What words will we use to usher in a new year? What words express our hopes and visions, our fears and frights, as we look into the year ahead? What words can enable us to release the past year and leave it in peace even as we face our world of war and violence? Newest […]
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Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service acknowledging the challenges many people face during the ‘holiday’ season. God, you are not distant from us; you come to us in vulnerability, you offer yourself as a gift of love. God of love, hear our prayer. This night we pray for all who mourn. All […]
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What words herald the Advent season? Familiar? New? Light-hearted? Reflective? Confessional? Hopeful? Here are Advent worship resources from around the world to explore and use. Scroll down to find: Advent prayers and worship resources Advent songs, carols & music Complete services, Dramas, Nativities and Christmas Pageants Link to Advent images Blue Christmas resources Advent prayers […]
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Intercessions arising from Psalm 51: 10 Silence: a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God we call to mind the places where we live. All: May your people dwell in harmony. ♦ One: We call to mind the concerns of our neighbours. All: May your people dwell in harmony. ♦ One: We call […]
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What words do we use to celebrate years of worship together? What words do we use when we are an ageing congregation? What words signify the hope of new life in our church? Songs for Church Anniversaries: Prayers and worship resources for Church Anniversaries:
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God our creator, The glory of this season reminds us of your artistry As nature displays a riot of colour: Bright berries on the hedgerows, Trees aflame with oranges and reds, Golden leaves carpeting the rich dark earth. Let all creation sing your praise! God our provider, The bounty of this season reminds us of […]
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A Responsive litany of commitment God calls each of us according to our gifts, to serve those in need, to seek justice for the oppressed and disenfranchised, to care for the earth and all the creatures that inhabit it, and through our words and action to bring God’s love and peace to all creation. Will […]
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Epiphany 2, Year C Your love reaches as high as the heavens, your faithfulness, wide as the bright blue skies. Your goodness soars to the mountain peaks, your justice fathoms the depths of the sea. All your creatures find rest in your shade. How precious your constant love! How safe the protection of your wing. […]
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We look to you Trusting in your guiding hand Sure in your care for us Assured of your kindness. Even as we face disdain from others and scorn from the proud, we are filled with your mercy. In your fullness we rest. Lectionary reading 6th Sunday of Pentecost, Year B, and 21st Sunday of Pentecost, […]
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Tune: Darwall For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. A dream of dignity For all humanity It is a dream so bold; ‘Can’t happen,’ we’ve been told; But we can strive To keep alive This hope for human harmony A dream of dignity For all humanity; A dream that Jesus saw Was […]
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For Palm Sunday Open now the gates to God’s holy place. We will go in and give thanks to our God. The foundation stone which the builders set aside has proved the most important of all. This was achieved by God and how wonderful to behold. Today celebrates God’s victory. Rejoice in it. God bless […]
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A responsive Call to Worship written specifically for intergenerational worship (works well during Advent) God, you came into the world weak: A baby born in a stable, Sleeping in a feeding trough With animal sounds and smells all around. This is how love came to earth. God, you have made us vulnerable. Our bodies can […]
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Thoughts on ‘Trinity Sunday’ ‘God, I’m lonely,’ God thought, Where’s the point of a void? ‘I’ll make me a world – hold that – a universe – full of wonders, creatures to keep me company, to enjoy each other – to enjoy me.’ And God did. Life abundant. Night and day, God made, flower and […]
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Creator God, as we gather here today to celebrate the wonderful world you have given us and the miracle of growth. Help us to sow the seeds of kindness, empathy, understanding and love here in this Church and as we go out into our daily lives. We think particularly today of our friends who are […]
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Lection for first Sunday in Lent, Year A To be read responsively, by two voices or by a solo voice Happy are the people whose misdeeds are forgiven; whose failures are totally blotted out! Happy are the people in whom God finds no fault, who prove to be straightforward and honest. When we own up […]
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As the nations mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, we pray that governments worldwide will ensure their people have adequate health care, proper provision of food, clothing, housing and social welfare. We pray that all will be provided with the security of a basic income, the opportunity of a free education, and the guarantee […]
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Bless us this advent Sunday. Thank you for the joy we find spending time with one another as the excitement of Jesus’s birth becomes infectious. Bless us and those taking part in the service and give them courage, peace and strength to overcome any nerves. Let us celebrate this special Sunday together as the family […]
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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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God, we ask your blessing for everyone gathered here today for worship, for friendship, for support and for fellowship. We pray that all may gain what they need from this act of worship and carry your love with them when they leave today.
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God, as we meet together today to praise and worship you, we pray that our faith may grow in hearing your word. Help us to find ways of sharing our faith with others and show us how we can use it to further your work in this world full of problems that we live in.
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Based on Proverbs 13:23 God, In the fields of the poor Even when abundant fruits ripen, Injustice sweeps them away, And families hunger. Help us to share The fruits of your bounty So that all your family may benefit From your gracious gifts. Christian Concern for One World UK provides free bookmarks including […]
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20 June is World Refugee Day. Click here for more Worship Words resources related to refugees. As we recount the centuries of human history, We pray that one day bondage will lead to freedom; We pray that indifference will give way to mercy; We pray that hatred will turn to compassion, and fear turn to […]
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Note: Andrew King’s material is copyrighted, so for inspirational use only. Acts 2: 1-21 Suddenly there came a sound… It was one of those days where leaves are thrashed from tree branches writhing under a racing sky, and my childhood friend playing outdoors with me wondered: does the wind ever stop blowing? … read more Click […]
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An Interview of the Slave Girl and Jailer who meet Paul and Silas. To be used within a worship service, possibly as the message itself. Acts 16:16-34 Easter 7, Year C Roles: Interviewer (Int) Slave Girl, Harriet (S.G.) Jailer, Jaden (J.) Reader of Acts 16 Ready-to-print scripts: Interview – Acts 16.16-34 – Slave Girl & […]
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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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This prayer might be used on Remembrance Day (UK), ANZAC Day (Australia) and days in other nations set aside to remember victims of conflict and war. Praying for Our World As we pray this morning, I will invite you to name those in your life or beloved by you who have served in the military […]
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A prayer for World Health Day – 7 April For the many children, women, and men whose lives have been saved through global cooperation, God, we praise You. For the many who needlessly suffer around the world because of indifference or malice, God, we beg Your blessing. For the progress in people’s health made […]
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Genesis 45:1-15 (adapted from NRSV) Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers Full script, ready-to-print: Genesis 45,1-15 Joseph in Egypt – 2 readers PDF Genesis 45,1-15 Joseph in Egypt – 2 readers WORD Narrator: Today’s Hebrew Bible reading is taken from the book of Genesis presenting the last chapter in the saga of Joseph and his […]
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Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City, Adelaide, Australia, has created an active website for worship planning ‘from a progressive perspective’ focusing on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. This active website for worship planning “from a progressive perspective” is chalk-a-block full of ready-to-use resources! One ready-to-use item is an A5 handout (prepared to be double-sided) of each week’s […]
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Holy God, forgive us, for we have forgotten our baptism. You call us to draw near, but we turn away in fear and shame. You call us to love our neighbour, but we allow our distrust and preoccupations to justify our indifference. You call us to love ourselves, but the voices of insecurity and self-criticism […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in November: 1st – All Saints Day 11th – Remembrance Day, Veterans Day (USA) 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance 4th Thursday – Thanksgiving, USA 30th – St Andrew’s Day November worship resources A-Z: Additional days of interest in November: mid-Oct – mid-Nov — Diwali (date fluctuates) Hindu […]
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National days set aside for thanksgiving offer wonderful opportunities to express our gratitude, often in an interfaith setting. How do we say “Thanks”? Worship resources for Thanksgiving & Harvest
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Worship Words networks writers and users across time and space and provides a place to share progressive prayers, songs and liturgies with others. Worship Words strives to provide free worship material which is: Inclusive: avoiding gender-exclusive language and imagery for people and God Thoughtful: attending to word-craft, selecting each word and phrase with purpose. Avoiding cliché and […]
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Hunt’s impressive web site contains lectionary-based ‘sermons, liturgies, prayers, and articles from a progressive/post-liberal theological perspective.’ Rex Hunt shares numerous resources from a life-long career as a progressive minister in the Uniting Church in Australia. The site is easy to use and will prove a valuable resource to any progressive worship planner. Click here to […]
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These communion prayers focus on creation. They might be used to celebrate Earth Day or during the Season of Creation. Genesis 1:1-19 Words of gratitude God of creation and transformation, for this time together around this table, we give thanks. For the power of this meal, this simple bread and juice, to unite us as […]
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A responsive prayer of intercession Within our darkest night, Let your light shine. God of all creation, you hold the depths of the earth in your hands. You are closer to us than the air we breathe. Fill our souls with your wonderful love and light. Give us strength and courage to reflect that love […]
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Epiphany Season readings and resources for Year B… Click on the link for all Worship Words Epiphany resources. Transfiguration Sunday readings & resources for Year B…
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Let us tell the Good News: this world is not God-forsaken, abandoned to futility and destruction. God has not failed: This world will become the Realm of God. Let us live the Good News: care for the sick and suffering, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, struggle against injustice, care for the earth, so that […]
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