Scattered Seeds Worship

12/24/2023

12/23/2023

"The image is inspired by waters meeting one another. This intersecting flow portrays Zechariah’s words meeting John the Baptist’s life. It is a crashing toward, a central meeting place, a potential energy meeting a kinetic being.

Holy Mother, your love is mighty—more powerful than all of the forces that act to barricade justice, to block righteousness. Guide us like you guided Zechariah in your ways of peace, in your strength of courage, in your acts of love. Amen."

— from the artist statement for "Prophecy" by Hannah Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/22/2023

Praise to God, for God is worthy
Seers of old have foretold
Covenants of mercy
God’s great love for us is aching
Guide our feet into peace
As the dawn is breaking

—from the hymn “Lullaby of Praise” by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/21/2023

"Mary sings of a new world order based on past experiences with God. Her joy is found in remembering what the world has the potential to be based on the presence of God in all things. God has shown strength. God has scattered the proud. God has brought down the powerful. God has lifted the lowly. God has filled the hungry. God has helped those who have served God according to the promise made to Abraham. God has already done things that should allow a weary world to rejoice."

—Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong (), from her commentary on Luke 1:46-55 | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/20/2023

"Two years before the birth of Jesus, during the Pax Romana, one of the worst public executions happened a half day’s walk away from where Mary grew up. She came of age during a time of occupation, more than likely unable to recall a time of true peace and liberation...

Fast forward thousands of years and the same land where Mary grew up is still being occupied. One can imagine that the cries for liberation and the prayers for justice still ring down the streets of Bethlehem."

— from the artist statement for "Two Mothers" by Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda (nicolette.faison) | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/19/2023

Like a canary in a snowstorm,
I don’t need another song of what is;
I need a song of what could be.
So sing with me.
Our voices may get drowned out by the wind,
but surely someone will ask:
Was that a flash of yellow in the snow?
Was that the sound of hope?

—excerpt from “The Sound of Hope” by Rev. Sarah Speed |

12/18/2023

As soon as Zechariah’s voice returns, his first words are gratitude and blessing. He sings a story of praise for God’s protection and promise, and then he showers a blessing on his newborn son. He sings a story of hope. After Elizabeth proclaims blessings upon Mary, Mary sings: “My soul magnifies God; my spirit rejoices in God.” Mary sings about a God of liberation who pulls the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. Mary sings a story of hope, one in which justice and joy are interwoven. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, may we also sing stories of hope, justice, and joy.

A Sanctified Art LLC

12/16/2023

"Holy Wisdom, we allow ourselves to be amazed, to dream, to lean into your call to garner your gifts the way raindrops become creeks and creeks become coursing rivers. We challenge ourselves to see the glimmers of hope in the murky waters of our current time. We beg you for clarity, but no, you continue to show us the way through subtle nudges, not obvious signs. We must flow on in endless song. How can we keep from singing? Perhaps our tears and our songs are one. Sing with us.

Holy Word, may our actions match your call, your claim on our lives. May we come together in our lament to sow the change your justice calls forth. Sow with us, we pray, that our next generation may reap our tears with shouts of joy. Amen."

— from the artist statement for "Watercourses" by Hannah Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/15/2023

Even when the earth seems bare
Plant the seeds of hope with care
If you water in the drought
You will reap with joyous shout
Gloria! Isn’t it amazing?
Gloria! Isn’t it amazing?

—from the hymn “Isn't It Amazing?” by Rev. Anna Strickland | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/14/2023

"There was great rejoicing with Elizabeth after the birth of her son; however, there seemed to be a pause in the praise when the name of the child did not align with the traditions of the day. Surprise, surprise, surprise. Failing to believe Elizabeth (I guess we haven’t trusted women for a while now), the gathered crowd motioned for Zechariah to name the child and they were surprised that his selection was the same as Elizabeth’s. In this moment, the crowd was amazed, Zechariah was freed to speak, and praise was the order of the day. Fear came over the neighbors and the rumor mill went wild. Surely the hand of the Lord would be on this child, John."

—Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong (), from her commentary on Luke 1:57-66 | A Sanctified Art LLC

12/13/2023

"Zechariah’s voice pours out of him, parting the surrounding crowd like the Red Sea, stirring each person into confusion and bewilderment. The blessing of his song spills over to his son, who is held tenderly by his mother.

Elizabeth is the only person in this scene who is not presently swept up in wonder. I believe Elizabeth has spent months allowing herself to be amazed... And so, when Zechariah’s voice returns, Elizabeth’s senses have not grown dull. Instead, her amazement has metabolized into something new: attunement for her child. It has transformed into love and deep trust. It has turned into joy. When we allow ourselves to be amazed, we might be surprised what that wonder can turn into."

— from the artist statement for "What Wonder Turns Into" by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC