Selah - Psalm 32 - First Sunday of Lent - 3-1-20

Sermon podcast from March 1st, 2020 at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Psalm 32.  First Sunday of Lent.

video sermon preview

"Selah" podcast

Blessing

Sermon podcast from today at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Genesis 28:10-19. Imagining the impossible.
"Blessing" podcast
Bonus: Recording of "The Perfect Church" - my cover of Bryan Sirchio's song.

Journeys

Sermon podcast from this past Sunday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove. Includes an attempt at a "Don't Stop Believin'" parody. Genesis 24:22-67.
"Journeys" podcast

Overcome Evil with Good

This week's "Suessified" Bible reflection (Kindly words that are just not absurd) underwent a huge change - into something more heartland rock style - and with a new title "No Matter What" - as part of today's sermon at St. Paul's UCC inn Downers Grove.
"Overcome Evil With Good" podcast

Selah

This week's dirty blues Bible reflection (is it delta blues?) (Slate's Clean) provided the beginning for today's  first Sunday of Lent sermon from Psalm 32.
"Selah" podcast

Together

This week's Bible reflection -- (Lydia) was just a song.  And that song was in today's Confirmation day sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, too. 

"Together" podcast

Lydia

It's been awhile since I've had a newish song in my head.  A while is now past.  Here's this week's Bible reflection -- in whiny 50's ballad style.

Lyrics?

Here you go.

Oh Lydia
Words and music by Kirk Moore

CHORUS
Oh Lydia
I love you so
Give hospitality
To folks that you don’t know

You work with rich folk
And poor folk too
Oh Lydia, how I love you

You love to worship
Listen eagerly I know
Your home in Philippi
Is where we’ll go
Oh oh oh
Oh Lydia I love you so

CHORUS

You don’t let society’s rules
Become a bother
You live those important two:
Love God and one another
Oh oh oh
Oh Lydia I love you so

CHORUS (slight variation at end of chorus)
You work with rich folk
And poor folk too
Oh Lydia you're one I look up to
Oh oh oh - Lydia, I love you so
Oh oh oh - Lydia, I love you so

© 2010, 2013 Kirk Moore

M83 - Midnight City Study

I hear this song almost every time I turn on the radio.  It doesn't matter what kind of station it is or whether it is broadcast, satellite, or internet.

And . . . I wrote a group study for it.  This version appeared in Interlinc's Youth Leader's Only Magazine a few months ago.

Artist: M83
Song: Midnight City
Album: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

By: Kirk Moore
wouldyouever@givingupchurchforlent.com

Teaching Point:
What and where is church?

Opening Question:
Where do you find community and love?

Discussion:
M83's Midnight City is a highly danceable, significantly confusing, and oft-discussed pop song.  Most of the discussions about the song's meaning, (with a few "I'm sure it means this:" statements thrown in) end with all agreeing that they're not sure what it's about.  The video for the song, according to the band, is a tribute to the films Village of the Damned and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The video expresses themes of exploitation, imprisonment, escape, and community.

One line in the song says, "The city is my church."

• What is the church?
• Is it the building where the community gathers to worship God and live God's love?
• Is it the community who gathers to worship God and to live God's love?
• Could it be both?

• Where do you find community?
• How is the location important?  How is it not important?

• Where do you see God's love being lived out?
• How do you see God's love being lived out?

• What is the church?
• What else are you thinking about today?

Conclusion: People worship God in many gathered communities and in many places. And in church, folks find community and experience God's love lived out.  Go and be the church. 

PSY - Gangnam Style Bible Study

Huh?

Yeah -- I write Bible studies for songs.  Often songs that church youth leaders would get in trouble for mentioning in any positive light.  And sometimes I write studies for songs that have a video with far more than a billion views on YouTube.

This one's published in Interlinc's YLO 90 magazine.

Artist: Psy
Song: Gangnam Style
Album: PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1

By: Kirk Moore
Oppan@kirkmoore.co

Teaching Point:
"Stuff" isn't all there is

Opening Question:
What gives a person value?

Discussion:
Psy's megahit "Gangnam Style" has, in a short time, become a cultural phenomenon.  People across the globe are doing the dance and parody videos are all over the place.  But in all the fun, has anyone learned what the song is about?

"Gangnam" is an upper class neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea.  Think New York's Upper East Side or Chicago's Magnificent Mile.  And "Gangnam Style," in its silliness, addresses the class separation of the rich and the poor.  It refers to the rich being able to get anything they want -- relationships, power, and "stuff" because of their wealth.

What makes "stuff" important?
Is it just the ability to pay the bills and have the necessities for life plus a little bit more? If that were the case, they why would folks try to get more and more stuff while others continue to barely scrape by or worse?

Jesus had something to say about "stuff."
Read Luke 18:18-30.  Why do you think Jesus said it is difficult for the rich to enter God's Kingdom?

Paul had something to say about "stuff," too.
Read Philippians 3:4-8.  What does Paul call all the things that used to bring him prestige? (Dig deeper to find out what he means when he says "rubbish" or "dog dung")

Conclusion: You are valuable because you are one of God's precious children. The deeper message of "Gangnam Style" is that basing your own value and the value of others on material things is just plain silly.

Note:  If you haven't seen it, check out this jazzy, acoustic version of "Gangnam Style" from the television show "Superstar K4." 

Moves like Jagger study

I had some fun writing a Bible study for Maroon 5's super religious song, "Moves Like Jagger."  The folks at Interlinc describe it as "beyond the obvious" and featured it today on their blog.


Artist: Maroon 5
Song: Moves Like Jagger
Album: Hands All Over

By: Kirk Moore
movesliketheundancer@revkirk.com

Teaching Point:
Sometimes nothing feels right

Opening Questions:
What makes you feel better?

Discussion:
Moves Like Jagger is about sex. And dancing. And sex. And Mick Jagger. And sex.  And kissing. And sex. Oh – and sex. The video shows scenes from a Mick Jagger impersonation event. The video and the song are catchy, sensual, and sexy. And in the middle of all the lyrics and visuals about sex, a simple question arises.

• What makes you feel better?
• For the song performers, it seems that the answer is in relationships and sex.
• But what else in life makes you feel better?

Luke 14:12-24 describes a banquet where the “acceptable” invited guests didn’t show up, so the host invited the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to celebrate.  When there was still more room, the host called for everyone on the roads and country lanes to come to the banquet. They arrived just as they were. The scene doesn’t describe any of them “getting better” from the banquet, only that they were invited and welcomed.

God loves people just as they are. You are acceptable to God just as you are. 

• How does that make you feel about yourself?
• How does that make you feel about God?
• What does it make you want to do?

Conclusion: You may have the moves. You may not. What you have – every last thing about you is precious to God. You are loved. You are acceptable. You are God’s child.

Rihanna - We Found Love Bible Study

My friends at Interlinc and I don't always often agree when it comes to politics or religion.  I appreciate, though, that they still publish things I write!
A couple of months back, the Interlinc Blog published a pretty scathing post about Rihanna's "We Found Love" song and video.

So I wrote this Re:Tuned study.  It's in the latest edition of the YLO 86 magazine.

Artist: Rihanna
Song: We Found Love
Album: Talk Talk Talk

By: Kirk Moore
yellowdiamonds@kirkogitation.com

Teaching Point:
Everyone is precious to God, yet some relationships are toxic.

Opening Question:
What do you miss about your most recent relationship?

Discussion:
Rihanna’s single tells the story of a relationship that seems to be based on thrill and adrenaline instead of a desire to build one another up. The relationship begins with laughter, fun, and attraction. From there, however, the couple spiral into drug abuse, fighting, possessiveness, and sadness. The vivid, graphic, sensual, and sexual video for the song tells the story with powerful emotion even as it displays images that make parents write letters. In the end the two people in this toxic relationship appear broken and defeated.

Can you recall a recent relationship that was toxic to you and to your partner? What would you like to share about it?

When you look back at past relationships, do you ever wish that, as Rihanna says at the beginning of the video, “you could have all that bad stuff back, so that you could have the good.” How does that thought make you feel?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls on the reader to encourage one another and build each other up. Can you describe some things that happen in a relationship that encourages and builds up?

Romans 12:10 asks that people give others more honor than they want for themselves. What would it be like if everyone did that?

Hebrews 10:24 invites folk to find ways spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  How do you think you could spur someone else that way? How would you like to be spurred on?

Conclusion: Relationships are rarely perfect, but the best ones are about mutual affection, respect, encouragement, and kindness. Seek relationships like that, and please seek help from a friend, a parent, or a leader you trust if you find yourself in a relationship that is abusive or toxic.

Video link
Bangkok version video link

Lamps

Here's this week's Bible reflection -

So some had extra oil for their lamps and others didn’t.

But then, some authorities, who were really bothered that, not only did anyone at all have lamps, but that they were there waiting at all, came in and took all the fuel for the lamps because, they said, the lamps were dangerous.

And in other places, the authorities came and tried to push the lamps out. They tried to remove the lamps because they, all of a sudden, and after rarely, if ever, doing it before, needed to do a thorough cleaning of the places the lamps lit. They also decided to pass rules that no one could keep their lamps trimmed and burning past a particular hour.

In some cases, they violently broke the lamps. 

But for every obstacle meant to dim or snuff out the lamps, the lamps burned brighter. The lamps simply couldn’t be extinguished.

The lamps were, are, and will continue to be trimmed and burning.

Lamps.

Update:  Here's a "Blues in Black and White" version of the spiritual, "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" - recorded in a storage garage.

Silverline - Voices in the Night Bible Study

Encouragement to make a difference is the running theme of this new Bible study I wrote for Interlinc's most recent digital music video magazine. (MVL 75)  What does the song and the study make you want to do?


Artist: Silverline
URL:  silverlinemusic.com
Album: Voices in the Night
Label: VSR Music Group
Video: Voices in the Night
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: Kirk@grosstheology.com

Theme:
The World, Encouragement

Objective:
Students will be encouraged to live their lives to make a difference.

Warm- up
Voices: Hand out several short sentence “scripts” to students as they arrive. Ask the students not to share their sentences until you ask. If possible, dim the lights in the room so that it is difficult to see faces. Ask students to keep their eyes closed and then ask students, one at a time, to read their sentences. Other students, after hearing the sentences, will guess who was speaking. (Be sure to utilize a method other than calling out a name to ask the students to read their sentences. A tap on the shoulder will work fine.) Some possible sentences to use for the scripts are, “Sometimes I feel safe and secure.” “Sometimes I am edgy and uneasy.” “I can’t get to sleep.” “I think I’d like to talk to a friend.” “God listens when I pray.” “I want to make a difference in the world.”

Transition: 

Ask:  What do you think you paid more attention to? Was it trying to figure out who was talking? Was it considering what the people said? How did these voices in the dark make you feel? 

Play Voices in the Night video from Silverline

During the song, have students circle existing words or add others that describe their feelings as they watch the video.

Words:  Safe  Lonely  Tired  Happy  Joyful  Scared  Confused  Powerful  Hopeful

Transition: 

Ask:  What do you think the voices in the night are? How do you think the voices in the night affect the different people in the video? The people in the video seem to be invited to a concert. What does the song invite you to do?

Bible Study:
Read together the following Bible passages:

Isaiah 55:6
Is there ever a time when God can’t be found? What do you think the challenge of this verse is?

Matthew 23:27-28
How kind is the person who is nice to you but rude to the person serving food at a restaurant?
Do you think Jesus was referring to people who make mistakes or people who purposefully try to fool others into believing they are good? What’s the difference?

James 1:26-27
What does it mean to keep yourself from being stained, corrupted, or polluted by the world?
What does it mean to care for the widows and the orphans?
Why do you think these two ideas are linked together?

Wrap up:
The song “Voices in the Night” offers encouragement to follow Jesus authentically and completely. It also invites all who feel like they’ve failed to feel the love, compassion, grace, and forgiveness God gives. It offers a simple challenge. Be good. And be good to everyone.

Closing prayer: Please help us, oh God, to live authentically, completely, and wholeheartedly for you. Help us to be good – both in how we live our lives and how we treat everyone. Thank you for giving us your love, compassion, grace, and forgiveness. Amen.

Fedel - Work it Out Study

Well then, I wrote a Bible study for a rap song.  It's published in the latest edition of Interlinc's music magazine (YLO85)  If you'd like to use a Bible study for Fedel's "Work it Out" in your group -- have at it!

Artist: FEDEL
URL: fedelmusic.com
Album: Club David
Label: Independent
Song: Work it Out
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@grosstheology.com

Theme:
Faith and Works

Objective:
Students will address and discuss the relationship of grace, faith, and works

Warm- up
Work it Out: You have two options for this opening activity. 
1.     Physical Work Out Contest. Organize into teams and see which team can combine to do the most sit-ups and push-ups in 30 seconds. Each member of the team does sit ups for 30 seconds and each member also does push-ups for 30 seconds. After everyone has completed their two 30-second work outs, add the total number together for the team score. The team with the highest score wins the satisfaction of knowing they did the most sit-ups and push-ups
2.    Mental Work Out Contest. Organize into teams and see which teams can solve a series of complex story problems most quickly. There are several books and websites that offer story problems and brain puzzles. Find your own or visit rinkworks.com/brainfood for some interesting ones. 

Transition: 

Say:  Exercising your body and exercising your mind are good for you.  What do you think it means to exercise your faith? Let students think for a moment and if any offer thoughts, lead a short discussion on the responses.  After a short while, play the song “Work it Out” by FEDEL.

During the song, have students fill in the lyric blanks on their student worksheets.

Faith ________ works be _______
So I’m on ___ ________ but ya boy be _____
The just ______ by _______
So ______ live by ________


Transition: 
Say: Faith without works is dead. It seems that is the message that the song is trying to get across. What does that really mean?    

Bible Study:
Read together the following Bible passages:

Romans 3:20-28
Ephesians 2:8-9
James 2:20-26

Say:
There are some big words in those verses. Justified, righteousness, salvation, redemption. Bible scholars love to discuss what all the words mean and what they don’t mean. Sometimes the conversations get so wrapped up in details that they miss the point.

God saves.
We respond to what God has done.

Ask:
What do you think of those two statements? What does it mean that God saves? How are we supposed to respond to what God has done? What if we don’t respond? Does that mean that God hasn’t done what God did?

Let those questions sit for a bit. Let students discuss those and others that come up.


Say:
All of us make mistakes. We all fail when it comes to doing the things God wants us to do.  The beauty of God’s grace and forgiveness is that we get another chance to respond to what God has done. Sometimes it’s helpful to make a list of things you want to do. What would you like to put on the “Here’s what I think God wants me to do” list?

Let students suggest items for the list. Write them in a place where everyone can see. Then suggest that each person pick one or two of the things and try to do them this week. Remind them that doing things on the list doesn’t give them a “leg up” in the God club. But it is responding to what God wants them to do.

Wrap-up: God saves. We respond to what God has done. Sometimes we mess up. But God doesn’t stop saving. God offers us another chance to do the things He wants us to do. Let’s do those things.

Closing prayer: Thank you, God, for saving us. Thank you for being so patient with us when we mess up. Help us to do the things you want us to do. Help us to show love for you and for everyone. Amen.

Party Rock Anthem study

Often when the definitely leans conservative music magazine I write for, Interlinc's Youth Leaders Only, publishes an article ripping on a particular pop song, I've either written a study for it, or will soon do so.

I wrote this one recently.  I think it's due to appear in the reTuned section of their newly-released edition (YLO 85) and today they released it as one of their online freebies.

Artist: LMFAO
Song: Party Rock Anthem
Album: Sorry for Party Rocking

By: Kirk Moore

Teaching Point:
Think.

Opening Questions:
Are you sure you want to lose your mind?

Discussion:
Are you familiar with the internet acronym LMFAO? Look it up, and then, as you blush, try to think of other possible meanings for the abbreviation. Ask your students if they can come up with some clean, intelligent alternatives. Here are some to get you started:

• Learning much from alternate opinions.
• Lighting markers for alien onset.
• Linking my fortune around opulence.
• Locating microscopic fossils and organisms.

LMFAO’s party-encouraging #1 Billboard hit encourages the listeners to lose their minds in the music and in the party lifestyle. (“Party Rock” is also a slang term for cocaine, though the song doesn’t likely encourage cocaine use) The video for the song, however, pokes fun at those who lose their mind in the party lifestyle. Instead of encouraging the lifestyle, the video shows folk who have become zombie-like from listening to and following the song’s directions.

• What things are you so sure about that you don’t ever ask questions?
• What would you be willing to completely lose your mind over?

Romans 12:2 encourages readers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they can discern God’s will

Colossians 2:8 Calls readers to be wary of being led astray with high-sounding nonsense.

Isaiah 1:14-18 recalls God’s invitation to turn from hypocritical religious actions and instead “argue it out” with God.

• What questions would you ask God if you were sitting down for a chat right now?
• What questions do you think would be off-limits?
• What do you really wonder about?

Conclusion: Out in the world or even in church, thinking and asking questions is a good thing. No one has to check their brains at the door. God loves your questions. Think. Ask. Listen.

Changed My Name

This week's Bible 'reflection' is based on Genesis 32:22-31.   Jacob fought with the messenger all night and then got a name change.  I got together with two of my children and one of their friends to record a "Spiritual Blues" version of the song, "Changed Mah Name"

Here are the lyrics:

Changed My Name
Spiritual – Adapted by Kirk Moore

I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name
I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name
I told Jesus it would be all right
It seems we’ve been struggling all of the night
I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name

Jesus told me I would have to live humble
If he changed my name
Jesus told me I would have to live humble
If he changed my name
Jesus told me I would have to live humble
Don’t you forget about this all-night rumble
Jesus told me I would have to live humble
If he changed my name

Jesus told me that the world would be against me
If he changed my name
Jesus told me that the world would be against me
If he changed my name
Jesus told me that the world would be against me
But my love is for all – friend and adversary
Jesus told me that the world would be against me
If he changed my name

I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name
I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name
I told Jesus it would be all right
Keep me from resentment, arrogance, and spite
I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name

I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name

I told Jesus it would be all right
If he changed my name

Born this Way - Bible Study

Yes. This is a Bible study about Lady Gaga's Born this Way.  It's about love and acceptance. (The song . . . and the study, too.)


I wrote it for Interlinc's Music Magazine -- not really expecting them to publish it. (The magazine's blog had just come out with a pretty anti-Gaga post just prior to me writing this study.)  I was pleasantly surprised, however, to see the study published in the most recent YLO magazine -- YLO 84.  The digital magazine article is here -- and here's exactly what I wrote!

Artist: Lady Gaga
Song: Born this Way
Album: Born this Way

By: Kirk Moore
kirk@stodgyoldpastor.com   (this email address really does work)

The Point:
God loves everyone. No exceptions.

Questions:

• Have you felt the pain of rejection? 
• Have you treated someone as if they didn’t matter? 

Discussion:
Lady Gaga’s anthem is everywhere. There’s an original version, a country road version, a sexually charged video, a Bollywood remix, countless other remixes, a (not anymore) controversy over a new parody version, and, of course, a Glee version, too! The song has taken flight – and opinions are flying as well. Some say that her message is all about making excuses for a living a sinful lifestyle. Others say that it’s all about acceptance for the ones who have been rejected by others. This study explores what you think about Born This Way.

• What about the song gives you hope?
• What about the song makes you uneasy?
• What does the song make you want to do?

Bible stuff:

• Luke 14:12-13:  Who are the ones who aren’t usually invited to the banquet today? What invitation have you given?
• John 4:1-39:  The woman at the well was an outcast. What did Jesus offer her? What happened as a result?
• Matthew 7:1-5:  Jesus used humor with a point. What makes it so easy to point out other’s mistakes while ignoring our own horrible actions?

Conclusion:
God’s love is for everyone. It is for people who have everything together and people who are a complete mess. It is also for people who are sure they have it together and who are really a complete mess. Everyone deserves to be treated as one whom God loves.

Taio Cruz - Dynamite study

Interlinc's Music magazine has a great section (usually near the back) that offers ways to have great group discussions based on songs folks have heard, shared, and loved.  Here's one I wrote for Taio Cruz's Dynamite.. It's in the most recent mag  (YLO 83)

Artist: Taio Cruz
Song: Dynamite
Album: Rokstarr

By: Kirk Moore
kirk@actionverbs.net

Teaching Point:
Living life to the fullest doesn’t necessarily mean sampling every experience life has to offer.

Opening Question:
How do you celebrate life?

Discussion:
Taio Cruz’s electric summertime party song encourages all who hear to dance, celebrate, and let go of all inhibitions in an explosion of life. The lyrics express joy, vitality, and exuberance. The video for the song shows a celebration full of sweat, skin, and indulgence.

• What comes to mind when you consider celebrating and living your life?
• What comes to mind when you see the sexually charged dancing that accompanies the lyric in the song
• What is life-enhancing about living life as portrayed in the video?
• What is life-enhancing about celebrating life in other ways?

Matthew 23:25-27:  What kind of relationship do you see between Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and your reaction to the song?

John 10:10:  What do you think it means to live life to the fullest?

Luke 12:28-31:  What do you think Jesus’ desire is for you as you live your life?

Celebrating life means different things to different people. What do you think is the best way for you to celebrate life?

Conclusion: Jesus wants us to live our lives to the fullest. Jesus also wants us to live lives that help us to grow and to love God and each other. And Jesus wants us to seek God’s way as we live.   Jesus wants us to live our lives to the fullest. Jesus also wants us to live lives that help us to grow and to love God and each other. And Jesus wants us to seek God’s way as we live. 

Know Hope Collective: Attention Study

Sometimes I write studies and articles for a music magazine that leans pretty conservative.  It doesn't lean as far right as some "Rock and Roll is just Satanic" folks, but you get the feeling from the other studies, articles, website, facebook, etc that the folks at Interlinc lean (farther and farther) right. 
I wrote a study for their most recent music magazine (YLO 83) about a Know Hope Collective (an offshoot from the now retired Audio Adrenaline) song, "Attention." 
The study has a distinctly progressive flavor -- with lots of inspiration from the United Church of Christ.

Interlinc has a link to a pdf of the magazine edition of the study on their website. Here it is without any fancy graphics:

Artist: Know Hope Collective
URL:  knowhopecollective.com
Album: Know Hope
Label: Integrity
Song: Attention
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@stodgyoldpastor.com  (yes, I have that domain.  Fun, eh?)

Theme:
God’s Leading

Objective:
Participants will slow down and listen for God’s voice.

Warm- up
Attention Exercise: Lead the group through a repetitive exercise. 

• Walk around slowly.
• Find a place and lie down on the ground.
• Stretch your arms.
• Stretch your legs.
• Sit up.
• Close your eyes.
• Breathe in slowly.
• Breathe out slowly.
• Lie back down.
• Count to 10.
• Get up.
• Walk around. . .

Repeat the exercise 2 or three times. After the last “Get up,” instruct the participants to walk back to their seats.

Transition: 

Say:  Are you relaxed? Are you ready to listen? Do I have your attention? Good. Know Hope Collective would like your attention, too. Actually, they’d like you to listen to their Attention. It’s one of the songs on their new record.

Play “Attention” from Know Hope Collective

During the song, have students sit back and listen attentively. If some fall asleep, wake them when the song is done. 

Transition: 

Say: Speak. You have my attention, Lord. How do you think God speaks today?
Leave ample time for discussion. If the discussion isn’t moving well, offer the following suggestions.
How do you hear God speak? Have you ever wondered if God is still speaking today? Do you think God has stopped speaking to the world?

Bible Study:
Have a volunteer read Psalm 23.

Ask:

• Talk about the similarities with the words of this Psalm and the words of the song.
• What ways do you have to slow down and listen for what God has to say to you?

Have another volunteer read 1 Samuel 3:1-11.

Ask:

• Sometimes we think that God only spoke during Bible times. Right at the beginning of this Bible reading it says, “In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.” What do you think of that?
• Samuel kept going to Eli when he heard God speak. Finally, after Eli understood that God was talking to Samuel, he told him to say “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” What do you think God said to Samuel?
• What would make your ears tingle if God said it to you?

Wrap-up: God is still speaking to our hearts. God is still calling us to slow down and to listen. And God is still doing things what will make people’s ears tingle.

Closing prayer: Thank you, God, for helping us to find a place of rest and peace. Help us to listen for your voice. Speak, Lord, for we are listening. Amen.

Selah

This week's second Bible reflection (Sing it) provides the beginning for Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL
"Selah" text
"Selah" podcast