By Liturgical Element
Palm Sunday: A Sacred Reading of the Passion of Jesus Christ
Below is a sacred reading of the Passion of Jesus Christ from Luke 23:1-56. This version weaves together percussion, woodwind or string, and 1 voice. At the end of the reading, the repeated phrase, “goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate,” gets louder and louder, intentionally drowning out the final passage (burial of Jesus). Personnel Needed 1) 3 readers 2) Musicians: Drum (any kind will do), woodwind or strings (recorder, flute, violin, etc.) and 1 voice (soprano or alto) 3) 1 person to direct (optional...
read moreSharing the Banquet: Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
Worship and Communion Resources based on Luke 15: 1-3,11-32 (Prodigal Son) CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Though we are often wayward and stubbornly independent, People: God invites us to share the banquet. Leader: Though we are often obedient and dull, People: God calls us to join in the dance. Leader: Are you hungry? Come and eat. People: Are you lonely? Come and touch those who love you. Leader: Friends, let us worship and feast at the Lord’s Table. People: All are welcome here. PRAYER OF INVOCATION...
read more“Word-Play” Family Service
In our church, we hold “Family Services” about four times a year. These services are held during our normal Sunday morning worship time on the first Sunday of the month when we celebrate Holy Communion. On these days, we do not convene Sunday School but all ages worship together the whole time (nursery is still available). This pattern has given us permission every quarter to worship in different ways and to try new things. Some elements don’t work well. Some do though, and these often move into rotation within our more...
read moreExploring God’s Glory with Scouts & Communion
For Transfiguration Sunday In 2016, Scout Sunday and Transfiguration Sunday fall on the same day. Each year on Scout Sunday at our church a young scout is tasked with reading the Scriptures for the morning service. Likely because it comes every year, the transfiguration story feels like smooth vanilla – a good story but nothing out of the ordinary. Except that it is very out of the ordinary! Here is a fresh paraphrase of the transfiguration and following healing story that could breath new life into this wonderful Scripture and make it more...
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