"The most impressive thing about Wayne Keller's body of ideas for worship through the Christian Year is his boldness. He is bold in demanding that we, his colleagues in liturgical leadership, plan worship which has to do with the reality of our congregations' experience in the world, rather than just lead people through a proper agenda of acts and words that have no bearing on what we do the rest of the week. He is bold in challenging us to bring that real world -- with its pains and its pleasures, its hungers and its feasts, its beauty and its ugliness -- to exposure before the living God. And he is bold in helping us shine the strong, exposing light of the transforming word on our real lives and on that real world, so that we may move beyond planning worship as a "nice," safe, feel-good routine from which we depart the same people we were when we arrived. We are thrilled by the seriousness and authentic reverence with which this author approaches the planning of worship. Thank God for Wayne Keller and for his deep respect for the central act of the Christian community: the blessed and life-transforming experience of the worship of God."
Richard Avery and Donald Marsh
Port Jervis, New York
" Wayne Keller's] method creates not only a contemporary appeal, but effects a congregational involvement so necessary today within the liturgical context. His grasp of materials -- scripture, hymnody, sacred music, etc. -- makes this volume tributary to the demands of parish programs of today. His approach is fresh and practical and yet a reflection consistently of a solid liturgical and homiletical background."
Donald Macleod
Professor Emeritus Princeton Theological Seminary
"To make our worship services, so often moribund, staid and dull, once again alive, fresh and invigorating, is a basic challenge of our time. Wayne Keller has sought to do this very thing is his book. I believe he has succeeded in an exciting and immensely practical way in achieving this task."
Richard I. Oman, Dean of Faculty
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Howard C. Scharfe Professor of Homiletics
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
"The good humor of Wayne Keller's work helps us feel at home in our imperfect world and to feel more empathy for the rough edges of others and ourselves. Wayne's work encourages hope and faith with the way we are."
Doug Adams, Professor of Christianity and the Arts
Pacific School of Religion and Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California
Wayne H. Keller graduated from Monmouth College (Monmouth, Illinois) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and has served pastorates in Pennsylvania, Washington, and Oregon. He has also served as director of a halfway house for recovering mental patients and as a counselor in private practice. Keller has published several books, including "Achieving and Receiving Intimacy" (CSS Publishing Company), and numerous articles, and has been a columnist for the "Bellingham Herald." He has appeared frequently on radio and television programs and co-hosted a call-in counseling program and call-in talk show. Keller says, "I have seen people bored to death in worship, seemingly because they come to worship as spectators, not as participants. For me no spectators are allowed Soren Kierkegaard's analogy of worship as drama has guided my thinking and planning."

Keller's sermons are anything but boring. He preaches boldly, with wit, insight, and inspiration.
"Wayne Keller's sermons show the good work of a pastor who loves the gospel, who knows his people, and who uses the language well. These sermons offer us preachers the encouragement of a fellow-worker who shares his experience and vitality with us."
William H. Willimon, Dean of the Chapel
Professor of Christian Ministry Duke University
"Keller's treatment of the Gospel selections is direct, hard-hitting and frequently passionate. This is good fodder for the would-be preacher or layperson who wants to take the scripture seriously. Sometimes sharp-edged, sometimes humorous, these sermons are always thought-provoking."
Rev. Paul F. McCann, Retired Executive Presbyter
Olympia Presbytery
"Wayne has a gift of helping us make an emotional connection to biblical story, pushing us headlong into an examination of ourselves, the meaning of faith, and the nature of the church."
Rev. Lynn Famum, Executive Presbyter
Olympia Presbytery
"The good humor of Wayne Keller's work helps us feel at home in our imperfect world and to feel more empathy for the rough edges of others and ourselves."
Dr. Doug Adams, Professor of Christianity and the Arts
Pacific School of Religion and Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California
"Really good sermons take their listeners right into the biblical texts to discover themselves there. Wayne Keller's sermons consistently do that. Spend time in them and let them speak to you."
Don Keller, Pastor
Aberdeen Presbyterian Church
Aberdeen, Washington
Wayne H. Keller is a registered counselor in the state of Washington. A retired Presbyterian minister, he is a clinical member of the International Transactional Analysis Association, and teaching member of Effectiveness Training Associates. He has written several books and numerous articles. He is also the author of a monthly column, "Whetting Your Worship Appetite," in "Emphasis." He is a graduate of Monmouth College in Illinois and earned his M.Div. degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Worship ought to be the exclamation point of Christian experience. Given the regularity with which it is shared, however, and the sameness that its practice inevitably takes, fresh approaches are a constant need.
This planning resource addresses the need for new ideas in a familiar setting. Wayne Keller has provided a parade of creative alternatives to liturgy, music, preaching and prayer.
Based on the liturgical worship days on the Cycle C lectionary calendar, these resources can enrich worship in congregations whether liturgical or free. A pastor and worship planning team can use the material every week or choose to use it sparingly. A helpful worship planner page follows each Sunday's resources.
A hands-on appendix by Warren S. Satterlee II offers practical help for the creation of worship banners for the congregation.
Wayne H. Keller is pastor of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Sedro Wolley, Washington. He has throughout his parish ministry self-consciously endeavored to make the worship experience a lively and meaningful event. He indicates that his teenage son never reported to have been bored at worship when his father was presiding. Wayne Keller is also a regular contributing columnist for "Rite Ideas," a monthly worship resource letter published by CSS Publishing Company.
Warren S. Satterlee II is an active lay member of Grace United Methodist Church, Arlington, Texas. His artistic work has recently included teaching art concepts, custom designing, logo designing, banner and visual fabrication, and work in print making.