Advent is a time of prayer and waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Advent liturgy and worship resources published in the annual Lectionary Companion of the Call to Worship journal remind readers and faith leaders of this eternal hope, especially in the midst of wondering what election results and new administrations will hold for our common life together.
Could fear or busyness be holding you back from reaching out to the community and being a deep listener?
Both of those real-life challenges were raised during a recent online discussion about “Intentional Authentic Evangelism” and what obstacles stand in the way of accomplishing it.
The 90-minute discussion, attended by 34 people, was facilitated by Alicia Demartra-Pressley, Associate for Missional Equipping in the Office of Theology & Worship, a ministry area of Theology, Formation & Evangelism. It’s part of an ongoing series of conversations focused on the 7 Marks of Vital Congregations.
Ash Wednesday — which falls this year on Feb. 14 — marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and self-examination which culminates in Holy Week and the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter.
As Christians across the globe prepare their hearts, homes and houses of worship to welcome and celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has created a new online landing page that lists a wide variety of devotional and worship resources from across the agencies of the PC(USA) just in time for the Advent season, which begins on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Now in its fourth season, this movement of Everyday God-talk is subtitled “How to Rest and Grow.” It explores the individual’s sense of call through transitions and retirement. New episodes are posted monthly on the Office of Theology and Worship’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
With so much love and joy — and even grief — that pets bring to people, more Presbyterian churches are beginning to offer a Blessing of the Animals service. Traditionally held in early fall to coincide with the Oct. 4 feast day of St. Francis, these services invite members of the congregation to bring their pets to the church to be blessed.
A husband and wife who serve as mission co-workers in South Korea have paired up with a seasoned online personality to co-host a Korean-language version of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast.”
On Thursday, Lionel Derenoncourt and the Rev. Marissa Galván Valle of Beechmont Presbyterian Church (Iglesia Presbiteriana) in Louisville, Kentucky, used a monthly online town hall forum offered by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians to discuss a feature near and dear to the hearts of Beechmont and its neighbors: the Peace Garden the church constructed during the pandemic and dedicated last year.
At baptisms especially, Presbyterians love to talk about water. Some of the more adventurous baptizers even splash some of the water out of the font to remind those gathered to celebrate of their own baptism.
The ministry areas of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and offices of the PC(USA) practiced being good neighbors in the marketplace at this week’s Association for Partners in Christian Education event. APCE’s Marketplace, which features a bookstore and informational resources from various denominations, seminaries, and church-adjacent non-profits, is a major attraction at the annual event.
