Gathering 194: “The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father” // Service of Worship

Published: Aug. 17, 2021, 1 p.m.

“Our Father...” These summoning first words of the Lord's Prayer immediately direct our attention to the divine as a patriarchal figure—a metaphor for a father watching over his household. Metaphors are a powerful and useful device for something abstract, like God. Where does this specific metaphor of a Father come from, and are you comfortable calling on a patriarchal figure? Perhaps, you grew up without a father or had a less than stellar father. What then? Should we limit our use of metaphors when it comes to the God of scripture or recast the metaphor using today's examples? Pastor Tony Minear, Ph.D. invites you to join us this week as we explore the first line of The Lord’s Prayer. Listen and discover how to look beyond the limited metaphors we’ve placed on the divine simply by practicing sensitivity and compassion for one another’s stories, and then working together in spiritual community to honor those viewpoints.     Recorded live at Beatitudes Church in Phoenix, AZ on 08/15/21  Preaching: Rev. Tony Minear, Ph.D.  Scripture: Mark 14:32-36  Scripture Reader: Janelle Tapphorn    If you like what you hear, consider donating at:  https://beatitudeschurch.org/donate/