I know it's late, but, hey, there's always next year.
I'd love suggestions, editorial comments, or downright nasty critiques.
I hope this finds you well.
Jonathan
Monday, June 1, 2009
Pentecost Liturgy
Click here for the Liturgy we co-created and experienced on Pentecost. It's listed as "A Liturgy for Pentecost (Sample)." Click there.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pentecost @ FPC Owensboro, Kentucky
A magnificent event embodying community-making, peace, and reconciliation around common tables where, with room for everyone, we risked being open to the wild and unruly dance of Spirit in whose presence we found ourselves alive again.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Confirmation Service
Whoo-hoo. I might actually be figuring out this blog thing.
Anyway, we just had our confirmation service and I wrote some liturgy for it. It might be helpful as a template for creating unique blessings for each on. It has names of the youth, but hopefully that will be helpful in understanding what is going on.
Invitation:
Look toward the east, O Jerusalem, O Shandon Presbyterian, and see the joy that is coming to you from God. Look, your children, your youth, your confirmands, are coming, after a year of study and service; they are coming, gathered from east and west, at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God, having been examined by the session, they are now ready and waiting, with tongues to profess their faith in God and Christ and be baptized in the waters of the Spirit. I invite the confirmands forward with their mentors and teachers. (adapted from Baruch 4:36-37).
Profession of Faith:
Confirmands, your teachers, mentors, pastors, and church family and friends, have been astounded at the gifts of the Holy Spirit that pour out from you, these gifts are a testament to your faith in God. With rejoicing, we stand here with you, as you proclaim your faith, to all gathered here.
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world? Do you? I do.
Who is Lord and Savior? Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciplines, obeying his Word and showing his love? I will with God’s help.
"Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" With this faith that leads you from sin, towards your savior Jesus Christ, come forward, kneeling as we call your name, that you might be baptized with the waters of the Spirit, and anointed a disciple of the Word.
Baptism and Anointing:
Leslie Michelle Leonard
Leslie do you desire to be baptized?
Leslie Michelle, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of creation, use Leslie’s creativity to show us new ways for understanding you. Help her to continue to turn over the tables of cliques and social boundaries that a jubilee of all the nations might come forth from the wave of her baptismal waters.
Nicholas Young Murray
Nick do you desire to be baptized?
Nicholas Young, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, you run through Nick, just as the waters of baptism have been poured over him. You have led him to a strong confident faith and his leadership is a gift you give. Help him to run to others as your servant and lead them to a stronger faith in you.
Aileena Nicole Roberts
Aileena do you desire to be baptized?
Aileena Nicole, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of Pentecost, You have brought Aileena, to this place and time. And with her comes a vision for your church and its people, a vision of wholeness, and community, in service, and loyal praise of you. As we the church become her family though baptism, help Aileena to continually show us your vision of true community.
Salomon Alexander Mayfield Smith
Salomon do you desire to be baptized?
Salomon Alexander Mayfield, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of Celebration, Saloman is your creation and holds your energy for the gift of life. He shares this joy in humble service to others, and tells your story loud and clear. Use Saloman to help us rejoice in you, and know you have created us unique and good.
(Following Youth have already been baptized)
Edgar Lee Alford
God of the Joy of Play, Your energy rings out through Eddie in song and movement. You are alive in him from his jumping, catching, and running, to his strumming of strings and clanging of cymbals. Yet, your Spirit finds rest in his thoughtful confidence. Be with Eddie, that his joy might always be in you, and help him to teach us how our joy might be complete.
Timothy Robb Alford
God of the Narrow Gate, Whether on the court, or field, or hiking trail, Robb’s footing is surely placed in You. He leads by humble example and has his eyes fixed upon you. Give Robb the strength to lead us on the road that is hard and leads to life.
Joseph Winston Arney
Christ-child in the temple, Rabbouni, Teacher, You have gifted Winston with knowledge beyond his years, knowledge which stands up to the Pharisees of our time, and is often coupled with the humor that allows us to approach our humanness with understanding. Help Winston, standing tall, to teach us about you, and continue to grow in knowledge of you.
Reid Anderson Carter
Lord who is our Rock, and our Fortress, You are Reid’s stronghold and guide, and in return her faith holds fast to you whom she knows well. Her courage and wisdom speak your name, and show forth in her passionate care for others. Be with Reid, that she might always know your love, and find your light to follow.
William Porcher DuBose IV
God of the Ten Commandments, and Lord of the Greatest of these, Your faithful servant Will has loved you will all his heart, soul, and might, and loved his neighbor as himself. As you commanded Moses to lead a people, and as you were with Moses, be with Will, that as he leads he might always be strengthened in your presence.
Lindsay Morgan Gibson
Jesus our Shepherd, who does his best to find the lost sheep. You have found Lindsay who also always does her best. Like you she also looks for the goodness in everyone and opens up her arms to them. Be with Lindsay as she does good work for you, and help her to continue to know the unique person who you created her to be.
Lauren Carolina Johnson
God of Job, and Jonah, God of the questioner, and of the different path, Your daughter Caroline is prophet who will keep your church reformed and ever reforming. In her journey, we pray that she will forever declare that it was you who laid the foundations of the earth, and its cornerstone in Christ.
Sarah Lindsey Jones
God who answers prayer, Sarah has knocked and the door has opened, she has sought and found, asked and received. She has put her faith in you, and looked to your Son as her guide. In turn you have led her in your way. Help Sarah to guide others through the example of her life.
Daniel Withers Lott
Alpha and Omega, You have known Daniel from the beginning to the end, and with him, you are found today translating your scriptures into a life lived in service for others. Daniel knows the great responsibility of being Christian and being the Church, help us to stand with him that we might show God’s love and will for the world.
James Vincent Masek
Mysterious and Omnipotent God, You have a believer in James. And in this believer we shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He is person of peace, and a fountain of joy. He is humble and wise with compassion to serve. Lord, let us smile with James, and know the goodness and harmony that you bring.
Kelly Elizabeth McCorkle
God of the Prophet, the Poet, and the Scribe, from the writer of Genesis to John in Revelation, you have spoken your truth through the written word. Your faithful, and loving, servant Kelly, pens your truth for a new generation, while lifting up the words of old. Carry her words that all might all might come know you, from the dry land called earth, to the new earth you have promised.
Peter Everett McWilliams
God of Creation, who day by day, numbered the stars, and counted out forty for flood, and famine, and wilderness. Your disciple Peter may someday unlock your secrets by calculating the fractals of our faith. Until then, keep this brilliant, and disciplined mind spinning as your planets whirl, and be with Peter as his thoughts settle into your will for him.
Hannah Judith Quackenbush
Lord of the Dance, who created a season for everything, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to heal, and a time to dance. You created Hannah for those times, to be with those who weep, and heal them into laughter, that they might join her to dance in praise of you. Be with Hannah as she faces every matter under heaven, and give her the graceful steps to follow you.
States Taylor Roberson
God of Grace, God of the apostle Paul, if we are to be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, States is one whose faith proclaims your peace. Through States’ life in obedience he encourages others to the joy of following your will. Be with States as he grows in knowledge of you, that we might learn though him how to be your peace in the world.
James DuBose Scott
God who is Wisdom, Happy are those whose delight is in the law of the LORD, They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. Lord, your servant James is one who delights in your law, and happy is he to follow it. Guide him that he might lead us to find your meaning in life each day.
Mary Elaine Slade
Sower Lord, You have taken a seed in Mimi and placed her in fertile soil, by abundant waters, she has in turn sprouted, her branches spreading out and turning toward you in faith. This faith is seen in her kindness in friendships, and love of you. Let us be strengthened by the ways in which Mimi’s faith grows, in our community.
Sarah Catherine Anne Steedman (“Sarah”)
God of Esther, who spoke her mind and whose wisdom, courage, and care saved a people, Your daughter Sarah, is also a faithful leader who serves your people with wisdom, and care. Let Sarah’s voice raise up in truth to power, and through it let your blessings flow forth to your people and your creation. Amen.
Closing Prayer: Let us pray,
God of the Faithful, We praise you, Your Spirit has poured out upon us, and Your Son has led your people of faith. You called the family of God in this church to fulfill their promises at baptism. We thank you Lord, for your gift of faith. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry, who keeps faith forever. Amen
(Adapted from Psalm 146:1-7)
Anyway, we just had our confirmation service and I wrote some liturgy for it. It might be helpful as a template for creating unique blessings for each on. It has names of the youth, but hopefully that will be helpful in understanding what is going on.
Invitation:
Look toward the east, O Jerusalem, O Shandon Presbyterian, and see the joy that is coming to you from God. Look, your children, your youth, your confirmands, are coming, after a year of study and service; they are coming, gathered from east and west, at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God, having been examined by the session, they are now ready and waiting, with tongues to profess their faith in God and Christ and be baptized in the waters of the Spirit. I invite the confirmands forward with their mentors and teachers. (adapted from Baruch 4:36-37).
Profession of Faith:
Confirmands, your teachers, mentors, pastors, and church family and friends, have been astounded at the gifts of the Holy Spirit that pour out from you, these gifts are a testament to your faith in God. With rejoicing, we stand here with you, as you proclaim your faith, to all gathered here.
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world? Do you? I do.
Who is Lord and Savior? Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciplines, obeying his Word and showing his love? I will with God’s help.
"Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" With this faith that leads you from sin, towards your savior Jesus Christ, come forward, kneeling as we call your name, that you might be baptized with the waters of the Spirit, and anointed a disciple of the Word.
Baptism and Anointing:
Leslie Michelle Leonard
Leslie do you desire to be baptized?
Leslie Michelle, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of creation, use Leslie’s creativity to show us new ways for understanding you. Help her to continue to turn over the tables of cliques and social boundaries that a jubilee of all the nations might come forth from the wave of her baptismal waters.
Nicholas Young Murray
Nick do you desire to be baptized?
Nicholas Young, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, you run through Nick, just as the waters of baptism have been poured over him. You have led him to a strong confident faith and his leadership is a gift you give. Help him to run to others as your servant and lead them to a stronger faith in you.
Aileena Nicole Roberts
Aileena do you desire to be baptized?
Aileena Nicole, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of Pentecost, You have brought Aileena, to this place and time. And with her comes a vision for your church and its people, a vision of wholeness, and community, in service, and loyal praise of you. As we the church become her family though baptism, help Aileena to continually show us your vision of true community.
Salomon Alexander Mayfield Smith
Salomon do you desire to be baptized?
Salomon Alexander Mayfield, child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God of Celebration, Saloman is your creation and holds your energy for the gift of life. He shares this joy in humble service to others, and tells your story loud and clear. Use Saloman to help us rejoice in you, and know you have created us unique and good.
(Following Youth have already been baptized)
Edgar Lee Alford
God of the Joy of Play, Your energy rings out through Eddie in song and movement. You are alive in him from his jumping, catching, and running, to his strumming of strings and clanging of cymbals. Yet, your Spirit finds rest in his thoughtful confidence. Be with Eddie, that his joy might always be in you, and help him to teach us how our joy might be complete.
Timothy Robb Alford
God of the Narrow Gate, Whether on the court, or field, or hiking trail, Robb’s footing is surely placed in You. He leads by humble example and has his eyes fixed upon you. Give Robb the strength to lead us on the road that is hard and leads to life.
Joseph Winston Arney
Christ-child in the temple, Rabbouni, Teacher, You have gifted Winston with knowledge beyond his years, knowledge which stands up to the Pharisees of our time, and is often coupled with the humor that allows us to approach our humanness with understanding. Help Winston, standing tall, to teach us about you, and continue to grow in knowledge of you.
Reid Anderson Carter
Lord who is our Rock, and our Fortress, You are Reid’s stronghold and guide, and in return her faith holds fast to you whom she knows well. Her courage and wisdom speak your name, and show forth in her passionate care for others. Be with Reid, that she might always know your love, and find your light to follow.
William Porcher DuBose IV
God of the Ten Commandments, and Lord of the Greatest of these, Your faithful servant Will has loved you will all his heart, soul, and might, and loved his neighbor as himself. As you commanded Moses to lead a people, and as you were with Moses, be with Will, that as he leads he might always be strengthened in your presence.
Lindsay Morgan Gibson
Jesus our Shepherd, who does his best to find the lost sheep. You have found Lindsay who also always does her best. Like you she also looks for the goodness in everyone and opens up her arms to them. Be with Lindsay as she does good work for you, and help her to continue to know the unique person who you created her to be.
Lauren Carolina Johnson
God of Job, and Jonah, God of the questioner, and of the different path, Your daughter Caroline is prophet who will keep your church reformed and ever reforming. In her journey, we pray that she will forever declare that it was you who laid the foundations of the earth, and its cornerstone in Christ.
Sarah Lindsey Jones
God who answers prayer, Sarah has knocked and the door has opened, she has sought and found, asked and received. She has put her faith in you, and looked to your Son as her guide. In turn you have led her in your way. Help Sarah to guide others through the example of her life.
Daniel Withers Lott
Alpha and Omega, You have known Daniel from the beginning to the end, and with him, you are found today translating your scriptures into a life lived in service for others. Daniel knows the great responsibility of being Christian and being the Church, help us to stand with him that we might show God’s love and will for the world.
James Vincent Masek
Mysterious and Omnipotent God, You have a believer in James. And in this believer we shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He is person of peace, and a fountain of joy. He is humble and wise with compassion to serve. Lord, let us smile with James, and know the goodness and harmony that you bring.
Kelly Elizabeth McCorkle
God of the Prophet, the Poet, and the Scribe, from the writer of Genesis to John in Revelation, you have spoken your truth through the written word. Your faithful, and loving, servant Kelly, pens your truth for a new generation, while lifting up the words of old. Carry her words that all might all might come know you, from the dry land called earth, to the new earth you have promised.
Peter Everett McWilliams
God of Creation, who day by day, numbered the stars, and counted out forty for flood, and famine, and wilderness. Your disciple Peter may someday unlock your secrets by calculating the fractals of our faith. Until then, keep this brilliant, and disciplined mind spinning as your planets whirl, and be with Peter as his thoughts settle into your will for him.
Hannah Judith Quackenbush
Lord of the Dance, who created a season for everything, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to heal, and a time to dance. You created Hannah for those times, to be with those who weep, and heal them into laughter, that they might join her to dance in praise of you. Be with Hannah as she faces every matter under heaven, and give her the graceful steps to follow you.
States Taylor Roberson
God of Grace, God of the apostle Paul, if we are to be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, States is one whose faith proclaims your peace. Through States’ life in obedience he encourages others to the joy of following your will. Be with States as he grows in knowledge of you, that we might learn though him how to be your peace in the world.
James DuBose Scott
God who is Wisdom, Happy are those whose delight is in the law of the LORD, They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. Lord, your servant James is one who delights in your law, and happy is he to follow it. Guide him that he might lead us to find your meaning in life each day.
Mary Elaine Slade
Sower Lord, You have taken a seed in Mimi and placed her in fertile soil, by abundant waters, she has in turn sprouted, her branches spreading out and turning toward you in faith. This faith is seen in her kindness in friendships, and love of you. Let us be strengthened by the ways in which Mimi’s faith grows, in our community.
Sarah Catherine Anne Steedman (“Sarah”)
God of Esther, who spoke her mind and whose wisdom, courage, and care saved a people, Your daughter Sarah, is also a faithful leader who serves your people with wisdom, and care. Let Sarah’s voice raise up in truth to power, and through it let your blessings flow forth to your people and your creation. Amen.
Closing Prayer: Let us pray,
God of the Faithful, We praise you, Your Spirit has poured out upon us, and Your Son has led your people of faith. You called the family of God in this church to fulfill their promises at baptism. We thank you Lord, for your gift of faith. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry, who keeps faith forever. Amen
(Adapted from Psalm 146:1-7)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Blessing a Child
Dear friends,
I'm trying to put together a liturgy of blessing for a child. She'll be about 9 months old when this happens -- down by the river, surrounded by family and friends of family in Virginia on the morning of her grandfather's birthday extravaganza . . . . The grandmother is still spitting-mad my church won't approve a baptism. This will be a piece of my next-best offer! I've grown quite fond of the child's mother, and I'm aiming for "exquisite" with the liturgy. Any suggestions? Helpful resources? Services you could send me? If so, I'd be grateful.
Hope y'all are well!
Grace and peace to you this Lent,
Carla
I'm trying to put together a liturgy of blessing for a child. She'll be about 9 months old when this happens -- down by the river, surrounded by family and friends of family in Virginia on the morning of her grandfather's birthday extravaganza . . . . The grandmother is still spitting-mad my church won't approve a baptism. This will be a piece of my next-best offer! I've grown quite fond of the child's mother, and I'm aiming for "exquisite" with the liturgy. Any suggestions? Helpful resources? Services you could send me? If so, I'd be grateful.
Hope y'all are well!
Grace and peace to you this Lent,
Carla
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Eucharistic Prayers for Lent
Hi friends. I've prepared a set of Eucharistic Prayers for Lent, Year B, using the same pattern I employed for Advent. I decided just to do the first five Sundays in Lent, thinking that people might want to use existing prayers (the BCW, e.g.) for Ash Wednesday and Passion / Palm Sunday. If you have time to look at these and offer feedback, I would be most grateful. And if you're in a position to use one or more of these during this Lenten season, please feel free ... and let me know how it goes. Grace and peace, David
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
January
My dear friends,
I apologize for being so inattentive to our work. As a few of you know, I was consumed with finishing a book* in November and December and thought of little else. Now I am in the process of picking up the pieces of the many things I dropped during that time - including our work!
Thank you to those who contributed texts. I had thought that we might actually critique one another's work somehow, but the blog format seems awkward for that. A friend has suggested that we use Google documents, but to tell the truth I looked at it once and chickened out. I wonder if Jonathan might have the courage to look at it and see if it will work for our purposes?
Speaking of Jonathan - he made a good suggestion that we begin to think of Lenten texts. If anyone is particularly drawn to a specific task, please do let us know. Perhaps we can begin a conversation about our interests.
In the meantime - even if we do not manage a round-robin of revisions on Advent texts, I will probably undertake that myself and be in touch with you. I am keen on including your work in Call to Worship in this next lectionary aids issue (Summer 2009). I would not, of course, publish your (edited) work without consulting with you first.
I had really hoped to have exerted more leadership in all of this. Please know that I haven't given up on you or on the project. Thank you for your patience with me - you are all dear to me, and I am grateful that you care about what we're up to.
More to come.
Grace and peace,
Kim
PS: I will get to see Katy in about ten days! I'll be at Shandon Pres. in Columbia, SC to preach and give some lectures. Can't wait to see you, Katy.
* The Worshiping Body: The Art of Leading Worship will appear in the Fall 2009 WJK catalog. I'm excited!
I apologize for being so inattentive to our work. As a few of you know, I was consumed with finishing a book* in November and December and thought of little else. Now I am in the process of picking up the pieces of the many things I dropped during that time - including our work!
Thank you to those who contributed texts. I had thought that we might actually critique one another's work somehow, but the blog format seems awkward for that. A friend has suggested that we use Google documents, but to tell the truth I looked at it once and chickened out. I wonder if Jonathan might have the courage to look at it and see if it will work for our purposes?
Speaking of Jonathan - he made a good suggestion that we begin to think of Lenten texts. If anyone is particularly drawn to a specific task, please do let us know. Perhaps we can begin a conversation about our interests.
In the meantime - even if we do not manage a round-robin of revisions on Advent texts, I will probably undertake that myself and be in touch with you. I am keen on including your work in Call to Worship in this next lectionary aids issue (Summer 2009). I would not, of course, publish your (edited) work without consulting with you first.
I had really hoped to have exerted more leadership in all of this. Please know that I haven't given up on you or on the project. Thank you for your patience with me - you are all dear to me, and I am grateful that you care about what we're up to.
More to come.
Grace and peace,
Kim
PS: I will get to see Katy in about ten days! I'll be at Shandon Pres. in Columbia, SC to preach and give some lectures. Can't wait to see you, Katy.
* The Worshiping Body: The Art of Leading Worship will appear in the Fall 2009 WJK catalog. I'm excited!
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