ready-to-print copies: PDF Disciples Prayer by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson WORD Disciples Prayer by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson Holy One whose name we honour and praise, When we laugh, you laugh with us. When we weep, your tears wash over the earth. You know the joys and sorrows of our hearts, Our efforts for change and our resistance to […]
Read full text
This litany was prepared for use by the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Click here for a printable copy. Based on Genesis 1 (included in the Sunday lectionary for Epiphany Year B, Trinity Sunday Year A, and Easter Years A,B and C) Using the maternal reference for God, this reading was originally written for Mothering […]
Read full text
Call to Confession Face the music. Jesus calls us to follow him, not just to another party of praise, but to the hard work of bringing God’s love and justice into this world of violence and fear. Let us prepare ourselves for this task by confessing our sin. Prayer of Confession One: Source of all […]
Read full text
John 11:47-53 Caiaphas said, “…to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” Insights just occasionally an unexpected insight cuts through the veneer revealing the veneer revealing a layer that no-one, not even the prophet, has seen From Poets and Painters, page 34, by Richard Kidd (2015 published privately) Richard, previous principal of Northern College, […]
Read full text
Written to be shared with parents and carers at a church-sponsored child care centre. Easily adapted for Mothering Sunday, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. If you made it on time to drop off, you are blessed. If you made it to drop off before pick up, you are blessed. If you made it with bits of […]
Read full text
Words from a woman passionate about gender inclusivity… Inspired by Proverbs 3:13-15, 17-18 “We come today seeking Wisdom. If we seek Wisdom, She will come to us. Come, Wisdom! ….” For the full text in a ready-to-print form click here – Call to Worship link.
Read full text
Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As God has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” —John […]
Read full text
This paper was prepared for the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) for its meeting in Leuven (Be) August 2017 and is also posted on ELLC’s website . Tables are provided for each Gospel, presenting the readings in biblical order. Each reading is matched to the corresponding Sunday and/or holy day on which it arises in the […]
Read full text
Theme: Pentecost (Whitsunday) A complete worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation and communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table (with a grant from the United Reformed Church in Great Britain) This service is designed for a congregation gathered around tables. It can easily be adapted for a more traditional setting. The Leader’s […]
Read full text
In Singing a New Song, volume 3, a book of hymns by George Stuart For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Tune: Hanover Remember the one who brought us to birth; So special, unique; a person of worth; Our love and our thankfulness we wish to show For she shared her body to […]
Read full text
O Christ, you lived as an ordinary man not in style but simply, yet still you caused uproar, and questions everywhere; you drew the expectations of hungry crowds, and brought buried conflicts to the light. May we, who are sometimes swayed by the crowd’s approval, and who often avoid conflict for fear of its cost […]
Read full text
Carolynshymns.com is a website loaded with thoughtful and meaningful hymns. Each song is easily accessible by a Topical Index, Revised Common Lectionary indexes, and Scripture Index. Carolyn “writes hymns about how faith speaks to events in the world (disasters, social concerns, everyday living, etc.) as well as new hymns based on scripture, including lectionary lessons.” Her moving hymn “How […]
Read full text
George Stuart has written sing-able hymns with grounded, authentic and original lyrics set to traditional and familiar tunes. He, graciously, has made his work available free on line. Click here for his website, ‘Singing a New Song‘. ‘Love them. Cute songs for our little kids, too.’ – Comment from a worship leader His “Singing a […]
Read full text
What words express the mystery of love? Love felt? Love received? Love committed? Love lost? Love divine? Words of love express our care and compassion, inviting others into relationship. Explore these resources to discover ‘Love Words’ relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . […]
Read full text
There is prescribed wording to follow at two key points in the service – when the couple declare themselves free to marry, and when they take one another as husband or wife. This is a legal requirement and it is essential to observe it. To the couple: I ask you, A and C, to […]
Read full text
This is one of three readings used to explore the Lent theme: “Hineni: Here I Am” – looking at the idea of spiritually showing up and saying ‘Yes’ to God’s call and invitation. Matthew 4:1-11 (slightly altered text) 3 Voices: Narrator, Tempter, Jesus Narrator: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness […]
Read full text
This ready-to-use Café Church Mothering Sunday worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion. It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list […]
Read full text
Words to move us from indecision to certainty, from doubt to trust, from unknowing to knowing . . . Explore these resources to discover ‘Wisdom Words’ relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Wisdom Words’ […]
Read full text
Mark 9:2-9, particularly verses 2-3. ‘The message of the lyrics goes beyond the actual reading.’ – George Stuart Tune: Bunessan For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Can we see Jesus High on the mountain Brighter than sunlight Whiter than white? Yes. We see Jesus Unmasking for us God in such wonder, […]
Read full text
What makes for peace? What words express the urgency of reconciliation and bridge-building, and our longing for trust and serenity? Explore these resources to discover ‘Peace Words’ and images relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Peace Words […]
Read full text
What words express the depth of experience at peak moments in our lives? How do we articulate the feelings, the vows, the hopes? Words for rituals… baptism / christening / naming / dedication blessing services: blessing a home blessing for a distressed home blessing of animals blessing gardens & gardeners blessings with water commissioning communion confirmation […]
Read full text
Called: reading for 4 voices, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 — arranged by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson This reading can be used to explore the theme: “Hineni: Here I Am” – looking at the idea of spiritually showing up and saying ‘Yes’ to God’s call and invitation. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Four Voices: Narrator, Eli, God, Samuel Narrator: Now the […]
Read full text
Inspired by Psalm 147 Epiphany 5, Year B Read responsively or with two voices, with enthusiasm! There are two versions, one shorter and the other longer. Leader: Inspired by the words of Psalm 147, we lift our voices in praise. Shorter version: Celebrate God’s grace! How comforting it is to know God always accompanies us. […]
Read full text
Words of praise exhilarate and empower, catapulting us into joyful action. Explore these resources to discover ‘Praise Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Praise Words’ resources . . .
Read full text
Words to slow the pulse, calm the breath, settle the soul . . . Explore these resources to find Meditation Words relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Meditation Words’ resources . . .
Read full text
Words connect us to the power and strength we need to meet the day. Explore these resources to find ‘Strengthening Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Strengthening Words’ resources . . . Featured image: African Beauty in opalstone by Peter […]
Read full text
Dramatic presentation of Jonah 3:1-5,10 God changes… and invites us to change, too. Printable ready-to-use copies of drama to download: WORD Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah PDF Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah Script Pray with me. God may the words of our mouths and the thoughts of all of […]
Read full text
Words can reach out to pain and suffering, bringing renewal and new life. Explore these resources to discover ‘Healing Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Healing Words’ resources . . .
Read full text
Prayer of confession and assurance of pardon written for Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B God of love, you know us inside and out. With you there is no point in hiding or pretending. You invite us into your presence, and we come as we are. We confess that we often forget to listen […]
Read full text
Prayers of Approach Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B Trinity Sunday Second Sunday of Pentecost, Year B God our creator: You spoke the universe into being Your word is the source of all life You spoke through the prophets You speak to us still We praise you! Jesus, teacher, storyteller: You spoke and […]
Read full text
I am a child of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. I dwell in the arms of God. You are a child of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. You dwell in the arms of God. We all are children of God, God’s beloved, in whom God is pleased. We all dwell in […]
Read full text
Pause before the prayer, allowing God’s Spirit to search your heart. Make your own confession. Pause after the prayer to experience the reality of God’s forgiveness. Why do I so readily settle for less, Spirit-giver? Respectable religion instead of living faith; God-at-a-distance instead of the searing closeness of your parenthood; sameness instead of the adventure […]
Read full text
This responsive Call to Worship might be used at a special New Year’s Day service or on the first Sunday of the new year. Ready-to-print downloads: New Year, Call to Worship PDF New Year, Call to Worship WORD People of the world, it is time to celebrate new beginnings. We step into the new year […]
Read full text
Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Readings for First Sunday after Christmas, Revised Common Lectionary Year B This is intended to be used with a group of children gathered together around the worship leader. One or two children will suffice; more is delightful. Preparation: small child-size chair, for worship leader soft cloth bag large enough to hold […]
Read full text
Luke 2:22-40 First week after Christmas, Year B A drama for 2-voices — inspired by the New Revised Standard Version Readers: Storyteller & Simeon Click here to download a ready-to-print copy of the complete script: PDF Luke 2, 22-40 drama for 2 readers.doc WORD Luke 2, 22-40 drama for 2 readers Script (also found in […]
Read full text
Quietly the New Year slips in. Are we now more fearful, the radio asks? More careful? More tired? Are we now more aware of the suffering, the violence, the inequality, the injustice in our world? Holy God, In this New Year, We seek you As we have always sought you. We need you As we […]
Read full text
Words of hope defy despair. Words of hope buoy us when we sink, hold us when we falter. Explore these resources to discover Words of Hope relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘Words of Hope’ resources: an alphabetical listing
Read full text
Holy God, during this busy season of Advent, We pray for our World. We seek your light in the midst of darkness, Your peace in the midst of violence, Your love in the midst of discord, Your courage in the face of fear, And your wisdom to guide us. Help us to be messengers […]
Read full text
With what words do we express thanksgiving? How do we convey the depths of our gratitude? Words of thanks and gratitude illuminate the path of life. Explore these resources to discover ‘Gratitude Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Gratitude Words’ resources . […]
Read full text
Accompanying a flickering flame, words bring light into the darkness, illumination into the wondering . . . Explore these resources to discover ‘Words by Candlelight’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Words by Candlelight’ resources . . .
Read full text