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The United Church of Canada/L'Église Unie du Canada3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 Canada
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781
Fax: 416-231-3103
Website: www.united-church.ca
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Worship Planning
Worship by Theme
Canada's Residential School Apology
- After the Apology of June 11, 2008: A Prayer
- A prayer to mark Canada's apology to survivors of residential schools and their families and communities.
- Toward Truth and Reconciliation Worship Service
- A worship service marking the 10th anniversary of the United Church's 1998 apology, and the beginning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Truth and Reconciliation – Liturgical Resources for June 13, 2010
[PDF: 8 pp/102 KB] - Suggested resources for prayer and reflection.
Church Closure or Amalgamation
- Liturgy for the Closing of a Church [PDF: 8 pp/41 KB]
- A worship service for church closure or amalgamation.
Creation
- The Prodigal Son [PDF: 3 pp/161 KB]
- A worship service that includes readings, a call to worship, prayers, hymns, drama, and ideas for open discussion for an intergenerational ecotheological worship service. From the May 2009 issue of Mandate.
- Reconnecting with Creation [PDF: 3 pp/119 KB]
- Read about a workshop designed to support the United Church's efforts on climate change, energy, sustainable communities, and water. From the May 2009 issue of Mandate.
Emergency
Haiti Earthquake
- Hymn: In Haiti, there Is Anguish [PDF: 1 p/34 KB]
- This hymn, set to a familiar tune, can be used by congregations to raise awareness of the current crisis in Haiti.
- A Litany Crying Out for God's Mercy
- A litany written by an American pastor for the people of Haiti.
- United Church Launches Appeal for Haiti Earthquake Relief Bulletin Insert [PDF: 1 p/36 KB]
- A bulletin insert on the Haiti Appeal.
Horn of Africa Drought and Famine
- Prayers & Litanies for Eastern Africa Food Crisis
- The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, an ecumenical association of which the United Church is a founding member, is offering a collection of prayers, litanies, and hymns appropriate for the Horn of Africa crisis.
- United Church Launches Appeal for Horn of Africa Drought and Famine Relief Bulletin Insert [PDF: 1 p/30 KB]
- A bulletin insert inviting responses to the United Church's Horn of Africa Appeal.
- Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal Bulletin Insert (with Prayer) [PDF: 1 p/91 KB]
- A bulletin insert inviting donations to the United Church's 2011 Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal.
- Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal Bulletin Insert (with Reflection) [PDF: 1 p/74 KB]
- A bulletin insert inviting donations to the United Church's 2011 Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal.
Japan Earthquake
Prayers
- Angels Take Shape
[RTF: 1 pp/35 KB] - Prayer for Our Japanese Brothers and Sisters [RTF: 1 pp/39 KB]
Pakistan Flooding
- Prayers and Reflections for Pakistan
- Christian Aid is a British faith-based relief and development agency that shares some of the same overseas partners as the United Church. To accompany the United Church's appeal for Pakistan Flood Relief, we offer prayers that were prepared by Christian Aid to lift up the Pakistani people in this time of crisis.
Empire
- Everyday Empire [PDF: 3 pp/168 KB]
- This article invites us to take a closer look at empire in our congregations through focus questions that intend to prompt a deeper understanding and community conviction in resisting empire. From the May 2008 issue of Mandate.
- Worshipping Faithfully in the Empire World [PDF: 3 pp/107 KB]
- This worship service follows the liturgical movement of the report "Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire": witness, confession, call, and commitment.
Intercultural Worship
Resources to facilitate the creation of intercultural worship.
- Behold! One Another Worship and Liturgical Resources
- Worship resources from the United Church's first national conference on intercultural ministries.
- Celebrating the Journey [PDF: 2 pp/131 KB]
- Rooted in the Black experience, elements of this worship service can be used at any time of year.
- Gathering at the Table [PDF: 5 pp/ 48 KB]
- Stories of culture are often learned around foods; this worship for Black History Month can be used to honour diverse foods, stories, and cultures in any congregation.
- Intercultural Worship [PDF: 2 pp/88 KB]
- Using elements of this worship service—prayers, liturgies, hymn suggestions, and sermon starters—can help to create an intercultural dimension to any worship time.
King James Version's 400th Anniversary
While no particular Sunday has been assigned (for our denomination) for this event, here is a theme that would make an interesting worship service celebrating this amazing anniversary. Check it out:
- Even though I'm a Catholic, I'm celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible
A blog written by James MacMillan from The Telegraph. - King James Bible Trust
The King James Bible Trust has been established to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the KJV. The website will record and publicise the celebrations across all areas of life in Britain and the English-speaking world throughout 2011 and beyond.
M&S Fund in Worship
- Believe It! God's Riches Are Here: A WDR Worship Service [PDF: 10 pp/43 KB]
God has given us all we need to live. However, these riches are divided up unevenly. If we each make thoughtful choices there will be abundance for all God's people. - Building Our House: An M&S Worship Service [PDF: 2 pp/554 KB] NEW
This complete worship outline includes a short drama and can be used for a Mission and Service service any time during the year. Featured in Mandate magazine. - Celebrating God's Great Work [PDF: 3 pp/115 KB]
In this M&S worship service, faith, hope, and love are three key concepts undergirding our collective commitment to the M&S Fund. From the August 2010 issue of Mandate. - Colour Your World with M&S [RTF: 8 pp/137 KB]
As the rainbow is a sign of God's hope for the world, the M&S Fund is a sign of hope for the world. This worship service includes ideas for Children's Time and Sunday school. - An M&S Response Commitment Service [RTF: 8 pp/96 KB]
Use this worship service for an M&S Sunday or when you are committing to you annual M&S goal. - M&S Worship Service [PDF: 7 pp/45 KB]
To use when your congregation's M&S Fund goal is being dedicated, or for any M&S Sunday. - More than Aid: A WDR Worship Service [PDF: 8 pp/78 KB] NEW
The theme, "More than Aid," looks at how, through partners, we help people around the world both in times of crisis and over the long term. - Prayers, Hymn, Readings, and Suggestions
Visit the M&S Ideas page in the M&S Enthusiasts section for an archive of ideas, stories, and articles to help tell the Mission and Service Fund story.
Stewardship in Worship
The biblical texts make stewardship connections implicitly or explicitly nearly every week. Stewardship connects to our deepest yearnings for meaning.
- Offering Invitations and Dedications
- Weekly offering invitations and offertory prayers that connect to lessons for each Sunday.
- Stewardship and Young People
- Stewardship resources for use in Children's Time in worship.
- Stewardship Bulletin Inserts
- Yearly series of stewardship bulletin inserts with the Ecumenical Stewardship Center's annual themes.
- Stewardship Development: Connecting to All Aspects of Church Life [PDF: 12 pp/838 KB]
- Information, resources, and research on stewardship to help your congregation make connections with worship, outreach, congregational life, and more.
- Stewardship Seconds
- Lectionary-linked stewardship thoughts for Sunday bulletins and newsletters.
- Stewardship Sermon Starters
- Lectionary-based weekly sermon starters to help make stewardship an integral part of preaching and to incorporate into group worship or Bible study.
- White Gift Services and Ideas
- White Gift dramas and worship services for Advent.
Peace
Prayers and other worship resources related to peace.
- A Prayer for September 11 (bilingual) [RTF: 2 pp/106 KB]
- A prayer written for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center towers.
- Worship Resources for September 11 [RTF: 1 p/101 KB]
- A list of suggested litanies and hymns for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
- Helping Children, Youth and Families Deal with the Outbreak of War in Iraq
- Suggestions and resources for helping children, youth and families deal with the outbreak of war in Iraq.
- A Prayer For Peace [RTF: 3 pp/21 KB]
- A prayer resource for families and congregations.
- A Ritual for Peace
- This ritual involves reading scripture passages on peace. Can be used as a closing, after a meeting or gathering.
- One Step [PDF: 7 pp/46 KB]
- A complete worship service focusing on the call to be peacebuilders.
- Prayer of Solidarity [RTF: 1 p/19 KB]
- A Christmas prayer for peace in Bethlehem by United Church Moderator David Giuliano.
- Suggested Order of Worship [RTF: 3 pp/51 KB]
- A worship service on a small arms control theme, by the Rev. Thomas Leepile.
- United for Peace Worship Resources [PDF: 36 pp/273 KB]
- These prayers, sermon illustrations, and an intergenerational service can be used on Peace Sabbath in early November, or at any time throughout the year. Originally created for the 2007–2009 United for Peace campaign.
Racism
- Engaging the Realities of Racism [PDF: 3 pp/110 KB]
- Use this worship outline to engage congregations truthfully about the realities of racism in church and society. It includes prayers, hymns, and ideas for scripture lessons. From the May 2008 issue of Mandate.
Rural/Creation
The newsletter of the Canadian Rural Church Network* includes reflections, prayers, and worship services on rural life and the environment.
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Networks & Blogs
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- Last updated:
- 2012/01/31
- Created:
- 2004/03/24
Supported by donations to the Mission and Service Fund.- Copyright © 2011 The United Church of Canada/L'Église Unie du Canada.
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© 2011 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.