the christian calendar on Called by God

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Scripture

Genesis 18:1-33, Psalm 70:1, 4, Hebrews 4:16, John 15:13

Leader: Hasten, O God, to save me; People: come quickly, Lord, to help me. Psalm 70:1 Leader: may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; People: may those who long...

liturgy

God of grace, we look to your son,

Author

Austin D. Hill

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God of grace, we look to your son, today, who began his journey to the cross. As we trace his footsteps to Jerusalem, please give us your grace. For we know that we are called to follow Jesus, to carr...

liturgy

Heavenly Father – because we are Your creation, You have chosen

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Genesis 12:

Pastor: Heavenly Father – because we are Your creation, You have chosen not to abandon us to sin and death but to rescue us– and it cost the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we might live wit...

liturgy

If we say we have no sin, we deceive

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John 15:16 , John 1:12, John 3:1 , Psalm 51:10-12, John 15:16, 1 John 1:8-9

Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us fr...

liturgy

Lord of Hosts, We come before you today

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

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Scripture

Micah 7:18-19, Colossians 3:13, Matthew 5:44, Philippians 2:3, Romans 5:8

Lord of Hosts, We come before you today in a tone of solemnity. We recognize that while it was Judas who betrayed you for 30 pieces of silver, that we often betray you as well. We know what is right,...

liturgy

Accepting the Call

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Acts 1:1-11

ONE: Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; ALL: Come, Holy Spirit, Come ONE: Jesus said, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria...

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The Surprising Advent of the Trinity

Author

Bill Gaultiere

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Scripture

Isaiah 7:14, Mark 1:10-11, John 10:29, Matthew 12:32, John 6:44, Luke 24:49, Acts 16:7, John 3:8, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, John 17:22, Romans 8:11

Advent is a celebration of the coming of Christ — and the whole Trinity! I wonder if you’ve ever meditated on the Trinity? This has been one of the most important practices in my life. What a bles...

liturgy

Invocation for Easter

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Acts 2:29-40, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:8-9

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

Living God, Holy Inferno

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Isaiah 4:4, Exodus 3:1-15, Malachi 3:2-3, Acts 2:1-21, Exodus 13:21, John 1:4-5

Living God Holy Inferno Who revealed yourself as Burning Bush Pillar of Flame Dancing Tongues of Fire Illumine your children, so we may know your will Refine your children, till our souls burn to do...

liturgy

In the dark and quiet of this holy night, we

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Galatians 4:4, Isaiah 9:6-7

Pastor: In the dark and quiet of this holy night, we gather to worship in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: We celebrate that when the fullness of time...

blog

World Communion Sunday 2023

Author

William Rowley

Keywords

World Communion Sunday

Scripture

Ephesians 4:3-5

This post is from 2023. For our most up-to-date World Communion Sunday resources and updated content, visit our World Communion Sunday Worship Guide. Celebrating World Communion Sunday World C...

blog

A New Experience of Advent: Thoughts from the Founder's Desk

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Advent

Scripture

Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6

As I was trying to think of something to write for this weekly email, I began to wonder if living in this season of life actually prepares us to better experience the Advent season. We live in a time...

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The Time Between the Time

Author

Fleming Rutledge

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Scripture

Colossians 3:3-4

In a very real sense, the Christian community lives in Advent all the time. It can well be called the Time Between, because the people of God live in the time between the first coming of Christ, incog...

lectionary

Good Friday

Author

Jonathan Cornell

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Scripture

Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, Hebrews 5:7-9

Ancient Lens What Can We Learn From the Historical Context? Old and New Testaments Meet Hebrews is a rich tapestry of intricately woven theology that spans the Old and New Testaments. With Christ...

blog

After Easter: Take it a Day at a Time

Author

Dan Baumgartner

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Recovering from Holy Week Whew. I’m dragging just a little. It’s a few days after Easter. The season has been full of richness, but I’m a bit tired. I’ve written daily Lenten devotionals, newsletter...

liturgy

Lord Jesus Christ, at your birth the

Author

Chip Hardwick

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Scripture

Luke 2:13-14, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:8-20, Proverbs 16:18, John 12:43, Matthew 23:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Matthew 5:9, Luke 10:25-37, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:10, Luke 22:54-62, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 26:36-46, John 14:13-14

Lord Jesus Christ, at your birth the angels gave glory to God in the highest heaven, and offered peace on earth to all humankind. We struggle to follow the heavenly host. All too often we focus on giv...

liturgy

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

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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...

blog

Shall, An Advent Affirmation on Isaiah 40:3-5

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Advent

By Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com Prayer: Shall ONE: A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley sh...

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Easter Liturgy: Call to Worship, Confession, Communion Prayer, and Benediction

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Your Easter morning services should do two things: put on a rip-roaring celebration for the most joyful event in history and invite newcomers and Christmas-and-Easter attenders to join in, building a ...

liturgy

Jesus is the king like no other

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Matthew 21:, Mark 11:, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Jesus is the king like no other. He turned the world upside down by entering his kingdom on a donkey and turning a death for rebels and criminals into a symbol of life and redemption for the world. He...

blog

Preaching Lent 2026: Balancing Repentance and Grace

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Scripture

Psalm 51:, Psalm 121:, Romans 5:

Do you detect a little discomfort in your congregation when it comes to Lent? Maybe you feel it, too? We dedicate a whole season to repentance, confession, and spiritual disciplines like fasting, lead...

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

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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 ...

lectionary

Maundy Thursday

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Scripture

John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Philippians 2:3-11

"Maundy" What? Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin version of John 13:34: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are ...

blog

Pentecost for the Rest of Us

Author

Jack Levison

Keywords

Pentecost

Scripture

Acts 2:1-41

Set Aside the Balloons, the Plastic Doves, and the Chips and Salsa for a Moment... When I arrived at church on Pentecost Sunday a few years ago, I sat down in the pews and looked up to see red and ...

liturgy

Forgiveness and Renewal in Christ

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Scripture

Matthew 26:17-30, Psalm 124:8, Hebrews 9:12c, 15a, Psalm 111:9a

Pastor: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather on this Thursday of Holy Week, let us humbly draw near to the Lord to remember what He has done and to receive what He gives to us by His Word an...

liturgy

Now as you set out on your Lenten journey

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Pastor: Now as you set out on your Lenten journey, may the crosses of ash be a reminder that you are a people called to repentance, washed clean in the waters of baptism, and redeemed in the fire of...

liturgy

All Saints Remembrance

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Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:2-3

VOICE ONE To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Ch...

liturgy

Advent: Let in the Light

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