What’s a Playlist?
September Playlist
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
Coming . . . 9/1/26
May Playlist
Advocate
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
5/1/26
Introduction
Who has been an advocate for you in your life? When I was in elementary school, I remember Mrs. Orr, the school secretary. She took me under her wing and looked out for me. When I was in high school, I remember Mr. Loeffel, my sophomore English teacher. He helped me learn to write using my own voice. When I was student teaching, Ms. Naas was my cooperating teacher. She was encouraging and challenging, and that made me a better teacher. When I became a stepmother and mother, my mother-in-law offered kind words and a calm presence. All of them have been my advocates. Think about the advocates in your life, past and present. As we explore our Advocate Playlist this month, meditate on how God has been your Advocate.
Advocate & Prayer
The following prayer is from Sundays and Seasons, a resource offered by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing company of the ELCA . Use it as your guide as you work your way through the Advocate Playlist.
Mighty and merciful God, lover of justice and equity, you call us to support the weak, to help those who suffer, and to honor all people. By the power of your Holy Spirit, make us advocates for your justice and instruments of your peace, so that all may be reconciled in your beloved community; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Advocate & Scripture
The closing verses of John 14 are powerful. Jesus senses fear and anxiety in his followers, and he offers them reassurance and peace. He promises them an Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Read and reflect on John 14:15-31 throughout the month as you study our Advocate Playlist.
Advocate & Enter the Bible
Enter the Bible is a resource offered by Luther Seminary. In the link below, you’ll find a discussion of the use of the word Advocate in John 14. Take some time to read it and reflect on it.
Advocate & Holy Spirit & The Bible Project
In the video link below, The Bible Project looks at the Holy Spirit. Last month’s theme was Presence, and this month’s theme is Advocate. This video discusses how the presence of the Holy Spirit enables people to do God’s work in the world. While the word Advocate isn’t spoken in the video, it shows how the Spirit works with us and for us.
Advocate & Poetry
Sometimes the role of an Advocate is to point out injustice. Sometimes the role of an Advocate is to show us things about our society we may not see. Sometimes the role of an Advocate is to show us things that make us uncomfortable. Below is a link to “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes. In the poem, he shares his experience of living in America, and his hope for what could be.
Advocate & Mental Health
The UCLA Women’s Basketball Team won the NCAA Championship last month. If you watched the game, you saw Lauren Betts at work on the court. Getting to that game took a lot of practice, and she endured great challenges to get there. In the essay linked below, Betts writes about her challenges with mental health. She shares how she had to Advocate for herself and how others supported her.
Advocate & A Life’s Work
Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease as a young man. It changed his life and his career. It also gave him his life’s work. He is an Advocate for fighting the condition and for researching cures and treatments. Click the link below to see how he’s put his celebrity to work for others.
Advocate & Peace
The Daily Show may not be your cup of tea, but I recently saw an interview on the show with two men who met over a cup of tea. Two men with life experiences that would make some enemies; yet, these two men are fighting a cause together. They are Advocates for peace in a land that is filled with hatred and violence. It’s an amazing relationship and a beautiful conversation. Click the link below to meet Aziz Abu Sarah and Moaz Inon, authors of The Future is Peace.
Advocate & Music
Here’s some music connected to our Advocate theme.
“My Advocate”—Rend Collective
“Redemption Song”—John Legend
Desert Cross Faith Formation 