Worship resources archive

The following resources have been gathered to assist individuals, families, communities and worship leaders in their practice and preparation of Advent. The headings are given to assist navigating the resources, though intergenerational resources may be used in community worship, and prayer resources may be suitable for public worship or private prayer practice.

This list continues to grow each week. New links (added this week) are indicated with a * at the end of each description. New links are added at the top of each section. If you have additional ideas, please send a link and one sentence description to [email protected]

2024

15 December, 2024 (Advent 3)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 15 December, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed

8 December, 2024 (Advent 2)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 December, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

2023

Worship

• Act for Peace Christmas Bowl

Weekly worship resources for worship leaders, including information for each week on the Act for Peace supported project.

• UCA Queensland Synod

Weekly worship resources from the Synod of Queensland.

• Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network

Weekly reflections from those who have been Ecumenical Accompaniers with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel.

Intergenerational

• UCA Assembly

Intergenerational weekly worship resources for communities and families.

• STRANDZ

Families, All-age and Intergenerational resources for home and community from New Zealand.

• Intergen

Intergenerational Ministry resources from an Australian perspective.

Study

• in-creation is a live / zoom-based reflective collective held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 28 November. Register here.

Devotional

• Common Grace

Sign up to receive this daily Australian based personal Advent resource – straight to your email inbox daily.

• With Love to the World

Daily devotions available via app. With a reading, commentary, hymn and prayer for each day.

• Uniting World

Uniting World’s online shop for Christmas “gifts that fight poverty and build hope.”

Journey to Joy – Resources for families and communities (Advent – Christmas 2022)

Advent: Journey to Joy (Intergen). Resources include:

Simple reflections on characters of the nativity, challenges and links to additional resources, including videos, songs and activities, over five weeks:

·         Countdown to Christmas– Resources for playgroups, childcare and community families over five weeks.

·         Advent and Christmas Reflections-  Resources for households and small groups.

·         Map and Ornaments- Simple countdown calendar for Advent & Christmas with daily challenges and Nativity Character Ornaments to colour.

·         Weekly Worship Planning resourcefor four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. There is also an Advent Candle Litany and suggestions for a Blue Christmas / Solace / Thanksgiving and Remembering Service.

Other resources (2022)

Christmas Bowl resources (Act for Peace) Worship resources for each Sunday and Christmas day including videos for projects supported by this year’s Christmas bowl.

Blue Christmas resources (PRC - USA) to assist leaders preparing for a service acknowledging a heightened sense of loss and grief for some at Christmas, including those remembering loved ones who have died.

New Music for Advent & Christmas (Port Phillip East Presbytery - UCA) A resource to broaden music and lyrics for congregational worship this season - including a guide to choosing music & lyrics to fit the congregation’s theology and mission (Leichardt UC, Sydney)

An Advent resource round-up (CRCNA - USA) Ten Advent and Christmas ideas for families and faith communities

Previous year’s Advent and Christmas resources can be found here

Intergenerational in Groups and in Homes

(See also Chris Barnett’s Monthly Updates for more information)

• 28 Ways to Prepare for Christmas A single page poster of small, meaningful actions to take in preparation for Christmas. *
• Daily Meditations around the Advent Wreath – From making a simple Advent Wreath, to a daily prayer aid, this resource takes participants deeper into and understanding and practice of Advent prayer. *
• Handel’s Messiah online A complete video recording of Handel’s Messiah from the Orchestra and Choir group “Handel and Haydn”. Popular sections of the Messiah are also offered as separate links. *
• Advent: Something is Coming!
  A fresh way to engage households, small groups and whole communities throughout Advent. This new, FREE resource encourages us to pray, reflect, grieve and rejoice as we draw nearer to Christmas.
• Christmas Family Faith Trail
  This excellent resource encourages households, small groups and even whole churches to explore the events of the Christmas story through five interactive stations across the four weeks of Advent.
• For us a child is born: all-age Advent resources (Synod of CNOB)
  This simple devotional booklet for all ages provides opportunities around the lighting of Advent candles, reading the scriptures and hearing stories that prepare us for the nativity.
• Advent: We Wonder
  These daily Advent podcasts invite all ages into an immersive, contemplative experience of the words of Scripture – making space for responses and questions, guiding in prayerful engagement.
• Busted Halo
  Features not just an updated version of the classic “Advent in 2 Minutes”, but also an on-line Advent Calendar to engage with daily.

Advent and Christmas outdoors

(See Also Mat Harry’s Youtube channel for other ideas on New and Renewing ways of being church)

• Lightning the church – Horsham UC Nativity Lights (2:07).
  Showing how a church in a regional town is able to use its’ building to offer a night-time nativity and light show.

• Worshipping outdoors – October 2020 Webinar (37:23)
  How might you include both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in Advent and Christmas worship in a safe and inclusive way? Worship outdoors can be an option that allows the most people to participate (NOTE: Please work within whatever Covid restrictions apply to your context at the time of your event). This Webinar replay covers: Present Context - Liturgical Framework - Styles of adapting to 'Outside'; Transfer, Translate, Transform - Examples and ideas - Further Resources - Being Inclusive

Worship leading and preaching

• Advent meditations 2021 Weekly reflections on the gospel readings of Advent from the new monastic community of Servants of the Word, - Ecumenical Advent Meditations. *
• Prayers & Reflections from our ecumenical community The NCCA have provided links to a range of Advent resources available through Australian Churches, including Act for Peace (Christmas Bowl) and Advent studies. *
• Advent + Christmas Resources 2021 is a video led by Dr Craig Mitchell from the Port Phillip East presbytery. The hour long video outlines a range of worship resources and ideas, with Craig and a range of other highly gifted practitioners providing ideas for activities, worship, music and insights for engaging our church neighbourhoods.
• By the Well - A weekly podcast where a Minister and a Biblical scholar discuss the lectionary readings to equip preachers to proclaim the Word.

Prayer and Meditation – Personal and Community

• Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – The Skit Guys Music and painting combine in this video for a powerful reflective prayer moment. Purchase with streaming license at https://skitguys.com/videos/come-thou-long-expected-jesus . *
• Praying through Advent Using the Arts & Faith resources, these videos lead a time of reflection and imaginative Ignatian prayer. *
• Arts and Faith Videos and guidance for using the Arts to prepare ourselves and our communities to engage in the themes of Advent. *

24 November, 2024 (Pentecost 27 / Reign of Christ)

17 November, 2024 (Pentecost 26)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 November, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 November, 2024 (Pentecost 25)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 November, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 November, 2024 (Pentecost 24)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 3 November, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

27 October, 2024 (Pentecost 23)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 27 October, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

20 October, 2024 (Pentecost 22)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 20 October, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 October, 2024 (Pentecost 21)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 October, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 September, 2024 (Pentecost 19)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 September, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

29 September, 2024 (Pentecost 19)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 September, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

15 September, 2024 (Pentecost 17)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 15 September, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

8 September, 2024 (Pentecost 16)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 September, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

1 September, 2024 (Pentecost 15)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 1 September, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 August, 2024 (Pentecost 14)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 25 August, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 August, 2024 (Pentecost 13)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 August, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 August, 2024 (Pentecost 12)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 11 August, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 August, 2024 (Pentecost 11)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 August, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

28 July, 2024 (Pentecost 9)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 July, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

21 July, 2024 (Pentecost 9)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 July, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 July, 2024 (Pentecost 8)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 July, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

7 July, 2024 (Pentecost 7)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 July, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

30 June, 2024 (Pentecost 6)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 30 June, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

16 June, 2024 (Pentecost 4)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 23 June, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

16 June, 2024 (Pentecost 4)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 June, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

9 June, 2024 (Pentecost 3)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 June, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

2 June, 2024 (Pentecost 2)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 June, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 May, 2024 (Trinity Suday)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 May, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 February, 2024 (Epiphany 6)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 11 February, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

4 February, 2024 (Epiphany 5)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 February, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

28 January, 2024 (Epiphany 4)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 January, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

These worship resources use common items found at home and may require a little preparation (candle, communion elements, etc).

21 January, 2024 (Epiphany 3)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 January, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 January, 2024 (Epiphany 2)

•  The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 January, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 December 2023 (Advent 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 3 December, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 November 2023 (Pentecost 26)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 November, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

19 November 2023 (Pentecost 25)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 November, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 November 2023 (Pentecost 24)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 November 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 November 2023 (Pentecost 23)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 5 November, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 October 2023 (Pentecost 22)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 October, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

22 October 2023 (Pentecost 21)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 22 October, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

15 October 2023 (Pentecost 20)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 15 October, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

8 October 2023 (Pentecost 19)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 October, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

1 October 2023 (Pentecost 18)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 1 October, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 September, 2023 (Pentecost 17)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 September, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

17 September, 2023 (Pentecost 16)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 September, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 September, 2023 (Pentecost 15)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 September, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 September, 2023 (Pentecost 14)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 3 September, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

27 August, 2023 (Pentecost 13)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 27 August, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

20 August, 2023 (Pentecost 12)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 20 August, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 August, 2023 (Pentecost 11)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 August, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

6 August, 2023 (Pentecost 10)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 6 August, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

30 July, 2023 (Pentecost 9)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 30 July, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

23 July, 2023 (Pentecost 8)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 23 July, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

16 July, 2023 (Pentecost 7)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 July, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

9 July, 2023 (Pentecost 6)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 July, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

2 July, 2022 (Pentecost 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 July, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 June, 2022 (Pentecost 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 25 June, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 June, 2022 (Pentecost 3)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 June, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 June, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 11 June is ready to print and be distributed.

Season of Pentecost 2022

20 November, 2022 (Reign of Christ )

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 20 November, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 November, 2022 (Pentecost 23)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 November, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

30 October, 2022 (Pentecost 21)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 30 October, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

23 October, 2022 (Pentecost 20)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 23 October, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

16 October, 2022 (Pentecost 19)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 October, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    9 October, 2022 (Pentecost 18)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 October, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.         

2 October, 2022 (Pentecost 17)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 October, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 September, 2022 (Pentecost 16)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 25 September, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 September, 2022 (Pentecost 15)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 September, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 September, 2022 (Pentecost 14)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 11 September, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 September, 2022 (Pentecost 13)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 September, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

28 August, 2022 (Pentecost 12)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 August, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

21 August, 2022 (Pentecost 11)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 August, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 August, 2022 (Pentecost 10)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 August, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

7 August, 2022 (Pentecost 9)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 August, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

31 July, 2022 (Pentecost 8)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 31 July, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 July, 2022 (Pentecost 7)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 July, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 17 July, 2022 (Pentecost 6)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 July, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 July, 2022 (Pentecost 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 July, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 July, 2022 (Pentecost 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 3 July, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 June, 2022 (Pentecost 3)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 June, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

19 June, 2022 (Pentecost 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 June, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

Season of Pentecost 2021

21 November, 2021 (Reign of Christ Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 November, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 November, 2021 (25^th Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 November, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

7 November, 2021 (24th Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 November, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

31 October, 2021 (23rd Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 31 October, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 October, 2021 (22nd Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 October, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

17 October, 2021 (21st Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 October, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 October, 2021 (Twentieth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 October, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 October, 2021 (Nineteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 3 October, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 September, 2021 (Eighteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 September, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

19 September, 2021 (Seventeenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 September, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 September, 2021 (Sixteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 September, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 September, 2021 (Fifteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 5 September, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 August, 2021 (Fourteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 August, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

22 August, 2021 (Thirteenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 22 August, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

15 August, 2021 (Twelfth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 15 August, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

8 August, 2021 (Eleventh Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 August, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

1 August, 2021 (Tenth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 1 August, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 July, 2021 (Ninth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 25 July, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 July, 2021 (Eighth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 July, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 July, 2021 (Seventh Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 11 July, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 July, 2021 (Sixth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 July, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

27 June, 2021 (Fifth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 27 June, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

20 June, 2021 (Fourth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 20 June, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 June, 2021 (Third Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 June, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

6 June, 2021 (Second Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 6 June, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

30 May, 2021 (Trinity Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 30 May, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

23 May, 2021 (Pentecost Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 23 May, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

Season of Pentecost 2020

31 May 2020

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Pentecost. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

7 June 2020

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for the Trinity Sunday. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

15 June 2020

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Pentecost 2. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

21 June 2020 

• The Shearwater Cluster of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 3 recognises the 43^rd UCA Anniversary. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

28 June 2020

• The Shearwater Cluster of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 4. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

5 July 2020 

• The Shearwater Cluster of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 5. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

12 July 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 6. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

17 July 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 7. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

26 July 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 8. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

2 August 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 9. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

9 August 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 10. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

16 August 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 11. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

23 August 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 12. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

30 August 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 13. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

6 September 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 14. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

13 September 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 15. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

20 September 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 16. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

27 September 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 17. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

4 October 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 18. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

11 October 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 19. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

18 October 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 20. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

25 October 2020 

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 21. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

1 November 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 22. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

8 November 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 23. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

15 November 2020

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Pentecost 24. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

22 November 2020 (Reign of Christ / Christ the King)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Reign of Christ. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

Pentecost Season Resources

• An ‘At Home’ Pavement Chalk Pentecost labyrinth for adults and kids. One of the delights for kids sheltering at home has been drawing with chalk on footpaths and driveways. Adults and kids can mark out the design together and decorate this Flame Labyrinth in pavement chalk. You don’t need to be an artist - a flame is always moving anyway, so whatever you draw will be perfect!
• Happy Birthday to the Church (UCA SA)
• “Creative Solidarity in Common Fragility” - World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2020. This World Council of Churches resource has been designed to assist people with prayer, study, advocacy and action.

Season of Creation Resources (1 September – 4 October) “Jubilee for the Earth”

• Season of Creation 2020 Guide – Ecumenical Worldwide resource
• Season of Creation – UCA Resource
• Common Grace have produced a series of resources for the Season of Creation 2020. During this year’s Season of Creation in September, we enter a time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth, where we hold tight to God’s intention to see the flourishing of the whole of creation. Stay connected throughout the season with a weekly email featuring prayers and reflections on the theme, as well as updates on activities and events you can participate in and pray for. Sign up here to get more information or to receive a Church Service resource toolkit for your church to use for any service you hold during the Season of Creation.
• For more information on the VicTas Synod’s response to Climate Change, check out the JustAct consultation and Letter writing actions.

19 May, 2024 (Day of Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 May, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 May, 2024 (Easter 7)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 May, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 May, 2024 (Easter 6)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 5 May, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

28 April, 2024 (Easter 5)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 April, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed. 

21 April, 2024 (Easter 4)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 21 April, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 April, 2024 (Easter 3)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 14 April, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

7 April, 2024 (Easter 2)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 7 April, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

31 March, 2024 (Easter Sunday)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 31 March, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 March, 2024 (Good Friday)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 29 March, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 June, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, June 4 is ready to print and be distributed.

28 May, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, May 28 is ready to print and be distributed.

21 May, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, May 21 is ready to print and be distributed.

14 May, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 14 May is ready to print and be distributed.

7 May, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 7 May is ready to print and be distributed.

30 April, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 30 April is ready to print and be distributed.

23 April, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, April 23 is ready to print and be distributed.

16 April, 2023 

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 May, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

9 April, 2023 (Easter Day)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 April, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

7 April, 2023 (Good Friday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 7 April, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 June, 2022 (Trinity Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 June, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 June, 2022 (Pentecost Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 5 June, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 May, 2022 (Easter 7)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 May, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

22 May, 2022 (Easter 6)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 22 May, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

15 May, 2022 (Easter 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 15 May, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

8 May, 2022 (Easter 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 May, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

1 May, 2022 (Third Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 1 May, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 April, 2022 (Second Sunday in Easter)

The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 April, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

17 April 2022 (Easter Day)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 April, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

Season of Easter (2021)

16 May, 2021 (7th Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 May, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

9 May, 2021 (6th Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 May, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

2 May, 2021 (5th Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 May, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 April, 2021 (4th Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 25 April, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 April, 2021 (3^rd Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 April, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

11 April, 2021 (2^nd Sunday in Easter)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 11 April, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 April, 2021 (Easter Day 2021)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 April – (Easter Day) is ready to print and be distributed.

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 March – Fifth Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

Easter Day

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Holy Week. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Connectible – Easter Day resources from Strandz, Children and Families ministry, Aotearoa.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Easter Day.
• Sally Douglas offers a Table Liturgy for Easter Day - "Come and have breakfast"

19 April 2020 (Easter 2)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 2. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

26 April 2020 (Easter 3)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 3. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

3 May 2020 (Easter 4)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 4. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

10 May 2020 (Easter 5)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 5. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

17 May 2020 (Easter 6)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 6. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

24 May 2020 (Easter 7)

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a "Worship@Home" service and reflection for Easter 7. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

Season of Creation 2024

From 1 September (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to 4 October (The Feast of St Francis of Assisi), Christians around the world take part in acts of worship and action focused on how we live in relationship with and care for God’s creation.

The International theme for the 2024 Season of Creation is To Hope and Act with Creation. ”Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, many are beginning to despair and suffer from eco-anxiety. As people of faith we are called to lift the hope inspired by our faith, the hope of the resurrection. This is not a hope without action but one embodied in concrete actions of prayer and preaching, service and solidarity.”

The symbol for this year is The First fruits of Hope. The theme calls us to reflect on the words of the apostle Paul, “in hope creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-25). We are called to join the whole cosmos in yearning for the work of the Spirit to bring about new life for all of creation.
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters have long walked in the wisdom of these interwoven, interdependent relationships and the need to care for country, acknowledging our role, as Indigenous Christian scholar Randy Woodley expresses, as one part of the “community of creation”.

Season of Creation is an opportunity to reflect on our role as stewards of God’s beautiful Creation and the need for us to work, pray and listen, as we seek to live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbour.

Resources - Readings, prayers, liturgies, action steps

• Queensland Churches Environmental Network (34 days of devotions written by members of the ecumenical churches network)
• Common Grace Climate Challenge (Australian based challenge to take action for creation and climate justice for the Season of Creation)
• Pacific Conference of Churches (Resources from a Pasifika perspective. Liturgical resources for an ecumenical worship event, with an appendix of thoughtful practical actions for change)
• Intergen (Weekly intergenerational worship resources, created by students and staff from Nungalinya College in the Northern Territory)
• Eco Congregation, Scotland
  • Weekly Worship Resources using the RCL readings, with video messages from Scottish countryside
  • A Creation Inclusive Liturgy for Communion (PDF)
• Season of Creation (International Ecumenical Season of Creation partnership)

Season of Creation 2023

From 1 September (the World day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to 4 October (The Feast of St Francis of Assisi), Christians around the world take part in acts of worship and action focused on how we live in relationship with and care for God’s creation.

The International theme for the 2023 Season of Creation is Let Peace and Justice Flow.

The symbol for this year is a Mighty River. The theme calls us to reflect on the words of the prophet Amos, “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24). We are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters have long walked in the wisdom of these interwoven, interdependent relationships and the need to care for country, acknowledging our role, as Indigenous Christian scholar Randy Woodley expresses, as one part of the “community of creation”.

Season of Creation is an opportunity to reflect on our role as stewards of God’s beautiful Creation and the need for us to work, pray and listen, as we seek to live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbour. This year’s refreshed material uses the Revised Common Lectionary Scripture readings for Sundays in Season of Creation.

Resources - Readings, prayers, liturgies, action steps

• Season of Creation (International Ecumenical Season of Creation partnership)
• Common Grace (Australian generated resources for Season of Creation)
• Intergen (Intergenerational Resources from Australia for Season of Creation)
• UCA Assembly (Sign up for the Assembly Season of Creation resource)
• Pacific Conference of Churches (Resources from a Pasifika perspective)

Also available

• UCA resources (From 2021)

Season of Creation (2021)

A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God.

From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world take part in acts of worship and action focused on how we live in relationship with and care for God’s creation.

The international theme for the 2021 Season of Creation is A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God. Oikos is the Greek word for “home,” or “household.” The theme calls us to reflect on the integral web of relationships that sustain the Earth, our common home.¹

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters have long walked in the wisdom of these interwoven, interdependent relationships and the need to care for country, acknowledging our role, as Indigenous Christian scholar Randy Woodley expresses, as one part of the “community of creation”.²

Season of Creation is an opportunity to reflect on our role as stewards of God’s beautiful Creation and the need for us to renew and restore the Oikos of God as we seek to live out Jesus call to love our neighbour.²

Message from UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis¹

Resources - Readings, prayers, liturgies, action steps

• International resources
• UCA resources
• Common Grace Resources²
• Port Phillip East Presbytery

1 December, 2024 (Advent 1)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 1 December, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 December 2023 (Advent 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 December, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 December 2023 (Christmas Day)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Monday 25 December, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

31 December 2023 (Christmas 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 31 December, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 December 2023 (Advent 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 December, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 December, 2022 (Christmas Day)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 25 December, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 December, 2022 (Advent 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 December, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

4 December, 2022 (Advent 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 4 December, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

27 November, 2022 (Advent 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 27 November, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

27 February, 2022 (Transfiguration Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 27 February, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

20 February, 2022 (Seventh Sunday in Epiphany)  

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 20 February, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 February 2022, (Sixth Sunday in Epiphany)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 February, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

6 February, 2022 (Fifth Sunday in Pentecost)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 6 February, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

30 January 2022 (Fourth Sunday in Epiphany)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 30 January 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

23 January, 2022 (Day of Mourning)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for the Day of Mourning, Sunday 23 January, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

16 January, 2022 (Second Sunday in Ephiphany)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 16 January, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

9 January, 2022 (First Sunday in Epiphany)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 9 January, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

2 January, 2022 (Christmas 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 January, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

24, 25, 26 December, 2021 (Christmas eve, Christmas day, Christmas 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resources for Christmas eve, Christmas day and Christmas 1 are ready to print and be distributed.

19 December, 2021 (Advent 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 December, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 December, 2021 (Advent 3)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 September, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 December, 2021 (Second Sunday in Advent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 5 December, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

28 November, 2021 (First Sunday in Advent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 November, 2021 is ready to print and be distributed.

Advent Faith at Home (UCA)
Advent Outdoor Worship (UCA)
Christmas Family Faith Trail (UCA)
Advent & Christmas Services (UCA)
Advent Engage Together Worship Resource (UCA)

Advent in 2 Minutes
Advent & Christmas (Strandz)
Advent Ideas (Going for Growth)
Advent & Christmas Ideas Hub (BRF)
Messy Christmas ideas (Messy Church)
Advent & Christmas resources (Mountain Masala)

Advent Calendars (Build Faith)
Advent Surprise calendar (Busted Halo)
A Celtic Advent Calendar (Contemplative Cottage)
Living Advent Wreath (Build Faith)
Watery Advent Wreath (Annette Buckley)
Advent Wreath Prayers for Home (Build Faith)

29 November 2020 (Advent 1)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for the first Sunday in Advent. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

December 6 2020 (Advent 2)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for the second Sunday in Advent. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

December 20 2020 (Advent 3)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for the third Sunday in Advent. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

December 20 2020 (Advent 4)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for the fourth Sunday in Advent. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

December 25 2020 (Christmas Day)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for Christmas Day. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

December 27, 2020 (First Sunday after Christmas)

• The Shearwater Ministry Team of the Gippsland Presbytery worship service for the First Sunday after Christmas Day. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

7 January, 2024 (Epiphany 1)

•  The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 January, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

19 February 2023 (Transfiguration Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 February 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 February, 2023 (Epiphany 6)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 February, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

5 February, 2023 (Ephiphany 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 5 February, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

29 January, 2023 (Epiphany 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 29 January, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

22 January, 2023 (Epiphany 3 / Day of Mourning)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 22 January, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

8 January, 2023 (Epiphany 1)

• • The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 8 January 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

21 February, 2021 (First Sunday in Lent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 February – First Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

14 February, 2021 (Transfiguration)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 February - Transfiguration is ready to print and be distributed.

7 February, 2021 (Epiphany 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 February - Epiphany 5 is ready to print and be distributed.

31 January, 2021 (Epiphany 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 31 January - Epiphany 4 is ready to print and be distributed.

24 January, 2021 (Epiphany 3)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 January - Epiphany 3 is ready to print and be distributed.

17 January, 2021 (Epiphany 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 January - Epiphany 2 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 January, 2021 (Baptism of Jesus)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 January - Baptism of Jesus. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.

Lent 2024 Resources

• Study and Lenten Disciplines

40 Days of faithful action for God’s creation - Lent Event from Uniting World. Resources for worship, study and personal action. Sign up required.

“Surprising Hope” study series from Common Grace. Weekly and daily updates by email and social media. Sign up required.

God’s Own Country: Indigenous voices speak to the church is a fresh Lenten study resource from the Anglican Board of Mission Australia.

Following Jesus for a World Restored  is a devotional series for individuals, groups and churches to explore what it means to join God’s work of restoration in a world longing for hope and justice from Tearfund Australia. Sign up required.

Where we meet: A Lenten Study of Systems, Stories and Hope is a book of a series of daily Lenten reflections from personal and biblical perspectives on justice, written for Lent 2024. The book can be ordered online from The Upper Room.

MediaCom have a range of Lenten Resources here.

True Freedom is a six-week course for Lent from The World Council of Churches and the Clewer Initiative, drawing on themes from the book of Galatians, and encourages individuals and churches to respond to modern slavery in their communities.

• Worship

Wild Goose have a range of Lenten resources for worship and prayer here.

The Work of the People have a range of video resources here.  (e.g. Visual Liturgies, video reflections for discussion)

Intergenerational resources for Lent & Easter, written by Sandy Brodine, via Intergen. (Downloadable)

A reflection on Ash Wednesday and Valentines day, Victorian Council of Churches.

24 March, 2024 (Palm Sunday)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 24 March, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

17 March, 2024 (Lent 5)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 17 March, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 March, 2024 (Lent 4)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 March, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

3 March, 2024 (Lent 3)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, March 3, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

25 February, 2024 (Lent 2)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday, 25 February, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

18 February, 2024 (Lent 1)

• The Gippsland Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 18 February, 2024 is ready to print and be distributed.

2 April, 2023 (Palm / Passion Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 2 April, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 March, 2023 (Lent 5)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 March, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

19 March, 2023 (Lent 4)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 19 March, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

12 March, 2023 (Lent 3)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 12 March, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

26 February, 2023 (Lent 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 26 February, 2023 is ready to print and be distributed.

1. Lent 2023: Oh, The Places You’ll Go

Written by the amazing Elizabeth Waldron Anstice, Oh the Places You’ll Go contains resources suitable for use in both the gathered worship and small group settings. These can be downloaded for free in either a weekly or combined form.

By way of an overview…

Lent is often described as a journey. Through the gospel texts of these weeks we see Jesus traversing the terrain of Palestine, heading towards Jerusalem, as well as exploring the inner landscape of the human soul and the hills and valleys of human relationships. All of this is familiar territory for God as we see in the accompanying texts from the whole of scripture. Abraham wanders towards blessing; Moses runs headlong into conflict; Samuel searches for leadership; the psalmist gets stuck and cries for forgiveness; the Roman community scale the depths of sin and grace. Together we open these stories like maps for our own journey in community to find our way, following Jesus. In intergenerational faith community we make time to pay attention to the world around us, and the space between us, and oh, the places we’ll go…

The Lent 2023: Oh, The Places You’ll Go Resource contains

Bible Engagement, Interactive Prayer and Music for

• Places of Testing - Lent 1 (Feb 26)
• Places of Wondering - Lent 2 (March 5)
• In-between Places – Lent 3 (March 12)
• Dark places - Lent 4 (March 19)
• Places of Death – Lent 5 (March 26)

2. Journey with Jesus: Lent resources

Downloadable as one combined document or as separate files, this series comprises...

• Journey with Jesus: Worship Resources: Bible readings, themes and suggestions for prayers, videos, and activities to do in worship, to assist with weekly worship preparation for the five Sundays of Lent.
• Journey with Jesus: Weekly Reflections: Weekly reflection, discussion questions, and challenges to help individuals, groups and families explore Jesus’ ministry and consider practices that form people who become lifelong followers of Jesus’ way.
• Journey with Jesus: Lent Journal: A printable journal for Individuals to help process the content and what next steps to take their own walk with Jesus.

• Journey with Jesus: Additional Resources: Additional ideas and suggestions for each week.

In Lent 2022 we are learning to be vibrant and faithful followers of Christ in the long tail of pandemic. We continue to grow in discipleship, and to worship in person, online, at home in families, and physically distanced in our various places of worship. The following resources are offered from around the church to assist with our journey through Lent at this time.

Lent 2022 Study Resources:

• The Church as Salt is written by Rev Dr Sally Douglas and illustrated by Pearl Taylor. This online edition can be used by congregations and by individuals. It includes each of the art works from the seven chapters and a one page collection of wondering questions, scripture, and prayer to accompany each of these themes.
• Lent Event 2022: Creating a World With More Hope (UCA)
• A Sent People: A Six-week Journey Through Lent (Strandz)
• Beatitudes for Lent: The Way of Love in an Upside-down world (TearFund Au)
• Seeking God’s Way: A Lent at Home resource (Mennonite Church USA)

Lent 2022 Worship and Study resources

• The Fig Tree Weekly Worship resources now contain daily reflections for Lent. These are captured at the end of each Weekly Worship PDF. Click on “This Week” on this webpage to find the latest version, and here to find previous editions (Scroll to the bottom to find the documents)
• Lent and Easter Resources (Port Phillip East Presbytery)

Intergenerational and Children & Families resources

• Easter resources (Max7)
• The Season of Lent: resources (PC NZ)
• Lent & Easter resources (Lifelong Faith)
• Lent & Easter resources (Moreton Rivers Presbytery)
• Lent and Easter: Practical Resources for Churches (PRC)
• Picture Lent: daily intergenerational reflections (Picture Lent)

Lent 2022 (Year B)

15 April 2022 (Good Friday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 15 April, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

10 April 2022 (Palm Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 10 April, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

13 March, 2022 (Lent 2)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 13 March, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

6 March, 2022 (Lent 1)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 6 March, 2022 is ready to print and be distributed.

Lent 2021 (Year B)

Lent 2021 Resources

• Illuminating Faithis a faith education initiative of the Congregation of Mark the Evangelist, North Melbourne, for Lent / Holy Week / Easter.

28 March, 2021 (Palm Sunday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 March – Palm Sunday is ready to print and be distributed.

21 March, 2021 (Fifth Sunday in Lent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 21 March – Fifth Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

14 March, 2021 (Fourth Sunday in Lent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 14 March – Fourth Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

7 March, 2021 (Third Sunday in Lent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 7 March – Third Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

28 February, 2021 (Second Sunday in Lent)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Sunday 28 February – Second Sunday in Lent is ready to print and be distributed.

Holy Week

1 April, 2021 (Maundy Thursday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Thursday 1 April  – Maundy Thursdayis ready to print and be distributed.

2 April, 2021 (Good Friday)

• The Gippsland Presbytery Fig Tree worship resource for Friday 2 April – Good Fridayis ready to print and be distributed.

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Good Friday. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Maundy Thursday.
• Sally Douglas offers a Maundy Thursday – Worship at Home.
• Julie Perrin offers a reading of Psalm 118 and a Collect
• East Gippsland Reflections. Rev Ian Ferguson reflects on Holy Week and the season of Easter with word and image

Good Friday

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Good Friday. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Good Friday.

Easter Saturday

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Easter Saturday. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Easter Saturday.

Going online

Live streaming worship services is a simple and effective way of participating in worship that doesn’t involve physically going to church. Facebook and YouTube are two platforms you can use. For more information on how to live stream a service or church event, click here.

If you intend to live-stream worship from your church building, please follow the latest advice from official government sources about the numbers of people who can be involved, and appropriate physical distancing.

The latest directive from the Victorian and Tasmanian state governments is that up to five people can be involved in a live-streamed service, provided social distancing guidelines are maintained.

That rule also prohibits people who are unwell from participating as well as people who are deemed vulnerable, such as:
· People who are immuno-compromised
· People aged over 70
· People aged over 65 with a significant medical condition
· Aboriginal Tasmanians aged over 50 with significant medical conditions.

With in-church worship now on hold for the foreseeable future, more and more congregations are looking to broadcast their services in other ways. Some are:

• pre-recording, such as Manningham UC
• live streaming, such as Hobart North UC
• podcasting, such as Richmond UC.
• using Zoom to connect children together for Godly play, such as Nourish from Brunswick UC (more information in 'Online Churches' below).

If you have found other ways to broadcast your worship, please email Nigel Hanscamp. We’d love to spread the word.

For a more complete list of VicTas congregations streaming, see ONLINE CHURCHES below.

Congregational worship at home

Here are some resources you may use to encourage people to worship and pray together, using common resources in their homes.

Window Installation

• An online exhibition created by participants at Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO), a mental health ministry of the Yarra Yarra Presbytery, based at Kew. The Installation invited the artists to reflect on parts of the Easter story, and to tell their story alongside the artwork they created – a ‘stain-glass window’. (note: large 28MB Video)

Holy Week

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Holy Week. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Maundy Thursday.
• Sally Douglas offers a Maundy Thursday – Worship at Home.

Good Friday

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Holy Week. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Good Friday.

Easter Saturday

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Holy Week. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Easter Saturday.

Easter Day

• The Shearwater ministry team (Gippsland Presbytery) offers a “Worship@Home” service and reflection for Holy Week. This resource is ready to print and be distributed.
• Connectible – Easter Day resources from Strandz, Children and Families ministry, Aotearoa.
• Julie Perrin offers a visual Collect for Easter Day.
• Sally Douglas offers a Table Liturgy for Easter Day - "Come and have breakfast"

General Resources (For this week, and those who want to work ahead)

• By the Well podcast from Rev Fran Barber and Rev Dr Robyn Whitaker (eLM and Pilgrim) explores one of the lectionary texts to equip preachers to proclaim the Word.
• Passing the Peace using AUSLAN.
• Engage Together (Free Lent download from CTM Resourcing)
• Spill the Beans (Downloadable Resource for Lent, Easter and Pentecost – Payment required)
• Connectible – Easter Day resources from Strandz, Children and Families ministry, Aotearoa
• East Gippsland Easter Reflections 02 - A Carpet of Green. Rev Ian Ferguson reflects on Palm Sunday with word and image.
• Julie Perrin offers a reading of Psalm 118 and a Collect.
• Mustard Seeds – Palm Sunday resources from Ann Scull, Boronia Road UC.
• Church at Home – A general resource of ideas for growing faith at home (Downloadable resource).
• Lost Sheep – Retelling Bible stories in a fresh way. Free resources are available here (Free Subscription required).

Readings

Resources related to the readings for this week, including reflections, and audio-visual versions of the readings.

Each week on the By the Well podcast, Rev Fran Barber and Rev Dr Robyn Whitaker explore one of the lectionary texts to equip preachers to proclaim the Word.

RCL Readings

 

Holy Communion

Communion is a key part of our celebration of the Church’s faith and life. During times of physical distancing, this brings opportunities to think differently about the sacraments.

The Assembly Standing Committee has offered resources to help Ministers and church leaders to think theologically and practically about how we offer worship with Holy Communion.

Sally Douglas offers a Table Liturgy for Easter Day - "Come and have breakfast".

Prayer and faith practices at home

Could this time of social distancing and isolation be Jubilee, Sabbath or Retreat? This could be a time to explore some different ways of being Christian and being Church.

• The Banyule Network has created five resources (see Lectio Divina, Examen, Praying With Images and Prayer Practices in RELATED DOCUMENTS below) on learning to pray in different ways. Try a different one each week.
• Rev Jennie Gordon, Presbytery Minister Gippsland and poet, has written this Affirmation of Faith as we shelter at home, based on Psalm 23.
• And this one for Psalm 130 “From Cries of comfort, to affirmation of hope".
• Interfaith Litany for Wholeness from Rev Andy Calder (see Related Documents below).
• Lent Engage Together (can be adapted for use at home and in small groups).
• StoryPath (linking lectionary to children’s literature).
• Weekly Lenten Study Reflections for easy sharing in a dispersed community from Craig Mitchell (Pres Minister Port Philip East).
• Lent Event is an action from Uniting World that encourages people to connect with justice for those living in poverty. Resources are available, including a Bible Study series on Jesus “the other”, and how to embrace difference.
• The Abbey of the Arts is giving a Novena for Times of Unravelling – nine days of prayer. To learn more about this free resource, click here.
• Poetry Unbound – a new, short-form podcast from On Being is presented by Padraig O’Tuama, and may be like a mini retreat in the new structure of your day.
• Thank You Prayers
• For families learning about the Lord’s Prayer, When You Pray – Children and When You Pray – Adults

Community support

We are called to Love Our Neighbour, Loving and caring in the world. There are many social media groups and posts going viral. One worth considering is the Facebook group The Kindness Pandemic. This has stories and anecdotes of kindness, compassion and hope. 

Messy Church has created the #MessyNeighbour hashtag in Facebook to share stories of Christ-Centred, all-age creativity, hospitality, and celebration. 

Here is a card you could slip under someone’s door to offer kindness and care. 

Re-imagining Church

At this time of disruption, we have opportunities for rethinking church as church leaders. 

Questions to consider: 

• During social isolation the typical distractions are not around, so is this a time in which the local church may be able to connect with the dechurched and unchurched? Is this a time when people will think about their spirituality and how would they locate the local church if they did?
• How does our church address complex social issues without a pulpit?
• In what ways can we be living into God’s mission at this time?

An excellent resource worth considering is from Traci Smith, who has compiled 100 ideas for ministers and ministry leaders.

Carey Nieuwhof writes about changes in church attendance. This is relevant to the way we think about Church during a pandemic. He also reflects on changing patterns of being church, through a reflection on changes in media.

Financial giving to your church

For many of us, our financial offering is a spiritual practice – part of our Christian discipleship, and a practical response to a generous God. For churches, offerings resource ministry and mission. The costs of our church’s mission and ministry continue during this time, and our ongoing financial support is important.

We encourage you to have a conversation as a church and inform your congregations of the best options.

In a season of physical distancing and forced closures, here are a few options to allow congregants to still give their offering.

• Put cash in an envelope (plain or a planned giving envelope) in an offering bowl at home. Contact your treasurer or elders to discuss how this should be collected.
• Mail a cheque to your church’s treasurer or stewardship contact.
• Use online banking through your bank, or set up a direct debit to your church’s account at UEthical (contact your treasurer for account details)

For more information about some online giving options, click here.

Your Presbytery has also been thinking about this and have specific responses for your situation – please contact them directly for more information.

Prayers

• The Banyule Network has created five resources (see Related Documents below) on learning to pray in different ways. Try a different one each week.
• Rev Jennie Gordon, Presbytery Minister Gippsland and poet, has written this Affirmation of Faith as we shelter at home, based on Psalm 23.
• And this one for Psalm 130 “From Cries of comfort, to affirmation of hope".
• Thank You Prayers
• When You Pray – Children
• When You Pray – Adults
• "A Way to Worship at Home"(see RELATED DOCUMENTS below) contains some ideas on creating a  worship space, and a practice of meditative worship at home.

 

Faith practices

Could this time of social distancing and isolation be Jubilee, Sabbath or Retreat?

The Abbey of the Arts is giving a Novena for Times of Unravelling – nine days of prayer. To learn more about this free resource, click here.

Poetry Unbound – a new, short-form podcast from On Being – is presented by Padraig O’Tuama and may be like a mini-retreat in the new structure of your day.

As stated above, the Banyule Network has created five resources on learning to pray in different ways (see Related Documents below). Try a different one each week.

• The Abbey of the Arts is giving a Novena for Times of Unravelling – nine days of prayer. To learn more about this free resource, click here.
•  Poetry Unbound – a new, short-form podcast from On Being – is presented by Padraig O’Tuama and may be like a mini-retreat in the new structure of your day.
• The Banyule Network has created five resources on learning to pray in different ways (see Related Documents below). Try a different one each week.
• Engage at Home are providing daily family prayer and worship activities (or via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #EngageAtHome.
• Top five faith resources for households, from the UCA Assembly website
• Way to Live offers resources for growing Christian practices with Teens
• Holy Habits offers resources for growing Christian faith and practices for all ages
• Faith 5 Five simple steps for everyday household engagement in faith
• Kitchen Table Project Ten easy things to try as a household
• Faith in Homes Faith nurturing tips, activities, podcasts and resources
• Faith in the Home Links to ideas to help families through the week

Financial giving to your church

Financial offering is a spiritual practice for many of us - a practical response to a generous God. Offerings resource ministry and mission in our churches.

In a season of social distancing and forced closures ask your Treasurer for direct debit options – or set aside your offering envelope in a jar to give to your visitor from church.

Live streaming congregations/Faith Communities

• Glen Waverley UC 10am worship livestreamed  
• The Village UC, Mount Eliza 10am livestreamed & recorded 
• St David's UC, Geelong 10am livestreamed & recorded
• North Balwyn UC 10am livestreamed & recorded
• Canterbury UC 10.30am livestreamed
• Cornerstone, Korean Church of Melbourne 2.30pm livestreamed & recorded
• North Ringwood UC 10am & 6pm, livestreamed
• Murrumbeena UC 10am, livestreamed
• Sonder Collective 5.30pm 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month via discord. Visit Sonder Facebook page to request link  
• Banyule Network 10am livestreamed & recorded 
• Waranga UC cluster (Colbinabbin, Murchison, Rushworth and Tatura) 9.30am livestreamed and recorded
• Fairfield UC – 5 pm livestreamed & recorded
• Manningham UC 10am, livestreamed & recorded
• Brunswick UC hosts Nourish on Wednesday 8th April from 4-4.30pm, a Godly Play via Zoom for primary-aged children to participate in together, exploring some of the key moments in Jesus' life and the Easter narratives. Bring your favourite pencils and some paper ready to use. Parents will need this link and a password (available from Dave Hall - [email protected]) to join the Zoom meeting.
• Brunswick UC - 9.30am, livestreamed & recorded

Recorded worship

• St Andrews Gardiner  
• Hanbit Korean Church 
• Hobart North UC 
• Kingston UC 

Pre-recorded or podcast

Recorded worship

• St Andrews Gardiner 

 Recorded Sermon

• Korean Church of Melbourne

Presbyteries

• Tasmania
• Port Phillip East
• Gippsland
• Assembly

 

Synod 

Moderator Denise Liersch and General Secretary Mark Lawrence sent this letter to everyone on March 27.