Great Spirit, For the beauty of the earth we give thanks. For the streaks of morning sun we give thanks. For the warmth of family and friends we give thanks. Power of Love, Link us together in love. Shower our day with hope and joy. Create in us a commitment to extend your welcome to all, […]
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The sun slips a bright note under my door: Its announcement of the season’s arrival. I stare at it reverently. A quietude falls over the valley: All is caught in a hush, a pause, Languid in autumnal bliss, Receiving the blessing of the bowing sun. The sandstone boulders in the canyons Are bathed in the […]
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Who shall we say that you are? Quiet God, Who comes in silence Vulnerable God, Who comes in frailty Elusive God, Wrapped in mystery Who shall we say that you are? We speak of you with many names, Knowing that none will hold you. Remind us, when we need reminding, that our words, creeds and […]
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Loving God, Help me savour the season Of foliage falling all around Bearing beauty in dying Slowly turning the green Into yellow, red, and orange A Holy Fire of sense and spirit. Let it pause me into wonder At cycles revealing life large An outer and inner motion Bearing birth and death In constant conversation […]
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We have gathered here in the presence of the Divine to celebrate the wedding of AB and CD. We come to rejoice with them and to support them with our prayers. Marriage is both a divine gift and calling, not to be entered into lightly nor thoughtlessly, but reverently and responsibly. Through marriage, couples may […]
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God, you who are ultimately in control, the fury and pain and death of this world are before us this day. We weep over the hunger, war, conflict, and hate cursing the landscape of the earth, wasting lives that barely had a chance, lives that fell victim to forces greater than peaceful, preventive measures could […]
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Womb of light from whom we shine, but whom we cannot see but by looking away, only the unseen hides you, eye of darkness, ring of light, mystery of day’s bright night. We too are you, eclipsed. Let our horror of losing you remain. What conceals you reveals you, but only the merest edges of […]
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River of Life, Press your being anew Into the war-torn fabric Of a world gone mad With violence unspeakable Calling forth necessary lament Tearing open the heart For a healing only possible With your grace alone. Let no paralysis of the past Prevent your promised future From taking up residence In our hearts, minds, and […]
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New verses for ‘A new commandment I give unto you’ originally written by Paul Leddington Wright. A new way of living I offer to you It will free you from prisons And fill you anew It will free you from prisons And fill you anew Go out and spread the love That my salvation offers […]
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Adapted from a prayer written by Terri Hord Owens God of Love, our hearts break at the violence in our world, the loss of life, the dishonouring of children of God, the vile insults hurled and the wounds of history reopened. We pray for the families of those who have died and all the wounded. […]
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Adapted from Maya Angelou’s words My wish for you, and God’s wish for you is that you continue… Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humour to lighten the burden of your tender heart. May the blessing of the Ever Present […]
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What words do we share at a Nine Night service? Who writes them? Who says them? Who hears them? Nine Night, evolving from a Caribbean wake tradition, is a celebration held before the funeral. In my experience as a minister in southeast London, Nine Night festivities usually include an open house with a party-celebration atmosphere, at […]
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God, come close and speak our names. Remind us that we are fully known and loved. God, thank you… for calling us by name. Come close to us, re-claim us for life. God, thank you… for calling us by name. Come close to us, and never let us go. God, thank you… for calling us […]
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Words from St Francis Words about St Francis Words about our responsibility for all creatures Words about justice for creation Resources for worship on St Francis Day: Blessing the Animal services St Francis Day is often celebrated with a service of blessing of the animals. These resources for Blessing of the Animal services include a […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in October:
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Peace Sunday is usually observed on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of October, in the midst of the Week of Prayer for World Peace. ‘The Week of Prayer for World Peace was started as a Christian initiative in 1974. It soon became an interfaith activity, and now welcomes everyone, of all faith traditions or none. Dr […]
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God, companion and guide, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for accompanying us as we journey together with you and with the companions you send our way in this gathering. Open our hearts to the joy of your presence. Empower us to here your call to action in today’s service, to heed […]
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God, companion and guide, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for accompanying us all as we embark upon this new leg of the journey with you and with the companions you send our way along the road. Help us look forward with joy and anticipation, knowing that the past rests securely and […]
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Welcome! Come! Gather! What words do we use to call people together for worship? What words do we choose to invite people into worship space and time? Newest ‘Call to Worship’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Click on the link to go directly to: Call to Worship resources written for young readers Calls […]
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When photos are taken at a funeral or wake and shared, often electronically, with friends and relatives unable to be present, this prayer might be shared with the image of the deceased. It might be offered to the family to be shared before hand, so others can easily forward it with the attached image. Comforting […]
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Originally written in Palestine for World Communion Sunday Slightly adapted for inclusive language God of our grandmothers and mothers, of Eve and Sarah, Miriam and Hanna, Mary and Martha, Mother Mary and Mary of Magdala, of Lois and Eunice we come to your table today, [World Communion Sunday,] in this season of repentance of leaves […]
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Lectionary 19 September Year C Supplies: a personal cross that the leader carries with them. Or if the leader does not have this, the message could be altered to be a time when the leader, also, receives a new cross to keep with them. enough crosses, ideally small metal or wooden ones, to give one […]
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A picture says a thousand words. Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing these inspiring images. Items posted here may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist. (If no photographer is noted, it is usually myself, Ana Gobledale.) Click on the image to see the full enlarged image.
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How do we help our children hear and understand (and share) the words that we think matter so much? How do we speak with children in our church? How do we provide opportunities for the voices, the words, of our children to be heard in worship? Our words matter to their faith development. And their words […]
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Worship Words resources for September:
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This annual observance, stretching from 1 September to 4 October (Day of St Francis of Assisi), aims to raise awareness in the global Christian family about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis. Click on the link to access the numerous Season of Creation resources posted on Worship Words […]
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The Light of God, a poem for Creation Care Month The light of God surrounds me, guiding me on my path. It opens my eyes to wonder, as the world around me bursts into colour. It fills me with joy and awe at the beauty of God’s creation. Leaves shimmer and dance in the breeze as […]
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Links are to ready-to-use printouts using inclusive language (to download). Exodus 23:16 and 19 You shall observe the festival of harvest, of the first fruits of your labour, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the festival of ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field […]
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Along the dirt path, past golden grasses nodding in the breeze and stubby juniper trees studded with pale blue-green aromatic berries, through narrows the water rushes, falling over steeps in smooth sheets. Around bends it tumbles, creating backflows that spin into eddies. We are whirlpools in the stream of the universe, eddies consisting of eddies […]
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Blessed are you, who trust in the Almighty and put your hope in God. You are like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots to the river. When heat comes, you do not fear, your leaves remain green. You do not grieve the year of drought nor cease to bear fruit. Blessed […]
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We are called to pay attention: a responsive reading Many: This morning/afternoon/evening and all mornings/afternoons/evenings, we are called to pay attention. One: We are called to pay attention to our individual lives, to our delights and pains. We are called to understand and cherish ourselves, to take good care of ourselves, to know ourselves as […]
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To accompany the lectionary readings on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A — Psalm 119:33-40 and Romans 13:8-14 Supplies: a cross, towel and basin, and a soft (stuffed) animal toy set out on a table or other central focal point one heavy hammer and 2-3 large nails mop and bucket photos of children facing […]
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God speaks the universe into creation. Words of kindness create goodness; words of cruelty create hurt. Our words matter. Liturgy and Language resources: Jump to… Creative and Refreshing liturgy for today’s church Liberated Liturgy Academic reflections – thoughts on liturgy Liturgical Studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana USA Joseph Ratzinger’s (Pope Benedict XVI) Consideration of inclusive […]
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Reading: one of the 7 biblical accounts of the ‘feeding of the multitude’ from either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Invitation Christ’s invitation is simple — sit down where you are. You don’t need to run off somewhere else — not a nearby village market or a familiar sanctuary, communion is where you are — […]
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Just being. This is a time for just being. Time is a gift, just as nature is a gift – a gift for just being; being one with the chatter of birds, the hum of the freeway in the distance, one with the sunlight through the gnarled oaks playing patterns on the path, one with […]
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Arising from Romans 12.12 -13.1 May we put our hands into the hand of God And walk in divine light. May we welcome and respect those new to this land, celebrate the diversity of its citizens and live together in harmony. May each of us be an ambassador for God’s realm of justice and peace. […]
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Distract us From overthinking situations Beyond our control Distract us From being led astray By the lure of temptations Distract us From the vain pursuit of fame Wealth and status Focus our hearts On following and nurturing Shepherd us well A version for personal devotion: Distract me From overthinking situations Beyond my control Distract me […]
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Arising from Exodus 3.14 (Year A, Season after Pentecost, Proper 17) I am. I am who I am. There are times when I know who I am. There are times when I don’t know who I am. There are times when I wish I didn’t know who I am. I have a God, who when […]
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We gently caress you, the Earth, our planet and our home. Our vision has brought us closer to you, making us aware of the harm we have done to the life-network upon which we ourselves depend. We are reminded that we have poisoned your waters, your lands, your air. We have filled you with the […]
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Call to Worship We come to this hour of worship full of much that clutters and distracts, stifles and burdens, making us often a burden to others and ourselves. We come to this hour of worship to be emptied of gnawing dissatisfactions, of anxious imaginings, of nagging resentments, of old scores to settle. We come […]
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