Too often, stewardship campaigns get bogged down in a need to “make this year’s budget.” This four week stewardship sermon series encourages us to take the long view of God’s mission instead, celebrating our chapter in the everlasting story of God’s vision for the church and the world. Legacy: Series Outline Week 1: A Future NotContinue reading “Legacy: Preparing for a Future Not Our Own”
Author Archives: carolhprickett
Grace Again
For wisdom from someone I discounted, and for cool breezes in August, and for the right song on the radio, and for the very existence of dancing, thank you, God. For laughter that dares to bubble through tears, and unclenched fists making room for someone’s hand in mine thank you, God. For kind words whenContinue reading “Grace Again”
Call to Worship Cycle: The Apostles’ Creed
These opening words for worship 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” Creator God, we believeContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: The Apostles’ Creed”
Confession Cycle: The Gifts of Faith
These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Epiphany sermon series “The Gifts of Faith.” 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: “Gift Exchange” HolyContinue reading “Confession Cycle: The Gifts of Faith”
Call to Worship Cycle: The Gifts of Faith
These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Epiphany sermon series “The Gifts of Faith.” 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: “TheContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: The Gifts of Faith”
The Gifts of Faith
Following on the heels of Christmas, this sermon series offers us a chance to open up the presents that our faith gives us–some we love, some that confuse us, and some we might never have put on our wish list! Following the Revised Common Lectionary for Epiphany Year C, this nine-week sermon series highlights theContinue reading “The Gifts of Faith”
Confession Cycle: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Spiritual Wisdom from Fred Rogers.” 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: “Won’tContinue reading “Confession Cycle: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Call to Worship Cycle: Finding God in the Flames
These opening words for worship were created to accompany the sermon series “Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from the Bible.” 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 byContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Finding God in the Flames”
The Creed: Ancient Words, Fresh Faith
Christians have been proclaiming-and wrestling with-the language of the Apostles’ Creed since the second century. This seven-week sermon series breaks down each section of the creed and encourages us to see how it affects what we believe and how we live today. Week 1: “God”Scripture: Psalm 146 and Matthew 6:25-33To most confessional Christians these days,Continue reading “The Creed: Ancient Words, Fresh Faith”
Communion Liturgy: I Wonder as I Wander
This communion liturgy is set to I Wonder as I Wander, composed by John Jacob Niles based on a melody he heard sung by a young girl named Annie Morgan in the Appalachian region of North Carolina. The tune and lyrics are in the public domain. The italicized verse is verbatim from the original song,Continue reading “Communion Liturgy: I Wonder as I Wander”
An Unintended Prayer
I did not mean to pray I was only thinking about the softness of the rain and the warmth of this blanket and the mercy of the morning. I did not mean to pray. I was only thinking about my friend’s cousin and someone in the hospital and a few headlines from yesterday’s news. IContinue reading “An Unintended Prayer”
Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from the Bible
This six week sermon series offers a light-hearted tour of some of the great fire stories of the Bible. It would be particularly appropriate anchored to Pentecost Sunday, or paired with support for a camping ministry. From the burning bush to the breakfast on the beach, each story reveals a bit more of the live-givingContinue reading “Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from the Bible”
Confession Cycle: Finding God in the Flames
These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series “Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from the Bible.” 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: “Tongues of Fire” BlazingContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Finding God in the Flames”
Sabbath Communion Liturgy
Friends, Jesus invites us to this table. No need to set the table. No need to worry about the dishes. Just stop and sit a spell, and relax into the promises of Christ. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done this week, or what didn’t get finished. You are welcome here, and wanted here, and JesusContinue reading “Sabbath Communion Liturgy”
Confession Cycle: I Give Up (But in the Good Way)
These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “I Give Up (But in the Good Way): Lent After a Year of Sacrifices.” 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.”Continue reading “Confession Cycle: I Give Up (But in the Good Way)”
I Give Up (But in the Good Way)
Some years, it feel like Lent never really ends, and we’re all forced to make sacrifices of the things that bring us joy. After a year like that, this sermon series encourages your congregation to give up what hurts them instead, bringing them closer to God and God’s abundant life offered in Christ. The scripturesContinue reading “I Give Up (But in the Good Way)”
Call to Worship Cycle: I Give Up (But in the Good Way)
These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “I Give Up (But in the Good Way): Lent After a Year of Sacrifices.” 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 theContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: I Give Up (But in the Good Way)”
In Praise of the Thread
Holy God, when I am holding on by a thread, buffeted by gale winds, anxious and overwhelmed, teach me to praise the thread. Show me the thread is your gift, a connection of love and hope, delicate as your tender mercy, strong as your unquenchable grace. In the thread, may I know I am stillContinue reading “In Praise of the Thread”
A Prayer for the Empty Chairs (Thanksgiving in a Pandemic)
Eternal God, we come to you in prayer today over the empty chairs. We pray with longing for the friends and family who cannot come to the table today and while we give thanks for Zoom and text and phones it’s not the same as passing the rolls and hugging them tight. We pray withContinue reading “A Prayer for the Empty Chairs (Thanksgiving in a Pandemic)”
An Ode to the Pandemic Pastor
You never expected this. You never expected to be an epidemiologist, televangelist, crisis counselor, and innovation architect all rolled into one. Yet you’ve piled all those hats on your head, washed your hands and masked your face, and sallied forth into God’s hurting world. Well done, good and faithful servant. You never expected this. YouContinue reading “An Ode to the Pandemic Pastor”
Deep Well Worship 