• Colours • of the • Covenant - St. Luke Lutheran Church

pentecost 2014 1

spill the beansworship and learning resources for all ages

A resource with a Scottish flavour for Worship Leaders, Sunday Schools, Junior Churches and Youth Leaders,based on the Narrative Lectionary.

spillbeans.org.ukwww.facebook.com/spillbeansresources

© 2014 Spill the Beans Resource Team

issue 13pentecost 13-247 september 2014 to 23 november 2014

•Colours•ofthe

•Covenant

2 spill the beans, issue 13

At the beginning of 2009 a conversation began amongst a couple, then a few, then a group about collaboratively creating resources that enabled us to tell the story of

faith in a worship context and within age groups for younger people and teens. Spill the Beans was born as the result of that conversation and has grown and developed over the intervening years.

The ethos has remained the same, however. It’s all about story. For we believe story is the lifeblood of faith. In story we can tell the truth and speak with honesty about things for which there are not yet words. Story contains mystery and is the poetry that forms faith. Stories grow as we grow and can reveal new truths at different times in our lives.

So we believe giving stories to people is one of the most important things we can do in sharing our faith. Children and adults hold stories in their being and keep coming back to them throughout life. Our culture is stored in story. The same is true for our faith.

Narrative LectionaryOver the course of 2011-2014 the Spill the Beans Resource Team completed a full cycle through the Revised Common Lectionary. As we neared the end of that cycle we began discussion about what to do once we had completed that cycle. We considered the pros and cons of remaining with the RCL for another cycle or trying a different tack. We have decided, in a spirit of continual experimentation, to journey with the Narrative

introduction and ethos

Lectionary which begins a new four year cycle in September 2014, coinciding with Issue 13. This is why this issue contains resources for the first two Sundays in September which were already covered (following the RCL) in Issue 12.

The Narrative Lectionary is a new lectionary (it has just completed its first full cycle) that focuses story and retelling the broad sweep of the biblical narrative in each year. We felt that this focus has a natural resonance with the ethos of Spill the Beans. This is a new adventure. There are some other online resources that are using the Narrative Lectionary (NL), but this is at an early stage, so Spill the Beans will play an important part in resourcing congregations who are considering moving towards the NL.

Why have we decided to do this? To fully understand this you need to know that Spill the Beans is a work of love. None of the contributors are paid for their contributions, these contributions are written and prepared with our own congregations in mind. Instead of working in isolation, we bring this work together, give it some spit and polish, and share it with others. This is how we can keep the cost so low.

Many of the team were attracted to the freshness of the different approach taken by the NL and see it as a means of sparking new ideas and experiences for our congregations.

We pray you will also be enthused and enlivened by a new approach within worship and in your age groups, engaging with the great biblical narrative so that all people will let these stories shape their own story of faith.

introduction

In this 13th issue of Spill the Beans you will find an extensive collection of things to use each week. Each piece is written with specific congregations in mind rather than some

average congregation. Thus there may be the need to be a little creative yourselves in adapting and evolving some of the ideas to suit your own place and culture and congregation. That is a good thing.

Of course, if you are creative and you’d like to share what you have done, then we have a place for that on our Blog (http://spillbeans.org.uk). There you’ll find PowerPoint backgrounds for most weeks, a live discussion of the passages for that week and how we might be able to adapt and recreate what has been suggested.

These are a few ideas that possibly expand upon the story offering words, phrases, poetry and ideas that could be used in some way in worship. We encourage you not to use these exactly as they are but rather edit, expand and enmesh these ideas within the culture of your own faith community.

Each week we provide a selection of words, ideas and creative moments to take the theme and the passage a little further. We do not provide a ready made service or perfect prayers but ideas and pointers that hopefully scratch at your own creativity and provoke heaven’s imagination within you.

Here are some helpful tips to guide you in your use of the material in age groups:

1. It presumes some introduction to the story will have taken place in worship together or will play a part in the service when children join it later.

2. Depending on the make-up of your own groups of children you will need to remain flexible in how you use the material.

3. Each idea has been given a guide age range to help your planning, but this is only a guide so use your own judgement about what will work with your group.

4. Before the sit-down activities if you have a group of young children or lots of boys, you may want to add a run-around type game to expend some energy.

5. Use the gathering time exercise with the whole group to get into the story together across the ages.

6. We encourage you to retell the story together.

7. Follow that by choosing as many or as few activities your space and time allow. You could offer a number of activities each at different stations all at the same time for all ages to self-select with a teacher staffing each one, or have traditional classes.

8. During activities, ask children to retell the story to you and ask about their week, what was happy and what was sad and if this week’s story reminds them of other biblical and personal stories.

9. The intention is not to complete “the tasks” brilliantly, but rather to provide opportunities to begin conversations, build relationships, retell the story of the day, and talk about what it means for us today.

10. There are many websites that provide handout-type sheets that will have images, crosswords and wordsearches for the story of that week. They can be helpful in an emergency, but try to be more creative as leaders, the rewards are worth it.

spilling the beans

http://spillbeans.org.uk


pentecost 2014 3

For more information and extra materials, join us on the Spill the Beans blog: http://spillbeans.org.uk or join the community at http://www.facebook.com/

spillbeansresources.

The team producing this issue included:Shirley BillesKeith BlackwoodStephen BrownRuth BurgessScott BurtonLiz CrumlishStewart CutlerShuna DicksJonathan FlemingPeter GardnerRoddy Hamilton

contents PageThrough the Season Notes 4

Sunday 7 September 2014 (Pentecost 13) 8




Sunday 5 October 2014 (Pentecost 17) 40

Harvest Thanksgiving Ideas 48




Sunday 2 November 2014 (Pentecost 21) 77



Sunday 23 November 2014 (Pentecost 24, Christ the King) 103

Extra Resources and Activity Sheets 113

Please remember you can use the bookmark system within Adobe Reader to quickly move around this document.

contents and team

spill the beans resource teamKey to AbbreviationsIn the worship ideas section the following abbreviations may be used to indicate different sources of worship music:

ATAS All the Assembly Songs You’ll Ever NeedCG Common GroundCH4 Church Hymnary, 4th EditionCH3 Church Hymnary, 3rd EditionJP Junior PraiseMP Mission PraiseSGP Songs of God’s PeopleWGRG Wild Goose Resource Group

When Spill the Beans first began, seed funding of £1,000 was made available to us to get things off the ground. This funding came from ALTERnativity.

That seed money was returned to ALTERnativity once Spill the Beans took off and payments for the books came through.

In addition, the Spill the Beans Resource Team were delighted to be able to gift back to ALTERnativity £5,000 in 2014 to support the development of new resources for Advent and Christmas.

For more about ALTERnativity please see: http://www.alternativity.org.uk.

sharing beans

Karen HarbisonPeter JohnstonTina KempCaryl KyleJo LoveSandi McGillScott PagetLyn PedenBarbara Ann SweetinJulie Woods


http://www.facebook.com/spillbeansresources

http://www.facebook.com/spillbeansresources

http://www.alternativity.org.uk


through the season

Introduction In this section you will find some ideas for scene-setting activities and a weekly visual focus as you move through the season.

These ideas are provided for you to use and adapt depending on the size, shape and layout of your worship space and whether you have access to or expertise in using projected images and audiovisual elements.

These ideas provide possible ways of linking all the weeks together which can be a helpful reminder to people of the thread of the story and the key aspects being focused on during worship.

Colours Of The CovenantPentecost 13-19We begin with “Colours Of The Covenant” in the first part of this issue in which we explore different aspects of the covenant community. A storytelling chair, an object for each week and the colours of the rainbow could be used to good effect this season.

Place a storytelling chair in a place where everyone can see it. This could be a comfy armchair or rocking chair or wicker chair with high back or whatever kind of chair you imagine someone sitting in to tell and to share stories.

Note that the storytelling chair could also be used as a way of introducing the Narrative Lectionary itself.

Use the chair each week for the person telling the story. Put a table beside the chair onto which the object for each week can be placed.

The object suggested provides a visual focus for the story. If you prefer, or if space is tight, and you have access to AV equipment, you could make this a slide in your PowerPoint presentation rather than having a physical chair.

Alongside the storytelling chair and focus objects you can build up a rainbow, God’s sign of the covenant. This can be done in a variety of ways depending on the size, layout and physical features of the place in which you meet.

You want to be able to see all the different colours at the end of the season. Here are a few suggestions to get you started in your thinking and creativity. Please send us photos of how you do this in your space.

Rainbow IdeasRainbow Paper Chains

Make a large paper chain, adding a section of loops in the appropriate colour each week. The chain could be placed around the chair, wrapped around pillars, hung from the balcony or hung on the walls.

Rainbow Fabric

Buy panels of fabric in all the colours of the rainbow. Nylon lining fabric or voile would work well. Again you could hang the material in panels flat against the walls, drape from the balcony, wrap around pillars, drape over a coat stand or something similar so that the ‘rainbow’ can be moved around or put away if needed.

Rainbow Windows

Cover a different window or section of window with a colour each week. This could be frieze paper, fabric or cellophane.

Rainbow Tapestry

Make a wooden frame with dowels around the frame. Add ‘warp’ threads of loom (vertical) and each week weave a different colour as the ‘weft’ threads (horizontal). You could use wool, ribbon or florists ribbon (which would all be effective but quite time consuming). A quicker alternative would be to use cellophane or fabric strips.

through the season

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through the season

Weekly Suggestions7 Sept Pentecost 13 Story: Genesis 6:16-22,9:8-15 Title: Flood and Promise Colour: Red Object: Globe with “Fragile, Handle With Care”

stickers on it.

14 Sept Pentecost 14 Story: Genesis 12:1-9 Title: Sacred Stages Colour: Orange Object: Stones (large stones from a beach would

be ideal).

21 Sept Pentecost 15 Story: Genesis 39:1-23 Title: Keep Calm and Carry On Colour: Yellow Object: Box with a lid or a cage-style box with

open bars representing being imprisoned.

28 Sept Pentecost 16 Story: Exodus 14:10-14,21-29 Title: A Toe In The Water Colour: Green Object: Glass bowl with water (which could be

dyed lightly blue to make it more visible).

5 Oct Pentecost 17 Story: Exodus 19:3-7,20:1-17 Title: Starters For Ten Colour: Blue Object: Rule books, signs, Highway Code, school/

club rules, and so on.

12 Oct Pentecost 18 Story: Joshua 24:1-15 Title: Celebrations and Confessions Colour: Indigo Object: Books and photos about or from your local

area.

19 Oct Pentecost 19 Story: 2 Samuel 12:1-9

(Psalm 51:1-9) Title: Man In The Mirror Colour: Violet Object: A mirror.


through the season

Living Into The CovenantPentecost 20-24The focus for the second half of this issue is “Living into the Covenant”. Our stories so far have told of God calling out people to a different way of life with the promise of blessing which, for many, was a long time in coming. In the stories that follow, we see God given wisdom and authority coming into play. How can we harness that wisdom and authority to live into the Covenant as the people of God today?

Over the next few weeks, prayerful actions are suggested to allow us to focus on our calling and on the gifts that God awakens in us to enable us to be a Covenant people in our worship and in our daily living and loving. These prayerful actions will be symbolised in worship and lived out in our daily lives.

As the weeks progress it would be great if folk shared some of the differences they experience as they live into the Covenant. This sharing might happen during worship, over coffee or on social media.

Where these actions involve movement during worship, it is important to be mindful of those for whom this is difficult, whether physically or for other reasons and to provide inclusive options. Often, the folk sitting close by can help out by collecting extra symbols or by respecting those who do not wish to participate.

Weekly Suggestions26 Oct Pentecost 20 Story: 1 Kings 3:4-9,(10-15),16-28 Title: Wisdom’s Child

Action: Solomon, out of all the gifts he could have asked of God, asked for wisdom. What would be the gift that would mean most to you this day?

Lay out some pens and coloured strips of paper (some printed with gifts: love, peace, patience, joy, healing, wisdom, and so on, and some blank onto which folk can write the gift that would mean most to them today. Create some space during worship when people can come forward and choose (or create) a gift.

For those who find it difficult to move, have some sheets printed, with options and space to write their own longing.

Ask folk to take these home and reflect on how God reveals their chosen gifts in the week ahead.

Encourage sharing with one another or on the church’s Facebook page if appropriate as the week goes on.

2 Nov Pentecost 21 Story: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Title: Wash & Go

Action: In the Game Show, The Cube, contestants have the option of simplifying a task to make it more achievable.

Many of the things that God asks of us are really very simple. We overlook these in our quest for the more complicated. Invite people to find one thing in their life that they can simplify this week.

Play the theme music from The Cube or talk of the various “cheats” available for video games or display a Jenga tower or a Rubik’s cube or similar and give folk space to imagine something that we could simplify in life, allowing us more time to spend with God.

through the season

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through the season

9 Nov Pentecost 22 Story: Micah 5:2-4,6:6-8 Title: Vision and Reality

Action: 100 years on from the start of the Great War, are we any closer to peace?

Make some giant (red) poppies and cover them with white strips on which are printed the words of Micah 6:8. As folk leave the sanctuary, they could take a strip as a reminder of what God requires of us.

Alternatively, ask people to consider, when they remove their poppies after Remembrance this year to write on them the words of Micah 6:8: to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with God and to carry those as a reminder that our actions can create peace.

16 Nov Pentecost 23 Story: Isaiah 36:1-3,13-20,37:1-7,(2:1-4) Title: Rumour Has It

Action: Give folk a feather as they come into worship.

During the service, ask folk to reflect on some of the unhelpful rumours that exist about the church: • The church is dying.• It’s not for the likes of us.• It’s always looking for money.• It’s hard to get into. • It’s boring. • There’s a dress code...

How can we change those rumours?

Encourage people to carry their feather with them for the next few days or weeks as they spread a different message about the church and to pray for new, positive rumours to be lived into.

23 Nov Pentecost 24 Story: Jeremiah 1:4-10,7:1-11 Title: Gateways To Grace

Action: The good news of God’s Kingdom is often revealed in simple ways by unlikely people.

Most congregations, in the lead up to Christmas will have extra activities planned. Prepare leaflets or invitations that folk can take to neighbours or friends, encouraging them to be involved in the activities taking place during Advent.

Even if your parish does a leaflet drop in Advent, personal invitation is still the most effective way to include others.

During prayer, invite folk to come and take a leaflet/invitation with someone in mind to whom they will extend an invitation this Advent. Pray for those who will respond to the invitation.

You are invited...


bible notesThe Oldest Story

Here is the oldest story on the planet. At the start of using the Narrative Lectionary, it is perhaps fitting to begin with one of the world’s oldest pieces of narration.

This story has tremendous power whether it be the story of Noah, the epic of Gilgamesh (the ancient Babylonian version) or any of the other flood stories almost every culture has produced, including a number Hollywood versions (for example, the film ‘2012’). This story of a wicked world, the flooding of it, and its subsequent rebirthing has such dramatic weight that almost every culture can see its value, worth and truth.

At its core this is an environmental story. The recent Noah film starring Russell Crowe in the title role emphasises this core theme, and is now available on disk should you wish to show a clip from it this week.

We can read Noah in many different ways. The planet has gone through many extreme events: it has been a whole lot warmer; it has been a whole lot colder; the whole planet has been a snowball; we have had major sea-level rises before, and sea-level reductions due to ice-ages. At earlier times there has been so much CO2 in the atmosphere that none of us would have been able to breathe. We have had a lot of very different climates on our planet in the past compared to the unusually constant climate over that last 20,000 years. The planet has survived each time and will do so again. Climate change is not a threat to the planet.

However, climate change is a threat to humanity as a species because when most of these more extreme climatological events took place (compared to what we depend on today), modern humans had not yet evolved. Our present unusually stable climate has enabled a great diversity of life to evolve, including humans.

Where Noah comes into this scenario it is to open our eyes to the fragility of a theology that supposes all things are fine and all manner of things will be fine, that there is a God who keeps us safe and we just have to keep doing what we are doing and all will be well. There is an apocalyptic version of theology that suggests it is hardly worth being concerned about the

environment when God is going to intervene at the end of time anyway and build a new world. This way of thinking leads to the temptation to not bother worrying about what damaging effects we may be having on our world now that ultimately will harm us.

Is this not rather dangerous theology? Noah suggests it is because this story is clear about there being a spiritual connection with everything.

The covenant God offers is not just to humanity, but to the whole of creation. Our salvation is tied up with everything else within creation. The Ark was not just for humanity, the story tells of how a sample of all creation was preserved for the ‘reboot’ that would follow. To imagine it is all about us, and only us, is not Noah’s perspective nor is it God’s.

There is also the more subtle aspect that those who do best out of the misuse of the environment are those with power. Ecological crises it seems mostly affect the poorest and the least informed. Those who are wealthy can afford to move, to build in safeguards or insure themselves against “acts of God”.

Noah reflects the imbalance of life and of its fragility and reminds us about integrity, not just of creation but of God’s covenant that pulls not individuals but Life itself through all things and offers us another chapter, another episode. We are all bound up in this together.

flood and promise

sunday 7 september 2014

pentecost 13 sunday 7 september 2014

Genesis 6:16-22,9:8-15(Matthew 8:24-27)

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flood and promise

Before The BeginningA monologue by Shem, son of Noah, in a mood of anger and sarcasm at first, more thoughtful towards end.

It will be different next time. If there is a next time. Dad is of course saying there will be no next time. Apparently that’s a promise. Never again. If I’m in charge, it will definitely not be a repeat performance. I won’t just stand there without arguing back. I’ll have something to say about it! There’s going to be a flood, but our little tribe will be fine, so that’s no problem then? It’s just tough luck for all the rest? I don’t think so! Honour your father? How can I honour a man who did not even put up a fight for the sake of our own neighbours, let alone the poor drowned cities we will never have a chance to know? What about my poor old friend Aphas? More of a brother than Ham and Japheth have ever been. What about that lamb he loved like a child, and all his family and their flocks?

So, the waters are subsiding and we have survived. We’re alright, so everything’s alright? Thank God the disaster happened to someone else? Thank God our lives were worth saving? Nobody else’s lives really mattered, right?

We can not yet see what flooding does to the world, but we are beginning to smell it. Does Dad naively think the sea will just go back to where it belongs and leave everything green and shiny and fresh? Does he really see those strange bands of colour in the sky as proof of a happy ever after? They look to me like an upturned arc… an upturned ark. God, what a warning! Why should the few stay afloat while the many go under? Who are we to just batten down the hatches while the land is laid to waste? Who has the right to build a cocoon and hide while others have nowhere to run? Lord, you’ve placed your upturned ark in the sky… and you have warned us, it will be different next time.

Retelling For Young PeopleEtch-A-Sketch World?

Try to get hold of an Etch-A-Sketch or similar toy which allows you to create a drawing and then magically wipe it clean to start again.

• How good are you at drawing?

• What are your favourite animals to draw?

Pass round paper and pencils and ask the children to try drawing their favourite animal. While they are doing this, you do the same on your own piece of paper.

Compare the drawings and compliment the children on their efforts. But be critical of your own drawing, making a point of correcting it, pointing out where it had gone wrong, and so on.

A story has been told for thousands of years about a world in which things were going wrong. People were hurting each other, and hurting the planet. People did not want to live gently and peacefully with each other, caring for the world, and making sure that they shared with one another.

It made God very sad. The beautiful place he had created, a bit like a beautiful picture, was not the same as it had been. Whenever he saw people hurting each other, it was like another crack in the paint or smudge on the picture. If only there was something God could do?

At this point you could bring out the Etch-A-Sketch showing how it works, and how, when mistakes happen and things go wrong, you can start all over again.

God had an idea... what if he started over? So he found someone to help him, a man named Noah. They hatched a plan that involved building a huge boat so that they could help the animals that could not swim to live.

God’s plan was to wipe the earth clean... to start again. Maybe it would be better the next time over, and his beautiful world would stay looking perfect.

When the boat was ready, after the animals had all come aboard, the doors were shut, the hatches closed, and then came the rain. First a few drops, then a shower, then a storm. Water broke the banks of rivers, gushing out across the land.

The plan was now unstoppable. And those that were not on the boat... well, the animals, the people, all drowned.

It would be a new start. The plan had worked! Or had it?

When the waters slowly, many weeks later, started to go down. The boat eventually stopped bobbing on the water and came to a rest on the high land. As more land was revealed, Noah, his family and the animals climbed out ready to start again.

Where the world had once been full of noise and chatter. Now it was almost silent, just the noise of the few animals that had been saved. It was bare and muddy puddles were everywhere.

God began to have second thoughts. Maybe this plan had not been the best idea? And so, then and there he decided that what he had created was not an Etch-A-Sketch kind of world. He would never ever do anything like that again.

It would mean the world would not always be the prettiest, sometimes things would go wrong. But when they did, God would try to help people work to make things better.

the story


Through the SeasonPlease visit pages 4 and 5 where you will find ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season. This can be used to create a visual stimulus that will tie together the next weeks and the focus on covenant.

Gathering Activity You will need: large bowls or basins of water, cups, towels.

Invite people to fill a cup of water and pour it from a good height back into the bowl or to swirl the water round with their hands.

Call to WorshipDrip drop. Trickle. Gurgle.

Splash! Crash! Roar!

The sound of water,the sound of life.

We come this morning to the life giver,in worship and praise,ready to hear againand to notice afresh an old story.Gather round safe from the stormas we come to Godwho has promised us never again.

All-Age PrayerEncourage contributions to this prayer of thanks for creation, moving through the alphabet as you go. Some examples below to get you started.

Ants, antelopes, ardvaarks.Bisons, buffaloes, buffoons.Cobras, cats, centipedes.Dogs, ducks, dolphins... and so on.

Prayer of DedicationStewards of creation,stakeholders in the universe,called to be responsible citizenscaring for our planet.May we guard the earth and all its creatures,the world and all who live in itand may we work for justice, peace and harmonyso that all may live togethersharing the abundance that God has given.Amen.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionGod of the whole universe,you who can cast a whole light show with the sun and the moon and the stars,you who commands streams and rivers and oceans,you who formed mountains and valleysand populated the earth with all manner of living things,meet with us here in this place.

You meet with us, we who are concerned with the minutiae of life,who are so consumed with our small cornerthat we fail to see the vastness of creationand the magnificence of our creator.

We confess that we are distracted by muddy puddleswhen you would have us contemplate still waters.

We worry about midgesand miss the display of buzzards overhead.

We complain about the stairs outside our homeswhen you invite us to scale mountains.

Scale and perspective we often misconstrue.

God give us insight to love and honour your creation:the weird and the wonderful,the different and diverse,the magical and magnificent,the outstanding and the ordinaryand remind us of our place in creation asbeloved children of the God of the Universe.We are loved, freed, forgivenand called to be stewards of the earth.Amen.

Reflection Voice 1: Water—clear, cool refreshing.

Voice 2: Water—mucky, fetid, stinking.

Voice 1: Reflecting light, a rainbow of colours.

Voice 2: Containing raw sewage, a riot of vermin.

Voice 1: Flowing gently, calming the soul.

Voice 2: Lying stagnant, causing despair.

Voice 1: Creating a mirror, sparkling with light.

Voice 2: Grey and sludgy, sucking out hope.

Voice 1: Quenching thirst, bringing life.

Voice 2: Harbouring bugs, spreading disease.

Voice 1: Gentle rain, bringing relief.

Voice 2: Violent storm, proclaiming disaster.

Voice 1: Watering crops, refreshing the land.

Voice 2: Submerging fields, killing livestock.

Voice 1: Keeping to boundaries, carefully defined.

Voice 2: Rampaging indiscriminately, out of control.

Voice 1: Water—bringer of life.

Voice 2: Water—harbinger of death.

worship ideassunday 7 september 2014

pentecost 2014 11

Prayer for Others and OurselvesCreator God,as we look on the ravages of nature,vast areas destroyed by flood or famine,by hurricane or earthquake,by drought or disease,may we see you huddled down sheltering with your peoplehomeless, bereaved, despairing, questioning. Why?

May we see you in those who seek to help those in need:aid agencies, non-government and government organisationspulling together to bring relief.

May we see you In those who formulate policiesto rebuild communities,to strengthen infrastructure,putting people before profit.

May we see you in scientistsseeking to bring healing and cureand may we go to be where you arein the midst of your suffering children.There may we learn how to face our fears and stand firm.May we learn from them resilience and faithin the midst of loss and grief,and, as we so graciously receive,may we learn how to serve alongside all those whose names we do not know.

We bring to you those we do know: those who occupy our hearts and minds, those who need to know your love and our love today.

God in the midst of every landscape of devastationgive us the wherewithal to rebuild, renew.

May we know the wonder of your re-creation every dayAnd praise you, creator, transformer, redeemer God.Amen.

Sending With either side of the congregation speaking back and forth.

Left: As we have worshipped

Right: so we go out into the world.

Left: God’s promises are endless

Right: and his love is constant and true

Left: in flood and in drought,

Right: in hope and in expectation.

Left: God’s blessings are abundant

Right: from the top of the mountain

Left: to the deepest valleys

Right: today and always.

Rainbow MakersThere are two ways of doing this activity.

Firstly, as a leaving activity provide basins of water (cold) that have a pile of different coloured glass pebbles in each. As people leave invite them to put their hand into the bucket and reflect on the story of the flood. Then to pick up a glass pebble, one of the colours of the rainbow, and take it with them, living the experience of their hand and pebble drying, the time that it takes and the way God’s promise works bringing new order from chaos.

The alternative way is to do this during the service but for everyone to take their glass pebble and place it on the communion table, covered in a sheet of polythene and then a white cloth, and create a rainbow or a cross together or some other pattern involving all the colours of the rainbow.

Alternatively people could take their coloured pebble and place it somewhere in the sanctuary or further afield, in homes of the housebound or family. The idea being to scatter the rainbow and thus the promise, into the world.

Praise/HymnsAs a fire is meant for burning CH4 252

Deep and wide JP 35

Do not be afraid CH4 191 / MP 115

Eternal father, strong to save CH4 260 / MP 122

God in his love for us CH4 240 / MP 832

Have you heard the raindrops CH4 525

I, the Lord of sea and sky CH4 252 / MP 857

It’s a world of sunshine CH4 245

Lord, bring the day to pass CH4 238

Mister Noah JP 167

Noah was the only good man JP 432

O Lord, the clouds are gathering CH4 708 / MP 509

O love that wilt not let me go CH4 557 / MP 515

Old man Noah JP 440

There’s a rainbow in the sky ATAS 239

Think of a world without any flowers CH4 155

Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heavens CH4 28

Touch the earth lightly CH4 243

Wide, wide as the ocean JP 292

flood and promise


gathering Boat Building all age

You will need: wooden blocks, Duplo or Lego.

Ask the children to work together to build a boat. Talk about the challenges of building a boat and use that as a way in to the story of Noah and the boat he had to build.

Alternatively, gather together a selection of story books, jigsaws and toys which tell something of the story and get the children to play with the toys together, read the books to each other and use this as a way into the story of Noah.

age group ideascraftsPaper Plate Pictures age 3-5

You will need: paper plates, PVA glue, glue spreaders, scraps of blue and brown coloured paper, thin gift ribbon, sellotape, pencils.

Give each child a paper plate. Help the children to write their name on the back of the plate. Cut the gift ribbon into lengths of about 8 c.m. and form into a loop, sellotaping onto the back of the plate so that plate can be hung up.

Ask the children to tear the blue and brown paper into pieces (you will need a lot more blue than brown). The children should then cover the plate with pieces of blue paper, sticking on with glue and overlapping pieces of paper. Then the children can stick a few pieces of brown paper in the middle of their ‘flood’ to represent the ark.

Talk about how the children think Noah would have felt in the ark—worried, scared, sea sick, excited—and how he wanted to look after the animals. Talk about how we can help to look after the world and animals.

Rolling Seas age 6-8You will need: blue and white poster paints, paper plates, paintbrushes, thick paper (lining paper cut to fit ‘tray’ works well), a few ‘trays’ (could be baking trays with deep sides or cardboard lids of A4 paper boxes), marbles, wipes.

Beforehand, cut the paper to fit inside the trays you are using. Give each child a paper plate and a paintbrush and provide blue and white poster paints. Have the children make their own palettes of shades of blue by mixing the blue and white paint. Give each child a marble. Get the children to dip the marble into one of their shades of blue. The children should place their marble in their tray and tilt the tray from side to side so that marble rolls around and leaves a trail of paint.


worship ideasTake Home IdeasConversation Starters

• If you could only grab three things on your way out of your house as the flood waters rise in the street outside, what would you save and why?

• What in the world today would make you want to wipe the slate clean and start again?

• How does this story help us think about natural disasters in the world?

• What does this story have to say to us about evil in the world?

• What message about environmentalism do your take away from the Noah story?

• When flooding recurs in parts of the world today, how might this story inspire you to rebuild with hope?

Film NightArrange a night to watch the film “Noah” which has been released on disk. Resources to assist a discussion thereafter about the themes of the film are available online from Damaris at http://www.damaris.org.uk/noah.

Rainbow MessagesEncourage church members when they return home to draw a rainbow on a sheet of paper and place it somewhere they will regularly see it (perhaps on the fridge door), adding a word they have taken away from the service today to one of colour arcs of the rainbow.

Over the weeks that follow as the covenant of God with his people is explored, further key words or themes can be added to the rainbow as a reminder.

http://www.damaris.org.uk/noah

pentecost 2014 13

Repeat with different shades of blue until paper is fairly well covered. Use wipes to clean the marbles as necessary and to clean hands at the end. The end result should be a seascape of rolling seas.

Talk about how the children think Noah would have felt in the ark, perhaps worried, scared, sea sick, excited, and how he wanted to look after the animals. Talk about how we can help to look after the world and animals.

Sea Marbling age 9-12You will need: blue, white and green powder paint, cooking oil, water, small plastic bowls, tin foil roasting dish, paper (lining paper cut to fit inside tin foil dish) paintbrushes, plastic spoons.

Give each child a small plastic bowl. Each child should make a shade of blue or green by mixing small amounts of powder paint in bowl with plastic spoon and then adding a small amount of cooking oil (aim to make about two tablespoons worth in each bowl). Put some water (about 1 c.m. deep) into the foil dish. Get the children to shake drips from their bowl into the water and then stir gently with the handle end of the plastic spoon to mingle the colours. The colours should be mingled so that the different shades can be seen rather than stirred so that it all becomes a mass of the one colour. One of the children should then place their sheet of paper on top of the water to pick up the paint. Repeat the process until each child has a sea marbling picture.

Talk about any storms or extreme weather the children have experienced. How did they feel? Talk about how the children think Noah would have felt in the ark and about situations where there are floods/droughts today. What could we do to help? Find out about Water Aid and share information with the children.

Earth Watch all age You will need: large globe shaped paper lamp shade (one for every four/five children), pale blue acrylic paint, paintbrushes, paper plates to put paint on, PVA glue, glue spreaders, scissors, images of endangered species (either have laptop available and let children do some research themselves or download some information, including pictures), paper, felt tip pens, thin gift ribbon, sellotape.

Divide the children into groups of four/five with a variety of ages in each group. Get some of the children to paint the globe blue, representing the water of the flood. Get some of the children to find out about endangered species and to draw, colour and cut out pictures of animals and plants to stick on the globe with glue. Attach a piece of gift ribbon to the inside of the globe at the top so that the globe can be hung up and displayed.

Talk about the dangers of the flood which Noah faced and how Noah looked after the world and the animals. Discuss the environmental dangers facing the earth today and how we can help to look after the world and the animals.

If you have an animal sanctuary near by. it might be a good idea to get information from them or arrange a visit.

flood and promise

activitiesMatch The Pair age 3-5

You will need: matching pairs of animal cards (you can buy sets of cards at toy shops or you could make your own from images downloaded from the web).

Lay the cards face down and ask the children to find the two that match. This is also a bit of a memory game to see if they remember where they saw that card before. If they do not find a matching pair, they turn both cards back over and the next person takes a turn.

Foating Objects age 3-5You will need: a basin of water and some items to play with, including a boat that will float.

Let the children play with the items, of varied types, some that float, others that sink. Lastly give them a boat that floats.

Descendants age 6-12You will need: copies of the activity sheet available on page 114, pens/pencils.

Use the icebreaker sheet encouraging the children to go around their group talking to each other and trying to find people who fit each question. God talks about many descendants but how much do the children know about their friend’s families?

Paper Boat age 6-12You will need: lots of newspapers, sellotape.

The children are to build a three tier boat. It can be any shape or size and they can only use the newspapers and sellotape.

It does not matter how basic or complicated it might be. A guiding hand may be a good idea but let the children explore their imaginations. The results will be amazing.


age group ideasThe Rescuers age 6-12

You will need: images of people who might rescue us today (lifeboats, lifeguards, rescue helicopters, fishermen/passing boats).

In this week’s story when the ground flooded and the boat started to float, what do the children imagine the many, many people who were not aboard the ark began doing? No doubt they looked for anything that would help them float too: wooden doors, logs, and so on.

Who helps us when we are in difficulty at sea today? Have images available of these people and the equipment they use.

At the time of writing, two local fishermen at Gourdon in Scotland believed to have died had just been rescued by a passing boat. You could look up their story on the internet about lack of food and water. They had only been missing for three days.

Have the children been on a small boat, ship, rowing boat, a floating toy in the sea, swimming in the sea. It is easy to get into difficulty.

See story here: http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/angus-the-mearns/gourdon-fishermen-back-in-montrose-after-three-days-missing-at-sea-1.382693

Water Saturation all ageYou will need: a plastic cover for the floor, watering cans, water, buckets with soil, buckets with sand and basins with a variety of objects that will float and sink.

In groups ask the children to put a little water into each of the buckets and basins and see what happens. They could write down what they witness and place their hands in and feel the difference. Add even more water, what is it like now? Is it at saturation point yet?

Add even more until the soil is mud, the sand is at the bottom of the water and other objects are floating/sinking.

Another way to show when something is saturated is to leave water on a surface and soak it up with kitchen towel or toilet paper. The paper disintegrates.

If you are doing this activity outdoors supply umbrellas and try pouring water over the children.

gamesAnimal Walking age 3-5In teams or as a group ask the children to go around the room as different animals. For instance, frogs (they jump with knees bent low), kangaroo (jump while standing tall), cheetah (run as fast as they can), giraffe (walk with head and hands high in the air). Make up more actions for other animals.

If they know it, the children could also make the sound of that animal.

Animal Spelling age 6-12You will need: soft ball.

Select an animal. In a circle the person in the middle throws the ball to the other children and they are to spell out the animal’s name. If the ball is dropped the person sits down and if they spell the animal name wrong they sit down.

The Rainbow all ageYou will need: two large cutouts of a rainbow, differently coloured Post-It notes in the colours of the rainbow.

Place the two rainbows at opposite ends of the hall. In each of the rainbow segments you will need to put the corresponding colour of Post-Its in them. One whole arch will be red, one will be blue, green, and so on. You don’t need to put all the colours as some may be harder to find.

This is a simple relay race of transferring the Post-Its from one rainbow to the other.

Alternatively you could have the top colours of the rainbow on one rainbow and the bottom colours of the rainbow on the other and split each team into two and once again they transfer the Post-Its.


http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/angus-the-mearns/gourdon-fishermen-back-in-montrose-after-three-days-missing-at-sea-1.382693



pentecost 2014 15

flood and promise

PreparationHave a Pictionary game available, or make up some similar cards to use. Make sure that they are easy to promote a quick turn over.

The obvious way to do a Pictionary-type game would be to use a flip chart and pens, but try instead to use chalk and a blackboard or a white board and dry marker pens. Ideally these will not be too big. The purpose of the game is to utilise the action of rubbing out what went before so a flip chart and pen would not work so well. A smaller size will also mean more rubbing out has to be done—a good thing.

Also prepare pieces of paper or card, cut into credit card sizes.

Opening ActivityPictionaryDepending on the size of the group play as one (if a smaller group, letting everyone have a turn in drawing) or play as two teams. If playing as one group, let each person drawing have one minute to try to get through as many cards as possible. If playing as teams, after each card has been correctly guessed then the next team member takes over drawing, a one minute time limit in place for the whole round.

• Did anyone have any pictures that they were really proud of drawing that were then rubbed out?

• What pictures that were drawn were your favourites?

• How did you feel when they were rubbed out?

The WordAsk everyone to sit quietly for a moment before you read Genesis 6:16-22 and 9:8-15.

Activity/DiscussionIn the story for this week, God takes up his creation, which is not very old, and rubs it out to start again. But before he rubs it out he saves a small number of the things he has made.

• What do you think is going on in this week’s story?

• Who is the story really about?

God seems to take a sample of the life on earth and reboot everything. To wipe the disk. He felt sad about how things had turned out.

• How do you think God feels about life here and now?

• When you think about God is there room for a God who starts again?

• Tell us a bit about what God is like, for you?

Part of being creative is putting down lots of ideas, one of the skills needed to be creative is to work out when something is the wrong idea, and being prepared to change over to a better idea. Sometimes you do not see the better idea until you have worked on an idea for a long time.

• Can you think of times when you have decided it is time to stop and try again?

• What was your motivation for making that change?

• How did it work out for you?

Living It Out• What does it mean to view God as creative?

Take a second and think about the personality or character traits you think people who are creative have in common, perhaps an interest in finding patterns, curiosity, or something that seems strange like discipline. Try and jot down 5 or 6 things creative people share on the cards you have.

Take the cards with you so that over this week you can try and see where God has shown in the creation around us the kinds of traits you have written on the cards.

discussion starters for teensrubbing out and starting again


bible notesBuilding Shalom

In Scotland, this week is a landmark time as the nation decides whether or not Scotland should be an independent country. For those of us in Scotland, that is the elephant in

the room as we journey with Abram this week.

We come upon an interesting passage today, albeit one easily hijacked for our own purposes. Some care needs to be taken this week. There could be a temptation to claim certain phrases from the scripture and clobber with them before the vote. It may be wise to remember that the story of Abram’s call to journey is an ever-recurring story. People of faith then and now are continually called to journey in faith, making choices about how we live in the world and what kind of witness is borne out by those decisions.

“I will make for you a great nation” is a text that could be greatly misused by either side in an independence debate, but let us read it wisely with ears open to hear both sides of the discussion. Until the story of Abram, God has been trying to redeem the world after various bad choices from his people: Adam and Eve, Cain, Noah, so many decisions made that have resulted in God’s Shalom being broken. God now chooses a new avenue through which to create Shalom for the nations. That avenue takes the form of an individual, Abram. However, this plan has little to do with Abram, as a person, and everything to do with God’s special concern to build Shalom, releasing God’s story of grace and promise into the world.

In the same context, the term ‘great’ might mean significant, important or essential. Both sides of the independence debate recognise the desire for a ‘great nation‘, and undoubtedly would see this as the end result of their politicking, but the shape

may be different. What a ‘great nation’ will come to mean for Scotland remains unclear, but the story of Abram reminds us greatness is based completely on the blessing of God. Nothing becomes great without God’s blessing. For Abram the greatness is not about power or fame or status. True greatness results in blessing: in passing on to others what God has freely given to you.

“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who cursed you”. While this is again a loaded statement during this Referendum week, the text can resonate personally for all of us using the ideas of blessing and cursing and God simply making real what we wish on our neighbours. The sentence can be read in different ways, for example: “I will bless those who bless you, but those who curse you, I will curse; and in (by, through) you all the tribes of the ground (or ‘families of the earth’) will be blessed (or ‘will bless themselves’).”*

God has not arranged that Abram simply sit there and receive blessing. Rather, Abram finds that in everything he does, by the choices he makes, through the decisions he comes to, others will either be blessed or cursed. Abram has the task now of reconstructing the damaged Shalom of God after floods and a drunken Noah, of Babel, of Cain, of fig leaves in the garden. In this person rests the work of bringing the Shalom of God back to the world.

It is here Abram pauses and reflects on his call, not for himself or even for a nation. We are to hear this from the perspective of God and the journey to establish Shalom, not for Abram’s new nation, but to establish God’s Shalom for the world. It is a stage on the journey, a pause and reflection. It is not the end of everything or the beginning, but rather a stage in the journey of reconstructing the world and this week we do well to pause and consider these crossroads. * This background is based on John C Holbert, Lois Craddock Prof

Emeritus of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX (http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Lynchpin-of-the-Bible-John-Holbert-03-14-2011).

sacred stages


pentecost 14 sunday 14 september 2014

Genesis 12:1-9(Matthew 28:19-20)

http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Lynchpin-of-the-Bible-John-Holbert-03-14-2011

http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Lynchpin-of-the-Bible-John-Holbert-03-14-2011

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sacred stages

Lot And AbrahamA dialogue between Lot and Abraham to follow the reading.

Lot: Where next?

Abram: Nowhere, just yet…

Lot: Let me guess. You’re stopping again?

Abram: That’s right. I’m stopping again.

Lot: Don’t you want to see the land?

Abram: That’s why I’m stopping. To see the land.

Lot: Not this land. I mean the land God’s promised us.

Abram: Well, this could be it. Or some of it.

Lot: You said that at the last place we stopped.

Abram: That’s right.

Lot: So why didn’t we stay there?

Abram: Stopping and staying isn’t everything.

Lot: (Sigh) You like being on the move then?

Abram: I like being on the move, yes…

Lot: Come on then, let’s get on to where we’re going!

Abram: There’s a time for getting going, and a time for stopping.

Lot: How long are we stopping for this time, then?

Abram: I don’t know.

Lot: Let me guess... long enough to build another altar?

Abram: What a great idea. Yes, we should build another altar.

Lot: Uncle Abram, why do you build all these altars?

Abram: It helps me to pray.

Lot: But you never say anything. You just pick up stones.

Abram: That’s right. The searching and the picking up and the building, is my prayer. Words aren’t everything.

Lot: But then you just sit there doing nothing.

Abram: That’s when I do some thinking.

Lot: Thinking it’s another great altar you’ve just built?

Abram: Thinking about God, mostly.

Lot: So what makes you get up and get going again?

Abram: I don’t know. But thinking is not everything. There’s a time for travelling again, moving on.

Lot: So, where next?

Abram: I don’t know…

Lot: Doesn’t God let you know, after all that prayer and thinking?

Abram: Knowing’s not everything.

Lot: But don’t you ever ask questions, Uncle Abram?

Abram: Oh yes. Just as well answers aren’t everything!

Lot: But God made you a promise. Don’t you want to know how it’s going to be fulfilled, how you’re going to be a blessing?

Abram: Yes, but even promises aren’t everything.

Lot: So what’s the most important thing then?

Abram: It’s all important. The stopping and the travelling, the searching and the building, the praying and the thinking, the words and the altars, the sitting and the silence, the doing nothing and the moving on, the knowing and the not knowing, the questions and the answers, the land and the promise and the being a blessing… it’s all important.

Lot: (After a pause) Should I give you some peace and quiet now, Uncle?

Abram: Only if you want to, my dear nephew. Peace and quiet isn’t everything!

Retelling For Young PeopleCairns and Altars

You will need: pebbles, felt tip pens/marker pens.

Gather the children around in a circle and pass round the stone pebbles. Ask where you might find pebbles. You are looking for someone to answer ‘beach’. Talk about what it is like to walk along a pebble beach. What have the children noticed? Are all the pebbles the same? No, there are many different shapes, many different textures, many different colours. On a beach you find stones that may have travelled a long way over many, many years.

Ask the children to think about a place to which they would love to travel. Then using the pens to write the name of that place or a picture representing that place on the pebble.

After they have done this ask them to hold onto their stones, and their dreams for a place to visit as you briefly recount the story of old man Abram being called on a journey to find a place in which his family would grow to become a whole nation. You could use a children’s bible or comic version to tell the story.

Once you have read the story, remind the young people of the stones they are holding.

It was customary in Abram’s time to build an altar at important places. An altar was a place long ago where people would sacrifice an animal as a way of saying thank you to God. We don’t do that any longer, but we still build stones up in a pile to mark important places. We call them cairns.

Just as Abram took all his hopes and dreams for the future with him on his journey from his home to a new land, building altars along the way, so today we build a cairn with our own stones to remind us of our own dreams for the future.

the story



Through the SeasonPlease visit pages 4 and 5 where you will find ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season. This can be used to create a visual stimulus that will tie together the next weeks and the focus on covenant.

Gathering Activity You will need: a map of the UK (or Europe or World) spread out on a table, sticky coloured dots.

Invite people to mark on the map where they were born.

Call to WorshipStep by step,no looking back,eyes to the future,a nation to be built or reformed.

Abram answered God’s call,he put his trust in him.As we look forward to a futurethat will be changed by a vote,one way or another,let us put our trust in God to be our guide,wherever that may take us.Let us worship himand be blessed.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession“The God of Abram praise...”God of all nations and kingdoms,God of all cultures and races,we praise you for your involvement with all of creation:with the high and the lowly;with the rich and the poor;with the powerful and the oppressed;none is beyond your reachand none are outwith your compassionate embrace.

So forgive our trial and judgment of others,the harshness with which we condemn,our lack of tolerance and patience,our failure to understand.You, who blesses all nations and people without discrimination,whose will for all people is good.May we be content to walk the paths in which you lead us,to follow your way in faith,and, by your Spirit, to bring blessing wherever we go.God of yesterday, today and tomorrow,blessed be your name in all the earth.Amen.

Reflection It takes faith to embark on a journey,especially a journey not of our choosing.

It takes faith to make the first stepand then another and another.

It takes faith to clamp down our fearsand boldly go.

It takes faith to embrace what is new and different,unfamiliar or downright scary.

It takes faith to journey with God into the unknown,with a spring in our step and a song in our heart.

It takes faith.

All-Age PrayerA prayer in the spirit of “We’re going on a bear hunt” by MIchael Rosen (see http://youtu.be/hb-nTnriTP8) .

Rather than the bear hunt theme, however, alter this to a journey theme. So the repeated refrain could be:

We’re going on a journey.We’re going on a big one.What a beautiful day,we’re not scared! (Oh no!)

And so on. You could use the grass, river, mud, dark forest verses as in the original. Then end with a final verse and refrain:

Uh oh! God! We can’t go over God. We can’t go under God. Oh yes, we’ll have to go with God.

We’re going on a journey.We’re going on a big one.What a beautiful day,we’re not scared for we are with God.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationGod, for whom no path is untraveled, no person is unknown,we go at your biddingto encounter new things,to embrace new people,and to bless all those we meet along the way.Amen.

worship ideas

http://youtu.be/hb-nTnriTP8

pentecost 2014 19

sacred stages

Prayer for Others and OurselvesGuiding God, for days when we see the way ahead clearlyand for days beset by mist,we pray for the faith of Abram to set out on a journey,not knowing where it will take us,not knowing who we will meet along the way,but assured of your presence by our side.

We pray for those forced to make journeys not of their choosing,those who flee homes and lands and lives blighted by violence. May they see you standing by the roadside, crouching in their hiding places,languishing in the rubble that remains of all that they have known and loved.

We pray for all those thrust into environments that are foreign to them.May the kindness and compassion of others bring them comfort and speak to them of welcome.

We pray for those tasked with moving folk on, forced to uproot folk from all that they have known.May their words of promise match their actions and may peace accompany their paths.

God in every uncertainty you breathe the promise of hope.In every conflict you breath the promise of peace.In every act of injustice you breathe the promise of love.

We pray for all whom we know facing the challenge of change,whether by choice or whether imposed by outside forces,those who are bereaved,those who are facing illness,those whose age and stage in life presents challenges that are unknown.

Lord God, breathe you faith, your hope and your love into the lives of this people and this community so that, together, we may journey on with you, the God of all.Amen.

Sending Leader: As we have worshippedAll: so we go out into the world,

Leader: stepping out bravely,All: stepping out boldly,

Leader: following in the footsteps of so many before us, remembering as Abram did

All: that we are never alone.

Leader: God is with usAll: every step of the way.

Leader: In wilderness and mountaintopAll: he is there and we will follow.

Praise/HymnsBe bold, be strong MP 49 / JP 14

Brother, sister, let me serve you CH4 694

Come, all who look to God today CH4 713

Come into the streets with me CH4 366

Come with me, come wander SGP 23 / WGRG

Father, lead me day by day JP 43

Going on a journey “These Are Our Emotions” by Fischy Music

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah CH4 167 / CH4 201

I have decided to follow Jesus MP 272 / JP 98

I want to walk with Jesus MP 302

Look forward in faith CH4 237

O for a closer walk with God CH4 552 / MP 494

O God of Bethel CH4 268 / MP 907

One more step along the world I go CH4 530

Put all your trust in God CH4 270

The God of Abraham praise CH4 162 / MP 645

We are marching in the light of God CH4 516 / MP 954

We will walk with God, my brother CH4 803

We’re on this road “We’re On This Road” by Fischy Music

When the hungry CH4 258

When the road is rough and steep JP 279

Who would true valour see CH4 535

Take Home IdeasPrayers Of The PeopleOffer to people a focus for prayer for this week ahead. Note that this is specific to Scotland. You may want to adapt this as a bookmark to give to people as they leave the church.

Monday Discernment and wisdom for all people and leaders at the start of a big week.

Tuesday Spirit of truth and clarity amongst politicians and leaders as final statements are prepared and given.

Wednesday Spirit of peace and compassion for all as people determine how they will vote for the future of Scotland.

Thursday A good commitment by all who can vote to do so, and to do so in a spirit of grace towards those with whom there may be disagreement.

Friday Reconciliation and humility for those who may be hurt by the outcome of yesterday’s vote and for those who may be relishing ‘victory’.

Saturday Courage and strength for the days ahead as relationships that may have been damaged by disagreement seek to be repaired.


gathering Going On A Journey all ageTalk with the children about going on journeys.

• How do you feel when you are setting out on a journey?

• Are you ever scared, excited, worried, or do you look forward to a journey or to arriving at a destination?

• When have you ever used the question: ‘Are we nearly there yet?’

Discuss the responses to that last question.

If time allows you could read the story ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ and even act it out, or use the altered version in the All-Age Prayer on page HOLD. This discussion will help set the stage for the ideas and themes for the week.

craftsWalking Wellies age 3-5

You will need: A4 coloured card, the template of wellies (see page 115), poster paints, glitter, paper plates, and wipes.

Prepare the wellies beforehand by copying the wellies shape onto coloured A4 card or by tracing a template of wellies onto coloured A4 card and then cutting them out.

Squeeze a little poster paint of varying colours onto paper plates so that children have a variety to choose from. Instruct the children to finger paint different designs and colours onto the wellies and then sprinkle a pinch of glitter onto the wet paint. Use the wipes to clean fingers!

Talk with the children about the kinds of places, weather and walks they would need wellies for. Talk about Abram setting out on a journey and not knowing the places, weather or ways he would have to go. Talk about how Abram needed friends on the journey and he needed to trust that God was with him.

age group ideas

Tiny Tents age 6-12You will need: plastic drinking straws, scissors, sellotape, paper clips, paper plates, green chunky crayons, blu tac or plasticine, and small pieces of fabric.

Give each child a paper plate and ask them to quickly colour one side with green crayon. This makes the grass for their tent to sit on.

Use plastic drinking straws to make a frame for their ‘tiny tent’ (A ridge tent style is probably best. If you manage an igloo style tent, send us a picture!). Cut the straws to the required length and use paperclips, folded and unfolded, and sellotape to join the poles together. Stick the tent to the grass using blu tac or plasticine so that the tent poles don’t slip around on the grass. Put a small piece of fabric over the tent poles and secure it with sellotape.

Talk about Abram’s journey and moving from place to place. How easy or difficult do the children think that would be? Discuss times that the children have moved from one stage of something to another perhaps in school, sports activities, or youth organisations. Finally, talk about trusting that God is with us at all times and at all stages of our journeys.

Stepping Stones all age You will need: grey and brown coloured A3 sugar/construction paper, scissors, newspapers, staples, stapler, sheets of A5 paper in white or pale colours, felt tip pens, and glue sticks.

Divide the children into groups of four or five with a variety of ages in each group. Each group should make one or two stepping stones. Give the children sheets of grey and brown sugar paper. The children should draw a stone shape on one of the sheets and then cut it out and draw around it onto the other sheet so that they have two shapes of the same size and colour to make each stone.

Give the children coloured A5 paper and felt tip pens. Ask the children to draw or write, using the felt tip pens, times that have been important in their journey through life. These could be the first day at school, making a new friend, going on holiday, receiving an award, a new baby in the family, and so on.

Note that there could be some sad or difficult ideas which come up because of their significance, for instance the death of a pet, moving house because of splits in family, so listen well and be ready to respond sensitively.

Cut these pictures/words out and glue them to one side of stepping stone. Staple the two stones together around the edge leaving an opening. Get the children to scrunch up pieces of newspaper and put the newspaper inside the stone, but don’t stuff it too full! Lastly, staple the opening closed.

Discuss important times in our journeys through life and how occasionally we need to stop and remember that sometimes we may even need to do something new or different. Talk about the journey of Abram.


pentecost 2014 21

activitiesUnder Canvas age 3-5

You will need: pictures of different tents, a pop up play tent (if possible), some camping gear.

Talk to the children about camping. Show them a picture of a tent, some items you would have in a tent and then either make a tent with a table and sheets or have a child’s pop up tent/house so that they can try and lie down in it and then try to get as many people in it as possible.

House And Land age 6-12You will need: copies of the activity sheet found on page 116, pens/pencils.

See if the children can match the distinctive styles of house to the countries or regions in which they are most commonly found.

The correct order is, from bottom left clockwise: Thailand, North America, India, Spain, China, USA, Arctic, Britain, and Switzerland.

Abram was to go on a journey from his home region to a new place. Talk about how practical some of the houses pictured would be in our own home country.

Tents age 6-12You will need: space and furnishings with which the children can create a tented home.

Ask the children to make a tent from tables, chairs, hooks on the wall, and sheets. Once it is built, give them a score from one to ten. They then need to dismantle the tent and move it to the other end of the room with each person helping to carrying something and then rebuild it.

Is it the same? Did they build it better or worse? Give them another rating, one to ten. Once again they need to dismantle it and move it back to the original position and rebuild it once again.

It is not much fun having to move camp all the time. It is hard work.

To make things more difficult, ask the children to place items in the tent such as a sleeping bag, bag of clothes, crockery and pots and pans, and so on. Moreover, for a higher difficulty level they may need to walk around the whole hall once before setting up camp, rather than moving just a few yards.

Map Work age 9-12You will need: a map of your own area (or an area that shows hills). You can find an excellent guide to reading maps at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/leaflets/map-reading-made-easy-peasy.pdf. Note that this could be adapted for younger children.

Teach the children basic map skills such as those in the linked to guide from Ordnance Survey.

sacred stages

gamesGoing On A Journey age 3-5

You will need: pictures of different types of area (desert, woodland, water, ice, beach).

In different areas of the room have a picture on the wall of a desert area, a woodland area, an area of water, an area of ice, and the beach. Tell the children you are going on a journey and they have to go stand by the area that is represented by the picture as you make up a story about crossing different landscapes.

Possessions age 6-12You will need: camping gear such as sleeping bag, water bottle, map, boots, gloves, compass.

You could tie this game into the activity ‘Tents’. This game could be made into a relay race or a quiz where the teams need to collect one item from the top of the hall in order to gather their possessions.

The first team to collect everything they need in their tent are declared the winners.

Know Your Territory all ageYou will need: to create your own activity sheet listing objects or spaces around the church with the first letters of each word and then spaces for the missing letters (for example, church, church hall, car park, flowers, trees, notice board, graves, piano).

Let the children explore and see if they can complete the activity sheet, learning more about the area in which the church is situated.

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/leaflets/map-reading-made-easy-peasy.pdf





PreparationRemember to prompt the young people before the session that we are going to chat about where they feel they have seen the activity of a creative God during the last week.

Today we are thinking about God starting a new thing with Abram and as such we are going to use the activity of planting something which will produce something new. Get some soil and some appropriate seeds for planting. Here is one helpful UK guide to planting: http://www.thompson-morgan.com/what-to-sow-and-grow-in-september but feel free to use a search engine and find another or perhaps even use a gardening book!

Prepare a way of looking after the seeds, whether that is through a church garden or giving the young people the seeds to take home in small pots.

Opening ActivityReview where the young people saw a creative God in the last week. Come prepared to give your own answers and to chat about what that reveals about who God is.

The WordRead Genesis 12:1-9.

God is trying to start a new thing with one person, with that one family. God is looking for someone with whom to engage and live in community, and someone for whom to care. From this one family a great nation will be formed.

Activity/DiscussionIntroduce the planting activity and explain the seed you have along with the care instructions and what the plant will look like if cared for properly. As you plant the seeds, discuss the similarities. Explain the properties which led you to choose this seed in particular. Perhaps ask:

• Does it feel like you are committing to care for this seed by planting it well?

• How hopeful will you be to help your plant grow and develop?

• What characteristics do you think Abram had that God saw when he chose him?

• How easy or hard would you think it would be for God to commit to one person, given that God is also supporting the entirety of life?

Living It OutTake home the plant or create a rota of church garden tending. Ask the young people to consider how easy it will be to fit in caring for this plant within their everyday lives.

The challenge is to do it.

We will see how that goes over the next week.

discussion starters for teensplanting for the future

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/what-to-sow-and-grow-in-september

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/what-to-sow-and-grow-in-september

pentecost 2014 23

keep calm and carry on

bible notesWeathering The Storms

This is a humdinger of a story. It is a tale of trust and lust and enticement and exploitation with a lot of integrity and revenge thrown in. It has echoes of a tale as old as

time itself, of power being abused for a moment’s pleasure, of reputation being besmirched to cover tracks of deceit and lies. And, of course, there is the theme of God’s favour (really?) resting on the one wronged.

There are some parallels that can be drawn between this story and the story of Solomon Northup (recounted in the book and film, “12 Years A Slave”), a free man from New England who is kidnapped and thrown into slavery in the American deep South where he remains for twelve years until finally rescued.

Joseph also knows a past in which he was not a slave but lived in a privileged position. Did that memory give him the confidence to move beyond the impossible situation in which he is thrust?

Were the tenets of God, on which he was raised, so well ingrained in him that instinct kicked in, preserving him from succumbing to the temptation laid before him?

This is the child, now grown, who shared his dreams of greatness much to the chagrin of his brothers.

This is the child, now a man, favoured and protected by his father.

This is the young man, now matured, who was sold by his jealous brothers into slavery.

Injustice, suspicion and envy have been familiar refrains in Joseph’s life.

As the story goes on, Joseph’s sojourn in prison after rejecting the advances of Potiphar’s wife placed him in another position of privilege and trust. So he did not quite end up at the bottom of the heap as may have been expected in the light of the allegations.

This is the Sunday immediately after the referendum in which the people of Scotland will have voted on whether they wish

to remain as part of the UK or be an independent nation. Post referendum, her people having made their choice, will Scotland find herself in a better or worse position in her history? More importantly, can the people of Scotland accept the verdict and move forward in grace?

Moving on requires trust and integrity, leadership and responsibility. It requires confidence in our ability and in the goodness of God, a confidence that we can move forward, facing whatever trials may come.

None of us is assured of an easy passage in life but we are assured of the presence of God with us. How we weather difficulties may force us to dredge deep, to resurrect the faith we once knew.

Moving on, however, also involves us adapting the tenets of faith to an ever changing landscape, taking ancient wisdom and allowing it to speak into new situations, to see potential and to grasp opportunities, refusing to be side tracked by deceit and lies but maintaining confidence in a God who has seen it all before and goes on loving people into fullness of life.

keep calm and carry onpentecost 15 sunday 21 september 2014

Genesis 39:1-23(Matthew 5:11-12)



The GossipKiya: Morning, Kiya.

Tye: Morning, Tye.

Kiya: Have you heard about Joseph?

Tye: Heard what about Joseph?

Kiya: Potiphar has put him in prison.

Tye: Joseph—in prison—why?

Kiya: Well...

Tye: Well, what?

Kiya: Well, according to Merities...

Tye: Merities, she’s always telling stories. You don’t want to listen to her!

Kiya: ...according to Merities, Mrs Potiphar has been up to her old tricks.

Tye: Tell me more.

Kiya: I thought you didn’t want to hear any of Merities’s stories?

Tye: Shush now, this is interesting. Get on with it.

Kiya: Well, you know how Potiphar had put Joseph the Israelite in charge of our household?

Tye: Yes.

Kiya: And you know that Joseph changed all kinds of things and made life fairer and better for everybody?

Tye: Yes, he’s a great organiser. Life’s been good since he’s been in charge

Kiya: Well, Mrs Potiphar didn’t like it.

Tye: Why ever not?

Kiya: Well, think back, Tye. Before Joseph came she was in charge of the household. She organised the servants, made the decisions, did what she liked and...

Tye: And?

Kiya: And Merities says that the other captain’s wives have been teasing her and telling her she’s not in charge any more.

Tye: How on earth does Merities know that?

Kiya: You know Merities; she has her ways. Anyway, Merities says that Mrs Potiphar decided that Joseph had to go.

Tye: So what did she do?

Kiya: Well, you know that Joseph is handsome and good looking?

Tye: Mmmmhmmm. Sure do!

Kiya: Well, every time Mrs Potiphar saw Joseph, she invited him into her bedroom.

Tye: Into her bedroom? Whatever for?

Kiya: Tye! Use your imagination.

Tye: Ooooooh!

Kiya: Oooooh, indeed, but Joseph wasn’t having any of it. He told her that Potiphar was his master and he wasn’t going to let his master down.

Tye: She wouldn’t like that.

Kiya: She didn’t.

Tye: So what happened?

Kiya: Well, Mrs Potiphar kept inviting him into the bedroom and he kept saying no and the more he said no, the angrier she became. Then yesterday...

Tye: Yesterday?

Kiya: Yesterday, when there were no other slaves or servants around she grabbed him!

Tye: She didn’t! What did Joseph do?

Kiya: He ran.

Tye: I don’t blame him. What else could he do?

Kiya: He ran, but she’d grabbed his coat and...

Tye: And?

Kiya: She went and found some of her favourite servants and told them that Joseph had tried to force her into the bedroom and that she’d screamed and that he’d run away and left his coat.

Tye: The lying little...

Kiya: Tye! Watch your language!

Tye: Sorry Kiya, but she’s a wicked woman. What happened next?

Kiya: Well, she waited for Potiphar to come home and she showed him Joseph’s coat and told him her version of what had happened.

Tye: Did Potiphar believe her?

Kiya: He did and he was so angry that he put Joseph in the King’s prison and not many people come out of there in one piece!

Tye: Poor Joseph.

Kiya: Yes, and poor us. Without Joseph, we’re back to life organised by Mrs Potiphar and that’s not good for any of us.

Tye: No, it’s not.

Kiya: Oh and Merities heard one more thing.

Tye: What was that?

Kiya: She said that the prison jailor has taken a liking to Joseph.

Tye: That’s good.

Kiya: He’s talking about putting Joseph in charge of the prison.

Tye: Good for joseph, but lets hope Mrs Potiphar never finds out.

Kiya: Why should she Tye? After all, nobody tells stories around here.

the story

pentecost 2014 25


Retelling For Young PeopleGreen With EnvyDo you know what it means when we say that someone is ‘green with envy’?

Here is a story.

Jenny was cross. Her friend Ahmed had a new bike, a proper bike without stabilisers. Jenny wanted one too. She knew that Ahmed was a bit older than her and that he could ride a bike better than her, but it didn’t matter. She wanted a new bike, too, and she wanted one now.

Jenny was so cross when she saw Ahmed riding his new bike that she wanted to scream. When Jenny saw that Ahmed had left his new bike in the garden while he went in to get his dinner, so Jenny went into Ahmed’s garden. She looked around and found a big nail and she stuck it into the bikes front tyre and all the air came out. Jenny put the nail in her pocket and she went home.

That afternoon Jenny’s mum asked her if she was going to go round and play with Ahmed. Jenny said no. Jenny’s mum was surprised, but didn’t say any more about it.

When Jenny and her mum went out shopping later they met Ahmed and his mum. Ahmed had been crying and he told Jenny what had happened to his bike. Jenny tried to look sad, but inside she felt all mixed up. She was glad that Ahmed couldn’t ride his new bike, but Ahmed was her friend and she was a bit ashamed of what she had done.

When they got home, Jenny’s mum said to her that she’d better go and put her bike away in case someone came and damaged her bike, too. Jenny looked upset and when her mum asked her what was wrong, Jenny told her mum what she had done. Jenny’s mum was upset and she told Jenny that she needed to go and apologise to Ahmed and to give him some money to get the tyre mended.

Jenny’s mum told Jenny that she was jealous because she wanted a new bike, too, but being jealous of Ahmed is not reason to hurt his property. Being jealous made Jenny do something that hurt Ahmed, as well as herself. So Jenny took some money from her money box and went round to see Ahmed to put things right.

What do you think they said to each other?

Through the SeasonOn pages 4 and 5 you will find details of the visual focus that can be used throughout this season, picking up on different aspects of creation.

Gathering Activity Encourage people to think about their hopes/priorities for the future, writing those thoughts on Post-It notes and sticking them onto a map of Scotland or the UK, depending on the outcome of the referendum.

Have copies of the ‘Imagining Scotland’s Future’ discussion topic leaflet available for people to take away. This is available from the Church of Scotland’s Church & Society Council office, tel. 0131 240 2276.

worship ideasCall to WorshipWhat is it that we hang on to that enslaves us?What are the things that tempt us and lead us astray?What are the important things in our lives?Who are the important people in our lives?

At the beginning of a new dawn,a new future for our country,who will we turn to?Who will show us the way?

Like Joseph locked in his cellwe can only turn to God and put our trust in Him.And so in this new dawn we turn to God, to show us who and what we are shaped to be.



worship ideasPrayer of Adoration and ConfessionMysterious unity,Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,you are one and somehow three.

We gather here this dayunited in our love for you.

We come from different places,with different ideas,different beliefs,different political views,but we are united in our love for you.

Help us in this new day,as the world around us continues to change,to remain united in our common faith and love.

Help us to accept our differences,to embrace them,and to be gentle and kindwith those who are hurting today.

We are sorry for those timeswhen we forget to be compassionatewith people we disagree with.

We are sorry for those timeswhen we choose to speak or actin ways that are not loving.

Forgive us, loving Creator.Remind us of the bond of unity that we share.

Remind us of your call to love our neighbour,no matter who they are or what they believe.

Give us grace to meet them where they are and offer our love and support in the midst of this new day.So be it.Amen

All-Age PrayerGod, mysterious, above, below,around, within.You are present always and everywhere.We come to offer our worship.

We come to praise you and thank youfor your everlasting love for us.

We are united by that love.Although we are all different, you love us equally.

We are sorry that at times we forget that we are united by your love.

We are sorry that at times we fail youby our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

Forgive us, O God, as you have promised.

Renew us, refresh us, unite usonce more in your love.

Send us out into the world to love and careas Jesus taught us too.

So be it.Amen.

Prayer for Ourselves and OthersLoving God,thank you for free will, for the opportunity to choose,but remind us of the responsibility that free will brings.

We pray for all who chose to vote in the referendum,and we pray that whatever the outcomewe will accept and respect it.

We pray for those people who chose not to votefor whatever reason.May they accept the result.

We bring to mind the people in our worldwho are denied the right to voteand for those who do not enjoy the freedom that we do.

We pray especially for those women and menwho are caught up in modern day slavery,for those who have been abducted, bartered or sold into it and who see no hope of freedom or of changeany time soon.

We bring to mind those people who feel trapped in their lives through ill health.We pray especially for those who are waiting for tests or treatment,for those who are enduring or recovering from treatment,and those whose conditions are long-term or terminal.We pray that they would be comforted and find strength to face each day.

Loving God, we bring before you in a moment’s silencethose people known to ourselveswho need your help this day.

Gracious God,hear our prayers this day.Give us strength and courage to wait for your answersand to be the answers when you ask us to be.In the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Consoler we pray. Amen.

Prayer of DedicationGenerous God,freely you have given us so many wonderful gifts andnow freely we offer our gifts in return.

Our gifts presented here symbolise a portion of our gratitude.Please take and use our money, our time and our talentsfor the sake of your kingdomtoday and forever more. Amen.

Better Than IThe film “Joseph: King of Dreams” has an excellent song titled “Better Than I” by Dallyn Vail Bayles which Joseph sings from prison reflecting on his relationship with God. It could make a good reflective piece this week.

You can find it online at http://youtu.be/8oL6HlzQZLo which includes a link to purchase the song.

http://youtu.be/8oL6HlzQZLo

pentecost 2014 27


ReflectionHealing StationsSometimes there is not enough space for silence and permission to bring to God those things that hurt us and those things we question. Sometimes there is not enough space to bring God the unjust things that happen to us, especially those things that seem out of balance with the kind of lifestyles we life.

So this activity is very simply a way to provide space for people to light a candle, or put a flower in a vase, or be anointed with oil, without question, as ways of responding to those bad things that seem to happen to good people.

Provide three areas/stations in the worship space for people to visit following worship, so they can linger there as long as they wish. Each station should have a small table and a few chairs or beanbags.

Station One has a table of unlit candles with the invitation to light a candle as a prayer or time to reflect on something that is on your mind.

Station Two has a table with a vase on it and some cut flowers lying around it. The invitation here is to reflect with hope on events or situations that seem hopeless to others in the world.

Station Three has a table with oil in a small dish. Here someone waits as people arrive and sit or kneel and simply places an oil cross on the back of someone’s hands as a place to reflect on healing.

Cards should be placed at each station explaining what is happening, perhaps with a corresponding scripture, poem, or reflection to meditate on.

Take Home IdeasDid you know that there are more slaves today than ever before in history? Provide some information and weblinks for people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqCSgCDGNT8

Watch the video clip about 25 facts regarding human trafficking. If the members of your congregation do not have access to the internet, write down a number of the facts that horrified you the most when you heard the 25 on the list.

Joseph was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelite’s and then he was sold to Potiphar. Selling people has been going on for a very long time for many reasons; as servants, sex slaves, human organs, forced labour, arranged marriages, bombers. More people are crying out about it, praying for change, and giving money to charities to help eliminate it, but sadly it is on the increase.

• What can we do as Christians?

• Who can give us more information or should we choose to ignore it because we don’t think it is prevalent in Scotland?

• Look at Amnesty International or NSPCC sites for more information on Human trafficking, especially in children.

SendingLeft: As we have worshipped


Left: When the world is crowding in

Right: and nothing seems to go our way

Pause...

Left: we do not see the bigger picture,

Right: but God does.

Left: So have faith and press on. Today’s challenge is tomorrow’s triumph!

Right: God blesses our every day.

Praise/HymnsAll my hope on God is founded CH4 192 / MP 16

Bad times won’t last “We’re On This Road” by Fischy Music

Father I place into your hands MP 133 / JP 42

Focus my eyes on you, O Lord CH4 567

Have you heard about the boy ATAS 94

‘I have a dream,’ a man once said CH4 710

I do not know what lies ahead MP 269 / JP 92

Jesus, lover of my soul CH4 490 / MP 372

Lord of all hopefulness CH4 166 / MP 882

Lord, from the depth to thee I cried CH4 87

Lord, teach me all your ways CH4 21

Oh, hear my prayer, Lord CH4 98

O Lord hear my prayer SGP 85

When people are cruel “Something Fischy” by Fischy Music

Sticks and stones “Build Up” by Fischy Music

The steadfast love of the Lord MP 666 / JP 250

Up from the depths, I cry to God CH4 88

When I receive the peace of Christ CH4 566

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqCSgCDGNT8


gathering Blindfold Walk all age

You will need: scarf or other means to blindfold, simple obstacle course using chairs or cones.

Ask for a volunteer to be blindfolded and a volunteer to act as a guide. The guide should give instructions to the person who is blindfolded to enable them to walk from one end of the room to the other, going around the obstacles.

Repeat if you have time with others taking the two roles. Use this as a way to begin talking about the story of Joseph and how although he could not see the next step and did not always understand what was happening, he still trusted God.

craftsTrust Plates age 3-5

You will need: paper plates (three per child), paintbrushes, poster paints (yellow, silver, and black), PVA glue, glue spreaders. Photocopy the words ‘Joseph’, ‘trusts’ and ‘God’ and cut them out. Make up a paper plate for each child with a little of each of the colours of poster paint on it.

Give each child three paper plates, a paintbrush and a paint palette. Get the children to paint the paper plates, one yellow to represent the sun, one silver to represent the moon, and one with black stripes to represent prison. When the paint has dried, ask the children to stick the word ‘Joseph’ on one plate, the word ‘trusts’ on another plate, and the word ‘God’ on the third plate.

Talk with the children about Joseph’s life and how he found himself in prison and talk about how Joseph trusted God at all times: during the sunny good days, the nights when he had his dreams, and even when he was in prison. Discuss the people who are always there for us and how God never lets us down or lets us go.

Dreams From Jail age 6-8You will need: several large cardboard boxes, lining paper, poster paints, paintbrushes, paper plates to squeeze poster paints onto, sellotape, A4 coloured paper, felt tip pens, and scissors.

Have the children work together in groups of three or four. Give each group a cardboard box, covered with lining paper. Next, give each group a paper plate palette of different coloured poster paints and enough paintbrushes to have one each.

Instruct the children to paint ‘jail windows’ (like bars) onto the four sides of their box using poster paints and to paint clouds and the word ‘Joseph’ onto the top of the box. As the paint is drying, talk about the dreams and hopes the children think Joseph would have had when he was in jail.

Discuss the dreams and hopes the children have for themselves and people round about them. Ask the children to write or draw those dreams and hopes onto the A4 paper. Next, have the children cut around their words or pictures in bubble or cloud shapes and stick these onto the box using PVA glue. Make sure that some of the bars of the jail windows can still be seen.

age group ideas

Multicoloured Boxes age 9-12You will need: multi coloured wooden lollipop sticks (available from craft suppliers), PVA glue, glue spreaders, coloured card cut up into small pieces, and felt tip pens.

Make a box using lollipop sticks. To make the base, place approximately 10 sticks side by side. Glue one stick along the top edge and one stick along bottom edge. To make the sides, glue one stick along one edge and another along opposite edge. Change direction and glue one stick onto ends of previous edges and do the same on the other side. Repeat until box is the required height.

Talk about Joseph’s dreams and his multi-coloured coat (this is the bit of Joseph’s story which the children are most likely to know) and link the multi-coloured coat to the multi-coloured box. Talk about how Joseph’s situation has changed and now he is in prison.

Discuss the dreams and hopes the children think Joseph would have had at that time and share aloud the dreams and hopes the children have for themselves or people around them. Instruct the children to write or draw those hopes and dreams onto the cards with felt tip pens. Place the cards inside the box.

Dream Clouds all ageYou will need: large sheets of corrugated card (white on one side would be ideal), marker pens, cotton wool balls, PVA glue, glue spreaders, and scissors.

Divide the children into groups of four or five with a variety of ages in each group. Give each group a large sheet of card. The children should draw a cloud shape onto the card and cut it out. Some help may be needed with this depending on thickness of card.

Talk about the dreams and hopes the children think Joseph might have had while he was in prison. Talk about the dreams and hopes the children have for themselves and those around them. Ask the children to write or draw some of those dreams and hopes onto the dream cloud. Stick cotton wool balls around edge of dream cloud using PVA glue. Once the glue has dried, display the dream clouds in the place where you meet regularly or display the clouds where all those coming to worship can see them.


pentecost 2014 29

activitiesBuy Anything age 3-5

You will need: plastic or chocolate play money or Monopoly money.

Ask the children to count out the number of coins or paper money they have. Do they like money? What would they like to buy if they had lots of money?

Discuss the idea of being able to buy anything they might want as in today’s society. Then lead this into a discussion of modern day slavery with the children, including concepts like being able to buy people. Many years ago people bought other people. Sadly, this still happens today in various different ways.

Celebrity And Success age 6-12You will need: pictures of celebrities from various fields.

Show the children the pictures of the celebrities and ask them who they are. Talk about the word successful and what it means to them.

• What makes people successful in their eyes? Look at the pictures again one at a time and ask the children if they believe these people are successful and why.

• Are they successful children?

• Why is that?

• School talks about successful learners– why is this important?

• God made Joseph a successful man. Who else in the bible can you think of that is successful?

That’s Not Fair! age 6-12You will need: wrapped sweets or small gift for each child.

Be prepared in advance that if no one starts to eat the sweet or open the gift you will have primed one of the children to do so. As the person eats or opens the gift, pretend that you are not happy and quickly take all the gifts back. The kids will learn that because one person had done something wrong and everyone was taking the blame. Most unfair!

Discuss the lady in the story today who was trying to get Joseph into trouble and how unfair it was.

• Has that happened to any of the children at home with a sibling or at school in class?

• Why is it not fair?

• What can you do about it?

Don’t forget to give the children back their treats!

Slavery Today all ageYou may want to discuss or mention that slavery still exists today. More information is available here: http://www.antislavery.org/english/slavery_today/what_is_modern_slavery.aspx.


gamesServing The Table age 3-5

You will need: plastic cups, cutlery, paper plates.

In the story today Joseph was a good servant and looked after everything. For this game, leave plastic cups, cutlery and paper plates lying about. The children need to tidy them up and stack them nicely together.

Next, instruct the children to put the items on a tray and carry the tray in pairs to a table and set them down. Time the teams to see who can carry the tray to the table the fastest without dropping any items. Tie the activity to the themes of service in the story.

Mars Bar Game all age You will need: need gloves, scarves, hats (all different colours preferably), paper plates, Mars bars and knives.

This classic favourite game requires splitting the group into two or three teams. Set up a corresponding number of stations at the other end of the hall with gloves, scarves, hat and a plate with Mars bar (out of packet) and a knife.

Each team will send a member to run to the designated area where they will put on the items of clothing and then cut off a piece of Mars bar. The child is not able to join their team again until he or she has finished eating what is in their mouth. Then the next person runs to have their go.

Fancy Coats all age You will need: a large number of coats, jackets, trousers, dresses, hats, jumpers, and shirts.

Remembering that Joseph is most famous for his fancy clothes, particularly that special coat this game allows the children to have fun dressing up. It doesn’t matter if the items are too big or too small for the children.

In pairs, the children have to help each other put on every item of clothing that is in the pile in front of them. If an item is too small they can just put one arm through or hang it from their fingers. Time the pairs to see who wins and then time the children to see how quickly they can take them off again. This can give a competitive edge to the game to encourage both quick dressing and undressing!

http://www.antislavery.org/english/slavery_today/what_is_modern_slavery.aspx




PreparationObtain a copy of U2’s song “Stuck In A Moment” to play. If possible, a cover version of the song may encourage listening to the lyrics in a new way if the young people are already familiar with the U2 original. Martyn Joseph’s version is very good.

Leader HomeworkOn Monday, following your activities with the young people, print out the picture for every member of the group who was there. Print out the lyrics of the song, cut out the lyrics, and glue them to the back of the picture. You could hand write the lyrics if you so choose for that personal touch.

Send a copy of the picture and lyrics to each member of the group in the post so they receive an unexpected reminder of the song and their words during the week. This could lead to an interesting conversation next week.

Opening ActivityReview any updates, successes, or frustrations related to the plants this past week. Was it easy to commit to look after something and follow through on that commitment?

The WordRead Genesis 39:1-23 with the group.

Activity/Discussion• Why did all this happen to Joseph?

He has special dreams. He gets stuck down a well and is sold to the local slave drivers where he does well at his slave Job. He tries to do the right thing and gets put in jail for it where he does well again, becoming the best inmate. Yet in all this, God is with him.

• Why does God not just make it right?

• What is the point of being with God if God does not work to make life easier for Joseph?

• What would you prefer: a God that allows us space to develop and grow ourselves, or a God that made the decisions for us?

• What were your reasons?

• How do you think the range of experiences that Joseph had might have helped him as he got older?

Living It OutThis story is difficult and makes demands of us. It asks us questions of who we are and who we think God is asking us to be.

Explain that the group is going to listen to a song, “Stuck In A Moment”. Ask the young people to relax, close their eyes, and listen to the words. As they hear the song, ask them to try to remember a word or phrase which strikes them as they listen.

Play the song.

Bring everyone back together and on one a big piece of paper write down the words or phrases which everyone remembers. Take a photograph of this piece of paper. Ask the young people to think about how that word or phrase relates to what they think of God.

As they go forward into their busy weeks, ask everyone to remember the word or phrase they wrote down and to think about where and how they see that word or phrase this week.

discussion starters for teensstuck in a moment?


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bible notesStepping Into The Unknown

Like all of these Old Testament stories of conflict and victory, we only hear the tale from one side. Is it true that history is written by victors? The stories of the defeated

remnants left behind are rarely recorded.

There are difficult themes here of a God who chooses to rescue some of the people and destroy others. And the grumbling that we hear from the Israelites in these early days of the Exodus was a grumbling that was to be a refrain throughout the forty years of their sojourn in the wilderness. The Israelites had to put their toe in the water, exercising faith in God and in their leader Moses to be able to deliver them safely through the water.

Often it is fear that holds people back from embracing new opportunities and from glimpsing the good that might be in the future. Most of us would rather cling to what is familiar even if that is broken, inadequate or flawed, rather than boldly step out into what we do not know no matter how promising it may look.

However, the story of God’s people is a story of folk making choices not only for themselves but for future generations. Often this meant temporary or long term hardship for refusing to conform to the cultures by which they were surrounded in order to keep alive faith in a God whose will for all people is good.

Today we witness and are a part of so many decisions that lead to short term gain but fail to invest in the future. Little thought is given to the legacy we leave for those who will come after. Once again we find ourselves picking up environmental themes in the story of God’s people.

Their task was to preserve a faith and a culture, to avoid dilution of that faith when surrounded by foreign forces and to pass on, intact, that faith to future generations. Inevitably what they passed on changed and evolved as it was weathered by experience and by the passage of time, but, nonetheless, it also remained moulded to the purpose of God for all time and eternity.

We see that faith spanning generations when we fast forward

to the stories of the Incarnation and the flight of Jesus, Mary and Joseph into Egypt, coming full circle, redeeming a land that oppressed God’s people and became many years later a place of refuge for the revelation of God in history.

Where in our world today, are we witnessing similar stories of redemption? Where are those places freed from the tyranny of oppressive regimes that have become places of refuge for people today?

Daily, we are witnesses to history unfolding as people are enabled to rise together against evil. Modern global communication allows such uprising to be coordinated and effective through the enabling communicative power of social media. But the task is to sustain victories so hard won and to protect people in their new found freedom, as well as dealing compassionately with those who were our enemies. These are tall orders, requiring strength and courage and immense faith, but carrying with it the reward of knowing that we are laying the groundwork of a hopeful and peaceful future for our children.

Listening to Martin Luther King Jnr in his final speech before his assassination reminds that this courage and faith is needed today as much as it was in the distant past: “Like anybody, I would like to live... But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”

God continues to lead us into an unknown future. We cannot allow fear of the unknown to hold us back from stepping confidently into that unknown future with God.

a toe in the waterpentecost 16 sunday 28 september 2014

Exodus 14:10-14,21-29(Matthew 2:13-15)

a toe in the water



Chaya And JabariNote that Chaya is a female name. This script could be read by a man and a woman or by older children.

This retelling gives perspectives on the events from both the Israelite and Egyptian sides of this week’s story.

Chaya: Hello my name is Chaya. It means ‘full of life’. I’m an Israelite. What that means is that I belong to the people of Israel and our leader is Moses.

Jabari: Hello my name is Jabari. It means ‘brave’. I’m an Egyptian. I live in the land of Egypt and our leader is Pharaoh.

Chaya: Our people have lived in Egypt for a long time as slaves to Pharaoh’s army. Moses has told us that soon we will go on a long journey and be free.

Jabari: I am in the Egyptian army. I’m a foot soldier and I carry a shield and a sword. Our army has foot soldiers, spearmen, archers and charioteers who ride the war chariots. One day I might get to ride a chariot, too.

Chaya: There have been plagues in Egypt. The river has turned to blood, there have been gnats and flies, locusts have eaten the crops, there have been frogs – thousands of frogs. Moses has told us that God is sending the plagues on the Egyptians and that Pharaoh will let us go.

Jabari: Its been awful in Egypt. There has been fire and thunder and darkness and our animals have died of diseases. Last night was the worst. In each of our families the oldest child died. My big brother died. Pharaoh has said that Moses is behind this and has ordered all the Israelites to leave our land. They have set off towards the Red Sea. I hate Moses for killing my brother.

Chaya: My name is Chaya. It means ‘full of life’. I’m an Israelite. Listen to what happened to me.

Jabari: My name is Jabari. It means ‘brave’. I’m an Egyptian. Listen to what happened to me, too.

Chaya: We are on the move. We had to pack our things together very quickly and have taken only the things we can carry. Pharaoh told Moses last night that he is letting us go.

Jabari: The Israelites have gone. There are rumours that Pharaoh may be about to tell the army to go after them. We are getting ready to move.

Chaya: Moses is leading us. We are following a special cloud in the day time and at night there is a fire in the sky. Moses says this is God showing us the way to go.

Jabari: We are chasing the Israelites. Pharaoh has told us to capture them and bring them back. They are running as fast as they can go, but they have older people and children with them who slow them down. We are Pharaoh’s army. We have weapons, we have chariots, and we are fit and strong. We can move fast.

Chaya: People are worried. We can see in the distance that Pharaohs army is coming after us. If the Egyptian army catches up with us, they may kill us. Moses has said that God will look after us and that God will fight for us, but I’m scared.

Jabari: We are getting nearer. We can see the Israelites in the far distance. We will catch up with them soon.

Chaya: Some of our leaders are telling Moses that we should have stayed in Egypt, that it would have been better to stay slaves in Egypt rather than to die here in the wilderness. Many of the children are tired and hungry and some of them are crying.

Jabari: We are getting near to the Red Sea. I can smell the salt in the air. Soon the Israelites will have to stop. There will be nowhere for them to go.

Chaya: We have reached the sea. Moses has called us all together and told us that the Lord our God will fight for us today and that we will never see Pharaoh’s army who are chasing us again. We have no weapons. How can we fight? I don’t understand.

Jabari: The Israelites don’t seem to be moving. They have stopped at the sea shore. Tomorrow we will catch up with them and fight. We are getting prepared for battle. My sword is sharp and bright. I am ready.

Chaya: Something amazing has happened. Moses stretched out his hand and God sent a wind across the sea all night and it blew back the waves and formed a dry path through the sea. We are walking through the sea on dry ground in the middle of the night. The waves are like huge water walls either side of us and we are dry!

Jabari: The Israelites are escaping – the sea seems to have rolled back into a dry path. We are going after them. They will not escape.

Chaya: We are still walking through the sea but Pharaoh’s army is coming after us. We are all frightened but Moses has said that God is in charge.

Jabari: Something is happening to the sea bed. Our chariot wheels are getting clogged up. It’s getting harder to move. Our captain has just told us that we are going to turn back. He says that the Israelites God is fighting for them and we cannot win.

the story

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a toe in the water

Chaya: We have stopped again in the middle of the sea and it is nearly dawn. Moses has stretched out his hand and behind us the sea is rolling back. Pharaoh’s army have turned back and they are racing through the returning waves.

Jabari: The water is coming back. We are racing for the shore. We have abandoned the chariots because they are stuck and will not move. I have left my shield behind but I still have my sword. We are running for our lives.

Chaya: It is over! The whole of Pharaoh’s army is dead. They drowned before they could reach the shore. What Moses said was true. We will never see those who were chasing us again. We have crossed the Red Sea and are all safe on dry land.

Jabari: My name was Jabari. I was an Egyptian. I was a foot soldier in Pharaoh’s army. I was drowned in the Red Sea. I was brave.

Chaya: My name is Chaya. I am an Israelite. I am ‘full of life’. Moses is our leader. Tomorrow we will journey on.

Retelling For Young PeopleThis is written with under 5s in mind. You could use appropriate actions to go with the words of this rhyme and encourage the children to say the repeated refrain together.

We are standing on the seashore.

We are the Israelites. We are running, running. Pharaoh’s army is after us. They are coming, coming.

Moses, our leader, says God will be with us.


God sent a wind that blew all night.


The wind blew the waves of the sea right back.


There is a road going through the sea.


There are walls of water on the sides of the road.


We are walking on the road right through the sea.


We have reached dry land and the waves are rolling back.

Pharaoh’s army have drowned. They’ve stopped coming. We’re resting now and we’ve stopped running.

Through the SeasonOn pages 4 and 5 you will find details of the visual focus that can be used throughout this season, picking up on different aspects of creation.

Gathering Activity Think of a time when you were on the winning side or the losing side and if you are comfortable doing so, share this with the person sitting next to you.

worship ideasCall to WorshipWhere there are winnersthere are losers.Whilst one cheers,another weeps.There are two sidesto every story.

The only place to beis on God’s side.When uncertainty reigns,and fears aboundand the future is unclear,the only place to beis on God’s side.

As we come to him in worship,we do so in the knowledge thatGod is always by our side.


Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionCreator God,maker of Israelites and Egyptians,of Iraqis and Americans,of Scottish and English,of Sunni and Shia,of men and women,of rich and poor.

Each one created in your image,loved and cared for by you.

How fragile we are,how afraid of the unknown,how insecure in our faith,how intolerant of our differences.

O God,you created us in love.You call us, through you Son,to love one another no matter the differences.

Forgive us, O God,for allowing our fears to make enemiesof those who are different from us,of those who disagree with us,of those who choose other ways.

Forgive us, O God,for giving in to our fears.For creating enemies of our brothers and sisters,for listening to those who would have us rise up against theminstead of finding peaceful ways of reconcilingand living together in peace.

Gracious God,give us a desire to face our fears,to see our fellow brothers and sistersas they are, your children,and to strive to find a new way ahead,a way of dialogue and consensus,a way of peace and justice for all.So be it.Amen.

worship ideasPrayers for Others and OurselvesEternal God, everlasting one.

Thank you for this short span of lifeyou give us on this wonderful earth.

As we look to your eternal presencewe are reminded of our smallness.

Each of us: precious and unique,but only a tiny part of the bigger picture.

We come today in the name of all people to ask for your help.

We offer our prayers for the people and situationsin our world that we are afraid of or anxious about.

Offer a time of silence here or an opportunity for people to come forward and write names of places or situations they want to pray for on a sticky note and place on a map of the world, perhaps play a piece of music as this is happening.

O God, you know our thoughts, our hopes,our dreams and our fears.We offer them to you today and ask you to pour out your Spiritinto every person and situation we have named.

May all people have a sense of your loving, caring presence.May they be comforted and encouraged by it.

Help us to be the one who is present when we can,to offer a word or action that will alleviate their painor take away their fear.

Give us confidence to take action,give us strength to go for the long term solutions rather than the quick fixes.God in your mercy,hear our prayers.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationGenerous God, all that we have is yours.Help us to give back to you all that we have received.Help us not to give into fearbut to know that you have and will provide for usand that you invite us to give as generously as you have.

Take all that we offer this day and use it to continue to build you kingdom here on earth.Amen.


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All-Age PrayerThank you, God,for each new day.Thank you, God,for the life we have.Thank you, God,for families and friends.Thank you, God,for loving us.

Forgive us, God,when we fail you.Forgive us, God,when we make mistakes.Forgive us, God,when we give into fear.Forgive us, God,when we are selfish.

O God, you love usand you offer us a new start,a clean slate.Help us to put the past behind us.Give us courage to face the futureand whatever it holds.

In the name of your Son we pray. Amen.

ReflectionThere is a danger that when we move on we forget the past and do not want to think about it again. Often, however, reflecting on the past is a way of shaping the future. The Hebrews did that and have continued to do that at Passover where the youngest asks, ‘Why do we do this?’ and so the whole story of escape is retold again and again.

What stories of the past in your own faith community have been stories that have shaped who you are?

Invite three or four people, in 150 words, to retell one of these stories (the discipline would be to keep it to 150) reflecting on how they have seen God work and bring your faith community to where it is now. Sometimes it is hard to discern God but then perhaps that is one of the chapters when God has been difficult to find. Such honesty would be very faithful.

Between each mini-story a chant or verse of a hymn could be sung such ‘Lord for the years’ or ‘O God you search me and you know me’.

A follow-up activity could be the creation of an exhibition for people to look at after the service that takes a look back at some of the stories told in photos or drawings that celebrate where God has been.

SendingLeft: As we have worshipped,


Left: When the way ahead is blocked

Right: and there seems to be no way forward,

All: trust in God

Left: If the very sea is no barrier

Right: then what do we have to fear?

Left: Step out, get a little wet.

Right: With God to lead the way

All: all will be well.

Praise/HymnsAmazing grace CH4 555 / MP 31

Before the throne of God above CH4 466 / MP 975

Do not be afraid CH4 191 / MP 115

El-Shaddai MP 119

For the healing of the nations CH4 706

Healing river of the Spirit CH4 707

How deep the Father’s love for us CH4 549 / MP 988

How did Moses cross the Red Sea? JP 83 / ATAS 100

How great is our God MP 245

It is God who holds the nations CH4 705

Jesus Saviour, Lord CH4 573

Lord, in love and perfect wisdom CH4 702

Love divine, all loves excelling CH4 519 / MP 449

O, sing a new song to the Lord CH4 61

One more step CH4 530 / JP 188

Salvation belongs to our Lord CH4 131 / MP 924

There is a redeemer CH4 559 / MP 673

To God be the glory CH4 512 / MP 708

We have heard a joyful sound CH4 249 / MP 730

We sing a love, that sets all people free CH4 622

What a friend we have in Jesus CH4 547 / MP 746

Your hand, O God, has guided CH4 511 / MP 705

a toe in the water


Take Home IdeasRunning Away Or Bogged Down!Every day of this coming week, think of something from which you are running away or with which you are getting bogged down. Work load too high? Waiting on a dying loved one? Is money tight? Are you awaiting a medical or exam result?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Give everyone a copy of the words to the hymn ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ and ask them to read the words every single day, trying to find new meaning in the words everyday.

Our prayers may not be answered when we want them to, but God is listening and will guide us.

worship ideasPrayers In The MoviesEven if you do not have access to the clips, a setting and an explanation can be given to put the prayers into context.

Bruce Almighty

Bruce has God’s power and answers ‘yes’ to all the prayers that he hears. What a disaster it turns out to be! We need to listen for God’s answer to our prayers and if we don’t hear it at that moment, then it is not the right time.

Meet the Parents

Greg, who is Jewish, fumbles, repeats himself and ends up quoting ‘Day by Day’ from Godspell in a hilariously awkward attempt to deliver a Christian prayer. It is never a good idea to pretend to be someone you are not. God just wants us to talk to him as ourselves, bringing forth what is really on our minds.

Cool Hand Luke

Luke offers up a cynical, angry and frustrated prayer telling God, ‘you got things fixed so I can’t never win out …you made me like I am.’ At times we have gotten pretty mad at God and blamed him for the problems in our life, dwelling on unanswered prayers. We all know that God is big enough to take that and yet he still offers to help us. Sometimes God changes the circumstances and sometimes God changes us!

Forrest Gump

Forrest prays with Jenny in her prayer to fly away from the life she is living. Not hearing an answer, Jenny tries to answer her own prayer and heal herself by making a series of poor choices in search of love instead of recognising that the love she needed was right by her side. Sometimes God’s miraculous help comes from the really ordinary folk around us.


pentecost 2014 37

age group ideasgathering Bank, River, Mud all age

You will need: to use space with lines drawn (if your hall has a badminton court marked, the tram lines on either side of the court would work perfectly, or use chalk or masking tape to designate sections).

Ask the children to stand along one of the lines, which will be the bank, between the lines is the river, and the other side line is the mud.

Call out either ‘bank’, ‘river’ or ‘mud’ and the children must jump with their feet together to the designated area. If they step into the wrong area they are ‘out’. Use this or one of the games listed in the games section as a way into talking about the story.

craftsSand Shoes age 3-5

You will need: thick card cut into footprint shapes (two for each child), PVA glue, glue spreaders, play sand or coloured craft sand, glitter, and newspaper.

Cover the tables or working surface with newspaper to catch all the excess sand and glitter. Give each child two footprints. Instruct the children to cover the footprints with PVA glue and then to sprinkle sand and glitter onto the footprints until they are completely covered.

Discuss the people of Israel walking on the sand across the river with the water wall at either side and about how frightened the Israelites must have felt. Talk over with the children things/situations that may make them feel frightened and how God always walks with them day by day.

Sand Pictures age 6-12You will need: thick card, coloured craft sand, pencils, glue spreaders, PVA glue, glitter glue pens, and newspaper.

Cover the tables or working surface with newspaper to catch all the excess sand. Give each child a piece of thick card and have them each draw a simple drawing of part of the story in pencil. Get the children to colour their drawing by using the coloured sand and glitter glue. To get a thin line of sand, use the edge of the glue spreader. It is best to do all of one colour of sand and then all of another colour. Shake of excess sand in between colours.

Discuss the people of Israel walking on the sand across the river with the water wall at either side and about how frightened the Israelites must have felt. Talk over with the children things/situations that they are frightened of and how God always walks with them day by day.

Edible Chariots (Healthy-ish) all ageYou will need: paper plates, Hula Hoops, small square crackers, grapes, and something edible to stick the pieces together (for example jam, humus, Marmite or icing), knives and cocktail sticks.

Give each child a paper plate, a few crackers, hula hoops and grapes. Help the children to make chariots. Use your imagination: hula hoops for wheels, crackers for base and sides of the chariot (break crackers to the required size), and perhaps grapes for people. Stick pieces together using small amounts of jam and put onto pieces with a knife or cocktail sticks.

Edible Chariots (Chocolatey) all ageYou will need: Maltesers, After Eights, Matchmakers, cooking chocolate (melted), microwave or some way of melting chocolate, bowl, small bowls, paper plates, knives, and cocktail sticks.

Give each child a paper plate and a few of each kind of chocolate. Give each child a small bowl with a little melted chocolate in it. Help the children to make chariots using your imaginations: Maltesers for wheels, After Eights for base of chariot, Matchmakers for sides of chariot (break chocolate into required size), Maltesers for people, sticking one Malteser on top of the other. You could also add Matchmakers arms. Stick the pieces together using small amounts of melted chocolate put onto pieces with knife or cocktail sticks.

Talk about the story and how the Egyptians relied on things like their chariots to make them feel strong and powerful. Discuss with the children the things that people rely on today and about the importance of finding people we can rely on. Brainstorm together ideas about how we can be the kind of people others rely on and how we can always rely on God.

a toe in the water



age group ideasactivitiesSand Play age 3-5

You will need: if possible some play sand with buckets, spades, toys.

Let the children play in the sand and talk about being at the sea and what they might have done at the seaside.

• How cold was the water?

• Did they get wet?

• Did the sand get into their shoes?

Then talk a bit about the waves you get at the beach and the children’s experience of the water.

• Did they manage to jump over them?

• How high where they?

• Did the water come up to their knees or higher?

Tides age 6-12You will need: pictures of the damage done by large tidal waves or tsunamis (there are many, including videos, from Japan).

• What causes the tides in our seas?

• What causes tidal waves?

• Are all tidal waves dangerous?

• What can happen to a place if a tidal wave strikes?

You could show some photos or perhaps one of the many videos available on YouTube of what happens when a tidal wave or tsunami meets the land.

• What can you do on smaller waves?

• Has anyone ever tried surfing?

Ask the children to squat down with their knees really low and jump into a standing position as if on a surf board. Give out prizes for the best surf board pose. Why not take some photos, too?

gamesFroggy, Froggy all ageA standard kind of game. One person stands at one end of the room with everyone else at the opposite end. The space between is the river (you could mark this out however creatively you want to get).

Everyone on the far side of the river calls out: “Froggy, Froggy, may I cross your golden river?”

The person (Froggy) on the near side replies: “Not unless you have the colour...” and then name a colour.

Anyone wearing that colour can safely cross the river. Anyone else is at the mercy of Froggy trying to catch them as they cross the river. If they are caught, they are out.

Cross The River all ageYou will need: two lengths of rope.

This is a very simple game which involves only two lengths of rope. The ropes are placed parallel to each other a very small distance apart. After each child takes a turn jumping over the ropes, the gap gets a bit bigger and they need to jump over that. The distance needed to jump gets bigger and bigger each time and soon the children will stop getting across the river. They must not land in the river between the ropes or they are out.

Chariot Wheels all ageYou will need: hula hoops.

Split the children into teams. Each team is given a hula hoop which they need to roll in any way they can to the end of the hall and back again by each team member. On the next round add something to the hula hoop like a scarf so that it bumps and goes off course making it more difficult to control. If you have enough hula hoops, give each team two hula hoops, one for each hand, to roll and try to control simultaneously.

Parting Of The Water all ageYou will need: plastic sheeting or towels, plastic plates, straws, mop and bucket.

For this game you will need plastic sheeting or towels on the floor. Place a plastic plate and straw for each child on top of the sheeting or towels. Pour a thin layer of water onto each plate.

The idea is that each child is to create a path in the middle of their water using the straws, parting the water. Once they have achieved this they need to try to blow the water off the plate completely. This will be a lot of messy fun, so make sure you have that sheeting, towels, mops to hand!

pentecost 2014 39

PreparationYou just need a Bible and some paper and pens this week.

Opening ActivityBank, River, MudPlay the Gathering Activity game from page 37.

The WordRead Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29. Remember that this is a dramatic story so try to read it in a way that gets over the intense drama of the situation.

Activity/DiscussionPoints of View

• How would you tell the story from the Egyptian’s perspective?

Ask the group to collectively write a short reflection or a drama telling the story from both sides. Try and explore how people on both sides would feel about what is happening. Perform your play or read your reflection to the rest of the group.

• Can you relate to the Israelites who were scared of leaving Egypt?

• What would the Israelites be leaving behind?

• Have you ever had to move house or school?

• How did it feel to have to leave somewhere you knew well?

• What kinds of things did you worry about?

• Why didn’t the Egyptians want to let the Israelites leave?

• What changes would the Israelites leaving mean for the Egyptians?

• Why do you think God led the Israelites to the Red Sea? Why not go by another route?

• Escaping was the answer to the Israelites’ prayers. Do you think the answer was the one they expected?

Living It OutWhen the Israelites crossed the sea and the waters crashed in on the Egyptians there was no way back for the Israelites. They had to go on into the unknown.

Pray for people who are moving to something or somewhere new. Think about how you could help them.

Pray for people who find themselves trapped in places from which they would love to leave. Think about how could you help them.

discussion starters for teenstwo sides to the story

a toe in the water


bible notesCovenantal Codification

Plato said, “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” That ancient philosopher could be

pretty cynical though there is profound truth in what he says nonetheless. Laws exist to control behaviour outwardly, how much better it is when our positive behaviour as a part of a society is the natural response of our hearts and minds. This is what Jeremiah is talking about when he speaks about the law of God being written in minds and hearts (31:33).

Yet here, in these early stories of covenant and the people’s response to that covenant, the natural response needs help in the form of a community’s accepted wisdom on how to live together as a part of a covenantal community.

The pivotal part that Exodus plays in the self-understanding of Israel as a nation, birthed as we witnessed last week through the broken waters of the red sea, cannot be underestimated. It is absolutely foundational in setting out the purpose and place of the Israelite people within YHWH’s bigger scheme. With that comes great privilege, but also tremendous responsibility. The people of God were being called to be a holy people, a witness to all others.

Exodus is the story of how God brought about what happened to this wandering tribe. It is not best expressed as history in a modern sense, but rather as the story the people told of how God had worked in their history. In today’s story we have one such example of this. Amidst the brilliant descriptive language of mountaintops, ram’s horns, thunder and lightning and dense cloud, comes a relatively simple and straightforward set of rules around which a community could start to coalesce. Here we have the wisdom of this early community starting to grapple with what it means to be a nation in covenant with God. These are the demands that living in covenant with God brings. God has shown his part of the covenant by enabling the people’s escape from slavery, now the response of the people is sought to allow the covenant to continue in good health for generations to come.

The commandments are a codification of that wisdom,

beautifully crafted in just such a way that they give clarification where needed and allow space for interpretation where that too will be needed.

The commandments are predominantly written as negatives: they are “you must not…” statements. That is with the exception of honouring one’s parents and the appeal to observe the Sabbath day. Both of these are positive requests. Perhaps for our own journey through these stories of the covenant, it is the commandment that asks us to remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy that has greatest resonance.

What in our life as individuals or our lives as a community or faith community disrupts the holy space that we each need regularly in order to root ourselves within the covenant of God, as his people, loved and forgiven? When we think about our environment and how we treat our world do we build in space for Sabbath in the way that people in the past used to do with their fallow years to allow the earth to recover some of its natural nourishment?

The sad thing is that this hopeful expression of the wisdom of an early community, a wisdom that echoes through many of the laws of cultures across the world today, has lost that hopeful expectation and is just another list of dos and don’ts. Nothing could be further from the truth, so how can we re-engage with that covenantal hope today in our own society?

starters for tenpentecost 17 sunday 5 october 2014

Exodus 19:3-7,20:1-17(Matthew 5:17)

sunday 5 october 2014

pentecost 2014 41

starters for ten

Design For LifeGod reflects on the commandments.

Being my people isn’t easy.I demand much.I expect more.I get angry at their disobedience.I react to their rebelliousnessbut only because I love themand want the best for them.

Like wayward childrenthey follow their own rules.They worship not out of devotionbut suspicion.They crave not spiritual nourishmentbut bodily comfort.They value not what others ownbut what they can gain from them.They demean their own liveswith excess and intolerance.They demean another’s lifeas worth less than their own.

As they dishonour familyso they bring shame on me.

And yet I love themand yearn that they love themselvesand one another.

That is why there have to be don’ts in order to do.There have to be doers to make way for don’ts.There has to be discipline to be order.There has to be respect to be love.There has to be covenant to be community.There has to be journey to be arrival.There have to be roots for life to grow.

And sowritten in stoneI offer my wisdomI pledge my love—a rock solid guaranteefor my people.For all time.

the story

Retelling For Young PeopleHungry Hazel And The FenceHazel the rabbit was hungry. Hazel was always hungry. She was the biggest of all the rabbits in the burrow. She took up almost all the space and ate almost all the food.

The burrow in which Hazel’s rabbit family lived was right on the edge of Mr Sparrow’s allotment. Mr Sparrow was very proud of his long rows of vegetables—carrots, cabbages, potatoes, turnips, cauliflower and broccoli. Every day, whatever the weather, he would be in the garden. In winter, he would carefully turn and rake the soil, in spring he gently spread the seeds and, in early summer, as shoots began to appear, he would water them and talk to them as they grew into glorious greens, sparkling oranges and crisp whites. Mr Sparrow was a generous man and all of his neighbours would wake each morning to freshly picked vegetables on their doorstep.

Unlike many gardeners, Mr Sparrow loved the rabbits that lived on the other side of the fence. He regularly left them little treats to nibble on and he never shooed them away when they peered through the gaps in the fence to watch him work. Hazel’s family respected Mr Sparrow and his garden and never ventured beyond the fence to eat what they knew they shouldn’t.

One day, in mid summer, Mr Sparrow never came. He never came the next day, or the next. In fact, a whole week passed without any sign of him. The rabbits were worried and kept popping out of the burrow to see if he was there. But the garden remained empty apart from the rows and rows of juicy vegetables—and the weeds which began to grow up around them. Soon the rabbits could hardly see the vegetables at all. And they were hungry because Mr Sparrow had not left any food for them in many days.

It was then that Hazel hatched a plan. She knew the rule about never going beyond the fence but Hazel realised that if she slipped through and hid among the weeds, she could eat as much as she wanted without being seen and Mr Sparrow

would never know. He wasn’t there after all, and there were plenty of vegetables to go around.

That evening, just as dusk fell and the rabbits came from their burrow, Hazel quickly squeezed through the fence into Mr Sparrow’s allotment. And what a feast awaited her! Hiding in the thick weeds, Hazel began nibbling and chewing on the vegetables—row after row—until she was full. In fact she was so full that she felt very sleepy. So she closed her eyes just for a moment…

Hazel was wakened by the sound of heavy footsteps. When she opened her eyes she realised she was still in the garden and the footsteps were Mr Sparrow’s! “What have I done?” said Hazel, and she raced towards the fence to slide through before she was seen. But Hazel had eaten so much the night before that she could no longer fit through the hole! She squeezed and squeezed, but nothing happened. The other rabbits came to help but Hazel was stuck. Suddenly Hazel felt two gentle hands grip her body and pull her from the fence. She looked up into the eyes of Mr Sparrow who smiled and carefully placed her on the other side of the fence, where she ran into the burrow, followed by her friends. They stayed there all day, too scared to come out for fear of what Mr Sparrow might do when he saw the nibbled vegetables.

But as dusk fell, hunger drew them outside. And there, in its usual place, was an even bigger pile of vegetable treats. Mr Sparrow wasn’t angry at all. In fact, he realised just how hungry all the rabbits were and so rather than punish them he gave them even more to eat. Mr Sparrow was a kind man who loved the rabbits and provided for them. Hazel promised she would never ever break the fence rule again.

That night though, all the rabbits squeezed through the fence and spent hours eating the weeds around the vegetables. When Mr Sparrow arrived the next morning, there wasn’t a weed in sight.


Through the SeasonDetails of the seasonal ideas can be found on pages 4 and 5 which provide some focus ideas across this season based on the creation story.

Gathering Activity Arrange for there to be soft music playing as people arrive. Suggest to people that they take time to sit in silence, to relax and unwind. Encourage those in the congregation to think of a place that is special to them, imagining themselves there.

Call to WorshipGod calls us to obey.Obey Him.Obey His Commandments.

God calls us to love.Love ourselves.Love our neighbour.

God call us here,to this place,a place of lovewhere all are welcome.

All-Age PrayerRules, rules, rules.Everywhere we go—don’t do this, don’t do that. At school, in the home, at work, in the worlds.Even in church, God.Everywhere we go – don’t do this, don’t do that.

Lord God, sometimes we think it would be a lot easier and a lot more funif we could just do things the way we want to do them,forgetting the rules.

But would it?

God, help us ask the difficult questions that sometimes we avoid: Who would get hurt? Who would lose out? What damage would be done to others? What damage would be done to me? What damage could I do to my own self?

We know your hope for our world is one where we don’t need rules, but this world is not perfect and we need help,we need guidance to keep us right with you and with each other.

Maybe rules are there to help us? To help and protect us as individuals and help us to grow to become better families, schools, work places, churches and communities.

Lord, help us see rules not as lists of ‘don’ts’, nor as ways to stop us having fun, but as ways to live together better,making a positive contribution to the places in which we live, and the people with whom we share life.Amen.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession Lifted high on eagle’s wings: soaring high, seeing all before us;the majesty and splendour of creation, the sacredness of the earth, sea, sky and human soul.

To see the world as God sees it; to love the world as God loves it.

That is what you want Lord, you want us to recognisethe holy in all the landscapes of creation and in all the corners of our human heart.You want us to learn how to live and love together. You want us to care for one another and act responsibly towards the world in which we live.You want us to respect this life we know and recognise it truly for what it is—a gift of your love.You want us to cherish human individuality and to long for true community.You want us to deal with all that is wrong and to change what is wrong into what is right.You want us to be quick to react to injustice and foster a code of good conduct by which all may liveand know that they are protected.

Merciful God, when we are slow to recognise, slovenly in action, limited in outlook, inattentive to human need, disrespectful to others, and less than worshipful towards your holy name, forgive us.

Show us mercy, and lift us again above our limited perspectives that we might see the world as you see it; and learn to love life, and our world, as you love us and all things.In Jesus name we pray.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationGod of generosity and good living,who provides for us in abundance,we remember your call to live in community,and we seek today in these gifts brought togetherfor the work of your churchto enable that commonwealthwhich is your holy purpose for all creation.

Receive these gifts of money,of our time and abilities, and use them in this place and in every place. Amen.

worship ideassunday 5 october 2014

pentecost 2014 43

Prayers for Others and OurselvesGod, we agree to lots of things in life. We agree to contracts in our jobs, credit agreements with our banks, acceptable sharing of responsibilities in our relationships, and to abide by the codes, rules and regulations of the clubs and organisations to which we belong.

To what do we agree in making a commitment to live as your people?

Remind us that you have made a covenant with us. We belong to you. You have given us the spirit of life;and in the dying act of Jesus Christ, you have released us from all that holds us back and so set us on a course to go into life and build communities that reflect the nature, personality and priorities of your Son.

Today we covenant to be a loyal and faithful people who are ready to abide by the rules of your kingdom. We covenant to respect our brothers and sisters in Christ; to honour every part of creation and to honour you, the creator who gave life to all things.

We pray today for those people who are hurt by others: those who have been physically harmed, sexually abused, taken for granted, left behind.

We pray for those who are the victims of crime and those who perpetrate, or would perpetrate, criminal action on others: that they may undergo a transformation of heart and mind-set.

We pray for those who feel disregarded, ignored, undervalued and downtrodden by those in power.

This day let us be the people who take on responsibility for working things through and building true communityin the places where we work, live, and worship.

Let us not be content with a world that only makes it half-way there; but let us instead give our all for the kingdom, that it be established once and for all as a place where all are welcome and all are cared for.Amen.

ReflectionGod, creative and giving,is the source of all that is and is yet to be,the infuser of love that is ours before we even know it,the giver of life, the heartbeat at the centre of creation.

God calls us to be a holy peopleand in our greatest moments we respondwith thanksgiving and love,reflecting the glory of God’s creative urgency,bringing compassion and healingto a world still aching with the birth pangs of living together in community.

Yet those moments of greatness are fleeting,for too often we do not respond in love,preferring the shadowlands of our own selfish desires.Into those limitations of our own makingcome the rules that guide us and shape us,inspired by love to help us reach for greatness.

The rules of life, written from a community’s shared wisdom—a community whose being rested in God’s love,a love seeking expression and comprehension,activity and ethic—come to us through the long history of peoples ancient and modernseeking understanding of living in community,infused by God’s self-giving love.

In our brokenness we see through a glass dimlyand fall over ourselves in our attempts at communal living.We rail against the rules that are there to help us.We tarnish the glow of their wisdom and purpose:taking the gift of freedom and calling it independence;taking the gift of intelligenceand calling it our own opinion;taking the gift of creativityand turning it into rampant consumerism.

The call is here, it never stops,that we return to the mountain of God,to where it all began.Slavery to whatever binds us is no more,God has freed us,now we are to live as if we believe it,reflecting the greatness of God,and carried by grace into the heart of his wisdom,a wisdom founded on love.

starters for ten


SendingLeft: As we have worshipped,Right: so we go out into the world.

Left: We will go outRight: and we will worship God.

Left: We will go outRight: and we will honour his name.

Left: We will go out Right: and we will live in his ways,All: this day and always.

Praise/HymnsA new commandment MP 1 / SGP 2

Abba Father MP 3 / JP 2

Blessed are they, the poor in spirit CH4 341

Build up “Build Up” by Fischy Music

Children of God, reach out to one another CH4 521

Father, we adore you MP 139 or 140 / JP 44

Gifts of love our Lord has given available online at http://www.carolynshymns.com/gifts_of_love_our_lord_has_given.html

I have brought you out of Egypt available online at http://www.carolynshymns.com/i_have_brought_you_out_of_egypt.html

I have decided to follow Jesus MP 272 / JP 98

Is this the way you made the world CH4 242

Just as I am CH4 553 / MP 396

Lord, bring the day to pass CH4 238

Lord, we long for you MP 448

O come, O come, Emmanuel CH4 273 / MP 493

O for a closer walk with God CH4 552 / MP 494

O Jesus, I have promised CH4 644 / MP 501

Sweet is the work MP 620

Take, oh, take me as I am CH4 795

The earth belongs to God alone CH4 18

Touch the earth lightly CH4 243

We can do good “Build Up” by Fischy Music

Where are the voices for the earth CH4 244

Who is on the Lord’s side? MP 769 / JP 287

Take Home IdeasIn the hustle and bustle of life and work and the pressures that come with them, we all need to find a Sabbath. What could a Sabbath consist of for you? A walk? A bike ride? A swim?

Take a good look at your diary or calendar and seek out a space where you can create Sabbath: a place to be at one with God and Creation.

At the end of the week, reflect on how you felt during these Sabbath moments.

Did you experience peace, grace, a moment of solitude?

Perhaps you felt anxious that you should be getting on with something.

Did you spend the entire time wondering about the day to day worries: if you had paid that bill or replied to that e-mail?

If you did, try and get this Sabbath time in your diary as regularly as you can.

In time, work towards putting these anxieties to the side for even a short time to let your mind and body properly rest and recharge.

worship ideassunday 5 october 2014

http://www.carolynshymns.com/gifts_of_love_our_lord_has_given.html

http://www.carolynshymns.com/i_have_brought_you_out_of_egypt.html

pentecost 2014 45

gathering Agreeing On The Rules all ageMake up a list of possible rules for your group. For example: always sing loudly, look after younger children, wear clean socks on a Sunday, always do as the leaders say.

Ask the children to say whether they agree or disagree with these rules by giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

Discuss the reasons for agreeing/disagreeing. Use this as a way into the story of the ten commandments.

craftsEtched In Stone age 3-5

You will need: thick card, scissors, crayons, PVA glue, glue spreaders, and pasta tubes.

Provide a simple tablet template (similar to the look of the ten commandments tablet) and instruct the children to trace and cut out their template. To save time, prepare this beforehand. Get the children to draw squiggly lines to represent writing onto the tablets and then make an edge to the tablets by sticking pasta tubes round the edge with PVA glue.

Get the children to count to ten using their fingers. Talk about the ten important rules Moses brought from God to help people worship God and look after and care for one another. Discuss times and ways that the children worship God, along with times when they are looked after and when they help to look after others.

Fridge Magnet age 6-12You will need: funky foam in a variety of colours, PVA glue, glue spreaders, scissors, pens, magnets/magnetic strips (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003DZ0T46).

Ask the children to draw and cut out a backing shape and a shape connected with the story. This might be a square shape in yellow and heart shape in red which fits onto the square shape to represent God’s love for his people, or a circle shape in blue and stone tablets shape in orange which fits onto the circle shape to represent the commandments. Glue the pieces one on top of the other and then glue a magnet to the back

Talk about God’s commandments being all about love and given to help us to live well together. The people needed a reminder of that and Moses brought the commandments written on tablets of stone. The fridge magnets are to put in a place where they will be seen every day to help us to remember God’s commandments to love. Discuss with the children their ideas of how we can live well together today.

age group ideas

Stone Painting all ageYou will need: stones or pebbles (ideal size would be one that you can hold easily in the palm of your hand), acrylic paints, thin paintbrushes, paper plates.

Squeeze a little acrylic paint in a variety of colours onto paper plates, enough for the children to be able to share easily. Get the children to paint their name on one side of the stone and a heart on the other. Designs can be added in between the name and the heart, in a ring around the stone.

Talk about God’s commandments being all about love and to help us live well together. Discuss with the children ideas about how we can live well together today.

starters for ten

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003DZ0T46

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003DZ0T46


activitiesDo’s And Don’ts age 6-12

You will need: you may want to use the activity sheet available on page 118.

This would be an ideal week to bring in an older person to your Sunday Club. Discuss what ‘Sabbath’ means to you. What does it mean to them? Many of the children will not know what the ‘Sabbath’ is. The ‘Sabbath’ is of course a day of rest and for people in Britain it used to be a Sunday. That is rarely the case anymore. Ask the children when their ‘Sabbath’ time might be? Do they have a day of rest where they have no clubs or activities to attend or homework to do?

Ask an older person to talk with the children about what they could and could not do in days gone by.

Does the older person still do the same on the ‘Sabbath’ as many years ago? Are there some still rules they still keep to from the olden days? Do they do anything they want on the ‘Sabbath’ now?

Let the children try the activity sheet.

A Balanced Life age 6-12You will need: old fashioned scales (balance type), variety of objects to balance on the scales with the weights.

The Ten Commandments can be about helping us to live a balanced life with others. Let the children experiment with the scales and the objects to see how they can balance the objects against the weights provided. They could write down what the item is and what the corresponding weight is. Examples of objects you could use are £2 coin, Post-It note pad, small Bible, 10 coins, a ball, an apple, and so on.

You could finish off with the ingredients needed to make a cake or some easy to create confection and if time allows, even make it. Make the point that if the balance is not right and the ingredients not correctly measured, the cake will not be good.

I Love... age 6-12You will need: a variety of items that you love (perhaps a Bible, picture of family, perfume/aftershave, book, instrument, jewellery, chocolate, fast food wrapper, shopping receipt, football, and so on) placed on a table or in a bag.

Explain to the children why you love these items. Ask them in turn what they love and why they love them. Sometimes we put so many things before God when we should love him first and foremost: commandment number one.

Ask the children which celebrities they love and why. Again God says we should only worship him! Not celebrities, not football, not shopping—only him. Explore with the children what they think this might mean.

Following The Rules all ageYou will need: a recipe and the ingredients required for it.

This activity is about following the rules so pick a recipe that involves baking a cake or treat, and encourage the children to stick to the rules when creating their treat... one of the rules being “do not lick your fingers!”


age group ideasgamesGod Says... age 3-5Play a Simon Says type game, but using “God says...” instead of “Simon says...” for the instructions (rules) that the children are to obey.

Follow The Rules age 3-5You will need: simple board games like Snakes & Ladders, Ludo, and so on (a giant version would be great).

Allow the children to play the game and emphasise the importance of knowing and following the rules in order for the game to work well for everyone who is playing.

Not 10! age 6-12You will need: to explain the rules very clearly (though many of the children will probably have played this game at school as part of their mathematics lessons).

For this game the children sit in a circle on the floor or around a table. The children one at a time and in turn going clockwise count off numbers from 1 upwards with no child saying more than 3 numbers. When one of the children reaches the number 10 they either lie on the floor in their position or put their head down on the table and are out.

How might this work? An example would be Child One (1, 2), Child Two (3), Child Three (4,5,6), Child Four (7,8,9), Child Five (10). Child Five is out.

This is a tactical game and you need to know the rules. You can change it so that a higher number is the number that means you are out. The tactics remain the same.

Texting age 9-12You will need: paper, pens, mobile phone.

Ask the children to write out their version of the 10 commandments in text form. Below is an example.

Commandment 1: no1 b4 me. srsly.

Commandment 2: dnt wrshp pix/idols

Commandment 3: no omg’s

Commandment 4: no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r)

Commandment 5: pos ok - ur m&d r cool

Commandment 6: dnt kill ppl

Commandment 7: :-X only w/ m8

Commandment 8: dnt steal

Commandment 9: dnt lie re: bf

Commandment 10: dnt ogle ur bf’s m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob. M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl. ttyl, JHWH.

pentecost 2014 47

PreparationPrint out the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) so everyone has a copy that they can read easily. You might want to print it from different translations like the Good News or The Message to compare the language.

Opening ActivityPlay a game of charades or ‘Heads Up’ if you have a tablet/phone. The game is a free app and available on most platforms.

The WordRead Exodus 20:1-17 from several different translations.

Activity/DiscussionHopeful Living—Designed For LifeDavid Beckham, possibly one of the most famous footballers in the world recently visited an Amazonian tribe in Brazil before the World Cup. They had no idea who he was and had never heard of football. Explaining something he took for granted that everyone knew about was very difficult.

Create a game, a brand new one. Make up the rules for your new game then try to explain the game to the rest of the group without using any pictures or props.

• How hard was it to come up with the rules?

• How difficult was it to explain them?

The Ten Commandments are perhaps the most famous set of rules ever. Read them through.

• What do you think their purpose is?

Take all the ones that start with ‘Do not’ or ‘You must not’ and rewrite them as positives. For example ‘Do not tell lies’ would be ‘Always be truthful’.

discussion starters for teenspositivity

starters for ten

• Why do you think it helps to have positive rules rather than negative?

• Can you think of challenging situations you have which seem negative, and how could you turn them into positive situations?

Living It OutMake an active decision to be positive this week.

Try and change your point of view this week and see things positively.

If there is a challenge you are confronting, make it your target to deal with it positively.


harvest thanksgiving ideas

harvest thanksgivingsome ideas for celebrating harvest

Churches celebrate harvest and the abundance of creation at different times in this season (and if you are on the other side of the world, very different times!) but

we hope these ideas will provide helpful for you as and when you incorporate a harvest theme in your worship.

Note that we are not providing the usual complete resources, as we assume your harvest celebration will be incorporated by you into your usual diet of worship or as an all-age service.

Gathering ActivityHang a painted tree in a central place for worship. This can serve as a central focus for the service: taking different parts of the tree to focus on at different stages of the service.

It could start with the roots and firm foundations. What part of our faith community serves as the roots?

The middle part of the service could focus on the trunk and all those solid things that keep us steady. The interesting thing about a trunk is that the growth takes place on the outside. It is the bark that keeps being replaced while the wood it the steady, solid part of the tree. So where is the growth in the church? Where does the church find itself on the outer edges and what parts of the church community offer the solid wood of strength?

The final part of the service could focus on the branches and especially the leaves. If you create ‘fruit’ from coloured paper but cutting circles stick a few seeds in the centre of the fruit. During the service, as an act of dedication, invite people to come and stick the fruit onto the tree and then as a benediction, as people leave, invite them to take a fruit from the tree and plant it in their own garden.

pentecost 2014 49


Jump!This is based on Luke 17:5-10, and you are encouraged to adapt this dialogue for your needs.

Voice A: Come on: ‘Jump!’ I said, ‘Jump!’

Voice B: What’s happening?

Voice A: Nothing is happening!

Voice B: What are you expecting to happen?

Voice A: I’m trying to make this tree jump.

Voice B: Jump?

Voice A: Yes, jump! Come on, after three. One, two, three…

Okay let’s do something easier, just wave your branches. Just a wee bit. Just a wee flutter, that’s all I’m asking.

One, two, three…

Voice B: This may sound like a silly question but why are you trying to make the tree jump?

Voice A: Well Jesus said if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could make a tree jump into the sea.

Voice B: Maybe the tree can’t swim!

Voice A: It’s a tree. It’s made of wood. It’ll float.

Voice B: Maybe that’s not what Jesus meant.

Or at least not literally.

Maybe it was just a picture he was offering:that from little things, big things grow,that you don’t need a lot of seed to make an oak tree grow,that you don’t need a lot of hope to begin changing things,that you don’t need a lot of love before you can start giving it away,that you don’t need a lot of faith to believe what seems impossible is actually possible.

Voice A: So Jesus wasn’t saying I could train this tree to do party tricks?

Voice B: I doubt Jesus thought any tree should do be able to do more than what trees normally do. But Jesus was a carpenter and he knew trees could become tables, and cradles and plates and houses and so much more with a little imagination and trust.

And I suppose Jesus thought we might too: be able to do more than what we think we can do with just a little imagination and trust.

Voice A: You mean faith?

Voice B: Well many say faith is a mix of imagination and trust, so yes, a little faith.

Voice A: I knew I’d get this tree doing tricks before the day is out.

I know you really want to, “Jump!”

Starter Ideas For All-Age TalkHave you had your cereal this morning?

What did you have? Corn Flakes, Weetabix, or something fancy?

Show different brands of cereals, you could do an online search for 50 favourite kids breakfast cereals. Talk about which cereals they have tried and which they have not.

I guess you didn’t have cereal like this?

Show congregation some barley, pulses, rice or some such.

These do not look all that appetising do they?

Explain to children and remind adults that there are two different types of cereal.

Truth is that although this type of cereal is not what we would have for breakfast we do have it in other meals and this cereal is ‘very important’ to the world diet.

For some people ‘Important’ is not a strong enough word. It would be better to say that these cereals are ‘essential’ or ‘necessary for life’.

Share importance of this cereal for the world’s hungry. Statistics could be found that indicate how many people are hungry in the world and what food is eaten in some places as part of their staple diet.

There are two sides to our Thanksgiving Service.

The easy bit is to acknowledge who thankful we are for what we have.

The harder part it is to be so moved by the fact that we are provided for, and that we are so well off in comparison to others, that we recognise our responsibility to ‘Share’. To sometimes ‘share’ what we have; and always to make an effort to make sure that the world’s resources are ‘shared’ out fairly.

Read Mark 6:30-44.

Somehow Jesus played a part in making sure that whatever food there was that day was shared. Surprisingly it not only fed all the people but there was some left over too.

There is a great blessing in being ‘Given’, and inherent value in ‘Sharing’.

worship ideas


Call to WorshipThis is harvestand in our diversity and colourwe come togetherto give thanks for God’s gifts to usand to dedicate our gifts to God

Six people each with a bundle of coloured tissue squares stand along the balcony or adapt this for the pulpit or other high place. They drop their tissue squares when their colour is mentioned.

in the reds of autumnand the oranges of sunset,in the yellows of cornand the greens of fields,in the blues of skiesand the purple of berrieswe bring all creation togetherin celebration.

So let us gather,each of us a shade in God’s rainbow people,and sing praise to the creator of every harvest colour.

ResponsesLeader: God of the harvest,All: gather us in.

Leader: God of the plentiful,All: gather us in.

Leader: God of the abundant,All: gather us in.

Leader: God of us all,All: gather us in.

worship ideasPrayer of Dedication

Print the Order of Service on different coloured paper. Ask everyone to hold up their Order of Service when their colour is mentioned or when the word ‘rainbow’ is mentioned.

We give thanks for red: for apples and faces after running through the cold.

We give thanks for orange: for evening sunsets, Jaffa cakes and autumn leaves.

We give thanks for yellow: for the corn and the fields and the stacks of hay.

We give thanks for green: for the colour of creation that gives us so much.

We give thanks for blue: for the water that runs and the sky that flows.

We give thanks for purple: and the berries and richness of all we have been given.

We give thanks for the rainbow of colours:the diversity of gifts and the colour of lifethat makes us your rainbow peopleand through all the gifts we haveand the sharing we domay we bring a rainbow of colour to the world.

All-Age PrayerCreator God, ECOLOGY is the science of understanding the interactions between all living things.

It is also:

E for the Environment, which deserves our care and protection,

C for the Continents, diverse and special,

O for the Oceans, rich in the spectacular, and full of mystery,

L for Love, that is the energy in the midst of all that is good,

O for Order, instead of chaos,

G for God who must be praised for making it all,

and Y for You, (and me), for whom all this is given,

and whose help God asks for in order that the world’s ECOLOGY stays right, and all living things share well the creation God has given. Amen.


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Harvest Or What?A meditation based on some favourite harvest hymns.

We plough the fields and scatterthe good seed on the land

Well, not us. Not for some time either.We do not get our hands dirty, preferring instead to buy prepackaged, pre-washed, pre-prepared everything, from sliced white bread to ready chopped carrots.Never mind that our choices are flown half way across the world.We like quality.And, on occasion, we will even pay for it. Harvest is something we’re prepared to leave to others.The physical harvestIs someone else’s worry.If the weather’s bad or if crops failwe will simply shop elsewhere, move on, pay more.We certainly won’t starve.We’ve not been that close to the land for a long time now.It’s nothing new.

To reflect modern life and contemporary cultureperhaps our harvest celebration needs to be revamped,needs to reflect our experience:of work and toil,of sweat and tears.Isn’t harvest about celebrating our gifts and our skills,all that God has given us to make life good?Isn’t it about giving thanks for the comparative luxury we know,and that we protect at all costs.It is so far removed from work on the landso can we not find another way to celebrate?We plough the fields and scatter?Not us, not any more.

Come, ye thankful people, come,raise the song of harvest home

Oh yes.It is good to give thanks once a year.Thanks for all those little luxuries.Thanks for God’s blessings.Once a year, it is good to give thanks.

For the Lord our God shall comeand shall bring his harvest home

Now that is sounding a different note.God harvesting people.But we won’t worry too much about that.We are simply here to give our thanks for now.We don’t need to worry about the future at harvest.We will just celebrate the present.And leave the future to God.That is part of harvest too, isn’t it?That God takes care of the future.

Come, ye thankful people, come,raise the song of harvest home

Pause

For the fruits of all creationthanks be to God

We will celebrate all that we can see around us.We will congratulate ourselves on being so well offthat we can sing heartily the words:

In our world wide task of caringGod’s will is doneIn the harvest we are sharingGod’s will is done

Yet, to make our words ring true todaywe have to see beyond our beautiful colourful displays of fruitto the responsibility that God places on each of usto make the kind of harvest we celebratealive with meaning for the world,alive with meaning for those who will sleep rough tonight,alive with meaning for those who will go to bed hungry,alive with meaning for the poor all around us,and, yes, alive with meaning in Iraq and Afghanistan,in Sumatra and Zimbabwe,in all the places where God’s children are to be found.

May we and they know that our world is not as God intended,that in creation there is more than enough to go aroundif we could only share.And so, in our plenty, it is not that we should waste time on feeling guiltybut that we should turn God’s goodness to usinto a call to serve the world through our sharing.

Our God, who stretched out the heavensand created everything in wisdom,relies on us to care and gives us what we need to do just thatand so we will take our fruit this morning:symbol of all the goodness of God,we will take our fruit:symbol of the power of God,we will take our fruit:symbol of the call of Godand we will give thanks, we will share from our place of plenty,we will give thanks to the God of the harvestand we will share God’s food for God’s world.



ReflectionVoice A: One day

Voice B: the disciples were worried.

Voice A: They worried a lot

Voice B: because Jesus asked them to do a lot:

Voice A: feed people,

Voice B: care for people,

Voice A: heal people,

Voice B: include people,

Voice A: teach people,

Voice B: listen to people.

Voice A: One day

Voice B: it got too much

Voice A: and the disciples said

Voice B: ‘We can’t do it all’

Voice A: ‘We don’t have enough to do all that.’

Voice B: ‘Enough know-how, enough money, enough experience?’ asked Jesus.

Voice A: ‘No! Enough faith!’ replied the disciples.

Voice B: So one day

Voice A: Jesus tried to show them that they did have enough faith.

Voice B: Plenty of it.

Voice A: Bags of it.

Voice B: ‘See this seed’ he said as they were passing by a farmer sowing his field,

Voice A: ‘Each seed can grow 30, 60 or even 100 ears. That’s like faith.’

Voice B: ‘Or this yeast, you can hardly see it but it makes bread rise twice, three times its size. That’s like faith.’

Voice A: ‘Or this tree?’

Voice B: ‘Yes’ said the disciples thinking they were catching on, ‘ it started from a seed and that’s just like faith.’

Voice A: ‘No,’ said Jesus. ‘If you had faith the size of the seed it grew from, you could make it jump into the sea.’

worship ideasVoice B: ‘So it’s not about how much we think we have?’

Voice A: ‘No,’ said Jesus. ‘It’s not about how much you think you have. It is about how much you think you can do.’

Voice B: ‘If you believe in only what you think is possible, that’s just what you’ll get.

Voice A: ‘If you believe you can’t feed everyone, then you’ll never even try to feed everyone.

Voice B: ‘But if you believe everyone should have enough, then you’ll take a step towards doing something about it.’

Voice A: ‘How big a step?’ asked the disciples.

Voice B: ‘Just a wee step but you’ll have begun something you never thought possible before,’ Jesus replied.

Voice A: ‘Just like this tree jumping into the sea?’ they asked.

Voice B: ‘Exactly.’

SendingThis follows the suggestion of the Prayer of Dedication and the rainbow symbolism.

We have coloured in a rainbow todaymade of the diversity of colours we are in this placego and take a piece of rainbow with youand share its hope this harvest time.

Praise/HymnsThe many traditional harvest hymns are taken for granted.

All you works of God CH4 151

Christ is made the sure and foundation CH4 184 / MP 73

Circle song “A Bernadette Farrell Songbook”

Come to the banquet available at http://www.faywhitemusic.com/catalogue.html

Everywhere around me “Songs For Every Assembly” by Out of the Ark Music

Life’s a masterpiece of colour “Sing Out Volume 6” by Gottalife Productions

Pears and apples CH4 232

We are called “Lift Up Your Hearts” 296

Welcome to a brand new day “Sing Out Volume 4” by Gottalife Productions


http://www.faywhitemusic.com/catalogue.html

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bible notesEvoked, Characterised, Confessed

When families have all gone their own ways, with offspring spread far and wide, some of the greatest pleasures come from times when everyone gathers

together again, a homecoming. At those times, often caused by some kind of event or rite of passage, time is often spent in reminiscing. The old stories are dusted off and everyone shares their communal memories together, reinforcing the stories that matter most and that helped shape the members of that family into who they are. Much laughter is usually had in those times, and no matter that it is the hundredth time the story is told, everyone participates in that storytelling. It is a communal remembrance and celebration of what has been.

The obverse to this are the stories that people refuse to tell, stories that linger in the dark shadows and are not shared whether out of fear or concern or neglect. These can breed negative consequences. Celebrations of joyous events are good. Confessions and acknowledgement of sinful actions similarly may be necessary for a healthy future.

In this week’s passage we have an example of a community in remembrance of what has been.

The story of the Israelites with whom we are travelling is one that arcs from hopefulness to fulfilment. It is written across whole books in the Scriptures, indeed across the whole of Scripture one might argue, and also within episodes and particular stories within the books at a much smaller scale. Sometimes, however, we find encapsulated within the Scriptures recitations of the bigger story that invite a response.

Today’s passage is one such recitation. This is a testimony to God in the life of the people and as such it is an important passage. Joshua gathers the Torah traditions together in retelling the story of his community. After doing so, Joshua presents a simple question to those gathered in Shechem: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Will it be YHWH or the God’s beyond the river or in Egypt?

Joshua does not sugar-coat the decision. He is crude in his depiction of a jealous, vindictive God. All this goes to highlight the importance of the covenant with God. It is not

to be taken lightly. It is serious stuff. Walter Brueggemann says of it, “This act of testimony… requires a purging of all competing loyalties and a resolve for obedience. Testimony is not easy talk; it is rather an elemental decision to reorder the life of the community with an entirely different set of risks and possibilities. This community, set in motion that day at Shechem by Joshua, continues wherever this decision for loyalty is undertaken.”

Perhaps this week is an opportunity for the local congregation to tell stories from the past, to celebrate and confess. James Hopewell in his superb book “Congregations: Stories & Structures” tells of the importance of individual congregations knowing their collective story and sharing in it. It gives understanding for the reasons why people act the way they do, why things happen the way they do (it is not always just because it has aye been). Within his book, Hopewell talks about three important aspects that are strengthened when faith communities understand their own narrative. There is a ministry of evocation, a growing sense that we are a people of God rather than just a collection of individuals who happen to worship together on a Sunday morning. There is also ministry of characterisation, a sense of who we are, for not all churches are the same and that is okay, knowing our identity as a part of the body is empowering. Finally there is the ministry of confession in which we the people of God come to terms with what we are, warts and all, with the hope of transformation.

What stories of celebration and confession can your congregation tell this week?

celebrations & confessionspentecost 18 sunday 12 october 2014

Joshua 24:1-15(Matthew 4:8-10)

celebrations and confessions



Whom Will You Serve?Voice 1: Whom will you serve?

Voice 2: You led me, an old man, into the unknown. You took me on a journey through strange lands and of alien people. You blessed me in my dotage with children as numerous as the stars in the sky. My family spread to different lands, enduring trials and hardships. You were faithful to them. You were faithful to me. Yet still we wandered.

Voice 1: Whom will you serve?

Voice 3: You called me, barefoot, in my ignorance with signs of fire. You parted waters and sent me into the parched wilderness, a band of reluctant followers in my charge. You answered our prayers and pleas with manna, you punished our disobedience , you gifted us rules for life and living. You brought us to a new land. Yet still we wandered.


Voice 4: You sent us into enemy territory and led us to victory, time and time again. You rescued us from destruction, you defied the curses of others and delivered them into our hands. You saved us from ourselves. You gave us a place in which to live and thrive and raise our families. Yet still we wandered.


Voice 5: You gave us choices. Throughout generations you sought our obedience, yearned for our allegiance, pleaded for our loyalty. But always you gave us choices. And when we chose not to serve you, you chose us. And when we chose not to be faithful, you chose us. And when we chose to deny you, you chose us. Even today, you choose us, though still we are wandering. And still you ask the question.


Retelling For Young PeopleChoices: Recreating The StoryThis is a good opportunity to recreate/re-enact the story through words and actions and to consider the different choices each individual/group of people in the story have to make.

Divide the young people into groups: Abraham; Moses and Aaron; Amorites; Balaam; citizens of Jericho and other nations; Joshua. Help them to tell their different stories as part of the bigger picture, using actions and/or words in an impromptu drama.

Encourage the young people to act out the story, asking questions of one another and discussing the answers, some suggestions are listed below.

Abraham/Moses and Aaron/Joshua

• What was God asking him/them to do?

• How might they have felt?

• What choices did he/they have?

• Why did he/they choose to obey?

• In what ways did they obey?

• What was the result?

Amorites/Balaam/citizens of Jericho and others defeated by Israel

• What did they do?

• How might they have felt?

• Who were they obeying?

• What choices did they have?

• What was the result?

There may also be some scope here for reminding the young people about the need to respect the views of others in today’s society.

Choices: Being Part Of The StoryEncourage the children to share ideas about what choices we are asked to make when we choose to follow Jesus and to serve God.

• What does it mean to serve God?

• How hard is it to obey?

• What kind of things can we do in our own lives to show that we have chosen to follow him?

the story

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worship ideasThrough the SeasonPages 4 and 5 contain ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season introducing symbolism for the theme being explored this week and encouraging a sense that each week is thematically tied together.

Gathering Activity Invite people on postcards (index cards would work too) to write their first name, their date of birth and place of birth. Have people ready to gather these in and peg them to a ‘washing line’. If you have time, you could put them in order of age creating a timeline.

Call to WorshipWe all come to this placeeach with a back story.Maybe we want to forget,maybe we bring fond memories,but each of us has a story to tell.

This place, this building,it too has a story to tell,and what tales it could tell!A place of welcome,a place of new lives,of lives joined together,of lives that have passed and of lives continuing.

God has a story,and a colourful one at that.Come as we celebrate his-story.Come as we mark our place in this placeand in God’s story.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionGod of the present, God of the past and God of the future,the continuity of all things is in your hands. Your hand of love, in all its creative energy, stretches far back into the history of our lives, our families, and this church. Like a tapestry woven from many parts, who and what we are today comes into being as you thread together the people and events of our past into a masterpiece that tells both its own new story, and a story of the past too.

Sometimes, God, it is easy to think that who we are, and what we are is all down to us, and us alone. We forget the roots of our lives and those who have helped us grow.We forget that others have been here before us—striking out in faith and building a church community that now is ours to care for and enjoy.We forget that we are a product of many generations, of the interplay of genetics and the twists and turns of fate.We forget that this sanctuary and suite of halls, this building we use is the success story of others who have gone before us.

Sometimes, God, we isolate ourselves from the past and the future.We live only in the present and forget what has gone on before and give little thought to what is to come.We live, if not disrespectfully of the past, then certainly in ignorance of those things that have paved the way for what exists now. We forget the freedom won for us by those who could not tolerate the oppression inflicted by others; we forget the self-sacrifice of those who went without in order to build something that we now enjoy.

Merciful God, it is not right for us to be caught between times as if neither the past nor the future matters. Your hand is upon all of time, so help us appreciate the continuity of creation. While not glorifying the past let us recognise the contribution it makes to the present. While not wishing away the present, help us recognise that our dreams for the future inspire our living now.Amen.


Prayers for Others and OurselvesLoving God, with thankful hearts we come before you.Thankful for those who made this church more than just a far-fetched dream but who brought it to life and established it within this community.Thankful for those who have served, worshiped, and who have cared for others and so built up the community of God we call [name of church].

Today we are mindful that flowing on from a legacy of the past we have responsibility for the present and the future. Help us channel our faith into action. Help us learn from your eternal story of presence and interactionhow we too can facilitate that presence in our world today.

Help us learn to be peacemakers in a fractious world, care-givers to the poor and vulnerable, seekers of justice for those who cannot find it for themselves.Help us to learn how to care for the grieving and give encouragement to the young.Help us look beyond thoughts of self and recognise what we can do for others.

Lord, you ask us to be loyal to your ways. Teach us your ways; unveil in the stories of scripture the God who we must serve. Let us catch a scent of you as we live out our daily lives.Continue to teach us and show us how to best serve You.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of DedicationHeavenly Father, for what has been given to us we thank you.For what has been established beforehand that gives us foundation in life we thank you.For what we have inherited and what we have been able to achieve in life we thank you.For what makes life good we thank you.

Take this offering from our richness for it is given out of gratitude and love.Bless it and use it for a purpose that brings blessing to others.We pray in Jesus name. Amen.


worship ideasAll-Age PrayerObedient, loyal,courageous, faithful,strong.

That’s how Joshua was described.

People tell stories about Joshua; people sing songs today that express Joshua’s greatness.

Joshua spoke frankly to the people when they doubted and lost their way.He pointed them to their past and said ‘look what the mighty God has done for you’.He asked them to trust and choose the one God in whom they could trust.

We have a story too. We have a past we can look to for reassurance when the going gets tough.In that story we find the same God Joshua knew. The God of Joshua; the God of his ancestors, and ours. The God in whom we can trust.The God in whom we should trust.Amen.

Take Home IdeasFamily History

• Have you ever investigated your family history? You could make it a personal or family project.

• Perhaps you could map out your family tree or take a trial on an ancestry website?

Church History• What is the history of your church?

• Is this something a group of people in the congregation could work on putting together and present it to the congregation at a later date?

It can be an exciting time as you look back through history in search of roots and landmark events. Along the way there may be things that will inspire you and, at times, upset you, but like the account from Joshua, the joys and frustrations, the highs and lows are all part of what has shaped history and continues to shape our future.

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ReflectionYou will need to adjust some of the geographical references for your own setting, and with apologies to the late great Woody Guthrie.

This land is your land, this land is my land,from Aberdeenshire to the Western Islands,from the Galloway forest to the Shetland waters,this land was made for you and me.

As we remember the clans that gathered,in lowland valleys and highlands scattered,their stories echo with our inheritance,this land was made for you and me.

In this homecoming and celebrationin towns and cities across the nationraised flags and banners in jubilation:this land was made for you and me.


We’ve roamed and rambled, we’ve followed our story,from steelworks and shipyards to farms and colliery,and as the machinery lies cold and silent,was this land made for you and me?

Our shops are filled with goods beyond counting,yet in the foodbank the tins need sorting,we see queues standing, and we keep asking:is this land made for you and me?


And so our story has yet no endingfor this, our country, still needs tending,our pride and passion is yet to fashiona land that’s made for you and me.


SendingLeft: As we have worshipped


Left: We know our history

Right: and we know our part in the story.

Left: We have listened and remembered

Right: and now we go to serve the world.

All: Together we go in the Lord’s name today and always.

Praise/HymnsAs we are gathered CH4 197 / MP 38

Brother, sister, let me serve you CH4 694

Christ is made the sure foundation CH4 200 / MP 73

Come all you people CH4 757

Come, now is the time for worship CH4 196 / MP 1040

From heaven you came CH4 374 / MP 162

Give me oil in my lamp MP 167 / JP 50

God forgave my sin MP 181 / JP 54

Great is thy faithfulness CH4 153 / MP 200

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah CH4 167 / MP 201

Here to the house of God we come CH4 195

Lord can this really be? CH4 205

Lord for the years CH4 159

Make me a servant JP 162

O God, your help in ages past CH4 161 / MP 498

One thing I ask CH4 199 / MP 913

Praise, I will praise you, Lord CH4 175

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven CH4 160 / MP 560

Sing of the Lord’s goodness CH4 157

Take up the song CH4 171

When I needed a neighbour CH 543 / JP 275



gathering Our Story all age

You will need: a selection of books which tell the stories of your local area (your local library will be able to help), old pictures from your community (and church), perhaps approach someone in the congregation to share an important story about something that happened in your area.

Use a selection of these different resources to talk about the importance of telling stories of your area and community. Use this as a way in to today’s story of Joshua recounting the story of his people.

craftsLittle Books age 3-5

You will need: A4 coloured paper, staples, long-arm stapler, scissors, crayons, pencils, stickers, address labels with a picture of the place where you meet printed on them.

Give each child three sheets of A4 paper folded in half with one sheet placed inside the other. Staple together with a long-arm stapler to make an A5-sized little book. Provide crayons, pencils, stickers, printed labels for the children and ask them to draw the story of their lives and the life of the church in the pages of the book.

For example, a birthday cake with candles to represent the age of the child, birthday cake with candles to represent the age of the church, something the children remember from their time in church (perhaps being in a nativity play or going on a trip) and something an adult remembers, child’s name and name of church, drawing of church, drawing of child’s house. Decorate the book with stickers.

Talk about Joshua helping people to remember the important things and discuss the important things we want to remember about our church and about God.

age group ideas

Memories Chain age 6-8 You will need: A4 coloured paper cut into for strips lengthways, felt tip pens, stickers, sellotape, scissors.

Give each child a few strips of coloured card. Using felt tip pens and stickers, have the children draw, colour and decorate their strips of card with words and pictures which show their memories of important things in their lives and things they remember from their involvement in church (see examples from the Little Books craft idea above).

To this add a few strips which have the memories of older people from the congregation. Ask the children to approach folk in their families or ask people as they are coming into church, or invite one or two folks to come and share their memories with the children. When the strips of card are all decorated, join them together with sellotape as you would to make a paper chain. Hang the memory chain in the room where you meet or in church/corridor/hall where different people can look at it.

Talk about Joshua helping the people to remember important things and discuss the important things we want to remember about our church and about God.

Memories Collage age 9-12 You will need: to work in a group to make a collage to display using a large sheet of corrugated cardboard covered in self coloured wrapping paper; or work individually to make a collage to take home using a card photo frame, felt tip pens, scissors, glue sticks, copies of old photographs of church and area, ask children to bring in a couple of family photos, A4 paper, stickers.

Ask the children to draw pictures or to write words that show some of their memories of being part of the church, cut out pictures, words, photos and make a collage, overlapping pictures and filling in spaces with designs or stickers.

Talk about Joshua helping the people to remember important things and discuss important things we want to remember about our church and about God. Talk about the different memories people of different ages will have and how we can cherish the memories of older people to help us understand each other better and work together today.

Big Book all age You will need: two large sheets of corrugated cardboard to make covers for the book, sheets of sugar/construction paper to make the pages of the book, hole punch, treasury tags, felt tip pens, stickers, old photos, map of area, photos of significant buildings in your area, glue sticks.

Each child should make a page of the book and a couple of children should work on the covers. Use ideas for the crafts described for the individual age groups to get a variety of pages to form a book titled: ‘The Story Of Your Church’

Talk about Joshua helping the people to remember important things about and discuss important things we want to remember about our church and about God. Talk about how we all have a part to play in telling the story and making the next chapter, the next pages of the book

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activitiesGod Sorted It Out! age 3-5

You will need: a range of items and/or images of things that the children might use now and then in the future: for example, crayons and drawing pencils, simple picture book and a chapter book, small shoes (in the size the children would be wearing) and adult shoes, and so on.

Ask the children to look at the various items and see if they can sort them out, one item that they might use now with another that will be good for them to use in the future.

Joshua helped his people understand what they had been through, and showed them it was all part of their growing up. In the same way we grow up and we move on. But we cannot miss the important growing up steps along the way.

...ites age 6-12You will need: paper and pencils for all the children and preferably a world map.

Ask the children to write down the names of some of the countries that they know and also countries they like the sound of.

Thinking about some of the wonderful names in the Old Testament like Amorites, Perizzites, Hittites, and so on, ask the children to add ‘ ites’ to all the nationalities of those countries they have suggested. So British become Britishites, Indians become Indianites, and so on.

The children could make up a brand new ‘ ites’ name, or perhaps for their own families add ‘ ites’ to their surname.

What Symbols Where? age 6-12You will need: copies of the activity sheet found on page 117.

Ask the children if they know what these various symbols that are often used in the Christian church are and if they know the stories behind them. You may need to do a wee bit of research yourself. You could also use this sheet as a treasure hunt type activity and ask the children to see how many of these symbols they can find around the church building.

gamesCommunity! age 6-12This is a variation of the game SOUP. Each corner is given the name of an area in your community or neighbouring counties. The children are split into the four corners and then the person in the middle calls out the name of one area and those children run around the person in the middle in a clockwise direction. The next community is called and they join the circle running and then the next and finally the last group. When the person in the middle shouts “Community!” all the children try to make it back to their corner before being caught. If a child is caught they join the person in the middle, both catching others on the next round. You keep going until only one child remains.

Who Is It? age 6-12You will need: copies of the activity sheet on page 119, pens/pencils, paper.

This week’s passage is a bit like a history lesson for the Israelites, telling how they got to where they were. For this game give the children a copy of the activity sheet and ask them to fill it in privately.

After the children have filled in their sheets ask them to fold the sheets and place in a box or a bag. As the leader you pick one out a time and ask the children to write down who they think you are talking about as you read out the responses. At the end who guessed the most correct people? Sometimes we do not know a lot about our neighbours or even our friends.

I Spy all ageThis passage is a recap of some of the stories we have already heard so it is good for the children to see if they can spy some of the information from weeks before. You could start with that wonderful age old game everyone can play ‘I Spy…’ For the younger children you could give simpler clues such as ‘something the colour of...’ For the older children move onto points in the story that they should have remembered.

Froggy, Froggy all age You could reprise the game from page 38 this week.



PreparationToday we will be talking about the story of your church so you might want to get some history or invite someone who knows about the history of your church to come and answer questions.

You will also need art materials.

Opening ActivityI Went To The ShopsSit in a circle. The first person says ‘I went to the shops and I bought…’ and says something beginning with the letter A. It can be anything, not just something you might actually get in a shop.

The second person then says ‘I went to the shop and I bought…’ and add the ‘A’ item and then an additional item beginning with ‘B’.

Each person must repeat the whole of the shopping list then add the next letter as you go around the group.

Keep going until you get all the way to Z. You can add some detail but it has to start with the same letter, for example for P you could say a Pack of Purple Pins.

The WordRead Joshua 24:1-15 together.

Activity/Discussion• What do you think today’s story is about?

• How do you feel as you read the story of how the Hebrews came to be in Israel?

• What is the story of your church?

• If you have a guest spend some time finding out about your church’s history. Do you feel part of that story? At the end of today’s story Joshua asks the people to decide if they will follow God. Do you think it is important to recommit ourselves to following God? Why?

• What’s your story? Think about how the way you live tells a story to those around you.

• What kind of story do you think you tell by your actions?

Make a poster or a freeze celebrating your church’s history. Try and show all the important bits and maybe some of the people who been involved over the years (not just the ministers!).

Living It OutThink about the stories of the people around you. During the week see if you can ask some of your relatives or friends to tell you their story.

discussion starters for teensliving our story

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bible notesTake A Look At Yourself

In Robert Burns’ famous poem, “To a Louse” we are given the lines:

O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie usto see oursels as ithers see us!It wad frae mony a blunder free us.

Burns is commentating on our human instinct to hide from the truth of who we are and what we have done. If we are able to see ourselves through the eyes of others, and fight off the tendency to disown the truth unveiled, then maybe perspective is changed.

Michael Jackson’s song, ‘Man in the Mirror’ reflects on the same thing and furthermore reminds us that affecting change in the world starts with the inner self.

If you wanna make theworld a better place…take a look at yourself, andthen make a change

In our story, Nathan the prophet tells King David a parable and in effect holds up a mirror before David in order that he sees himself as others see him and how God sees him. Although David was deemed a good King, his ‘This is Your Life Story’ is not all good. One instance of this is in respect of Bathsheba, with whom, after spotting her bathing, he went on to commit adultery. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David arranged to have her husband, Uriah, murdered. Nathan at the end of the parable provides a message from God castigating David’s actions.

Nathan’s parable and the resultant comment provides for some deep reflection. There are different interpretative angles that we can take as we look at the narrative.

Socially, we can focus on Nathan’s parable. At first glance it does not seem to relate to a situation of adultery. The parable could be about the abuse of power and the nature of the ‘choices’ made by those in positions of rich wealth and high authority which impact on the vulnerable and powerless. Regardless of what some people, corporations or nations have,

so often these people want more. They covet what others have, they will do anything to protect what they have and the result is often that socially the divisions between the rich and poor, the ‘have’s’ and ‘have not’s’ are widened. From the perspective of those who are economically strong, and who exist in a powerful position compared to many others, this parable positions a mirror before us, that we may see ourselves as others see us. The mirror allows us to reflect communally and nationally on our actions, and how they are interpreted by others and what effect they may have on them.

From a personal point of view we can focus on the story as a whole. We recognise in the background, in the parable itself, in Nathan’s direct comment and David’s interpretation of the whole encounter an encouragement to ‘look in the mirror’. We are so often blind to our own faults and quick to judge the faults of others. We blame everyone and everything else. Start with the ‘man in the mirror’ and establish a ‘change’ within first, before calling out for ‘change’ elsewhere is the personal moral in the story.

Psalm 51 is strongly linked to this passage and the story of David’s adultery. In the Psalm David acknowledges his own failings, and he seeks a fresh start with God.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:6-7)

This story asks us to apply the intended spirit contained within the narrative to the circumstances of our own personal lives and societies. What do we learn? What, and who, do we see as we look in the mirror and seek to ‘see ourselves as others see us’?

man in the mirrorpentecost 19 sunday 19 october 2014

2 Samuel 12:1-9 & Psalm 51:1-9(Matthew 21:33-41)

man in the mirror


David, Nathan And The Small LambThere was a king called David and a prophet called Nathan. David was God’s chosen king and Nathan was God’s chosen spokesperson. They met and Nathan, the spokesperson spoke to David the King.

“David, I have a story to tell you. Tell me what you think of it. There once was a rich person and a poor person living in the same town. The rich man was very rich. You could see that in the number of cattle and sheep he owned.

“The poor man was very poor, and you could see that in the number of sheep he owned: just one, a small lamb. The poor man loved his sheep and it lived with the family, was well looked after, and was even fed from the same bowls and in the evening fell asleep in the poor man’s arms.

“One day, the rich man received a guest and as was the custom, he fed the traveller, showing him great hospitality. It was a mighty meal as he could well afford it, but instead of using one of his own lambs, the rich man stole the one from the poor man.”

Before Nathan could ask David how he felt about what happened in the story, David was burning with rage. The rich man should be punished and should pay for that lamb four times over!

There was a pause as Nathan looked at David, who looked back at Nathan wondering what the point of the story was. Nathan drew breath and said, “You are that man!”

David remained silent but his anger was growing.

Nathan continued, “The Lord says to you: ‘I have given you so much, I have saved you from your enemy, I have made you rich and powerful. You are king of all Israel at my hand. So why do you hurt me by doing all the wrong you do? You killed Uriah the Hittite and took his wife. You are just like the rich man in the story you felt so angry about,” and Nathan left David to ponder the story and its meaning.

the storyRetelling For Young PeopleRich Man / Poor ManA prophet tells people what God is thinking.

Once a King listened to a prophet’s story:

A rich man and a poor man had sheep.

The rich man had lots, the poor man had only one.

The rich man had too many to know their names.

The poor man loved his lamb, fed it, cared for it and let it sleep in his arms.

The rich man had a party but instead of using his own sheep he stole the poor man’s sheep.

The King listened to the story and was angry at what the rich man had done.

The prophet said to the King, ‘You are a king and you behave just like that rich man. Remember how angry you felt about what the rich man did. Imagine how God feels when you behave in the same way.’

The prophet left the king to think about the story and let the king think how he can live in a better way.


pentecost 2014 63

man in the mirror

Through the SeasonPages 4 and 5 contain ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season introducing symbolism for the theme being explored this week and encouraging a sense that each week is thematically tied together.

Gathering Activity Have a variety of mirrors available on a table as people come in. Invite them to take a look in a mirror and reflect on the person they see. Do they see the same person that others see?

Call to WorshipHere in this placewe are who we are.If we looked in a mirrorwould we see the same person our friends see?Or family see?Or the person that God sees?

We come transparent to God,nothing is secret from him;and yet we have nothing to fear from him.

We come as we are:beloved of God,treasured and unique.

So come and be loved,just as you are.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionBased on Psalm 51

Creator God,you made each one of usand you know us inside and out.You delight in us and long for usto be honest with you and ourselves.You invite us to look in the mirror,to see our beauty and our flaws.

You wish us to realise that we are not perfecteven though we are deeply loved by you.

Merciful God, help us to accept our faults and failings,help us to see them clearlyand to choose to let you help us to wash them awayand receive the clean heart you offer.Teach us your wisdom,let our spirit’s be brokenso that our mouths might proclaim your praise.So be it.Amen.

worship ideasPrayers for Others and OurselvesMerciful God, wise and just,the world you created is rich beyond our imagination.But the greed of the few denies the need of the many.Billionaires and world wide corporationswant more and moreand share less and less.

And yet so often the poorest give all they havein hospitality, seeking only to serve.

O God, we pray for wisdom to comeand enlighten those who are richthat they might see what effect their greed has on others and that they might change their ways.

O God, we pray for mercy and graceto flow and bring people to realise their need of each other.

O God, we pray for the rich to be humbledand the poor to be honoured.

O God, we pray that your kingdom might comeand that all would realise that to be rich is to be loved by you and to share that love with others.In the name of Jesus,your Son, our redeemer we pray. Amen

Prayer of DedicationGenerous God, we are richer than we knowfor you have showered us with all that we needand so much more.

Accept our offeringswhich we give freely this day.Take and use them for the building of your kingdom.

May we give generously,and not just of our monetary wealth:may we give of our love, our time,our multiple talents.May we recognise our richnessand share it willingly with all peopleas you direct us.Amen.


All-Age Prayer God, you made us,you love us,you know us.

You know we are not perfect;you know we make mistakes,but still you offer to forgive uswhen we say sorry.

Even more than thatyou invite us to make changesso that we learn from our mistakes.

Thank you God,for your amazing loveand wise judgement.

Help us to want to be more like your Son, Jesus.

Guide us to be the bestthat we can be.

Encourage us to be honestwith ourselves and others.

Give us wisdomto help us see our faultsand find ways to change.Amen.

Reflection The old man sucked in deeply.How to go and tell the King he is wrong?He has acted unjustly?He is about to be punished by God?He sighed. Sometimes the best way is to tell a story...

Righteous indignation!

The old man held back his smile...“It is you, Lord. It is you who is the man!You have done this terrible thingand God is not pleased...”

The sentence hangs heavy in the air:God. Is. Not. Pleased.

Take a long, hard look at yourself:what do you see?

Now, look again, with God’s eyes...now what do you see?

Is it a good person?

Or is it someone who bends the truth, manipulates the odds, takes advantage?

Nathan gave voice to what David already knew in his heart.Listen in yourselves, for that still small voicenext time you look in the mirror.

worship ideasRevisiting Psalm 51

A reworking of Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, O Lord,I know your love will never leave me.I ask that your compassion will wipe away my sin,wash away all my wrongdoing,cleanse my guilty heart.

I know my transgressions:my sin is always there to remind me.Against you, O God, have I sinnedand what I have done is evil in your sight.When you speak, you are right;when you judge, there is justice.

I am sure I was born sinfuleven from when I was conceivedI know you desire truth deep withinand your wisdom teaches my soul.

Cleanse me, God, and I will be truly clean.With your washing I will be whiter than snow.Because of you I will hear joy and gladness,what is crushed by sorrow will rejoice.Turn your face away from my sinfulness,wipe away my guilt

Put a pure heart within me, O God,make my spirit steadfast again.Do not turn me awayor take away your Holy Spirit.Give me back the joy that comes from youand feed me with a willing spirit.

I will show your ways to others,and they too will come back to you.Save me from my guilt, O God,You are the God who saves meand I will sing aloud of all your goodness.Lord, whenever I open my lips—I will praise you.

My offerings are not what you want,outward show will not do for you.My broken pride, my humble heart:these are what you want,these are what I offer.And when we know we please youwe will make our offeringsand delight will flood in for all.

SendingLeader: As you call us in to worshipAll: you also send us out to serve.

Leader: As we look outwards to the world,All: you call us to look inwards at ourselves.

Leader: Open our eyes to see others’ need,All: open our hearts to be changed by your Spirit.

Leader: Your voice calls us ever onward,All: we go in your name.


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Praise/HymnsAmazing grace CH4 555 / MP 31

Dear Lord and Father of mankind CH4 485 / MP 111

Forgive our sins as we forgive CH4 486

Forgiveness is your gift CH4 361

God forgave my sin MP 181 / JP 54

God of great and God of small CH4 174

I waited for the lord my God CH4 30

I waited patiently for God CH4 31

If we’re honest and we don’t tell people lies see below

Lord, I pray CH4 541

Lord Jesus, think on me CH4 491

Lord, teach me all your ways CH4 21

May the mind of Christ my Saviour MP 463 / JP 165

O God, be gracious to me in your love CH4 40

Rock of ages CH4 554 / MP 582

Spirit of the living God MP 613 / JP 222

Take this moment CH4 501

The Church is wherever CH4 522

We cannot measure CH4 718

When the road is rough and steep JP 279

If We’re Honest1. If we’re honest and we don’t tell people lies, we won’t have those guilty feelings to disguise. Sometimes we will make mistakes, that is life for goodness sakes! So let’s try it out, let’s not tell people lies.

2. If we tell the truth when we do something wrong, it doesn’t mean that we are weak, we’re being strong! We’re just doing what is right so let’s try with all our might to remember what we’re singing in this song!

3. If we own up to the naughty things we do God will be so proud of us, our friends will too! You will earn so much respect so let’s try and not forget to be honest, to be truthful, to be you.

Words: Jonathan C Fleming

Tune: If you’re happy and you know it

Take Home Ideas A Week In The Mirror

Create a weekly menu card for people to place by a mirror that they use daily. Give this out during the service and ask people to use it as an aide memoire for this week’s theme of introspection for the sake of our outward living.

Monday

Today I will pay particular attention to how I interact with strangers and people I do not know well.

May I be open minded and gracious in welcome.

Tuesday

Today I will listen to the words I use. Do they build up or cut down? Do they seem harsh or warm?

May I use my voice, spoken or written, to encourage others.

Wednesday

Today I will think about how I listen to others. Do I hear what they say, or am I thinking just of what to say next?

May I use my ears to hear and listen in order to understand.

Thursday

Today I will think about how I use my eyes. On what (or whom) does my sight linger? What do my eyes tell of my inner desires?

May I see as God sees, seeing people not objects.

Friday

Today I will pay attention to how I use touch. With whom am I in contact with? What form does that physical contact take?

May I be aware of the power that touch contains and use this wisely.

Saturday

Today I will think about how I relax. Who helps me re-energise? What activities help me unwind? How do I help others relax?

May I appreciate the importance of relaxation.

Sunday

Today I will think about how I approach worship. Do I come to worship to receive, or to give? Do I come with a spirit of judgement or of grace?

May I approach you, God, in humility with all your children.

man in the mirror


gathering Powerful Stories all age

You will need: a selection of books (for younger and older children), poems, fairy tales, comics, non-fiction.

Discuss with the children the kind of books they can see and what kind of books they like. Talk about going to the library to borrow books. Some children may have experience of taking part in a reading scheme in a library or of being a reading buddy to younger children.

If there is a storytelling chair in the worship space link in with this and use this to remind the children that we are thinking about different stories from the bible and how in today’s story from the bible Nathan uses a story to help David understand some things about himself.

craftsMirror, Mirror age 3-5

You will need: coloured card, tin foil or very shiny silver card, crayons, glue sticks, stickers, scissors. It would be helpful to cut the coloured card into a mirror with handle shape and the silver card/tin foil into ‘glass’ that will fit your mirror shape beforehand.

Give each child a mirror and a glass shape. Have the children stick the ‘glass’ onto their mirror shape with glue. The children can decorate round the glass and the handle with crayons and stickers.

Play a quick game with the children where you do some action or make a face and they have to copy or ’mirror’ what you do. Talk about learning from what other people do and how David learned from his friend Nathan. Talk about the people around us from whom we can learn good things.

age group ideasSelfies age 6-8

You will need: cardboard photo frames, paper (cut so that it fits into the photo frames), felt tip pens, glue sticks, stickers.

Give each child a photo frame and a piece of paper. Ask the children to draw a picture of themselves onto the paper and then to glue it inside photo frame. Have the children decorate the photo frames with stickers.

Discuss where we see ourselves: in photos, selfies, videos, shop windows, mirrors, and so on. Discuss what we like about ourselves (not physical features but what we’re good at, how we get on with others, and so on) and things we could do better or try harder at. The story Nathan told David helped him to think about his life and to make some changes.

Mosaic Mirrors age 9-12You will need: bathroom tiles and small mirrors (it would be best to stick mirrors to centre of bathroom tiles with strong glue before hand) or buy framed mirrors (try to find a mirror with a wide frame) scraps of funky foam in a variety of colours cut into small squares of 1 c.m. by 1 c.m., glass ornamental pebbles, glue spreaders, PVA glue.

Give each child a mirror and let them design the frame by sticking funky foam pieces and glass pebbles around the mirror.

Discuss where we see ourselves (whether in photos, selfies, videos, shop windows, mirrors). Sometimes when we look at the way we live our lives we realise that there are things we could do better, try harder at and that sometimes we need to say sorry. The story Nathan told David helped him to think about his life and to make some changes.

Good Friends all ageYou will need: lining paper, scissors, felt tip pens, wool, pieces of fabric, glue spreaders, PVA glue.

Divide the children into groups of four or five with a variety of ages in each group. Give each group a large piece of lining paper and get one of the children to lie on the lining paper and have someone draw round them to make the outline of a child.

Ask the children to work together to ‘dress’ the figure by cutting out and gluing on pieces of fabric. Draw features with felt tip pens and stick on wool hair.

As they are doing this discuss with the children what makes a good friend and get the children to write the words they come up with around the sides of the paper.

Talk about the honesty in the relationship between Nathan and David and how Nathan helped David to understand some important things about himself. Talk about how we can be good friends with others.


pentecost 2014 67

activitiesFavourite Story age 3-5Ask the children about their favourite story. It does not need to be from the bible. Then ask them what their favourite bible story is (you may need to give them some ideas). Why do they like the stories? Can the children act out the stories?

Countdown age 6-12You will need: to prepare some words or phrases creating three piles titled either “Single Words, Adjectives, Nouns” or if the children do not know those terms “Small Words, Describing Words, Phrases”.

Let each child or team select between six and ten cards (a bit like the TV show Countdown). They are to use these words and phrases to send a message to someone in the room or in the church, or to a friend or a relative.

What A Reflection! age 6-12You will need: a mirror for each team, paper and pencil.

Part of this passage is about self-reflection. This activity helps explore what that means. Ask each person to look in the mirror and write down what they see—everything that they see. This should be a description of themselves plus what they see in the background.

Once everyone has done this ask the children to read back aloud what they have written. Do the other children agree with what that person said about themselves? Something that will differ will be what they saw in the background because of where they hold the mirror. Ask the children to then write down something about themselves that people cannot see. This might be a scar, a tooth growing in, maybe that they are cheeky to a teacher, happiness, and so on. We cannot see what is on the inside of other people but God can, he knows us all and God can use mums, dads, carers as messengers, sharing their wisdom, experience and love, to help us to grow up to be better people.

Sending Messages all ageYou will need: bag of objects that illustrate different forms of communication, for instance: paper, pen, a bottle (message in a bottle), mobile phone, SMS text message, computer for email, torch (morse code), post card, greetings card (birthday, anniversary, thank you, and so on).

In the passage this week the Lord sent Nathan with a message for David, which perhaps makes us think about how we send messages today. Ask the children to write down or tell you one at a time as many ways they can send a message. Once they have done this bring out your bag and see how many ways of communicating match those the children suggested.

What other ways can you send a message? Perhaps flowers to say thank you, sorry, thinking of you, love you. Today you can send messages using flowers, wine, chocolates, balloons and many more. What about secret messages using a coded letter. If possible, show and let the children feel some Braille, or teach some simple sign language. The stories in the Bible are a way for God to send us messages. You could create an anagram, word search or a phrase to decode using symbols or numbers.

man in the mirror

gamesLetter Shapes age 3-5For this game you can encourage the children to make letter shapes using their bodies both standing up and lying down. Leaders you may need to practice this first!

Mirror It age 6-12 You will need: prepare letters of the alphabet in large size, one letter per A4 page (you may need multiple copies of certain letters depending on the words and phrases you ask the children to find).

At the end of the hall have all the letters mixed up in a pile and at the other end of the room have the children in teams. Hold up one word or phrase or message at a time so the children can see it and then run to the end of the room and lift one letter that they require each time. When the first child comes back they tag the next child in their team. If the second child does not take note of the letter already selected they may go looking for that letter and will be unable to find it.

The first team to lay out the word or phrase are the winners. Ask the children to then re-arrange the letters so it is spelt backwards like a reflection.

All the letters go back to the end of the room and you start again with a different word/phrase.

Favourite Games age 6-12 For this game you will need to ask the children what game they would like to play. They are allowed to pick their favourite game. Spend a bit of time playing it and then ask:

• Ask them why they like this game?

• What is the point of the game?

When they start to play the game have someone in the group cheat at some point or all the way through the game.

• Did the other children get annoyed at this wrong doing?

• Did they speak up against it?

• Did anyone copy the person who was cheating?

When someone does something wrong it can affect the whole community and emotions can run high just like King David did. Make sure you play the game again only with everyone following the rules.


PreparationThis week we look at David in our discussion and Nathan’s way of communicating something hard in our Living It Out section.

The materials specified in the “What A Reflection!” activity on page 67 above.

You will need pens and paper for each young person.

Opening ActivityUse the “What A Reflection!” activity described on page 67. It fits very well with the theme of the passage and the discussion that will follow.

The WordRead 2 Samuel 12:1-9 together.

Activity / DiscussionThink about the Bible passage and the story. You may need to give a bit of background to the story.

• What is this reading all about?

• How do you think Nathan felt having to go in a deliver this message to the king?

• Would you rather be David or Nathan in this story? Why?

David, someone who as king is respected and powerful, is chastised by Nathan, in front of the whole royal court, who calls him out and names his wrongdoing for everyone to hear.

• When have you within social media seen something like this story happen to someone you know?

• How did you feel in that situation?

Living It OutDavid’s experience of seeing himself from a different perspective is helped by Nathan. Nathan was a prophet, he saw what was wrong, God sent him to do a rant to point out what was wrong and you would expect him to have been shouting down the house. He was right and David was wrong.

But Nathan does not do that. Instead he tells David a story.

• Why did Nathan choose this way of talking with David?

• Would you choose to have someone tell you that you are wrong, or tell you a story? Why?

• When you see someone doing something damaging, how do you approach speaking to them on the issue while showing you care for them?

• If Nathan and David were having this conversation today what would the story look like?

Take a piece of paper and write your story to tell David. Perhaps based on a storyline on a TV Soap opera, or perhaps a film or book you have seen or read.

Image is “Thou shalt not commit adultery” by Baron Henri de Triqueti (1803-74). 1837. Bronze bas-relief panel on the door of the Madeleine Place de La Madeleine, Paris.

discussion starters for teenslife changing stories


pentecost 2014 69

bible notesThe Demands Of Justice

We all demand justice. From early childhood and our sibling fracas where we demand justice from our parents for acts perpetrated against us by brothers and

sisters, to our rights as citizens, employees and indeed nations, we demand fair and proper justice. The justice we know appears to be something handed out to us by others: family, friends, employer, and government and, in national terms, the nations surrounding us.

In our own countries the judicial system is something we have come to accept as being at the heart of communal life. Internationally we have such courts as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and organisations like the United Nations that are today seen to be the arbitrators of justice.

Thank goodness justice is no longer the domain of individuals such as kings and queens, leaders of tribes and nations as was common in the ancient past. In more recent history we might recall that in Scotland for instance the Church of Scotland was often the place where local disputes between those living in the parish were settled in front of presiding Kirk Sessions.

In Solomon’s day it was common for the kings to be the dispensers of justice and he was deemed a ‘wise’ king. Not just in terms of knowledge, of course, but in terms of the fair and appropriate justice he dispensed.

The case before Solomon is a heart-breaking story of death in infancy and alleged child swapping. As we privately and publicly reflect and give comment on this passage we need to be mindful of those who have gone through the death of a child, who have experienced a paternity or custody battle, or who have given up a child for adoption. The sensitivities around such experiences should be recognised.

In the context of rule and justice there is much to be considered as regards the methodology and inherent values within Solomon’s dispensed justice that would surely reflect the nature of God’s justice.

We learn that what matters more than technicalities of ownership, or indeed genetics, is the nature and focus of love.

We learn that love is at the heart of justice. The quality and depth of a person’s love is the measure of good justice; the integrity and depth of love and whether love’s values lie at the heart of an organisation’s work or a court of justice’s business is the fundamental measure of integrity. Solomon’s emphasis on love meant that no matter that the two women were prostitutes, he chose to preside sensitively despite the fact that others would dismiss the matter as beneath them given the class distinctions of the time. God’s justice is for everyone. Everyone deserves to be treated justly. Solomon believed that. God dictates that, both then and now.

This narrative allows us to take the opportunity to explore the justice we observe, receive and give in our world today. Not forgetting the specific characters in this story today and the experience described, and not forgetting that many may well face challenges today in relation to child-bearing and parenting, we use this story to reflect on what God might be asking of us in order to ensure appropriate justice in the world today for all his people.

The following quote from Martin Luther King Jnr perhaps summarises the connection between God’s justice and the values of love at the heart of that justice:

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” (Martin Luther King Jnr).

wisdom’s childpentecost 20 sunday 26 october 2014

1 Kings 3:4-9,(10-15),16-28(Matthew 6:9-10)

wisdom’s child


Wisdom’s JusticeIf you could ask for anything in the world, what would you wish for? Just pause to think about that. What would you wish for?

King David had a son, Solomon, who became king himself but he didn’t feel up to the job. He went to Gibeon to speak to God and God said, “Ask of me anything you want me to give you.”

Solomon paused to think. He could ask for wealth, or power, or fame but Solomon instead asked God for the ability to choose between right and wrong.

God was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted him wisdom but also all the things he didn’t ask for like wealth and long life.

Just at that moment, Solomon woke up and realised it had all been a dream.

He went back to Jerusalem and no sooner had he arrived when two prostitutes came before the king. These were women who had no rights, because they were women and because of what they did, yet the king listened to them.

One of them said, “We share the same house and we both had babies. But sadly during the night this other woman’s baby died so she got up and swapped her baby for mine.”

Suddenly the other woman spoke up, “No! the live baby is mine. It is your’s that died.” They began arguing before King Solomon.

The King shouted over them, “Bring me a sword!”

The women fell silent, worried at what the king was about to do. “The baby that is alive, cut him in two and give half to each woman.”

Before the swordsman could raise the sword the woman whose son was alive shouted out, “Stop! Don’t kill the child. Give her the living baby,” and burst into tears.

King Solomon then stopped the swordsman. “Give her the baby, she is the mother.”

When the whole country heard about what had happened and the wisdom of Solomon, they realised they had a great king who had all the gifts he needed to be great, and so he was.

the storyRetelling For Young PeopleTwo RabbitsThere were two brothers, both had pet rabbits. Most people would not be able to tell the difference between their rabbits, but the brothers knew. They loved their rabbits very much.

Sadly, one morning one of the brother’s came down and found that his rabbit had died.

He looked at his brother’s rabbit, alive in the hutch next door, looked around and then switched the rabbits, stealing his brother’s rabbit.

When their father found outhe asked them to bring the live rabbit to him.

He said, “Okay, let’s divide the rabbit in twoand you can each have a bit.”

The brother who held the rabbit said, “Okay.”

But the other brother said, “No! Don’t cut the rabbit in half. Give it to my brother, but keep it alive.”

Then their father knew whose rabbit it was.

Can you tell?

The father said, “The one who wanted the rabbit to live, even if he had to give it away is the one whose rabbit it is.”


pentecost 2014 71

wisdom’s child

Through the SeasonPages 6 and 7 contain ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season introducing symbolism for the theme being explored this week and encouraging a sense that each week is thematically tied together.

Gathering Activity Give everyone a small bar of chocolate as they come in. Have each bar prepared with a sticker that asks people to share the bar with someone who has not got one. Encourage people to use the time before the service begins to think about who might be the recipient.

Call to WorshipWe have the power to transform through love,we have the power to destroy through jealousy.We have the power to work for peace,we have the power to war in anger.We have the power to lift up through sharing,we have the power to bring down through greed.

In this place God invites us to transform,seek peace and lift up,for he is a God of love and justiceof peace and equality.

Come, gather roundand hear what God has to say to us this day.Come, gather round as we worship our God.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionLoving parent,we are blessed by your unending love for us.We are amazed by your generosity to us.We are humbled by your wisdom and mercywhen you deal with us.

Loving parent, you give us so much,a life to enjoy and discover more of you,a family to care for us and guide us,a home to protect us and keep us safe.

Forgive us when we take these gifts for granted,for the times we forget to be grateful for them,or the times when we misuse or abuse them.

Help us to be grateful for all that we have,and to share our gifts with everyone,no matter who they are or where they come from.

May we be as wise as Solomonand as compassionate as Jesusin all of our daily living,so that your kingdom is come, here and now.In the name of our Saviour we pray. Amen.

worship ideasAll-Age PrayerGracious God, you care for us with a lovethat is stronger than that of our mother or father.

You have no favourites,you shower us all with the same devotion and time.

You give to us many giftsand ask for little in return,only that we would love and share allthose gifts with others.

We are sorry for the times when we forget to be generous,for the times we choose to be greedy with the gifts we have.

We are sorry too for the times when our greedprevents others from enjoying your gifts.

Forgive us, we pray, and help us to be wisein our future decisions and just in all that we do.So be it.Amen.

Prayer for Others and OurselvesGod of wisdom and compassion, listen to our cries as we share our deepest hope and desires.

We come before your throne seeking your justice and mercy.We come thankful that no matter who we areor what we believe you make time for us.

Merciful one,hear us as we place our requests and help usto be patient and accepting of your response.

We bring before you parents who have lost a child,comfort them and give them strength to face tomorrow.

We bring before you children who have beenorphaned or abandoned,give them loving homes and families to care for them.

We bring before you situations where people are disagreeing with each other,may they find peaceful and acceptable solutions.

We bring before you places where violence or threatsare endangering the safety of people, may you keep them safe and bring peace to their lands.

We bring before you in a moment’s silencethe people and places that lie heavilyon our hearts and minds.

Pause

Merciful God, thank you for your time,for your willingness to listen and answer all our requests.

Give us patience to wait for your responseand a desire to be the answer when you ask us to.

In your mercy, hear our prayers.Amen.


Prayer of DedicationAll that we have is yours, O God.We offer you our whole selvessymbolised by these gifts lain before you.Take them all, seen and unseen,and use them for the building of your kingdomhere on earth, today and always. Amen.

ReflectionWisdom Revealed: Solomon and the Two Mothers You can have anything, anything at all.Riches, power, success, reputation, anything at all... just name it.

The wisdom it took to ask for wisdom would be enough for me! For of all the things we have and are and need, surely wisdom and discernment will inform everything else?

Solomon’s wisdom was there, even before God’s blessing, for he understood that the tasks that lay ahead would need the utmost in sensitivity and judgement... though I cannot imagine he would ever have anticipated the two women and the baby.

Solomon’s wisdom—legendary.Solomon’s shrewdness—famous.Solomon’s blessing—endless.A mother’s love—unconditional.A mother’s grief—unfathomable.The searing pain of loss—indescribable.

Into that maelstrom of pain and anguish comes wisdom’s touch:gentle, caring, loving, honest, true.

What wisdom and imagination it took to be able to discern that love would be the key to justice, and that a sword could reveal that love.

And yet Solomon had what it took to get to the heart of the matter.

And the mother’s love, so great that she was prepared to give up her child in order to let him live, was sufficient to save her child, restore her equilibrium, and enable the world to see God’s power at work.

God’s blessing bearing fruit.God’s chosen one using judgement wisely, lovingly, justly.As it should be.

SendingLeader: In collective joy and sorrowAll: we have gathered as your church.

Leader: In collective joy and sorrowAll: we continue on our way.

Leader: May thought for others join us on the path;All: the hope of wisdom to be our companion.

Praise/HymnsA still small voice ATAS 3

Come, gracious Spirit CH4 587

Courage brother CH4 513

Give thanks unto the Lord our God CH4 71

God is our guide JP 56

Gracious Spirit, hear our pleading CH4 613

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah CH4 167 / MP 201

Holy wisdom, lamp of learning CH4 604

How happy are all they CH4 686

Immortal, invisible, God only wise CH4 132 / MP 327

O God, you search me and you know me CH4 97

O send thy light forth CH4 34/35



Teach me, O Lord, the perfect way CH4 79

The wise may bring their wisdom JP 253

You are before me, Lord, you are behind CH4 96

Your hand, O God, has guided CH4 511 / MP 705

Take Home IdeasIn The NewsMake a point this week when reading, watching or listening to the news to find examples of acts of judgement taking place.

• What were the issues at stake in the disagreements?

• What was the motivation behind the judgements made?

• In what ways do you discern the wisdom of God in those judgements?

• Can you see a place for love within the situations you find?


worship ideas

pentecost 2014 73

wisdom’s child

gathering But That’s Not Fair all ageTalk with the children about times they have said ‘but that’s not fair’. Discuss some examples of this and use this as a way into the story.

craftsRabbit Ears age 3-5

You will need: one wooden spoon per child, white funky foam, felt tip pens, pipe cleaners, strong tacky glue, scissors.

Give each child a wooden spoon, some funky foam, felt tip pens and pipe cleaners to make a wooden spoon puppet. Get the children to draw eyes, a twitchy nose and rabbit teeth onto the wooden spoon. Get the children to cut out rabbit ears from funky foam and to stick ears onto the spoon with glue. Then children should attach pipe cleaners to make whiskers.

Go over the rabbit story on page 70 and talk about how the boy loved the rabbit so much that he would rather give the rabbit to his brother than have anything bad happen to it. Talk about how wise the father was to see that love might be the answer. Talk about the people who love us and how we can show love to others.

Crowns Of Wisdom age 6-8 You will need: gold or silver coloured card in long strips of approx. 10 c.m. by 60 c.m., scissors, pencils, sellotape, red funky foam, staples, stapler, paperclips.

Give each child a strip of card and get them to draw and then cut points along one of the long edges and then get them to help each other make long strips into crowns by making sure crown is the right size for their partner’s head. Use paperclips to keep ‘crown’ the right size and then sellotape to secure it. Get the children to cut heart shapes from red funky foam and then decorate crowns by stapling hearts to the points of the crown.

Talk about how Solomon was a wise king because he recognised true love. Discuss with the children ways we can show love and ways we can be wise.

age group ideas

Words Of Wisdom age 9-12 You will need: A5 card in light colours, fine tip pens, pencils, A5 clip picture frames.

Give each child a sheet of card and pencil and get them to write the word ‘wisdom’ lightly onto card (the word should take up most of the card). Ask the children to think of different symbols of wisdom and to draw these symbols onto the letters of the word.

The symbols should be drawn very small and repeated until the letter is covered; you should still be able to recognise the shape of the letter. It is probably best to have the same symbol on one letter. Ideas for symbols could be scales, heart, owl, crown, and so on. Put the A5 sheet inside a picture frame.

Discuss with the children their ideas about wisdom and being wise.

• Do you have to be old to be wise?

• What things do they see that are fair/unfair?

• Have they any experience of children’s rights or justice issues? (UNICEF, Rights Respecting Schools, mediation, Fair trade)

Talk about how Solomon was a wise king because he recognised true love.

Superhero Solomon all age You will need: large sheets of paper, felt tip pens, scraps of paper, material, funky foam and other collage bits and bobs, PVA glue, glue spreaders.

Talk with the children about how Solomon was a wise king because he recognised true love. Talk about how some people might have described Solomon as a superhero because of his wisdom.

Divide the children into groups of three or four with mixed ages in each group. Give each group a large sheet of paper and a selection of materials. Get the children to work together to design their ‘Superhero Solomon’. They might have a crown, thinking bubbles coming out of his head, large brain, googly eyes looking at all that’s going on, big heart, and so on.

Encourage the children to describe their superheroes to each other. Discuss with the children ways we can show love and be wise.


activitiesBaby Care age 3-5

You will need: dolls, teddy bears and dressing up clothes or alternatively the cardboard cut-out shapes of boys and girls with the paper clothes that you wrap around them (available from the likes of Baker Ross).

As the children are dressing the dolls or figures up, talk to them about what babies do, what mummy and daddy’s do for children, how to rock a baby, how to feed a baby, how to care for a baby.

Who Do You Know age 6-12 That Has Wisdom?

You will need: images of the Ancient Greek Goddesses Metis and Athena, Ancient Romans Minerva or Pallas, Saint Paul and Thomas Aquinas, all easily found online.

Show the images of these people and ask the children what they have in common other than they are all old and all dead! Explain that some were real people and others were not. All of these people have been called people of wisdom for one reason or another.

Give out the definition of the word ‘Wisdom’—the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.

Discuss what these words mean to the children and then ask:

• Who do you know today that you feel has wisdom?

• Why do you think that?

• Do you feel you have some wisdom?


age group ideasWord Association For Wisdom age 9-12

You will need: copies of the activity sheet on page 120, pens.

Ask the children to put an ‘S’ against the words that mean something similar to wisdom (synonym) and place an ‘A’ against the words that are opposites (antonym). Discuss with the children what the words mean or give them a dictionary to let them look for further meanings.

Acumen SIntelligence SKnowledge SJudgement SIgnorance ALearning SBalance SStupidity AForesight SComprehension SThoughtlessness ABrains SPoise SInability AAstuteness S

Justice age 9-12You will need: print copies of the logos of groups or organisations or people who help children (UNICEF, Christian Aid, United Nations, European Union, British Courts, Police, teachers, parents).

Ask the children who their superheroes are? The Justice League, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Robin Hood, and so on. The superheroes gain justice for those who need it.

Talk about who can help children today using the images you have printed out.

Explain to the children what ‘advocacy’ means. Ask them what issues they would stand up for? Helpful information is available at http://www.seap.org.uk/im-looking-for-help-or-support/what-is-advocacy.html.

http://www.seap.org.uk/im-looking-for-help-or-support/what-is-advocacy.html

http://www.seap.org.uk/im-looking-for-help-or-support/what-is-advocacy.html

pentecost 2014 75

wisdom’s child

gamesLateral Thinking age 6-12

You will need: there are many you will be able to find online or by asking around. Some examples below.

Problem

The children in teams need to put a coin into an empty soda bottle and cork the bottle tight. Instruct each team to remove the coin from the bottle without breaking it.

Solution

The children will have to push the cork into the bottle to be able to remove the coin.

Problem

Divide the children into groups. Give each group a basket with the same number of plastic eggs in them. Instruct each group that they each get one egg, but one egg must be left in the basket.

Solution

The solution is that one of the team members must also take the basket with the egg still inside.

Problem

One of the classic lateral thinking problems involves nine dots, as in the example below. The challenge is to connect them all in four straight lines, without lifting the pen or pencil from the page.

Solution

The answer of course is to think outside the box: you need to take your line outside the box into mid-air.

Wisdom Teeth all ageYou will need: images of the different teeth in your mouth (you will find many online or use the drawings on page 122) and a copy of the dental chart available on page 121 (this shows the location of different teeth and the averages ages these adult teeth erupt).

This can be turning into a game where each team retrieves a picture from somewhere in the room and places them in order of the picture of the teeth in the mouth. You could make this into a tooth hunt.

Talk to the children about what each tooth is called, what its main function is and how old you might be before your wisdom teeth come through if at all. Having wisdom teeth doesn’t make you any wiser though!

Using My Knowledge all age You will need: to make up a quiz by which the children need to answer the questions you ask with the knowledge they have.

You could do this quiz on an individual basis and then do it again as a team because wisdom comes from knowing when to listen to others.

For the older children you could use the game of ‘Pointless’ or ‘Logo’ and for the much younger children very basic questions or using the pictures of the teeth from the previous activity and turning them over to find a pair: a memory game again individually then as a team.



PreparationThink about an appropriate wisdom game to play with your group.

With a group of mostly boys you could play “You Are The Ref”: http://www.theguardian.com/football/series/you-are-the-ref

With a group of more mixed gender you could try “Would You Rather” http://yourather.com/ Note that this website and its suggestions may need some moderating based on your knowledge of the group.

If you know of a better game, feel free to play it and suggest it via the Spill the Beans blog or facebook group for others to pick up on and also play.

For living it out, you need the Martin Luther King quote printed out on card, and cut up into business card size cards to give away to young people.

Opening ActivityPlay the game you have picked in order to explore wise decisions.

The WordRead 1 Kings 3:4-28 together.

Activity / Discussion• If God offered you anything at all, what would you ask God

for?

• Do you expect God would give you what you ask for?

• Is it reasonable that if you are given great wisdom, God would then send you great problems to solve?

Superheroes are always tested. Batman, Superman, Spiderman, the X-men, Avengers and the rest are all tested towards the limits of what they can deal with. But even at this point with all the power and superhero stuff they can do the stories are actually of justice, about creating space for making a judgement of what is fair and right, and seeking to do that.

• Which superhero is your favourite?

• Can you think of a time where the story involved the superhero contributing to justice?

• When you think of the power you have yourself, have you ever used it for justice? Tell us about it?

Living It OutIt is easy to think as a young person that you have no power. Even at the recent Scottish Independence referendum under 16’s could not vote and often churches have management systems which use the label “elders” for those who can be in power. Yet society seems to say young people are desirable, young people dictate trends and new popular things, such as TV programmes, Top 10 chart music, and what is perceived as cool. Think about your life:

• How much do you consider that what you do is a part of this picture?

• How much power do you think you have?

Martin Luther King Jr. said,

Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.

This week take a copy of this quote and keep it in your pocket as a reminder over the next week that you have the power, and to remind you of this question will you use your power as love, seeking justice?

discussion starters for teenslove seeking justice

http://www.theguardian.com/football/series/you-are-the-ref

http://www.theguardian.com/football/series/you-are-the-ref

http://yourather.com/

pentecost 2014 77

bible notesUncomplicated, Straightforward, Effective

The first adverts for the combined bottle of shampoo and conditioner caused a

stir. The aptly named “Wash & Go” brand precisely aimed to enable what it said, if not on a tin, at least on a plastic bottle. The pitch went something like, “No more need for two bottles in the shower, one will do—shampoo and conditioner together—just wash and go!” And so, the angle intended, life was made simpler. There would be a “Wash & Go” bottle for all hair types. All catered for in this bright new dawn of haircare convenience: uncomplicated, straightforward, effective.

Of course, however effective the combined shampoo and conditioner was, there will be some who felt that the very title “Wash & Go” was far too crass and tacky for them. Moreover, the inexpensive cost was surely a sign of inferiority. For them, the greater expense of more luxury brands was justifiable because,

they felt, to quote one such brand, they were “worth it”.

Marketing is a curious, sometimes manipulative, business, where people and their money part company in a measure of the self-perceived status of an individual. Legion are the tragic tales of those over-reaching themselves financially because they simply wanted to live in a luxurious lifestyle and became convinced that it was their right and their destiny. The stories we use to define ourselves are sometimes bought at very high cost.

There was no such self-delusion about Naaman. He was an army commander, a “great man” and a “mighty warrior”. He was a great success in the role that he played. And this, despite suffering from leprosy.

A young captured Israeli girl was serving Naaman’s wife as a servant. She told her mistress about a prophet from her home land that would be able to cure Naaman. Problem one, then, for Naaman, was accepting the word of a female, and a young female at that, and a young female from a foreign country. That would not have sat easily. But things were going to get even more perplexing for Naaman.

When a person has a debilitating condition, it is not unusual for them to feel, in the end, that they will try anything for relief, however unlikely the source of the suggestion: even, in Naaman’s case, the word of a young, female, foreign servant. And so Naaman travelled to her homeland in search of the prophet who might cure him. He travelled in style, as befits an army commander of his stature. There were horses, there were chariots. There was also expectation. And there was a letter. A letter from the king of Naaman’s land to the king of Israel. This was high-level stuff: king to king. No ordinary man was being sent for healing. No ordinary cure would be expected. The king of Israel was non-plussed by the request. But Elisha rode to the rescue. Or, rather, he didn’t.

He sent word to the king to send Naaman to him. Naaman duly turned up at Elisha’s house. There was no fanfare for Naaman, nor even a personal greeting from Elisha: just a servant telling Naaman to go and wash in the Jordan seven times.

Naaman was, to say the least, angry. He felt snubbed. He had presumed he would get ritual and rite performed for him. But just being told to wash in a river sounded too simple. Which was precisely the point his servants made to him. There was pride and there was presumption that were barring the cure. This mighty warrior was needing to rid himself of any inflated sense of being “worth it” and simply submit himself to the simple solution of “wash & go”.

wash & gopentecost 21 sunday 2 november 2014

2 Kings 5:1-14(Matthew 8:2-3)

wash & go


sunday 2 november 2014

How To Cure An Army CommanderA dialogue for use immediately before the Bible passage.

Voice A: ‘How to cure an Army Commander.’ Send him to the best doctor in the land!

Voice B: Nope. That won’t work.

Voice A: It won’t? What should he do then?

Voice B: First, he’ll have to listen to his wife.

Voice A: Why? What will she know?

Voice B: She will have been listening.

Voice A: Ah! His wife will have consulted the best doctor in the land?

Voice B: Nope. She will have listened to a little girl.

Voice A: A little girl? Must be a very special little girl then. Is she the daughter of the best doctor in the land?

Voice B: No, she’s just the servant of the wife of the Army Commander. Well, a prisoner of war, to be precise. And a foreigner.

Voice A: A young, female, foreign slave?! What will she know?!

Voice B: She will know about a prophet.

Voice A: Ah! The best prophet in the land?

Voice B: No. The best prophet in a foreign land, the land she was captured from.

Voice A: Wait a minute. In order to be cured, this Army Commander will be expected to take notice of the word of a young, foreign, female servant, via his wife, who will persuade him there might be a far off, foreign prophet who can help?

Voice B: Yes, we’re getting there.

Voice A: Huh, great plan so far. Right, he’ll have to go to the King then, if a trip into foreign territory is required.

Voice B: Nope. That won’t work. Not that it will stop him trying.

Voice A: But there’s protocol for these matters! He’ll need the King to give him a letter, which he will give to the foreign King, requesting the said cure, and surely, taking along a load of impressive gifts to ingratiate him.

Voice B: None of that will work. In fact it will make things worse.

Voice A: What on earth will make things better then?

Voice B: The prophet will hear about it.

Voice A: Ah! The impressive gifts will be diverted to the prophet and he’ll be persuaded to make an appearance?

Voice B: Nope. The prophet won’t care for any gifts. He won’t even feel the need to show up. He’ll just send a message.

Voice A: What message? “I will come and perform the ceremony of healing this time tomorrow”?

Voice B: Nope. Just “send the man to me.”

Voice A: And you think the Army Commander will go to meet a prophet he knows nothing about, on the word of a lowly messenger, without any idea so far about how he’s actually going to be cured? Will he not be vowing by now to never listen to his wife again?

Voice B: He might. But he’ll go along anyway.

Voice A: Ah! And finally he’ll be rewarded? The foreign prophet will perform a wonderful ceremony of healing?

Voice B: Nope. He’ll just send out another messenger.

Voice A: Another lousy messenger?! Will these guys not know who they’re dealing with? He’s an Army Commander, a man of power and prestige! He deserves some respect!

Voice B: They won’t care much for power and prestige. So yep, he’ll take it as pretty disrespectful, which is a pity, as it will be a fantastic message…

Voice A: What will the message be? What will be so fantastic about it?

Voice B: ‘How to cure an Army Commander.’ Final Step. He should wash seven times in the River Jordan.

Voice A: No way! What an insult!

Voice B: Unfortunately, that’s what he’ll say too.

Voice A: I don’t blame him! So will he get cured or not?

Voice B: Oh yes, he’ll get cured.

Voice A: Ah! Will the prophet come up with a better Final Step?

Voice B: Nope. A bunch of servants will dare to suggest it might be worth trying the seven washes.

Voice A: Servants? More servants? After all that, this Army Commander is going to listen to a bunch of servants? Listening to a servant was what started all this nonsense! Will he not be screaming by now: “Will somebody just cure me?”

Voice B: He might. But he’ll do it.

Voice A: And…?

Lead directly into reading.

the story

pentecost 2014 79

wash & go

Retelling For Young PeopleNaaman’s Helpers

As each person (underlined) who did something to help Naaman get well is mentioned, have a child come forward and wear the name/title of the person, so that you end up with every child playing a part in the story. Have as many servants as needed!

You can encourage the children to act out the parts as you retell the story if you wish. If you do so, then also have a child play the part of Naaman.

A long time ago a man called Naaman was sick. He had leprosy. The leprosy meant his skin got covered in sores and then it made his fingers and toes go numb. Poor Naaman.

This is the story about how he got well again. He didn’t just get well all by himself. It took help from lots of people to make him well.

Let’s begin at the end of the story and see how many people helped so that in the end Naaman got well.

The one thing that eventually made Naaman’s skin recover was when he went into a river for a bath. But who told him to go into the river? A servant brought him the message.

But who sent the servant? Elisha the prophet did.

And who really encouraged Naaman to have a go at washing in the river, just like Elisha advised him? All of Naaman’s servants did.

But how did Elisha get to know that Naaman needed help? He heard it from the King of Israel.

And how did the King of Israel know that Naaman needed help? He heard it from the King of Syria.

And why did Naaman go to the King of Syria? Because his wife said that the King of Syria would ask the King of Israel and the King of Israel would ask Elisha the prophet to cure Naaman.

But how did his wife know about Elisha the prophet? She heard it from a little girl who came from Israel and had been captured in a war and brought to Naaman’s house to be a servant.

The little girl told Naaman’s wife, and Naaman’s wife told Naaman, and Naaman asked the King of Israel, and the King of Israel asked the King of Syria, and Elisha heard from the King of Syria, and Elisha sent a servant, and Elisha’s servant said, “Go and wash in the river!” and all Naaman’ servants cheered him on, “Yes, sir, go and wash in the river!” and when Naaman went and washed in the river... he got better.

worship ideasThrough the SeasonPages 6 and 7 contain ideas that can be used to help set the scene throughout this season encouraging a sense that each week is thematically tied together.

Gathering Activity Have bowls of water available at the entrance to the church. Invite people to dip their fingers in as they go past and to think of someone they know who is unwell at the moment.

Call to WorshipAs we gather here in this placedo we think of it as a place of healing?As we gather here in this placedo we look for cleansing?

As come to God in worshipwhat is it we are looking for?Health and wellbeing,rich blessings or love?

God of wisdom,God of healing,God of heavenly riches,We come to you in worship and praiseseeking healing and cleansing for our souls,richness in our lives and peace for our world.God we come to you.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionGod of marvellous mountains,God of minute molehills,God of vast deserts,God of tiny beaches,God of city and village, of palaces and slums,you meet us herein grandeur and in simplicity.

We praise you that you encounter your peopleIn every place, in every setting,making no distinctions of class or race or genderYou embrace us and offer forgiveness and healing to all.

God, forgive us for the ways that we discriminate and exclude,consciously or unconsciously.Forgive us for the limits and conditions we set on your love.Forgive us for our lack of imagination that reduces you to what we can perceive.

Open our hearts and our minds and our handsto know that we cannot contain youor fathom the depths of your love,but are invited to meet you here.As we encounter your simplicitymay we be awed by your majestyand worship you with all that we have.Amen.


Prayers for Others and OurselvesGod, we thank you that your will for us Is always good and so much more than we would ever imagine.

You take whatever we have and make it marvellous.

So God we offer you our mediocrity for you to make amazing,we offer you our stumbling for you to make us sure footed,we offer you our hesitation for you to make us confident.

With all the simple gifts that you transform in uswe go into the world to serve you.

God, we pray for all those who are constantly told that they are worthless:may they begin to see themselves as you see them.We pray for all those whose hopes are denied,whose ambitions are quashed,who are continually being put down:may they know that in your eyes and by your willthey are loved and valued and their deepest longings will become reality.

We pray too, O God, for those who feel so insecurethat they stifle the talents of others,for those so desperate to shinethat they tarnish the reputation of others,for those who in their race to get aheadkick dust in the eyes of those they see as competition.

God help us to look at others and see not just potentialbut the greatness that you see,may we continually lift up othersso that your marvellous light may be seen.

God, we pray for those around us today who need to be remindedof the brightness of your love for them,who need to be dazzled by your smileand cradled in your concernuntil they are able to stand once againon the firm ground on which you’ve placed themand step out in the faith that you walk with them #every step of the way.

Lord God, help us today to see you and to reveal youIn every simple thing and in every complex creatureand to glorify you, God of all.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationWe seek and rekindle the divine sparkthat God places in each of uslighting the world as we servewith the brightness of God’s love.Use us as agents of your love, healing God,like the servant girl’s simple wordsmay we be reminded of the power of the simplest gestures.Use our time, our skills, our resourcesto serve to create a community of grace.Amen.

All Age PrayerDown to the water Naaman must go:not just once,not just twice,not three or four or five or six,but seven timesto be clean.

The prophet told him soand sometimes God asks of us things we do not understandand whether it’s once or twiceor three or four or five or sixor even seven timeswe know that what God asks Is always for the best.

So we will trust and always try to do what God wants of us in our lives.Amen.

ReflectionWill we always make things more complicated than they need to be?Will we always strive for more?Will we always look for hidden difficulties?Read the small print?Find the exclusions?Instead of taking you at your word—that we are loved and loved and loved again,that you give yourself to us,no strings attached.

Your love is not to be earned,not something we need to jump through hoops to attain,but something that you freely shower upon usand the healing power of your loveknows no bounds,but invites us to be immersedup to our necksIn the cleansing power of unconditional love.

worship ideassunday 2 november 2014

pentecost 2014 81

SendingLeader: Go in the presence of God our Creator.

All: We go knowing the Father’s blessing with us.

Leader: Go, in the flow of Christ, the Living Water.

All: We go knowing our Saviour’s blessing with us.

Leader: Go in the wholeness of the Breath of life.

All: We go knowing the Spirit’s blessing with us.

Praise/HymnsAt even ere the sun was set MP 43

All of the people Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New 772

Be still and know CH4 755 / MP 48

Before Elisha’s Gate available online at http://www.hymnary.org/text/before_elishas_gate

Christ’s is the world CH4 724

Come to the waters MP 104

Father sending your anointed son MP 136


Have thine own way MP 212

Healing God, almighty Father MP 226

Healing river of the Spirit CH4 707

May the mind of Christ CH3 432

O Christ, the healer, we have come to pray for health CH4 717

Peter and John went to pray (Silver and gold) JP 198

Praise you Lord for the wonder of your healing MP 565

River wash over me MP 581

The one who longs to make us whole CH4 719

There is a longing in our hearts CH4 720

Thou, Lord, hast given Thyself for our healing MP 698

We cannot measure how you heal CH4 718

We lay our broken world CH4 721

When to our world MP 761

Will you come and follow me CH4 53

QuizTo explore misconceptions about leprosy today with your congregation, you could use this quiz.

1. Leprosy is highly contagious (True or False)

2. The incubation period of the bacteria that forms leprosy is 6 months to a year (True or False—it can take up to 5 years)

3. Leprosy is mainly found in Africa and Asia (True or False)

4. Is leprosy a curse (Yes or No—but in certain cultures it is treated as if it were)

5. Under 100,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy every year (True or False—it is over 200,000 each year)

6. Fingers and toes will rot away and fall off (True or False—but if infection sets in then digits may need to be surgically removed)

7. Leprosy is present in Britain today (True or False—and mostly people who have sought asylum in this country)

8. Leprosy is curable (True or False—and the drugs are not expensive, the problem is they need to be taken over a set period of time)

9. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s Disease (True or False)

10. Can you help and educate others (Yes or No)

Take Home IdeasOn FilmContagion or Outbreak are both films that deal with the spread of germs. Contagion, in particular, is filmed in a cinema vérité style that, like a speculative documentary, methodically unpacks the fearfulness that unknown infections can engender in people.

You may wish to watch these films or even download clips from them that show excessive skin eruptions! Talk or think about the spreading of germs.

Other films that include leprosy in them include: Kingdom of Heaven, Braveheart, and Ben Hur. The Motorcycle Diaries, a biopic of the young Ernesto Guevara (aka Che Guevara) also includes memorable scenes from his time volunteering in a leprosy colony.

More Information About LeprosyA short documentary about leprosy in India can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtIgXbi4m1c

Check out the Leprosy Mission web site for facts about Leprosy and dispel some of the myths that surround this disease. There may be organisations or groups in your area that promotes and raises awareness and funds for the Leprosy Mission.

Why not run a coffee morning and educate your members at the same time and make plans to support World Leprosy Day which is the last Sunday in January.

http://www.tlmscotland.org.uk/

wash & go

http://www.hymnary.org/text/before_elishas_gate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtIgXbi4m1c

http://www.tlmscotland.org.uk/


gathering Just Do As I Say all ageTry a simple game of call and follow, such as “Simon Says” as a way to get into the story this week: the simple thing that Naaman was asked to do in order to be healed.

craftsSimple Get Well Card age 3-5

You will need: Coloured A4 card, coloured paper, PVA glue, glue spreaders, scissors, ribbon scraps, self adhesive heart shapes, flower shapes or some such, glitter, felt pens, coloured pencils, rulers.

Give each child a piece of coloured card and show them how to fold it in half to make a card shape.

Allow the children to use the materials provided to make a ‘Get Well Soon’ card for someone they might know. Ribbon bows and glitter can be added to the completed card along with a simple message.

Talk with the children about Naaman and the simple thing he had to do be made well. Talk of how they have made a simple card and how delighted someone might be to receive the card they have made.

Simple Listening Mat age 6-8You will need: a sheet of coloured A3 card for each child, rulers, pencils, felt pens, coloured pencils, stick-on shapes, scissors, PVA glue, glue spreaders (optionally a piece of thin foam A3-sized for each child).

Give each child a piece of card and ask them to draw a 5 c.m. wide border around the entire sheet.

Explain to the children that you would like them to design their own border around the sheet and allow time for them to do this. Explain to the children that you would like them to leave the centre blank.

Should you wish, a piece a piece of thin foam could then be glued to the underside of their mat to make it a little more comfortable to sit on.

If their mats are dry ask the children to sit on them - explain they are to be a place of calm where they can just sit and listen for a while. Talk with the children about Naaman, in particular about those people he had to listen to before he would go and do as he was asked to do and wash himself in the river. Talk about the importance of listening to others when they are trying to help us.

age group ideas

Simple Outdoor Paintings age 9-12You will need: cornflour, water, food colouring, paint pots, paintbrushes, small plastic cups or small buckets.

To make the simple paint give each child a paint pot and ask them to mix together equal quantities of cornflour to water. They should then colour their paint by adding a few drops of food colouring.

Now talk of the story of Naaman. Following that they should then go outside with the paint they have made and paint a picture from the story on the pavement. It should dry within a few minutes. They should then show their pictures to each other, talking about what they have depicted. Once all the pictures have been seen by all, have the children use their small cups of water or small bucket to simply wash the picture away.

Talk with the children about the story of Naaman and the simple thing he was asked to do in order to be healed. Talk of how their paintings had made the pavement different and how the water had restored the painting to its usual state: a bit like it being healed again. Talk of the how bathing in the water restored Naaman’s life and just how simple it had been for him to be healed just by listening and doing.

Simple First Aid Kit Bag all ageYou will need: blank white paper gift bags (available from Baker Ross), selection of coloured papers (make sure red is available for a cross), felt tip pens, scissors, PVA glue, glue spreaders, pencils, rulers, some fun plasters.

Give each child a blank bag and simply ask them to decorate it as a First Aid Kit Bag which they might carry with them to help others.

Talk with the children about what they think they might need to put in their newly designed bag to make it a good First Aid Kit. Talk with them about Naaman and the fact that he was simply asked to go and wash himself seven times in the river. Talk with them about how Naaman might have felt being asked to do something so simple and then be healed and how they too might have felt being asked to do something so simple in order to find healing.


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activityHere To Help age 3-5

You will need: child’s first aid kit, elastoplasts, medical dressing up clothes (doctor, nurse, paramedic, and so on), images of red cross, ambulance, hospital.

Let the children play with the first aid kit and outfits. Talk to the children about a time you hurt your knee/hand and the doctor put a bandage/plaster on it; it would be good if you can have some children’s Elastoplasts for them to look at and even peel off and stick to their hands or just play with. Doctors and nurses are here to help us. Show the children the symbol of a ‘red cross’ and pictures of a hospital, ambulance and so on.

What We Eat age 6-12You will need: copies of the sheet available on page 123, a selection of foods and drinks, paper and pencils.

Washing in the river seems an easy way to heal oneself and it is easy today to try and keep oneself healthy especially through cleanliness, exercise and good eating.

Check out this link http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Get-children-involved-inbeing-healthy.aspx for facts about eating well and being active.

Bring in a selection of food and drinks for the children to look at and let them decide which they like to eat and how healthy their choice is. They will need paper and pencil to mark down the sugar, fat, salt and carbohydrate contents. You may wish to give the children the “What We Eat” activity sheet home with them to fill in so they can think about healthy eating during the week.

Leprosy Information age 6-12Check out the Leprosy Mission web page for details about Leprosy and talk to the children about leprosy and other conditions that affect the skin. Leprosy is very rare in Great Britain but there are still a few cases registered when people move to this country. You may wish to bring in sun cream and explain the benefits of using it in the summer on our own skin.

http://www.leprosymission.org/

Clean It all ageYou will need: dirty coins, different cleaning agents (Cif, polish, soap, varnish, Coca-Cola, jewellry cleaner), plastic gloves.

If possible give each child plastic gloves for their hands and then let them lose to clean the coins the best way they can. Which cleaning agents worked the best?

Wash, Wash, Wash all ageYou will need: basins of water, soap and towels or alternatively spend the first part of your time together in the toilets or the kitchen at the sink.

The children take a turn washing their hands for 15 seconds, one after the other. A bit like a round robin they join the end of the queue and wash them again and every child needs to do this 7 times each.

wash & go

games Find The Sevens age 3-5

You will need: print out the number 7 on paper (seven copies) and hide them around the room.

A treasure hunt game for the children to seek out all the number 7s hidden around the room. Once found, count them out together.

What Would It Be Like? age 6-12You will need: thick gloves, bandages (or something you can wrap around joints to restrict movement), an activity requiring delicate action (for instance, threading a needle, unwrapping a sandwich, creating a Lego figure).

People who are afflicted with leprosy lose the feeling in their hands. What would this be like? Have the children get a sense of how hard life is with leprosy by removing their sense of touch and restricting their movement through the use of heavy, thick gloves, and bandages around their wrists and elbows. Then give them an activity to do which will be difficult to complete successfully without a good sense of touch and fine control.

Just As I Say age 6-12You will need: large sheet, torch, bucket of water, sponge.

Naaman had to follow the simple instructions. This game requires the players (victims?) to also carefully follow a simple instruction.

Dim the lights in the room in which you meet, send everyone outside to wait. Prepare by having two helpers hold a large sheet so that it hangs down touching the ground, stand behind it with the torch and bucket with wet sponge.

Invite the first person in. Instruct them that they have to follow a very simple instruction. Shine the torch onto the sheet and ask them to follow the light with their nose. They have to touch the sheet with their nose wherever the light is shining.

Move the light around slowly at first, then faster, making sure the player is really concentrating. Then bring the torch light up to the top of the sheet and as the player’s face appears over the top of the sheet to meet the torch light, give them the wet sponge, straight into the face!

This player then sits down to giggle at the next person. Carry on through your group.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Get-children-involved-inbeing-healthy.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Get-children-involved-inbeing-healthy.aspx

http://www.leprosymission.org/


PreparationFor the session today we are looking at the reactions contained within the story of Naaman. We focus on the reactions of the servant girl and Naaman.

For the opening activity prepare ten statement cards with relatively bland statements such as “your car has been washed”, “I found £5 on the street”, “my goldfish has been fed”, “the library is closed”, and so on.

Also prepare ten over the top reactions cards with a word such as: surprise, anger, joy, delight, excitement, sadness, crying, envy, disgust or fear on each.

For the Living it out section, print out or buy a map of the local area (your town or parish). You will also need a few highlighter pens for the young people to use.

Opening ActivityReactions Pair the young people up or ask for two volunteers for each round.

Ask the young people to act out a scene, where one reads a statement out (such as “my goldfish has been fed”) and the other young person has to respond to that statement with an over the top reaction to this news based on the card they are given.

The rest of the group can shout out when they work out what type of reaction it is that the young person is carrying out.

The WordRead together 2 Kings 5:1-14.

Activity/DiscussionThis week’s story is of reactions, the servant girl, the king of Israel, Elisha and Naaman. The first reaction is that of the servant girl. She had been taken captive and was sold into slavery.

• How do you think she felt?

• How did she react to the situation?

• If you were win this situation would you want the people who kept you as a slave to enjoy life?

The final reaction in the story we are looking at is that of Naaman.

• How do you think it feels to be really important?

• When Elisha didn’t make a fuss of him, how did Naaman feel?

• Is there a link between how important you are and how humble you should be?

Living It OutIn the TV shows “the Secret Millionaire” or “Undercover Boss”, people who live with abundance, who can travel by private jet, people who have important things to do and places to go, take a week or two and go back to real life.

In “Undercover Boss” the boss of a big company climbs back down the ladder and does some of the more menial jobs at the bottom of the company. It can be easy to work out where important people have lost contact with real life, and hard to work out where normal people can be humble. Perhaps it is something as simple as listening to the voice of someone who is not part of your group.

Using a map of the local area, mark down the areas where you meet people and have the chance to do things differently. It could be in the playground at school, speaking to someone out with your friends, it could be visiting an elderly neighbour, it could be saying thank you to a lollypop person/crossing guard. Mark these areas on the map as a way of committing to deal with these situations this week.

discussion starters for teenshow do we respond?


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bible notesA Vision Of What Might Be

The milestone markers by the sides of old roads were timely reminders of the distance yet to travel. Largely, where they still exist, they have been eroded by weather:

illegible even from close quarters. They resemble little more than miniature standing stones.

Milestone markers of remembrance are timely reminders of a different road travelled. And this year, the hundredth such milestone came into view. A century on from the outbreak of the First World War, all the voices from that conflict are now silent. It was “the war to end all wars” but that proved to be utterly mistaken. And no one is now left alive who was involved in the conflict. The remembering is left to others.

And we who have lived beyond that time still need to mark the occasion, for the critical role it played and continues to play in world history. The century milestone marker is not, sadly, a sign of a destination reached. There is a distance yet to travel. We are collectively prone to ignoring the lessons of history and so remain doomed to repeat its failures, to paraphrase George Santayana. The twentieth century was littered with costly conflicts and the twenty first century is proving no less so. That is the reality. We need vision.

Micah encapsulates the hallmarks of what it means to walk with God. Kitchener may have stared out rather menacingly from the UK’s First World War recruitment poster pointing at the viewer and saying, ‘Your Country Needs You’, but Micah’s challenge is no less searching. It is not the country needing, but the Lord requiring. We are, “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”. On the journey Micah calls us to make, the milestone markers are justice, kindness and humility. That is the uplifting vision. The reality is rather different.

When even Al Qaeda disavowed the Jihadists operating under the title ISIS in Syria and Iraq, it was taken, at least in part, as a reaction to the utter brutality of those Jihadists. Perhaps they were operating a form of “justice” (as they saw it) but “kindness” was all but absent and there is skant evidence of any “walking humbly with your God”: instead there was merciless and passionate violence.

We long for a vision of real and lasting peace, one hundred years on from the so-called Great War, but the reality remains marked by conflict and cruelty. And yet there has to be hope.

One hundred years ago, this coming Christmas, the sounds of war were silenced in the trenches briefly. The strains of carols being sung drifted over no-man’s-land, reminding both sides that there was something far greater that bound them together in some way. A Christmas truce broke out amongst the men. A famous football match was played between the sworn enemies; gifts were exchanged; peace shared. And then, all too quickly, the camaraderie was ended and the carnage recommenced. Yet that truce—deplored by the generals on either side, but celebrated by the ordinary soldiers—even today offers a hopeful glimpse of what might be.

There are greater complexities in modern conflicts where cultures, rather than countries seem at stake. Within these, the misuse and abuse of religion for violent political ends extends the distance still to travel on the long road from the Great War to a place and time of peace. Perhaps our flawed and combative humanity means the journey may never entirely end. But the call to reconciliation—with justice, kindness and humility as the never-eroded standing stones of peace—remains the only true vision.

vision and realitypentecost 22 remembrance sundaysunday 9 november 2014

Micah 5:2-4,6:6-8(Matthew 9:13)

vision and reality



An Impossible Dream?A reflective and provocative angle on where we might stand now in relation to Micah’s words. That there are five voices is to symbolise our response in community.

Voice 1: With what shall we come before the Lord?

Voice 2: We come with grief at the fighting that sees no end. We come with despair at the wars upon wars. We come with longing for all conflict to cease.

Voice 1: With what shall we bow before God on high?

Voice 3: We bow with sorrow. We bow with guilt. We bow with the knowledge of our warring ways. We are bowed by the violent, unkind, divisive words

we have spoken; the arguments we have fuelled; the sparks of malice we have not extinguished; the injustices we have silently witnessed and from which we have walked on by.

Voice 1: Shall we come before God with burnt offerings?

Voice 4: Burnt cities, burnt homes, burnt military targets, burnt schools.

Voice 1: Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams?

Voice 3: Thousands of missiles, thousands of guns, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Voice 1: With ten thousand rivers of oil?

Voice 5: Rivers of oil, rivers of blood, rivers of tears.

Voice 1: Shall we give our firstborn for our transgressions?

Voice 2: And our secondborn and our thirdborn, the little ones and the forgotten ones, the unnamed ones and the unmourned ones, and how many more will die for our transgressions?

Voice 1: Shall we give the fruits of our bodies for the sins of our souls?

Voice 4: Our children’s lives for our inability to dwell in peace.

Voice 1: God has told us, mortal as we are, what is good,

Voice 5: what is wholesome, what is fine, what is constructive, what is life-giving, what is hopeful, what is beautiful.

Voice 1: What does the Lord require of us,

Voice 4: need from us, plead with us, demand of us, insist upon, implore us?

Voice 1: To do justice,

Voice 3: rebalance the inequalities, redistribute the resources, recalibrate the power, until the cry is “Life is fair!”

Voice 1: Love kindness,

Voice 2: cherish the voices that speak gently, honour the hands that help, emulate the hearts that are open, follow the feet that walk the extra mile, celebrate the time that is shared generously.

Voice 1: Walk in humility,

Voice 3: knowing we don’t know it all,

Voice 5: there is always more to learn,

Voice 2: we need each other,

Voice 4: we are made for community,

Voice 2: great leaders are great servants,

Voice 5: and peace is not,

Voices 2,3: peace is not,

All: peace is not an impossible dream.

the story

Retelling For Young PeopleWhat Makes God Happy?A long time ago, there was a prophet called Micah who said there are three things people do that make God very, very happy.

Micah said that God is very, very happy when we are fair to each other, and when we are kind to each other, and when we treat everyone as equally important.

But Micah could see that people are not always fair and kind and good at treating others as equally important.

I wonder when you have seen something happen that made you say, “That’s not fair!”

Or something that made you say, “That’s not nice!”

Or have you ever seen someone behaving as if they’re better than everyone else, and you want to say, “We’re just as important as you!”

Invite the children to share examples of their own for each situation. If possible, act them out.

What if we could change the situations so that everyone could say, “Yes, that’s fair!” and “Yes, that’s nice!” and “Yes, we’re all important!”

Talk through and act out the changed scenarios, where people behave fairly, kindly, and showing that all are equally important.

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Gathering Activity Prepare small cards with the name from your local War Memorial of someone lost during WW1. Hand these out to people as they arrive and invite them to place the card on the communion table. You may or may not have a special floral display for this week or even poppies scattered on the Communion Table if so these cards can sit in amongst them.

Call to WorshipWhat does the Lord require of you?On this day of all daysas we remember men and womenwho gave their everything for us,we gather here to honour their memoryand give thanks.

What does the Lord require of you?On this day of all dayswe come seeking peace for all in a world that cries out for it.We come seeking to love the unlovedand to live humbly with our Lord.

What does the Lord require of you?On this day of all dayswe come to him in worship and praise.Let us worship the God of love and peace.

Act of RemembranceWe remember today all the ordinary peopleripped from their towns and villages,torn from their familiesto serve their country in war.

We remember today all the ordinary peopleleft behind to keep things goingin factories, on farms, on the streets blitzed by war.

We remember today the ordinary peoplewho lost their lives in warand those left behind who never saw their loved ones again,who grew up without a parent, a sibling, a partner or friend,whose who never discovered love againand who grew old alone.

We remember today all the ordinary peopleon either side of the conflict whose lives were changed forever,all those who paid the price of freedomand, in our remembering the ordinary people,we remember that the cost of war will always be too high and paid for by ordinary people.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionGod of righteous and sinner alike,God of the healthy and the sick,God of the found and the lost,God of the free and the slave,we come to praise you and worship you.

What can we bring to you, Lord God,not gifts of rams, of olive oil, of firstborn,for you are not interested in transactions.

What can we bring to worship you?We bring ourselves, as we are,for you are interested in transformations.

We rejoice with Micah that you have told us what is good,and what can transform us into a living expressionof praise and worship.

Forgive us as we struggle to do what is right,as we see only weakness in mercy,and walk with pride in our own achievements,and those of our nation.

Forgive us as we seek ways to buy you off,when we know that our hearts seek transformation,just as our nations, our communities, our worldseeks transformation towards peaceful living.May we know your forgiveness,that it would motivate us to do what is right,loving mercy, and stepping forward in faithhumbly with our God.Amen.


worship ideasPrayer for Others and OurselvesGod, you do not want our sacrifice,you do not want our piety,all you ask for is that we walk with youthe humble path of justice and love.

It is not in grand gestures but in humble servicethat we can best reveal your loveso God, may we strive not to be specialbut to be ordinaryso that we can get alongside other ordinary people and make a difference in the world:bringing peace not war;bringing love not hate;bringing freedom not oppression.

As we look for ways to know peacemay we look to ordinary people in whom your love is revealed.

God we lay before you today all the areas of conflict in our world:conflict that still ragesand places still ravaged by war and it’s consequences.

God, out of the ashes of conflictmay the phoenix of your love ariseas people and nations resolve to find other paths to peace.

Give us such creativity that we can shape a brave new world out of the scars of war,give vision and courage to leaders and governments who seek to resolve conflict,help them to find real alternatives for all those whose livelihoods depend on warand help us all to be prepared to surrender power and wealth in the interests of peace.

For the sake of all the ordinary people whose lives you honour and cherish,God of justice, peace and love.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationMay we, for the sake of ordinary people everywhereresolve to act justly, to love kindnessand to walk humbly with God in paths of peace.May we, with all our heart, soul and strength,resolve to be your witness,in all we do and say,in all we give and offer,in all we think and believe.Amen.

ReflectionTwas the war to end all wars.Not sure now to which war that referred—but it was not.

Wilfred Owen wrote not so much of warbut the pity of warhis words too have fallen on deaf earsso today we remember the fallen.

It is right and good that we dobut is that the best we can do?

Remember?

What about the promises extracted and made?What of the lessons learned?What of the indescribable tragedy and loss?Are those costs simply to keep on mounting?Will peace forever involve violence?Is any other option merely the stuff of dreams?

The machinery that maintains a warring nationin a warring worldseems to have all the powerwhile the Prince of Peacewaits on the sidelinespierced by every bullet,shocked by every shell,rocked by every love he grieves,weighed down by every investment madein destructive forces,while children go without foodand families live in graveyards.

How can we remember the fallen with the resolve they deserveand the commitmentthat we will find another way,a way to honour the dead and live in the peacefor which they foughtand learn compromise and sacrificethat costs much less than lifeyet leaves love that lasts forever.


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SendingLeader: We have gathered to remember.

All: We go and continue to remember.

Leader: We have gathered to pray.

All: We go and continue to pray.

Leader: We have gathered believing that faith makes a difference.

All: We go with continuing faith to turn vision into reality.

Praise/HymnsCome, all who look to God today CH4 713

For everyone born, a place at the table CH4 685


He has showed you, O man MP 215

Heaven shall not wait CH4 362

‘I have a dream’, a man once said CH4 710

It is God who holds the nation CH4 705

Join all the glorious names CH4 460

Let there be peace on earth ATAS 159

Lord for the years CH4 159

Make me a channel CH4 528 / MP 456

May you find peace “I Wonder... Why?” by Fischy Music

O Lord, the clouds are gathering CH4 708 / MP509

The right hand of God is writing in our land CH4 709

What shall we bring to give honour to God Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New 730

When he comes MP 752

Who can sound the depths of sorrow MP 766

Take Home IdeasMake up a small card enough for everyone in your congregation with the image of the Memorial Plaque on one side with the words printed underneath, ‘He died for freedom and honour.’ On the reverse side tack on a penny which was minted in 2014 and at the top put the year 2014 and underneath print,

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

What does the Lord require of you this week? To remember all our servicemen past and present, to remember the reasons we have gone to war, to remember all families affected by war, injustice, poverty and to pray for peace around the world both physical and emotional.

Think about what we have learned from the past in our own lives! Do we respond to difficult situations in the same way as before or have we learned to tackle things differently? Do we learn from past mistakes? Do we remember to take everything to the Lord in prayer or only when we are in need or distress?

vision and reality



gathering Can You Remember? all age

You will need: items (large and small) for playing Kim’s Game.

As a way of introducing remembering, play ‘Kim’s Game’ with the children where they are shown several items for two minutes and then have to remember what they saw.

As this would be a group activity it would be good to do this with some large items too, such as a chair, a table, a book, and so on, rather than just small items on a tray.

craftsMemory Tree age 3-5

You will need: small twigs (note that these could be painted in different colours prior to this week if desired to make the children’s trees more colourful), plant pots, plasticene, decorative gravel, stones, or beads, small oval or round shaped pieces of card (small enough to decorate the tree), magazines, felt pens, coloured pencils, scissors, PVA glue, glue spreaders, hole punch, thread (optionally: laminating pouches and laminator).

Talk with the children about memories and what memories they have, both happy and sad. Talk about how we remember these times by taking pictures and looking at them, by talking about them with others, by writing about them in our news book or diary at school. Talk about making a memory tree showing the children’s memories to help them remember them even more.

Secure the twigs in the plant pots using plasticine and hide the plasticine using some gravel. Give each child several oval or circle shaped cards and ask them to then think of their special memories of which they have spoken and then draw a picture of that time or cut out pictures from the magazines which can be glued on to their oval of card to remind them of these times. When the children have completed their pictures, punch a hole through the top of each one, thread a loop for hanging through it and allow the children to hang them on their tree. (Laminating their cards would make them more durable!)

Talk of remembering and how their tree will help them to remember their memories. Talk of the poppy and how it helps people remember too.

age group ideas

Poppies age 6-8You will need: white A4 paper (or white sugar/construction paper), tissue paper in shades of red, spray bottle, water, scissors.

Give each child some tissue paper in the various shades of red. Ask them to cut it into different small shapes. Now give each child a piece of paper and ask them to lay their pieces of tissue paper onto the paper in a random way. Fill the spray bottle with water and show the children how to spray the tissue paper as it lies on top of the paper. Leave the tissue for a short time to allow it to ‘bleed’ onto the paper and then gently and carefully remove the tissue paper to reveal the pattern left behind by the ‘bleeding’ of the tissue paper.

When the paper is dry a poppy template could be given to the children to draw around and they could create poppy shapes from their paper.

Talk with the children about remembering, and what and who we are remembering today. Talk about the way the tissue bled to create the pattern on the paper and (if you have created poppies) how the poppies are all individual because of the way the tissue bled. Talk of the poppy being used as a symbol to help people remember all those who died in the war.

Remembering age 9-12You will need: squares of thin fabric about 5 c.m. by 5 c.m., fabric glue, mortars and pestles, fresh rosemary (enough for each child to crush), small spoons, cotton wool balls.

Firstly give each child two squares of fabric and ask them to glue them together along three edges, leaving the fourth edge open, then lay this to one side to dry.

Then give each child some rosemary and ask them to break it into small pieces and place it in the mortar.

Show the children how to crush it with the pestle and allow them to do so until the rosemary is crushed and pulp like.

The pulp can then be placed in the little fabric bag using a spoon and sealed along the fourth edge.

Any oil which may be in the mortar can be soaked up with a cotton wool ball and can—allergies permitting—be dabbed on their hand.

Talk with the children about remembering and explain that that is what we do today on Remembrance Sunday. Talk with the children about the herb Rosemary and how it is always associated with remembering. Encourage the children to smell the Rosemary in their fabric bag and each time they do to use it as a reminder to remember.

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Cairn all ageYou will need: stones, paint, paintbrushes, aprons, newspapers.

Talk with the children about how we remember special people, special times and special places. Talk with the children about the special people, places and times we remember on Remembrance Sunday. Explain to the children that a Cairn can be a way to remember and can become a memorial place as people bring stones from special places, or write the name of special people on them, or draw a picture of a special time. explain how these are then placed together to form a stone mound or cairn.

Now give each child a stone and ask them to paint it with a memory, a person’s name or a place they want to remember. Allow time for them to do this and then set aside to dry.

Talk about where they might build their cairn. Perhaps somewhere in the church grounds and, if the stones are dry, let the children take their stones outside and begin to build their cairn together. Explain that they can always add to the cairn at anytime as they will always be making new memories, meeting new special people and visiting new and special places.

activitiesTawny Scrawny Lion age 3-5

You will need: a copy of Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson (readily available online and at booksellers, or check your local library).

Read this story with the children, it is a good story to reinforce the message of Micah.

Remembering The Story age 3-5You will need: to think up a short story about what happened to you the day before, with a few different happenings.

Tell the children a very short story about happened to you the day before. After you have told the story ask the children some questions about what you did in order to see if they can remember some of the things you mentioned. At the end of the day ask the questions again and see what they remember.

Did You Spot That? age 6-8You will need: either to think up a short story about what happened to you the day before, with a number of different happenings, or find a video clip to show the children.

You can do the same kind of activity as “Remembering The Story” as above for the younger group but you could also show a video clip or a photograph and then ask what the children remember about it. If it is a video clip you can ask many more observation questions, for example: what colour tie was he wearing, what was the number on the bus, and so on.

What Is Required Of You? all ageYou will need: fill a box with shredded paper and some items that will remind the children of actions that their parents require of them (for example, toothbrush, TV, computer, jotter, food plate, card with ‘please’/’thank you’, speech bubble, mobile phone, and so on.

What is required of you? Ask the children one a time to take out one item and explain what it is they think their parents require of them from that item. They might say, brushing teeth, not too much television, doing homework, put away dishes, manners and so on.

But what is it that the Lord requires? To help those in need and how do we do that? See what ideas the children come up with in their responses (a smile, a helping hand, raising money, raising awareness and remembering what people have done for us in the past, remembering our history just as we remember the history of the bible).


gamesMemory Games age 3-8

You will need: articles for Kim’s game, or a card-based memory game.

If you have not already done so for an opening activity, you could play a memory game to emphasise the importance of remembering.

I Am / You Are age 6-12You will need: a soft ball.

We often spend time talking about things we are good at. In this game, instead of it being a competition to outdo one another, the aim of the game is to build each other up, recognising humbly where other people are better at doing something than we are ourselves.

Gather everyone in a circle. As the leader, start the game off by rolling the ball to someone else and complimenting them on something they are good at or that you appreciate in them. They then roll the ball to someone else and do the same, keep going until everyone has been complimented.

The Walking Game all ageYou will need: large sizes of shoes, boots, wellington boots, shoes with heels, platforms.

Ask the children to walk around the room taking tiny steps like heel to toe all the way around. Do it again only this time taking large strides and ask them to count all the steps they take.

The next time around the children will put on a pair of large wellingtons, how difficult was it? Maybe the next time a pair of stiletto shoes, how difficult now? What was it like to walk in someone else’s shoes? We will never know what it was like for our service men during the war but today we remember them and the bible story today tells us how we are to walk alongside God. After the game discuss what God wants us to do and how we can do that.


age group ideasyour notes

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vision and reality

PreparationThis session is based on trying to engage with the reading as a coded piece of writing, and giving some keys as to what the passage is all about.

For the opening activity you will need a number of advertisements. A selection of different media would be good TV adverts, if technology allows, print magazines particularly high end magazines, fashion magazines or a newspaper supplement like the Financial Times “How To Spend It” (UK) is great for this activity.

You need one picture of Jesus for each young person to take away with them.

The Church Mission Society and the Methodist Church has a collection of cards which contain different images of Jesus from around the world. (http://www.methodistpublishing.org.uk/books/ga202-ed-07/the-christ-we-share-3rd-edition)

Alternatively an internet image search may offer you the images you need.

Opening ActivityDecoding Adverts Have a range of adverts from different media available. Ask the young people to take one and then have a go at decoding the advert:

• What is the advert saying?

• What meaning is it giving the product?

• What is the advert saying to different age groups?

• Does the message stay the same across generations?

The WordRead together Micah 5:2-4,6:6-8.

Activity/DiscussionThis passage reveals God’s plan. But in order to work out why this plan is so groundbreaking we are going to have to do some detective work on it. It needs to be decoded.

Step 1 Highlight any names. (Places or people)

Step 2 Highlight any times. (During the...)

Step 3 Highlight any events. (Births, wars)

Step 4 Highlight any descriptive words. (Big or small)

Now put the information you have decoded together.

• What is the message you have decoded?

The next step is to decode this further.

• Who are the people identified?

• Where are the places?

• Why are these events important?

• What’s the back story on these things?

Living It OutDifferent images can give us different messages. Within the Roman Catholic church statues of Jesus are common. This has led to artists and priests creating images of Jesus that are coded and convey messages to the person who sees the image.

In Glasgow, UK, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has Salvador Dali’s St John of the Cross as one of its key artworks within the collection: a painting of Jesus on the cross which conveys more than just a picture of Jesus on the cross.

Pass out the pictures of Jesus.

• How do you feel about the picture you have?

• How easy is it to pick up on the message of the image?

For people without the keys to decode what we mean when we talk or draw pictures of Jesus, that can be very off putting. It can be too much like hard work to decode what you mean when/if you talk about Jesus.

Sometimes church isn’t very good at making Jesus decodable for young people.

This week take a picture of Jesus with you to help you remember the challenge to decode the Jesus about whom you talk, and the challenge that others will decode Jesus from your actions as a follower of Jesus.

discussion starters for teenscodes and keys

http://www.methodistpublishing.org.uk/books/ga202-ed-07/the-christ-we-share-3rd-edition

http://www.methodistpublishing.org.uk/books/ga202-ed-07/the-christ-we-share-3rd-edition


bible notesBeating The Spin

Propaganda, rumour, spin, half-truths, quarter-truths, a kernel, a nugget of truth, fabrication, barefaced lies are what we are reading this week. The ideal of the truth,

the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God, is a little lost in the words spoken in this story. We are in the company of Pilate here, asking, “What is truth?”

We have three versions of the same event in the Bible. 2 Kings 18 & 19 and 2 Chronicles 32 tell similar accounts of the same event. It seems that Sennacherib, the all-conquering ruler of Assyria, was laying siege to Lachish, one of the major fortified towns of Judah. Hezekiah tried to buy him off with a huge payment of gold and silver, while at the same time strengthening Jerusalem’s defences. In response Sennacherib sent his general Rabshakeh to besiege Jerusalem. He camped just outside the city and then the diplomacy began, and this is where it gets interesting.

Rabshakeh’s speech is pure propaganda. It is full of satire and irony, it is insulting and threatening. He underplays the strength of Jerusalem, boasts of the Assyrian abilities, mentions the horrors of a siege and even refers to Hezekiah’s recent, possibly unpopular reformation of worship in Judah. He belittles everyone in Jerusalem and the God of Judah. It is a loud and arrogant challenge, repeated in Hebrew to rub it in.

Today he would make a video, like the ISIS leaders did when they announced a new Caliphate in the Middle-East. He would post on Facebook. His tweets would be equally potent and popular. His announcements would headline the news and everyone would be speculating about what was actually happening. When chaos descended on Ukraine at the beginning of the year, we witnessed a similar pattern. We heard many versions of what was happening, all the politicians weighing in to win a war of words and still we do not know what was really happening. In the war of words the facts are just weapons, what people think and feel are what really matters. No wonder powerful people invest so much in spin doctors and publicists.

Something similar happens in our churches. We hear phrases like “everyone is saying”, “church law says”, “no-one likes”, supposedly adding strength to a personal opinion. Sweeping

statements often have the ring of authority. When something is repeated often enough, it does not matter if it is wrong, or only a little true, it can come to be believed. The loudest voices, the most often repeated, the cleverest argument can be what comes to be accepted. Spin and rumour in action. Rumours can be very powerful and awfully destructive. People come to believe them, they can even become the narrative that people tell about themselves.

Hezekiah, for all his faults, refuses to get involved in rumour mongering and offers a different message. He puts on sackcloth, signalling that he feels tarnished by Rabshakeh’s words, that he regrets his dealings with Sennacherib, that he will not let rumour frame his understanding, and that what matters is what the Lord has to say. Isaiah’s reply on behalf of the Lord is wonderful, the Lord laughs at the arrogance of emperors and their plans, their statements are only “claims” and another rumour will be enough to send Sennacherib home. Jesus’s reply to Pilate was in a similar vein, that Pilate’s power was given from on high. This frames the picture in an entirely different light, setting it in the context of God’s purposes: the Father, whose love embraces the world and whose weakness is stronger than all the might of armies.

We can become so ground down by competing rumours, particularly the negative ones that we oft repeat, telling a bleak story for people, for churches and the future. We can do this differently, however. Like Hezekiah, we can refuse to play the rumour game and try to frame events in the light of Christ, in the light of what it means to be a loved people, called to love with the love of Christ.

Our reading finishes with Isaiah 2:1-4, which uncovers a different rumour, a rumour of glory. There is a bright city on a hill, not besieged but with open gates though which the whole world comes because there is found truth that is not spun. This is said of one of the smallest cities of the day, one that was often besieged with rumour of disaster, yet it is called a city on a hill—lit like a beacon. Is this also the truth of the church? We could be spreading that with all the enthusiasm of a rumour, a truth to gossip, to shout from the rooftops.

rumour has itpentecost 23 sunday 16 november 2014

Isaiah 36:1-3,13-20, 37:1-7, then 2:1-4(Matthew 5:14)


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Hezekiah: But it’s me who is afraid, afraid for my people, for myself; afraid of your judgement if we, if I, fail.

God: Have I ever let you down? Have I ever abandoned my people? Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah? Did he not say that the city would be safe and strong and mighty? That it would be a beacon of hope and wisdom and peace for all people?

Those were my words spoken through him. I am no liar. I am your God, the God who has brought you victory that you might help bring peace to all my people, for generations to come.

Listen to what they say, and let their careless words pierce like swords, or listen to me, the one who has spoken to you deep within your heart since before you were born, who has guided and defended you.

Hezekiah: I am listening, Lord. I hear only you. And your city will rise again.

rumour has it

Hezekiah’s DoubtsGod: So what are they saying?

Hezekiah: That I’m talking rubbish. That you can’t save us. In other words, I’m a liar. No, you’re a liar.

God: What do you say to that?

Hezekiah: I don’t know any more. I thought we were strong. I thought we could defeat anyone who got in our way, who defiled your name. Now I’m not so sure.

God: Why? What’s changed? You’ve always been strong, victorious.

Hezekiah: Yes, but what they’re saying about me, about you; what if it’s true? What if I’ve lost my touch? What if I can no longer be the leader they need me to be, that you need me to be. What if even you can be defeated?

God: Don’t doubt yourself. These people speak out of fear because they know how powerful you are. And don’t doubt me. Remember where your power comes from. You can do nothing without me, you can achieve everything with me.

Their words are simply that – mere words, weak and meaningless. Words are no defence against those who have faith.

the story


Retelling For Young PeopleSecret TwitcherJake had a secret he was bursting to share, but he simply couldn’t. Jake’s dad had come home clutching something inside his jacket. He told Jake to close his eyes and hold out his hands. And then, very gently, his dad placed a small, squirming bundle onto Jake’s palms.

Jake opened his eyes to see a tiny black and white rabbit looking back at him. ‘Dad! Where did you get him? Is he really mine? Mine to keep?’ Jake asked.

‘Yes’, said his dad. ‘I got him from a friend at work. His daughter’s rabbit had babies. This is the runt of the litter, the last to go. Look after him, mind. He’s not very strong.’

‘I will, dad. I promise,’ said Jake, as he carefully stroked the little rabbit which twitched its tiny nose in response. ‘And I’m going to call him Twitcher!’

The next day, Jake and his dad built a hutch for Twitcher. There was a place for him to eat, somewhere to sleep, and plenty of room for him to run around. Jake spent every moment he could playing with Twitcher, feeding him, giving him clean straw and water when he needed it. He was delighted with his new pet.

But Jake had to keep Twitcher a secret. He had heard that some boys at school had once caught and killed a rabbit. A girl he knew even said she and her friends saw them do it. They were big boys, older than Jake. He was afraid of them. He was even more afraid for Twitcher. What might the boys do if they found out about him? So he told no-one.

One day, a few weeks after Twitcher came to stay, Jake was sitting on the playground wall, eating an apple when the boys walked over. ‘I hear you’ve got a rabbit,’ said Stevie. ‘My dad told me. He works with your dad, you know.’

Jake was terrified. He knew he couldn’t deny it. But what if he told them the truth? What might they do to Twitcher? ‘I...em...I...well...’ Jake stuttered.

‘Well, have you got a rabbit or not?’ Stevie asked.

‘Yes,’ said Jake.

‘Can we see him?’ asked Micky, another of the boys. ‘After school? We’ll come to your house.’

Jake couldn’t concentrate all afternoon. Mrs Fraser the history teacher twice told him off for not listening. At the final bell, he grabbed his bag and jacket and raced home. He was too late. There in the garden was Stevie and his gang. The hutch door was open and Micky had Twitcher in his hands.

Jake flew at them. ‘What are you doing? Leave him. Don’t hurt him. Please don’t hurt him!’

‘What are you talking about?’ said Stevie. ‘Why would we hurt him?’

‘I heard about what you did to that rabbit in the woods,’ sobbed Jake. ‘I know you killed it.’

Stevie walked over to Jake and took him by the shoulders. ‘Who told you that rubbish?’

‘It’s all round school,’ said Jake. ‘Everyone knows.’

Stevie sighed and sat down. ‘Jake, mate, it’s not true. None of us would hurt a fly. My uncle’s the local conservation officer. He’d heard there were poachers in the wood. We decided to have a look one day, see if we could find them. Maybe help get them arrested. We found a trap with a rabbit in it. The poor thing was already dead. We felt sick. Rather than leave it we got it out of the trap and buried it.’

Stevie wiped his arm across his face and Jake thought he saw tears there. ‘But...it’s just...they said...everyone said...’, stammered Jake.

‘Don’t believe everything you hear about us, wee man,’ said Micky, who Jake saw was now feeding a bit of cabbage to Twitcher. ‘People say a lot of stuff that’s just not true. Now come on, let’s let this wee thing run around the garden. We can all keep an eye on him.’

The next day, Jake couldn’t wait to tell everyone at school about Twitcher.

the storysunday 16 november 2014

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Gathering Activity Have paper and pens or pencils available. Ask people to write down any rumour they have ever heard about the church, then to fold the piece of paper up and place it in a bowl. An opening action could be to ceremoniously empty the bowl into a waste paper bag and tie it and leave it on the Communion Table.

Call to WorshipWhat do we say about ourselves?What do we say about this community?What do we say about the Church?What do we say about God?

What happens when the rumour mill shakes our foundations?We come to the one who is sure and steady,offering hope and acceptance.We come to the one who has heard all the tittle tattleand still finds room for us.We come into the bosom of the onewhose love is assured.We come to God,in worship.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession Father,we come before you this day to praise you and adore you.We come before you in your house as your peopleto learn and grow from your Word.

We thank you for the gift of languages:the languages that shape our culture,the language that express our feelings,the language that crafts words into works of art.

But our words are not always used for good.

Pause

When our words have formed rumours,rumours that damage people, strain relationships and hinder progress,forgive us.

Pause

When gossip has turned words into weapons,when rumours have brought pain, divison and isolation,forgive us.

Pause

May we not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, rather may we say and do what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Challenge us to build up and not to tear down.Inspire us to change the rumours that have plagued our pasts.But above all, Lord, may we bring the focus of our words and deedsback to where they belong, in service to you,to your glory,to the furthering of your Kingdom.So be it.Amen.

rumour has it


worship ideasPrayer for Others and OurselvesWe are surrounded with stories:good news stories,bad news stories,true stories,rumours.

We are surrounded with rumours:rumours quickly dismissed,rumours which cause questions,rumours which destroy people,institutions,nations.

Silence

We pray for all who are sufferingor who continue to sufferas the result of the thoughtlessness of others.May they take some shade of comfortin knowing that you know the truth.We pray for healing of heart and reputation.

Silence

God of grace,we pray for thosewho know that they have hurt others,sometimes unaware of their actions before it is too late.May they know that the past cannot be undone,but the future can be different.

Silence

Lord, may we turn words from weapons to wisdom,our actions from hurt to healing.May we change the rumours attached to people and placesto bring about positive changein a world that needs it so desperately.For your love’s sake we pray.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationLoving God,as we come before you with these giftsof ourselves and our money,may all that we offer,all that we say,and all that we do,be acceptable offerings to you.May these offerings help bring healing and hope,grace and goodness,truth and trust.May it be so.Amen.

All-Age PrayerDear God,we thank you for the gift of words.We thank you for the ways in which wordslet us express how we are feeling,feelings of happiness and sadness,feelings of joy and frustration.

Lord God, we are sorrywhen we have misused the gift of wordsand the power they hold.Sometimes we forget that words can do tremendous damagewhen used to gossip and spread rumours,when used to spread pain or guilt.

Forgive us God.

Turn the power of our wordsto acts of healing and encouragementso all may come to knowof the love that you call us to share.

Hear these words we pray.Amen.

ReflectionA variation on a classic story about gossip.

There was a man in a small town who went around slandering a minister. One day, feeling bad about what he had done and wanting to make things right, he went to the minister to ask for forgiveness.

“Take a pillow to the centre of the town square,” said the minister, “cut it up and shake out the feathers.”

The man did as he was told and then he returned to the minister hoping to now be forgiven.

“First,” said the minister, “go collect all the feathers.”

“But that’s impossible,” said the man. “They’ve gone everywhere, all over the town.”

“It is as impossible to repair the damage done by your words as it is to recover all the feathers,” said the minister.


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Change The RumourAlan Boesak a South African Minister wrote a piece he read at the WCC in Vancouver many years ago about changing the rumour of the church saying that it is not true that people are lost. What is true is that God loved the world so much God sent the Son. You can find the whole affirmation on the web at http://www.yale.edu/divinity/fb/5thSundayprayers.pdf

This version is based on that.

Leader: It is not true that humanity will forever hunger.

All: This is true: I am the bread of life and those who come to me will never hunger.

Leader: It is not true that justice is lost from the world.

All: This is true: I can come to.

Leader: It is not true that peace has gone.

All: This is true: I give you my peace, a peace the world cannot give.

Leader: It is not true that the church is coming to an end.

All: This is true: Behold I make all things new beginning with you.

Leader: It is not true that prejudice will always win.

All: This is true: Love one another as I have loved you.

Leader: It is not true that worry and anxiety will follow us everywhere we go.

All: This is true: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.

Leader: It is not true loneliness is the fate of humanity.

All: This is true: I am with you always to the end of time.

SendingLeader: Rumour has it that God will teach us his ways.

All: May we walk on such paths.

Leader: Rumour has it that God will beat swords to ploughshares.

All: May we walk on such paths.

Leader: Rumour has it that we shall train for war no more.

All: May we walk with others on the pathway towards peace.

Praise/HymnsAnd everyone beneath the vine and fig tree ATAS 16

Behold the mountain of the Lord CH4 715

City of God, how broad and far CH3 422

Christ is the world’s true light CH4 456

Here’s a promise we can count on available athttp://www.carolynshymns.com/heres_a_promise_we_can_count_on.html

‘I have a dream’, a man once said CH4 710

I’m going to shine, shine, shine JP 392

Master speak! Thy servant heareth MP 459

My God is so big JP 169

Speak Lord in the stillness MP 608

Sticks and stones “Build Up” by Fischy Music

‘Thy kingdom come!’—on bended knee CH4 473

We’ve a story to tell to the nations MP 744

We have a gospel to proclaim CH4 363

When He comes we’ll see just a child MP 752

Take Home IdeasWho do you know in your congregation, your community, your circle of friends, or even your family bearing the scars of malicious gossip or vicious rumours? Are you a victim?

It is said that the only way to fix such situations is to change the rumour.

Who do we know that is causing pain with their words and false stories?

Perhaps this is the week to confront them and start changing rumours.

rumour has it

http://www.yale.edu/divinity/fb/5thSundayprayers.pdf

http://www.carolynshymns.com/heres_a_promise_we_can_count_on.html


gathering Names all age

You will need: a book of baby names.

Look at a book of baby names together and if possible look at the meanings of the names of some of the children who are present.

Talk with them about what some of the names might tell us about the person who has that name. This week’s bible story has many names which seem strange to us but have their own meanings.

craftsVisors age 3-5

You will need: a card visor for each child, (available from Baker Ross or craft shops or easily created using white card), threading elastic, alphabet stickers to create their names, coloured pencils, felt-pens, stickers, stick-on jewels, stick-on shapes such as cars or flowers.

Give each child a visor and help them to spell out their name using the alphabet stickers and then stick it along the centre of the visor. Encourage the children to decorate the visor using the materials provided and in a way which shows a little of their character. For example, they may wish to decorate it with transport stickers or line the edges with jewels.

When complete, thread the elastic through each end to create the visor and allow the children to wear them and show them to the other children.

Talk with the children about the difficult names in the Bible story. Talk again about their names and what they meant and how sometimes a name can tell you a little bit about a person. Talk about the fact that really you need to get to know someone yourself before you know what they are really like and so should not listen to rumours.

age group ideas

Pencil Toppers age 6-8You will need: funky foam, felt pens suitable for funky foam, googly eyes, wool strands, scissors, PVA glue, glue spreaders, coloured pipe-cleaners, a pencil for each child.

Give each child a piece of Funky Foam and ask them to cut out a face shape. Encourage the children to remember that the face shape has to fit the top of a pencil comfortably without toppling over!

Ask the children to create their face by adding features to it and decorating it with hair, eyes, and so on.

When complete the face should be glued securely to the top of a pipe-cleaner. When the Pencil Topper is dry it can then be secured to the top of the pencil by winding the pipe-cleaner around the pencil.

Ask the children, in their head, to make up some facts about their newly created Pencil Topper Person, for example his/her name, what he/she likes doing, and so on.

Then taking each child’s ‘person’ in turn, encourage the other children to look at the person and say what they think his/her name might be and what he/she might like doing before the child who created their ‘person’ tells them their true name and what he/she likes doing.

Talk with the children about their story and how Jake had listened to the stories of others which were not true and how he had then imagined the boys would be. Talk about how we should try not to listen to rumours and try instead to always find things out for ourselves.

Name Bands age 9-12You will need: scratch art bracelets (available from craft shops) or scratch art paper cut into bracelet shapes, scratch art tools or pencils, cocktail sticks, or scissors which can be used to scratch off the surface of the paper.

Give each child a bracelet shape and ask them to create a name bracelet for themselves by scratching away the surface to create their name and then to decorate around their name in a similar way.

Talk with the children about the story. Ask them to say why they think Jake may have wanted to keep his pet a secret from others. Talk about rumours and if they are listened to how they may affect what people think about them and what they may think about others. Encourage them to think about how they find out the truth about people.


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Name Coaster all ageYou will need: coloured card cut into coaster-sized circles, felt pens, flat stickers, glitter, laminating pouches, laminator, scissors (or packs of plastic coaster kits are available from craft shops).

Give each child a circle of card and allow them to decorate it with their name or initial on both sides.

When complete laminate each one and cut out for each child. (Please take care with the laminator if allowing the children to operate it.)

Talk with the children about their story. Talk about rumours and what they are and how they can make people feel. Talk about how we stop rumours by finding out the truth and by not spreading rumours.

gamesIsaiah Says age 3-5A simple game of ‘Simon Says’ but using ‘Isaiah says’.

Obeying God age 6-12You will need: print out large letters spelling out “OBEYING GOD”, blu-tac, facility to play music.

The prophets mostly did what God wanted them to do and say even though it was difficult. Create the “Obeying God” message by sticking the letters to the floor in a circle.

When music is played the children run around the outside of the circle and when the music stops one of their feet needs to go on a letter. There can be as many people on one letter as feet fit! The children then have say aloud something beginning with that letter that means they are obeying God. For example G might be “giving”, E “exercising”, and so on.

Spreading Rumours all agePlay some rounds of chinese whispers with messages to pass on that are age appropriate. This will emphasise the way rumours easily get twisted into something different.

Hit The Name all ageYou will need: bean bags, character names for each team.

There are lots of characters in today’s story and this game aims to get the children more familiar with their names. Points are awarded in scoring hits. On paper no bigger than A4 size print or write out the following names, one name per sheet, and a set for each team: Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Eliakim, Hilkiah, Shebna, Joah, Asaph, Isaiah, Amoz.

Lay these names out one after another the length of the room with spaces in between and give each name a value. The closest name should have the lowest value say 5 points, the next 10 points and so on. The further the name is the bigger the points. The children are to throw their bean bags and land them on the name on the floor.

rumour has it

activitiesThe Recorder age 6-12

You will need: paper and pencils.

For this activity, speak at a much slower rate for the younger children than you would for those who are older. This is a good old fashioned blast from the past of dictation.

Joah was the recorder of what was going on so ask the child to record what you are saying. Read a paragraph to the children and ask them to write it down word for word. Once this is done did check if they got everything down correctly.

The Commentator age 6-12You will need: a means to record video and audio (camcorder, mobile phone, GoPro, or some such).

Ask each child to record something and while doing so to commentate over the recording, describing what is happening in the room or even during the church service that day.

• How difficult was it to do?

• Did they pick up on important parts of the day?

Newspapers age 6-12You will need: several newspapers.

Ask each child to take a look at the newspapers you have brought in and read one of the stories in them. They are then to tell the other children what the story is about.

• Do they understand what the news story was about?

• Did they explain it to the children well?

Isaiah was a prophet who passed on God’s messages about the future.

• Can we take anything from the papers they have read that tell us about our future?

• Who should we really trust to tell us about our future?

Rumours age 9-12You will need: copies of the activity sheet available on page 124.

Ask the children to define the word ‘rumour’.

• In their experiences are rumours a good thing to start?

• Are rumours normally true?

• How can you correct a rumour once it is started?

Fill in the worksheet in the appendix with good and bad points for each letter.


PreparationWe are this week putting the reading in conversation with an episode of the popular TV programme “The Big Bang Theory.”

You need to find/borrow the DVD of the Big Bang Theory, Series 4, episode 20 “The Herb Garden Germination.” If you have never seen this episode watch it before you meet.

A transcript of the episode is available at http://bigbangtrans.wordpress.com/series-4-episode-20-the-herb-garden-germination/

Opening ActivitySpread The WordPlay some rounds of chinese whispers, making the sentences to be passed around increasingly complicated.

The WordRead Isaiah 36:1-3,13-20, 37:1-7, then 2:1-4.

Activity/DiscussionSomeone has been sent in to spread rumours, to use fear to unnerve the people of Israel: “Your God can’t protect you from us. We are coming and you have to choose, make peace with us and come quietly, or be done in.”

The king panics, wears sackcloth and prays hard, he consults with the prophet, and the prophet says not to worry. God has heard what is going on and will act in this situation.

• How did the king feel when his God is questioned?

• Was his reaction the one you would have done?

• What people do you consult with when something you believe is challenged?

Watch The Big Bang Theory episode “The Herb Garden Germination”, which deals with rumour and gossip within a small social group.

At the end have a discussion which puts the episode into relationship with the bible passage: perhaps discuss the effects of the gossip on the group, discuss how the king’s reaction in the story differed from the group’s reaction, and how we choose to react when we hear gossip.

Living It OutWhen rumours start, what can we do about it?

Listen to Bonnie Raitt’s song “Something To Talk About” which deals with rumour in the context of relationships. The music video for this song can be found online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ58TVYNFro

This week, think about how you can play a part in stopping negative rumours from spreading, and instead how you can talk up the positive things about situations, people, your groups, your school, and so on.

discussion starters for teensrumour and gossip


http://bigbangtrans.wordpress.com/series-4-episode-20-the-herb-garden-germination/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ58TVYNFro

pentecost 2014 103

bible notesPointing Out What Matters

Welcome to the world of Jeremiah, it is wild, exciting, a rollercoaster of emotions, events, doubts, arguments and defeat—it does not end well. The book begins in

the traditional way, setting the time and place of the prophet’s call by listing the kings of Judah and it finishes with Jeremiah in exile in Egypt and the enfeebled king of Judah relying on a pension in Babylon. On one level it is the story of a small nation and its people that are caught up in the regional political changes of the time. Egypt had lost its edge, Assyria was in decline, Babylonia was the new power, Persia was sitting in the wings and Judah was among the small nations that were trying to survive and prosper, playing off one power against another in a high stakes game. A game that they finally lost. The times they were a-changing and the wee, battered country of Judah were given Jeremiah to help them find a road through the chaos.

If we look out at our world on this Sunday and compare to the way it was six months ago, there are many significant political changes: global powers have shifted ground, the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine highlight the shifting tectonic plates of global power; Scotland is through her referendum and whatever the decision (this was written in July) we are in a new political landscape. The book of Jeremiah asks the church how she will help people to find their road through all of this.

Jeremiah was not too keen on his task. He felt that his task was beyond him, he was too young, too tired, too full of doubts, too afraid. Yet our readings begin with God specifically choosing this young, unconfident prophet to communicate God’s version of the story. This seems to be one of the consistent themes of the faith story, an incarnational principle. God chooses the weak and unlikely to give voice and shape to the strength and breadth of God’s Kingdom. Jeremiah could be viewed as a good example to the Church today, the wee Church that seems so much less than it used to be. It may be the Church can only muster a whisper but the whisper can be about of God’s love as seen in Jesus Christ, and lived by the people of God. We may not like the task, Jeremiah did not if we are honest, but he trusted God and spoke up and lived out his trust.

The focus of Jeremiah’s prophetic task is not on Jeremiah, it is

on the Lord. Perhaps that seems a little obvious but it matters. It seems that people found it easy to let their attention drift away from the Lord and Jeremiah’s task was to point this out over and over again, he never stopped doing it. He challenged everything, good or evil, that blocked the path between the Lord and the Lord’s people.

In the first chapter, Jeremiah had to learn that it is not about him, his ability or words, it is all about the Lord. The Lord’s choice, voice, vision, authority, protection, strength.

In chapter seven the people are challenged to stop thinking that the Temple is what matters, as if the building will keep them safe or justify their unjust and complacent ways of living. Jesus alluded to Jeremiah when he accused the religious authorities of his day of doing the same thing, of focussing on the Temple in such a way that it created costly barriers for anyone coming to pray to God.

Temples, global powers, kings do not last, even churches slip into ruins. The world turns, we are grass, here today, gone tomorrow. Jeremiah’s task was to wean the people off all that was ultimately going to be history but in which they had invested their trust, which included the Jerusalem Temple, God’s second choice after Shiloh, and to focus them on what lasts and can be trusted when all else has gone.

When we sit in our predominantly 100-200 year old churches, as part of our centuries old denomination, our Jeremiah-like task might be just that: to point everyone beyond the transient, to that which counts, to that which has lasting value. A glass of water given, a welcome offered, grace, mercy, love, the things that have value in the currency of the Kingdom of God.

gateways to gracepentecost 24 (reign of christ the king)sunday 23 november 2014

Jeremiah 1:4-10, 7:1-11(Matthew 21:12-13)

gateways to grace


Only A BoyOnly a boyof very few wordsand even less courage.But a boy of faithchosen before birthprepared for greatnessgiven the wordsto bring down the mightyand restore a nation.

Only a boytrusted with a messageof famine and fate.But a boy of faithcalled to standat the gate of a holy placeand call it taintedby the words and deedsof a wayward people.

Only a boyspeaking in a wildernesswarning of a wilfulnessthat would see walls tumbleand the proud humbled.But a boy of faithoffering choice wordsand a choice to rebuildGod’s house from within.

Retelling For Young PeopleWhat Can You Hear?Voice 1: Listen! What can you hear? What sounds are around

you? Listen to the sound of your breathing, in and out, in and out. Listen to the sounds outside. What can you hear?

Voice 2: Once there was a boy called Jeremiah. One day, he heard the voice of God so he listened very carefully. But he didn’t like what he heard. For God asked him to do something hard. He asked Jeremiah to be his messenger. Jeremiah said “I’m too young” and “I won’t know what to say”. But God said “Listen! I’ll tell you what to say. Just listen!” So Jeremiah listened and obeyed.

One day Jeremiah stood outside the temple, the holiest place where people believed God lived. Although they went there to worship, the people disobeyed God in many ways and God was sad and angry. He asked Jeremiah to tell them to let God live not inside a building but in their hearts, which is the best way to worship God. This was what Jeremiah said:

Voice 1: Listen! Can you hear? Listen to the sounds around you! Hear the despair and hurt. Hear the sadness and the misery. Hear the greed and suffering. Listen! God is asking you to worship him not just in the temple but in your lives.

Voice 2: This is what the people replied:

Voice 1: Listen! Can you hear something? It’s that boy, Jeremiah. I hear him but I’m not listening. I don’t want to change. As long as I worship God in the temple I can do whatever I like.

Voice 2: And no-one listened because they didn’t like what they heard. They disobeyed. And what God promised would happen did happen. The people lost their land and all that was dear to them. But though God was sad and angry, he still loved his people the same and rescued them. And he did it again and again, even when they still didn’t listen.

Voice 1: Listen! Can you hear? God is speaking to you too. I wonder what he is asking of you? I wonder what ways you can be obedient to his call? Listen! Just listen!

the storysunday 23 november 2014

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gateways to grace


Gathering Activity Invite people to reflect on the past year and to think of one thing they are grateful for. And if they are comfortable and want to do so, share that with someone sitting near by.

Call to WorshipThe Christian year is approaching its end,Advent is just around the corner,a new beginning,a fresh start.Out with the oldin with the new.Christ is coming anew.

How many timesmust we go through this cyclebefore realising we cannot go our way?God’s way is the only way.

Come as we listen to Godas Jeremiah heard him.Come as we hear Godthrough the prophet’s voice.Come listen and get ready,to begin again.

Prayer of Adoration and ConfessionKing of kings,host of hosts,we close this Christian yearreminded that you are above all.You rule, and the whole world is your kingdom.

Today we turn our thoughts to Jeremiah—a young man who doubted his ability to undertake the task you called him to do.As we start a new year, a new cycle, a new line of thinkingwe ask that you forgive us for the times we have run from your call.

Sometimes, we simply doubt the gifts you have given us.We forget that you know us and what we are capable ofin more ways that we ever will.And it’s overwhelming.It is frightening at times.

Pause

Loving God,may our hearts be made worthy to be your prophets.May we go where you call us to go,and speak the Word that you give us.

Through the power of your Holy Spirit,may your words be upon our lips,may your grace dwell in our heartsso that we might pluck up and pull down,destroy and overthrow,build and plant,as you command.Amen.

Prayer of DedicationBlessed with so many gifts;some which we use dailyand others which we don’t even know we have.Accept what we can give you.

Father, as we come before you with ourselves and our money,we ask you to bless it.May it transform lives, just as you have transformed ours.May we transform lives, just as you have transformed ours.May it be so.Amen.

Prayer for Others and OurselvesListening God,may you hear our prayers as we lift them to you.We pray that you will hear the ones who cry with pain in their heart.We pray that you will hear the ones who weep all night long.We pray that you will hear the ones who are sobbing in their loneliness.

We pray, O God, that you will heal those in pain.May you let them know restoration in their lives and find healing for their broken hearts.

We pray to a God who leads.We ask that you will lead us through the dark times and places.May you guide us through concerning times.May you lead us to the place where, one day,your light will shine through the darknessand we will live always in the reality of your peace.

Teach us to listen to your voice,that we may hear the cry of those in need.Teach us to love in order that we may all be a blessing to each of your children.

These prayers, as well as those locked in our hearts and minds, we bring before you now.Hear our prayers and encourage us to respond in service to you,our rock, our saviour and our strength.Amen.


worship ideasReflection

This reflection is a dramatic retelling of the passage but instead of a story, it becomes a form of confession for the whole congregation. Each live could be adapted to suit issues and circumstances in your own community or congregation.

Leader A: Stand in the gate of the Lord’s House and proclaim there this word.

Leader B: Hear the word of the Lord, all who enter these gates.

Leader A: Repent of your ways and your doings.

Congregation: When our ways are selfish and our doings wrong, when we walk without humility and do without justice, of these things we repent.

Leader A: This is the house of the Lord!

Leader B: This is the house of the Lord!

Congregation: This is the house of the Lord!

Leader A: Will you steal?

Congregation: From others? No! From the land? No! From past generations and generations yet to come? No!

Leader B: Will you murder?

Congregation: Murder the ways that lead to justice? No! Murder the works that lead to peace? No!

Leader A: Will you swear falsely?

Congregation: In the name of truth and not mean it? No! In the name of justice and not mean it? No! In the name of the kingdom and not mean it? No!

Leader B: Will you burn incense to others gods?

Congregation: Such as power? No! Such as money? No! Such as fame and wealth? No!




Leader A: Turn from your past,

Leader B: and move into the future.

Congregation: We will live renewed in our faith!



Congregation: We will not visit these abominations again!



Congregation: We will stand in the gateway and behold God!




Affirmation This is an affirmation of faith based on the passage inviting us to look both ways—inward and outward—as we recognise that both the church and the world are part of the Temple of the Lord. Perhaps we spend too much time looking only in one direction. When you do look in both directions the contrast is quite dramatic. It is perhaps in the balance between that we find God’s Temple.

Voice A: We look out onto the world.Voice B: We look in to the sanctuary of God.Voice A: We look out on the hunger of the world, the needs of

the people and the call of justice.Voice B: We look into the holy place of God’s word, renewing

us, calling us, inviting us.Voice A: We look out to where faith is needed.Voice B: We look in to where faith is found.Voice A: This is the temple of the Lord.Voice B: The temple of the Lord.Both: The temple of the Lord.

Voice A: We look out on a world that cascades with beauty.Voice B: We look in to the beauty of God.Voice A: We look out on a creation fashioned in the

imagination of the creator.Voice B: We look in to the place of renewed creation, made in

God’s image.Voice A: We look out on an environment always changing,

stripped of its resources.Voice B: We look into a place that calls for balance, renewal

and a new way of living.Voice A: This is the temple of the Lord.Voice B: The temple of the Lord.Both: The temple of the Lord.

Voice A: We look out on a world that is losing faith.Voice B: We look in to a church struggling with the world.Voice A: We look out on the place we are called to live.Voice B: We look in to the place where our living is given

meaning.Voice A: We look out to where we are called to travel

faithfully.Voice B: We look in to where that faith begins.Voice A: This is the temple of the Lord.Voice B: The temple of the Lord.Both: The temple of the Lord.


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SendingLeader: Having entered the house of your people

All: we now exit towards the community of your world.

Leader: Having sought your Spirit to bless us

All: we now exit with your Spirit to bless all.

Leader: Having received your word

All: we now go and speak this word, share it, live it, love it.

Praise/HymnsBrother, sister, let me serve you CH4 694

Dear Lord, I do surrender Salvation Army Song Book 482

Do not be afraid CH4 191

From the sun’s rising MP 164

Give me a heart MP 165

God made me as I am CH4 145

God of generations available online athttp://www.carolynshymns.com/god_of_generations.html

How lovely is your Church, O Lord! available online athttp://www.carolynshymns.com/how_lovely_is_your_church_o_lord.html

Jesus Christ is waiting CH4 360

Lord, speak to me CH4 542 / MP 444

See how the world groans MP 923

Sent by the Lord am I CH4 250

The King is among us MP 650

We sing a love that sets all people free CH4 622

Womb of life and source of being CH4 118

Take Home Ideas Called by God to play such a vital role in his work, Jeremiah doubted his capabilities.

• What are you running from?

• What are you feeling nudged towards?

• What are others saying you are capable of?

Take this week to reflect on what God may be calling you to do or what God is showing what you are capable of to others around you.

• Is there something you think a friend or loved one is being called to?

• Why not take this week to tell them?

your notes

gateways to grace

http://www.carolynshymns.com/god_of_generations.html

http://www.carolynshymns.com/how_lovely_is_your_church_o_lord.html


gathering Small But Special all age

You will need: large sheet of paper or lining paper, pencils, scissors.

Draw around one of the smaller children onto the paper and cut it out.

Then talk to the children about how even though we are small, we are all special and it is important that we can each listen to one another.

Then as a way into the story and thinking of Jeremiah having a voice, ask each child to pick someone in the group and think of something they might like to say about them, for example, they are kind, they are helpful.... (be sensitive to the fact that there may be a negative comment!) and as the children take turns at doing so write all they say on the person shaped paper cut-out.

craftsMouths To Speak age 3-5

You will need: an open mouth shape for each child with lips and teeth already drawn in outline (printable template provided on page 125), paint, paintbrushes, felt tip pens, newspaper, scissors, (options: wool, hole punch, frieze paper, PVA glue, glue spreaders).

Give the children a mouth shape then talk with the children about the story and how God asked Jeremiah to tell the people things for him. Ask the children to think of things they would like to tell other people about God and help them to write or draw these things into the open mouth shape. Talk about how they can be like Jeremiah when they tell people about the things they have written down.

Now ask the children to paint the teeth of their mouth and then the lips of their mouth. When dry the mouths can either be punched at the top and have wool threaded through for the children to take home and hang or they could all be glued to a frieze as a reminder of all they would like to tell others about God.

age group ideas

Person Key Ring age 6-8You will need: a person-shaped key ring for each child (these are available from Baker Ross or other craft retailers), felt tip pens.

Give each child a key ring and remove the paper inserts. Ask the children to decorate the inserts to create a unique person: either themselves or an imaginary person.

When complete re-assemble the key ring for each child. As an alternative to drawing a face, a small picture of the child’s own face could be used and then allow them to add a body.

Talk with the children about Jeremiah being just a boy when God asked him to help him. Talk about how even though they are quite small they too can help God and the key to that is by telling other people about him just as Jeremiah did.

Chocolate People age 9-12You will need: fairtrade chocolate (dark, milk and white), bowls, hot water, spoons, teaspoons, greaseproof paper or baking parchment, pencils, scissors.

Melt each variety of chocolate in a separate bowl over a bowl of hot water ensuring no water touches the melted chocolate.

Meanwhile give each child some greaseproof paper or baking parchment and ask them to draw the outlines of people, large and small, onto their paper. Now ask the children to turn the paper over, the outline should still be visible, but this avoids pencil graphite mixing with the chocolate!

Show the children how to fill in the outline of each person using the chocolate by dribbling the chocolate from a spoon into the shape. They should use different varieties of chocolate for their different figures. Allow time for the chocolate to set before then showing the children how to peel off the greaseproof paper or baking parchment. The people can then be eaten or taken home to eat later.

While making the figures talk with the children about the story and Jeremiah being a young boy. Talk with the children about us all being different, hence the different colours of chocolate, but yet we can all speak for God in some way by telling others about God.


pentecost 2014 109

gateways to grace

Paper Chain all ageYou will need: a long strip of paper approximately 15 c.m. tall and 63 c.m. long for each child, pencils, scissors, felt pens, fabric scraps, PVA glue, glue spreaders.

Give each child a strip and show them how to fold it concertina-style with each folded part being about 10.5 c.m. wide. When folded ask the children to draw a person on the front sheet ensuring the person’s head touches the top, feet touch the bottom and hands touch each side. The children should then carefully cut out the person shape, leaving the folds intact. The children should then unfold the paper to make their paper chain of six people. Each person in the chain should then be decorated in a different way, on the front only, using the materials provided.

Talk with the children about the story and Jeremiah being only a boy but speaking for God. Talk about how we are all different ages and sizes but together we can all tell people of God too.

If wished, the children, having decorated the front of their people, could then add to the back of their people some of the things they might say about God.

activitiesGates age 6-12

You will need: copies of the activity sheet found on page 126, pencils/pens, cocktail sticks, lollipop sticks, Cadbury chocolate fingers, large sticks.

Use the activity sheet for the children to identify the different types of gates and what they are used for. Then have some fun making different gates using the materials provided.

From top left, anticlockwise, the different gates on the sheet are:

• City gate• Baby gate• Kissing Gate• Portcullis• Stile• Lychgate• Automatic Gate• Turnstile

When I Grow Up age 6-12The leader starts off by saying,

“My name is _____ and I am _____ years old (over 18!). When I was growing up I wanted to be a _____ now that I am older I am a _____ which is what God wanted me to be. But I have also done _____.

In turn each child starts off by saying,

‘My name is _____ and I am _____ years old. When I grow up I want to be a _____ and the reason for that is ____.

Intersperse the children with adult leaders/volunteers. Explain that as you get older things will change and they may find as they get older they are doing what they want to be or that may change but God is always there guiding them.

I Know You age 6-12God knew Jeremiah and knew that he would be good at the job he had given him. Sometimes we belittle ourselves, thinking we are not good enough for the tasks that lie ahead of us.

This is an exercise in positive thinking and encouragement.

The leader starts off in the group by saying to one of the children: ‘Name, I know you and I know you have some very good points. I know you can… (dance; sing, play football, have good manners, and so on). That person then takes over and says to someone else in the group: ‘Name, I know you and I know you have some very good points. I know you can…’ and continue around the group.


age group ideas

Cookie Cutters all ageYou will need: cookie cutters of various sizes, premade cookie dough/shortbread ready to be cut by cookie cutter and put into the oven to cook and eat. Additionally you will also need ingredients to make sandwiches which can be cut with the cookie cutter as well.

Show the children your own special cookie cutter and talk about why you like the shape and then bring out a cookie cutter of a different shape and also smaller than the first. Explain that it does not matter that your cookie cutter is bigger that the smaller one will do the job just as well and that God asks us to do things no matter our age, gender, background or colour.

Mouthpieces all ageYou will need: party blowers or kazoos.

Jeremiah was a reluctant mouthpiece for God, he didn’t really want the job.

• In what ways can you be a mouth piece?

Talking loudly, in a whisper, with actions, singing: try out some phrases using these methods.

If possible bring along some instruments that have mouthpieces or buy some of these party blowers and make some noise or even try to make a tune from them.

gamesBreak On Through age 6-12You will need at least four children to start this game off or you could include some leaders. The object is to get through the gate. The four people line up in a straight line holding hands or wrists (wrists are stronger). The object for each person in turn is to get through the gate by pushing themselves against any of the joined arms. If they succeed in breaking the gate they get through to the other side but if they do not they join the end to make the gate longer. A short time limit for each person to try to get through will need to be implemented.

Pass The Parcel all ageYou will need: prepare a pass the parcel with a simple chore written on a slip of paper in between each layer of the wrapping paper.

The parcel this time is a responsibility that you probably do not want to do, just like Jeremiah. So play the game the same way as usual but the prize inside the wrapper this time is a chore for the morning; help tidy up, wash the cups after the service, help clean out the pen container and so on.

Hide And Seek all ageSometimes we try and hide from taking responsibility for something so if your room is big enough play the tradition hide and seek and if not, then hide an object and as the children get closer you say ‘warmer’ and as they get further away ‘colder’.


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PreparationTodays session looks at the message Jeremiah had to give before dealing with the issue of age in the work of God.

Print out copies of the quiz available on page 127.

Paper and pens for the group to make up a poster, based on the bible reading.

For the Living It Out section you need a star for each young person, these can be bought from craft shops, metal badges from online stores or can be cut out of craft cupboard supplies.

During this section we will also listen to a song, Fischy Music’s “You Are A Star” (http://www.fischy.com/songs/you-are-a-star/) which fits well for younger teenagers, but feel free to pick a piece of music which you feel fits your group.

Opening ActivityWhat ages were they? Use the quiz available in the resources section (page 127) or make up your own. The answers in the prepared quiz are:1. At what age did Benjamin Franklin found the first public

library in the U.S.A.? — 252. At what age did Mark Zuckerburg launch Facebook? — 203. At what age did Susan Boyle become a singing star? — 484. At what age did Louis Braille invent the Braille system? — 155. At what age did Bill Gates co-found Microsoft? — 196. At what age did Mozart compose his first symphony? — 87. At what age did Tom Cruise appear in his first film? — 298. At what age did Justin briber have his first number 1 in the

USA? — 169. At what age did Usain Bolt become the fastest man in the

world? — 2210. At what age did Peter Capaldi become Doctor Who? — 55

The WordRead Jeremiah 7:1-11 ideally from The Message version.

Activity/DiscussionIf you visit a swimming pool you will inevitably find a sign which outlines what behaviour is expected and what is not allowed in the pool (a copy you can print is available on page 128).

Split your group into two: one team has to come up with the things one should refrain from in Jeremiah’s words, the other team to list the things one should engage in.

Using these activities create an informative and helpful poster for everyone to see.

While you are creating your posters discuss these questions:

• How much notice would you take of someone shouting at you as you walked into church? Would you listen to them?

• How much nerve would it take to be the one doing the shouting?

• How would your opinion change if the person was elderly, a young person, a male businessman, a female cleaner?

Towards the end of the activity time draw the teams together and read a bit more about this story.

The WordRead Jeremiah 1:4-10 again from The Message version.

Living It OutIn this passage God sets out a basic rule for his way of doing things.

• If he picks you, you are old enough. • It is not about age.• It is not about having all the words.• It is not about beings awesome already.

• It is about being willing to be used.• It is about listening to God.• It is about our doing what we are asked to do.

In our lives we know we have an understanding of what God has asked us to do: “go and make disciples”. We know we have been given the helper of the Holy Spirit to assist us. Yet often as young people we wonder how we are to be doing this. Who are we to challenge church leaders, to hold political leaders to account, to speak out at schools, or ask hard questions of friends. In the story that is what Jeremiah did. Could you do it?

Invite the young people to listen to the song you have picked.

At the end of the song, give each young person a star, with the blessing:

You are a star, Just the way you are. Don’t say I am only a young person. God will tell you where to go, God will tell you what to say,

Don’t be afraid.

God will be right there, looking after you.

discussion starters for teenspeace mala

gateways to grace

http://www.fischy.com/songs/you-are-a-star/


your notes

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extra resourcesand work sheets


descendants

DescendantsHow well do we know each other?Go around the group and see if you can find people who answer each question and write their names on the right.

Question Who is who?

1. Who has a parent whose first name begins with R?

2. Who has a big sister?3. Who has a little brother?4. Who has an animal with four

legs?5. Who has an animal that

swims in water?6. Who has a relative who lives

outside Scotland?7. Who has a relative who is

under one year old?8. Who has a relative that is

older than the minister?9. Who has an animal in their

house that can fly?10. Who has an animal in their

house that crawls and creeps across the floor?

11. Who has more than six cousins?

12. Who has two of the same kind of animals for pets?

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walking wellies


houses

Houses and HomesDifferent countries have different styles of houses. Can you identify in which area or country you are

likely to find each house?

Arctic

Britain

China

India

North America

Spain

Switzerland

Thailand

United States of America

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christian symbols

What Symbols Where?Do you know what these symbols are?

Can you find any of them around your church?


sabbath

SabbathList some things that you should not do on the Sabbath in the olden days:

S

A

B

B

A

T

Housework

List some things that you might do on the Sabbath today:

Swim

A

B

B

A

T

H

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who is it?

Who is itWrite your name and fill in the details on this sheet for yourself. Do not let others see! Then pass to a leader.

Your Name

1. Favourite colour

2. Favourite number

3. Favourite subject at school

4. Favourite place to eat

5. Favourite animal

6. Favourite celebrity

7. Favourite television programme

8. Favourite hobby

9. Favourite food

10. Favourite toy

11. Favourite piece of clothing

12. Favourite drink

13. Favourite cartoon character

14. Favourite bible story

15. Favourite place in the church


wisdom

Wisdom?What is wisdom? You will find a list of words that are either synonyms (similar) or antonyms (opposite) of wisdom. Put an S or an A next to the words depending whether you think it is a synonym or antonym of wisdom.

Acumen

Intelligence

Knowledge

Judgement

Ignorance

Learning

Balance

Stupidity

Foresight

Comprehension

Thoughtlessness

Brains

Poise

Inability

Astuteness

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dental chart


teeth types

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what we eat

What We EatCan you keep a record over three days this week of what you eat?

You will find details about the contents of the food on the packaging or by looking online.

Day Food We Ate Calories Carbohydrates Sugar Fat SaltMonday

TOTALWednesday

TOTALFriday

TOTAL

Daily Recommended Amount for ages between 5-10 years:Calories 1800Carbohydrates 220 gSugars 85 gFat 70 gSalt 4 g


rumours

RumoursWhat are the good and bad things about rumours? Starting with each letter write a word or sentence that explains something bad or good about rumours.

Why rumours are bad

R

U

M

O

U

R

S

Why rumours are good

R

U

M

O

U

R

S

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mouth to speak


what kind of gates

What Kind Of Gates?Can you link the pictures

to the names of these different gates?

What would these gates keep in or out?

automatic gate

baby gate

city gate

kissing gate

lychgate

portcullis

stile

turnstile

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quiz of the ages

1. At what age did Benjamin Franklin found the first public library in the U.S.A.?

2. At what age did Mark Zuckerburg launch Facebook?

3. At what age did Susan Boyle become a singing star with her first TV appearance?

4. At what age did Louis Braille invent the Braille system?

5. At what age did Bill Gates co-found Microsoft?

6. At what age did Mozart compose his first symphony?

7. At what age did Tom Cruise appear in his first film?

8. At what age did Justin Beiber have his first number 1 single in the US?

9. At what age did Usain Bolt become the fastest man in the world?

10. At what age did Peter Capaldi become Doctor Who?

Quiz Of The Ages


pool rules

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your notes


your notes

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your notes


© 2014Spill the Beans Resource Team

http://spillbeans.org.ukBooklet produced by

Sleepless Nights Productions

Documents

• Colours • of the • Covenant - St. Luke Lutheran Church