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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Note: Andrew King’s material is copyrighted, so for inspirational use only. Acts 2: 1-21 Suddenly there came a sound… It was one of those days where leaves are thrashed from tree branches writhing under a racing sky, and my childhood friend playing outdoors with me wondered: does the wind ever stop blowing? … read more Click […]
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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God, above, ye heavenly host. Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost!
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in June:
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An Interview of the Slave Girl and Jailer who meet Paul and Silas. To be used within a worship service, possibly as the message itself. Acts 16:16-34 Easter 7, Year C Roles: Interviewer (Int) Slave Girl, Harriet (S.G.) Jailer, Jaden (J.) Reader of Acts 16 Ready-to-print scripts: Interview – Acts 16.16-34 – Slave Girl & […]
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Inspired by Psalm 97 Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C The Eternal One cares for all creation as a wise and just ruler cares for a realm. Let the earth celebrate this truth. Light dawns for the virtuous, and joy for the upright in heart. Delight in the Eternal One, you who are just and […]
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In the silence The clarity of your voice, Climbs high Upon the eagle’s wings. The chains of doubt That imprison my soul, Fall away beneath my feet. In the freedom and majesty Of the sentinel’s gaze, Faith is strengthened And hope returned To a weary heart, Upon the silent flight Of eagle’s wings. Chris posts […]
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This song, entitled ‘For everyone born,’ is copyrighted, but the words soar with truth and beauty so I’m sharing them via links. For the complete lyrics click here. Hear a rendition on Youtube by the First-Plymouth Church choir in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. For everyone born, a place at the table… For gay and for straight, a […]
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What words do we use to express our grief over those lost in war? How do we honour those who served their country by giving their lives? How do we speak of those killed by those we love? What words might we use to grant meaning to deaths due to violence and war which often, […]
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This prayer might be used on Remembrance Day (UK), ANZAC Day (Australia) and days in other nations set aside to remember victims of conflict and war. Praying for Our World As we pray this morning, I will invite you to name those in your life or beloved by you who have served in the military […]
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Let me be kind when tiredness overwhelms my weary brain and turns my legs to lead; let me brave when truths must be conveyed, confronting the past and all things left unsaid; let me fight on for you when various rules make nonsense of your rights and reinforce your fears; grant me the stamina to […]
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Sharing joys and concerns of our members are led by an individual, or those present are asked to share their joys and their concerns using the microphone that is passed around the worship room. The responses are started by the worship leader after each person completes their prayer item. The leader will determine if the […]
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Originally posted in Progressive Voices, UK Words Will Out They tumble and fall, they teem and spill. They hit the target, they fly far wide of it. They tell so much, they convey so little. They add, subtract and multiply. You can put them to work or set them to music. They cheer and distress. […]
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Inspired by Psalm 23 God is my shelter, my protection, and my guide. I want for nothing, and I will practice thanksgiving! God invites me to places of peace and beauty where wildflowers bloom and mountain streams flow. God will restore me, and I will practice sabbath rest. Even when anxiety and fear threaten to […]
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I am Somebody! I am Somebody! I may be poor, But I am Somebody. I may be young, But I am Somebody. I may be on welfare, But I am Somebody. I may be small, But I am Somebody. I may have made mistakes, But I am Somebody. My clothes are different, My face is […]
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Click here to access Sylvia’s extensive ‘Queer Hymn’ database. The following description is taken directly from Sylvia’s website QueerHymns.org . What is a queer hymn? Sylvia explains: Queer hymns are congregational songs by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc. (queer/LGBTQ+) people, or about queer/LGBTQ+ issues (broadly defined). The database on this site contains information on both […]
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This children’s message was initially incorporated into a Songs of Praise service in which several church members (of all ages) chose a favourite hymn and shared why it is special to them. Download a ready-to-use script: Children’s message – Karl Barth & music PDF Children’s message – Karl Barth & music WORD Lectionary links This […]
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We gather, celebrating our life together With gratitude to those who have gone before. We gather, looking ahead to our life together With anticipation as we step into the future. We gather to worship and serve the living God the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whoever you are and wherever you […]
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Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Easter), Year C John 20:19-31 Eternal One, as we travel through life’s valleys, in the places of darkness, and despair, we know that you are with us. Even when life’s doubts assail us, we know that you still abide with us, watching over us. Strengthen our faith. Help us […]
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Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Easter), Year C John 20:19-31 Acts 5: 27-32 *Bible quotations are from ‘The Inclusive Bible,’ Rowman & Littlefield publishers 2007 www.rowmanlittlefield.com Certainties & Doubts: a Biblical drama The worship leader interviews ‘Doubting Thomas’ discussing doubt, faith and our world today. The script includes an introduction and conclusion and an […]
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You promised us the earth and you delivered. You gave us a home – a dwelling of delight; a good place to be. You gave it to us, saying, ‘Here. This is my gift to you. Live! Make it yours.’ We have made the world in our own image. We have treated it like we […]
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John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Written after hearing of the visit of the South Sudanese leaders to the Vatican. Pray with me. God may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all of our hearts be acceptable to you. You are our rock and our redeemer. Enter our hearts, we pray. Amen. The host’s action […]
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What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? Worship Words resources for Cross (Good) Friday:
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What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? The surprise, the joy, the ecstasy? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? What words express the Passion journey through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Cross (Good) Friday and into Resurrection Day? Worship […]
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Matthew 26:17-75 Mark 14:12-72 Luke 22:7-65 John 13:1 – 18:27 Worship Words resources for Maundy Thursday (alphabetical order):
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A poem on Mark 14:3-9 We remember him, this loving gift of life itself broken and poured out. Week after week, around this table, we remember him. But he remembered her. Long before the story touched our hearts or stirred its way into our souls, Before he walked the final road, or carried the cross, […]
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While Earth Day is set on 22 April, these creation-focused resources might be used throughout the year. Many will be relevant for the Season of Creation (also called Creation Time) now celebrated in several countries in September. Recently posted Earth Day resources: (Click on image.) Alphabetical listing of Earth Day resources:
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A prayer for World Health Day – 7 April For the many children, women, and men whose lives have been saved through global cooperation, God, we praise You. For the many who needlessly suffer around the world because of indifference or malice, God, we beg Your blessing. For the progress in people’s health made […]
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Mary’s Lament – a reflection originally written for a Good Friday service. This dramatic monologue revealing Mary’s anguish and distress has been read effectively at a Blue Christmas service, also. 2 Readers: Mary, mother of Jesus, and a Storyteller (narrator) Ready-to-print downloads: PDF Mary’s Lament dramatic reading WORD Mary’s Lament dramatic reading Life often overwhelms […]
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Holy Week in a donkey! Preparation: Fill a pinata with the items listed below and number them in order. Method of presentation: Tell the story of Holy Week as you pull the items out of the pinata, in numerical order. Story items: the donkey pinata — reminding us of the donkey the disciples brought for […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in April: 7th – World Health Day 22nd – Earth Day 24th – Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day 25th – ANZAC Day Harvest – in the South
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Matthew 28:1-18 Do not be afraid. Allow time for the children to answer each question. When are you afraid? What helps you be brave? The Easter message for us, from God, is ‘Do not be afraid. No matter how scary things are, I am with you.’ Pray with me. God, thank you for […]
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Presbyterians for Earth Care has produced a Year C Lenten Devotional, “The Stones Will Cry Out,” with original artwork, diverse and excellent writers, and engaging reflections. Click here to download the series which includes one reflection for each week of Lent. From the introduction: On the road to Jerusalem there are many voices crying out “Make […]
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“Well, Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine… You know that I have […]
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19 March 2023 10 March 2024 30 March 2025 There are all types of mothers. There are people who are not biological mothers who provide nurture and love. What words do we use to describe mothers and those who mother? What words to describe our relationships with our mothers? Newest ‘Mothering Sunday’ posts . . […]
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What words do we use to describe the mystery of Easter? Bodily resurrection? Spiritual continuum? Risen? Risen indeed? What words might Jesus’s friends have used to explain their experiences that day? This dramatic sketch, which might be titled, ‘Called by name’, presents words Mary Magdalene might have shared. Ready-to-print downloads of full script: Easter drama – […]
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tune: Regent Square by Henry Thomas Smart A wedding version of this hymn, adapted for Bronwyn’s daughter’s marriage and suitable for same-sex partners weddings can be found on Bronwyn’s website. Faith of metaphor and mystery Christ of paradox and pun Sure foundation, revelation Many facets of the One Sacred found in the familiar: phase of […]
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Sun light fades shadows blend united into layers Darkness shrouds The Night is not alone. Aged with patience Saguaro keeps watch his feathered guards at the helm ready The Crown is not alone Steady, enduring, branches like steel reach yearn cradle the stillness The Ironwood is not alone Vipers tucked in hiding coyote sings lullaby […]
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You could have given up on the world, left us God-forsaken, abandoned to darkness and despair. You could have shut your ears to our groaning, your eyes to our bleeding, your heart to our tears. You could have left us to live with our choices, our death-dealing, our cries of ‘Crucify him!’ But you are […]
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What words accompany us through the Lenten journey? How do we cry out? How do we express the cravings of our deepest being? What words comfort and challenge us in the wilderness of life? Ash Wednesday resources: Lectionary Year resources — click on the year: Year A Year B Year C Lent Songs: Lent Prayers […]
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