This wedding was held in Washington State, USA, soon after same-sex marriage became legal. The couple had been waiting for more than a decade. The names have been changed. Outline of Service Welcome Prayer Scripture Reading Purpose of Marriage Words of Intention – lawfully free & willing to create this “intentional family” Sharing: a […]
Read full text
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A I lift up my eyes to the hills… We lift up our hearts To you, Spirit of the Universe God will not let your foot be moved… Trusting you to hold us securely When we feel caught in the mire of indecision When we hesitate to step forward […]
Read full text
3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A 19 March 2017 God, are you with us? We seek assurance. Like the Israelites at Massah we desire proof. Like the people of Meribah we ache for assurance beyond words, Something we can see and touch. Forgive our testiness and fickle faith. Renew our commitment to […]
Read full text
So … May you be awoken. Awoken to the universe and galaxies of beauty and creativity – And to the Creative energy alive in you – creating, living, longing and loving. And may you, with Christ as your guide, live alive in this very universe as a witness to the goodness and creativity of God.
Read full text
Mark 14:27-31 (Year B) Jesus: “You will all become deserters…” Peter: “Even though all become deserters, I will not!” Jesus: “Truly I tell you… this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” Peter: “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you…” Disciple 1: (stand in […]
Read full text
How do we say thank you? How do we say good-bye? How do we release our minister so that they can move forward into retirement or into another ministry position? How do we help them release us to move forward into our future without them as our minister? Resources for leave-taking services:
Read full text
This service of leave-taking was originally written for the departure of Revd Bob Day by Revd Kate Gray, Manchester UK. Time to give thanks There is a time to give thanks, for the times of challenge and hardship for the times of tiredness and distress for the times of solidarity and justice with […]
Read full text
Inspired by John 14:6 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A You are the Way Help us to find new ways of Walking You are the Truth Help us to find new ways of Talking You are the Life Help us to find new ways of Living You are Love Help us to find new ways […]
Read full text
Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year C Your love, O God, breaks the small boundaries of our understanding. Your faithfulness is not constrained by etiquette and protocol. Your righteousness is as firm, yet as fluid as the ever-changing face of the mountains. Your justice can plumb the depths of our humanity and raise us […]
Read full text
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A Narrator: Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah, chapter 6, beginning with verse 1. Micah places us in a court room drama. First the judge speaks, ordering the complainant to rise, and introducing the case. Then God brings charges against Israel, God’s own people. Then Micah responds on behalf […]
Read full text
Let us prayerfully focus on this water, as I pour it into the bowl, and as we do, let each of us infuse it with our commitments to share with (this child / name) the unique gifts that God has given us, gifts (this child / name) will need from us as s/he goes along […]
Read full text
We are here to praise God for the life of /Name/, our young friend, who in such a short time has brought us so much joy. Through /Name/ we have experienced birth again in a new and more conscious way; in him, God has created the world again, opening us to wonder and possibility that […]
Read full text
Written in 1986 for a Maundy Thursday evening service at Mfanefile United Congregational Church, Zululand, South Africa, where we (Ana & Tod) lived illegally (in a ‘Black Spot’ during apartheid) and ministered at the time. With no electricity, the church was lit by a few candles. In the days of apartheid, the world felt very […]
Read full text
Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this New Year, […]
Read full text
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Ready-to-Act: a story from Exodus 1:8-2:10 Characters: 1) Narrator, 2) Pharoah, 3) Pharoah’s Daughter, 4) Miriam, 5) Midwife Shiphrah, 6) Midwife Puah Provide large-font copies for all actor/readers; no memorization required. Print landscape with two columns to avoid hiding mouths behind sheets. Script Narrator: Now a new king […]
Read full text
Reading and Heeding the signs of the Times Matthew 2.1-12 Note: The “king” or “magi” or “wise one” may be named as appropriate for the congregation. The part may be played by either a woman or a man. The “minister” might be any worship leader. Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year A. Script Minister: …This […]
Read full text
Rote makes right: Healing through ritual Year C, 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23) 2 Kings 5:1-3; 7c-15 Luke 17: 11-19 This sermon includes an interview with Naaman. Minster: What ritual or practice brings God’s presence into your life on a regular basis? Turn to your neighbour and share for a moment. What ritual or […]
Read full text
Metre: 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.12. Tune: Londonderry is commended for this text We shall go out with hope of resurrection, We shall go out, from strength to strength go on, We shall go out and tell our stories boldly, Tales of a love that will not let us go. We’ll sing our songs of wrongs that can be […]
Read full text
We continue to pray for Syria and peace. Prayers for Syria. . .
Read full text
This annual observance, stretching from 1 September to 4 October (Day of St. Francis of Assisi), aims to raise awareness about the urgency to care for creation as a response to the ecological crisis. Click on category to view resources created for the Season of Creation (Creation-tide) Songs Complete services Psalms Prayers Dramas, litanies, choral […]
Read full text
Written for Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost, Year C Note: There’s an invitation for all to say the line in bold. The prompt is always “Amma”. Abba You are our mother and our father And we try to believe you love us Abba, Amma, Remind us we are not alone Abba We don’t always seem to […]
Read full text
The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. The UnitingJustice Australia website provides worship resources, including a Call to Worship, Litany for Peace, prayers of confession and intercession, blessing and dismissal, UnitingJustice Australia is […]
Read full text
Daily Prayers for Thursday Solidarity with the poor –from a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Affirmation I live today because of God, the Giver of Life, Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Spirit, the Presence of Life. Praise and thanksgiving There are no no-go areas for you, God of the Poor. […]
Read full text
Originally written for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A, but usable any Sunday focusing on Psalm 23. Prayer ready-to-print Gracious God, loving shepherd, friend and constant companion we thank you for the stillness of your presence that restores our souls. We acknowledge your comfort and guidance in the hard places and tough decisions of […]
Read full text
What words express the hope, the anticipation, the surge of the excited crowd? What words fill the air of our worship centres? filling the hollows of the week ahead? How do we express the shadow looming? the darkness beneath the palms? Songs for Palm/Passion Sunday: Dramas for Palm/Passion Sunday: Worship Words resources for Palm/Passion Sunday: […]
Read full text
for Pentecost 17, Year C As people of faith, we accept our interconnectedness with all people, and all creation. And so we unite our hearts in prayer for those in need. Let us draw near to the divine and to one another through our prayers of intercession. There is a responsive line at the end […]
Read full text
Ready-to-print copies: PDF The Lord’s Prayer – Sam Alexander WORD The Lord’s Prayer, Sam Alexander Those things that are good and right and true: I acknowledge them with honour and love; These things are come, These things are done, This Earth is a living Heaven. I am provided for with abundance, I am wealthy […]
Read full text
Psalm 148:1-5, 7-13, adapted Year C: Sunday after Christmas 5th Sunday after Easter Presentation: try using 6 voices or 3 people with 2-3 sections each. Praise the Eternal One! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights! Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars! Praise God, you highest heavens, […]
Read full text
Creator God, We pray for our beautiful world. Yet as we consider your amazing creation, images arise of global warming, greenhouse gases, climate change, and rising sea levels. We bring to you in prayer farmers whose land is dry and parched, And our need for drenching rain to fill our catchment areas and water our […]
Read full text
This wedding ceremony united two women in holy matrimony, declaring them married in the eyes of God and their families. It preceded the legalization of same-sex-marriage in the USA. I was serving a United Church of Christ congregation in the Seattle area in 2009 when I officiated at this wedding ceremony. Of the two parties […]
Read full text
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C — Revelations 21 Read the prayers aloud. At each point, pause to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the old things have passed away. God is making all things new. […]
Read full text
Pause before the prayer, allowing God’s Spirit to search your heart. Make your own confession. Pause after the prayer to experience the reality of God’s forgiveness. The old ways are so comfortable, O God. They fit like old slippers; they feel like old friends. I don them more readily than my resurrection clothes; I live […]
Read full text
Year C – 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13) Prayer of approach Generous Creator, imaginer of the earth in all its rich diversity You invite us to come as we are, to receive the gift of abundant life. Rabbi Jesus, story-teller, You invite us to come as we are, to sit at your feet, to […]
Read full text
Proper 16 (usually 12th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Written for two voices Voice 1 — lifts prayers directly to God. Voice 2 — reflects on the nature of God. Worship Leader: Hear the grateful words of the Psalmist. Voice 1: I give you thanks, O God, with my whole heart; before the gods […]
Read full text
For 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year C For 3 Actors/Readers: Narrator, Lawyer and Jesus Readers may hold scripts throughout. Narrator: In today’s Gospel reading, Luke presents one of the instances someone examines Jesus with the intent to trick him, at least with words. In this case, it is a lawyer questioning Jesus. The […]
Read full text
God of grace and compassion Our hearts are full of gratitude as we think of the many blessings in our lives: the gift of faith to believe in you, the love of family and friends, for shelter, clean water and plentiful food, for access to education and health care, for the freedom and speech and […]
Read full text
Lofty, cavernous space Warm, earth-toned candlelight enfolding me in its womb. Nothing can harm you A suggestion of incense Soft, background chanting hinting at generations past and to come. Vast eternal community gathered in microcosm. Come and pray in us, Holy Spirit Majestic windows drawing my soul upwards on the rising […]
Read full text
How do we remember the dead? What words ring true? Where do we gather? Traditions from different cultures can inspire us. Resources for All Saints Day:
Read full text
From a Daily Prayer Series by Lawrence Moore, UK Sunday – Resurrection and New Life Suggestions: Light a candle or tea light. Read the prayers aloud. Affirmation I live this day in the presence of God, the embrace of Jesus and the joy of the Spirit. Lighting the resurrection candle The Light of Christ […]
Read full text
This active website for worship planning “from a progressive perspective” is chalk-a-block full of ready-to-use resources! Focusing on the Revised Common Lectionary, this”resource website for worship planning” for Adelaide’s Pilgrim United Church in the City provides “a compilation of resources from various sources, as well as resources written by Pilgrim worship planners.” One ready-to-use item […]
Read full text