This past Sunday we focused on the song of Mary and practiced group lectio divina together. (The children had been invited to draw a picture as a way to reflect on the scripture readings. I nearly lost it when one boy handed me his drawing to share with the congregation. It pictured the annunciation with…
I thought I had already posted these, but I guess not. Our scriptures are Matthew 3:1-12 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Hannah’s song). Call to Worship We come to prepare the way; The way for Christ– the hope of Christ, the peace of Christ– to enter our world, to enter our hearts. We cry out together…
This year for Advent we are looking at four different songs from scripture: Psalm 147, Hannah’s Song in 1 Samuel 2, Mary’s Song in Luke 1, and the Song of the Angels in Luke 2. Secondary readings for each week are chosen from the Lectionary options. This week we will read Romans 13:8-12. The call…
This week the sermon will be on Acts 17:22-31, which lead to an opening reading from Genesis 2:4-9, which led to this call to worship and benediction: We believe God still creates–We want to see more clearly.We believe God still speaks–We want to listen more carefully.We believe God still guides–We want to walk more faithfully.We…
This week we will be looking at the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 . . . AND we will be worshiping with board members from the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. (I wish I could say that I plan stuff like this–but I don’t.) Below is the…
Here are the prayers we will use this week for our hymn sing worship service. Blessings to you all as you plan, lead, and live worship this week–and beyond. Call to Worship (from Psalm 63:1-5) You, God, are our God, earnestly we seek you; we thirst for you, we long for you with our whole…
What can I say? Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. So the Wednesday Worship Pieces got moved to Friday. And that’s how life goes sometimes. Both of these pieces will work well with general Lenten themes, I think. So they wouldn’t necessarily have to be used this first week of Lent. First, an offertory prayer: God of…
Here is a simple blessing based on this week’s Gospel reading: May the Spirit be upon you as you proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. Go with power and go in peace. Earlier today I read over a sermon I wrote based…
If you are looking for material connected to this week’s lectionary readings, there is a call to worship and benediction that go along with the feeding of the 5000+ here. Tomorrow is the funeral for the 6-year-old son of two of my college friends. I have been holding them in deep prayer this week, while…
I’m loosing track of the days during these summer months–thus a “weekly” worship piece instead of a “Wednesday” worship piece. I imagine I am not the only pastor preparing for a summer wedding (or two or more). My favorite benediction for weddings comes from Ephesians 3:16-19. I pray that out of God’s glorious riches you…
Spacious Faith 