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 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 Audio |
| 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 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 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 | Watch 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 Audio |
Lent
| Palm Sunday Sermon |
Christians are called to be Christ’ presence in our world today. God is all-powerful, right? Jesus was able to do all things including healing the sick, and casting out demons, right? Then why would God need us to be his hands and feet? What we know from scripture is that Jesus himself chooses to use his disciples in order for him to accomplish his mission on this earth. The Rev. Bala Khyllep, associate director of the Seminary's World Mission Initiative, shares this Palm Sunday sermon based on Luke 19:29-44. |
Download PDF | |
| Good Friday Meditation |
Luke 23:26-47 tells the story of Jesus’ suffering as he hung on the cross. Though not to the degree of Jesus’ agony, last year the whole world experienced a kind of suffering unprecedented in our lifetime. As a result, this year Christians come to Good Friday with a more profound sense and understanding of suffering. The Rev. Carolyn Cranston '99 offers this Good Friday meditation. |
Download PDF | |
| Galilee to Golgotha Slideshow |
Via captioned lantern slides from the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology’s historic collection, this PowerPoint resource, compiled by alumnus the Rev. Richard Byerly ’07, follows the Gospel of Luke’s account in taking you on a visual trip of the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, the city of Jesus’ Passion. Use this slideshow as the basis of a Sunday school class at the start of Passion Week. |
PowerPoint |
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| Common Questions Kids Ask about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter—And How to Answer Them! |
When kids ask questions about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, you might find that you don’t really know how to answer them! Here you’ll find suggestions for what to say in response to some of those questions. You might even use them as the basis for a children’s sermon or Sunday school lesson, or for conversation at home around the dinner table. |
Download PDF | |
| Old Testament Texts Elucidate New Testament Passages |
As you move through Lent and celebrate Easter, learn from New Testament professor emerita Dr. Edith M. Humphrey how Old Testament texts elucidate New Testament passages on these themes via her blog and podcast, A Lamp for Today: Understanding the Old Testament with Jesus and the Apostles, which examines Scripture from an Eastern Christian perspective. Lent: What about Melchizedek? In this 15-minute talk, Dr. Humphrey considers the strange figure of Melchizedek in Hebrews 4:14-5:10 read in the light of Mark 8:27-9:1, Genesis 14, Isaiah 53, and Psalm 44/45. Why is the figure of Melchizedek compared with our Lord, and how must we go beyond this comparison to embrace the cross? For a written version of Dr. Humphrey’s talk, with the same title, see her blog. Easter: The Lightning of His Godhead In this 15-minute talk, Dr. Humphrey considers the astonishing resurrectional hymns in the second tone and understands their dramatic language in the light of the book of Job, the prophecy of Isaiah, and the Transfiguration narratives. For a written version of Dr. Humphrey’s talk, with the same title, see her blog. |
Podcast Blog |
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| Sermon based on John 12:1-8 |
Consider the extravagant expression of gratitude shown in Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet in this 14-minute audio version of a chapel sermon by the Rev. Dr. Leanna Fuller, associate professor of pastoral care. |
Audio | Listen to Audio |
| Worship Tuell-Kit |
Old Testament professor emeritus the Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell provides a Lenten reflection, Palm Sunday Bible Study lesson, and Easter invitation to celebrate the Risen Lord in this “Tuell-kit” for Lenten worship. |
Download PDF | |
| Coffee with the Dean | The Dean 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 Revised Common Lectionary, reflections based on those passages, and accompanying prayers based on each reflection. | ||
| 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 Psalm 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 | |
| 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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| Lenten Liturgy |
The Rev. Smith and seminarians planned this Lenten worship service at PTS. Use this service of readings, songs, Scripture, and communion as a way to imagine what it must have been like to witness Christ' crucifixion. |
Download Liturgy | |
| Standing at this tomb of water . . . |
This reflection on Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection by Old Testament and Hebrew professor the Rev. Dr. Steve Tuell gives food for thought—and hope!—especially on Holy Saturday as we contemplate Christ as he lay in the tomb. |
Blog | Read Blog |
| Don’t Be a Hero! And Other Guidelines for Choosing a Lenten Discipline |
These insights by Christian spirituality and ministry professor the Rev. Dr. Roger Owens can aid you in forming Lenten disciplines that are helpful, realistic, and focused on honoring God, not yourself. |
Blog | Read Blog |
| Thoughts for Ash Wednesday on Fasting and Forgiveness | Particularly appropriate for Ash Wednesday, this 20-minute audio by professor emerita 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 PDF | |
| Jesus Fulfills the Meaning of His Names | Professor emeritus 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 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 PDF | |
| Easter Breads - A Brief Overview and Sample Recipes |
Special (mostly) sweet breads are traditional Holy Week and Easter fare from Great Britain eastward across Europe and through Russia, and also in the United States. Find out why, take a look at some recipes, and try out a few of them at home and/or your church for coffee hour—or Communion! |
Download 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 PDF | |
| Babel Undone | The Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell, James A. Kelso Professor Emeritus 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 | |
| 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. | ||
| 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 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 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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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.
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