A sermon on Luke 14:15-24 (adapted from a sermon preached in 2007)Joanna Harader We have listened this morning to a familiar parable, often called the parable of the great banquet. The traditional interpretation of this parable is pretty straight forward. God is the host. God is always the host, or the landowner, or whoever has…
Here is some bulletin cover art I did awhile back. I love this quote from Simone Weil: And here’s a Call to Worship: Leader: We gather around the Table in places far and near Side 1: Eating Sourdough, Rye, Tortillas Side 2: Crackers, Wafers, and Wonderbread– All: The body of Christ. Leader: Drinking the wine…
This is an adaptation of the traditional Great Thanksgiving liturgy that we used on World Communion Sunday a couple of years ago–and may use again this year. The plain text is read by the leader and the bold is read by the congregation. The hymn numbers given refer to Hymnal: A Worship Book. Great Thanksgiving…
Today’s worship piece was not written for the context of corporate worship. Rather it is a prayer I wrote for myself at then end of what has been two long days of pastor work and parenting work and simply trying to do what needs done. Earlier today I read through the sermon that one of…
Here is a call to worship we will be using this Sunday. It is based on Psalm 133. (And yes, I know that it is Thursday . . . again. But “Thursday Worship Piece does not have that nice ring to it.) Though we may be inclined to brag, let us come together with…
Throughout scripture, God sends people the message: “Do not be afraid.” To Abram, to Hagar, to Moses, to Joshua, to Daniel, to Mary, to Joseph, to the disciples. “Do not be afraid.” Sometimes, in the midst of my worries and anxiety, I bask in these words that come from the lips of angels, from the…
Yes, I know it is Thursday. It’s been one of those weeks. Our worship on Sunday will be a service of remembrance and lament for the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and for our nation’s violent response to those attacks. You are welcome to use any of this liturgical material in your own worship context. Call…
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Recommendation: I recommend this book highly. It has spiritual and emotional depth, yet somehow also a lightness. I found it to be a quick read—well worth my time. Reflections: I will admit it: I am prone to choosing books based on titles. In this particular case, I…
Here is the call to worship we will use this week to go along with Matthew 18:15-20. Call to Worship (from: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 6:7; Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10: 24-25) As we gather together to worship, let us remember the words of Scripture: Two are better than one, because they have a good…
Here are some worship pieces I wrote for this coming Sunday. As always, you are welcome to use them as written or in an adapted form for your own worshiping community. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 22, Matthew 16:21-28) We come to worship this morning from different places. O God, do not be far…
Spacious Faith 