Liturgical Lights

  • We Cry for Help

    Just a few Sundays after Easter, Psalm 30 leads us into worship. I wrote this for the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways for another season on another day. Nevertheless, it would still fit well on Easter 3C. I’ve adapted it only slightly… Continue reading

    We Cry for Help
  • Transfiguration Communion

    After writing this liturgy this morning, I am more convinced than ever that we should never, ever celebrate the Transfiguration of Christ without communion. Doesn’t this ritual hit all of the high notes captured in the mystery of this story?… Continue reading

    Transfiguration Communion
  • Heavens Are Opened

    This Sunday marks one of my favorite liturgical celebrations where water is flung across the Sanctuary and we each remember our baptisms. It is the Baptism of Christ as we remember it told in Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. As our heavens are… Continue reading

    Heavens Are Opened
  • Litany for the Birth on Christmas

    It was raining all today and I was generally uninspired but sat my butt down in the chair and wrote the liturgy for Christmas Eve. Though I’m currently serving a congregation as an interim pastor, I was hired after I’d… Continue reading

    Litany for the Birth on Christmas
  • Advent and Christmas Candle Liturgies

    Today and yesterday, I’ve read some really beautiful liturgies from friends and colleagues preparing for Advent. Check out the beautiful liturgies written by my friends Teri and Martha. Advent is only three Sundays away. Three Sundays. And it was 77 degrees outside yesterday. I… Continue reading

    Advent and Christmas Candle Liturgies
  • The Hill of the Lord

    This Sunday is one of the days in our liturgical calendar when I would rather be sitting in the back of the Sanctuary quietly praying. But, I am called to preach. I’m called to guide myself and others through the holy… Continue reading

  • Prayers for Freedom

    This Sunday the Narrative Lectionary leads us into the words of Psalm 146 as we continue to focus on the Psalms offered by Working Preacher. There is another reading to pair this one in Luke 7:18-23 but I haven’t used these pairings for the past five weeks.… Continue reading

    Prayers for Freedom
  • Praying Toward Liberation

    This Sunday the Narrative Lectionary leads us into the words of Psalm 40:1-10 as we continue to focus on the Psalms offered by Working Preacher. There is another reading to pair this one in Luke 17:11-19 but it seems I can’t get excited about these alternate readings… Continue reading

    Praying Toward Liberation
  • An Altar in Prayer

    The Narrative Lectionary leads us to pray over the words of Psalm 27 on June 21, 2015. It happens that it’s Father’s Day but this is not a liturgical holiday. I got a lot of flack for this two months ago when I said… Continue reading

    An Altar in Prayer
  • Up to Our Necks

    This Sunday seems like a huge departure from last Sunday. We find ourselves in Psalm 69:1-16 as we continue to focus on the Psalms offered by Working Preacher. The Narrative Lectionary offers the the option to pair this reading with Matthew 7:7-11 but I’m skipping it… again.… Continue reading

    Up to Our Necks