Epiphany
| Epiphany Resource Kit | Here we’ve provided an introduction to the season, suggested passages, and background information along with worship resources and lesson plans. Use these free resources as they are, or adjust them for your context! Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute. | Download the Epiphany Resource Kit | |
| The Story of the Magi | This lesson plan is meant accompany the video "The Story of the Magi." To get the most out of this lesson, you will need to show the video to your class. The video is available on YouTube. Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute. | Video, Audio and PDF | |
| What Child is This? | Jeremy Fisher '11 performs "What Child Is This" on strings. Download the song, play it at the beginning of your service, have the congregation sing along, or push repeat and enjoy the beautiful melody again and again. | Audio | Listen to the Audio |
| Slide Show | Consider adapting this template for your worship service. Insert your Scripture passage, Call to Worship, hymns, announcements, or whatever else you may need! Download the PowerPoint. Please note, you'll need to click the link and then "Save As" to ensure you're able to view the images. | PowerPoint | Download the PowerPoint |
| Sermon | The Rev. Dr. John P. Burgess, James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology, preached the sermon "Light of Light" based on Ephesians 5:6-20. | Download the Light of Light Sermon | |
| A Journey with the Magi | The Magi as we find them in our nativity scenes are actually the result of centuries and centuries of artistic development. Everything from their posture to the style of their caps can be traced throughout the centuries. In A Journey with the Magi, we look at the first 1,000 years of Christian art to understand this evolution. Compliments of the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology. | Download the PDF | |
| What is Epiphany? | This video asks the question, "What is Epiphany?" Consider using this with a small Bible study, youth or adult Sunday School class, or during your Sunday service. | Video | Access the Video |
| Sermon | The Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith '12/'13, director of the worship program, preached the sermon "Epiphany Experience." | Audio and PDF | |
| Sermon | "Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh" is a sermon by the Rev. Derek R. Davenport '05, co-director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute, based on Matthew 2:1-12. | Audio | Listen to the Audio |
Lent
| Lent Reflections e-Book | In these pages, some of Pittsburgh Seminary's faculty and program directors offer fresh insights and practical ideas to foster the spiritual nourishment of your congregation—and yourself. The informal remarks of these pastor-theologians have been excerpted from the "Coffee with the Dean" videos on a variety of topics relevant to Christian ministry and witness at this reflective and celebratory time in the church year. | ||
| Coffee with the Dean | Dean Heather Hartung Vacek sits down with members of the community to discuss themes related to Lent. Guests include faculty and program directors. | Videos | |
| Big Book of Lent Devotionals | The Seminary's “Big Book of Lent Devotionals” gives you a valuable resource for personal and corporate Spiritual formation during the Lent season. From Day 1 through Day 47 (Easter), each section includes multiple biblical passages from the daily lectionary, reflections based on those passages, and accompanying prayers based on each reflection. | Download the PDF | |
| What is Lent? | Share this video with your youth group, Bible study, or congregation to help answer the question "What is Lent?" | Video | Access Video |
| See My Hands | This video looks at the stories related to Jesus' hands throughout the Gospels and could easily be used as a media presentation during a worship service, as part of a sunrise celebration, or as a jumping off point for an adult or youth education class. Be creative! This video comes with a lesson plan. Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute. | Video and PDF | |
| Psalm 131 - Original Liturgical Translation | Jazz musician, Hebrew scholar, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary graduate Jeremy Fisher set his original liturgical translation of Ps 131 to music. Please share this with your church group during worship (lyrics provided) or use the lesson plan in an adult education class to compare the King James, Revised Standard, and this original version. Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute. | Audio and PDF | |
| Slide Show | Consider adapting this template for your worship service. Insert your Scripture passage, Call to Worship, hymns, announcements, or whatever else you may need! After clicking "Download the PowerPoint," be sure to "Save As" to enable editing and picture viewing. | PowerPoint | Download the PowerPoint |
| E-book | We hope that you’ll find these reflections by PTS faculty scholars to be helpful. Perhaps these sermons will inspire your own message, lead to a small group Bible study, or simply bring you closer to God—the One who in Christ has drawn close to us. "What Color is Lent?" Steven Tuell, Deut 7:6-11; "Trusting God in the Wilderness," Leanna Fuller, Luke 4:1-13; "Let Go of Jesus," John Burgess, Luke 24:13-35; "Twin Doubts," L. Roger Owens, John 20:24-31 |
PDF and Audio |
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| Thoughts for Ash Wednesday on Fasting and Forgiveness | Particularly appropriate for Ash Wednesday, this 20-minute audio by Professor Edith Humphrey relates the Old Testament’s teaching on fasting to the New Testament’s teaching on forgiveness. | Blog and Audio | |
| Why and How do Christians Fast? | The Rev. Chris Brown ’08 helps us understand the reasons for and spiritual benefits of the practice of fasting and the ways Christians have practiced fasting in the past and the present. | Download the PDF | |
| Jesus Fulfills the Meaning of His Names | Professor Steven Tuell shows how Jesus the Christ, by his resurrection and ascension, completes the meaning of both of his names. He is Yeshua, our Savior, who destroys our death. He is Emmanuel, God with us, who makes us fully “at one” with God. | Download the PDF | |
| "What Happens to Us Now?" Sermon | This sermon by Vice President Christine Chakoians shows how to move \from somber Lenten reflection to celebration of new life in the resurrected Christ. | Download the PDF | |
| Hymns for the Lenten Season | The list of Lenten hymns includes both familiar and less familiar songs for enriching and expanding your congregation’s Lenten repertoire. | Download the PDF | |
| Daily Lent Devotionals | Signup to receive our daily Lent devotionals. Written each year by members of the PTS community, these daily messages are available online, via e-mail, on social media, and can be printed and shared. You can also access past years. | PDF and Audio | Signup for the next Lent Devotional |
Pentecost
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Pentecost Prayers in Multiple Languages (with English translations) |
Celebrate the Holy Spirit’s enabling people to hear the gospel in their own language by using one or several of these prayers, in 20 languages other than English, in your Pentecost worship service. | Download the PDF | |
| Babel Undone | The Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell, James A. Kelso Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, shares his insights on Pentecost’s undoing of the confusion at Babel for your use as the basis for a sermon, adult Sunday school class, or Bible study. | Download the PDF | |
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Holy Pentecost: Water, Light, and Living Words |
In this 19-minute podcast, Dr. Edith Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, explores the pairing of John 7:37-52; 8:12 and Acts 2:1-11 to show Jesus’ promise and the fulfillment of his words. She goes on to consider how Pentecost, a multi-sensory event, was the undoing of the confusion of Babel and the fulfillment of the words of Amos and Ezekiel, not only for Israel, but also for the whole human race. |
Podcast and Blog | |
| Deeper Into the Truth | Let this sermon by Board Member the Rev. Dr. David Hosick ’76 guide your thinking about Jesus as the truth and growing in God’s truth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit—God’s gift to us on Pentecost. | Download the PDF | |
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Notes on Pentecost for Preaching and Teaching |
These thoughtful background notes on Pentecost from retired Director of Continuing Education the Rev. Dr. Jim Davison ’69 provide a practical and biblical basis for a Bible study, Sunday school lesson, or sermon. | Download the PDF | |
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Total Commitment: A Communion Meditation for Pentecost |
Use this Communion meditation by President Emeritus Sam Calian to inspire your congregation or gathering to total commitment to Christ. | Download the PDF | |
| Pentecost Quiz | Use this quiz to test your knowledge about Pentecost—and to learn more about it! | ||
| Hymns and Songs for Pentecost | Wondering what hymn or song you should use in your Pentecost service? Consider these suggested from the Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith ’12/’13, director of the worship program. | Download the PDF | |
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Pentecost Activities for Kids |
Consider incorporating these child-friendly activities, created by the Rev. Dr. Anita Stuart-Steva ’04/’13, in your Pentecost worship service or as your Pentecost children’s “sermon.” | Download the PDF | |
| Pentecost E-Book | Read three pieces by PTS faculty and be inspired in your personal devotions or in your service planning. These sermons and blog posts were written by Professors Steve Tuell, Heather Hartung Vacek, and Roger Owens. "What Should We Do?" Heather Hartung Vacek; "What in the World?" L. Roger Owens |
PDF and Audio | Download the PDF |
| What is Pentecost? | Share this video with your congregation, youth group, or adult Bible study! Also, here's a great lesson plan to accompany the video that explores Pentecost. | PDF and Video | |
| Slide Show | Consider adapting this template for your worship service. Insert your Scripture passage, Call to Worship, hymns, announcements, or whatever else you may need! After clicking "Download the PowerPoint," be sure to "Save As" to enable editing and picture viewing. | PowerPoint | Download the PowerPoint |
| Pentecost Liturgy | This Pentecost Liturgy resource was written by the Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith’12/’13, director of the Seminary’s worship program. We encourage you to use this liturgy in whole or part. | Download the PDF | |
| Art | This painting was created by Robin Menard, marketing and communications specialist at Pittsburgh Seminary. The piece is also free to use in your Pentecost worship planning. | JPG | Download Image |
Ordinary Time
| What is Ordinary Time? | Share this video with your congregation, youth group, or adult Bible study! Also, here's a great lesson plan to accompany the video that explores Ordinary Time. | PDF and Video | |
| Worship Planning Workbook Year C | The Worship Planning Workbook covers Pentecost Sunday through Christ the King Sunday. But, you can start anytime! The Planning Pages include the name of the Sunday, Scripture readings based on the Revised Common Lectionary Passages, some thoughts on one of the passages from a member of the PTS community or a historical figure, and a spot for a “To Do” worship planning list. There's also space for free writing. Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute. | PDF and WORD |
Advent
| Worship Planning Calendar | The Worship Planning Calendar covers the First Sunday of Advent through Epiphany. The Planning Pages include the name of the day, Scripture readings based on the Revised Common Lectionary Passages, some suggested themes and Scripture resources, as well as suggested hymns and prayers. There's also space for free writing. Compliments of the Miller Summer Youth Institute and the Seminary's Worship Program. | PDF and WORD | |
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O Come, O Come Emmanuel Study |
This well known Christmas hymn has a long and interesting past! Fully explore the song's history, meaning, and verses in this Advent study, perfect for small groups (think adult education during the Sundays in Advent), corporate worship (read the Scriptures and sing the verses), or personal devotions. This study is provided by the Seminary's Miller Summer Youth Institute. In addition, encourage the guitar players in your congregation to perform the song, thanks to sheet music provided in the Miller Summer Youth Institute Guitar Hymnal. You can even watch SYI musician teach folks to play the song on guitar in the YouTube video. After clicking "Download the PowerPoint," be sure to "Save As" to enable editing and picture viewing. |
PDF, PowerPoint, and Video |
Download the Lyrics PowerPoint Download the Lyrical Videos Full Song (Hymnal Order) Download the Music Tracks Full Song (Hymnal Order) |
| Big Book of Advent Devotionals - Year 1 | The Seminary's “Big Book of Advent Devotionals – Year 1” gives you a valuable resource for personal and corporate Spiritual formation during the Advent season. From Day 1 through Day 29 (Christmas), each section includes multiple biblical passages from the daily lectionary, reflections based on those passages, and accompanying prayers based on each reflection. | Download the PDF | |
| What is Advent? | Share this video with your youth group, Bible study, or congregation to help answer the question "What is Advent?" | Video |
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Advent Song Suggestions |
Here you will find suggested song selections related to the lectionary’s festival passages for each Sunday in Year 2, thanks to the Seminary's Worship program. | Download the PDF | |
| Advent Music for Guitar | The SYI Guitar Hymnal is available for a wide range of guitar players and musical environments. This first iteration of the SYI Guitar Hymnal coordinates with the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal. | Download the PDF | |
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Advent Service of Word and Song |
Planning an Advent service of word and song at your church? Check out this bulletin from a 2016 service at Pittsburgh Seminary. The PDF provides song suggestions as well as prayers and background info about the Advent season. | Download the PDF | |
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Advent Sermon "Fulfilled" |
This sermon by PTS’s vice president for seminary advancement, the Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian, focuses on the Magnificat of Mary to demonstrate the reality that Christmas, though yet to be celebrated this Advent season, is already a “done deal.” | Download the PDF | |
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Advent Reflections |
Use these previously posted PTS blogs as sermon inspiration or illustrations. Professor John Burgess discusses fasting in Orthodox Russia. Director of the Church Planting Initiative Karen Rohrer reflects on the symbolism of candles and connection to new worshiping communities, and professor Roger Owens writes about ruptured relationships and God's restoration of all things. | ||
| Slide Show | Consider adapting this template for your worship service. Insert your Scripture passage, Call to Worship, hymns, announcements, or whatever else you may need! After clicking "Download the PowerPoint," be sure to "Save As" to enable editing and picture viewing. | PowerPoint | Download the PowerPoint |
| Advent Prayer Book - Year C | Written by members of the Seminary's faculty, the Advent prayer book offers Scripture passages (based on Year C) for the Sundays of Advent and accompanying prayers. | Download the PDF | |
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Cookie Activity for Kids |
Everyone loves Christmas cookies—especially children! Make these holiday-titled recipes for your Sunday school students—or with them!—and tell the associated biblical stories as you share in sampling these sweets on Sunday morning—and throughout the Advent season. | Download the PDF | |
| The Twelve Questions of Advent Quiz | Take this Advent Quiz with your family around the dinner table, give it to your high-school or adult Sunday school class, discuss it in your Bible Study group, or test your knowledge on your own and perhaps learn something new about this special time of the year. | ||
| Daily Advent Devotionals | Signup to receive our daily Advent devotionals. Written each year by members of the PTS community, these daily messages are available online, via e-mail, on social media, and can be printed and shared. You can also access past years. | PDF and Audio | Signup for the next Advent devotional |
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