Do you want to learn how to write prayers and liturgy? Psalms and Calls to Worship? Confessions and Personal Prayers? This Zoom Workshop is designed for all levels and experiences for people to engage in prayer writing–using the scripture as your guide.
Sunday November 20th 4pm-6pm (Eastern) $40
Led by Katy Stenta, Pastor, Writer and Educator
For more information to sign up, email Katyandtheword at gmail.com. Titled “Liturgy”
Katy Stenta is a regular contributor to Sermonsuite, RevGalBlogPals, and is published in Enfleshed, Presbyterian’s Today and Outlook. She received her undergraduate in English and History and Minor on Philosophy at Oberlin, her M. Div. and MA in Christian Formation at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is currently pursuing her D. Min. in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Do I complain about this speed bump now? The Covid standing in the way of surgery?
I’m taking a deep breath–of gratitude for quadruple vaccinations And so few symptoms that I did not know
And thankfulness for masks
and frantic prayers that I didn’t infect anyone–and really that I didn’t infect anyone vulnerable.
And for a Day of Work that somehow came together in Coverage really its a miracle, so easy that I feel guilty about how easy it was I know you gotta be laughing at that one God How easily we humans feel guilty, right? (But I planned to be there and had been excited to see all the people and miss them)
But really, I long for deep healing The rest and restoration that I could almost taste
The baby-sitting, rides, meals, work, set-ups, coverage, therapy, bracing
I really do not want a drop of it to go to waste, and the idea of setting it all up again is Daunting Wearying Soul-wrenching
So I pray that you have this figured out already Just like the Church Government meeting I obviously could not go to this week–what with the surgery and/or covid (that I thought I wanted to sign up for)
And so many other things as they go past that I thought, oh I thought I wanted to sign up for that, but I’m glad I didn’t because I realize now that I did not really have the time for that.
Ok God,
What now?
The wait for Monday is a Lot– And this feels more like a speed bump to healing It feels like a mountain, or a quest
I lift my eyes to the hills the annoying, freaking have to climb them hills From whom will my help come?
Fine it will come from the Lord my God…
But I don’t have to like it today.
Here’s hoping for surgery on the other end.
Amen.
Feel free to use/share/adapt with Credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
God I remember–when you came out of the closet– Flaming!
And Moses, said, What are your Pronouns? And God says, I am what I am
And Moses says, Cool, I gotch-you, You’re the God of Pronouns!
And, God says, Good, because I have a feeling, This will get more complicated!
And then People were doing Violence to one another So God turned the World On and then Off again
And sent the animals two by two Upon a boat And hung up God’s weapon, a Bow (that’s an old school gun)
And said, I’m hanging up my weapon, so you will hang up yours As a sign that Love is Love is Love is Love
And Noah said Cool And God said, Cool, Because I have a Feeling this might get misconstrued someday
God I remember when Joseph Draped themselves in a Lady’s Coat
And their bros made fun of them And tried to feed them to the Lions
And God said, Nope, I claim the Queer One And then we “retranslated” it as a Rainbow coat, so no one will understand them as Queer
(And you laughed again God, didn’t you? You mysterious and all knowing I Am)
And then Joseph said what you meant for Evil, God meant for Good No one can take away my God, And God said mmm-mmmmm
And I remember Isaiah, where the prophet saw God, And clearly identified God as multiples, and referred to God as them
And scholars thought up a new word Trinity– And we ignored the singular/multiple thing–and God waited, patiently as only God can, for it to dawn upon us.
And then there was when Ruth declared her love and devotion for Naomi And said where you go I will go, your people will be my people, your God will be my God
And God laughed and said, this will be the foundation text for weddings This found-family declaration between too women, shh! Don’t tell the Conservatives.
And then came Jesus who instructed us, “Care for the Least of these” and “Let no one revile you in my name” and “Welcome the Stranger”
And we nodded along like we knew what he meant and then we disciples whispered among ourselves about exceptions
And God, God you knew You knew. You knew before we knew
You know, the Bible is so Queer; It would not even be the Bible, if it did not include rainbows and flames
It would not be Holy without found families and radical, unconventional love
God only knows, that it is not us who gets to say who belongs to God; it is but our job to practice welcome and hospitality
Someday, perhaps we will get the laughter of angels right
And so Coming Out Day Blessings to those who can celebrate And safe spaces and sanctuary to those who can’t
May those who are Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Ace, Bisexual, Nonbinary, Queer, Androgynous, Demi, Intersex, Questioning, Omnigender, Poly, Pan, and of Two Spirit find the space to be their full self.
And may they scream or yell or ignore or bless God as wish– Because,
Because You are God, and you care to endure all those things when your children have suffered so
May we create a world where Coming Out day that is a true celebration and choice
May all people be celebrated in their fullness we pray–not because of the Bible, but just Because, We pray this together!
Amen.
Feel free to use/share/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
**Grocery prices have gone from–I’m worried To Good Lord**
God, How many prayers do you get at the grocery checkout Line?
I remember how many I gave to you when we scanned the credit cards that one of them would not bounce
Two kids, then three, in the card Aware that people around me were thinking judgmental things
Or back when WIC coupons were paper Ostentious, Obvious Burdensome and Slow And I prayed I picked all the right items So I wouldn’t hold up the people behind me While the babies fussed
And everyone judged how many cookies and healthy and whatever expensive foods I bought that week.
These days my prayers, I admit, are less desperate, But I pray a little prayer because every single week the grocery bill goes up
And I feel the panic in my gut the awareness of days past (PTSD, yes?) when I would gather up the kids cereal and yogurt and milk Putting every drop back when they finished Loathe to waste a drop, because we could not afford it
Jesus You and the Widow know that you can’t budget your way out of poverty Only money can help
God, I’m saying a prayer For all of us who are stressed Or holding our breath Or trying not to cry in the checkout line
“Feed my Sheep” You said
“Feed my Sheep” is our prayer in the checkout line. Feed us, we pray. Amen.
Feel free to use/share/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
Enjoy my work? Please consider donating to my Creative Writing Doctoral degree at GoFundme! I am now fundraising for my THIRD year (Hooray): https://gofund.me/554d36e3
Here’s a Prayer for all those who collapse at the end
Who are just holding it together Somehow Til the end of the Day
And then lose it When they get in the door Or are asked to do a thing Or have to leave their comfort zone/thing/activity
Here are for those for whom the “Simple” tasks are not easy Socializing Being Organized Paying Attention Meeting People’s Eyes Going Outside Sensory Overload New Things Exposure All the Things the one has to Weather
Here is a prayer for those whose bodies react with twitches, or sleep disturbance, or accidents migraines or other body aches
This is a prayer for those who have to acclimate to this STRANGE thing everyone else calls the norm
I want to tell you, God thinks you are beautiful and perfect, exactly as you are and I hope you are safe and beloved–and you have spots of sanctuary moments of hope and experiences of full self
Here’s a prayer for those who experience after school restraint collapse Like ripe apples or rainbows of leaves in the fall or tacos that are too full of good things to eat or cake that is overfull of icing and sprinkles–
We all fall apart sometimes, Jesus wept, and ran away and napped on a boat and cursed a fig tree. And went alone to a garden to pray– but asked his disciples to body double him while he was there.
Here’s a prayer for all of us who collapse, because we are overloaded May we, like Jesus, rage or weep or pray or rest.
Whenever we need to, and find what we need along the way God. We pray this in the name of your Counselor and Comforter the Holy Spirit– Amen.
Feel free to use/adapt/share with Credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
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 (based on Psalm 41) Bless is the Lord, the God of Israel God is from everlasting to everlasting God we love to be in your presence Come let us worship God
Call to Confession: We come to God to confess those things that still hurt and need healing
Confession: God be gracious to me and heal me for I have sinned against you. I know you consider the poor and the sick and care for them. God, I know there is all kinds of healing in the world, and that you are a healing God. Help us to heal and to continue whatever healing you are doing in the world. We pray this in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God you are gracious and promise to raise us up and to heal all sins, so we know the good news In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God you empower us, like Naaman to pursue healing. We pray this in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymns: There is a Balm in Gilead, I’ve Got Peace Like a River, O Christ the Healer, Lord I Want to Be a Christian, Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Children: Talk about Baptism and how it cleans sin permanently with the help of confession—its kind of like a bath. Talk about Naaman and how he wants to be special but he just needs a bath. The Pigeon Needs a Bath by mo willems or Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
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!
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 I bless the Lord, who is always before more God is is in my heart, instructing me Be glad, my soul rejoices My body also rests secure Come let us go to God Let us worship God
Call to Confession: God calls us to the wisdom and knowledge, come let us give ourselves to God through confession.
Prayer of Confession God we come to you praying for wisdom. We confess that we do not always know who is right or who is telling the truth. We confess that we are attracted to power or money instead of acting justly or loving mercy. But you hold fast to the boundary, even when we lose it. God is always before us, and show us the path of life and remind us how to walk humbly with you we pray. Amen
Assurance of Pardon: In God we can rest secure, and let us proclaim and rejoice in the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Teach us to pray and live into wisdom, so the paths of truth and healing may unfold before us. Help to know your ways as we go God. Amen.
Hymns: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, When at Night I Meditate, My Shepherd Will Supply My Name, Invisible Immortal God Only Wise, In You Lord I Have Put My Trust, Within Your Shelter Loving God, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
Children: Talk about asking questions and how God is ok with questions. Talk about how “I don’t know” is a legitimate answer and how God is full of mystery. What If by Samantha Berger Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcake
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!
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!
God we are here for your steadfast love Your steadfast love endures forever God we are here for your mercies They are new every morning Let us worship our loving and merciful God Come let us worship our amazing God!
Call to Confession: God it is good to know ourselves in you—for then we know we are whole and wholly beloved, come let us confess ourselves to God.
Confession: God, we confess that we do not always recognize ourselves. Sometimes the stories of our lives sneak up on ourselves, like David. Sometimes we condemn something and then realize that we too have sinned in that fashion. Forgive us and our judgmental ways. Teach us grace, forgiveness and the hope of the resurrection we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God promises restoration and resurrection, so we know that when we confess grace is assured, let us proclaim the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God is with us, even when we become unrecognizable, God finds us and greets and sits with us. Let us go into the day, the week and the world remembering that this God will be with us no matter what. Amen.
Hymns: Amazing Grace, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Why Has God Forsaken Me, Have Mercy On US Living Lord, O For a Closer Walk with God, Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me
Children: Talk about wearing costumes and masks so much that we might not recognize ourselves but God recognizes us, and that we cannot hide from God. Runaway Bunny, The Goblin and Empty Chair
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!
God of the wind and the rain God of the hurricane Are you the God of natural disasters?
Surely not And in the wake of Fiona And the very midst of Ian God we lift our prayers to you
God help those who are evacuating and those who cannot.
Help those who are suffering, in Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba and Florida. Those in American and those who we forget are Americans.
Those who are nearby, and those who we ignore or forget– Remind us God, that you remember and care for all people Black or Brown, White or American, enemy or ally–mainlander or territory dweller. You are the God of all people, and tell us to treat the forgotten as our sibling.
Help us humans as we grapple with this thing we call climate– This beautiful, unwieldy, uncontrollable phenom that keeps us humble (when we pay attention to it)
Help us to weather the storms To rethink how we build and use resources and be community with one another Be with those who need the help the most we pray,
Not just in the exciting moments of aftermath, But throughout the long slog of care that is needed we pray. Amen.
katyandtheword 
