Roots Worship Together Magazine issue 147: January-February 2027

Welcome to our January/February 2027 edition of Worship Together – and the 25th year of Roots! Throughout this year we will be sharing some of the story of Roots and how Roots continues to resource churches of all shapes and sizes. See page 3 for an insight into how Roots first began. As part of the 25 year celebrations we are running a photo competition, with free subscription prizes to be won.

2027 also sees us start some new article series. Our first is on Intercultural Church, exploring the Biblical basis and importance of embracing the rich diversity God has intended for the Church. See our first article on page 4.

Following the increased interest in spirituality that seems to be happening in many urban and rural contexts, churches are often grappling with questions about how to help those from nonreligious backgrounds explore faith. In response to this, Roots is producing a series of Discovering God resources that provide all-age session plans on topics such as ‘How do I find purpose?’,  ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’ and ‘Is this all there is?’ Our first in the series, ‘Who is Jesus?’ is on page 6.

Finally, it’s worth highlighting that we have several Common Worship variations for the lectionary in these two months. For both 24 January (Epiphany 3) and 31 January (2nd before Lent) we have created a full service plan. These are available online, along with Epiphany and Candlemas resources.

Please also find your Roots’ 2026-27 Year Planner inside this issue.

I hope you enjoy all that Roots has for you in 2027.

Helen Bearn 
Senior Editor: Worship Together 

Contents

• Scripture in context  The ways of Jesus in Mark
• The story of Roots Celebrating 25 years
• Intercultural Church Reclaiming the New Testament vision
• Discovering God Who is Jesus?  
• Bread & Wine: All-age Communion 

3-9 January 2027 Glimpses of grace 
RCL Christmas 2 Year B: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9),10-18
Epiphany resources on web

10-16 January 2027 Close encounters 
RCL Baptism of the Lord Year B: Genesis 1:1-5;  Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

17-23 January 2027 I called you
RCL Epiphany 2 Year B: 1 Samuel 3:1-10,(11-20);  Psalm 139:1-6,13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51
CWV: Revelation 5:1-10 

4-30 January 2027   Repurposed
RCL Epiphany 3 Year B: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12;  1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20
CWV Epiphany 3 resources on web

31 January – 6 February 2027  With authority
RCL Epiphany 4 Year B: Deuteronomy 18:15-20;  Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
CWV Revelation 12:1-5a; 2nd before Lent, Candlemas resources on web

7-13 February 2027 Down the mountain
RCL Transfiguration Sunday Year B: 2 Kings 2:1-12;  Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

14-20 February 2027 The water and the wilderness
RCL Lent 1 Year B: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10;  1 Peter 3:18-22: Mark 1:9-15 

21-27 February 2027 Whose plan is it anyway?
RCL Lent 2 Year B: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31;  Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

28 February – 6 March 2027 Turning tables 
RCL Lent 3 Year B: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19;  1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22