contemporary worship

Easter

What words express the mystery of the unknowable?  the beliefs that defy the rules of nature?  our faith? our doubt? What words enable the wordless to speak?  the deaf to understand? Dare we speak truth into this mystery?  exasperation?  doubt?  solid faith? Explore these Worship Words resources to find words for your worship experience on […]

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Cafe Church, Open Table service — Standing firm in our faith

Open Table Worship Using inclusive language and imagery for intimate worship settings at which everyone is welcome and valued Theme:  Stand firm in our faith A complete worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table This service is designed for a congregation gathered around […]

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Words Matter

God speaks the universe into creation. Words of kindness create goodness; words of cruelty create hurt. Our words matter. Liturgy and Language resources: Jump to… Creative and Refreshing liturgy for today’s church Liberated Liturgy Academic reflections – thoughts on liturgy Liturgical Studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana USA Joseph Ratzinger’s (Pope Benedict XVI) Consideration of inclusive […]

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Acts 10:44-48, Drama — Ana Gobledale, UK

A drama to be used in worship, inspired by the NRSV text 3 Readers: Storyteller, Peter, Newly baptised person   Storyteller: While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been […]

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Psalm 78 Call to Worship — Graeme Blair, Australia

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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Blessing of a home — Zambia

  Scripture sentences Psalm 127:1 Proverbs 18:10   Word of Blessing God, creator of the universe and giver of all possession, we thank you for the privilege given to this family [insert names].  We dedicate this house to you and declare that your light shines in this house. Our prayer is that nothing evil will […]

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Epiphany sending out and blessing — Cary Heafey, UK

Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year C. 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 […]

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Gardeners act of commitment — Ana Gobledale, UK

  A responsive reading to use at a Blessing of the Gardens & Gardeners service, on Earth Day, or any day in springtime.   LEADER:       Seeds we bring   PEOPLE:       for God’s blessing and use;   LEADER:       Hoes and trowels we bring   PEOPLE:       for God’s blessing and use;   LEADER:       Hands and gloves we […]

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Cafe Church, Open Table service — Are Angels still speaking?

This ready-to-use Café Church worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion.  It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list of supplies, […]

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Cafe Church, Open Table service – Advent

This ready-to-use Café Church worship service weaves together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion.  It has been designed for worship around tables, but is easily adaptable to a more traditional setting. This service includes everything you need — an Order of Service to handout, leader script sheets, reader printouts, song suggestions, a list of supplies, […]

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Psalm 43, Gathering words — Ana Gobledale, UK

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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Our Pentecost — Joyce Dent, UK

Pentecost came once – long long, so long ago! What can it mean to us but to inspire perhaps? And yet could it be so that we might know the fire upon our heads and in our souls? Our lives might yet be changed beyond out wildest dreams – or fears? For we might have […]

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Genesis 1-2, a choral reading, Heaven and Earth – Scott Ward

Based on  Genesis 1:1-2:4, The Message by Eugene Peterson -Arranged by Scott Ward, USA Lectionary: Trinity Sunday Year A, Epiphany Year B (Genesis 1:1-5), Easter Vigil Years A,B,C Downloads:  full scripts, ready-to-print: (horizontal versions are easy for readers to hold) Heaven and Earth Choral Reading, Scott Ward WORD Heaven and Earth Choral Reading, Scott Ward PDF Heaven […]

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Pentecost — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA

You breathe in. You breathe out. You breathe fire, the making of stars, the winds of creation. You breathe a Word that goes out and lays hands on people to heal and bless. You breathe God in. and God out. You speak grace in tongues you can’t know. Look at us, walking around, glowing embers. […]

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Tinged with Greed — Joyce Dent, Hampshire UK

Creator of the Universe, Lover of all that you make, We thank you for this marvellous world Which you have given us for our home. Help us to show our gratitude As much by our lives as by our words. We acknowledge that so often Our best efforts are tinged with greed, The desire for […]

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Prayer for empathy, vulnerability and curiosity — Australia

Our God We pray for Empathy – seeking to understand: ideas, people, situations, ourselves, our faith, our hopes, seeking, exploring the why of life, the why of who we are. seeking because we know that only by seeking, do we go beyond ourselves, to where answers reside, answers that we had never considered. And we […]

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Psalm Before Beginning Work — E Hayes

From Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, Fr. Edward Hayes To You, O Divine One, from whose hands comes the work of creation, so artfully designed, I pray that this work I am about to do may be done in companionship with you. May the work that I will soon begin sing praise to you, as songbirds […]

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