Welcome! Come! Gather! What words do we use to call people together for worship? What words do we choose to invite people into worship space and time? Newest ‘Call to Worship’ posts . . . (images link to posts) Click on the link to go directly to: Call to Worship resources written for young readers Calls […]
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Call to Worship We come to this hour of worship full of much that clutters and distracts, stifles and burdens, making us often a burden to others and ourselves. We come to this hour of worship to be emptied of gnawing dissatisfactions, of anxious imaginings, of nagging resentments, of old scores to settle. We come […]
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Written for a service in nature (outside) Ready-to-print WORD doc: Call to worship for a service in nature – Susan Brecht, USA Leader: Creating Spirit, we gather this morning enveloped in the beauty of your creation. We come to release the stress, the anxiety, the burdens, the worries, the struggles of our lives. We come […]
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Inspired by Psalm 107 May be read by one voice or responsively Give thanks to God! For God is good! God’s steadfast love lasts forever. God gathers God’s people From east and west, north and south, From the deserts of our weary and aimless wanderings, From the shadows and gloom of our struggles, From the […]
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Prayers of approach Based on the phrase in Psalm 42: “Deep calls to deep…” Eternal one, creator, God of covenant promise, ever-faithful, You commit to us. You continue to shape us. You know us. You are close to us as breath. Deep calls to deep… may we lean into your love. Jesus, Saviour, Lamb of […]
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Advent 3 & Pentecost 23, Year C From Isaiah 12 Since God is our Saviour we will trust and be unafraid. God is the source of our confidence and will keep us safe from harm. On the day when God comes to our rescue, joy will rise like water from the spring. So give thanks […]
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God, we sometimes forget that we were created for joy. Our minds are too busy. Our hearts are too heavy for us to remember that we have been called to dance the sacred dance of life. We were created to smile to love to be lifted up and to lift others up. O Sacred One, […]
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Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here.* I invite you to close your eyes and breathe in that holy presence. Breathe in the power of God, and breathe out the power of the world. Breathe in the presence of God and breathe out the worries, the fears, the burdens […]
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I invite you to pause. Close your eyes, if that’s comfortable and focus on your breathing, the sound of your breath in … and out … in … and out…. [pause for 2-4 breaths]. We live in a busy world, and God invites us to pause in the presence of the divine. [silent pause for […]
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Lectionary reading – Easter 6 Year B This might be read by a solo reader or responsively. Come, let us sing a new song to the One who has worked such wonders! By power and righteous strength, victory has been won. God has kept faith with the children of Israel, with loyalty and love towards […]
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Inspired by Psalm 98 Easter 6, Year B God of shalom, who holds all things in wonderful balance, we come before you in joyful, noisy praise! Our voices join the songs of birds, the grunts and snorts of animals, the roar of the sea, the rush of the wind through the trees, […]
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Inspired by Psalm 96 Sing a new song, Sing all the earth, Sing praises to God
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4th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Celebrate Love! Join hearts in delight and gratitude! The brilliance of eternity stretches out before us Solid, trustworthy, unfailing. Free of fear, step into Now With wisdom and understanding.
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We come to worship and remember you. We come to hear and to learn more of your word. Your word is unchanging. From earliest time, to now, you have spoken things into being, and they are good. You are mindful of your people. Teach us to be similarly mindful of you. Give us the message […]
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In this place We open to the creative heartbeat of this morning, The divine urging which is within, around and beyond us. Dispel our stupor. Energise our bodies. Enthuse our passion. Centre us So this day is worthy of the name holy.
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Gathering words inspired by Psalm 25 God, Elohim, Yahweh, Allah, God, by any name, is good, steadfast and true. Trust that which brought you here. Gather in hope and anticipation, ready to be fed and nourished, ready to be guided and taught. Open yourself to this oasis on the path of your life journey. Be […]
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This might be used as a Call to Worship or Call to Communion. It works as a responsive reading involving the entire congregation or read by 2-3 readers. It has been written with young readers in mind. If you’re worshipping on-line, parents might video their children reading this, or audio-record it and play as the […]
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Inspired by Psalm 112:1-7 A responsive reading (adapted for inclusive language) One: Happy are they who fear God All: and have great delight in God’s commandments! One: Their descendants will be mighty in the land; All: the generation of the upright will be blessed. One: Wealth and riches will be in their house, All: and […]
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Inspired by Psalm 68 Come before God with joy! We come with jubilation! Come worship the protector of orphans and widows. We come to praise God with singing and exultation.
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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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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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Inspired by Psalm 30:4-5 Originally written for the third Sunday of Easter, Year C A responsive reading Sing praises to the Eternal One. Today we praise the sacred with enthusiasm. Rejoice in the morning light. We rejoice in the never-ending love of God. Sadness and anger have darkened our paths. Yet in the light of […]
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Inspired by Psalm 97 Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C The Eternal One cares for all creation as a wise and just ruler cares for a realm. Let the earth celebrate this truth. Light dawns for the virtuous, and joy for the upright in heart. Delight in the Eternal One, you who are just and […]
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A responsive reading Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel and restore us O God: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. From the throngs of city centers to the far-flung wilderness: Let your face shine, that we may be saved. To every nation, race and people: Let your face shine, that we may […]
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Consider using for: International Day of Peace, 21 September Peace Sunday, 2nd Sunday of October Hiroshima Day, 6 August Adapted for Worship Words Jesus said; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We are called to be peacemakers, to stand against injustice, inequality and oppression For injustice anywhere is a […]
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These words open the time of worship… As we ring the bowl three times, may we open to the wisdom of our own and other traditions, to the joys and sufferings we carry with us today, and to God’s presence here, among these people and in the world.
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This responsive Call to Worship might be used at a special New Year’s Day service or on the first Sunday of the new year. Ready-to-print downloads: New Year, Call to Worship PDF New Year, Call to Worship WORD People of the world, it is time to celebrate new beginnings. We step into the new year […]
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Proper 29 (usually Pentecost 25), Year A Responsive reading inspired by Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth. We will worship God with gladness; Come into God’s presence with singing. We sing, for God made us, and we are God’s people. Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and praise. We give […]
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Inspired by Psalm 43 Proper 26 (usually Pentecost 22) Year A Come, come into the light of Love! It is difficult to shake off the darkness of our world. Come, come into the brilliance of God’s truth. Our minds wander to worry and care. Come, turn into the embrace of Eternal Goodness. Our hope […]
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We gather, looking back to see the paths taken, Looking forward to see our path. We honour those who have gone before us, Learning from their successes and failures. We celebrate who we are today, And welcome the possibilities and opportunities before us. We gather to worship God, the God of yesterday, […]
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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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Give thanks to God! Celebrate God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Sing of the ways of God, for God is magnificent! (or select a more traditional last line: for great is the glory of God!) Psalm 138 is a Common Lectionary reading on the 12th Sunday of Pentecost (Proper 16) in Year A, and 3rd Sunday […]
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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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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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Inspired by Psalm 95, verses 1-2 Reading for Third Sunday of Lent, Year A, and 25th Sunday of Pentecost, Year A Sing for joy! Shout aloud in thanksgiving for the permanence of the Eternal One. Stand firm in faith, grateful for our unshakable foundation. Give thanks with music and song.
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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 […]
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Inspired by Psalm 16 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A 26th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B 3rd Sunday of Pentecost, Year C Come! Rejoice! For we are in the presence of the Holy One. We turn our eyes and hearts toward the Light of Love. Be glad and rest secure in the Eternal One. […]
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Inspired by Psalm 32 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Trust in the Eternal One We come in hope. Rejoice in God’s unfailing love. We come in faith. Celebrate the forgiveness that is ours. We come to sing with gladness.
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Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 30:4-5) A responsive reading Sing praises to the Eternal One. Today we praise the sacred with enthusiasm. Rejoice in the morning light. We rejoice in the never-ending love of God. Sadness and anger have darkened our paths. Yet in the light of hope we […]
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For Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C God is gracious with blessings. God’s face shines upon us. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! We sing for joy, for God judges the peoples with equity and guides the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise God! We praise God, for God’s […]
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