Tag Archives: church growth

Seeds Harvest Growth- Worship Resources based on Mark 4.26-34

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open to growth

Open to Growth by Carly Swenson

1. PRAYER: Prayer to the Welcoming One by Lisa Degrenia
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed… – Mark 4:30-31a

Welcoming One,
Your mercy knows no limit
Your grace knows no margin

You reach out

Like a tree full of branches
Satisfied with the song of unnumbered birds

Like a hen collecting her newborns
Sheltering them beneath healing wings

Like a surprised fisherman
Taking up a bursting, sweeping catch

Like a good shepherd
Extending the flock in every direction

Open us, as you continue to open yourself
So all may come within the reach
Of your saving embrace

2. QUOTE: by Wendell Berry
Sowing the seed, my hand is one with the earth.
Wanting the seed to grow, my mind is one with the light.
Hoeing the crop, my hands are one with the rain.
Having cared for the plants, my mind is one with the air.
Hungry and trusting, my mind is one with the earth.
Eating the fruit, my body is one with the earth

3. PRAYER: Prayer for Growth by Lisa Degrenia
He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. – Mark 4:26-27

Sew your seed, Good Gardner
Root us in your steadfast love
Plant your faithful promises deep within
Shelter and sustain us with your healing and hope
Your strength and light
Your good and lasting fruit is coming
It is here
The glory of the harvest is yours
For you alone bring the growth

4. RESOURCE: Natural Church Development, 6 Growth Forces by Christian A. Schwarz

  1. Interdependence- individual beings are connected to each other in a larger system
  2. Multiplication- healthy beings reproduce
  3. Energy Transformation- energy already flowing can be redirected
  4. Sustainability- healthy processes are cyclical, contributing to the next part of the cycle
  5. Symbiosis- cooperation for mutual benefit
  6. Fruitfulness- healthy things bear fruit (results)

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© 2021 You are welcome to use the original portions of this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. (by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, http://www.revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Growing in Resilience: Hold Nothing Back, based on Isaiah 54.9-10

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flower peach bud openingGrowing in Resilience
Day 15, Read Isaiah 54
Reflection: Hold Nothing Back, based on Isaiah 54:9-10, NRSV

This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Sing! Shout!
Hold nothing back!

We are not what we think we are
What others name us
What we name ourselves

We are not abandoned
Widowed
Forsaken
Cast off for someone more desirable
The Eternal is also our Beloved
Who upholds our sacred union
An everlasting covenant of peace
Of whole and holy love

We are not afflicted
Desolate
Disgraced
Shamed and grieved by our barrenness
Look! See! There is a heritage
Our breath and labor are not in vain

Quick! Enlarge the tent
Open and stretch to make room
For the gathering and birthing of the Beloved comes
Hold nothing back

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Click Here for more on the Growing in Resilience Reading Plan sponsored by Bishop Ken Carter and the Cabinet of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

Hold Nothing Back © 2018 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Growing in Resilience: Unbroken Spirit, based on Isaiah 44.3-5

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praise-and-worship-worship-danceGrowing in Resilience
Day 5, Read Isaiah 44
Reflection: Unbroken Spirit, based on Isaiah 44:3b-5

I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. They shall spring up like a green tamarisk, like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, “I am the Lord’s,” another will be called by the name of Jacob, yet another will write on the hand, “The Lord’s,” and adopt the name of Israel.

We claim your promise
You pour out your unbroken spirit
You shower down unending blessing

Your family is fruitful and multiplying
Like the stars in the sky
Like the sand on the shore

Your promise is real
It is true
Even when nothing seems to be working
Even when our hearts are too heavy to perceive it

You pour out your unbroken spirit
Calling to the east and west
New siblings shout, “I am the Lord’s!”
From the north and the south
New kin claim your unfailing name

Your people will never perish
From generation to generation
Your grace endures

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Click Here for more on the Growing in Resilience Reading Plan sponsored by Bishop Ken Carter and the Cabinet of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

Unbroken Spirit © 2018 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

2017 Bookshelf

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2017 book collage

In November of 2014, I read a blog post encouraging persons to set aside a bookshelf for all the books read in a calendar year. As the year goes by, you see the shelf filling and are reminded of time well spent. (I wish I could remember who to thank.)

The project was so rewarding in 2015, I continued it in 2016 and now 2017. I again and again find the process of adding books enjoyable and helpful. Sometimes you forget a really good book.

Helpful hints-

  • If you read most of your books electronically, consider setting up a virtual bookshelf on Pinterest.
  • Another option is to set up a profile on Goodreads. Be sure to fill in a start and end date for each book you complete.
  • This year’s list includes books I read and books I listened to while traveling. There are wonderful, free audible books available through your local library and via streaming if you subscribe to Amazon Prime.

So my friends, here’s my 2017 bookshelf. I hope it encourages you and that you find a treasure or two. Should it be helpful to you, I’m glad to provide more feedback on specific selections. Just leave a comment below.

Happy reading. Happy exploring. Happy growing. – Lisa <><

Leadership Development 
I discovered Malcolm Gladwell this year. Wow!!!
Plus he narrates his own recorded books. Bonus!!!

Novels

Memoirs and Biographies

Bible Study and Theology

Devotionals and Prayers

Church Growth

Nonfiction
This year I focused on the sociology and justice issues surrounding the opportunity gap between classes. Heartbreaking and world changing. Do some good and get involved. 

 

Prayer- Something Greater (Matthew 12)

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Jesus-CREATION-montage_artBased on Matthew 12:1-8

Something greater than the temple is here
Greater than rules, resolutions, clergy

Something greater than the temple is here
Greater than strategies, programs, campaigns

Something greater than the temple is here
Greater than institutions, boards, buildings

You are here, Son of man
Lord of the Sabbath
Lord of all

You are here, offering yourself
Have mercy on us that we may be mercy
Extend grace to us that we may be grace
Pour out your love upon us
that we may be your love and fully yours
Amen

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Prayer, Something Greater  © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.