The Christian Calendar on Alone

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Good Friday | Psalm 22 | Forsaken and Alone

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 22:

Reflection The television series Alone follows ten individuals who are left to fend for themselves and by themselves in the wilderness. Now, these aren’t everyday individuals plucked from Main St...

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Author

Robert Cardinal Sarah

Keywords

Just as when we were children, we were afraid to be alone in the dark and could only be assured by the presence of someone who loved us. Well this is exactly what happened on Holy Saturday, the voice ...

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God, we come with hesitant steps and

Author

Christine Sine

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 51:, Romans 8:9-17, 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, John 10:1-10, Job 15:31-32

God, we come with hesitant steps and uncertain motives to sweep out the corners where sin has accumulated, and uncover the ways we have strayed from Your truth. Expose the empty and barren places wher...

liturgy

Lord of yesterday, today, and tomorrow

Author

Richard Herman

Scripture

Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:8, Isaiah 44:6, Psalm 90:2, Malachi 3:6, Colossians 1:17, 2 Peter 3:8, Isaiah 41:4, Romans 11:36

Consider using the prayer of adoration by itself or as a prelude to the prayer of confession. Prayer of Adoration Lord of yesterday, today, and tomorrow: You alone rule the universe; setting time...

liturgy

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was

Author

Walter Russell Bowie

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was greeted by the crowd on Olivet with hallelujahs, but who in that same week was mocked as he went lonely to the Cross, forbid that our welcome to him should be in wo...

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The Race to the Top of the Ladder

Author

Heather Thompson Day

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 12:2, Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Galatians 1:10, Psalm 34:18

In today’s culture, it’s a race to the top of the ladder. According to Pew Research, millennials are the most educated generation. No one does comparison quite like millennials. We have apps for every...

liturgy

Father: Thank You for always being

Author

Richard Herman

Scripture

Psalm 34:14, Luke 15:20, Hebrews 4:14, Romans 6:4, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 25:4-5, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:13, James 1:5, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Habakkuk 3:2, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Father: Thank You for always being ready to welcome us and listen to us. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior: born like us, experiencing all that we experience yet sinless, who d...

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4 Lent Quotes to Start Your Sermons: Fresh Angles for Preaching

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

You may think of quotes as a great thing to add a little gravity, insight, or humor to your sermons. And they are! But have you considered Lent quotes as a jumping-off point for sermon ideas? We pick...

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How to Write a Great Call to Worship for Lent

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

So, you’re staring at your laptop screen. It’s later at night than you’d like to admit. The Word document is blank and that vertical bar is flashing, daring you to write the first word. You need to st...

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7 Christmas Sermon Quotes to Inspire Your Last-Minute Prep

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

'Twas just two days before Christmas and the reverend was stressing. There's a sermon to write and prayers of confessing... If that's you—we see you. You're definitely not alone, and...

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All Saints' Day Liturgy and Prayers: Two Options for Your Church

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

I wouldn’t be surprised if, as a Protestant pastor, you approach All Saints’ Day with a little unease. After all, because Protestant churches tend not to have a special class of canonized exemplars ...

liturgy

In the name of the Father and of the

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 25:6-9, Ezekiel 37:1-14 , Jonah 2:1-10, Luke 24:1-9, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Psalm 148:

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen! People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Pastor: ...

liturgy

Advent: Let in the Light

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 84:11-12, John 3:16-21, John 12:46, John 8:12, 1 Peter 2:9-11

This worship resource provides readings and prayers for lighting Advent candles over the course of Advent during your Sunday services, emphasizing the classic Advent candle symbols of hope, love, joy,...

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Longing for Home: Christmas Movie Cheer

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Christmas

Scripture

Luke 15:null

Getting in the Mood for Christmas Christmas movies do a variety of things: get us in the mood for the season, connect us with family, and entertain us. Alongside the stockings, fir tree, and nativity...

liturgy

Heavenly Father, thank you for a

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 10:1-2, Matthew 6:9-10, Acts 16:25-34, 2 Timothy 1:7-8, Nehemiah 2:17-18, Romans 12:2

Heavenly Father, thank you for a spiritual home For the legacy of those who have gone before us and welcomed us Lord Jesus, thank you for your church For the legacy of your word and witness across th...

liturgy

Crowned and Coming, Inspired by 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 1:46-55, Psalm 89:1-4, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 2 Samuel 7:16, Psalm 89:19-26

Eternal One, We wonder and marvel at your constancy You alone are steadfast Unwavering across the ages You, remembering, gathering a covenant people You, remembering, fulfilling your covenant promise...

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An Order of Worship for a Blue Christmas Service (aka a Longest Night Service)

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 11:1-5, Psalm 86:1, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 65:5

A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays. It’s often offered December 21, the longest night of the year. Some come because they are mourning the death of...

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Advent Wreath Prayers: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Advent

Scripture

Psalm 33:null, Psalm 4:null, Psalm 28:null, Psalm 36:null

Updated for Advent 2025 For those looking for an Advent wreath reading, these readings by TPW contributor Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia are a great place to start. Focused on the four themes of Advent, a...

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Author

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Keywords

Easter

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

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Author

John Chrysostom

Keywords

If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King, they would have been disconcerted at finding that they had taken the trouble to come such a long way for nothing. Consequently they would have neithe...

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Lamont Butler or Bubba Watson?

Author

Dave Peterson

Keywords

Scripture

1 Peter 1:3, Luke 24:1-12, Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-10, John 11:25-26, John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Is Easter a Lamont Butler kind of day or a Bubba Watson sort of day? On April 1, 2023, Lamont Butler buried the miracle buzzer-beater that advanced San Diego State to the NCAA national championship g...

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The Humanity of Jesus’ Birth

Author

Eugene H. Peterson

Keywords

Scripture

Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:23, Colossians 1:15-17, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8

By stating that Jesus is “born of woman”—this Mary (as both St. Matthew and St. Luke attest)—St. Paul insists that Jesus is most emphatically human, the “firstborn of all creation. That this Mary is a...

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The Anti-Gift League

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 6:19-21, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:10-11, Matthew 2:1-12, 1 Timothy 6:6-7, Luke 12:16-21

If you ever find yourself sympathizing with Charles Dickens’ character Ebenezer Scrooge regarding the commercialization of Christmas, you’re not alone—this has been a common complaint for quite some t...

Quote

Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Keywords

Self-denial means knowing only Christ, and no longer oneself. It means seeing only Christ, who goes ahead of us, and no longer the path that is too difficult for us… . Self-denial is saying only: He g...

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Author

J. F. Wilson

Keywords

Advent

Scripture

Luke 15:11-32, Psalm 136:1-3, Isaiah 9:2-7

Strange, this familiar Father of prodigals whose love, too much for one lifetime, wills that we shall share the feast of forgiveness and joy in the epilogue of eternity. Strange, this daily advent of ...

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Author

Søren Kierkegaard

Keywords

Only the one who descends into the underworld rescues the beloved.

liturgy

Standing Together: Pardon

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

John 17:21-23, Exodus 14:13-22, Lamentations 3:22-23, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 13:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 4:15-16

Nothing can stand against You Nothing No sin, no death No prejudice, no division Nothing can stand against our God You’re making us whole and holy in your mercy and grace Standing together in truth an...

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Author

James Bryan Smith

Keywords

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday Jesus entered into the kind of forsakenness and abandonment beyond anything any person could experience. He was not content to deal with our sin problem; his love extended into the wo...

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Author

Rainer Maria Rilke

Keywords

Amazed, bewildered, they are gathered around him, whose pondered resolution comes to rest, withdrawing him from all the ties that bound him--a stranger gliding by with thoughts unguessed. He feels tha...

Quote

Author

Oliver Cromwell-attributed

Keywords

None climbs so high as he who knows not whither he is going.

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