As the crimson flame of life Breaks slowly Above the horizon, The white, frosted meadows, With trees and hedgerows Of sculptured ice, Speak loudly Of your presence. Once more Upon this journey, As another day begins, Without effort Or intrusion, Through the peace And tranquillity Of your silent voice, The moment becomes eternal, And the […]
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Baptism – Christening – Naming – Dedication What words do we use to present our children to God? To affirm their welcome by God? To welcome them into the family of God? Hymns and songs to use at a baptism, christening, naming or dedication: Worship resources for baptisms, christenings, namings and dedications:
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Laughing Bird is a well-known lectionary-based liturgical website amongst church folk in Australia. Nathan Nettleton has made his resources available for many years, and his archives contain it all. While not all Nathan’s liturgical language is gender-inclusive, the imagery and wording bring the vividness and unique expression of Australia into the worship setting. *featured image: […]
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New Kilpatrick Parish Church posts original liturgical works written by church members. They provide a plethora of gems ‘freshly written for each Sunday.’ Click the button to access the archives and current week’s resources: New Kilpatrick Parish Church Bearsden G61 3RT
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From the Church of Scotland… Legislators are voting on Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans on Tuesday with less than three months to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union. This evening’s vote in the House of Commons is a key moment in UK modern history and the consequences of the result […]
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We were wrong: We were wrong when we closed the door and you needed us most. The people who claimed to follow a man who never closed doors appeared to slam ours when you were despairing confused hurt hopeless broken hungry thirsty for more. We were wrong when we pretended we couldn’t see didn’t know […]
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Tune: Bishopgarth Click here for printable lyrics and musical score. The New Year brings another time To practise some reflection, To contemplate priorities; What past ways need rejection; The call of Jesus comes again To strengthen our connection To his inspiring way of life, And maybe change direction. The past is gone; cannot be changed; […]
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Eternal One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, From everlasting to everlasting You are God. — Psalm 90:1-2 Bright eyes take in all the world. Tiny hands wave and reach and hold. Feet kick and push. […]
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How easy it is to get caught up in the busy-ness, the doing, the decorating, the cooking, the sending, the buying, the eating of Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong, I love each of these parts of Christmas – setting up the Christmas tree and hanging decorations, the home-made Christmas cookies and egg nog, writing […]
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Mysterious paradoxes collide in this story. A story of a baby, Born into nothing, Yet born into everything. Born in a shed, But born in love, And is love And brings love. The paradox of a young woman, Not yet wedded, Blessed to bring life, Into this world that needs life Needs hope Requires love. […]
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The Christmas season is not always a happy time. — Mary Oliver (from Thirst, Beacon Press, Boston, 2006) The Advent and Christmas seasons can remind us of loved ones or relationships we have lost. The sights and smells of the weeks approaching Christmas, rather than bring joy and delight, can bring sadness and grief. A “Blue […]
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What words share the meaning and mystery of Christmas? What words do we sing? What dramas and skits bring the words of Christmas to life? Christmas Songs Nativity and Christmas pageants Christmas prayers and worship resources Worship resources:
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What words move us through Advent, from World AIDS Day into the New Year? Summer in the South — Winter in the North — words of warmth for the cold nights, words that cool the hot sun. 1st – World AIDS Day 6th – Day of Remembrance, Canada Resources to explore and use during this […]
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What words express the grief? the devastation? the despair? What words express the hope of a cure? Worship resources
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‘Do not be afraid’ — words of the angels Prayers of Intercession This was originally written for a worship service marking the opening of a week-long Angel Festival. It might be used during Advent, particularly at a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. The word ‘angel’ is not always popular, or sometimes over-popular! How can […]
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Written in response to Mark 13:1-2, using elements of a prayer by Louise Gough. For The 26th Week of Pentecost (Proper 28) Loving God, who summoned the world into being, moulded the mountains, bathed the earth in colour and light, and breathed into us the Spirit of life, we gather in your church, your temple, […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in November: 1st – All Saints Day 11th – Remembrance Day 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance 4th Thursday – Thanksgiving, USA 30th – St Andrew’s Day November worship resources A-Z: Additional days of interest in November: mid-Oct – mid-Nov — Diwali (date fluctuates) Hindu Festival of Lights […]
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What words express our awe and wonder of creation? What words do we use to confess our abuse of creation? Creation prayers and worship resources:
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Harvest in the south in April. Harvest in the north in September. The cycle of our year offers numerous opportunities to express our gratitude and thanksgiving. What words do we use to celebrate the abundance of a good harvest? Or to mourn the scarcity in times of drought?
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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 a […]
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How do we mark the passing of time after a death? What words do we share when we gather to install, place or unveil a gravestone or marker? This service has been used when unveiling a gravestone or placing a plaque at a grave. Complete Service ready to download and print PDF Gravestone unveiling – full […]
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Written April 2018 during a time of personal reflection in the Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral, UK, following the bombing of Syria by the US and the UK. Broken Bombed Darkness descends How did it come to this? God groans The world whimpers. We cower Fearfully crying out, ‘Which way?’ What about our grandchildren? […]
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Worship Words networks writers and users across time and space and provides a place to share progressive prayers, songs and liturgies with others. Worship Words strives to provide free worship material which is: Inclusive: avoiding gender-exclusive language and imagery for people and God Thoughtful: attending to word-craft, selecting each word and phrase with purpose. Avoiding cliché and […]
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A prayer arising from 1 King 19 God ever-new and ever-old, Teach us to listen: To listen with patience, when we want immediate answers; To listen with openness to a new word, when we are more comfortable with the old; To listen with deep respect to the roots of our faith, when we […]
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“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness….’” Genesis 1.26 Lesson: Looking at skin colour to learn more about God. What colour are you? Listen to this poem by Kathleen McGinnis, and see if you can find a colour that matches your skin. Some people are black like ebony […]
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We gather in this place Tune Crimond Click here to download music and lyrics and to listen to the tune. We gather in this place today To hear a word we need; From Jesus’ teaching we gain strength; We listen. We take heed. We come with open hearts and minds To hear a word […]
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Who is like you, Passionate God? You heard the groans of the slaves in the brick pits of Pharaoh, liberated them, and made them your people. You will not allow our systems of death and greed to have the last word. The slavery of sex-trafficking will not stand against you. Poverty and starvation will be […]
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What words hold the glory of summer? How do we express the mystery of bursting sunflowers, broad leaves and warm waters? Summer words: an alphabetical listing of all resources Explore these resources for words to share in worship and reflection during the summer season…
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God loves me and God loves you Tune: Ba Ba Black Sheep To download lyrics and music click here. Choose which verses are most relevant, omit the others. Arrange them in the sequence most suitable for your purpose. The last two lines of the first verse are the same for all other verses. George suggests: consider […]
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What words reflect the orange glow of an autumn sunset the heavy grain and succulant fruit the sorrow of scarcity when crops fail A time of thanksgiving A time of sharing Worship words resources for Harvest celebrations:
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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.
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Holy Week readings and resources for Year A…
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Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year A… For all Worship Words Epiphany resources click here. Transfiguration Sunday readings and resources for Year A…
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What words express our commitment, or desire for the commitment, to reach out to welcome the stranger? World Refugee Day, declared by the United Nations to be marked on June 20, is a call for communities around the world to work toward peace and security for all, remembering especially the millions of people who are […]
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Out of the mouths of babes… Five-year-old Deborah has considered the gender of God. She realises God is bigger than ‘she’ or ‘he’. So Deborah offers a new pronoun for God: heesh And heesh is very pleased!
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This Sacred Union Ceremony for gay and lesbian couples, was compiled by Leanne Jenski, Robert Stringer, Warren Talbot and Susan Wickham in 2010, upholding Daniel Maguire’s definition of marriage which requires neither heterosexual coupling nor procreative possibilities. While it was created as a blessing service (prior to universal marriage rights), the inclusive and thoughtful liturgical […]
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Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13 — Lectionary reading for Christmas and New Year A,B,C; Easter 2C, 5C and 7C, All Saints Day Year B, Pentecost 27B (Proper 29B) Alpha & Omega: Introducing the symbols of the church to children This message offers children the opportunity to look around the sanctuary or worship room and discover […]
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An initiative of the Progressive Christianity movement: Join communities around the world celebrating religious diversity on the first Sunday of May (or the date of your choice). Pluralism isn’t just diversity; it’s something we create out of this diversity. The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism […]
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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? How would you use colour to describe the feelings and emotions of trust, joy, anger, depression, dreams, hope, loneliness, or thankfulness? David explains: ‘As a Christian with dyslexia (dyslexia comes from the Greek meaning […]
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Words understood by all . . . which do we choose? What words express the hope, the unity, the promise of Pentecost? Share your Pentecost worship words: an invitation to you to participate in a conversation… What does the message of Pentecost sound like today? Looking ahead, what songs will you be singing? […]
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