What is it about a gentle breeze Is it the breath of God stirring your senses? What is it about the sound of birds greeting the morning that reminds you you are not alone? What is it about the sound of rushing water that soothes the soul – washing away any negative thoughts that are […]
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Reflection of the Magi A Christmas & Epiphany Poem What wisdom I have Awakens me to my blindness. I cannot see light itself What I know of light Is only an alluring shadow Of what it is and does. From billions of years away in space-time, Through darkness intervening, At its inconceivable speed The light […]
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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 under […]
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Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.’ –Revd Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Martin Luther King Day is an […]
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Prayers of Approach Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B Trinity Sunday Second Sunday of Pentecost, Year B God our creator: You spoke the universe into being Your word is the source of all life You spoke through the prophets You speak to us still We praise you! Jesus, teacher, storyteller: You spoke and people listened […]
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Praise to our God! Give praise, you heavens above and those who inhabit your heights – All you angels that adore, all you hosts that obey. Praise your God, you sun and moon; give praise, you shining stars. Praise your God, you swirling clouds, Give praise, you tumbling showers. Let all of you praise this […]
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‘Worship Words is my go-to place when I’m looking for liturgy or inspiration, thank you again for all you do.’ —Cara Heafey, UK ‘Always inspiring 🙏’ — Phyl Austin, Australia ‘I continue to have WorshipWords as my immediate ‘go to’ when I’m leading worship. It just keeps getting better & better. Terrific work!’ –Merryl Blair, […]
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Dramatized Scripture, Luke 1:5-23 Worship Leader: We live in a world filled with fear. We turn on the news, and it is meant to frighten and numb us. We turn on a show, and the advertisements are intended to tell us how we are falling short and the quick and easy fix for a discounted […]
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Tune: Aurelia We sing our Christmas carols amidst the summer heat, When scorching winds can torment those harvesting their wheat; We look for cooling respite, some shade amongst the trees, An evening change in weather, a light refreshing breeze. The summer heat reminds us of drought and rainless days, Of hostile dust-storms raging, of forest […]
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Resources for Year A of the Common Lectionary Each Sunday and special day of the church year appears with readings and resources. Quick links:
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Leader: ‘You brood of vipers! You snakes! Who warned you to slither away from the wroth to come?’ With an opening like that, you may be wondering if you want to be here! You may be looking for a way to slither out of your pew! Yet this is how, in so many words, John […]
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What are the things that make for peace? Second Sunday of Advent, Year A There are two parts, an interactive activity and a drama, with a reading between. Matthew 3:1-12 (Psalm 72 and Romans 15:4-13 are the other two lectionary readings) Drama participants: Leader; John the Baptist, wearing Palestinian shawl; Kakoli, wearing Bangladesh shawl (Commitment […]
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Tune: Laudate Dominu The stories we tell that bring us great joy Are legends about the birth of a boy; The myst’ries surrounding that birth long ago Still charm and excite us; the details we know. But hidden within are seeds of unrest; For shepherds are those whom others detest; They’re unclean, they’re outcasts, don’t […]
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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 the One who was born in a stable Who knelt down in the dust to wash feet. Holy is the One whose crown […]
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Tune: Rivaulx For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. The last verse, in particular, works well on Mother’s Day. With the simple substitution of ‘father’ for ‘mother’ in the last verse, it will fit in well on Father’s Day. For all the blessings in our life, For peace and calm amidst the […]
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Merciful God, your love embraces all creation. Your realm knows nothing of the borders we draw between nations. You have taught us that every adult and child is our neighbour. You have commanded us to love, love, love, without thought of our own security, or glory, or gain. Remind us that you have pronounced your […]
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Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession Any modelling material might work: modelling clay, plasticene, playdough or sensory dough Distribute modelling material before the start of the prayer. Let participants know that there will not be an ‘art show’ following the service; the exercise is for themselves during the prayer, and that they will be guided to […]
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Celebrating all the saints and angels who have touched our lives Easily adapted for ‘All Saints Day’ by changing ‘angels’ to ‘saints’ For all the angels who have spoken to our hearts and touched us with courage, We thank you, God. For all the angels who live in our midst, with whom we work, […]
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Words from St Francis Words about St Francis Words about our responsibility for all creatures Words about justice for creation Resources for worship on St Francis Day: Blessing the Animal services St Francis Day is often celebrated with a service of blessing of the animals. These resources for Blessing of the Animal services include […]
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Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, may I show forgiveness; where there is doubt, may I offer the perspective of faith; where there is despair, may I bring hope into the situation; where there is darkness, may I direct the energy of […]
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The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. Worship Resources on Peace: Resources for Prayer on Peace & Syria, Global Ministries, USA For an excellent selection of ready-to-use prayer and worship resources gathered […]
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This annual observance, stretching from 1 September to 4 October (Day of St. Francis of Assisi), aims to raise awareness about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis. Click on category to view resources created for the Season of Creation (Creation-tide): Songs Complete services Psalms Prayers Dramas, litanies, […]
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Atrocities, genocide, starvation… we cannot remain silent! Let us use this time to stand up and be counted on the side crying out for an end to the systematic annihilation of Palestine. Each September the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches invites participation in the World Week for Peace in Palestine […]
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Praying for others… Praying for our world… What words do we use to express the pain of our world? How do we meaningfully express our concerns, fears and anger? How do we verbalize the pain and suffering of creation — the people, the creatures, the land? How do we respond to both natural disasters and […]
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Today’s lament What’s this pit in my stomach, God? Where has my equilibrium gone? Why does my trust waver? Events, some which have not yet transpired, fill me with fear. The writing – bold crude graffiti – seems to be on the walls Surrounding my thoughts Love, break through Hope, shine relentlessly into this darkness […]
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Tune: St Clement, ‘The day thou gavest’ Inspiration: a retreat in Thirsk This table is set and the welcome is open A simple offer of wine and bread A healing has come from a body once broken So come to the table, rest here and be fed This table is set for the proud and […]
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We confess that we do not always want our lives restored or renewed. Speaking truth to the things and the people who bind us is very scary. Our ‘burial bandages’ not only bind us tightly, they also keep us thinking we are secure, hidden away in our tombs. Call us forth to discover that freedom […]
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Activity — Learn Greetings in Arabic – remembering and celebrating that God’s people speak Arabic, English and many other languages. Items needed: Poster board, kokies/markers/felt pens, (optional) printed sheet of Arabic phrases to take home Purpose: To help children feel comfortable speaking simple words in Arabic, like children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, also in […]
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We want to believe in them, Like fairies at the bottom of the garden. They must be around – if only we could see! My Guardian Angel is not like Gabriel, or Michael or any of those Grand Ones She’s an ‘ordinary angel’ with kind eyes And masses of compassion. But she is definitely elusive. […]
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An all-age activity which can be adapted to focus on any global mission or partnership, highlighting regions of interest. This has been created specifically for the Commitment for Life programme of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain. Supplies: a blow-up globe What’s this? [a globe] This globe is going to help us find out […]
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‘If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night with a mosquito.’ This might be included at a service of commitment, at a justice rally or at a service focusing on discipleship.
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‘Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos’ – Matthew Fox ‘Love-giver’ — Kate McIlhagga, UK By what name shall the unknowable be called? More names for the Holy One Image: ColourWeaving, created by David Yeo Poulton, UK
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Currently more people face famine today than at any time in modern history. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference of Churches have issued A Call for a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine asking member churches, church-related networks and organizations, and partners worldwide to pray and advocate against global […]
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Since at least 1857, churches, countries and the United Nations have designated particular days on which to celebrate and honour children. June 1 and November 20 are the most popular dates. Whatever day, or days, a church might choose to highlight in the year, a Children’s Sunday offers a congregation the opportunity to focus on […]
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This dramatic Call to Worship might be used during the Season of Creation (Creationtide) or on Earth Day Sunday (22 April). Simplify the props or movements as needed. Any of the parts might be used separately from the whole. Materials and arrangements: five candles on table at front, or in centre a large glass bowl […]
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Remembering to share Every year we pause on our journey to remember and reflect, to remember the story about remembering the stories – their story, his stories and our story. To reflect on how something totally, utterly, wonderful emerges from the depths of despair, how rebellion becomes resurrection. If we do not pause and reflect […]
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A complete wedding liturgy for gay and lesbian couples was created by the Uniting Network Australia. Much of the liturgy is covered by copyright. Thus, I am sharing only the eight suggested ‘promises and vows’. Promises and Vows The word ‘partner’ may be replaced with wife, husband, spouse or any other appropriate term. Option 1 […]
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Tune: While shepherds watched their flocks by night In verse one, the traditional phrase ‘of the Lord’ might be replaced with ‘of God’s love’. While people gaze in shops and stores for presents they might give, ‘the angel of the Lord’ steps out inviting us to live. ‘Fear not’, says she (for she has seen […]
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What of colour and faith? What colour would you assign to love or to peace? What colour symbolises God or Jesus? What colour comes to mind at mention of the spirit? How would you use colour to describe the feelings and emotions of trust, joy, anger, depression, dreams, hope, loneliness, or thankfulness? David explains: ‘As […]
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‘It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body…’ –1 Corinthians 15:44 Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!* Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! And what rose with him? Something mysterious and wondrous happened in the tomb during those three days between burial and resurrection. According to the sacred myth, when Jesus rose […]
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