in spirit...to worship you in spirit and in truth; through jesus christ your son our lord, who is...

in spirit

and in truth

seven resource sessions

for those leading and planning worship

Revision: October 29, 2019 2

contents

Read this first! 3

Session 1: Connecting 5

Session 2: Praying 12

Session 3: Performing 24

Session 4: Not preaching 28

Session 5: Planning & reviewing (I) 33

Session 6: Planning & reviewing (II) 41

Session 7: Planning & reviewing (III) 44

Course evaluation sheet 48


read this first!

Who are these materials intended for?

For leaders of small groups of lay people wishing learn how better to lead and/or

plan worship. They are pitched at ‘entry level’ – they assume no/ little prior

experience of leading/ planning worship.

Will all group members need a copy of this booklet?

No. They will need copies of the Resource Sheets which are to be found at the end of

each session however. Group leaders will need to have produced copies in advance.

How big should a group be?

There is no minimum size! And not more than a dozen.

Who can be a group leader?

Anyone - provided they have some experience in leading small group discussions. It

may, but need not be, an ordained person. However liaison with the incumbent will

be necessary if the group is to undertake Sessions 5-7, 'Planning & reviewing'. The

group leader is not there to teach but to ensure that members engage with the

materials and that all get a chance to contribute.

What do I need to lead this course?

You will need to have taken time to read over the contents in advance and be happy

you understand what is meant to happen. In particular you will need to have read

and noted the instructions in the Preparation box. Ideally you will also have to hand a

flip-chart, flip-chart paper and markers for writing up what emerges in the course of

discussion.

What will group members need to bring with them?

Some paper and a pen would be useful for note taking.

How long do the sessions last?

Sessions are timed to last roughly 1 ½ hours.


How can these resources be used?

These resources are intended for flexible use according to the needs of the

parish/benefice:

What we want Sessions you'll need Sessions you might also

find helpful

We want to equip a group of

people to plan and lead various

aspects of worship

1 to 7 – the whole

course

We want to equip a group of

people to plan worship

5 to 7 – the Planning &

Reviewing sessions

We want to equip people for

composing intercessions

2 - Praying 1 – Connecting

3 - Performing

We want to learn about how to fill

the sermon slot if a licensed

minister is unavailable

4 – Not preaching 1 – Connecting

3 - Performing

We want to equip people for

leading various aspects of a service,

including the intercessions &

reading lessons

3 - Performing 1 - Connecting

What if I get stuck while preparing a session?

Just give John Daniels, the Local Ministry Officer, a ring on 01584 871081 or email

[email protected]. Leave a message, including your phone number, if

he's not around and he'll get back to you.


session 1: connecting

Aims:

To invite group members to connect with their own experience of worship;

To think about the kinds of people who might be attending worship, their needs and how worship leaders might bear these in mind;

To remind members that God is the focus of all true worship, and that all worship is a precious opportunity of sharing in the eternal praise of heaven.

Preparation:

Photocopy Resource Sheets;

A flip-chart and paper if available.

Opening worship (5 mins)

Welcome group members and distribute Resource Sheet 1.1, 'Opening & closing worship'.

Tell them that you'll be using this to begin each session in this series of meetings, so they will

need to bring their sheet along with them on each occasion.

Decide whether to sing or simply say together the words of the hymn. You may wish to

substitute another which is more appropriate for your context.

Introduction (5 mins)

Read the following aloud.

Whatever our role in planning and leading worship, we are in the business of

making connections: specifically, helping people to connect with God. This is a

great and daunting privilege, and it is reassuring to remember that God isn't

constrained by our shortcomings in this regard! Even so it behoves us to think

carefully about how best we can connect, with God on the one hand and the

congregation on the other, as we prepare to plan and lead worship. This session

provides an opportunity for doing that.

If your group includes some who are aiming to cover all the sessions in the course, then

distribute Resource Sheet 1.3, ‘If you want to go further’. Stress that undertaking the task is

purely voluntary, but would be a good way of reinforcing learning regardless of whether a

person wants to work towards the Framework for Christian Learning Certificate.

Starting with ourselves (20 mins)

Ask group members: What's been your most memorable experience of worship? Then ask

them to share that experience in pairs.


Then ask members to think about the worst experience of worship they can recall! How far

was that down to errors/oversights on the part of those leading worship? Sparing the

blushes of those present, invite a few responses in plenum, and write up any common errors

on flip-chart.

Different people, different needs (20 mins)

Read the following aloud.

People are different. When they come to church, they do so with varying

expectations and varying needs, even though they might struggle to put these into

words. When we plan or lead worship, it can be helpful to think about the kinds

of people who might be present at the service and how, in each case, we can help

them feel connected with what's going on.

Then ask members to brainstorm the people groups that might turn up at a service which

they're helping to lead. Write up their suggestions in the left hand column on a piece of flip-

chart paper.

After they've dried up, go through each of the groups in turn, asking them to suggest:

(a) how coming to church and encountering a (largely) lay-led service will seem; and

(b) any needs which might therefore be typical of (though not necessarily exclusive to) that

group: write these in the right hand column. Here's how it might look:

Kinds of people Needs

'The faithful' – those (possibly of mature

years) who are there most Sundays

For familiarity (& some stimulation!)

Visiting adults – churchgoers on holiday or

visiting family

To feel welcome

To know which book to use at any given point

To know where we are in the service sheet

To know when to sit/stand/kneel

Children To know when the service will end – 'are we

nearly there yet?'

To understand what's going on (inc. language)

To feel accepted

Banns couples & other occasional

worshippers

To feel welcome

To know which book to use at any given point

To know where we are in the service sheet

To know when to sit/stand/kneel

To understand what's going on (inc. language)

To not be embarrassed

Farmers who only ever appear at Harvest For familiarity

To feel that this is still their church


Finally, ask the group to name the obvious tips for worship leaders which follow from these

needs. Are there any tensions apparent between these various needs?

When God draws near (20 mins)

Ask members to revisit again the memorable worship experience which they shared with

their neighbour at the start of the session. Invite people to briefly share these experiences in

plenum. Do any common features emerge? How many of these experiences was at a

'normal' Sunday service? What does all this tell us about the things which make worship

'special' for people?

With a great cloud of witnesses... (20 mins)

Distribute Resource Sheet 1.2, 'The worship of heaven'. Ask for two volunteers to read the

first section and the extract from Revelation 7. Tell the group that after the reading you will

keep an extended time of silence together as you ponder the extraordinary imagery of the

reading – and its implications for our earthly worship.

After what you judge to be an appropriate length of time, lead the group in gently singing

the chorus on the Resource Sheet – or some other well known, meditative song/hymn should

you judge that to be more suitable.

Close with the words of the Grace.

Finally! Ask members to select a newspaper or other news item which grabs their attention

– local, national or international - during the next week and bring it with them to session 2.


resource sheet 1.1 opening & closing worship

Opening worship

O come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving

and be glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God

and a great king above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth

and the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands moulded the dry land.

Come, let us worship and bow down

and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Hymn

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

with gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,

kneel and adore him: the Lord is his Name!

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness,

high on his heart he will bear it for thee,

and comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,

guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness

of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;

for truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,

these are the offerings to lay on his shrine.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

bow down before him, his glory proclaim;

with gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,

kneel and adore him: the Lord is his Name!

Words: John Samuel Bewley Monsell, 1863


A reading from John 4

The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped

on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in

Jerusalem.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will

worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you

do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour

is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit

and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those

who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’

The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ - who is called Christ. ‘When

he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is

speaking to you.’

Silence

Almighty God,

whose only Son has opened for us

a new and living way into your presence:

give us pure hearts and steadfast wills

to worship you in spirit and in truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Collect for Trinity 14

* * *

Closing prayer

A time of silent reflection is followed by the group joining in offering the following prayer.

Almighty God,

you have entrusted to your Church

a share in the ministry of your Son, our great high priest:

inspire our hearts by your Holy Spirit

as we offer our gifts in the worship of your name;

that strengthened by his power,

we might make known your glory

and worthily join in the praise of all creation;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,



one God, now and for ever.

Amen.


resource sheet 1.2 the worship of heaven

In the proper preface to the Eucharistic Prayer for the feast of All Saints, we read these

words:

And now we give you thanks, most gracious God,

surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and glorified in the assembly of your saints.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

We, your holy Church, acclaim you.

In communion with angels and archangels,

and with all who served you on earth and worship you now in heaven,

we raise our voice to proclaim your glory, for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory,

Hosanna in the highest!

These words remind us that whenever and wherever we gather for worship, we do so as

members of the countless multitude of God's holy people across time and space. What

matters in the end is not our attempt to praise God, but rather God himself, whose glory

evokes the praise of the universe. That praise is unceasing; and when we enter worship we

are privileged to be a small part of it. As those who plan and lead worship, this is the single

most important thing we can bear in mind.

* * *

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every

nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the

Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice,

saying,

‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living

creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing,

‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honour

and power and might

be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

Revelation 7: 9-12

* * *

(P.T.O)


Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

Holy is the Lord God almighty

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,

Holy is the Lord God almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord,

Jesus is the Lord God almighty.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord,

Jesus is the Lord God almighty:

Who was, and is, and is to come;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the Lord.

Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lord,

Worthy is the Lord God almighty.

Worthy , worthy , worthy is the Lord,

Worthy is the Lord God almighty:

Who was, and is, and is to come

Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lord

Glory, glory, glory to the Lord,

Glory to the Lord God almighty.

Glory, glory, glory to the Lord,

Glory to the Lord God almighty:

Who was, and is, and is to come;

Glory, glory, glory to the Lord.


resource sheet 1.3

if you want to go further…

If you want to do some reading, why not try

Robert Atwell, The Good Worship Guide: Leading Liturgy Well. Norwich: Canterbury Press

(2013)

Follow-up task

This is for those registered for the Framework for Christian Learning certificate and any others

who would like to test their learning at the end of the module. We suggest about 1000 words.

Please send your completed work to [email protected].

Robert Atwell writes:

‘Authentic spirituality is about the life of God within us, about the personal

transformation that comes from being radically open to God’s Spirit. The challenge

today is to help people to discover this reality for themselves.’

Thinking back over your experience of In Spirit and In Truth, what have you learned

which might help you, as a worship leader, meet this challenge?

mailto:[email protected]


session 2: praying

Aims:

To encourage people to think about what it means to enable others to pray when leading intercessions;

To introduce people to some standard resources for intercessions.

Preparation:


A flip-chart and paper if available;

Any sample resource books for those composing/ leading intercessions which you may have to hand – some examples are included on Resource Sheet 2.1;

Each group member should have brought with him/her a news item from the last few days which has grabbed his/her attention.

Opening prayers (5 mins)

Use the opening worship from Resource Sheet 1.1.


Welcome the group and read out the aims for this session.

Ask group members to think about and suggest the different ways in which prayer gets

expressed in a typical act of worship. Make sure that the following are covered:

Praise and adoration – e.g. in the Gloria, or the canticles at morning/ evening prayer

Confession

Thanksgiving – e.g. in the Eucharistic Prayer

Prayers for others – the intercessions

Distribute Resource Sheet 2.1, and ask for a volunteer to read the first section, ‘Acting as go-

between’. Ask for any brief questions or observations.

Moving on, in pairs, ask members to share the articles/items they have brought with them.

Ask them to share with their neighbour:

why they chose this piece

any preliminary thoughts they have about how they might include this in some

intercessory prayers.

After a few minutes, go around the group, simply asking people to read aloud the headline,

or a single sentence synopsis, of the item they have brought along. Bearing in mind the

customary division of the intercessions into the following categories -

the Church

the nations of the world

our neighbourhood

the sick

the deceased

- how much of a spread does the selection brought by the group members represent? You

might want to keep a scorecard on a piece of flip chart paper.


We'll come back to these prayer topics later on.

Shape and content (10 mins)

Refer again to Resource Sheet 2.1. Ask group members to scan the forms of intercession

contained here, and pose these questions:

What features do these forms have in common?

Which forms (if any) are most like the prayers group members would write?

Would any of these forms be more appropriate for particular kinds of occasion?

Make the point that these are only examples. They can be used as they stand, or they can be

augmented with personal prayers. Together they reflect varied formats which nonetheless

have a common structure.

Let us pray... (40 mins)

Distribute the sample intercessions on Resource Sheet 2.2, 'Let us pray...'. Go around the

group, asking for volunteers to read a paragraph each. Then see how many (deliberate!)

infelicities you can spot as a group. Write these up on flip-chart.

Resource Sheet 2.3 identifies some of the more obvious. Use this as your crib sheet at this

stage.

Bearing these shortcomings in mind, invite the group to come up with 'Ten Top Tips' for

those leading intercessions (it doesn't matter if they come up with a few more or less than

ten). Write these up on flip-chart too.

Then hand out Resource Sheet 2.3. Give them a moment to scan its contents. Is there

anything there that surprises group members? Anything any of them would disagree with?

Resources (10 mins)

Take a few minutes to allow group members to look at the resource books you have brought

along, referring also to the list at the end of Resource Sheet 2.1. Allow space for members to

look at the books and to share any resources which they themselves may have found useful.

Closing in prayer (15 mins)

Bearing in mind the ground that's been covered during the session, give group members five

minutes to compose a brief prayer inspired by the news item which they've brought along.

Agree on the form of any response (e.g. 'Lord, in your mercy...') and on an order. Start and

finish with yourself as group leader:

Opening prayer


In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

you promised through your Son Jesus Christ

to hear us when we pray in faith...

Group members' prayers

Closing prayer

Almighty God,

you have given us grace at this time with one accord

to make our common supplications to you;

and you promise

that when two or three are gathered together in your name

you will grant their requests:

fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions,

as may be most expedient for us;

granting us in this world knowledge of your truth,

and in the world to come life everlasting.

Amen.

Close by saying the words of the Grace together.


resource sheet 2.1 intercessory prayer

Acting as go-between

The word ‘intercession’ is derived from two Latin words: inter, ‘between’, and cedere, ‘to go’.

So when, in prayer, we intercede for someone, we are acting as a kind of go-between,

intervening on someone’s behalf before God. There are many different forms of words

through which we can do this; and while they might include elements of thanksgiving,

praise or confession, the main focus is on God’s gracious action benefitting the world and its

people.

Sample format 1

This form may be used either with the insertion of specific subjects between the paragraphs or as a

continuous whole, with or without brief biddings addressed to the people before the prayer begins. Not

all paragraphs need to be used on every occasion. Individual names may be added at the places

indicated. The responses indicated in the service order may be used at appropriate points in the text.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear us

when we pray in faith.

Strengthen N our bishop and all your Church in the service of Christ, that those who confess

your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in

the world.

Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen; give wisdom to all in authority; and direct this and

every nation in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek

the common good.

Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours, that we may serve

Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit …; give them courage and

hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ …; according to your

promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of [N and of] all your saints, we commend ourselves and the

whole creation to your unfailing love.

from http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/principal-services/holy-

communion/supplementaryfront/intercessions.aspx

http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/principal-services/holy-communion/supplementaryfront/intercessions.aspx

http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/principal-services/holy-communion/supplementaryfront/intercessions.aspx


Sample format 2

Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, we pray for all Christian people; for Bishop N, for all

Christian leaders, and for those who teach and guard the faith … (names may be added)

May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts, and knit us together in the bond of your

love.

Hear us.

Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for the leaders of the nations, and for those in authority under them … (names may

be added)

Give them the gift of your wisdom, and a right discernment in all things.

Hear us.

Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for our … (city/town/village/community); for those who live and work here, and for

those who visit this place …

Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has

served us.

Hear us.

Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those who do not believe, and yet who long to know you, the very Word of life

…

Open their ears to hear your voice, and open their hearts to the knowledge of your love in

Christ.

Hear us.

Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those bowed down with grief, fear or sickness, especially … (names may be added)

May your living Word bring comfort and healing to all those in need.

Hear us.

Hear us, good Lord.

We give thanks for all those who have died in the faith of Christ... (names may be added)

and we rejoice with [N and] all your saints, trusting in the promise of your word fulfilled.

Lord of life,

hear our prayer,

and make us one in heart and mind

to serve you with joy forever.

Amen.

from http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-

worship/worship/texts/newpatterns/contents/sectionf.aspx


Sample format 3

Let us pray to God, that he will bring to fruition all that he desires for his creation.

Father, Lord of creation,

in your mercy, hear us.

You have created the universe by your eternal Word,

and have blessed humankind in making us stewards of the earth.

We pray for your world,

that we may share and conserve its resources,

and live in reverence for the creation

and in harmony with one another.



You have given the human race a rich land,

a land of streams and springs, wheat and barley, vines and oil and honey.

We have made by sin a world of suffering and sorrow.

We pray for those who bear the weight of affliction,

that they may come to share the life of wholeness and plenty.



In Christ you call us to a new way of life,

loving our neighbours as ourselves.

Help us to treat with care and respect the world as it is

as we live in hope and anticipation of the world as it will be,

when your kingdom comes and your will is done.

Thank you for those, living and departed,

who have shown a true respect for your creation …

Help us to follow in their footsteps,

until, with them, we see you face to face,

where all is made new in Christ our Lord.

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.



Sample format 4

We pray to the Lord for the courage to give ourselves to him.

Lord, meet us in the silence.

Give us strength and hear our prayer.


Give us the courage to look beyond ourselves to mission in your world.

We pray for N our bishop and …

May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and

help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation.



Give us the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace.

We pray for…

May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political

and military conflict in our world.



Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods

and communities.

We pray for…

May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace

and direction as we live with one another.



Give us the courage to live for others, giving time, care and comfort to the sick and those in

need.

We pray for…

May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing, and may the light of his presence fill

their lives.



Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in

faith.

Especially we hold … in our minds.

May the risen Lord Jesus, whose feet were once nailed to the cross, walk alongside the dying

and bereaved, and lead them and all your Church, through death to the gate of glory.


Give us strength and hear our prayer,

here and in eternity.

Amen.



* * *


Some resources for composing & leading intercessions

Gill Ambrose et al., Prayer and Prayer Activities: For Worship with Adults, Children and All Ages.

Canterbury Press (2013)

Ian Black, Intercessions for Years A, B and C. SPCK (2009)

Doug Chaplin, Leading Common Worship Intercessions. Church House Publishing (2009)

Raymond Chapman, Hear our Prayer: Gospel-Based Intercessions for Sundays and Holy Days.

Canterbury Press (2003)

Frank Colquhoun, New Parish Prayers. Hodder & Stoughton (2005)

Anna de Lange & Liz Simpson, How to Read the Prayers (Grove W169). Grove Books (2002)

John Pritchard, The Intercessions Handbook: Creative Ideas for Public and Private Prayer. SPCK

(2011)

Susan Sayers, Prayers of Intercession for Common Worship. Kevin Mayhew (1999)

Samuel Wells, Crafting Prayers for Public Worship. Canterbury Press (2013)

See also the resources available on the Church of England website under the URLs

mentioned above.


resource sheet 2.2 let us pray...

Heavenly Father, we pray for the world which you have created and which you

love so much. We think of all the problems and suffering in the world: sometimes

it seems so overwhelming. We think of those who, even as we meet here, are dying because

of malnutrition or AIDS or terrorism or all sorts of other evils. Lord, there is so much misery

in your world and we feel so helpless. We feel so guilty when we think of all those polar

bears who haven’t got any ice to live on any more because of all the global warming we

cause as we go about our daily lives. Lord, forgive us our sins. Please bring an end to all

suffering and make this world a better place.

Let us pray for politicians and all others called to serve in public life, especially as the

country prepares for a general election. Let us pray for all candidates, that they may

campaign fairly and honestly. Let us pray for a good turn out, and that all who vote may

have the values of God’s Kingdom in mind. Let us pray for the election of a government

which will bring peace, prosperity and justice. Let us pray for the victory of the Liberal

Democrat Party.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for the situation in the Anglican Communion at this time of continuing tension and

disagreement, with the historic divisions within ECUSA, the Episcopal Church of the United

States of America, which have been apparent for some time, spilling over onto the global

stage. The Archbishop of Cape Town is seeking to sound a note of reconciliation among his

fellow African bishops, especially those who have come under the growing influence of the

Archbishop of Nigeria. There is a need for people to be more loving and inclusive in their

attitudes, especially those who always think that they are always right.

Lord, hear us:

Lord, graciously hear us.

You are the great healer, Lord Jesus, and you will not turn away any who come to you in

need. Hear us as we pray for those in our parish who are in any kind of need. We pray for

Hilda Bellamy’s financial problems as she struggles in the wake of the opening of the new

Tesco; for Agnes Crawford, as she prepares for investigative surgery to find out what’s

wrong with her water-works; for Brian and Katie Faulkner, whose son Geoff has apparently

been arrested - again. Lay thy hand of comfort, O Lord, on all these thy servants, that they

may know thy goodness and joyfully receive thy salvation, now and in eternity. Amen.

Finally, Father, we pray that you might mercifully comfort those who have been bereaved.

We pray not for those who have died, O Lord, for their eternal destiny depends solely on

whether, during their life on earth, they accepted in faith the salvation won for us by your

death on the cross. But we do ask that you might graciously grant to all who have suffered

loss the assurance of your presence, the love of your embrace.


hear our prayer.

Merciful Father...


resource sheet 2.3 'let us pray...' - some comments

Heavenly Father, we pray for the world which you have created and which you

love so much. We think of all the problems and suffering in the world:

sometimes it seems so overwhelming. We think of those who, even as we meet here, are

dying because of malnutrition or AIDS or terrorism or all sorts of other evils. Lord, there is

so much misery in your world and we feel so helpless. We feel so guilty when we think of

all those polar bears who haven’t got any ice to live on any more because of all the global

warming we cause as we go about our daily lives.1 Lord, forgive us our manifold sins.2

Please bring an end to all suffering and make this world a better place.3

Let us pray for politicians and all others called to serve in public life, especially as the

country prepares for a general election4. Let us pray for all candidates, that they may

campaign fairly and honestly. Let us pray for a good turn out, and that all who vote may

have the values of God’s Kingdom in mind. Let us pray for the election of a government

which will bring peace, prosperity and justice. Let us pray for the victory of the Liberal

Democrat Party.5


hear our prayer.

We pray for the situation6 in the Anglican Communion at this time of continuing tension and

disagreement, with the historic divisions within ECUSA, the Episcopal Church of the United

States of America, which have been apparent for some time, spilling over onto the global

stage. The Archbishop of Cape Town is seeking to sound a note of reconciliation among his

fellow African bishops, especially those who have come under the growing influence of the

Archbishop of Nigeria.7 There is a need for people to be more loving and inclusive in their

attitudes, especially those who always think that they are always right.8

Lord, hear us:

Lord, graciously hear us.9

You are the great healer, Lord Jesus, and you will not turn away any who come to you in

need.10 Hear us as we pray for those in our parish who are in any kind of need. We pray for

Hilda Bellamy’s financial problems as she struggles in the wake of the opening of the new

Tesco; for Agnes Crawford, as she prepares for investigative surgery to find out what’s

wrong with her water-works; for Brian and Katie Faulkner, whose son Geoff has apparently

been arrested - again.11 Lay thy hand of comfort, O Lord, on all these thy servants, that they

may know thy goodness and joyfully receive thy salvation, now and in eternity.12 Amen.13

Finally, Father, we pray that you might mercifully comfort those who have been bereaved.

We pray not for those who have died, O Lord, for their eternal destiny depends solely on

whether, during their life on earth, they accepted in faith the salvation won for us by your

death on the cross14. But we do ask that you might graciously grant to all who have suffered

loss the assurance of your presence, the love of your embrace.15


hear our prayer.

Merciful Father... (P.T.O. for footnotes)


Footnotes:

1. Too depressing! To pray we need to be hopeful – that's not helped by listing a litany

of woes. See the Collect structure below.

2. Strictly, requests for God to forgive us should happen during the penitential section

of the service; the intercessions are an opportunity to pray for others.

3. Too general/ vague to mean anything in particular! This doesn't help people pray.

4. Who is being addressed in these prayers – God or the congregation? Both could be

valid, but there needs to be clarity and consistency. Either (a) address the whole

prayer to God; or (b) use the structure:

invitation to the congregation to pray for a particular need

pause

petition directed to God regarding that need.

5. Too specific – specifically, too partisan! However strong your own views may be

about a particular issue, remember that you are there to enable the prayers of all

present – including those who may hold political/ ethical views quite different to

yours.

6. It's best to pray for people or particular things - rather than the rather trite 'situations'.

7. Too much information! Beware didacticism – using intercessions as a way of giving

people an extended update on a particular state of affairs.

8. Don't use the intercessions as a way of making a point! See (5) above.

9. How do you invite congregational participation during the prayers? 'Lord, hear us'

at the end of each section is fine, but again be consistent: it's not to be muddled with

'Lord in your mercy...' , 'Amen', etc.

10. Who are these prayers meant to be directed to – God the Father or Jesus? Either

could be valid so long as you're consistent. In general the best practice is to pray TO

the Father THROUGH the Son IN the Spirit.

11. Cf. (7) above – not least when it shades into gossip!

12. 'You' or 'Thou' when talking to God? Again, both are valid – but be consistent.

13. 'Amen': see (9) above.

14. Cf. (10) above. Who exactly died on the cross? This petition begins ‘Finally,

Father…’

15. There is a need for sensitivity when preparing prayers for the departed/ bereaved.

'Praying for the dead' was a major bone of contention at the time of the Reformation,

and many Christians today would still insist that a person's destiny is in the hands of

God and not subject to intercession. They might prefer to give thanks for the lives of

the deceased and ask God's comfort for those who mourn their loss. What's the

custom in your church – and what are your own personal convictions?

* * *

To sum up:

DO... pray for people (e.g. the Bishop, the people of Iraq) and particular things (e.g. the

creation, the parish council)

remember to link what you’re asking for to what we believe about God (the Collect

pattern – see below)

keep a consistent pattern in a given prayer - e.g. ‘Lord, in your mercy...’

be specific enough without including the kitchen sink


be clear and consistent about WHO you’re addressing:

◦ either God or the congregation;

◦ either the Father or the Son (or the Spirit)

pray in a way that enables others to pray

DON’T... gossip

let the prayer lapse into mainly adoration, thanksgiving or confession (see below)

exclude others by being (unduly!) partisan in your prayers

preach - i.e. use the prayers as a sermon or a news broadcast (didacticism)

Prayer can usefully be broken down into four types:

A Adoration/acclamation

‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth...’

C Confession

‘Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.’

T Thanksgiving

‘Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son...’

S Supplication

‘Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen; give wisdom to all in authority...’

The intercessions are an opportunity to focus on supplication.

Value the wisdom of the Collect form:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you are always more ready to hear than we to pray

and to give more than either we desire or deserve:

Affirm/ thank God for that quality/

gift which justifies the petition that

follows

pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,

forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid

and giving us those good things

which we are not worthy to ask

but through the merits and mediation

of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord;

The petition itself



one God, now and for ever.

Acknowledge how all our prayer is a

sharing in the life of God the Holy

Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Collect for Trinity 12


session 3: performing

Aims:

To enable group members to have a go at sharing in the leading of worship;

To encourage the practice of constructive feedback and review.

Preparation:

Prior to this session roles should be assigned to each group member for sharing in the leading of a 'standard' act of Morning or Evening Prayer. It is up to the group to decide which version – BCP or Common Worship (e.g. http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/principal-services/word/morning.aspx). Roles should include:

o one or more people leading the overall service;

o one or two readers; o one or more intercessors; o someone to give a short talk (if appropriate); o someone to offer an initial welcome and

announce notices.

Should there be more than eight people in the group then you will need to enact a second role-play act of worship in order to give everyone a go. Equally, with a smaller group of fewer than eight people, group members can duplicate roles – e.g. the person leading the overall service could also welcome and give notices.

When not actively taking part, group members act as congregation members/ assessors.

This session would best be held in a church building, in order to replicate actual conditions.

A hymn, albeit sung a cappella, should be included; it should include a notional collection.

Some typical notices should be included at some point in the service.

Initial briefing (10 mins)

Welcome group members and check that all are ready with the contributions they have

agreed to make. Remind them that when they are not 'performing' they should be noting the

'performances' of others with a view to offering feedback afterwards.

Distribute Resource Sheet 3.1, 'Worship leaders' checklists'. Do not go through its contents in

detail, but ask members to silently peruse the section(s) which apply to them. Briefly field

any questions which might arise, pointing out that there will be time for an extended

discussion afterwards.

Then distribute copies of Resource Sheet 3.2, ‘Worship feedback’. Invite members to make

notes on this sheet as they observe others in action during the service. Stress that, when

offering feedback, it is helpful to start by: (1) affirming elements which were appreciated;

and THEN (2) suggesting anything that could be done differently in future.



Then spend a few moments in silence together before embarking on the service. Although in

a sense this is a role-play with the primary purpose of enabling learning, it would also be

good to treat it as a bona fide act of worship, a stepping into God's presence. The time of

silence should be brought to a close with a 'vestry prayer'.

The service (45 mins)

The format for this should be simple and 'by the book'. For example, for Common Worship

Morning Prayer:

Preparation

Psalm

Old Testament canticle

Old Testament reading

New Testament reading

Gospel canticle

Short talk (if applicable)

Creed

Intercessions, Collect & Lord's Prayer

Closing hymn (inc. collection)

Conclusion

Debrief (30 mins)

At the end of the service there should be a structured debrief. Allow members to feed back

in their own ways, drawing on their notes on the Worship Feedback form; but also have

Resource Sheet 3.1 to hand to act as a crib sheet – if no-one has picked up on a particular

issue then mention it yourself before passing on to the next role.

Needless to say, this is an exercise in 'speaking the truth in love'. Do encourage members to

be honest, gentle and constructive in the feedback they offer.

Closing prayer (5 mins)

Use the closing prayer from Resource Sheet 1.1.


resource sheet 3.1 worship leaders' checklists

Welcome

Volume & clarity of voice

Microphone technique (if

applicable)

Warmth of presentation

Lack of jargon

Visible signs of

nervousness – fidgeting etc.

Practical points – mobile phones

off, provision for children,

coffee after service, etc.

Notices


Clarity of information

Brevity & conciseness

Does everyone know who Mabel (the person selling tickets for the concert) is?

Announcing hymns etc.


Where are we in the book / on the service sheet? Do we stand, sit or kneel for the

next bit?

Time to find page

If multiple books/ sheets given out, which one exactly is the hymn from (colour of

book/ sheet)?

Collection during the hymn? If so, how is it introduced?

General pace: were helpful pauses for reflection provided, e.g. after the talk? Were

there any awkward pauses, when the worship leader seemed lost or slow off the

mark?

Prayers

Stand, sit or kneel?

Page number in service book/sheet if necessary

Time to find page

Responses to biddings expected? If so, what are they / where are they printed?

Which form of the Lord's Prayer? How will people know?

Pace of delivery and volume of voice

Bible readings

Stand or sit?

Clarity & volume of voice

Pew Bibles? If so, page numbers? Time to find page?

How exactly should the reading be introduced, e.g. 'A reading from...'?

How exactly should the end of the reading be marked, e.g. 'This the word of the

Lord...'?

◦ Was there a brief pause between the end of the reading and these words?


resource sheet 3.2 worship feedback

Things I valued about the way you led worship:

One thing to think about for next time:


session 4: not preaching

Aims:

To acquaint group members with resources which can be used to help fill a sermon slot;

To identify key ingredients in an effective talk and think about how they can best be combined.

Preparation:


Several Bibles; A flip-chart and paper if available.




Welcome the group and read out the aims for this session. Explain that, although only

licensed ministers (clergy and Readers) are permitted to preach on a routine basis, it is

perfectly acceptable for a vicar to invite a lay person to give an address ‘occasionally’ –

though the definition of ‘occasional’ is vague!

Stress that this session will NOT qualify anyone as a preacher, but it will offer a chance to

think about what makes for an effective address, and signpost some useful resources for

those asked to undertake the ministry of the Word.

Then pose the question, Why have sermons anyway? Allow people to respond variously: some

may have a very high doctrine of preaching; others may question the value of the traditional

sermon in a high-tech world in which people are increasingly used to taking in information

visually. Affirm all contributions.

Close this section by reading the quotation from 2 Timothy on Resource Sheet 4.2. Draw

attention to the high calling of those entrusted with the ministry of the Word, however

occasionally.

Panic stations (25 mins)

Read out the following:

It’s Monday morning. You’re a new warden in a village church. The phone rings,

and it’s the vicar saying that the retired priest who was due to be taking the service

on Sunday has just had to go into hospital, he can’t find anyone else, so would you

be able to arrange something to fill the sermon slot in the service? Please? You

can’t bring yourself to say No; so what are your options?


Using a flip-chart if possible, write up suggestions from the group. Add any options listed

on Resource Sheet 4.2 which don’t get mentioned.

Once you have a decent list of options, go through them and get the group to identify pros

and cons with each.

Cooking up a talk – useful ingredients (45 mins)

Give out Resource Sheet 4.1, ‘Cooking up a talk’. Ask someone to read out the ingredients &

recipe for a sponge cake. Ask the group what would happen if one of the ingredients was

missing? Or if double the quantity was used? Or if the ingredients were combined in the

wrong order? Make the point that much the same could be said of an effective talk: the right

ingredients, in the right quantities, combined in the right order.

Now ask the group, in pairs, to complete part one of the second column of the resource

sheet, ‘Sermon ingredients’. Give them a few minutes to discuss that; then get them to share

their results in plenum, writing them up on flip-chart if possible.

Once all suggestions have been fed back, compare them with the list of ingredients on

Resource Sheet 4.2, and add any that are missing.

Looking at the list as a whole, ask group members whether they think any of the ingredients

are more essential than others. Allow a brief discussion about this.

Then ask – if this issue hasn’t already arisen – whether any ingredients need to be used with

care – like chilli in a curry. Specifically, ask what would be the hazards of, e.g., using too

much humour? Or relying too heavily on visual aids? What does ‘too much’ mean,

anyway? Make the point that different congregations will have different expectations, and

that an approach which works well in one place could fall flat in another.

In pairs again, ask them to combine some of these ingredients to create a ‘recipe’ for a

sermon on Mark 4: 35-41. Ask a volunteer to read the text aloud, then give the pairs ten

minutes to prepare a structure. Stress that they needn’t prepare the content as such (though

they’re free to share any ideas they might have about content, e.g. a relevant anecdote or

application point).

Then go around the pairs, and get them to report their structures, explaining why they’ve

ordered the ingredients in that particular way.

Finally, give out Resource Sheet 4.2.

Closing prayer (5 mins)



resource sheet 4.1 cooking up a talk

Sponge cake

Sermon

Ingredients

125g/4oz butter or margarine, softened

125g/4oz caster sugar

2 medium eggs

125g/4oz self-raising flour

Ingredients

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.

2. Line two 18cm/7in cake tins with

baking parchment.

3. Cream the butter and the sugar

together until pale.

4. Beat in the eggs.

5. Sift over the flour and fold in using a

large metal spoon. The mixture should

be of a dropping consistency; if it is

not, add a little milk.

6. Divide the mixture between the cake

tins and gently spread out with a

spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes until

an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Allow to stand for 5 minutes before

turning on to a wire rack to cool.

7. Sandwich the cakes together with jam,

lemon curd or whipped cream and

berries or just enjoy on its own.

Method


resource sheet 4.2 handy tips for giving a talk

Some options for filling the sermon slot:

Read out a sermon written by the vicar (or another licensed minister)

Get a sermon, or related resources, off the internet (but beware! See the link to

Redemptorist Publications below)

Consult a book of talks linked to the lectionary (see below)

Conduct an interview with another congregation member about their faith story, or how

they relate their faith to their Monday-Friday life

Compose a prayerful meditation based on one of the Sunday readings

Get the congregation into small groups to discuss the gospel reading

Compose a talk/address yourself – perhaps using ideas from a small group Bible study

Possible ingredients for a sermon or address:

An exposition of the text of the reading and/or the theme of the service (i.e. an

explanation of what it means, casting light on any obscurities, setting it in historical and

cultural context, etc.)

A paraphrase of part or the whole of a Bible reading

A story or anecdote, maybe from your own experience, which illustrates a point you

wish to make

A joke, again linked to a point you wish to make, or maybe as an ice-breaker at the start

of the talk, or to help lighten the mood after a particularly sombre section

Interaction with the congregation, through questions and answers etc.

Audio-visual aids, again for illustration; these could include miscellaneous objects,

Powerpoint slides, video clips, music…

Application of a key point to people’s Christian living

A prayer, at the start and/or the end of the talk

Useful resources

David Adam, Lamps: Complete Common Worship Talks and Activities. Kevin Mayhew, 2015 (6 -

10 years)

Jay Cormier, Table Talk (Year A/ B/ C): Beginning the Conversation on the Gospel of Matthew/

Mark/ Luke. New City Press, 2009

John Pridmore, The Word is Very Near You: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings, Years A, B &

C. Canterbury Press, 2009

Susan Sayers, Over 200 Talks for All-Age Worship. Kevin Mayhew, 2009


Susan Sayers, Rocks: Complete Common Worship Talks and Activities. Kevin Mayhew, 2015 (6 -

10 years)

https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/sunday-link-1-1 (Redemptorist Publications website – their

parish bulletins are widely used)

https://www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/sunday-morning-resources/ (No preacher? No

problem! These Sunday Morning Resources are from the Diocese of Ely, designed to

be used by churchwardens and others who are asked to lead worship but who are not

authorised to preach)

http://textweek.com/ (a wide variety of resources for study and liturgy based on the 3-year

Revised Common Lectionary cycle by Jenee Woodard)

And finally…

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom

you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to

instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and

is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that

everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3: 14-17

Blessed Lord,

who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

help us so to hear them,

to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them

that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,

we may embrace and for ever hold fast

the hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,



one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for the last Sunday after Trinity

https://www.elydiocese.org/church-in-action/sunday-morning-resources/

http://textweek.com/


session 5: planning & reviewing (I)

Aims:

To help group members think about what elements need to go into a service of the Word;

To help group members think about how these elements can be combined effectively;

To introduce various resources which can be used in devising a service of the Word.

Preparation:



A dozen or so small pieces of card or paper, approx. 2-3 inches per side, plus a pen or felt marker to write on them;





This session is the top layer of a three-session sandwich intended to help us think

about the planning and reviewing of worship – specifically, a service of the Word.

In this session we will think about what ingredients need to go into a service of the

Word, and how they can be best combined. We will also be introduced to some

useful resources which can be drawn on in preparing worship.

In the next session – the filling in the sandwich – we will have a go at putting these

ideas into practice by planning an actual service intended for a particular time and

place.

In the third session we will review how the service went and be invited to note any

learning points which we might want to bear in mind during future planning.

The worship recipe (20 mins)

Suggest that one way of understanding the process of planning worship is by seeing it in

terms of making a cake: you need (a) a list of ingredients and (b) instructions for how to

combine them.

Ask group members to brainstorm possible ingredients for a service of the Word. If they're

struggling, encourage them to think about a typical service of the Word with which they're

familiar – e.g. Evensong, All-Age Worship, etc. Invite the group to write each ingredient on

one of the pieces of card which you have provided.


Examples of ingredients include:

hymns; intercessions; a creed; prayers for others; a sermon...

Once the group has assembled a reasonable range of ingredients, invite members to assemble

them in an order that would 'work' (we will think more about what makes an order 'work'

later).

Look out for any points of disagreement. It may be that the group will simply replicate a

familiar order, e.g. Evensong; or it may be that some at least will want to come up with

something more imaginative or experimental. Allow space for members to discuss any

differences.

After a while, ask the group whether they can agree on any orders that would NOT 'work'.

For example, what about a service where all the hymns came one after the other at the start?

Or a service with no sermon or Creed? If anyone raises the question of what is permitted by

the Church, simply respond by saying that this will be dealt with in a moment.

Patterns for worship (30 mins)

Pass around Resource Sheet 5.1, 'Patterns for worship'. Ask someone to read out the opening

paragraph in italics.

Then ask members to read through the elements of a service of the Word in the box on

Resource Sheet 5.1. Then ask for further volunteers to read aloud the remaining italicized

paragraphs.

Make the point that each service therefore needs to include:

A clear beginning and ending

Attention to the Word of God in the Bible

Prayer

Praise

Action

But stress also that the order in which these happen can vary. Give out Resource Sheet 5.2,

'Two sample service structures'. Start by asking members to look at St Gavin's simple 'block'

structure, noticing how Word, Prayer, Praise or Action occur in a simple sequence.

Then ask members to look at St Lucy's 'conversation' structure, noticing the way in which the

elements of Word, Prayer, Praise and Action are interwoven.

Ask members for their thoughts about these two structures. Are there any advantages/

disadvantages apparent with either? Would either present any particular attractions or

challenges for (a) the congregation or (b) those planning worship?


Resources (15 mins)

Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 5.3, 'Handy resources for planning worship', and simply

read through the contents with members. How familiar are people with these suggestions?

Are there any other resources which they could recommend?

Preparing for the next session (10 mins)

Remind the group that at the next session they will have the opportunity of putting these

ideas into practice by planning an actual service. The vicar will have decided when and

where this is to be. What needs to be agreed now is a theme and/or Bible reading(s) for this

service. This may be obvious because of when the service falls in the year (e.g. Pentecost,

Harvest, etc.); otherwise this is an opportunity for deciding on a theme and/or reading. The

Lectionary may be useful here, but the group should be given as much freedom to choose as

possible.

Once a theme/reading(s) have been decided, encourage members to think and pray about

this in the meantime and bring ideas to the next session – bearing in mind the ground you've

covered today!

Closing prayers (5 mins)



resource sheet 5.1 patterns for worship

In the introduction to the Common Worship's Service of the Word

(http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/texts/newpatterns.aspx), we

read the following:

A Service of the Word is unusual for an authorized Church of England service. It consists

almost entirely of notes and directions and allows for considerable local variation and choice

within a common structure. It is important that those who prepare for and take part in A

Service of the Word should have a clear understanding of the nature of worship and of how the

component parts of this service work together. Leading people in worship is leading people

into mystery, into the unknown and yet the familiar. This spiritual activity is much more

than getting the words or the sections in the right order. The primary object in the careful

planning and leading of the service is the spiritual direction which enables the whole

congregation to come into the presence of God to give him glory. Choices must be made

responsibly by leaders of this service or by groups planning worship with them, whether the

service is an occasional one, or a regular one which may use a service card.

It goes on to describe the basic structure of a Service of the Word in this way:

It continues:

Preparation The minister welcomes the people with the Greeting. Authorized Prayers of Penitence may be used here or in the Prayers. The Venite, Kyries, Gloria, a hymn, song, or a set of responses may be used. The Collect is said either here or in the Prayers. The Liturgy of the Word This includes

readings (or a reading) from Holy Scripture a psalm, or, if occasion demands, a scriptural song a sermon an authorized Creed, or, if occasion demands, an authorized Affirmation of Faith.

Prayers These include

intercessions and thanksgivings the Lord's Prayer

Conclusion The service concludes with a blessing, dismissal or other liturgical ending.


From this you will see that there are three main sections, like three tubs into which you are

going to put the different items in the service; Preparation, The Liturgy of the Word, Prayers.

Into these tubs you put the ingredients, the different items in the service. Add to these a

beginning and an ending and you have the main outline.

So any Service of the Word should include the following elements:

a clear beginning and ending

a central focus on the Word of God in scripture

praise of God

prayer of thanksgiving and on behalf of others

action.

It is a bit like preparing a meal with three courses, plus an appetizer at the beginning and

coffee at the end. Each course has a number of different ingredients, which can be used more

than once in different combinations in different courses.


resource sheet 5.2 two sample service structures

1. St Gavin's 'block' structure

Essential items

Additional items

for a Principal Service on Sunday St Gavin's have decided to add

Preparation

Greeting 1 Scripture sentence

2 Hymn

3 Opening prayer

4 Invitation

Confession 5

Forgiveness 6

Word

7 Introduction

Old Testament 8

Psalm or paraphrase 9

New Testament 10

11 Song or hymn

Talk 12

Creed 13

14 Hymn

Prayer

Collect 15

Form of intercession 16

Praise

17 Versicles and responses

18 Hymn

Action

19 All stand while the candle is carried out

Blessing or ending 20

Meanwhile, at St Lucy’s…


2. St Lucy's 'conversation' structure

'At St Lucy's we wanted to take advantage of the fact that Word - Prayer - Praise - Action

may come many times within the same service. So we imagined a conversation between

God and the congregation. What God is saying is generally represented by the Word

element, with the other three elements generally being used as responses to that. That's how

the service got made up of a series of Presentation and Response units. Funnily enough, we

ended up with a pattern that resembles that of Matins in The Book of Common Prayer:'

Presentation – God speaks

Response – we speak

Word

Scripture Sentence

Praise

Hymn of adoration

Word

Invitation

Prayer

Confession

Prayer

Declaration of forgiveness

Praise

Open our lips…

Glory be…

Canticle

Word

Psalm

Old Testament

Praise

Canticle

Word

New Testament

Praise

Canticle

Creed

Lord's Prayer

Collect

Word

Sermon

Hymn


resource sheet 5.3 handy resources for planning worship

Robert Atwell, The Good Worship Guide: Leading Liturgy Well. Canterbury Press (2013)

Helen Bent & Liz Tipple, Worship 4 Today: a Course for Worship Leaders and Musicians. Church

House Publishing (2013)

Mark Earey & Gilly Myers, Common Worship Today: an Illustrated Guide to Common Worship.

Harper Collins (2001)

Christopher Ellis, Approaching God: a Guide for Worship Leaders and Worshippers. Canterbury

Press (2009)

Iona Community, A Wee Worship Book. Wild Goose Publications (2004)

Iona Community, Iona Abbey Worship Book. Wild Goose Publications (2005)

John Leach, Leading Worship That Connects: a Training Course. Lynx Communications (1999)

Sandra Millar, Worship Together: Creating All-Age Services That Work. SPCK (2012)

Sandra Moore, All-Age Worship. BRF (2010)

Various numbers from the Grove Books Worship series, including:

Mark Earey, Leading Worship (Grove W152). Grove Books (1999)

Anna de Lange & Liz Simpson, How to Read the Prayers (Grove W169). Grove Books

(2002)

Anna de Lange & Liz Simpson, How to Read the Bible in Church (Grove W177). Grove

Books (2003)

Anna de Lange, How to Engage with Scripture – With or Without a Preacher (Grove

W207). Grove Books (2011)

John Leach, How to Use Symbol and Action in Worship (Grove W184). Grove Books

(2005)

Trevor Lloyd & Anna de Lange, How to Share the Leadership of Worship (Grove W199).

Grove Books (2009)

Gilly Myers, How to Lead Evensong (Grove W183). Grove Books (2005)

See also the resources available on the Church of England website under the URLs

mentioned on Resource Sheet 4.1, and at:

http://hymnal.oremus.org/.


session 6: planning & reviewing (II)

Aims:

To provide an opportunity for the group to apply the learning from session 4 by planning an act of worship together.

Preparation:



Some copies of the hymn book(s) which you usually use in your church(es).





At our last session we thought about the key things to bear in mind when planning

worship. Today we will put these ideas into practice as we plan an act of worship

for our church/ benefice. After the service we will meet again to review how it

went and to note any learning points to register for the future.

Then draw members' attention to (a) the theme/reading(s) which you agreed when you last

met and (b) the contents of Resource Sheet 5.1, 'Patterns for worship'. Remind them in

particular about the basic elements of: beginning & ending; Word; prayer; praise; action.

Planning the service (60 mins)

The bulk of this session should be spent planning the service – and so this section is in the

hands of the group to run as its members wish.

As the person leading the session, your role might best be to act as a back-stop to help move

things along should they seem to be getting stuck. If group members are unfamiliar with

planning worship then a good rule would be to keep things simple – there is no shame in

largely replicating the standard form of Morning/Evening Prayer!

One of the most valuable aspects of a planning session such as this is the discussing of the

Bible passage / theme together. In many parishes, this can become in effect an opportunity

for spiritual growth, as members deepen their understanding of the scriptures and of

Christian living by sharing insights. Although the group should beware of becoming side-

tracked by some imponderable issue, thinking together about what this passage/theme

means for Christians is essential to an effective planning process.


There should be some space during the meeting for members to scan some of the resources

which may be available. That said, the group should also beware of getting bogged down in

detail at the meeting: it might well be best to delegate final decisions about hymns,

opening/closing biddings, intercessions, etc. to particular individuals.

Regarding the choice of hymns, do encourage members to make use of the indices at the rear

of your hymn books; and to look at the seasonal hymn index available at the Oremus

website,

http://hymnal.oremus.org/.

Make sure that responsibilities for different parts of the service are widely shared: this

should include group members as well as others within the congregation(s) who might be

invited to be involved in various parts of the service.

Make sure that, by the end of the session, firm responsibilities have been agreed for:

producing the order of service;

leading the overall act of worship and the various parts contained within it;

priming a number of congregation members to offer informal feedback after the

service;

any other practical points that need organising.

The checklist (15 mins)

Finally distribute Resource Sheet 6.1, 'Worship planning checklist'. Ask group members to

quickly scan these questions. Are there any points which immediately prompt the group to

quickly revise its plans? Don't let the group embark on a major re-design at this stage,

however! This is meant as a learning experience, and so there will be a further opportunity

to reflect on the service in the light of these questions during the next session.




resource sheet 6.1 worship planning checklist

Is there a balance between Word, prayer, praise and action? For instance the Word

section may be top heavy with long readings and long introductions, or include too

many short readings.

Is the worship directed to God, addressing him rather than the people?

Is the structure and direction of the service clear enough for people to know where it

is going? Does the service have an overall coherence, or is it just one item after

another?

How does the service flow (see Resource Sheet 7.1 also)? Is there a natural

alternation or development of mood?

What space is there for reflection or silence in the service?

How much of the service might be classed as 'entertainment'? Is this justified? Is

there a balance between receiving - listening, watching, contemplating - and

responding?

Check on posture: is there too much sitting down or standing up at one time? Or,

conversely, are people bobbing up and down too much? Is there enough action?

Is the music used in such a way as to further and develop the main thrust of the

service? Is there too much musical praise, with too many choir items, or too long a

section of choruses from the music group, or hymns too close to one another?

Does the form of service enable the gifts of a variety of people in the church to be

used in both planning and taking part?

Is there too much novelty? An occasional completely new form of worship may

stimulate people to discover new dimensions to their ordinary worship, but a new

pattern each week may be confusing and unsettling, particularly to children. If

people are familiar with both structure and content of the service, they feel more

secure and can take part more easily. For an all-age service, for instance, it may be

better to have a standard structure, with 'windows' or 'slots' which can be changed

from week to week.

Might any of the service contents - especially if you are planning 'family worship' –

inadvertently exclude some in the congregation, e.g. children, single people, the

bereaved, members of broken families?


session 7: planning & reviewing (III)

Aims:

To review the service planned at the last meeting;

To reflect further on what it means to facilitate worship that is 'in spirit and in truth'.

Preparation:


A flip-chart and paper if available.

Welcome & opening prayers (5 mins)


Introduction & impressions (25 mins)

Read out the session aims (above).

Then simply throw the floor open for any comments and feedback about the service which

group members may wish to offer. The following questions may help in getting a discussion

going:

How was the service received by the congregation? How did any negative feedback

feel?

Which aspects of the service worked best?

Which aspects worked less well?

Flow (15mins)

Distribute Resource Sheet 7.1, 'Flow and mood'. Ask for volunteers to read aloud a

paragraph each. Then, together, look at the illustrative charts and check for understanding.

How would the chart for your service have looked? Why? Spend some time as a group

discussing this – sketching a curve on flip-chart might be helpful. What – if anything – could

have been changed in order for the service to have flowed better?

Revisiting the checklist (30 mins)

Ask members to get out their copies of Resource Sheet 6.1, 'Worship planning checklist'. Go

through each of the bullet points in turn, reflecting on how your service went. Make sure

that any issues which emerge are noted, either on flip-chart or a note-pad.

Finally, bearing in mind all that's been shared during the session, ask the group:


What things would you/we do differently next time -

at the planning stage?

at the execution stage?

Feedback partners (10 minutes)

Distribute Resource Sheet 7.2, 'Feedback partners'. Ask for volunteers to read a paragraph

each in turn.

Ask for members' responses to these suggestions: how would this work in their context?

Can they think of other ways of gleaning pertinent, constructive feedback after having taken

part in planning and/or leading an act of worship?




Service 1 Service 2 Service 3

time

mo

od

resource sheet 7.1 flow and mood

Any act of worship will have a characteristic flow, which describes how the mood fluctuates

during the course of the service. The mood will be affected by things like:

the overall theme of the service – e.g. Good Friday contrasted with Easter Day;

the theme and tempo of hymns;

the pace and tone of voice of the persons leading the service;

the focus at any particular point in the service – e.g. confession, sharing the Peace.

Here are some examples:

Service 1 starts exuberantly, and then gradually quietens to a reflective close (e.g. Palm

Sunday).

Service 2 begins in a neutral mood then enters a reflective period before ending on a note of

praise (e.g. many ordinary Sunday services).

Service 3 begins very quietly but, after a while, gradually builds a crescendo of celebration

(e.g. Easter Liturgy/Service of Light).

There is no single correct pattern of flow for a service. But what does matter is that there is a

logic to the flow and that it doesn't make unreasonable emotional demands of the

time

mo

od

1

2

3


congregation: one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by having too many fluctuations of

mood. This is likely to simply prove disorientating.


resource sheet 7.2

feedback partners

When anyone is down to take a visible part in an act of worship – reading,

interceding, leading the service, giving a talk, etc. - they take the initiative to invite

someone to be their Feedback Partner for that service.

The Partner needs to be someone who has attended this course.

The Partner's job is to make notes about the person's performance, bearing in mind

the good practice commended during the course.

The Partner should note good points as well as points for improvement, aiming to

be as encouraging as possible while not avoiding difficulties which need to be

mentioned.

The person and their Partner should arrange to meet within a few days of the service

for a debriefing session lasting not more than 30 minutes. Ideally this would be face

to face and possibly immediately after the service, though a phone conversation may

suit better.

The debriefing session should start with the person him/herself reflecting on how

(s)he found the experience and how (s)he felt it had gone, before allowing the Partner

to offer comments. The session should end with a short prayer, of a kind which

would be natural for both parties.

The Feedback Partner relationship lasts only for that single service. While the

person may wish to ask the same person to do duty as a Partner again in the future,

there is real value in involving a range of people as Feedback Partners over the course

of time.


course evaluation sheet

Parish / benefice name:

Topic/

session

What worked best What worked least well A suggestion for

improvement

1.

Connecting

2.

Praying

3.

Performing

4.

Not

preaching

5.

Planning &

reviewing

(I)

6.

Planning &

reviewing

(II)

7.

Planning &

reviewing

(III)

in spirit...to worship you in spirit and in truth; through jesus christ your son our lord, who is...

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