Refugees seeking safety for their families… Mary and Joseph, portrayed by children, seek refuge in the UK. Visitors from the East find it difficult to bring gifts to the family. This thoughtful video might be used in worship to highlight the difficulties refugees face, as did Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt. Created by […]
Read full text
God, you have become known to us, Not in abstract theologies, But in action – Specifically, the action of salvation. We cried, you heard – And our cries caused such an upheaval in you that they could not be borne in silence and inaction. You then became known to us In the gift of torah: […]
Read full text
Great Spirit, For the beauty of the earth we give thanks. For the streaks of morning sun we give thanks. For the warmth of family and friends we give thanks. Power of Love, Link us together in love. Shower our day with hope and joy. Create in us a commitment to extend your welcome to all, […]
Read full text
Who shall we say that you are? Quiet God, Who comes in silence Vulnerable God, Who comes in frailty Elusive God, Wrapped in mystery Who shall we say that you are? We speak of you with many names, Knowing that none will hold you. Remind us, when we need reminding, that our words, creeds and […]
Read full text
God, you who are ultimately in control, the fury and pain and death of this world are before us this day. We weep over the hunger, war, conflict, and hate cursing the landscape of the earth, wasting lives that barely had a chance, lives that fell victim to forces greater than peaceful, preventive measures could […]
Read full text
What words do we share at a Nine Night service? Who writes them? Who says them? Who hears them? Nine Night, evolving from a Caribbean wake tradition, is a celebration held before the funeral. In my experience as a minister in southeast London, Nine Night festivities usually include an open house with a party-celebration atmosphere, at […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Peace Sunday is usually observed on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of October, in the midst of the Week of Prayer for World Peace. ‘The Week of Prayer for World Peace was started as a Christian initiative in 1974. It soon became an interfaith activity, and now welcomes everyone, of all faith traditions or none. Dr […]
Read full text
Welcome! Come! Gather! What words do we use to call people together for worship? What words do we choose to invite people into worship space and time? Newest ‘Call to Worship’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Click on the link to go directly to: Call to Worship resources written for young readers Calls […]
Read full text
A picture says a thousand words. Thanks to all the photographers and artists for sharing these inspiring images. Items posted here may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist. (If no photographer is noted, it is usually myself, Ana Gobledale.) Click on the image to see the full enlarged image.
Read full text
How do we help our children hear and understand (and share) the words that we think matter so much? How do we speak with children in our church? How do we provide opportunities for the voices, the words, of our children to be heard in worship? Our words matter to their faith development. And their words […]
Read full text
Worship Words resources for September:
Read full text
This annual observance, stretching from 1 September to 4 October (Day of St Francis of Assisi), aims to raise awareness in the global Christian family about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis. Click on the link to access the numerous Season of Creation resources posted on Worship Words […]
Read full text
Blessed are you, who trust in the Almighty and put your hope in God. You are like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots to the river. When heat comes, you do not fear, your leaves remain green. You do not grieve the year of drought nor cease to bear fruit. Blessed […]
Read full text
God speaks the universe into creation. Words of kindness create goodness; words of cruelty create hurt. Our words matter. Liturgy and Language resources: Jump to… Creative and Refreshing liturgy for today’s church Liberated Liturgy Academic reflections – thoughts on liturgy Liturgical Studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana USA Joseph Ratzinger’s (Pope Benedict XVI) Consideration of inclusive […]
Read full text
Reading: one of the 7 biblical accounts of the ‘feeding of the multitude’ from either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Invitation Christ’s invitation is simple — sit down where you are. You don’t need to run off somewhere else — not a nearby village market or a familiar sanctuary, communion is where you are — […]
Read full text
We gently caress you, the Earth, our planet and our home. Our vision has brought us closer to you, making us aware of the harm we have done to the life-network upon which we ourselves depend. We are reminded that we have poisoned your waters, your lands, your air. We have filled you with the […]
Read full text
God speaks the universe into creation. Words of kindness create goodness; words of cruelty create hurt. Our words matter. What words are we using in worship?
Read full text
With words we cry out for justice in our lives and our world. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 Explore these worship resources to discover ‘Justice Words’ relevant to […]
Read full text
Intercessions arising from Psalm 51: 10 Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God we call to mind the places where we live. All: May your people dwell in harmony. ♦ One: We call to mind the concerns of our neighbours. All: May your people dwell in harmony. ♦ One: We call […]
Read full text
Written for a service in nature (outside) Ready-to-print WORD doc: Call to worship for a service in nature – Susan Brecht, USA Leader: Creating Spirit, we gather this morning enveloped in the beauty of your creation. We come to release the stress, the anxiety, the burdens, the worries, the struggles of our lives. We come […]
Read full text
Isaiah 26:9, New Living Translation One: In the night I search for you; All: in the morning I earnestly seek you. One: Holy God at the start of this new day we look again at the works of your hands: may our vision be renewed and our minds refreshed. The stone that was rejected is […]
Read full text
A Litany One: Because of the rising of the sun in the morning of each new day All: Our hope is in you, God One: Because of the setting of that same sun in the evening All: Our hope is in you, God One: Because of the stars that extend towards infinity All: Our hope […]
Read full text
Loving God, Draw everything of me Into the mystery of You Bending the barrenness Of winter’s weary wait Toward Your leading light Hinting at things to come. Let everything of me Be swayed toward You Resisting every wind Of the world’s uprooting Often blowing within Daring to break my resolve To follow Your Christ-love Wherever […]
Read full text
World Environment Day (WED) 5 June was set by the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Worship resources for World Environment Day: Earth Day worship resources
Read full text
There are two versions of this communion prayer — singular for personal devotion and plural for corporate worship. Version for personal devotion: This time and place is yours I’m your guest You invite me at my worst And at my best You inhabit this thin place And clothe it in your grace This is where […]
Read full text
What words do we use at an ordination? Who writes them? Who says them? Who hears them? Resources for ordination services:
Read full text
Gathering Litany for multiple voices Act of Awareness Prayer Gathering Litany Voice 1 Come, from every corner of the earth, Voice 2 from every time and place Voice 1 from south and north Voice 2 from east and west, Voice 3 gather… Voice 4 gather… Voice 5 gather… Voice 6 gather… Voice 1 For the […]
Read full text
What words do we use when we share this special meal together? What metaphors bring meaning? Which bring confusion? Which traditional words draw us closer to one another and to the source of our faith? Which create chasms or hurdles? What words express the mystery and wonder of this event central to Christian life? Newest […]
Read full text
Psalm 68 – framed and phrased for church worship Easter 7, Year A, New Revised Common Lectionary Sing out to God! God it is who gives the friendless person a home, and leads the prisoner to safety. God it is who brings rain to restore the worn-out land, providing food for the poor. Sing out […]
Read full text
What words do we use to celebrate years of worship together? What words do we use when we are an ageing congregation? What words signify the hope of new life in our church? Songs for Church Anniversaries: Prayers and worship resources for Church Anniversaries:
Read full text
Welcome! Come! Gather! What words do we use to call people together for worship? Newest ‘Call to Worship’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Call to Worship resources written for young readers Call to Worship – Using the Psalms Alphabetical listing of all other ‘Call to Worship’ resources on Worship Words . . […]
Read full text
This communion service was prepared by John Churcher for the Progressive Christian Network in Great Britain. Churcher based the service on various sources including the Methodist Worship Book and the writings of Bishop John Shelby Spong and Marcus Borg. The full communion service is published on the PCN website. Gathering Many names and images are […]
Read full text
What words do we share at a funeral or memorial service? With what words do we celebrate life? Who writes them? Who says them? Who hears them? Resources for funerals & memorial services listed alphabetically:
Read full text
A responsive prayer of intercession, confession and blessing Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God, we call to mind those that we love. All: May your people dwell in peace. ♦ One: We call to mind those that would call us enemies. All: May your people dwell in peace. ♦ One: […]
Read full text
‘We Hold the Keys’ was commissioned by the Worship Reference Group of the United Reformed Church and debuted at the 2023 annual conference of the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain, ‘Shaping Worship: Creation’s Climate Crisis – responding in faith’. Lyrics and music by David Williams Ready-to-download: We Hold The Keys lyrics PDF – lyrics […]
Read full text
George declares that he has ‘drunk deeply from life’s love and beauty.’ George has written sing-able hymns with grounded, authentic and original lyrics set to traditional and familiar tunes, all posted on his website, “Singing a New Song” Thanks to George’s generosity, all of his lyrics published on Worship Words and on his website are […]
Read full text
24 April – Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day Worship resources: The Armenian Genocide occurred from 1915 to 1923 when Armenians, as well as Greeks, Assyrian-Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians were subject to torture, starvation, mass murder, lethal human medical experimentation, and exile from their historic homeland, and over 1.5 million lost their lives. The […]
Read full text
A responsive prayer of intercession & confession Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God, we call to mind those unfairly imprisoned. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: We call to mind those who need help but cannot get it. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: […]
Read full text
World Water Day worship resources Church World Service USA — ready-to-use inclusive language worship resources: prayers, call to worship, benediction, hymn suggestions from One Great Hour of Sharing. Creation Justice Ministries USA – Water: God’s Life-Sustaining Everyday Miracle Click link for more Images for World Water Day from Creation Justice Ministries World Water […]
Read full text