Faith & Worship
Welcome to Faith & Worship, which is a growing resource of resources for worship and small group leaders.
You'll find traditional, Celtic and contemporary prayers, liturgies and themed resources for the major Christian festivals, alongside a wide range of Bible Studies, which have been written to provide a very economic way to get small groups engaging with God's Word and applying it to the world in which we live.
Glad you found the website! I hope you will find it a useful worship resource.
John Birch
As Christians we believe that we are not only a part of God's Creation, but have a responsibility of stewardship over this world upon which we live. Governments and others might disagree but science and experience tells us that this world is being damaged through our neglect and selfishness.
Creator God, who placed this planet
and all its resources into our care,
encourage those who now remind us
of our responsibilities, both to you
and future generations, to do all
that is necessary, whatever the cost,
to save this world that we call home,
so our children and theirs might not
look back, both in shame and anger,
at what we, in denial, have failed to do.
More prayers about our care for God's world here
For Christians this season is not just a celebration of a moment in time when a baby was born, but also looks beyond to a time when the Bible tells us Jesus will come again, not as a weak and vulnerable baby but in power and with authority.
The traditional Scripture readings for this time emphasise both the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and our accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin and the hope of eternal life.
There's a range of prayers and liturgies appropriate to the season on the websit, so do click on the link below!
Check out the Advent resources!
These prayers come from a variety of sources, and are a mix of contemporary and traditional prayers, some which go back to the early saints! There's a continuing interest in the simplicity of this way of prayer, centred often in the Trinity. Click here for a selection of prayers
I lay my head to rest,
and in doing so,
lay at your feet
the faces I have seen,
the voices I have heard,
the words I have spoken,
the hands I have shaken,
the service I have given,
the joys I have shared,
the sorrows revealed,
I lay them at your feet,
and in doing so
lay my head to rest.
Inspired by Wesley's popular hymn, 'Come, thou long expected Jesus', and using the readings for Year C of the Lectionary, to help bring us a message of hope for a troubled world.
Available as a pdf download, inexpensive, plenty of info, discussion questions and even artwork to help you to explore the traditional Advent themes.
For more information click this link
Two sets of four Bible studies looking at some of the major themes in the Book of Psalms, such as Praise, Lament, Gratitude, Wisdom, Pilgrimage, Celebration and Hallelujah
'Sing to God' and 'A New Song' offer a chance to explore, between them, 32 psalms, many with well-known phrases and words of songs and hymns we are probably familiar with.
Ready to download. Lots of discussion and notes. Only one copy needed per group. More info here
Special offer - Spend £12 in the shop and you'll get a free gift as well!
A selection of prayers for the opening of worship.
This is your day
and we shall praise you!
This is your day
and we shall declare your name!
This is your day,
and we shall worship
a risen Saviour and our King!
More can be found here
A selection of prayers on the theme of 'loving our neighbour'.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second (Commandment) is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."
Help us to put aside
preconceptions
about other people,
because that alters
our behaviour,
and simply accept
that they, like us,
are precious in your eyes.
More prayers can be found here
There's a lot to be said from studying early Christian prayers as they provide a continuous link of worship between the first few centuries after the Crucifixion to ourselves.
Click here for a selection of prayers
May God the Father bless us;
may Christ take care of us;
the Holy Ghost enlighten us all the days of our life.
The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul,
both now and for ever, to the ages of ages.
(Æthelwold c 908-984)
Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear,
when thou art near O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.
(Columba, c.521 - 597)
Copyright © John C Birch, 2020 · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced anywhere else please include acknowledgement to the author/website · We use cookies, but only to track visits to our website. No personal information is stored.
