These are books, magazines, podcasts, and other resources that I have used over the past 5+ years in worship and other ministry settings. If it appears here, it’s because I’ve found it useful. If you have a resource to share, please send it my way, thanks.
While I enjoy crafting original liturgy, when I lead worship I also do my best to give special care to elevate marginalized voices including women, people of color, and persons who are LGBTQIA+ by selecting liturgy crafted by members of these communities. Likewise, reading Bible commentary by people with different life experiences than mine enhances my interpretation of scripture and the quality of my preaching. To this end, you will see occasional comments about a resource featuring these writers.
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Liturgy
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2023 Year A
Ed. Mary Scifres and B.J. Beau. Abingdon Press, April 2022.
This annual collection covers Advent-Ordinary Time using the RCL. Weekly liturgy includes call to worship, opening prayer, prayers of confession and words of assurance, offering introduction and prayer, benedictions, etc.
This collection features writing by women and people of color.
2022 C | 2021 B | 2020 A | 2019 C | 2018 B | 2017 A
God’s Good Earth: Praise and Prayer for Creation
by Anne and Jeffrey Rowthorn. Liturgical Press, November 2018.
This collection of scripture, liturgy, and hymns all focused on the theme of creation care can be inspiring for both worship settings and personal use. 60+ writers converge to help communities express their faith and affirm the need for environmental stewardship and justice in religious terms.
This collection features writings by women and people of color.
Speak It Plain: Words for Worship and Life Together
by Rev. Meta Herrick Carlson. Fortress Press, December 2020.
Pastor Meta is a Lutheran clergyperson (ELCA) in Minnesota who has crafted wonderful poetry, prayer, and liturgy for special baptisms, communion, funerals and memorials, Holy Week, etc. Special attention is given to well-crafted prayers for times of trauma and a need for healing such as recovery, divorce, and mental health challenges.
Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice
Ed. Britney Winn Lee. Fresh Air Books, August 2020.
53 inspiring prayers by dozens of writers from many walks of life, Rally has prayers with broad community appeal and also for nuanced, tender moments of specificity. For every prayer that may prove perfect for a communal setting, there is another that is perfect to pass to a friend.
This collection features writing by women and people of color.
Additional Liturgy Resources (seek permission and use citations for worship use):
Black Liturgies | Cole Arthur Riley
A Mother’s Day Prayer for All Women | Leah D. Schade | Leah D. Schade
For Mother’s Day – A Litany (Revised) | Rev. Sarah Wilhelm Garbers
Preaching
The Abingdon Preaching Annual
Ed. Mary Scifres and B.J. Beau. Abingdon Press, April 2022.
This annual, well, annual covers Advent-Ordinary Time featuring the Revised Common Lectionary. Each edition typically has at least one preaching prompt per text, scripture commentary, and occasional liturgy.
This collection features writing by women and people of color.
2022 C | 2021 B | 2020 A | 2019 C | 2018 B | 2017 A
We Make the Road by Walking
Brian McLaren. Jericho Books, June 2015.
In this commentary collection, Brian McLaren wrote 52 chapters organized in four season quarters that take shape around the traditional church year. Each week has recommended scripture readings, an original commentary, and an “engage” section with reflection questions and action steps for adults and for children.