O Trinity of Love, Form in us a passion For your joining grace For your grand vision Of loving interdependence Flowing all around us. Gift us with a deep desire To behold each other As you behold us Savouring your marvellous Diversity and complexity Necessary for the nuances Revealed in your tapestry of grace. Let […]
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In a world dry and thirsty Living Water flows; In a world fainting and breathless Divine Wind blows; In a world cold and dark Spirit’s Flame glows; Spirit has always been here, and we open our awareness to perceive her and receive her. Spirit is here! We give thanks and celebrate! John […]
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I am the wick You are the flame I am the silence You are the presence I am the space You are the stillness I do not know how to pray as I ought But I hold still and you pray in me. I am the seen You are the rest Visit Steve’s blog, Unfolding Light, […]
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Independence Day for Jamacia for Ghana for the United States of America breaking away from oppression forgive us for the ways we keep others back down, under, behind, invisible breaking away from tyranny forgive us for the ways we claim privilege, power, prestige forgive us when we walk through an open gate and close […]
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God, I confess my idolatry: the illusion of independence. On this day I declare my dependence. I am free. I am capable, and responsible; but I am dependent. I am dependent on generations, on neighbours, on peoples I can’t know, in many lands, on nations and their peace, on the earth and its fruits, its […]
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Written as a responsive reading, or for two voices. Come together, all you faithful people and lift up your praises to God! Just think how much God has given you then come forward with your thanks. God’s anger may last for a moment but God’s goodness fills a lifetime. Tears may linger at nightfall but […]
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Our God is a tower of strength to those who are oppressed, a fortress in time of trouble. Those who know you put their trust in you for you never abandon those who come to you. The nations are plunged into a pit of their own making and snared in their own deceptions. But you […]
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Prayer of preparation We celebrate the Divine Spirit, who hovered over creation and brought order out of formlessness. We praise you, Spirit. We celebrate the Divine Spirit, who filled Jesus with power and wisdom and, through him, made divine life available to all. We praise you, Spirit. We celebrate the Spirit, who has been poured […]
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How do we best introduce alternative inclusive translations, transliterations and interpretations of sacred texts? Do we shoe-horn people into inclusive language? Do we leap into inclusive language usage? Consider using these words from First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota, Florida, with your congregation: ‘As you encounter and engage these words, I invite you […]
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your flawed heaven I don’t want to go to your flawed heaven The one that’s still full of draconian rules The one where the bread is still unleavened That dismisses those like me as fools I don’t want to go to your paradise The one that is clinically cynically clean Where you still hand me your biased […]
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Even in the face of wars, atrocities, even genocide, we continue to pray. How good to give you thanks, dear God, to sing your praises, to proclaim your love every morning and your faithfulness at nightfall, with the strains of stringed instruments and melodies on the harp. Your great deeds are a source of joy, […]
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Day’s beginning O God, You have birthed the world And us. You have washed us, Dressed us, Fed us, Set us on our way in the school of life. Give us courage to stand strong, To meet all that comes our way with kindness, Learn from all with an open heart, And remember always That […]
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I believe in mystery. I believe in magic. I believe in miracles. I believe in intuition. I believe Spirit seeks connection, through stars and trees and soil and flesh and beauty blooming and every movement of freedom and mobilization toward liberation. I believe divinity is moments of felt connection, resonances that spark and open into […]
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My beloved brother-in-law, Bruce, died in May 2024. His camera accompanied him on several of his final adventures capturing the wonder of God’s creation. His lens also captured the events in his garden in which Bruce delighted. May this selection of photos taken by Bruce bring wonder and delight to you, also.
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A picture is worth a thousand words. (Apologies, when I shared this last month the images were scrambled. Hopefully, this is better.) These images aim to both raise awareness about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis and to provide images for use in a worship service focusing on […]
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Inspired by: Psalm 130:5-6 (quoted in the first two lines from the New Living Translation) Psalm 139: 1-16, 22-23 Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: I wait for God; my soul waits, and in God’s word I hope. All: My soul waits for God more than those who watch for the […]
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As we contemplate our final journey We face our deepest fears And recognise all that we long for. The whole of our lives has been bringing us to this point; The point of departure A threshold. Do not be afraid of the darkness. Let it enfold you like a blanket. Your ancestors have gone ahead […]
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God of my breath, may the leaves of your trees in their billions open in me. The waves of the sea eternally bowing in prayer move in me. The cry of the hawk echoing in the canyon resound in me. The blessing rain coming down like tears, like hair, like a mother’s milk, come down […]
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Note: Choose one or more church leaders (blend of ordained and laity) to participate as per your congregation’s custom or tradition. Number the ‘Leader’ sections to match the number of leaders involved. Introduction: Leader: Today we celebrate, bless and commission [Student’s name]. We lift up their journey and commitment declaring ourselves to be their supporting […]
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This hymn might be used for welcoming new church members or in any service highlighting our call to discipleship. Tune: Aurelia (The Church’s One Foundation) Disciples here with Jesus In solidarity We now affirm each other Within our liturgy; In God we come together; In God we are as one; In God we can continue […]
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O God, You have birthed the world And us. You have washed us, Dressed us, Fed us, Set us on our way in the school of life. Give us courage to stand strong, To meet all that comes our way with kindness, Learn from all with an open heart, And remember always That the love […]
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Gather, God’s people! We seek to be here, fully and completely! Yet often we find ourselves distracted by questions: How can I be successful? How can I be wealthy? How can I get more ‘likes’? We get caught up wanting answers: Why me? Why not me? Who is the greatest? We seek, to be here, God, fully […]
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Inspired by Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15 and Micah 6:8 God our creator, thank you for those moments when the natural world surprises, delights, and stops us in wonder. The brilliant blue flash of a kingfisher. Rose-gold sunlight on bare-limbed trees. A rainbow, radiant against dark grey clouds. May we notice and appreciate these shining gifts. […]
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What words do we use to celebrate years of worship together? What words do we use when we are an aging congregation? What words signify the hope of new life in our church? Songs for Church Anniversaries: Prayers and worship resources for Church Anniversaries:
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Note: before using the ‘Digital Manifesto’ in full, consider the congregation. What are local concerns and worries about digital usage? Perhaps a selection from the Manifesto might suffice. Perhaps there are other concerns to be added or inserted. May this act of faith be meaningful. Worship offers us space in which to reflect on our […]
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Creator God, you pour your love persistently into all creation, making the earth fruitful and life joyful. We rejoice in your commitment to humanity, your giving of breath and bodies, of creatures and climate, of beauty and love and hope. God in Jesus, you walk boldly and comfortingly alongside us. We rejoice in your saving […]
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O Holy Spirit of Fire, life in the life of all life, holy are you, enlivening all thing. Holy are you, a healing balm to the broken. Holy are you, washing blistered wounds O Holy Breath O Fire of Life, O Sweetness in my breast infusing my heart with the fine scent of truth. O […]
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Text to read before the message: John 13:31a, 34-35 Prepared as a Children’s Message, but usable with all ages. To learn the tune: Todah, La El, Hallelujah – YouTube ( start at 1:12; not great, but the best example I can find) Script How does God say to treat one another? [with love] What does […]
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Adapted from Psalm 50:1-7 Might be read as a responsive reading with the congregation or by two readers From the rising of the sun to where it sets God almighty speaks, calling to all the earth. God shines forth. God is coming! In all power and might, A fire before, a storm raging all around. […]
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Shared at the Armenian Genocide Remembrance service held 24 April, 2019, at Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland, (slightly adapted for Worship Words). Each section to be read by a different reader. We remember the descendants of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Chaldean, people scarred by the violence over a century ago and pray for the healing […]
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‘Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey you are welcome here at Christ’s table.’* You can bring your problems, you can bring your doubts. You can bring your body with its aches and pains, its stretchmarks and scars. You can come in your ‘Sunday best’ or your scruffiest scuffed-up sneakers. You can […]
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inspired by Psalm 106 To be read responsively Praise the Eternal One! We give thanks for God’s steadfast love. Praise God’s mighty acts of creation and the wonders of the universe. We give thanks for beauty and goodness. Praise the Holy One that hope is not extinguished by evil. We give thanks for God’s promise […]
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Matthew 18:21-35 To forgive you will pass through the sea. You will leave much behind: what is owed, obligations, the heavy chains of your master anger. Just leave them. You will be tempted to turn back and fight but that is the slavery you are escaping, the lie of superior and inferior, the cruel economy […]
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The Armenian Genocide began on April 24, 1915. ‘This was the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Government against members of their own nation. The genocide erased approximately 75% of the world’s Armenian population—approximately 1.5 million people.’ (source: VA News) ‘The wide-scale extermination and subsequent lack of accountability inspired Polish lawyer […]
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Tune: Christ the Lord is Risen Today – Easter Hymn 7.7.7.7. At the dawn new life surprises, Alleluia From the darkness light arises, Alleluia See the stone is rolled away, Alleluia On this resurrection day, Alleluia Over death God’s love prevails, Alleluia Over all of our travails, Alleluia By no cross is it restrained, Alleluia […]
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What words express the mystery of the unknowable? the beliefs that defy the rules of nature? our faith? our doubt? What words enable the wordless to speak? the deaf to understand? Dare we speak truth into this mystery? exasperation? doubt? solid faith? Explore these Worship Words resources to find words for your worship experience on […]
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A Grief Interrupted — an Easter Pondering, Plea, and Prayer Loving God, is it true That grief must always win Bearing down heavy In weight of what was Sucking out life’s breath At every turn of memory? Must the upper hand always Be given to grief’s will and way Bringing tender tears In relentless […]
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Open Table Worship Using inclusive language and imagery for intimate worship settings at which everyone is welcome and valued Theme: Stand firm in our faith A complete 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 […]
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This morning we celebrate that hope lives, that new life pushes up though the soil, green and strong, that warmth and light return with the sun as a new day dawns. This morning we celebrate that there is no darkness that love cannot reach, no tomb that love cannot break open, no depths from which […]
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Who are we? We are God’s beloved. Where are we going? To lunch, to the park, to our homes, to work and to school: out into God’s world. With what do we venture forth? With the illumination of hope, with the strength of community, with the love of Christ. With whom will we share it? […]
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