# GaryHopkins.net

> Faith that liberates, worship that welcomes, love that includes.


## Posts

- [Why I’m rethinking the words we use in worship](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/why-im-rethinking-the-words-we-use-in-worship/): Priming the Lectionary isn’t just more material – it’s a shift in how we speak about God: understandable, rooted in real life, sensitive to different experiences, and shaped by justice as the main arc of the biblical story. There are plenty of worship resources that offer prayers, calls to worship, liturgies, blessings, and responsive pieces. Some are beautiful. Some are familiar. Some are exactly what you need when you’re tired, stretched, or leading at short notice. But over the last few years I’ve found myself rethinking something more basic than “Do we have enough material?” I’ve been rethinking the words themselves
- [Displaced Light - the hard edges of the Christmas story](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/displaced-light-the-hard-edges-of-the-christmas-story/): I love the cosy bits of Christmas. Candles, carols, the warmth of familiar stories. We need that.  But the more I’ve been writing week by week with the lectionary, the more I’ve noticed some of the more challenging parts of our favourite stories. The gospels don’t give us a tidy Christmas. They give us a story with hard edges – anxious rulers, fragile safety, hurried decisions, and a family forced to move.  As I was diving into the Lectionary writing my new book, it really hit me this year.  The First Sunday after Christmas Day (Year A) takes us straight into Mary and Joseph fleeing with Jesus. Not a dramatic adventure – a desperate decision for safety. Then Epiphany arrives and we often lean into the star and the gifts – but it’s also about power, fear, manipulation, and strangers who bring kindness while a palace panics.
- [Why inclusive, justice-shaped worship matters to me](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/why-inclusive-justice-shaped-worship-matters-to-me/): If you’ve spent any time on this site, you’ll have seen me use the phrase “inclusive, justice-shaped worship” quite a lot.  It’s at the heart of Priming the Lectionary. It’s woven through the hymns, prayers and song videos I share. It shapes the free resources here and the work I’m doing through Holyvity. But I realise it may not always be clear what I actually mean by it.  This hasn’t always been my language. As I’ve journeyed in faith, my writing and ministry have become increasingly justice-focussed and intentionally inclusive. What began as “trying to find helpful worship words” has grown into a conviction that justice and inclusion are not optional extras or niche interests; they are central to the gospel and therefore central to how we worship. This post is part of how I’m trying to name that clearly.  What follows isn’t a finished definition, but a shared starting point. My hope is that it helps you recognise some of your own longings, questions and hopes for worship too.
- [Why I feel called to write and create](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/why-i-feel-called-to-write-and-create/): Why am I putting so much time into writing, creating worship materials, and sharing resources online? The short answer is: I can’t not. This feels like the shape my calling has taken – something I’ve been longing to do more.  But there’s a longer story behind it all.
- [Tips for using Priming the Lectionary](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/tips-for-using-priming-the-lectionary/): When I wrote Priming the Lectionary, I didn’t imagine it as a book you read once and shelve. I pictured it living on a desk, in a vestry, beside a favourite chair or in a chaplain’s bag – a resource you reach for as you shape worship, conversations and community life.  Alongside the book, I’m creating free companion resources here on GaryHopkins.net: prayers, ideas and, in particular, a song video that echoes the themes and can be used reflectively and inspirationally. My hope is that the book and the online materials speak to each other and make it easier to plan worship that is inclusive, justice-shaped and imaginative.  Every context is different. Some follow the lectionary closely; others dip in occasionally, or don’t use it at all. Some gatherings are in church buildings, some in homes, some mostly online. The good news is that Priming the Lectionary and the free resources are designed as a flexible toolkit, not a rigid script.  Here are some ways you might use them together.

## Pages

- [Praise](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/elements/praise/)
- [Commitment and Dedication](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/commitment-and-dedication/)
- [Love and Holiness](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/love-and-holiness/)
- [Relationships](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/relationships/)
- [Repentance](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/repentance/)
- [Suffering](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/suffering/)
- [Friendship](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/friendship/)
- [Healing and Wholeness](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/healing-and-wholeness/)
- [Mission](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/mission/)
- [Evening](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/times/evening/)
- [Holy Saturday](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/holy-saturday/)
- [Good Friday](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/good-friday/)
- [The Trinity](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/the-trinity/)
- [Death and Remembering](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/death/)
- [Doubt](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/doubt/)
- [Aldersgate Day](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/special-days/aldersgate-day/)
- [Christmas](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/christmas/)
- [Holy Communion](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/elements/holy-communion/)
- [Politics](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/politics/)
- [Conflict and Division](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/conflict-and-division/)
- [Justice](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/justice/)
- [Easter](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/easter/)
- [Worship](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/)
- [Projects and Links](https://garyhopkins.net/projects/)
- [Home](https://garyhopkins.net/)
- [Blog](https://garyhopkins.net/blog/): Take a look here on how to setup your blog page: http://docs.uxthemes.com/article/243-how-to-setup-your-blog-page
- [Sunday between September 11 and September 17](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-september-11-and-september-17/)
- [Sunday between August 21 and August 27](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-august-21-and-august-27/)
- [Sunday between August 7 and August 13](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-august-7-and-august-13/)
- [Sunday between July 31 and August 6](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-july-31-and-august-6/)
- [Sunday between July 24 and July 30](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-july-24-and-july-30/)
- [Sunday between July 17 and July 23](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-july-17-and-july-23/)
- [Sunday between November 13 and November 19](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-november-13-and-november-19/)
- [Sunday between July 10 and July 16](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-july-10-and-july-16/)
- [Sunday between July 3 and July 9](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-july-3-and-july-9/)
- [Sunday between June 26 and July 2](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-june-26-and-july-2/)
- [Sunday between June 19 and June 25](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-june-19-and-june-25/)
- [Sunday between June 12 and June 18](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-june-12-and-june-18/)
- [Sunday between June 5 and June 11 (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sunday-between-june-5-and-june-11-year-a/)
- [Trinity Sunday (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/trinity-sunday-year-a/)
- [Day of Pentecost (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/day-of-pentecost-year-a/)
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/seventh-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Ascension of Jesus (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/ascension-of-jesus-year-abc/)
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/sixth-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fifth-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fourth-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/third-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/second-sunday-of-easter-year-a/)
- [Easter Evening (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/easter-evening-year-abc/)
- [Resurrection of Jesus (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/resurrection-of-jesus-year-a/)
- [Holy Saturday (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/holy-saturday-year-abc/)
- [Good Friday (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/good-friday-year-abc/)
- [Holy Thursday (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/holy-thursday-year-abc/)
- [Wednesday of Holy Week (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/wednesday-of-holy-week-year-abc/)
- [Tuesday of Holy Week (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/tuesday-of-holy-week-year-abc/)
- [Monday of Holy Week (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/monday-of-holy-week-year-abc/)
- [Passion Sunday (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/passion-sunday-year-a/)
- [Annunciation to Mary (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/annunciation-to-mary-year-abc/)
- [Palm Sunday (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/palm-sunday-year-a/)
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fifth-sunday-in-lent-year-a/)
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fourth-sunday-in-lent-year-a/)
- [Mothering Sunday](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/special-days/mothering-sunday/)
- [International Women's Day](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/special-days/international-womens-day/)
- [Peace](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/peace/)
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/third-sunday-in-lent-year-a/)
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/second-sunday-in-lent-year-a/)
- [First Sunday in Lent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/first-sunday-in-lent-year-a/)
- [Ash Wednesday (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/ash-wednesday-year-abc/)
- [Transfiguration Sunday (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/transfiguration-sunday-year-a/)
- [Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-a/)
- [Presentation of Jesus (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/presentation-of-jesus-year-abc/)
- [Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fourth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-a/)
- [Hymns](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/hymns/)
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-a/)
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-a/)
- [Baptism of Jesus (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/baptism-of-jesus-year-a/)
- [Not a Story Wrapped in Comfort](https://garyhopkins.net/music/not-a-story-wrapped-in-comfort/)
- [Epiphany (ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/epiphany-abc/)
- [Second Sunday after Christmas Day (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/second-sunday-after-christmas-day-year-abc/)
- [New Year's Day (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/new-years-day-year-abc/)
- [Holy Name of Jesus (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/holy-name-of-jesus-year-abc/)
- [First Sunday after Christmas Day (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/first-sunday-after-christmas-day-year-a/)
- [Christmas III (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/christmas-iii-year-abc/)
- [Christmas II (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/christmas-ii-year-abc/)
- [We Are Full of Anticipation](https://garyhopkins.net/music/we-are-full-of-anticipation/)
- [Christmas I (Year ABC)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/christmas-i-year-abc/)
- [Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/fourth-sunday-of-advent-year-a/)
- [Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/third-sunday-of-advent-year-a/)
- [Can All We Do Is Wait?](https://garyhopkins.net/music/can-all-we-do-is-wait/)
- [Our Rulers Act Without Conscience](https://garyhopkins.net/music/our-rulers-act-without-conscience/)
- [Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/second-sunday-of-advent-year-a/)
- [Inclusive Communion Liturgy (LGBTQ+ Affirming)](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/elements/holy-communion/inclusive-communion-liturgy-lgbtq-affirming/)
- [First Sunday of Advent (Year A)](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/first-sunday-of-advent-year-a/)
- [When Troubles Are Around Us](https://garyhopkins.net/music/when-troubles-are-around-us/)
- [When Community Is Broken](https://garyhopkins.net/music/when-community-is-broken/)
- [God, Our Anger at Injustice](https://garyhopkins.net/music/god-our-anger-at-injustice/)
- [When Our Views Are Varied](https://garyhopkins.net/music/when-our-views-are-varied/)
- [Are You Wearied by the Darkness](https://garyhopkins.net/music/are-you-wearied-by-the-darkness/)
- [As I Stumble Through My Life, God](https://garyhopkins.net/music/as-i-stumble-through-my-life-god/)
- [Blessed Are You (Leap for Joy)](https://garyhopkins.net/music/blessed-are-you-leap-for-joy/)
- [Terms of Use](https://garyhopkins.net/terms-of-use/)
- [Using the Materials](https://garyhopkins.net/using-the-materials/)
- [Privacy Notice](https://garyhopkins.net/privacy-notice/)
- [Cookie Policy](https://garyhopkins.net/cookie-policy/)
- [Liturgies](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/liturgies/)
- [Service Outlines](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/service-outlines/)
- [Learning](https://garyhopkins.net/learning/)
- [Music](https://garyhopkins.net/music/)
- [Meditations and Spirituality](https://garyhopkins.net/meditations-and-spirituality/)
- [Prayers](https://garyhopkins.net/prayers/)
- [About](https://garyhopkins.net/about/)
- [Year A](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/year-a/)
- [Priming the Lectionary](https://garyhopkins.net/priming-the-lectionary/)
- [Spirituality](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/spirituality/)
- [Social](https://garyhopkins.net/social/)
- [Contact](https://garyhopkins.net/contact/)
- [Events](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/events/)
- [Times](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/times/)
- [Special Days](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/special-days/)
- [Elements](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/elements/)
- [Themes](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/themes/)
- [Seasons and Holy Days](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/)
- [Monday of Holy Week](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/monday-of-holy-week/)
- [Palm Sunday](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/palm-sunday/)
- [Pentecost](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/pentecost/)
- [Maundy Thursday](https://garyhopkins.net/worship/seasons-and-holy-days/maundy-thursday/)

## Optional

- [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/garyhopkins.net/mcp)

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