Lent
Capturing Lent
Cameras are ubiquitous and inter-generational. Kids have ’em on their tablets and DS’s, teens and adults have ’em on their phones, grandparents and great-grandparents probably have a phone-camera too…if not…they are likely to have one lying around the house. Why not use them for worship and faith formation? Here is an idea we used during Lent 2015 that you might adapt for your own use (could be used in any season). during Epiphany we advertised a Lenten theme of CAPTURING LENT using logo to the right: we...
read more[.mp3] to Worship
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Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone It is common in many church services to begin with a CALL TO WORSHIP. It’s an ancient thing to do and we Christians do it for a variety of reasons: 1) historical (we learned it from our Jewish brothers and sisters – shema); 2) theological (it reminds us that it is God who calls us to worship); 3) scriptural (calls to worship are often adapted from psalms and other scripture passages); and 4) practical (a call to worship signals the start of a service and focuses a...
read moreEverything on the Table: A Script for the Transformation of Gun Violence
This script was used a part of a closing devotional to end a three week ecumenical study about violence in general and gun violence in particular during Lent 2016. (NOTES: 1) The scripture reference below is Micah 4:1-4; 2) For this study we used a resource created by the United Methodist Church, titled “Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities,” which accounts for some of the language you will see below. For this resource, click here.) The text below can be adapted for use in small groups, at a vigil, for a Sunday morning worship...
read morePalm 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 moreForty Days: a Wilderness Diary (story sermon)
This reflection tries to imagine Jesus’ thoughts and struggles during his forty days alone in the wilderness. It considers what he needs to learn, before he will be ready for his public ministry. The sermon could be done with a costume if desired, but it is not necessary. An altar arrangement with desert themed materials would help set the scene. Forty Days: A Wilderness Diary Matthew 3:13-17,4:1-11, Psalm 32 The Gospels tell us that Jesus spent forty days alone in the wilderness, before he began his ministry. Mark merely says, “He was...
read moreRemember Me, (I kissed him)
A kiss is just a kiss…..but a kiss can mean so many different things, depending on the people involved and the context. In these two stories from Scripture, two kisses show us Jesus at his most vulnerable and most human. I found it interesting to put Judas and the nameless woman side by side, and let them tell their stories. This was offered on Palm Sunday but could be shared any time during Lent. It calls for three readers– a man, a woman, and the narrator. Remember Me, (I kissed him) Mark 14:3-9 & Mark 14:3-10, 43-46...
read moreMaundy Thursday: Commandments & Promises
This Service for Maundy Thursday focuses on the commandments and promises of Jesus. The congregation is drawn in as they read aloud the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in his final days with them. We are reminded that Jesus offers us both comfort and challenge, as we follow him. The responsive readings work best when not hurried. The mood should evoke remembering the last cherished words of a loved one no longer with us. Hymns cited are from the Chalice Hymnal. Leader reads regular type, congregation, bold. *=stand as able. DIVINE...
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