Dangerous liturgies — Simon Cross, UK

Explore Simon’s ‘Dangerous liturgies’ written during Covid-19 lockdown, and free to download and use. ‘As always please feel free to copy or use the poem in prayer or liturgy.’ – Simon Cross Simon explains: ‘During ten weeks of the UK lockdown, my friend Andy and I produced a weekly ‘liturgy’ (in this case: a curated […]

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It’s taken a long time, an affirmation — Jeremy McLeod, USA

Affirmation of faith It’s taken a long time, but I’ve come to trust that God’s Shalom is growing continually, upheld with justice and righteousness right here and right now when we let ourselves breathe into that presence within and around us. Fear and Grief triggered by the often brutal violence of our world need not […]

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We Are Gathered, hymn — Amanda Udis-Kessler

Tune: Nettleton 8787D — John Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813 We are gathered in the Spirit though our bodies are apart, Filled with joy and touched with wonder, separate hands but mingled hearts Giving thanks and singing praises for the love that calls us on. From our many different places we are […]

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Psalm 138 Praise — Duncan Wilson, UK

Praise from the heart: psalms  framed and phrased for church worship Proper 16 (usually Pentecost 12) Year A Pentecost 3 Year B Epiphany 5 Year C I am praising you, our God, with all my being. When I called for help, you answered me, you gave strength and courage. However high and exalted you may […]

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During this season of pandemic — Ana Gobledale, UK

Global God Your embrace circles the globe Pulsating wholeness, hope and justice into every heart. During this season of pandemic As Covid-19 sweeps across the lands We cry out to you, Not just for ourselves but for your beloved family, For our sisters and brothers in Africa Where church choirs are silent, mosques empty, crowded […]

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From a tiny mustard seed, Zoom prayer — Philip Brooks

Loving God, we thank you for your ongoing love for us. As wheat ripens in the sun and the tiny mustard seed develops into the largest of trees we want to grow in your love. May we be encouraging and supportive to all we encounter and not stifling like the weeds of our parable. We […]

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Psalm 67, responsive reading — Duncan Wilson, UK

Praise from the heart: psalms  framed and phrased for church worship Psalm 67, Proper 15 (usually 11th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A God be gracious to us and bless us that your face may shine upon us and your purpose may be known on earth and your saving power throughout the nations. May every country […]

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First Kings 19.9-18 dramatic reading

Proper 14A (usually 10th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A 1 Kings 19.9-18 This has been prepared for two readers, e.g. on a single Zoom screen, but might be easily altered for three readers, separating the voices of the Storyteller or Narrator and that of Elijah. Voice 1:   This is a reading from the first book […]

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Psalm 112:1-7 responsively — St Paul School, USA

Inspired by Psalm 112:1-7 A responsive reading (adapted for inclusive language) One: Happy are they who fear God All: and have great delight in God’s commandments! One: Their descendants will be mighty in the land; All: the generation of the upright will be blessed. One: Wealth and riches will be in their house, All: and […]

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Psalm 105, Call to worship — Duncan Wilson, UK

Praise from the heart: psalms  framed and phrased for church worship –from Psalm 105, Proper 14 (usually 10th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A We give you thanks, dear God, and here proclaim your greatness among all the nations. Let us spread far and wide the story of the wonderful things that God has done. We […]

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Psalm 139 Call to Worship — Mark Manterfield

A responsive reading originally written for a gathering of welcoming LGBTQ+ Christians. Psalm 139 arises in the Common Revised Lectionary on Epiphany 2B; Pentecost 7A, 2B and 13C. Ready-to-download Word document and rainbow PowerPoint to project in worship: Psalm 139 – Responsive Acclamation, Ana Gobledale Psalm 139 Responsive Acclamations PPT – Ana Gobledale I praise […]

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Matthew 14:13-21, loaves & fishes dramatised — Ana Gobledale, UK

Proper 13 (usually 9th Sunday after Pentecost) Year A Readers: Narrator, Jesus, Disciple 1, Disciple 2 Supplies: 5 bread rolls, two paper ‘fish’, lots of baskets, any costume items. Signboards for characters can prove helpful. Ready-to-download and print: Matthew 14.13-21 – feeding the crowd – drama PDF Matthew 14.13-21 – feeding the crowd – drama […]

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Queer Sacred Songs — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

Amanda Udis-Kessler’s website, Queer Sacred Music, includes numerous songs (lyrics, scores and recordings) and worship items. Several new songs and worship resources express a relevancy to a pandemic reality. To access the songs on Amanda’s website, I prefer starting at the page entitled ‘Recordings’ where one can find the lyrics in addition to the recording […]

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Gathered in masks, gathered in love — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

A responsive Call to Worship for face-to-face worship with COVID-19 protection We gather today in masks. We gather today in love. Wearing masks shows our commitment to the health of all people. We gather today in compassion. Wearing masks enables us to welcome others into our physical space. We gather today in hospitality. Wearing masks […]

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Psalm 145, responsive reading — Duncan Wilson, UK

Reading for: Proper 13 (usually 9th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C; Inspired by Psalm 145 part 2 (verses 14-21)   You, our God, are gracious and compassionate, long suffering and ever faithful. You are good to all; your compassion rests upon all you have made. You keep faith and […]

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Walking with Death — Ana Gobledale, UK

‘Until we meet again; don’t know where, don’t know when.’ Death accompanies us all. Waiting silently for acceptance. Not frightening, except for those who fear shadows. Peaceful. I’m grateful for those who show me how to transition from the life we know into this unknowable mystery. So many names and angles of understanding: eternity, resurrection, […]

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Airse, shine! — Barbara Wilkins-Crowder, USA

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. –Isaiah 60:1 Originally written as an Advent reflection, this may be used in either Hemisphere as a Winter reflection. Life moves unrelentingly on. We tackle projects. We make connections and friendships. We earn our bread and sometimes break […]

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Prayer of praise & confession–Juliet Kamanga, Zambia

Great and mighty you are, creator of heaven and earth and everything in it. We offer praise for your goodness and love, for forming us in your image and setting us over the whole world to serve you, our creator. But we disobeyed your will, and turned against each other. You have given us life […]

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I dream of a church, hymn — Kevin Snyman, UK

Tune: Bard of Armagh (Streets of Laredo) I dream of a church that joins in with God’s vision Of a people who live without counting the cost; She trusts in the Spirit of Christ Jesus’ mission Lifts up the oppressed with Good News for the lost. I dream of a church that joins in with […]

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Psalm 65, Praise from the heart — Duncan Wilson, UK

This might be read responsively or by a single voice. It is good to praise you, God, And to honour all our promises to you because you answer our prayers. With refreshing rain, you care for the ground making it rich and fertile. Streams fill with water and earth brings forth its harvest. How rich […]

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Matthew 13: 31-33, Christianity Incubated — Jim Burklo, USA

Pentecost 8, Year A Matthew 13: 31-33 Let us prepare our souls to receive the sacred myth of scripture. Breathe deep, keep a moment of silence; release any preconceptions you might have about the meaning of the passage, open your heart to new revelations that may arise. Then read the text aloud: Jesus put before […]

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What about the flag?

In many churches in the USA, the national flag adorns the worship space leading to numerous debates and divisions in church meetings.  If a congregation decides to keep the national flag in the worship space, these words might be posted nearby to facilitate the transcendence of the political statement and express a greater meaning: This […]

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Prayer of confession, Matthew 11 — Ana Gobledale, UK

Living One, we are your disciples – your hands and feet in the world today. In this time when we are staying away from one another, we sometimes feel extremely burdened, as if under a great weight. Truthfully, we have frequently been tempted to turn to fear and doubt, not trusting in your presence. We […]

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Pastoral Prayer, Matthew 11 — Ana Gobledale, UK

Matthew 11:16-30 5th Sunday of Pentecost, Year A Almighty, creator God, we have gathered to praise you, giving thanks that you have given us life and breath, that you do daily attend us with goodness and mercy.* May this time together in worship strengthen us that we might transcend our current state of social isolation […]

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Communion prayer of thanksgiving — Ana Gobledale, UK

Matthew 11 Proper 9, (usually 5th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A God of gentleness, thank you for relieving our burdens and for filling our emptiness with the Bread of Life.  Create of us the living Body of Christ, that in these challenging times we might witness the power and possibility of your love and peace […]

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This is our flag, a hymn — Jim Burklo, USA

What words describe our reaction to specific flags? This hymn comes in two versions: international and specific to the United States of America (scroll down).  The tune is Finlandia. International version This is our flag, inviting every nation To human freedom and democracy We lift it high, and sing out our devotion In harmony from […]

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Psalm 145, Praise from the heart — Duncan Wilson, UK

Might be read responsively or by a single voice. Dear God, everything you do is thoughtful and your love is always there whatever happens. You care for all that you have made and you feel for anyone in trouble. You always keep your promises and you never let people down. You help people who are […]

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Psalm 89, Praise from the heart — Duncan Wilson, UK

Happy are the people who worship you, who walk in the light of your presence! All day long, you give us cause for joy. For yours is the righteousness that lifts us up, the confidence that fills our songs, the grace that holds our heads high, the shield that protects us. All day long you […]

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Flowering Prayer — Donna Cooney, USA

Women taught me to pray. Fold your hands Bow your head Close your eyes were their gentle Sunday instructions. I was a child in the company of women planting seeds. For years I folded inward and prayed. In the dark Chin lowered Hands together I was tightly sealed, Yet there was life: the seeds became […]

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Sent to Heal, Matthew 10.1 — Steve Garnaas-Holmes

We are not given a mandate to judge or an obligation to convert. We are not required to argue religion. We are given power to heal. We need not muster up the strength. We are given authority. Christ is in us to heal. May I be a healer today; may I set free those who […]

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Prayer in time of chaos — Kay Lowe-Wendling, USA

No matter how bad things get, there’s always hope. Even when things were at their worst for the young Anne Frank, she wrote: ‘The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does […]

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Black Lives Matter – a children’s message

Be fair!  Making justice bunting & signs — A Children’s Message as part of the Black Lives Matter movement This was written to present to an inter-racial group of children. Leader’s Script Today we are thinking about how we can help change situations that are unfair. We asked you to think about situations where you […]

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Tis a Fearful Thing ― Yehuda HaLevi, Spain

‘Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch. A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream, to be – to be, And oh, to lose. A thing for fools, this, And a holy thing, a holy thing to love. For your life has lived in me, your laugh once lifted me, your […]

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