Let us proclaim that we have seen the glory of God believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator the joy of the Spirit and the peace of the Christ-child be with you this Christmas, and evermore.
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What words will we use to usher in a new year? What words express our hopes and visions, our fears and frights, as we look into the year ahead? What words can enable us to release the past year and leave it in peace even as we face our world of war and violence? Newest […]
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For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37 I am a miracle. When you look at me, you may see the teenaged girl with pain in her heart and cuts down her arms. Or the empty alcohol bottles and the blurry memories. Or the scars from abandonment and relationship abuse. But if that’s […]
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O little town of Bethlehem – lyrics for today Carols with Justice, Simple Living Works Verse 1: Phillips Brooks, 1868 Verse 2: John Becker Verse 3: Rae E. Whitney There will be no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in the place of Jesus Christ’s birth this year in response to the thousands killed in the […]
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Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service acknowledging the challenges many people face during the ‘holiday’ season. God, you are not distant from us; you come to us in vulnerability, you offer yourself as a gift of love. God of love, hear our prayer. This night we pray for all who mourn. All […]
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Words from around the world… What words can be uttered when our thoughts and imaginations are shattered? What words do we say aloud when we gather to worship? What words bring sense to violent senselessness? Perhaps the silence between the words will offer the needed time for sighs and tears. These prayers were originally written […]
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Our help is in the name of the Eternal One, the maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:8 ‘What if Martin didn’t stand up? What if Rosa didn’t sit down? … What if Maya didn’t speak out? What if Langston Hughes didn’t write it down?’ In India Arie’s song “What If,” she asks what […]
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Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, acknowledging the challenges often faced during the dark seasons of the year. On this longest night of the year, we gather to worship you, our Creator. The prophets tell of a light to the nations; a dawn from on high breaking upon us. The poets speak […]
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Mysterious paradoxes collide in this story. A story of a baby, Born into nothing, Yet born into everything. Born in a shed, But born in love, And is love And brings love. The paradox of a young woman, Not yet wedded, Blessed to bring life, Into this world that needs life Needs hope Requires love. […]
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God of all seasons and senses, grant us the sense of your timing to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons. In this season of short days and long nights, of grey and white and cold, teach us the lessons of endings; children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying, grieving over, […]
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In the second week of Advent, churches traditionally light the Candle of Peace. This prayer of confession might be used in worship on Sunday with this explanation: Several denominations are ‘calling on congregations NOT to light their second Advent candle — in solidarity with all those who are suffering in the war between Israel […]
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A poem for Christmas and Epiphany This night we steer our paths By lights in holy skies. Like eyes of old, we stare Aloft at certain stars. Pressed hard by cruel tones And ugly, unseemly times, We linger at a star of beauty, A gleaming, affirming fire. To homes and naves we go With children […]
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Tune: God rest you merry For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. To Bethlehem, a stable bare, We journey to behold The baby born to change the world. The story has been told. He brings the lonely to his side. He makes the timid bold. O Tidings of comfort and joy Comfort […]
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‘Do not be afraid’ — words of the angels Prayers of Intercession This was originally written for a worship service marking the opening of a week-long Angel Festival. It might be used during Advent, particularly at a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. The word ‘angel’ is not always popular, or sometimes over-popular! How can […]
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Refugees seeking safety for their families… Mary and Joseph, portrayed by children, seek refuge in the UK. Visitors from the East find it difficult to bring gifts to the family. This thoughtful video might be used in worship to highlight the difficulties refugees face, as did Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt. Created by […]
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God of mercy and love, for all who live with HIV or AIDS. Grant them loving companions who will support them in the midst of fear, that every day may be lived with courage and faith. Bless them with an abundance of your love, that they may live with concern for others. Pour on them […]
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We shall remember them. We shall not lose heart. Minute of Silence… for the victims of all the recent atrocities in _______ We pray for our suffering world, for the end of enmity and strife between nations, for the end of inequality and poverty affecting people of various backgrounds. We remember the victims of violence, […]
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Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1) Holy God, ever present, our hearts are once again heavy as we watch this disaster unfold. We pray comfort for those who have lost loved ones and remember those who have lost their lives, commending their souls to your care. In the midst of this […]
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Tune: St Andrew, ‘Jesus calls us o’er the tumult’ Written in Derby Cathedral under the ‘Peace Doves’ sculpture Come, inspire our lives with mercy Bring your peace on wings of doves Take us to a place where we can Learn to love as you love us May your message live within us Words to comfort […]
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O God, At the darkest time of the year comes the brightest of Hope. Let the gladness of its coming and the hope of its promise be warm within us. To embrace this Hope is to believe that someday there shall be A world of goodwill from which all cruelty is gone. A world in […]
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Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*, the last Sunday of the Church Year. God of love: hear our prayer. This morning we think about those who hold positions of power. We ask that you bless them with wisdom, convict them with conscience and afflict them with compassion for all those who are affected by […]
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What words do we use to commemorate saints of old? What words connect to the swelling pride of a nation commemorating a patron saint? What lyrics might the drone of a bagpipe arouse in us? St Andrew’s Day 30 November is Scotland’s national day commemorating St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. St Andrew […]
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God, you have become known to us, Not in abstract theologies, But in action – Specifically, the action of salvation. We cried, you heard – And our cries caused such an upheaval in you that they could not be borne in silence and inaction. You then became known to us In the gift of torah: […]
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Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and gratitude plants the seed of deeper humility that opens hearts and minds to more for which to be grateful Giving thanks to another human being ennobles the giver and the receiver dignifies everyday exchanges and clears the way for love Giving thanks for what is received from a […]
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Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on 20 November honouring the memory of those whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Newest ‘Transgender Day of Remembrance’ posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a […]
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Teach me the habits that love you Show me the visions that ring true Shower on me the light that shines through In all of this hold me Give me the courage to reach out Help me to challenge where I find doubt Let me grow so I am curious about How you are holding […]
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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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