Lenten Worship Resources Are Here!
An important announcement and 
reminders about resources 
from the Office of Church Life and Health

Lenten Worship Resources Are Here!

The Office of Church Life and Health
is pleased to be able to offer
Worship Resources for Lent 2017
starting 1 March 2017


Our theme this year is... 
"Naked Faith: Revealing Resurrection"

"The disciples said, 'When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"Jesus said, 'When you become naked without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children.., then will you see the child of the living one, and you will not be afraid.'"   Gospel of Thomas Saying 37

"A lot of people refuse to do things because they don't want to go naked, don't want to go without guarantee. But that's what's got to happen. You go naked until you die...
...Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you're in and take advantage of it."   Nikki Giovanni

In the season of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we push further into the mysteries of life and death and new life, and our faith requires more and more -
More daring... More risk... More vulnerability...
And, as we move past our fear to give more, 
we gain more, and death becomes life.
It is a naked faith, experiencing God with all of who we are, 
that reveals resurrection to us.
It is a process we intentionally practice in Lent of
transforming death into new life.


This process includes the following, with links to resources:

Are we ready to journey?  Can we do it by ourselves?  As ourselves?

What is real?  What's happening in our world? 
Where are the world's values coming into conflict with God's?

What does it mean for me and for the world to be a person of faith?
What are the truths we have accepted? Can we question those to find our own?

What is the story we are telling ourselves? What story is God telling?
How can we learn more about our story by listening to others' stories? 



Can we b e surprised by how God shows up?
How can we re-frame old ways with new perspective?


How are we called to come out of our tombs and try something new? 
How are we called as a community to unbind those who are bound?

After our preparation, are we now ready and willing to risk it all?
Even when death seems more likely than new life?

Now that we are naked, how do we see and experience new life in God?


Some Additional Worship Resources:






Enormous thanks to the incredible team who worked so hard to develop these resources:  Rev. Kharma Amos, Rev. Craig Bartlett, Rev. Catherine Dearlove, and Rev. Mel Martinez.

Spanish language resources coming very soon!
(re)Vitalization for Congregations:
A journey of discerning and following God's Spirit


Does your congregation
just feel "stuck"?
Feeling like it needs 
New energy?
New vision?
New vibrancy?
New vitality?



The Office of Church Life and Health (OCLH) is now offering a program for congregations that are desiring  (re)Vitalization

(re)Vitalization  is for congregations that have either experienced decline or feel like they are stagnant. According to research, that includes many churches.
The world has changed - rapidly and in ways we may not even have been able to imagine - and now the Church needs to develop in order to fulfill and thrive in our mission from God. This is an opportunity to explore together what it means to be a 21st church that transforms lives, neighborhoods, and our world.

(re)Vitalization  is not a "quick fix," a "how-to," nor even necessarily a series of "steps." It is a process that does not, cannot, happen quickly, nor does it happen without complete dedication to listen for and follow God through change. OCLH will provide resources, guidance, and support; but, the congregation will be the ones to do the work, through the power of God's Spirit.

If you are interested in learning more about this program for your congregation, and are ready and willing to be humble, learn together, and take risks, then
For specific information on the assessment process in the program

And please feel free to contact OCLH Resource Development Specialist, 
Rev. Lisa Heilig at revlisaheilig@mccchurch.net for questions.

**The  (re)Vitalization process can begin  any time. Most important is starting the path of spiritual discerning, listening, following, growing...