Seeing (differently) in the Dark
Anyone who has gone hiking or walking in the nighttime knows that darkness doesn’t lead to not seeing; darkness leads to seeing differently. The prophet Joel writes that God’s mothering, raven Spirit will be poured out on all flesh; causing children to prophesy, elders to dream dreams, and young ones to see visions. The nurturing embrace of darkness allows us to see differently so that we may first imagine, then believe, and finally begin to live into our elders’ dreams and our young ones’ visions. Thanks be to the God of shadows! [sermon begins at minute 21:00]
Audio
Resources
- Land Acknowledgement: Real Rent Duwamish
- Bibleworm podcast: Episode 213 – Rend Your Hearts, Amy Robertson and Robert Williamson, Jr.
- “Light & Dark: Memory,” from sabbatical writings, on sabbatical from Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Megan M Ramer, 2009
- Photo by Ryan Hutton on Unsplash
Permission to podcast the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-726929. All rights reserved.
- Come Walk With Us – Text: South African traditional, trans. Gerhard Cartford © Luthern World Foundation. Music: South African traditional, arr. Anders Nyberg ©1984 Utryck; Walton Music Corp.
- Come, Holy Spirit, descend – Words and Music: ©1994 Iona Community / WGRG (North America)
- Joyful is the Dark – Words and Music: Brian Wren ©1989, Hope Publishing Co.
Other Resources, from Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0):
- Call to Worship – Advent Welcome, Anna Beth Roeschley, from “Along the Arc,” ©2017 Brethren Mennonite Council
- Offertory Prayer, Joanna Harader, 2017, spaciousfaith.com
Additional Resource:
- Instrumental Recording: Wayfaring Stranger – arranged by Michael Bade