Category Archives: Worship & Liturgy

What we’re doing in worship today (2)

What we’re doing in worship today (2) It’s Sunday #2 of worship in the days of coronavirus restrictions. This week, our small congregation will not meet together in the sanctuary. However, we have chosen an alternative. It started when one of our members insisted that he would ring the church bell on Sunday morning. WeContinue reading “What we’re doing in worship today (2)”

What we’re doing in worship today (1)

What we did in worship today Our small congregation decided to meet this morning for worship. However, I adjusted the contents of the service to reflect the Covid-19 pandemic. I preached on Martin Luther’s counsel to the Christian leaders and residents of Breslau during the 1527 plague epidemic (an excerpt of which we ran yesterday).Continue reading “What we’re doing in worship today (1)”

Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: The counterexperience of creation in worship

Sunday with Walter Brueggemann The counterexperience of creation in worship One other peculiar practice in Israel’s worship life bears on our theme. It is evident in Gen 1:1–2:4a that creation and its gift of blessing are understood to be accomplished through (a) utterance, (b) separation of day from night and the waters from the waters,Continue reading “Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: The counterexperience of creation in worship”

Another Look: The Form of Preaching and Its Context

And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation ofContinue reading “Another Look: The Form of Preaching and Its Context”

Another Look: Church Year Spirituality

Note from CM: In our worship service at church this morning, I will be continuing our series on “Why We Worship as We Do,” and our subject is the Church Year. The worship we practice each week is set within a larger annual calendar. This post, repeated and updated over the years, explains the benefitsContinue reading “Another Look: Church Year Spirituality”

Sermon: Epiphany 6 — Scattering to Serve

Note from CM: Rather than publish my entire sermon this week, I thought it might be good for you to see a sample of the inserts that I have been providing during the current preaching series. I supply these each week so that the people will have something to take home and reflect upon. IContinue reading “Sermon: Epiphany 6 — Scattering to Serve”

Epiphany 4: Gathering at God’s House and Conversing with Our Host

Epiphany 4 Sermon Gathering at God’s House and Conversing with Our Host We come together for the reading and discussing of the sacred writings, as any quality of the present time gives occasion for fore-warning or for recollection. In any case, with the holy words we feed faith, we set up hope, we build trust,Continue reading “Epiphany 4: Gathering at God’s House and Conversing with Our Host”

Epiphany: Worship Is Sunday Dinner

Sermon: Worship Is Sunday Dinner (Epiphany) To the bath and the table, To the prayers and the word, I call every seeking soul. • Inscribed on a church bell in Wisconsin • • • I became convinced long ago that one of the most important things I could do for a congregation was to teachContinue reading “Epiphany: Worship Is Sunday Dinner”

A Prayer Liturgy for All Saints

A Prayer Liturgy for All Saints This is the prayer liturgy I put together that we will be praying for All Saints in worship today. May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure this Lord’s Day. • • • As those who believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion ofContinue reading “A Prayer Liturgy for All Saints”