Open Table Worship Using inclusive language and imagery for intimate worship settings at which everyone is welcome and valued Theme: Stand firm in our faith A complete worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table This service is designed for a congregation gathered around […]
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‘Do not be afraid’ — words of the angels Prayers of Intercession This was originally written for a worship service marking the opening of a week-long Angel Festival. It might be used during Advent, particularly at a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. The word ‘angel’ is not always popular, or sometimes over-popular! How can […]
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Great Spirit, For the beauty of the earth we give thanks. For the streaks of morning sun we give thanks. For the warmth of family and friends we give thanks. Power of Love, Link us together in love. Shower our day with hope and joy. Create in us a commitment to extend your welcome to all, […]
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When photos are taken at a funeral or wake and shared, often electronically, with friends and relatives unable to be present, this prayer might be shared with the image of the deceased. It might be offered to the family to be shared before hand, so others can easily forward it with the attached image. Comforting […]
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Arising from Romans 12.12 -13.1 May we put our hands into the hand of God And walk in divine light. May we welcome and respect those new to this land, celebrate the diversity of its citizens and live together in harmony. May each of us be an ambassador for God’s realm of justice and peace. […]
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The Climate Kairos passed. The crisis is now! We must act to restore God’s creation to a place of health and wholeness. Is it too late to make a difference? Can we fix the damage done? God, hear our prayer and spurn us into radical action. We have acted out of self-serving ignorance and frightening […]
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Thoughts upon watching a small child dance with a handful of fallen leaves Fallen Wind-blown Brittle Cracked, cracking An autumn leaf Lifted in the fingers of a child Awed at the brilliance of fire orange And the prominent vein tracks Held high During the dance Twirling Eyes upturned to the heavens Delight In the face […]
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Original worship resources from Zambia — including prayers and complete services — are posted on the ‘Zambia Praise’ section of Worship Words. Click here to explore Zambia Praise. Thanks to all who have shared their creative work with Worship Words — Zambia Praise, especially students at the United Church of Zambia University, many of whom […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]
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Tune: St Columba 87 87 (Iambic) Gathered round this table spread God’s faithful people gather For food, for strength, for wine, for bread In love and trust together Christ’s gift to us, remembering That upper room assembly Friends breaking bread, receiving grace United in God’s fam’ly. No one left out, a place for all To […]
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An engaging ‘live’ interview with Andrew (Andreas) and Peter (Petro) on Pentecost Day Ready-to-print Scripts: Pentecost Drama – interview with Andrew – live from Jerusalem WORD Pentecost Drama – interview with Andrew – live from Jerusalem PDF Worship Leader: Let us imagine ourselves transported through time and space to Jerusalem, two thousand years ago that […]
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Spirit of Community Thank you for church that brings strangers together… Spirit of Truth Thank you for messages that open my/our ears and minds… Spirit of Trust Thank you for familiar words of prayer that provide solid grounding for yet another day… Spirit of Comfort Thank you for the old melodies that reside in the […]
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For 3 readers: Storyteller, Judas, Jesus Storyteller: In today’s New Testament reading, John presents a struggle between financial care and costly extravagance, between financial management and abundant generosity. Hear anew the story of Mary and Judas at dinner with Jesus in Bethany. I am ready from chapter 12 of John’s Gospel. Six days before the […]
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Merciful God, we approach you asking for forgiveness, For healing and reconciliation To once again feel the power of your Love. As individuals and as a nation we have tempted fate. We have stretched our grasp with greed. We have protected our privacy with isolationism. We have ravaged your creation with entitlement. Forgive us. As […]
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Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.* I invite you to close your eyes and breathe in that holy presence. Breathe in the power of God, and breathe out the power of the world. Breathe in the presence of God and breathe out the worries, the fears, the burdens […]
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Home is where the heart is. We remember the bereaved. Home is where I lay my head at night. We remember those sleeping in the street. Home is the hotel midway between here and there. We remember the refugee. Home is the guestroom of friends. We remember the outcast. Home is the terrace house on […]
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God of new beginnings, Be with us as we gaze ahead in hope and enter into this new year with faith. Illuminate the way as we step into the unknown with trust striving to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Thank you for your church where we journey together as God’s family.
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I invite you to pause. Close your eyes, if that’s comfortable and focus on your breathing, the sound of your breath in … and out … in … and out…. [pause for 2-4 breaths]. We live in a busy world, and God invites us to pause in the presence of the divine. [silent pause for […]
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Written in Antalya, Turkey, upon hearing the 11:15 am call to prayer after a coach tour visit to a gold and gemstone showroom. Call to prayer slicing through the cold bended knee bended heart contrite God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Gems of your earth Shining bling catch the eye catch the heart God, […]
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God entrusts to us a great treasure, the gift of Enough When I was young I wanted more persistent insistent unquenched desire I expended energy precious time accumulating earthly things But then God granted me the treasure of Enough not wanting more satisfied contentment not needing to eat too much food buy too many shoes […]
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Peace Your promise Our hope Peace in our communities… Unite us to raise our voices against violence in our homes in our churches in our schools in our work places Peace on our earth… Unite us to take a stand, to act to become eco-churches to go green in our homes and communities to demand powers […]
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A responsive prayer Luke 12:13-21 Provider of Life, creator of the earth and all that is in it, we lift our prayers of thanks to you For the beauty of the earth that surrounds us, For spring flowers that dazzle us and summer’s greenery that delights us, For autumn’s bounty that sustains us and prepares […]
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Materials: a seashell — ideally with twists and hollow spaces If used in summer, take advantage of any connection available to the seaside. What’s this? [a shell] What words might we use to describe it? – pointy, smooth, hollow, full of air, hard, When we look at the shell from different angles, we learn more […]
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My heart swells as I think of all God has done… The brilliance of humanity – diverse and creative The majesty of mountains offering iron and diamonds The towering trees of ancient forests The delight of the ladybird and grasshopper The power of water falling, falling The justice of food for all – abundant crops […]
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So dark, so cold, so alone. God, where are you? Can you hear me? Where are you? My cries seem to vanish into the air. Do any reach you? I feel the waiting stretch so long. Then like the sun that shines before the dawn, Like the sun that shines below my horizon, Your presence […]
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What starts this week? — the Olympics Many people are gathering from all around the world to compete in sports. And they all will try their best to win a medal. What colour medals can they win? Gold, silver and bronze Which colour means that athlete has performed the best in their sport? Gold […]
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This interactive activity has been created for use at baptism services. Leader: I need some children to help me out, 6 to be exact. You will not need to say anything. (Provide as much explanation as necessary until the required number of volunteers stand at the front.) Give each child/volunteer a giant letter to hold, […]
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Walking through the valley of the shadow of death… Death accompanies us all. Waiting silently for acceptance. Not frightening, except for those who fear shadows. Peaceful. I’m grateful for those who show me how to transition from the life we know into this unknowable mystery. So many names and angles of understanding: eternity, resurrection, dust-to-dust, […]
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Text: Mark 6:1-13 (Pentecost 6, Year B) Title: Like a noodle! Theme: Resilience Supplies: Dry spaghetti noodles and cooked spaghetti noodles Works well for InPerson or Zoom (online) service. Script with actions: Good morning. Today we’re thinking about resilience. I wonder what ‘resilient’ means? Any ideas? [Wait for any responses.] If a person is resilient, […]
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We look to you Trusting in your guiding hand Sure in your care for us Assured of your kindness. Even as we face disdain from others and scorn from the proud, we are filled with your mercy. In your fullness we rest. Lectionary reading 6th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B, and 21st Sunday of Pentecost, […]
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What words for Independence Day? We’re free! Alleluia! Free from what? Free for what? Independence at what price? What words express our fears when we see ourselves becoming those from whom we rebelled? What words hold the power of our confession as the oppressors from whom others have sought freedom? What words express our desire […]
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This prayer incorporates the promises of the World Environment Day Pledge created in Australia in 2007. God, empower me to make a difference. Forgive me for taking travel, convenience and electronics for granted. Grant me the willingness to: boil only the water I need, rather than filling the kettle every time. turn my bio-degradable waste […]
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An interactive Children’s Message I have something in my bag. What is this? [a globe] Where are we? [find location] I was born in ____________________. Can you find it on the globe? Where were you born? Can you find it? What about your mums and fathers? Where were they born? Let’s find those countries on […]
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A Psalm for World Water Day 22 March Inspired by Psalm 104: 1, 10-13 Eternal One, your magnificence astounds us. You direct springs to gush forth, to flow along valleys, to slither between hills, providing drink for wild animals, to cool parched throats, to quench thirst. Beside streams you create safe havens for birds who […]
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4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Celebrate Love! Join hearts in delight and gratitude! The brilliance of eternity stretches out before us Solid, trustworthy, unfailing. Free of fear, step into Now With wisdom and understanding.
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God of the past, the present and the future, Thank you for Grandparents who help us remember, And grandchildren who give us reason to remember. Today we remember, even when there is peace in our land. For Peace is a fragile thing. How often it has hung by only a thread May we, followers of […]
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Prayers to Help Counter Fear ‘Perfect love casts out fear.’ — 1 John 4:18 Pastoral Prayer (adapted) Holy One, We live in fearful times. A world swept by pandemic, racism, climate change, economic crises— these are overwhelming realities. Hold us in our fears. When candidates in elections prey on these fears, painting pictures of disaster,. […]
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Gathering words inspired by Psalm 25 God, Elohim, Yahweh, Allah, God, by any name, is good, steadfast and true. Trust that which brought you here. Gather in hope and anticipation, ready to be fed and nourished, ready to be guided and taught. Open yourself to this oasis on the path of your life journey. Be […]
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Jonah 3:10–4:11 dramatised for on-line, on-screen, use Proper 20 (usually 16th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Preparation: Keep it simple; line drawings will work fine. house plant or photo or drawing of a plant Worm – cut out, photo, soft toy or just a tube of some sort Sun – photo or drawing of a […]
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My confession Spirit, remember me. Sometimes I forget to breathe, to pause. I race through the day. I forget to stop long enough to take a deep breath. I could blame the computer. I could blame pressures of work The importance of life’s tasks The necessity of chores. I know the wisdom of pausing. I […]
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