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 […]
Read full text
God, prepare me. Proclamation Channel Instrument Prepared yet overtaken Connection Identification ‘That’s me!’ Mouth of God Beyond words translated Interpreted Confirming purpose and usefulness Use me, God. Keep me humble. Use me beyond my perceived limits. Today may I be on fire With your spirit With your word Consumed yet refined Given yet received Blessed
Read full text
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, […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
God, we gather in this place Home for our souls. Here we sense our true selves Renewed in wholeness; Scattered, now gathered in. Fragments re-united, re-connected Standing on solid ground Upheld by faith Renewed by love We open ourselves to you.
Read full text
Luke 23:33-43 – Jesus and the two criminals Told from the perspective of three Roman soldiers present at the crucifixion of Jesus. Appropriate for Good Friday or the 24th Sunday of Pentecost, Year C. Ready-to-print scripts: Luke 23, 33-43 drama PDF Luke 23, 33-43 drama Storyteller: Today’s Gospel reading, from Luke’s account, reminds us how […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Written for nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Psalm 121 & Luke 18:1-8 (the widow and the unjust judge) Where whence comes our help? Our help comes from God, the Eternal One, who made heaven and earth. Join me in our prayers of intercession. Pray with me. God, you are, indeed, our help in times […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
An Interview of the Slave Girl and Jailer who meet Paul and Silas. To be used within a worship service, possibly as the message itself. Acts 16:16-34 Easter 7, Year C Roles: Interviewer (Int) Slave Girl, Harriet (S.G.) Jailer, Jaden (J.) Reader of Acts 16 Ready-to-print scripts: Interview – Acts 16.16-34 – Slave Girl & […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Easter), Year C John 20:19-31 Eternal One, as we travel through life’s valleys, in the places of darkness, and despair, we know that you are with us. Even when life’s doubts assail us, we know that you still abide with us, watching over us. Strengthen our faith. Help us […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Matthew 28:1-18 Do not be afraid. Allow time for the children to answer each question. When are you afraid? What helps you be brave? The Easter message for us, from God, is ‘Do not be afraid. No matter how scary things are, I am with you.’ Pray with me. God, thank you for […]
Read full text
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, […]
Read full text
[names of couple], we rejoice to celebrate with you the reaffirmation of your marriage covenant, as you re-commit yourselves as /wife and husband / partners/ wives / husbands/ in marriage. [Use the terminolopgy chosen by the couple.] This year you celebrate ____ years of marriage, your anniversary coming up on [date]. In this post-modern world, […]
Read full text
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Dramatised for 3 readers The parts may be portrayed by women, men or youth. They need not memorise but may hold and read their scripts. Microphones will be needed by all three. If there is a high lectern or pulpit, that is a good spot for the Storyteller; a great opportunity […]
Read full text
Epiphany 2, Year C This prayer is inspired by Psalm 36:5-10 It’s like standing beneath a street lamp On a misty evening. In the light, I see light, But objects appear blurry and obscured, half lit. God, standing in your light, I see light, But the path ahead appears blurry and obscured, seemingly […]
Read full text
Prayer inspired by 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year C Note: this prayer can be written either in the singular (me/I) or the plural (us/we). In this bleak midwinter Gifts abound Given in the same spirit, a spirit of love. When words of wisdom we cannot bring to utterance, Thank you for the […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Invite a bagpiper to join the congregation for worship on St Andrew’s Sunday. They might play a traditional Scottish hymn or other songs agreed upon. Ideally, they will dress in full Scottish regalia. Invite the children to come forward to join the worship leader and to meet the bagpiper, look closely at the instrument, and […]
Read full text
The Holy Spirit propels Philip to the Ethiopian – a dramatisation Acts 8:26-40 (Year B, Easter 4) This might be incorporated into a celebration of baptism or the renewal of baptismal vows. Actors/readers: Philip, Ethiopian, Storyteller (Narrator), Angel, Spirit Complete scripts — ready to download and print (2-sided): Drama, Acts 8, Philip & Ethiopian PDF Drama, […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Written April 2018 during a time of personal reflection in the Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral, UK, following the bombing of Syria by the US and the UK. Broken Bombed Darkness descends How did it come to this? God groans The world whimpers. We cower Fearfully crying out, ‘Which way?’ What about our grandchildren? […]
Read full text
This is a round, easy to learn, fun for all ages. For Harvest Time and daily food, we give our thanks today! (Tune: For health and strength and daily bread, we praise thy name…)
Read full text
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness….’” Genesis 1.26 Lesson: Looking at skin colour to learn more about God. What colour are you? Listen to this poem by Kathleen McGinnis, and see if you can find a colour that matches your skin. Some people are black like ebony […]
Read full text
Living, loving God, thank you for the world around us, your splendid garden creation entrusted into our hands. Please grant us the wisdom to be faithful stewards of your earth: • Keeping air and water clean • Being mindful of energy consumption • Growing foods to share with all your people, our sisters and brothers […]
Read full text
22nd Sunday of Pentecost, Year A Exodus 20:20-22a & 23:20 What do we think about ‘angels’? What words express the phenomenon called ‘angel’ in the Bible? This dramatisation in which God promises to send an ‘angel’ can be used to open up reflection and discussion on the subject. Drama, Exodus 20 PDF Drama, Exodus […]
Read full text
Call to prayer Each of us can do our little part to restore God’s creation to a place of health and wholeness. Where can you make a difference? How can you help fix the “damage done”? Let us confess our sins, knowing that God is listening. Prayer of Confession Pray with me. God, often, […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text