Opening words, Church Anniversary — Ana Gobledale, UK

We gather, celebrating our life together     With gratitude to those who have gone before. We gather, looking ahead to our life together     With anticipation as we step into the future. We gather to worship and serve the living God      the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whoever you are and wherever you […]

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Holy Week

What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? The surprise, the joy, the ecstasy? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? What words express the Passion journey through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Cross (Good) Friday and into Resurrection Day? Worship […]

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Mothering Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent)

19 March 2023 10 March 2024 30 March 2025 There are all types of mothers. There are people who are not biological mothers who provide nurture and love. What words do we use to describe mothers and those who mother? What words to describe our relationships with our mothers? Newest ‘Mothering Sunday’ posts . . […]

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Lent

What words accompany us through the Lenten journey? How do we cry out? How do we express the cravings of our deepest being? What words comfort and challenge us in the wilderness of life? Ash Wednesday resources: Lectionary Year resources — click on the year: Year A Year B Year C Lent Songs: Lent Prayers […]

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Eternal Journey — Chris Roe, UK

As the crimson flame of life Breaks slowly Above the horizon, The white, frosted meadows, With trees and hedgerows Of sculptured ice, Speak loudly Of your presence. Once more Upon this journey, As another day begins, Without effort Or intrusion, Through the peace And tranquillity Of your silent voice, The moment becomes eternal, And the […]

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Baptism, Christening, Naming, Dedication

Baptism – Christening – Naming  – Dedication What words do you use to explain the mystery of belonging? What words do we use to present our children to the truth of Love? To affirm their welcome by the One which cannot be named or known? To welcome them into the family of Love? Scroll down […]

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We were wrong, a confession — Lauren Mallaby, Australia

We were wrong: We were wrong when we closed the door and you needed us most. The people who claimed to follow a man who never closed doors appeared to slam ours when you were despairing confused hurt hopeless broken hungry thirsty for more. We were wrong when we pretended we couldn’t see didn’t know […]

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New Year, a hymn — George Stuart, Australia

Tune: Bishopgarth For the lyrics, music and a power point click here. The New Year brings another time To practise some reflection, To contemplate priorities; What past ways need rejection; The call of Jesus comes again To strengthen our connection To his inspiring way of life, And maybe change direction. The past is gone; cannot […]

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Miscarriage in Advent — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

How easy it is to get caught up in the busy-ness, the doing, the decorating, the cooking, the sending, the buying, the eating of Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong, I love each of these parts of Christmas – setting up the Christmas tree and hanging decorations, the home-made Christmas cookies and egg nog, writing […]

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Blue Christmas

The Christmas season is not always a happy time. — Mary Oliver (from Thirst, Beacon Press, Boston, 2006) The Advent and Christmas seasons can remind us of loved ones or relationships we have lost. The sights and smells of the weeks approaching Christmas, rather than bring joy and delight, can bring sadness and grief. A “Blue […]

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December words

What words move us through Advent, from World AIDS Day into the New Year? Summer in the South — Winter in the North — words of warmth for the cold nights, words that cool the hot sun. 1st – World AIDS Day 6th – Day of Remembrance, Canada Resources to explore and use during this […]

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Gathering Prayer, Mark 13

Written in response to Mark 13:1-2, using elements of a prayer by Louise Gough. For The 26th Week of Pentecost (Proper 28) Loving God, who summoned the world into being, moulded the mountains, bathed the earth in colour and light, and breathed into us the Spirit of life, we gather in your church, your temple, […]

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November words

Worship Words resources for special days and events in November: 1st  – All Saints Day 11th – Remembrance Day,  Veterans Day (USA) 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance 4th Thursday – Thanksgiving, USA 30th – St Andrew’s Day November worship resources A-Z: Additional days of interest in November: mid-Oct – mid-Nov — Diwali  (date fluctuates)  Hindu […]

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Creation Words

What words express our awe and wonder of creation? What words do we use to confess our abuse of creation? ‘Creation is charged with the grandeur of God.’ – Kelvin Inglis, UK Creation prayers and worship resources:      

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Harvest

Harvest in the south in April. Harvest in the north in September. The cycle of our year offers numerous opportunities to express our gratitude and thanksgiving. What words do we use to celebrate the abundance of a good harvest? Or to mourn the scarcity in times of drought?

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Gravestone unveiling — Ana Gobledale, UK

How do we mark the passing of time after a death? What words do we share when we gather to install, place or unveil a gravestone or marker? This service has been used when unveiling a gravestone or placing a plaque at a grave. Complete Service ready to download and print PDF Gravestone unveiling – full […]

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Hopeful brokenness, in response to a bombing — Ana Gobledale, UK

Written April 2018 during a time of personal reflection in the Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral, UK, following the bombing of Syria by the US and the UK. Broken Bombed Darkness descends How did it come to this? God groans The world whimpers. We cower Fearfully crying out, ‘Which way?’ What about our grandchildren? Follow the […]

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Worship Words – an introduction

Worship Words networks writers and users across time and space and provides a place to share progressive prayers, songs and liturgies with others.   Worship Words strives to provide free worship material which is: Inclusive:  avoiding gender-exclusive language and imagery for people and God Thoughtful:  attending to word-craft, selecting each word and phrase with purpose.  Avoiding cliché and […]

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Gathering hymn — George Stuart, Australia

We gather in this place Tune Crimond  For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. We gather in this place today To hear a word we need; From Jesus’ teaching we gain strength; We listen. We take heed. We come with open hearts and minds To hear a word we need; To sing […]

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Summer words

What words hold the glory of summer? How do we express the mystery of bursting sunflowers, broad leaves and warm waters? Summer words: an alphabetical listing of all resources Explore these resources for words (and images) to share in worship and reflection during the summer season… Free images of summer: All photos posted on the Worship […]

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Autumn Words

A time of thanksgiving A time of sharing What words reflect the orange glow of an autumn sunset, the heavy grain and succulent fruit, the sorrow of scarcity when crops fail?   Worship Words Autumn resources Worship words resources for Harvest celebrations: Free images of autumn: All photos posted on the Worship Words website may […]

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A: Epiphany

Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year A… For all Worship Words Epiphany resources click here.

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World Refugee Day – 20 June

What words express our commitment, or desire for the commitment, to reach out to welcome the stranger? World Refugee Day, declared by the United Nations to be marked on June 20, is a call for communities around the world to work toward peace and security for all, remembering especially the millions of people who are […]

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Alpha & Omega, Children’s Message — Tod Gobledale, UK

Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13 — Lectionary reading for Christmas and New Year A,B,C; Easter 2C, 5C and 7C, All Saints Day Year B, Pentecost 27B (Proper 29B) Alpha & Omega: Introducing the symbols of the church to children   This message offers children the opportunity to look around the sanctuary or worship room and discover […]

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Pluralism Sunday, first Sunday of May

An initiative of the Progressive Christianity movement: Join communities around the world celebrating religious diversity on the first Sunday of May (or the date of your choice). Pluralism isn’t just diversity; it’s something we create out of this diversity. The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism […]

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ColourWeaving Prayer — David Yeo Poulton, UK

What of colour and faith?  What colour would you assign to love or to peace?  What colour symbolises God or Jesus?  How would you use colour to describe the feelings and emotions of trust, joy, anger, depression, dreams, hope, loneliness, or thankfulness? David explains: ‘As a Christian with dyslexia (dyslexia comes from the Greek meaning […]

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Pentecost words

Words understood by all . . . which do we choose? What words express the hope, the unity, the promise of Pentecost?     Share your Pentecost worship words: an invitation to you to participate in a conversation… What does the message of Pentecost sound like today? Looking ahead, what songs will you be singing? […]

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