Moravian Church in North America

The Watchword for the week: Jesus says, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. […]

The Watchword for the week: Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 The Easter season calls us to celebrate new life. Loving God, grant that the Holy Spirit may renew us. Help us to lay aside those things that lead us astray from you, […]

Fourth Sunday of Easter Jesus Knew His Why About six or seven years ago Simon Sinek, David Meade, and Peter Docker authored a book entitled Find Your Why. This book encourages its readers to explore why you do what you do. It summons the readers to look at their calling, their conviction, their mission statement, […]

Third Sunday of Easter Easter People Although the church celebrates forty days between Easter and Ascension Sunday, the Gospel of Luke has it all done in one day.  Our Gospel passage today opens with the disciples talking about what has happened so far in this amazing day: the visit the women and Peter made to […]

(Two of God’s beautiful Children in the Village of Nain, Labrador) The watchword for the week: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1 This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad […]

The watchword for the week: If we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 O Lord, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us […]

Second Sunday of Easter “Peace Be With You” As I write this, Hamas has attacked Israel, and Israel has declared war. Russia is still invading Ukraine. Chaos all around the world! Jesus in John 20:19–31 says, “Peace be with you,” three different times. We as citizens in the twenty-first century are still trying to find […]

(Portions of this prayer adapted from the MBW Easter Liturgy) The watchword for the week: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. I Corinthians 15:20 The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Hail all hail, victorious Lord and Savior. You have burst […]

The 252nd Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, beginning at 6:15 AM in Salem Square/Salem Moravian Graveyard (God’s Acre) in Winston-Salem, N.C. This year’s service will be led by the Rev. Reed Lawson, Chair of the Salem Congregation Central Board of Elders. Again this year, the service will include worshippers […]

Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Sunday Don’t Hold On Mary weeps outside the tomb. Peter and the other disciple have  seen the empty tomb and the discarded linens. They have left the garden and returned home. Mary, however, remains. Her grief and fear are overwhelming. Perhaps  if she stays close by, she will find her Lord. […]

(Portions of this prayer are adapted from the Liturgy for Palm Sunday in the Moravian Book of Worship used by permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication) The watchword for the week: Jesus said, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of […]

Palm Sunday In the Name of the Lord What does it mean to do something “in the name of the Lord”? Honestly, if I walked into a store and said that I would be taking this candy bar “in the name of the Lord,” most likely I would be arrested for theft. This sounds to […]

Fifth Sunday in Lent Challenging Words The only preaching, the only emphasis, I’ve heard on this particular passage is lifted from the first few verses: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” This slogan is emblazoned on plaques. It is quoted as a reminder that our words (from preachers especially!) should point people to Jesus. I […]

Watchword for the Week: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Gracious Lord, hear our prayers. Loving God, open our ears so we may hear your call. This Lenten journey has challenged us to look deep within ourselves. We are thankful for the grace […]

Fourth Sunday in Lent Object of Terror, Beacon of Hope As I was growing up in New York City, my interactions with the natural world were limited to trips to my dad’s childhood home in the Tennessee mountains. One day, on a hike through the mountain trails, with its crystal-clear streams and spectacular views, the […]

(Pastor John Jackman, of the Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC, celebrating the forgiveness of the medical dept they were able to purchase on behalf of families who could have otherwise not been able to pay) Watchword for the Week: By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; […]

Third Sunday in Lent Holy House-Clearing There is something very cathartic in pitching things out. I’m not talking about boxing treasures up or giving a few precious items away. I’m talking about the satisfaction one derives when seeing stuff sail into the dumpster. I remember assisting a family member in sorting through years of accumulated […]

Watchword for the Week: For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 To the One who created all that is, We give thanks and praise. To the One who wove together the pattern of the […]