Tune: Servant Song We are people on a journey, through the world of love and fear, drawing strength from knowing Jesus and his message ‘God is near’. God unites us on our journey, leading us on paths unknown, showing wonders unimagined, by our side, not on a throne. One with us and with all people, […]
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Tune: Love Unknown We walk the way of love, It calls us to its side, And asks us to take risks To set our fears aside. And to what end? So that God’s peace Might one day in all hearts reside. We walk the way of love, And in community, Our hearts discover how In […]
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Tune: Michael (God, my hope on you is founded) Loving God, creation’s founder, source of life and living love, when the Spirit’s pow’r we follow, wisdom guides us as we go. Then we know, as we sow, seeds of love must die to grow. If we trust in bricks and mortar, building empires, hoarding love, […]
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Children and their loved ones: My voice matters. Worship leader: When someone is being treated badly, I will say that is wrong. Children and their loved ones: My voice matters. Worship leader: When someone is being left out of the group, I will say that is wrong. Children and their loved ones: My voice matters. […]
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Tune: Finlandia These words might be meaningful in any service of dedication, promise-making or discipleship. Your love alone turns action into service, Your grace alone turns speaking into prayer. All that we are is held within your mercy, All that we do, made holy in your care. Spirit of God, breathe through us in our […]
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Light and shadow carve the stone of the cliff face morning and evening. The light is stronger than the stone. Each day sun and wind work their art on the sea, a different masterpiece every day. Creating God, I am your canvas. Your light, your wind, your grace raining down paint your Word on me, […]
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Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:41-51 Lectionary: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14), Year B In Christ we put on a new way of being: Acting like a Christian may lead to becoming one. Ready-to-print copies: Drama – Ephesians 4.25-5.2 – T Gobledale WORD Drama – Ephesians 4.25-5.2 – T Gobledale PDF Note: the source of the […]
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See how we love (Together All) Lyrics and music (posted below) composed by David Williams. Together All! We wait upon the hour To stand and show your power To those with whom we live Together All! We long for them to say, as happened in the day ‘See how they love’! Refrain: So we stand […]
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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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For Lent: Feast on simple pleasures, and fast from all that gets our bodies and souls out of balance. Feast on kindness, and fast from sarcasm. Feast on compassion, and fast from holding grudges. Feast on patience, and fast from anxiety. Feast on peace, and fast from stirring up needless conflict. Feast on acceptance, and […]
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A tool to use while walking through Lent: the Stations of the Cross, responding to 14 questions from Jesus Ideas for using this tool during Lent: Idea: engage with the questions by contemplating them as Stations of the Cross. Participants might be invited to write their reflections on papers and put them in baskets or […]
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We are called to pay attention: a responsive reading Many: This morning/afternoon/evening and all mornings/afternoons/evenings, we are called to pay attention. One: We are called to pay attention to our individual lives, to our delights and pains. We are called to understand and cherish ourselves, to take good care of ourselves, to know ourselves as […]
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To accompany the lectionary readings on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A — Psalm 119:33-40 and Romans 13:8-14 Supplies: a cross, towel and basin, and a soft (stuffed) animal toy set out on a table or other central focal point one heavy hammer and 2-3 large nails mop and bucket photos of children facing […]
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Distract us From overthinking situations Beyond our control Distract us From being led astray By the lure of temptations Distract us From the vain pursuit of fame Wealth and status Focus our hearts On following and nurturing Shepherd us well A version for personal devotion: Distract me From overthinking situations Beyond my control Distract me […]
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Loving God, Draw everything of me Into the mystery of You Bending the barrenness Of winter’s weary wait Toward Your leading light Hinting at things to come. Let everything of me Be swayed toward You Resisting every wind Of the world’s uprooting Often blowing within Daring to break my resolve To follow Your Christ-love Wherever […]
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Lection for Epiphany 6, Year A To be read responsively, by two voices or by a solo voice How happy we could be if we could reach perfection, if we could just keep to the rules. How happy if we could follow orders with a willing heart. Some people do manage to steer a straight […]
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A responsive prayer of intercession & confession Inspired by Psalm 51 Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God, we call to mind the fractured beauty of the world we live in. All: May we be people of reconciliation. ♦ One: We call to mind broken relationships. All: May we be people […]
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This might be used as a corporate prayer, substituting ‘we’ for I’. It might also be used at a service of affirmation — an induction, ordination, baptism, re-commitment or confirmation, substituting ‘you’ for ‘I’. May I…. Hands at third eye centre: May I see things as they really are, and not as how I want […]
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A Responsive litany of commitment God calls each of us according to our gifts, to serve those in need, to seek justice for the oppressed and disenfranchised, to care for the earth and all the creatures that inhabit it, and through our words and action to bring God’s love and peace to all creation. Will […]
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God, we sometimes forget that we were created for joy. Our minds are too busy. Our hearts are too heavy for us to remember that we have been called to dance the sacred dance of life. We were created to smile to love to be lifted up and to lift others up. O Sacred One, […]
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Lyrics are sung in Bemba and translated below into English. Here’s a link to Cephas Ng’oma singing this song. Chorus Uku Yahweh ekukabila kwa mutima wandi (YHWH, this is my heart’s desire) Uku Yahweh ekukabila kwa mweo wandi (YHWH, this is my life’s desire) Isusheni umutima wandi (Fill my heart) Isusheni umweo wandi (Fill […]
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Originally written for Good Friday Jesus, man of sorrows, give me the courage to be a faithful witness to those who are suffering. Help me to overcome my awkwardness and fear to sit with them among the ashes, and to stay alongside. Help me to not recoil from sickness or death, but to be a […]
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Inspired by Luke 17:21 and Matthew 6:10 Let us gather together and search it out. Your kin-dom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in the heavens. Let us seek to do the will of God and, in doing so, welcome God’s kin-dom. From the service ‘The Bible and Civil Disobedience / […]
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