Worship
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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 on Light (Genesis 9)
17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” (Genesis 9.17) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on God’s covenant with us. The prayer stations give an opportunity to reflect on our own sense of worth, action, and present…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Forgiveness (Matt 18)
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18.21-22) Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on that parable of the unforgiving servant. You can…
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Summer Worship Packets for Kids
During the summer, my church does not provide Sunday school programs for children. In the past, we have done the typical worship bags and have had varying interest in their use. I have also provided more guided activities, but often that feels like more work than having Sunday school programs. This summer, I’m experimenting with…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter
20 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. (John 20.1) Typically, the Sunday after Easter, my church sets up interactive prayer stations. After the hoopla of Easter service with trumpets and all the festivities, we center this…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Micah 6 & Stewardship
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8) For the past month, we have been focusing on stewardship and creating a new vision statement. For the past four Sundays, worshippers were invited to fill out the following, which said, “St. John’s is . . . Why we follow Jesus –…
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The Golden Calf and Letting Go
They gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come on! Make us gods who can lead us. As for this man Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don’t have a clue what has happened to him.” (Exodus 32.1) I’ve preached and led a few workshops that loosely encompass the theme of…
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Prayer Stations on Deuteronomy 6.5-9
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. 6 These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds. 7 Recite them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when…
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Interactive Parament & Stole Ideas
December 15, I was installed along with my colleague, John Anderson, as co-pastors. Leading up to the installation, I shared ideas of how to involve the community, neighborhood, and congregation in the installation worship. Here is the result of turning what was previously made during prayer stations into paraments and stoles for the installation. Communion…
Still Waters 