Easter
Easter Eggs in a Basket
Eggs in a Basket to Tell the Easter Story I have used 8 eggs, not the traditional dozen (it’s what I had at my house) The plan is to tell part of the story and then invite the children to guess what might be in the eggs that represent the story I have just shared. Have fun!! Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem: Egg 1 – An antique cardboard Easter egg – inside is a coat (from a Mary Poppins doll), a piece of spider plant (to represent the palms), and a minitaure porcelain stallion. Jesus overturning the tables in the temple:...
read moreEaster Dinner Devotional
A Simple Order for an Easter Devotional Around the Table Call to the Table One: A tomb sealed with a stone is now empty! A people in darkness are bathed in light. A moment of violence has been transformed by Love, with love, for the love of everyone forever. Hallelujah!! Lighting of the Candle Scripture Reading (select one or both): Isaiah 25:6-9 Luke 24:13-49 Easter Dinner Grace (choose one): This table is set with good things. Feed us so that we may feed others! AMEN. Risen Christ, for our wounds and sores, make us resilient. For our...
read moreEaster Sunrise @ Home
All of us in VT are under a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 through at least April 15th, 2020. Here is a liturgy that individuals, families and those living under the same roof can use for an at-home sunrise service. AT SUNRISE Lord’s Prayer Our (Mother) Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for Thine is the kingdom,...
read moreNo Assumptions on Mother’s Day
Here is a short prayer written for use in worship on Mother’s Day/Festival of the Christian Home 2019. It attempts to acknowledge the complexities of Mother’s Day and to help those praying to give it all to God. It could be used as a pastoral prayer, adapted for us as a litany, etc. God, on this day in our culture we set aside as “Mother’s Day,” we make no assumptions about the experiences or emotions of the people in this room: – some of us here love Mother’s day and celebrate it with great joy; – some feel acute...
read moreEaster 2018
Here are selected resources to assist you with your Easter Sunday planning. Though I have separated the resources for Sunrise and Later Morning Service, you could use any of the resources at either service. EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE Call to Worship One: We are standing on holy ground. We have entered a day of miracle and mystery. We are unsure of what it all means. Many: Don’t be alarmed! One: How can it be? How can the dead live again? How can a cross become and empty tomb? Many: Jesus has risen! One: Today is a day to experience. Today is a...
read moreShort 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 moreInspired by Easter 2017
Below is a poem by Vermont poet Ama Hannan. It was inspired by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and written on the evening of Easter 2017. In worship, it could be used as a call to worship, as a centering prayer, as a projected meditation, and in many other ways. Create! The Son/the Sun/ He is Risen above the Lover the Mother the Maker of all! The creative spark/ the firebrand of Justice/ the flying Dove of Peace/ the Lamb of God/ the Ewe of Grace/ the Shepherd and the Sheep …our Self and our Holy Spirit Spirit of the Living Waters,...
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...
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