Luke 24:36-38 (a version for today) While the disciples discuss the resurrection news, Jesus stands among them and says, ‘Peace be with you.’ Startled and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus asks, ‘Why are you frightened and, why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ We join fearful Peter now to listen to […]
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To accompany the lectionary readings on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A — Psalm 119:33-40 and Romans 13:8-14 Supplies: a cross, towel and basin, and a soft (stuffed) animal toy set out on a table or other central focal point one heavy hammer and 2-3 large nails mop and bucket photos of children facing […]
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Luke 24:13 retold: Late in the afternoon on the day of resurrection, two disciples walk from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus about seven miles away. As they walk, they talk about all the things that have happened. Along the way, a stranger joins them and asks, ‘What are you discussing with each other while […]
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Luke 15:1-32 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Bible: Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that is lost until you find it? saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’… […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]
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Luke 7.36-50, 8.1-3, Pentecost 4 Year C ‘Walking the talk… I forgive you with all my heart.’ Start with the four pictures and two tiles in your bag. Also have a container with broken tile pieces in it, also in your bag. Pull out first picture from your bag and ask these two questions: […]
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Good news! Christ is risen! The stone is rolled away, life has triumphed. We sing our hymns of rejoicing to you. Even as we rejoice, we pause. For we know all is not right in the world. You are crucified again and again, laid in a grave, a stone sealing your tomb. You weep with […]
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Who will keep watch with you? Who will stand with you? Your disciples disappear into the darkness. Their resolve dissolves. Denial. Detained. Assaulted. Battered. Like a detainee of today shuttled from pillar to post. From Pilate to Herod, from court to court. Crucified. Yet, even from the cross you plead for us, “Forgive them for […]
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‘I am doing a new thing’ – an interview with Mary of Bethany Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 (Lectionary readngs for Lent 5, Year C) Characters: P = Preacher; M = Mary P: Will you pray with me? God of new things, this morning we ask you to calm the cacophony of our hearts and minds, […]
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Matthew 24:42-44 A Children’s Message for Advent Picture 1: Grasshopper playing fiddle + Once upon a time, on a warm summer’s day + A grasshopper stands in a field and plays his fiddle. Picture 2: Grasshopper & Ant +The grasshopper sees an ant working hard carrying something. + The grasshopper calls to […]
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A responsive prayer Luke 12:13-21 Provider of Life, creator of the earth and all that is in it, we lift our prayers of thanks to you For the beauty of the earth that surrounds us, For spring flowers that dazzle us and summer’s greenery that delights us, For autumn’s bounty that sustains us and prepares […]
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For Pentecost 11, Year B Supplies: bag (cloth is best, less noise) Welcome sign Script I have something in my bag…. (Take out a welcome sign or the word ‘Welcome’ printed on a piece of paper.) ‘WELCOME.’ What does ‘welcome’ mean? … take responses Safe Part of the group How do you make someone feel WELCOME? […]
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Come to God who gathers us in. We come to God who nurtures us like a father. Come to God whose arms are open and waiting. We come to God who welcomes and forgives us. Come to God who journeys with us. We come to God who sees us as we really are and loves […]
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I have something in my bag. (Take out a broken bowl.) 1. What’s this? [broken bowl] 2. Have you ever broken something? 3. How did you feel? 4. Have you ever broken something your mum or dad told you to be careful with? 5. What happened? 6. Even when we do something wrong, our parents […]
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As we enter into this intercessory time—thinking and praying for others—let us first seek to still our spirits’ restlessness. I invite you to close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale, filling your lungs…. Exhale, emptying your lungs…. Inhale, fill your lungs…. Exhale, empty them…. Inhale… Exhale. Pray with me. Jesus, they hanged you […]
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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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A Children’s Message Based on Aesop’s tale, ‘The Lion and the Mouse’ Sub-themes: Build others up, not down; You never know who will help you! Lectionary: written for Proper 15 (usually 11th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Script: I have something in my bag. They will help me tell a story. (Take all pictures […]
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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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Pray with me. Indeed our hearts are overflowing with joy! As we sit at these tables, tables filled with the earth’s bounty for our celebration, we remember and give thanks, Eternal One, for your unnumbered blessings in our lives. We give thanks for family and friends gathered here. We remember loved ones not with us […]
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Standing up to bullies: Anna & Martin make change (reform) happen Works well for Reformation Sunday; could be adapted to remember another person who stood up to bullies, historic or current. I have something in my bag. What’s this? … DVD – Frozen Who has seen Frozen? Who are the characters? Who do you see here? […]
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Dearest Friend, gentle Spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your Word entered the void and said, ‘Let there be light.’ This afternoon we sit mindful that we are kin and covenanted to that Word and to your light. We are grateful to you, […]
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Originally written for an Order of St. Luke Healing Service in Melbourne, Australia Gracious God, loving parent, you watch over us like a mother with her children. You have created a world for us with a richness, a beauty beyond description. As another spring blossoms around us, we are awed again by the splendour of the […]
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Written and compiled by Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK Universal Wedding Service (ready-to-print) PDF Universal Wedding Service (ready-to-print) WORD Weddings are for everyone! Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, straight, queer, intersex, heterosexual, women, men, non-church goers, people blending religious traditions, infertile people… weddings are for everyone in love and ready to commit! Wedding services/celebrations can provide a […]
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Wirtten by Ana Gobledale, UK This ‘live’ interview of Peter and Andrew might be used as the sermon or message. Parts: Andreas, Petros, Thaddeus, Reporter Copies of script ready to download and print: Pentecost Drama Sermon Word download Pentecost Drama Sermon PDF download Leader: Let us imagine ourselves transported through time and space to Jerusalem, two […]
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Some Christians grapple with the meaning and explanations of resurrection, as both a phenomenon and an experience. While this prayer uses some traditional language, Tod explores the on-going crucifixion of the Body of Christ today, and the response of the faithful to modern atrocities. Based on John 20: 1-18, an Easter Day reading from the […]
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Spring has sprung! Come gardeners and farmers! This service, originally created to celebrate Earth Day (22 April), lends itself to multiple multi-age voices. This all-age service of celebration and blessing has been shared in the UK and the USA and includes optional prayers, readings and sermons. It is easily adaptable for a new location. Ready-to-print […]
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