carolhprickett

Affirmation: God (The Scots Confession)

The Scots Confession is one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions. In 1560, Scotland declared itself a Protestant nation and set its clergy, including reformer John Knox, to the task of composing a confession of faith. This affirmation is the first of twenty-five chapters proclaiming their understanding of the faith.

Prayers of the People: Anniversary of 9/11

Lord, we lift our memories of the past to you this day. We know that the tragedies of history are too many to count, and too many for us to remember; yet we know that you hold it all in your heart, that no name is lost from your lips, no life slips from yourContinue reading “Prayers of the People: Anniversary of 9/11”

Communion Liturgy for a Baptismal Day

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper The Invitation It is appropriate that on a day when we have baptized two new daughters of God, we come together at this table, the family table of the Lord.

Thanksgiving Over the Water for Baptism

A prayer of thanksgiving, adapted from the PCUSA Book of Common Worship. Eternal and gracious God, we give you thanks: For the crashing waters of creation, calmed by your spirit soaring by. For the high waves of the Red Sea, a pathway from slavery to freedom. For the reedy banks of the River Jordan, where forContinue reading “Thanksgiving Over the Water for Baptism”

Communion Liturgy for Proper 14C

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3:)

Prayers of the People: Joy and Grief

Jesus Christ, Savior, Light of the world, we lift our prayers to you, confident that you hear us, weep with us, laugh with us, and stay always close by us.

Prayers of the People: Wounds

Holy God, holy Friend, another tough week. It is times like we remember that prayer is not merely our privilege but a necessity, that we need to reach out to you and be centered in your love and peace. Hold us gently as we pray, and speak to us in turn, that we may answerContinue reading “Prayers of the People: Wounds”

Two Hands and a Basin (A Maundy Thursday Poem)

John 13:1-5 Two hands and a basin and a towel at his waist against twenty-four feet that had followed him this far. Without his outer robe he looked frail, tired, old almost and they heard how his knees creaked as he bent towards each pair of feet sore and smelly calloused and hairy crackedContinue reading “Two Hands and a Basin (A Maundy Thursday Poem)”

Litany of the Imprisoned

This litany was co-written with the Rev. Laura Kelly for a course on Christian Ethics. The italicized portions are excerpted from Psalm 142. The plain text is excerpted from Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, written in 1963. The bold text is original.

A Baptism Blessing

To a Child of the Covenant: Remember that today you were baptized, made new, washed clean.

A Pastoral Prayer After a Global Tragedy

Holy God, we come before you like Hannah this morning, weary with weeping, yet faithful in kneeling before you,

Dramatic Monologue: James at the Transfiguration

This monologue imagines James’ experience of the Transfiguration as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. If your congregation is unfamiliar with first-person monologue preaching, it may help to introduce it as an imaginative exercise that helps us more more deeply into scripture. Take a pause before you begin the monologue, allowing a visible and audibleContinue reading “Dramatic Monologue: James at the Transfiguration”

You Are Loved

A Children’s Sermon for Baptism of the Lord Sunday.

An Advent Communion Liturgy

Invitation John the Baptist stood by a river in the wilderness, crying, “Come! Come and experience God’s grace.” Christ stands at a table in the upper room, crying, “Come! Come and experience God’s grace.”

Prayer of Adoration: We Sing Your Praises

Holy God, We sing your praises because you have carried us through the years, through storm and trial, through joy and celebration, through small sorrows and daily kindnesses. We remember that you were there, every step of the way. We sing your praises because you are here today, in this moment, in this place, whereContinue reading “Prayer of Adoration: We Sing Your Praises”

Prayer of Adoration: Welcomed Home

God of Grace, We give thanks today that we belong to you, that you welcome us home each time we come to your gates. We want to be your holy temple on this earth, building on the foundation you laid down for us in Christ. May your Spirit dwell among us here today as weContinue reading “Prayer of Adoration: Welcomed Home”

Prayer of Adoration: Sabbath Day

Holy God, To feel your presence is like rain falling on a parched land; it is like the warmth of the sun after too many days of rain. When you created the world, you set the Sabbath day aside for rest, calling your creation good. On this holy Sabbath day, we praise you that youContinue reading “Prayer of Adoration: Sabbath Day”

Prayer of Adoration: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer

God of All, You are Lord, we profess it: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer. You have knit us together and filled us with your spirit, and you see us as we are: your precious, broken, sinful children. Inviting us to participate in something bigger than ourselves, you have called women and men from the beginning of timeContinue reading “Prayer of Adoration: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer”

Prayer of Adoration: At Work in Our Lives

Nurturing God, You are the Planter of Every Good Seed, the Fount of Every Blessing, the Bread of Life, the Good Physician, the Good Shepherd. You work in every part of our lives, encouraging us to grow and flourish so that we may have the strength to work for good in the lives of others.Continue reading “Prayer of Adoration: At Work in Our Lives”

Prayer of Adoration: It Was You

Eternal God, We praise you today for all you have done. It was your Spirit that hovered over the waters at the dawning of creation, and your voice echoing through the darkness that brought forth light. It was your love that birthed humankind and placed them in a garden, and it was your hand thatContinue reading “Prayer of Adoration: It Was You”