What words do we use to celebrate years of worship together? What words do we use when we are an aging congregation? What words signify the hope of new life in our church? Songs for Church Anniversaries: Prayers and worship resources for Church Anniversaries: The post Church Anniversaries first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

Note: before using the ‘Digital Manifesto’ in full, consider the congregation.  What are local concerns and worries about digital usage?  Perhaps a selection from the Manifesto might suffice.  Perhaps there are other concerns to be added or inserted. May this act of faith be meaningful. Worship offers us space in which to reflect on our […] The post Digital Wisdom: A Manifesto — Jim Burklo, USA first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

O Holy Spirit of Fire, life in the life of all life, holy are you, enlivening all thing. Holy are you, a healing balm to the broken. Holy are you, washing blistered wounds O Holy Breath O Fire of Life, O Sweetness in my breast infusing my heart with the fine scent of truth. O […] The post O Holy Spirit of Fire — Hildegard, Germany first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

‘Commitment for Life’ is the global mission support and advocacy group within the United Reformed Church in Great Britain.  It’s name might be replaced in this prayer by the mission arm of another church or faith group.  Also, include relevant specific ‘mission partners’, again making necessary alterations to the text. Creator God, you pour your […] The post Gathering prayer — Commitment for Life, UK first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

Text to read before the message: John 13:31a, 33-35 Prepared as a Children’s Message, but usable with all ages. To learn the tune:  Todah, La El, Hallelujah – YouTube   ( start at 1:12; not great, but the best example I can find)  Good morning.  My name is ____________.  What are your names? How does God […] The post Hebrew, Arabic & English, a song for today — Ana Gobledale first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

Adapted from Psalm 50:1-7  Might be read as a responsive reading with the congregation or by two readers From the rising of the sun to where it sets God almighty speaks, calling to all the earth. God shines forth. God is coming! In all power and might, A fire before, a storm raging all around.  […] The post Psalm 50, Call to Worship — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

Shared at the Armenian Genocide Remembrance service held 24 April, 2019, at Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland, (slightly adapted for Worship Words). Each section to be read by a different reader. We remember the descendants of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Chaldean, people scarred by the violence over a century ago and pray for the healing […] The post Remembering Genocide, prayer — Armenian Remembrance Day, Dublin first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

Matthew 18:21-35 To forgive you will pass through the sea. You will leave much behind: what is owed, obligations, the heavy chains of your master anger. Just leave them. You will be tempted to turn back and fight but that is the slavery you are escaping, the lie of superior and inferior, the cruel economy […] The post To forgive — Steve Garnaas-Holmes first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

The Armenian Genocide began on April 24, 1915. ‘This was the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by the Ottoman Government against members of their own nation. The genocide erased approximately 75% of the world’s Armenian population—approximately 1.5 million people.’ (source: VA News) ‘The wide-scale extermination and subsequent lack of accountability inspired Polish lawyer […] The post Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day – 24 April first appeared on Worship Words ..read more

What words express the mystery of the unknowable?  the beliefs that defy the rules of nature?  our faith? our doubt? What words enable the wordless to speak?  the deaf to understand? Dare we speak truth into this mystery?  exasperation?  doubt?  solid faith? Explore these Worship Words resources to find words for your worship experience on […] The post Easter first appeared on Worship Words ..read more