God entrusts to us a great treasure, the gift of Enough When I was young I wanted more persistent insistent unquenched desire I expended energy precious time accumulating earthly things But then God granted me the treasure of Enough not wanting more satisfied contentment not needing to eat too much food buy too many shoes […]
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A Statement of Faith (translated from the Spanish) I believe in the God who fired the first sun, who made life beat and who made it beautifully diverse, who went out to play, naked, through the gardens of the universe without fear of time, smiling, greeting the breeze. I believe in a God who befriended […]
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A responsive prayer Luke 12:13-21 Provider of Life, creator of the earth and all that is in it, we lift our prayers of thanks to you For the beauty of the earth that surrounds us, For spring flowers that dazzle us and summer’s greenery that delights us, For autumn’s bounty that sustains us and prepares […]
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I have something in my bag…. (Take out a welcome sign or the word ‘Welcome’ printed on a piece of paper.) ‘WELCOME.’ What does ‘welcome’ mean? … take responses -Safe -Part of the group How do you make someone feel WELCOME? Who here at our church who tries to make people coming to church feel welcome? […]
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For Pentecost 11, Year B Supplies: bag (cloth is best, less noise) Welcome sign Script I have something in my bag…. (Take out a welcome sign or the word ‘Welcome’ printed on a piece of paper.) ‘WELCOME.’ What does ‘welcome’ mean? … take responses Safe Part of the group How do you make someone feel WELCOME? […]
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Supplies: Bubble-making paraphernalia Inside, individual small bubble liquid containers with wands suffice, as sold for weddings. Outside, any size bubble containers and wands will do. An especially large wand might be used for a ‘big’ group prayer. Think about your week. What questions, worries or confessions do you have? What positives, joys and hopes do […]
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Every first Monday of August, Zambia celebrates ‘Farmers’ Day’, a national holiday. It’s a day in the spring to recognize the importance of agriculture to Zambia’s economy. The Sunday before will be a time to celebrate the land and its produce, as well as to highlight the difficult conditions for farmers in Zambia. As many […]
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For Pentecost 9, Year B You, our Holy One, are gracious and compassionate, long suffering and ever faithful. You are good to all; And your compassion rests upon all you have made. You keep faith with us and are consistent in all you do, supporting all who stumble and raising those brought low. All your […]
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Inspired by Psalm 48 Pentecost 7, Year B Our God, we come to you in longing. We have a deep desire for justice: in our international policies, in our local politics, and in our personal relationships. We long for leaders with vision, leaders who place common good above political gain, who look beyond the next […]
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God, in whose likeness all are made, teach us to see each other as you see us – each individual, nation and people – beautiful. Beloved. Valued beyond measure. Enable us to see as you see. God, who is love, teach us to love each other as you love us – from the very heart […]
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What words for Independence Day? We’re free! Alleluia! Free from what? Free for what? Independence at what price? What words express our fears when we see ourselves becoming those from whom we rebelled? What words hold the power of our confession as the oppressors from whom others have sought freedom? What words express our desire […]
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Prayers of the people, with response & song, including the lighting of 5 candles We pray for the countries and regions that have hosted refugees. Knowing that refugee camps can be overcrowded, we pray for the continued safety of the camps and offer our thanks to those who work toward providing the basics of shelter, […]
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Whose paintings, photographs and drawings will you find on Worship Words? In alphabetical order (by surname/last name) …
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Inspired by Psalm 98 Easter 6, Year B God of shalom, who holds all things in wonderful balance, we come before you in joyful, noisy praise! Our voices join the songs of birds, the grunts and snorts of animals, the roar of the sea, the rush of the wind through the trees, […]
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Loving God, We clear our minds and open our hearts to you. [pause] Be with [name of worship leaders and preacher] as they bring the message in ways which allow you to speak through their words to bring a spark of understanding and inspiration to our congregation this morning. May the prayers and music lift […]
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Lent 3 & 5, Year B God of wide skies and speechless joy, as we come before you in wonder, may our words join the voiceless songs of praise uttered by the simple beauty of all created things. Allow your wisdom, balance, and connecting love to draw us into the centre of […]
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Presbyterians for Earth Care USA has released its 2021 Lenten Devotional with inspiring reflections, visually appealing layout, original artwork and photos. The cover art, shown here, is entitled, ‘Raise Your Head’ by Lauren Wright Pittman. Explore her artwork here: Biblical Artwork by Lauren Wright Pittman. To read the complete Devotional Booklet on the web click […]
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Inspired by Exodus 20.1-17 Third Sunday of Lent, Year B Our God, you are always creating. It is easy to see and to praise the wonders of nature, perhaps not so easy to see and praise the wonders of complicated human relationships. Help us to see your glory in the face of all people we […]
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What words express comfort and care? How do we articulate comfort in the face of illness and death? In the face of a pandemic? In the face of suffering? Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Comforting Words’ resources . . .
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Prayers ‘In view of the coronavirus pandemic‘ have been shared by the World Council of Churches, which writes: ‘At this time when we have to keep physically distant from one another, it is more important than ever that we draw close to one another spiritually, praying together.’ The selection on the slider at the top […]
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Benedictions, words of commissioning, blessing, dismissal, sending forth… What transitional words do we use to move from corporate worship into the world? Newest related posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Sending forth’ resources . . .
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Praise from the heart: psalms framed and phrased for church worship For Epiphany Ready-to-download and print: Epiphany Praise Psalm 72 – Duncan Wilson WORD Epiphany Praise Psalm 72 – Duncan Wilson PDF Teach your rulers, O God, how to rule your people with justice and how to govern with gentleness the people who […]
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Wise ones… Magi… Kings, queens, rulers… Astronomers… What words do we use to tell the story of those traveling from the east? Those arriving with gifts? Those growing in wisdom as a result of encountering the Presence of Love? Worship resources for Epiphany — an alphabetical listing (Further resources for the Epiphany Season are listed […]
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Holy and loving God, in this Advent Season [on this Sunday of Advent], we turn our hearts and our minds towards you. You are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with tenderness all that exists: Every creature that crawls or swims or flies, every plant that turns […]
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A responsive Call to Worship written specifically for intergenerational worship (works well during Advent) God, you came into the world weak: A baby born in a stable, Sleeping in a feeding trough With animal sounds and smells all around. This is how love came to earth. God, you have made us vulnerable. Our bodies can […]
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Response-able Luke 1:26-32 (Jesus’ birth told to Mary) Advent 4, Year B Supplies: • Illustrated Bible – pictures of Mary & Angel, Nativity, adult Jesus • Strips of cloth – one for each child and leader • Baby doll – ideally brown-skinned like a baby Jesus of Palestine Empty manger, i.e. no baby Jesus yet […]
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You can make this a litany with the responses in bold italics, and substitute the indigenous, Māori language words with the English translations in square brackets—although you might appreciate the explanation of these concepts in the footnotes. By faith, Mary let go of fear, and engendered a mothering God. This faith may lead us through […]
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Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*, the last Sunday of the Church Year. To be read responsively or by a single voice. Holy is the Creator of the heavens and the earth Of sunlight and starlight, forest and ocean. Holy is the composer of birdsong and thunderstorm. Let all creation sing praise! Holy is […]
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We come to worship and remember you. We come to hear and to learn more of your word. Your word is unchanging. From earliest time, to now, you have spoken things into being, and they are good. You are mindful of your people. Teach us to be similarly mindful of you. Give us the message […]
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Prayers to Help Counter Fear ‘Perfect love casts out fear.’ — 1 John 4:18 Pastoral Prayer (adapted) Holy One, We live in fearful times. A world swept by pandemic, racism, climate change, economic crises— these are overwhelming realities. Hold us in our fears. When candidates in elections prey on these fears, painting pictures of disaster,. […]
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On this day we remember all who suffer as a result of war including the injured and the disabled, the mentally distressed and those whose faith in God and humanity has been weakened or destroyed. We pray for the peace of the world and for those in power, that they may have wisdom to know […]
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A picture says a thousand words. Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing your work. All photos posted on the Worship Words website may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist. Images are listed by theme, season and by photographer (scroll down). Photographs arranged by themes throughout the Church […]
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A Call to Worship written for young readers — The lines in bold might be given to very young children to say. Inspired by ‘Retelling of Mark’ 10 in Children of God Storybook Bible. All: Hey God! Wanna play? Voice 1: God’s too busy taking care of the world, listening to our troubles […]
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For All the Ways Tune: For All the Saints, Sine Nomine 10.10.10.A New words for an old tune — words of commitment for a Church Anniversary or other service reflecting on the life of a congregation For all the ways we help each other grow As we share stories, moments high and low The […]
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Benedictions, words of commissioning, blessing, dismissal, sending forth… What transitional words do we use to move from corporate worship into the world? Newest related posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Sending forth’ resources . . .
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My confession Spirit, remember me. Sometimes I forget to breathe, to pause. I race through the day. I forget to stop long enough to take a deep breath. I could blame the computer. I could blame pressures of work The importance of life’s tasks The necessity of chores. I know the wisdom of pausing. I […]
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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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Welcome! Come! Gather! What words do we use to call people together for worship? Newest ‘Call to Worship’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Call to Worship’ resources . . .
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Explore Simon’s ‘Dangerous liturgies’ written during Covid-19 lockdown, and free to download and use. ‘As always please feel free to copy or use the poem in prayer or liturgy.’ – Simon Cross Simon explains: ‘During ten weeks of the UK lockdown, my friend Andy and I produced a weekly ‘liturgy’ (in this case: a curated […]
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Inspired by: Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 4:16-21 Tune: Hyfrydol 1. Church is more than just a building, more than wood or metal or brick. Church is how we love our neighbour. Church is how we tend to the sick, Feed the hungry and heal the suffering, welcome strangers and give to the poor. All […]
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