By Season
An Ash Wednesday Reading for 2 Voices
Here is an Ash Wednesday reading based on Psalm, 51, verses 1-17 that is meant for two readers. The text of the Psalm is interspersed with commentary by an imaginary person reading and reflecting on the text. The commentary itself may be useful, but it’s also there to give permission to worshipers to engage in their own honest dialogue with this ancient text. Of course, the commentary can be changed as you see fit for use in your particular setting. (Note: the Psalm text is from the New Revised Standard Version but most translations...
read moreLENT 2019: Create in Me
Lent can be an especially good time to preach a sermon series as attendance (in my experience) is consistent and increases as Easter approaches. This year I was inspired by the Ash Wednesday reading from Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Commentators tell us that “create” is a translation of the Hebrew bara’, and is usually used to describe God’s actions. God is the one who creates. The psalmist’s prayer, is an appeal for God to act by...
read moreBaptized
A short poem for Baptism of Jesus Sunday. Could be used as a call to worship, prayer, or just printed in bulletin/projected. Audio version of the author reading poem along with text version are both below. baptized, i know i am i’ve got the certificate in my safe illustrated baby on the front tied with blue ribbon (if i remember correctly) a signature from my pastor at the time that’s all i know about the moment i was dipped long before i was aware of it my baptism was shaping me into a servant who wins by losing...
read moreBaptism of Jesus 2019
Here is a full order of worship for the First Sunday after Epiphany (Baptism of Jesus), Year C, 2019. It uses a standard Sunday morning liturgy while adding the language of water and theme of immersion. Through prayer, meditative hymns, and a renewal of baptism after the sermon, the congregation is invited into the waters of Christ’s love and back out again. An altar arrangement and/or artwork with water elements could enhance the worship experience. WORDS FOR CONTEMPLATION: “All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to...
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