Creator God, as we gather here today to celebrate the wonderful world you have given us and the miracle of growth. Help us to sow the seeds of kindness, empathy, understanding and love here in this Church and as we go out into our daily lives. We think particularly today of our friends who are […]
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Almighty God, you light up the way for us. Help us to see our path and our purpose as we approach the season of Lent. Help us all to re-commit our lives to you and take your love out of this place and into the wider world.
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Christ, Brother, Teacher, Friend, As we look upon your face transformed by the light of Love, we confess that we have chosen to walk in the darkness of fear, prejudice, selfishness, shame and pride. As we marvel at your ability to forgive and heal, reconcile and make new, we confess that we have chosen to […]
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We follow you O Christ, Up the mountain to pray, not knowing what you have in store. We witness you O Christ, Your face transformed with light, Moses and Elijah beside you. We worship you O Christ, For we are awed by the power of your love. Emmanuel, God with us Jesus, our brother, Christ […]
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Let me walk in love beside you All along life’s dusty road Hearing, knowing every burden Let me help to share your load Wounds and pain arise to rob us Of a love community Guard me from a self-importance Seeing you as less than me Let me rise and risk for justice Walk a mile […]
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Adapted from Psalm 112:1-10, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A Praise the Biggest of the Big!* Happy are those who fear the Eternal One, who greatly delight in the divine commandments. They are gracious, merciful, and just. They rise in the darkness as a light for others. *Nkulunkulu, ‘the biggest of the big’ – Ndebele […]
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Operation Noah –‘faith motivated, science informed and hope inspired’ Operation Noah, an ecumenical Christian UK charity provides resources responding to ‘the growing threat of catastrophic climate change endangering God’s creation.’ True to their self-definition as ‘an inclusive group,’ there are usually two versions of each resource available: one incorporating inclusive language and imagery and a […]
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Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth; lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust; lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Each day at noon people of all faiths and none use this ‘Universal Prayer for Peace’. […]
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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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Echos of the Jesus Prayer Loving God, we know that you forgive us our trespasses as we must forgive those who trespass against us. And yet how hard we find it to follow your loving example in our day to day lives. Help us to resist the temptations of revenge and retribution and turn instead […]
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Unto us a child is born! Emmanuel! Christmas greetings from Worship Words… May this season of light and hope transform our lives and world anew, creating new commitments to reconciliation and peace. May God’s promise of new life renew our faith and inspire us to care more. For those who find themselves in darkness, may […]
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Human Rights Day offers us the opportunity to lift prayers worldwide for governments and the people they serve.
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As the nations mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, we pray that governments worldwide will ensure their people have adequate health care, proper provision of food, clothing, housing and social welfare. We pray that all will be provided with the security of a basic income, the opportunity of a free education, and the guarantee […]
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This annual service, ‘From Darkness to Light’, held in Salisbury Cathedral starts in complete darkness. A single candle is lit, and the light spreads throughout the cathedral until hundreds of lights burn brightly illuminating the vastness. These words from the programme set the scene: “The darkness is at one and the same time a comforting […]
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Bless us this advent Sunday. Thank you for the joy we find spending time with one another as the excitement of Jesus’s birth becomes infectious. Bless us and those taking part in the service and give them courage, peace and strength to overcome any nerves. Let us celebrate this special Sunday together as the family […]
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As churches and world health organizations mark World AIDS Day, we pray for a continuing awareness of the AIDS pandemic. We remember the millions of men, women and children worldwide living with HIV. We pray for all who care for HIV sufferers and those involved in research to control and eradicate the virus. The JLG […]
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The first three contemporary versions of Psalm 122, variations on a theme, were written collaboratively by groups of theology and ministry students at the United Church of Zambia University, Mindolo. The fourth version arises from the United Kingdom. Psalm 122 is a reading for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A. Psalm 122 — arising […]
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Scripture sentences Psalm 127:1 Proverbs 18:10 Word of Blessing God, creator of the universe and giver of all possession, we thank you for the privilege given to this family [insert names]. We dedicate this house to you and declare that your light shines in this house. Our prayer is that nothing evil will […]
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An Opening Prayer (might be used as the basis of a vestry prayer) Open our eyes, ever-present God, To see you here and now in this place and in one another. Open our ears, Word of Life, To hear you speaking in the words we hear and say and sing and in the silence. Open […]
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Luke 23:33-43 – Jesus and the two criminals Told from the perspective of three Roman soldiers present at the crucifixion of Jesus. Appropriate for Good Friday or the 24th Sunday of Pentecost, Year C. Ready-to-print scripts: Luke 23, 33-43 drama PDF Luke 23, 33-43 drama Storyteller: Today’s Gospel reading, from Luke’s account, reminds us how […]
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Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison, Wisconsin USA, provides a comprehensive selection of modern versions of the Lord’s Prayer, the Prayer of Jesus. Orchard Ridge describes itself as “spiritually alive, joyfully inclusive, committed to justice.” Our Father, Our Mother: Parallel versions Ready-to-print copies: Our Father – Our Mother PDF Our Father – […]
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Children’s Message for All Saints Day – recognizing God’s workers Images of saints, past and present, are used to help children identify and appreciate people who are ‘saints’, who use their life to make the world a better place. The iconography of Robert Lenz provides numerous portraits of what he calls “marginalized heroes” –both traditional […]
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Psalm 46:1-11 – Zambian revision* God is our shelter and hiding place Always with us to help us. Regardless of hard times, God’s assurance is with us. Even if challenges overwhelm us, Or chaotic things are within us, There is a place of peace where God is in control. Because God is with us, we […]
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Psalm 121 – rising from Zambia* When I am in search of a solution, from place to place, It is only found in God The Creator of the Universe. God provides ultimate protection No matter the challenge. For God remains watchful in all times. God who watches over nature will always be with us. God […]
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New voices from Zambia… In times of despair I look to Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi river, Where does my help come from? My help and comfort come from you, Creator of all things. You protect me from any form of accident. You are ever alert, watching over me. I will never be harmed […]
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‘Where can we find a powerful image of the Divine feminine within Jewish sources? One name for Her which has been with us for centuries is the Shekhinah, the ‘dweller within.’ — Rabbi Jill Hammer A Prayer to the Shekhinah […]
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The question that puzzles many is how you came to be And what method is used to create this world. Indeed your ways are mysterious. -taken from a longer prayer
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‘The realm of God is like a treasure hidden in a field….like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When one is found of great value, the merchant goes away, and sells all their belongings and buys it.’ –Matthew 13:44-46 Beauty Becoming The cutter eyes the stone A stalk of translucent green tourmaline Its essence shines […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in August:
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God, the keeper of the atoms and stars: You made us collaborators in creation, but we have pilfered the secrets of ordered existence and justified their immoral use in the name of “security” and “peace.” We could say then that we didn’t know the consequences. Now we do know, but we are complacent and silent. […]
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Based on Proverbs 13:23 God, In the fields of the poor Even when abundant fruits ripen, Injustice sweeps them away, And families hunger. Help us to share The fruits of your bounty So that all your family may benefit From your gracious gifts. Christian Concern for One World UK provides free bookmarks including […]
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Now we take our worship into our work. From a morning service written by the Iona Community. The Wild Goose Resource Group, a project of the Iona Community, exists to ‘enable and equip congregations and clergy in the shaping and creation of new forms of relevant, participative worship.’
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in July:
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Luke 9:51-62 – a drama to use in worship For Third Sunday after Pentecost Year C Translation by Rex Hunt, Australia (Read more about Rex Hunt at end of post.) Actors: Jesus, Narrator, James/John, Followers 1,2,3 Script ready-to-use — download here: Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers PDF Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers WORD Script Narrator: […]
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What words accompany our gifts? Words about our finances? Our talents? Our lives? Why we give? Words that call us to generosity and selflessness? Giver of all things, provide the words we need.
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Thank you for my eyes that help me see the world. Thank you for my ears that bring music to my soul. Thank you for my feet that keep me on the ground. Thank you for my hands that I can wave around. For fingers and toes, Mouth and nose, Chin and hair, And even […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in June:
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In the silence The clarity of your voice, Climbs high Upon the eagle’s wings. The chains of doubt That imprison my soul, Fall away beneath my feet. In the freedom and majesty Of the sentinel’s gaze, Faith is strengthened And hope returned To a weary heart, Upon the silent flight Of eagle’s wings. Chris posts […]
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This song, entitled ‘For everyone born,’ is copyrighted, but the words soar with truth and beauty so I’m sharing them via links. For the complete lyrics click here. Hear a rendition on Youtube by the First-Plymouth Church choir in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. For everyone born, a place at the table… For gay and for straight, a […]
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What words do we use to express our grief over those lost in war? How do we honour those who served their country by giving their lives? How do we speak of those killed by those we love? What words might we use to grant meaning to deaths due to violence and war which often, […]
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