Affirmation: Gospel (Second Helvetic Confession)

The Second Helvetic Confession is one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, composed in 1561 by Heinrich Bullinger, a Reformed minister serving in Zurich, Switzerland during the emergence of Swiss-German Reformed Protestantism. The following is excerpted from the longer confession.

Affirmation: Sanctification (Shorter Westminster Catechism

The Westminster Confession of Faith, one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, was developed between 1643 and 1649 to settle theological disputes between the English government and the Church of England. These questions come from the Shorter Catechism, designed by a prominent Cambridge mathematician for children to memorize and repeat. TheContinue reading “Affirmation: Sanctification (Shorter Westminster Catechism”

An Exam Week Prayer

Jesus, Rabbi, Teacher, we pray for disciples, learners of all kinds. We pray for those who study, write, create, experiment, research.  We pray for those who face an uncertain future.  Remind our students that they are  fearfully and wonderfully made, worthy in your eyes beyond any test score, diploma, achievement, or award. Give them strength and perseverance, discernment, guidance, and rest.  Help them to do the most beautiful that is in them, and to give the rest into your waiting hands.  We pray in your most holy name. Amen. 

Confession Cycle: Promises

These confessional prayers were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary 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 HolbrookContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Promises”

Call to Worship Cycle: Promises

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary 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. CarolContinue reading “Call to Worship Cycle: Promises”

Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary World

Following the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent Year C, this four week Advent sermon series encourages your congregation to celebrate the promises God has kept, and also to keep faith in the promises God has yet to fulfill. Living in between kept and unkept promises takes great trust, and developing that trust is the majorContinue reading “Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary World”

Affirmation: Jesus (Brief Statement of Faith)

The Brief Statement of Faith, one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, is the product of the two major branches of the Presbyterian church reuniting in 1983. The Brief Statement was designed for use in worship and employs modern language to express our storied faith. The below is an excerpt fromContinue reading “Affirmation: Jesus (Brief Statement of Faith)”

Confession Cycle: Where Our Treasure Is

These unison confessional prayers were created to accompany the stewardship sermon series Where Our Treasure Is. 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: “Worshipping God” Gracious Lord, we confessthat sometimes weContinue reading “Confession Cycle: Where Our Treasure Is”

Where Our Treasure Is

Money doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Money has a mission. This straightforward four-week stewardship sermon encourages the congregation to give to the vital mission and ministries God has laid our for the church. Note: This sermon series works best accompanied by a narrative budget, so you can give the congregation numbers for each area–how much moneyContinue reading “Where Our Treasure Is”

Affirmation: Holy Spirit (Westminster Confession)

The Westminster Confession of Faith, one of twelve statements of faith from our Book of Confessions, was developed between 1643 and 1649 to settle theological disputes between the English government and the Church of England. The confession below is adapted from the ninth chapter, “Of the Holy Spirit.”

Affirmation: Reconciliation (Confession of 1967)

Our affirmation of faith is excerpted 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. The following is adapted from the longer confession.