I was filled with great happiness when I was called to go to church. What sweet fellowship we find in you O wonderful house of God built on a solid foundation. You grant to us a sweet time of prayer, despite our different languages and cultures. There is justice in your presence. All people enjoy […]
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Psalm 46:1-11 – Zambian revision* God is our shelter and hiding place Always with us to help us. Regardless of hard times, God’s assurance is with us. Even if challenges overwhelm us, Or chaotic things are within us, There is a place of peace where God is in control. Because God is with us, we […]
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Christian leaders in Jerusalem issued this joint prayer in 2014 to be used in services of worship during the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, held annually during the third week of September. The Jerusalem Prayer ‘Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you […]
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A prayer for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (third week of September) God, loving Parent of all humankind, You are our Peace. In Jesus you embodied peace with justice – And you still do— Peace at its most down-to-earth, Peace, which can still prevail In the face of all the […]
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Psalm 121 – rising from Zambia* When I am in search of a solution, from place to place, It is only found in God The Creator of the Universe. God provides ultimate protection No matter the challenge. For God remains watchful in all times. God who watches over nature will always be with us. God […]
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Our Creator who is our protector and power and ever with us, Even when the economy depreciates and political scandal rises, Will not be shaken. God is the source of happiness. Your word brings joy to us. Your presence will always be with us to render help. At the sound of your voice troubles come […]
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Almighty God, who always surprises us, we pray that all who are worshipping here today are inspired and energised by the words they hear and by feeling your presence and love. We pray that everyone leaves today feeling they have learned something, received something and given something.
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New voices from Zambia… In times of despair I look to Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi river, Where does my help come from? My help and comfort come from you, Creator of all things. You protect me from any form of accident. You are ever alert, watching over me. I will never be harmed […]
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‘Where can we find a powerful image of the Divine feminine within Jewish sources? One name for Her which has been with us for centuries is the Shekhinah, the ‘dweller within.’ — Rabbi Jill Hammer A Prayer to the Shekhinah […]
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As churches and countries mark Slavery Memorial Day, we remember the world-wide call to repentance and reparation laid upon many consciences and cultures. We pray for the day when those of all races, and those of all faiths and of none, will be treated fairly and equally by everyone. — Joint Liturgical Group of Great […]
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With the knowledge that God’s compassion is bigger than all our sins, let’s pray together. Forgiving God, we admit that we don’t really like praying prayers of confession. To speak aloud our imperfection, our failings, our actions that caused harm and the good we refused to do… it makes us vulnerable. Not only that, but […]
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For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us: Thanks be to God. From the worship service at First Congregational Church, Bellingham, Washington
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Creator God, your love abounds forever; Creation’s beauty fills the earth and sky. Your shining stars, the universe expanding, Amazing power, creation does display. Chorus: Creator God, we lift our song to you, How great your love, how great your love. (repeat) When through the veld and grassy plains we wander, we hear the birds, […]
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The question that puzzles many is how you came to be And what method is used to create this world. Indeed your ways are mysterious. -taken from a longer prayer
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God, we ask your blessing for everyone gathered here today for worship, for friendship, for support and for fellowship. We pray that all may gain what they need from this act of worship and carry your love with them when they leave today.
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‘The realm of God is like a treasure hidden in a field….like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When one is found of great value, the merchant goes away, and sells all their belongings and buys it.’ –Matthew 13:44-46 Beauty Becoming The cutter eyes the stone A stalk of translucent green tourmaline Its essence shines […]
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Tune: Russian Hymn For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. This wondrous universe tells of God’s glory, Endless in space and forever in time; We are astonished when we contemplate its story We have a place in this myst’ry sublime. This planet’s destiny, life in its beauty Rests with the choices we […]
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Like most traumatic scars, the ones that are found in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are permanent: reminders of the terrible damage human beings can inflict. Similar scars can be found in the hearts and souls of people around the world who understand this terror: scars of grief, sadness, fear and even shame. None of these scars […]
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This liturgy was written for midday prayers at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. It may be reproduced and adapted for local usage. More resources are available here from the World Council of Churches We gather in silence. As we gather we listen to the gong/bell, calling us to remember, calling us to pray and […]
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Every first Monday of August, Zambia celebrates ‘Farmers’ Day’, a national holiday. It’s a day in the spring to recognize the importance of agriculture to Zambia’s economy. The Sunday before will be a time to celebrate the land and its produce, as well as to highlight the difficult conditions for farmers in Zambia. Nearly 85 […]
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Written in Salisbury Cathedral while listening toSt Matthew’s Passion by JS Bach and preparing a funeral service. Death Ceasing to be Becoming what? Breathless Containing all life Life-less Moving from Moving toward Leaving Arriving Shutting down It is finished Dust on the mantle Ash on the hearth Carried on zephyr puffs Lifted Unknowing Fear not […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in August:
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Words to share as a congregation drinks the juice/wine together in a communion service: As you drink of it, remember the shed blood of those who hurt, and the common blood that binds us all. Heard and noted at a worship service at University Church, United Church of Christ, Seattle, Washington USA
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Friends, come in peace for all things are now ready. After or as the bread is distributed… The bread of life shared with you. After or as the juice is distributed… The power of God shared with you. After meal is shared… We give thanks to you, Source of all life, that you have refreshed […]
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A reflective and interactive prayer for a group preparing to share a communion meal. At the end of each section, pause to allow participants time to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate, silently or aloud, as appropriate for the group. I cannot take bread and forget those who are […]
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Words to print on a communion service sheet (order of worship) Sharing of the Bread and the Cup This is an open table: you do not have to have been baptized or be a member of this or any church to take part in this meal. We invite you to receive these gifts of life […]
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Words to still the soul . . . used perhaps as one enters a worship space, or prepares to. Now, for this space, I put them all aside, the awesome things for which no words will come. Such grief must go where only God is guide. Our lovely plane darkens. Nightmares ride. The sunlit waters […]
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God, as we meet together today to praise and worship you, we pray that our faith may grow in hearing your word. Help us to find ways of sharing our faith with others and show us how we can use it to further your work in this world full of problems that we live in.
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God, the keeper of the atoms and stars: You made us collaborators in creation, but we have pilfered the secrets of ordered existence and justified their immoral use in the name of “security” and “peace.” We could say then that we didn’t know the consequences. Now we do know, but we are complacent and silent. […]
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Based on Proverbs 13:23 God, In the fields of the poor Even when abundant fruits ripen, Injustice sweeps them away, And families hunger. Help us to share The fruits of your bounty So that all your family may benefit From your gracious gifts. Christian Concern for One World UK provides free bookmarks including […]
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Now we take our worship into our work. From a morning service written by the Iona Community. The Wild Goose Resource Group, a project of the Iona Community, exists to ‘enable and equip congregations and clergy in the shaping and creation of new forms of relevant, participative worship.’
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in July:
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Good on you, Friend, for being a presence of Christ to me. You came when I needed you I didn’t have to ask. You didn’t have to say. You just turned up out of the blue, carrying no luggage, both hands free to carry mine, and somehow, you made it look as though I was […]
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Luke 9:51-62 – a drama to use in worship For Third Sunday after Pentecost Year C Translation by Rex Hunt, Australia (Read more about Rex Hunt at end of post.) Actors: Jesus, Narrator, James/John, Followers 1,2,3 Script ready-to-use — download here: Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers PDF Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers WORD Script Narrator: […]
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Doxology written in 1890 – to the tune Old Hundredth Great God accept our gratitude, For the great gifts on us bestowed– For rainment, shelter and for food. Great God accept our gratitude. Great God, our gratitude we bring, Accept our humble offering, For all the gifts on us bestowed, Thy name be evermore adored. […]
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20 June is World Refugee Day. Click here for more Worship Words resources related to refugees. As we recount the centuries of human history, We pray that one day bondage will lead to freedom; We pray that indifference will give way to mercy; We pray that hatred will turn to compassion, and fear turn to […]
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This service has been adapted from the closing worship service at the 2014 Cardiff Assembly of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, where all those gathered had the opportunity to renew their baptism vows. A young adult, who will be referred to as ‘Londiwe,’ approached me, their minister, having had a transformative spiritual experience. As […]
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Thank God for church! This might be read by numerous voices, responsively or by a single voice. Remember to pause and focus on firstly each attribute of the Spirit and secondly each specific gratitude. After each refrain, take time to consider specific people, activities, worship words, prayers, songs, sermons, and other aspects of church for […]
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What words accompany our gifts? Words about our finances? Our talents? Our lives? Why we give? Words that call us to generosity and selflessness? Giver of all things, provide the words we need.
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Thank you for my eyes that help me see the world. Thank you for my ears that bring music to my soul. Thank you for my feet that keep me on the ground. Thank you for my hands that I can wave around. For fingers and toes, Mouth and nose, Chin and hair, And even […]
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