God takes on flesh and joins life in the struggle – this is what radical solidarity feels like. Lives and souls and bodies entangled. Risks and possibilities shared. We’re in this together. The mess, the beauty, the work. Don’t be afraid to feel hopeful. God’s promises are kept. God won’t opt-out or turn away. God […]
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This litany is for a Longest Night or Blue Christmas service. It includes lighting the Christ Candle and the four Advent candles, one by one. The Christ Candle, the central candle, is lit at the opening of the service. Supplies: – votive candles (battery or lit with a match) – manger (empty or with […]
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Adapted by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson from a Longest Night Service by Loren Richmond. The Advent season is one of wonder. For so many, Advent is a time of hopeful anticipation. It is a season of promise. The longer nights and the gray clouds seem to provide the perfect background for the lights and the tinsel. The […]
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Who am I? The mother, a vessel for someone else’s plan? The father, not the father, standing sentinel? A shepherd, dirty and bedraggled, a loner from the veld? A magi, wise and discerning, hoping in star-studded messages? An angel, iridescent, illuminating and terrifying? A donkey, nuzzling the manger, hungrily searching for hay? A lamb, bleating, […]
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May the moon that illuminated the night of the shepherds of Bethlehem, embrace your fears and your struggles, renew your yearnings for a good life and your hope in the arrival of peace. May the star that guided those who migrated from distant lands guide your searches and lead you always to the entrust with […]
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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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Written for Advent (Third Sunday of Advent Year A; Second Sunday of Advent Year B) Tune: Cecilia (6.6.6.6) A desert voice rings out to bring the faithful near; a voice that’s firm and strong, a call that’s loud and clear. A voice that rings with truth reminds us how we fall but lifts us up […]
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Based on Luke 2:41-52 To be read as a reflective monologue spoken by Mary. The reader might wear a shawl to designate themselves as a woman from Palestine. We stopped to rest after a long day’s journey families gathering to prepare their meal we had just assumed – mistakenly – you were with your cousins […]
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Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of children and other members of the community carrying candles. A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way. Las Posadas — Jim Burklo, […]
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Luke 1:46b-55 What might Mary have said when she learned that she was about to become an unwed teenage mother? I’m what? Pregnant? And you want me to tell people what!? You know that in the eyes of all my neighbours, my child will always be regarded as a . . .. You know what […]
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Tune: The Ash Grove, folk tune The great works of nature depend on the small things: The icecaps need snowflakes, the orchards need bees, The forests need fungi, the whales need their plankton And microbes bring life to the soil and the seas. For the bugs and the slugs and the weeds in the wasteland […]
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What words herald the Advent season? Familiar? New? Light-hearted? Reflective? Confessional? Hopeful? Here are Advent worship resources from around the world to explore and use. Scroll down to find: Advent prayers and worship resources Advent songs, carols & music Complete services, Dramas, Nativities and Christmas Pageants Link to Advent images Blue Christmas resources Advent prayers […]
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Tune: Bunessan (Morning has broken) Praise God, creator, source of all being, present around us, and deep within. When we are open, accepting and loving, we find connections, journeys begin. Praise God in singing, dancing and playing, showing God’s wonders through every word. Sharing ideas, new paths revealing, journeys continue, Spirit is heard. Praise God […]
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First Sunday of Advent, Year A Inspired by Romans 13.8-14 and Matthew 18.15-20 People of God, open your eyes! Look around! The presence of Christ is here— among us and within us. God’s salvation is close at hand— nearer than you know. So open your hearts and minds to the Spirit, and let us worship […]
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Commitment for Life Worship Resources These worship resources support the global outreach programme of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain called ‘Commitment for Life’. Worship Words has agreed to provide this space for supportive worship resources. All worship resources are available copyright-free. Please acknowledge the writer. (Note: most of Commitment for Life resources use […]
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God gave us paradise Then the devil (a creation of God) Convinced us that perfect wasn’t good enough We wanted hyper-perfection We threw away perfection (a creation of God) Convinced that we can do better (than God…) God still gives us now And we still choose to waste it Convinced that one ‘taste’ is better […]
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Making use of John 1:5 I am cast adrift, O God, I am cut off from your face. A thick darkness surrounds me, I am enmeshed in a mist of confusion. And it seems all creation must mourn, Must mourn and lament, must weep, For we are alone and apart, The light has gone out […]
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God doesn’t ask us to believe in the future. God calls us to believe the future in! Without vision, people perish. God doesn’t ask us to believe in love. God asks us to believe love in, by what we do and say in our relationships and daily priorities. God doesn’t ask us to believe in […]
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God, you are our portion and our cup. From your hands we receive our life today and our hope for tomorrow. We are glad with all you bring. How pleasant the company of God’s faithful people! What a pleasure to be with them! Those who take off after other attractions bring only trouble upon themselves. […]
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Written waiting in hospital Tune: Finlandia, Be still my soul Trust all to God and feel the reassurance That has held those who call to God in prayer Through trials and snares and times of hard endurance Come, feel a sense of wonder in the air Trust all to God, to arms that always hold […]
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Inspired by Zechariah 4:6 ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit…’ Lyrics: Scroll down below the YouTube image. YouTube link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7iWkzlSlu5k&si=_JljS6T1Yqma1rM1 (in case the link below doesn’t work) Holy Spirit I long for you. My heart has longed to know you. In my work I long to see you. Manifest yourself in […]
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How shall I plumb your memory, O God, I that am fleeting as the dew of morning? How shall I acclaim your compassion? For you remember your people. When they wander pleading in the wilderness, When they are cast low beneath the earth, You do not forget them. By your hand the nations are shaken, […]
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Tune: Servant Song We are people on a journey, through the world of love and fear, drawing strength from knowing Jesus and his message ‘God is near’. God unites us on our journey, leading us on paths unknown, showing wonders unimagined, by our side, not on a throne. One with us and with all people, […]
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A picture is worth a thousand words. Anticipating, waiting, Babies born, baubles glistening, poor and rich arriving, Holding onto hope, hoping for peace — images of Advent and Christmas through global eyes and a creative lens. All photos posted on the Worship Words website may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please credit the […]
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Tune: Love Unknown We walk the way of love, It calls us to its side, And asks us to take risks To set our fears aside. And to what end? So that God’s peace Might one day in all hearts reside. We walk the way of love, And in community, Our hearts discover how In […]
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Written in hospital the night after having a stroke Tune: Eventide, Abide with me Hold us in love Enfold us in your arms Guide us through troubles Keep us safe from harm Please let our fellowship Stay strong and true Hold us in love And hold us close to you Lighten our darkness Be our […]
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Inspired by verses in Genesis 1 Reader 1: May God’s truth continue to be revealed. The ancient story becomes our story. With a word of love, God creates beauty, nature and goodness. God: ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ […]
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Tune: Michael Loving God, creation’s founder, source of life and living love, when the Spirit’s pow’r we follow, wisdom guides us as we go. Then we know, as we sow, seeds of love must die to grow. If we trust in bricks and mortar, building empires, hoarding love, life becomes a frantic circle focussed on […]
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Tune: Michael (God, my hope on you is founded) Loving God, creation’s founder, source of life and living love, when the Spirit’s pow’r we follow, wisdom guides us as we go. Then we know, as we sow, seeds of love must die to grow. If we trust in bricks and mortar, building empires, hoarding love, […]
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Suggested tune: Sussex Trusting journeys, conversations, Telling stories old and new, We uncover deeper insights, Freedom from a narrow view. Open minded, open-hearted, Life takes on a different hue, Wider visions prompt more searching Grace in all we see and do. Our Traditions are the springboards Inspired Scripture offers truths Reason helps inform decisions And […]
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Inspired by Psalm 104 (22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B) Praise God, the source of all being, eternal and transcendent. We wonder at the majesty of God seen around us in the world, we sigh with awe at the splendour that is creation, that is God. God is in the light, the water, the clouds, […]
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This is a round, easy to learn, fun for all ages. Tune: For health and strength and daily bread, we praise thy name…) For Harvest Time and daily food, we give our thanks today!
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Tune: Wir Pflugen (We plow the fields) You call us to be active To spread your love around To share the fruit you give to us It’s where your love is found The mission that you give Calls us to move and share To make your gospel mobile Spread your love everywhere Chorus Harvest gives […]
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You have walked with me in the shadows and held for me the light I couldn’t see You have struck for me the blows and suffered the pain which striking them must bring you for the sake of my soul You have honoured me with your ruthlessness and comforted me with your tenderness You have […]
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Scars that are invisible Hurts that don’t heal Attitudes that are risible Stigma that’s real And as you carry me Just like the cross I’m not a burden to you I’m not lost Scars that are complicated Wounds that are deep Traumas that are conflated Agony that won’t sleep And as you find me Naked […]
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What words do we use to lift up the history of oppression, current struggles and future hopes? How is our language in worship shaped by race? What colours do we see as we speak the words of our faith? Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. -Psalm […]
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It is enough, what I have here But only if your voice is heard Above the clamour of the world That still, small voice may fade away Unless I make a place for it Pulling aside the curtains of my mind Holding onto the voice that has a root in me A place where it […]
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The famine in the land is over. It’s time to go home. The harvest is ready. It’s time to reap. The table is set. It’s time to gather. The banquet is served. It’s time to eat. The labourers are few. The harvest is ready The need is still great. The hunger is still real. We have […]
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Inspired by Psalm 8 Eternal God, source of all being, your essence is woven throughout creation, your love shines within the fabric of life. From the laughter of a child, to tears of joy glinting in the eyes of memory, the sparkle of your love surprises us and nourishes us. When I look at creation […]
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The Air, the Air is everywhere. Holy Air, Stirring the waters of creation, Sweeping across the desert. Breathing life into humans. Feel the Air, Holy Air, like the rush of a mighty wind awakening lost spirits. Breathe the Air source of life, filling a newborn’s first cry. Breathe deep, the Holy Air, centring in your […]
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