carolhprickett

Prayers of the People: Witness

God our creator,ruler of heaven and earth,you see us in our joy and our pain,our doubt and our faith,our confusion and despair,our longing and hope. You see us.

A Blessing for the Masks

Great Physician, Giver of All Life, may this mask I wear show your true face: a face of mercy and compassion a face that loves others above myself a face that protects the vulnerable and weak. As I wear this mask, save and protect me from danger that may come my way. As I wearContinue reading “A Blessing for the Masks”

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”

House Blessing for a Pandemic

Ever-present God, our rock and foundation, bless our homes.

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: Working for the Kingdom (Confession of 1967)

This affirmation of faith is adapted from the Confession of 1967, the first contemporary American creed. The Confession of 1967 draws heavily on the idea of reconciliation as it aims to address the role of the church in the modern world.

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”

Call to Worship Cycle: Joy to the World

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Joy to the World.” 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.” WeekContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Joy to the World”

Joy to the World!

Isaac Watts penned Joy to the World in 1719-although not as a Christmas carol. Three hundred years later, it has become synonymous with our Christmas celebrations. This four week Advent sermon series celebrates one of the most famous Christmas carols, pairing each verse with a grounding scripture. Take your congregation deeper into the rich theologyContinue reading “Joy to the World!”

Prepare Him Room: Advent Candlelighting Liturgies

These liturgies highlight the preparatory nature of Advent. They are paired with verses from Joy to the World. The pieces of the liturgy may be split as desired among readers.

Call to Worship Cycle: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the sermon series “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Spiritual Wisdom from Fred Rogers.” 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:Continue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Spiritual Wisdom from Fred Rogers

This four week sermon series lifts up the spiritual wisdom of Mr. Rogers, who was both a children’s television host and an ordained Presbyterian minister. Tackling tough topics like inclusion, self-doubt, and salvation, this series offers a deeper look at America’s favorite neighbor. Week 1: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 + 1 John 4:7-21 “WeContinue reading “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Spiritual Wisdom from Fred Rogers”

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Communion Liturgy

This Communion Liturgy was written to accompany the sermon series “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Spiritual Wisdom from Fred Rogers.”

Litany of Dedication: Entrusted

This responsive litany of dedication is appropriate to the blessing of financial pledges, offerings, or simply recommitting our energies to the church for a new year. It was created in concert with the sermon series Entrusted Treasures. God, you have trusted us to worship: we trust our gifts of money, skills, and presence to thisContinue reading “Litany of Dedication: Entrusted”

Entrusted Treasures

Loosely following a stretch of the Revised Common Lectionary for Year C, this four week stewardship sermon encourages us to think about the various treasures God has entrusted to us and empowers us to entrust our treasures to each other. Entrusted Treasures: Series Outline Week 1: Entrusted Treasures (2 Timothy 1:1-14)Introduce the sermon series with anContinue reading “Entrusted Treasures”

Confession Cycle: Entrusted Treasures

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the stewardship sermon series Entrusted Treasures 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: “Entrusted Treasures” Gracious God, forgive uswhen we discount the powerContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Entrusted Treasures”

Entrusted Treasures: Call to Worship Cycle

These Calls to Worship were created to serve alongside the stewardship sermon series, Entrusted Treasures

Affirmation: Providence (Heidelberg Catechism)

The Heidelberg Catechism was written in 1562 to reconcile different theological perspectives within various groups of the Reformation. It is written in question and answer form so that it can be memorized. The Heidelberg Catechism was brought to America by the pilgrims and remains influential for American faith. Below is an excerpt from 4.001.

Prayers of the People: An Expanded Lord’s Prayer

Each week, without fail, we pray as you taught us, your best, simple, most honest words. So we pray now, again and again, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Holy is your name, God. It’s holy when we don’t feel your presence.