Written for Advent (Third Sunday of Advent Year A; Second Sunday of Advent Year B) Tune: Cecilia (6.6.6.6) A desert voice rings out to bring the faithful near; a voice that’s firm and strong, a call that’s loud and clear. A voice that rings with truth reminds us how we fall but lifts us up […]
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Psalm 68 – framed and phrased for church worship Easter 7, Year A, New Revised Common Lectionary Sing out to God! God it is who gives the friendless person a home, and leads the prisoner to safety. God it is who brings rain to restore the worn-out land, providing food for the poor. Sing out […]
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Inspired by Michael Rosen His were the hands That shaped the wood That smoothed the knot That summoned the friends And launched the boat His were the hands That touched the blind And opened ears That held the child And cast out fears His were the hands That fingered the coin That plucked the corn […]
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Dear cousin… You may be surprised to hear that I am also, as they say, ‘expecting’. Yes, a boy is on his way… Don’t ask how I know it’s a boy…you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Joseph is in two minds, happy with the idea of fatherhood but knows he’s not the ‘real’ […]
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Greetings, You know that I missed out on schooling so never got the proper hang of writing and rarely needed it anyway so long as I could scribble a bill. I’ve asked the Rabbi to help me with this short letter telling you the latest news. Everything is overshadowed by this tax registration. There’s no […]
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Advent 3 & Pentecost 23, Year C From Isaiah 12 Since God is our Saviour we will trust and be unafraid. God is the source of our confidence and will keep us safe from harm. On the day when God comes to our rescue, joy will rise like water from the spring. So give thanks […]
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Duncan Wilson writes contemporary versions of psalms calling the on-going project ‘Praise from the heart: The Psalms in liturgical order’. He intends to make the psalms ‘accessible for all ages, inclusive and relevant, as the Psalms were inspired by people with thoughts and experiences much like ours.’ Additional worship resources by Duncan are found at […]
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This reflection might be read on Easter morning, or during a time of meditation, having distributed a hazelnut for each participant to hold. Text: Wee, wizened pod of latent life, dormant hope protecting, I hold your power entire within my hand and wonder […]
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Post-Christmas correspondence from a shepherd to a traveler from the East Dear Melchior, Greetings from all of us. We trust you made the journey home safely and didn’t run into any of Herod’s lot because terrible things happened after you left! When you and your friends didn’t report back to him after your visit to […]
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Thoughts on ‘Trinity Sunday’ ‘God, I’m lonely,’ God thought, Where’s the point of a void? ‘I’ll make me a world – hold that – a universe – full of wonders, creatures to keep me company, to enjoy each other – to enjoy me.’ And God did. Life abundant. Night and day, God made, flower and […]
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Thoughts on Pentecost… Who could have predicted it? What did they expect? A mild morning breeze? A gentle introduction, a saunter into a new way of life? Not by the sound of it. For the Holy Spirit read ‘typhoon’ or ‘whirlwind’ – everyone’s hair restyled – garments turned inside out – blown into sails – […]
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One minute he’s here and the next minute gone and no-one seems to know how. ‘Taken up to heaven’, says Mark. ‘As he was blessing them’, says Luke. Not a word from John, more concerned about Peter’s destiny. And Matthew? Just final instructions to his friends – To baptize, to teach, to obey – but […]
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Lectionary reading on Third Sunday of Advent, Year A Listen to the news of hope reborn from Isaiah 35. The desert will rejoice and flowers will bloom in the wild places. Everywhere will reflect God’s glory. Tired hands and bent knees will be strong again. Eyes will see again, ears be opened. The lame will […]
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This might be read responsively or as a single voice. The grace of God, deeper than our imagining; the strength of Christ, greater than our need; and the communion of the Holy Sprit, richer than all our life together; guide and sustain us today and in all our tomorrows.
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