Potent Promises: Rescue at Sea

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God’s Potent Promise, I will deliver You

Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29 God parts sea and delivers
(Suggested read Exodus 14:5-29 all)
Matt 2:13-15 Mary, Joseph, Jesus flee to Egypt
Psalm 77

Call to Worship

God you promise to take care of us.

Even when we question or are uncertain, you are there

God you are our deliverer

Come Let us worship God who promises to save us

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 77)

Come let us meditate on the works of the God

When the waters saw you, O God, they were so afraid, they trembled. 

The crash of your thunder was in your whirlwind, the clouds poured out water, and your arrows flashed out on every side.

Your way was through the sea—your path was through the mighty water. Yet your footprints were unseen.

You led your people like a flock, by the hands of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. 

Come, Let us praise Almighty God, who fulfilled all the promises that God made to both Miriam and Moses. 

Call to Confession: God you promise to listen whatever we have to say, Bend your ear to our troubled hearts today

Confession: God we confess that we are like that Hebrews, even in the midst of our own Deliverance we ask “Why do we have to participate in our own Salvation?” or “Why isn’t this easier?” Or we are so frightened that we are too afraid to try something new. We confess that the journey before us seems too long, dangerous and hard and we sometimes we are not so sure if it is all worth it. Forgive us, comfort us. Remind us that your promises are worth it, justice is worth it, human beings are, in the end, worth it. Teach us how to make the journey together we pray. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon: Your redemption and forgiveness is already promised. Know the Good News. In Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication: God who freed us, fed us with manna, and parted the Red Sea for us. Remind us that we are free together, we are fed together, we are safe together, and then teach us how to enact that care for one another we pray. Amen. 

Hymns: God of the Ages, The God of Abraham Praise, Deep in the Shadows of The Past, When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land, We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight, Precious Lord Take My Hand

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Children: Talk about how we believe both in Personal responsibility and participation in what is going on, and that God helps us along the way and how tricky it is to believe in both things. Reference how confusing this was for the Hebrew people who wanted everything handed to them, even as they were being rescued by God. We have to try and not give up, and be ourselves. Book Suggestion: “Whistle for Willie” by Ezra Jack Keats

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

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God’s Potent Promises: Joseph in Prison

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God’s Potent Promise for the Outsider: God is with You

Joseph in Prison
Genesis 39:1-23 Joseph in Prison, God with Him
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed when People Revile you
Psalm 146

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

Call to Worship

God you call to the outsider 

You care for those who are imprisoned, different or are alone

You are with the marginal

God you are the God of the least of these

How mighty is our God, who cares for those we forget

Praise be to God, let us bless God 

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 146)

Praise the Lord, O my Soul

God made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, and keeps faith forevers

God executes justice for the oppressed, feeds the hungry, and sets the prisoner free. Thisis our God!

Come let us Praise the Lord!

Call to Confession: Come let us carry any piece of ourselves that is different or imprisoned to God.

Confession: Holy Spirit, I confess that I am not Joseph, but there are times in my life where I have felt like an outsider or trapped by my actions. There are times where I have felt different. God I confess it is easy to become embittered about those harsh times in life, or to hate as a result. I confess that it is easier to believe in a God of winners and powerful ones, than a God who wants to care for those who are vulnerable and powerless. Remind me that you came as a baby to show me that you are not interested in power, but love. Help me to understand a hope that is different and a freedom that is not political I pray. (Silent Confession). Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Jesus comes to free you from all sins, you have already confessed, so you can now rest, safe and secure in the good news, come let us whisper the truth to one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, help us to see and accept and free the Josephs of the world. Remind us that you are always working towards justice and good, and human machinations are nothing towards your mercy. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Hymns: Live Into Hope, We Meet You Christ, There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy, O God of Every Nation, If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee

Image: https://ps11showmedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/sneetches.png?w=620

Children: Talk about God being the God of the “Marginal.” Define that word to mean not in charge. Explain that this means that God is not interested in Christianity being in charge or in control, because God is most interested in caring for those left behind and forgotten. Brainstorm who those people might be. Book Suggestion: “Martin Luther King Jr: A Kid’s book about advancing Civil Rights with Nonviolence” by Mary Nhin “The Star Bellied Sneetches” by Dr Suess

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

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Potent Promises :Call of Abraham

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God’s Potent Promise for All Generations: Blessings for All

Genesis 12:1-9 Call of Abraham, Blessing of nations
Matthew 28:19-20 Disciples of All Nations
Psalm 33

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

Call to Worship

God you remind us every night

In the stars we can see, and the stars we cannot see

That you are our God, you have promised, no matter what.

Your love is always expanding, never contracting, like the universe!

Come let us praise the God of expanding love

Come let us praise the God of expanding love!

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 33)

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, the host by the breath of God’s mouth!

Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all earthlings stand in awe of God, fro God spoke and it all came to be.

God spoke, and it was.

God commanded, and it stood firm.

God looks and sees us. Come let us praise God.

Come, let our hearts be glad, for we trust God’s holy name.

Call to Confession: Let us Confess ourselves to our Parent and Guardian God who kneels to listens to all our fears and troubles and sins.

Confession: We confess that we do not always see one another as children of God. Or maybe the problem is that we do, and spend too much time fighting like siblings for your attention. Either way, it seems like we do not spend enough time looking at the stars remembering your promises to us. Forgive us. Remind us that you love us, each as your children, and when we forget, help us to remind one another we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Silent Confession) Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon: God’s love knows no height nor depth, it goes out beyond the heavens. We cannot even grasp it so we can tell one another we confidence the good news of the results of our confession: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, help us to focus on loving one another and the universe as we go about our lives we pray. Amen.

Children: Show them this Comic and ask them what they think it means. Talk about how our connectedness to the universe, our wonder at creation, and how God continually connects us to each other and the universe and reminds us that we are blessed to be a blessing. 

Image Found Here

Story Suggestions: “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson

Hymns: God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand, God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens, God You Spin the Whirling Planets, I Sing the Mighty Power of God, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Stand Up and Bless the Lord

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

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Potent Promises: Flood and Promise

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God’s Potent Promises for Peace

Flood and Promise
Genesis 6:5-22, 8:6-12, 9:8-17 Flood, Promise Rainbow
Matt 8:24-27 Jesus Calms Storm
Psalm 23 Lord is My Shepherd

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

Call to worship: 
Our God is the God of storms and rainbows.

The God of doves and the God of promises

Our God is the God of mighty waves, and calm peaceful seas.

How mighty is our God

How trustworthy is our God

Come let us worship God.

Call to Worship 

God we long for your care

Help us when we need your care

Lead us to the still waters

God renew your covenant with us

God we give thanks to the God of peace

Come let us praise God’s Holy Name

Invitation to Confession: God’s compassion is wider than the sea. Come Let us confess ourselves to God. 

Confession: God, I confess that I do not understand that potency of your promise. What does it mean that you made a covenant with Noah and all future generations? What does it mean that you permanently hung your bow, your weapon, in the sky? I confess that my wonder at the rainbow is still just a beginning of the understanding of your promises and covenants. Help me to dig deep into your promises I pray. (Silent Confession) Amen.

Just as the storm will be calmed, as certain as God hangs God’s rainbow in the sky, we can be certain God loves us, God knows us and God forgives us, Let us proclaim the good news to one another In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen

Call of the Day/Dedication: God may we continue to seek your promises, and to know that your joy is in creation and love, and you are with us. Remind us to be a people of your promise as we go, we pray in your most Holy name. Amen. 

Children: Talk about the rainbow as God Disarming Godself. God promises never to weaponize anger against us. Book Suggestion “Where the Wild Things Are” “The Napping House” “The Napping House”

Hymns: God of the Sparrow, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, Wherever I May Wander, I’ve God Peace Like River,

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

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Narrative Lectionary Fall 2022

Series 1: 6 Weeks

Queer Edition: Rainbow God Here

Potent Promises

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

Sept 11
God’s Potent Promise for Peace
Flood and Promise
Genesis 6:5-22, 8:6-12, 9:8-17 Flood, Promise Rainbow
Matt 8:24-27 Jesus Calms Storm
Psalm 23 Lord is My Shepherd

Sept 18th
God’s Potent Promise for All Generations: Blessings for all
Call of Abraham: Blessed to Be a Blessing
Genesis 12:1-9 Call of Abraham, Blessing of nations
Matthew 28:19-20 Disciples of All Nations
Psalm 33

Sept 25
God’s Potent Promise for the Outsider: God is with You
Joseph in Prison
Genesis 39:1-23 Joseph in Prison, God with Him
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed when People Revile you
Psalm 146

Oct 2
Rescue at Sea
Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29 God parts sea and delivers
(Suggested read Exodus 14:5-29 all)
Matt 2:13-15 Mary, Joseph, Jesus flee to Egypt
Psalm 77

Oct 9 
Covenant and Commandments 
Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 God bring Israel on Eagle’s Wings; Decalogue
Matt 5:17 Jesus not to abolish law but fulfill it
Psalm 91

Oct 16th  Renewal of Baptism Suggested
Joshua Renews the Covenant
Joshua 24:15 [16-26] God delivers, me and my house serve the lord
Matt 4:8-10 Satan offers kingdom; worship only God
Psalm 27

Series II Prophecy: Truth and Healing (Connects from Baptism)
Telling the Truth, Praying for Truth, Healing Truths
Under Construction

Oct 23rd David and Bathsheba: Telling the Truth
2nd Sam 11:1-5, 26-27, 12:1-9 Nathan’s parable indicts David and he repents
Matt 21:33-41 Parable about the Wicked Tenants
Psalm 51:1-9
Psalm 53

Oct 30th Solomon’s Wisdom Praying for Truth
1 Kings 3:4-9 (10-15), 16-28 Solomon prays for wisdom, 2 women and a baby
Matt 6:9-10 Our Father
Psalm 16

Nov 6 Elisha heals Naaman Healing Truths
2 Kings 5:1-15a Elisha heals Naaman, a foreigner and leper
Matt 8:2-3 Jesus heals a leper
Psalm 41

To Be Published Extended Advent
Nov 13

If you want a document version of this entire series for easy viewing and formatting just email me at Katyandtheword at gmail and title it Narrative Lectionary and I will be happy to send it to you.

If you would like to support my work, please give to my gofundme for my D. Min in Creative Writing or in an exciting new prospect become a Patron for only $3 a month!

May 29th The Christ Hymn

Philippians 2:1-13

Luke 6:43-45

Call to Worship:

Today we praise Christ who emptied himself for us

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow

Today we gather to be consoled by God

Praise God all creatures here below

God will come and make our joy complete

Come, let us praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Invitation to Confession: Let all who long to be of one mind with Christ, come to confess

Prayer of Confession: Jesus, we confess that we are so distracted by your Godliness, that we forget that often miss you–kneeling beside us. And that when we pray, you pray with us. Amen.

Assurance and Pardon: Christ who washed our feet, remind us again that you came to save us, so we can always know the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, be at work in us. Stoop to be beside us, teaching us how to serve–and loving us into the kingdom work, we pray. Amen.

Hymns: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Hands, Come Ye Faithful Raise the Strain, The Strife is O’er, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, Come Down O Love Divine, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less, O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit

Children: Talk about how parents and older stoop to talk to babies, and that’s how Jesus emptied himself, knelt, became human to talk to us

May 22nd Partnerships in the Gospel

Praying the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-18a

Luke 9:46-48

Call to Worship

God you call every single person here

We are called into community with one another

Help us to pray for one another

Let us thank God for one another

Come let us worship God

Come, let us be called into community together

Call to Confession: God is here, to listen, always. Come let us confess ourselves to God.

Prayer of Confession: God we confess that sometimes we feel like we are in competition with fellow Christians, or that our work is not good enough, or that we do not know how to be evangelists for your faith. In truth, we do not often agree with people who call themselves Christians, and we do not know what to do with that. We confess, that we do not really believe that all good works will somehow be brought into fruition in Christ. Help us: to keep at it, to have courage, to take joy in the work and to keep teaching and praying. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: God’s Love is from everlasting to everlasting. Let us live into the assurance of the truth: In Jesus Christ you are forgiven.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: May we go into the world thanking God every time we think of one another, and knowing that the good works that have begun here will be brought into completion by Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymns: Every Time I Feel the Spirit, I Love the Lord Who Heard My Cry, Lord I Wanna Be A Christian In My Heart, O God Our Faithful God, If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Me, Just As I Am Without One Plea

With Children: How do you know prayers are answered? Talk through about what praying for another person is, and what to do when prayers are answered and when they aren’t. Talk about God’s perspective versus the human perspective.

Feb 27 Man Born Blind

Psalm 27:1-4

John 9:1-41

Reflection by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl

Call to Worship

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life, whom shall I fear?

One thing I seek, to live in the house of the Lord forever.

Come, let us seek the Lord together.

Prayer of Confession: God I confess that I worry that my body is not perfect, or I am not perfect, because I have sinned. Too often I buy into the myth of health and wealth. I think that you reward those who do not sin with perfection. Yet you remind us, again, and again, that isn’t how grace works. You remind us that every single body works differently, and we are beloved, and forgiven no matter what. Glorify us exactly as we are we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Remind us that your forgiveness is unconditional, tell us the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication/Day: God, remind us that you bless our very mundane bodies with the very simple dirt and mud of the earth, knowing that our bodies are limited, we are also blessed. Bless us today we pray. Amen.

With Children: Talk about the Olympics and the reality about the amazingness and very real limits of our bodies and how each of our bodies are so very different and yet so very beautiful and how each and every one of us are somehow made in the image of God, including those of us with disabilities, discuss how Jesus had holes in his arms and ankles after the crucifixion. Discourage ableism. Glorify all bodies.

Hymns: Here I am Lord, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Amazing Grace,

Burying Jesus, Good Friday Worship: Virtual or in Person

Supplies: Communion, Nail nailed to wood or a cross, Cross and black cloth, Aloe Hand Sanitizer, Dirt, a lit candle

If doing the worship at virtually, Send home 1 nail, 1 packet of aloe sanitizer, and 1 candle to light. Ask the congregant to be ready to bury the nail at the end of worship. Ask them to light their candle at the beginning of worship. Do the removal of nails and the covering of the cross with a black cross from your main location onscreen.

We will be symbolically burying Jesus by burying nails,

Read John 19:30-33: Remove the nails and pass one out (have each congregant pick one up from by their seat depending upon your Covid Proticols) to each congregant (symbolically you can just remove 6 nails while the nails are being passed out)

Were You There When They Crucified the Lord (v 1)

Read John 19:38: Remove the Cross, Cover it in Black cloth

Read John 19:39-40: Have each congregant use the aloe Sanitizer for their hands and their nail

Were You There When the Nailed Him to the Tree (v. 2)

Celebrate Communion (optional)

Read John 19:40-42: Have each congregant come up and drop the nails in the dirt and then bury them, or have them symbolically do it at home.

Were You There When they Laid Him in a Tomb? (v. 3)

Blow out the Candle

Please support my writing: Katy’s Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing at Pittsburgh Seminary. 

For Word versions of the Liturgy email me at Katyandtheword at gmail

From Lament to Hope Full Resources

April 3rd Jesus Condemned: Lament for sin

Jesus Condemned: Lament for sin

John 19:1-16a

Psalm 146

Call to Worship

Our hope is the Lord our God

God made heaven and the earth, the sea and all that is in them

God keeps faith forever

Come let us praise the Lord!

Call to Confession: Come all you who are heavy burdened, and Jesus will give you rest. Come let us confess ourselves.

Confession: God we confess that we are frightened by the angry mobs of people, by death cults, by those who threaten violence when they lose their privilege. We confess it is frightening because we are afraid that we will will be caught up either in the mob, or be caught up and trampled by it. Avoiding it did not stop the violence, as your disciples can testify. Forgive us, God, for we do not know what we are doing, still. Teach us stop the crime of “crucify” and transform them into the grace and freedom that Pilate tries to enact. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon: God loves us, today, tomorrow and forever, nothing can separate us from that love. Thus we can tell one another the truth in that love: In Jesus Christ we are Forgiven. Amen. 

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God teach us true freedom, not that of mobs, but the freedom that grace provides. Let us walk away in grace we pray. Amen. 

Children: Talk about 2nd Thoughts, why Pilate was having them, why it’s hard to have 2nd thoughts in a crowd/group/mob. Talk about why parents always say “if everyone jumped off a cliff would you” (I would say this very much as an inside joke that the kids all know). Talk about bravery, and the power of grace, and how true freedom means being able to have a difference of opinion and how Jesus wants us to be able to be free to love and protect one another first and foremost. 

Hymns: Were You There, He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word, When I survey the Wondrous Cross, Amazing Grace, Jesu Lover of My Soul

Please support my writing: Katy’s Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing at Pittsburgh Seminary. 

For Word versions of the Liturgy email me at Katyandtheword at gmail

From Lament to Hope Full Resources