Living Psalms Book
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Living Psalm 29—Baptism of Christ C:  
The Voice of God in a Great Storm 

1 Recognize and celebrate the Holy One. Internalize into your core that the Sovereign
    Is to be glorified and gives us abundant strength for the journey. 

2 Embrace the love and power of Yahweh that is freely shined within us, 
    No matter where life has taken you, join us and let’s gather together 
    to celebrate in the Holy Wow of God. 

3 God speaks over and through the waters of
    despair, crisis, disaster, disappointment, shame, blame, guilt  
    and all the circumstances of life; 
    The skies thunder, recognizing the presence of God in and around all of us,
    The Creator always surpasses the winds and storms of life.
     Relax, God’s got this. 

4 When our God Speaks it is like a roar – you cannot miss it;
    Majesty flows as the Spirit of the Universe speaks with words and without, 
    in deeds, action and in silence. 

5 God’s voice booms and even nature is impacted,
    The cedars of Lebanon cannot resist responding. Some lose their rootedness. 

6 Let us embrace the reality that some, like a colt, will kick it into gear.
     Others will be emboldened to jump over life’s circumstances and discover
     that they too have the energy of young wild kid goats. 

7 God’s presence brings forth fire and flames.
8 The wilderness responds to our Still Speaking God and quivers;
     Kadesh is shaken by the presence of the Lamb of God.

9 The presence of God in words and deeds brings about a whirling, 
     everything about us is stripped to the core. 
     We are bare before God. God does not blink or turn from us;
     we are the Temple of God. United with others, we dare shout, “Glory!”

10 Nuestro Dios (Our God) sits chilling over the floods of life;
    God is God and will always be. Your offer of assistance, while appreciated, 
    is not needed. 

11 God offers us strength. Take it. You’ll need it at some point. 
      May you embrace that you are loved and lovable. Welcome is offered.
      Let us be overjoyed by the peace, paz, pax, shalom that is freely offered. 

Living Psalm 29—Baptism of Christ C was written  by the Rev. Justo González II, Interim Conference Minister, Illinois Conference.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community.  

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.

© Copyright 2019 Justo González II.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.