Liturgy

These are some samples I have written for different occasions. The offerings below may be used by any person or congregation if they wish; all I ask is that I am credited in the worship notes of the bulletin for in-person services and on any digital recordings.

Remembering (an Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Prayer)

God, you relished in your creation
when you promised humanity the gift of caring for the earth.
God, you remembered your creation
when you gave a rainbow as a sign of your commitment to all living creatures

God, you relished in your people
when you promised a family to be a blessing to all the nations
God, you remembered your people
when you gave them commandments to show love for you and neighbor

God, you relished in our hope
when you promised that the House of David would never fall
God, you remembered our hope
when you gave yourself as a baby born in a manger

God, we relish in all that you have done for us
when we promise to forgive others as you have forgiven us
God, we remember the hope of a new day today
when we seek justice, love, and mercy for all our neighbors

God, we relish in your gifts and we remember your promises. May we be ever faithful and trusting in your Hope, in your Peace, in your Joy, and in your Love.

Amen.

Lands End (an Easter prayer)

Lord, at the edge of the city you built the hill Golgotha,
It overlooks the city Jerusalem and the land of Canaan,
Its view just as beautiful as its own existence,
Its climb provided pleasure and exercise for child and sheep alike.

Lord, at the edge of the city you built the hill Golgotha,
We took for granted its placement in the land of milk and honey,
We took for granted its rocks, grass, and trees,
We took for granted that we could climb it carefree.

Lord, at the edge of the city you built the hill Golgotha,
Lord, on this hill you would be desecrated,
Lord, on this hill your blood would stain,
Lord, on this hill we would remember your pain.

Lord, at the edge of the city you built the hill Golgotha,
And when you created you called all things Good,
And when you died you called all things Clean,
And when you resurrected you called us all Reborn.

Lord, at the edge of the city you built the hill Golgotha,
May we remember your majesty in it even when we don’t want to look,
May we remember to care for it even when we don’t want to do the work,
May we remember to restore it just as you have restored us.

Amen.

As You Gather to Leave (A benediction and blessing)

As you gather to leave this place,
know that you are loved.

As you walk through those doors,
know that you are seen and heard.

As you step out into the world outside,
know that your story with us in this time mattered.

As you live your life this week,
know that you are touching the lives of those around you.

And should you never return through these doors,
know that you have impacted us for the better.

May God guide you, keep you safe, and offer you abundance.
May God clothe you in warmth and peace.
May God direct you to bless others as you have blessed each and everyone one of us.
May God direct others to be a blessing to you in times of need and of joy.

In the name of Abba, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Go in peace.

Amen.