Free Stuff
My sheet music and other free resources are available here. Just follow this link.
These things are under a Creative Commons license that allows you to download them and copy them freely—for any non-commercial use.
Enjoy!
Store
I have books, CDs, and a video series for sale from my store page. (I wish I could just give everything away, but one must eat!)
I’m especially excited about my new book, now available: My Burden Is Light: A Pastor’s Plea for Rationality, Honesty, and Humility.
About
Merry, Mystical Missives
Here you’ll find everything I’ve sent out to the mailing list for The Merry Mystic.
Advent Processional Performed
Last November, I posted some sheet music for an easy choir piece for a processional for Advent. Now I’ve been leading an online book study for my book, The Inn of God’s Forgiveness. For chapter eight, I wanted to demonstrate my Advent Processional. But because of the coronavirus, it isn’t feasible to record a choir singing it.
Unless everyone in the choir is me.
[vimeo id=430167452]
Reality First
I’ve heard many sermons on the story of Doubting Thomas. Most of them have characterized Thomas as an example of inadequate faith—someone we should try not to be like. I don’t think that’s quite right. Jesus loved Thomas, welcomed him, and gave him exactly what he needed. And I think Thomas the Twin is the man for our times.
(In this talk I address the importance of truth. So, naturally, you’ll hear me criticize President Trump. I’m sorry—a little sorry—to be so hard on him; he’s obviously not the only politician to stretch the truth to make himself look good. But he’s by far the most prolific of my lifetime.)
I Remember
This song is also available as a hymn for group singing, with a piano accompaniment, over in our Free Stuff section.
Advent Processional
Hello friends!
Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Advent starts next week. Here’s something I wrote and arranged for my church choir. We’re using this at the start of the service throughout Advent. (The shhh! at the end is meant to be followed by the lighting of the Advent candle.)
I’ve posted it in two pieces:
This is the text:
Searching and seeking, we hear the Spirit speaking. The signs are appearing: the Holy One is nearing. Finding and feeling, the Hidden One revealing, Invoking, inviting, with every candle lighting. Mary is bearing, and Joseph is preparing, The Spirit entwining, and all the stars aligning. All are expecting our God with us connecting, Creation awaiting its holy recreating. Longing and yearning, We keep the fire burning. The time is near, the time is near, The time is near, the time is near. Bells are ringing! Angels singing! Drums are drumming! Christ is coming!
The music is simple and dramatic, with three vocal parts (plus cantor) and a repetitive structure in four-bar phrases. I hope this will be useful to someone out there, and I hope it will help you feel the wild hope of Advent.
Happy Thanksgiving!
These are the (mostly video) messages sent out to The Merry Mystic mailing list.
Sermons and Such
Every week, I preach in the Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton, Illinois. I’m not sending most of these out to The Merry Mystic mailing list; but on the outside chance you’d like to see a sermon, here they are.
Worry Boundaries
Worry can be our friend—but all healthy friendships need healthy boundaries.
Multitasking
Fasting from multitasking can give us a chance to remember how useful and joyful focused attention can be.
Fasting
Fasting lives in the shadowy borderland between enlightenment and insanity. Here’s a look at both sides.
Theosis
In the Gospel stories of the Transfiguration, Jesus shines like the sun. Maybe you can too!
Beyond Cases
Jesus’ use of the “case parody” reminds us that we have to do more than just follow the rules.
This Is the Way
Maybe we should learn from the Mandalorians, and remind ourselves frequently: this is the way.
Why Fishermen?
Why did Jesus start his ministry in a fishing village? John Dominic Crossan has a theory about that.
Presence and Guidance
The nativity legends of the Bible are full of the presence and guidance of God. (This sermon featured some clips from old movies; the video only has transcriptions.)
Children Matter More
A simple lesson that could change the world: children matter more than almost anything.
Summarizing the Teachings
This is the seventh and final sermon in my series on the ethical teachings of Jesus.