'Go to church on Saturday'
order of service:
setting: everybody to bring things
make 'ungrace' installation out of newspapers, 'celebrity bodies' magazine, cvs, ft, daily bible study notes[!] - all things that are signs of ungrace, us trying to earn approval, judgement etc
1. Introduction to theme of grace: [steve c]
what is your default setting? what do you think god's default setting is?
hand out paper with windows dialogue box on - fill in your default setting, god's default - what you feel rather than 'head knowledge' [what you know you ought to feel]
'uncle george' passage from 'god of surprises'
adam - can you project the windows screensaver from your vaio onto the big screen? the one where a phrase moves slowly across the screen? am thinking we start with things like 'god is judgement' etc or type in some things that people have written as god's default, and at the end of this section change to god is love
[will chew this over and talk to you]
2. Badges [brownie points]: Anna
intro talk about badges are how we collect approval from god and one another; example badges like quiet time/go to mass/work long hours/have good body; exhausting contradiction between god's approval and human approval eg work long hours v. quiet time, make money v. give it away, be successful v. be humble.
3.The Great Reversal [grace version]: steve c
4. White stones: Mike
this is about new identity from god replacing identities acheived by brownie points. [from revelation 2:17] while people are still standing in position after 'great reversal', someone walks round and gives each person a white stone, saying - what?
5. Songs eg U2/grace - while they are playing people write thanksgivings for god's grace - read out some
is jonny doing this part?
6. How do we behave 'gracefully' to others? jenny
fallen women, blind eye
7. Concluding prayers: julia
put cross into 'ungrace' installation
project the word grace over it
julia to write and read out some prayers, space for silent prayer
everybody: bring wine and cheese [hard cheese not runny]
a service for advent. photos here
on arrival :
doorperson to hand out tickets and tell people to go and wait in the waiting area until their number is called [jackie]
waiting room:
the church hall set up as a doctor's waiting room - rows of seats, harsh lighting, old magazines etc
people do questionnaire about the experience of waiting [jackie]
eg what are you waiting for?
do you like waiting?
do you expect god to wait for you? etc
people called in by their number at intervals
main room:
small stations to be done in any order
bible - times when people have waited in bible
eg abraham, exiles, 400 yrs between testaments, jesus "my time has not yet come", resurrection, pentecost etc [jonny]
creation - waiting for the children of god - hopeful waiting - plant bulbs [steve]
prayer vigil - for those left behind by society. hopeless waiting - going back to wait with them [mark]
death - waiting to die. looked forward to as well as feared [anna]
swords into ploughshares - taking action instead of waiting for god to act for us [justin]
what would you wait for? - star wars/healthcare/prison/death row/macdonalds/sex [justin]
how long are you prepared to wait? - cards of items, place on timeline [steve]
call waiting - bruce stanley's animation - if we can get it - everyone bring long phone leads
instant gratification station - everyone bring 'instant' things eg foods/drinks [everyone]
advent - waiting for god - deferred gratification [mike]
good things come to those who wait - guiness ad - to be tested for workability [steve]
when people have finished - direct them to cafe space
everyone bring beer/wine and something to eat.
service led by Simon Jenkins, editor of ship of fools. photos here.
four icons, brought by simon, were set up on tall stands around the room. we stood for the whole service, orthodox-style. simon explained the meaning of the icons and how they were used. the congregation then stood to contemplate and pray before each icon, writing prayer requests on paper at the foot of the icon. at the end of the service, the lists were prayed before their icon.
This was the first Grace in cafe format, ie everyone seated a tables with food and drink. The congregation included people from Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the US and the Czech Republic!
order of service:
1. cafe setup [steve, julia, anna to liaise about food/drink]
first section - what is a brand?
2. service begins with brand knowledge quiz - match logo and advertising strapline [justin with input from mark]
3. what is a brand, how does it work?
- an emotional relationship
- about 'who are you?' rather than product
- deconstructing examples of commercial advertisements [mark]
4. discussion on mark's examples
second section - brands and identity
5. what would jesus wear? if jesus were living in our society he would have to wear brands. so what brands would he wear? what messages or identity would his clothes signal? give out 'paper dolls' with generic clothes - the congregation colour in what they think jesus would wear.
then pin up so we can all see each other's 'images of christ'.
ask people to justify what they have drawn [steve]
third section - the church and branding
6. church ads - show examples [mark]
then ask the congregation to write out and share church ads they have seen [big marker pen on paper to hold up for others to see - will look like real church posters. why not get dayglo poster paper for this?]
7. so what *should* church ads say? what should the message be?
to get a handle on this, congregation asked to write new straplines for Grace logo as if it were part of item 2. [who to look after this bit?]
8. 'you are what you consume' [mike]
9. 'consuming' bread and wine [who's doing this bit?????]
morning service at st. mary's ealing, 3rd march 2002.
on arrival everyone gets a service pack:
self-seal bags [like freezer bags] contain:
a small stone
a 'roses' chocolate
an order of service
a grace flyer
this is the order of service:
Intro: [Mike Rose]
God is here. His spirit is with us. We invite each other to use the environment, the visuals, the music and the words, to stimulate our thoughts and draw our hearts to wonder at the goodness of God. Invite God to meet us as we seek to meet God. This is our worship. God is here. His spirit is with us.
Today as we celebrate the baptism of Nat, we will consider Jesus' baptism and our own. We will also think about how Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness after he had been baptised.
But first a moment of quiet and we will start the service with a short prayer:
Awesome God,
Before there was even light in creation your spirit moved upon the waters.
Now, we ask again that your Spirit be here.
Amen
A reading from the Bible: [Jenny]
Matthew 3:13 - 4:1
Preparation: [Mike Rose]
Consider these words from Isaiah:
But now, this is what the Lord says -
he who created you, O Jacob
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."
We thank God therefore for our baptism to life in Christ, and we pray for this child and say together:
Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you, and bound our life with yours. Surround Nat with your love, protect him from evil; fill him with your Holy Spirit and receive him into the family of Your Church that he may walk with us in the way of Christ and grow in the knowledge of your love.
Amen.
Song: [Jonny]
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Ritual of confession [Steve Collins]
[the Labyrinth station 3 stone-dropping ritual - there will be buckets at both ends of the church]
The responsibilities of baptism: [Steve P]
The baptism group is invited to stand around the font.
The minister speaks first to the congregation:
Faith is the gift of God to his people.
In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling.
People of God, will you welcome Nat and uphold him in his new life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
The minister then says to the parents and godparents:
Parents and godparents, the Church receives Nat with joy. Today we are trusting God for his growth in faith. Will you pray for him, draw him by your example into the community of faith and walk with him in the way of Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
In baptism Nat begins his journey in faith. You speak for him today. Will you care for him, and help him to take his place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
With the help of God, we will.
The decision to follow Christ: [Steve P]
The minister addresses Nat through his parents and godparents.
In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
Signing with the cross: [Steve P]
The minister makes the sign of the cross on Nat’s forehead, saying
Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.
Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ
against sin, the world and the devil,
and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.
The prayer over the water: [everyone]
God of grace,
thankyou for the gift of water
which quenches our thirst and washes us clean.
Thankyou for how you led your people through the waters of the Red Sea,
and freed them from slavery.
Thankyou for your Son Jesus,
who was baptised in the river Jordan
and who you raised to new life.
As the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation,
come upon this water now.
May Nat, who is washed in it, become one with Christ.
Bring him through the waters of death
into a life full of your amazing grace,
and bring him, one day, to feast at your heavenly banquet.
Amen.
Song: [Jonny]
I believe
The baptism: [Steve P]
The minister pours water on Nat, saying
Nat, I baptize you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
The welcome: [Steve P]
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
Nat, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.
We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.
The commission: [Steve P]
We have brought Nat to baptism knowing that Jesus died and rose again for him and trusting in the promise that God hears and answers prayer. We have prayed that in Jesus Christ he will know the forgiveness of his sins and the new life of the Spirit.
As he grows up, he will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community, so that he may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve his neighbour after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation.
As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support him by prayer, example and teaching. As his parents and godparents, you have the prime responsibility for guiding and helping him in his early years. This is a demanding task for which you will need the help and grace of God. Therefore let us now pray for grace in guiding Nat in the way of faith.
Faithful and loving God,
bless those who care for Nat
and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.
Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love,
and protect their home from all evil.
Fill them with the light of your presence
and establish them in the joy of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Ritual of commitment [Steve Collins]
[Renew your commitment to Christ as you sign yourself with the water in the old font. Take time to look at the words and decorations around it - use them as food for thought and prayer. ]
Prayers [Anna]
[adults pray for roses [involves eating 'roses' chocs]
kids write in sand and do sand pictures on card]
Song: [Jonny]
O Jesus I have promised
Final prayer & blessing [Mark Waddington]
do cafe
use polygon as worship space
brand stuff on tvs
start with action symbolising incarnation - place icon of christ [use ibook showing icon on screen] in midst of products[jonny]
song: 'thankyou for entering into our world'
introduce reading wrt last service [brands] and grace team arguments about whether a 'simple' life ie non-consuming, is practical or desirable.
read steve tomkins' rant on being caught up in corporate wrongdoing by means of shopping [steve]
stations:
the stations are designed to present both sides of an argument. they give no clear answers or preferences.
think and pray - which side of the argument [if any] does god call you to? [steve]
1. withdrawal [eg monastic] v involvement [julia]
2. prayer v activism [include david v goliath book on activism side] [anna]
3. consumer power [eg fairtrade products, organic, vegetarian] v not buying [eg buy nothing day] [justin's story about clothes in lithuania] [mike]
4. personal change [steve] v corporate change [jackie] [eg shareholder activism]
5. destruction/getting rid of possessions [video of artist michael landy performing 'break down'] v creative use of possessions/recycling [jonny + jen]
then back together for:
i have a dream speech - about a different kind of dream than consumerism
david v goliath - small people can make a difference
then liturgy around ad slogans [jonny][adam for slogans]
set up: a cafe in one room, and then a trail following the emmaus road in the church space. people sit and socialise in the cafe, and can visit the stations in the worship space when they want to.
begin with an intro and a reading of the emmaus road with everybody in the cafe.
then these are the stages of the journey to be done as stations:
1. Hiddenness of God
Lk 24:13-16
dark night of soul - legitimate experience of god's absence
idea of how we see (god may be present but we don't see) - magic eye, dwarfs in narnia story
2. Downcast
Lk 24: 17-18
experience of being down, depression
psalms of being down
bitter herbs and salt water
3. Story telling
Lk 24: 19-27
2 parts
a) listening to one another's stories
b) the power of hearing god's story
4. Welcoming the stranger
Lk 24: 28-29 - tim
who is the stranger for you today?
have you ever encountered Christ in or through a stranger?
hospitality
5. Breaking bread
Lk 24: 30-31
have table laid with bread and wine (much like sanctuary's dining room in their home installation)
6. Burning hearts + telling others
Read Luke 24: 32-35
after everyone has followed the road... we will have a concluding piece of liturgy back in the cafe.
A service about identity, in three sections: the identity we give ourselves, the identities we give other people, and the identities we receive from God. photos here
setup:
1. camouflage netting for ceiling [from army surplus][steve]
2. netting round four corner columns of venue - fairy lights in netting - four sets
four mirrors or 16 mirror tiles
at different heights round columns [eg positioned to suit children]
write the label category [see 6 below] for each column on the mirrors
3. central logs and kindling [moya]
____________________________________________
before service:
1. hand out provocative labels round site as publicity beforehand
2. vox pop videos beforehand - asking people to 'describe yourself with one word'
play back in service [adam]
3. give out identity card at entry to service [steve]
fill in areas
how do you describe yourself
service:
1. welcome to grace
'lazy' video [x-press 2 feat. david byrne] at beginning
2. get in small groups
play the uniqueness game [justin] - if you can't find something unique to say about yourself, the rest of your group sit on you!
3. play back vox pops
introduce theme of service
4. songs
5. prayer to all say together [jackie]
6. introduce label game []
labelling yourself and other people
From the camouflage net hang 350 luggage labels. On each is a word you might have been called, or called someone else. Around the room are four columns labelled 'something good you thought about someone else', 'something good you thought about you', 'something bad you thought about someone else', 'something bad you thought about you'.
find labels you feel appropriate - some we've written, plus pens and blank labels to write your own
move labels from camouflage net to the four columns as appropriate and tie to netting on the columns
in the background - 'label' words spoken by computer
or
replay vox pops
bible readings eg adulteress
labels jesus was called, king of the jews label on cross
isaiah [jackie can look up]
7. confession of our labelling of others - forgive and be forgiven
switch on fairy lights at column being prayed at
read a few from each corner
a silence while people think of the labels they put in that corner
then say a prayer [steve & anna]
8. song
9. identity being shaped by god:
intro [mike]
sanding sticks - In the centre of the room are logs, kindling sticks and sandpaper. Get a stick and some sandpaper. As you sand, think about what God removes from your life to shape you into the person he wants you to be.
meditation [mike]
'timber' [coldcut] video during sanding
10. promises: [jen to write promises][jen to introduce]
Open up a small suitcase containing labels like the ones on the net. The luggage labels on the net had words we use to label one another. The luggage labels in the suitcase have quotations from the Bible that are God's loving labels for us to take away.
play suitable track while people take labels
[on other side put grace dates as flyer for people at service][steve]
[note: print out sticky labels to put on blank luggage labels]
11. end prayer that everyone says together [jen]
at certain point in prayer everyone has to read out what is on their label from god [gabble of different words at once]