Prayer
-
Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent III
4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. (Luke 2.4-5) Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual…
-
A Sunday (47) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: In Honor of . . .
In worship today, my Head of Staff announced that I had finished my year as moderator of the Presbytery of San Francisco, which is why I may have a giddy look on my face. At first, I thought he was referring to the after glow of my trip to Disneyland last week. He pointed out…
-
Bridge Worship & Meetings through Prayer
Here is a prayer activity idea that can be easily incorporated in presbytery meetings or any church meeting. This will require lots of preparation on the organizer’s part so I would recommend planning way in advance. This is what I did at a presbytery meeting I was organizing. The Presbytery of San Francisco has 76…
-
Interactive Gift Ideas for Anniversaries, Ordinations and Installations
Many churches celebrate the anniversary of a pastor and are looking for interactive ways to commemorate the occasion. Also, as part of an ordination or installation of pastors, elders, deacons, you may want to give a gift that involves all the participants and worshippers. Here are three ideas that I did that can be adapted…
-
Interactive Way to Pray in Worship Part II
There are many ways to pray. Many use lighting candles as a way to mark or symbolize their prayer. Here is another option – weaving prayers on paper through a loom. Step One: Materials: 1 1/2″ or 2″ ribbon, glue dots (better than tape), scissors You can use a table or edge of the chancel…
-
Interactive Way to Pray in Worship
At a presbytery-wide worship service (In the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination, churches are geographically grouped into presbyteries), the theme of worship was around the concept of love. The Rabbi Judy Shanks from Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA, was the guest preacher. She preached a beautiful sermon that wove in verses from the song, Seasons of Love from…
-
A Sunday (37) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Blessings
For the past nine years I served at my church, I have counted my blessings, especially as they have changed and made space for me to pastor while being a mother. When my son was born, he was one of few babies born. It’s hard to believe eight years later, we have had 10 babies…
-
A PCUSA Open Letter to the Old regarding the Young from Someone in the Middle
Dear Old, First let me define what I mean by “old.” In some regards I am referring to age, considering an overwhelming majority of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination is . . . well, old. However, I am also referring to one’s longevity and history with this particular denomination as well – cradle Presbyterians, Presbyterians…
-
Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent II
1 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Luke 4.1) Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual and faith journey. There are many themes you could focus on. This particular one focuses on the word “journey.” Below are ideas for…
-
Interactive Prayer Stations on Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday provides a lot of wonderful images to explore the different names of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on our relationships with the different images of the Trinitarian God. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational. There are also stations designed for ages 2-4.…
Still Waters 