Tune: Sussex (There’s a wideness in God’s mercy) Ent’ring in the holy city, crowds surround them as they walk, laying leaves before their progress on the road that leads to love. No one knew how things would turn out, breaks in trust, betrayal, loss in a week where dark descended on the road that leads […]
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What words express the mystery of the unknowable? the beliefs that defy the rules of nature? our faith? our doubt? What words enable the wordless to speak? the deaf to understand? Dare we speak truth into this mystery? exasperation? doubt? solid faith? Explore these Worship Words resources to find words for your worship experience on […]
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Reflection for Easter Eve, ‘Holy’ Saturday The worst has happened. The disciples have fled. The cross stands bare. The tomb is sealed. Mary, dazed and exhausted by sorrow, fuggy with tears, makes her way to the grave. She doesn’t know what else to do with herself. Such is the restlessness of grief; when the wound […]
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it’s a short ride to Hades no stopping no coming back it’s not much of a place but better than no life at all Jesus went there descendit ad inferos he didn’t stay long less than forty hours he said Hades wasn’t the end of the line he said the last stop was New Jerusalem […]
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Arising from Matthew 26: 6-13, Mark 14: 3-9, Luke 7: 36-50, John 12: 1-8 At a party, when a woman, without giving notice, anoints Jesus with perfumed oil, his fellow guests object to its expense, which could have been put to use serving the poor. But in that extravagant act, Jesus is made Christ, the […]
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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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written for the Reconciling Ministries Network One: As we enter Holy Week, we remember the holy work of Jesus in order to take up that work in our own lives and for our own time. Many: Holy One, we are here in gratitude and hope. May we serve your Kin-dom well. One: We remember that […]
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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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‘I am doing a new thing’ – an interview with Mary of Bethany Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 (Lectionary readngs for Lent 5, Year C) Characters: P = Preacher; M = Mary P: Will you pray with me? God of new things, this morning we ask you to calm the cacophony of our hearts and minds, […]
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John 12:1-11 While the reading falls traditionally on Monday of Holy Week, this prayer may be used throughout the year. Anointing and blessing God help us to recognize you in all your glory and humble disguises including the poor of the world who are your body. When we meet you may we fall to our […]
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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 That wrote in sand […]
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What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? Worship Words resources for Cross (Good) Friday:
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Matthew 26:17-75 Mark 14:12-72 Luke 22:7-65 John 13:1 – 18:27 Worship Words resources for Maundy Thursday (alphabetical order):
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Prayed at Saint Andrews Scots Memorial Church in Jerusalem Setting the scene When Jesus came into Jerusalem for that last supper the crowds were singing and dancing. Palms were waved and coats were tossed on the ground—all for the victorious One. Hosanna in the highest. No matter that he came on a donkey instead of […]
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What words express the hope, the anticipation, the surge of the excited crowd? What words fill the air of our worship centres? filling the hollows of the week ahead? How do we express the shadow looming? the darkness beneath the palms? Songs for Palm/Passion Sunday: Dramas for Palm/Passion Sunday: Worship Words resources for Palm/Passion Sunday: […]
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