Lay participation in the service is one of the things that makes the 9:00 am service at First†Metropolitan special. Here are a few resources which will assist you if you have offered to help with the service and are getting stuck writing Prayers of the People:
Here are some suggestions for Prayers of the People:
- The prayer usually has an opening that names who/what we are addressing (e.g., Holy One, Creator God, Divine Mystery
- This is followed by a statement of thanks, e.g., for the beauty of nature, for families, for our church, etc.
- Then there are petitions which can include prayers for the world, prayers for our nation and province, prayers for our city and church, prayers for our own church family, members of our own families and ourselves.
- The prayer can be ended with a reiteration of thanks and a prayer for wisdom/guidance as we move into the activities of our lives.
- It can also be helpful to include elements of the Scripture and sermon messages and prayers related to world events or church celebrations in our prayer. See the Lectionary resources below.
A few websites that might be helpful in composing Prayers of the People include:
- The Centre for Liturgy website of St. Louis university posts prayers that follow lectionary themes.
- Each week, the World Council of Churches names a part of the world we might wish to pray for. If you click on that suggestion, you’ll pull up more specific prayer suggestions.
- Richard Fairchild’s Lectionary resource site includes a large list of resources, but by sifting through the possibility, you’ll likely find your own favourites.
- Bruce Prewer, a minister in the Uniting Church of Australia, has a website that includes entire liturgies, including his sermons. In the midst of this material, you can find good prayers.
- Nathan Nettleton, another Australian preacher has a webpage with easy to access prayers.
- World Prayers is a site dedicated to gathering the great prayers of the world into one database. Though these sacred verses arise from divergent paths, voices, languages, cultures and heritages, they all carry within them the same burning flame – the same impassioned love for life and the divine mysteries.
- The United Church of Canada website has downloadable copies of the lectionary for the current liturgical season and links to external sites where you can view the Scripture passages in several different versions of the Bible.
Date: Dec 7, 2009
Time(s): 10:00 am coffee and goodies, worship at 11:00
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church
This annual service is sonsored by the Women’s Ministry Network and welcomes those from neighbouring churches to a morning of conversation, coffee and festive goodies, followed by a worship service at 11:00 am. The theme this year is “Born of a Woman,” honouring all women and especially at this time of the year, Mary, the mother of Jesus. All friends and interested folk are invited to join us to ready ourselves for Christmas and the arrival of the Christ Child.
Date: March 6, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary
Come and hear this this special concert highlighting our delightful young people in song and chorus. Sponsored by the Music Team with proceeds earmarked to support the bursary program. Tickets $15. Refreshments will follow:
Date: Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, 2010
Time(s): 1:30 to 5:00 pm
Location: Intercultural Association, 930 Balmoral Rd. (basement of First†Metropolitan United Church)
As an introductory exploration of relationships among four different faith groups in our community, members of the Jewish, Baha’i, Christian and Muslim faiths are invited to participate in a series of engaging dialogues to share knowledge about their faiths, foster greater understanding and explore how faith groups can work together to create a more just, compassionate and caring Victoria. Hosted by the Victoria Multifaith Society, the South Island Dispute Resolution Centre and the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria. Pre-registration is required. A registration form may be downloaded from the Victoria Multifaith Society website. To apply to register or for further information, please contact:
Date: Feb 1, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary
Canada’s oil patch is booming. The Alberta tar sands have become the next big oil source for the United States, replacing Saudia Arabia. The tar sands are key to the claim that Canada is the new “energy superpower.” However there is a cost in terms in environmental damage and climate change. Hear Tony Clarke, DMin, speak on this issue. Cost $10. Sponsored by the Centre for Earth Literacies in cooperation with First†Metropolitan United Church, Please register in advance by click on the link above or by emailing:
In the past there has been great misunderstanding between the Christian community and the gay and lesbian community. This has led to much abuse, both ways, so that it has been difficult to be “out” as a gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgendered person in the Christian community or as a Christian in the gay and lesbian community.
The United Church is working to break down the barriers and has a network of supportive, affirming and or inclusive congregations. It worked with other groups to bring about the legalization of same-sex marriages.
Please let anyone you know who may be interested that Queer Victoria Christians, a new, seeker-friendly social group meets monthly at First†Metropolitan United Church. This social group is for gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgendered people who wish to explore their connection with God. Sponsored by the Victoria Presbytery of the United Church. For more information:
- E-mail: QVC
- Phone: (250) 544.8312
Date: Jan 18, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Rm 119
Join us for the first community education program on restorative justice for the new year. Constable Chantel Zeigler of the Victoria Police Dept will give a presentation on the problem of graffiti, some ideas on why taggers do what they do, and some possibilities for preventing the spread of graffiti.
Date: Jan 21, 2010
Time(s): 7:00 pm
Location: St John the Divine Anglican Church Hall, 1611 Quadra St., Victoria
Come hear guest speaker Toby Edelman, Senior Policy Attorney ofthe Cnetre for Medicare Advocacy. Ms. Edelman is visitng the area as part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Long Term Care Tour 2010. The BC Health Coalition is co-sponsoring this event with the BC Seniors Advocacy Network and the Hospital Employees’ Union. The partners wish to develop a more constructive dialogue among advocacy groups that work with individual advocates and pursue systemic advocacy goals. For more information contact the Health Employees’ Union:
Date: Jan 29, 2010 and Jan 31, 2010
Time(s): 7:30 pm (Jan 29) and 2:00 pm (Jan 31)
Location: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora, Victoria
Twelveth annual benefit concert for the Power of Hope, an organization dedicated to reaching out to youth through the arts, with special guest, Shari Ulrich. The Gettin Higher Choir is co-directed by Shivon Robinsong and Denis Donnelly. tickets $20 regular and $15 seniors/students/unwaged. Available every night at choir and at Larsen’s Music, 1833 Cook; Ivy’s Books, 2188 Oak Bay Ave; Munro;s Books, 1108 Government; James Bay Coffee and Books, 143 Menzies; Dig This, Broadmead Village. For out of town tickets, contact
- E-mail: Gloria
- Phone: (250) 995-8731
Date: Wednesdays, Feb 17 to Mar 24, 2010
Time(s): 12:00 noon
Location: St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 1611 Quadra St. Victoria
This popular Lenten series focuses on the theme of “My Spirituality” and features different speakers each week during Lent. Bring a bag lunch; coffee and tea available. Further information is available on the St. John the Divine website. Sessions include:
Feb 17: My Spirituality, Remi J. De Roo, Retired Bishop of Victoria
Feb 24: My Spirituality – an Evolutionary Story, Guy Dauncey, author and visionary
Mar 3: My Spirituality: Is it only God who makes us good?, Jody Paterson, writer, communication stategist, activist
Mar 10: More than meets the Eye: Growing Spiritual Vision, Christopher Page, Rector of St. Philip Anglican Church
Mar 17: My Spirituality – Keeping Faith in a Cynical World, John Ducker, Deputy Chief, Victoria Police Department
Mar 24: My Spirituality, Robert A Daum, Director, Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre, Assoc. Prof. Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought, VST