Ana Gobledale

Dedication of offering — UK

Invitation to give. God is generous. Created in God’s image, we have been blessed with generous spirits. Our gifts, arising from that wellspring of generosity, will be used for the work and mission of the church. Dedication of gifts Generous God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed upon us, for your persistence, […]

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Fireworks thanks! — Ana Gobledale, UK

A Children’s Message for after Guy Fawkes, New Years or Independence Days, connecting to the sounds of fireworks. O Children of Jacob, O people of God, Come, let us walk in the light of God. —Isaiah 2:5 (Ask one child) What are you thankful for? God, thank you for (repeat what child said). 3-2-1 CLAP! […]

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Psalm 25, Call to worship — Ana Gobledale, UK

Gathering words inspired by Psalm 25 God, Elohim, Yahweh, Allah, God, by any name, is good, steadfast and true. Trust that which brought you here. Gather in hope and anticipation, ready to be fed and nourished, ready to be guided and taught. Open yourself to this oasis on the path of your life journey. Be […]

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Psalm 139 Responsive Call to Worship — Mark Manterfield & Ana Gobledale, UK

Originally written for a gathering of welcoming LGBTQ+ Christians. Psalm 139 arises in the Common Revised Lectionary on Epiphany 2B; Pentecost 7A, 2B and 13C. Ready-to-download Word document and rainbow PowerPoint to project in worship: Psalm 139 – Responsive Acclamation, Ana Gobledale Psalm 139 Responsive Acclamations PPT – Ana Gobledale I praise you, for I […]

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Walking with Death — Ana Gobledale, UK

‘Until we meet again; don’t know where, don’t know when.’ Death accompanies us all. Waiting silently for acceptance. Not frightening, except for those who fear shadows. Peaceful. I’m grateful for those who show me how to transition from the life we know into this unknowable mystery. So many names and angles of understanding: eternity, resurrection, […]

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Hope restored: a grandmother’s thoughts — Ana Gobledale, UK

Written after visiting my first grandchild. Baby smells waft into my nostrils. A pattering heart pulsates in my embrace. Tearlets moisten my eyes. Powerful hope swirls through my core. This is my body. This is my blood. God’s own child rests in my arms. By what name shall this child be called? Hope. Promise. Future. […]

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Psalm 112, Gathering Words — Ana Gobledale, UK

Adapted from Psalm 112:1-10, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A Praise the Biggest of the Big!* Happy are those who fear the Eternal One, who greatly delight in the divine commandments. They are gracious, merciful, and just. They rise in the darkness as a light for others. *Nkulunkulu, ‘the biggest of the big’ – Ndebele […]

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A place around the manger — Ana Gobledale, UK

Who am I? The mother, a vessel for someone else’s plan? The father, not the father, standing sentinel? A shepherd, dirty and bedraggled, a loner from the veld? A magi, wise and discerning, hoping in star-studded messages? An angel, iridescent, illuminating and terrifying? A donkey, nuzzling the manger, hungrily searching for hay? A lamb, bleating, […]

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Marked at Birth – Ana Gobledale, Zambia & UK

Born white Into privilege and power No hiding Birth mark Marked at birth Step into access Step into education Seen as a full wallet/purse Walking with a shadow Of responsibility Of oppression Of exploitation So many wrongs How many generations must pass To be free of the burden of the sins of our ancestors? To […]

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Acts 28, Building bridges — Ana Gobledale, Zambia

Thoughts on partnerships and relationships Acts 28 To the ends of the earth Go and build bridges Go and connect Demolish dividing walls At least peer over them Search for openings Find points of intersection Along the many footpaths See not a single way Know your own path And cherish its rightness for you Pause […]

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Experimenting with the Jesus Prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK

My family and I have experimented with the Jesus Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. By removing gender-orientation and limiting phrases and inserting words that ring with meaning and truth for today, this prayer has remained a pillar of my faith practice. In the 1980’s saying nightly prayers with my children,  we replaced “Our Father” with “Almighty God.”  Today, with […]

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Psalm 30, Call to Worship — Ana Gobledale, UK

Inspired by Psalm 30:4-5 Originally written for the third Sunday of Easter, Year C 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 […]

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God, forgive my barns, a confession — Ana Gobledale, UK & Zambia

A prayer of confession and an entreaty for transformation, inspired by the contrast between the simplicity of life in Zambia and the complexity of life in the United Kingdom. (To create a group prayer, change ‘my’ to ‘our’ and ‘me’ to ‘us’.) God, forgive my/our barns My cupboards My bureaus Full to overflowing. Invade my […]

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Psalm 122 — Zambia’s voice

I was filled with great happiness when I was called to go to church. What sweet fellowship we find in you O wonderful house of God built on a solid foundation. You grant to us a sweet time of prayer, despite our different languages and cultures. There is justice in your presence. All people enjoy […]

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New verses for ‘How Great Thou Art’ — Ana Gobledale, Zambia

Creator God, your love abounds forever; Creation’s beauty fills the earth and sky. Your shimmering stars, your circling planets, Amazing power, creation does display. Chorus: Creator God, we lift our song to you, How great your love, how great your love. When through the veld and grassy plains we wander, we hear the birds, and […]

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Death’s welcome — Ana Gobledale, UK

Written in Salisbury Cathedral while listening toSt Matthew’s Passion by JS Bach and preparing a funeral service. Death Ceasing to be Becoming what? Breathless Containing all life Life-less Moving from Moving toward Leaving Arriving Shutting down It is finished Dust on the mantle Ash on the hearth Carried on zephyr puffs Lifted Unknowing Fear not […]

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Communion invitation — Ana Gobledale, UK

Friends, come in peace for all things are now ready. After or as the bread is distributed… The bread of life shared with you. After or as the juice is distributed… The power of God shared with you. After meal is shared… We give thanks to you, Source of all life, that you have refreshed […]

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Thank God for Church — Ana Gobledale, UK

Thank God for church! This might be read by numerous voices, responsively or by a single voice. Remember to pause and focus on firstly each attribute of the Spirit and secondly each specific gratitude. After each refrain, take time to consider specific people, activities, worship words, prayers, songs, sermons, and other aspects of church for […]

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Psalm 97, Call to worship — Ana Gobledale, UK

Inspired by Psalm 97 Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C The Eternal One cares for all creation as a wise and just ruler cares for a realm. Let the earth celebrate this truth. Light dawns for the virtuous, and joy for the upright in heart. Delight in the Eternal One, you who are just and […]

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Words to open a Church Anniversary service — Ana Gobledale, UK

  We gather, celebrating our life together     With gratitude to those who have gone before. We gather, looking ahead to our life together     With anticipation as we step into the future. We gather to worship and serve the living God      the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whoever you are and wherever […]

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Thomas’s Doubt, a Biblical Drama for the Sunday after Easter — Gobledales, UK

Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Easter), Year C John 20:19-31 Acts 5: 27-32 *Bible quotations are from ‘The Inclusive Bible,’ Rowman & Littlefield publishers 2007 www.rowmanlittlefield.com Certainties & Doubts: a Biblical drama The worship leader interviews ‘Doubting Thomas’ discussing doubt, faith and our world today.  The script includes an introduction and conclusion and an […]

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Mary’s lament, monologue — Ana Gobledale, UK

Mary’s Lament – a reflection originally written for a Good Friday service. This dramatic monologue revealing Mary’s anguish and distress has been read effectively at a Blue Christmas service, also. 2 Readers:  Mary, mother of Jesus, and a Storyteller (narrator)   Ready-to-print downloads: PDF Mary’s Lament dramatic reading WORD Mary’s Lament dramatic reading Life often overwhelms […]

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I, Mary Magdalene, an Easter drama — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

What words do we use to describe the mystery of Easter? Bodily resurrection?  Spiritual continuum? Risen?  Risen indeed? What words might Jesus’s friends have used to explain their experiences that day? This drama presents words Mary Magdalene might have shared. Ready-to-print downloads of full script: Easter drama – I, Mary Magdalene PDF Easter drama – I, […]

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Teenage Mary calls home, an Advent monologue — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

Title: I have good news…and bad news… Readings:  Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55 This dramatic monologue, a phone conversation between pregnant teenage Mary and her Mum, was originally written as the sermon accompanying the lighting of the Advent Candle of Love.  It can be used effectively anytime during Advent. Notes: Mary pauses throughout the conversation when […]

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Blue Christmas service, complete — Ana Gobledale, UK

Compiled from various resources. Click here for a Blue Christmas service pdf download. This complete one-hour service is ready to print and use. It is a reflective service created for a December afternoon or evening. 16 readers (or double-up if fewer readers are available) Preparation and set-up: The worship space is important.  See suggestions on […]

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Gravestone unveiling — Ana Gobledale, UK

How do we mark the passing of time after a death? What words do we share when we gather to install, place or unveil a gravestone or marker? This service has been used when unveiling a gravestone or placing a plaque at a grave. Complete Service ready to download and print PDF Gravestone unveiling – full […]

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Sharing, Children’s message — Ana Gobledale, UK

Colours of the rainbow Originally used to illustrate ‘sharing’ as presented in John 6:1-15 (Jesus feeds many) and 2 Kings 4:42-44 (Tenth Week of Pentecost, Year B). Preparation: In a bag: (I use the same cloth bag each week, so children anticipate that there will be something inside it when they gather.) a selection of […]

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Creation Communion — Ana Gobledale, UK

These communion prayers focus on creation. They might be used to celebrate Earth Day or during the Season of Creation. Genesis 1:1-19   Order of Service Words of invitation Words of confession & assurance Words of remembering: the communion story Words of gratitude God of creation and transformation, for this time together around this table, […]

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Stilling the storms of life, Mark 4:35-41 — Ana Gobledale, UK

Stilling the storms of life, a guided reflection  Text: Mark 4:35-41   NRSV  (Lection 5th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B)   Prior to reading the passage, set the scene: Jesus’s days, filled with healing and teaching by the lakeside, have tired him and the disciples out.  In chapter 3 he asks for a boat to stand […]

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Reaffirmation of wedding vows

Do we reaffirm?  Renew?  Re-charge?  Re-ignite? Re-commit? What words can contain gratitude for years of commitment past? What words express our hope of continued love and fidelity for years to come? This service, created by Ana Gobledale for use in London,weaves together words from numerous sources.  The phrase ‘reaffirmation of wedding vows’ is used throughout.  […]

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