Worship Bibliography

Thinking about Worship: A Bibliography
The Rev. Susan A. Blain
Minister for Worship Liturgy and Spiritual Formation
Faith Formation Ministry Team
blains@ucc.org
*Indicates a UCC author or publication

Worship Ways:  UCC on line RCL-based planning resource; English and Spanish:
http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
http://www.ucc.org/worship/liturgias/

Sermon Seeds: UCC on line RCL-based preaching preparation:
http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/

Models, Planning Primers

The Africana Worship Book, Years A, B, C – eds. Davis and Fosua
© 2006 by Discipleship Resources
Lectionary based prayers from Christians in African Diaspora – wide range of themes, forms; good models

Brim: Creative Overflow in Worship Design – Andra Moran and Suzanne Castle
Chalice Press © 2013 Andra Moran and Suzanne Castle
Step by step guide to forming and resourcing worship planning teams: fun, accessible, challenging!

The Christian Year: A Guide for Worship and Preaching*
Abingdon Press © 2011 Robin Knowles Wallace
Wonderful teaching tool and planning tool.  In clear, accessible language Wallace connects the history of the church year with the possibilities of mission, offering model services and planning designs.

The Church in Her House: a Feminist Emancipatory Prayer Boo kfor Christian Communities* – Marjorie Procter-Smith
The Pilgrim Press   © 2008  Marjorie Procter-Smith
Examines elements of prayer and worship:  sound, words, space, scripture, music –  a primer for all small group worship with a feminist   perspective

Communion Services* – Robin Knowles Wallace
Abingdon ©2006
Primer on Communion designed for congregational teaching.  From theological reflection about Communion to practical helps for planning services, an accessible resource for congregations.

50 Ways to Pray: Practices from Many Traditions and Times
Teresa A. Blythe  ©2006  Abingdon Press
From praying with icons to praying with contemporary media; from traditional     “examen” to intercessory prayer, models, exercises, reflections

Imaging the Word: An Arts and Lectionary Resource*
Vol 1 ed. K. Lawrence; vols 2/3 ed. S. Blain © United Church Press
Visual arts and poetry at the service of the Sunday lectionary – a different way in to understanding the scriptures

Let the Whole Church Say Amen! A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public
Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon Press, 2001).  
A series of practical exercises for the creation of different kinds of prayers, Attention given to context, imagery, rhythm, use of scripture, praying in interfaith settings, addressing controversial topics.

A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice * – Jane Vennard    
© 2005 the Alban Institute
What do you believe about prayer – how do you do it?  Draws on Christian tradition; offers reflections and exercises to get into prayer and its richness

Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God – Sybil MacBeth
Paraclete Press, Brewster, MA  © 2007 Sybil MacBeth
Not just for children!  Accesses the right brain, and takes us beyond words – delightful!

Reinventing Worship:  Prayers, Readings, Special Services and More
Ed. Brad Berglund  © 2006 Judson Press
Fresh collection of prayers for Sundays and ordinary days

The Sourcebook Series from Liturgy Training Publications            
(LTP) of the Archdiocese of Chicago. 
Each volume looks at a season of the church year, or a theme of Christian life, and compiles quotations, poetry, song lyrics, from early church sources through modern literature.  Wonderful way of sparking ideas and images!
Themes:  Reconciliation, Death, Baptism, Eucharist, Music, Liturgy
Each Liturgical Season gets its own Sourcebook

The Work of the People:  What We Do in Worship and Why*
© 2007  Alban  – Marlea Gilbert, Christopher Grundy, Stephanie Perdew  and Eric Myers
A good resource for lay worship committees – structured study program, accessible, offering history of traditions, and offering suggestions of how they may be adapted for this new day.  Gives food for thought and lots of context.

Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital Worship for 21st Century
© 2013 Ruth Duck
New Seminary worship textbook which is clear, comprehensive and progressive.

Worship in the Shape of Scripture*, revised, 2010 – F. Russell Mitman
Classic, beautiful text integrating scripture, hymnody, liturgical forms; sets forth the best of the modern Protestant liturgical renewal.  Excellent models for all liturgical prayer.

The Worship Workshop: Creative Ways to Design Worship Together – Marcia McFee
©2002 Abingdon Press
Geared for worship planning teams in congregations, an accessible and delightful series of exercises to get imagination going and think holistically about worship and ritual, and practice creating services
       
Prayer Books
(Models of prayers as poetry across faith traditions)

All Desires Known: Inclusive Prayers for Worship and Meditation, by Janet Morley
Morehouse Publishing, 1992
Vivid prayers modeled on or paraphrasing scripture.

Book of Worship: United Church of Christ* reprint 2010
© 2012 United Church Press
New edition includes inclusive marriage rite

The Book of Blessings: New Jewish Prayer for Daily Life, The Sabbath, and The New Moon Festival – Marcia Falk
Harper SanFrancisco  © 1996  Marcia Falk
A poet’s take on traditional and new prayers – speaks to the heart, speaks of the holiness of daily life

Celebrate God’s Presence: A book of services for the United Church of Canada
©2000 United Church Publishing House
Book and CD

Feasting on the Word Worship Companion – Kimberly Bracken Long
© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press
Companion to the Feasting on the Word Commentary and Curriculum series; eloquent, lectionary-based prayers for Sundays and Festivals.

Iona Community Publications; Wild Goose Publications
Progressive liturgies and music  from the Iona Community of Scotland
http://www.ionabooks.com/e-liturgies-prayers.html  GIA, American distributor

A New Zealand Prayer Book; He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa
Collins ©1989 [Anglican] Church of the Province of New Zealand
Inclusive, expansive language; fresh presentation of orthodox prayers

Mishkan T’Filah: A Reform Siddur  Elyse Frishman, ed
© 2009 Central Conference of American Rabbis
Beautiful poetry; fresh translations; daily life rendered holy

Emerging Church Worship Resources

Alternative Worship:  Resources From and For the Emerging Church
© 2004 Jonny Baker
Resources from the UK

Formational Children’s Ministry: Shaping Children using Story, Ritual and Relationship
© 2010 Ivy Beckwith
Emergent Church approach to children’s ministry, placing participation in community worship at the center

Toward a Hopeful Future: Why the Emergent Church is Good News for Mainline Congregations – Phil Snyder and Emily Bowen
Pilgrim Press  © 2010 Phil Snyder and Emily Bowen
A clear introduction to the Emergent Church movement, and models of emerging liturgies for use in congregations

How (Not) to Speak of God – Peter Rollins
Paraclete Press, Brewster, MA  © 2006 Peter Rollins
Voice from the Emerging Church movement, creating liturgies outside the box and the sanctuary

Bibles

The Inclusive Bible: the First Egalitarian Translation
© 2009 Priests for Equality
Excellent, fresh translation using Inclusive Language for humanity and God.  Well written, not awkward or clunky.

The People’s Bible
© 2008 Fortress Press
Annotated NRSV which highlights cultural issues in the development of Scripture and its uses in diverse cultures over time.  A strong justice orientation to interpretation.

The Jewish Annotated New Testament
© 2011 Oxford University Press
NRSV annotated by Jewish scholars, clarifying Jewish ritual and tradition, and offering Jewish interpretation of life of Jesus and the early church.

Ritual Studies

Liberating Rites: Understanding the Transformative Power of Ritual – Tom F. Driver
© 1998 Tom F. Driver
Excellent introduction to Ritual Studies