The Christian Calendar on Silence

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This Constant Bickering

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Scripture

James 1:19, Proverbs 17:27-28, Matthew 5:9, Luke 10:38-42, James 1:17, Acts 20:35, 2 Chronicles 13:11

The monks at a remote monastery deep in the woods followed a rigid vow of silence. Their vow could only be broken once a year—on Christmas—by one monk. That monk could speak only one sentence. One Chr...

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Author

Epiphanius of Cyprus

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Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. God has died in the flesh and hell trem...

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Author

Frederick Buechner

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Advent

Scripture

Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1:78-79, John 1:5

In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to lis...

liturgy

Adapted from Psalm 32:1-7

Author

Dustin Ray

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Scripture

Psalm 32:1-7

Pastor: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. All: For when I...

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Digital Silent Retreat

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A Digital Silent Retreat This spiritual exercise is from Laura Murray, ordained pastor, spiritual director, and TPW contributor. Laura is sharing a "Digital Silent Retreat" with us. We en...

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When we allow darkness to overcome the

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Scripture

John 1:5, Ephesians 5:18, Isaiah 55:2, Luke 12:15, Ezekiel 36:26

When we allow darkness to overcome the light, forgive us, Lord. When we reduce Christmas to plastic and tinsel, have mercy on us, Father. When hardness of heart keeps us from seeing and hearing an...

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Something Strange is Happening

Author

Epiphanius of Cyprus

Keywords

Holy Saturday

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still becau...

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Jesus, cleanser of temples and

Author

Ann Siddall

Keywords

Lent

Jesus, cleanser of temples and souls, at this mid-point in the Lenten journey, look deep within our hearts and our lives, and clear away all that holds us back. May our minds, spirits and bodies ...

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We Need to Linger, a Call to Worship for Holy Week

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Before we get to Easter, we need to linger: in the vulnerability of the basin and the towel at the remembrance and promise of the table in the struggle and betrayal of the garden in the shadows and sh...

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Prayer of Adoration We sing Hosanna

Author

Richard Herman

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Scripture

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

Prayer of Adoration We sing Hosanna before You, Jesus – Blessed are You who come in the name of the Lord our God! Hosanna in the highest! You are the Healer of our wounds, our hurts and our broken h...

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We confess, O God, that the Christmas

Author

Chip Hardwick

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 26:30, Ephesians 4:31-32, John 15:11, Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 46:10, Colossians 3:17, Luke 2:13-14

We confess, O God, that the Christmas rush is typical of our efforts to live the Christian life. We pursue peace on earth, but we end up with frayed nerves and short tempers. We wish good will to all,...

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Prayer of Adoration Thine is the glory

Author

Richard Herman

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Prayer of Adoration Thine is the glory – risen conquering Son Endless is the victory, Thou over death have won. Jesus – You are amazing! You are wonderful! What we couldn’t do – You’ve done: Breaki...

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In this season of Advent, we celebrate

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 103:17, Zephaniah 3:14-17, 20

Pastor: In this season of Advent, we celebrate that Jesus has come, and that He promises to come again! When He comes, He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the ...

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A Social Media Fast

Author

Marlena Graves

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 30:15

So in the last three years, in order to reorient myself and head back onto the narrow way, I’ve given up social media and/or the internet for Lent. At first it’s agonizing. I’m like a caffeine or nico...

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Lord Jesus Christ, at your birth the

Author

Chip Hardwick

Keywords

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

Modern Ash Wednesday Service

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Ash Wednesday

Scripture

Psalm 51:, Genesis 3:19, Psalm 103:8-14, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17

A contemporary Ash Wednesday service integrating music and scripture with the imposition of ashes. Service Order Prelude People are encouraged to enter in silence. Lights are dim. As people ...

liturgy

Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross you let

Author

Chip Hardwick

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 26:26-28, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, John 6:35

Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross you let your body be broken and your blood be shed. So often when we celebrate this act in communion, we fail to respond to your love in ways that glorify you. Sometime...

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6 Palm Sunday Service Ideas: Processions and Interactive Liturgies

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and beginning Holy Week. Even less-liturgical churches often dip a toe into the liturgical waters, distributing palms...

liturgy

Lord Jesus Christ, you are loving and

Author

Chip Hardwick

Keywords

Scripture

Colossians 1:15-16, Luke 9:23-24, Romans 7:18-19, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 51:10

Lord Jesus Christ, you are loving and merciful. Forgive us for being so captivated by Christmas that we forget that you, the little baby in the manger, grew up as the Lord over all creation. It is som...

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

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

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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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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...

lectionary

Good Friday

Author

Jonathan Cornell

Keywords

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...

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Last Minute Liturgy | Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Asking for a "Friend"... You are ready for Holy Week. You are probably reading this because you're already thinking about next year— you're just that organized and put together...

liturgy

If we say we have no sin, we deceive

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

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

God's Mercy and Our Redemption

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 7:18-19, Isaiah 55:6-7, Romans 8:1-4, Psalm 32:1-5, John 3:16-17

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

Forgiveness and Renewal in Christ

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

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

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon for Lent

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 16:1-16

Pastor: God’s plans are indeed faithful and sure. In this Lenten season we have been focusing on God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah to transform their barren and lifeless situation into one overflow...

liturgy

Hasten, O God, to save me

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

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

Today is the First Sunday in the penitential season of Lent

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 91:1-2

Pastor: Today is the First Sunday in the penitential season of Lent. The color of season is purple, signifying sorrow and repentance. Therefore, it is fitting that as we are gathered here to hear Go...

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Mary at the Nativity

Author

Tania Runyan

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 1:32-33, Isaiah 9:6-7, Psalm 139:13-14, Luke 2:9, Matthew 2:11

The angel said there would be no end to his kingdom. So for three hundred days I carried rivers and cedars and mountains. Stars spilled in my belly when he turned. Now I can’t stop touching hi...

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