The Book of Lamentations provides a helpful framework for processing one of humankind’s strongest emotions—lament. Although Lamentations specifically addresses the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in 587BCE, its use of words to describe lament and its progression of ideas that shape lament transcend Israel’s particular cataclysmic event.

Today we lament the effects of a world-wide pandemic. Today we lament the recent violence against people of color. Today we lament the light that this violence shines on our country’s injustice and inequality. Today our hearts are outraged, confused, afraid, and sad, to name just a few prevalent emotions.

This sermon series therefore invites us into the ancient and holy process that is lamenting cataclysmic events. More so, this sermon series will explore how lament can give shape to effectual change through the lives of people marked by brokenness, sorrow, suffering, and death.