Tag: narrative lectionary

Advent Candles Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Promise of the Messiah
Hope
Jeremiah 33:[10-11], 14-18
Mark 8:27-29

Jesus there is hope in every promise of peace
Holy Spirit there is hope in every act of love
God there is hope in every shout of joy
Here, we light this candle, reaching for hope
We hear the promise, and reach for it, even when we cannot believe it
Plant the seeds of Jesse, to grow here today, we pray.

Taize Option (always fun to sing during the whole candle liturgy)

Hymn Options: O Come, O Come Emmanuel or Rewritten Version, Taize : Nada the turbo, Wait for the Lord

Isaiah of the Exile
Love
Isaiah 40:1-11
Mark 1:1-4

Jesus, you clear to way for love
Holy Spirit, you make the path, even when the way seems rocky
I lift mine eyes to the hills, from where my help comes, my help comes from the Lord my God, who loves me as God’s own Beloved.
We hear the promise, and reach for it, even when we cannot believe it.
Come, let us Prepare the way of the Lord
Come, let us light the path together, with love.

Taize Option (always fun to sing during the whole candle liturgy)

Hymns: Magnify the Lord (to the Tune of O Come All Ye Faithful), It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (an Advent Song In My Opinion), Taize Option: Bless the Lord or Magnificat

Rebuilding the Temple
Joy
Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10:13
Luke 2:25-32

Jesus, you will rebuild the world into your kindom
Holy Spirit, the waiting is hard
God cradle us in your arms, for we feel like we are not yet ready for the joy of Christmas.
We hear the promise, and reach for it, even when we cannot believe it.
God we long for your child of promise
We light the way, awaiting your joy to the world.

Taize Option (always fun to sing during the whole candle liturgy)

Hymn Options : God the Weaver (to the Tune of Away in the the Manger), Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Zechariah’s Song
Peace
Luke 1:5-13 [14-25], 57-80
Psalm 113

Jesus there is the peace of quiet, and then there is the peace of dreams fulfilled
Holy Spirit, fill our souls with peace
God we long for the song Zechariah to make our hearts ready for Jesus
We hear the promise, and reach for it, even when we cannot believe it.
Fill us with what we need, so that we can be a people of peace
Let us light the candle, and prepare for the Prince of Peace

Taize Option (always fun to sing during the whole candle liturgy)

Hymn Options: God of Peace (to the Tune of Silent Night), Still Still Still, Taize Option: Laudate Dominum, Wait for the Lord

Advent Resources

Under Construction

Advent Candles: Narrative Lectionary

Advent Candles: RCL

Blue Christmas

Magnificat Advent Worship

Narrative Lectionary Daily Calendar

Writing Advent Candle Liturgy Workshops

Advent Hymns to Christmas Carol Tunes

Alternative (Update) to We 3 Kings

Write an Advent Wreath Liturgy in a small personalized environment
Limit 10 people per workshop

This Zoom Workshop is designed for all levels and experiences for people to engage in prayer writing–using the scripture as your guide. This will be an instructional, small group (limit 10) and experiential workshop.

Mon Nov 27th 6-8pm (Eastern) $50 Per Person Tues Dec 5th 12:30-2:30pm

(As Advent will have already started, Katy will have an Advent Candle Liturgy for use, she will send you)

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, (formerly) 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. She also writes personal prayers regularly at katyandtheword.com.

(Min. 3 People to run)

Extended Advent, Magnificat Sunday

For use anytime in Advent

Magnificat Rewritten
Advent Unleashed: Magnificat Prayer
All I want, Magnificat Prayer
Waiting for Magnificat Prayer
Magnify the work of Jesus Prayer
Empty Advent Prayer (and Filling up)

Magnificat Worship
Another Magnificat Worship

O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Magnificat Version

Psalm 146
Luke 1:46-55

Call to Worship
God we are leaning in to hear the good news from Gabriel
We confess we long to be filled with Good News
We want to both ponder with Mary, and shout with her!
Let us prepare to Magnify the Lord together

Magnificat Candle:
God we want the systems of oppression to cease
We long for peace on earth and goodwill for all
We are ready to magnify you
Help us to magnify your Good News God.

Invitation for Confession: Nothing is too big for God, come let us lay our worries and concerns at the feet of God today.


Prayer of Confession: God we confess that Mary’s message is a little strong for us. The idea that you will completely restructure the world sounds like a little much. However, we love the promise of justice and hope. We can hold on tight to a world filled with good things. Teach us how to work towards this world of the world of the Magnificat without being too overwhelmed, tired or scared we pray Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: God promises that Jesus forgives us as soon as we give him our burden, thus we can proclaim the good news In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God help us to continue to commit to you, your justice and your Kin(g)dom as we enter into this season of Advent, prepare our hearts for you and your work we pray. Amen.

If you appreciate my work please Donate! I am between jobs right now and would truly appreciate any donation from $5-$20 GoFundMe

Also check out my Candle Liturgy Workshop

Want some help Getting ready for Advent?

Write an Advent Wreath Liturgy in a small personalized environment

Limit 10 people per workshop

This Zoom Workshop is designed for all levels and experiences for people to engage in prayer writing–using the scripture as your guide. This will be an instructional, small group (limit 10) and experiential workshop.

Mon Nov 27th 6-8pm (Eastern) $50 Per Person Tues Dec 5th 12:30-2:30pm

(As Advent will have already started, Katy will have an Advent Candle Liturgy for use, she will send you)

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, (formerly) 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. She also writes personal prayers regularly at katyandtheword.com.

(Min. 3 People to run)

September 24th Jacob Wrestles God

Finding God: Blessings and Belonging
Jacob Wrestles God
Genesis 32:[9-13], 22-30
Mark 14:32-36

Wrestling God: Topical Prayer/Poem

If you appreciate my work please consider giving to my FINAL year of Doctoral Work in Ministry in Creative Writing. I am writing a book of Poem Prayers and Essays to be Published for my dissertation.

Call to Worship
God you are with us
You give us the space to wrestle
God you find us when we are worried and alone
Bless us God today

Call to Worship
God of blessings
Bless us
Wrestling, Hoping, Lonesome or Hurting, You bless us
Let us walk away blessed today

Call to Confession: Whatever we are wrestling with, God can handle, Let us trust that God can wrestle with it too today.

Prayer of Confession: God, we feel like Jacob, needing to wrestle some more. The struggle, as they say, is real. We are weighed down with our past mistakes. We feel the pain of loneliness. We feel unworthy of the blessings you have awaiting us, and we have to wrestle first. Forgive us, teach us that we are beloved, and that you are ready to call us, by our chosen names, and bless us. In Jesus’s name we pray. (Silent Confession) Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Hear the Good News, Blessings are not Pie, they flow from the cup overflowing grace of Jesus Christ, so we know the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, Amen.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God we know that the struggle is real. We are thankful that Jesus sees and understands when we limp along. Bolster us as we walk into the world today we pray. Amen.

If you appreciate my work please consider giving to my FINAL year of Doctoral Work in Ministry in Creative Writing. I am writing a book of Poem Prayers and Essays to be Published for my dissertation.

Finding God: Garden of Eden

Sept 10th NL201
Garden of Eden
Genesis 2:4b-25
Mark 1:16-20
Mark 10:6-8

Call to Worship:
God created us in companionship
God created us to be good
Come let us worship God the Creator
Come let us be in communion with God

Call to worship
We are God-breathed beings
It is good to dwell with God
We are called to be with God
Come let us spend some time with God together

Call to Confession: God calls us all to unburden everything to God, come let us give ourselves to the Divine.

Prayer of Confession: God, we come to you imperfect, but still your creation. When we feel alone or incomplete, walk with us we pray. Remind us that you still are there, calling our name, creating connections and companionship for us–walking with us wherever we go. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Hear the Good News, Jesus calls us to him again and again, therefore we know the truth. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, you created us, you breathed life into us, you have walked with us. Continue to remind us of your love, continue to remind us how you call us by name, each and every day as we walk into the world we pray. Amen.

Hymns: In the Garden, God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens, God Created Heaven and Earth, I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Paul’s Mission

Acts 13:1-3; 48-18
Matthew 10:40-42

Call to Worship
When we are welcomed
God you call us
When we heal
God you call us
When we feed one another
God you call us
Come let us serve the Lord
Come let us worship the Lord

Call to confession: Let us confess ourselves to the God who loves us and welcome us exactly as we are

Confession: God we confess that we do not believe that those who welcome us welcome Christ. We confess that we have trouble believing ourselves one minute to be imposters and the next taking on too much for Christ. Help us to find balance in serving you. Give us the strength, patience and understanding we need. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Be assured, Christ loves us and walks with us in disciples, so know the truth In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, Amen

Prayer of the Day Dedication: May we walk with Christ, as he walks with us our discipleship we pray. Amen

April 23 Peter’s Vision

Acts 10:1-17, 34-48
Matthew 9:36-37

Call to Worship
God we are the sheep and you are the Shepherd
Come Risen Christ
In Christ there is neither male nor female, slave nor free
Come Risen Christ
We are ready to greet Jesus Christ
Come Risen Christ

Call to Confess: We are truly all made clean in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, come let us confess ourselves to Christ.

Prayer of Confession: Dear God, we confess that we would like to pick and choose our Christians. We often would like to say, we are not like those Christians, or we would like to tell people who is included in our congregation and who is not. Forgive us. Teach us how to be both inclusive, and still to tell be brave enough to denounce wrong when we see it. Help us to continue to act in love we pray.

Assurance of Pardon: Remember that Christ came returned saying “Peace be with you” and so we can be assured of the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are Forgiven. Amen

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God may we go into the world blessed that any may be given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, may we recognize these gifts when we see them we pray. Amen.

March 12 Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Matthew 22:1-14
Psalm 45:6-7

Call to Worship
The Poor One Calls to The Lord
God hears, and saves the poor, out of all of their Troubles
Looks it is the Angel of the Lord
The Angel of the Lord comes, and encamps around those who fear God, and delivers them
Taste and see that God is God, Blessed is the one who takes refuge in God
Come let us take refuge in God Today

Invitation to Confession: Jesus says come to me those who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest, come let us lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus. 

God: We confess, we do not understand this Wedding Feast. This parable, confuses us and confounds us. Who are we to invite? How are we to dress? Is the violence good or bad? Who is even getting married in the first place? Perhaps the point is not about the invitations or being chosen, but that fact that we are here, at God’s table, together. Help us to gather at the table, whenever God invites us to we pray. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon: Hear the Good news, Jesus will always forgive us, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let us proclaim that good news to one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. 

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, help us to walk into the world, inspired to act not just like those invited, but as though Jesus is chasing humanity, over and over again. Let us remember that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. 

Hymns: On Eagle’s Wings, Jesus Our Divine Companion, Somebody’s Knocking At Your Door, We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight,

God of the Cross

Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta

Canva Image (created by Katy Stenta) Brown Hands welcoming a line of multicultural people, behind which is a basket of bread and wine and the Golden outline of a Middle-Eastern Couple Getting Married

Notes: the differences between invitation and belonging seem relevant

The idea of getting kicked out for not dressing right in the era of anti-Trans/Drag legislation is super ouchy. Handle with Care. But I think it’s also something that may need to be addressed. I bet this person was dressed with hate and thought that was more appropriate than the drag queens and the sec workers off the streets.

Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

March 5
Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20: 1-16
Psalm 16:5-8

Call to Worship
God, how is it your grace is so expansive
Truly God, your keep calling us
Come let us bless our God who calls us
God calls us by name
Let us keep God before us, God who is always at our right hand!
God be praised, God is with us! Let us Praise God together!

Call to Confession: God is calling us to confess, Come let us confess ourselves to God

Prayer of Confession: God we confess that sometimes you have to call us more than once. Sometimes we are the ones that do not hear you until close til dusk. We confess that we envision ourselves as the early morning workers–but we do not know when it is you first called our name. God’s love is not a competition. Help us to remember that faith is always a gift, and that you are always, always calling us by name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Hear the Good News: The Steadfast Love of the Lord never changes, God’s mercies never come to the end, they are new every morning, so we know that God will always love and forgive us. Let us proclaim the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Let us go into the world refreshed by the Holy Spirit and remembering that it is God who is calling us by name. God loves us from the earliest dawn til the darkest dusk–let us go forth enveloped in that love. Amen.

Hymns: Morning has Broken, This is My Father’s World, Here I am Lord,