Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 Mark 4:26-34 God, your ways continue to surprise and delight us. Thank you for the seeds you have sown in us. Encourage us to nurture them as they grow and develop in our inner being, rather than spend so much time and energy on […]
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The Open English Bible ( covering only the NT and part of the OT at this time) provides a modern English translation which is completely free of copyright restriction, so that you can use it however you feel appropriate. The OEB in not the most scholarly rendition, but offers those seeking inclusive Biblical texts the […]
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Out of the mouths of babes… Five-year-old Deborah has considered the gender of God. She realises God is bigger than ‘she’ or ‘he’. So Deborah offers a new pronoun for God: heesh And heesh is very pleased!
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Ever felt uncomfortable praying ‘Lead us not into temptation’? Ever wondered why God would need to be asked to refrain from leading us toward that which tempts us? The French Catholic Church (Bishops, March 2018) has altered their translation of this troubling petition to read: ‘Ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation.’ In English: ‘Do not […]
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A responsive prayer of intercession Within our darkest night, Let your light shine. God of all creation, you hold the depths of the earth in your hands. You are closer to us than the air we breathe. Fill our souls with your wonderful love and light. Give us strength and courage to reflect that love […]
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Do we reaffirm? Renew? Re-charge? Re-ignite? Re-commit? What words can contain gratitude for years of commitment past? What words express our hope of continued love and fidelity for years to come? This service, created by Ana Gobledale for use in London,weaves together words from numerous sources. It includes vows, blessing of wedding rings, and an […]
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1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:35-41 Call waiting Introduction — Inclusive characters: Hearing a Bible story from a new perspective offers the opportunity for new, and often unexpected, themes and messages to arise in the ears and hearts of the participants and listeners/viewers. As we prepared the drama to depict the interchange between Samuel and Eli, […]
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Inspired by Luke 17:21 and Matthew 6:10 Let us gather together and search it out. Your kin-dom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in the heavens. Let us seek to do the will of God and, in doing so, welcome God’s kin-dom. From the service ‘The Bible and Civil Disobedience / […]
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A Children’s Message Based on Aesop’s tale, ‘The Lion and the Mouse’ Sub-themes: Build others up, not down; You never know who will help you! Lectionary: written for Proper 15 (usually 11th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Script: I have something in my bag. They will help me tell a story. (Take all pictures […]
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As we look back over the days we have lived May our hearts be filled with gratitude. We give thanks for each person and each moment that shaped our journey. Each brought us gifts; albeit some more welcome than others. We, too, have shaped the lives of others, in ways we may never know We […]
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Come now, O Creator Spirit, come, our hearts and souls inspire Raise up your church, baptised in water and with fire. So each may take their place, Sharing your love and grace, Sent forth, guided ever by the cross, to serve as you desire. 2.Come now, in the laying on of hands, your servants to […]
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A Prayer for Pentecost (Replace prayer concerns as relevant for the gathered congregation.) Come, Holy Spirit, come, Breathe into the hearts of your people, like a dove, like a wind, like a flame. Like a dove, find a resting place in our land and around the world, bringing hope and peace. We pray for […]
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Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13 — Lectionary reading for Christmas and New Year A,B,C; Easter 2C, 5C and 7C, All Saints Day Year B, Pentecost 27B (Proper 29B) Alpha & Omega: Introducing the symbols of the church to children This message offers children the opportunity to look around the sanctuary or worship room and discover […]
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Luke 9:51-62 Help us not look back with longing But look forward with hope. Sending forth… Go into the world Strengthened by the past, Inspired by the opportunities before us, and surrounded by the love of this amazing family of God! Go out with joy to be God’s people today.
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An initiative of the Progressive Christianity movement: Join communities around the world celebrating religious diversity on the first Sunday of May (or the date of your choice). Pluralism isn’t just diversity; it’s something we create out of this diversity. The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism […]
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What of colour and faith? What colour would you assign to love or to peace? What colour symbolises God or Jesus? How would you use colour to describe the feelings and emotions of trust, joy, anger, depression, dreams, hope, loneliness, or thankfulness? David explains: ‘As a Christian with dyslexia (dyslexia comes from the Greek meaning […]
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Words understood by all . . . which do we choose? What words express the hope, the unity, the promise of Pentecost? Share your Pentecost worship words: an invitation to you to participate in a conversation… What does the message of Pentecost sound like today? Looking ahead, what songs will you be singing? […]
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We follow the way of Jesus. He opens our hearts To know that our true selves are one with God, who is Love. Jesus saves us from fear, from selfishness, from meaninglessness. He leads us to serve with compassion and act for justice. He moves us to curiosity and creativity. He brings us together in […]
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God of our Mothers and Fathers, we pray for the peace of the world. We especially entrust to your mercy the homeless and refugees; those who have been dispossessed through war; those whose lives and families have been disrupted; and who mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray for countries who are war-torn even […]
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Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. — Romans 12:9-21 Inspired by the Common Lectionary reading for the Proper 17 (usually 13th Sunday of Pentecost), Year A These words might be used throughout the year. Go out into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold onto what is […]
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Pentecost readings & resources for Year C… Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time — readings and resources for Year C
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Easter Sunday readings and resources for Year C… Eastertide Sunday readings and resources for Year C…
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Holy Week readings and resources for Year C…
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Lectionary readings & resources for Lent Year C… Click on the link for all Worship Words Lent resources.
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Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year C… Click on the link for all Worship Words Epiphany resources.
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Advent readings and resources for Year C… For all Worship Words Advent resources click here. Christmas readings and resources for Year C… For all Worship Words Christmas resources click here. Christmas Season & New Year readings and resources for Year C
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Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday) readings and resources for Year B… Ordinary Time — Season after Pentecost: readings and worship resources…
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Easter Sunday readings and resources… Eastertide Sunday readings and resources…
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Holy Week readings and resources for Year B…
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Lectionary readings & resources for Lent Year B… For all Worship Words Lent resourcesclick here. For more Lent resources click here.
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Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year B… Click on the link for all Worship Words Epiphany resources. Transfiguration Sunday readings & resources for Year B…
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Year B Advent readings and resources– For all Worship Words Advent resources click here. For all Worship Words Christmas resources click here. Christmas Season continues
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Originally written to mark the ANZAC Centenary Gracious and loving God, we remember all who lost their lives through Australia’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. On ANZAC Day, we especially remember the courageous actions undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War. On this national day of […]
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Our Mother, our Father, Source of our being, whose presence is heaven, all Creation sings of you, “Holy!” May your Realm unfold among us, your desire be fulfilled, this world blossoming out of your delight. Give us the breath of life, one breath at a time. Accept our brokenness; give us acceptance of others who […]
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Tune: St. Anne Click here to access free downloads of lyrics and music. In contemplation on this day Both pride and sadness grow; We laud the courage on display; Yet tears can overflow. White crosses filling endless fields Remind us of those lost; We long for respite, that which shields Us from war’s wicked cost. […]
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Gratitude, the yoga of the gods, may sometimes take a little practice. Each day, select one thing to be grateful for: a cup of water, a wisp of green, sun on stone, a friend’s memory, gravity, so we do not float away…. Hold your gratitude like a seashell in your hand, and rehearse it. Come […]
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Theme: Growing in the habit of prayer A complete Cafe Church worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table This service is designed for a congregation gathered around tables. It can easily be adapted for a more traditional setting. The Leader’s Sheet includes the entire […]
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A responsive reading to use at a Blessing of the Gardens & Gardeners service, on Earth Day, or any day in springtime. LEADER: Seeds we bring PEOPLE: for God’s blessing and use; LEADER: Hoes and trowels we bring PEOPLE: for God’s blessing and use; LEADER: Hands and gloves we […]
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‘There is much to celebrate in the world of global health. Neonatal deaths have been cut in half since 1990. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV has substantially decreased. Polio and guinea worm are on the verge of elimination. ‘But there is still much to be done. Drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis and malaria bring new threats to […]
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Begin with a moment of silence and listen, for God is still speaking! In the silence, O God, I long to hear your words. In the breaking of dawn’s early light, I long to experience your presence. May the voice I hear this day be your voice, speaking a word of hope and healing into […]
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