for Pentecost 17, Year C As people of faith, we accept our interconnectedness with all people, and all creation. And so we unite our hearts in prayer for those in need. Let us draw near to the divine and to one another through our prayers of intercession. There is a responsive line at the end […]
Read full text
Ready-to-print copies: PDF The Lord’s Prayer – Sam Alexander WORD The Lord’s Prayer, Sam Alexander Those things that are good and right and true: I acknowledge them with honour and love; These things are come, These things are done, This Earth is a living Heaven. I am provided for with abundance, I am wealthy […]
Read full text
Psalm 148:1-5, 7-13, adapted Year C: Sunday after Christmas 5th Sunday after Easter Presentation: try using 6 voices or 3 people with 2-3 sections each. Praise the Eternal One! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights! Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars! Praise God, you highest heavens, […]
Read full text
Creator God, We pray for our beautiful world. Yet as we consider your amazing creation, images arise of global warming, greenhouse gases, climate change, and rising sea levels. We bring to you in prayer farmers whose land is dry and parched, And our need for drenching rain to fill our catchment areas and water our […]
Read full text
This wedding ceremony united two women in holy matrimony, declaring them married in the eyes of God and their families. It preceded the legalization of same-sex-marriage in the USA. I was serving a United Church of Christ congregation in the Seattle area in 2009 when I officiated at this wedding ceremony. Of the two parties […]
Read full text
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C — Revelations 21 Read the prayers aloud. At each point, pause to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the old things have passed away. God is making all things new. […]
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. The old ways are so comfortable, O God. They fit like old slippers; they feel like old friends. I don them more readily than my resurrection clothes; I live […]
Read full text
Year C – 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13) Prayer of approach Generous Creator, imaginer of the earth in all its rich diversity You invite us to come as we are, to receive the gift of abundant life. Rabbi Jesus, story-teller, You invite us to come as we are, to sit at your feet, to […]
Read full text
Proper 16 (usually 12th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Written for two voices Voice 1 — lifts prayers directly to God. Voice 2 — reflects on the nature of God. Worship Leader: Hear the grateful words of the Psalmist. Voice 1: I give you thanks, O God, with my whole heart; before the gods […]
Read full text
For 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year C For 3 Actors/Readers: Narrator, Lawyer and Jesus Readers may hold scripts throughout. Narrator: In today’s Gospel reading, Luke presents one of the instances someone examines Jesus with the intent to trick him, at least with words. In this case, it is a lawyer questioning Jesus. The […]
Read full text
God of grace and compassion Our hearts are full of gratitude as we think of the many blessings in our lives: the gift of faith to believe in you, the love of family and friends, for shelter, clean water and plentiful food, for access to education and health care, for the freedom and speech and […]
Read full text
Lofty, cavernous space Warm, earth-toned candlelight enfolding me in its womb. Nothing can harm you A suggestion of incense Soft, background chanting hinting at generations past and to come. Vast eternal community gathered in microcosm. Come and pray in us, Holy Spirit Majestic windows drawing my soul upwards on the rising […]
Read full text
How do we remember the dead? What words ring true? Where do we gather? Traditions from different cultures can inspire us. Resources for All Saints Day:
Read full text
From a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Sunday – Resurrection and New Life Suggestions: Light a candle or tea light. Read the prayers aloud. Affirmation I live this day in the presence of God, the embrace of Jesus and the joy of the Spirit. Lighting the resurrection candle The Light of Christ […]
Read full text
This active website for worship planning “from a progressive perspective” is chalk-a-block full of ready-to-use resources! Focusing on the Revised Common Lectionary, this”resource website for worship planning” for Adelaide’s Pilgrim United Church in the City provides “a compilation of resources from various sources, as well as resources written by Pilgrim worship planners.” One ready-to-use item […]
Read full text
Though the original words are exclusive, the sentiment is eternal. The bracketed phrases have been inserted to include everyone… I dream a world where [each person] No other [person] will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where greed […]
Read full text
Call and Response One: Humans of God’s creation, we are diverse. Many: We are beautiful. We are unique. We judge each other’s differences, yet our diversity is an illustration of the infinite mystery of God. All: The God in me sees the God in you. One: Humans of God’s creation, we are political. Many: We […]
Read full text
Originally written in response to police shootings and deaths in the USA… 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, […]
Read full text
I made you myself, carefully and lovingly. I gathered your molecules together, Scooping them out of the dust, warming them into clay. I formed you, deftly With the skill and vision of an artist Into a unique creation. A tiny masterpiece. Your contours bear the imprint of my fingers. Your imperfections and irregularities are a […]
Read full text
What words do we use to comfort and strengthen those who are nearing death? Resources providing words for sharing with the dying and their loved ones:
Read full text
A Cat, Rat, Mouse and Spider bring the nativity story to life as they meet Mary, the Innkeeper, Shepherds, an Angel and the Magi. Full of knock-knock jokes, carols and talking animals, the Joyful Animals’ Nativity is a delightful Christmas nativity drama ready for you to use. Download ready-to-print scripts: PDF Joyful Animal Nativity script […]
Read full text
Spring has sprung! Come gardeners and farmers! This service, originally created to celebrate Earth Day (22 April), lends itself to multiple multi-age voices. This all-age service of celebration and blessing has been shared in the UK and the USA and includes optional prayers, readings and sermons. It is easily adaptable for a new location. Ready-to-print […]
Read full text
Inspired by Genesis 1 which is included in the Sunday lectionary for Epiphany Year B, Trinity Sunday Year A, and Easter Sunday Years A, B and C. Our God, We come before you with minds, hearts and eyes open To the many ways in which you reveal yourself to us: In the colours of autumn, […]
Read full text
This active blog, Lectionary Liturgies, provides liturgies based on the the Revised Common Lectionary readings for each Sunday of the church year. They are posted the week before “for folks to use in worship, as they deem appropriate.” While the spirit of the language used tends to be open and welcoming, the specific words are […]
Read full text
What words express our faith? What words confirm our faith? What words express our welcome of new companions along the journey?
Read full text
Inspired by Psalm 16 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A 26th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B 3rd Sunday of Pentecost, Year C Come! Rejoice! For we are in the presence of the Holy One. We turn our eyes and hearts toward the Light of Love. Be glad and rest secure in the Eternal One. […]
Read full text
While written in response to a specific event, these prayers are easily altered to be applicable today and might be used on Father’s Day, inserting current events and concerns. This prayers was originally written in memory and honour of Jo Cox, Member of Parliament, UK, murdered at her surgery, and her surviving husband, Brenden. Jo was […]
Read full text
Splish Splash! Drip Drop! Water of Life, You wash over the world. You quench our thirst, Water plants and trees that give us food, Wash us clean, Tumble over rocks and roots in rivers, And ebb and flow in oceans. Thank you for water! Help us use water wisely, carefully and joyously.
Read full text
What words do we use for describing fathers… -who they are and who they have been? -our relationships with them — the easy ones, the complicated ones, the painful ones? Newest ‘Father’s Day’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Father’s Day’ resources . . .
Read full text
Inspired by Luke 15 originally used on Father’s Day This drama may be adapted to include any parent (mother or father) and any two siblings. Ready-to-print downloadable copies: PDF Children’s Message Prodigal Son – by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson WORD Prodigal Son Children’s Message – by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson Henry and Matt, the two brothers, might be exchanged […]
Read full text
For 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary Tune: Hyfrydol 8787 D For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Jesus, when he went to dinner, he used every time and place To proclaim God’s love and mercy, and display forgiving grace; Jesus, when he went to dinner, used […]
Read full text
She that trusts in me from her deepest heart, Shall rivers of living water flow forth. She that trusts in me from her deepest heart, Shall rivers of life flow forth. She that trusts in me is the theme song for the World Day of Prayer worship service prepared by women of Sweden for the […]
Read full text
Inspired by Psalm 32 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Eternal One, You have blessed us. You have forgiven our hurtful actions. You have blocked out our mistakes and wrongs. When you add up our errors, the total always seems to vanish. And we start with a clean slate. You erase our shame […]
Read full text
Inspired by Psalm 32 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Trust in the Eternal One We come in hope. Rejoice in God’s unfailing love. We come in faith. Celebrate the forgiveness that is ours. We come to sing with gladness.
Read full text
Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 30:4-5) A responsive reading Sing praises to the Eternal One. Today we praise the sacred with enthusiasm. Rejoice in the morning light. We rejoice in the never-ending love of God. Sadness and anger have darkened our paths. Yet in the light of hope we […]
Read full text
Blessing of seeds, soil, water, gardening tools and gardeners, for use in a springtime service of celebration. Can be used effectively connecting to Earth Day 22 April or in a Rogation Service (sixth Sunday of Eastertide). Everyone is invited to wear their gardening attire and bring their gardening tools and seeds. Suggestion: use children and […]
Read full text
What gives us life? What sustains us? Using water as the focus, we gather and bless one another. Worship Words resources for Blessing of water rituals:
Read full text
For Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C God is gracious with blessings. God’s face shines upon us. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! We sing for joy, for God judges the peoples with equity and guides the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise God! We praise God, for God’s […]
Read full text
Inspired by Psalm 148 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C 1st Sunday of Christmas, Year C Appropriate for Blessing of Gardens & Gardeners, Earth Day, or Blessing of Animals services. Presentation: The three questions, asked by Voices 1,2 and 3, might be asked by children or youth, or posed from different places in the gathered congregation. […]
Read full text
Tune: Hyfrydol For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here As we come in celebration, We now contemplate our past We delight in former friendships And the love that holds us fast; All our past is now accepted; Through its troubles we have grown; Now the future beckons to us, Knowing we are […]
Read full text
