Worship Ministries

The  Joint  Anglican-­‐‑Lutheran  Commission  has  designed  this  cycle  for  use  in  Canadian  Anglican  and  Lutheran  congregations  and  communities  in  Sunday  liturgies  throughout  the  year. For  each  Sunday  there  are  intentions  for  specific  dioceses/synods/groups  in  both The  Anglican  Church  of   Canada  and  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  in  Canada.   The ELCIC announcement reads, “The Prayer  cycles  can  be  overwhelming  and  ‘crowded’  pieces  of  liturgies.    Care  needs  to  be  exercised  in  setting  a  context  –  we  are  intentionally,  as  churches  in  ‘full  communion’,  holding  each  other  in  prayer  –   some  words  of  explanation  may  be  needed  to  set  this  cycle  of  prayer  in  context.”

For introductory words and the prayer cycle, download here Anglican-Lutheran Prayer Cycle 2012 – 2013

LC† Walking in Darkness/Watching for Light in Advent begins December 2, offering images, reflections, music, scriptures and prayers that express both walking in stillness-seeking darkness, and watching for the hope of new life. These offerings will include a video or an image or a story from youth and campus ministries around the world. From colleges, to 24-7 new monastic communities, to faith-led social justice initiatives – we want to share with you short profiles of youth and students who are seeking ways to bring light into the world. Lutherans Connect facebook page reads,

“Taking a cue from Isaiah 9, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, our Advent project will explore how we prepare our hearts to be ready for the hope that comes with the light that is Jesus. Although darkness is not how we imagine Advent, we know that darkness often surrounds us as we enter this time. We are carrying the weight of the year with us, its disappointments and unexpected challenges, as well as the natural passages of life. At the same time, we are excited for the new life that Christmas seems to inspire in us, with its sharing and giving to each other. In this project we will dwell in both the darkness and the light that are a part of the Advent season.”

Click here to join this public event: LC+ public event

Pastor Steve Johnston of Trinity, London writes, “I’m doing a celebration of ordination for Rev. James Garey (40 years), Rev. Robert Hutchison (50), and Rev. Tom Ristine (59 years) … and me 6 years make 155 years of ordination! I found this site helpful.”

Check out the the worship articles and ideas of Rev Thomas L. Weitzel, ELCA, here Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel resources.

Bare treasure, this crushing frost.

Burrow within, death.

Branches reach for the sun even in November.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Anderson designs a prayer service for the Keffer Chapel community using improvised music, scripture, and sense poems. Have you ever written poetry as a prayer exercise?  See the attached service.

November chapel poem time 2012

november poems

Keffer Chapel handout

The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers Eucharistic prayers crafted to the lectionary lessons of Year C. Eucharistic Prayers, Advent Year C

Pastor Sara Faulhafer shares the service she has crafted for November 11, 2012. Click here Remembrance Sunday

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

P: Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace.

For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God;

God in your mercy, C: Grant peace

For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss; God in your mercy . . .

For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return; God in your mercy . . .

For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity; God in your mercy . . .

For peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free; God in your mercy . . .

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace; God in your mercy . . .

Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: May we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, And live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer, Amen.

For more resources, also see Prayers and Worship Services for Remembrance Day

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a number of prayer resources in times of disaster. Click here Prayer resources in times of disaster, and specifically Worship Resource for Hurricane Sandy 2012. Let us pray with all those who are suffering the effects of the path of Hurricane Sandy, and for all of creation.

Litany

O Lord, when the waters rage and foam, Still the storms and grant us your peace.

When the gift of creation becomes burden, Still the storms and grant us your peace.

When our fears threaten to overtake us, Still the storms and grant us your peace.

Speak your word to the wind and to the sea, Fill us with faith.

Show us your care in the service of others, Fill us with compassion.

Make the joy of your peace overflow in our lives, Fill us with hope.

Prayers of Intercession: These petitions may be added to the assembly’ s prayers of intercession.

Gracious God, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy reveal your presence to those in the Caribbean and the eastern region of our country so that all may know your healing, hope, and love. As one community on earth bound together by your grace, inspire us to pray, serve, and help all those who suffer. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

God, you still the storms and are a very present help in trouble. We pray for all those suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Bring comfort to the afflicted and strength to those who come to their aid. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Permission is granted to reproduce this material for local, non-sale use only.

KAIROS’ new Advent 2012 resource, inspired by Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, is based on Las Posadas, a Central American and Mexican tradition in which actors playing Mary and Joseph walk through town searching for shelter, accompanied by local church members singing and carrying bright lanterns. Turned away again and again, they finally find householders who welcome them in.
Today, that search for shelter is a reality for many in our world, whether the shelter people seek is fair wages, land rights, or clean water.

The resource includes: Scripts and simple instructions for movement that weave Las Posadas into worship and invite your faith community’s children and choir into the liturgy
Prayers, liturgical pieces, scripture commentary/homily notes, and suggested symbols for use in worship
A justice focus for each Sunday:
Sunday 1 – Climate justice;
Sunday 2 – Women of Courage;
Sunday 3 – Migrant justice;
Sunday 4 – Peace in Bethlehem

$10 – print copy (includes postage).
$5 – full colour PDF downloadable (all copyright for group use included).

Order Seeking Shelter online at: http://www.kairoscanada.org/shop/
or Email orders@kairoscanada.org with “Advent resource”in the subject line.

Updated worship resources from December 1st through January 1st

Compiled by Rev. Sara Faulhafer, Bethany Lutheran Church, Woodstock

Advent Christmas 2012 Worship Resources

Faithful God, you have brought us to this holy ground: bless this land, the land of the First Nations, the land of our forefathers and mothers in the Synod, this land on which a university sits. Make us humble to see how we are part of your creation, and with wind and river, tree and grass, help us give thanks for this gift of place. O Lord hear our prayer…    (Opening service petition, Matthew Anderson)

It was a privilege to work with the 2012 Assembly worship team: Matthew Anderson, Sara Faulhafer, Bradley Moggach, Robb Wilson, and Jennifer Wirt and with Scott Knarr and Mark Harris on the Ordination Service. We are glad to share our resources and original materials with you.  Included in this post you will find the full liturgies with prayers and musical sources, along with a bibliography of musical resources.

Thursday Opening Worship Service

Thursday Evening Memorial Service

Friday Morning Prayer Service

Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Saturday Closing Worship Service

Music Resources

Prayers of Lament