Words for reflection and sharing when preparing for worship Too often the best doesn’t happen to us because we don’t expect it to happen. Too often we fasten our attention on the obstacles and not on the possibilities. Too often our fear of failure robs us of the need to risk for what we could […]
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A Responsive litany of commitment God calls each of us according to our gifts, to serve those in need, to seek justice for the oppressed and disenfranchised, to care for the earth and all the creatures that inhabit it, and through our words and action to bring God’s love and peace to all creation. Will […]
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Jim Burklo is a regular contributor to Worship Words through his weekly ‘Musings’ email. Retired Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, Jim writes regularly for the ProgressiveChristianity.org liturgy project. Many of his liturgical materials can be found in his book Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians […]
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a responsive prayer of confession arising from Luke 12.13-21 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C God 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 […]
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Loving God, Let today be the day I turn to You in everything Before I get so involved In the call of the many I forget You are ready To Break open Every hard place Too heavy for me Alone to open. O Love, Let today be the day I trust your love more Than […]
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To be spoken or sung to the tune of either Stuttgart (Come thou long expected Jesus) or Sussex. Verses 1-4 might be used for the opening hymn in worship, while verse 5 might be used as a benediction or words of sending out. Send your spirit as we gather Breath your love into our hearts […]
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Written originally for Ascension Day, but usable throughout the year May you find time to stop and stare, to lift up your eyes. May you wonder at the miraculous and the beautiful, which are all around us waiting to be noticed. May your hope swoop and soar like a kite, trailing prayers behind it. And […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]
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Blending words with images, John Potter of the UK uses his own photographs to create ‘Watched Words’ compositions. These were originally produced to be projected as people gather for worship.
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Father’s Day Blessing Thank God for fathers! We pray that love and wisdom may be their guiding light as they nurture and guide the next generations. Sending forth – Responsive Blessing for Father’s Day Go forth, as God’s beloved children. God’s love surrounds us like a father’s love. Go in the knowledge of God’s comfort and […]
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Luke 7.36-50, 8.1-3, Pentecost 4 Year C ‘Walking the talk… I forgive you with all my heart.’ Start with the four pictures and two tiles in your bag. Also have a container with broken tile pieces in it, also in your bag. Pull out first picture from your bag and ask these two questions: […]
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This service was written as a blessing for a home-made wood-fired kiln on the day of its first firing. It might be adapted for other items used in the creative process, e.g. a loom or studio. This service was originally written for the blessing of a kiln designed and built by Daniel Gardner of Loveland, […]
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Month-by-month Calendar with links to Worship Words resources All highlighted text links to worship resources on the Worship Words website.
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With what words does a reader of scripture release hold of the words to be read and allow the spirit to speak? How does a preacher relinquish control and open themself to proclaim the unharnessed ‘word of God’? These prayers might be used preceding or following a scripture reading, or as a segway into the […]
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tune – New Winchester, ‘Ride on, ride on in majesty’ Rejoice in love that brings us here That brings us hope and holds us dear Let’s share God’s love with those we meet At home, at church, at work, in streets Immersed in love, restored by grace Let your redemption fill this place Transform our […]
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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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What words enable us to celebrate diversity and extend extravagant welcome? These resources have been created for use in worship in communities explicitly welcoming and inclusive of the LGBT+ community.
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For 3 readers: Storyteller, Judas, Jesus Storyteller: In today’s New Testament reading, John presents a struggle between financial care and costly extravagance, between financial management and abundant generosity. Hear anew the story of Mary and Judas at dinner with Jesus in Bethany. I am ready from chapter 12 of John’s Gospel. Six days before the […]
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On my forehead, A sign of the cross, Smudged in ash from the fire That burned down the McMansion of my hubris, And, with it, The money I should have given away, The screens I stare at to numb my senses, The carpet I should have been called on, The doors I should have opened […]
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Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.* I invite you to close your eyes and breathe in that holy presence. Breathe in the power of God, and breathe out the power of the world. Breathe in the presence of God and breathe out the worries, the fears, the burdens […]
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A picture is worth 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.
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Inspired by Psalm 138 & Duncan Wilson’s version Pentecost 12 (Proper 16) Year A Pentecost 3 Year B Epiphany 5 Year C We gather to praise God. We praise God with all our being. When we call for help, God answers. We rejoice that God grants us strength and courage. When we are surrounded by […]
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Epiphany 3, Year C This might be read responsively with two voices. The heavens are telling us about God’s glory! the whole universe displays God’s handiwork. One day tells it to another, and night to night repeats it to the next and this without using words or signs, only the murmur of silence. Yet their […]
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How does one mark the Platinum Jubilee (70th anniversary) of the reign of a monarch? What words do we use to honour the loyalists, the republicans, members of the broader Commonwealth, and those who threw off the mantle of royal rule hundreds of years ago? How does one honour the victims of Empire? In April […]
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Reader 1: The light has splintered the darkness; Hope is ours once more. Reader 2: The light calls us forward, remembering the past and walking confidently into the future.
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Advent Poem for Timor Inspired by Isaiah 2:1-5 In days to come, Children in Timor shall have enough to eat, Because no longer shall there be a “hungry season” Or fear of scarcity… We are waiting for a time when, Children shall not sit on the floor at school, Nor will they miss out because […]
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O come, O come, Emmanuel And with your people always dwell Who mourn in mortal exile here Until the Lord of Life appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come again and with us ever dwell –lyrics by Philip Cunningham ‘Why does all this matter? It matters because what we sing is as important as what we […]
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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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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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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? When using a photo, please acknowledge the artist/photographer and Worship Words. In alphabetical order (by surname/last name) … Consider the themes in Worship Words and submit photos we can share to enhance the words on the page/screen.
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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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