Resources on Carol Penner

Truth, Oath, Swearing, Identity

God of Gardens

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Offering Liturgy or Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer praising and petitioning our "God of gardens," using language of gardening, growth, cultivating, and more.

Compassion, Community, Gardens, Creation

We Give Thanks

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Words of Praise

Carol Penner offers words of praise alluding to John 1:14. "We give thanks that you make your home among us."

John 1:14

Longing, God's Presence, Name, Community

Prayer for Those Seeking Shelter

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers a prayer for homeless people. "As your children, can we meet and hear stories? Instead of only a handout, can we sit together."

Prayer, Homelessness, Marginalization, Hope

Celebrate!

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

This poem by Carol Penner reflects on Penner's experience being in a peer support group for those living with mental illness and celebrates "moving towards healing."

Health, Journey, Mental Health, Healing

Amazing Congregational Prayer

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Prayer of Praise or Thanksgiving

Carol Penner offers a prayer of thanksgiving to God for an amazing world of beauty, amazing families, an amazing congregation, and "the amazing way you work in our world."

Congregation, Diversity, World, Community

Advent Peace Prayer for Marriages

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers an Advent prayer for married couples, thanking God for loving, harmonious partnerships, and praying for "couples that have lost their way."

Advent, Love, Community, Conflict

The Air We Breathe

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Offering Liturgy or Prayer

This offertory prayer by Carol Penner acknowledges the various impediments to generosity and encourages the congregation to live as those "in God's kingdom of love ... [where] kindness is the air we breathe."

Kindness, Enemies, Generosity, Kingdom Of God

Call to Worship for a Virtual Service

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers a call to worship for a virtual service, emphasizing the goodness of community via screens, and the kindness, justice, and walking humbly with God enjoined in Micah 6:8.

Micah 6:8

Goodness, Justice, Humility, God's Presence

Thank You

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

This call to worship by Carol Penner invites the congregation to participate in the opening of worship by saying "Thank you!" out loud for the things we are grateful to God for.

Calling, God, Thankfulness, Creation

At the End of a Pastorate

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers a poetic reflection on a pastor's experience as that pastorate comes to an end. "Listen! It’s God calling you from the pages of your next chapter."

Pastor, Calling, Grace, Community

"Open" Call to Worship

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers a call to worship asking God to open our ears, our eyes, our arms, our minds, and our hearts.

Beauty, Community, Truth, Ear

Jesus Makes Breakfast: A Poem

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Carol Penner offers a poem in which Peter relates his experience when, after the resurrection, Jesus met the disciples and cooked breakfast for them on the shore.

John 21:1-14

Fire, John, Fish, Cooking

Congregational Prayer for a Winter Morning

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

This prayer for a Winter Morning provided by Carol Penner focuses on the gifts in our lives, relationships, and the children of the church and community.

Prayer, Health, Children, Gift

God of Peace Congregational Prayer

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

In this prayer by Carol Penner, God’s love, justice, comfort, and hope are requested for God’s people and the world, so that his peace is always with us.

Prayer, Peace, God, Love

Longing for the Kingdom

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

A call to worship by Carol Penner that expresses the desire for God's will to be revealed through Word, music, and community.

Community, Revelation, God's Will

Mothering God Prayer

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

"Mothering God, thank you for giving us life and breath." Carol Penner's prayer uses mothering as a metaphor for God's giving of life, nurturing life, faithful presence, undivided attention.

Community, God, Mother, God's Presence

No taking sides prayer

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

In a world where taking sides is so common, Carol Penner offers a prayer to "the God of no sides at all," recognizing God's call to faith in a kingdom where enemies can become friends.

Love, Prayer, Peace, Enemies

Responsive call to worship for Thanksgiving

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

"The world is filled with the glory of God, and we say, Thank you!" Carol Penner offers a responsive call to worship for Thanksgiving.

Worship, Thanksgiving, Community, Heart

God of Gardens

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

“God of gardens, you are the great Cultivator, growing faith for the ages. You aren’t picky about the size of the harvest.” Carol Penner uses this poem to demonstrate how God cultivates us and uses us...