Author Archives: carolhprickett

Daring Dreams: Advent with the Prophet Isaiah

Following the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent Year A, this four week Advent sermon series encourages your congregation to dream of God’s future alongside the prophet Isaiah. Despite living in a time of war and crisis, Isaiah dreamed up worlds in which hope, peace, joy, and love held sway; worlds where predator and prey wereContinue reading “Daring Dreams: Advent with the Prophet Isaiah”

The Creed Tablescape

Since the Apostles’ Creed is so heady and often abstract, creating a tablescape of object prompts can help learners (especially young learners) connect with the material. Here are a few suggestions: God–a globe to represent God’s role as maker of heaven and earth. Jesus–a cross to remind us of Jesus’ distinguishing act for us. HolyContinue reading “The Creed Tablescape”

Confession Cycle: The Apostles’ Creed

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series The Apostles’ Creed: Ancient Words, Fresh Faith. 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: “God” Almighty God, forgive usfor howContinue reading “Confession Cycle: The Apostles’ Creed”

A Christmas Light Prayer, in April

Back in DecemberI put Christmas lights on my back porch. Solar-powered lights,with a panel to catch the sun. It took a lot of work,to coil the copper strands,make the pattern even. That night, I waited.But all was dark. What a shame, I thought,they’re broken.Oh well. They were cheap.I’ll throw them away. But I never took themContinue reading “A Christmas Light Prayer, in April”

Confession Cycle: Easter People

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series “Easter People.” 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: “Thomas” Creator God, you have instilled in us so many different giftsContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Easter People”

Call to Worship Cycle: Easter People

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the sermon series “Easter People.” 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: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.” Week 1: “Thomas” WeContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Easter People”

Easter People

This five-week sermon series, following the Revised Common Lectionary for Year C, invites us to spend time with some of the characters that pop up after the resurrection of Jesus. These “Easter people,” from the famous to the barely-mentioned, show us how ordinary people responded to Christ’s new life, and encourages us to imagine howContinue reading “Easter People”

Prayer of Confession for Advent 1C

This prayer was inspired by Luke 21:34-36: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert atContinue reading “Prayer of Confession for Advent 1C”

Call to Worship for Advent 1C

This call to worship is adapted from Jeremiah 33:14-15 and Luke 21:28, 30. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and heContinue reading “Call to Worship for Advent 1C”

Praying the Hymnal: Social Media Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany Micro-Devotionals

These brief devotionals are perfect for social media, featuring a single verse and question for reflection each day. The hymns featured mostly come from the PC(USA) Glory to God Hymnal. They begin on the first Sunday of Advent and end on Epiphany. With this editable Canva template, you can change out for favorite carols ofContinue reading “Praying the Hymnal: Social Media Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany Micro-Devotionals”

Confession Cycle: And With All Your Mind

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series “And With All Your Mind: A Series on Faith and Mental Health.” 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 GraciousContinue reading “Confession Cycle: And With All Your Mind”

Call to Worship Cycle: And With All Your Mind

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the sermon series “And With All Your Mind: A Series on Faith and Mental Health.” Each Call to Worship adapts different pieces of Psalm 42, an ancient poem that includes the full interweaving of depression, anxiety, faithfulness, and hope. The bolded words are spoken by theContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: And With All Your Mind”

And With All Your Mind: A Series on Faith and Mental Health

Caring for our minds is a spiritual practice. Yet many of us neglect mental health care as part of giving our whole selves to God. This sermon series is designed as an introduction to thinking of mental health as part of our lives of faith. Each week explores a different way mental health struggles can presentContinue reading “And With All Your Mind: A Series on Faith and Mental Health”

A Legacy of Faith: Reformation Lessons and Carols

This service of worship celebrates the long tradition of Christian faithfulness showcased in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions. Featuring excerpts from (almost) all the confessions, intermixed with hymns from each era, this service of statement and song lifts up both the steadfastness and transformation of God’s church. The service was created as the culmination forContinue reading “A Legacy of Faith: Reformation Lessons and Carols”

Legacy: Confession Cycle

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the stewardship sermon series Legacy. 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: “A Future Not Our Own” Merciful Lord,upon whom we build ourContinue reading “Legacy: Confession Cycle”