Tag: Church

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Twenty-One 12/21/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’m sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

Today Fugelsang looks at what many consider the purpose of the church.

“For many Christians, the real problem is not a compassion problem but a proximity problem. We have moved away from the places Jesus moved into. We’ve moved away from the pain and the suffering of the world.” p. 199

“Liberation theology argues that the church should actively work to alleviate poverty and oppression, and calls for structural changes to address systemic injustices and inequalities. It sees faith as a thing you do.” p. 199

“Many Christians consider liberation theology to be truest to the teachings of Jesus, because it uncomfortably places the needs and rights of the poor and oppressed at the center of its theology, much like, I don’t know, the whole Bible. It advocates for a faith that’s active and engaged in the world. It encourages Christians to get their hands dirty, take tangible steps to fight injustice, and directly aid those in need.” p. 200

Posted in Holiday Joy

Joyful Easter!

Posted on by Neal Saye

What a wonderful Easter service at our Asbury Memorial Church this morning here in Savannah.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

One: We believe in God:

All: who is older than eternity,and younger than our next breath; who is beyond describing, yet knows us all by name; who inspires faith,yet cannot be contained by religion.

One: We believe in Jesus Christ, flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone:

All: He came in the body to give worth to every human life. He touched the untouchable, loved the unlovable, forgave the unforgivable, and endured slander, persecution, and death in order that through suffering love God’s kingdom might come on earth. He rose from the grave as living proof that what is laid down in faith will be raised in glory

One: We believe in the Holy Spirit:

All: who leads us into truth and freedom, who gives good gifts to all God’s children, who inspires research, enables prayer, and wills that human economics and politics should prioritize justice, care of the earth, and the healing of nations.

One: We celebrate the potential of the Church:

All: the life in our bodies, the yearning in our souls, the promise of good things in store, and the opportunity to love and serve one another.

Amen.

Water, River, Spirit, Grace,

Sweep over me, Sweep over me!

Recarve the depths your fingers traced

In sculpting me, in sculpting me.

PlymouthChurch DSM

HR and I hope that you are having a peaceful Easter 2024.

In front of our church’s Living Cross this stunningly beautiful Easter morning.

Posted in Holiday Joy, Peace

Taize Two: “Bless”

Posted on by Neal Saye

Last Wednesday, I introduced the first of our church’s four Taize services before Easter. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out last week’s post real quick:

Taize

Tonight was beautifully simple and peaceful.

The theme revolved around the idea of our souls blessing God, instead of the usual other way around.

***************

“Bless the Lord, my soul,

And bless God’s holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul,

Who leads me into life.”

PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Again, May Peace be your Portion

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas: “Images of Peace” 12/19/22

Posted on by Neal Saye

For this blog category, “Countdown to Christmas: Images of Peace,” each day between December 1 and 25, I share some of our photography that invites rest, peace, tranquility and love.

Priestly Peaceful Fun

Yesterday, three of my grandchildren were baptized in the beautiful St. Thomas Episcopal Church, on Isle of Hope (isn’t that a cool name for a community?) near Savannah.

After the service, during picture-taking time with the Bishop, he paused to show the children his balancing skills with his staff (or “crosier”).

The kids and adults all joined God in laughing, appreciatively.