We gather, celebrating our life together With gratitude to those who have gone before. We gather, looking ahead to our life together With anticipation as we step into the future. We gather to worship and serve the living God the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whoever you are and wherever you […]
Read full textHoly Week
What words express the anguish, the grief, the horror? The surprise, the joy, the ecstasy? What words connect us today to eye witnesses, to friends, to family? What words explain the collision of earth and divine? What words express the Passion journey through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Cross (Good) Friday and into Resurrection Day? Worship […]
Read full textMothering Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent)
19 March 2023 10 March 2024 30 March 2025 There are all types of mothers. There are people who are not biological mothers who provide nurture and love. What words do we use to describe mothers and those who mother? What words to describe our relationships with our mothers? Newest ‘Mothering Sunday’ posts . . […]
Read full textFaith of Metaphor and Mystery, hymn — Bronwyn Angela White, Aotearoa New Zealand
tune: Regent Square by Henry Thomas Smart A wedding version of this hymn, adapted for Bronwyn’s daughter’s marriage and suitable for same-sex partners weddings can be found on Bronwyn’s website. Faith of metaphor and mystery Christ of paradox and pun Sure foundation, revelation Many facets of the One Sacred found in the familiar: phase of […]
Read full textLent
What words accompany us through the Lenten journey? How do we cry out? How do we express the cravings of our deepest being? What words comfort and challenge us in the wilderness of life? Ash Wednesday resources: Lectionary Year resources — click on the year: Year A Year B Year C Lent Songs: Lent Prayers […]
Read full textO god whose face changes– Bronwyn Angela White, Aotearoa New Zealand
O god whose face changes as we move and learn and change, whose image becomes less like ours, and more like that of the stranger we treat as a friend; O god who we create from the sum of all we know that is wonderful, generous, true and wise, may we see ourselves in the god-ness of others, and […]
Read full textEternal Journey — Chris Roe, UK
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 […]
Read full textBaptism, Christening, Naming, Dedication
Baptism – Christening – Naming – Dedication What words do you use to explain the mystery of belonging? What words do we use to present our children to the truth of Love? To affirm their welcome by the One which cannot be named or known? To welcome them into the family of Love? Scroll down […]
Read full textLaughing Bird, lectionary-based liturgical resources — Nathan Nettleton, Australia
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: […]
Read full textOriginal Weekly Liturgies — New Kilpatrick Parish Church, UK
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
Read full textWe were wrong, a confession — Lauren Mallaby, Australia
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 […]
Read full textNew Year, a hymn — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Bishopgarth For the lyrics, music and a power point click here. 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 […]
Read full textAdvent reflection from a young mother — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA
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. […]
Read full textMiscarriage in Advent — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA
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 […]
Read full textBlue Christmas
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 […]
Read full textDecember words
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 […]
Read full textWorld AIDS Day – 1 December
What words express the grief? the devastation? the despair? What words express the hope of a cure? Worship resources
Read full textGathering Prayer, Mark 13
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, […]
Read full textNovember words
Worship Words resources for special days and events in November: 1st – All Saints Day 11th – Remembrance Day, Veterans Day (USA) 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 […]
Read full textCreation Words
What words express our awe and wonder of creation? What words do we use to confess our abuse of creation? ‘Creation is charged with the grandeur of God.’ – Kelvin Inglis, UK Creation prayers and worship resources:
Read full textHarvest
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?
Read full textGravestone unveiling — Ana Gobledale, UK
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 […]
Read full textHopeful brokenness, in response to a bombing — Ana Gobledale, UK
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? Follow the […]
Read full textWorship Words – an introduction
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 […]
Read full textGod ever-new and ever-old (1 Kings 19) — Merryl Blair, Australia
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 […]
Read full textGathering hymn — George Stuart, Australia
We gather in this place Tune Crimond For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. 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 we need; To sing […]
Read full textWho is like you?, Praise & Thanksgiving — Lawrence Moore, UK
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 […]
Read full textSummer words
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 (and images) to share in worship and reflection during the summer season… Free images of summer: All photos posted on the Worship […]
Read full textChildren’s song, God loves me and God loves you — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Ba Ba Black Sheep 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 teaching the children only two verses and help them to memorise them by […]
Read full textAutumn Words
A time of thanksgiving A time of sharing What words reflect the orange glow of an autumn sunset, the heavy grain and succulent fruit, the sorrow of scarcity when crops fail? Worship Words Autumn resources Worship words resources for Harvest celebrations: Free images of autumn: All photos posted on the Worship Words website may […]
Read full textLectionary Year A
Resources for Year A of the Common Lectionary Each Sunday and special day of the church year appears with readings and resources.
Read full textA: Holy Week
Holy Week readings and resources for Year A…
Read full textA: Epiphany
Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year A… For all Worship Words Epiphany resources click here.
Read full textWorld Refugee Day – 20 June
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 […]
Read full textWelcome God’s kin-dom– Christian Peacemaker Teams, USA & Canada
Inspired by Luke 17:21 and Matthew 6:10 Let us gather together and search it out. Your kin-dom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in the heavens. Let us seek to do the will of God and, in doing so, welcome God’s kin-dom. From the service ‘The Bible and Civil Disobedience / […]
Read full textPluralism Sunday, first Sunday of May
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 […]
Read full textColourWeaving Prayer — David Yeo Poulton, UK
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 […]
Read full textPentecost words
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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