I’m a few weeks late in getting this posted, but here’s my lineup of nondenominational worship service themes for every Sunday of 2020. As usual, all are designed specifically for seniors living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. (Learn more about why and how to lead a memory-care worship service.)
To make this list, I started by slotting in services that correspond to specific dates: traditional church holidays and seasons (for example, Lent, Pentecost, All Saints Day); common holidays (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day); and federal holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day). Then I filled in with general themes, such as Wisdom, Beauty, etc.
Please note that I’m in the process of updating each and every one of these services to correspond with my finished hymn downloads and hymnal. I’ll link the updated versions to this list as I go.
| Sunday | Theme |
| 5-Jan-20 | Epiphany: Gifts |
| 12-Jan-20 | Jesus’ Baptism: Water |
| 19-Jan-20 | Martin Luther King, Jr.: Justice |
| 26-Jan-20 | Lunar New Year: Treasure |
| 2-Feb-20 | Beauty |
| 9-Feb-20 | Hospitality |
| 16-Feb-20 | Valentines Day: Love |
| 23-Feb-20 | Ash Wednesday Prep (use this if not doing an Ash Wednesday service) |
| Weds 26-Feb-20 | Ash Wednesday |
| 1-Mar-20 | Lent 1: Repentance |
| 8-Mar-20 | Lent 2: Humility |
| 15-Mar-20 | Lent 3: Charity |
| 22-Mar-20 | Lent 4: Prayer |
| 29-Mar-20 | Lent 5: Grace |
| 5-Apr-20 | Palm Sunday |
| Fri 10-Apr-20 | Good Friday |
| 12-Apr-20 | Easter |
| 19-Apr-20 | Abiding |
| 26-Apr-20 | Friendship |
| 3-May-20 | Patience |
| 10-May-20 | Mother’s Day |
| 17-May-20 | Hope |
| 24-May-20 | Memorial Day: Sacrifice |
| 31-May-20 | Pentecost |
| 7-Jun-20 | Loyalty, Faithfulness |
| 14-Jun-20 | Peace |
| 21-Jun-20 | Father’s Day |
| 28-Jun-20 | Mercy, Forgiveness |
| 5-Jul-20 | Independence Day: Security |
| 12-Jul-20 | Wisdom |
| 19-Jul-20 | Mystery |
| 26-Jul-20 | Golden Rule |
| 2-Aug-20 | Family |
| 9-Aug-20 | Transfiguration (Aug. 6) |
| 16-Aug-20 | Creativity |
| 23-Aug-20 | Faith |
| 30-Aug-20 | Mother Teresa: Compassion |
| 6-Sep-20 | Labor Day: Work |
| 13-Sep-20 | Suffering |
| 20-Sep-20 | Courage |
| 27-Sep-20 | Community |
| 4-Oct-20 | Blessing |
| 11-Oct-20 | Discovery |
| 18-Oct-20 | Generosity |
| 25-Oct-20 | Unity |
| 1-Nov-20 | All Saint’s Day |
| 8-Nov-20 | Veterans Day (Nov. 11): Honor |
| 15-Nov-20 | Christ the King (Nov. 22): Service |
| 22-Nov-20 | Thanksgiving (Nov. 26): Gratitude |
| 29-Nov-20 | Advent 1: Hope |
| 6-Dec-20 | Advent 2: Love |
| 13-Dec-20 | Advent 3: Joy |
| 20-Dec-20 | Advent 4: Peace |
| 27-Dec-20 | (Christmas Eve: Light) |
Of course, you’re free to use whatever them you like on any day you like! (I conduct services on Fridays as well as Sundays.)
If you have ideas for topics, I’d love to hear ’em, so let me know in the comments below.
Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash
Spiritual Eldercare 
What an awesome resource! Thank you, Elisa.
LikeLike
Thanks Barb!
LikeLike
Where do you hold these services Steve
On Tue, Jan 21, 2020 at 9:16 AM Spiritual Eldercare wrote:
> Elisa Bosley posted: ” I’m a few weeks late in getting this posted, but > here’s my lineup of nondenominational worship service themes for every > Sunday of 2020. As usual, all are designed specifically for seniors living > with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. (Learn more about why” >
LikeLike
At the moment I provide services (all in Colorado) at:
MorningStar Boulder, Fridays, 10:30am
The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail, Lafayette, Fridays, 1:30pm
Balfour Cherrywood, Louisville, Sundays 1:30pm
I’ll be at these places unless I’m sick or out of town, but it’s best to call them to be sure 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Elisa, my called-name is actually Lee Hollingshed-I never changed my email address after I re-married, and have never liked my first name, Donna. I only have a minute, which is why I didn’t respond to your first email asking if I needed you to help me with my services. I have two close family members with dementia, and I am an ordained minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, ministering to a group of men with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have to run now and take my MIL to town for groceries and lunch with her brother, but I did want to take a minute to let you know I appreciate what you do, and really appreciate your “lectionary” below. Grace and Blessings, Rev. Mrs. Lee Hollingshed (or just Lee)
LikeLike
Lee, thank you — I appreciate what you do too!
LikeLike
Thank you Elisa. This is such a blessing and a fantastic reference.
LikeLike
You’re so welcome, Susan!
LikeLike
Thanks Elisa for your compassion, care, and hard work. The recourses you provide are wonderful. Blessings, Steve
LikeLike
It is my privilege and honor, Steve — thank you.
LikeLike
Dear Elisa, thank you for a much needed and appreciated resource. I served as a Chaplain in a long term care home in 2018, and I was so pleased to discover the many hymns you made available. Since then, I have downloaded ghe hymns on my phone and use them for visits, worship services, and even for a funeral two weeks ago. I pray God’s blessings for you and your family …may you continue to be a blessing to others, through Jesus Christ.
LikeLike
What a lovely way to start my day! Thank you, Hilya, for letting me know, and blessings on your beautiful work.
LikeLike