“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6 (ESV)
Below are some Services that may be useful for your branch/ group.
Service to Commission a GFS Leader
Service to Commission a GFS Sydney Chairman
World Day of Prayer Service
Each year girls and women from all over the world celebrate a World Day of Prayer on St Michael and All Saints Day 29th September. This was decided at the first GFS World Council in 1955. At first, the World Chairman would prepare the intercessions for the World Day of Prayer on a selected theme.
In 1959 the theme was Human Rights and Freedom.
In 1962 to assist the World Chairman who was from Japan, the countries England in 1963 and USA in 1964 were asked to undertake to produce the World Day of Prayer leaflet.
In 1969 it was agreed to have selected prayers instead of a complete service for the World Day of Prayer. The World Chairman could choose a theme and perhaps a special prayer each year, but that each country prepares its own Service to meet its own special needs and age groups. The World Day of Prayer Service sheet was only intended as a guiding framework for each country to add to or adapt as they wished.
For 1982 – 1984 Japan wrote the orders of the World Prayer Day Service.
Here is the Service that GFS Australia used in 1982. The theme was “The Year of the Tree”.
Here is the Service that GFS Australia used in 1983. The theme was “Together in Christ”
Here is the Service that GFS Australia used in 1984. The theme was “All One in Jesus Christ”
For 1985 -1987 Ireland felt that Faith, Hope and Love seemed a suitable theme on which to build the World Day of Prayer services (which Irish Chaplains produced).
Here is the Service that was prepared by GFS Ireland for 1985. The theme was “Faith”.
Here is the Service that was prepared by GFS Ireland for 1986. The theme was “Hope”.
GFS Sydney also had an alternative Service for 1986. The theme was “Peace”.
1988 – 1990 Sierra Leone produced the World Day of Prayer Orders of Service.
Here is the Service that GFS Australia used in 1989. The theme was “Service”.
1991-1993 New Zealand produced the World Day of Prayer Orders of Service.
Here is the Service that was prepared by GFS New Zealand for 1992. The theme was “Diversity yet Unity”
At the 1993 World Council it was suggested that countries who are not able to host World Council could prepare a form of World Day of Prayer for everyone to use (as a guide). Members would see the way other cultures worship and their view of God. Countries were asked to volunteer for the next three years at each World Council. Thus from then on a different GFS country has been asked to prepare the service each year.
Year 1994: Sri Lanka
Year 1995: Lesotho
Year 1996: Zambia
Year 1997: Ireland
Year 1998: Ghana
Year 1999: Nigeria
Year 2000: Zambia
Year 2001: Lesotho
Year 2002: Kenya
Year 2003: Ghana
Year 2004: Papua New Guinea
Year 2005: South Africa
Year 2006: Australia
Year 2007: Cameroon
Year 2008: England
Year 2009: Ghana
In 2010, the service was prepared by GFS Ireland. The theme was “Surprised by Joy”.
In 2011, the service was prepared by GFS Japan. The theme was “Towards a nuclear free world”.
In 2012, the service was prepared by GFS Kenya. The theme was “The New Command – LOVE John 13 : 31- 35″.
In 2013, the service was prepared by GFS Korea. The theme was “Unity and Reconciliation”.
In 2014, the service was prepared by GFS New Zealand. The theme was “Grasping the hope set before us Hebrews 7:18″.
In 2015, the service was prepared by GFS Papua New Guinea. The theme was “True Repentance”.
In 2016, the service was prepared by GFS Sierra Leone. The theme was ” Seek the Lord while He can be Found”.
In 2017, the service was prepared by GFS Philippines. The theme was ” Seek God’s Kingdom“.
In 2018, the service was prepared by GFS South Africa. The theme was “Worship and Service”.
In 2019, the service was prepared by GFS Rwanda. The theme was ” Discovering our talents and serving God in the contemporary world :
1 Corinthians 12:20″.
In 2020, the service was prepared by GFS South Sudan. The theme was ” Admit, Confess, Repent from our sins, and seek the face of our God. Amen 2 Chronicles 7:14“.
In 2021, the service was prepared by GFS Sierra Leone. The theme was ” The Proof of Faith”.
In 2022, the service was prepared by GFS Sri Lanka. Also GFS Sri Lanka suggested Hymns and Music to be used with the service. The theme was “Confidence in God and Commitment towards the worldwide work of GFS”.
In 2023, the service was prepared by GFS Uganda. The theme was “In Him was life and that life was “The light of all mankind.” (John 1:4).
In 2024, the service was prepared by GFS United States of America. The theme was “Faith Love” (1 Corinthians 13:13)