A Deeper Well

This four-week stewardship sermon series is built around the theme “A Deeper Well.” It engages four scriptures with well/water imagery from both the Old and New Testament. Originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the series is designed to carry pastoral sensitivity for churches in times of economic uncertainty. It recognizes that giving money is aContinue reading “A Deeper Well”

A Deeper Well (Stewardship Sermon Series)

This four-week stewardship sermon series is built around the theme “A Deeper Well.” It engages four scriptures with well/water imagery from both the Old and New Testament. Originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the series is designed to carry pastoral sensitivity for churches in times of economic uncertainty. It recognizes that giving money is aContinue reading “A Deeper Well (Stewardship Sermon Series)”

Back to School Prayer (in a Pandemic)

Jesus, our friend, we are going back to school but not like we remember. We are full of feelings—mad, worried, scared, confused. We don’t know what will happen. We don’t know how to do this.   So remind us that you are with us every day, with us whether we are in a school buildingContinue reading “Back to School Prayer (in a Pandemic)”

Reflection Questions: Walking in the Storm

These reflection questions were created to accompany the sermon series Walking in the Storm: Spiritual Practices for a Resilient Faith. They could form the basis for a Sunday School class, a small group, or could simply be printed in the bulletin. You are welcome to use or adapt these reflection questions, with credit. When printingContinue reading “Reflection Questions: Walking in the Storm”

Call to Worship Cycle: Walking in the Storm

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the sermon series Walking in the Storm: Spiritual Practices for a Resilient 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: “Walking inContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Walking in the Storm”

Confession Cycle: Walking in the Storm

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the sermon series Walking in the Storm: Spiritual Practices for a Resilient 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: “Walking in theContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Walking in the Storm”

Walking in the Storm: Spiritual Practices for a Resilient Faith

This eight week sermon series explores basic Christian spiritual practices as ways of building up resiliency in times of crisis, chaos, uncertainty, and distress. Centering on the story of Peter walking on water, the series looks at body care, grief, forgiveness, anger, connection, grace, and gratitude. Week 1: “Walking in the Storm”Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33An introductoryContinue reading “Walking in the Storm: Spiritual Practices for a Resilient Faith”

A Prayer for Impossible Choices

God, we scream to you “we can’t do this!” All the pieces won’t fit, no matter how many times we run through the questions. Nothing is good. Nothing is what we want. We’re stuck between impossible choices, and we wonder what happened to the God through whom all things were supposed to be possible. “I’mContinue reading “A Prayer for Impossible Choices”

Breathe: A Prayer for Church Leaders on the Sunday after Easter

When Jesus returned to that dark and locked room where the disciples huddled in fear he demanded no apologies, no account of ministry tasks performed in his absence, no statistics of new disciples engaged, but simply spoke peace, and breathed his Spirit. As we sit in our locked rooms, or stream from empty sanctuaries,  giveContinue reading “Breathe: A Prayer for Church Leaders on the Sunday after Easter”

In the Wilderness (Ash Wednesday Prayer of Confession)

Lord God, we confess that we reject what is confusing, messy, disordered, unnerving.  We have no place in our life for ashes no time for wild places no patience for slow journeys.   Of our need for control, we repent.   Lead us where we do not want to go, and in the wilderness ofContinue reading “In the Wilderness (Ash Wednesday Prayer of Confession)”

Affirmation: Baptism (Second Helvetic Confession)

This Affirmation of Faith is adapted from the Second Helvetic Confession, composed in 1561 by Heinrich Bullinger, a Reformed minister serving in Zurich, Switzerland during the emergence of Swiss-German Reformed Protestantism. It is known for its particular focus on the life of the church.

Confession Cycle: Joy to the World

These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Joy to the World.” 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:Continue reading “Confession Cycle: Joy to the World”