What’s a Playlist?
Epiphany Playlist
Shine
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
1/1/26
Introduction
The house I grew up in had a big dining room with a large table and a big picture window. Saturday was cleaning day. My dad divided our house into “zones” as he put it. Each kid had a zone to clean, and we had to finish our cleaning before we could do anything else. Thus, we were motivated! My zone included the dining room, and Dad would check the dining table to be sure it was clean . . . without any fingerprints! Once it was shiny with the light reflecting off it from the window, it was a beautiful table. That’s my association for the word shine. Cleanliness. Yet, there’s so much more to it! Come along with us as we explore the Shine Playlist during Epiphany and let’s see where it takes us.
Shine & Prayer
The following is a prayer for Epiphany from SundaysandSeasons.com. Use it as your guide as you work your way through the Shine Playlist during the Season of Epiphany.
Almighty and ever-living God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Shine & Scripture
When I think of the word Shine in Scripture, I think of the opening verses of John’s Gospel. Read John 1:1-5. Return to these verses throughout the Season of Epiphany and see where the words lead you. Where do you see light shining in the world? Where do you see light overcoming darkness?
Shine & Living Lutheran
You’ll find a link below from Living Lutheran, a publication of the ELCA. In it, Pastor Kimberly Knowle-Zeller writes about Christ’s light in the world and how we’re called into it.
Shine & Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is a website offered by Luther Seminary. In the article linked below, Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener writes about experiencing light and darkness while living in Norway. She includes some questions to ponder at the end of the essay.
Shine & Art
The Philadelphia Art Museum is where you’ll find The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner. The angel Gabriel is depicted as a shaft of light appearing before Mary. You’ll find an image of artwork below along with a link discussing it.
Shine & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Shine theme.
“Shine”—Matt Redman
“This Little Light of Mine”—Sam Cooke
“Shine”—Dolly Parton
December Playlist
Journey
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
12/1/25
Introduction
I read a column a few months ago in which the author criticized the use of the word journey. In the writer’s view, the word has been used so much it has lost some of its meaning. In fact, for the writer, the use of the word has become an annoyance. At Desert Cross this Advent, our theme is Journey to the Manger. Journey is the appropriate word to use. Joseph, Mary, the Wise Men, and all of us are on a journey to find Jesus. We’re on a journey of faith. To me, journey implies a path of ups and downs, of right turns and wrong turns, of losing direction and finding the path again. Come with us as we explore our Journey Playlist this month.
Journey & Prayer
The following is the a Table Prayer for Advent from Humble and Holy, the Advent devotional book from Augsburg Fortress. Use it as your guide as you work your way through our Journey Playlist this month.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
the one who is, who was, and who is to come.
At this table you fill us with good things.
May these gifts strengthen us
to share with the hungry and all those in need,
as we wait and watch for your coming among us
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Journey & Scripture
Our Journey to the Manger will take us through Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. Below you’ll find a list of the Gospel Readings we’ll be hearing in worship. Take a look at each of them and see where God’s Word takes you this Advent Season.
Luke 2:1-3
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-23
Journey & The World
Did you have a globe at your house growing up? Did you have an old atlas? We did. I loved spinning the globe and looking at the maps. Use the link below to take a journey this Advent. Use the search bar to explore Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. Pick and choose the articles that interest you from your search.
Journey & Living Lutheran
You’ll find a link below to Living Lutheran, a publication of the ELCA. The idea of making a Faith Journey part of the “everyday” is explored in the article.
Journey & Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is a website offered by Luther Seminary. The article linked below is connected to some of our readings this month.
Journey & Advent Retreat
You can go on a four-day Advent Retreat with FaithLead. It’s starts December 1, and it’s free! For more information, use the link below.
Journey & Poetry
Below you’ll find “A Journey” by Nikki Giovanni.
It’s a journey . . . that I propose . . . I am not the guide . . . nor
technical assistant . . . I will be your fellow passenger . . .
Though the rail has been ridden . . . winter clouds cover . . .
autumn’s exuberant quilt . . . we must provide our own guide-
posts . . .
I have heard . . . from previous visitors . . . the road washes out sometimes . . . and passengers are compelled . . . to continue groping . . . or turn back . . . I am not afraid . . .
I am not afraid . . . of rough spots . . . or lonely times . . . I don’t fear . . . the success of this endeavor . . . I am Ra . . . in a
space . . . not to be discovered . . . but invented . . .
I promise you nothing . . . I accept your promise . . . of the same we are simply riding . . . a wave . . . that may carry . . .or crash . . .It’s a journey . . . and I want . . . to go . . .
Journey & Literature
John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley is the story of the author traveling the country with his dog. It has nothing to do with Advent or Christmas, but it’s a great road trip! Use the link below to read a book review from 1962 when the book was published. You might be inspired to get a copy and read about their journey.
Journey & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Journey theme.
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
“Sentimental Journey”
“Secret Journey”
November Playlist
Promise
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
11/1/25
Introduction
We’ve all made promises, and we’ve all broken promises. Unfortunately, sin is part of being human, and it shows up in many ways . . . one of which is a trail of broken promises. God models making and keeping promises for us throughout the Bible. One could argue that Scripture is one big promise by God to us. Our Playlist Theme for November is Promise. Join us as we explore this theme.
Promise & Prayer
The following is a prayer from the ELW. Use it as your guide as you work your way through our Promise Playlist this month.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time to make our common prayer to you, and you have promised through your Son that where two or three are gathered together in his name, you will be in the midst of them. Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us, granting us, in this world, knowledge of your truth and, in the age to come, life everlasting.
Amen.
Promise & Scripture
Do you think of the Book of Exodus as a book about plagues? Do you think of it as a book about punishment? Maybe you think of it as a book about Passover? Perhaps we should think of it as a book of promises. Again and again, God makes promises to the people, and God delivers. Spend some time this month rereading Exodus with your eyes looking for the promises God makes and how God fulfills those promises.
Promise & The Bible Project
The two video links below are to The Bible Project. They provide an overview of the Book of Exodus and explain how God fulfills promises and teaches us about trust.
Promise & Living Lutheran
You’ll find two links below from Living Lutheran. The first article is an interpretation of Exodus. The second article is the story of a modern day “promised land” in Ohio.
Promise & Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is a website offered by Luther Seminary. The article linked below is a meditation on The Great Commission in Matthew 28. It’s a promise by Jesus to the Disciples to always be present with them and to help them spread God’s Word. Click the link below to read the reflection.
Promise & Art
The artwork above is titled “Washing the Feet of the Disciples” by Mary Jane Miller. In the artist interpretation linked below, she writes “the promise of forgiveness, healing, and abundant restoration await us.” Take some time to reflect on the artwork and on the promise of forgiveness given to us.
Washing the Feet of the Disciples
Promise & The News
A couple in Vermont is fulfilling the wish of their daughter though the work of a nonprofit. Greg and Dawn Tatro founded Jenna’s Promise in honor of their daughter, Jenna. Their gift helps others with addiction. Click the link below to see the beautiful work they’re doing in remembrance of Jenna.
Promise & Poetry
Below you’ll find “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. The poem allows for time to pause and reflect before fulfilling one’s promises.
“Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening”
Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Promise & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Promise theme.
“Standing on the Promises”—Glen Campbell
“The Promise”—Tracy Chapman
October Playlist
Gratitude
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
10/1/25
Introduction
Thanksgiving is weeks from now, but getting a turkey is already on my mind. Our kids are all married and celebrate Thanksgiving with their in-laws, so the McClellan crew gathers for what we call Second Thanksgiving. We get together on another day and enjoy a turkey dinner and celebrate the holiday. Like a lot of families on Thanksgiving, part of the table conversation includes expressing gratitude. Everyone goes around the table and shares three things they’re feeling grateful for over the last year. It’s a beautiful tradition, but sometimes I wonder why we only do it once a year. Why not add expressing gratitude as a regular family activity? What are you feeling grateful for today? How do you express your gratitude to others? How do you express your gratitude to God? Our Playlist Theme for October is Gratitude. Join us as we explore these ideas.
Gratitude & Prayer
The following is a prayer from the ELW. Use it as your guide as you work your way through our Gratitude Playlist this month.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we humbly thank you for your goodness to us and to all that you have made. We praise you for your creation, for keeping us and all things in your care, and for all the blessings of life. Above all we bless you for your immeasurable love in redeeming the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies that with thankful hearts we praise you, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving ourselves to your service and by living in your gifts of holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all worship and praise, now and forever. Amen.
Gratitude & Scripture
Below you’ll find a link to BibleGateway. Try searching gratitude and synonyms for gratitude. Grateful. Thanks. Thankful. Thanksgiving. Your search will take you all over the Bible. Spend some time this month reading through the different searches and passages.
Gratitude & Working Preacher
Working Preacher is a website used by many pastors to prepare for sermons. The article linked below is written by Pastor David Lose. In it, he finds forgiveness connected to gratitude in one of his favorite stories from Luke 7:36-50. As you read through his meditation, what do you find in the story? How do you see gratitude in it?
Another essay from Working Preacher comes from Karoline Lewis, Professor and The Marbury E. Anderson Chair of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary. In the piece linked below, she explores how an attitude of gratitude can be a faith practice and a way of living out the teachings of Jesus.
Working Preacher–Karoline Lewis
Gratitude & Living Lutheran
The slideshow linked below is from Living Lutheran. It’ll help you get started on keeping a gratitude journal. It includes information on some benefits of a gratitude journal and some prompts to get you going.
Gratitude & Health
Did you know gratitude is good for you? For your body, mind, and spirit. The article linked below is from UCLA Health. It outlines several health benefits of practicing gratitude. After reading it, you’ll want to get started practicing it today!
Gratitude & Poetry & Art
Below you’ll find a link to a reflection on “i thank You God for most this amazing” by E. E. Cummings. The post discusses his writing style and the poem’s message. Be sure to read through to see artwork by Cummings and hear music inspired by the poem.
Gratitude & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Gratitude theme.
Theme Song from The Golden Girls
“Filled with Hope and Gratitude”
“Oh, Sing to the Lord”
September Playlist
Neighbor
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
9/1/25
Introduction
I grew up on Green Road. The Parkers lived next door in the white house. They let us pick apples from their tree. The Shannons lived on the other side in the brown house. Mr. Shannon was a volunteer firefighter in our town, and he would head out on calls in his old Chevy Nova with the dashboard emergency light flashing. The McBrides and the Pelichs lived across the street in the newest houses on our street. I babysat for both families. The Bevans lived at the end of the road. Mr. Bevan worked in his garage all day on the weekends. Mrs. Bevan stayed in the house listening to the police scanner, so she knew everything going on in our little town!
Today we live on Heritage Drive. We met the Hammonds next door just days after we moved in. More than thirty years later, they’re still there. The other house next door has seen many, many families in and out of it. We know the family there now but not well. We call the man across the street “knee guy” because he had knee replacement surgery, and he and Mike shared stories about that. I met the young couple down the street recently. They just moved here from Colorado, but I don’t remember their names. There’s a house down the street from them that we call Spiderman’s House. Not because Peter Parker lives there, but because the day we met the boy he was playing outside and wearing a Spiderman costume. He calls Mike Mr. Spiderman, and he calls me Mrs. Spiderman.
It’s strange . . . I’ve lived in this house more than half my life, but I don’t know the neighbors like I did on Green Road. Why is that? Do you know your neighbors? Who is our neighbor? Neighbor is our Playlist Theme for September. We’ll be exploring these and other questions this month.
Neighbor & Prayer
The following is a prayer from the ELW. Use it as your guide as you work your way through our Neighbor Playlist this month.
God our creator, by your holy prophet Jeremiah you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Neighbor & Scripture
Who is my neighbor? That’s the question Jesus answers with The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. You’ll find the verses below. Reflect on these verses throughout the month. Who is your neighbor? How can we treat our neighbors with love? How can we serve our neighbors?
Luke 10:25-37
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.[j] ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26 He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ 27 He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ 28 And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ 30 Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ 37 He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Neighbor & Enter the Bible
The article and video linked below are from Enter the Bible, a resource from Luther Seminary. They both include discussions of The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Neighbor & Living Lutheran
The column linked below is from Living Lutheran. In it, Bishop Eaton reflects on The Parable of the Good Samaritan and asks, “How are we neighbor?”
Neighbor & Poetry
Below you’ll find a poem by Iain Crichton Smith, the Scottish poet, novelist, playwright, storyteller, essayist, and teacher.
“Neighbour”
Build me a bridge over the stream
to my neighbour’s house
where he is standing in dungarees
in the fresh morning.
O ring of snowdrops
spread wherever you want
and you also blackbird
sing across the fences.
My neighbour, if the rain falls on you,
let it fall on me also
from the same black cloud
that does not recognise gates.
Neighbor & A “How to” Podcast
How to Talk to People is a podcast offered by The Atlantic and hosted by Julie Beck and Becca Rashid. In this episode, “How to Know Your Neighbors,” they talk to Pete Davis, author of Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing. Click the first link to listen to the podcast or use the second link to read the transcript.
Neighbor & Art
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program. Since 1984, the group has worked with artists and communities to bring art to public spaces. Use the link below to view one of the projects, Neighbors Together. You can use the “previous” and “next” buttons to explore other artwork on display throughout the city.
Neighbor & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Neighbor theme.
“Good Neighbor”—Evan Craft
“Our House”—Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
Epiphany Playlist
Shine
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
1/1/26
Introduction
The house I grew up in had a big dining room with a large table and a big picture window. Saturday was cleaning day. My dad divided our house into “zones” as he put it. Each kid had a zone to clean, and we had to finish our cleaning before we could do anything else. Thus, we were motivated! My zone included the dining room, and Dad would check the dining table to be sure it was clean . . . without any fingerprints! Once it was shiny with the light reflecting off it from the window, it was a beautiful table. That’s my association for the word shine. Cleanliness. Yet, there’s so much more to it! Come along with us as we explore the Shine Playlist during Epiphany and let’s see where it takes us.
Shine & Prayer
The following is a prayer for Epiphany from SundaysandSeasons.com. Use it as your guide as you work your way through the Shine Playlist during the Season of Epiphany.
Almighty and ever-living God, you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Shine & Scripture
When I think of the word Shine in Scripture, I think of the opening verses of John’s Gospel. Read John 1:1-5. Return to these verses throughout the Season of Epiphany and see where the words lead you. Where do you see light shining in the world? Where do you see light overcoming darkness?
Shine & Living Lutheran
You’ll find a link below from Living Lutheran, a publication of the ELCA. In it, Pastor Kimberly Knowle-Zeller writes about Christ’s light in the world and how we’re called into it.
Shine & Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is a website offered by Luther Seminary. In the article linked below, Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener writes about experiencing light and darkness while living in Norway. She includes some questions to ponder at the end of the essay.
Shine & Art
The Philadelphia Art Museum is where you’ll find The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner. The angel Gabriel is depicted as a shaft of light appearing before Mary. You’ll find an image of artwork below along with a link discussing it.
Shine & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Shine theme.
“Shine”—Matt Redman
“This Little Light of Mine”—Sam Cooke
“Shine”—Dolly Parton
Desert Cross Faith Formation 