Author Archives: carolhprickett

Before the Manger: Advent with the People Who Lived It

This four week Advent sermon series explores the beloved characters of the nativity in the time before Jesus was born, when God’s extraordinary promises mingled with human worries and concerns. Whether they had months to ponder or minutes to decide, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi all found a way to trust in whatContinue reading “Before the Manger: Advent with the People Who Lived It”

That’s Wrong! A No-Practice Christmas Pageant

This pageant was designed for maximum flexibility–you can have multiple kids in the same role; you can incorporate costumes and props or not; you can invite the congregation to shout out the refrain of “that’s wrong” or just narrate it all yourself. However you use this pageant, I pray it resurrects for you the chaos andContinue reading “That’s Wrong! A No-Practice Christmas Pageant”

Call to Worship Cycle: Before the Manger

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Before the Manger: Advent With the People Who Lived It.” The bolded words are spoken by the congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “PrayerContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Before the Manger”

Confession Cycle: Before the Manger

These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Before the Manger: Advent With the People Who Lived It.” The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer byContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Before the Manger”

You’re Dreaming! A No-Practice Christmas Pageant

This pageant was designed for maximum flexibility–you can have multiple kids in the same role; you can incorporate costumes and props or not; you can teach the congregation the two refrains or just narrate it all yourself. However you use this pageant, I pray it resurrects for you the chaos and surprise of that firstContinue reading “You’re Dreaming! A No-Practice Christmas Pageant”

A Walk in the Dark: A Communion Liturgy

This communion liturgy was created to accompany the Advent sermon series “A Walk in the Dark.” The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”

A Walk in the Dark: Confessional Cycle

These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “A Walk in the Dark.” The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”

Send the Light: Affirmations of Faith

These affirmations were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Send the Light” and are excerpted or adapted from the confessional statements found in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions. The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, acknowledging their confessional source. Week 1: “SendContinue reading “Send the Light: Affirmations of Faith”

Send the Light: Confessional Cycle

These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Send the Light.” The bold text is spoken by the whole congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.” Week 1: “Send Hope” GodContinue reading “Send the Light: Confessional Cycle”

Let’s Party: A Tour through the Bible’s Best Celebrations

This six week sermon series offers a tour of some of the Bible’s best celebrations, some of which are very familiar, and others more obscure. Each scripture teaches us that God delights in our joy and desires our connection to each other. As the series progresses, your congregation can reclaim the spiritual practice of partying!Continue reading “Let’s Party: A Tour through the Bible’s Best Celebrations”

It’s the Little Things

Too often, small churches carry a sense of shame or inferiority to their larger neighbors. Yet throughout scripture, God values what is small. This four week stewardship sermon series encourages a “little flock” to continue in the small, humble, holy work that is uniquely theirs to do. It’s the Little Things Series Outline  Week 1: BreadContinue reading “It’s the Little Things”

It’s the Little Things: Confession Cycle

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the stewardship sermon series “It’s the Little Things.” You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.” Week 1: Bread Crumbs and Bravery God of lovingkindness, weContinue reading “It’s the Little Things: Confession Cycle”

Still With Us: The Easter Promises of Jesus

This six-week sermon series, following the Revised Common Lectionary for Year A, invites us to reflect on the promises that Jesus gave his disciples as he prepared for his death, resurrection, and ascension. We are still the recipients of these promises. This series is intended to comfort, encourage, and fortify your congregation to be Christ’s disciples today.