Category Archives: Worship

A Long December

Posted on December 31, 2022 by smaxreisert

And it’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe/Maybe this year will be better than the last/I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself/To hold onto these moments as they pass. “A Long December” by … Continue reading →

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We Will Worship on Christmas Day

Posted on December 22, 2022 by smaxreisert

The New York Times recently published an article entitled “O Come All Ye Faithful, Except When Christmas Falls on a Sunday.” (12/18/22) The article explored the various issues for Protestant churches regarding worship this year when Christmas falls on a … Continue reading →

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When a Visitor Is Just a Visitor

Posted on October 23, 2022 by smaxreisert

Last Sunday, my husband and I attended a worship service in person for the first time since July. I’m in the middle of a four-month leave of absence from Old South and have been attending weekly worship online, visiting a … Continue reading →

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Worshipping Online: What I’ve Learned (so far)

Posted on October 6, 2022 by smaxreisert

I’m in the middle of a four-month leave of absence from Old South, assisting my husband in taking advantage of his full-year sabbatical. We spent most of September in Norway and we expect to head out for a cross-country road … Continue reading →

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To Focus on Women of the New Testament

Posted on June 20, 2022 by smaxreisert

Since the beginning of Lent this year, almost every single Sunday worship at Old South has focused on a scripture passage that features at least one woman. In Lent, we considered the “Women Around Jesus.” For the Easter Season and … Continue reading →

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Lent 2022, The Women Around Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2022 by smaxreisert

Adapted from a Sermon preached at Old South Church, Hallowell, Maine. Scripture: Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:33-41 Mary Magdalene.  Mention her name and you might remember that she was present at the empty tomb on Easter morning.  But, it’s also likely, … Continue reading →

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A Different Lent

Posted on March 2, 2022 by smaxreisert

For Christians, Lent is the season in which we remember the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness while dealing with the temptations of the devil. Some Christians give something up for Lent, something that will require tests of … Continue reading →

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In a Quiet Moment

Posted on November 11, 2021 by smaxreisert

I’ve always been fascinated by certain moments of quiet, like during a worship service in a sanctuary with a bunch of people in it and everything becomes so hushed, as if a veil of silence has descended. It’s not just … Continue reading →

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Sound Complications

Posted on August 18, 2021 by smaxreisert

The transition to hybrid worship has been something of a trial.  While I’m comfortable holding worship on Zoom, and in person, it’s quite another thing to try to do both things at the same time.  I feel like all of … Continue reading →

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Give Me a Groan!

Posted on May 31, 2021 by smaxreisert

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our … Continue reading →

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