Special Sundays/Services
Flowing River of Life
For our church’s annual Stewardship campaign, we chose a theme of “Flowing from the Throne of God,” from Revelation 22:1-5: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the...
read moreTeach us Your Way: Veteran’s Day Litany
Below is a litany written for Veteran’s Day 2016. The response is from Psalm 86. On this Sunday after Veteran’s Day, there is need for us all give thanks to our Veterans for their service, for their sacrifices, and for those of their friends and family. The people respond by saying: Response: God, teach us your way, so that we can walk in your truth. On this Sunday after Veteran’s Day, there is need for us all, not only to give thanks, but also to seek our Veterans out, and to walk with them and their families in listening,...
read moreRe:Call
Here is a Call to Worship, written for Reformation Sunday, 2016. One: When we feel withered and parched, and our faith lies fallow in the fields, MANY: Reseed us, Replant us, Replenish us, O God. One: When we’re up to our eyeballs in debt, or stuck in the depths of despair, MANY: Resurrect us, Renew us, Restore us, O God. One: When our desire to accumulate goods outweighs our desire to share with our neighbors, MANY: Reduce us, Reuse us, Recycle us, Repurpose us, O God. One: When we wish to see Jesus, but we can’t get a good view, MANY:...
read moreChristmas Eve: Drama of the Light (for 4 Voices)
Below is a dramatic reading for 4 voices that was written for Christmas Eve, 2014. We used it as a call to worship but you could use it anywhere in the service. If your setting allows it, you may consider scattering the four readers around the sanctuary. You can also have them grouped, perhaps in the back of the sanctuary. Whatever you decide, make sure the readers speak loudly or have microphones so that all can hear! Narrator: In Bethlehem that night there were many lights. The moon was out. The stars were twinkling. And...
read moreCathedrals and Thatched Pavilions: A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
This communion prayer was written for World Communion Sunday (10/2/0216) but could be used any time. It was inspired by John 17:21, the UCC motto, “that they may all be one.” Communion Prayer & Words of Institution Holy God, the One Source of all our love, and all our wisdom, the One for whom we yearn, and in whose heart we rest, we thank you for the many ways in which you make yourself known to us and to people throughout the world. Today we remember our Christian sisters and brothers, gathering in cathedrals...
read moreWorship/Event
Many churches have a Sunday morning or two throughout the year when the congregation hosts both a worship service and a special event. Maybe your church hosts a Christmas fair, an Easter brunch, a breakfast fundraiser for a mission you support or something else. In our church, the last Sunday in September is always reserved for day two of our annual Old Fashioned Harvest Market which draws thousands from all over our region. I know from experience that on this particular Sunday our congregation’s attention and energy is divided...
read moreWait for Us: A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
One thread running throughout Scripture is of God’s waiting for we human beings to come around, come back, and come together. Below is a prayer to be used as part of a Communion Liturgy for World Communion Sunday that asks God to “wait for us.” It was written for use at the United Church of Underhill, VT on 10/2/2016. Christ, as we gather around this table, which is bigger than our eyes can see, and better than our minds can imagine, we pray that you will wait for us: wait for us to want less; wait for us to live in...
read moreA Service of Ordination
On Sunday, 9/18/2016 in Jeffersonville, VT, Rev. Sally PH May was recognized and authorized by prayer and the laying on of hands as an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. It was a joyous and celebratory day for Sally, her family and friends, and the entire Vermont Conference. Below is her service of ordination. (NOTE: all hymns are from the New Century Hymnal) * Please stand as your are able Prelude Music Welcome Introit: “Spirit of the Living God” Call to Worship (written by Rev. Laura Cadmus) Leader: We...
read more9/11: from Grief to Action
The lectionary readings for 9/11/2016 (Year C, Revised Common Lectionary) offer good fodder for connections with 9/11/2001 and reflections on where we go from here–living with the reality of sin in ourselves and our world, and moving from grief to faithful action. Readings: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 CALL TO WORSHIP (based on I Timothy 1:12-14 ) Leader: This is our faith: People: Gratefulness, because Jesus gives us strength. Leader: Mercy, overflowing to restore us to our best selves. People:...
read moreLight of the World
A Christmas Eve tradition that some in our congregation have observed involves bringing lanterns to worship. During the singing of “Silent Night,” they light their lanterns and then bring the “light of the world” with them as they leave the sanctuary and travel home. Over the years this tradition was carried on by fewer and fewer. SAD. Valuing the tradition and desiring to carry it on, we revitalized it by doing the following: We advertised and announced this tradition (bulletins, newsletters, email updates, worship...
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