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 […]
Read full textStephen Best
Traveling with relevance — Stephen Best, UK
Words for departing worship — sending forth God of life and wholeness, God within, around and beyond, Fill our minds with wonder, our hearts with love And make us thirsty For trusting beyond where we can see, so our worship Can inspire and transform us And help us travel with relevance today in the way […]
Read full textJourney into wonder — Stephen Best, UK
Words of sending forth And now friends, Know that This God who is within, around and beyond, Delights in our probing, Wriggles with joy at our exploring And hugs and holds us as we search for understanding. So let’s always enjoy our journeys into the wonder of God And until we meet again: God bless […]
Read full textCreative cosmos dance — Stephen Best, UK
We open our hearts to The God that is within, around and beyond This God we know, glimpse and are yet to discover Whose voiceless words invite us Personally, intimately To a creative dance across the cosmos And yet this very magnificent God Is also waiting to be discovered in Refugee campsite, rundown shopping centre, […]
Read full textAffirmation — Stephen Best, UK
The world is full of good things As well as things which could be better We are full of good things As well as things which could be better Today , whether we feel full of good things Or full of things which could be better God’s open arms Sweep us up again in a […]
Read full textOpen to the Creative Heartbeat — Stephen Best, UK
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.
Read full textCome to the table (communion hymn) — Stephen Best, Wales UK
Tune: Assurance 9.10.9.9. Come voice your struggles, come shed your tears, Come calm your anger, come lose your fears. Here we encounter the Living One Through bread that’s broken, in wine that’s poured Refrain: Come to the table, join in the song, This is the place where all shall belong. Voices in chorus, seeking Christ’s […]
Read full textRoot and Sap, a version of the Lord’s Prayer — Stephen Best, UK
Ready-to-print copies: WORD Lord’s Prayer – Stephen Best, UK PDF Lord’s Prayer – Stephen Best Great Love — the root and sap of our evolving fullness, Nudge us forward in our creative potential So we may flourish for the common good. In each mindful moment, help us recognise that We free ourselves from the ghosts […]
Read full textLove alone, hymn — Stephen Best, Wales UK
Tune: Blaenwern 1 Corinthians 13 Any words which I may utter, Without love to reach their goal, Are no more than clashing cymbals, Empty gongs without a soul. Though I conjure future visions, Understand life’s wherewithal, And have faith which moves the mountains, Without love I am not whole. Acts of charitable giving And the […]
Read full textWe find ourselves between two worlds (hymn) — Stephen Best, UK
Tune: Gonfalon Royal Originally written for Stephen’s ordination service. We find ourselves between two worlds, In one we live, for one we hope To risk their fusion is our call, Achieved through love, which welcomes all. Achieved through love, which welcomes all, Which bends and breaks and mends again, The source of all; and yet […]
Read full textLord’s Prayer – The Prayer of Jesus
Which words resonate for you? Our Mother… Our Father… Our Creator… We are Servants of the Word, not slaves to the words of worship. “We invite you to use the language for God that is most comfortable for you: ‘Our Creator,’ ‘Our Father’ or ‘Our Mother.’” –suggestion in the service sheet at the First Congregational Church, […]
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