Living Vessels: Music & Liturgy as Storytelling
We gather each week around scripture, song, and ritual—not simply to tell a story, but to let a richer, fuller picture of God’s story take shape in us. Liturgy, music, and the lectionary offer their own narrative threads, and when woven with care, they invite our congregations to experience the gospel in deeper, more embodied ways. Yet this weaving doesn’t happen automatically. It asks for imagination, intention, and a listening heart.
This retreat invites you into that creative work. Through conversation and worship, we’ll explore how melodies, prayers, patterns, and texts can come together to form a cohesive arc each Sunday—an arc that surprises, deepens, and carries us toward the holy. Set within the peaceful space of the Heartland Retreat Center, with room to breathe, walk, and reflect, our time will offer both inspiration and practical pathways. Guided by retreat leader Karl Heimbuck, whose pastoral and musical sensibilities naturally blend, we’ll explore how the elements of worship can harmonize into a living story that shapes the life of the community.
When
November 9 – 12, 2026
Where
Heartland Retreat Center, Parkville, MO
Cost
Lodging and food are covered in this cost.
- Are you registered as a full participant in Pastoral Leadership Revitalization (PLR) ? This event was included in your PLR registration cost.
- Are you an alumni of PLR? The cost is $100, double occupancy.
- Are you a registering as a regular participant and reside within OPSF’s 13 state territory ? The cost is $200, double occupancy.
- Are you a registering as a regular participant and live outside OPSF’s 13 state territory? The cost is $250, double occupancy.
- Add $150 for single occupancy. Limited spots available.
