishop Tim Wolfe teaches from the story of Gideon to encourage us that God can use us to change the world for the better. He highlights the verse that talks […]
When it seems like everything is on fire and God has abandoned the world, Gideon’s story reminds us that we are not alone. God is with us, inviting us to […]
We open a three-part sermon series on friendship with God using the story of Gideon in Judges 6–7. Who does God say you are? What does it mean to build […]
We use the story of Ruth as scaffolding for talking about care and concern for immigrants. Our message also includes a presentation by Amanda Schwartz, a staff attorney at the […]
The Christmas season ends on January 6th with the celebration of Epiphany. On this day we remember the story of Herod, an insecure king, who was visited by magi from […]
The night Jesus was born, some shepherds were playing a role that would have been familiar to anyone shaped by the Hebrew Scriptures—the role of the watchmen. We talk about […]
From Board Member Lisa Ruby: Pivoting away from quiet anticipation to rejoicing and elation as we light the candle of joy. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
In the second week of Advent, as we continue our series on the legacy of the watchmen, we are invited to consider the story of Ezekiel the Prophet. Ezekiel was […]
It’s the first week of Advent, the season when we wait in the darkness with hope that God’s presence will break through. We talk about how the watchmen of Scripture provide a […]
Using a story from the Gospel of Luke, we offer a few thoughts on gratitude this Thanksgiving week. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past […]
Today we reach the edge of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus brings everything to a choice. There are different ways to live. Which story will we trust? Which foundation […]
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to judge one another and not to get caught up worrying about other people’s issues when we have plenty of […]
We continue in our series on the Sermon on the Mount and then have a little chat about the church in lieu of our normal membership series. Learn more about […]
This week we take a closer look at The Lord’s Prayer to help us better understand this prayer we say together each week and how it shapes our hearts. Learn […]
The part of the SOTM we’re talking about today is about rivalry-reducing practices. These are spiritual practices that can help shape us to have the kind of character that helps us […]
This week we continue our Sermon on the Mount series by considering two of Jesus’ most challenging teachings: nonviolence and enemy-love. We explore the logic behind these teachings and consider […]
We look at how Jesus diagnoses the things that most often trip humans up and keep us from being our best selves, and the practical advice he gives to help […]
What does it mean for salt to “lose its taste”? We talk about the part of the Sermon on the Mount that encourages us to keep our “flavor,” be light, […]
Many people see the Beatitudes as high moral ideals we’re supposed to live up to, but that approach makes us focus on our own effort instead of God’s grace. We […]
Pastor Emily opens up a new series on the Sermon On the Mount by setting the stage for Jesus’s most famous teaching. The Sermon on the Mount begins not with a […]
In Luke 14, Jesus responds to the crowds in a surprising way: If you want to be my disciple, be prepared to give up everything. What feels like a harsh […]
From Guest Speaker Kim Robinson: Based in developmental science about how learning happens, I make connections between the process of learning and the process of working toward God’s good realm […]
From Guest Speaker Tom Seiple: The Bible has a great deal to say about money and debt, mentioning money, wealth, and debt over 2,300 times. Given that frequency, these are clearly […]
How do we pray when it seems like the world around us has lost its way? Incorporating insights from indigenous teachers, we explore the world of Psalm 82 and learn what it […]
Best-selling Christian books to the contrary, cognitive and emotional empathy is the ethical heart of the teaching of Jesus and the Law of Moses. Pastor Emeritus Ken Wilson provides guidance […]
From Special Guest Speaker Dr. David Gushee: Drawing from Luke 12:13–21, a family inheritance dispute is the occasion for a teaching moment. Dr. Gushee has been a special friend to […]
From Guest Speaker Nancy Ogilvie: There’s no question that growing old can be a process of loss and diminishment; and when we embrace aging as a spiritual practice, we can turn […]
From Pastor Emeritus Ken Wilson—The manosphere is calling for a return to 1950s gender roles and masculinity. There are other options. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
Emily and Javan have a flock of about 60 sheep, daily they teach them insights about themselves and God—enlightening the words of Scripture. Drawing from Ezekiel 34, they share some […]
Guest speaker Lisa Ruby discusses the challenges of living, and especially growing up, in a society dominated by laws and punishments meant to control our behavior, and the invaluable role […]
We wrap up our series on the dragon theme in the Bible by talking about how Jesus gave us tools for fighting the Chaos Monster. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
We explore the story of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4 as a dragon-slaying story, and talk about the invitation for all of us to participate in the story of […]
We continue our series exploring the dragon-slaying stories in the Bible by revisiting the story of Exodus where Moses leads the Israelites to freedom while Pharaoh and his army are […]
This week we open up a sermon series where we talk about the dragon slaying stories in the Bible and what they’re trying to communicate. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Pastor Emily interviews our new Associate Pastor of Community Life, Daniel Reaume, so we can get to know him better. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]
TFAM Bishop Tim Wolfe gives a word about the cost of following Jesus. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and […]
Practicing resurrection means living as if the resurrection of Jesus already changes everything—how we treat others, how we spend our time, how we respond to suffering, how we imagine the world can and should be. It takes […]
We talk about joy and celebration as acts of resistance against despair. Shared joy rooted in memory and hope, is powerful. Celebration is a sign that the oppressed have not been […]
The shortest verse in the Bible—Jesus Wept—is one of its most profound. It is a moment of deep humanity, a moment where grief meets love, and a moment that shows […]
We talk about how practicing Sabbath isn’t about adding to our load but about rhythm and trust and believing the care of your body and your soul isn’t something you have […]
We look at the history and importance of Communion as a ritual meal that forms trails in the landscape of the body/soul. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
We contrast the “yeast of Herod” with the “yeast of the kin-dom of God” and talk about how baptism symbolically aligns us with a story of hope, freedom, and love. […]
Using the story in John 2 about the miracle at Cana, we remember that, when the Spirit invites us to take action, we’re doing it with the abundance of God at […]
One of our spiritual tools is that we can make a pilgrimage of the heart where we can access Divine presence and peace. We talk about what it means to […]
We use the story of David blessing his son Solomon to build the temple to talk about discerning which roles are ours to take on, and which are not. Where […]
Blue Ocean intern El Costanzo draws from the stories of David dancing in worship and of his friendship with Jonathan to talk about love that transcends categories. Learn more about […]
We look at a story about King David that is both a warning and an invitation. It warns us of the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of corruption. […]
Emily and her sister Lindsay talk about the treasures of the church and how to navigate times such as the ones in which we live. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Pastor Emeritus Ken connects Jesus’s “fear not“ statements with Psalm 56, a psalm David wrote under intense duress. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]
Using stories about David, we talk about how our limits and character are tested when we meet adversity and pressure. What will we do? What kind of person do we want […]
This morning we begin a new sermon series called “The Heart of the Matter” where we’re interacting with some of the stories about King David in the Hebrew Scriptures in order to reflect on what […]
We look at the imagery of the nativity to talk about how Jesus is the new Eden—the new “home of delight,” in whom we find shelter, safety, and a place […]
As we move toward Christmas and the culmination of the season, we are reminded that love is a transformative power that shapes how we live, how we see ourselves, how […]
For the third week of Advent, Blue Ocean intern El Costanzo preaches about how the announcement of joy of the birth of Jesus was not made in the courts of kings […]
This second week of Advent we practice peace while waiting on the presence of God to show up more fully. Sometimes God’s peace enters into the chaos of our lives […]
Guest speaker Dr. Kim Robinson opens our Advent sermon series talking about the practices of Advent and learning from marginalized voices. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
We wrap up our series on reading the Bible by talking about some guardrails for interpretation. For more information on membership, and to download a copy of our current membership […]
This week we use the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den to illustrate the Fourfold Method of Bible Interpretation. For more information on membership, and to download a copy […]
We start out our series on reading the Bible by embracing an enjoyment of the writings as literature. Many of us have been taught to read the Bible “seriously” instead […]
When others struggle to feel God’s presence, we stand beside them because it is in relationship that we know God. No one is meant to do this alone. In a world that […]
Dr. David Gushee talks about the importance of liberal democracy and addresses the need for living with others in unity, as best we’re able. For more information on membership, and […]
Three different congregants share about their personal faith journey and why they’ve made Blue Ocean their church home. For more information on membership, and to download a copy of the […]
For our membership series, we explore getting outside ourselves to connect with others. Togetherness is the antidote to loneliness. We don’t need to have all the answers or to rely […]
We use the Book of Ruth and the Proverbs to talk about care for the poor. Part of what it means to follow Jesus, part of what it means to be […]
We talk about how healthy spirituality reduces shame, and we are welcome before God in all of our humanity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings […]
We talk about how the Proverbs caution us to be wary of extreme certainty, and wary of extremes in our thinking more generally. Many of the verses encourage us to be open […]
Pastor Emeritus, Ken Wilson, explores the wit and wisdom of Proverbs as field-tested advice from an oppressed people. Their experiences can help us navigate challenging situations, particularly as it applies […]
Today we explore the Proverbs as riddles. These riddle-type proverbs impart wisdom in witty or clever ways, just as Wisdom plays in the earth and delights in humankind. Learn more […]
Proverbs says everything meaningful in life has both upsides and downsides. Perhaps the most meaningful parts of our lives are enabled by the seemingly mundane things we do, day in and […]
The writer David Brooks talks about résumé virtues and eulogy virtues. The Book of Proverbs is deeply concerned with eulogy virtues—with character. It offers some guidelines that we’ll consider together. Learn […]
In the imagination of the Hebrew Scriptures, Wisdom is the fabric of the world. When we make wise choices, we have the wind at our back. Learn more about Blue […]
The catch all word for the stuff we learn that makes our lives work well is wisdom. We start a new sermon series this week on the earthy wisdom of the Proverbs […]
Habakkuk came to understand that living by faith meant that, even if he didn’t understand God’s ways or timing, he could rely on God’s character—Their wisdom, love, and reliability. Learn […]
Guest speaker Lisa Ruby talks about how we can lead responsibly in ways that reflect God’s good realm. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]
Today, we explore Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians on belonging to one sacred body as many members in One. Remembering that we can only be as healthy or as […]
This week we wrap up our sermon series on Original Blessing by summarizing what we’ve learned and looking at it in light of the Sermon on the Mount. Learn more […]
God’s desire is for us to both trust Them and show that we can be Trusted. We’re invited to grow and mature, to become discerning of good and evil, to hold grey […]
We look at another Scriptural metaphor that can help us think about how to live lives that reflect goodness and integrity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
We look at how the Bible asks us if we’re able to pick up the mandate of Original Blessing. Can we humans be trusted to care for ourselves and the […]
We dwell in a good God; a good God dwells in us. Today, we’ll explore how Original Blessing can help us turn away from the arrogance of thinking, “I don’t […]
On this Pentecost Sunday we talk about the symbolism of the trees and water in Scripture, and how we’re invited to drink from the Spirit to strengthen our souls and […]
We look at the metaphor of the garden in Scripture to explore what it’s saying about Original Blessing. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]
We talk about how the concept of Original Blessing is solving a different problem than Original Sin, which leads to a different gospel message. Instead of humans needing saving from […]
This week we take a closer look at some of the history and shortcomings of Original Sin and why it fails us. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
We’re starting a new sermon series on Original Blessing and how this idea impacts how we see God, ourselves, and our role in the world. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Today, we explore two versions of Paul too often used for harm. Then, we consider some new perspectives on Paul, which can transform the meaning of his words. As he […]
Pastor Ken explores the first three books of the old testament—Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus—to highlight the foundations of harm alleviation in scripture. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we see in his teachings and actions a roadmap for how we are called to live in the world. We orient our own deep […]
The story of Palm Sunday offers an invitation to live our lives in ways that bring about peace through justice. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]
As we continue our sermon series on following Jesus during a rise in Christian Nationalism, today we look at a repeating pattern: liberation movements followed by a rise in “stiff-necked” […]
We talk about the violent militancy of this white Christian nationalism and then look at Jesus for some guidance for how to relate to it. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
The best predictor that someone embraces Christian nationalism is that they also subscribe to traditional gender norms. We look at how Genesis starts out the Bible narrative with a challenge to gender hierarchy […]
We contrast how Jesus used power with the dominionist theology that’s driving part of the white Christian nationalist movement today. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]
We talk about the deep story driving Christian nationalism, and touch on how that story is counter to the project to which Jesus called his followers. Learn more about Blue […]
This morning we talk about the path to healing after a loss. Healing doesn’t mean getting back to the person we were before the loss, but rather integrating the loss into […]
We talk about how our emotions often feel like they’re in chaotic disarray in the weeks and months (and sometimes years) following a loss—feeling the feelings is part of the path […]
We talk a bit about our shared human experience of grief, and how to care for each other in times of mourning. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
We talk about God’s work in us during the cold, wintery seasons of our spiritual life using Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the sea beast.Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Kim Robinson, Executive Vice President of The Forum for Youth Investment and the Managing Director for the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, guest preaches—incorporating some of her research to talk about […]
On Epiphany we celebrate the story of the magi. Today, we also look to the night sky in a reflective exploration of what we can learn from the moon, who […]
Pastor Emily, joined by the children of Blue Ocean, shares stories about St. Nicholas of Myra; followed by a performance by the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, led by Crystal Harding. Learn […]
Guest preacher Lisa Ruby talks about ways to actively find peace in our daily lives. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn […]
We look at Luke 2 and talk about how Simeon and Anna understood the story they were part of and the role they played in it. They stood in a […]
We finish up our series by looking at the stories of a couple of saints who embody the longing for a healthy relationship with nature and with people of other […]
We talk about the mystical stream of the faith that connects Logos and Woman Wisdom and Jesus—remembering that God transcends gender. We also touch on a couple of the icons […]
We remember these saints to remind ourselves that we don’t have to do anything extravagant to be remembered as a person who shows God’s love to the people around us—we […]
On this All Saints Sunday we’re starting a new series talking about the communion of the saints and the icons we use in our worship space. We start off by […]
In the final sermon in our membership series, we talk about the grace and inclusive welcome of the table of God. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
We talk about how we’re compelled to walk paths of justice on our faith journeys, led by the Creator and in the company of others. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
We talk about what it means for the Creator to provide basic care, concern, and comfort to us in the midst of life’s many troubles, and how being nourished by […]
This morning we talk a bit about our values of connection and intentional community, and then three congregants share a little of their own story. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Jesus taught his disciples, “Blessed are you who are poor“ and “woe to you who are rich.” These challenge our expectations on who is truly blessed and chosen by G-d. […]
We’ve been talking about how, when religious meta-narratives undergo seismic shifts, people start to gather at the edges of faith because parts of the core don’t work for them anymore. […]
Innovation and the reimagining of Christianity is happening on the margins of our faith tradition. We chat a bit about TFAM and how our church found fellow travelers on our […]
We interact with the work of Rabbi Benay Lappe, who has a framework for what happens when the stories of our faith traditions start to unravel. It’s an invitation to […]
In a series where we’re exploring a few well-trod prayers, we look at a beloved compline prayer that offers some tools for praying before bed or during the night. Learn […]
We talk about the imagination St. Hildegard von Bingen had for how the Divine interacts with the creation, how her imagination informed the prayer she penned, and how it might […]
We give some history and context for the Sarum Prayer to better understand why we pray it together every week during our Sunday services. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Research shows that prayer and meditation are good for our brains. Today, we look at meditation and prayer as food for our mind and soul through the lens of two […]
Sheerah is a builder of cities. Her brief story is tucked away as a remnant within a book of remnants, but it’s an important one for helping some people see […]
Guest speaker Crystal Harding leads the Ypsilanti Youth Choir in a couple songs and then shares about her experience of speaking truth to power. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Guest Speaker Christian Axelgard shares a bit of his own story and why he connects with the story of Jonah. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]
Ruth is a story all about deeds of loving-kindness. When we are tempted to judge others or use the Bible for harm, Ruth the “compassionate friend” teaches about the greatest […]
Pastor Emily shares a lighter sermon about why she loves Barnabas—and how his story shaped her spirituality and influenced how we do church here at Blue Ocean. Learn more about Blue […]
We draw inspiration from the story of the Exodus to talk about the importance of supporting reparations. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past […]
Churches have been part of the American myth-making machine since colonial settlers stepped foot on the continent. White theologians and pastors over the centuries created theologies justifying white supremacy. So it’s […]
We have a story in our tradition that I think can help us get at ways of talking about some ways a faith community can help diminish shame. Using the […]
We look at the psalms and how they’re meant to function in a way that shapes us, so that—when we’ve experienced trauma, suffering, grief, injustices—we can learn to articulate our pain […]
Scripture encourages us to love our neighbors, but what does that mean? Helping others and being kind creates connection, reduces loneliness, and increases happiness. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Rachel Murr, a licensed therapist, shares about resilience and creating communities that help us build it. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, […]
Emily and Caroline have a conversation about mental health and spiritual communities. They touch on the language we use when we speak of mental health symptoms, the overlap of spirituality […]
Faith communities can be healing communities. We start out a new sermon series by talking about the conditions we cultivate as a church to make the space emotionally safe and healthy […]
Faith communities can be healing communities. We start out a new sermon series by talking about the conditions we cultivate as a church to make the space emotionally safe and healthy so we can thrive together. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and when we meet […]
Using the story of the man who lived among the tombs in Mark 5, we talk about the perniciousness of shame and finding community healing. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and when we meet in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
New scholarship by Rev. Dr. Mitzi Smith suggests the possibility that both Mary and Jesus had a slave status. We use that lens to look at how Jesus may have seen himself and his purpose. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and when we meet […]
A claim of the resurrection is that we have a rabbi who is still with us, able to teach and guide us, and—as part of that leadership function—to mediate Scripture to us. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and when we meet in person, or […]
On Easter, Christians insist that Death has been overcome because, if the Creator can get through to us that we don’t need to be afraid, then maybe we’ll be less awful to each other (and to ourselves). And maybe we’ll be bolder in our quest for justice in the here and now, if we’re not […]
On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into the heart of Jerusalem—not as a conquering hero, but as a champion of the poor and the oppressed. He signals his commitment to a different kind of power—a power grounded in love, compassion, and justice. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, […]
Jesus understood the incredible power differential between Rome and the his people; he knew the Jewish people would need to be creative in how they fought back against their oppressors. We gain insight into the way Jesus thought about how to Fight the Powers from the Sermon on the Mount. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Jesus lived his whole life under Roman occupation, and the particular region where he grew up—in the Galilee, in the north—bore deep scars from the Roman presence. We talk about the impact of the presence of the Roman Empire on the population and what Jesus was trying to teach in the midst of that. Learn more […]
Today, we explore the Pharisees. We look to transform widespread contempt for this ancient group through greater understanding and affirmation. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-services/
We talk about the Maccabean Revolt and the context for some strands of Judaism that existed in Jesus’s day. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-services/
We take a broad-stroke look at the history of the Jewish people (understanding broad strokes mask nuance and complexity); the creation of the Torah; and the early formation of Jewish identity as a backdrop to helping us better understand Jesus. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which […]
NOTE: sound quality for this episode is poor due to failure of our sound system. The recorded audio has been processed to try to improve intelligibility, but some sections are still difficult to understand. This message covers an overview of Lent, Lenten spiritual practices for 2023, and some topical coverage of how we think about […]
God is still experiencing new things in relationship to you and me and all creation. There is more to God than we yet know or can put to words. The name this God gives Themself is: I Am Becoming That I Am Becoming. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of […]
Metaphors help us to see reality in new ways, but for some, the metaphor for God as a Big Powerful Person doesn’t work very well. Today, we explore the metaphor for God as Cloud from Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, God Is Here. Drawing from descriptions of clouds in science, the Hebrew Bible, and the New […]
We look at the metaphor of God as consuming fire, learning that God’s fiery nature exists because God is in the business of transforming the unjust systems of the world. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information […]
God being my heart’s rock suggests there’s a place inside of each of us where we can turn for help in times of trouble. A place where we can be fed, and where we can find comfort and consolation. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays […]
Using the story of Jacob in Genesis 28, we talk about God as Ha-Makom, The Place. We recognize God can meet us wherever we are, no matter what’s going on in our lives. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in […]
On this Epiphany Sunday, we hone in on Jesus’s dad, Joseph, and wonder about his role in being an ally to Mary both in her pregnancy and in facing the threat conveyed by the magi regarding Herod. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll […]
Caroline reframes the legacy of St. Nicholas of Myra in light of Jesus’s teaching, that we are all children of God (who is both yours and mine). It’s not about naughty and nice. Everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who searches, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door will will be opened. Learn more about Blue […]
The prophet Isaiah promised God would “prepare the way” and send comfort to a suffering people. A few hundred years later John the Baptist came to enact that promise—bringing the comfort of God by declaring justice for the oppressed. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out […]
We can embrace the darkness in Advent, face it, name it, and turn our attention to the the coming Light. But, as we learn from the stories of oppressed people, while we’re waiting for the light, there can also be humor and joy. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of […]
Guest speaker Gayle Boss, author of All Creation Waits, shares about her own discovery of Advent and how its practices are deeply rooted in the biological rhythms of creation. Includes an introduction and closing meditation by Emily. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll […]
We start Advent with the story of Zechariah in the temple. Sometimes our words, like Zechariah’s, manifest our own limits of what we can imagine, while silence makes more room for the fullness of God and God’s imagination to work in us. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find […]
From the Sea of Reeds to the bitter springs of Marah to the oasis at Elim, Exodus 15 tells a story of finding spiritual refreshment and hope. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining […]
Today, as we continue our vision series, we focus on cultivating open hearts and generous giving as the birth of the compassionate self and as resistance to harm. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about […]
Using a brief tour of church history as a framework, we talk about how “Solus Jesus” fits into how we view the Bible—taking it as a “means of grace” or “medicine for the soul.” Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting […]
We talk about the church holiday of Allhollowtide and remember together those who have died and been gathered to their ancestors. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-service/
Dr. Sarah Emmanuel, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, continues her talk on understanding Jesus, the movement that built up around him, and the texts we call the New Testament as thoroughly Jewish.Includes an introduction by Emily and ends with a short Q&A time.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings […]
Using Jesus’ picture of needing new wineskins for new wine, we talk about the changes taking place in the wider church and the task we feel we’ve been given as a church.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or […]
Dr. Sarah Emmanuel, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, lays a foundation for understanding Jesus, the movement that built up around him, and the texts we call the New Testament as thoroughly Jewish.Includes an introduction by Emily and ends with a short question and answer time.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
The Apostle Peter calls us living stones, cut and shaped by the hands of nature and nurture and the transformative work of the Spirit. We’re constantly being formed and arranged in different ways to act as Bringers of the Sacred—Bringers of Light and Love—wherever we are. A holy priesthood is the language Peter uses.Extended cut: […]
Ken’s final sermon as a pastor explores how the parable of the mustard seed expresses the kind of church we are. Extended version: includes Emily’s introduction and ends with a joint discussion. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, […]
The traditional reading of this parable doesn’t hold up if examined closely. We examine this story through a different lens to see what it has to say to us about the nature of power and privilege. Maybe the man who buried his money is actually the hero of the story. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Special Guest Speaker Liz Dyer is the founder of the Mama Bears, a group that started as a private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids and has evolved into a large organization that provides support and resources for both the queer community and their families. Using a modern retelling of The Prodigal Son from Luke […]
We look at the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20), in the context of the preceding conversation of the rich man and the kin-dom of heaven, and explore the possibility that Jesus is more concerned with justice than fairness. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of […]
In this final series before retiring, Ken reflects on the role Blue Ocean played in nurturing his faith and preserving his hope that faith communities can play an important role in enhancing our mental health. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in […]
Jesus tells the story of the great banquet to communicate that the kin-dom of God is for everyone. You can be offended and leave if you want, but this kin-dom is for gay and straight; for people of all races and cultures; for all genders; it’s for the uneducated as much as it is for the educated; […]
The word translated “save” in the gospels means “safety from harm”—and it’s what I’ve experienced as pastor of Blue Ocean, especially, freedom from the pressure of religious scrutiny that afflicts many clergy. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in […]
We take a look an an alternate interpretation of a familiar story, using the lens of liberation theology. Summary: Build just systems, and don’t give money to unjust systems. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get […]
In the Christian tradition we have the writings of a 16th c. mystic, St. Ignatius, who talked about contemplation as a way of praying either through our thoughts or through our imaginations. Being a contemplative in action is a way to integrate contemplation into our everyday lives where we’re taking moments to pause, to behold, reflect, […]
Ken reflects on things he loves about our community—this week, focusing on learning to notice, loosen his grip on, and when it’s helpful to spend some of it. A rambling discourse! Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, […]
In the midst of the chaos of violence that can feel as overwhelming as a global flood, we are held in an Ark of Nests during the worst of storms and then, when it’s somewhat safe enough to find dry ground and create roots, the Bird God roams around until it finds a place where […]
Exploring ancient wisdom of identity (divine and human) as a dynamic discovery: I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE and the white stone with a hidden name on it. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information […]
Guest speaker Susan Shaffer shares some of her experiences with the creative process of song-writing. Contemplating on Psalm 61, unifying communal experiences, and near-death experiences; how are all of these connected, and what do they teach us about gaining perspective and experiencing the presence of the divine? (Note: Due to technical issues, only Susan’s second […]
At his baptism, the Spirit alighted on Jesus in the form of a bird. Because creation conveys divine presence, especially if we are attentive to the sense of expansiveness, nearness, and delight. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in […]
At his baptism, the Spirit alighted on Jesus in the form of a bird. Because creation conveys divine presence, especially if we are attentive to the sense of expansiveness, nearness, and delight. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting […]
We talk about how all of nature is infused with the Spirit of God, and look at the bird-God of the Bible. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
Our guest preacher, Sarah Bessey, uses the story of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 to help us name unmet expectations and dashed hopes, making space for the Spirit to enter into our grief and our truth to birth new expectations. This episode opens with an introduction by Emily. Learn more about Blue […]
On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember the Spirit of God as uncontainable force that came in the form of a mighty wind and tongues of fire to show us this Spirit could be accessed by humans in our surroundings and in our bodies. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch […]
Just like romantic love, friendships can end in loss or even betrayal. But, Jesus offers us a powerful example of friendship-love as he calls us to love one another as he loves us. This is the kind of love that enables our friends to fully reveal to us their faces and their hearts. At Blue […]
Looking at John 21, John wraps up his gospel with this story because he sees the lesson that Peter learned as foundational for understanding the role of people who follow Jesus. Peter learned not to participate in the scapegoating crowd, as a silent bystander. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
Jesus’ story of the unjust judge reveals his concern for justice and the powers of justice denied to destroy faith. A message from special guest David Gushee, a top Christian ethicist and a longtime ally to Blue Ocean Church. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, […]
When threatened, our alarm system goes off. Here’s a prayer from people who had this happening a lot—a prayer in the face of mortal enemies, that included this sweet line, “Guard me God as the apple of Your eye.” Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, […]
In one of the few post-resurrection stories, we see Jesus making breakfast for his friends. We experience the same invitation: “Come and rest. Breakfast is served. There is more than enough.” Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in […]
The five oldest accounts of resurrection evoke a sense of confused wonder. Maybe that’s the point. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-service/
On the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we discuss the myriad symbolisms in the baptism ritual and how it can be meaningful in a variety of situations—from baptizing babies to choosing an adult baptism to marking a life or gender transition, etc. Includes a testimony by El Costanzo. Learn more about Blue […]
This week is Holy Week—the week we remember together the story of Jesus’s journey into Jerusalem, the Last Supper he shared with his friends, and his death on what we now call Good Friday. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll […]
When we start from a place of acceptance—of having and honest assessment of our situation—we can focus on how to affect the most good within the parameters of what is in our control and release what is not. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find […]
Using the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, we look at the relationship between the brothers and how that provides insight and wisdom into doing the work of liberation. With Guest Speaker AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which […]
We look at humor as a survival tool during difficult times with reference to the Book of Esther. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-service/
The traditional translation emphasizes sin in a way that a more literal translation doesn’t. The difference makes a very big psychological and spiritual impact.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out when we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
Using The Book of Joy by Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama as scaffolding for our Lenten sermons, we discuss anger and despair as obstacles to joy—noting that they are natural emotions, have good uses, but, when they consume our lives, we aren’t able to thrive. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. […]
Lent is one of the three major seasons of the church year, evolved from the ancient Jewish calendar, which emerged as an alternative approach to time when the Jewish people were exiles in Babylon. We talk about how to use Lent as a time to enhance connection—to God, self, others, and the world around […]
We spend this service giving context for the gathering ritual we do each week together. Why do we do what we do? How is it meaningful? We talk about how attention sets intention, and our intention is to cultivate connection, justice, and to shape an ethical framework for living that helps us, our kids, and […]
Rev. Dr. Susan King shares with us how God speaks to us in the ordinary, the messy, the everyday. We need connection more than we need answers, and that connection helps us remember who we are—beloved of God, part of community, called to bring light and love into the world. Learn more about Blue […]
Two weeks ago we looked at a story that appears in all four of the Gospels, where a woman washes Jesus’s feet. We focused on Matthew, Mark, and John’s accounts, but Luke comes at the story differently. So this morning we pivot and engage his angle. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. […]
Psalm 42 describes longing for God’s Presence just as a deer longs for streams of water. But, this Psalm is credited to the children of a rebellious leader, a rebellion promoting values of equality that we might hold today. What can we learn from looking more deeply into their story? Learn more about Blue […]
Using the story of Mary of Bethany, we talk about how reframing a story can be helpful to better understand a situation, and for building resilience through difficulty. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out when we’ll be meeting in person, or get information […]
Ancient writings are like visitors from another world—expressing ignorance of things we know, but also knowledge of things our contemporary cultural lenses miss. Like the importance of expressing injury anger in the way we actually feel it. And like trusting a Higher Power in the face of hostile actors. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Today we honor Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s legacy. The kind of faith he practiced is what we’re talking about when we talk about a reconstructed faith. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out when we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
Preview of an upcoming Reorienting Faith class. And some perspectives on what it’s like to be in a faith deconstruction process, drawn from the time of Jesus and Hillel. Diane leads a meditation after the message. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out when […]
Mary (aka Miriam) is a prophet like Miriam, one of “three great leaders of Israel”: a powerful prophet and protector (mama bear) and anything but quietly submissive. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out when we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining […]
Our church has been invited to adopt an Afghan refugee family to help in their resettlement process. We talk about how care for refugees is an intrinsic part of our faith tradition and how we can respond to the need. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past […]
When bad things abound, attention to Joy helps. In ancient Judaism, moments of joy are a message from the universe: trust Joy. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
We ponder Isaiah 40 and Mark 1, asking how can we “prepare the way” to make encounters with hope, peace, joy, and love more probable this Advent season, so we can get through the winter and the pandemic. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find […]
A growing number of people are looking at Paul’s relationship to Judaism in a new light. Today, we explore a group of rival influencers who Paul described as claiming to be something they were not—because they were judging and boasting. By appreciating that there are different voices and interpretations of scripture, we can cultivate […]
We take a stroll through Psalm 27, allowing the writer to make space for our doubts and uncertainties about God and faith. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual […]
Rabbi Josh Whinston, from Temple Beth Emeth, one of our host congregations, speaks from the rich tradition of just treatment of “the stranger in the land” in the Hebrew Bible. Ancient wisdom with contemporary implications, as climate change produces more migrations around the world. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]
Schitt’s Creek is powerful because it helps us imagine a different kind of world. As do many of the parables of Jesus, along with the visions of the Prophets. First, we imagine it, then, with God, we co-create it.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find […]
We want to acknowledge and honor losses we have experienced in our lives. This is the Feast of All Saints, when lost loved ones are remembered. This year we include a Litany of Lament to honor the pain and difficulty of this past year and a half. We bring our range of experiences into […]
Brené Brown’s research and the ancient wisdom in Scripture on lament concur: comparative suffering is really unhelpful. It’s OK to count our losses along with our blessings. Diane leads a time of mediation after the message. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which […]
Humans are not the center of the Created order, with the freedom to use and abuse nature. Rather, our stories tell us that the Creator is at the center and we’re in a symbiotic relationship with this Creator and the Creation. Nature takes care of us and we, in turn, take care of nature. […]
Had enough “cultural relevance?”—writings from a time and place light years away from our own can be surprising and refreshing. Like this: The people known for inventing monotheism introduce G-d with a plural name, then a name that invites the pronouns “She/They.” What’s going on? Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
Using the story about the man whose friends lowered him through the roof of a house so he could see Jesus (Mark 2), we talk about what it means to clear a path for people to be included in the full life of the community. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]
We come back together after a year and half, celebrating resiliency and enjoying community.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings of past services, find out which Sundays we’ll be meeting in person, or get information about joining our live virtual service, by visiting a2blue.org/sunday-service/
Theology matters, since it affects how we feel about ourselves and treat others. And Christianity has a longstanding problem with some bad-theology that makes us look down on Judaism. Temple sacrifice, for example has a bad rap—in fact, it’s not preoccupied with sin at all, or calming an angry God. It creates a very […]
SOZO doesn’t mean “saved” (as in converted) and AIONIOS doesn’t mean “eternal” as in “eternal punishment.” Sozo means “kept safe, protected from harm”—and it’s the vision of the future we are called to hope for and work toward.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our […]
Job had to make sense of a world where God could both care for him and bad things can happen. When any of us are faced with that reality, it can make us feel discombobulated. Yet it’s also an opportunity for our faith and understanding of God’s love for us to ferment into something even […]
In our current mental health crisis, people who have lost loved ones need a little extra tender loving care. Many of us feel inadequate in the face of this need. But simple, doable things make a big difference.Diane leads a meditation after the message.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service […]
Ancient wisdom: notice the hectoring voice in your head, and know it’s not God’s voice. And having gone through the worst of it, your only goal is to stand—and it doesn’t need to be pretty. Diane leads the time of meditation after the message. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service […]
This particular psalm (Psalm 121) is part of a handful of songs known as the Psalms of Ascent. It’s thought that these particular psalms were sung by the Israelites when they made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year. We often look at mountains with existential questions about whether or not we’re alone, and with […]
We need things that spark inspiration. But one of our go-to spiritual practices has been sullied by harmful, fear- and compulsion-driven ways of interpreting what is written. Leon Kass, a professor of Great Books at University of Chicago, offers his approach, with much to recommend it. Cassie leads a time of meditation following the […]
When systemic forces challenge our senses of security, and when these forces batter our little boats with crashing waves, one after another, we’re forced to reckon with our own fragility—with the limitations of our systems and our own abilities. In this space we’re invited to look for the Divine coming in mysterious ways towards […]
Feel like you’re wandering in circles? You’re in good company. It’s how the Hebrews forged a new spirituality, one suited to uncertainty. Following the sermon, Diane leads a body-scan meditation.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Jonah’s story is a metaphor for major life and spiritual transitions. We see Jonah desperately crying out to God, fighting, blaming, and feeling overwhelmed—not to mention the visceral picture the story paints of him being in the stomach of a big fish. Like Jonah, we sometimes find ourselves desperately leaning into the Divine Love for comfort, […]
Using the story of Saul’s conversion, we look at the emotions involved when significant and sudden transitions happen in our lives that change who we are and how we think.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Coming out of quarantine is a Big Transition and that can be an occasion for lots of fear, in various forms. Often Jesus described trust (rather than courage) as the antidote to fear. Includes a short book report on After, by Bruce Greyson (lead researcher on Near Death Experiences). At the end of the […]
Humans are meaning makers…always on the lookout for purpose and significance in our experiences and surroundings. Susan shares how this meaning-making stirred up connections and inspiration in her while doing puzzles over the last year during the pandemic.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our […]
Today, we explore how research in resilience can help us overcome adversity, not only to survive, but to thrive. For reference, Caroline refers to these photos during her talk. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
As we emerge into a new normal, it’s a natural time to take stock of what we’ve been through. A powerful image from Psalm 31 can help us to focus: “Blessed be the Lord who has show me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.” Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
In Jesus’s imagination, God is a gardener, Jesus himself is a vine, and we are branches. The vine is a simple picture of what it means to be connected to God, each other, and nature, and we’re reminded that resting in God and loving each other are the bottom line of our faith.Learn more […]
Many ancient rituals (like animal sacrifice) offend our modern minds. But rituals have a logic all their own, that affect our bodies, our emotions, and convey ethics. A reflection on the meaning of the rituals we have developed during virtual church. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and […]
From Guest Speaker David Borger Germann: John’s mystical gospel names the Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, and quotes Jesus offering to lead us (progressively) into “all the truth.” What if the Divine Spirit is with us to engage (among other things) the circumstances & situations we face in our lives, our social-political-economic realities, and […]
We’ve been delving into how to foster positive transformation and build resilience in times of trouble. We’re learning to nestle into the darkness—to cozy down like a baby bird into a nest and let God tend to us. Using the story of Jesus and Nicodemus, we talk about the incubation period that precedes birth. […]
Attachment theory is important in the therapy world. A secure base camp helps us climb up the mountain. Jesus had secure attachments to family, village, synagogue that were disrupted in his adult years. He had to forge new secure attachments. And he leaned into the Jewish mystical tradition, an attachment bond spirituality that functioned […]
The Eastern Orthodoxy understanding of hesychasm is staying in a posture of quiet, unceasing prayer. We talk about hesychasm and how the Spirit intercedes for us when we have no words. This place of prayer provides safety for us in times of chaos and hardship.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service […]
Jesus, and stories that informed him, treat anger like the context driven and complex thing it is.Includes a time of meditation, led by Cassie, following the sermon. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
We can identify a few resources that, while they seem like they’re meager, we can give thanks for them and they’ll actually surprise us by being what we need to make it through.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at […]
Ever hear “put your faith in the facts and the feeling will follow?” It’s junk religion and bad cognitive science. The feelings surrounding the resurrection appearances are a mix of confusion, cognitive dissonance, and wonder. Jesus has a very distinct and playful human personality in these appearances. It all serves as a guide for […]
Resurrection always begins in the dark, hidden away like a seed about to germinate. When the world seems darkest, that’s when hope is on the horizon.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Lent Day 40 (Saturday) …on giving God, and ourselves, a rest from our prayingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 40 The Sarum Prayer (adapted, to give God a rest from our praying) God is in my head—and in my understanding God is in my eyes—and in my lookingGod […]
Lent Day 39 (Friday) …on being, pleaseA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 39 The Sarum Prayer (a stripped down Good Friday version) God be, God be.God be,God be.God be. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick, by Emily Swan I breathe in strength as I stand today:Calling on the […]
Lent Day 38 (Thursday) …on retracing Jesus’s final daysA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 38 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod […]
Lent Day 37 (Wednesday) …on learning from our enchanted world ancestorsA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 37 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 36 (Tuesday) …on slipping into the mystery of incarnationA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 36 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 35 (Monday) …on the effect of praying certain prayersA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 35 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
The triumphal entry into Jerusalem was a day of mixed & intense emotion: DESPERATE HOPE-ALARM-ANGER-SORROW. Not unlike our mixed emotions these days. What if there’s a God who embraces our emotions, rather than managing them? The sermon is followed by a guided meditation with Susan King.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual […]
Lent Day 34 (Saturday) …on the wonders that lie hidden beneath our feetA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 34 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my […]
Lent Day 33 (Friday) …on entering a cloud of their witnessA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 33 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 32 (Thursday) …on a possible move to Otherwhere A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 32 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 31 (Wednesday) …on having company for departure dayA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 31 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 30 (Tuesday) …on the cost of discipleshipA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 30 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod […]
Lent Day 29 (Monday) …on facing reality in hope of meeting God thereA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 29 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my […]
Loneliness has been a largely shared experience throughout this past year, but we have all experienced it uniquely. What can loneliness teach us? What can we learn from Jesus’s relationship with loneliness? Could times of loneliness be an invitation to experience being one as Jesus did—through the mystery of the Trinity?Learn more about Blue […]
Episode 49: Dream Book: I Have a Dream, words from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, paintings by Kadir Nelson, Song: Free by William Matthews & Gungor
Lent Day 28 (Saturday) …on imagination maladyA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 28 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod be at […]
Lent Day 27 (Friday) …on actually finding the word on the tip of your tongueA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 27 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be […]
Lent Day 26 (Thursday) …on the myth of the heart-head divideA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 26 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 25 (Wednesday) …on the heart-thinking of desireA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 25 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod […]
Lent Day 24 (Tuesday) …on feeling your voice in your chestA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 24 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 23 (Monday) …on the thinking heartA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 23 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod be […]
Today, we explore the spiritual practice of expressing emotion through imagination, while considering the emotional and imaginative realms of love and gender in real life and in the Bible.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 48: Brave (Pauli Murray) Book: Imagination Station: Exploring the Trailblazing Life of Pauli Murray by Avani and Sandesh Rao, Song: Wade in the Water
Lent Day 22 (Saturday) …on the speaking we do inside our headsA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 22 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 21 (Friday) …on being prepared to speak a contrary wordA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 21 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 20 (Thursday) …on our limited command of the English languageA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 20 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 19 (Wednesday) …on singing our way out of a bad moodA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 19 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my […]
Lent Day 18 (Tuesday) …on overcoming the intimidation factorA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 18 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my thinkingGod […]
Lent Day 17 (Monday) …on being at a loss for wordsA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 17 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Most of us have mixed feelings about praise—giving & receiving it for ourselves, to God, in church settings, etc. Ken shares his mixed feelings and how he navigates them and offers an alternative to “wrap your criticism in a praise sandwich.” A meditation time with Cassie is included after the message.Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Episode 47: Lead (Harriet Tubman) Book: I am Harriet Tubman by Brad Meltzer, Song: Wade in the Water
Lent Day 16 (Saturday) …on the desire to be seenA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 16 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 15 (Friday) …on the border between two kinds of lookingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 15 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 14 (Thursday) …on the wonders wrought by lookingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 14 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 13 (Wednesday) …on feeling more connected to our surroundingsA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 13 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 12 (Tuesday) …on a pre-modern take regarding our eyesA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 12 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in […]
Lent Day 11 (Monday) …on praying with our eyes openA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 11 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Dr. David Gushee, having crossed the LGBTQ line, was quickly ejected from Evangelicalism despite being one of its top ethicists. He tells the story of examining Evangelicalism, which he falls “fundamentalism rebranded.” This talk is a great introduction to an important book which is like a years worth of therapy for those who no […]
Episode 46: Play (Hank Aaron) Book: Hank Aaron, Brave in Every Way by Peter Golenbock, Song: Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Lent Day 10 (Saturday) …on sharing God’s delight in understandingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 10 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 9 (Friday) …on an open theory of mindA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 9 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 8 (Thursday) …on what a bold prayer this really isA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 8 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 7 (Wednesday) …on the humility and curiosity required by understandingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 7 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
Lent Day 6 (Tuesday) …on the lovely gift of understandingA reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 6 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and in my […]
Lent Day 5 (Monday) …on getting acquainted with the first line A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 5 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my heart—and […]
This morning we talk about creating space to breathe and to notice where God is at work so we can name (for ourselves and others) the hope and joy we see. We don’t do this in a systematic way that adds something to our daily “to do” list, but in a mindful way, without […]
Episode 45: Fences Book: The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, Song: Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Lent Day 4 …on prayer as a bodily function A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 4 The Sarum Prayer If you like, pray the Sarum Prayer with a continued focus on the breath: on the inbreath “God be in my,” on the outbreath “—and in my…” Either pray each […]
Lent Day 3 …on the value of very old prayers A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 3 The Sarum Prayer If you like, pray the Sarum Prayer with a continued focus on the breath: on the inbreath “God be in my,” on the outbreath “—and in my…” Either pray […]
Lent Day 2 …on the value of keeping a few set prayers handy A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 2 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my mouth—and in my speakingGod be in my […]
Ash Wednesday, 2021 …on the point of prayer in the first place A reading from God be in My Head: The Sarum Prayer, Day 1 The Sarum Prayer If you like, pray the Sarum Prayer with a continued focus on the breath: on the inbreath “God be in my,” on the outbreath “—and in my…” […]
Our Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Mondays and Fridays we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing […]
Ecclesiastes has a surprising view of divine wisdom at ease with humans who need to find out for themselves what leads to happiness by performing some failed experiments. A corrective for “fear of making mistakes” as an excuse for wisdom. A meditation time with Cassie is included after the message.Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Episode 44: Read (Booker T. Washington) Book: More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby, Song: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today comes from Acts 17: […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday using The Divine Hours compiled by Phyllis Tickle, a mystic, who was also a dear friend of Blue Ocean. For Phyllis, this form of prayer became (over time) not just “saying our prayers”—which is what it feels like at first, but it became a portal into a deeper […]
We have a few more weeks of The Divine Hours for our Wednesday and Thursday Daily Prayer Podcast. I hope you’ve begun to feel what it’s like to slip into the rhythm of this way of praying, to feel a sense of a communal conversation, using with words crafted by those who have gone […]
Remembered Love Meditation Today’s prayer involves two meditative practices to help us feel more connected to those we love in a time of increased social isolation. In the first practice we focus on our living loved ones, close at hand or far away. In the second practice we focus on loved ones who are […]
A meditation from Cassie… Resourcing Meditation For today’s mediation I’d like to practice a resiliency building skill called Resourcing. Resourcing is when we imagine ourselves in a safe or happy place, noticing how we feel. Let’s get comfortable wherever we’re sitting. Close your eyes and place your hands in your lap. Take a deep […]
Qoheleth, the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes, offers practical advice for how to live when it seems like life is meaningless and injustices will never go away. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 43: March Subject: The Children’s Crusade of 1963, Book: Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, Song: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today comes from Acts 17: […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday using The Divine Hours compiled by Phyllis Tickle, a mystic, who was also a dear friend of Blue Ocean. For Phyllis, this form of prayer became (over time) not just “saying our prayers”—which is what it feels like at first, but it became a portal into a deeper […]
Today’s version of The Divine Hours is short and sweet. No meditations worked in. I wanted you to see that it only takes 3 and a half minutes for this form of prayer-at-intervals-through the day. You can, of course, begin with a minute or two of silent meditation if you like. By now, you […]
Remembered Love Meditation Today’s prayer involves two meditative practices to help us feel more connected to those we love in a time of increased social isolation. In the first practice we focus on our living loved ones, close at hand or far away. In the second practice we focus on loved ones who are […]
Unconditional Love Meditation This meditation is about unconditional love. It refers to loving someone for who they are, regardless of what they do. Sit comfortably. Put your feet on something solid like the floor. Sit up straight and take a long, slow breath in through your nose, then a long slow breath out through […]
Despite Evangelical distortions, our tradition makes room for disillusionment and dissent as part of our faith journey. We can learn this from a writer who lost his faith-based hope, worn down by oppressive political powers and a lousy love life, and had the freedom to express it—as a form of inspired/sacred writing.Learn more about […]
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
A selection of kid-friendly meditations, from Children’s Pastor, Diane, and a song from Susan, our Children’s Ministry Co-Director. Hot Chocolate Imagine you’re holding a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. It is much too tot to take a sip, so you need to blow on it to cool it off. Bring your cup […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday using The Divine Hours compiled by Phyllis Tickle, a mystic whose long practice of this form of prayer became a portal into a rich experience of the divine. Remember, think of this form of prayer as a structure conversation—beginning with the greeting (hello) and ending with a blessing […]
Today’s version of The Divine Hours is short and sweet. No meditations worked in. I wanted you to see that it only takes 3 and a half minutes for this form of prayer-at-intervals-through the day. You can, of course, begin with a minute or two of silent meditation if you like. By now, you […]
Remembered Love Meditation Today’s prayer involves two meditative practices to help us feel more connected to those we love in a time of increased social isolation. In the first practice we focus on our living loved ones, close at hand or far away. In the second practice we focus on loved ones who are […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant,and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments and […]
Inaugural poet, and 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman read a piece during the inauguration that she’d written after the attempted coup. She used biblical imagery from the prophets that we’ll unpack.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for our weekly live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
Our Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Mondays and Fridays we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday using The Divine Hours compiled by Phyllis Tickle, a mystic whose long practice of this form of prayer became a portal into a rich experience of the divine. Remember, think of this form of prayer as a structure conversation—beginning with the greeting (hello) and ending with a blessing […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Wednesday and our practice of the most ancient form of prayer in the Abrahamic traditions—fixed hour prayer, or The Divine Hours, with a user-friendly version of the same, complied by Phyllis Tickle (available in three volumes if it floats your boat.) We’re not using our own words in this […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from the concluding paragraph of Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understandingGod be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant,and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments and […]
A prophet to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, experiencing heightened vulnerability to majority mob violence, channels the divine love in the midst of the crisis.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
Unconditional Love Meditation This meditation is about unconditional love. It refers to loving someone for who they are, regardless of what they do. Sit comfortably. Put your feet on something solid like the floor. Sit up straight and take a long, slow breath in through your nose, then a long slow breath out through […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. For Wednesdays and Thursdays between now and Ash Wednesday on February 17, the daily prayer podcast will feature prayer from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle (and available for purchase in book form.) Because familiarity is a plus with this form of prayer, we’ll use the same […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Wednesday and our practice of the most ancient form of prayer in the Abrahamic traditions—fixed hour prayer, or The Divine Hours, with a user-friendly version of the same, complied by Phyllis Tickle (available in three volumes if it floats your boat.) We’re not using our own words in this […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from the concluding paragraph of Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understandingGod be in my eyes—and in my lookingGod be in my […]
A meditation from Cassie… Resourcing Meditation For today’s mediation I’d like to practice a resiliency building skill called Resourcing. Resourcing is when we imagine ourselves in a safe or happy place, noticing how we feel. Let’s get comfortable wherever we’re sitting. Close your eyes and place your hands in your lap. Take a deep […]
Dr. Harold Trulear from Howard University speaks on Psalm 23, the paralyzing effect of fear, and God’s presence with us in the midst of turmoil—all in the context of the the devastation of Covid and the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, […]
From the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today comes from Acts 17: […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. For Wednesdays and Thursdays between now and Ash Wednesday on February 17, the daily prayer podcast will feature prayer from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle (and available for purchase in book form.) Because familiarity is a plus with this form of prayer, we’ll use the same […]
We offer a few thoughts on why the church remembers the story of the magi visiting baby Jesus each year. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Many of our Christmas traditions are drawn from stories and folklore surrounding St. Nicholas, a saint from what is now modern-day Turkey, known for his concern for the poor. Worship Pastor Cassie Richardson shares a St. Nicholas story from her childhood, along with other Christmas memories and an encouragement to keep some traditions alive […]
Episode 41: Christmas Conspiracy Song Credit: Trans-Siberian Orchestra—Christmas Eve/Sarajevo
Merry Christmas! Today, with help from Julia Huttar Bailey, rector at Trinity in the Woods Episcopal Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan, we observe Christmas with the prayer for Christmas Day from The Divine Hours, complied by Phyllis Tickle (of blessed memory). Phyllis popularized the prayers at set intervals through the day that monks and […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
The Psalms introduce a form of self talk that turns out to be more life giving than a lot of our inner chatter, mirrored in the practice of addressing ourselves in the third person (by our name). It’s a more compassionate self-talk, like we might speak to a friend.Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Episode 40: Making Room Book: Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell, Song: The Little Drummer Boy
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath prayer. On the […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a breath […]
The incarnation is a mystery that pulls us in to awe and wonder. Christ entered in to experience humanity in all its vulnerability. Mary, the archetype of the feminine incarnation, has much to teach us about this as well. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access […]
Episode 39: Refuge Book:Refuge by Anne Booth and Sam Usher, Song: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Today, we continue our discussion of bedtime prayer rituals, and explore a Jewish prayer that begins in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord Our God is One.” A deeper look at this unifying prayer shows that our diversity can be affirmed and celebrated while we prepare the coming of peace on earth for […]
Episode 38: Advent with Painted Turtle Book: All Creation Waits, by Gayle Boss, Song: Silent Night
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Now let’s spend about one minute using part of this prayer as a […]
We are preparing for a “long, difficult winter ahead”—a time when Advent takes on more significance. Advent is a season of spiritual practices that offer a portal into hope. Today we focus on the spirituality of nighttime as found in the psalms, an option for incorporating into our bedtime ritual. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
2020 Blue Ocean Church Advent Meditation Podcast Each podcast lasts approximately 8–10 minutes, and the format goes like this: We start with a variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick that reflects the Advent theme for the week. Historically, the four weeks of Advent focus first on hope, then peace, joy, and love. The […]
Episode 37: Shout It Out Special Guests: Diane Sonda and Emily Swan, Song: He Has Come for Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In grass meadows He makes me lie down, by quiet waters guides me. My life He brings back. He leads me on pathways of justice for His name’s sake. Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow, I fear no harm, for […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from The View from Lazy Point. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
One of our more complicated national holidays is coming up this week. It can be hard for us as followers of Jesus to figure out how to handle a holiday that is both widely celebrated and also deeply painful for our indigenous friends. Pastor Emily offers one way of re-imagining how we can talk about […]
Episode 36: Bring Your Gift Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34, Book: Bear Gives Thanks by Karma Wilson, Song: Love is Like a Lucky Penny
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In grass meadows He makes me lie down, by quiet waters guides me. My life He brings back. He leads me on pathways of justice for His name’s sake. Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow, I fear no harm, for […]
Resourcing Meditation For today’s mediation I’d like to practice a resiliency building skill called Resourcing. Resourcing is when we imagine ourselves in a safe or happy place, noticing how we feel. Let’s get comfortable wherever we’re sitting. Close your eyes and place your hands in your lap. Take a deep breath in through your […]
2020 Blue Ocean Church Advent Meditation Podcast The word advent means waiting—it’s a four-week season when we practice waiting on the presence of God to show up, symbolized in the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Advent season begins on Sunday, Nov 29, and culminates on Christmas Eve. We’ll publish meditations […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
Ken gives an update on newcomers and becoming a members during our virtual mode and we hear a faith journey story from Amy MacNeil, connecting to Blue Ocean from Indiana. Also includes a visualization meditation with Cassie on Psalm 16. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access […]
Unconditional Love Meditation This meditation is about unconditional love. It refers to loving someone for who they are, regardless of what they do. Sit comfortably. Put your feet on something solid like the floor. Sit up straight and take a long, slow breath in through your nose, then a long slow breath out through […]
Episode 35: The Thankfulness Muscle Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34, Song: He Has Made Me Glad
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In grass meadows He makes me lie down, by quiet waters guides me. My life He brings back. He leads me on pathways of justice for His name’s sake. Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow, I fear no harm, for […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
Unconditional Love Meditation This meditation is about unconditional love. It refers to loving someone for who they are, regardless of what they do. Sit comfortably. Put your feet on something solid like the floor. Sit up straight and take a long, slow breath in through your nose, then a long slow breath out through […]
We enjoy a lighter sermon today, talking about how to help our bodies process emotions that lead to exhaustion and burnout. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 34: Grateful Goggles Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34, Song: What Are You Thankful For?
Psalm 23 (Robert Alter translation) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In grass meadows He makes me lie down, by quiet waters guides me. My life He brings back. He leads me on pathways of justice for His name’s sake. Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow, I fear […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation As we move into prayer, call to mind […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation Now let’s call to mind and heart, the […]
A Nature Meditation from Cassie For today’s meditation I’d like you to go outside, in the midst of green plants, as far away from concrete as you can realistically and safely get. Let’s start by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath. Connect to your body through your breath- be present with yourself […]
Trees figure prominently in indigenous and Hebrew spirituality. Those who “don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked” are regarded as trees by streams of water whose roots run deep, outlasting the wicked (i.e powerful bad rulers). Includes a guided meditation by Susan King. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service […]
Episode 33: Give Thanks Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34, Song: What Are You Thankful For?
Unnamed Prayer by Unknown Author Eternal God, grant me true quietness For you are rest and quiet without end. Eternal light, grant me the abiding light, And may I live and quicken in thy good. O Lord my God, I am serene because I know you love me. Because you love me, naught can […]
Unconditional Love Meditation This meditation is about unconditional love. It refers to loving someone for who they are, regardless of what they do. Sit comfortably. Put your feet on something solid like the floor. Sit up straight and take a long, slow breath in through your nose, then a long slow breath out through […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. Let’s begin, aware of the body and invoking the Spirit with the Sarum Prayer. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
We all have election distress. Much election talk is analysis, and doesn’t help us metabolize the anger, fear, hope, and other emotions that we carry. For that an ancient prayer, like Psalm 1, can help. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual […]
Unnamed Prayer by Unknown Author Eternal God, grant me true quietness For you are rest and quiet without end. Eternal light, grant me the abiding light, And may I live and quicken in thy good. O Lord my God, I am serene because I know you love me. Because you love me, naught can […]
A selection of kid-friendly meditations, from Children’s Pastor, Diane, and a song from Susan, our Children’s Ministry Co-Director. Hot Chocolate Imagine you’re holding a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. It is much too tot to take a sip, so you need to blow on it to cool it off. Bring your cup […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation Now let’s call to mind and heart the […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation Now let’s call to mind and heart, the […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
A Nature Meditation from Cassie For today’s meditation I’d like you to go outside, in the midst of green plants, as far away from concrete as you can realistically and safely get. Let’s start by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath. Connect to your body through your breath- be present with yourself […]
Environmental scientist Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild, on The Greatest Story is that All Life is One. At the end of Dr. Safina’s talk, join Cassie in a short nature meditation. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at […]
Episode 31: Good People Everywhere Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Song: This Little Light of Mine
Unnamed Prayer by Unknown Author Eternal God, grant me true quietness For you are rest and quiet without end. Eternal light, grant me the abiding light, And may I live and quicken in thy good. O Lord my God, I am serene because I know you love me. Because you love me, naught can […]
Resourcing Meditation For today’s mediation I’d like to practice a resiliency building skill called Resourcing. Resourcing is when we imagine ourselves in a safe or happy place, noticing how we feel. Let’s get comfortable wherever we’re sitting. Close your eyes and place your hands in your lap. Take a deep breath in through your […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation Now let’s call to mind and heart the […]
Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Cloud of Witnesses Meditation Now let’s call to mind and heart, the […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild, with a special focus on the first word of that title. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
With such a strong anti-Empire streak, it’s not surprising that our most common ritual speaks to that. We talk about various ways it does so. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 30: Dirty Cups Scripture: Matthew 23:25–26, Luke 18:11–12, Song: You are My All in All
Unnamed Prayer by Unknown Author Eternal God, grant me true quietness For you are rest and quiet without end. Eternal light, grant me the abiding light, And may I live and quicken in thy good. O Lord my God, I am serene because I know you love me. Because you love me, naught can […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. Let’s begin, aware of the body and invoking the Spirit with the Sarum Prayer. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild, with a special focus on the first word of that title. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie: Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments […]
The idea of apocalypse (which means, “unveiling”) is used most often in the Bible in relation to the fall of Empires or to significant historical shifts. We talk about how this literary genre can help us frame this moment we’re in while steering clear of the “Left Behind” literal interpretations that plague the American Christian […]
Unnamed Prayer by Unknown Author Eternal God, grant me true quietness For you are rest and quiet without end. Eternal light, grant me the abiding light, And may I live and quicken in thy good. O Lord my God, I am serene because I know you love me. Because you love me, naught can […]
A meditation from Emily. Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Words of the Followers Portion: Our Scripture reading today […]
Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. Let’s begin, aware of the body and invoking the Spirit with the Sarum Prayer. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel. Note: for those new to our weekly Blue Ocean nature-themed meditation series, new episodes are published every 2–3 weeks, and […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
When religion seeks power and tries to use Empire to further its gains, it becomes counter-Jesus. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Holy Spirit Comforting Fire by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Holy Spirit, Comforting fire, Life of all creation. Anointing the sick, cleansing body and soul, Fill this body! Holy Spirit, Sacred breath, Fire of love, Sweetest taste, Beautiful aroma, Fill this heart! Holy Spirit, Filling the world, from the heights to the deep, Raining from […]
Adapted from Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel. Note: for those new to our weekly Blue Ocean nature-themed meditation series, new episodes are published every 2–3 weeks, and […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie: Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments […]
The voice from the burning bush was a God of Becoming: I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE. Just what Moses and the people of Israel needed—a dynamic, not a static God. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Holy Spirit Comforting Fire by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Holy Spirit, Comforting fire, Life of all creation. Anointing the sick, cleansing body and soul, Fill this body! Holy Spirit, Sacred breath, Fire of love, Sweetest taste, Beautiful aroma, Fill this heart! Holy Spirit, Filling the world, from the heights to the deep, Raining from […]
Adapted from Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
National religious-cultural politics created a hostile environment for Jesus in his village and in his family. He had to cut off family ties for a time and experience kinship with others instead. And all this must have shaped his experience of spirituality—his need for an understanding of divine presence. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]
Holy Spirit Comforting Fire by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Holy Spirit, Comforting fire, Life of all creation. Anointing the sick, cleansing body and soul, Fill this body! Holy Spirit, Sacred breath, Fire of love, Sweetest taste, Beautiful aroma, Fill this heart! Holy Spirit, Filling the world, from the heights to the deep, Raining from […]
Adapted from Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby. The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
For Wednesday–Friday we adapt a format for daily prayer that I learned from a prayer book titled, Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book, by Angela Tilby The Invocation: Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my […]
A lovingkindness meditation with Cassie: Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments […]
We talk about why we use the term kin-dom of God instead of kingdom of God, influenced by Mujerista and indigenous American theologians. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 25: What About Worry? Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Holy Spirit Comforting Fire by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Holy Spirit, Comforting fire, Life of all creation. Anointing the sick, cleansing body and soul, Fill this body! Holy Spirit, Sacred breath, Fire of love, Sweetest taste, Beautiful aroma, Fill this heart! Holy Spirit, Filling the world, from the heights to the deep, Raining from […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today, we’ve added an extended invocation (invoking, or calling on) the Holy Spirit, following the Sarum Prayer. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17ff I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today we include a new meditation, The Cloud of Witnesses meditation, to help convey the sense of the presence of those who have gone before us as our companions on the way. We’ll repeat this for three […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina, this time from his latest, Becoming Wild. Note: for those new to our weekly Blue Ocean nature-themed meditation series, new episodes are published every 2–3 weeks, and only the new […]
Psalm 34:4–5 I sought the Lord, and she answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to her are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This morning, let’s set our nagging thoughts or fear or shame or annoyances aside for a few moments and turn our faces to […]
Offering midrash on Jesus’s response to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan,” AnaYelsi asks us to ponder what it means when traumatized people and groups interact with one another, and how we can hold space for all our stories in a way that better connects us in our work for interlocking justice. Learn more about […]
Episode 24: Share the Love Scripture: Luke 10:27, Book: Me Too by Mercer Mayer, Silly Send-off: Noah Schaffer
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, glow of charity, lights of clarity, taste of sweetness to sinners, be with us and hear us. Composer of all things, light of all the risen, key […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today, we’ve added an extended invocation (invoking, or calling on) the Holy Spirit, following the Sarum Prayer. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17ff I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today we include a new meditation, The Cloud of Witnesses meditation, to help convey the sense of the presence of those who have gone before us as our companions on the way. We’ll repeat this for three […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina in Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
The ancients told certain truths in myth form—like the truths that come to us in dreams, which don’t abide by the rules of the waking world. And one of the weirdest in Exodus, and the most oddly powerful, is the time God tried to kill Moses and he was saved by a black woman named […]
Episode 23: Loving Through Listening Scripture: Luke 10:27, Book: Ballet Cat—The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea, Silly Send-off: Hope Schaffer
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, glow of charity, lights of clarity, taste of sweetness to sinners, be with us and hear us. Composer of all things, light of all the risen, key […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today, we’ve added an extended invocation (invoking, or calling on) the Holy Spirit, following the Sarum Prayer. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17ff I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today we include a new meditation, The Cloud of Witnesses meditation, to help convey the sense of the presence of those who have gone before us as our companions on the way. We’ll repeat this for three […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina in Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
When Moses saw a bush burning in the wilderness, his whole life became about freeing an enslaved people from oppression and reimagining a world away from injustice. His questions and concerns were re-oriented. In this sermon, Rev. Cedric Lundy invites to ask ourselves how we’re re-imagining and enacting a new world—one free of white supremacy […]
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, glow of charity, lights of clarity, taste of sweetness to sinners, be with us and hear us. Composer of all things, light of all the risen, key […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today, we’ve added an extended invocation (invoking, or calling on) the Holy Spirit, following the Sarum Prayer. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17ff I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. Today we include a new meditation, The Cloud of Witnesses meditation, to help convey the sense of the presence of those who have gone before us as our companions on the way. We’ll repeat this for three […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature as a window into the divine with a reflection based on the writing of Carl Safina in Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
In prayer we hear the voice of the Divine telling us that we are enough. Telling us to trust and to rest in the Creator. Telling us that we are not alone. Telling us that there is grace sufficient enough for us, even when we’re at our worst or most fearful. That is the primary […]
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, glow of charity, lights of clarity, taste of sweetness to sinners, be with us and hear us. Composer of all things, light of all the risen, key […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17 I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, and he will hear my […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 95: 1–2 Come let us sing to the Lord, let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature with Carl Safina. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
From Cassie, our worship pastor: “This pandemic and its effects are taking a toll on all of us. How can we envision a reality beyond our current circumstances?” Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 20: Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength Scripture: Luke 10:27, Song: Love the Lord (Lincoln Brewster)
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Hildegard Von Bingen Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, glow of charity, lights of clarity, taste of sweetness to sinners, be with us and hear us. Composer of all things, light of all the risen, key […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55: 17 I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, and he will hear my […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 100: 1–2 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song. The Request for Presence Psalm 86: 16 Turn to […]
James refers to Torah and the Exodus liberation story as the “law of liberty” He likens it to a mirror we need to look at long and hard, lest we forget who we are in the oppression systems of this world. There we find no counterpart to the “good white people” many us hope to […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 95: 1–2 Come let us sing to the Lord, let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud […]
Welcome to Tuesday and our feature on nature with Carl Safina. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
Episode 19: Peter’s Predicament Scripture: Luke 22: 54–62, Song: You’re My Buddy, You’re My Friend, Silly Send off: Hope Shaffer
The Prayer for Love from the Eastern Orthodox tradition Christ my God, set my heart on fire with love in You, that in its flame I may love You with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my soul and with all my strength, and my neighbor as myself, so that […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 107: 8–9 Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and the wonders he does for his children. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55:17 I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at the noonday, I will complain and lament, and God will hear my […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Wake up, my spirit, awake lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn. Psalm 57:8 The Request for Presence You are the Lord, do not withhold your compassion from me, let your […]
Welcome to Tuesday, when we pause to say Wow, to praise. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing […]
Exodus is the oldest story of liberation we have. And while the particulars are very different, the dynamics of oppression and liberation are very much the same. The Exodus story-teller emphasizes the complicity of the host population in setting up a system of oppression—their version of white complicity with white supremacy. All sparked by something […]
Our Monday Meditation podcast for today is by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. For Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi Cooper wrote this meditation “Practicing Kavvanah: […]
Episode 18: Stopping to Help Scripture: Mark 10: 46–52, Song: Love is Like a Lucky Penny, Silly Send off: Noah Shaffer
The Prayer for Love from the Eastern Orthodox tradition Christ my God, set my heart on fire with love in You, that in its flame I may love You with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my soul and with all my strength, and my neighbor as myself, so that […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle, supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 107: 8–9 Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and the wonders he does for his children. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Psalm 55:17 I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. In the evening, in the morning, and at the noonday, I will complain and lament, and God will hear my […]
Prayers from The Divine Hours, compiled by Phyllis Tickle supplemented with a few other meditations and prayers. The Call to Prayer Wake up, my spirit, awake lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn. Psalm 57:8 The Request for Presence You are the Lord, do not withhold your compassion from me, let your […]
Welcome to Tuesday, when we pause to say Wow, to praise. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing […]
Today we have a treat for the Monday Meditation podcast—a meditation by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. Remember that for Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. Rabbi […]
This week we take a look at the prophet Miriam and how she was on the alert, looking for God to act to liberate the oppressed. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 17: Standing Up & Sitting Down Scripture: Exodus 23:2a, Daniel 3, Song: Stand in Your Love, Silly Send off: Hope Shaffer
The Prayer for Love from the Eastern Orthodox tradition Christ my God, set my heart on fire with love in You, that in its flame I may love You with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my soul and with all my strength, and my neighbor as myself, so that […]
Welcome to Daily Prayer and our Friday focus on God, our help. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my […]
Begin by taking a moment or two to get comfortable, with eyes open and a soft focus—not moving the eyes or trying to focus on any one thing, simply aware of your surroundings on either side, above, below. While maintaining that soft focus, take in and release a few nice deep breaths—in through the […]
Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, yellow sunlight, such as you might notice in the early morning, shining through the leaves of a nearby stand of trees. Then, over the course of a full minute, imagine that same quality of sunlight streaming into your body from just above the head, steadily […]
Welcome to Tuesday, when we pause to say wow, to praise. Breath Meditation Relax with a few deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Let your breathing return to normal and focus your attention on the feeling of the air entering and leaving your body. As you notice your mind wandering, […]
Today we have a new treat for the Monday Meditation podcast—a meditation by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. Remember that for Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. […]
Midrash is the Jewish way to tell stories about the stories of Scripture and connect these stories to our story today. It’s an expansive and Spirit-led way to engage sacred text. Informed by Midrash, we look at the key text in Exodus, the book of liberation. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch […]
The Prayer for Love from the Eastern Orthodox tradition Christ my God, set my heart on fire with love in You, that in its flame I may love You with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my soul and with all my strength, and my neighbor as myself, so that […]
Welcome to Daily Prayer and our Friday focus on God, our help. The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my […]
Begin by taking a moment or two to get comfortable, with eyes open and a soft focus—not moving the eyes or trying to focus on any one thing, simply aware of your surroundings on either side, above, below. While maintaining that soft focus, take in and release a few nice deep breaths—in through the […]
Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, yellow sunlight, such as you might notice in the early morning, shining through the leaves of a nearby stand of trees. Then, over the course of a full minute, imagine that same quality of sunlight streaming into your body from just above the head, steadily […]
Welcome to Tuesday, when we pause to say wow, to praise. Breath Meditation Relax with a few deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Let your breathing return to normal and focus your attention on the feeling of the air entering and leaving your body. As you notice your mind wandering, […]
Today we have a new treat for the Monday Meditation podcast—a meditation by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. Remember that for Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline’s introduction. […]
Five sisters demand they be allowed to inherit their father’s land. Moses concedes but later bows to existing power structures. The sisters surface in the narrative again two books later, demanding the land. The story speaks to our national moment regarding reparations, as well as to us personally in our spiritual life. Learn more about […]
Episode 15: Love you More Scripture: Luke 15 (from The Jesus Storybook Bible), Song: I Will Love You More, Silly Send-off: Noah Shaffer
Prayer from the Jesus Sutras from the earliest Christian community in China The highest skies are in love with You. The great Earth opens its palms in peace. Our truest being is anchored in Your [goodness]. You are God: Compassionate being of three. Everything praises You, sound its true note. All the Enlightened chant […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Body Awareness Meditation Over the next minute, become aware of how […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, yellow sunlight, such […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation, Led by Rev. Julia Huttar Bailey Picture the […]
In times of social and cultural distress our minds are occupied more than we like with corrupt leaders and the havoc they wreak. The people of Israel in olden times, often turned to wonder, love, and praise for relief. As shall we on Tuesdays for a while. And we begin today with a breath […]
Today we have a new treat for the Monday Meditation podcast—a meditation by Caroline Kittle, our Youth Pastor. Remember that for Monday we change the format of the Daily Prayers a bit to focus more on the meditation aspect, so we don’t have a written version for this one, but here is Caroline”s introduction. […]
Having a close relationship with Jesus means we come to understand him as a person who cared deeply about justice. Too often empire dresses Jesus up as a harmless, detached figure, but Jesus cared deeply for the poor and oppressed. Following Jesus will cost us, because our understanding of God’s way means we will challenge […]
Episode 14: Children of God Scripture: 1 John 3:1, Song: The Whole World in His/Her Hands, Silly Send-off: Hope Shaffer
Prayer from the Jesus Sutras from the earliest Christian community in China The highest skies are in love with You. The great Earth opens its palms in peace. Our truest being is anchored in Your [goodness]. You are God: Compassionate being of three. Everything praises You, sound its true note. All the Enlightened chant […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Body Awareness Meditation Over the next minute, become aware of how […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, yellow sunlight, such […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation, Led by Rev. Julia Huttar Bailey Picture the […]
In times of social and cultural distress our minds are occupied more than we like with corrupt leaders and the havoc they wreak. The people of Israel in olden times, often turned to wonder, love, and praise for relief. As shall we on Tuesdays for a while. And we begin today with a breath […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
We draw inspiration and encouragement from the brave midwives of Exodus 1, Shiphrah and Puah, who stood up to the Pharaoh when he ordered them to kill all the baby boys. We remember that they cared about life over power, people over the prosperity of the empire, and obedience to God over obedience to an […]
Episode 13: God is So Big Scripture: Matthew 23, Prov 18, Luke 15, John 1, Song: God is So Big, Silly Send-off: Hope Shaffer
Prayer from the Jesus Sutras from the earliest Christian community in China The highest skies are in love with You. The great Earth opens its palms in peace. Our truest being is anchored in Your [goodness]. You are God: Compassionate being of three. Everything praises You, sound its true note. All the Enlightened chant […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
The President’s photo op was a revelation of the un-exorcised White Supremacy in so much White-Washed Christianity. Embracing Sinai’s vision of equal justice is an essential part of engaging this conflict. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 12: Rise Up Scripture: Verses from Psalms 9, 10, 11, 22, Ending: Prayer for Justice.
Prayer from the Jesus Sutras from the earliest Christian community in China The highest skies are in love with You. The great Earth opens its palms in peace. Our truest being is anchored in Your [goodness]. You are God: Compassionate being of three. Everything praises You, sound its true note. All the Enlightened chant […]
Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight in your mind’s eye…then imagine that same quality of sunlight as pinpoint of light in the middle of your body slowly expanding over the course of the next minute until it fills the body, surrounds the body, fills the room and extends beyond […]
Opening Light Meditation Picture the quality of a clear, warm sunlight in your mind’s eye…then imagine that same quality of sunlight as pinpoint of light in the middle of your body slowly expanding over the course of the next minuet until it fills the body, surrounds the body, fills the room and extends beyond […]
Opening Breath Meditation Take a few moments, as long as you like, to rest your attention on the breath—the sensation of the air entering the body, and the sense of the body softening as you exhale. As soon as you notice that your thoughts have wandered, gently return your focus to the sensation of […]
Opening Breath Meditation Take a few moments, as long as you like to rest your attention on the breath—the sensation of the air entering the nose and into the lungs as the body expands, and the sense of the body softening as you exhale. As you notice thoughts wandering, simply return your focus to […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
Pentecost is about receiving the powerful gift of empathy, the absence of which, in so much of White America, enables White Supremacy and the assault on black and brown bodies that we have seen this past week. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s […]
Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth […]
Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: noticing […]
Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: noticing […]
Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: noticing […]
Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: noticing […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
From our worship pastor, Cassie—”The Evangelical Purity Culture caused me to deny my intuition, my agency and my autonomy. How I have used breath and embodiment meditation to reconnect with myself and the God who created us and said that we are good.” Plus, a Mama Bear minute and update on plans for Pride Month […]
Episode 10: All Wrapped Up Scripture: Isaiah 40:11, Song: I’m All Wrapped Up, Silly Send Off: Noah Shaffer
Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. With the third out-breath, gently close your eyes. Feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: […]
Consider having a houseplant nearby, or a view of trees or greenery, to look at with a soft focus for the opening portion of the body awareness practice. Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. Then […]
For the next few days, consider having a houseplant nearby, or a view of trees or greenery, to look at with a soft focus for the opening portion of the body awareness practice. Opening Body Awareness Practice With eyes open and a soft focus, take in and release three deep breaths before letting your […]
If you have access to a houseplant nearby or a view of some trees or shrubbery outside your window, so much the better. We’ll make use of that in the word meditation portion today. Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open and a soft focus, take and release three deep breaths before letting […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
We remember Ahmaud Arbery, and are encouraged to have a prophetic imagination as we process the griefs—both large and small—from the pandemic. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 9: Give It Away Scripture: Mark 10: 17–27, Song: Love is Like a Lucky Penny, Silly Send Off: Hope Shaffer
Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open and a soft focus, take and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. Gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally, take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how the […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open and a soft focus, take and release three deep breaths before letting your breath return to normal. Gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how the […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice First of all take a few moments now to recall a person, a pet, a place in nature, or an experience you had recently that you truly appreciate. Just one thing you’re your mind naturally migrates to. We’ll take about 10 seconds to let your mind settle on one thing. […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice First of all take a few moments now to recall a person, a pet, a place in nature, or an experience you had recently that you truly appreciate. Just one thing you’re your mind naturally migrates to. We’ll take about 10 seconds to let your mind settle on one thing. […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
We’ve been through bad times before and will be again. In the middle of a crisis, lean into the wisdom gained from a previous deliverance. Personal reflections, from Ken, on Psalm 124. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access for next week’s live virtual service, at a2blue.org/virtual-sunday-service/
Episode 8: Let it Shine Scripture: Matthew 5:14–16, Song: This Little Light of Mine, Silly Send Off: Micah and Eliana Kittle
Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice First of all take a few moments now to recall a person, a pet, a place in nature, or an experience you had recently that you truly appreciate. Just one thing you’re your mind naturally migrates to. We’ll take about 10 seconds to let you mind setting on one thing. […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open, take and release three deep breaths. Let your breathing return to normal, and with the next out breath, gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open, take and release three deep breaths. Let your breathing return to normal, and with the next out breath, gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how […]
Opening Body Awareness Practice With your eyes open, take and release three deep breaths. Let your breathing return to normal, and with the next out breath, gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
Using a story from 1 Kings 19 about Elijah the prophet, we’re invited to keep our eyes open for encouragement from God as we pace ourselves for the coming months. Emily brings us this morning’s message, followed by an encouragement to pray from Mama Bear Liz Dyer. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, […]
Episode 7: Hope Scripture: Romans 15:13, Song: Peace Like a River, Silly Send Off: Macy Nelson
Prayer by St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
On Mondays we offer a different format for the daily prayer meditation podcast: four 1–3-minute meditations that you can learn to do on your own to center yourself throughout the day, as need and inclination arises. A body scan A word meditation based on Psalm 46: 10—Be still and know that I am God […]
Ever feel guilty about feeling anxious, as if there’s something wrong with your God connection? Psalm 131 is a portal through that funky religious ideation. Our weekly message, from Ken, plus a Mama Bear Minute from Liz Dyer on masks. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, watch virtual service recordings, and get access […]
Episode 6: Celebrate Creation Scripture: Excerpts from the Psalms, Song: The Hippopotamus Song, Silly Send Off: Hannah DeWard
Prayer by St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Easter story tells us that Jesus is near, he knows our name, he knows our pain, and his living presence is all around. We are a resurrection people. Even when things are scary, or hard, or don’t turn out how we want them to—this presence brings peace and assurance that hope and love will […]
Episode 5: Jesus is Alive! Scripture: Adapted from John 20, Song: Jesus is a Friend, Silly Send Off: Sam Matthews & Connor Anderson
Prayer by St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: in through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: in through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
When we’re going through a global crisis, it helps to tune into a different drama from a different time—the ups and downs, celebration and sadness of Palm Sunday, for example—with its gestures that proved so meaningful. Ken and Liz Dyer share words of encouragement. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org, and watch earlier […]
Episode 4: Holy Week and Washing Feet Verse: John 13, Song: Ho Ho Ho Hosanna, Silly Send Off: Lydia Schram
Prayer by St. Patrick I breathe in strength as I stand today: Calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing the Oneness On my way to meet you face to face. Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
Via our virtual service, from Ken: “Late at night, an awareness of my maternal grandmother’s life-verse, in the context of all she went through, has been a help to coping with anxiety.” Mama Bears founder Liz Dyer also joins us to share a word of encouragement to all Mama Bears. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Episode 3: Let Them Be One Verse: John 17:21-23, Song: We are One in the Spirit, Silly Send Off: Bella Anderson
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out […]
Note: Ken says “Friday, March 20,” but this is the recording for Saturday, March 21 The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at […]
Episode 1: The Fruit of the Spirit Verse: Galatians 5:22-23a, Song: The Fruit of the Spirit
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take some deep breaths: in through the nose, out […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take three to seven nice-and-easy, deep breaths: In through […]
The Sarum Prayer God be in my head—and in my understanding God be in my eyes—and in my looking God be in my mouth—and in my speaking God be in my heart—and in my thinking God be at my end—and at my departing Breath Meditation Practice Take five or ten nice-and-easy, deep breaths: In through […]
In the second sermon of our Lenten series, we talk about seeing the book of Job as the spiritual transformation of a man in the face of suffering and how he forges a new path in the midst of his pain and confusion. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at […]
In this introduction to our Lenten Sermon Series, Job & the Religious Mob: A Courageous Dissent, we talk about where the book of Job fits into the larger revelation of God to humanity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at a2blue.org.
Taking Bonhoeffer’s lead, we look at what it means to be led by the Spirit discerned through the Jesus of the Disinherited. This is the final sermon in our Nurturing the Spirit in Spirituality series. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at a2blue.org.
In the Pentecostal tradition, praising God is a community event. People gather together to sing praises because it helps focus on a communal expectation that God can, and will, act on behalf of the oppressed, because God has done so throughout history. Praise is the bridge between thankfulness for the past and hope for the […]
The first to be filled with the Spirit in the gospel of Luke were women used to being shushed, who then spoke up to challenge the powers of the day—this is the deeper purpose of strange-to-many practices like speaking in tongues and loud vocalizations. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, […]
The Pentecostal-Charismatic movement has shaped much of our understanding of the Holy Spirit. But it’s a mixed bag. In particular, this movement has obscured the Jewish understanding of the Spirit as a Feminine Divine Presence. For mama bears, this has special application for the moms of gender fluid, and gay children. Learn more about Blue […]
Jesus’s empathetic love has the power to help us heal. Through the story of Lazarus’s death, we see a God who meets people in their grief in the personal way they need God to respond. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at a2blue.org.
Jesus drew his emphasis on “love your neighbor as yourself” from the book of Leviticus. It’s helpful to consider self-love (self-kindness) from an much older tradition than the self-esteem movement of the 1960’s. Similar aim, different path. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at a2blue.org.
In this timely sermon we visit various ways Christians have thought about the ethics of war and violence. Learn more about Blue Ocean Faith, including service time and location, at a2blue.org.
Part 1 of 2. The practice of self-kindness is rooted in the primary commandment of the Jesus movement: Love your neighbor as yourself. First, we recover the prominence of this command, which has been domesticated and largely ignored in currently dominant forms of Christianity, then we consider the practice of intentionally receiving/accepting positive input (compliments). […]
Many of our Christmas traditions are drawn from stories and folklore surrounding St. Nicholas, a saint from what is now modern-day Turkey, known for his concern for the poor. Worship Pastor Cassie Richardson shares a St. Nicholas story from her childhood, along with other Christmas memories and an encouragement to keep some traditions alive throughout […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty-four. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Ezekiel, the traumatized prophet who became a mystic and saw very weird things, brought great comfort to others in similar straits. We close out our Advent sermon series on the Monsters of the Bible by looking at the fiery cherubim who appear at the beginning of the Book of Ezekiel. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty-three. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty–two. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty-one. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day nineteen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day eighteen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day seventeen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day sixteen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Giants in the Bible occupy a position between the historical and the mythical. The most famous giant is Goliath. He reveals the dynamics of our fearful responses to bullying powers, David’s willingness to embrace his own, vulnerability—refusing Saul’s armor—turned out to be his secret super power. This is the fourth sermon in our Advent series: […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day fifteen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day fourteen. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide. Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now. [15 seconds of silence] Now we’ll […]