About the Author: Roger Courtney
For half the world’s population who have to live on less than £1 a day All: Let justice flow down like a river
Lord, I’m a bit confused - you know that song ‘They’ll know we are Christians by our love’? I just don’t think it’s true
In being baptised by John, Jesus recognised that a new phase of his life was beginning. John was also publicly acknowledging that a new abundant phase of life for the world was also beginning
As we gather today to welcome……….(name of the child) into the world, we recognise our responsibilities towards……….(name of the child), towards each other and the world in which we live.
As we leave worship, let us together commit ourselves: ALL: - to give thanks each day for the abundant gift and beauty of life
Each river, mountain, flower and tree Are part of life’s rich tapestry All sharing in our joyous celebration But nature we can never own The earth is only ours on loan
The shocking thing about the story of Jesus is that it turns common wisdom on its head.
We believe that Jesus has called us to show selfless compassion for others, regardless of how different they are from us and to help others grow and develop their potential – to facilitate human becoming. All: Help us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus
Let our community not be a circle with people inside the circle who feel part of the club and those outside the circle who feel excluded.
Today, like Jesus, we may be facing a barren desert We may be tempted to do the wrong thing To do something selfish To do something hurtful.
As we start this New Year we acknowledge the potential for new beginnings – the field of unlimited possibilities.
Born to a poor uneducated carpenter and his partner All: Jesus was one with oppressed humankind
On this beautiful harvest day We celebrate the wonder and joy of creation A beauty that brings sustenance, hope and healing to the human soul.
We have a vision of the world not yet realised All: Where they will beat their swords into ploughshares
We know it won’t be easy to turn the world around We know it will take time to climb to higher ground
Sometimes it is more comfortable to avoid the truth - to fail to speak up when it is in our selfish interests to keep quiet. It is all too easy to go further than keeping quiet when we should speak out - to lie, to embroider the truth – to tell, what we like to think of, as ‘Little White Lies’.
Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi
Let us celebrate the life of Francis of Assisi who loved all of creation. With him, let us give thanks for: Brother Sun, who brings the day; and who radiates the divine. He is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor
Inspired by Chief Seattle
No matter how different someone is from us, they are part of the human family, one of God’s children to be valued and treated with dignity. ALL: All of life is connected in an interdependent web.
The influence that adults have on children is profound. But we often don’t realise our importance as role models.
“Whosoever welcomes the littlest of these children welcomes me” Jesus put children at the heart of his vision of the kingdom of heaven, but our society so often fails them All: Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children
We give thanks for families of all shapes and sizes, which provide such an important basis for love and support in our society.
