Our new Advent series follows the opening stories in the Gospel of Luke and invites us to respond to this question: How does a weary world rejoice? In the parallel birth stories of Jesus and John, joy arrives—despite trepidation,...
Our new Advent series follows the opening stories in the Gospel of Luke and invites us to respond to this question: How does a weary world rejoice? In the parallel birth stories of Jesus and John, joy arrives—despite trepidation, fear, or grief. In these stories, we find rhythms for rejoicing. As we move through Advent, we hope to create space for acknowledging the weariness of our world while celebrating God’s closeness with great joy.
If you are using these resources this Advent, you will see that we are concluding the series with Baptism of the Lord Sunday (Luke 3:21-22). We’ve eliminated traditional expressions of Epiphany from this series only because we want to stay rooted in Luke’s version of the story, which does not include the Magi. However, Epiphany is an important tradition for many churches, and the practice of passing out star words at the start of the new year has become meaningful for many. If you are wanting to include star words and a nod to Epiphany in your worship, here are our suggestions:
Pass out star words as part of worship for Baptism of the Lord Sunday (utilizing the liturgy below), OR
Host a traditional Epiphany Sunday worship service, then conclude the series the following Sunday with Baptism of the Lord (check this blog post for prayers for Epiphany).
The following liturgy helps you integrate the practice of passing out star words into your worship on Baptism of the Lord. It includes references to the Magi as well as Jesus’ baptism. If you would like to print out beautifully-formatted star words to pass out, we have two options from past years: From Generation to Generation Star Words, or Those Who Dream Star Words.
VIEW PRAYERS FOR EPIPHANY
INTRODUCTION
The tradition of passing out star words for Epiphany
What Are Star Words?
The use of star words, also called “star gifts,” is a prayer practice connected to Epiphany and the new year that has been growing in popularity in Protestant churches for nearly a decade now. The idea is that a list of intention words, or guiding words, are written or printed on paper stars. These paper stars are then arranged, most commonly face down, on the Communion Table or in a large basket. At some point during your Epiphany service, individuals are invited to draw a word from the basket or off the Table, and to use that word as a guiding word throughout the year. Typically, participants are encouraged to trust the word they have drawn, and not to replace the word. However, there is not a strong need to be the “star police” if an individual wants to trade. Individuals are often encouraged to place their star word somewhere they will see it regularly throughout the year to allow consistent reflection on how God has moved through, around, or in connection to that word.
There Are Several Theological Statements Being Made in this Tradition:
The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year—to move closer to Jesus.
We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before. This is the greatest gift.
We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
By not looking or sorting through the star words at their selection, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not us that are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control.
Where Do Star Words Fall in the Service?
The most natural time to integrate star words into worship is as a response to the Word proclaimed. Therefore, the liturgy options that follow are for offering the stars as part of Holy Communion (Liturgy A) or the prayer of the people (Liturgy B).
It is also important to note that for some congregations, reflections on the previous year’s star words has become an important and powerful part of this tradition. For preaching pastors, you may consider collecting quotes as part of your sermon preparation, or inviting the church at-large to share reflections during the sermon moment. This could be as formal or as informal a process as best fits your congregation; consider it as a way to testify to the many ways and places that God is present in our lives.
star words liturgy
Liturgy for passing out star words as part of Holy Communion or the Prayer for the People
Liturgy A | Liturgy for Star Words as Part of Holy Communion
Invitation to the Table
Friends, we know what it feels like to look for God.
We know what it feels like to turn our heads up to the sky,
looking for stars, listening for a voice that calls us beloved.
I think that’s part of why we end up here,
because we are hoping that in the midst of this messy world
we might catch a glimpse of God
that will carry us through.
Well friends, I have good news.
God is already here.
Like a mighty wind, God is moving through this room.
God is at this Table, inviting us forward.
The invitation may not be as clear as a star in the sky,
or a voice that parts the clouds,
but just as God called Jesus “Beloved,” God calls you the same.
So come to this Table with your questions and your doubts.
Come with your joys and your gratitude.
Come seeking, come hungry, come curious.
Come open. Come not because you have to but because you can.
Come with all of you, for there is room for you here.
This is God’s Table; this is God’s meal.
You are beloved, so come.
Let us pray…
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of today, tomorrow, and yesterday,
As we begin this new year, we once again find ourselves looking for you.
We long for the clarity of a star in the sky, or a voice in the clouds declaring your presence in our lives.
So today we ask that you would make yourself known to us.
Do what only you can do. Reach into our spirits to give us a boost of confidence that love is real and we are not alone. Remind us that we are beloved in your eyes.
We know we’re asking a lot for a group that brings very little. We don’t have gold or Frankincense or Myrrh. We haven’t thrown off our shoes to honor your holy ground. We haven’t been baptized in the Jordan river. We haven’t spent the last several days traveling here by camel. We’re no Magi, Moses, or Messiah, but we’re yours.
Instead, we bring ourselves to this Table—to your Table—in hopes of catching a glimpse of you. Speak to us in this bread. Speak to us in the cup. Speak to us through these star words. Speak to us as you spoke through the clouds at Jesus’s baptism, so that these star words may be a tool that helps us look for you in the coming year.
Holy God, you call us beloved. You are with us in our joy. You are with us in our sorrow. Surely, even as we pray, you are with us here as well. So with grateful hearts, we unite our voices in prayer, using the words your son taught us to pray, saying:
Our father…
Continue with the Lord’s Prayer in the language and wording most familiar to you.
Words of Institution
Offered in the language and style you prefer.
Instructions for Receiving
Family of faith, the bread has been broken and the cup has been poured, which means the feast is ready.
In-person Option 1 (Stars laid face down on the Communion Table): As you come forward to receive the elements, we invite you to draw a star from the Table.
In-person Option 2 (Stars in baskets, passed by ushers): After you have received the bread and cup, we invite you to draw a star from the basket as it is passed to you.
Virtual Option 3 (Worshiping live from home): A member of our team worshiping live with us has a numbered list of star words. Please choose a number between 1-160 into the chat and they will reply with your star word. Or: We have mailed a star word to you earlier this week. If you received your star word, we invite you to type your word in the chat now. If you have not yet received your star word, we’ll make sure you get one soon.
Virtual Option 4 (Worshiping via livestream with no chat feature): Use a service like ClubTexting, which allows you to advertise a five digit phone number, so that you can say something along the lines of “text the number ##### to receive a star word later today.” For this option, someone would need to be logged into your club texting account on a computer, ready to respond in the inbox to each text request that comes in. If you have a large livestream audience, let them know that they may not get a response immediately, as it will be personally selected and shared by a member of your community.
Friends, we have been seeking, but God is here. Thanks be to God.
Prayer After Communion
After all have been served, and all have received a star:
God of open horizons and open roads,
like the Magi so many years ago,
we are here, seeking you.
Step by step, we have wandered into this space (alt. we have wandered into this hour)
with the hope of feeling you in our midst.
Step by step, you have seen us, claimed us, and called us beloved.
Today we have drawn star words.
For some, these words are full of meaning, challenge, and invitation already.
For others, these words are a blank canvas—inviting you into our lives.
So as a new year dawns, we pray that just as you have spoken to the generations before us, you would speak to us again.
Allow us to use these star words as a tool that might help us hear you more clearly.
May they guide us, as the star guided the Magi.
And in a year, may we find ourselves here, together again, with mouths full of praise for the ways in which you have been present with us.
Together we pray, with joy in our hearts.
Amen.
Liturgy B | Liturgy for Star Words as Part of the Prayer for the People
Invitation to Prayer
It is a prayer practice in churches all over the world to give people a star word during Epiphany. There are many reasons behind this tradition. First, we know that the Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year—to move closer to Jesus. Secondly, we trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us with a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight. Finally, we know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. However, this prayer practice invites a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful way to connect with God.
So in just a moment, you will be invited to select a star word. Consider this a guiding word for the year ahead. We invite you to remember your star word often, seeking the ways God might be moving through the meanings and definitions the word contains. However, as we prepare our hearts and minds for this centering moment, let us pray. . .
Prayer of the People
God of today, tomorrow, and yesterday,
As we begin this new year, we once again find ourselves looking for you.
We long for the clarity of a star in the sky, or a voice in the clouds declaring your presence in our lives.
So today we ask that you would make yourself known to us.
Do what only you can do. Reach into our spirits to give us a boost of confidence that love is real and we are not alone. Remind us that we are beloved in your eyes.
We know we’re asking a lot for a group that brings very little. We don’t have gold or Frankincense or Myrrh. We haven’t thrown off our shoes to honor your holy ground. We haven’t been baptized in the Jordan river. We haven’t spent the last several days traveling here by camel. We’re no Magi, Moses, or Messiah, but we’re yours.
Instead, we bring ourselves to this service in hopes of catching a glimpse of you. Speak to us through these star words just as you spoke through the clouds at Jesus’ baptism. Let these words be an invitation and challenge for the year ahead. Let them be light in the sky that guides us home.
Holy God, you call us beloved. You are with us in our joy. You are with us in our sorrow. Surely, even as we pray, you are with us here as well. So with grateful hearts, we unite our voices in prayer, using the words your son taught us to pray, saying:
Our father…
Continue with the Lord’s Prayer in the language and wording most familiar to you.
Instructions for Receiving
Having prayed together, it is now time to receive our star words for the upcoming year.
Recommended: play music while the star words are passed to help create an atmosphere for reflective prayer.
In-person Option 1 (Stars laid face down on the Communion Table): As music plays, we invite you to come forward and draw a star word from the Table.
In-person Option 2 (Stars in baskets, passed by ushers): We invite you to draw a star from the basket as it is passed to you.
Virtual Option 3 (Worshiping live from home): A member of our team worshiping live with us has a numbered list of star words. Please type a number between 1-160 into the chat and they will reply with your star word. Or: We have mailed a star word to you earlier this week. If you received your star word, we invite you to type your word in the chat now. If you have not yet received your star word, we’ll make sure you get one soon.
Virtual Option 4 (Worshiping via livestream with no chat feature): Use a service like ClubTexting, which allows you to advertise a five digit phone number, so that you can say something along the lines of “text the number ##### to receive a star word later today.” For this option, someone would need to be logged into your club texting account on a computer, ready to respond in the inbox to each text request that comes in. If you have a large livestream audience, let them know that they may not get a response immediately, as it will be personally selected and shared by a member of your community.
Friends, we have been seeking, but God is here. Thanks be to God.
Closing Prayer
After all have received a star:
God of open horizons and open roads,
like the Magi so many years ago,
we are here, seeking you.
Step by step, we have wandered into this space (alt. we have wandered into this hour)
with the hope of feeling you in our midst.
Step by step, you have seen us, claimed us, and called us beloved.
Today we have drawn star words.
For some, these words are full of meaning, challenge, and invitation already.
For others, these words are a blank canvas—inviting you into our lives.
So as a new year dawns, we pray that just as you have spoken to the generations before us, you would speak to us again.
Allow us to use these star words as a tool that might help us hear you more clearly.
May they guide us, as the star guided the Magi.
And in a year, may we find ourselves here, together again, with mouths full of praise for the ways in which you have been present with us.
Together we pray, with joy in our hearts.
Amen.
Credit info:
You are welcome to use or adapt these words for worship, with credit. When using these prayers for worship, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.” If you adapt the prayers, please include the following credit line: “Adapted from a prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.” Refer to our licensing guidelines for more information: sanctifiedart.org/licensing-terms.
star words
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Rev. Sarah A. Speed
Founding Creative Partner
Sarah (Are) Speed (she/her) is the Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Membership at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Sarah feels called to welcome people into the church by using her energy and passion for beautifully scripted words, raw and relevant liturgy, and hands-on worship experiences to engage our longing for God and the need for justice in this messy world. Writing is Sarah’s most beloved spiritual practice. You can find her daily poems on Instagram and on Facebook at: @writingthegood | writingthegood.com.