Event - Advent Archives - Leading in Worship

Pregnant Hope: An Advent sermon about Pregnancy

November 27, 2022

In this sermon I focus on the pregnant Mary, and how the physical act of pregnancy teaches us how to love our nieghbour as ourselves. Remarkably, the phenomenon of fetal microchimerism teaches us about loving another person at a molecular level too. Our bodies from the very inception of life teach us the main messages of what it means to be human. I use artwork to illustrate why thinking about pregnant Mary is important.

Looking for Good News Advent Prayer

December 17, 2021

In these trying times,
there is so much to be thankful for.
Thank you for the taste of gingerbread and chocolate,
for the cheeriness of twinkly lights at night,
for the fragrance of cedar and pine,
and the feel of warm drinks in our hands on a cold day.
Thank you for the way familiar carols sink into us
bringing back memories of Christmases long past.

Zooming in on the Nativity: A Virtual Christmas Pageant

October 15, 2021

An adaptable reader’s theatre, made for a zoom presentation, with at least 12 characters. Suitable for either children, or an intergenerational cast.

Sermon: Before and After–Hope in the Gospel of Luke – Luke 1: 67-79; Luke 2:1,2; Luke 6:15

May 25, 2021

A sermon where i compare post-911 thinking with the post-Roman invasion when these words of hope were written. Was Luke serious about peace in the shadow of death?

Advent Pandemic Prayer

December 5, 2020

Thank you, God, for thick, warm socks on crisp winter days.
Thank you for the smell of pine needles,
for the taste of a juicy orange,
for packages delivered in trucks,
and colourful lights dancing in the dark.
Thank you for the poignant pleasures
of unpacking Christmas ornaments,
and looking at photos from years gone by.

Blue Christmas Zoom Service in a Pandemic

November 24, 2020

Welcome to this virtual prayer service.
The Christmas season is upon us.
Christmas is a time where we want to be merry and bright,
but in this pandemic year, that can feel impossible.
Many people are weighed down with anxiety and grief,
and it’s hard to remember the reason for the season.
Celebrations that usually happen at this time of year are cancelled
or are being shoehorned into two dimensions on a screen.
Even this service would feel better if we were physically together.
But this is our reality.
I want to thank each of you for coming today;
we are here for each other in this time, in this space.
We are here to talk to God and to listen.
This service will consist of prayers, some readings and some music;
it will take around 30 minutes.

Advent Candle Lighting in a Pandemic

November 23, 2020

Today we mark the first Sunday of Advent,
and today we light the candle of hope.
Advent is the season of hope.
We hope for a Saviour who can save us,
a Healer who can heal us,
and a Counsellor who hears all our sorrows.
In darkness that deepens,
we wait for the coming of the light of the world.
We wait in hope as we light this candle of hope.

Zooming to Bethlehem: A Virtual Christmas Pageant

October 17, 2020

A pageant designed for Zoom, that can be recorded ahead of time, and played at an in-person service (no stress on Christmas Eve!), or shared on-line. For an intergenerational cast of 15-18 participants. You can look on YouTube for examples of how this has been staged.

Newborn at Christmas?

December 26, 2019

This Christmas can we find
a newborn love for Jesus?
Can this baby disarm us;
agendas, busyness and grudges
dropped on the ground?
Will we follow some sweet inner voice
urging us to go and see?
Can we go wondering,
unsure what we will find?
As we pass by all the places
we would expect to see God,

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

Event – Advent

Pregnant Hope: An Advent sermon about Pregnancy

Looking for Good News Advent Prayer

Zooming in on the Nativity: A Virtual Christmas Pageant

Sermon: Before and After–Hope in the Gospel of Luke – Luke 1: 67-79; Luke 2:1,2; Luke 6:15

Advent Pandemic Prayer

Blue Christmas Zoom Service in a Pandemic

Advent Candle Lighting in a Pandemic

Zooming to Bethlehem: A Virtual Christmas Pageant

Newborn at Christmas?

About Carol Penner

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Prayer for a Congregational Meeting

Pregnant Hope: An Advent sermon about Pregnancy

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