Pentecost
Show the Way
Here are hymn lyrics by Rev. Thomas Cary Kinder set to the hymn tune: Aberystwyth (composed by Joseph Parry) which is found in many common hymnals. The lyrics call upon the biblical texts, Mark 6 and Ezekiel 33 and were written to be used in Sunday morning worship at the United Church of Strafford, VT in July of 2018. You can also find the music and lyrics here formatted to print as a bulletin insert TOM REQUESTS THAT YOU CREDIT HIM AND THAT YOU LET HIM KNOW WHEN YOU USE IT AT: rev.thomas.cary.kinder@gmail.com Someone needs to show the way,...
read moreBlessing of the Graduates
In June, many congregations take time in worship to celebrate those who have reached academic milestones. Here is a short prayer that can be used or adapted for use in your setting. God of knowledge and reason, we pause at the end of this academic year to recognize and to celebrate those who have graduated from various programs and institutions. The names on our bulletin inserts, and on our tongues, represent a tremendous amount of commitment, dedication and hard work. [Invite congregation to call out names of graduates] Thank you for...
read moreBreath of God: Creation to Pentecost (for 3 voices)
Here is a Pentecost Sunday reading for 3 voices, interspersed with a sung congregational refrain. The refrain included here is from “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song,” (Daw & Cutts) but another hymn could easily be substituted. The Scripture translation is from the Common English Bible but, again, another translation could easily be substituted.” READER 1: As the Holy Spirit comes with fire and with wind, the congregation sings: CONGREGATION: [SING] “Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge...
read moreEarth…Fire…Spirit
Earth, Fire, & Spirit, by Rev. Bert Marshall A Dramatic Reading for Pentecost Sunday Based on Acts 2:1–21 Pentecost! The birth of the church! We’ve come a long way since that ancient beginning. The biblical passage for Pentecost suggests that the Christian church did not arise from a clear, single-mindedness of purpose. Our tradition, instead, burst into the world in a rush of wind, a blaze of fire, and a cacophony of voices and languages. There was no “gold- en age” of unity and harmony. The mystery and miracle of the Jesus movement is...
read moreTimewalk
Below is a prayer-poem I wrote on 10/17/2017. It could be used as a call to worship, pastoral prayer, adapted for multiple readers, supplemented by projected images… Timewalk the sound I’ve heard before of countless leaves crunching under directionless feet the sight of now exposed branches, a calendar the transporting smells carried into my nostrils, carrying me back to distant days, younger walks the foretaste of nutmeg and buttered crumbles that are as close as the church parking lot the feel of time moving, time passing, time...
read moreFrom Summer
In September, many congregations regather to begin a new program year (e.g. “Rally Sunday,” “Gathering Sunday,” etc.). To mark this change of congregational rhythm in the context of worship, below is a call to worship and opening prayer that can be adapted for use in your setting. Supplies Needed: 1) Map (any kind will do), 2) bed pillow, 3) Bible, 4) something to symbolize the spirit (dove, blowing fan, etc.), 5) cross Personnel: 5 people, 1 to carry each of the above items (inter-generational mix would work nicely)....
read moreThanksgiving in July/August
In many of our churches the summer months include the vacations of pastors and other worship leaders. This can make worship planning in general and pulpit supply in particular difficult. Is it possible to provide your congregation with an inspiring and educational worship experience without a sermon? YES! One simple approach is to pick a theme, select Scripture verses and hymns based upon this theme, and weave them together. Done well, your congregation might not even notice there wasn’t a sermon! Below is a sample service outline...
read morePrayer: Fathers & Fathering
Below is a pastoral prayer written for Sunday morning worship on Father’s Day 2017. It seeks to acknowledge the richness and complexities of this day while inviting God into it all. Use or adapt away! Female and male, feminine and masculine, mothering and fathering, God, Scripture bears witness to this richness in your being, and in the world through you. One month ago we spoke and prayed of you in the language of female, and feminine and mothering. And today, on this day in our culture that we call Father’s Day, we use the language...
read moreHard to Breathe
A prayer-poem inspired by Acts 2 and written for Pentecost 2017. Try giving a wireless microphone to the reader who would read it from the back of the sanctuary, balcony, narthex, etc. The disembodied nature of the delivery will be unsettling, mysterious, and disorienting…kind of like the Holy Spirit… Hard to Breathe it was hard to breathe after Calvary after Golgotha after the place of the skull and it was hard to breathe after resurrection after the road to Emmaus after ascension so the followers didn’t breathe in...
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...
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