Articles for Worship & Creative

Here are a few elements to a Christmas Eve service that just seem to work every year.

I do believe that full time worship ministry is indeed a worthy calling and vocation that requires preparation, education and skills. And yes, it is a real job. But what if opportunities were no longer available for you to lead worship vocationally?

I’d like to make a case, in whatever liturgical setting you lead, that you try to aim for at least three things as you lead in Advent. Here are three notes for Advent:

God came to nation which eagerly longed for his coming, prayed for his return, and placed all their hopes in his presence. Yet most of the nation missed the hour of his visitation. Is this simply history, or a Christmas parable for our day?

The lyrics and liturgy of Advent and Christmas need to catch all of us off guard with its beauty, its clarity, or the profound simplicity of its gospel message.

For the Christian, with both feet standing firmly in the good news of Jesus, there are possibilities for a true story of thanksgiving which we otherwise would never know. 

Stay in Christ. Stay in Christ. This is the way. Stay in Christ. We must be led by Love before we can lead with love. You are beloved.

While much could be said about the structure, style, and influence of the Book of Common Prayer, perhaps most important for Christians in the Reformed tradition is the language of its prayers.