Theme: Pentecost (Whitsunday) A complete worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation and communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table (with a grant from the United Reformed Church in Great Britain) This service is designed for a congregation gathered around tables. It can easily be adapted for a more traditional setting. The Leader’s […]
Read full textWisdom Words
Words to move us from indecision to certainty, from doubt to trust, from unknowing to knowing . . . Explore these resources to discover ‘Wisdom Words’ relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Wisdom Words’ […]
Read full textHealing words
Words can reach out to pain and suffering, bringing renewal and new life. Explore these resources to discover ‘Healing Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Healing Words’ resources . . .
Read full textConfession arising from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 — Cara Heafey, UK
Prayer of confession and assurance of pardon written for Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B God of love, you know us inside and out. With you there is no point in hiding or pretending. You invite us into your presence, and we come as we are. We confess that we often forget to listen […]
Read full textNew Year Call to Worship — Ana Gobledale, UK
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 […]
Read full textPsalm 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 […]
Read full textCommissioning Services
Go into the world… What words do we use? What feelings do we express? What covenants do we articulate? How do we articulate hopes and dreams? The gathered church often demonstrates its inter-connectedness and care through rituals in which the congregation ‘commissions’ an individual or group to undertake a specific task. More than ‘order’ or […]
Read full textSeminary Student Commissioning Service — Barb Wilkins-Crowder, USA
This service was written originally for a service at Cairn Christian Church, Lafayette, Colorado USA. It is to be used within a longer service of worship. Ready-to-print leader’s sheets including full text of service: PDF Seminary student commissioning service WORD Seminary student Commissioning service Order of Service (Through out the service [Name] refers to the name of […]
Read full textChurch Anniversary gathering words
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, […]
Read full textDeuteronomy 26:1–11, a Harvest drama
This drama might be used for Thanksgiving (USA or Canada) or Harvest (UK). It is easily adapted for First Sunday in Lent, Year C, when the Deuteronomy passage appears in the Revised Standard Lectionary. Parts: Priest, Narrators 1&2, Israelites 1,2,3,4. Parts may be combined if fewer actors are available. The full script may be downloaded […]
Read full textGod is not a she…not a he — Brian Wren
God is not a she, God is not a he, God is not an it or a maybe. God is a moving, loving, doing, knowing, growing mystery. From The Song of Three Children, libretto copyright © Brian Wren, 1986, copied from the article “Taking the Next Step in Inclusive Language” by Pamela Payne Allen which […]
Read full textCafe Church, Open Table Service — Harvest: celebrating abundance
This ready-to-use Café Church Harvest 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 […]
Read full textTinged 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 […]
Read full textJohn 1:5, Come, shine in the darkness — Cara Heafey, UK
God, you are not distant from us You came to us in vulnerability You offered yourself as a gift of love. We pray today for those who are in the midst of darkness The darkness of poverty The darkness of loneliness The darkness of grief The darkness of despair Wherever shadows threaten to overwhelm Wherever […]
Read full text