In worship and prayer we find beautiful and sustaining reminders that there is Love in the world, no matter what.  A moment of quiet prayerful communion with the Great Spirit does not have to be planned, or pretty, or eloquent.  It just has to be.

Our national United Church of Christ staff provides us (through our OCWM offerings) with wonderful worship resources. Everything from Sunday bulletin inserts, to the UCC Book of Worship, to SAMUEL [Scripture and Mission: A United Church of Christ Electronic Library] -- and much more -- is available at http://www.ucc.org/worship/index.html.

A RESOURCE FOR CONGREGATIONS BY REV. GAST
REDEMPTION SONGS - PSALMS IN WORSHIP

Our Conference Minister, Rev. Mary Susan Gast, has written a resource, Redemption Songs, A 21st Century Descant on the Psalms.  She writes, "Between Walter Brueggemann and Bob Marley I never stood a chance when it came to a passion for the Psalms. Throughout my life as a pastor, I’ve wanted a theologically reliable volume of the Psalms which I could use with ease in preparing liturgy. I’ve wanted a faithful wording which would not constrict the vocabulary to current vernacular or totally disregard the Psalms’ poetics. During my sabbatical in 2002, I began to tread the corridor between scholarship and art, arriving at a 'descant' on the Psalms, which is not so much a paraphrase as a harmony and counterpoint upon the established themes...."

These “Redemption Songs” are the Psalms selected for use in liturgical years A, B, and C of the Revised Common Lectionary. You are free to use them, noting credit to Mary Susan Gast, Redemption Songs, A 21st Century Descant on the Psalms, © 2002.

“Won’t you help me sing these songs of freedom…redemption songs, these songs of freedom.”

Bob Marley, “Redemption Song”

OUR OWN EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

A Collection of resources from members of the NCNCUCC

OTHER RESOURCES:

United Church of Christ Calendar of Prayer

Calendar of Prayer for TODAY

Bible Study Tools on Crosswalk.com *
A valuable resource -- here one can look up verses and do searches on more translations including the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) and the Vulgate. Other resources (not aimed at the academic, but often useful, e.g. concordances, dictionaries) are available at the same site.

If you need more, here's a list of Bible Translations and Editions . *

Here is a Bible Verse of the day... (This is from the New International Version - please let the websteward know if you find one from NRSV)

ISearchBible.com Bible Verses

Listen to hymns at The Cyber Hymnal.*

*opens in new window

Your comments are welcome
Send to websteward@ncncucc.org

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this page last updated on Friday, December 5, 2008