Joy Is Our Banquet: Resources for Everyday Worship

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Joy Is Our Banquet presents 20 worship services that can be used by both
laypeople and clergy, either as part of a Christian retreat or
incorporated into a full worship service. The themes of the services
include Fierce Patience, Witnesses and Storytellers, Unbinding Fear’s
Knot, Holy Resistance, Mustard Seeds and Sparrows, Sackcloth and
Bindings, the Tree of Life, and the Bread of Blessing. These broad
themes are subdivided into six general categories: Encouragements,
Struggles, New Visions, Laments, Celebrations, and Blessings.

Bible passages are carefully matched to their themes, and many voices
from scripture are heard; the texts are drawn from 14 books from the Old
Testament, nine from the New Testament, and two books of the Apocrypha.
Wehlander uses inclusive language in the liturgy, making the scriptures
very accessible for readers. His prayers throughout the book provide a
lyrical momentum from beginning to end.