Cynthia Lapp
Dare To Imagine: Love Together
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
During advent we have been daring to imagine – as we wait for Christmas. This past week I was with folks from Faith in Action federations across the country who came to town to try and expand the imaginations of their senators. Talking about daring to imagine. Talk about waiting! They came from New Hampshire […]
Dare To Imagine: Joy
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
It is good be together on this third Sunday of advent, the joy Sunday. I imagine it would be even more joyful if we were together in person but part of joy is anticipation so this is all part of the process. (January 9, when we will be together in the building, is not too […]
Dare To Imagine: Hope
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
Happy new year! Well, happy liturgical new year. Advent is the start of a new liturgical year. Our custom is to celebrate communion to mark the beginning of advent so if you don’t have your bread and cup near by now, you will want to have it by the end of the sermon. Our advent […]
Living Into Our Mission Statement
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
Today is Reign of Christ Sunday or as it was originally known, “Christ the King” Sunday. Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, aka the “sarcastic Lutheran,” tweeted this week – “Pope Pius XI established Christ the King Sunday in 1925 to counter what he regarded as destructive forces of racism and the totalitarian claims of Nazi ideologues. Happy […]
Choose the Sermon: The Lord’s Prayer
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
What a beautiful sight, all of us, even in masks, all in the same giant square (or whatever shape this is.) No internet, no Zoom, to mediate us to each other. We are here together, thanks be to God. “Preach on the Lord’s Prayer,” so said one of you, who chose the Lord’s Prayer as […]
The Power Of Vulnerability
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
A story from my cousin Jason popped up in my email box this week. Jason is in prison and writes monthly missives to the outside world. This one is entitled Mint Moth. The [prison camp] is a place of cold, hard, and grey. That is why instances of color or softness catch my attention. One […]
Choose The Sermon: On Forgiveness
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
You all submitted some great ideas for sermons. The suggestion for today is forgiveness which feels all too appropriate these days because I feel like I am carrying a lot of anger – especially about the ways that immigration reform is oh so close and the politicians will not work together for the well-being of […]
Choose the Sermon: Why Do We Work So Much?
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
It seems really meta to have worked so much on a sermon about why we work so much. So I tried not to work “so much” on this sermon. Life in the DMV is all about work. Perhaps those of you who come from away find this to be case where you are as well. […]
Choose the Sermon: On Sorrow
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
(On sorrow — how to hold it lovingly and gracefully for yourself, others, your community and world) Earlier in the summer we asked you to “Choose the sermon,” to suggest something you want the preachers to tackle. One of you contributed this: “On sorrow — how to hold it lovingly and gracefully for yourself, […]
The Embrace
Speaker: Cynthia Lapp
Today is July 11, 7/11. 7-Eleven has a tradition of giving everyone free Slurpees to celebrate the day they call their birthday. I don’t often go to 7-Eleven – even for free Slurpees. But last Sunday night, Eric got stung by a bee and looked like he needed some Benadryl. So I ventured to one […]