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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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Beautiful | A Responsive Reading

Beautiful | A Responsive Reading

Beautiful | A Responsive ReadingLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/03/05

New Blog Post Beautiful | A Responsive Reading is a Christmas Day liturgical reading that traces the beauty of Jesus—from newborn king to suffering servant—inviting worshipers into awe, compassion, and embodied love. Written for Discipleship Ministries (UMC) for Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary as part of “Millennial/Centennial Voices from the Africana Diaspora” (Dec 2020). Description

Liturgy and Lectionary
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#SeeAllThePeople: The Astounded Crowd

#SeeAllThePeople: The Astounded Crowd

#SeeAllThePeople: The Astounded CrowdLinda Furtado
Published on: 2026/02/14

For Transfiguration Sunday (Year C), Luke 9:28–43 invites us up the mountain with Jesus—into prayer, glory, and the voice that says, “Listen to him!”—and then sends us back down into the crowd where real need is waiting. These preaching notes reflect on how God’s glory can surprise us, steady us, and reshape us for faithful discipleship: not clinging to mountaintop moments, but learning to pray, listen, and bring Christ’s light to the people we’re called to love and serve. Originally written in 2019 for Discipleship Ministries’ #SeeAllThePeople worship series, I’m republishing it here so it remains accessible for leaders and communities preparing to preach and live this text.

Help On The JourneyNewsletter
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