Processing with God: Narrative Lectionary, Liturgy, Prayers
Author: katyandtheword
Pastor Katy has enjoyed ministry at New Covenant since 2010, where the church has solidified its community focus. She now works at Capital CFO plus as the Non Profit Director. All opinions expressed on this blog are her own and do not reflect those of Capital CFO plus. Prior to that she studied both Theology and Christian Formation at Princeton Theological Seminary. She also served as an Assistant Chaplain at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and as the Christian Educational Coordinator at Bethany Presbyterian at Bloomfield, NJ.
She is an writer and is published in Enfleshed, Sermonsuite, Presbyterian's today and Outlook. She writes prayers, liturgy, poems and public theology and is pursuing her doctorate in ministry in Creative Write and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
She enjoys working within and connecting to the community, is known to laugh a lot during service, and tells as many stories as possible. Pastor Katy loves reading Science Fiction and Fantasy, theater, arts and crafts, music, playing with children and sunshine, and continues to try to be as (w)holistically Christian as possible.
"Publisher after publisher turned down A Wrinkle in Time," L'Engle wrote, "because it deals overtly with the problem of evil, and it was too difficult for children, and was it a children's or an adult's book, anyhow?" The next year it won the prestigious John Newbery Medal.
Tolkien states in the foreword to The Lord of the Rings that he disliked allegories and that the story was not one.[66] Instead he preferred what he termed "applicability", the freedom of the reader to interpret the work in the light of his or her own life and times.
Holy Spirit, we need to talk about this whole humanity thing.
Because I am plumb worn out from having existential crises about the human race!
Between pandemics, systematic oppression, the continual pursuit of power and principalities that screw the costs, and the whole the earth itself seems to be crying out from abuse thing, my head is spinning.
This is not to mention poverty, homelessness, neglect of those who are addicted, and the deaths of black and brown children, and I am reminded once again of the orphans which (again) have been created and abused by my very own government, oh and there’s a war in Armenia where my Aunt is located– I find I am bone weary.
Can these bones walk?
Holy Spirit, do you sometimes give humanity the side eye when you appear in bird form?
Because I trust in you. I trust God, and I love Jesus. This is not about that.
But I am dried out, cracked at the core when I think of humanity as whole.
I have found amazing human beings on earth. In the Singular I know individuals: gracious and forgiving ones, selfless and devoted ones, tireless and hard working ones. I love many-a-person…
But when it comes to humanity…
Well let’s just say I understand that whole flood thing better now.
Sometimes I wish I could do a reboot too, but we both know that doesn’t fix the inherent issues with being human
And so, here I am, stuck in an existential crises.
Why do we exist?
And, maybe the real existential question is this: if I know we can do better, how are we not doing better? Why?
Ok, but we have to try.
We have to show that those who are poor, or homeless are beloved.
We have to constantly interrupt racism and oppression, and plots to kill people or the neglect that lets people die. We have to stand up to power.
God, I remember a story in the Bible when someone asked Jesus a very political question about marriage, he basically said “that’s a human thing, God doesn’t care about such things”
Immediately this was followed up with a question about what does God care about, and Jesus responds with a simple “Love God, and Love each other” summary of, well, basically everything!
As always, when I have trouble loving other humans, I reground myself in loving you God.
Because I don’t know how to love humanity, and I don’t know why we are here.
So I guess I’m going to have to love you, and trust that you are continually helping us to course correct so that all things work together for good.
But right now, I’m going to snuggle under the covers, and tell myself that its ok that I don’t know how to process humanity’s existential crisis right now, because that’s not my job.
If you would like a word copy of this document (which is probably easier to format) just email katyandtheword at gmail with the subject line advent and I will be happy to send you a copy
We remember how faithful God was to Abraham and Sarah,
Moses and Miriam, and Hannah and Eli
Come let us know God, through God’s promises
We live into your promises, Loving God
Light the Promise Candle
God, we are thankful that every year
You fulfill your promise and become particularly present
every Sunday, every prayer, every gathering in your name,
You are there. You show your love in baptism and communion,
and you reveal your presence through advent and Christmas.
Help us to live into your promises,
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray. Amen.
Optional Hymns: Great is Thy Faithfulness, Be Thou My Vision, God of the Sparrow, God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Nov 29, 2020 Thanksgiving Candle:
Lord we give thanks for your protection and gifts
Glory to be to God, who has filled the world with enough for everyone
When we are in trouble, we have God to pray to
God help us to trust in God
Let us proclaim the good news, God is abundant and gracious
We live into thanksgiving, Loving God
Light the Promise Candle
God,
As we look at all the bounties of the earth,
teach us how to give the sacrifice of praise.
For you have created us this way
so that the more we give thanks
the better human beings we are.
Help us to live into Thanksgiving,
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray. Amen.
Optional Hymns: For the Fruit of All Creation, Let All Things Now Living, We Gather Together, Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Dec 6, 2020 Hope Candle: (based on Joel 2)
Lord, even now you are calling to us
You promise the trumpet will sound, all wrongs will be right!
We will call the assembly in hope, one way or another we will connect and gather together
We are the congregation: the aged, the children, the infants. We are the people of God
God says, fear not, for I will fill you with my spirit. Live into Hope.
We live into hope, loving God.
Light the Hope Candle
Prayer: Lord,
in the midst of suffering
and death, remind us
that love is worth
the cost of hope.
Teach us to
enact the world
we hope for we pray.
Help us to live into Hope
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray. Amen.
Optional Hymns: Sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel v. 1, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence v. 1, Live Into Hope,
Peace Candle: Peace: (based on Isaiah 61:1-4)
Lord, here is the hope! You have sent us to proclaim the good news to the oppressed,
We are all called to to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives
Let us proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
You comfort all who mourn, and give us the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
You promise to repair the ruins! Live into peace.
We live into Peace, Loving God!
Light the Peace Candle
Prayer: Jesus
as we see fighting
and lies and hatred.
Show us peace,
not as a passive thing
but as the power to
acknowledge each and
every creature’s mutual worth
Help us to live into Peace
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray. Amen
Optional Hymns: Sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel v. 3, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence v. 3 Comfort, Comfort You My People or A Place at the Table, Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Dec 13, 2020 Joy Candle: (based on Luke 1:46-56 which is opt for next week)
Lord God this is the time to magnify the Lord
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant
We are called to see how God has brought down the powerful from their thrones
We need to look and acknowledge and proclaim with joy that it is God who lifts up the lowly
God’s promises are forever! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! We live into Joy, Loving God.
Prayer: Holy Spirit,
as we feel the stirrings of Joy
that Jesus Christ is a part of our lives.
Remind us that Jesus
came to help all people
from generation to generation.
Help us to share the Joy it is
to fill every sing person who hungers
with good things.
Help us to live into Joy
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray. Amen.
Optional Hymns: O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 2, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence v. 2, Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
Dec 20, 2020 Love Candle:
God, we sing glory to God in the highest, for you embody love
You take on human flesh, out of love for us
Truly, who embodies love like Jesus?
He has come to teach and to pray, to heal and to disciple, to live and to breathe with us.
Born in a manger, full of hope, peace and joy, that is our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We Live into Love, Loving God
God of Bounty,
We know that you are synonymous with love
To speak of God is to speak of love,
and to speak of love is to speak of God.
Teach us what love really is:
Embodying hope and peace and joy all at once.
Help us to live into Love
every time we wait for Jesus,
we pray Amen.
Optional Hymns: O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 1 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent v. 3 and/or 4, They will Know we are Christians by Our Love
Dec 24/25, 2020 Christ Candle:
Let our Soul magnify the Lord
We rejoice in God our savior
God is with us, from generation to generation
Look at what the Mighty One has done for us
God fills the hungry with good things, brings up the lowly, and brings done the powerful
We live into the discipleship of Jesus Christ, Loving God
Light the Christ Candle
Prayer:
Lord God, we know that Jesus is born
Born of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love,
Christ is coming,
Touch us with your presence we pray.
Help us to live into discipleship
and to see Jesus,
we pray Amen.
Optional Hymns: What Child is This?, The First Nowell, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord their God
God executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the widow
The Lord will reign forever, Praise the Lord!
Hymn: Here I am Lord
1 Kings 17:8-15 (We shall read the text together wherever we are, please read the appropriate passage when I hold up my finger)
(1 Finger) Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’
(2 Fingers) So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks;
(3 Fingers) he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.’ As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’
(Pastor Katy) But she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’
(4 Fingers) Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son.
(5 Fingers) For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.’
God, as we gather, once again, outside the sanctuary, the wind is blowing colder and we are gathering what seem to be feeble surveys to figure out what to do.
We miss you God, we miss the radiance of a full flung organ, piping praises to the heavens
We miss the quiet stillness of the sanctuary just before worship, we miss the table & the font, means of your love passed down to us in full view of the sanctuary
But you remind David, as he wonders whether or not to build God a beautiful cedar house, that you are present in your people
And you remind me God, that when I miss you, I am really missing your community
For Jesus has made us the amazing promise that we can demand a miracle; that whenever two or three people gather in the name of Jesus, God will be particularly prsent
I miss you God, because I miss your people
I miss seeing how your grace weaves together us fumbling, silly community; I miss how you make worship in the sanctuary so beautiful in spite of, or perhaps because of, our imperfections
So when I miss gathering “like usual” God remind me of all the ways I have seen church: in Prayer over Zoom, in waves and window conversations in the parking lot, in the daily ministry of cards and phone calls.
Turns out you were here all along, as usual, remind me again and again I pray.
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever
With my mouth, I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever
Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens
Great is Thy Faithfulness
2 Samuel 7: 8-16
(1 finger) Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel;
(2 fingers) I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
(3 fingers) And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more;
(4 fingers) and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.
(5 fingers) Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors,
(6 fingers) I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
(7 fingers) He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
(Pastor Katy) I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings.
(8 fingers) But I will not take* my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.
(9 fingers) Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me;* your throne shall be established for ever.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon Life-giving Covenants Pastor Katy
Lord some days I cry out like David “Will you hide yourself forever?” and I remember how short my time is. Lord please give us the signs we need to know that we are loved and beloved. It is so hard to remember when we see the world is suffering. And help us know how to respond to those in the margins, the hungry and the homeless, the sick and the helpless. Help us to build up all that is good we pray. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and Power and the Glory Forever. Amen.
Lord God, how do I do this prayer thing when I’m really angry at someone?
Can I wish them ill? Do I throw curses off of my tongue?
(If I use the fancy word for curses: imprecation, does that make it better? It feels better to say Imprecation)
What did Moses do when the Pharaoh continually made a promise to free the Hebrew people, and then took it back, over and over again?
What did Jesus do when people tried to throw him off the cliff the first time he preached?
Can I just shake the dust off from those encounters, and continue on my day?
That doesn’t feel like enough!
Lord, God, I know it is my job to name evil when I see it, and that a synonym of imprecation and curses is simply denunciation.
Sibling Jesus, I am praying that you Help me to reject evil, Lord. Gift me with a better understanding than hate the sin and love the sinner (because that just isn’t good enough)
And I know the Psalms is full of really hard curses like: Give them what they deserve, and let my enemies experience what I have experienced.
Hannah says ” He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;” (1 Sam 1:9)
Mother Mary, who is often portrayed as sweet and quiet prays: “God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1: 51-53)
So I guess my prayer will echo theirs, in it’s own simplicity.
And trust you know the full meaning of the prayer, because I confess I do not.
And justice is yours.
Lord shatter the enemy.
Those in power Shatter them to pieces.
Shatter the hardhearted as only you can.
In Christ’s name. I submit this prayer to you, O God.
Call to Worship (Luke 1: 47-49) My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior For the Holy One has done great things for me, Holy is His name, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
(Luke 1: 51-53) Prayer of Confession: Lord, we confess that we look for strength in power and money, instead of in the lifegiving practices that you model. So often your Holy Spirit is at work renewing and creating and we confess we spend too much time worrying about the structures being ruined, instead of looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Remind us that you bring down the powerful, and lift up the lowly. Help us to preach the good news of how you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty, we pray.
(Luke 1: 50) Assurance of Pardon: God’s mercy is for all who fear him, from generation to generation. Hear the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
1 Samuel 1:12-17, 2:1-8 (Note we read at home or in our drive in at the same time, and we do so by Pastor Katy indicating what we should read by holding up a finger) (1 Finger) Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. (2 Fingers) So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.’ (Pastor Katy) But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ (3 Fingers) Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ (4 Fingers) Hannah prayed and said, ’My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. (5 Fingers) There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. (6 Fingers) Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (7 Fingers) The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. (Pastor Katy) Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. (8 Fingers) The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. (9 Fingers) The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. (10 Fingers) He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon “Power & Prayer”
Hymn: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
The Lord’s Prayer
Passing of the Peace
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
Things are so turbulent, Lord, I’m not even sure what to pray for.
My eight year old asks me what I wish for and I’m stuck with big impossible answers: the end to the pandemic, the healing of the earth, world peace, every single person to be healthy.
God, I like to have structures and normals to hold my anxiety.
When I’m anxious, I like to repeat the schedule, like a prayer in my head that the day will proceed according to plan.
But I know, God, that this is not how it works. And with so much uproarious change, repeating the schedule no longer holds my anxiety.
Often the government can hold anxiety, quietly in the back of our heads. So much so, that until that security is gone, we don’t realize how much we depend upon that.
That too is fruitless right now.
Sweet Jesus, hold my anxiety. Help me to place it on your strength. Because it is too much to hold anymore.
Holy Spirit: comforter, help me to voice all that I fear to you, to acknowledge that it is real and substantial. And then, please God share my burden so my breathing comes just a bit easier, my shoulders relax a fraction, my jaw unclenches enough that I remember to stretch a bit, take a deep breath and start my day.
Pastor Sally asked my parents, as they held my 2 year old hand, at the church where I balance beamed on the walls and callout “my bells, my bells” before I was baptized.
Do you renounce evil?
My church in Arkansas asked, just after lightening burned it to the ground and the other kids and I made cross drawings out of ash on the front lawn. This church—which now had 30 kids and was bursting at the seams and found a way to expand with the rebuild—graciously confirmed me as an adult member before we had to move.
Do you renounce evil?
My home church asked—where I found relief from Jr High bullying, where I was supported and included despite my penchant for far too fancy dress up for Sunday, and my extroverted ways–as they confirmed me as a teenage member of the governing board, and eventually joyfully sponsored my call to ministry.
Do you renounce evil?
My first pastorate asked, ordaining me on bended knees, as a young and very, very enthusiastic pastor, trying to raise the excitement I felt for the church of tomorrow with anyone and everyone I could. They asked me that 10 years ago 10/2/2010.
I renounce evil. It is my call to hold fast onto what is good, but also to declaim all things that pollute faith.
Empires, Liars, and Caesars, Violent Authorities, Racism, Bigotry, Ableism, Homophobia, Transphobia and Sexism, White Supremacy, Hypocrisy and Virtue Signaling are all idolatry. Claiming that I am better than you is a sin against God.
Please, teach me to recognize evil when it happens. Help me to name it in all of its forms. And help be brave enough to renounce it whenever I see it–and to listen closely when others find it and point it out to me.
Craft my words: So my declamations are loud, craft my honor: so my apologies are brief and sincere. Open my eyes and guide my tongue: so I can help others do the work they need to do, and to find a way to education one another when mistakes are made.
Help me to denounce evil, I pray.
Amen.
Feel free to read/use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
katyandtheword 