Worship Ways are original liturgies written in English and in Spanish by United Church of Christ pastors, based on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Look for Sunday, festival and special UCC worship services here, organized by seasons of the Church Year. (Please note: Previous Worship Ways are archived and may be found using the search function.)
Seasons
Season after Epiphany/Temporada después de la Epifanía
The theme for the season comes from the words of encouragement found in the prophecy of Isaiah. Circumstances about to change, and the prophet exhorts the people to meet the moment with expectation, wonder, and enthusiasm. Their faithfulness will be rewarded. Their hopes will be realized. Their vindication will be revealed. Glory is coming… and is coming toward them.
Isaiah 60 declares that the light is on them. They are not to be spectators or even passive beneficiaries. Rather, they will become like magnets with a strong attractional force…for the glory of God. The community of faith have been commissioned as active participants in their restoration and flourishing. During this season, our themes will consider various ways in which the biblical texts encourage us to Arise!
We are resurrection people, which means the story–and our story–may culminate toward a climax but never ends. Every perceived end becomes something new. These transitions may lead us to perceive life as a relentless circle of trials and turmoil, but the heights we reach tell a different tale.
Throughout the biblical narrative, the highs and lows hold a consistent thread–the enduring presence of God. While that presence may assume different forms and manifest in different ways, we can rest in the covenantal promise of God to companion with us on the journey. That is love that never fails, that does not fade, and that does not abate.
This Easter season, let us reflect on how the unfailing love of God manifests in the biblical narrative (particularly the Gospel accounts) and in our own lives.
This year, we are thrilled to partner with Pacific Islander Asian-American Ministries to provide Worship Ways for the Easter Season written by members of these communities.
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:18 CEB)
The longest season of the liturgical calendar are filled with Sundays called “Ordinary Time.” It begins with Trinity Sunday and ends with the Reign of Christ. We move from concentrating on the event of Christ in the world and shift to the impact of being in Christ in the world. A life in the unity of the Trinity is one of being shaped and sent daily in the image and in the purpose of Holy Love.
*In honor of Pride Month, all June Worship Ways Writers are from the ONA Coalition.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 16:19a
The longest season of the liturgical calendar are filled with Sundays called “Ordinary Time.” It begins with Trinity Sunday and ends with the Reign of Christ. We move from concentrating on the event of Christ in the world and shift to the impact of being in Christ in the world. A life in the unity of the Trinity is one of being shaped and sent daily in the image and in the purpose of Holy Love.
“If only you would tear open
the heavens and come down!”
— Isaiah 64:1 CEB
Anticipation awaits action. People who wait for a liberator are not merely looking for someone to make them feel good. They hope for circumstances to change. Hope too is active. Action is hopeful. What might God be waiting on us to be or to do? Advent invites our active participation as members of the kindom of God.
Christmas as a day and a season proclaims the arrival of both a message and a messenger. In Jesus the Christ, they are one. The ancient prophecy has been fulfilled, is being fulfilled, and will be fulfilled. The promise has been met, is being met, and will be met. Christ has come, is coming, and will come again. The messenger embodies the message of salvation, redemption, liberation, and restoration that they bring into the world.
Sermon Seeds is a weekly preparation resource that corresponds with Worship Ways liturgy.
Check out The Living Psalms. The Psalm appointed for each week in the Revised Common Lectionary cycle is reinterpreted in poetry and art as a reflection of God’s work of justice and compassion in our midst today.
The National Offices have secured licenses for the use of curated recordings of individual compositions that are available for use by the local church setting. No further licenses are required. Please find these recordings here.
