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looking ahead: Advent

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Yeah, I know–it’s not even Halloween, so why is LiturgyLink jumping on the Christmas decoration bandwagon too??

Well, okay, the Advent Wreath bandwagon.

Because it takes time to get ready, of course!

So–what are you thinking for Advent this year? Will you do a series or  a theme, or just preach the lectionary? Perhaps focus on characters of the Christmas story, or preach the prophets, or spend the whole season in the first chapter of Luke, or organize worship around the genealogies, or your favorite Advent carols?

Will you sing Christmas carols during Advent? Why or why not?

What mood are you hoping to strike?

What visuals might come into play? Any rituals?

And, of course, the Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy…we have a few in the archives here, but we can always use more, so let’s write one together!

I know it’s cheesy, and I know I apply this in exactly zero other areas of my work and life, but seriously: when you plan ahead, it makes December so much less stressful. So what are you thinking?

brainstorming: Reformation and All Saints

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Pretty soon we come up on a set of Sundays that some of us celebrate while others of us go on with the usual ending-days-of-the-lectionary.

Some of us will be celebrating Reformation Sunday on October 28–commemorating the 95 theses and other catalysts of reformation in our church’s history. How might you be both remembering/celebrating and looking at how we are Reformed and always being reformed?

Some of us will be observing All Saints Sunday the following week. In some churches that involves reading out the names of those who’ve died in the past year, or other pieces here and there. How will you help us remember our place in the Communion of Saints, as well as the place of those who have gone on ahead?

And in the midst of all of this, many of us will also be contemplating Stewardship Commitment sunday(s). How are you inviting people to commitment? How will you dedicate their pledges, offerings, and commitment to sharing? Does stewardship commitment go beyond a monetary pledge, or is the fall season only for thinking about money? In either case, how will you invite, encourage, dedicate?

Leave your ideas in the comments, because together our efforts produce so much more than any of us alone!

brainstorming: incorporating children in worship leadership

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This week the gospel text includes one of those saying of Jesus about welcoming children. While we know that this is primarily a socio-political statement, we also know that it’s important to encourage children to worship with the community and to learn to take on various roles in worship–it’s good for them and for the rest of us too.

So…what are some ways you incorporate young people into the worship life of your congregation?

And what are some liturgical ideas for bringing up the importance of being led by young people? (to get your creative juices flowing, here’s a call to worship from contributor Stephanie Anthony.)

 

Looking Ahead: Summer Worship

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It’s only the beginning of May, but this means that summer is around the corner. WOW! Usually this means that life in the church slows down a bit, and worship often takes some different forms. Sometimes it means a special sermon series or even a very different structure for worship.

What are you thinking about for the summer? Do you have ideas to share to make worship more interesting and relevant through these quieter months? What about special liturgies that highlight the summer season? Share your thoughts, and let’s create together!

Looking Ahead: Pentecost

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I know, I know, Easter isn’t even over. But it’s time to start looking ahead to the next big day, especially as it presents some unique challenges!

Pentecost this year is May 27…Memorial Day Weekend. How might that affect your planning?

Many people celebrate confirmation on Pentecost–is that in your plan?

Here it’s also graduation weekend, which throws a wrench into anything we might want to do that involves families.

Not to mention the theme, decorating, and volunteer need potential!

Will you focus on wind? fire? languages? prophecy? preaching? conversion? baptism? a generic “holy spirit” idea? Some particular aspect of the story? the church’s-birthday?

What are you thinking about for this special day? How can we create worship that will help people experience the Holy, enter the story, and leave ready to be like Peter and the other apostles?

Ready, set, create!