Faithful Saints

Wisdom of Solomon 3:1–9 

for All Saints' Day 

the souls of the faithful

are in the hand of Holy One

to the foolish they seemed

to have died - but they are at peace! 

the souls of the faithful

have their hope in Holy One

they are worthy, they are accepted,

they shine like sparkling stars! 

the souls of the faithful

abide in love with Holy One

for the faithful, Holy One,

is Mercy, is Grace, is Life everlasting, Amen! 

Praise to our hope and help

Psalm 146 

We praise you Holy One! 

We sing our praise to you alone,

may the song endure,

your praises never end! 

You live, give life, 

you are always; 

Holy One, you endure,

your praises never end! 

You are our help,

you are our hope,

Creator of sea and land and sky, 

faithful through all of time. 

You are Justice,

you, Liberation,

you, help and hope

for the poor. 

Your way is release

for captives, sight

for the blind and home

for stranger, widow, orphan. 

You lift up,

you open gates,

you are Mercy

and Lovingkindness. 

We praise you Holy One;

we sing praise to you alone; 

may the song endure,

your praises never end! 

Breathe Again

Confession, Thanksgiving, and Praise 

after Psalm 51:1–17 

for Ash Wednesday 

I stop.

Drop to my knees. 

I can see,

I will look,

all the ways I have not

walked Your Way. 

By my shame

I am brought

to my knees; 

in my sorrow

I fold my head low,

for I know

You know

there is nothing left

but to confess. 

I confess. 

Hear me fairly, 

look through Your eyes

of lovingkindness

that see 

and then choose not

to see

so I may breathe 

again. 

I stop. 

Drop to my knees. 

I can hear,

I will listen, 

in the chamber of my 

secret heart – 

oh, meet me there,

Merciful One, 

and whisper joy,

promise grace

as you have of old,

and I will lift my eyes,

throw wide my arms

and let you in

where You – to my surprise

and my delight – have told me

You will dwell! 

I thank you: 

this freedom,

this life,

this begin anew. 

I thank you

as I breathe

again. 

I stop. 

Drop to my knees. 

I can speak,

I will sing,

Your story 

and your glory

shining, shimmering,

sparkling glass of bubbling gold 

that overflows! 

Come near,

people dear: 

come sing the Song of Life,

the Song of Joy! 

We praise You,

Source of Life;

we praise You,

Way of Life;

we praise You,

Breath of Life,

and we breathe

again. 

Ancient Song of Release

Isaiah 52:7–10 

When we tell the story 

of a child born to change the world,

we sing in heart and voice,

in body, soul, and mind; 

we sing with all creation 

as if at last released 

from all that held us captive – 

How beautiful are the feet!

Even the feet, so wonderful

in all the earth, the feet

of the messenger who brings

us this song of release to sing! 

How beautiful the hands

of these angels who open again

our tired eyes to see again 

that Holy One is here! 

How beautiful the song, even

on the voice of ruins, the stones

and rubble of our broken lives

sing too of liberation, sing

out with joy! What joy! 

Look, earth! Listen, stars! 

Shout, dance, all that lives – 

for the life restored by Holy One

is beautiful indeed! 

We tell the story and we sing

the ancient song of liberation, 

release from captivity,

release into life! 

Sing the song of joy, today, 

sing every day of joy,

fro life is born, Christ is born

again, Holy One's promises 

come true – rejoice! 

Tell the story of light!

 

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 

Advent 3: Joy 

Give thanks for the Spirit of Holy One,

who welcomes us and sends us,

to tell the Story of Light

for those in darkness;

to seek healing with the brokenhearted;

to work for freedom for others

with the freedom we enjoy;

to loose the ties that bind

those who are captive in so many ways. 

We are welcomed and we are sent

to bring comfort to those who mourn,

the comfort of Holy One who

exchanges garlands for ashes,

pours out the oil of gladness

when mourning is done,

lifts us up to promise

when our hearts would faint. 

Give thanks, for we will be

great Gums and Kauri trees 

planted to grow tall and reflect

the splendour of Holy One! 

Give thanks, for the ruin

and devastation may be restored,

through the healing Spirit of Holy One! 

Give thanks by loving justice 

as Holy One loves justice;

through faithfulness and loyalty

found in Holy One; 

and teach those who come after you,

so we are known, generation

after generation, People of Holy One. 

Rejoice in Holy One,

with all your being,

clothed in justice

and loving kindness – jewels

most precious indeed! 

The earth brings forth green shoots,

even after ravaging fire;

the rain waters the seeds we sow,

even after crippling drought. 

Give thanks, people of Holy One,

and in your worship and your living,

tell the Story of light

after the dark. 

Amen.

Hope Restored

Psalm 78:1–7 

Listen, people of Holy One: 

listen to the Story. 

Hear the ancient chapters

of struggle, conflict, evil,

of distance from home

and Holy One, of covenant

broken and rejected, 

relationships broken,

Holy One and kin rejected. 

Hear the dark times 

told again: we will not

close our ears not hide

away, but tell what 

our ancestors did 

and came to know; 

we will tell for each new

generation of children 

of Holy One – They are 

faithful, inspire awe,

show love beyond measure, 

restore what is broken again

and again. 

Promises made again

Teaching given again

Covenant written again 

in the heart of the Divine

and Their people. 

Listen, people of Holy One – 

listen! 

Hear the Story of hope

that meets the people

of the only Holy One, 

the light that draws us on. 

In your presence

Psalm 124 

A prayer of thanks 

We give thanks for your Presence, Holy One:

when trouble threatens to swallow us whole,

in angry fires, on raging seas,

in wild storms, on rising floodwaters,

you do not desert us, we are not alone. 

Like prey released, or birds

set free from cage and snare

to fly again – this joy is ours

when we are in your Presence, Holy One: 

thank you, our help, our joy, our freedom! 

how pleasant it is

Psalm 133 

Song of our hearts

Psalm 105:1–5 

We thank you, Breath of Life; 

we call on your Holy Name

and sing of all you are. 

Our voices rise in song,

our hearts sing praise, sing

thanks, sing wonder for you. 

Your Holy Name gives us joy,

we seek you, you find us,

our hearts sing gladly! 

We seek you, we draw

our strength from you,

from being in your Presence. 

Remember, we remember,

your works, your wonders,

your wisdom: we remember! 

We thank you, Breath of Life,

guide to generations past,

hope for our future. 

We thank you, Breath of Life: 

your works, your wonders,

your Presence – praise your Holy Name! 

The Dream

Genesis 28:10–22 

To sleep – perchance to dream

of angels and stair ways,

wondrous things of heaven

come to touch the earth

and mortals dwelling here ... 

To sleep – perchance to dream

sweet Holy whispers nothing

could prepare your heart

to hear, such promises, such 

stuff to make our dreams ... 

To sleep – perchance to dream

such hope to carry into waking,

making fools of us, staking 

claims on us to fly

into such newness of life! 

To dream, and wake from sleep,

perchance to see, at last,

the presence of the Holy, here, 

on earth amidst these fools,

the madness – here – in peace ... 

To dream, to wake to live

the Dream of Holy One

that calls us from our slumber, 

to wonder at the gateway,

things of heaven and of earth! 

To the God we do not know

Acts 17:23 

God, we do not know
how you made the earth,
sun, stars, planets, galaxies;
whales, rhinos, ants, butterflies;
us – by speaking love –
yet we trust that you did,
and we are grateful.

God, we do not know
how you maintain patience,
good will, grace, and humour
with our wandering away,
our efforts to replace you –
yet we trust that you do,
and we are grateful.

God, we do not know
how you are with us,
human, Divine, Spirit, flesh;
how we are the body
together that Jesus once was –
yet we trust that you are, we are,
and we are grateful.

God, our God, we do not know
you, but we know ourselves
known by you, and being known,
loved, and being loved, alive!
To our unknown God who
lets us know you enough:
we are grateful for your trust.
Amen.

 

Mother's Day

Prayer of Celebration and Lament for Mothers' Day 

As a community, we take time to pause and give thanks for the gift of mothers.
Shining a light on the gift, shadows fall, and we acknowledge the shadows, too.


We celebrate and give thanks, each of us, for our mother. The woman who carried us in her womb, gave birth to us, brought us into life.


We lament, each of us, separation from our mother at different times, through conflict, distance of place, death. We lament, seek to forgive and be forgiven.


We celebrate and give thanks, each of us, for those who have been as mothers to us; our aunts and pseudo-aunts, big sisters, friends, mentors and teachers. The women who have nurtured, taught, encouraged, shaped us with love.


We lament, each of us, the women who have caused us pain, who have abandoned or neglected us, mistakenly or intentionally caused us harm. We lament the hurt we have caused to women, our friends, colleagues, neighbours, sisters, aunts and mothers. We lament, seek to forgive and be forgiven.


We celebrate and give thanks, together, for the women in our communities. That women and men are different invites us into partnership, invites us to share the burdens and the joys of life. For the many strengths of women, their gifts of peace-making, nurture, education, entrepreneurship, healing, wisdom, creativity, endurance, collaboration, physicality – and so much more, we are grateful.


We lament, together, that women are still discounted because they are women, in our culture and in others. That the difference between women and men is seen as threatening, a power struggle, a competition or a hierarchy, is not, we know, your dream for us. We lament, seek to forgive and be forgiven.


We celebrate, those of us who are mothers and grandmothers, the joy and privilege it is to collaborate with you in the creation of life. We give thanks for our children, their uniqueness, the delight we find in watching and helping them grow.


We lament, those of us who are not mothers and want to be, or who are mothers of children who have died. We lament, and have no words for our grief.




We celebrate, we give thanks, for you, our mothering God, whose wings enfold us like those of a mother hen, who gives birth to all that lives, who loves fiercely, protectively, and with great delight. We celebrate what we know of you as like a mother.


We lament our turning from you and causing you pain, our rejection of your gifts of life and love in so many ways. We seek your forgiveness again and again.


Again and again, God welcomes us home, as a mother welcomes her children.
Again and again, God celebrates us, God’s children, and delights in watching and helping us grow.
Come, now, under the wings of God; come, now, into the warmth of Love.

You are forgiven. You are loved. Precious child of your Mothering God.


[Sarah Agnew] 

previously published on sarahtellsstories.blogspot.com and in In Prayer and Protest (Ginninderra Press Pocket Poets)

for the non-violent resisters

Matthew 27:11–54

We give thanks for the non-violent resisters,
the peaceful protesters, the prophets
who show us where you stand, O God:

the falsely accused – 'do you hear their many
accusations against you?'
'what evil has he done?

the abandoned – 'then what should I do
with this Jesus, your Messiah?'
'let him be crucified!'

the beaten – they stripped him, spat
on him, struck him on the head;
they twisted a crown of thorns
and put it on his head

the mocked – they taunted him, 'King
of the Jews', mixed gall with his wine,
cast lots for his clothes; 'you Son of God,
save yourself!'

the crucified – 'My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?'
he cried out again, then breathed
his last.

We give thanks for the non-violent resisters,
the peaceful protesters, the prophets
who show us where you stand, O God.
Amen.

Psalm 95

We come to worship you, our God,
we bring our songs of joy and praise.

Thank you, Faithful Friend and Guide,
thank you, Creator of all that is.

In your hand you hold the earth,
from its deepest core to its highest peak;

you made the oceans, the lakes and rivers,
the forests and plains, deserts and fields.

We come to worship you, our God,
kneeling, standing, singing – together.

Thank you for being our God, our Maker,
and that we are your people, beloved and home.

Listen, people, to the voice of God!
Keep your hearts warm and open to love.

Our ancestors tested God, broke the promise,
to be God's people with honour, in faith:

God will turn, must turn away,
when the people break the covenant again.

We come to worship you, our God,
help us remember to stay, and how.

the endless love of Holy One

Psalm 85 

We know the stories of our ancestors;

of Holy One's  rightful anger withdrawn. 

Holy One forgives the people of the Story 

again, and over again. 

Will Holy One be angry with us forever? 

Or will Holy One forget indignation? 

Holy One will revive us again,
will show lovingkindness without end.

Hear the voice of Holy One  – the voice of peace it is.
Faithful people of Holy One, turn your hearts and listen.

See in Holy One the meeting of faithfulness
and lovingkindness; the kiss of justice and peace.

Faithfulness will flow like a spring from Earth;
justice will rain from the sky.

Trust in Holy One, who gives what is good;
walk the path of justice, walk with Holy One.


this is a psalm of affirmation. it may be used as an assurance of forgiveness or grace after a time of silence in which the people are invited to bring the fulness of their humanity, flawed and beautiful, before God (in place of a prayer of confession) 

a song of joy and thanksgiving

after Psalm 30 

I dance, I sing, I praise you, Holy One;

Holy One of joy and kindness. 

Holy One saw me in my spirit's peril;

Holy One restored my soul to life! 

I was in mourning, all hope departed;

I was dismayed: I cried, I wailed. 

Holy One heard my voice, listened

and answered my prayer: Holy One is my help! 

I thought your face was hidden from me: 

how could I doubt your faithfulness? 

Healing has come through Holy One,

try to keep me silent – you shall not! 

I dance, I sing, I praise you Holy One: 

Holy One, my healing and hope! 

A servant's prayer: 2

Isaiah 50:4–9a 
Holy Week: Wednesday


Thank you, God, for your gift,
wise words to sustain the weary.
Thank you, too, for opening my ears,
that I may hear the cries
and the silence of those who suffer much.

Your gifts equip me for faithfulness,
wisdom to endure attack with courage.
If I am met by adversaries,
I stand firm for my confidence is You.
these words and actions of the world
will perish, so I look to You, Eternal One,
and know, I stand with Holy One,
therefore I shall endure.

we stand in awe

Psalm 111 

Praise Holy One!
My whole heart bursts
with thanks and praise,
my heart joined with the heart
of the family of Holy One.

We delight together
in the works of the Divine;
we see the beauty, the honour!
The splendour of Holy One
endures forever!

We see the mercy, receive the grace,
and tell of it all throughout the world.
We eat the food Holy One provides,
we treasure the promises kept by the Divine.

We trust in the promises,
the hands that are faithful and just;
we treasure the teaching of Wisdom,
which leads us to life fulfilled.

We praise the Name, the Holy Name,
though we cannot speak it and live.
We stand in awe of Holy One,
and find the beginning of wisdom.

We practice, we trust, we seek Holy One,
and we join in the song of praise
that will never end.
Praise Holy One!
Amen.

A Passion Sunday Liturgy

Mark 14:1–15:47

Gather 

Read 14:1–2 

The story begins,

the story of the end. 

As we enter the story again,

we enter the Presence of God,

Holy One, Holy Three,

whose peace is with us all. 

[sing] 

Praise / thanksgiving 

Read 14:3–25 

Anointed, you were blessed,

met in kindness, honoured;

we meet you here with our thanks,

for all that you are and do,

Jesus, God Immanuel. 

Jesus, God with us and for us, 

we thank you again and again,

for your body,

the covenant you made,

the love that flows

from you to all creation.

Amen. 

[sing] 

Confession & assurance of grace 

Read 14:26–72 

In the silence,

we give you our broken hearts,

our weary bodies,

our faltering concentration,

our denials, betrayals, abandonment of you. 

silence 

Jesus breaks his body for us,

makes with his blood a new

covenant to restore us: 

you are forgiven. Be at peace. 

[sing / music] 

Intercession 

Read 15:1–41 

For leaders of faith communities,

human, full of fear and tempted by power,

we pray. 

pause 

For leaders of our communities,

states, and nations, 

human, full of fear and tempted by power,

we pray. 

pause 

For soldiers and police, humans, and the systems

of war and law enforcement, full of fear and temptations of power,

we pray. 

pause 

For prophets and peace makers, 

meeting fear with love, and power with non violent resistance,

we pray. 

pause 

For victims of, and bystanders to, oppression,

overcome by fear, and feeling disempowered,

we pray. 

pause 

For the faithful of every time and place,

seeking to follow God's Way of Love,

and for ourselves, 

we pray. 

pause 

Amen. 

[sing]

Commissioning 

Read 15:42–47 

We see that you have died,

Jesus our teacher and guide. 

We see that you are buried,

your body laid to rest in a cave. 

And now we enter the silence,

the space and time of waiting. 

We know how this story ends: 

may we not rush to the finish. 

Be with us through this Holy Week,

in the waiting, in your story. 

leave in silence 

To God who is faithful and true

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 

Suitable for alternating voices, leader and congregation, or two sides of the congregation.


A Give thanks, give thanks
     to the God of goodness and love.

B Give thanks, give thanks,
     to God who is faithful and true.

A All of you whom God has met
      in trouble and desperation;

B From north and south, and east
      and west: give thanks, all the earth.

A Give thanks in sickness
      and in health;

B Give thanks in hunger
      and in plenty.

A Give thanks in darkness
      and in light;

B Give thanks, give thanks,
      to our God who is always with us.

A For wonder and word,
      for steadfast love;

B With songs of joy
      and our sacrifice of praise:

Together: Give thanks! Give thanks!
                    To God who is faithful and true.
                         Amen.