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The Minister's Helper Blog

Let's grow more secure in our faith together, one post at a time.

Closing/Sending Forth: For a Closing or Dying Church

Closing/Sending Forth: For a Closing or Dying Church

Closing/Sending Forth: For a Closing or Dying ChurchLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/05/29

We Are More Than What Is In Front Of Us is a sermonic sending forth for Christmas Day (Year B, Revised Common Lectionary), written for Discipleship Ministries (UMC) as part of “Millennial/Centennial Voices from the Africana Diaspora.” Inspired by Isaiah 52:7–10, it calls the church beyond nostalgia and decline, urging faithful courage, embodied witness, and renewed participation in God’s kingdom work in the world.

Liturgy and Lectionary
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Thank God for Mothers | A Poem for Worship

Thank God for Mothers | A Poem for Worship

Thank God for Mothers | A Poem for WorshipLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/05/10

A Mother’s Day liturgy poem inspired by Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1:26–28) and God’s favor.

Liturgy and LectionaryPoetry
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From Back Pew to Front Row: Designing Church Music and Space for Kids in Worship

From Back Pew to Front Row: Designing Church Music and Space for Kids in Worship

From Back Pew to Front Row: Designing Church Music and Space for Kids in WorshipLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/05/08

A calm, practical guide to youth-inclusive worship—keys, unison, playful teaching, inclusive space,

Worship LeadershipChildren & Youth MinistryChurch MusicInclusion & NeurodiversityFaith FormationPractical Theology
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Death, Grief, and What a Name Can Hold

Death, Grief, and What a Name Can Hold

Death, Grief, and What a Name Can HoldLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/05/04

Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 on death, grief, and the wisdom found in the house of mourning.

Prayer ChallengePersonal Reflections
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Happy Enough to Move by Faith

Happy Enough to Move by Faith

Happy Enough to Move by FaithLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/04/21

A reflective meditation on Psalm 1:3 and Psalm 84:5–6 (CEB), exploring what it means to be replanted by streams of water. This post traces the slow courage of moving by faith, the ache of uprooting without proof, and the hope of becoming truly happy as God nurtures new growth.

Prayer ChallengePersonal Reflections
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All I Can See | A Poetic Reflection

All I Can See | A Poetic Reflection

All I Can See | A Poetic ReflectionLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/04/16

All I Can See | A Poetic Reflection is a clergy-written poem responding to the shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota. Written January 14, 2026, it explores fear, racialized violence, memory, and the spiritual insistence on choosing love and community in the face of hate.

Personal Reflections
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Practical and invitational Christian formation for stead growth.

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