This ‘Mission Moment Monologue’ might be used in any worship service. While it is specific to the work of Commitment for Life, it can be adapted to provide an example of the wider church working in the world. Leader: We have a special guest this morning visiting from Bangladesh. Usha’s work is supported by our […]
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‘It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body…’ –1 Corinthians 15:44 Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!* Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! And what rose with him? Something mysterious and wondrous happened in the tomb during those three days between burial and resurrection. According to the sacred myth, when Jesus rose […]
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Tune: New Winchester – Ride on, ride on in majesty Palm leaves are rotting on the ground As plans for your arrest are formed A way to stop you must be found By those who crown your head with thorns Your journey takes you from the room From Seder meal with bread and wine Into a garden […]
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For two voices from Israel & the Occupied Palestinian Territory This ‘Mission Moment Dialogue’ might be used in any worship service. While it is specific to the work of Commitment for Life, it can be adapted to provide an example of the wider church working in Israel & the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Leader: We have […]
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A responsive reading We choose a world of justice, where resources are not hoarded, but equally distributed; in which we work for a world made fit for future generations, caring for one another in peace. We choose. We choose God, for God is justice. We choose a world of peace in which people no […]
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When using this reflection, ‘Mothering Sunday’ may replace ‘Mother’s Day’ throughout. Mother’s Day is complicated. Mother’s Day brings with it 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 us […]
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almost certainly, as the sun readies to rise on easter as birdsong sings life into still-darkened skies as grandmothers detangle hair they will tenderly braid as women ready stoves for loaves they’ve kneaded and risen almost certainly, before we can sing the first verse of ‘Up from the Grave He Arose’ or ‘Christ the Lord […]
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Written in response to social disruption in the UK Tune: Aurelia (The Church’s One Foundation) Let’s pray against the vi’lence, let’s pray against the fear, let’s pray for peace and justice, that calm may reappear, that those who seek disruption rethink, recoil, review, that sanity and kindness may soon break out anew. Let’s pray for […]
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Yesterday, I took my tears to the trees, and walked through the woods crying, and singing. Four intentions ground me today. God help me: Feel my feelings, and help them flow. Be in movement; move in rhythm with life around me. Remember: while the feeling of love may come and go, the Love that is […]
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Spirit of Gentleness, breath of live, source of our being, we are mindful that we are both kin and covenanted to you and one another. Even as we are bold to come before you with our prayers of petition for peace, we are mindful of our shortcomings. Not wanting to take advantage of your gracefulness […]
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Where do you live, God? Where can I find you abiding? I find you in moments of awe – breathing in the odour of lavender I find you in moments of wonder – looking across the icy waters toward the snow-covered hills I find you in moments of anxiety—lighting the flame of a devotional candle […]
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These ‘Watch Words,’ each highlighting a different psalm, were created by John Potter. When you use one in worship or a church publication, please credit John.
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Powerful weekly images created by “painter of liberation”, Maximino Cerezo Barredo, are available for use in worship and church publications. An image has been etched for each Sunday of the three-year lectionary cycle. Explore the images for each week at: Year A images Year B Images Year C images “There are liberation theologians … and there […]
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On my forehead, A sign of the cross, Smudged in ash from the fire That burned down the McMansion of my hubris, And, with it, The money I should have given away, The screens I stare at to numb my senses, The carpet I should have been called on, The doors I should have opened […]
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In the beginning the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Sacred waters, a drop which rests on the palm of my hand a gift from God. Sacred waters, quenching parched lips, nourishing our bodies turning arid land into a garden of life, sustaining all its creatures. Sacred waters, nourishing our spirits, a blessing sprinkled […]
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You faced the crowd, the trial, the scorn That other people should The mocking robe, the crown of thorns Where in this is the good? You dragged a cross through crowded streets Where mocking people stood To a broken, fragile, hopeless world You offered hope for good The sacrifice you made that day That no-one […]
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International Women’s Day was marked for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, in 1911, with more than one million women and men attending rallies. Today many faith communities mark this day with public interfaith services. As you plan your event, consider using these resources which are free to use. Please credit the […]
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The light of God surrounded them: God’s light in flames of fire within a bush telling Moses to take off his shoes for he is standing on Holy Ground. God’s light in a pillar of fire leading the Israelites to a promised land during darkened nights in the desert. God’s light in tongues of fire […]
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You who remembered Hannah Hear us You who saved Hagar Behold us You who gave courage to Esther Help us You who gave laughter to Sarah Care for us You who did not judge Rachel Forgive us You who cast your shadow on Mary Protect us Based on an old Scottish prayer, by Anna-Claar Thomasson-Rosingh, […]
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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? Lectionary Year resources — click on the year: Year A Year B Year C Ash Wednesday resources: Lent Songs: Lent Prayers […]
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Lectionary readings & resources for Lent Year C… Click on the link for all Worship Words Lent resources.
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These Mandalas have been created and shared by Roger Lynn, USA. Use them freely to enhance your worship.
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Transfigured Revealed magnificence Appearing in radiant glory Truth bursting forth illumination of wonder divine umbilical cord connected radiance raining upon beholders What words do we use to describe the indescribable? What metaphors bring us closer to the experience, the meaning? Whatever we think happened, however we interpret the story, this revered and remembered moment holds […]
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A responsive prayer of intercession for our world Within our darkest night, Let your light shine. God of all creation, you hold the depths of the earth in your hands. You are closer to us than the air we breathe. Fill our souls with your wonderful love and light. Give us strength and courage to […]
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A ritual for Lent: lighting candles in a bowl holding ashes, tulsi *, soil, and salt This might be incorporated into weekly worship or used for personal devotions. Elemental. Death mingling with life. The remnants of fire, holding the beeswax that becomes flame. Holy basil, cleansing and healing. Soil, where life begins and ends. Salt […]
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Tune: © Horsted Keynes by Matthew Prevett Download tune with words as a PDF You call us, as you called the Twelve, To walk with you the narrow way. From every background, here we stand, Your raggle-taggle pilgrim band, From travelled years or early days, Through failings, new starts, hopes, delays; Be with us as […]
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Epiphany 7, Year C, Revised Common Lectionary Neither be distracted by, nor be in awe of wicked people. They will wither and fade like the desert grass. Put your trust in the Holy One and steer a straight path. Find there your heart’s desire. Surrender to this way and find ever present help so that […]
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There is no ceasefire Ana. We must continue to pray for a ceasefire and a peace with justice. Rev. Loren McGrail, living in Palestine Received in response to last week’s prayer post, below. Adapted prayer for a ceasefire God of Love, Guide us by the truth. Let us not be blinded by banners waving empty […]
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Loving God, Deepen my root In the soil of You Pressure enough To hold and grow All You intend Into fullness of blossom In seasons of Your design. Grant me grace To be connected To other roots Also fashioned by You That strength may abound In connections You form For every storm Of the world’s […]
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Mis-hear How can they choose to treat faith As an excuse to live lives filled with hate? How can they still promote war As though that’s what your peace fights on for? How can they dare define love As a word meant for them to shun us? How can they collect their wealth And keep […]
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Tune: Finlandia How good it is to hear the words you’ve spoken To take your love and offer it to all To take your hope to where your world is broken To help and heal and lift up those who fall How good it is to know your love and feel it To know how […]
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inspired by Romans 12.1 Beloved, we are all one in this. The Spirit is yearning in you, the mercy of God birthing in you. Give all of yourself to God, not just your mind: your hands and eyes, your breath and loins, your hungers and your energies, your skin and its secrets, your frailties and […]
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God’s the whole God is none God is three God is one God’s a me God’s a you God’s absurd God is true God’s ‘I Am’ God’s ‘You Are’ God is near God is far God exists God does not God is all God’s a lot God is small God’s a thought God’s a man […]
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Epiphany 4, Year C, Revised Common Lectionary This might be read by one or two readers, or as a responsive reading for the congregation. Loving One, all I want is to be safe with you; keep away the people who only come to mock me. Let me feel your strength coming to my rescue, hear […]
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tune: We have come into this place Love is moving in this place And holding us with peace and tenderness Love is calling us with grace To lift up all with hope and gentleness Love is showing us your face And radiating life to make us more like Christ Love is here, love that comes […]
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21st Sunday after Pentecost, Year B I feel alone, no one can help, no one hears. I feel abandoned, separate in time and space and yet I know you are all around. You are always there for humanity, listening, speaking, giving knowledge and wisdom, but I feel cut off, feel less than human, separate from […]
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New words for a familiar tune: Nun danket Now thank we all our God for justice flowing waters, For hope that shines throughout The darkness of our world Forgive our selfish ways, our wanton paths of greed. Lift up our eyes to love, to help our neighbours’ need. Now thank we all our God For […]
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Womb of light from whom we shine, but whom we cannot see but by looking away, only the unseen hides you, eye of darkness, ring of light, mystery of day’s bright night. We too are you, eclipsed. Let our horror of losing you remain. What conceals you reveals you, but only the merest edges of […]
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Tune: Bishopgarth For the lyrics, music and a power point click here: The New Year brings another time 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 […]
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A drama by Commitment for Life, adapted by Ana Gobledale Speaker 1: affluent western female stereotype Speaker 2: male or female Speaker 3: male or female, but a woman is more likely to be collecting the water. Speaker 1: What a great morning, sun shining. I think I will get James to get the private […]
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