Let me walk in love beside you All along life’s dusty road Hearing, knowing every burden Let me help to share your load Wounds and pain arise to rob us Of a love community Guard me from a self-importance Seeing you as less than me Let me rise and risk for justice Walk a mile […]
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Praise from the heart: the Psalms framed and phrased for church worship Year A, Epiphany 6 Psalm 119. 1-8 How happy we could be if we could reach perfection, if we could just keep to the rules. How happy if we could follow orders with a willing heart. Some people do manage to steer a […]
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Adapted from Psalm 112:1-10, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A Praise the Biggest of the Big!* Happy are those who fear the Eternal One, who greatly delight in the divine commandments. They are gracious, merciful, and just. They rise in the darkness as a light for others. *Nkulunkulu, ‘the biggest of the big’ – Ndebele […]
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Written to welcome a newborn grandson, Jim’s beautiful and wise words can be adapted easily for any grandchild. My dear grandson, Jacob – Precious crown of creation swaddled in a blanket, Sleeping deep in heavenly peace – To the Love who is God I give thanks for your birth, And on behalf of this world […]
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Inspiring God, As we enter this New Year fill us with your love and energising power, so that our worship may be filled with gratitude for our many blessings in the past, and full of hope for a safe and fulfilling future. Amen One might substitute ‘move through this year’ for ‘enter this New Year’.
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Operation Noah –‘faith motivated, science informed and hope inspired’ Operation Noah, an ecumenical Christian UK charity provides resources responding to ‘the growing threat of catastrophic climate change endangering God’s creation.’ True to their self-definition as ‘an inclusive group,’ there are usually two versions of each resource available: one incorporating inclusive language and imagery and a […]
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Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth; lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust; lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Each day at noon people of all faiths and none use this ‘Universal Prayer for Peace’. […]
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Martin Luther King Day is observed in the USA on the third Monday of January. This morning we remember dreams and dreamers. Joseph, Jesus’ father, dreamt about uncertainty. We, too, know the uncertainty of dreaming. May we, like Joseph, respond in faith. Mary, Jesus’ mother, dreamt about a child, a new beginning. We, too, dream […]
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Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.’ –Revd Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Martin Luther King Day is an […]
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Therapeutic music ‘Therapeutic music is music used in a palliative care setting to provide relaxation, alleviate isolation and boredom, calm fears, soothe frustrations, and in some cases help patients make spiritual connections at this most profound stage of life.’ — Linda Allen If You Cannot Speak If you cannot speak my friend I will hear […]
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Tune: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing , by J. Wyeth 1813 God, I know you as a spirit Blowing through me like a wind You are the spirit of the water You are the source, you are the end God, I know you as a mother Giving birth to all I am But I […]
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Echos of the Jesus Prayer Loving God, we know that you forgive us our trespasses as we must forgive those who trespass against us. And yet how hard we find it to follow your loving example in our day to day lives. Help us to resist the temptations of revenge and retribution and turn instead […]
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A reflection on Dame Julian of Norwich’s text from Revelations of Divine Love: ‘All shall be well. You shall see yourself that all things shall be well. That which is impossible for you is not impossible for me. I shall keep my word in all things and I shall make all things well.’ ‘All shall […]
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Ritual of Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Love For a distressed couple, family or group ready to reconcile Preparation Each party will be asked to share prepared Affirmations about the relationship and Commitments for the relationship. Spoken words Introduction Reconciliation is a process. It is a long and often difficult road through truth and justice aimed at […]
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God, prepare me. Proclamation Channel Instrument Prepared yet overtaken Connection Identification ‘That’s me!’ Mouth of God Beyond words translated Interpreted Confirming purpose and usefulness Use me, God. Keep me humble. Use me beyond my perceived limits. Today may I be on fire With your spirit With your word Consumed yet refined Given yet received Blessed
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Use this easy-to-present dramatised version of the Epiphany (Twelfth Night) story to bring the characters to life. The text is adapted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Ready-to-print: Epiphany drama Matthew 2.1-12 WORD Epiphany drama Matthew 2.1-12 PDF The Epiphany Story Matthew 2:1-12 Three Readers: Storyteller, 1-3 Magi / Wise ones, Herod […]
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Tune: Ba Ba Black Sheep When a New Year comes our way, When we work and when we play, When we fail or succeed, God will meet us in our need. God is love; we know that’s true; God loves me and God loves you. Adapted from a children’s song by George Stuart, Australia
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Creator God, God of love and compassion, of all new beginnings, You beckon us to another year of service for the community. But in our world, we are sadly aware of: .communities who are not at peace with each other; • areas in the world where hatred, war and poverty destroy community living; • places […]
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Mysterious paradoxes collide in this story, A story of a baby, Born into nothing, Yet born into everything. Born in a shed, But born in love, And is love And brings love. The paradox of a young woman, Not yet wedded, Blessed to bring life, Into this world that needs life Needs hope Requires love. […]
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Unto us a child is born! Emmanuel! Christmas greetings from Worship Words… May this season of light and hope transform our lives and world anew, creating new commitments to reconciliation and peace. May God’s promise of new life renew our faith and inspire us to care more. For those who find themselves in darkness, may […]
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For more Christmas poems by Jim Burklo click here. I turn in shame, I toss in pain I cannot sleep: confusion reigns I cannot sort the wrong from right I groan in turmoil through the night. Across the town dear Mary rests; A baby grows below her breasts. Good sense suggests that it is mine […]
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A Christmas Carol for Today Tune: The Ash Grove The birth of a baby Can kindle just maybe A spark of compassion for all humankind. At Christmas we wonder, Amazed as we ponder A sight that stirs love in our heart and our mind. A babe so dependent, A human descendant, So fragile and helpless […]
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Tune: Christmas Morn, 7.6 7.6 D meter (Christmas Morn by Edward John Hopkins) Our summer Christmas season is when we sing with joy About some loving parents and of their baby boy; We sing when we remember the miracle of birth With all its pain and beauty – the dawn of wondrous worth. With thanks […]
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‘Peace on earth, good will toward all.’ — Luke 2:14 ‘The Dayspring from on high hath visited us… to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ — Luke 1:78-79 ‘Peace on earth,’ the angels sang. We sing it too, in carols, oratorios. We talk of peace, put it on bumper stickers, print it on […]
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Our Father [Creator], who art in heaven … You are also at home in the air, soil, forests and oceans, Hallowed be your name … By the care we take of your creation, Your kingdom [realm] come … All that you see is good, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven […]
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An Advent Reflection 525,600 minutes. The opening song to the Broadway musical “Rent” tells us that in a single year, there are 525,600 minutes. The song then asks, how do you measure a year? Is it in daylights? Sunsets? Midnights? Cups of coffee? Inches? Miles? Laugher? Smiles? Psalm 90 talks about time, both our own […]
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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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One: All one All: in Christ! One: In Christ All: all one! This responsive call-out (or shout-out!) arises during services in the United Church of Zambia. It might be used as a call to worship, after celebrating a communion meal or after a prayer of reconciliation.
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What is a blessing? When do we say a blessing? When do we want a blessing said or performed? Why might a blessing be asked for or offered? According to the on-line Miriam-Webster Dictionary, a blessing is words of ‘approval, encouragement’, ‘a thing conducive to happiness or welfare.’ And the opposite of a blessing is […]
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The Christmas season is not always a happy time. The Advent and Christmas seasons can remind us of loved ones or relationships we have lost. The sights and smells of the weeks approaching Christmas, rather than bring joy and delight, can bring sadness and grief. A Blue Christmas service provides an opportunity to address the […]
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Born white Into privilege and power No hiding Birth mark Marked at birth Step into access Step into education Seen as a full wallet/purse Walking with a shadow Of responsibility Of oppression Of exploitation So many wrongs How many generations must pass To be free of the burden of the sins of our ancestors? To […]
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Order of Service Purpose We are gathered this afternoon to celebrate the dedication and re-dedication of our own Praise Team. Brethren in the Lord, you are welcome. Explanation Dedication is about committing oneself to the service of God through singing. Re-dedication is about re-committing oneself to the service of the Lord. Scripture […]
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Many church choirs in Zambia annually re-dedicate themselves and their ministry of music. Purpose of Gathering We have gathered here this afternoon for the sole purpose of re-dedication of the Toteleni Praise Team. Scripture Reading 1 Chronicles 25:6-7 ‘They were all under the direction of their father for the music in the house […]
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Purpose of Gathering We have gathered here today to celebrate what God has done for us. We remember that God has called us into ministry. It is exciting to announce that our gathering centres on the dedicating our newly formed Praise Team. Reading Colossians 3:17 ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do […]
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These services of dedication arise from the United Church of Zambia but might be used elsewhere with minimal adaptation. They have been written by ministry students attending the United Church of Zambia University in Mindolo. Explanation & Context Congregations in the United Church of Zambia often have 2000-5000 members from which arise numerous choirs. A […]
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Call to Worship ‘Make a joyful noise to the LORD all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness. Come into God’s presence with singing.’ Statement of Purpose I welcome you all in the name of Jesus. We are gathered today to dedicate the ‘Amazing Choir’. Hymns O Jesus I have promised (Bemba/English Hymnals 183) […]
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What words do we use to ‘chase out demons’? What do we even think about spirits, good or evil, inhabiting our spaces, our homes? What words express our unknowing, our hope, our faith? Whether healthy or troubled, peaceful or distressed, a home and its inhabitants may benefit from a ritual of blessing. Explore these services […]
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Thoughts on partnerships and relationships Acts 28 To the ends of the earth Go and build bridges Go and connect Demolish dividing walls At least peer over them Search for openings Find points of intersection Along the many footpaths See not a single way Know your own path And cherish its rightness for you Pause […]
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Lectionary reading on Third Sunday of Advent, Year A Listen to the news of hope reborn from Isaiah 35. The desert will rejoice and flowers will bloom in the wild places. Everywhere will reflect God’s glory. Tired hands and bent knees will be strong again. Eyes will see again, ears be opened. The lame will […]
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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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