Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, acknowledging the challenges often faced during the dark seasons of the year. On this longest night of the year, we gather to worship you, our Creator. The prophets tell of a light to the nations; a dawn from on high breaking upon us. The poets speak […]
Read full text
In the second week of Advent, churches traditionally light the Candle of Peace. This prayer of confession might be used in worship on Sunday with this explanation: Several denominations are ‘calling on congregations NOT to light their second Advent candle — in solidarity with all those who are suffering in the war between Israel […]
Read full text
Tune: St Andrew, ‘Jesus calls us o’er the tumult’ Written in Derby Cathedral under the ‘Peace Doves’ sculpture Come, inspire our lives with mercy Bring your peace on wings of doves Take us to a place where we can Learn to love as you love us May your message live within us Words to comfort […]
Read full text
Creator God, you who knows us to our very core, Who can see where we ache and where we delight, Who sings lullabies to the tender places in our hearts, Who understands our struggles and our insecurities, You who can spin the worlds and still hear our quiet prayers, Who will stop for the wounded […]
Read full text
Dear cousin… You may be surprised to hear that I am also, as they say, ‘expecting’. Yes, a boy is on his way… Don’t ask how I know it’s a boy…you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Joseph is in two minds, happy with the idea of fatherhood but knows he’s not the ‘real’ […]
Read full text
Where is the love? Prayer of confession and intercession When we treat our faith as nothing more than a self-help system and you, God, as simply a cure for whatever ails us, Where is the love? When we use the gifts our planet gives us with little care for our wastefulness and destruction, Where is […]
Read full text
Advent 2, Year C May be read responsively or by a single voice _______________ I am listening to what God is saying, promising peace if we forsake our foolish ways. For surely God is ready to protect those who show due honour and will be present in our land. Here, love and loyalty will meet, […]
Read full text
A Christmas Carol for Today Tune: The Ash Grove The birth of a baby Can kindle just maybe A spark of compassion for all humankind. At Christmas we wonder, Amazed as we ponder A sight that stirs love in our heart and our mind. A babe so dependent, A human descendant, So fragile and helpless […]
Read full text
Our God, we gather together in the bleak midwinter. Those who have much to thank you for, who rejoice in your goodness, and those who look out on a landscape of broken dreams and hardly dare to hope for Good News. Those whose hearts and homes are full of Christmas joy, and those whose Christmas […]
Read full text
Title: I have good news…and bad news… Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55 This dramatic monologue, a phone conversation between pregnant teenage Mary and her Mum, was originally written as the sermon accompanying the lighting of the Advent Candle of Love. It can be used effectively anytime during Advent. Notes: Mary pauses throughout the conversation when […]
Read full text
Hope when pressed to earth Will find nourishment and life In truths long buried.
Read full text
This ready-to-use Café Church worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion. It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list of supplies, […]
Read full text
Written on the occasion of an Angel Festival in Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight around this place, You who sang creations story, Bless our festival / [worship here] with grace Gloria…. In excelsis deo All who seek communication With humanity that cares, Turn your mobiles off […]
Read full text
2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C Luke 3:1-6 A Whimsical Encounter — This can serve as the message/sermon. This drama involves two people. One person starts out as if doing the regular reading of the passage. This might be the worship leader or the Minister, the person designated to “preach.” The second person arrives […]
Read full text
This prayer might be used on the 4th Sunday of Advent, Christmas Day or for a Lessons and Carols service. When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem They found there was no room. We confess that in the midst of all our anxieties We have not made room in our hearts for others. We confess […]
Read full text
This morning we have come to tell again The story of angels and shepherds Of disbelieving fathers and unlikely mothers This morning we have come to hear again The good, good news Of love born among us Of God here with us This morning we prepare to receive the gift Of a child born in […]
Read full text