Looking into the lectionary - Rev. Jihyun Oh nominated as stated clerk

May 12, 2024 Seventh Sunday of Easter Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Justus would be a great baby name, occurred to me on my first read of this Sunday’s lectionary passage from Acts. Then I considered the poor kid’s lineage: being traced to the one nominated, but not chosen. Forever the groomsman, never the groom. Who wants that for their kid? Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 settles in the pocket of time between Jesus’ ascension and the Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost, an interesting and anxious space to dwell. What will God’s people do without direct divine guidance? Who will they choose to replace Judas? How will they choose? When the 120 believers were considering candidates, the driving question seemed to be, “Who do we know?” Justus and Matthias were nominated because they’d been with Jesus from the day of his baptism. The text says nothing of their leadership qualities, their public speaking or people skills, nothing even about them looking like leaders — tall, good posture, thick head of hair, and a well-kept beard, I imagine, because this is the ancient Middle East. All we know is that they were nominated because they were known. Oftentimes, this is the driving question of all our nominating processes. Who do we know? we ask, quickly shrinking the pool of candidates to our personal circles. One of my goals as the editor of the Outlook is to diversify our contributors and recruit new writers. To achieve this, I need to look beyond my personal circle of writers, pastors, biblical and theological scholars. Instead of asking, “Who do I know?” I try asking, “Who don’t I know?” Who is out there with gifts of which I am unaware? Who would contribute something worthwhile, who has yet to be asked? Whose talents has the Outlook left untapped? ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship for May 12, 2024. These liturgies are free to use. The Rev. Jihyun Oh is the nominee to be the next Stated Clerk of the General Assembly by Mike Ferguson  ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and Abraham (May 12, 2024) by Brendan McLean Called to partner — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Want the worship resources for May 5, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... ‘Cowboy Carter’ is complex. So is Beyoncé. So am I. Psychologist and theologian Chanequa Walker-Barnes encounters her tenth grade self in Beyoncé’s latest album, "Cowboy Carter." “Bathroom law” heightens concerns for transgender GA attendees A new law in Utah bars transgender people from using, in certain places, restrooms that correspond to their gender identities. — Patrice Gaines Overture would broaden anti-discrimination language in 'Book of Order' POL-01 would add more inclusive language to the "Book of Order" to forbid discrimination in ordination candidates based on sexual orientation and gender identity. — Patrice Gaines Trump’s Bible: Profaning the sacred for profit and politics Former President Trump's promotion of the "God Bless the USA Bible" desecrates the sacred in the name of profit and politics, writes Emery J. Cummins. Cultivating grace: Lessons from an Amazon employee Alan Olson called Amazon customer service expecting to pour out his righteous anger. Instead, he encountered an employee who taught him about grace. Shedding light on shadows: A GA overture advocates for transparency The recently amended "Book of Order" mandates privacy protection for accused abusers, even when a case involves minors or adults who lack mental capacity. There’s a group wanting to change this, writes James S. Evinger. ‘It good’: Hospitality in a hospital waiting room Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on the care, life and grief he witnessed as the life of a parishioner came to an end.