Holy Week

Easter

What words express the mystery of the unknowable?  the beliefs that defy the rules of nature?  our faith? our doubt? What words enable the wordless to speak?  the deaf to understand? Dare we speak truth into this mystery?  exasperation?  doubt?  solid faith? Explore these Worship Words resources to find words for your worship experience on […]

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The Restlessness of Grief — Cara Heafey

Reflection for Easter Eve, ‘Holy’ Saturday The worst has happened. The disciples have fled. The cross stands bare. The tomb is sealed. Mary, dazed and exhausted by sorrow, fuggy with tears, makes her way to the grave. She doesn’t know what else to do with herself. Such is the restlessness of grief; when the wound […]

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Christening in Alabaster — Jim Burklo

Arising from Matthew 26: 6-13, Mark 14: 3-9, Luke 7: 36-50, John 12: 1-8 At a party, when a woman, without giving notice, anoints Jesus with perfumed oil, his fellow guests object to its expense, which could have been put to use serving the poor. But in that extravagant act, Jesus is made Christ, the […]

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His were the hands — Duncan Wilson, UK

Inspired by Michael Rosen His were the hands That shaped the wood That smoothed the knot That summoned the friends And launched the boat His were the hands That touched the blind And opened ears That held the child And cast out fears His were the hands That fingered the coin That plucked the corn […]

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Help me stay awake, prayer — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for Good Friday Jesus, man of sorrows, give me the courage to be a faithful witness to those who are suffering. Help me to overcome my awkwardness and fear to sit with them among the ashes, and to stay alongside. Help me to not recoil from sickness or death, but to be a […]

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Mary Interviewed, drama — Tod Gobledale, UK

‘I am doing a new thing’ – an interview with Mary of Bethany Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 (Lectionary readngs for Lent 5, Year C) Characters:   P = Preacher; M = Mary P: Will you pray with me? God of new things, this morning we ask you to calm the cacophony of our hearts and minds, […]

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His were the hands — Duncan Wilson, UK

His were the hands That shaped the wood That smoothed the knot That summoned the friends And launched the boat His were the hands That touched the blind And opened ears That held the child And cast out fears His were the hands That fingered the coin That plucked the corn That wrote in sand […]

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Cross Friday (Good Friday)

What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? Worship Words resources for Cross (Good) Friday:

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Maundy Thursday

Matthew 26:17-75 Mark 14:12-72 Luke 22:7-65 John 13:1 – 18:27 Worship Words resources for Maundy Thursday (alphabetical order):

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Holy Week Challenge & Prayer — Loren McGrail, Israel/Palestine

Prayed at Saint Andrews Scots Memorial Church in Jerusalem Setting the scene When Jesus came into Jerusalem for that last supper the crowds were singing and dancing. Palms were waved and coats were tossed on the ground—all for the victorious One. Hosanna in the highest. No matter that he came on a donkey instead of […]

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Passion/Palm Sunday

What words express the hope, the anticipation, the surge of the excited crowd? What words fill the air of our worship centres?  filling the hollows of the week ahead? How do we express the shadow looming?  the darkness beneath the palms? Songs for Palm/Passion Sunday: Dramas for Palm/Passion Sunday: Worship Words resources for Palm/Passion Sunday: […]

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