Advent
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Mary Advent “Wreath”
For the Advent season, we did a worship series focusing on Mary. Using the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55), we looked at the different roles Mary had in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ: Mother, Witness, Revolutionary, and Disciple. Each Sunday, the choir sang a different version of Ave Maria. The youth had an…
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At-Home Advent Ritual Set
During the pandemic, this Advent and Christmas season will be difficult for many as we are unable to gather together and participate in rituals that give us meaning. This Advent, Sam Lundquist, pastoral assistant, put together an at-home liturgy booklet that will align with Advent worship. We also made Advent candles and a Christmas ornament…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Advent, Refugees, & Immigration
These prayer stations focus on Advent focusing on Jesus as a refugee. There is opportunity to not only reflect on refugee stories, but support refugee/immigrants as well. Interactive Prayer Station #1: Treasure Materials: Markers, Copies of Treasure Chests Interactive Prayer Station #2: Symbol Materials: Scissors, Glue, Glitter, Felt, Fabric Pens, Ribbon Interactive Prayer Station #3:…
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Advent Candle Lighting
Here are two alternatives to lighting candles during advent that are interactive. Option One: Materials: Mirrors to cover the table, tea light candles, 5 pillar candles, long matches. Spell out the different letters of advent like hope, love, joy, and peace (or whatever words you desire). Invite those in the congregation to come up and…
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Advent Light Box
What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. (John 1.3-5) During advent season, usually we set up the advent wreath and each Sunday light the appropriate candle. As an alternative, I created a light box, where each…
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Advent V
The first Sunday of Advent, my church has interactive prayer stations, an opportunity to engage, reflect, and meditate on this period of expectation, waiting, and preparation for the birth of Christ. Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on centering our hearts on minds on the meaning of Christmas. The interactive prayer stations are…
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Nativity Story of the Drummer Boy
Instead of a typical Christmas sermon, I wanted to do something that wove in storytelling and singing. Rather than using scripture to tell the story of Mary and Joseph, the Animals, the Angel, the Shepherds, and the Wise Ones, I found poems from poets across the century. Inspired by the Pentatonix’s version of Drummer Boy,…
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Interactive Nativity Story
I am always looking for different ways to tell the Nativity story in an interactive and engaging way. This year, I came across this version of reading “The Ox and the Donkey” by Gunter Spang. I tweaked it a bit by changing the suggested hymns and how the story was divided. Below is my version: Gather…
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Installations, Ordinations, & Advent
Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3.9) For the past year, my church has been in a discernment process to change the call of me and my Head of Staff to co-pastors. Our installation service will be during the season of Advent, so I thought it was a great opportunity to reflect…
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Lent through the Eyes of Luke
1 Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used what the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us.3 Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a…
Still Waters 