Creator God, you pour your love persistently into all creation, making the earth fruitful and life joyful. We rejoice in your commitment to humanity, your giving of breath and bodies, of creatures and climate, of beauty and love and hope. God in Jesus, you walk boldly and comfortingly alongside us. We rejoice in your saving […]
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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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The doors open the doors close *behind us, the world *before us, sanctuary *and the stillness of God Be prayer quiet Share quiet Shore up the noisy clanging *in your soul *on your lips Allow God to find you *bind you up *in [God’s] peace Unwind your spirit Let it float *on the song of […]
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Great and mighty you are, creator of heaven and earth and everything in it. We offer praise for your goodness and love, for forming us in your image and setting us over the whole world to serve you, our creator. But we disobeyed your will, and turned against each other. You have given us life […]
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Could be read responsively. O Christ who shares our nature, in whom God found delight, you stood in radiant glory, transfigured by the light. Resplendent in God’s favour, O Christ in beauty bright, illumine all who see you, transform us by your light.
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Lectionary reading on Third Sunday of Advent, Year A Listen to the news of hope reborn from Isaiah 35. The desert will rejoice and flowers will bloom in the wild places. Everywhere will reflect God’s glory. Tired hands and bent knees will be strong again. Eyes will see again, ears be opened. The lame will […]
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God, we gather in this place Home for our souls. Here we sense our true selves Renewed in wholeness; Scattered, now gathered in. Fragments re-united, re-connected Standing on solid ground Upheld by faith Renewed by love We open ourselves to you.
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Almighty and everlasting creator, redeemer and sustainer of our lives, the true and only wise God, we thank you for the marvellous works of your hand. Indeed, they signify how great you are. The morphological design of earth describes the splendour of your beauty. Gracious and merciful God, despite your goodness toward humanity we have […]
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A contemporary service in a United Church of Zambia congregation will usually include a ‘Prayer of Adoration, thanksgiving and confession’ following either the Call to Worship or the first hymn. The prayers included on this post are written by students of ministry and theology at the United Church of Zambia University in Mindolo, Kitwe. They […]
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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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We thank you for this day to live, another day to love and one more day to forgive. Make us a light and blessing to one another as we acknowledge you.
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Adapted from “Opening Prayer” by Gerardo Oberman, Argentina (adapted for use at a leader’s gathering, by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA) At this junction on our journey, we heed your call, O God. We gather as your people, looking for new life for our life. We gather, as your imperfect children, aware of our moments of selfishness […]
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…God, heaven and earth cannot contain you, much less this place which our imagination has conceived and our money has built. But we come now to pray that you will use it to fulfil some part of your purposes. You are the centre,… the heart of all that exists. It is your breath which gives […]
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Based on Genesis 32.22-31 God, we come with praise and gratitude. Thank you for your word, for speaking to us anew today. In faith and trust, we open our ears and minds to you. We know you are with us in the rush of life. God, you see us as we truly are, with our […]
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Might be used as an opening meditation at a confessional reflective service such as Ash Wednesday or Good Friday. Can be read by a single voice, multiple voices or responsively. Start in Silence. A drumbeat begins, getting louder than softer. The drumbeat tapers off into a soft background beat for the prayer. O Steady One, […]
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Loving God who conceived life, originates ingenuity, embraces individuality, welcomes everyone, celebrates diversity, encourages unity, offers serenity, gifts simplicity, lavishes compassion, we worship you! Living Jesus who breathes our air, walks our streets, feels our pain, sheds tears, enjoys company, bubbles with laughter, holds our hands, we worship you! Gentle Spirit who strengthens fragile spirits, […]
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