By Season
MT 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 moreWorship: Matters
It is the week of the 7th Sunday in Epiphany. Ash Wednesday is nipping at my heels. Our church’s worship team is discerning our Lenten worship theme and related services. Ecumenical Holy Week events are being planned by my local clergy group. The Vermont Conference Annual Meeting (which I am helping to plan worship for) is just about 2 months away. Oh yeah, and there is a Sunday, again, this week. I feel like I am working as a barista at Churchbucks as the worship services stand in line waiting to order: 7th Sunday in Epiphany...
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