This service of leave-taking was originally written for the departure of Revd Bob Day by Revd Kate Gray, Manchester UK. Time to give thanks There is a time to give thanks, for the times of challenge and hardship for the times of tiredness and distress for the times of solidarity and justice with […]
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Inspired by John 14:6 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A You are the Way Help us to find new ways of Walking You are the Truth Help us to find new ways of Talking You are the Life Help us to find new ways of Living You are Love Help us to find new ways […]
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Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year C Your love, O God, breaks the small boundaries of our understanding. Your faithfulness is not constrained by etiquette and protocol. Your righteousness is as firm, yet as fluid as the ever-changing face of the mountains. Your justice can plumb the depths of our humanity and raise us […]
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Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A Narrator: Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah, chapter 6, beginning with verse 1. Micah places us in a court room drama. First the judge speaks, ordering the complainant to rise, and introducing the case. Then God brings charges against Israel, God’s own people. Then Micah responds on behalf […]
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Let us prayerfully focus on this water, as I pour it into the bowl, and as we do, let each of us infuse it with our commitments to share with (this child / name) the unique gifts that God has given us, gifts (this child / name) will need from us as s/he goes along […]
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Written in 1986 for a Maundy Thursday evening service at Mfanefile United Congregational Church, Zululand, South Africa, where we (Ana & Tod) lived illegally (in a ‘Black Spot’ during apartheid) and ministered at the time. With no electricity, the church was lit by a few candles. In the days of apartheid, the world felt very […]
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Wednesday – Renewal From a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Preparation: a candle or tea light. Suggestion: say the prayers aloud Affirmation All that I am, all that I do, all whom I shall meet this day I offer to you now, God. Lighting the Spirit flame The Spirit who moved over the […]
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Inspired by Isaiah 11:3-4a Second Sunday of Advent, Year A Holy One, open our spirits to your righteousness – a righteousness that helps us understand the power innate in all humanity. Grant us the righteousness to recognize the gifts, resources, resiliency, strength and wisdom present in ourselves and in others. Empower us, O […]
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Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this New Year, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Ready-to-Act: a story from Exodus 1:8-2:10 Characters: 1) Narrator, 2) Pharoah, 3) Pharoah’s Daughter, 4) Miriam, 5) Midwife Shiphrah, 6) Midwife Puah Provide large-font copies for all actor/readers; no memorization required. Print landscape with two columns to avoid hiding mouths behind sheets. Script Narrator: Now a new king […]
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A Palm Sunday Dialogue with reflection Mark 14:27-31 (Year B) Introduction to Dialogue: Pray with me. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all our hearts be acceptable to You. Amen. Australians call them Stuff-ups. What is a “stuff up?” Wait for an answer. Yes! Blunders, errors, mistakes. When I commit them, […]
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A dramatic reading Year A, Second Sunday of Lent–12 March 2017 John 3:1- 21 (adapted from the New Revised Standard Version and “The New Testament and Psalms: an inclusive version” published by Oxford University Press in 1995) Narrator: Today’s reading is taken from John’s Gospel, the story of the encounter between Jesus and […]
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Reading and Heeding the signs of the Times Matthew 2.1-12 Note: The “king” or “magi” or “wise one” may be named as appropriate for the congregation. The part may be played by either a woman or a man. The “minister” might be any worship leader. Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year A. Script Minister: …This […]
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Metre: 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.12. Tune: Londonderry is commended for this text We shall go out with hope of resurrection, We shall go out, from strength to strength go on, We shall go out and tell our stories boldly, Tales of a love that will not let us go. We’ll sing our songs of wrongs that can be […]
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This annual observance, stretching from 1 September to 4 October (Day of St. Francis of Assisi), aims to raise awareness about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis. Click on category to view resources created for the Season of Creation (Creation-tide) Songs Complete services Psalms Prayers Dramas, litanies, choral […]
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Written for Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost, Year C Note: There’s an invitation for all to say the line in bold. The prompt is always “Amma”. Abba You are our mother and our father And we try to believe you love us Abba, Amma, Remind us we are not alone Abba We don’t always seem to […]
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The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. The UnitingJustice Australia website provides worship resources, including a Call to Worship, Litany for Peace, prayers of confession and intercession, blessing and dismissal, UnitingJustice Australia is […]
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Daily Prayers for Thursday Solidarity with the poor –from a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Affirmation I live today because of God, the Giver of Life, Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Spirit, the Presence of Life. Praise and thanksgiving There are no no-go areas for you, God of the Poor. […]
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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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for Pentecost 17, Year C As people of faith, we accept our interconnectedness with all people, and all creation. And so we unite our hearts in prayer for those in need. Let us draw near to the divine and to one another through our prayers of intercession. There is a responsive line at the end […]
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Ready-to-print copies: PDF The Lord’s Prayer – Sam Alexander WORD The Lord’s Prayer, Sam Alexander Those things that are good and right and true: I acknowledge them with honour and love; These things are come, These things are done, This Earth is a living Heaven. I am provided for with abundance, I am wealthy […]
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C — Revelations 21 Read the prayers aloud. At each point, pause to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the old things have passed away. God is making all things new. […]
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Pause before the prayer, allowing God’s Spirit to search your heart. Make your own confession. Pause after the prayer to experience the reality of God’s forgiveness. The old ways are so comfortable, O God. They fit like old slippers; they feel like old friends. I don them more readily than my resurrection clothes; I live […]
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Proper 16 (usually 12th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Written for two voices Voice 1 — lifts prayers directly to God. Voice 2 — reflects on the nature of God. Worship Leader: Hear the grateful words of the Psalmist. Voice 1: I give you thanks, O God, with my whole heart; before the gods […]
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For 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year C For 3 Actors/Readers: Narrator, Lawyer and Jesus Readers may hold scripts throughout. Narrator: In today’s Gospel reading, Luke presents one of the instances someone examines Jesus with the intent to trick him, at least with words. In this case, it is a lawyer questioning Jesus. The […]
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God of grace and compassion Our hearts are full of gratitude as we think of the many blessings in our lives: the gift of faith to believe in you, the love of family and friends, for shelter, clean water and plentiful food, for access to education and health care, for the freedom and speech and […]
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Lofty, cavernous space Warm, earth-toned candlelight enfolding me in its womb. Nothing can harm you A suggestion of incense Soft, background chanting hinting at generations past and to come. Vast eternal community gathered in microcosm. Come and pray in us, Holy Spirit Majestic windows drawing my soul upwards on the rising […]
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How do we remember the dead? What words ring true? Where do we gather? Traditions from different cultures can inspire us. Resources for All Saints Day:
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From a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Sunday – Resurrection and New Life Suggestions: Light a candle or tea light. Read the prayers aloud. Affirmation I live this day in the presence of God, the embrace of Jesus and the joy of the Spirit. Lighting the resurrection candle The Light of Christ […]
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This active website for worship planning “from a progressive perspective” is chalk-a-block full of ready-to-use resources! Focusing on the Revised Common Lectionary, this”resource website for worship planning” for Adelaide’s Pilgrim United Church in the City provides “a compilation of resources from various sources, as well as resources written by Pilgrim worship planners.” One ready-to-use item […]
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Call and Response One: Humans of God’s creation, we are diverse. Many: We are beautiful. We are unique. We judge each other’s differences, yet our diversity is an illustration of the infinite mystery of God. All: The God in me sees the God in you. One: Humans of God’s creation, we are political. Many: We […]
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Originally written in response to police shootings and deaths in the USA… God, You who are ultimately in control, the fury and pain and death of this world are before us this day. We weep over the hunger, war, conflict, and hate cursing the landscape of the earth, wasting lives that barely had a chance, […]
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I made you myself, carefully and lovingly. I gathered your molecules together, Scooping them out of the dust, warming them into clay. I formed you, deftly With the skill and vision of an artist Into a unique creation. A tiny masterpiece. Your contours bear the imprint of my fingers. Your imperfections and irregularities are a […]
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What words do we use to comfort and strengthen those who are nearing death? Resources providing words for sharing with the dying and their loved ones:
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A Cat, Rat, Mouse and Spider bring the nativity story to life as they meet Mary, the Innkeeper, Shepherds, an Angel and the Magi. Full of knock-knock jokes, carols and talking animals, the Joyful Animals’ Nativity is a delightful Christmas nativity drama ready for you to use. Download ready-to-print scripts: PDF Joyful Animal Nativity script […]
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Spring has sprung! Come gardeners and farmers! This service, originally created to celebrate Earth Day (22 April), lends itself to multiple multi-age voices. This all-age service of celebration and blessing has been shared in the UK and the USA and includes optional prayers, readings and sermons. It is easily adaptable for a new location. Ready-to-print […]
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Inspired by Genesis 1 which is included in the Sunday lectionary for Epiphany Year B, Trinity Sunday Year A, and Easter Sunday Years A, B and C. Our God, We come before you with minds, hearts and eyes open To the many ways in which you reveal yourself to us: In the colours of autumn, […]
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This active blog, Lectionary Liturgies, provides liturgies based on the the Revised Common Lectionary readings for each Sunday of the church year. They are posted the week before “for folks to use in worship, as they deem appropriate.” While the spirit of the language used tends to be open and welcoming, the specific words are […]
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