Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson

Transgender Day of Remembrance, 20 Nov

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on 20 November honouring the memory of those whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Newest ‘Transgender Day of Remembrance’ posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a […]

Read full text

Psalm 107, Call to Worship — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Inspired by Psalm 107 May be read by one voice or responsively Give thanks to God! For God is good!  God’s steadfast love lasts forever. God gathers God’s people From east and west, north and south, From the deserts of our weary and aimless wanderings, From the shadows and gloom of our struggles, From the […]

Read full text

Epiphany Prayers of Intercession — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Loving God, We gather as your people Seeking your presence, your comfort and your love. In this Epiphany Season of light Shine your light upon us – Into the recesses of our spirits, Those places where we experience anxiety, depression, fear and despair. This morning, we lift up in particular all among us who are […]

Read full text

Blue Christmas / Longest Night Reflection — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This has been a difficult season for many of us. Illness… unemployment… separation from loved ones… broken relationships… unmet hopes and expectations… events that have divided our homes, families, communities and country… loneliness and isolation… the death of a friend or family member… the loss of a pregnancy… war in our world… fear for our […]

Read full text
Art in the Park, Loveland Colorado, photo by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson

Psalm 81, Call to Worship — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Adapted from Psalm 81 Written to be read responsively Pentecost 12, Proper 17, Year C Pentecost 2, Proper 4, Year B Sing to God! God is our strength. We will shout for joy. Open your mouth, your mind, your heart, your soul, God will fill it! God will fill us! Listen to the Lord, your […]

Read full text

Blessing a kiln — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This service was written as a blessing for a home-made wood-fired kiln on the day of its first firing.  It might be adapted for other items used in the creative process, e.g. a loom or studio. This service was originally written for the blessing of a kiln designed and built by Daniel Gardner of Loveland, […]

Read full text

How can this be; called — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be….’ — Luke 1:34 “How can this be? In the Advent season, we prepare to say yes to God’s call, to step forward in courage, faith and hope, whatever that might look like in each of our lives. God, forgive us for those times when we have […]

Read full text

First Responder Blessing — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Written to mark the 20th anniversary of 9-11 You have generously devoted yourself to helping others — thank you. Your work requires you to be prepared for whatever comes: You make difficult and complicated decisions, often in a split second. You put yourself at risk to serve your community — often encountering those among us […]

Read full text

Season of thin spaces — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This is indeed a holy season. This is a season of light shining in the shadows. And the shadows will not overcome it. This is a season where we allow God to light hope, peace, joy and love on the wicks of our lives. This is a season of thin spaces where the distance between […]

Read full text

How Love Came to Earth — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A responsive Call to Worship written specifically for intergenerational worship (works well during Advent) God, you came into the world weak: A baby born in a stable, Sleeping in a feeding trough With animal sounds and smells all around. This is how love came to earth. God, you have made us vulnerable. Our bodies can […]

Read full text

Images

A picture says a thousand words.  Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing your work. All photos posted on the Worship Words website may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist. Images are listed by theme, season and by photographer (scroll down). Photographs arranged by themes throughout the Church […]

Read full text

Healing prayer for children — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson

Hold us and heal us with your love Alternative phrases for both American and British English are provided. Ow! That hurts! Mama! Grandma! Daddy!  [Mummy! Nana! Daddy!] A whimper. A wail. A wound. Oh God, Hold us and heal us with your love.   Silent. Withdrawn. Pain visible only in our eyes. Or perhaps hidden […]

Read full text

Hey God, Wanna Play? — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson

A Call to Worship written for young readers — The lines in bold might be given to very young children to say. Inspired by ‘Retelling of Mark’ 10 in Children of God Storybook Bible. All:      Hey God! Wanna play? Voice 1: God’s too busy taking care of the world, listening to our troubles […]

Read full text

Praise God! — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A Call to Worship for young readers The bold sections may be said by a very young child. Use two or many voices. Let’s praise God!  Let’s sing!  Let’s laugh! Praise God! God, you mend our broken hearts when we feel sad, when we are hurt, when friendships end, when things change, when beloved people […]

Read full text

Bringing Our Questions — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A Call to Worship written for young readers  The bold lines might be said by a very young child. I have so many questions, God! Who are you? What are you? How did you make the universe? How did you make me? Whales, moose and bears? Why do bad things happen Even when we try […]

Read full text

God’s table of Love — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This might be used as a Call to Worship or Call to Communion. It works as a responsive reading involving the entire congregation or read by 2-3 readers.  It has been written with young readers in mind. If you’re worshipping on-line, parents might video their children reading this, or audio-record it and play as the […]

Read full text

Mother’s Day is complicated — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

When using this reflection, ‘Mothering Sunday’ may replace ‘Mother’s Day’ throughout. Mother’s Day is complicated. Mother’s Day brings with it many varied emotions. Hallmark [greeting card manufacturers] would have us believe that it is all roses, breakfast-in-bed and hand-drawn cards. But we know and acknowledge that it is much more complicated than that. Some of […]

Read full text

Psalm 23, Call to Worship — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson

Inspired by Psalm 23 Lectionary: Lent 4A, Easter 4 ABC, Proper 23 A, Proper 11 B God is our shelter, protection, and guide. We want for nothing, and we will practice thanksgiving! God invites us to places of peace and beauty where wildflowers bloom and mountain streams flow. God will restore us, and we will […]

Read full text

Mothers: a responsive prayer — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A prayer for Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday The prayer may be divided into multiple voices, read by individuals or sections of the gathered congregation, e.g. left & right or east & west.  Thandiwe has written this for a congregation with clear sections known familiarly as west, mid, east and choir.  Replace those designations with […]

Read full text

Transfiguration Confession — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Christ, Brother, Teacher, Friend, As we look upon your face transformed by the light of Love, we confess that we have chosen to walk in the darkness of fear, prejudice, selfishness, shame and pride. As we marvel at your ability to forgive and heal, reconcile and make new, we confess that we have chosen to […]

Read full text

MLK Day, Call to Worship — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Martin Luther King Day is observed in the USA on the third Monday of January. This morning we remember dreams and dreamers. Joseph, Jesus’ father, dreamt about uncertainty. We, too, know the uncertainty of dreaming. May we, like Joseph, respond in faith. Mary, Jesus’ mother, dreamt about a child, a new beginning. We, too, dream […]

Read full text

All Saints Day, Children’s Message — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Children’s Message for All Saints Day – recognizing God’s workers Images of saints, past and present, are used to help children identify and appreciate people who are ‘saints’, who use their life to make the world a better place. The iconography of Robert Lenz provides numerous portraits of what he calls “marginalized heroes” –both traditional […]

Read full text

Psalm 23 for today — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, UK

Inspired by Psalm 23 God is my shelter, my protection, and my guide. I want for nothing, and I will practice thanksgiving! God invites me to places of peace and beauty where wildflowers bloom and mountain streams flow. God will restore me, and I will practice sabbath rest. Even when anxiety and fear threaten to […]

Read full text

Call to Worship, Advent 4 — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

A responsive reading Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel and restore us O God: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. From the throngs of city centers to the far-flung wilderness: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. To every nation, race and people: Let your face shine, that we may […]

Read full text

God of righteous anger, a prayer — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This prayer has been written in response to the cover-up of sexual abuse revealed within the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania USA.  Items italicized might need to be updated to be more relevant to today’s worship. God of righteous anger and holy healing, We pray for our world For Ireland and Pennsylvania and Roman Catholics […]

Read full text

Disciples Prayer — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

ready-to-print copies: PDF Disciples Prayer by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson WORD Disciples Prayer by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson Holy One whose name we honour and praise, When we laugh, you laugh with us. When we weep, your tears wash over the earth. You know the joys and sorrows of our hearts, Our efforts for change and our resistance to […]

Read full text

Prayer for the New Year — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Quietly the New Year slips in. Are we now more fearful, the radio asks? More careful? More tired? Are we now more aware of the suffering, the violence, the inequality, the injustice in our world? Holy God, In this New Year, We seek you As we have always sought you. We need you As we […]

Read full text

Advent Prayer — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Holy God, during this busy season of Advent, We pray for our World. We seek your light in the midst of darkness, Your peace in the midst of violence, Your love in the midst of discord, Your courage in the face of fear, And your wisdom to guide us.   Help us to be messengers […]

Read full text