Worship
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Healing (Mark 5)
“He responded, “Daughter, your faith has healed you; go in peace, healed from your disease.” (Mark 5.34) I’ve been experimenting with the layout of prayer stations from the usual format of previous services. We had been doing a series on the healing stories, so this particular worship focused on the healing story of two women: the…
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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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Interactive Prayer Stations on Creation & Community (Gen 2)
18 Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” (Genesis 2.15) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on the creation story and how we are created to be in community. Genesis 2 is God creating human (‘adam) and finding…
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Paper-Making and Jeremiah
11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29.11) Some dear friends of mine and I planned and led worship for Synod School in Storm Lake, IA. It’s a Presbyterian Church (USA) denominational conference.…
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Stackable Pews & Flexible Seating
Needless to say that any change made in a church is difficult, which is why it is understandable that the process to replace 100-year-old pews took five years. The decision to get new pews was a mixture of need, desire, and hope. Background The church I serve, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, is over 140 years…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Pentecost IV
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter & Doubt (Matt 28)
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28.17) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on Easter. You can view more photos here. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”) Interactive Prayer Station #1: Questioning & Call…
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Transfiguration
25 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will find them. (Matthew 16.25) These prayer stations on Transfiguration Sunday focused on this passage of loss. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational. There are also stations designed for kids. (For more specific instructions on…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Baptism & Epiphany
“11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2.11) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations merging Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord Sunday. You can view…
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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…
Still Waters 