We will be having a service of communion and anointing this Sunday–the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Here is the prayer of confession I wrote for the service, primarily based on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. The assurance of pardon will be the hymn “O Jesus so Sweet,” sung by our choir. Holy God, Open our eyes to…
We will be doing the Holden Evening Prayer Service tonight. It is an Advent tradition in our congregation and one of the most meaningful holiday activities in which I participate each year. Here are the scripture readings for tonight along with a brief meditation I wrote. Isaiah 11:1-9 Luke 1: 5-38 The Advent season is…
Here is the offertory prayer we are using during Advent each year. I just change out the “candle” words from week to week–God of Hope, God of Peace, God of Joy, God of Love. I pray you are all having a blessed Advent so far. God of Peace, in this season of Advent, this time…
Here is a simple Call to Worship we will use this week, from Psalm 27: The Holy One is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? God is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I ask from of my God, this only do I seek: to dwell in…
I did not write any liturgical pieces for my congregation this week–sometimes it’s nice to use the words of others. So rather than provide you with words for corporate worship today, I am sharing with you a spiritual practice that I appreciate called praying in color. Sybil Macbeth made this prayer form popular with her…
This coming Sunday is week 5 in our Narrative Lectionary worship series. I am really enjoying this journey through the Bible. This week we’re looking at Deuteronomy 5 & 6; the call to worship I wrote reflects a bit of the story so far. Call to Worship Leader: We gather to worship God: Side 1:…
Here’s a brief piece–a benediction we will use this week as we reflect on the story of the Exodus: Go out into the world to join God in the work of love, of peace, of justice. Take in the breath of life. Take off your shoes. Know that you are ever in the presence of…
Last week I took a couple of sick days off of work. This may sound like sad news, but I was actually quite thrilled. Because in my five years of being a pastor, I’ve never been able to take an actual sick day. Sure, I’ve been sick. And my kids have been sick (though thankfully,…
At Peace Mennonite, we are using the Narrative Lectionary right now. Of course, being the non-conformists that we are, we aren’t on the actual Narrative Lectionary schedule. Which means that the worship pieces I’m writing for the next several weeks may not have any relation to what you are doing in worship at your church.…
Here in Lawrence, Kansas, our local homeless shelter recently signed a contract to buy property in anticipation of building a much needed new facility. In an effort to raise necessary funds for a matching grant, several local churches are designating either the first or second Sunday in November as “Shelter Sunday.” I wrote the prayer…
Spacious Faith 