Mike Riddell was guest speaker and had given us the title, so we ran with the concept. At what point does our pursuit of [what we think is] 'holiness' become a sin - because it tramples other values such as love and compassion?
to summarise some of our preliminary thoughts:
holiness comes from closeness to God rather than closeness to God coming from holiness
holiness is about removing barriers between ourselves and God - commandments etc are just guides as to where those barriers and obstacles might be.
holiness as safety - when securing one's own personal standing with God becomes more important than giving his love to others - abstinence from engagement
holy = churchy - 'holiness' as a badge of belonging, defining who's in and who's out
one thing we are trying to home in on is the distinction between things that are conventionally considered unholy, but aren't; and things that are conventionally not considered unholy, but are. for example, farting in church is not unholy, although it may be bad manners; playing wombles records is not unholy, although it may be bad manners; doing the National Lottery may not be bad manners but is unholy.
GRACE ORDER OF SERVICE
THE SIN OF HOLINESS
MIKE to prepare spoof orders of service [see list of words]
MARK to search out Father Ted videos for swearing etc, and the National Lottery
welcome/intro - MIKE
caricatures of holiness - JEN & MIKE
figures of holy and unholy person:
small groups have A3 sheet with holy & unholy figure on -
write on it what each person would do/be/think/wear etc
pin results up on two large versions of figures at front - STEVE
the congregation's list of holy and unholy things
song
interview Mike Riddell - JONNY
Mike Riddell's address
opportunity for questions
song
ritual
getting our hands dirty planting hyacinth or similar bulbs - DAVE
prayer here
some people don't do anything very bad and yet feel unholy/unworthy
- PAUL
song
concluding words
holy:
recognising god for who he is
living in the light of god
prayer
letting god in
repentant heart
things done with a godly attitude
everyone and all creation especially cats even snakes
guitars
wholeness
mother theresa
spirit filled
seeking god
honesty
openness
identifying with christ
daring to be different
selfless
pure
joy
peace
loves god
loving
kind
god in us
wash'n'go spirituality
delirious? t-shirt
the guardian
someone who lives by the biblical law [spirit]
humble
christlikeness
wears a halo
tries to build commitment to the truth
seeking intimacy with god
no dress sense
superspiritual
overpious
middle class
conformity
challenging injustice
being right with god
little spare cash
sandals
inclusive
challenging by lifestyle
makes you feel uncomfortable
punk
gospel
breakbeat
self-sacrifice
bruce cockburn t-shirt
rachel's mum
integrity
unholy:
deceitful
going against god
greed
rock music
satanism
prodigy t-shirt
apathy
legalism
selfish
arrogant
blasphemous
bigot
into self-gain
american
exclusive
sex
rebellion
miniskirt
bow tie
grunge look
metal jacket
open to immorality
chooses own paths for life
finds submission to god difficult
uncaring
disregard for others
nirvana t-shirt
violence
the sun
porn video
hate god
expletives
abuse
pride
sexy
anger
swears
taking the lord's name in vain
disrespect for god
wilfully against god
media baron
brokenness
pot noodles
the pope who bled nine choirboys to death so that he could drink their blood [the first transfusion - he died!]
curly guitar leads
shutting god out
'me' culture
envy
ceremonial killing of chickens
hypocrisy
Father we come to you, as we are, in unholiness, in holiness, as sinners, as children of God.
We are sorry for the times we fail you. For times when we are not holy, that is when we have put barriers between ourselves and you, preventing us from being close to you. Forgive us Lord. Forgive us also when we set a measure or a standard of holiness to aspire to which is not what you require of us. Help us to become closer to you and to remove the obstacles that distance us from you.
Thank you that Jesus shattered the illusions of holiness performed by the Pharisees. You re-interpreted the meaning of holiness and you are our example that we aspire to follow:
Despite being accused of being a glutton and a drunkard, this did not deter you from being engaged with the poor, needy, Roman officials, the sick, tax collectors, children, prostitutes, the rich, rulers, widows. We could think of many types of people that you would be engaged with this day.
Let us not commit the sin of holiness, when we have put barriers between ourselves and the world, that is, abstinence from engagement with the world in which we live. Lord you have called us all to the great commission. Show us by your example how we may be holy and pleasing in your sight, being both close to God and being salt and light to the world.
Amen
by paul wainwright
for spoof order of service - 'dis-grace'
things forbidden in church:
playing cards
drinking alcohol
prawn/pork
fart
belch
spit
wearing a hat
cross-dress
smoke
take drugs
talk
eat
snog
feel someone up
snore
swear
listen to walkman
gamble
smile/laugh
clap
dance
argue
lapdancing
put hands up
heckle/interrupt the preacher
dress provocatively or scantily [not always the same thing!]
take all your clothes off
not wear your Sunday best
read porn mags
if you have nothing to confess, we can provide you with something
you may choose any or all of the following:
rubber goose
fags & booze
lottery ticket
Grace's first experiment with Holy Communion, and first cafe-format service. The actual eucharist was the third course of a meal.
The aim of the service was to explore communion a bit, get people to share their experiences and understanding round the meal table, and to set the scene for future 'eucharist@grace.london' services. We set the service up cafe stylee with tables and chairs at the front of the church.
Order of service:
invitation/welcome [jen]
songs x 2
intro to evening and theme [mike]
potted history of how we got from last supper to church communion now [jonny]
testimonies of peoples understanding and experiences of communion - this will be done interview style with mike interviewing [jen, dave, bill and steve paynter - the new vicar]
set scene for the meal - get people in groups and facilitate story telling around the table w.r.t. communion experiences and understandings [dave]
prayers esp. for future communion services we do - to include burning of incense [steve]
song - thankyou for hearing me
following our october 98 service exploring ideas of communion, we began a regular fourth-sunday communion service, with deliberately limited setup and repeated liturgy. this continued until we decided that the church was too cold and uncomfortable in spite of our best efforts - we then moved it into people's homes as the final course of a meal.
communion liturgy used for this series [though i'm not sure if the hammering of nails was always done]:
LAMENTATION / CONFESSION :
(Leader)
As we draw near to the place of at-one-ment:
Give us tears to see the wonder of Your presence;
Give us tears to see the wasting of Your people,
Give us tears to see the wounding of Your Son.
(All -)
We are the race that helped make the wood on which You were crucified, and still we misuse Your creation;
We are the race that helped make the nails that pierced Your body, yet still we use work for gain at others’ expense;
We are the race that did nothing to stop Your betrayers, yet still we are ruled by comfort or cowardice.
Nails are hammered into pieces of wood
THE PEACE :
The opportunity for absolution and sharing of the peace. People cross each others foreheads with water and the phrase “Through the cross we are forgiven”
INTERCESSION :
THE OFFERING : (Bread and wine brought to the table )
(Leader)
We bless You, High King of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread and wine to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become our spiritual food and drink.
As we bring this bread to You, we offer also: our energies and creating; our relationships and achieving; the sap of life rising; the seeds of life flowering; the resources of life acquiring; the fun of life enjoying; the raw materials of life building; the intelligence of life organising; the feelings of life communicating. You who put ear in corn, take these ordinary things and transform them into the glory of Your presence.
We pour out this wine and offer to You the woes of life outpouring; the waning powers of life, the diseases and disappointments; the hurts and the handicaps; failures caused by our stupidity or by circumstances beyond our control. As grapes are crushed to make the wine, so we offer all who are crushed by hunger or loneliness, violence or abuse. You who put beam into sun and moon, take all this and transform it into the deep, rich wine of everlasting life.
SONG : “Lift up your hearts”
THE EUCHARIST :
(Leader)
High King of the universe, who sustains the worlds, who brought forth the earth; You breathe wisdom into all your creatures, till we reflect Your three-fold friendship. In our pain and sorrow we cry out to You, Tender Lamb, slain before the world began, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Grant that by the power of the Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be for us His body and blood who, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, gave You thanks, broke it and gave it to His disciples saying : Take, eat, this is My body which is given for you. After supper He took the cup, gave You thanks, and said to them : this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me.
SONG :(All - words on slide)
Christ has died !
Christ is risen !
Christ will come again !
THE INVITATION :
This is the table not of the church, but of the Lord.
It is to be made ready for those who love Him and who want to love Him more.
So come, you who have much faith and you who have little.
You who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time.
You who have tried to follow and you who have failed.
Come. Not because I invite you; it is our Lord.
Is is His will that those who want Him should meet Him here.
Use your eyes and your heart.
Here is your Lord coming to you in bread and wine.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which He gave for you, and His blood which He shed for you.
Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
SHARING THE BREAD AND WINE :
“Forgiven” and “I lift my cup” played over suitable video images with the words on the screens.
A BLESSING :
#(All - words on slide)
May the power and the mystery go before us,
to show us the way,
shine above us to lighten our world,
lie beneath us to bear us up,
walk with us and give us companionship,
and glow and flow within us to bring us joy. Amen.
1. songs
2. intro to theme - reflections on the blue peter time capsule being buried and dug up (JEN)
3. thoughts about the future and what lies after 2000.... (STEVE)
video - as part of the above we would want some clips from the films mentioned and any others if possible (MARK / ADAM)
4. stations - taking stock
each of these will have a resaonable introduction from the front to set the scene for what people are expected to do. how to live is the pressing concern for the future. once we pass 2000 rather than feeling like things are drawing to an end, it will feel like there is this huge open space in front of us. we will have three stations representing the planet, ourselves, and the church. visiting each will be a chance to reflect on where each is headed and what our part to play is in each.
personal - acorns.... readings from douglas coupland 'girlfriend in a coma' about taking responsibility for life (JONNY)
excerpts from chapter 35 of 'girlfriend in a coma'
how do you feel about the future?
what will you be doing in 2010? 2020?
in a survey of old people asked what they would do differently if the lived their lives over again, one common response was that they would RISK more.
what are your dreams for the future?
what risks do you need to take to realise them?
jesus told a story of how the kingdom of god is like a small seed that grows to become a large tree.
hold the seed/acorn - what does it represent in your life?
take some time to offer it and your future to god.
global - pile of rubbish - some stats on slide and piece to whom does the earth belong? to read - can we have a sustainable future w.r.t. the planet? (MIKE)
church - autumn leaves... it feels like winter is upon the church in britain but when things seem dead, it can pave the way for new life. what is the future of the church? what is the future of our part in it? (DAVE)
5. songs
6. readings + music - visions of the future from scripture + on god's faithful covenant (JEN)
7. final thoughts on spirituality - triumphalistic/revivalistic religion has led to disillusion e.g. 'i want to build the kingdom of god in my generation' when the promises aren't delivered. we need a more realistic but hopeful vision of god with us as we head into the future that connects with faithful hopeful living along the lines of jeremiah to thos in exile Jer 29:5-9 (DAVE)
8. song/blessing
[dave holme]
Reflect on Psalm 24:1, Psalm 50:10-11, Psalm 115:16.
In what ways have human beings failed to exercise a cooperative and responsible dominion over the Earth that God has given them?
Read Genesis 1:9-12, 20-30.
Do verses 26 and 28 provide a declaration of war on nature?
Are developing tools and technology, farming the land, digging for minerals, extracting fuels, damming rivers for hydroelectric power, harnessing atomic energy all fulfilments of God's primeval command?
Are we the 'lords' of the Earth?
Has Christianity actually caused irresponsible use of natural resources?
So what distinctive contribution to the ecological debate should Christians make?
We believe that God created the Earth and that one day he will recreate it. Read Romans 8:18-25.
In Ronald Higgins' book 'The Seventh Enemy', the first six enemies are the population explosion, the food crisis, the scarcity of resources, environmental degradation, nuclear abuse and scientific technology. The seventh enemy is humanity itself, our personal blindness and political inertia in the face of today's ecological challenge.
Do we find it easier to subdue the Earth than we do to subdue ourselves?
At the root of the ecological crisis is human greed. How does this challenge us?
In what one way could I help to conserve our human environment for the next century?
[mike rose]
In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, the 19th century saw a rate of technological progress unprecedented in human history. One of the side effects of this was the invention of science fiction, as the rate of change in the real world encouraged imaginative speculation about the unbelievable wonders, or nightmares, that lay ahead.
And it's at about this time, the late 19th century, that the year 2000 starts to take on a special significance in people's imaginations; not in a religious sense, but as a date symbolising the idea of the Future not just as a time not yet come, but as a radically different place from the past. Clearly, during the endless ages of, say, Egypt of the pharaohs, the idea of the future as radically different from the present wasn't going to happen; and for most of human history, whenever people have dreamed of a radically different future it was going to come about as a result of divine intervention from outside human history, rather than as a result of human development itself. But someone in 1890 will have been aware that they were living in a world that had been utterly transformed in the space of a human lifetime, and the magic date with all the zeros, the millennial date, draws the eye and people start to ask the question, "If technology carries on changing human society like this - what will life be like in the year 2000?"
Now clearly, over the past century there have been two answers given to that question - the optimistic answer, where technology brings about a utopia of peace, plenty, and usually human idleness; or the pessimistic answer, where technology either destroys humanity or enslaves it.
And we're going to take a look at some of those visions now.
Firstly, the optimistic view, which I think is best symbolised by 2001: a Space Odyssey - in particular the Blue Danube sequence with the space station and the trip to the moon.
When I was a child in the late 60s, this was the vision of the future we were brought up on - a future of technological optimism and freedom. When I saw 2001 again a couple of years ago, after not having seen it since the 70s, I was heartbroken - this was the future I was promised, my childhood dream - and it will never happen. I feel robbed, in a way.
By the 1980s it was obvious that the shiny space-age vision of the future wasn't going to happen, and the worsening of the Cold War brought about by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the election of Reagan, the deployment of cruise missiles etc, brought about a series of visions of the future as nuclear nightmare such as hadn't been seen since the 50s, all encouraged by the increasing apocalypticism of the religious right in America who almost seemed to enjoy what was going on. Let's take a look at the opening sequence of Terminator 2:
Note the irony of the date - those visions now look a little dated, since the end of the Cold War. We at Grace know that machines can't take over the world, because they can't even work the slide projector. My, they're going to have to evolve fast!
So where does this leave us now that we're almost at the year 2000? What's been creeping up on us in the years since the 60s, is that the Future isn't futuristic after all - it's pretty much like the past but with different gadgets.
Sometimes the future arrives, but more slowly than expected. I remember seeing designs for people-carriers in the 1960s, but it took the car industry 30 years to get around to it. And virtual reality - remember that? - very 1992 - looks like it's going to be another future that takes forever to arrive.
Human history as normal, in short, rather than a radical break from it. And although we're having a little burst of excitement now, once we get past the year 2000 there isn't another date to replace it, that can stand as a symbol of the future, for a very long time. 2100 doesn't have the same ring. And I'd suggest that the idea of the Future [capital F] as a place radically different from the past, as we have known it for the last hundred years or so, will fade away and we will be back in a situation similar to that of, say, the 18th century, where the future was just whatever happened next, without the capital F or the apocalyptic vision. A future in which the human race muddles on through wars and rumours of wars, in which the battle is never won, but never lost either, until the Lord returns. The tube will still be dirty and we will get stuck in the tunnel, but the voice of a female android [excuse the contradiction] will tell us what the next station will be, if we ever get to it. In short, Blade Runner. Let's take a look:
Now this, too, is probably too pessimistic [I hope]; but it is I think far closer to a real future than anything else we've seen. It's a non-futuristic future, in which clothes and buildings have retro styling. It's a future in which electronics, and genetics, are simply business. And it's an environmentally degraded future. Blade Runner is based on the book 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, and what isn't made explicit in the film, but is in the book, is that most animal life is extinct. It starts with owls - one day all the owls are dead, and no-one knows why. Then another sort of animal just dies, and another, until hardly any real ones are left - and artificial animals are manufactured to fill the human need for nature. Uncomfortably possible.
now with that vision of the future standing as a warning, we're going to move on to reflect more personally on where we ourselves, the Church, and the planet are heading.
[steve collins]
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
the labyrinth itself is based around the annunciation & advent.
the journey inward [preparation to meet god] will take the themes of the OT prophecies about the coming of the messiah; the
central light will represent as ever the meeting with god, but in this case specifically the annunciation, as the point where mary
said yes to god. the journey outward will be themed on the magnificat, about the effect of us bearing the god we have said yes to
out into the world.
[KEV/ANA to email existing labo stations to STEVE who will re-map themes as above]
'self' station - this is about gifts. god to us, us to god. christmas presents. [DAVE]
'each other' station - incarnation - how are we being christ to others? how are others being christ to us? [KEVIN]
people is where we meet god, not a building. 'the messiah is among you' story from riddell.
'planet' station - theme of 'journey' [MARK]
[BRIAN to do overarching meditation, ROSIE to sing]
[spoken at intervals, and slowly, while people are walking the labyrinth. written by ana draper]
Tonight we are on a journey, a journey towards the light who is God. We look towards our Trinitarian God walking with expectancy. Just as at the beginning of time the earth was in darkness, so we are in darkness, moving towards the warms and nourishment that is God, our life source.
God - the word, said let there be light and there was light.
God created and continues creating - God see's all that he has created and continues creating.
God loves giving life and wants to give it in abundance.
John 1 v 1-14.
Jesus told Nicodemus that unless we are willing to be continually created into the image of God we will never see God's kingdom. We can be like a seed, buried deep into the ground, we can choose to germinate, grow and develop towards the light. As you journey around the labyrinth, take your time, each step is a step of discovery. Just as the wise men journeyed towards God by following a star, so we ask you to journey. Be prepared to face what you discover about yourself, as you walk towards the light - let God the light draw you towards wholeness (holyness). God is faithful, she will not desert you. God is the pulse of the cosmos, they will not let you die.
Isaiah 52 v 7-10.
God's good news - Mary was asked to carry The Word, the pulse of the cosmos within her.
God is asking you if you will do the same?
Will you be the good news, the incarnate God.
Mary choose to say yes and she changed the course of history - what is your response?
God the Trinity loved Mary and made love to her, impregnating her with himself. Inside of her grew God, she and God became one.
Jesus said
"The spirit of the lord is upon me because he has anointed me;
he has sent me to announce good news to the poor,
to proclaim release for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind;
to let the broken victims go free,
to proclaim the year of the lords favour."
" The spirit of the Lord is upon you because he has anointed you;
he has sent you to announce good news to the poor,
to proclain release for prisoners and recovery for the blind;
to let the broken victims go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lords favour."
Isaiah 9 v 2-6-7
John 1 from 'The Message'.
The inward journey:
To become ready to receive God as messiah into their midst, Israel had to let go of:
injustice - they learned what it felt like to be an underclass
materialism - they learned how to live with just enough
false self-images - they learned that they were no better, wiser or greater than any other people
false security - they learned that their own strength was not enough
idolatry - they learned that other Gods corrupted their values but couldn't help them
The inward journey is about facing up to and letting go of things which hurt your relationship with God.
It is also about facing up to and letting go of false images of yourself - your own self-images, and other people's images of you - so that you can be real with God.
What are the barriers between you and God?
What needs to change for you and God to draw closer?
Think about it for a while as you travel.
Who are you?
Let go of who other people think you should be, their expectations of you, their projections.
Let go of who you think you should be, your own expectations and projections.
Accept yourself.
God accepts you.
God loves you.
It is safe to be your real self with God.
Think about the ways in which you have been unjust to others
think about the ways in which others have been unjust to you
draw a symbol or write a word to describe each of these things
Jesus said, if you let go of the unjust things people do to you, God will also let go of the unjust things you do. Carry the symbol with you for a while as you journey...
Think carefully. Are you willing to 'let go' of the things people have done or said to you? If you are, place the symbol in the bin and let go of it as God lets go of the unjust things you do.
Think of the things in your life which are more than you really need [remember that your needs are not just material]
if you take more than you need, are you denying others the things that they need?
What are your real needs?
Draw symbols or write words to describe your real needs
carry them with you for a while.
Jesus said, God loves you and knows what you need; so put God's ways and values first in your life and all that you need will be given to you as well.
Are you willing to put your needs into the hands of God?
If you are, leave your drawing or writing here to symbolise your leaving it with God.
The centre of the labyrinth:
Here in the centre of the labyrinth is where we symbolically meet with God. Please spend some time here. Relax. Enjoy God's presence. Meditate on God. Commune with God.
You can be real with someone who loves you. Be real with God
Say yes to God, like Mary
Receive more of God - how might this be?
When you are ready to journey outwards, light one of the small candles from the central flame and take it with you as a symbol that you are bearing your encounter with God out into the world.
The outward journey:
As you journey back out of the labyrinth take your encounter with God with you. Reflect on how this encounter might affect or change you. Reflect on what it means to bear God within you, like Mary, out into the world.
Mary foresaw many consequences of bearing God into the world.
She foresaw justice:
the mighty put down from their thrones and the humble lifted up
how can you be part of this process - God's work of justice?
If you need to, write or draw something to take with you as a reminder.
She foresaw fair sharing:
the hungry fed, and the grabbing by the rich stopped.
How can you be part of this process - God's work of sharing?
If you need to, write or draw something to take with you as a reminder.
Mary was told, "a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Walk through the stones. Feel the sandpaper. Stand on the cotton wool. Feel the texture. In what ways does this remind you of your journey.
Are you willing to face the consequences of bearing God into a world that rejects and fights against God?
Look around and notice. Even though they may be at different stages, others are on this journey too.
As you approach the end of the labyrinth think about God who has been the host for this part of your journey. If God asked you to fill in a guest book - what would your comments be? Please fill in the book with your response to God, your host.
What would you give ?
The journey DAVE
Include reflections on the journey from Xmas labyrinth. Video extract >from 2001.
Meditation ‘The Journey’
Songs of pilgrimage
Introduction
The story of the journey : The reading ?
Reading : Matthew 2 : 1 - 13 read from the Message
What draws you to the Christ child ? MIKE
Songs of commitment
What gifts will the Christ child accept ? MIKE
Hand out paper & pencils
Gold : the best of what we are and the best of what we have
Yellow light
Intro : Our gifts, our time, our hearts and minds. The things we consider valuable.
Reflection : the things of greatest value to us - 1st section.
Frankincense : our worship
Blue light
Intro : what worship is acceptable - noisy or silent
Reflection : how would you worship a baby ?
Worship songs
Myrrh : our suffering, the world’s suffering and His
Red light
Intro : Do we bring the world’s suffering ? Have we the right ? Are we close enough to it? Do we bring our pain to Jesus ? However insignificant ?
Reflection : what suffering will you bring to Jesus ?
Prayer time STEVE
Confession
“ So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country “ MARK
Intro : Invite people to make a commitment bringing up paper to burn.
Commitment : Offer option of foreheads painted with three coloured stripes.
Final song and blessing
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
bible intro ritual - bring bible in in procession with acolytes in robes, cense and kiss, then reading eg john 1, psalm 119 [DAVE]
inner city life - a moment to focus
songs: come holy spirit/dancing 2 a nu xpression
talk re pocket canons
who is the bible for? do we need to protect it? who has the right to comment? [MIKE]
tables set up in church, with coffee and donuts
on each table several versions of bible [EVERYONE to bring as many different kinds as they can]
including some pocket canons [DAVE to buy 30 of these, especially Mark, John, Song of Solomon, Genesis, 1 Corinthians]
to facilitate discussion:
on tables suggested readings - 1 Cor 13/Genesis 1/Mark 14:12-31/John 9:1-12 [re disabled]/Song of Solomon something smutty [STEVE]
also written questions re do people read the bible, if so how, why, which version, what bugs them about it eg science/OT
genocide/patriarchy & sexism etc. [STEVE]
genesis 1 reading by several voices [STEVE]
[any other ideas for readings etc? eg KEV/ANA]
how the canon was fixed - piece by [STEVE/DAVE]
song
lord's prayer[DAVE]
final reading [revelation 22:18-19?]
then process out with bible [DAVE]
in background videos of animated bible [available in church]/jesus of nazareth/the ten commandments etc [MARK]
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 notes for communion liturgy.
the theme of this service is the need for space in our lives, to recover ourselves, take stock of who we are, where we are, and
what we need to be more whole, and how lent might be a season for doing this before god.
intro [STEVE C]
prayer [SOMEONE ELSE, on theme of service]
songs [JONNY/MIKE]
[lamentation/confession from printed liturgy] [SOMEONE ELSE]
short talk leading into time of meditation [STEVE C]
ANOTHER VOICE NEEDED FOR THESE TWO SHORT READINGS:
love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is
not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. love never fails.
god is patient, god is kind. god does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. god is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily
angered, keeps no record of wrongs. god does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. god always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres. god never fails.
AFTER MEDITATION:
lift up your hearts [JONNY]
then the printed liturgy from:
we bless you high king of all creation. through your goodness we have this bread and wine to offer...
through the eucharist] [STEVE P]
prayer/thanksgiving [STEVE C]
songs [JONNY/MIKE]
[blessing from printed liturgy] [SOMEONE ELSE]
dismissal
video: either the moving skies, or something else that gives a sense of space and peace. what's that water/waves stuff i've seen?
we could start the service with the busy streets images under the intro, and then move into the calmer/more spacious images.
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
'Time of our Lives' was the Archbishop of Canterbury's Millennium youth event, held across London. Grace provided one of three cathedral services on Pentecost Sunday, in Southwark cathedral.
Service outline - Time of our lives - 2 May 1999 - Grace @ Southwark
The church will be lowlit, with images projected onto sheets between the pillars and onto video screens and TVs in various positions. Music will be played as people come in. During most parts of the liturgy and prayers ambient music will be played in the background.
1. Welcome/introduction
Spoken over music track 'God is a DJ' [by Faithless]
2. Preparing for worship
Play track 'Inner City Life' [by Goldie] and project words - give space for people to quiet themselves down in God's presenece
3. Candle lighting prayers
Initially one candle is lit and subsequently all 15 candle holders (with 12 candles on each). While this is taking place the following words are used
In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God and the Word was God
In him was life and the life was the light of all.
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all
And also with you
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
Who is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise
4. Songs
While candles continue to be lit songs/chants will be sung:
The Lord is my light my light and salvation
In him I trust In him I trust
Come Holy Spirit
Fill the hearts of your people
Kindle in us the fire of your love
5. Meditation/reflection
A reading/reflection on the theme of the incarnation as God journeying to be with us in our world. This will be accompanied by background music and video images from the film 2001 of a fast journey through space to the earth.
6. Readings and response
A series of short readings over quiet music. After each reading there will be a sung response.
Verses from John chapter 1 in The Message
[sung response] Thankyou for entering into our world
Reading from the introduction to Mark's Gospel by Nick Cave in the Pocket Canons series
[sung response] Thankyou for entering into our world
Verses from Phil 2
[sung response] Thankyou for entering into our world
7. The Creed (sung)
I believe in God the Father Almighty
I believe that he made the earth and heavens
I believe in Jesus born of a woman
I believe that he is the Son of God I believe.
I believe in Jesus teacher and healer
I believe that his life was poor and simple
I believe he died betrayed and rejected
I believe that he fought the power of evil
I believe the holy life giving Spirit
Is a gift of the Son and Father to us
I believe the three are one and united
I believe in his healing and forgiveness
I believe that Jesus died and was buried
I believe that he rose to life again
I believe that he was taken to heaven
I believe that he reigns at God's right hand
I believe that he will come back in glory
I believe he will judge the dead and living
I believe the resurrection of body
I believe in the life that's everlasting
8. Talk - given by Rev Rose Hudson Wilkins
9. Ritual/Response
There will be an opportunity to respond to the message by taking part in a ritual. There will be stations by all the pillars in the church and in the transepts with a table with pieces of lemon and a bowl of honey with breadsticks. Those that want to can go forward to taste a piece of lemon and acknowledge the reality of pain/bitterness in their lives but God's presence with them in the midst of that. Then they can taste the honey by dipping the breadstick in the bowl to acknowledge and give thanks for thesweet/good things in life and God's presence in those. During this the track 'Bittersweet symphony' [by the Verve] will be played.
10. Prayers of intercession
During the prayers incense will be burned. There will be a said response after each prayer.
Let my prayer rise before you as incense
The lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice
11. Blessing
Everyone will stand and there will be an exhortation to follow the example of Christ who came as a light into our world by taking the light into the world with us. During this the track 'Firestarter' [by the Prodigy] will be played.
12. Final Song
God is our strength and salvation
Bringer of true liberation
God is the power in our weakness
Promise of life in completeness
Freedom to move to a bigger rhythm
Freedom to live in the love of heaven
Freedom to dream of a new creation
Freedom to walk as a holy nation
God is the love that enfolds us
God is the father who holds us
God is the mother who feeds us
God is the servant who leads us
God is the son of a woman
Measure of how to be human
God is the Christ who is risen
Giver of courage and vision
God is the joy of creation
Source of our life celebration
God is the author of meaning
God is our reason for dreaming
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
With guest speaker Mike Starkey [one of the co-founders of Grace]
1) WOW
Have some large pieces of paper, felt pens, paper etc. and introduce the
idea of 'wonder' by asking what things make you go 'wow'. in the centre of
the paper will be a 'WOW' along the lines of lichtenstein's 'wham' pop art
painting. people can then write/paint etc things that make them go wow.
MIKE to lead this bit
DAVE to co-ordinate paints, paper etc
MARK and ADAM produce a video sequence of things to make you go WOW
(mark can you bring paintbrushes and paint from the service you did?)
2)What squashes the WOW?
In groups facilitate discussion of what things seem to squeeze the sense of
wonder out of life. Give people a sheet of questions to guide the
discussion. Then get people to write on postcards the blocks they identify.
then pin these onto sponge bricks and build them into a wall to cover up
the WOW montage created above.
DAVE to lead this bit and prepare the discussion sheets
JONNY to provide the bricks
3) Meditation
Lead people through a meditation on being crushed and then released
LUCY and IAN
4) Talk
Talk on restoring lost wonder
Before talk Mike Rose will introduce Mike Starkey
After talk we will give opportunity for comment and questions
MIKE STARKEY to talk
MIKE ROSE to introduce and field questions
5) Songs x2
'I lived in the shadows' + a.n.other
JONNY to lead
6) Story/parable
Retelling of 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des sources' focussing on the
blocked underground spring and when it gets unblocked. Show a video
sequence of the unblocking on a loop. This is obviously meant to be a
parallel with removing things that block the wonder/WOW.
JENNY/JONNY to retell
MARK and ADAM to put video sequence together
7) Space to respond/pray
Some time will be given for people to reflect on wonder and give thanks
and to reflect on what blocks it and pray for God to remove it. There will
be a range of things people can do during this time:
look at photography books
read childrens story books
eat fruit
remove bricks from the wall to gradually uncover the WOW montage behind it
do sums/calculus with Mike (!!!!!!!!! strange what gives some people the
WOW eh?)
While this is going on, music will play and scriptures will be read out -
for example verses on creatures in Job.
It will finish with a final prayer.
MARK to introduce response
DAVE to bring photography books
ALL to bring childrens story books e.g. 'wonderful earth', 'narnia stories'
JONNY to get fruit
MIKE to bring sums
ANA/KEV to unearth some WOW ish scriptures/quotes
small communion service on fourth sunday. see nov 98 for notes.
We ran a labyrinth with LOPE and the Sunday morning communion.
Also released the eucharist CD to go with the service