Flames of the Spirit: Resources for Worship

These worship resources are inclusive in reference to God and humanity, and reflect concern for justice and peace in the world. They are also theologically sound, scripturally based, and well written. They are contemporary yet dignified and graceful in tone, and full of rich imagery for use in the context of worship.They were compiled with sensitivity to current and traditional theological and liturgical issues, as well as literary quality.

While resources for baptism, communion, weddings, and other special occasions are provided, most of the resources are for Sunday worship. Much of the material provides new models and approaches to worship, to stimulate thought and creativity.

Contents include:

Resources Based on the Lectionary and the Liturgical Year

Advent

• 4 Litanies of the Advent Candles
• 3 Calls to Worship
• 2 Invocations
• 5 Unison Prayers
• 2 Prayers of Confession
• 2 Litanies
• 4 Benedictions
• Pastoral Prayer/Prayer for one voice

Christmas and Christmastide

• 6 Calls to Worship
• 2 Unison Prayers
• 1 Offertory Prayer
• 1 Doxology for Christmas
• 1 Litany
• Christmas Eve Communion Service
• Statement for Presentation of Bibles
• 2 Benedictions
• 3 Pastoral Prayers

Epiphany

• 6 Calls to Worship
• 8 Unison Prayers
• Prayer of Confession
• The Corporate Confession
• Affirmation of Faith

Lent

• A Journey to the Edge, an opening liturgy
• 8 Calls to Worship
• 4 Unison Prayers
• 3 calls to Confession, 2 prayers of confession, and 3 words of assurance
• 4 Collects Before the Scriptures
• Resources for Palm Sunday including a litany, prayer, call to confession, confession, words of assurance, and benediction
• Maundy Thursday Call to Worship
• Resources for Good Friday include 1 call to worship, 2 calls to confession, 2 prayers of confession, 1 words of assurance, 1 affirmation, 1 benediction

Easter

• 9 Calls to Worship for Easter Sunday and Season
• 1 Invocation
• 4 Unison Prayers for Easter Sunday and Season
• 2 Confessions
• Collect Before the Scriptures -- Easter Sunday
• Litany for Easter Sunday
• Offeratory Prayer for Easter
• Benediction for Easter

Resources for the Festival of the Christian Home

• 2 Calls to Worship
• Collect
• 2 Prayers of confession

Resources for Pentecost Sunday and Season

• 5 Calls to Worship
• Collect for Pentecost
• Benediction for Pentecost
• Pastoral Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

Lectionary-based Resources for Sundays After Pentecost

• 4 Calls to Worship
• 12 Unison Prayers
• 6 Prayers of confession
• Collect Before the Scriptures

Resources for Special Sundays After Pentecost

• Labor Sunday call to worship
• Native American Sunday responsive call, collect and prayer of confession
• Worldwide Communion Sunday responsive call to worship
• Litany for the Halloween Season
• Reformation Sunday unison prayer and opening prayer
• All Saints or Memorial Sunday call to worship, corporate confession, words of assurance
• Thanksgiving call to worship, prayer of invocation, and prayer

Resources Appropriate for All Seasons

Calls to Worship

• 47 Responsive calls to worship
• 4 Opening sentences or prayers
• 2 Opening statements for the opening prayer
• 1 bulletin statement explaining "time of centering"

15 Invocations

Prayers of Confession

• 1 call to confession
• 3 litanies of confession
• 32 prayers of confession
• 12 Assurances

Unison Prayers

• 1 common prayer
• 17 unison prayers
• 4 guides into silent prayer

4 Litanies

3 Litanies and Prayers Based on Psalms

10 Offertory prayers

2 Statements of Faith

Benedictions

• 14 Scriptural benedictions
• 7 Pastoral benedictions
• 2 Responsive benedictions
• 1 sung response

9 Pastoral Prayers

Special Events: a litany for groundbreaking, covenant for pastor installation, prayer for church anniversay

Sacraments and Rites of the Church

• Baptism order
• Communion orders
• Communion service supports

Rites of the Church

• a poem for the celebration of life
• an order for Christian marriage
• Parents' blessing for a wedding service
• 2 wedding prayers

Peacemeaking

• 3 calls to worship
• 10 prayers of confession
• 6 unison prayers
• 4 litanies
• 1 prayer
• 1 affirmation of faith
• benediction