Proper 17 13th Sunday after Pentecost – Year A Paul makes it sound so easy. Just be sincere, determined, altruistic. Yet we find ourselves hesitant, shifty, unreliable, selfish. Just be zealous, hopeful, patient. Yet we feel tired, desperate, anxious. Just be generous, hospitable, harmonious. Yet we find ourselves hoarding, isolating, discordant. We want to make […]
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Ezekiel 37:1-14 Fifth Sunday in Lent – Year A 2 April 2017 God of life, hear my prayer. Withered, cracked, pale Sometimes I feel like a pile of old bones Dry, brittle, broken Sometimes I feel as though all hope is lost. Dry bones, hear the word of the Divine! […]
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Mark 10:17–31 Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost, Year B A modern adaptation by Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK Click here to download the complete script in Word. Click here for complete script in pdf. PREPARATION: Keys and wallet placed about for Rich Man to find. CAST: Rich Man (starts at front with hand-held microphone) Jesus: starts […]
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A prayer for our church, community and world, originally written for Trinity Sunday Spirit of Unity, hear our prayer. We pray for your Church in all its many forms and manifestations: for the churches in our neighbourhood; For [church name], [church name] and our own church, [church name], We pray for those […]
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This wedding was held in Washington State, USA, soon after same-sex marriage became legal. The couple had been waiting for more than a decade. The names have been changed. Outline of Service Welcome Prayer Scripture Reading Purpose of Marriage Words of Intention – lawfully free & willing to create this “intentional family” Sharing: a […]
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2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A I lift up my eyes to the hills… We lift up our hearts To you, Spirit of the Universe God will not let your foot be moved… Trusting you to hold us securely When we feel caught in the mire of indecision When we hesitate to step forward […]
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3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A 19 March 2017 God, are you with us? We seek assurance. Like the Israelites at Massah we desire proof. Like the people of Meribah we ache for assurance beyond words, Something we can see and touch. Forgive our testiness and fickle faith. Renew our commitment to […]
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Mark 14:27-31 (Year B) Jesus: “You will all become deserters…” Peter: “Even though all become deserters, I will not!” Jesus: “Truly I tell you… this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Peter: “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you…” Disciple 1: (stand in […]
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Written in 1986 for a Maundy Thursday evening service at Mfanefile United Congregational Church, Zululand, South Africa, where we (Ana & Tod) lived illegally (in a ‘Black Spot’ during apartheid) and ministered at the time. With no electricity, the church was lit by a few candles. In the days of apartheid, the world felt very […]
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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Ready-to-Act: a story from Exodus 1:8-2:10 Characters: 1) Narrator, 2) Pharoah, 3) Pharoah’s Daughter, 4) Miriam, 5) Midwife Shiphrah, 6) Midwife Puah Provide large-font copies for all actor/readers; no memorization required. Print landscape with two columns to avoid hiding mouths behind sheets. Script Narrator: Now a new king […]
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A Palm Sunday Dialogue with reflection Mark 14:27-31 (Year B) Introduction to Dialogue: Pray with me. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all our hearts be acceptable to You. Amen. Australians call them Stuff-ups. What is a “stuff up?” Wait for an answer. Yes! Blunders, errors, mistakes. When I commit them, […]
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Reading and Heeding the signs of the Times Matthew 2.1-12 Note: The “king” or “magi” or “wise one” may be named as appropriate for the congregation. The part may be played by either a woman or a man. The “minister” might be any worship leader. Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year A. Script Minister: …This […]
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Rote makes right: Healing through ritual Year C, 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23) 2 Kings 5:1-3; 7c-15 Luke 17: 11-19 This sermon includes an interview with Naaman. Minster: What ritual or practice brings God’s presence into your life on a regular basis? Turn to your neighbour and share for a moment. What ritual or […]
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