News and Articles from the The Presbyterian Outlook
This liturgy has been crafted for Palm/Passion Sunday. You are welcome to use it in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use. Please credit Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 04_05_20 … [Read more...]
Lord, you came to the world healing, touching those considered dangerous, unsafe and unclean. You entered into suffering, never turning away from those in need of mercy. We think of you, your compassion and kindness, your stalwart love and your selfless courage, because we see these traits in those on the front lines, combating this pandemic. We see you in the bruised faces of nurses after hours and hours wearing facemasks and tending to the sick. We see you in the pain of parents unable to hug their own children for fear of infecting them after working shift after shift with contagious patients. We see you, tired, putting yourself at risk for the sake of strangers. We see you in gloves and gowns, not knowing when this scourge will end, but bringing healing, comfort and hope despite your own fears and fatigue. Lord God, bringer of wholeness, giver of peace, strengthen your servants who are putting themselves on the line, pouring themselves out, looking to the … [Read more...]
Jill Duffield reads the prayers of the people she crafted for this 5th Sunday in Lent. You are welcome to share this with your congregation or use it as part of your Sunday worship service. … [Read more...]
Over the last few weeks, our children’s worlds seem to have shrunk dramatically. While they were used to going from school to friends’ houses to sports practices or dance classes, now they’re limited to moving from the bedroom to the living room to the kitchen. Time outdoors is a welcome respite to confining hours indoors — and it is an opportunity to be reminded that God is with us. This activity helps children see God in the natural world and know that God is always close by. Start your time with your children by reading a piece of Scripture that celebrates creation. For younger children, you may want to choose the “classic” creation story (Genesis 1-2:4) since the text will likely be familiar. For older children, choose one of the psalms praising creation, such as Psalm 8 or Psalm 65. (You may even want to use a hymn instead of a reading. There are many wonderful renditions of “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “For the Beauty of the Earth” available online.) After … [Read more...]
Compassionate God, for many of us these days feel like an exile. We remember that your people have walked through exile of many different kinds. You walked with them, and you walk with us now. We pray for the senior class of 2020. May your grace be sufficient during these strange and chaotic days. We pray for students who did not realize that an ordinary school day just like any other might be their only closure to a lifetime of education when they waved goodbye to each other when the bell rang. Be and abide with the class of 2020. May they find a deep breath of peace and love when the air is thin. Be with them when their grief wells up and when they mourn the loss of experiences that might have been. As cancellations build up, sit with them in their grief: over prom, over sports, over awards nights, over graduation. Be and abide with our students, O God. May they love and be loved. Even in this unexpected “exile,” we hope that they might still be able to discover new … [Read more...]
Welcome One: Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today. All: Who is with us? One: Christ, the light of the world. (Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.) All: Who is with us? One: The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world. (Place a cross on a table in your gathering place.) All: Who is with us? One: The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the Scriptures. (Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.) All: Who is with us? One: The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God. (Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell - on a table in your gathering space.) All: Who is with us? One: Our risen Lord, who meets us at the table. (Place a symbol of communion – a plate and cup, a loaf of bread, grapes – on a table in your gathering space.) One: We are here, Holy Spirit, ready for your leading. God sightings and prayer … [Read more...]
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