From Our Pastors – October 20

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

Pastor Megan
October 20, 2023


Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Many of you are familiar with this prayer, though perhaps not its source in the Psalms. I and many other pastors offer it at the start of each sermon, praying that what we share might not be for our own glory but pleasing to our God whom we serve, and useful for those gathered.

But the Psalms were written as corporate hymns, to be sung by the whole congregation. This prayer isn’t a particular one for pastors or religious leaders. Set in the context of the entire Psalm, it’s a prayer that whoever speaks it might reveal the glory of God in the world, just as the heavens and earth, night and day, all that is and all that will be all testify to God’s power and goodness. God’s word is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey, the Psalmist writes, and then asks God to help them follow more closely.

I wonder what it might be like to offer this prayer at the start of the day each day, to set an intention to be humble in thought and speech. I wonder whether such a practice might make it easier to think before speaking, to be curious and compassionate, to speak and act in solidarity with others. I wonder whether it might help us to reveal God’s goodness in a world that needs it.

Peace,
Megan

Past Posts


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    UCC Professional Development Program
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  • From Our Pastors: November 15, 2024
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    Thank you to everyone who joined in the Congregational Meeting last Sunday, and particular thanks to co-moderators Susan Hunt Stevens and Susan Gedrick for leading us, and to Jaap van Reijendam for ensuring those on Zoom could take part as well. The brief workshop Leila led on 1:1s, in the GBIO and community organizing model, gave us a tool for connecting with one another more deeply. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024
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    November 8, 2024
    Post Election Interfaith Gathering
    I want to share with you a small portion of how I opened our interfaith post-election gathering, as we prepare to gather in community together this Sunday for worship and the congregational meeting. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: October 18, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    Octoberr 18, 2024
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  • From Our Pastors: October 11, 2024
    Pastor Megan
    Octoberr 11, 2024
    So much in the world at large and within our own community and families feels like it is in upheaval, right now. War, storms, the coming election, health challenges, grief, transitions, and more make it feel as though the ground is shifting for so many of us. I was reminded in a conversation this week of the framework offered by Joanna Macy in The Work that Reconnects. In it, she explains that how we choose to tell the story – of the world and society at large, but also of our lives – affects how we feel and how we act. Learn More
  • Hurricane Relief
    As I’m sure many of you have been, I have been devastated to see the pictures and reports coming out of communities in the Southeast that have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and wanting to find ways to help. One of the blessings of being affiliated with our two denominational partners is that our impact to help when disasters like this occur can be magnified by the existing systems of support that the denominations have in place. Learn More
  • From Our Pastors: September 13, 2024
    Pastor Amy
    September 13, 2024
    It was a joy and comfort to be together again as we kicked off the new church year last weekend.  Something special happens when we worship and are fed together at the communion table; when we hug, cry, and laugh together; when we celebrate together in the sunshine.  Learn More