A picture says a thousand words. Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing your work. Photos posted here may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist.
Read full text
Bless our friends, Bless our food —
Bless Our Friends, Bless our Food Tune: Edelweiss This sung blessing has been hanging in the dining room of University Church, Chicago, since before 1968 when I moved there. The lyrics have been altered slightly to be inclusive (changes are in italics). Bless our friends, bless our food, Come, Great Love and sit with us. […]
Read full text
World Refugee Day Call to Worship – Church World Service, USA
To download an illustrated worship page for World Refugee Day (20 June), visit the Church World Service website. LEADER: We give praise to our God who gathers us as one people. PEOPLE: We delight in our God who has mercy upon us. LEADER: We seek to be one with refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants. PEOPLE: […]
Read full text
Prayer for Refugees — United Church of Canada
Prayers of the people, with response & song, including the lighting of 5 candles We pray for the countries and regions that have hosted refugees. Knowing that refugee camps can be overcrowded, we pray for the continued safety of the camps and offer our thanks to those who work toward providing the basics of shelter, […]
Read full text
Christ comes as a refugee, hymn — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Dominus Regit Me Title: Ministering to Christ The sacred role of ministry Of caring for the broken – Christ can be heard, but silently As if his pain has spoken. The ministry to Christ is known In caring for the stricken; He comes to us in flesh and bone Of those caught in affliction. Christ […]
Read full text
Dream of Dignity, hymn — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Darwall For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. A dream of dignity For all humanity It is a dream so bold; ‘Can’t happen,’ we’ve been told; But we can strive To keep alive This hope for human harmony A dream of dignity For all humanity; A dream that Jesus saw Was […]
Read full text
Prayers for our world — Loren McGrail, USA
We celebrate, Creator God this diverse world you have created— its lands and its peoples. We give thanks for your gift of trust in us to preserve, conserve, and take care of it and offer all the hospitality you have already given us. We lift up your co-workers serving in areas of need. We are […]
Read full text
Gathering Prayer, World Refugee Day — Church World Service, USA
To download an illustrated worship page for World Refugee Day (20 June), visit the Church World Service website. Holy and merciful God, you have created us all in your image. We exist because of the radical welcome that you granted each one of us at birth. You have created us as refugees, asylum seekers and […]
Read full text
Call to Worship for Father’s Day – Tod Gobledale, UK
Come to God who gathers us in. We come to God who nurtures us like a father. Come to God whose arms are open and waiting. We come to God who welcomes and forgives us. Come to God who journeys with us. We come to God who sees us as we really are and loves […]
Read full text
The Paternal Embrace, a prayer of thanksgiving
Luke 15 God of everlasting love and patience, as you called the prodigal to return to the family home, so you call us to return to you. Thank you for claiming us like a father, embracing us as your own children, for loving us with your infinite love. Help us experience your paternal embrace and […]
Read full text
Genesis 3.8-15 Drama, in the garden — Ana Gobledale
Adapted for Zoom or InPerson Readers: God, Adam, Eve, Storyteller Each reader holds a sign with their character’s ‘name’ on it in large letters. One could have fun with one additional screen with a snake in it; or a soft toy In-Person. Storyteller: Today’s reading arises from Genesis chapter 3. We find ourselves with Adam, […]
Read full text
World Refugee Day prayer service — Alydia Smith and Khwaka Kukubo, Canada
World Refugee Day — 20 June World Refugee Day Prayer Service This service may be downloaded as a Word document on the United Church of Canada website. Click here. It uses the Exodus story of the Israelite refugees to highlight the sufferings of today’s refugees.
Read full text
Father’s Day Prayer — UK
The painful events of the world break through our desire to be joyful and feel peaceful. As Christians when part of God’s people are suffering, we suffer with them. We open our ears to their cries, our hearts to their hurt and our lives to God’s call. Today our prayer will focus on intercessions for […]
Read full text
Remembering George Floyd, Candle of Justice — Churches Together in Britain & Ireland
To mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder… You are a God of justice – may we share your passion for justice, which can be seen throughout the Bible. By the power of your Holy Spirit enable us to stand up for justice and stand against intolerance. Thank you that you love each person, made […]
Read full text
Sending forth, John 15 — UK
A commissioning inspired by John 15:5 5th Sunday after Easter, Year B God is the vine. And we are the branches. Stand firmly rooted in God’s truth. We will grow in God’s light. Be nourished by God’s word. We will reach out to spread the seeds of love and justice throughout God’s world.
Read full text
When Philip landed in 1788 — Australia
Ladies Original Poem Award — Snowy Mountains Poets Championships, Australia 1998 (I have not been able to locate the poet’s name.) Possible introduction to using this poem in worship: On World Environment Day, may we be mindful of the sins against the environment and the creator that we have committed in the name of beauty, expediency, and […]
Read full text
World Environment Day Prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK
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 […]
Read full text
Litany for Fathers — Janice Hill, USA
To be read responsively by a leader and group, or divided into two groups of voices (e.g. left & right) Fathers come in many different forms, and today we celebrate them all! Thank God for fathers! Everyone here is either a son or a daughter. Thank God for our fathers! For those men who have […]
Read full text
Litany for Fathers — adapted by Janice Hill, USA
This litany has been written or adapted by Janice Hill (not sure). If adapted, the source is unknown. If you recognise this litany, please help us identify the original author. Thank you. Leader: Fathers come in many different forms, and today we celebrate them all! All: Thank God for fathers! Leader: Everyone here is either […]
Read full text
Words Matter, Children’s Message — Tod Gobledale, UK
Arising from the Book of James Picture 1: Girl at school Once upon a time…a new girl comes to school. Picture 2: Map of UK with arrows from old home (Edinburgh) to new home (London); the map may be of any relevant country and towns. She comes from far, far away. She talks differently. She […]
Read full text
Psalm 104 for Whitsunday — Duncan Wilson, UK
Lectionary reading — Pentecost This might be read by a solo reader or responsively. How many are the things you have made, your thoughtfulness brought them all to life. The earth is full of your creatures, great and small, all of them look to you in hope, and you give them their food in good […]
Read full text
Pentecost Images
A picture says a thousand words. Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing your work. Photos posted here may be used free-of-charge for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist.
Read full text
Nakba (Catastrophe), Palestine 15 May
Nakba Day (Arabic: يوم النكبة Yawm an-Nakba), the Day of the Catastrophe, commemorates the displacement of Palestinians that preceded and followed the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. An estimated 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled, and hundreds of Palestinian towns and villages were depopulated and destroyed. The key is a symbol of the Nakba, the […]
Read full text
Call to worship for Endangered Species — Creation Justice, USA
Written for Endangered Species Day, 17 May by Creation Justice USA. This resource has been adapted for inclusive language and imagery. The last two lines are additions. How many are your works, Creator! In wisdom you made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. You call your creation ‘very good.’ It is good, and […]
Read full text
Bring us your peace, hymn — Sam Goodman — UK
Tune: Lobe den Herren ‘Praise to the Lord’ Bring us your peace Wrap us gently in love that can calm us Save us from fear And protect us from hurts that can harm us And as you heal Show us your mercy is real Live in our hearts and refresh us Bring us your hope […]
Read full text
Prayer for Nakba Day — Rabbi Brant Rosen
Le’el she’chafetz teshuvah, to the One who desires return: Receive with the fulness of your mercy the hopes and prayers of those who were uprooted, dispossessed and expelled from their homes during the devastation of the Nakba. Sanctify for tov u’veracha, for goodness and blessing, the memory of those who were killed in Lydda, in Haifa, in Beisan, in Deir […]
Read full text
Acts 1:15ff, Choosing Matthias, a drama — Ana Gobledale, UK
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 – inspired by the NRSV Seventh Sunday after Easter, Year B Readers: Storyteller, Peter, Group spokesperson Props: a set of dice or two lengths of broom straw Storyteller: Peter had gathered with believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons). He stood up and spoke: Peter: Friends, the scripture had […]
Read full text
Arise then women of this day! – Julia Ward Howe 1870, USA
While current society cashes in on our sentimentality, my mother always reminded me that Mother’s Day (in the USA) had its start in the peace movement. Julia Ward Howe’s rallying words call women to activism, to intentional peacemaker work. While Julia Ward Howe uses language specific to wives, sons and husbands, her message reminds us […]
Read full text
Contributors – artists & photographers
Whose paintings, photographs and drawings will you find on Worship Words? When using a photo, please acknowledge the artist/photographer and Worship Words. In alphabetical order (by surname/last name) … Consider the themes in Worship Words and submit photos we can share to enhance the words on the page/screen.
Read full text
Psalm 98 for worship — Duncan Wilson, UK
Lectionary reading – Easter 6 Year B This might be read by a solo reader or responsively. Come, let us sing a new song to the One who has worked such wonders! By power and righteous strength, victory has been won. God has kept faith with the children of Israel, with loyalty and love towards […]
Read full text
Psalm 98, Creation’s Harmony — Merryl Blair, Australia
Inspired by Psalm 98 Easter 6, Year B God of shalom, who holds all things in wonderful balance, we come before you in joyful, noisy praise! Our voices join the songs of birds, the grunts and snorts of animals, the roar of the sea, the rush of the wind through the trees, […]
Read full text
Springtime Rhapsody — Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon 2:9b-13 NRSV Ancient words for today’s lovers …gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time […]
Read full text
Acts 10:44-48, Drama — Ana Gobledale, UK
A drama to be used in worship, inspired by the NRSV text 3 Readers: Storyteller, Peter, Newly baptised person Storyteller: While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been […]
Read full text
8 May – Julian of Norwich
May 8 marks the Feast of Julian of Norwich. Julian of Norwich (1342-c.1416), mystic and author of The Revelations of Divine Love, is considered the first woman to write a book (that has survived) in English. Revelations of Divine Love arises from a series of sixteen visions she received on the 8th of May 1373. […]
Read full text
Prayer — ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee
We pray for the peace of the world. Especially we commend to your mercy the homeless and refugees; those who have been dispossessed and have lost their employment; those whose families have been disrupted and who mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray for the situation in [……..]. Grant that the sane and selfless […]
Read full text
Psalm 23 for worship — Duncan Wilson, UK
Lectionary reading – Lent 4A, Easter 4 ABC, Proper 23 A, Proper 11 B This might be read by a solo reader or responsively. You are like a shepherd to us, providing all we need. You give us rest in green places, you lead us by peaceful streams, you help us recover our strength. You […]
Read full text
ANZAC Prayer — Brisbane Roman Catholic Church, Australia
God of our Mothers and Fathers, we pray for the peace of the world. We especially entrust to your mercy the homeless and refugees; those who have been dispossessed through war; those whose lives and families have been disrupted; and who mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray for countries who are war-torn even […]
Read full text
Psalm 4 for worship — Duncan Wilson, UK
Lectionary reading – Easter 3 This might be read by a solo reader or responsively. Answer me, O God. When I have been in trouble you have always been there for me. Listen, and go gently with me. There are those who insult you by loving only what is worthless. You will always listen to […]
Read full text
Refresh our lives, hymn — Sam Goodman, UK
Tune: Was lebet was schwebet, O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness Refresh our lives bring us back to this Holy place Where we feel held in the love that you show Let mercy flow, hold us tenderly in your grace Build up your church let our love for you grow Restore in […]
Read full text
Callings, a prayer — Joan Smith, UK
Help us to see you, to recognise your special role in our lives. Help us not to be afraid of new situations. Sometimes you call us to live differently, or walk in a new direction. Help us to follow you with eager hearts, always trusting in your mercy.
Read full text