Resources from Marilyn Deever

Websites : http://www.ucc.org/justice/health/faithfully-facing-dying/

Resources: Books, Drama, Readings, Activities Paetkau, Henry, Reflections by Candlelight. Contemporary Drama Service, Meriwether Publishing LTD, Colorado Springs, CO 80933. Readings for the Sundays of Lent and Easter

Dyck, Paul, The Lenten Candles. Contemporary Drama Service. A series of Lenten calls to worship

Shiplett, Gary R. The Lenten Banner: Contemporary Drama Service. A visual portrayal of the last days in the life of Jesus Christ. This is a bannerkit that includes banner design instructions and scripts for a banner presentation liturgy.

Reese, Rolland R. From My Point of View: Ten Dialogues on the Passion. CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio. This resource presents twelve persons who played crucial roles in the death/resurrection event of Jesus Christ.

Stoner, Marcia Joslin, Seasons of Faith :Teaching the Christian Year For Intergenerational Use. Abingdon Press. Nashville, Tennessee. Worship activities, Lenten studies, and activities are on pages 65 through 106.

Griggs, Donald L. Discovering the Psalms: Passion, Promise and Praise. The Kerygma Program. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15234. Online: www.kerygma.com . This is a deep exploration of the Psalms particularly recommended for Lent or a special study on spirituality. It includes 49 days of guided reading of the Psalms. The Leader’s Guide is available on a two-disk set–lesson plans in PDF form and a slide presentation. The image JPEGs of maps, art, prayers, etc may be used to create presentations for use in a variety of ways.

Whitcomb, Holly. Feasting with God. Out of Print but can be found at www.Amazon.com

Fasting and Feasting: Mission and Outreach

Goal: Outreach/intentional welcome to new members, young families, elderly, (especially homebound) and all members and friends

Suggestion: Shrove Tuesday “feast” at church before Lent begins!

Sounds and Silence: Mission and Outreach

Goal: To remember and meditate on those around the community and around the world who are silenced. The oppressed, the hungry, the forgotten.

Suggestion: Commit to spend 15 minutes each day to be in silence/solidarity with those who are silenced
Or/ commit to one entire day of Lent to silence (this means no TV, no radio, internet, etc.)

Giving up and Taking on: Mission and Outreach

Goal: To remember each day what Jesus gave up on his way to the cross. Money raised goes to a mission project.

Suggestion: Make drawstring pouches or buy coin cards to place change in each day (five days each week). Creatively list “luxuries” we enjoy as memos for giving. Examples could be:
          One day give 5 cents for each light bulb in the house
          One day contribute all your spare change
          One day give a dime for every desert eaten that day

Giving and Receiving: Mission and Outreach

Goal: To secretly surprise someone who is alone, ill, or grieving with a care basket or gift.

Suggestion: Without being found out, deliver or send a gift of flowers, baked goods, or poems. If unable to deliver, send a real letter delivered by snail mail

Nature and Nurture: Mission and Outreach

Goal: To organize a community garden in the congregation

Suggestion: Individuals arrange details: place, promotion, seeds, etc.

Goal: To simplify and declutter one’s life during Lent

Suggestion: Organize a rummage sale to sell unwanted items. Money raised will go to mission projects

Sabbath and Service: Mission and Outreach

Goal: To volunteer in local settings

Suggestion: Commit to donating one hour each week to volunteer locally, in the schools, food pantry, over-night shelter, or mission-oriented institution.

Or: Commit each member to attend church each week. Have available commitment cards to be signed (and kept by signer) to commit to both volunteer hours and worship

Old and New: Mission and Outreach

Goal: For a congregation to learn more about new mission partners

Suggestion: Invite a newer mission partner spokesperson to preach or give a Mission Moment in worship. Also, an article about this mission partner could be placed in the church’s newsletter