Prayer of Confession: God we confess that it is hard to hear your voice of calling, sometime we confuse it with other callings. Sometimes we think we are only dreaming. Help us to hear your voice clearly we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Hear the good news, God never gives up on us, God calls us and forgives us every time. Let us tell one another the truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, you call to us. Let us sit quietly and hear your still small voice we pray in your most Holy Name. Amen.
Hymns: There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit in This Place, Here I am Lord, Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Children: Explain the Concept of Priesthood of All Believers–that everyone is called by God, not necessarily to be pastors but to be helpers in the world, brainstorm all the things that people might be called to help. Point out that Samuel is a child.
If you find these resources useful please consider contributing to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing! I have already Successfully funded year 1, and am now working on Year 2!
Confession: God, we confess that sometimes our blessings and dreams confound and confuse us, like Jacob. At times we are uncertain what it is God wants us to do next. Help us on journey. When our steps falter, be with us. When the future is uncertain, comfort us. When the world is overwhelming, help us to rest. When we realize we are imperfect, equip us. Remind us that you are our God no matter what, and help us along the way we pray, Amen.
Prayer of Confession: God, I confess that sometimes, I am like Jacob. Sometimes, I am not even asking for help, and yet you are there. Present with dreams and blessings that I did not know I needed. Please continue to give me what I need I pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Be assured, your help will always come from the Lord. Know the truth, In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God you are mighty in your mercy. You do not need to be tricked into blessings, for they are abundant. Let us go into the world assured of your blessings. Amen.
Children: Talk about how Jacob thought he was tricking a blessing out of his father, but actually God gave bonus blessings to Jacob and that was the real trick. Perhaps use the illustration of an overflowing cup as to how blessings work. God fills our cup til overflowing and then it is our job to use our cup to fill other people’s cups
Hymns: There is a Wideness to God’s Mercy, Take My Life, O Jesus I Have Promised, Guide My O Thou Great Jehovah
If you find these resources useful please consider contributing to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing! I have already Successfully funded year 1, and am now working on Year 2!
Combining the Light with the Darkness, the Sky and the Earth, the Water with the Land
God, you are not a God of singularities, but combinations, yielding all kinds of crops and animals and sunsets
And you saw that this was good.
Let us rejoice in the manifest glory of your creation today and everyday!
Let us praise God, mysterious, manifold and and always creating. Glory to our God, the creator!
Prayer of Confession: God, we confess thatsometimes we ignore the manifold of your creation. It is hard to imagine that you created so much that you needed to rest aftewards. It is hard for us to imagine that you hallowed every aspect of creation. It is hard to imagine that you designed the earth out of abundance so that every single being should have enough. We confess that we are very limited in our understanding of your creation. Forgive us, teach us to have a better understanding of your creation we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God promises God’s mercies are new every morning. Let us tell one another the good news today. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of Dedication/Day: God as you first shaped the world and breathed life into it, we ask for your continued inspiration and shaping. Grant us the gentle breeze of your your Holy Spirit, especially when we are weary and out of breath, to cool and inspire us. Continue to minister to us in your gentle way as we go into the world, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Children: Play with Legos, Cooties or some other interchangeable toys, discuss how many variations there are, discuss how God made so many varieties of the earth. Talk about the our human job to do science discover, create and name things with God as “Co-creators.” Read God Gave Us You.
Hymns: “Spirit” “This is My Father’s World” “God of the Sparrow” “Morning Has Broken”
If you find these resources useful please consider contributing to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing! I have already Successfully funded year 1, and am now working on Year 2!s
Come, Let us learn the ways of God, and walk the paths of Jesus
In the days to come, God’s house will sit on a mountain and all nations shall stream to it. And God will arbitrate peace for us.
Come let us worship the Prince of Peace
Call to Worship
We are one in the Spirit
Not because we are all the same, but because God creates enough multitudes to include all identities
God calls every single person to God’s sanctuary
Come, let us practice peace with the Lord
Prayer of Confession: God, I confess that I do not always know what it means to be a Christian. Sometimes I wonder if I have enough faith, or have done enough to be Christian. You remind us that we are all unique and beloved in your eyes. That you see who we truly are, warts and all, and welcome us home. You know our essence, and call us each beloved child of God. Remind us as many times as we need to know we pray. Amen. (unison)(Silent Confession) Amen
Prayer of Confession: God, somedays I am tired of trying to figure myself out. Am I male or female? Am I Christian or not? Am I cis or straight of queer or trans? How can I know who I really am? And I confess that if I’m white, I’m able to forget it and if I’m not I have to remember it every single day. Sometimes, it does not feel safe to fully occupy my identity. And then I remember how Paul, in his clumsy way, tells us that in Christ there isn’t male or female, Greek or Jew, because God is not binary, God contains multitudes of belovedness. Help me to rest in God’s rainbow of love I pray.
Assurance of Pardon: God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting. Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God promises to be our God, and that we will be God’s people, and this is God’s Covenant of Love. We know the truth and can proclaim it to one another: in Jesus Christ we are Forgiven. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication: God, may we feel the deep peace. The peace that comes in the stillness of silence, and the peace that comes from the chatter among friends. Let us hear the peace of the rain and the peace found in sunshine. Grant us the gift to experience this peace we pray. Amen.
Feel free to use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
God promises, asa mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you
We shall see, and our hearts shall rejoice.
Come let us pray for the Lord, for God is Good.
Come let all flesh give God Thanks and Praise.
Prayer of Confession: God, we confess that we find comfort in tradition. We have struggled throughout this year as so many things have had to change. Walk with us this spring and we try to understand what it is we need to keep, and what it is we can leave behind. Help us to choose, always and forever, the ways that lead us closer to your kingdom. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
Assurance of Pardon: God’s promises to remake heaven and earth in God’s forgiveness. Let us share the good news with one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of Dedication: (unison) Lord, let us go forth giving thanks for all that is good. Place praise for you on our lips and on our tongues, that others might see and know and understand your love. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Hymns: Morning Has Broken,Jesu Jesus Fill Us with Your Love, Called as Partners to Christ’s Service, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Amazing Grace,
Doodle Calendar: Fill out a circle for each day. You can simply color it, or do a doodle/word for each day. Good resources can be found at Praying in color here.
Supplies and Order of Use
Jar of Dust (add olive oil optional)/Dirt from Outside
Easter Egg (with a surprise charm/sticker inside: Butterfly, Flower, Seed)
1. Ash Wednesday February 17th
Luke 9:51
“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem”
Set your Face towards God: Take a moment to step outside and look in one direction and contemplate what God has in store for you for this journey.
We will enjoy a meal together at 6pm and do worship at 6:45pm Look for the Zoom invitation
Jar of Dust
Alone or during worship
Think about how knowing our mortality helps to define us as humans. Take the jar of dust (feel free to put a couple of drops of olive or vegetable oil into it), and draw a cross upon your hand or face.
Contemplate: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
2. Sunday February 21st
Luke 10:25-28
“Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
Heart
Do a Check in with God. Check your heart, check your strength, check your mind, check your relationships. Take inventory and hand that information over to God in prayer. Write/Draw something about your reflection on the heart
3. Sunday February 28th
Luke 13:1-9
“At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
NoteCard
Tend a Garden: Give nourishment or space to someone in need or yourself. Pass on a treat or a kind note or give a moment of respite to someone who needs the spiritual nourishment.
4. Sunday March 7th
Luke 13:34-35
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Blanket or Warm Drink
God just wants to love us. Give yourself a moment to be the beloved child of God. Rest under the wings of Jesus. Snuggle up with a blanket, sweater or a warm Drink
5. Sunday March 14th
Luke 16:19-22
‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
Cross
Think of someone who has recently experienced a loss or go through the obituaries today. Are there people who died who needs prayer; or who’s families need of love? Hold the cross and pray for them today. Hold someone up to God today, knowing that God loves them. If you choose you may bury the cross somewhere in a grass or a garden as a reminder of the resurrection.
6. Sunday March 21st
Luke 18:31-34
“Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”
Light the Candle
Give yourself a moment to ponder the things you do not understand about God and the world.
7. Sunday March 28th
Luke 19:29-35
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
What would you lay down in the road in front of Christ? What are your willing to offer and give?Write what you are thinking about in the leaves of the Palm, or color the Palm while you offer it up to God
8. April 1st Mandy Thursday
Luke 22:1-27
“Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus* to death, for they were afraid of the people.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus* sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ ‘Listen,’ he said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ” He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’ So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it* until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.* But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
M&M’s/Colored Candies
Love and Serve one another was the essence of the final sermon Jesus gave his disciples. Try to serve someone today. Try to love someone today. Practice the M&M Prayers
9. April 2nd Good Friday
Luke 23:32-37
“Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus* there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah* of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him,* ‘This is the King of the Jews.’”
What do you need to “nail to the cross” today to be forgiven. Remember God forgave criminals even on the cross. God meets us where we are and takes us where we need to go. Confess your full self to God: the good and the bad. Give yourself over to God, knowing you are still beloved and that is why Jesus came, to love us. Draw a Cross on a stick or a rock.
10. April 3rd Holy Saturday
Luke 24:50-56
“Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”
Breath
Take a few minutes in silence. Prepare your heart for Jesus. Practice a Breath prayer. Breathe in the Holy Spirit and Breathe out your stress for 15 breaths.
April 4th Easter/Resurrection Sunday
Luke 24:1-12
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Easter Egg
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Easter somehow comes in spite of pain and mourning and death. What stone has been rolled away in your heart? How did God roll it away? How do you celebrate this freedom and release? Open the Easter Egg Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
“Don’t think of it as dust. Just think of it as the dirt and dust of far-off lands blowing over here and settling on “Pig-Pen!” It staggers the imagination! He may be carrying the soil that was trod upon by Solomon or Nebuchadnezzar or Genghis Khan!”
February 21st: Journeying Past Our Neighbors
Children Ideas: Make Cards (maybe belated valentines) for the kid’s actual neighbors, Prayer for the neighborhood: Look at local news articles and practice praying for local people in the stories, Ask children to share stories of Good Samaritans they have seen/knows, Talk about Mr. Rogers: Look for the helpers (gather helper news stories to share), Read Little Chicken making the bread.
February 28th Sustenance for the Journey
Children Ideas: Plant a Seed, talk about nourishment the seed needs, and talk about what we need spiritually to survive. Pack for a trip together (with pictures or a real suitcase or just talk through and make a list of what you need), Read The Carrot Seed or The Very Hungry Caterpillar
March 7th: The Possibility of Journeying Home
Children Ideas: Count 100 coins together and/or Hid a Coin and then find it. Play I Spy with My Little Eye: Talk about the importance of beings Seen. Read The Empty Chair, Read Where the Wild Things Are
March 14th Journeying with Ghosts
Children Ideas: Read a short version or act out a version of The Christmas Carol (3 ghosts + Ebenezer), Read But Not the Hippopotamus, Play Duck-Duck Goose/Talk about the importance of being included, Celebrate Communion Together: Talk about how the invisible church and we are celebrating with all of the saints that were and will be. Discuss Death/Funerals talk about why we mourn & celebrate both: Tell the Waterbugs & Dragonfly Story: https://www.archhospice.ca/dragonfly-story-
March 21st: Journeying to Redemption
Children Ideas: Talk about Erasure of Sins with a Chalkboard, Read The Runaway Bunny, Sing Zaccheus was a wee little man, Talk about hospitality brainstorm how to be hospitable, Act out the Zaccheus story
March 28th: Journeying to JerusalemChildren Ideas: Color Palms, have a Parade, Make Hosanna Posters: Ask Jesus to save us (brainstorm what we need saving from), Make a Palm cross, Tell the Warm Fuzzy Story (with props if you can find cotton balls and prickly plants): https://reenchantements.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/warm-fuzzy-tale.pdf talk about how the crowds could be for Jesus and then against him on Friday
Mandy Thursday:
Children Ideas: Celebrate Communion Together, Wash Each Other’s Feet, Read Bear Feels Sick or How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends, and Do Unto Otters
Good Friday
Children Ideas: Write sins out/Draw them and nail them to a cross, Read Alexander and the Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Holy Saturday
Talk about waiting, Read The Napping House, Waiting by Henke, Practice a breath prayer (breathing in and out slowly In: Jesus Christ out: loves me) for 12 breaths
Easter Sunday
Tell a short version of The Velveteen Rabbit, God Gave Us Easter, or a picture book of the Easter Story, Have an Alleluia Parade. Tell the Easter Joke: What did Jesus say when he came out of the Tomb? Ta-Da!!! Discuss why the joke is funny. Display a cross that had sins nailed into it empty of the nails: discuss,
Lord, it’s been quite a week: Elections and Infections and Insurrections. To say we are tired is an understatement. We are stuck, numb.
The prayers that fall from our lips are entreating. Please God make a way for us. Clearly we are lost, squabbling in the desert.
Please. Let us not freeze in this moment. Help us to do justice, and remind us the the doing will take a while and a lot of work. Help us go love mercy—not cheap forgiveness carelessly given, but the deep mercy given to marginalized communities who need the mercy of equity.
And the mercy given to the oppressors after the truth is told.
And Lord if these lessons are what we need to learn to walk humbly, where we do the needful work of God’s without quid pro quo or expectations of reward.
Let us not freeze up—as we have done in crises time and time before, set our hands and minds and feet to do the work. Encourage and en-courage us to try. To move forward inch by inch. Help us not to be alone in the work but to find others, partners in Christ’s service, who are inching with us we pray.
Remind us that God knows we can only see a dim reflection of ourselves, and that we only see in part and know in part. His knows this, and still tells us to do the work.
Sing us to sleep at night, grant us some Sabbath and sanctuary so we can nourished and empowered for the work we pray.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Feel free to use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy
With credit to Margaret Aymer Ogrt for her poignant call.
katyandtheword 