We are grateful to Cumberland
Presbyterian pastors who graciously shared the following worship ideas.
We hope that you find them helpful in the future as you plan for worship.
ADVENT/CHRISTMAS
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Occasion: Advent/Christmas
What I've Done: For a number of
years the church has placed a nativity under the Christmon tree in decorating
the sanctuary. This past year, I suggested that we try something a little
different. When the sanctuary was decorated, only the empty manger was
placed under the tree. Each of the Sundays during Advent, we added characters
to the creche. We added Baby Jesus in the Christmas Eve service and continued
to add figures until Epiphany, when the Wise Men appeared. This helped
to put the Wise Men into the story at the proper time and helped to educate
the entire congregation about the fact that Christmas is not over when
all of the packages and wrapping paper have been discarded. It also gave
us an excuse to keep the sanctuary decorated until Epiphany, instead of
trying to take it all down immediately.
Items Needed: A lighted stable
is nice, if you can find one. You will also need a set of nativity figurines.
One with as many characters as possible is helpful. You might not want
it to be too expensive or precious, since it will be used during children's
time and will be at a level where little hands can touch it.
Special
Comments: This is a good way to
help the children and adults to get a better picture of the Christmas story.
This also might give an excuse to use some of those Christmas songs during
Advent. For example, sing "Angels We Have Heard on High" after you place
the angels in the scene; sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" after you talk
about the stable being in that town; sing "While Shepherds Watched Their
Flocks by Night" after placing the shepherds into the scene; sing one of
the songs mentioning Mary after placing her into the scene. The adults
seemed to like this as much as the children did.
Submitted by: Chuck Brown
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What I've Done: During the Advent
season, I tell sermon-length stories to the children during the time normally
reserved for the children's sermon. Then, during the regular sermon time,
I do a brief 5-10 minute devotional on the passage for the day. Children
and adults both have enjoyed this over the last few years.
Items Needed: Good stories 15-20
minutes long
Submitted by: Mark Horner
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What I've Done: We've used a blending
of Advent texts and hymns and refrains centering on the O Antiphons of
the early church (These O Antiphons form the basis for the familiar Advent
hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.) The service builds on the
Advent longing for the Savior to appear, with the congregation joining
in the repeated cry, "O come."
Items Needed: You will need a resource
containing the O Antiphons, such as the Book of Common Worship, the
New
Handbook for the Christian Year, or the Supplemental Liturgical
Resource #7, The Liturgical Year. You will also need creativity
to blend the hymns, texts, and O Antiphons in a way that builds expectation
throughout the service.
Special Comments: This service
has become one of our "favorites" at Brookhaven. We usually have it a day
or two before Christmas Eve, and we are intentional about centering our
Christmas expectations on God's promised gift. The service also contains
periods of reflective silence, which is invaluable during the bustle of
the Christmas season.
Submitted by: John P. Leggett
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To begin Christmas Eve worship, we decided people needed some quiet time
to prepare for Communion and the Incarnation. We are all so harried and
hectic during the holiday season, and the church is often more a part of
the problem than we are an alternative to it.
Before the service, we set a simple manger/cradle
in the center aisle. (We use chairs instead of pews, so we can make our
aisle wider than most. Congregations with fixed seating can place the manger
as appropriate.) It is a simple manger with rough straw. Also before the
service, we place a strip of cloth (use various textures, whatever you
have on hand long enough to drape over the straw in the manger on the back
of each seat.
After words of welcome and announcements
and a brief quiet prelude, the worship leader invites the congregation
to sit quietly and spiritually prepare themselves for the coming of Christ.
Musicians play and/or sing quiet, contemplative music. The worship leader
invites members of the congregation to contemplate the mystery of Christ's
coming. When individual worshipers feel it appropriate, they are invited
to bring their cloth to line the manger, preparing a bed for the Christ
Child. When everyone has had time to place their cloth in the manger, the
service continues with the congregation praying the following prayer together:
"Here is a place for you, Lord Jesus. Just as our hands have made it ready,
so make our hearts ready to love and welcome you. Be born again, not in
a manger, but in our hearts. Make us your Bethlehem, a place where God
is personal and where all things and all people can be made new. Amen.
The service can then continue as appropriate
within local tradition.
Items Needed: Simple manger/cradle,
straw; fabric strips, appropriate music.
This idea comes from Cloth for the
Cradle: Worship Resources and readings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.
GIA
Publications, Chicago. Available from CPRC.
Special Comments: Be prepared for
this portion of the service to run as long or as short as it needs to.
Do not cut it unduly short and deny worshipers
the opportunity for some reflective time. But do not stretch it out beyond
its effectiveness, either. Alert musicians about the need for flexibility.
Submitted by: Bob Phelps
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INFANT
BAPTISM
Occasion: Infant
Baptism
What I've Done: When an infant
baptism is to happen in worship, I use the children's time to talk about
what baptism means.
I call the children up to the area where
we gather for children's time in worship. I ask someone to bring the baby
who is to be baptized up also. As I hold the baby in my arms, I say to
the children, "Something special is happening in worship today; something
special is happening to _________ (the baby's name). Does anyone know what
it is?"
The children reply that the baby is being
baptized.
Then I invite the children to gather around
the baptismal font; I talk with them about the meaning of baptism - marking
the baby as God's child and welcoming the baby into the church. Next I
ask them if they think the baby knows what's happening to him today. When
the children reply that the baby does not know, I ask, "If the baby doesn't
know what's happening today, and if it's such a special time, how will
the baby ever know about it?
The children quickly respond, "We'll have
to tell the baby."
I ask, "What will we tell him?"
Typical answers are "That you poured water
over his head. That he was welcomed into our family here. That he is a
child of God. That God loves him. That we're gonna help him learn about
Jesus."
And so it is, the children will help babies
remember their baptism. And so will the adults who were eavesdropping on
our conversation.
Items Needed: None
Special Comments: The pastor needs
to let the family know ahead of time how the children's time will be structured.
Submitted by: Frank D. Ward
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LENT/EASTER
Occasion: Lent
Observance
What I've Done: On the first Sunday
in Lent and each Sunday until Easter, worshipers were given a purple ribbon,
formed in the shape of a fish. Worshipers were encouraged to wear the ribbon
every day and to give it to the person who asked about the ribbon. The
following Sunday, another ribbon would be given to the person.
Items Needed: Purple, 1/4 inch
ribbon cut into 5 inch lengths, small safety pins
Special Comments: Response was
very good with most worshipers getting another ribbon weekly. Next year,
I will invest more funds and have the church named printed on the ribbon.
Submitted by: Paul V. Cook
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What I've Done: On the first Sunday
in Lent we place a live dogwood tree in the sanctuary. Each week members
of the congregation are asked to bring a symbol to place on the tree that
expresses something they believe or have experienced about Lent/East. We
designate a time of sharing during worship for this. This has provided
opportunity for the congregation to share their faith in, sometimes, very
powerful ways. It has added a depth to our services that I do not feel
could have happened from the pastor only.
The 11:00 worship service on Easter morning
is ended with the tree being taken outside, the congregation following.
The people circle the tree as it is planted on the grounds and the pastor
leads the congregation in a responsive benediction, followed by a charge
and blessing from the pastor. This reminds us of our involvement in Christ's
suffering and also expresses our belief in the newness of life that comes
with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Items Needed: Purchase of a dogwood
tree (be sure to place it in a container that will allow it to be watered).
The preliminary work needs to be done for the planting, with only the dirt
to be placed over it left for the service.
Special Comments: This may not
could be done with a larger congregation, but designated persons could
be asked to share each year. We have about 35-40 attending.
Submitted by: Fran Vickers
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What I've Done: On the premise
that washing of hands might be more practical, relevant, and meaningful
for our day than the washing of the feet, I planned a hand washing service
in conjunction with the Maundy Thursday evening service.
In our church Communion is ordinarily
served at the Communion rail where communicants kneel to receive Communion.
Elders were stationed at a round table on which had been placed four bowls.
A large pitcher of warm aromatic water was placed in the middle of the
table and a stack of white hand towels was placed by each bowl. Communicants
came forward; their hands were washed by an elder. Then, communicants proceeded
to the Communion rail where they were served Communion . Prior to the serving
of the congregation, I washed the hands of the choir and the session.
Items Needed: Small glass bowls,
large pitcher, aromatic crystals, towels
Special Comments: Announcement
of this special service needs to be made in advance of the service.
A run-through with the session or those
involved will be helpful.
Submitted by: Jerry Headrick
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What I've Done: All ages worship
together even though it is geared for children. We do a liturgy of sorts
for this event. We also try to include the arts in the service (drama,
mime, music, instrumental, sign language, etc.). We also include a book
or story of some sort for the children who are invited to the front of
the sanctuary. The conclusion of the service is the flowering of the wooden
cross (which has been in the sanctuary during Lent, draped with a purple
cloth). Before the service, the cross is covered in chicken wire. At the
appropriate time, the congregation is invited to come forward and place
their flowers on the cross and then receive a pastoral blessing (families,
individuals, couples, etc.).
Items Needed: Wooden cross, chicken
wire, flowers (contributed by participants), a worship bulletin, and whatever
else the liturgy requires
Resources for designing celebrations include:
Flames of the Spirit by Ruth C.
Duck, Pilgrim Press [out of print]
Touch Holiness by Ruth C. Duck,
Pilgrim Press
Reaching for Rainbows by Ann Weems,
Westminster Press
These are available from CPRC.
Special Comments: This has been
a highlight of our Lenten journey; it is a time of organized chaos and
is wonderful. It truly reflects the excitement of the empty tomb on Easter
morning. It became a tradition after the first year because it is so beautiful.
After the service, we place the cross outside the church building to be
a witness to the resurrection for the community. Plenty of advance planning
needs to happen, particularly with the wooden cross during Lent. The congregation
needs to be prepared to bring flowers with them to worship on Easter morning.
The first year or two, we had extra flowers available just in case we ran
short, or people forgot. There is now no need for that because it is such
a strong tradition.
Submitted by: Pam Phillips-Burk
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What I've Done: I have used a series
of devotionals in the manner of those used for the lighting of Advent candles.
In this instance they are used the six Sundays of Lent in conjunction with
driving nails into a cross.
By Easter sunrise the nails are removed,
the cross shrouded in chicken wire, and flowers inserted to change it from
a symbol of death to a symbol of life. I invite the entire congregation
to join in inserting the flowers.
First Nail: Today is the first Sunday
in Lent. It is the season when we are reminded that Jesus died on a cross
for the forgiveness of our sins. So each Sunday in Lent we will pound a
nail into our cross and remember how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for
us.
This morning the first nail is used to
fasten the cross bar to the upright portion of the cross. When the Romans
crucified a man, he was forced to carry the cross bar from the place of
his trial to the place of crucifixion. After Jesus' trial, though, he was
so severely whipped that he was too weak to carry his cross all the way
to Calvary. It was as Isaiah had prophesied, "He was wounded for our sins...by
his stripes we are healed." So Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus'
cross that last part of the way. When the execution party finally arrived
at the hill that looked like a skull, the cross was hammered together and
made ready for the crucifixion.
Let us pray. O God, we are thankful that
Jesus was willing to die for our sins. In this season of Lent, help us
to rededicate ourselves to the one who suffered so much for us. Amen.
Second Nail: Today is the second Sunday
in Lent. Each Sunday in this season we are pounding a nail into our cross
and remembering how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for us.
This morning the second nail is used to
symbolize the nailing of Jesus' right foot to the cross. The condemned
man's feet were placed on a peg at the bottom of the cross and then fastened
in place. So the nail pierced the foot that had walked beside the Sea of
Galilee when Jesus called his disciples. That foot had slowed the day he
spied Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree. His foot had rested the time he delivered
the Sermon on the Mount. It had even taken him to the villages of the despised
Samaritans. Now that foot would be in pain as Jesus hung suspended between
his Father in heaven and those he had come to save on earth. It was as
Colossians tells us, "God forgave us our sins...by nailing them to the
cross."
Let us pray. Almighty God, we are glad
for all Jesus did for us. We are especially thankful that he showed us
the way we should live for him. Help us never to shut him out of our lives.
Amen.
Third Nail: Today is the third Sunday
in Lent. Each Sunday in this season we are pounding a nail into our cross
and remembering how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for us.
This morning the third nail is used to
symbolize the nailing of Jesus' left foot to the cross. A few days earlier
that foot had taken him to Jerusalem where he had cleansed the Temple and
made enemies of the Jewish leaders. It was one of the feet that had later
been anointed with expensive perfume in Bethany. That foot had been left
unwashed by the disciples at the Last Supper, so Jesus washed his disciples'
feet instead. Now, however, this foot was nailed to the cross which Jesus'
enemies hoped would rid them once and for all of the one who only wanted
to help them. It was as Romans reminds us, "God has shown us how much he
loves us-it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us!"
Let us pray. Almighty God, we are glad
for all Jesus did for us. We are especially thankful that he showed us
the way we should live for him. Help us never to shut him out of our lives.
Amen.
Fourth Nail: Today is the fourth Sunday
in Lent. Each Sunday in this season we are pounding a nail into our cross
and remembering how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for us.
This morning the fourth nail is used to
symbolize the nailing of Jesus' right hand to the cross. This was the hand
which had pointed to the scriptures that had prophesied his coming. It
was the hand that had touched the eyes of a blind man and restored his
sight. This hand had reached out to a little girl and raised her from the
dead. The woman taken in adultery had been rescued after Jesus wrote something
with his hand. Now it would be in pain because some could not accept this
offer to help them. It was as Romans tells us, "God offered Christ Jesus,
so that by his death he should become the means by which people's sins
are forgiven through their faith in him."
Let us pray. Eternal God, we are fortunate
Jesus was willing to live among us. We are fortunate he is willing to heal
the hurts of our lives. Help our lives of faith to show our gratefulness
to him. Amen.
Fifth Nail: Today is the fifth Sunday
in Lent. Each Sunday in this season we are pounding a nail into our cross
and remembering how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for us.
This morning the fifth nail is used to
symbolize the nailing of Jesus' left hand to the cross. Only a few hours
before, this hand had touched the bread and the wine which he had blessed
as a remembrance to him. This was a hand that had healed the ear of one
of his captors. Even while on the cross, he reached out to the thief hanging
beside him and the thief accepted his salvation. The nail in his hand caused
him pain, just as we still do today when we reject him. It was as Isaiah
had prophesied, "We despised him and rejected him; he endured suffering
and pain."
Let us pray. O Lord of our lives, we thank
you for the salvation you offer us through the sacrifice of your son. May
we never add to his pain by rejecting him. Instead, help us to make him
joyful by our obedience to his way of life. Amen.
Sixth Nail: Today is the sixth Sunday
in Lent. Each Sunday in this season we are pounding a nail into our cross
and remembering how that nail caused Jesus to suffer for us.
This morning the sixth nail is used to
hang a sign symbolically over Jesus' head, identifying him as the king
of the Jews. On Palm Sunday he had been acclaimed a conquering hero by
those who believed in him. On Good Friday he had been condemned to die
by those who couldn't accept him. Now as he hung on the cross, he was mourned
by those who loved him and mocked by those who rejected him. His pain was
relieved only by the knowledge that he had obeyed the God who had given
his only son to die for humanity. With his life finished, Jesus died to
save us from our sins. It was as Philippians says, "He walked the path
of obedience all the way...to his death on the cross." Because he was obedient,
he can be our king today if we will accept him.
Let us pray. God of all that is, we crown
you king of our lives. Let us live in such a way as to give you glory,
never in ways that bring sadness to you. Rule every moment of our lives,
we pray in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ our King. Amen.
Items Needed: Large cross in front
of the sanctuary with oversized spikes for nails and a mallet for pounding.
INRI sign is fastened by the last (Palm Sunday) nail.
Special Comments: The impact is
enhanced by having a person slowly strike the designated nail while the
devotional is read, stopping for the closing prayer.
Submitted by: Carroll R. Richards
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Occasion: Senior
Recognition
What I've Done: We notify the graduating
seniors ahead of time about this worship event. At the appropriate place
in worship, the seniors are invited to come forward. The pastor or leader
asks the appropriate questions to the parents/etc., to the congregation,
and to the graduates (see page 8.). The elders and deacons are invited
to come up and lay hands on the graduates as a prayer is prayed. Following
this is a litany (see below).
Blessing
for Those Graduating from High School
Today we celebrate those who are taking
another step in their life journey. Will the graduating seniors please
come forward?
Will the parents, supportive parents,
and grandparents of these young people please stand? In Christian love
you have nurtured your children. For some that meant baptism, for others
it meant other types of covenants and sacred promises. As the nurturing
adults of these young women and men, it was part of your calling to see
that those sacred promises were kept no matter their age.
To teach them the love of God,
To instruct them in the Christian faith,
and
To assist them to live lives obedient
to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You have attended to those promises. We
now ask you to covenant with this congregation for the ongoing support
of these young people in their faith journeys. Do you intend to routinely
lift your children in prayer? If so, answer, "I do and I ask God to
help and guide me."
Will the congregation please stand? (To
the congregation) Do you promise to support and encourage these parents
and support parents in the keeping of these promises and do you promise
to pray for these young people as they continue their faith journey? If
so, answer, "We will, with God's help."
(To the graduates) You have come to a
crossroads in your life. Do you promise to continue in your own personal
journey of faith:
To live among God's faithful people,
To hear God's Word and celebrate the sacrament
of Holy Communion,
To proclaim the good news of God in Christ
through word and deed,
To serve all people, following the example
of our Lord Jesus, and
To strive for justice and peace in all
the earth?
If so, answer, "I
do, and I ask God to help and guide me."
Will the elders and deacons come forward
for a time of prayer and laying on of hands? Prayer: "Dear God of creation,
we ask your blessing on these young people as they enter a new period in
their lives of faith. Bless them and grant them your gifts:
Graduation
Prayer
O Lord, our prayers today are simple.
Thank you for the excitement of this day, for the wonderful opportunities
to question, explore, and grow in your spirit.
O Lord, we give you thanks.
May the lives of our graduating seniors
- (name each one) - be filled with your strength as they embark upon a
new journey.
We pray for your presence in their lives,
O Lord.
Grant that their parents may feel your
presence as they let their children go.
We pray that they feel the gift of your
spirit, O Lord.
Thank you for our leaders, teachers, counselors,
and friends who helped us to listen to you and to keep your way.
O Lord, we thank you for the blessing
of family and friends.
Send forth your light and your truth that
they may guide us, this church, our nation, and the world, so that we can
see your image in another's face, hear the cry of one in the wilderness.
O Lord, who made us in your own image,
grant us the strength to do your will.
Keep our nation from violence and confusion;
and enable us in using our wealth, energy, and imagination in ways that
faithfully honor your Holy Name.
O Lord, guide and lead us from prejudice
to truth, and enable us in being just and merciful.
Assist us with your grace that we may
live out the promise of your call upon our lives.
We pray for faith, for hope, for love.
This we ask for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Items Needed: None except worship
bulletin and worksheet for liturgist/pastor/or whomever is leading.
Special Comments: This was the
first year that we did laying on of hands and it was extremely moving.
It connected their baptism with this milestone in their life (almost confirmation-like).
I did try to be careful with the wording for those who might not be from
a Cumberland Presbyterian tradition or those who may not have been baptized
as infants. All in all, it was great.
Submitted by: Pam Phillips-Burk
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What I've Done: At Faith Church
in Memphis, we had a "blended" service every Sunday, beginning in fall,
1999. This included contemporary music such as praise choruses, along with
other types of more modern music. A more informal atmosphere was created
(pulpit robe worn on special occasions such as Holy Communion, etc.) as
possible. The service also includes the elements with which the people
are more familiar: known hymns; creeds; offertory sentence; scripture reading;
sermon; etc.)
Items Needed: Lots of planning
and lead time to prepare the congregation. Persons willing to spend time
in planning and developing the worship outline (bulletin). New music and
a way to present it to the congregation (PowerPoint, bulletin inserts,
posters, etc.) A strong voice or two to lead the music; instrumentalists
and other instruments (e.g. guitar, etc.) Resources from CPRC as guides
for planning a blended worship service.
Special Comments: The purpose for
this type of worship is to meet needs and expectations of people who have
little or no familiarity with the church. It is to set aside the question
"what is it I must have in worship" to inquire "what can we do to help
others become part of the worshiping community?"
Submitted by: David Brown
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(This idea came from the book Blessings
and Rituals for the Journey of Life by Susan Langhauser, Abingdon Press.)
Items Needed: Plan on publicizing
the service well so that the children have plenty of time to complete their
school shopping and bring the lunchboxes, backpacks, gym bags, etc. to
the worship service that day.
Special Comments: While I've not
done this, I'm excited about the first experience. Also, its's a wonderful
way to include children in worship. If you don't want to use the usual
children's time, it could certainly be included at the end of the worship
service at the time of response and dedication.
Submitted by: Pam Phillips-Burk
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What I've Done: Let the people
plan the worship service. I have a bulletin prepared with the prelude,
choral call to worship, invocation, and opening hymn; then it is blank
until the benediction. After the opening hymn, I explain to the people
that I usually plan the service of worship and pick out the hymns that
are used. Today we are going to do something different! You can see by
the bulletin that this service is different; you are going to do the worship
today. I have not prepared a sermon; it is to be your service. You can
lead a hymn, offer a prayer, give a testimony, but you have to do it yourself;
one person cannot volunteer for another person. There is usually a few
seconds of silence, and then I tell them that I have prepared myself for
an hour of silence if that is what they want. Then the people will name
a song that they want to sing. Some will offer a prayer. Always someone
has said that we need to take up an offering, etc. It is surprising how
much like our regular "printed" order of worship they do things.
Items Needed: A lot of courage
Special Comments: The pastor needs
to prepare himself/herself with prayer and be ready for an hour of silence
if that is what the people want.
Submitted by: Jack W. Ferguson,
Jr.
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What I've Done: It is tradition
and from a grief perspective appropriate to have the casket present during
the funeral service. This practice is especially critical to the grief
process when the death is sudden or of someone who died at an early age
or "before their time" whatever that means. When the funeral is for someone
who has lived a long, full life and or has been critically ill for a lengthy
time, I encourage the family to have a private burial during the day and
a "casket" memorial service at the church in the evening. Having such a
service in the evening is thoughtful of those desiring to attend and increases
the possibilities of having the choir present if desired.
When the death is forthcoming or expected,
I spend time helping the family gather symbolic family mementos that reflect
the true essence of their loved one. These articles will be placed on and
around the communion table for the funeral. For a 98-year-old woman, her
Bible was placed in her chair from Sunday School with her cane leaning
on one of the arms. For an army veteran, we gathered his medals, patches,
pictures and pieces of wood work from his shop. One woman made violins,
so the table was covered with tools from her shop and instruments in various
stages of construction. Pictures that reflect the different stages of their
life are always appropriate. At one service a family had the birth, baptism,
marriage, and military discharge certificates with time pictures.
When possible, I always read from the
Bible of the deceased and make reference to passages they have marked throughout
their spiritual journey. At the conclusion of the service, the family receives
friends and guests at the front of the church near the articles of remembrance.
During the benediction, a large picture of the deceased is projected onto
the two screens and remains until all have left the church. As a finishing
touch, we always put the name of the deceased on our church marquee, marking
their date of birth and death, on the day of the funeral.
Submitted by: Rick Owen
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What I've Done: This annual service
is for the family of a church member who has died the previous year. We
put a notice in the newsletter a couple of weeks before about this upcoming
worship emphasis. We contact the family the week before to see if someone
will light a candle that will be provided in worship on that day. If the
family is unable to be there or does not wish to light the candle (for
some it is too emotional), then the pastor or liturgist lights the candle.
A fall floral arrangement is made including the appropriate number of white
candles. During the prelude the family members come forward to light the
candle in memory of their loved one. Following the lighting of the candles,
there is a prayer of thanksgiving and choral response. This is a meaningful
service and one that our congregation has grown to appreciate.
Items Needed: Floral arrangement
with white candles. Worship bulletin with prayer insert.
Special Comments: We found it important
to educate the congregation ahead of time about the meaning and significance
of this service. Unfortunately, some may inappropriately associate All
Saint's with Halloween. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to teach!
Submitted by: Pam Phillips-Burk
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What I've Done: It could probably
be argued that one of the biggest theological struggles for many people
in our denomination is the sacrament of baptism as celebrated with infants.
Many people in our congregations feel as though a person should have an
opportunity to be re-baptized once they have professed their faith and
joined the church for the first time. Many others and the Confession
of Faith (5.19) remind us that baptism is to be administered only once
to an individual as a sign of God's eternal grace.
In the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
of Rogersville, Alabama, where I am the pastor, we have confirmation/membership
classes that our young people participate in to prepare them for church
membership. One of our participants in this year's class had been baptized
as an infant, but now was ready to make a public profession of faith and
join the church. He wanted to be baptized like the other people his age
and take part in this very holy service.
I counseled with him and his parents about
the significance and importance of infant baptism, and then recommended
that when the other young people were baptized he would be given an opportunity
to remember his baptism.
While baptizing those who had never been
baptized, I explained to the congregation that this young man had been
baptized as an infant (and the theological significance of this occurrence).
I then had this individual kneel with those being baptized, and using the
baptism water I marked the sign of the cross on his forehead and said to
him, "Remember your baptism that was given to you in the name of the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
This made the service very special for
him and his family and helped him to better understand that the baptism
that was given to him as an infant was now complete, through his profession
of faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Special Comments: This is an opportunity
to educate the entire congregation on the gracious nature of God's love
through the sacrament of baptism. Sharing this wonderful gift from God
with infants is a statement that God loved us and chose us long before
we could even consider a response in faith. There is surely no better sign
that God's grace comes before any response by us, than through the celebration
of infant baptism.
Submitted by: Jody Hill
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What I've Done: On the Sunday evening
before Thanksgiving, I plan a 15-minute service (which is repeated 7 or
8 times depending on how many people sign-up for the service) where families
in the Church gather around a table for a brief service relating the family
(mother-father-children of all ages) to the kingdom of God and culminating
in the sacrament of Holy Communion. I feel that this service allows parents
and Church to teach that all are a part of the family of God and thus are
invited to the Lord's Table. While I have served the sacrament in different
ways, the most meaningful for me was to purchase plastic goblets and have
one at each place, filled with juice. After we break the bread and share
it, each one would be invited to eat and drink together, symbolic of the
unity of the Church. I invite the families of the Church to sign up (usually
two or three weeks prior to the event) for the time they will be present
at the service and I limit the number who attend at any given service to
the number of places at the table.
Items Needed: Communion bread and
juice, goblet for each person, table and chairs
Special Comments: Sign-up sheets
are necessary to keep the number no larger than can be accommodated at
the table being used.
Submitted by: Terry Maynard
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What I've Done: We have members
in our congregation who are Cuban, African American, Native American, Korean,
Japanese, German English, Camaronian, and Hispanic. Each one will prepare
a bread representing their country. This will be small portion of bread
and all of this bread will be cut into 1 inch squares and combined. This
will be the Communion bread used for Worldwide Communion Sunday. During
the service there will be a responsive reading in which the leader will
be reading in German, the congregation will have the English and the response
will be in English. The scripture will be read in Korean. The Lord's Prayer
will be given in Spanish. The offertory prayer will be given in Japanese.
The congregation and choir will sing two songs that come from Camaroon,
Africa. Assisting in the celebration of the Communion and the taking of
Communion will be some others from the different countries. Emphasis will
be upon showing that this is a worldwide faith and also to give emphasis
to the oneness of the faith.
Items Needed: People from other
countries and ethnic groups in order to carry out such a service.
Special Comments: The congregation
and people involved are already getting excited about this expression of
faith..
Submitted by: Don Nunn
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Occasion: Advent
Occasion: Advent
Prayer Service, preferably nearing Christmas Eve
Occasion: Christmas
Eve
Occasion: Lenten
Season
Occasion: Maundy
Thursday Holy Communion and Washing of the Hands Service
Occasion: Easter
Sunday (during the Sunday School time)
Occasion: Lent
OTHER
WORSHIP OCCASIONS
(This was adapted from the book Blessings
and Rituals for the Journey of Life by Susan Langhauser, Abingdon Press.)
Occasion:
A Blended Worship Service -
meaning the inclusion of traditional and contemporary worship elements.
It could possibly be a special day or days on the church calendar, on a
rotating basis (once a month), or more regularly.
Occasion:
Blessing of the Backpacks/Lunchboxes
What I've Done: At the time
of submission, Pam Phillips-Burk indicated she had not done this yet, but
was planning to do it this fall. The week before school begins during the
children's time in the worship service, children are invited to the front
of the church with their backpacks and lunchboxes. There is a discussion
about beginning school - excitement, fears, hopes, joys. We look at their
backpacks and lunchboxes. The following or something similar is said, "Today
our youngsters bring before God their backpacks, notebooks, and lunchboxes,
that these may be blessed and dedicated to the glory of God." A prayer
is prayed for the children and their new adventure.
Occasion:
Sunday Morning Worship
Occasion: Worship
and Funerals
Occasion: All
Saint's Day
Occasion: Remembrance
of baptism for young people who are making a public profession of faith
and who were baptized as infants
Occasion: Family
Thanksgiving Communion Service
Occasion: Worldwide
Communion Sunday
Occasion: Person(s)
in the church are moving to a different town or city and will not be able
to worship with us any longer.
What I've Done: I have made arrangements to mark their leaving with a special blessing during morning worship. I usually know enough about the person or family to construct a litany of blessing, giving thanks for the particular gifts of those leaving and asking for divine help during their transition.
If I don't know the persons well, I will ask other church members who do know them to help me identify the gifts that should be a part of the litany. A sample litany follows.
O Lord our God, whose Spirit is with us now and in unknown days ahead, hear our prayer for our sister as she begins a new life.
Lord, have mercy on (person's name).
Grant her a new family of faith, where she may sing your praises and hear your word. Help her find a caring community built on Jesus, grounded in your steadfast love.
Bless her, O Lord.
Grant her a new family of faith, where she may laugh and play, and share joys and sorrows. Surround her with accepting and loyal people.
Bless her, O Lord.
O God, who is not afraid of the dangers that assail us, walk through the lonesome valley with our friend. Hold her hand when she is afraid, give her strength when she is weary, listen when she prays and assure her that your grace is sufficient to sustain her.
Bless her, O Lord.
O God of all, we trust (person's name) to your care. Though we are saddened by her leaving, we rejoice that we still belong with her to the one body of Christ, held together in the unity of the Spirit. And we look forward to that day when all your children shall be gathered around your throne of everlasting mercy, world without end.
To God be the glory. Amen.
Those moving stand with the pastor and a few elders at the front of the sanctuary while the litany is prayed.
Following the service, those moving may
stand with the pastor at an exit in order to be personally blessed by members
of the congregation.
Special Comments: Those leaving should be asked if they want this service. The Sunday before the move is probably the most significant day for this. Also, clue extended family and church friends about this event so they can be sure to be present.
Submitted by: James W. Lively
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Occasion: Any
worship service in which the Psalter is appropriate.
What I've Done: Recent years have brought much renewal of interest in the use of the Psalter in worship. Since many of the Psalms were originally written to be sung, it is good to give worshipers an opportunity to sing the psalms.
Two helpful resources are: Sing Psalms: Singable Psalmodies for Worship. (Series A, B, and C; tied to the Revised Common Lectionary) by Arden W. Mead. Copyright by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Drive, Fenton, MO 63026, 1/800/325-9414.
This resource includes a Psalm for every Sunday. The Psalms are arranged for responsive reading and singing. Most of them are set to tunes from many traditional hymn books. Each Psalm is printed in a format which can be copied as an insert in a worship bulletin, or the Psalms are also on a computer disk so that they can be directly imported into a bulletin. Each tune gives a suggested tune to which the responses can be sung. In some cases, when the tunes might not be familiar, worship planners can use the metrical index of their hymnal to find an alternate tune. Most of them, though, are familiar.
Psalter for Christian Worship by Michael Morgan. Published by Witherspoon Press, Louisville, KY in partnership with the Office of Theology and Worship and Columbia Theological Seminary, 1999.
Michael Morgan has arranged all 150 Psalms to be sung as hymns. Each Psalm has been set to fit tunes listed in the index. Meters are also provided so that worship planners might select alternate tunes. Since many of the Psalms were originally set to be sung, and since Psalmody has long been an important part of Reformed liturgy and worship, this resource allows us to reclaim an important part of our biblical and theological heritage. These hymn settings may be used in place of one of the regular hymns in the liturgy, or they may be inserted where someone would more often read the Psalm.
Items Needed: One of the listed resources; advance notice to musicians.
Special Comments: Any one approach to using the Psalms liturgically will grow stale. Variety is important. You will probably not want to sing the Psalms every Sunday, but neither will you want to read them, responsively, in union, or by a single reader every Sunday. Vary your approach and see if the Psalms don't become a more vital part of your worship service.
Submitted by: Bob Phelps
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