Resources on Carol Penner

Creating Sanctuaries: Abuse in the Church

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Song or Hymn

In this sermon on Exodus 25:3-9 and Psalm 32:7, Carol Penner reflects on the church "sanctuary" in the sense of a place of refuge.

Exodus 25:3-9; Psalm 32:7

See more resources like this

Abuse, Sanctuary, Refuge, Security

In Advent

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer, thanking God for the joyful signs of Christmas that appear during Advent. "Emmanuel, God with us, we wait for your presence this Christmas."

See more resources like this

Christmas, Advent, Peace, Emmanuel

Really Listening to the Story of the Wheat and the Tares

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Drawing on examples from Mennonite Church History, this sermon by Carol Penner on Matthew 13:24-30 demonstrates the danger of prematurely judging the different worship practices of others. Penner asserts that God alone should judge our actions.

Matthew 13:24-30

See more resources like this

Parables, Worship, Mennonites, Diversity

The Year I Put God on the Christmas List

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Poetry

Carol Penner's poem puts "God on the Christmas list," wondering what God would like for Christmas. What could make God say, "This is just what I've always wanted!"?

See more resources like this

Christmas, Gift, God's Omnipotence, Present

Worshiping the God who Sees Me

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

"God sees Hagar, but do we see Hagar?" Carol Penner's sermon from Genesis 16:1-14 emphasizes "seeing" domestic violence and responding in a helpful way, i.e, reporting it.

Genesis 16:1-14

See more resources like this

Hagar, Violence, Abuse, Family

Finding You in Advent

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer for Advent, asking for God's presence to give us generosity, gratitude, patience, contentment, and peace.

See more resources like this

Christmas, Advent, Peace, Emmanuel

You are a Greeter in God’s House

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Song or Hymn

In this sermon on Psalm 84, Carol Penner argues that God's people should represent God by being a welcoming presence to others who enter the sanctuary.

Psalm 84

See more resources like this

Worship, Church, Hospitality, Welcome

No Taking Sides

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Offering Liturgy or Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer that reflects on the fact that God is both on our side, as well as, on the side of our "enemies." May this God-of-no-sides give peace to all.

See more resources like this

Love, Peace, Enemies, Divisions

Extinction of Species: Does Jesus Care?

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In this sermon based on Psalm 104:10-23 and Deuteronomy 22:6-7, Carol Penner laments our failure to be stewards of creation and encourages believers to be more active in creation-care.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7; Psalm 104:10-23

See more resources like this

Worship, Jesus, Creation, Leading Worship

Giver of Light

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Words of Praise

Carol Penner offers a word of praise reflecting on God's gift of light. "You give us light, which is bright and serviceable and pure. We cannot live without light."

See more resources like this

Praise, Light, Gospel, Thanksgiving

Litany for People Living with Mental Illnesses

Carol Penner | Reformed Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a litany for people living with mental illness. It mentions several categories of emotional suffering and has the refrain, "Bring healing, bring peace."

See more resources like this

Healing, Mental Pathology, Despair, Peace

God Confronts War

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Scripture Drama or Paraphrase

Carol Penner offers a modern adaptation of Psalm 46. "The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge as we long for peace."

Psalm 42

See more resources like this

Peace, War, Refuge, God's Presence

Prayer for the War in Ukraine

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Prayer

A prayer for the war in Ukraine by Carol Penner.

See more resources like this

Ukraine, War

We Hear Your Call

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner presents a short offering prayer. "God of grace, we hear your call to generous giving in the way you meet our needs each day, and in the peace you give."

See more resources like this

Blessing, Grace, Generosity, Peace

Thanksgiving

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer for Thanksgiving, emphasizing not a list of things to be thankful for, but rather thanksgiving as a transformation of the heart.

See more resources like this

Thanksgiving, Image Of God, Freedom, Transformation

Canada Day, a Prayer

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer for Canada Day, thanking God for the country's beautiful nature, its rich history, and freedoms, while asking for God's blessing and keeping.

See more resources like this

Prayer, Canada, Gratitude, Creation

Prayer for Those Seeking Shelter

Carol Penner | Leading in Worship

Prayer

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."

See more resources like this

Prayer, Homelessness, Marginalization, Hope

Gentle Shepherd

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer, with multiple allusions to the shepherd imagery of Psalm 23. "You anoint us with oil, you gift us with grace, providing unexpected blessings over and over."

Psalm 23

See more resources like this

Shepherd, Grace, Beauty, Fear

For Farmers

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner offers a congregational prayer specifically for farmers, acknowledging the challenges unique to their lives and lifting up prayers for harvests, the hungry, the earth, and more.

See more resources like this

Earth, Food, Farming, Agriculture

Prayer - For Mother's Day

Carol Penner | Together in Worship

Prayer

Carol Penner writes a prayer for Mother's Day.

See more resources like this

Mother's Day, Love, Prayer, Mother