“English” language resources
Snowflakes – nature’s hidden beauty
“The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper” (Eden Phillpots)
A week before Christmas I wake to snow. There has been a light sprinkling for several days, but today the ground is carpeted in white. I resist the urge to launch into tasks and reflect on the scene unfolding
Winter blessing
(Written during a winter of discontent)
Taste winter – let it nourish you.
Drink deep from the icy draught
the frozen lake holds out;
it is medicine for the soul,
more potent
than the sugared promises of summer.
Let the broken trees,
made wise by their losses,
cradle you in skeletal arms.
May the open
Closing words
May the icy fingers of winter release their grip, may you be warmed and enlivened
May spring unfurl her blossoms all around you,
may you be opened and renewed.
And may you share the gift of warmth, and openness all through your life, in the days to come until we meet again.
Offering prayer
This church is sustained by what we are able to bring to it:
Our time and our energy,
Our love and our resources.
The morning collection will now be gratefully received to support the work of this congregation.
Chalice lighting
Let this light remind us of the sacred flame of life that blazes within
Constant, yet ever-changing
Burning, yet never consumed
O inner light of soul and spirit
Lead our minds to greater understanding
Lead our hearts to love more fully
And lead our hands to create justice
Come in to the circle of community
Come into this circle of community. Come into this sacred space.
Come into this circle of community. Come into this sacred space.
Be not tentative. Bring your whole self!
Bring the joy that makes your heart sing.
Bring your kindness and your compassion.
Bring also your sorrow, your pain.
Bring your brokenness and your disappointments.
Spirit
There is but one good vision
Tune: Thornbury
There is but one good vision,
That age to age remains,
It has been there through all time
Though often one may doubt,
That vision that unites us
Is showing love around
To others on our journey
By word and deed and thought.
To find those lost in darkness,
And share with them our light.
All that is
I close my eyes with gratitude
I open my ears to hear another’s voice
I let go of what I think of how things should be
I feel the wind or rain or sun if I make sure that I do
I dance I move I take heartbeat shaking actions
And beauty
I create
I