Be Still And Go

"God is not crushing us. As we face these days of Judgment, of wrath, brought on by ourselves, brought on by evil in this world, brought on by systemic failure, I don't ask God, 'What did we do to deserve this?' I ask God, 'where shall I go to cry? Will you weep with me?'"Where do you find God when you're experiencing a "judgment day"?//Joel 2:1-2, 12-14Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem.    Shout a warning on my holy mountain.Let all the people who live in the land shake with fear.    The Lord’s day of judging is coming.    The Lord’s day of judging is near.It will be a dark, gloomy day.    It will be a cloudy and black day.Like the light at sunrise,    the great and powerful army will spread over the mountains.There has never been anything like it before.    And there will never be anything like it again.There has never been anything like it before.    And there will never be anything like it again.The Lord says, “Now, come back to me with all your heart.    Go without food, and cry and be sad.”Tearing your clot

"It is this journey of togetherness that will bring us to God. It is this journey of togetherness that will bring God to us. Because God has called us as a people and God will sustain us as a community. We will get there together."Where have you found "togetherness" during this past year? How can you share "togetherness" during this season of Lent?//Psalm 19:10-12, 15-17Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Rob Lee, IV. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mush

"Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the work, the tilling of the soil, the planting of the seeds. We find ourselves covered with a layer of dust, dirt, ash as this season begins with the hope of something new growing in us and in spite of us."What does Ash Wednesday mean to you?//“From dust you came and to dust you will return.”Genesis 3:19//This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Autumn by Great Oaks.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all five seasons of Be Still and Go.Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice.Rev. Jim Keat is the Digital Minister at The Riverside Church. Visit www.trcnyc.org/online to find out more about Riverside's online content and visit www.JimKeat.com to find out more about Rev. Jim Keat.

Into the Darkest Hour by Madeleine L’Engle It was a time like this,war & tumult of war,a horror in the air.Hungry yawned the abyss –and yet there came the starand the child most wonderfully there.It was a time like thisof fear & lust for power,license & greed and blight –and yet the Prince of bliss came into the darkest hourin quiet & silent light.And in a time like thishow celebrate his birthwhen all things fall apart?Ah! Wonderful it is:with no room on the earth,the stable is our heart.//This episode was written and recorded by Diana Butler Bass. Diana is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture.It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, Snow on the Lower East Side by Monarch Trio, and Silent Night by Hill.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources

"We need not fear the dark. Not the dark of winter nor the dark of these tumultuous times. God is with us and like a loving mother, God will bring us home."What does “home” mean to you? In your own words, what does it mean for God to “bring us home”?//Zephaniah 3:14, 20Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;shout, O Israel!Rejoice and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem!At that time I will bring you home,at the time when I gather you;for I will make you renowned and praisedamong all the peoples of the earth,when I restore your fortunesbefore your eyes, says the Lord.//This episode was written and recorded by Adriene Thorne, the Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. It was produced by Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish, Galoshes, and Dramamine by Podington Bear and The Great Burn by Dave Depper.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources

"As we each endure through the valleys and mountaintops of our lives, we can plant our soul in the love that stands firm for us and shine hope for eternity within our every relationship."How has love helped you endure the valleys and mountaintops of your life?//Psalm 89:1-2A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.//This episode was written and recorded by Shamika Goddard, the founder of the Tech Chaplaincy Institute. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Looking For That Moment When Time Stands Still by Will Bangs. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that inte

"Open your eyes to what's broken and missing and wrecked all around you and use everything you have to heal it up, repair it, rebuild it."What can you heal up, repair, and rebuild in the world around you?//Luke 1:38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.//This episode was written and recorded by Shauna Niequist. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Chasing the Northern Lights by Sounds Like Sander. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/#sign-up to receive new episode by email. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/app or text TRCNYC to 77977 to download the Riverside app.• Visit www.instagram.com/sniequist to follow Shu

"The love that requires daily expression in public and in private — this is the love to which we are called as followers of love incarnate, the love that is already and always with us."In your own words, how would you describe the love that we are called to?//Luke 1:46-55“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”/

O come, Desire of nations, bindAll peoples in one heart and mind;Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.In your own words, what does it mean for the whole world to be filled with heaven's peace?//This episode was recorded by Amanda Meisenheimer, the Minister of Children & Families at The Riverside Church. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear. *Correction: These verses were written by Henry Sloane Coffin. H.S. Coffin was the president of Union Theological Seminary and the uncle of William Sloan Coffin.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/#sign-up to receive new episode by email. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/app or text TRCNYC to 77977 to download the Riverside

"Into a time of anger and loss and fear, a child was born. A child that was love and hope and light. And we remember his name – Emmanuel – God is with us."As you look back on your year, what are the memories that will sustain you, even in the darkest of times?//Philippians 1:3-6I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.//This episode was written and recorded by Ellen Robison. It was produced by Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear and An Expression of Gratitude by David Schwoebel and performed by the Myers Park UMC choir.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside

"Be like John and believe in the light, believe in the things that God has promised to us."How is the Word made flesh in our world and our lives today?//John 1:6-8, 28-30There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light....This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’//This episode was written and recorded by Christen Walker James. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Drifting by Glasswing. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other dig

"We need a Mother God right now because our brains are so saturated in patriarchy that a subtle change to a pronoun here or there can awaken our minds to a fuller understanding of the personality of God."How does the idea of a Mother God awaken your mind to a fuller understanding of the personality of God?//Psalm 11:4-7The LORD is in her holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. Her eyes behold, her gaze examines humankind.The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and her soul hates the lover of violence.On the wicked she will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.For the LORD is righteous;she loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold her face.//This episode was written and recorded by Amanda Meisenheimer, the Minister of Children and Families at The Riverside Church. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and On Our Way by Brent Wood. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to

"One of the first steps on the journey to freedom is to shed the ill-defined labels and limiting beliefs that separate us from the love of God."What are your next steps on the journey to freedom?//Psalm 126When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.//This episode was written and recorded by Lakeisha McCoy. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms and Ink by Podington Bear and Oh Freedom as performed by The Golden Gospel Singers.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes f

"I can't help but wonder what God thinks of all the artificial trappings that have attached themselves to Christmas since the word became flesh and dwelt among us."What "artificial trappings" have attached themselves to your experience of Christmas?//Isaiah 61:1-2The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.//This episode was written and recorded by Alexa Donaphin. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, The Family Feud theme, Christmas Time is Here by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and In the Dark You're More Colorful by Corrina Repp.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to s

"Joy is still in the world. It has broken through and holds its own despite the sorrow it neighbors."What is bringing you joy in the midst of this year?//Psalm 30:5Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.//This episode was written and recorded by Farley Lord. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish and Daisy by Podington Bear, Jeus Joy of Man's Desireing by Amanda Welch, and The First Noel by Shane Becker.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/#sign-up to receive new episode by email. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/app or text TRCNYC to 77977 to download the Riverside app.

O Come, O Come, EmmanuelRevised text by Rev. Tracy Howe, 2020 O come, O come, EmmanuelAnd free us from the bondage we’re in stillExploitation, violence and greed,Come break the chains of white supremacyRejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel.Can liberate with love and power still. O come, green shoot of Jesse, freeThose dying at the hands of the policeRestore the land to whom it belongs,So borders melt away into songs.Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel.Can liberate with love and power still. O come now Dayspring, come and cheerThe joy of all the ancestors here.Let hope and beauty never partSo love, not fear will be our heartRejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel.Can liberate with love and power still.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital res

"Sumak Kawsay inspires me to examine how I live in relationship to the Pacha Mama – to the living and breathing creation that God made."What does it mean to live a good life in such a time as this?//Psalm 104You set the earth on her foundations, so that she shall never be shaken.You cover her with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—who looks on the earth and she trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.May my meditation be pleasing to God, for I rejoice in the Lord.Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.Bless the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord!//This episode was written and recorded by Amanda Meisenheimer, the Minister of Children & Families at The Riverside Church. It was

“May John the Baptist and so many others prepare the way for Jesus’ coming."Who has pointed you towards Jesus lately?//Mark 1:1-8The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

“If we truly believe that God’s forgivness is expansive then we should believe that the eye of the needle is much wider than we can imagine.”How have you experienced God’s expansive forgiveness? How can you share this expansive forgiveness with others?//2 Peter 3:8-15But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, a

"This is a season of waiting in the middle of a year that has felt like one long season of waiting.”How has God been reviving you during this season of waiting?//Psalm 85:6-7Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.//This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler, the pastor at South Acton Congregational Church. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear and Seeking Clarity and Secret Place by Alex Fitch.• Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/Donate to support this podcast and other digital resources from The Riverside Church that integrate spirituality and social justice. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo/#sign-up to receive new episode by email. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/app or text TRCNYC to 77977 to download the Riverside app.