United Reformed Church

Worship Notes

Open BibleWorship Notes is a free resource for anyone who leads and plans worship. We offer prayers for Sunday Services, thoughts on the readings, and hymn suggestions.

Each issue of Worship Notes includes:

  • A call to worship
  • Prayers of approach, confession and a declaration/assurance of forgiveness
  • A prayer for illumination
  • An all-age activity or introduction
  • Readings and notes on these readings that could be built into a sermon
  • Prayers of intercessions
  • An offertory Introduction and prayer
  • A blessing
  • Hymn suggestions for local churches sourced from Rejoice and Sing, Church Hymnary 4, Singing the Faith and Combined Mission Praise.

Every month there will be at least one Holy Communion prayer and an Affirmation of Faith.

Each week we publish Weekly Intercessions which can be used in public worship, small groups and for personal prayers.  Intercessions for Sunday 5th May, the Sixth Sunday of Easter can be found here in Word format and here in PDF format.  

Worship Notes for May 2024

The worship notes for Ascension Sunday 12th May were written by the Revd Jenny Mills, Secretary for Education and Learning.

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Overview

Jenny offers a range of prayers, an all age activity it would be wise to practice beforehand (!), notes on the readings and a wide range of hymns to mark Ascension.

Worship Notes for Pentecost Sunday 19th May were prepared by the Revd Cara Heafey

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Overview

Cara suggests having a party theme for the younger folk celebrating Pentecost as the Birthday of the Church, offers a very wide selection of hymns, prayers and some ideas on how to approach the readings.  Andy Braunston added some ideas for Plainsong to start the service and a rock-style hymn to end it!

Worship Notes for Trinity Sunday 26th May were prepared by the Revd Dr Sarah Hall

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Overview

Sarah offers a range of prayers, an all age activity, and extensive notes on the readings along with a wide range of hymns for Trinity Sunday.

Worship Notes for June 2024

Worship notes for Sunday 9th June, have been prepared by the Revd Dr John McNeil Scott, Principal of the Scottish College.

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Overview

John explores Jesus' words about family.

The worship notes for Sunday 16th were written by the Revd Dr Elizabeth Welch.

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Overview

Elizabeth offers a range of prayers, an all age activity, notes on the readings and a  range of hymns exploring the idea of Christ the sower.

Worship Notes for Sunday 23rd June were prepared by the Revd Dr Nick Jones

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Overview

Nick explores the David and Goliath story alongside a story of Jesus calming a storm.  He offers a wide range of hymns alongside all the prayers you'd expect and some excellent sermon notes and all age activities.

Worship Notes for Sunday 30th June were prepared by the Revd Ruth Whitehead

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Overview

Ruth offers the normal range of prayers, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings and all age activity helping us wonder about how the key figures in the Gospel passage felt.

Useful websites

Talking Absolute Worship

Talking Absolute Worship

Talking Absolute Worship is a weekly panel discussion about how the week’s lectionary readings can inspire our preaching and worship-leading

Politics in the Pulpit podcast

Politics in the Pulpit is a lively discussion linking justice, current affairs and the Lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. Available as a podcast or video

United Reformed Church