O god whose face changes as we move and learn and change, whose image becomes less like ours, and more like that of the stranger we treat as a friend; O god who we create from the sum of all we know that is wonderful, generous, true and wise, may we see ourselves in the god-ness of others, and […]
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Worship resources for special days and events in March: 3 March – Africa Environment Day – Wangari Maathai First Friday – World Day of Prayer 22nd – World Water Day 4th Sunday of Lent – Mothering Sunday, UK 31st – Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV)
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Prayers on every theme, for every occasion written over a 40 year ministry in the Uniting Church of Australia. ‘These sample prayers, written to be spoken, are logged in two groups: soft-theistic and non-theistic/post-theistic. They seek to be shaped by a progressive, post-liberal theology. When soft-theistic, they attempt to use new or different metaphors when […]
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Genesis 45:1-15 (adapted from NRSV) Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers Full script, ready-to-print: Genesis 45,1-15 Joseph in Egypt – 2 readers PDF Genesis 45,1-15 Joseph in Egypt – 2 readers WORD Narrator: Today’s Hebrew Bible reading is taken from the book of Genesis presenting the last chapter in the saga of Joseph and his […]
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Vulnerable God, broken and poured out to give us life: May we go from your table with full hearts. Ready to be vulnerable, broken and poured out, to share your love with a hungry world.
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Plough Sunday is held annually the Sunday before ploughing commences. In English tradition, taking into account the warmer clime and Northern Hemisphere location, Plough (Plow) Sunday is held on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Sunday between 7-13 January. Farmers arrive in farm carts and tractors, carrying a ploughshare (a section of the plough’s blade) which […]
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As the crimson flame of life Breaks slowly Above the horizon, The white, frosted meadows, With trees and hedgerows Of sculptured ice, Speak loudly Of your presence. Once more Upon this journey, As another day begins, Without effort Or intrusion, Through the peace And tranquillity Of your silent voice, The moment becomes eternal, And the […]
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[names of couple], we rejoice to celebrate with you the reaffirmation of your marriage covenant, as you re-commit yourselves as /wife and husband / partners/ wives / husbands/ in marriage. [Use the terminolopgy chosen by the couple.] This year you celebrate ____ years of marriage, your anniversary coming up on [date]. In this post-modern world, […]
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Leave-taking blessing These words might be used when a Minister is moving on to a new ministry or retiring. [Name of Leaving Minister] – be free to rest, relax and retire. Continue to listen to the call of Jesus, whom we call Christ, to respond to Christs call on your life in […]
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For all that has been in these full years of ministry we say thank you. All: Thank you God who holds us gently. For all funerals led, people visited, lives mourned, For all new lives welcomed, thanksgivings and baptisms celebrated, For all new relationships blessed and marriages marked, For new members welcomed, elders ordained, […]
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2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Dramatised for 3 readers The parts may be portrayed by women, men or youth. They need not memorise but may hold and read their scripts. Microphones will be needed by all three. If there is a high lectern or pulpit, that is a good spot for the Storyteller; a great opportunity […]
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Year C Easter 2 Reading: John 20:19-31, particularly verses 19-29. Not specifically on the reading but on the general issue of doubt Tune: Forest Green For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. In Praise of Doubt Some people say, ‘To doubt is wrong’ We should not doubt at all; To question our […]
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Baptism – Christening – Naming – Dedication What words do you use to explain the mystery of belonging? What words do we use to present our children to the truth of Love? To affirm their welcome by the One which cannot be named or known? To welcome them into the family of Love? Scroll down […]
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Loving God, as we come together to meet you today we take a few moments to focus on you. We bring before you all those who are gathered here. In our diversity may we be as one and offer you fitting worship and praise.
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Worship resources for special days and events in February: Black History Month, USA LGBT+ History Month, UK 14th – Valentine’s Day Racial Justice Sunday, second Sunday Transfiguration – the last Sunday before Lent commences; February or March
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Eternal One, We give thanks for all the people who gather here to worship this morning And for all the effort that has gone into our church activities this past week. [If a special event has taken place, e.g. a festival, mention it here.] May our efforts inspire all who visit our church. This morning […]
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Gracious God, giver of peace, planter of justice, spirit of love, we lift up to you our world – giving thanks for its beauty and majesty, for its many creatures and peoples, for its bounty and flourishing. In our thanksgiving, we also remember those who struggle day in and day out simply to survive, those […]
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Laughing Bird is a well-known lectionary-based liturgical website amongst church folk in Australia. Nathan Nettleton has made his resources available for many years, and his archives contain it all. While not all Nathan’s liturgical language is gender-inclusive, the imagery and wording bring the vividness and unique expression of Australia into the worship setting. *featured image: […]
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Read the prayers aloud. At each point, pause to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate. Creator-Spirit, Heartbeat of God’s love, melt my coldness, chase away the shadows, captivate my heart, until I am filled with the same stubborn, selfless and self-giving Love for the world that is your […]
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New Kilpatrick Parish Church posts original liturgical works written by church members. They provide a plethora of gems ‘freshly written for each Sunday.’ Click the button to access the archives and current week’s resources: New Kilpatrick Parish Church Bearsden G61 3RT
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We were wrong: We were wrong when we closed the door and you needed us most. The people who claimed to follow a man who never closed doors appeared to slam ours when you were despairing confused hurt hopeless broken hungry thirsty for more. We were wrong when we pretended we couldn’t see didn’t know […]
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Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City, Adelaide, Australia, has created an active website for worship planning ‘from a progressive perspective’ focusing on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. This active website for worship planning “from a progressive perspective” is chalk-a-block full of ready-to-use resources! One ready-to-use item is an A5 handout (prepared to be double-sided) of each week’s […]
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Holy God, forgive us, for we have forgotten our baptism. You call us to draw near, but we turn away in fear and shame. You call us to love our neighbour, but we allow our distrust and preoccupations to justify our indifference. You call us to love ourselves, but the voices of insecurity and self-criticism […]
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By your side There is peace, A quiet place Of beauty and realisation, Where wisdom Seeks reason and understanding, Where myth is laid to rest By the reality of knowledge. By your side There is hope, That arrogance and greed Will not destroy, That selfless love Will prevail. By your side Life is sacred, A […]
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Epiphany 2, Year C This prayer is inspired by Psalm 36:5-10 It’s like standing beneath a street lamp On a misty evening. In the light, I see light, But objects appear blurry and obscured, half lit. God, standing in your light, I see light, But the path ahead appears blurry and obscured, seemingly […]
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Prayer inspired by 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year C Note: this prayer can be written either in the singular (me/I) or the plural (us/we). In this bleak midwinter Gifts abound Given in the same spirit, a spirit of love. When words of wisdom we cannot bring to utterance, Thank you for the […]
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This might be read responsively or as a single voice. The grace of God, deeper than our imagining; the strength of Christ, greater than our need; and the communion of the Holy Sprit, richer than all our life together; guide and sustain us today and in all our tomorrows.
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When the song of the angels is stilled when the star in the sky is gone when the kings and princes are home when the shepherds are back with their flocks the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost to heal the broken to feed the hungry to release the prisoner to rebuild the […]
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Worship resources for special days and events in January: 1st – New Year 6th – Epiphany 15th – Martin Luther King, Jr Day, USA 27th – Holocaust Memorial Day
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Tune: Bishopgarth For the lyrics, music and a power point click here. The New Year brings another time To practise some reflection, To contemplate priorities; What past ways need rejection; The call of Jesus comes again To strengthen our connection To his inspiring way of life, And maybe change direction. The past is gone; cannot […]
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“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ― T.S. Eliot in Little Gidding
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Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year C. Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the […]
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Eternal One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, From everlasting to everlasting You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 Bright eyes take in all the world. Tiny hands wave and reach and hold. Feet kick and push. […]
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Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of children and other members of the community carrying candles. A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way. Las Posadas — Jim Burklo, […]
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A responsive reading Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel and restore us O God: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. From the throngs of city centers to the far-flung wilderness: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. To every nation, race and people: Let your face shine, that we may […]
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Our God, we gather together in the bleak midwinter. Those who have much to thank you for, who rejoice in your goodness, and those who look out on a landscape of broken dreams and hardly dare to hope for Good News. Those whose hearts and homes are full of Christmas joy, and those whose Christmas […]
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Title: I have good news…and bad news… Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55 This dramatic monologue, a phone conversation between pregnant teenage Mary and her Mum, was originally written as the sermon accompanying the lighting of the Advent Candle of Love. It can be used effectively anytime during Advent. Notes: Mary pauses throughout the conversation when […]
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How easy it is to get caught up in the busy-ness, the doing, the decorating, the cooking, the sending, the buying, the eating of Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong, I love each of these parts of Christmas – setting up the Christmas tree and hanging decorations, the home-made Christmas cookies and egg nog, writing […]
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Hope when pressed to earth Will find nourishment and life In truths long buried.
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The Christmas season is not always a happy time. — Mary Oliver (from Thirst, Beacon Press, Boston, 2006) 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 […]
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