Our God, Your living word is not static but the unfolding story of your actions in the world We pray that we would be part of that story as recipients and participants cutting across the addiction people have for the world cultural addictions of greed, of status, appearance, recognition, of voyeurism, celebrity worship, the need […]
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We believe that the imagery conveyed by language and language itself is important and that they articulate and influence our understandings of what is revealed to us about the nature and activity of God and the dignity of all God’s people as created in the image of God. — Inclusive Language Covenant, United Church of Christ […]
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Tune: Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night) Verse 1 In this sacrament with water God can be seen; In each human son and daughter God can be seen; When love streams from fathers, mothers, Gen’rously from sisters, brothers, When compassion flows from others God can be seen. Verse 2 God in […]
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Our Church meets in a building, That is a civic pride. We sometimes need a shoehorn To fit the folks inside. We have many groups, who meet here And do the things they do. But the buildings only made of stone The church is me, is you. Many folk can tell you Where our church […]
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Life winds in many connected strands, Most controlled by other hands, We’re often pulled this way and that, Minds changing like the drop of a hat. Their expectations running high, We can only strive and try, Comes a time we clearly see, This is not a life meant for me. The things that matter beyond […]
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Each Advent season, the Scout International Peace Light travels from Bethlehem around the world. Towns and faith communities hold services for receiving the light and for sending it forth. These resources are for use in a Peace Light Service. Peace Light Prayer May the kindly spirit of Christmas spread its radiance far and wide, So all the […]
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Luke 24:13-49 – Third Sunday of Easter, Year A Luke 24: 36-48 – Third Sunday of Easter Year B Theme: The road to Emmaus Spirit of new hope and promise… Stay with us in our places of hopelessness and despair. Spirit of joy and delight… Stay with us in the shadows of grief and terror. […]
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The progressive Christianity movement continues to morph and evolve in relationship to the voices rising up within the Christian movement as a whole. Groups identifying themselves as Progressive Christians uphold freedom of thought and practice paramount within Christianity, and respect and humility paramount regarding how Christians relate to other religions and beliefs. There are on-going […]
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“Just language– language that reflects our changing consciousness about God, the universe, class, gender relations, race, disabilities and violence– is essential if we are to overcome the injustices and hatred that obstruct the peace, equality and harmony we long for.” –Kaye Ashe, O.P., Eighth Day Center, Chicago USA The Eighth Day Center in Chicago publishes […]
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When our liturgy is truly liberated it will no longer bend to the tyranny of tradition nor the rule of church law. Neither will it bend to the tyranny of change-for-change’s-sake nor weaken due to a perceived ‘need’ for change. Liberated Liturgy will reflect a freedom to use authentic, grounded and progressive words whether they […]
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Tom Long writes: ‘Take the issue of inclusive language. Why should I be bothered with inclusive language in worship? Some people say that you should use inclusive language because otherwise, feelings will get hurt. That is true but not very persuasive. Others say that you must use inclusive language because kids in school are using […]
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God, open our hearts so we are ready for the messengers you may send to us. Help us to find your message in a world that needs it more than ever. — Erik Mason, Cairn Christian Church, Colorado USA
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When times are difficult we can lean on one other. The SALT Project has produced an inspirational short film about the strength of “sistering.” The SALT team writes: ‘We teamed up with Glennon Doyle Melton (New York Times Bestselling author of, Carry On, Warrior, mastermind behind Momastery.com, and all around amazingly strong and witty human […]
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Words resting in the silence of our hearts Words spoken into eternal presence Word felt Words uttering our deepest need and strongest faith, our doubts and uncertainties Prayers for Sunday Prayers for Monday Prayers for Tuesday Prayers for Wednesday Prayers for Thursday Prayers for Friday Prayers for Saturday Prayers for today, words for you:
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Benedictions, words of commissioning, blessing, dismissal, sending forth… With what words to we close worship and move into the world?
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So God speaks the universe into creation. So words of kindness create goodness; words of cruelty create hurt. Our words matter. What words are you using in worship?
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The USA-based Liturgy Project provides hundreds of liturgical posts by authors around the globe. The free worship planning material is easy to locate using an extensive index. “Progressive Christianity is an open, intelligent and collaborative approach to the Christian tradition and the life and teachings of Jesus that create pathways into an authentic and relevant religious experience.” […]
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Year A: Third Sunday of Easter A Prayer based on Acts 2:14a,36-4 God of new beginnings, Today we remember our baptisms: A day shrouded in an infant’s hidden memory A day chiselled in the sharp memory of a teenager A day gloriously shining in the memory of a new convert. Your promises live in […]
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A British Panto never ruins a fairy tale, only makes it better. So logically, a Nativity Panto (or almost-Panto) won’t ruin the treasured Christmas story, but will only make it better. That’s the case with… The King’s Christmas: a Modern Medieval Play Script downloads (10 pages): PDF: Christmas Nativity – The King’s Christmas Panto WORD: Christmas Nativity – […]
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How might a cup guide you on your faith journey? Joyce Rupp’s book, The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth, invites the reader to use a favourite personal cup or mug for the focus item in a series of meditations. In her friendly and trustworthy tone, Joyce guides the disciple along a journey of reflection […]
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Brittle chilled branches Revealing sacred presence streaked with winter sun –haiku by A Gobledale Words for worship and reflection during the winter season:
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We pray for peace in our world, our nations, our communities and our homes. The Disciples Peace Fellowship offers weekly Peace Prayers relevant to the concerns of today. The language strives for inclusivity. It is easy to subscribe so the prayers pop up in your email each week. The Disciples Peace Fellowship is connected to […]
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Worried about Climate Change? Concerned for our environment? Wanting to be a good steward of God’s creation? Join other Christians committed to pray and fast on the first day of every month to make a stand for climate justice. Pray and Fast for the Climate is supported by members of the ‘Faith for the Climate’ network […]
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You give us Advent, Lord, and we are grateful and glad to abide in your time, urgent, yet measured, imagining life. You give us Advent, Lord, and we are grateful and glad to watch by your light, candid, yet hidden, sharp as a truth. You give us Advent, Lord, and we are grateful and glad […]
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God, hear our cries. Our calm and trust have been shattered by the violent death in Woolwich. Keep us ever mindful that you are our God, that you are the Prince of Peace, the God of Love. Let our hearts not respond with hate or generalizations, not with phobias nor a desire for payback. We […]
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In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson British Poet Laureate, 1850 Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The […]
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