Family Leave Worship Resource Directory
These services are for congregations to use while their pastors are on family leave. If you’re checking this page in a panic due to unexpected medical leave - do not worry! There are complete worship service scripts here. There are also pre-recorded worship services, if your congregation likes videos.
If your pastor left a bulletin and you just need a sermon, there are pre-recorded sermons and guided discussions which will help your congregation share the good news with each other. And if you need a bulletin, there are links for liturgy which is updated each week and free to use. Be sure to credit the author of each resource in your bulletin!
These services are not intended to fill a full 12 week medical leave - although if your congregation needs to use them for 12 weeks, you’re welcome to. Congregations in Great Rivers Presbytery can also apply for a Church Support for Family Leave grant, which will pay for approximately eight weeks of pulpit supply and Session moderation. You can learn more here: http://www.greatriverspby.org/mission.html. If you have a service you’d like to donate to this library or know of other resources to add to this list, please email [email protected].
Full Worship Scripts:
Complete Worship Services of Scripture Readings, Prayers, and New Hymns by Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Here are three complete worship services based on particular themes or sections of scripture. Each one is filled with scripture readings, prayers, and new hymns to well-known tunes. Some churches have used them when the pastor was on vacation, on study leave, (or on family leave; free use given to help pastors & churches in this case); others have enjoyed them when the pastor was present and participating in the service.
In the Beginning: Genesis in Scripture, Prayer and Song
The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs
Singing In the Reign: A Worship Service Celebrating Jesus' Parables and Teachings in the Gospel of Luke.
Please contact the author for additional information (including services formatted for worship bulletins) about using these worship services in your church during family leave. —Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, [email protected]
Grab & Go Worship by Rev. Sharan Knoell
Three worship services for Lent, Advent, and Ordinary Time. Just assign readers and you’re good to go!
Pre-recorded Complete Worship Services:
Virtual Worship Services from the Synod of the Covenant, with new services added on a regular basis: https://www.synodofthecovenant.org/virtual-worship-services
Just the Sermon:
Pre-recorded sermons:
Fourth Sunday Sermon videos from the Synod of Mid-America: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSOfLW5GDxiJ1tTAE9-KOg
A Sermon for Every Sunday has videos for every week, some of which have manuscripts available. https://asermonforeverysunday.com/
Sermon alternatives:
Lectio Divina guide from Communities of Calling (attachment below, link for source is here: https://www.communitiesofcalling.org/prayer/). This simple exercise can work for any scripture, providing space for congregations to discuss and contemplate God’s Word together.
Prayer Groups Guide from Rev. Katie Styrt
In this service about the Pentecost story and the Lord’s Prayer, congregants pray and talk together in small groups.
Everything but the sermon:
The Presbyterian Outlook (https://pres-outlook.org/category/worship-resources/) has prayers and liturgy for a full worship service each week - hymns and sermon not included.
UKirk (https://ukirk.org/news/2023-college-young-adult-sunday-worship-resources/ ) has an order of worship with hymn suggestions and a brief sermon illustration. Written for College/Young Adult Sunday, this liturgy fits any time of year.
| Family Leave Worship Options |
| Grab & Go Binder |
| Lectio Divina Guide |
| Discussion Prayer Stations Instructions |
