Advent
Hope Fund: Advent Resources 2022
Promoting the HOPE Fund During Advent 2022 As the HOPE Fund committee winds down our fundraising efforts and hands the baton to the HOPE Fund Discernment Team to award grants, we are asking congregations who have not yet contributed to the HOPE Fund to be part of this historic effort in the Vermont Conference. It would be so exciting to have 100% of our congregations participate in some way as we prepare for 2023, and the projects that the HOPE fund will support! Perhaps you have a traditional year-end fundraiser, or usually designate a part...
read moreX-mas Eve Reading: Darkness/Light
Here is a dramatic reading for a Christmas Eve service of worship inspired by John 1. A cantor and three readers (Darkness 1, Darkness 2 & Light) are needed. Hymn tune for cantor part is the traditional, “Coventry Carol” The reading is in two parts: 1) Darkness, 2) Light. The first part could be used as a Call to Worship or a “cold opening” before a prelude. The 2nd part is meant to be read towards the end of the service (e.g. perhaps as the last of the lessons and carols). Darkness/Light: Darkness...
read moreChristmas Pageant 2019
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Below is an imaginative retelling of the Christmas story designed to be performed by a Sunday School as a Sunday morning service in Advent. It can be adapted for a wide variety of cast sizes and sanctuary set-ups. Specific solo and choral pieces are not cited below but there are many out there to choose from. Cast Angel # 1 Angelica: Angel # 2 Ariel: Angel # 3 Dina: Mary: Gabriel: Shepherd Sten: Shepherd Corin: Shepherd Sirus: Joseph: Inman the Innkeeper: Queen Regina: Queen Isabella: Queen Sophia: King Herod: Shepherds...
read morePassport to Advent
For many congregations, Advent is a season filled with special signs, programs and wonders!! Advent wreaths, Christmas trees and lights, special concerts, pageants…to name a few. Those who are familiar with your church may know what to expect, but visitors don’t. In addition, newcomers and oldcomers alike may not know the significance behind what you are doing in your worship services and programs. What is Advent again? Why light an Advent Wreath? To let people know what your congregation is offering, and what visitors can...
read moreAdvent Wreath 2018
“Silent Night, Holy Night” was first performed on 12/24 1818 at St. Nicholas church of Oberndorf. It was performed by Franz Xaver Gruber (composed tune) and Joseph Mohr (wrote lyrics). That means that the hymn celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2018!! To commemorate this anniversary, here is an Advent Wreath lighting liturgy for all four Sundays in Advent and for Christmas Eve. Advent 1: Hope Word of Hope: Psalm 25:1-10 One: Lift up our souls. MANY: As your beloved, we ask: do not remember our failings. One: But lead us in...
read moreConvo w/Incarnation
Christmas Eve 2017 is a Sunday which means that many of our churches will have a morning service, and an evening service or two. It is a busy day and in some churches, the morning service will be sparsely attended as people wait for the evening services. If you won’t have time to prepare a sermon, or you want to shorten and simplify the morning service, below is a reading for 2 voices based on John 1:1-14 that could be used in place of a sermon, or elsewhere in the service (it could be adapted for use on other occasions). It is a...
read moreDayspring – Reading for 3 Voices
Here is an Advent/Christmas Eve reading for 3 voices based on Luke 1:67-79 (Zechariah’s Song). It weaves together two spoken voices with a sung refrain. The refrain is from the traditional Appalachian spiritual, “Bright Morning Stars.” The song has been recorded by many and the sheet music is readily available from a variety of sources. Here is one place to look: Amidon Music It is a simple arrangement but rehearsal is advance will be important to get the pacing and timing right. Note: I am grateful to scriptureecho.com...
read moreLight the Candle!!!
Below is an Advent wreath liturgy written for a Christmas Eve family/early service using Isaiah 9:2-7. It gives children and adults alike a chance to shout in church and celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. Fun, simple and meaningful. One: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. RESPONSE: [SHOUT] Light the candle!! One: [LIGHT PURPLE CANDLE #1] A light has shined on those living in deep darkness. RESPONSE: Light the candle!! One: [LIGHT PURPLE CANDLE #2] You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy....
read moreOur Joy: Prayers for Advent 3
Prayers for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Magnificat — Luke 1:46-55) Prayer of Invocation – God of song and silence, speak to us today. God of joy and justice, help us to see how you weave them together, in wombs and rooms, in letters written, and privileges waived. God of surprising power and fierce tenderness, visit us. Fill us with your spirit, and give us voices to sing your praise. Prayer of Confession – Holy One, sometimes, we admit, we are the ones who need to be brought low, taken down a peg, reminded that the world...
read moreNativity: Look Again
Most of us have 1 or 5 or 10 of them. You know crèches…nativity sets…little wooden houses with painted shepherds, magi, doting parents, and the baby Jesus in a manger. They are an ancient and effective tool that the church uses to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. We also see them so often during Advent and Christmas that well…maybe…we don’t see really see them at all. Here are some ways you might use nativity sets in the worshiping life of your church to reclaim them as a tool for telling the...
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