Because Dirt is beautiful nurturing, rich, Smelling of life
Because God took dust Formed humanity and breathed, pneuma, life into it
Ashes
Because, God walks with us from the mountaintops to the sand on the beaches
God kneels with us in dirt, helping to ease the load and when we look at our hands and feet, worried about how dirty we are God sits with us in the grime
And then God kneels, and washes between our toes counting the grains of sand, the remnants of our work and days reminding us of the Abrahamic promise
Ashes, because we are mortal And nothing is forever, and it is good to remember Our time is limited
But enough
Created from dust–to dust we will return Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, Amen
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
To Support me as a Working Public Theologian Donate via Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe to send me a check email KatyandthWord at gmail receipts available upon request
Selah, God We confess We confess that we do not know what to say or to do in Light (get it) of the Transfiguration We would rather just sit and bask in it Or build a monument to it Or somehow or another Find a way to stay.
But then the cloud comes And gifts us with the relief the contrast the much needed less mind shattering shadows of shade Because when God is too much for us–God shades, Godself from us. Selah.
And reminds us that sometimes all we have to do Is sit still And be present And listen
And we think Maybe Perhaps We can go down the mountain after all (Especially if we aren’t doing it alone)
So here we go God Down the mountain Changed From human to human Shaded from God, by God Still not knowing what Selah means But feeling it in our very souls as we inhale the Holy Spirit and exhale the Holy Spirit Selah!
Feel free to use/share/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
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. This will be an instructional, small group (limit 10) and experiential workshop.
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 all but dissertation for her D. Min. in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She also writes personal prayers regularly at katyandtheword.com.
Themes: Disciples want to get close to Jesus, Jesus continually points the disciples to look outward Kneeling with Christ :When Jesus Comes Every Knee will bow, Because Christ will return as he came, Kneeling to Serve And we will Kneel to be Beside him The Promise of a New Kin-dom A World Beyond Capitalism, Breaking Capitalism
Breath Prayer Inhale: Resurrected Lord Exhale: Resurrect us Lord
Inhale: Christ is Risen Exhale: Christ is Risen Indeed
Call to Worship God has already rolled the stone away Come let us celebrate Christ is risen Christ is Risen indeed! Come let us praise the Resurrected Lord!
Call to Worship This is the day that the Lord has made The news feels overwhelming Come let us worship and serve the Lord! Come let us worship and serve the Lord!
Call to Confession: There is nothing too big for God, come let us confess ourselves to the Divine.
Prayer of Confession: God we confess that there is too much to take in. We confess that at times feel alarmed, and like we cannot find Jesus. Help us when we are overwhelmed with the news. Allow us time to take it in we pray. (Silent Prayer) Amen.
Prayer of Confession: God, we confess that we are not alway able to hear the news of resurrection and be your people. Help us to make the changes we need to be an Easter people we pray (Silent Prayer) Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Hear the news, the stone has already been rolled away, the resurrection has already occurred, so we know the Good News, In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Jesus Christ, we are your people, loved, forgiven, redeemed. May we remember and hold it in our hearts no matter where we go. May we be your Easter people we pray. Amen.
Hymn Suggestions: Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine, Live Into Hope.
Taize Option: Bless the Lord, Laudate Omens Gentes,
Children’s Activity: Play Hide and Seek Remind the Children they are always found by God (If the room is small play where’s Waldo with small Jesus figures)
Children’s Book: God is Like by Rachel Held Evans or Jesus the Word by Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones, A very Abridged Velveteen Rabbit is always a good option as well.
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy $75 (you can decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail.com, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Supplies: Purple Cloth, Candles, Nail for each participant, Hammer, A cross you can Nail the Nails into, Old Palms
(Make certain each person has a nail upon entry–each interlude can have music between readings or be silent Suggested Music: Were You There When You Crucified My Lord or Jesus, Remember Me When you Come Into Your Kingdom )
16Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort.17And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. -Mark 15:16-19
Lay Purple Cloth on the Cross
20After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.-Mark 15:20
Collect Nails from Everyone
21They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. Mark 15:21-24
Nail the Nails to a Cross
25It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.29Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.-Mark 15:25-32
Place Dried Up Palms by the Cross
33When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” 36And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Mark 15:33-39
eel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation forEntire Liturgy $75 (you can decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail.com, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Themes: Disciples want to get close to Jesus, Jesus continually points the disciples to look outward Kneeling with Christ :When Jesus Comes Every Knee will bow, Because Christ will return as he came, Kneeling to Serve And we will Kneel to be Beside him The Promise of a New Kin-dom A World Beyond Capitalism, Breaking Capitalism
March 28 Maundy Thurs: A brief Service of Companionship Mark 14:22-42 Words of Institution, Peter’s Denial foretold, Gethsemane Prayer Psalm 116:12-19
(Option to Ritually Wash Hands/Feet) Eat a Meal Together
Celebrate Communion Use the Words “Take; this is my body.” “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Sing a Hymn Together: Suggestions Version of “The Lord’s Prayer” Here O Lord We See You, Come Let us Eat, In the Singing
32They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” 35And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” Mark 14:26, 32-26
Music Interlude
37He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?38Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Mark 14:27-39
Music Interlude
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.” Mark 14:40
God bless us as we go, turn our singing into prayer Transform our walking into prayer Make it so that even the breath we breathe is a prayer with the Holy Spirit So that even as we sleep tonight We may feel the rhythms of prayer As we enter into this time of contemplation may we companion one another in prayer Amen.
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy $75 (you can decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail.com, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Communion Prayer: God you come to us in so many ways, in our gathering together in your name you promise to be particularly present. You promise to be present in the beginnings and endings of things—in transitions, when things are ephemeral and hard. And yet again, you promise to be particularly present in the bread and the cup, so that we might taste and see that you are good. Send your Holy Spirit to transform this meal into a feast of your blessing we pray. Amen.
Communion Prayer: Jesus Christ as we celebrate this time of coming together with one another, may you transform this communion into a prayer of reconciliation with one another and our community, so that we might learn how to pray as we eat, breathe and walk among the world. As we taste this bread and cup, let us remember that you sent your son Jesus Christ to live a human life and teach us how to live the life of embodied prayer, one where teaching, serving and loving can all be active ways of praying our way through life. May this communion that we celebrate be an act of prayer as well. Send your Holy Spirit to transform these elements into the embodiment of this communion with all those who have come before, all those who will come, and the entire church who is praying now and forever in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy$75 (you decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Easter Sunday: Prayer of the Resurrection: Good News and prayer have in common that there is still a mystery to them. Humans cannot fully grasp the whys and hows of God. We sometimes feel so overwhelmed that we would rather not even try. However, Jesus is both grace-filled and full of resurrection, giving us the opportunity to still be fully human, and still inviting us to spend time with God.
Breath Prayer: Inhale: Christ is Risen Exhale: Christ is Risen Indeed
Inhale: God is resurrected Exhale: We are a resurrection
Inhale: The tomb is empty Exhale: God can work with emptiness
Inhale: God is here Exhale: God teach me to pray
Call to Worship: Come let us go and see Jesus Christ Who has rolled the stone away The Good News Is here, Christ is Risen What if we need to pray on it awhile? Do not fear, the Good News will still be there waiting Come, let us pray on the Good News today, Christ is Risen!
Call to Confession: God is ready, even we are not, come let us confess ourselves to God.
Prayer of Confession: God we confess that sometimes we cannot take the news—be it good or bad. We confess that sometimes, some things, we need to pray on or about. Help us when we struggle. Give us what we need to process and share about those things we are uncertain about or cannot grasp we pray. (Silent Confession) Amen.
Prayer of Confession: God we confess that sometimes, even after all the instruction, encouragement and support, we do not know how to pray. We confess that this praying thing seems like a task or a to do list. We confess that we are uncertain should how often should we do it? Is it for holy days only? Who exactly are we praying to anyway? We confess feel like Mary and we want to run away. Remind us that that the Holy Spirit prays for us, when the only prayer we have is the air we breath. Help us to worry less about what we are praying about, and to instead try to sit and take in the Good News you have for us today. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God sees us and forgives us, let us proclaim the Easter Good News to one another today. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God let us go into the world assured of your resurrection and that we are your resurrection people, even on the days that we want to run away, or feel unable to talk to you. Let us remember that we have permission to walk, color, sing or breathe the Good News in whatever way we can that is affirming and life-giving, and teach us to share your Love in grace filled ways we pray. Amen.
Taize: All will be Well, In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy$75 (you decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Pray the Lord’s Prayer: Have Different People read different versions before you read it together
Lord’s Prayer, from the original Aramaic Translation by Neil Douglas- Klotz in Prayers of the Cosmos O Birther! Father- Mother of the Cosmos Focus your light within us – make it useful. Create your reign of unity now Through our fiery hearts and willing hands Help us love beyond our ideals and sprout acts of compassion for all creatures. Animate the earth within us: we then feel the Wisdom underneath supporting all. Untangle the knots within so that we can mend our hearts’ simple ties to each other. Don’t let surface things delude us, But free us from what holds us back from our true purpose. Out of you, the astonishing fire, Returning light and sound to the cosmos.
The Lord’s Prayer, from Aramaic into Old English Translation by G.J.R. Ouseley from The Gospel of the Holy Twelve Our Father-Mother Who art above and within: Hallowed be Thy Name in twofold Trinity. In Wisdom, Love and Equity Thy Kingdom come to all. Thy will be done, As in Heaven so in Earth. Give us day by day to partake of Thy holy Bread, and the fruit of the living Vine. As Thou dost forgive us our trespasses, so may we forgive others who trespass against us. Shew upon us Thy goodness, that to others we may shew the same. In the hour of temptation, deliver us from evil. Amen
Amun.
The ‘Pater Noster’ in Latin: Pater Noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum, Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes, who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration. May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest. Your Heavenly Domain approaches. Let Your will come true – in the universe just as on earth. Give us wisdom for our daily need, detach the fetters of faults that bind us, like we let go the guilt of others. Let us not be lost in superficial things, but let us be freed from that what keeps us from our true purpose. From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act, the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age. Sealed in trust, faith and truth, I confirm with my entire being.
The Prayer to Our Father (a version in Aramaic) Abwûn Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes, d’bwaschmâja who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration. Nethkâdasch schmach May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest. Têtê malkuthach. Your Heavenly Domain approaches. Nehwê tzevjânach aikâna d’bwaschmâja af b’arha. Let Your will come true – in the universe (all that vibrates) just as on earth (that is material and dense). Hawvlân lachma d’sûnkanân jaomâna. Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need, Waschboklân chaubên wachtahên aikâna daf chnân schwoken l’chaijabên. detach the fetters of faults that bind us, (karma) like we let go the guilt of others. Wela tachlân l’nesjuna Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations), ela patzân min bischa. but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose. Metol dilachie malkutha wahaila wateschbuchta l’ahlâm almîn. From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act, the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age. Amên. Sealed in trust, faith and truth. (I confirm with my entire being)
Matthew 6 : 9-13 The Message (MSG) Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
Matthew 6 : 9-13 God’ Word Translation (GW) Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us our daily bread today. Forgive us as we forgive others. Don’t allow us to be tempted. Instead, rescue us from the evil one, Amen.
Hi Dad by Silvia Purdie, 2013
Hi Dad, God we love you Hi Dad, you’re so great! We need you – give us food today We need you – help us to forgive We need you – keep us safe from harm We need you – you’re an awesome God!
Taize: Stay with Me, Jesus Remember Me When You Come into Your Kingdom (also an option for Good Friday)
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy$75 (you decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
Lent 6 Prayers of the People & Lament, Hosanna, Save me, Giving space for real sadness and deep lament for the pain that comes with living is a gift that God gives us so that we do not have to suffer lonely or unheard. When the children say “Hosanna” Save us, it is because our suffering deserves to be named. Imprecation prayer is a type of prayer that exists to name all of the injustices of the world and to call God forth to fix them.
Inhale: There is too much injustice Exhale: I will not stand for it
Inhale: God hear my anger Exhale: God let me be ok with being angry
Call to Worship: Let us come to God who comforts us God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega God is present, even when we feel abandoned Sometimes, we feel alone in the pit, God God be with us even when we yell at the empty air Come, let us lament together today.
Call to Confession: God hears us, God can take our anger. Let us confess our laments today.
Prayer of Confession: God we confess that anger and lament do not fit well into polite society. Too often they are used by bullies and power brokers, instead of expressions of true injustice and pain. We confess that Christianity does not leave much room for lament at church, we like to shuffle it off to certain times and places. Even though we have a Jesus who called out hypocrites, squelched storms and condemned fig trees—not to mention our favorite flipping tables story. Help us to find healthy ways to express and support lament we pray—in the name of our fully human and sometimes grumpy Jesus. (Silent Prayer) Amen.
Prayer of Confession: God, I confess that some days I am so full of emotion, I do not know how to express it. I feel like I am shouting into the void, trying to fix all the things that are wrong with my community, the universe and me. And then I confess, I feel ashamed, because I think that all of this: my feelings, the lack of perfection, the feeling of aloneness are thing to feel guilty over. Remind me that we are supposed to be building a community where these things can be safely expressed and held, and help us to find support on these days we pray. (Silent Confession) Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Jesus cries when we are crying, and walks with us in our anger and hurt. Jesus loves us in all of our emotions, thus we know the comforting Good News In Jesus Christ we are Forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, sendyour Holy Spirit to tend to us, so that when we feel overwhelmed by emotions, we might remember that you are here to walk with us, to cry with us, to lament with us, and sometimes just to sit with us. Help us when we feel like we are in the pit of the despair, to find the connection and community we need, each and every time. Amen.
Taize: My Soul finds Rest in God Alone
Prayer Activity: Option 1: Cry with those who cry, take a rock and meditate over those prayers you are lamenting, drop the rock into a bowl of water
*For information on imprecation see This Here Flesh by Cole Arther Riley’s chapter on Anger
Feel free to Email KatyandtheWord at Gmail for Text version for easy Copy/Paste Formatting Suggested Donation for Entire Liturgy$75 (you decide what is fair for portions) Receipt Available upon request Please give credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
Venmo @Katy-Stenta (last four 7841), Paypal @KatyStenta, Google Pay Katyandtheword at gmail, Cash App $bookkats GoFundMe
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