by Janice MacLean | Oct 21, 2020 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
By Hugh Farquhar The Gospel Reading prescribed in the Lectionary for next Sunday is Matthew 22:34-40. It contains some of Jesus’ most memorable words, including: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Whitney Houston had a big hit that stayed on the charts for...
by Janice MacLean | Oct 16, 2020 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
by Hugh Farquhar The Revised Common Lectionary Reading from the Hebrew Scripture on Sunday is Exodus 33:12-23. The concluding verse is striking: “You shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” Years ago, when the older two of our four children were small, we...
by Janice MacLean | Oct 10, 2020 | Reflections
Now is the Time: A Resource for Small Group Study or for Individual Study “Imagine if COVID regulations were in place when Mary came to visit Elizabeth. She’s ring the doorbell and then stand back two metres. There would be no hug.” The 2020 Advent...
by Janice MacLean | Aug 27, 2020 | Poetry & Prayer, Reflections
Bearing Fruit by Carolyn Crowell, To Touch the Mystery: Poetry for the Journey of Life. Carolyn is an educator, minister, theologian and writer in The United Church of Canada. She writes poems that reflect the presence of the Spirit in everyday life. Learn more and...
by Janice MacLean | Aug 20, 2020 | Reflections
Each spring Prayer Bench in Canada and Kereru Publishing in New Zealand offer a program called Stroll for Your Soul. Stroll offers 21 days of accompaniment through a brief email delivered early each morning to your inbox. Each email will offer a practice, or a...
by Janice MacLean | Jul 25, 2020 | Free Stuff, Reflections
An EXCERPT from the 2020 Summer Sabbath Series: The Inventions of Summer. Sunflowers: Pronouncing a Blessing Read Psalm 113 “From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.” — Psalm 113:3 Pause for Reflection The...
by Janice MacLean | Apr 1, 2020 | Reflections, Visual Intercessions
LENT SOUL SONG VISUAL PRAYER Psalm 118 Set Your Face Toward the Riot And on this path the gates are opening wide — Psalm 118 Read Psalm 118: 1,2 -19-29 What parts of this Psalm speak to you? Inspire, resonate or call to you? What feelings, longings, hopes are evoked...
by Janice MacLean | Mar 25, 2020 | Reflections, Visual Intercessions
LENT SOUL SONG VISUAL PRAYER Psalm 130 Tending the Grief “My whole being waits for you, my God, listening for your Presence.” — Psalm 130:4 Read Psalm 130 What feelings, longings, hopes are evoked in you as you pray this Psalm? When life is hard and you...
by Janice MacLean | Mar 18, 2020 | Reflections, Visual Intercessions
LENT SOUL SONG VISUAL PRAYER Psalm 23 Hospitality “Anoint my head, and fill my cup to overflowing.” – Psalm 23 Read Psalm 23 What parts of this Psalm speak to you? Inspire, resonate or call to you? What feelings, longings, hopes are evoked in you as...
by Janice MacLean | Mar 15, 2020 | Photos for Eye & Soul, Reflections
Pam Harrison, a friend of the Prayer Bench, is spending the winter in Olhos da Agua, Portugal. She wonders how she will live in an area of the world that is the hub of coronavirus. “As of yesterday things sure changed!! The news and social media are so scary but...
