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: A new method for developing Spanish Worship Ways is being developed. New resources will become available in a few months. Previous Spanish Worship Ways are archived and may be found using the search function.)
Check out the newest feature of Worship Ways, 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.
Marking the anniversary of George Floyd’s death in custody,the United Reformed Church, our partner in the UK, has published a music resource with themes of racial justice and responses to Covid-19. New words are created for familiar hymn tunes. It is available for free download until April, 2022 in booklet, PowerPoint, and music files. The link to Sunflowers and Thistles is here: https://urc.org.uk/sunflowers-and-thistles
Click here for Mission Moments, which can be used with your newsletter or Sunday worship bulletin.
Seasons
Easter Season/Temporada de Pascua
Easter, Year C April 17 – June 5, 2022
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Easter begins a new season. It’s a new week and a new day. The power and glory of the resurrection forges forth a new way of being. Life and death have been transformed through the work of Christ. The emptiness of the tomb demonstrates the power of what has been left behind as well as previews the promise ahead. In the weeks of the Easter season, we journey from the tomb with Jesus and the early disciples from that perspective. From the Day of Easter to the Day of Pentecost, we find God in flesh and in spirit moving in the world and in us…from the tomb.
The church follows Jesus and the disciples from triumphal procession into Jerusalem through the devastating procession to the Cross. With storytelling, ritual and music we travel all the way to the tomb. Colors for Holy Week may be the purple of Lent, a festival color for Maundy Thursday, and a mourning color for Good Friday.
Nestled between two joyous seasons of the Christian calendar, Lent takes us into the valley, into broken spaces, and into dry places. Yet, this season offers its own perspective of hope. Lent invites us into the deep work required for restoration to take place. We remember that demolition often proceeds building and strong structures need sure foundations.
Season after Epiphany/Temporada después de la Epifanía
Epiphany, Year C January 6-February 27, 2022
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The Church explores the identity of Jesus in this season after Epiphany—Gospel story after story challenges us: who is this person of power and Spirit who has appeared in our midst? The season begins and ends with Festival days—Epiphany and Transfiguration—with festival colors; the Sundays in between are green.
Season after Pentecost, part 2/Temporada después de Pentecostés, segundo parte
Season After Pentecost, part 2 Year B, September 5-November 21, 2021
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The Spirit at work guiding the church in our day is the theme for the very long season after Pentecost. In year B, the primary gospel is Mark. The color for the Season after Pentecost is traditionally green, the color of nature’s growth.
Season after Pentecost, part 1/Temporada después de Pentecostés, primero parte
Season after Pentecost, part 1 Year B, May 30-August 29, 2021
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The Spirit at work guiding the church in our day is the theme for the very long season after Pentecost. In year B, the primary gospel is Mark. The color for the Season after Pentecost is traditionally green, the color of nature’s growth.
