FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Open and Affirming
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Mission & History
    • Our Denomination
    • Building Use & Weddings
  • Worship
    • Online
    • Sunday Worship >
      • Sermons
    • Taizé Worship
    • Music
    • Special Worship Services >
      • Christmas 2022
      • Lent
  • Serve
    • Sign Ups
    • The Second Helping
    • Blessing Box
    • Work for Justice >
      • LGBTQ+
      • Anti-Racism
      • Immigration
      • Interfaith Connections
    • Global Connections
  • Learn
    • Children's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • College Students
    • Adult Education
    • Devotionals
  • Connect
    • News and Updates
    • Calendar
    • Small Groups
    • Become a Member
    • Members' Area >
      • Church Directory
      • Online Forms
      • Upload Portal
  • Give
    • Donate Now
    • Pledge

Star Words

11/11/2020

 

What are star words?

Picture
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 distributed at random.  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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. By receiving a star word chosen at random, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control. 

Ideas for using your star word:

You might display your star word in your home. Get creative—seek beautiful ways to add your star words to spaces around your home so that you will continue to see them and think about them throughout the year.

Prompts for using the star words for daily prayer:
A. Look up the definition of your word, even if it is a word you know well. You may even look into the etymology of the word and how its meaning has changed throughout history. If you drew a non-English word, do as much research as you can into the meaning of the word in its original culture.
B. What does this word remind you of? Does it recall any memories or experiences? How might God be speaking to you through this word?
C. See if you can find your word—or a synonym—in the Bible. What scripture passages can you find? How is the word used in these passages? Are there other scripture passages that remind you of your word?
D. Write or speak aloud a prayer using your word. (This is a fun challenge for children using the star words.)

SOURCE FOR THE ABOVE TEXT AND IMAGES: A Sanctified Art
Picture

Comments are closed.

    News Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    Categories

    All
    Children
    Community Events
    Engage
    Justice
    Pastor Sue's Sermons
    Small Groups
    Worship

    Connect

    Join our e-mail list
    E-news archive
    Get Social

    Print
    Newsletters
    January 2021
    February 2021
    March 2021
    April 2021
    May 2021
    June 2021
    July 20201
    August 2021
    September 2021
    October 2021
    November 2021
    December 2021


    ​Older Newsletters
    ​

Picture
God loves the rainbow. 
First Congregational United Church of Christ 
700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS  66502
785-537-7006

© 2022 First Congregational United Church of Christ. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Open and Affirming
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Mission & History
    • Our Denomination
    • Building Use & Weddings
  • Worship
    • Online
    • Sunday Worship >
      • Sermons
    • Taizé Worship
    • Music
    • Special Worship Services >
      • Christmas 2022
      • Lent
  • Serve
    • Sign Ups
    • The Second Helping
    • Blessing Box
    • Work for Justice >
      • LGBTQ+
      • Anti-Racism
      • Immigration
      • Interfaith Connections
    • Global Connections
  • Learn
    • Children's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • College Students
    • Adult Education
    • Devotionals
  • Connect
    • News and Updates
    • Calendar
    • Small Groups
    • Become a Member
    • Members' Area >
      • Church Directory
      • Online Forms
      • Upload Portal
  • Give
    • Donate Now
    • Pledge