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 for worship and reflection during the spring season… Spring We should celebrate This wildest Erupting In Spring. With colours recklessly Splashed everywhere In this the season of new Daily episodes Of wonder And delight…. — Ross Kingham, Australia Words for spring: an alphabetical listing of all resources: Free images of spring: All photos posted […]
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What words share the meaning and mystery of Christmas? What words do we sing? What dramas, sketches and skits bring the words of Christmas to life? Explore these contemporary resources below: Christmas Songs Nativity & Christmas pageants Christmas (and Advent) Dramas — monologues, letters and more Christmas prayers and worship resources Christmas images – photos free-to-use […]
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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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Tune: Russian Hymn For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. This wondrous universe tells of God’s glory, Endless in space and forever in time; We are astonished when we contemplate its story We have a place in this myst’ry sublime. This planet’s destiny, life in its beauty Rests with the choices we […]
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Worship Words resources for special days and events in June:
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19 March 2023 10 March 2024 30 March 2025 There are all types of mothers. There are people who are not biological mothers who provide nurture and love. What words do we use to describe mothers and those who mother? What words to describe our relationships with our mothers? Newest ‘Mothering Sunday’ posts . . […]
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Baptism – Christening – Naming – Dedication What words do you use to explain the mystery of belonging? What words do we use to present our children to the truth of Love? To affirm their welcome by the One which cannot be named or known? To welcome them into the family of Love? Scroll down […]
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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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Title: I have good news…and bad news… Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55 This dramatic monologue, a phone conversation between pregnant teenage Mary and her Mum, was originally written as the sermon accompanying the lighting of the Advent Candle of Love. It can be used effectively anytime during Advent. Notes: Mary pauses throughout the conversation when […]
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The Christmas season is not always a happy time. — Mary Oliver (from Thirst, Beacon Press, Boston, 2006) The Advent and Christmas seasons can remind us of loved ones or relationships we have lost. The sights and smells of the weeks approaching Christmas, rather than bring joy and delight, can bring sadness and grief. A “Blue […]
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What words move us through Advent, from World AIDS Day into the New Year? Summer in the South — Winter in the North — words of warmth for the cold nights, words that cool the hot sun. 1st – World AIDS Day 6th – Day of Remembrance, Canada Resources to explore and use during this […]
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This response may be used throughout prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. It was originally used at the United Reformed Church Assembly in 2014. Leader: Water of life, All: Renew the world and us.
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With praise and elation Tune: To God be the glory For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. With praise and elation we greet the Divine In beauty of love that we just can’t define; The mystery is wondrous; it captures our soul; It gives our life purpose; it makes us feel whole. Praise […]
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Harvest in the south in April. Harvest in the north in September. The cycle of our year offers numerous opportunities to express our gratitude and thanksgiving. What words do we use to celebrate the abundance of a good harvest? Or to mourn the scarcity in times of drought?
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Born from the water, we pray to you, creator God, for your world, which human hands have seized and scarred. Give us your eyes to see its beauty, your love to care and your courage to take action. Born from the water, we pray to you, saving God, for your church which seeks to do […]
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Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday) readings and resources for Year B… Ordinary Time — Season after Pentecost: readings and worship resources…
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This ready-to-use Café Church Mothering Sunday 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 […]
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Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Readings for First Sunday after Christmas, Revised Common Lectionary Year B This is intended to be used with a group of children gathered together around the worship leader. One or two children will suffice; more is delightful. Preparation: small child-size chair, for worship leader soft cloth bag large enough to hold […]
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Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. — Luke 3: 5-6 Every valley shall be filled: may our low places, our wrong doings of the past, […]
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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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Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. The text used comes primarily from the New Revised Version of the Bible. Storyteller (leader/narrator): Today’s Hebrew Bible reading is taken from the book of Genesis. We are reading from chapter 45, beginning with the first verse. Before we hear today’s reading, here is a recap … Today’s […]
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Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak… Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ —Genesis 32.24, 26 The angels you’ll have to wrestle with most often are no strangers: they’re your anger, fear, […]
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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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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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Preparation: Bag with telephone inside. The telephone should be easily recognizable, as a telephone, by the children. Gather the children around. I like to face the children, with my back to the congregation. I either sit on the floor or on a child’s small chair. The children either sit on the floor around me or […]
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God, help me to figure out what I need, and hear my prayer when I am bold enough to ask for it. Amen. Matthew 9:20-22 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, […]
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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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A dramatic litany for Easter morning At the Tomb — A litany for 5+ voices 1st voice: Woman, why are you weeping? 1st woman: We mourn these dark days of death and denial. Abandoned, betrayed, forsaken. Left alone. Jesus gone. Where have they laid him? 1st voice: Woman, why are you weeping? 2nd woman: We […]
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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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Words seeking the deepest places Words for rigorous honesty Words to cleanse the spirit, mind and soul Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Words of Confession’ resources . . . Featured image: Holocaust Memorial, San Francisco, California USA
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What words reach out to a gathered congregation? Do they bring comfort? Challenge? A call for renewal and re-commitment? Are we free or stuck in a formula? What words enable God to speak through us? Newest related posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Pastoral Prayers’ resources . . .
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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”? Thanksgiving & Harvest Resources
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Brittle chilled branches Revealing sacred presence streaked with winter sun –haiku by Ana Gobledale Words for worship and reflection during the winter season: Free images of winter: All photos posted on the Worship Words website may be used for worship and devotional purposes. Please acknowledge the photographer/artist.
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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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