Blessing a New Hymnal

In the midst of this pandemic,
when worship is disrupted and even more vital than ever,
we want to mark a transition in our congregation.
Since 1992, we have been using the blue Hymnal: A Worship Book.
Now our church has bought our new  denominational worship book–

it is called Voices Together.
Even though many of us haven’t yet held the book in our hands,

we will start to use it in our worship services.
Let’s take a moment to say a prayer about this transition.
If you have these books, I invite you to hold them while we say this prayer.

Thank you, God, for the gift of our old blue hymnal.
It’s accompanied us through decades of worship.
The bindings are loose; it’s been dropped by scores of toddlers.
The pages are wrinkled and dog-eared; touched by thousands of hands.
We know this book in intimate ways
because it has helped us express our petitions and praises–
there are songs and prayers we know by heart.
We’ve pulled it out Sunday after Sunday,
it’s been there for us at weddings and funerals.
It has been our constant companion for almost thirty years.
Some of us have never known another hymnal.
For this book, and the way you touched us through it, we are so thankful.
As we retire it from every Sunday use, we turn now to our new resource.
Thank you for all who helped to create this new purple Voices Together.
We launch it joyfully, confident that it will help our community find our voice.

Together we will explore the words and tunes and images,
hearing faithful voices from our own Anabaptist tradition,
and the worldwide Christian community.
As we worship, you will continue forming us into your people.
We dedicate these books to you,
and us to your service.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

Recent Posts

Posts By Month
Categories
  • Popular Tags

    Your browser doesn't support the HTML5 CANVAS tag.

  • Worship resources in a Mennonite voice for ears of all kinds

    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

    Feel free to use these orally in a worship service (in-person or broadcasted)  , but if they are printed in a bulletin please use the following credit

    “Copyright Carol Penner  www.leadinginworship.com.”

    Contact me for use in newsletters or printed resources, I am happy to grant permission but I would like to know how my writing is being used.  You can reach me at carol@leadinginworship.com.