Words For Worship 2

Diane Zaerr Brenneman, Diane Brenneman

• Publisher: Herald Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780836194739
• eBook ISBN: 9780836197372
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

Dianne Zaerr Brenneman has assembled a dynamic collection of prayers, litanies, and other elements for worship throughout the church year. Contributors use fresh language and vivid images and give congregations the words to help give voice to their worship. Several extensive indices make quick work of finding pieces to fit a theme. An additional section features elements for morning and evening prayers, praying in public places, and for special times within regular worship, such as blessings, and dedications, commissioning, and laments. Sample services not often provided in other resources include the Longest Night, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Labor Day, and All Saints' Day. Lay worship leaders and pastors will find this volume invaluable for planning vibrant worship services.

Special Services

308 The Longest Night: Light in our darkness

Visuals: In various ways our sanctuaries in December will already reflect the themes of the Advent and Christmas season. For this service consider adding only these simple elements on the communion table, or on an additional table at the front of the sanctuary: One tall glass cylinder filled with water and a large floating candle. Surrounding this add several wide, clear glass bowls, filled with water. On the table, scatter additional small floating candles that will be used later in the service. Consider leaving the lighting in the sanctuary low, though bright enough to read bulletins and hymnals.

Words for meditation Psalm 28:1-2

Music for gathering

Consider simple, reflective instrumental music to set a contemplative tone.

Welcome

For those who dwell in the Northern Hemisphere the procla-mations of Advent and Christmas are heard when the days are short and the nights long. It is a poignant time of year to proclaim the coming of the Light that will not be overcome by any darkness. Tonight, on the longest night of the year, we remember this promise and we acknowledge the darkness of grief and loss in our lives that longs for this Light. Here we honor the presence of those for whom there may be sadness rather than “tidings of good cheer” as Christmas approaches. It is for ones such as these that the Christ child comes.

A call to worship

Center floating candle is lit during the reading.

L: We gather as day turns to memory

and night is drawn across the land.

P: You are the light of the world;

be a light in our darkness, O Christ.

L: The dark of night can seem pale

to one whose life is shrouded by sorrow.

P: You are the light of the world;

be a light in our darkness, O Christ.

L: Where do we go when our eyes cannot see you?

How can we sing when the light grows so dim?

P: You are the light of the world;

be a light in our darkness, O Christ.

L: Find us in the nighttime of grief,

illumine the pathways through our loss,

and guide us toward the dawn.

P: You are the light of the world;

be a light in our darkness, O Christ. Amen.

Hymns

(possibilities)

Come, thou long expected Jesus HWB 178

Comfort, comfort, O my people HWB 176

The Lord is my light STJ 97

Don’t be afraid STJ 105

Silent reflection

Unison prayer

(based on Job 38:19 and John 1:4)

Which is the way to the home of the light, O God?

When will we know the rising of joy?

You have set the patterns of the night and the day,

you are the life that is light to all people.

Come to us now, O God,

and to all who know where the darkness lives.

Come, and lead us to the home of the light. Amen.

Hymn

Our darkness is never darkness STJ 101

Stories of the light

Each passage is read slowly and meditatively, singing “Our dark-ness” (STJ101) twice after each silence.

The light of creation—Genesis 1:1-5

(silence, followed by “Our darkness”)

The light of the exodus—Exodus 13:17-22

(silence, followed by “Our darkness”)

The light of prophecy—Isaiah 25:6-9

(silence, followed by “Our darkness”)

The light of hope—Luke 1:46-55

(silence, followed by “Our darkness”)

Special music and/or liturgical dance

Consider an ensemble for “Nothing is lost on the breath of God” (STS 121).

A ritual of remembering

On this night we light candles to remember

those whom we have loved and lost.

We remember their faces and their voices.

We remember their names and offer them now

with our voices raised, or in the silent spaces of our hearts.

(allow names to be spoken aloud)

For these precious lives and the memories we carry

we give you thanks, O God.

On this night we light candles to remember

the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs,

the loss of health.

...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Gathering
• Praising
• Confessing and Reconciling
• Praying
• Responding
• Offering
• Sending
• The Christian Year
• Morning and evening
• Blessings
• Laments
• Dedications
• Commissioning and Releasing
• Special Services
• Index for Worship Use
• Topical Index
• Scripture Index
• Contributor Index
• The Editor