Prayers/Litanies
Short of Love
PRAYER OF CONFESSION People: Dear God, before you and before each other, we admit that we have fallen short of love, in what we have done and in what we have failed to do. Open our hearts. Forgive us. Help us forgive ourselves and each other. Guide our lives that we may live in harmony with all your creation through the gifts of your loving spirit. Fill us with hope, grant us your grace. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE Leader: The God who loved us once, loves us still. God’s love is unconditional. Yet, God’s love conditions us to better care...
read moreA Birthing Prayer
Below is a short prayer written for use in worship on Mother’s Day/Festival of the Christian Home 2017. It was *inspired by 2 Timothy 1:5: “I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you.” (Common English Bible Translation). It could be used as a pastoral prayer, adapted for us as a litany, etc. *Note: I am indebted to the Annual Meeting Planning Team of the 222nd Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference, UCC which was...
read moreEmmaus: Call & Prayers
Below you will find a Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon and a Prayer of Dedication to be used in a service that draws upon Luke 24:13-15 and the story of the post-resurrection walk to Emmaus. May your “hearts burn” as you open the Scriptures in worship! CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The road was sandy. Our feet were tired. People: We talked about many things. We just wanted to get home. Leader: We missed Jesus. People: We were scared. We hoped it was true. Leader: We did not know what to...
read morePrayer: Easter 2017
Below are two prayers written for an Easter 2017 worship service. They can be used as is or adapted for your needs. TAKE THIS STORY AS OUR OWN Risen Christ, our soul’s spring, our heart’s desire, our dance of life, our song of joy, like a gardener, you turn over the dark soil of death, and coax up green, abundant life! Your empty tomb, once the sad end of a hopeless story, is now the place where a new story begins. Draw us close, in wonder, fear and hope, and let us take this story as our own. Amen. ALLELUIA’S RING OUT Lord...
read moreMT Communion Liturgy
Below is a simple Communion Liturgy to be used on Maundy Thursday. It was written for an “upper room” service that begins with a light potluck supper and ends with a service of Tenebrae. In between is an “unforgetting” of the Last Supper and a celebration of Holy Communion around the dinner table. It was written for two celebrants but could be easily adapted for one. Invitation – For the first time, or for the 1,000th time, we gather tonight around Christ’s table. The chairs at this table are not for some,...
read moreLazarus to Life: A Reading
Below is a retelling of the story of the resurrection of Lazarus from John 11:1-45. It has been designed for 2 readers and congregational responses. It could easily be adapted for 1, 3, or 4 readers. Please note that the response and prayer of confession were inspired by a poem by Robin E. Van Cleef, titled, “Call Forth Life” which was published in the March/April 2017 edition of “Alive Now” magazine (Upper Room Ministries). READER 1: Voices from the Wilderness. As we hear this morning’s Gospel story from John, let us...
read moreWilderness in a Bag
I am always looking for ways to “extend the sanctuary”…always looking for ways to extend worship for individuals and families into Sunday afternoon and the rest of the week. Fortunately, Lent is such a rich season and provides many symbols and opportunities to do just this! On the first Sunday in Lent 2017 I planned the following for our Children’s message: I took some all purpose sand (about $2.50 for 50# lb bag) and: 1) I poured one whole 50 bag onto a tarp at the front of the church to make a small wilderness area;...
read moreKeep Calm, See God: Ash Wed. 2017
Below is an order of worship for an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service for 2017. This service was conceived by Rev. John H.D. Lucy (Jericho United Methodist Church), Rev. Steve Anderson (Covenant Community Church) & Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen (United Church of Underhill), and designed by Rev. Lucy. “Keep Calm and See God “- Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service, 2017 ~ DEATH WITH GOD Welcome Unison Prayer Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Hymn: “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes,” words, E. E. Whitney, music,...
read moreTransfiguration: Holy Ground
Below you will find a Call to Worship and a Prayer for Illumination for Transfiguration Sunday. The Call to Worship weaves in Matthew 17:1-9 and is most appropriate for Lectionary Year A. The Prayer for Illumination is appropriate any year. (Note: the Bible translation used below the Common English Bible but any could be used). CALL TO WORSHIP (Matthew 17:1-9) One: Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. He was transformed, transfigured, in front of...
read moreMLK 2017: Resources
Below are some resources written for Martin Luther King Sunday, 2017. For your service, you may want to consider interspersing readings from the writings of MLK throughout your service and/or adding a video projection of an excerpt of MLK speaking/preaching. Call to Worship One: It is good that there are fire extinguishers in this place. MANY: Worship. One: It is good that there is water close by. MANY: Worship. One: It is good that God’s Word burns, God’s Spirit blows, and God’s prophets speak. MANY: Worship. Prayer of Confession (unison)...
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