issue 1 (part 1) pentecost 2a 4 september 2011 to 16 october 2011 spill the beans worship and learning resources for all ages

community is...

A lectionary-based resource with a Scottish flavour for Sunday Schools, Junior Churches and spillbeans.org.uk Worship Leaders 2011 Spill the Beans Resource Team pentecost 2a 2011 1 ethos statement ethos There is a particular ethos behind this Then each activity is simply a way to in the Bible? Stories don’t exist on their material: it’s all about story. When we spill engage the story and enable children own but in a diverse web, each feeding the the beans about anything, we tell the story and adults to imbed the story, capturing other. different aspects of it, highlighting of what happened and we share the story We believe that as we grow we reflect different images that help us hold the of what that means for us. in different ways on the faith stories we story in our beings. We believe story is the lifeblood of faith. hold. Our idea is to invest these stories In story we can tell the truth and speak But we believe these faith stories ought in people, offering each as a gift of faith. with honesty about things for which there to be able to mingle with our own life The story may be understood in a literal are not yet words. Story contains mystery stories, our day-to-day experiences. So as way during younger years, then with and is the poetry that forms faith. Stories activities are engaged, it is important to questions about their historical accuracy grow as we grow and can reveal new ask people to retell the faith story along as people move into teenage years and truths at different times in our lives. with their own story of that week. It’s the then move into a third stage where we tangle of life stories with faith stories that hear the story again for the first time, but So we believe giving stories to people perhaps make both real. this time holding the meaning, the deep is one of the most important things we down truth in the story that helps it shape can do in sharing our faith. Children and We believe one story is the lens through our living and how we understand and adults hold stories in their being and keep which we hear other stories. Faith engage with the world in justice and in coming back to them throughout life. Our narratives create a web: if we think about grace. Story holds the faith more honestly culture is stored in story. The same is true water, then what other stories involving and in a much deeper way than any creed for our faith. water do we find in the Bible; if we are and doctrine. reflecting on forgiveness, what other We believe in telling story. This material is stories of forgiveness can we hear. During Join us and spill the beans. simply the retelling of our faith stories. activities the question ought to be asked: It always starts with the story each week. does this story remind you of other stories spill the beans team The team producing these resources has Key to Abbreviations included: In the worship ideas section the following Jane Bentley Tina Kemp abbreviations are used: Shirley Billes Jo Love CH4 Church Hymnary, 4th Edition Jan Cross Jen Robertson JP Junior Praise Liz Crumlish Barbara Ann Sweetin MP Mission Praise Roddy Hamilton For more information and to join the SGP Songs of God’s People Karen Harbison community of Spill the Beans, please visit WGRG Wild Goose Worship Group Peter Johnston http://spillbeans.org.uk

2 spill the beans introductions using spill the beans One of the many memorable inventions in J.K. Rowling’s alternative world is “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans”. You never know what flavour you are going to get, from Apple or Chocolate to Worcestershire Sauce or Parsnip, even Earwax! It is our hope that with every week of Spill the Beans you will find a range of different ideas that will encourage you to explore the depth of different flavours in each week’s story. Like a huge bowl of multi-coloured jelly beans or a table laid out with a rich feast, no one should be expected to consume everything! worship ideas contents Page These are a few ideas that possibly expand Each week we provide a selection of Through the Season Notes 4 upon the story offering words, phrases, words, ideas and creative moments to take poetry and ideas that could be used in the theme and the passage a little further. Sunday 4 September 2011 6 some way in worship. They are not to be We do not provide a ready made service or Sunday 11 September 2011 12 used exactly as they are but ought to be perfect prayers but ideas and pointers that Sunday 18 September 2011 17 edited and expanded to suit the culture of hopefully scratch at your own creativity your own faith community. and provoke heaven’s imagination within Sunday 25 September 2011 22 you. Sunday 2 October 2011 27 Sunday 9 October 2011 33 Sunday 16 October 2011 38 age group ideas We’re moving on (song) 44

Here are some helpful tips to guide you in 5. Use the gathering time exercise to 9. The intention is not to complete “the your use of the material in age groups: get into the story. Begin with a circle task” brilliantly, but rather to provide where the whole Sunday School is opportunities to begin conversations, 1. It presumes some introduction to the together and do this activity together build relationships, retell the story of story will have taken place in worship (gathering time). the day, and talk about what it might together or will play a part in the have felt like then and what it means service when children join it later. 6. Then retell the story together (it for us today. should have been told already in 2. Depending on the make-up of your worship if you begin together there). 10. There are numerous websites that own groups of children you will need will provide handout type sheets that to remain flexible in how you use the 7. Follow that by choosing as many or will have images, crosswords and material. as few activities your space and time wordsearches for the themes of these allow. You could offer a number of 3. Each idea has been given a guide weeks. While helpful in a pinch, try not activities each at different stations age range to help your planning, but to rely on these! all at the same time for all ages to this is only a guide and your own self-select with a teacher staffing each circumstances may make certain crafts one, or have traditional classes. or activities more or less successful. 8. During activities, ask children to retell 4. Before the sit-down activities if you the story to you and ask about their have a group of young children or week, what was happy and what was lots of boys, you may want to add a sad and if this week’s story reminds run-around type game before the them of other biblical and personal gathering time to expend some stories. energy. pentecost 2a 2011 3 through the season through the season Here are a couple of ideas that can can also be adapted to be used within age Harvest Thanksgiving help build up a visual focus as you groups. As we are focusing on the story move through the season. These ideas of the journey of the people of Israel in We recognise that in many congregations are provided for you to use and adapt Exodus both ‘through the season’ ideas harvest will be celebrated within this depending on the size, shape and layout of relate to journeys and travelling. season and we would suggest that harvest your worship space and whether you have themes can easily be incorporated into The first is based around ‘postcards’ and access to or expertise in using projected worship on 18 September or 2 October. the second around ‘suitcases’. images and audiovisual elements. A possible theme song for the season These ideas provide possible ways of could be ‘How then shall I live‘ by Linnea linking all the weeks together which can Good (©1993 Borealis Music) which can be be a helpful reminder to people of the downloaded from Amazon.co.uk or you thread of the story and the key aspects could use the all-age appropriate song being focused on during worship. ‘We’re moving on’ written for this theme The ideas can be used independently or and available on pages 44 & 45. together and can also be linked with other Or why not write your own theme song elements of the worship material. They and forward a copy to us! worship focus

You could set the scene by placing some Postcards objects in your entrance/gathering area or as a focus at the front of the worship space. The basic idea is to have a postcard for each week with If you are using the postcard idea you a picture on one side and could make a life size red postbox, the summary ‘Community surrounded by hessian mail sacks. You is…’ phrase on the other could get young people to design ‘stamps’ side. for your church and display the stamps on the walls around the postbox. The postcard can be used to introduce the story. If If you are using the suitcase idea, you you are using a physical could make a display of various kinds of postcard, use two large luggage, e.g. suitcase, backpack, rucksack, pieces of card blu-tacked vanity case, holdall, trolley. Young people back-to-back together so Here are some suggestions for each week: could design ’luggage labels‘ with the that the two pieces can be separated and pictures of the places they would most like both displayed on the wall. 4 Sept Story: Exodus 12:1-14 to visit and then display these on the walls Theme: Passover If you are using powerpoint, then display around the suitcases. Picture: Open doors the previous postcards on screen as Message: Community is… Note that included our ideas for the entire people come into the worship space. on the move. season which will be covered with worship You could have a child put on a ‘postie’s’ and age-group resources in this booklet uniform or hat and have clues leading to 11 Sept Story: Exodus 14:10–15:21 and the issue 2 which will follow. the discovery of a small postcard and once Theme: Red Sea the small postcard is located, the larger Picture: Sea/water version is brought out for everyone to see. Message: Community is… being in God. You could have a timeline going round your worship space and you could stick 18 Sept Story: Exodus 16:2-15 your postcards on to the timeline at the Theme: Manna appropriate place. At any point during Picture: Loaves of bread your journey through the season you Message: Community is… could provide the congregation with a sustainable living. small blank postcard and ask them to 25 Sept Story: Exodus 17:1-7 write their response to the story/theme Theme: Water from rock that week on the postcard and then the Picture: Water gushing postcards could be posted in the postbox. Message: Community is… hard work. 4 spill the beans through the season

Suitcase 2 Oct Story: Exodus 20:1-20 The basic idea is to have a suitcase for the Theme: Ten commandments journey. Each week the suitcase is opened Picture: Mountain to reveal an object which represents the 2 Oct Object: Rule books Message: Community is… story. The object is then used to help tell (e.g. Highway Code, living rightly. the story. Sports Rules, School 9 Oct Story: Exodus 32:1-14 As you put the object back in the suitcase Rules) Theme: The Golden Calf you bring a picture out of the suitcase Message: Community is… Picture: Animals grazing which is displayed to help people living rightly. Message: Community is… remember the story. Note: Written or printed as if trusting together. chiselled on rock, You could make up a wee rhyme or Sinai-style. 16 Oct Story: Exodus 33:12-23 song suitable for the children in your Theme: Moses’ glory congregation, which could be said/sung 9 Oct Object: Toy cow Picture: Bright light shining on before the suitcase is opened each week. Message: Community is… people trusting together. To make the process more fun, like the Message: Community is… seeing Note: Written on gold paper ’postie’ above, you could have a ‘traveller’ God in each other. or using gold letters. who follows clues to find a luggage label 23 Oct Story: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 which reveals the location of the suitcase 16 Oct Object: Mirror Theme: Moses’ death and then the suitcase is opened. Message: Community is… seeing Picture: Different hands God in each other. You could have a timeline and stick your together Note: Written on mirror- pictures for each week on the timeline. At Message: Community is… shaped card. any point during your journey through the passing on the vision. season you could provide members of the 23 Oct Object: Lots of different gloves 30 Oct Story: Joshua 3:7-17 congregation with small luggage labels Message: Community is… Theme: Crossing the Jordan and ask them to write their responses to passing on the vision. Picture: River with banks in the story/theme of that week and then Note: Letters created out of view the luggage labels could be used in the small hand shapes. Message: Community is… service: perhaps placed in a backpack for 30 Oct Object: Spectacles or welcoming the new/ the journey. binoculars (looking to change. Note that the story and themes are the the new thing in the 6 Nov Story: Joshua 24:1-25 same as for the Postcards idea. distance) Theme: Covenant renewed Message: Community is… 4 Sept Object: Shoes Picture: Signposts pointing in welcoming the new/ Message: Community is… different directions change. on the move. Message: Community is… where Note: Write message using Note: Message printed or we come from and bubble writing. written on a shoe- where we are going. shaped poster. 6 Nov Object: Map or Atlas 13 Nov Story: 1 Thess 5:1-11 Message: Community is… where 11 Sept Object: Welly boots or snorkel Theme: Children of light we come from and Message: Community is… Picture: Candle or sunrise where we are going. being in God. Message: Community is… Note: Printed on large arrow. Note: Message on blue paper. remembering. 13 Nov Object: Candle or torch Note: This is Remembrance 18 Sept Object: Bread Message: Community is… Sunday. Message: Community is… remembering. sustainable living. 20 Nov Story: Matthew 25:31-46 Note: Letters made from Note: Create message using Theme: Sheep and Goats poppy shapes. collage of wrappers Picture: Two contrasting from foods. 20 Nov Object: Toy sheep and goat, or colours with crown/ two other contasting shepherd’s crook over 25 Sept Objects: Bottle of water and items the colours large rock Message: Community is… Message: Community is… Message: Community is… celebrating. celebrating. hard work. Note: Written on poster with Note: This is Reign of Christ Note: Letters for message a crown and shepherd’s the King Sunday made of stone shapes. crook in the background. pentecost 2a 2011 5 sunday 4 september 2011 community is... on the move sunday 4 september 2011 exodus 12:1-14

Exodus 12:1-14 where the consecration of the firstborn Psalm 149 was practised and human firstborns were bible notes redeemed by sacrifice (as described later Romans 13:8-14 in chapter 13), then the added importance Passed Over Matthew 18:15-20 of this story to the identity of the Hebrew people as a community. Their freedom was Have you or someone you know ever holiday associated with Pesach. Borrowing bought through the payment of a heart- been ‘passed over for a promotion’? It is from those traditions for this service would wrenching sacrifice by the Egyptians. an expression that has come to us from be entirely appropriate—particularly the the USA, but its meaning is clear enough: custom of a child asking questions about The animated film,Prince of Egypt, handles those times when in the workplace you what is going on. This is a story that needs the pass over scene particularly well experience someone else taking a step to be handled with sensitivity for there and could be used in a worship or study upward on the promotion ladder while is no mistaking the horrifying side of the context. you remain on the rung below. Passed story. Within the Jewish tradition, the What is strikingly different about the over. Left behind. sorrow and grief that surrounds this story instructions for this Passover meal, when is made clear in the choice of foods eaten Being passed over has negative compared to what we do today when connotations, but not in the story we share a meal with each other from Exodus. In this story, you want in community, is that we take to be passed over. In fact you will people’s coats from them, perhaps go to extraordinary lengths to be even remove shoes, sit and get passed over: smearing the blood comfortable to share time together. of a perfect one-year-old sheep Not so for the Passover feast: here or goat on the doorframe of your you are to keep your coat on, ensure home. The alternative for your sandals are on and walking stick is family doesn’t bear thinking about. to hand. The meal is to be eaten in haste. We begin a theme based around different aspects of ‘community’ If it sounds like the drive-thru at in this Sunday’s service. Over the your nearby McDonald’s then that is coming weeks the many different not far from the truth. This is a meal facets of that theme will be that marks the start of a journey. explored. This Sunday, however, The Hebrews are not going to be marks the start of a journey. Here is the during the feast: bitter herbs are a part settled for a long time, they are a people story that marks the pivotal moment when of the feast in memory of the sadness of on the move. a community decides to leave all that it these events. How much have we forgotten that the knows behind and seeks a new home. The Within the story, the Passover marks church is also a people on the move? Have cost is great for them and for those who the culmination of an ongoing struggle we settled and become so comfortable are left behind. between God, through Moses and Aaron, that the thought of moving away from all This story of the Passover of God, the and the Pharaoh over the Hebrew people. that we know is too costly to contemplate? Pesach in Hebrew, has been kept alive for The cost of freedom from bondage and What does it mean to be a community generation after generation as it is retold slavery is explored with graphic detail. on the move? How does your church in Jewish homes during the festival and Within the context of Israelite history, respond to the changing needs within the community around it? 6 spill the beans community is... on the move the story Are you ready? Retelling for young people Voice A: Are you ready? A: I’ve got a great feeling, you know! Listen to a story of many years ago Voice B: Stick, sandals, stomach ache… B: I’ve got a terrible feeling— of a Man we know as Moses ugh! indigestion! who said: “Let my People go!” A: What a feast, eh? Roast lamb on A: But are you ready? the hoof! Pharaoh was the king B: I don’t think I’ve ever been more who always shouted “No! B: We had goat, and there’s not a ready. I’m not going to eat for a Never, never, never hoof among them by the way… week, or a fortnight, or a month. will I let your people go!” What month is it anyway? A: I always wondered what roasted So Moses told the Hebrews lamb lungs tasted like… not bad A: It’s the first month. to cook a meal of lamb at all! B: The first month of what? and eat it with their coats on B: Haggis by any other name… and leave soon as they can A: The first month of our new yeuch! futures. God gave Moses a message A: For once I was glad of our huge B: I don’t think the Egyptians are (This sounds rather queasy) family, we scoffed the lot no going to like that. to paint all of their doorpost bother! with blood—it should be easy A: They don’t have to like it. We’re B: For once I was glad of our not going to be around to find “For something bad will happen,” greedy guzzler Joe next door, out. said God, “if you’re not mine. always sticking his nose in when The blood with keep you safe anybody’s cooking, this time I B: Do you think the blood on the for that will be a sign.” said, have as much as you like door will keep us safe? Joe, really! A: Let’s hope so. So after food was eaten A: Fast food, it’s the in thing and I’m their coats and sandals on (Pause) all for it, Uncle Zeb couldn’t do Moses said, “Let’s go!” his usual and talk the hind legs B: Can you hear wailing? And soon the Hebews were gone. off a donkey all through dinner! A: It’s started. Let’s go B: Joe would eat the hind legs off a donkey, that’s for sure. worship ideas Through the Season Detail Going on a Journey Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages Detail—it’s all in the detail. We’ve been ready to go for ages, 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the Sometimes we can get away champing at the bit, scene throughout this theme. with being a bit airy fairy raring to go. but, other times, We’ve thought of everything, Gathering all age we have to stick to the rules packed the kitchen sink, Ask people to turn to a few folk sitting near go by the book time to hit the road. them and for a few moments discuss what obey instructions. So why are we still hanging around here? Maybe God knows something happens when their families or friends get Sometimes it’s just too important about what lies ahead? together. Where? When? Who? Food? Use for us to mess up. these discussions as introduction to the Maybe there’s just a bit more setting of Passover. Sometimes we need to follow through we need to discover? on our commitment Could it be In groups invite people to create a menu stop playing the game that in this last teaching moment, for a special occasion. Suggest a time such and go with the detail. in this place we want to escape from, as Easter and Christmas and then move on God will show us something to more unusual times such as Harvest or to get us through the journey? in memory of someone. We’re ready—are we really? These activities help introduce the idea Or do we just want to get on our way of how we remember and celebrate before we lose our nerve completely? important times. pentecost 2a 2011 7 sunday 4 september 2011 worship ideas All-Age Prayer Living God We are caught up in patterns Beyond (places of conflict), here is a big story for us of being oppressor and oppressed; beyond (places of unrest), of a long ago time caught in a system that puts down others; may we live again. a way of living in the world when you freed people who were slaves Beyond hunger and poverty, that we cannot escape from, and called them your own people. beyond unfair and unbalanced yet hurts others and ourselves. You seem to want to change things: economies and trade, to move from what hurts And we turn aside from it, may we find life again. justify it, to what heals, Beyond unsustainable living and warming, count ourselves exceptions, from what traps beyond disbelief and denial, trapping ourselves further, to what gives us freedom. may we know life once more. caught up not knowing, Help us live like that too: just living. Beyond broken communities and moving from dislike to love. neighbourhoods, Free us, O freedom giver, That’s the way you do things, beyond fear and loneliness, deliver us, that’s the way you change the world, may we find you redeeming. that’s the way you ask us to live. by opening eyes, listening to you, Great God, And we can make our own big story living your way, set us free from all that binds us working with you paying life service in preferring what is familiar to help everyone rather than lip service even though it hurts live fully, freely, fairly together. to your realm. and find a new way to life, Hear us as we pray together. a freedom that brings life For you never settle down, Amen. that we may grow once more you are always on the way transforming what has become too to a cross and to life, Reflective Prayer familiar: to freedom and a wilderness, conflict, May we never sit down again, O God; to a tomb and resurrection. may we never coory in abuse, and settle down again, O God, May we come with you, prejudice, for you are on the move O God of hard choices, greed, and we think we’d like to come with you. for real freedom is the hardest choice. and setting free your way of grace, May we journey with you peace, God, deliverer of justice, so we may be called your people? life, Almighty Redeemer of the bound up, So be it. freedom. Creator who charges heaven Amen. with freedom. Hear us, Prayers of Intercession deliverer, Are we the oppressed or oppressor? liberator, Great God, Forgive us, forgiving God, redeemer, set us free! for we are both. Holy God. Come and be our liberator, For we have conditioned ourselves to live our deliverer, So be it. in the contradiction our redeemer, Amen. of faith and world, for Egypt is large and we are caught. in the tension between our lifestyle Hear us, O freedom giver. and your reign.

8 spill the beans community is... on the move

Freedom Closing Prayer Freedom is a very big word. It is not just a Voice 1: How many ways can you say From whatever binds us, setting free from oppression and bondage. ‘freedom’? from that which holds us back, The consequences of freedom mean living Voice 2: I work hard for what I’ve got from the fear of change that traps us, in a very broadminded community. It release us now to go in faith, means giving life to things of which we do Voice 3: You can think what you like to step forward with your grace, not necessarily agree or feel comfortable. Voice 2: That shouldn’t be allowed and to live the gospel of love, It’s takes a confidence and a sense of faith in our community and world. to live fully in freedom. This contemporary Voice 3: That’s just prejudice Walk with us now and always. reading explores that idea. Voice 2: I will defend your right to hold Praise Songs / Hymns Voice 1: How many ways can you say your views As we go now (from Fischy Music, “Build ‘freedom’? Voice 3: But I do not agree with them one Up” CD) Voice 2: Exodus bit Forth in thy name (MP 159) Voice 1: How many ways can you say Voice 3: Get out God is working his purpose out (CH4 235) ‘freedom’? Voice 2: Let my people go I do not know what lies ahead (MP 269) Voice 2: Exodus Voice 3: Liberation Look forward in faith (SGP 69) Voice 3: Promised Land Voice 2: Emancipation Lord, for the years (MP 428) Voice 2: Covenant One more step (CH4 530) Voice 3: The road out Voice 3: Forgiveness The day of resurrection! (CH4 413) Voice 1: How many ways can you say We’ll walk the land (MP 743) ‘freedom’? Voice 2: Cross We’re moving on (see page 44) Voice 2: Live and let live Voice 3: Jesus Christ You rescued me (MP 1020) Voice 3: A welcome to the stranger Voice 2: Make room Voice 3: Come in your notes Voice 2: Tell us your story Voice 3: Sit here with me Voice 1: How many ways can you say ‘freedom’? Voice 2: I don’t like him Voice 3: She shouldn’t be allowed to do that Voice 2: I’m allowed to hold my own views Voice 3: They should be sent back Voice 2: I can do what I like in my own home Voice 3: I don’t have to sit with them Voice 1: How many ways can you say ‘freedom’? Voice 2: Gender equality Voice 3: Equal rights Voice 2: Fair trade Voice 3: Olympics Voice 2: Sovereignty Voice 3: Equality

pentecost 2a 2011 9 sunday 4 september 2011 age group ideas gathering Kim’s Game all age Packing to Go all age You will need: 10-20 items that would be Sit in a circle. Begin by saying that you associated with taking a journey (e.g. are going on a journey and in your case suitcase, hat, sunglasses, map, etc) you are going to pack… then suggest something beginning with the letter ‘A’. Lay out or project items for a journey, let The next person begins the same: I am people look at the items for a limited time going on a journey and I am going to and then cover items and see how many pack… then they have to remember the they can remember. The story today is previous item and add one beginning with about the beginning of a journey. ‘B’ and so on round the circle using the whole alphabet. This introduces the idea of going on a journey and starts the creative process of thinking about what you take with you. crafts While the following crafts and activities are Passports age 3-8 Through the Door age 9-12 being done it is important to connect the activities with the story, particularly to talk You will need: card, paper, pens, long- You will need: corrugated cardboard, about home, about moving home, about arm stapler. roll of lining paper, A4 paper sheets, colouring pens or paints. changes, about trusting God when we face Make wee passport booklets for each changes. person with name, date of birth, picture/ In group(s) make a doorframe from a large The craft is not an end in itself but a way of photo inside and picture of church on the sheet of corrugated card. Stick lining paper engaging in conversation with people and front and emphasize that we are all a part behind the doorframe and invite children to help focus on the story. of God’s family, ready to travel together. to draw/paint a picture of the road ahead Younger ones may need pre-prepared for the people of Israel or themselves, as Home Sweet Home age 3-5 passports which they can decorate. This though looking out from the door. You could be used each week with a stamp could also do this on a smaller A4 size You will need: cardboard box(es), paints, being printed on each page as the whole scale with each person making their own paint brushes, newspaper/sheets story progresses over the next few months. doorframe picture. In group(s) make a model house from large cardboard box and get children to Belt Up age 6-8 Stamp Collector all age paint the box, making sure that the door You will need: ribbon or webbing, fabric You will need: card (pre-prepared with is prominent and use the house to discuss pens, stickers, buttons. blank stamp template), colouring pencils the story. What would it have been like or pens. to go out through the door, leaving the In Exodus12:11 it says you should keep house behind and starting on a journey? your ‘cloak tucked into belt’. Give each Design ‘stamps’ (or luggage labels) for child a length of ribbon, webbing or throughout the season. This is an activity similar in order to make a belt which can that can be picked up any week. Use a be decorated with buttons, stickers, fabric template of a perforated stamp and invite pens, etc. Emphasize that the people of people to draw or symbolize the image Israel had to be ready to travel at all times. from the story.

10 spill the beans community is... on the move Shoe Game age 6-12 activities You will need: Timer, big bag. First Footsteps all age Adventure age 9-12 This introduces the idea of traveling and what we need to take with us. You will need: wallpaper/lining paper, Fashion Get all the children to take off one shoe black bags, pens or paint, trays, basins, You will need: selection of clothes and either place it in a pile in the centre towels. depending on whether you are doing of the floor or put them in a large black Lay out lining paper on floor and get life-size or doll size modelling. bag. When the leader shouts ‘Go!’ they run everyone to draw round their feet. If you Dress ’model’, person or doll or card figure, to the bag and pick out any shoe quickly. want to try the messy, but fun, version, get in what children think someone would They then have match up the shoe with its everyone to take off their shoes and socks need to be wearing or taking with them if owner, except the owner is trying to match and use paint spread out on flat trays to they were going on a long journey. the shoe they picked up with someone step in and then walk across paper, making else. If the children stay close-by it ends footprints. Have basins of water and towels up a bit like the game Twister where hands to wash feet! If using paint you may want and legs are twisted and crossed over. The to put a layer of plastic bags under the games time limit is shorter for older children and paper to protect the flooring (word of longer for younger children. Approx 2-3 experience!) This activity engages with Story Game younger mins for older and 5 mins for the younger the idea of starting out on a journey. Ask children ones. people what the start of a journey is like and where they would like to be going. You will need: Picture of some animals Safety Game age 6-12 but must include a lamb or goat. Pictures with numbers on them 1 through to 10. You will need: Two lines drawn by chalk, or made with masking tape/string, rib- To encourage the children to remember bon, etc., napkin to go in the centre. the story: tell the story in a very simple way and once the story has been told This is a game that helps to reinforce the ask the children what type of animal God story. wanted the people to use. If the pictures Place lines a good distance apart are up on the wall you can make it into (depending on hall size) and then place a race. The same for the numbers – what the napkin in the centre. Split the children day did God tell them to do it on. Count 1 equally and get them to sit either side of through 10 and then let them find 10 on napkin in a row. One side is called ‘true’ the wall. and the other ‘false’. Story Mine younger Behind the lines is their safety zone. You then retell the story using questions with children a true of false answer: e.g. ‘It was on the As a way to think about “getting ready”. first day that each man took a lamb.” If the Tell a story about getting out of bed and answer is false, then the false people will getting ready, for example: I woke up and chase the true people. If caught before stretched (action) and yawned (action). their safety line they have to join the false I got dressed (action), ate my breakfast and vice versa. (action), brushed my teeth (action), and Other true and false suggestions: carry on for as long as your imagination (and theirs) will go. You must share out your lamb if you have Street Party all age too much – True You will need: food, napkins, table Snakes and age 6-9 They were to put blood on the roof – False covers, cups, etc. Ladders Animal to be slaughtered at twilight – True Create a party feast. What preparations do you need to make? Get ideas and then get You will need: A large board prepared And so on... the children to create the feast. This links with snakes and ladders, big tokens to with the theme by doing an activity of move, dice. preparing for a feast for everyone. Create a big version of snakes and ladders other ideas Get children to prepare food and hall for board game to play with 3 or 4 people either themselves and/or for those who at a time and link with idea of going on Communion and Barbecues a journey with ups and downs and not stay after church for a cuppa. This could If you are celebrating communion on this knowing what is going to happen. be a fundraising idea—asking visitors to Sunday there are lots of links and possibili- make a donation for the food and drink. ties e.g a child asking the question ‘Why They could prepare the food and then do we have this meal? Or why not have a serve it to everyone and also decorate the church family barbecue as a special treat hall with images of the Passover. after the service? pentecost 2a 2011 11 sunday 11 september 2011 community is... being in God sunday 11 september 2011 exodus 14:10-15:21

Exodus 14:10-15:21 used water and the seas as a shorthand to Psalm 114 describe that which tends to chaos. bible notes A lot has been written about where these Romans 14:1-12 events took place. Was it the Gulf of Suez? Deliverance Matthew 18:21-35 The Gulf of Aqaba? The Red Sea or the The parting of the Red Sea and the exodus army. A desperate plea is raised from the Sea of Reeds? While this is interesting, of the people of God from Egypt. For a Hewbrews to God that they be delivered ultimately it is not important to the certain generation it inevitably conjures from there impending doom. message. This passage is imaginative up images of Charlton Heston and the history. It is the retelling of a people’s The message comes to the Israelites: “Do Cecil B. de Mille epic motion picture The history as they look back on the journey not be afraid...” It is the same message Ten Commandments. If you have seen they have undertaken generation upon that is repeated by God countless times the images from that film then they will generation. throughout the Old Testament, usually undoubtedly have shaped what you see when the Israelites face an adversary, and, What is clear right from this early stage as when you read this story. of course, it is the same message that Jesus Moses and Aaron lead the people out of There is no doubt that this is an intensely also brings to the disciples when they Egypt into the desert wandering, is that dramatic scene. Having been finally cower in fear after his death. this new community is learning what it granted leave from Egypt after the loss of means to live with God’s presence. The What is it that we are afraid of in our own the Egyptian firstborns, Moses leads the pillars of cloud and fire become a symbol lives? Or in the life of the church? The Hebrews away only for Pharaoh to change of God’s presence that will later be fulfilled chaotic and destructive nature of a body his mind and set chase. in the Ark’s presence. of water, so readily seen in the tsunami in The scene is set for the clash between the Japan in March 2011, is a great symbol for In the past that sense of community Hebrew slaves, with God on their side, all that has the power to overwhelm us in as being rooted in God’s presence was and the mighty power of Pharaoh and his life. It is no wonder that the ancients often similarly held within our own society—we were a God-fearing people. It was taken for granted. But what of today? Most people in our communities have a limited understanding of the presence of God in their lives, and have grown up outside the community of faith in which that understanding can develop and be nurtured. So where does the church begin in growing a community of faith today? If community is being in God, how do we communicate that to people who do not know of the Bible’s witness to that good news? The obvious answer is that the people of faith within the church must be that witness to their communities if real community is to be built. A daunting task, but we are not to be afraid of it.

12 spill the beans community is... being in God the story What Now? I stood fixed to the spot unable to decide raised his staff and with a great sweep The Hebrews were free. They were on their which way to turn. Behind us the Egyptian brought it down into the water. way to the promised land. chariots where causing a dust storm, in Pause here and sing a song or listen to Pause here and sing a song or listen to front of us the Red Sea was rolling in to the some music some music shore and we were caught in the middle. There was a great sucking of the wind and I heard shouts and screams from all swirling of the tide and Moses steadied Retelling for young people directions. None of it made sense. I himself, trying to keep still before he was Use either lining paper painted blue couldn’t hear what anyone was saying. pulled under. The noise was deafening as or a long piece of blue material. Invite Some were screaming at the Pharaoh and the wind threw itself at the sea and the everyone to stand with you on the sea his men charging towards us, some were sea threw itself back and a great valley bed. Ask them what it is like, what the screaming at Moses leading us to this of water grew before everyone. No one ground is like, and how they feel. Ask water’s edge but most were screaming at moved as the tide moved back and the them these questions throughout this God, and God didn’t seem to be listening. wind held it there and the sea bottom was activity. Pause here and sing a song or listen to exposed. Tell the story of crossing the Red Sea in some music For some strange reason I didn’t expect your own words. Move along the material I don’t know what the commotion was it to be so rocky, seaweed splayed across as you do so. As you ask everyone but Moses was getting angry. People were bounders and a fish or two flapping on its how they feel, write those feeling on swarming round him and with his staff he side. Moses was still upright, with great a stone and lay it on the material. You pushed them out the way creating a path walls of water on either side of him. And should hopefully have a whole range of before him right down to the water side. with one strong jerk of his staff, pointed emotions. And in he waded right up to his middle. through the sea and everyone moved, Ask everyone to walk quickly or slowly, His arms were stretched high keeping his silently, only the cry of children frightened varying their speed depending on staff dry and he stopped. “Are you trying to of the water. People hurried through the what is happening. You could make the swim for it?” someone in the crowd jeered. valley scared it might tumble upon them. crossing quite exciting, imaging what But he was silenced. But each one, to a person, made it through you might see in the wall of water: sharks, the parting, and as the last reached dry By now you could hear the hooves of big waves, spray, etc. land the walls broke free and fell crashing Pharaoh’s horses thudding the earth and into the chasm spilling and churning the They could respond to various words: Moses seemed to hesitate. His eyes shifted Egyptian chariots that had started to cross the response to ‘water’ could be ‘splish, from one side to the other as if he was also. splosh’; ‘rock’ could be ‘rumble, rumble’. about to jump off a cliff into oblivion. He worship ideas Through the Season Call to Worship of living in community, of freedom for everyone. Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages We come to the water’s edge, 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the between slavery and freedom, These are the hopes you fill us with. scene throughout this theme. Egypt and the Promised Land, Not Moses, but dare we get our toes wet? not the Israelites, Gathering all age not the Chosen People, All-Age Prayer not the Hebrew Nation, Ask folk to share a time when they have not Joseph’s ancestors, been absolutely sure of God’s presence. Living God, not Abraham’s children. Was that presence calming? we have packed up and we have left Egypt. But us. Give everyone a sheet of paper and fold You fill us with hope in half. On one side of the fold write those And our rucksacks are full for changing the world, things that bring anxiety to them and on of hope, for making it free, the other side those thing that bring hope. of promise, for living with each other in friendship. play some music while this is done. This of longing for a new land, activity helps people enter the story with of the thoughts of milk and honey, Your dream, the Hebrews with the Egyptians behind of the idea of freedom, in us. them and the Red Sea before them. of living in a safe place, Help us fulfil it. So be it. of knowing everyone’s name, Amen. pentecost 2a 2011 13 sunday 11 september 2011 worship ideas Reflection Water’s Edge When life conspires The bible tells a number of water stories to churn us up that call people onto the way. In these I met him on the shore, and froth us around, moments by the water people find a new this God of resurrection, God is. direction, stories from the margins of sea who spoke in my soul, When it seems we’ve reached the limit and land, where one journey simply moves and called me once more. and can go no further, into another. God is. (pour water over bowl into sand) This place becomes a marginal place, a When there’s no way forward crossover place where we will watch land Voice 4: I met her at the well, and no way back, and sea meet. preparing a drink for the stranger, God is. hot in the noonday sun, And God, being God, And you are invited, immediately following carrying a history breathes calm, the five stories during the hymn, or she wanted to hide, opens up new horizons following the blessing at the end, to come head covered, and leads us through. forward and leave a footprint on the shy under the sun, Thanks be to God. waters edge, symbolising that our faith is always calling us to new journeys, new yet thirsty for renewal. Reflective Prayer truths, new insights with a God who frees I met her at the well, When we stand by the water’s edge us to travel. this God of living water, with all those boundaries and borders, Voice 1: I met him on the water’s edge, who quenched my soul, may we look over and beyond them. knee deep in the river, and set me free to live. May we see what you are designing, facing the Baptizer, (pour water over bowl into sand) whose hands were upon his head where you are leading us to, Voice 5: I met him by the sea, pushing him down into the water if we dare. calling the runaway as it gurgled over him. May we let our souls rise to the idea to proclaim the Good News that our hearts beat to your justice rhythm I met him on the water’s edge to a different town, and feet move restlessly. this God of freedom, watching as the messenger, liberator of my soul, struggle to hide amid the storm, May our faith in you leap a little, and called me to walk his way. the waves, our trust affirmed, and that giant fish. our longing be as strong as yours. (pour water over bowl onto the sand) I met him by the sea, When we stand by the water’s edge Voice 2: I met in the desert, A wilderness dry as dust, this God of universal salvation, may we trust what you are doing who stirred my soul, before longing for what we’ve left behind. hand on rock, looking beyond himself, to spread the message to other May we face what is going to happen shores. and not turn back willing with all the faith he could to what has already happened. muster, (pour water over bowl into sand) May we be your journeying people for the water to explore from the carrying with us only that which has stone, Prayer of Intercession and it did. shaped us in the past, So often we find ourselves by the Red Sea, that will be the seed of new life. I met him in the desert, feet by the water and wondering what will happen. When we stand by the water’s edge this God of exodus, who watered my soul, may we meet: Liberating God, and said, “Follow and believe.” Joshua trusting, hear us as we pray for those things that Jonah turning, (pour water over bowl into the sand) bring us to the edge. the disciples following, May we get our feet wet. Voice 3: I met him on the shore, Jesus resurrecting, hungry for breakfast, where your reign begins. Hear us as we stand on the edge sitting by the fire with Georgia, When we stand by the water’s edge roasting the fish with Zimbabwe and Darfur, may we meet you we couldn’t catch. Palestine/Israel, waiting. “It was the wrong side,” he said. Iraq and Afghanistan; I jumped waist high where we believe no one, into the waves trust few, and pulled myself onto the beach and wonder what the future will be. to sit with him. Hear us as we hold these places, and walk with them. 14 spill the beans community is... being in God age group ideas gathering Hear us as we stand on the edge with our own community: Seaside all age with those who live always with insecurity, Talk about some of the things you can do homes where children and adults at the seaside. Let the discussion continue are abused, to develop moving it towards an opening families and neighbourhoods to tell the story. where there is little support for each other, and we wonder what the future will bring. Use some of these discussion starters: Hear us as we hold these people, • Have you seen any strange animals, or and walk with them. colourful shells? Hear us as we stand on the edge • What games do you play? with our own families and friends: • Do you paddle? those who are close to us, those we have fallen out with, • Do you jump through the waves? those who are ill and recovering, • What makes the biggest waves? those lonely and afraid. • Have you seen anything strange? Hear us as we hold these people, • Here’s a story of some strange and walk with them. happenings at the seaside… Let us walk through the water. May we believe in a new world, a new way to be your people, Bubble Painting age 6-8 hear us. crafts While the following crafts and activities You will need: bowl or containers, blue So be it. poster paint, washing up liquid, paper, Amen. are being done it is important to connect the story with life by talking about the straws. Closing Prayer themes of the story at an appropriate level. Place paint and diluted washing-up liquid Remember that for most young people of in a bowl. Children can use straws to blow No matter the task ahead, Sunday School age they still have a very bubbles in the bowl until the bubbles are no matter the fear in our hearts, literal understanding of a story such as higher than the rim. Placing their paper no matter the questions and doubts, this. Simple themes like trusting God when on top of the bowl they will form a unique no matter the water lapping at our feet, all looks hopeless can be drawn out. bubble painting. Through this activity you we go in confidence to serve God. The craft is not an end in itself but a way of can talk about what it is like at the seaside, For with him all things are possible, engaging in conversation with people and the bubbles and spray of the waves and in him we can trust. to help focus on the story. coming in. What is it like to walk out into Let us know your presence with us the sea? When dry these paintings could this week and each week. Pool Time age 3-5 further be decorated with fish, starfish, etc. Praise Songs / Hymns You will need: paddling pool or baby Sea Weaving age 9-12 bath, bath toys. Be still (MP 50, CH4 189) You will need: coloured straws, garden Christ be beside me (CH4 577) Let the children have fun playing with the sticks, pipe-cleaners, paper, colouring Come let us to the Lord (CH4 82) toys in the water while talking about what pens, scissors. you find in the water/sea. Courage, brother! (CH4 513) Use straws or green gardening sticks to Do not be afraid (MP 115, CH4 191) make a ‘sea’ weaving - weave blue threads, wool, pipecleaners, material in and out of El-Shaddai (MP 119) straws or sticks. Add some people to the How did Moses cross the Red Sea? (JP 83) weave or fish or other seas creatures. How great is our God (MP 245) When Israel was in Egypt’s land (JP 276) Junk Chariot all age We’re moving on (see page 44) You will need: Junk! You are before me, God (CH4 96) Make a big junk model chariot from card- board boxes. Use large boxes and cut out wheels and paint of cover in tissue paper. Write on the chariot, or draw patterns. pentecost 2a 2011 15 sunday 11 september 2011 activities games Sink or Swim age 3-5 Free the Slaves age 3-5 You will need: rubber ring, armbands, Sit all the children in a circle with their cork, coin, plastic, polystyrene, wood, arms and legs in the basket position. Ask sponge, etc., basin, water. the children to then link arms. Tell them that someone special will come to set Fill a basin with water and let the children them free. Someone comes up behind put the items into the water and watch to them and touches their shoulder. The see if they sink or swim. Encourage them child jumps up and runs after the person to think about what will sink or float in the who touched them. Run around the circle water. and the children then swap places with the child who was freed now able to free Lightning Links all age someone else. You will need: pen, paper or large board. Crossing the River age 6-11 The idea here is to find word associations Parachute Sea all age You will need: paper, hula hoops, tables with words linked to the Bible story. You will need: play parachute. turned upside down. This can be done either as one big team Adapt parachute games using the This can be used to explore the idea of or by splitting the children into teams. parachute as the sea and children have trying to get everyone to safety across the You give them a word and ask what other to make waves and go under it or over water. words/names/objects they can come up it. Or holding on to the parachute raise it Using the equipment you have provided with that are associated with the original in the air and then bring it down behind the children have to cross the room using word. everyone so they sit on the edge of it, only that equipment. Their feet cannot inside the big bubble. What must it be like For example, “Horses” and associated touch the floor unless they are on the to be under the sea? words could be rider, saddle, stable, paper or the upside down table or in the hooves, chariots (if they had been listening Always a favourite is “Sharks”: All the hula hoop. to the story), donkey, Jesus, and so on. Or children sit on the floor with their “Sea” leading to fish, whales, Jonah, red, legs straight out in front of them. The Water Relay Race age 6-11 Moses, people, boats, ships, sharks, etc. parachute is in their hands at a very low You will need: plastic cups, two basins or level and they start to make the parachute buckets per team. ripple. Underneath the parachute there are 1 or 2 sharks crawling about. The The theme is trying to get across the sea sharks grabs a persons feet and tries to while keeping safe and dry. pull them under the parachute but on the Simple relay race of getting one bucket of outside there will be 2 children who are water into another bucket at the opposite lifesavers and as the person shouts for help end of the room using the plastic cups. To they rush to pull them to safety by pulling make it more fun you might want to put them back. If the person is saved they stay a pin hole in the end of the cups. Remem- where they are but if the shark wins they ber... water dries up and doesn’t damage! go under the parachute and become a However, if the weather is good, then this shark themselves. game can easily be transported outside. your notes

16 spill the beans community is... sustainable living community is... sustainable living sunday 18 september 2011 exodus 16:2-15

Exodus 16:2-15 children out for the day spending a Psalm 105:1-6,37-45 fortune to get into some fun place, having bible notes prepared a picnic for the journey, having Philippians 1:21-30 taken a day off to dedicate to family time. Enough is Enough Matthew 20:1-16 You think you have had a great day out with memories that will last for ever, only What do we really need to live on? The to hear in the car on the way home, “I’m NHS currently states that women need bored! There’s nothing to do!” 2,000 and men 2,500 calories of energy intake per day from their food. Yet, with eternal patience, despite the moaning of his people, God provides What do we actually consume? In the manna in the wilderness. What was UK the average consumption per person manna? Some suggest manna may have is almost 3,500 calories. In the USA it is something to do with the honey-tasting almost 3,800 calories. Grossly excessive to resin dropped from the tamarisk trees well- what we actually need. Now, compare that known in the region. Others suggest it to a country like Eritrea where the average might be honeydew produced by insects, consumption is a little over 1,500 calories a delicacy in the Middle East even today, per day. That puts our consumption into and rich in energy. We will never know. perspective. What we do know is that it was a sign for All very interesting, but what has this to the people of God that he will provide for do with this week’s Bible focus? After the them, but not to excess. They are being traumatic release from slavery in Egypt, taught to think only about their needs, and the escape from Pharaoh whose army not to horde what they can pick from the was destroyed in the process of trying to ground, but rather to ensure day-by-day reclaim the Hewbrew people as slaves, we that each and every person has enough now meet the community of Israelites on food for that day. the move in the wilderness scrubland of around Sinai. There are a lot of them and provision for his people and his patient The ethics of food production today water and food are scarce. This is a time to response to their appeal. are fraught. It only takes a cursory get acquainted with sustainable living, to investigation into industrial food It is a patient response because the be satisfied with what you need, not what production to be shocked at the seeming community is in uproar with its grumbling you want. unsustainability of what we are doing. A and moaning against Moses and Aaron 2008 documentary, Food, Inc., exposes And, as you might expect, the community for having dragged them away from what we are too often unaware of in the is not happy. There are three stories in the riches of Egypt to the poverty of the food chain. this part of Exodus relating to the physical wilderness. We read that Moses and Aaron needs of the community and their appeal are at pains to remind the people that When the gluttony of the developed to Moses and Aaron. Two short stories when they moan about them, they are nations is compared with the about the provision of water frame the actually moaning about what God has impoverishment of many other nations larger story of the provision of manna done for them. the justification becomes ever harder to and quail in the desert that is our focus. sustain. When is enough enough? It’s all rather typical isn’t it? Parents will All three stories depict God’s gracious know well the situation of taking the pentecost 2a 2011 17 sunday 18 september 2011 the story What Now? Retelling for young people Voice A: Can you think of one good thing B: Oh, and that time when we were Hide pieces of bread around the space. about this desert? Just one thing? making brick from straw. Gather everyone together and give each Voice B: It’s warm during the day. Actually A: I suppose so. We did moan about a yogurt carton. begin the story in your it’s too warm. In fact it’s positively that. Especially when we had to own words of the Israelites being in the uncomfortable. cut the straw ourselves. desert. A: I can’t think of a single thing B: And we did complain when we Ask what deserts might be like and what either. It’s difficult enough just to had to make twice as many. would be difficult to find (food, water, find something to eat. etc.). A: Well, that’s understandable. But Explain that the Israelites were B: It’s terrible. I can’t believe we other than that… complaining to Moses because they were so daft as to follow Moses B: Yes, other than that we’ve haven’t couldn’t find enough water or food. But out here. said a word. that God heard them and asked them A: And it’s doing nothing for my skin to be prepared to collect some special A: No not a word to Moses. We’ve complexion, all this hot sun. bread that would appear on the ground been very good. Not a single in the morning. B: And you can hardly find enough moan has crossed our lips. water to wash your toes let alone So when the Israelites woke the next B: Though I’m fed up not getting have a bath as we were able to do morning the looked out their tents and enough to eat. in Egypt. the ground was covered in Manna, which A: Yeah, me too. We should have is a special kind of bread and Moses said A: In fact talking of Egypt, at just stayed in Egypt to die there. to everyone, go and gather enough for least we could sit down there. today, no more, no less. So they did. Here, there is nowhere to get B: At least someone would have comfortable. noticed. Ask everyone to take their yogurt pot and collect a piece of bread hidden in the B: It’s just one big ugly desert and A: And if they didn’t notice at least hall. we’ve stuck in the middle of it. we’d have made it a big awkward for the Egyptians. When they come back pour the bread A: I think Moses has brough us out into a pile and invite everyone to have a here just to get rid of us. B: Exactly. Well I’m off to have some piece if they are allowed. quail and then some Manna too. B: It’s not as if we are moaners, but The next day, they were hungry again A: Yeah, it’s a bit dry though isn’t it. there comes a point when you and God said, every morning from now have to speak up. B: Yes, and why do we have to take on there will be bread waiting for you. A: There certainly does and this is only enough for each day. It Never take too much. Take just what you exactly that point. would be much easier to store need so everyone can have enough. some of it up. B: We’ve hardly said a thing to Invite people to go and find a piece of Moses. I think we’ve been very A: That’s what I thought but it just bread and ask them this time to help good at not moaning. rots in the jar. each other finding a piece. A: Exactly. Certainly there was that B: It’s really not on. I think Bring them back and pour them out. something should be done about time at the Red Sea. Again ask them to go and find a piece. it. Perhaps we should speak to B: Yeah, but the Egyptians were the pieces may be more difficult to find, Moses directly. chasing our tails and we were so remind everyone to help each other trapped. It was okay to moan A: Yes, maybe we should. I mean, find a piece. If there aren’t enough pieces then. we’ve not said a word to him tell everyone to come back, pour our all about how uncomfortable it is the pieces and divide them up between A: True. Other than that we’ve here. each other so everyone has some. hardly said a word about all this discomfort. B: I know, we never moan. B: Indeed, though I suppose we A: Never, you wouldn’t hear us were a wee bit vocal in Egypt complain about a thing. when we had to sit with our cloak on and that unleavened bread. A: I suppose so, but it wasn’t exactly normal was it. A wee bit of a moan does you good.

18 spill the beans community is... sustainable living worship ideas Through the Season May we find bigness is having Bread Prayers just what we need Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages and leaving enough for others Using different breads that represent 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the to have full lives. different parts of the world that are in the scene throughout this theme. news this week, break each as you pray for May we find grace is letting that region or issue. Gathering all age others take first before we take what we imagine Following the prayer, at an appropriate Have folk share along the pews what they makes us comfortable. time, even after the benediction, invite have and no longer need or want, that people to come forward and share in the might be useful for another. May we find minimum isn’t frugal, bread, a symbol of praying and journeying but generous enough to live fully. Provide a few loaves of bread. Simply and with people in that particular situation. briefly remind people of stories of bread May we recognise in keeping in the Bible, or times when people have the kingdom to ourselves, Feeding the World been fed and with each break the bread. there is nothing to grow in the world. Provide a large world map on a central Examples are: feeding the 5000, the stone Forgive us. table. in a separate place provide a number themselves will turn to bread, the Last of loaves. As a prayer of intercession invite Supper, Mary and Martha, Passover, David Manna Agape people to simply make their own prayers in the Temple. Invite people to reflect on by travelling to the place of bread, tear a the times they have broken bread and Provide a variety of whole loafs of bread in piece and pilgrimage to the world map shared a meal with others. a central place in the worship space. Invite and place the piece of bread on the map people to come forward and tear a piece in a place they wish to pray for and think Manna of bread but not to eat it yet. about this week. Enough—simply enough, Play some music or sing a communion not too much, hymn while this is happening. Praise Songs / Hymns For your generous providing (CH4 655) not an over abundance, Invite everyone to place their piece of but—enough. bread in their hands in front of them or Glorious things of thee are spoken Sufficient for the day, somewhere they can see it. (MP 173, CH4 738) not for storing up Great is thy faithfulness (MP 200, CH4 153) or hoarding for the lean times, Ask people to reflect on the bread: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (MP 201, but—enough. • If this was a banquet, do we need it all? CH4 167) Seems fair that everyone should get just what they need • If this was all there was, do we need to How sweet the name (MP 251, CH4 461) regardless of status, eat it all now? Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour just—enough. • If this was a meal for a family, how (MP 431) Those are the resources much would you take? Lord, speak to me (MP 444) supplied by God. • If this was God’s gift to the world, what O God of Bethel (CH4 268) Prayer of Confession would you do with it? There’s a quiet understanding (MP 678) We really want to thank you, Lord (JP 268) When our eyes are bigger • Would you share it or give it to an- than our stomachs… other? We turn to God (CH4 393) When we imagine ‘having’ more Play a little more music. Then say When I needed a neighbour (JP 275, means ‘being’ more… something like: CH4 544) When our security revolves around having more than others… This is the banquet of heaven, it is all there When power is about stuff needs to be, a meal for the whole family of and the more there is God, God’s gift to the world. Now share in the more power we have… this gift of grace in whatever way you need for it is a symbol of what we do with the Forgive us. gifts God has given us in life.

pentecost 2a 2011 19 sunday 18 september 2011 age group ideas gathering Bread all age Bread Makers all age You will need: loaf of bread (perhaps a You will need: breadmaker (human or selection of different kinds). machine!), ingredients for making a loaf Provide a loaf of bread. Invite people to of bread, bowl, and one loaf already pass it round the circle and take a piece. baking. Ask them about their favourite sandwich This is a good one for getting an older filling, or what they normally have in the member of the congregation to help out sandwiches at lunchtime. with. If possible, earlier in the morning start baking a loaf of bread so that it will Ask if anyone knows of different kinds of be ready during the time with the children Each child could take a small portion of the bread (provide these if it is appropriate) so they can try some of the freshly baked dough to kneed while the story is being and talk about the countries round the bread later. told, getting into a rhythm together. This world that have different kinds of bread. may help everyone learn the story better. Talk about the ingredients needed for a Bread is the most basic food that everyone loaf of bread and what they do. Start the Use this as a way to discuss how hard it needs round the globe. Bread unites us. It process of making a loaf of bread. The would have been for the people in the sustains us. It nourishes us. This introduces children can get involved in mixing up desert to make food for themselves. They the story of Manna. the dough, though be prepared for mess. had to rely on God to provide for them. crafts activities While the following crafts and activities including people who do not have enough are being done it is important to connect to eat: what should be drawn for them? Bread Tasting age 6-12 the story with life by talking about the Think about essentials and what are treats. You will need: different kinds of bread. story, about where we get our food from, Provide different kinds of bread for how we rarely have to make our own Mega Sandwich age 9-12 children to taste (check allergies). Talk food, we buy it from shelves, but it has to You will need: thick paper, card, fabric, about what we use bread for and how come from somewhere. The provision and tissue paper, felt, cellophane, funky everyone round the world has different creativity of God should always be close to foam, etc. in as many colours as you can forms of bread. our thoughts. find. Talk about sharing what we have which The craft is not an end in itself but a way of Design a mega sandwich. Provide each develops the idea of the Israelites being engaging in conversation with people and child with several sheets of thick paper/ told to take just enough for themselves. to help focus on the story. card in cream colour to act as the bread My Fave Meal age 3-5 slices and other multi-coloured materials Grace Plates all age which can be used to make fillings for a You will need: paper plates, colouring mega sandwich. You will need: paper plates, lots of pencils or pens, decorative stickers. images from food magazines, scissors, Develop a conversation about being glue. Give each child a paper plate and ask them hungry and how the Israelites must have to draw their favourite meal on it, decorate felt in the wilderness. Let the children make up a meal that they edges of plate with stickers. This gives like by picking their own pictures and an opportunity to retell the story of the Feast Thanks all age gluing them to the plate. manna in the desert. A thank you prayer could be said to say You will need: paper sheets, colour thanks to God for all the nice food which pencils or pens, large poster-size sheet of Picnic Mat age 6-8 we have to eat, and thanks to him for paper/card. You will need: paper tablecoths, marker providing for us. pens. Ask each person to draw their favourite food and then stick all these pictures onto Give children a paper tablecloth and lots a big sheet creating a montage with the of marker pens and get them to make a title ‘God gives us all this—thank you God!” picnic mat. Draw a meal on it together for everyone. Perhaps develop a conversation 20 spill the beans community is... sustainable living games feathers as possible (if you do not have Sensory Game age 3-5 access to the fans then just spread them You will need: 5 containers (empty ice- about or use hand fans to move then). cream tubs), fillers for them (crisps, milk Those who have between 1-5 feathers their bean bag in the hand of someone chocolate buttons, dried rice, strong place in one group, 6-10 in another, and so who’s eyes are closed and then stand still smelling cheese, grapes). on. Once they are in the groups give each with the others. Explain the game is about using our sens- person in the group with highest numbers Start counting backwards from 5 and es, sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing. of feathers a treat. at zero everyone opens their eyes. The Let the children smell, touch, listen to each Ask the groups what their favourite bible people who have received the tokens have box and talk about the texture, rough, story is? Pick the same group and give to guess who gave it to them. Repeat the smooth, the sounds and smells. them another treat. process. See how many got everything right. Make Ask the groups something about today’s How good it feels to receive the gift, and the point that God provides all our food. story. Pick the same group and give them to wonder who gave it to you. Like the Make sure they wash their hands before another treat. Ask the children if this a fair Israelites in the desert being thankful to and after the game. and of course it is not. God for the food gifts they were provided with. Tell the groups that the Israelites were Make a Wish age 6-12 going to have to learn to treat each other Muffins all age You will need: a food item for each child fairly very soon. related to bread (e.g. slice of white bread, You will need: microwave oven, double brown bread, pancake, pitta, cream Get Out Of This! age 6-12 thick muffin cases, 2.5 tbsp porridge cracker, muffins, bagels, doughnuts, etc.) Expands the idea of working together oats, 50g wholewheat flour, 15ml cook- ing oil, 30g sugar, small pinch of salt, 25g This is a memory game that will encourage when in trouble as the Israelites had to do rather than keep manna for themselves. raisins, 1 egg beaten lightly, grated zest thoughts of fairness in sharing and taking of 1 orange, 5ml baking powder, 45 ml enough food. Sit the children in a circle Get all the children to stand in a circle milk. and give each child a bread item. They shoulder to shoulder. Ask them to close must all hold their item in full view for 30 their eyes and stretch their arms straight Let the children mix these ingredients seconds, encourage everyone to look at out front. They then walk slowly towards together quickly, but do not beat the different items everyone has. After that the centre and must link their hands with (slightly lumpy). Half fill the 6 cases, set they have to place it on the floor behind other people’s hands. in microwave muffin tray or ramekins. their back. Microwave on full power for 3 mins. A This is a bit like Twister—you may have to good idea would be to stop and turn tray One child will start with, ‘I wish for white stretch, bend, etc. Nobody can open their around at half way mark if the oven does bread from (name).’ If the named person eyes until everybody is holding somebody not have a rotating dish. Put on wire rack has the white bread they must hand it else’s hand. and leave to cool for a few minutes. over. The successful child could continue until they make a mistake and then the Now they have to find out which people This very simple recipe means everyone next person in the circle takes a turn at belong to which hands and then they can make muffins to share with others—a making a request. You may find that some- have to disentangle themselves without reminder that the Israelites had to share one has many items at the end and others breaking any other links from the bottom what they found with each other. No have none. up or the top down. hoarding! Feathered Frenzy age 6-12 Gift Giver all age You will need: small bean bags, boxes or You will need: electric fans (if possible), tokens. small feathers (craft shops provide these, some treats. This game can be used to encourage the idea of God being the giver of gifts like This game is about fairness. It provides an manna. opportunity to think about the Israelites who did not believe God had treated them Give a bean bag (box or token) to 3 or fairly. 4 children. Ask all the children to stand anywhere in the space, randomly spread Put fans on, if you have them, at a high around. Tell everyone to close their eyes speed but low to the ground. Let the and hold a hand in the air. feathers go and see them flying about. The children have to collect as many The bean bag holders then quietly place pentecost 2a 2011 21 sunday 25 september 2011 community is... hard work sunday 25 september 2011 exodus 17:1-7

Exodus 17:1-7 providing, God provides water from a rock Psalm 78:1-4,12-16 after Moses strikes it with his staff. bible notes Will the people respond in trust and faith Philippians 2:1-13 to a further example of God’s generosity Quarrelling and Testing Matthew 21:23-32 towards them? Or will they return to How do we remember places we have Make no mistake, people would have been bickering with each other and with Moses? visited? We might think we remember the used to working hard to find water, and Anyone who has been involved in local architecture, the sights, the sounds. What yet still they moaned. They didn’t know community work will know that it too is we are really remembering is what we did where to look, they might find themselves hard work. Even when generous provision when we were in that place. It might have travelling huge distances in search of a is provided from an outside funding been sight-seeing, so we remember places. watering hole or spring. Back in Egypt, source, for example, the personalities at But it might be something else. they knew where to go. the local level can go to extraordinary A memory may be very personal, As the people pile onto Moses their lengths to try to jeopardise that funding remembering a small village in France frustration and concern, he prays to God in by their internal bickering. because that was where the car broke anguish. Again the people are testing God. There is no doubt about, building a down on that family holiday, for instance., Moses realises this, even if the Hebrews community is not easy going. It is hard or it may be communal. don’t seem to have understood this is what work. Moses was endlessly reminded of they are doing. It is not Moses that is the Throughout the Old Testament we are this fact as he journeyed with his fellow provider, it is God. frequently told why a certain place is Hebrews. Even the unifying authority called what it is called, and it is usually Moses’s prayer is answered, and in another of the one God did not mean they were because of what happened there. display of gracious patience and generous immune to quarelling and testing. This is the case in today’s story, where the place in which the community finds replenishment is given not one but two names. Massah for ‘testing’ and Meribah for ‘quarrelling’. These could not be more appropriate names for the site where the people moaned and argued to Moses and Aaron about the predicament they had been led into. Last week we saw how the people realised that God was providing for them with their daily manna. Today we have a second account of water being provided by God. Earlier in Exodus 15:22-27 we read how the bitter water of Marah was made good to drink after God told Moses to throw a plank of wood into the water. Here there is no water at all.

22 spill the beans community is... hard work the story What Now? Two female voices. drink right about now. merry when they realise the skins are all empty. Voice A: Water’s off again! A: My tongue is sticking to the top of my mouth like I’ve been eating A: Did they just say they had found Voice B: What? You’re having a laugh! too many of yon Jacob’s crackers. water? From a rock? A: I wish I was, but we’re all B: So, what are we going to do B: God be praised, so they did! unpacked, the tent is up, and about it? then Joe says to me, “Oh, by the way, there’s no water.” A: It usually comes down to us, Retelling for young people doesn’t it? As long as the jugs are Tell the children that they are going to B: It’s that Moses again, isn’t it? full of water, and there is food on need to participate in this telling of the He is hopeless. And that Aaron the table then the menfolk don’t story, suggesting as many drinks as they isn’t much better. They spend even think about where it comes can remember. too much time looking up and from. not enough time looking down, Set the scene by talking about how the thinking about us! B: Well, just like usual, we’re going Israelites had been travelling for a long to have to go walking miles to time, there was not much food around A: I hear you, and I’m filthy... look at find the nearest spring or see and little water. Get everyone to form a me. The dirty clothes are piled up, if there is a well around here line behind you and trudge around the and what am I supposed to do? somewhere. room until you get to the Sinai mountain. B: Oh, and that poor wee girl who’s A: It’s just bad planning, isn’t it? There were many children there and they due any day now. We have the started complaining, “I’m thirsty! I need a towels but no water. What good B: We’d do things differently if we drink!” is that? were in charge. Their mum said there was nothing to A: And the weans are going to start A: Oh dear, I’m really starting to feel drink... but they kept on asking: “Is there screaming that they’re thirsty, parched now. We’d better see any Irn Bru to drink?”, “Is there any milk to just you wait. what we can find. drink?”, and get the children to come up B: We won’t get an hour of sleep. B: Wait a minute, do you hear that? with their own responses. A: Worst of all is that I can’t blame A: Hear what? But there was nothing, not even any them. water. Until... God told Moses to strike a B: Listen to that rabble shouting rock with his staff and then God provided B: Aye, I could murder a nice cool and cheering, they won’t be so beautiful, clean, cool water for everyone. worship ideas Through the Season Focal Point Call to Worship Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages This will take 24 hours preparation but is Pour water from a jug into a basin for 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the very effective. Take a large clean paint pot each of the lines. scene throughout this theme. or equivalent (must have no internal lip) In the wilderness and fill to one third with water. Place in the there is one thing to seek Gathering all age freezer until it freezes. Then place a large …water. Ask people to turn to a few folk sitting near rock into the pot and fill up with water and them and to talk about local place names put back in the freezer. Among the stones there is one thing to look for and how they came about. Link this with Once it is frozen take it out an hour or so …life. the significance of the giving of the names before the service and place in a central Massah (‘test’) and Meribah (‘arguing’) in point and let it melt revealing the rock Between the crags the Bible story. hidden in the middle. there is one thing to find …God. COMMUNITY. Together come up with an If you can place a metal tray below the ice acronym to describe what community is. there will be a constant noise as the ice This is the gift melts. of ever present love found new every morning, under every rock.

pentecost 2a 2011 23 sunday 25 september 2011 worship ideas Love One Another Reflective Prayer Closing Prayer Love one another... God, Refreshed with the living water, even those who are always complaining? encourager. sustained by the bread of life, Love one another... encouraged by the witness of generations, May we have faith to turn stones even those who don’t do their share? let us go from this place and believe promise lies there. Love one another... motivated and excited, May we travel the difficult journey even those who talk about me with anticipation and zeal, and discover new life all around us. behind my back? ready for the hard work May we hear you calling us Love one another... you would have us do. and know the promise in our names. what if they’re stand offish? May we be your servants, Love one another... God, in our home, what if they won’t look my way? encourager. in our church, Love one another... When we are impatient for life in our community, what if they’ve already written me off? may we be given trust instead. in our world. Love one another... When we are anxious for things now I don’t have the energy. Send us out in trust and faith. may we be given peace. Love one another... When we cannot find you among us some folk are hard to love. Praise Songs / Hymns may we feel the beat of our hearts. Love one another... As pants the hart (CH4 32) I’m managing fine on my own. God, Love one another... encourager. As the deer longs for running streams (CH4 33) Take all that holds us back from the Moses’s Prayer fullness of life As the deer pants (MP 37, CH4 550) Lord, it must be time for another miracle. and redeem it, Fill your hearts (MP 147, CH4 103) The troops are revolting again. all that turns us inward We jog along nicely for a while and renew it, God is our refuge (CH4 36) and then the hardship gets to them, all that calls us away from you God is our strength and refuge (MP 188) and who can blame them? and redirect it. I rescued them from Egypt, Lord, can this really be? (CH4 205) God, from all that they knew encourager. O for a closer walk (MP 494, CH4 552) although they didn’t love it there, but I brought them out All that hurts others, O send thy light forth (CH4 35) and they’ve been wandering ever since. forgive. Rock of ages (MP 582, CH4 554) No wonder they get fed up, All that unblesses others, no wonder it reaches fever pitch forgive. Sometimes problems (JP 461) every once in a while. All that looses us to the world, Thou hope desert my heart (CH4 464) So—it must be time for another miracle forgive. just to remind them what this is all about, When I’m feeling lonely (JP 493) And encourage us anew. who’s really in charge, When you’re feeling good (JP 496) and to whom we owe our lives. God, Why? (Fischy Music, from ‘I wonder... why?’ God, do your stuff again, encourager. CD) as only you can. Open our eyes to you being among us Water Blessing in water of blessing, Cover a board or table with newspapers in naming, with stories of people in the wilderness, in calling, or people complaining. Introduce these in being together in community. stories. God, Then invite the congregation to encourager, symbolically redeem the world by placing hear us. a hand in the melted water from the So be it. melted ice (see Focal Point on page 23) or Amen. alternatively a bowl of water and place a handprint on the newspaper stories.

24 spill the beans community is... hard work age group ideas gathering Water Objects all age You will need: collection of objects After you have gone through them all ask related to water. what is the one thing that connects all the objects: water! Provide a display of objects that are connected in some way with water but This introduces how important water is to don’t tell anyone the connection. us and how difficult it is to live without it. Perhaps that was how the Hebrews were Begin with a quiz asking questions about feeling that day in the desert. the objects you have provided such as: what object do you need to brush your Remember that you can use the story teeth; what object help you cook potatoes, retelling on page 23 to tell the story again what object do you need to paint, etc. with the young people. crafts While the following crafts and activities are Storyboarding age 9-12 Filter Art age 9-12 being done it is important to connect the story with life by talking about the story, You will need: paper, card, pencils, pens, You will need: coffee filter papers, colour- about what it is like when you realise you some storyboard samples (easily found ing pens or markers, water spray, trays. online). don’t have something you really need. Give each child a filter coffee paper (flat Encourage the children’s imagination to Ask the young people to imagine they are rather than cone shaped) Get each child think what it would have been like to have producing a film about this part of the to decorate their paper with patterns in no water available. What do we like to Exodus story. The early stages of making different shades of blue, using marker pens complain about? a film involve storyboarding: making a and felt tip pens and then spray the paper The craft is not an end in itself but a way of cartoon version of the story. Encourage with water and watch the colours spread. engaging in conversation with people and them to work together to storyboard this Leave filter papers to dry. scene. What emotions would they try to to help focus on the story. Link with water from stones and how the capture? This is a great way to embed the people would have been amazed when story in your mind. Rock Collage age 3-5 they saw the water appear. You will need: large card sheet, tissue Once complete, the group can use their paper, paints, glue. storyboard to tell the story again to the Splatter Art all age younger age groups. Work together to make a collage of You will need: paper, old toothbrushes water coming from stone. You could use or paintbrushes, pebbles, watery blue scrunched up black and brown tissue paint, newspaper. paper to make rocks and blue finger- Give everyone a reasonably sized pebble painting to make water. Talk through the and a sheet of paper. Cover the floor or story again as you are making the collage. table with newspaper. Place the pebble in the middle of the sheet of paper and Diary of Moans age 6-8 invite everyone to splatter their stones You will need: paper, card, pencils, pens. with paint. Work together to make a diary of varied At the end you should have a stone with moans and then amazement at water blue splatters that reminds everyone of coming from stone, use cartoon style water from the stone as well as a sheet of drawings. The children can get creative paper covered in splatters but with the about all the things they would have been impression of a stone left on it. moaning about. How would they have felt when water was found?

pentecost 2a 2011 25 sunday 25 september 2011 activities Water Selection age 3-5 Make your own age 3-12 Rock Selection age 9-12 You will need: containers, bottles, Lemonade You will need: lots of different types spray bottle, all filled with water, soap, You will need: 1 litre sparkling water, of rock for the children to feel, and/or washing-up liquid, towels, plastic cups, two lemons (to juice), caster sugar, food pictures of different rocks. food colouring. colouring (optional), jug, cups. Not all rocks are the same, this activity will The purpose of this activity is to develop Add the lemon juice to the sparkling water encourage the young people to discuss an appreciation for water. and add a little caster sugar to taste. You the differences and where different rocks This may be best done at a sink or with could make this a fancy colour with food come from. tarpaulin on the floor. colouring if desired. Stir well and serve. What are the names of the rocks and This is a way to celebrate water, and the Lay out a selection of containers with can they be used for anything else? many different ways we can use it. water in them (basins, buckets, bottles, For example, a lump of coal, graphite, etc.) Let the children play with the water, diamond can be used for heat, writing, with the soap, the fairy liquid. Cream Crackers age 6-12 decoration or cutting. Let them pour a drink from the bottle You will need: pack of cream crackers, Show larger rock formations leading and try it. You could have varied bottles plates, cups, water. eventually to mountains. You can then lead onto rocks under water, how sharp coral is. of water with different food colouring in The purpose for this activity is to get the them or get flavoured water and put a participants to experience what it is like Another angle for this discussion could be different label on it to mix them up and to be thirsty. Let each child eat two cream carbon footprint, erosion of our mountains confuse them. Discuss with them about crackers without drinking in between. and hills, etc. water and about the link to the story. You can time them to make it more fun and then have a discussion about people in lands who are less fortunate and are thirsty every day. Some people have to walk 5 miles to get water each day. games Splosh! all age Collision Course age 9-12 You will need: water balloons (enough Do not appoint a leader or tell them what You will need: blindfold, tables, chairs, for one per two people, plus spares), game they are playing: leave it to them. materials, hula hoops, anything that will mop! See if anyone takes on the responsibility or cause an obstacle. if it becomes a shambles. The purpose of this game is to get the Moses and the Israelites were coming children to treat water preciously. They Explain that the people in the desert were across many obstacles on their journey. have to be careful with the water and try not taking any responsibility, they wanted Finding water was very difficult. Make an to protect it. If the weather is good, this is a everything laid out for them. obstacle course using the items found in great candidate for an outdoor game. your hall or cupboards which the young Squeeze! age 6-12 people have to navigate. This can either Get the children lined up in twos facing be done blindfolded and using direc- You will need: for each child or team each other a small distance apart. Give tions from their team members or where a sponge, dish cloth, 1/2 lemon, lime, each pair a balloon filled with a small they can see what they are doing and it orange, bowl, timer. amount of water. They then have to toss it becomes a straightforward race. back and forth to each other. The idea here is to be challenged to see At the end of the course there is a cup of how much liquid you can get out of the However, as soon as it has been caught water to drink for the person who gets fruit that you have available. safely the person who threw the balloon there first. takes a step back so that the pair gets This can be done as a relay race or it can be further and further apart. Kudos to the pair done in small groups. If it is done as a relay who gets furthest apart. They get a cup of race you don’t need the timer. Each person water as a prize! has to squeeze as much liquid out of each item as possible. The most liquid in the I’ll do it all age team bowl wins. To lead into discussing how the Israelites struggled to take responsibility, ell the chil- dren that they are going to play a game but that it is all up to them to organise it.

26 spill the beans community is... living rightly community is... living rightly sunday 2 october 2011 exodus 20:1-20 Exodus 20:1-20 tabernacle: the touching point on Earth Psalm 19 for God. This line of thought is rooted in bible notes holiness. Philippians 3:4b-14 These two lines of thought combine in Rules or Principles Matthew 21:33-46 the moment when the presence of God The great American inventor Thomas is awesomely displayed to Moses on Edison once said, “Hell, there are Mount Sinai and from this comes the no rules here—we’re trying to rules and conditions of the covenant: accomplish something.” Many of us the Ten Commandments. will have a certain sympathy with A series of at least ten sermons could that view. Too often our view of rules be devoted to this passage as each goes hand-in-hand with frustration commandment is studied in detail. over endless red tape that seems to But that is not necessary for today. exist to thwart our plans, rather than What we recognise is the necessity to enable and encourage them. for this young community, a budding We cannot avoid rules. They nation, to coalesce around a set of are everywhere. A sign of one’s rules that will aid the people to live nationhood dedication to football can be measured rightly with God and with each other. to be tied to the presence of God with by the level of our understanding of the them, which inevitably came with certain That is the purpose of these “offside rule”. A technical sport like Formula rules and conditions. commandments. That they still have 1 motor racing has rules and regulations a foundational part to play in many running to over a hundred pages. Even a From now on, we see these rules and discussions of rules and laws within game as simple as Snap has to have rules. conditions being laid out and explored. It nations today is not surprising. But they Without the rules the games don’t work. turns out that there are two main lines of are not legal documents. These are thought with respect to the relationship Try playing a game like Monopoly with a principles seeking obedience, this is not between God and the Hebrew people. couple of four-year-old children who want full-blown legalese. That will come later as to discard the rules and play it ‘their way’. The first is based in this week’s reading. It the Hebrew lawyers get down to work! You are quickly reminded that the rules is about a set of rules and commandments Another great American, President are actually quite important. Without them to be obeyed, and an agreement to follow Roosevelt, said, “Rules are not necessarily chaos reigns. these rules. This forms a covenant between sacred, principles are.” God and his people. This is a moral and For Moses, trying to lead the Israelites, it ethical basis for the relationship, and when Here we have a set of principles for right must have sometimes felt like chaos was it goes wrong, the people rely on the living that are bound up in the sacred and beckoning. In this wonderfully imaginative mercy of God. holy presence of God. story of Israelite history, the people had come on a journey from slavery to However the second line of thought How do our lives reflect obedience and freedom. They are no longer living under we find in Exodus is based around the the sacred presence of God to others the oppression of the rule of another presence of God, the actual physical in our own communities? Do the Ten people, but the Israelites are not yet presence that moves as they move, Commandments still have a place in our properly a nation community. and is protected with all kinds of other communities? And can our churches regulations. This is the foundation for the be a source of God’s presence to our The authors of Exodus understood communities? pentecost 2a 2011 27 sunday 2 october 2011 the story The Word of Life Retelling for young people This is a liturgical retelling of the The Word of Life speaks and calls us to The Hebrews were learning to count to story using music as a response to the honour those who have given us life. This ten. They started with 1 and then the commandments. CH4 803 ‘Sizohamba is their greatest gift. The giving of life is next number was…? (ask people to help naye/We will walk with God’ would work worth the whole world. The taking of it you to count up to ten). well as the musical response. deserves the world’s wrath. So celebrate Of course they didn’t speak the same when life is created and move against When Moses climbed the mount of Sinai, language as we do. Can anyone count to those things that take it away. Thus says a cloud descended and covered him. In ten in a different language? (try French, the Lord. the mystery of that mountain, God spoke German etc. Or check the internet for words of life. Such was the power of those Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with other languages.) words, they were chiselled into rock, and God The Hebrews weren’t very sure why became the foundation of the community The Word of Life speaks and calls us to they were to practise counting to ten. of God. Each word was a word of life, a honour each other, to live freely and Moses had climbed Mount Sinai and promise of the kind of community that can openly. Whatever needs to be done in disappeared into a cloud at the top. He be, if these words were brought to life. secret is not worth doing. Secrets bring was gone for a few days but eventually Hear the words of life: shame and store up brokenness for you returned and told the Hebrews he had and others. To live in community, what been given ten rules for life. ‘Ah, said the I am the Lord you God who brought affects one affects us all so live justly and people, now we know why we were to you up out of the land of Egypt, out of rightly with one another. count to ten!’ bondage and slavery. I am the one who So they shouted the first number (get has set you free. And know that what you have has been everyone to shout 1). given by the Word of Life. This is the Word’s Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with gift to you uniquely. You need to take Put God first. God nothing from others for what they are has (Shout 2) The Word of Life speaks and calls us to been given by God. It is theirs, not yours. have no other god. We are to lay aside When some are richer than others because Worship only God. those things to which we have given our they have taken more than they need or (Shout 3) affiliation and be set free from those things deserve, then they are stealing the life that bind us and enslave us for God is the from others. Thus says the Lord. Use God’s name with respect. God who called us out of bondage and (Shout 4) Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with slavery. God Remember the Sabbath. So set aside those graven images, of The Word of Life speaks and calls us (Shout 5) fame and beauty, that lead us towards to speak kindly towards each other. In imagining we are not good enough. Lay Respect your parents. thus doing you offer the love of God to aside those things that tell us we have to neighbour. Your neighbour is the doorway (Shout 6) strive to be someone else, to be something into life. How we live towards each other is Do not hurt other people. more than God created us. Lay aside those the doorway into the fullness of life. graven images and worship the one who (Shout 7) created us as we are. Thus says the Lord. Speak honourably, live kindly towards one Be faithful and trustworthy. another so that you do not live through Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with another’s possessions. Each of you is (Shout 8) God uniquely created and a precious gift for the Do not steal. The Word of Life speaks and calls us to world. You are what the Word of Life has speak of life with generosity. Celebrate given the world to change it and renew it. (Shout 9) with life rather than swear by it. Put your Work together rather than against each Do not lie. trust in life rather than abuse it. Do not other with the diversity of gifts you have in (Shout 10) curse by life, find the good in it and speak community. Go celebrate life. well of it to the world, for this is the life the Do not want what others have. Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with world needs. God And these were the ten rules God gave Thus says the Word of Life: take time to people so everyone was looked after and And Moses came down from the appreciate all that life has offered; take kept safe. mountain, with ten words of life that shall time to reflect and know the value of be set free in the world through our living. (You can go through the list again using this life; for it has been given at cost and one of the other languages to count in) is richly offered. Receive it with equal richness. Thus says the Lord. Sing Sizohamba naye/We will walk with God

28 spill the beans community is... living rightly worship ideas Through the Season The Positive Ten A: Do not commit adultery. Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages For two readers. Paint or write a B: Do live respectfully, in 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the large number according to which relationships that honour each scene throughout this theme. commandment you are talking about on other, that are open and free a board as the commandments are read rather than behind closed Gathering all age out. doors and in secret. For those relationships only hurt and break Ask folk to share a time when they broke Voice A: You shall have no other gods but communities. This is the kind of the rules, and, if they are willing, to share me. open relationship God has with what the consequences were! Voice B: In all things put God first, put you. Five people stand in different parts of love, put grace, put compassion A: Do not steal. the worship space as people gather for first. This is the first of the worship. One after the other they read one commandments because it is the B: Do honour what others have. of the ten commandments. They ought to first thing God does with us: puts It is their gift to share with the be in order and perhaps shortened to a us first. community, not yours. You couple of words: ‘Worship only God, Have already have enough love and no graven images’, etc. Once all ten have A: Do not worship any other gods. compassion and welcome to been read out, start again until everyone is B: Do worship that which brings enrich your lives and that of gathered and the service continues. out the best in us, which cannot others. You don’t need to take happen when we worship money from others. God has more than Call to Worship or material things. Instead enough for everyone. Have someone primed with hammer, worship that which treats us with A: Do not be a false witness. chisel and stone block (or equivalent) to value and worth for God knows B: Do speak the truth in all things. add hammer strikes after each stanza. how much you are worth. Why slander someone else when The sound of chisel on stone, A: Do not take God’s name in vain. all you are doing is slandering of hammer striking. B: Do respect the one who loves yourself in doing so. Speak generously, lovingly, graciously of The sound of a community being built, you. Speak lovingly of God so others. This is the way God speaks of building blocks created. that the whole world knows the gift you are to the world. God of you. The sound of God’s gift to his people, speaks of you as if it is only you A: Do not covet another person’s of rules for living etched on stone. God loves. property. Let us listen for God’s message today A: Remember the Sabbath. B: Do celebrate what you already as we come to worship God. B: Do take time to pause and reflect have. Great lives are not born by Thou Shalt Not on what is important in life, to the accumulation of things but connect with that which is always are birthed in the giving away of Thou shalt not. calling out to you. Find space love. This is why God is so great. Is that the story of the church? to celebrate the one who offers Thou shalt not. you life. God spends much time Is it all about the things we mustn’t do thinking of you. Why not spend (some of them fun) time thinking of God? or do we have more positive rules? A: Honour your father and mother. What about thou shalt: B: Do live in loving relationship love one another, with those who make your care for each other, community. Live rightly, live be a good neighbour, gracefully, live fully with all those share what you have, around you. God loves you in this be welcoming, way. be warm, be open and accepting. A: Do not commit murder. How come we hear more about B: Do live in the fullness of life, thou shalt not sharing that life fully with others than always seeking each other’s thou shall? good. This is the invitation into life God gives to you. Why not share it with others?

pentecost 2a 2011 29 sunday 2 october 2011 worship ideas Reflective Prayer Put God First Praise Songs / Hymns Creating God, Give worth to the one A new commandment (MP 1) may we see these commandments who gives worth to you. I joy’d when to the house of God (CH3 489) as hopes for the community, Use God’s name with respect and love. may we live towards each one Lord, make us servants (CH4 527) knowing it is the way of life Spend time thinking about God. Spirit of Jesus (CH4 621) you choose for us: Honour and love your whole family. to live in community. Spirit of truth and grace (CH4 608) Live towards other people May each commandment That man a godly life might live with love and generosity. be a picture of the community you want: (see www.cyberhymnal.org for Martin not of individuals, Find the richness Luther’s lengthy treatment) in faithfulness towards others. but of family, The church is wherever (CH4 522) being together Celebrate what you have The School Rule Song (Out of the Ark, in grace and hope rather than dwell on what you don’t. and generosity towards each other. ‘Songs for Every Assembly’, could be Speak well of others adapted to church setting) May every commandment and truthfully to yourself. be a celebration of life, We’re moving on (see page 44) Why get down about what others have a way of recognising that When we walk with the Lord (MP 760) which is best in each of us when you can share what you have with and shared between us, others? You are righteous (MP 1136) celebrating the gifts each brings to the neighbourhood, Blessing the community, Use the Positive Ten Commandments as the nation. suggested earlier and print them out on May we speak positively cards, one per card and place them in an about what we can do, offering. As people leave the service today rather than what we can’t, invite them to pick one card from the bowl and how we can bring life and use it as a blessing this week. Encour- to those who don’t, age them to try to follow it. living among each other rightly, justly, lovingly, as you invite us to do.

30 spill the beans community is... living rightly age group ideas gathering Rules all age Do As I Say all age In a circle ask everyone about school rules, Play a game about rules: Everyone stands What is it like to have to obey all the rules? house rules, community rules. If they were up. Then call out instructions but each Some people may find it very hard to obey in charge of say a school or a swimming instruction has a qualification. For example all the rules. those wearing red have to sit down, pool or a church what rules do you think You could use the story retelling idea on everyone with glasses put a hand in the air, would be important and why? page 28 at this point to retell the story everyone who can play an instrument put with everyone’s involvement. a hand over their mouths, etc. crafts While the following crafts and activities Pavement Art age 9-12 are being done it is important to connect You will need: pavement chalks, large the story with life by talking about the white card sheets. themes of the story. Why do we have rules? What are rules good for? They help us live This can be used as a way to think about together in community. What can they the giving of rules that help people live sometimes be bad for? They can become together. This could lead into discussion a burden if misunderstood. What makes about the rules that God gave. Do the God’s rules special? young people think they still stand today as they did thousands of years ago? The craft is not an end in itself but a way of engaging in conversation with people and Give out large pieces of white card and to help focus on the story. chunky pavement chalks and ask children to draw stone tablets and to come up with Paper Mountain age 3-5 some rules for good living which they can write or draw on the tablets. You will need: papier mache or materials and boxes, items for finger puppet. After the children have gone you can spray the pictures with hairspray which prevents Make a mountain (papier mache or bundle the chalk smudging, and put them up for of material or from boxes) and make next week. finger puppet Moses to walk up and down mountain as you tell the story. Road Sign Rules all age Clay Tablets age 6-8 You will need: templates for different signs (red triangle, red circle, blue circle). You will need: air-drying clay, pencils or stylus, paper. Another way to think about rules we use to help us live together is to use road signs. To think about the tablets that Moses These are essential for pedestrians and brought down from Sinai, use the air drivers to remain safe, but can they also be drying clay to make models of stone used for life? tablets. Use road signs shapes like a triangle for a Use a pencil or stylus to write a message hazard and a red circle for don’t do things about looking after each other into the and a blue one for what is allowed and clay. These could be hung in the church create some rules for living for the church. hall for everyone to see once they have dried. You could also adapt some of the road sign symbols to illustrate these rules such as a roundabout warning: don’t keep going round in circles, etc.

pentecost 2a 2011 31 sunday 2 october 2011 activity your notes Liar, Liar age 6-12 Ten Other age 9-12 You will need: a card for each child with Commandments ‘TRUE’ on one side and ‘FALSE’ on the You will need: research on Google the other. many Ten Commandments of... The purpose of this activity is to take one This activity will help to encourage the of the rules we live by ourselves and to young people to think about the variety of provide a catalyst to discuss these. rules there are about almost everything. Ask each child to make two statements There are the 10 commandments for about themselves, one the truth the driving, 10 commandments for dog care, other a lie. They then read them out and 10 commandments of hair dressing and everyone else has to decide if it is false or on and on it goes. Discuss what rules they the truth by holding up the True or False have to obey at home, in school, at clubs. card to show what they think. This can be used to compare with the commandments that we find in Exodus. games Quick Draw age 6-12 Moses Says all age You will need: pencil, paper, list of items Basically this is the traditional ‘Simon Says’ to draw. game but adapted for the theme to ‘Moses Says’. This game is about following directions, and acknowledging that it can be quite Different people could take it in turns to difficult to do so at times. lead this game. One child leaves the room: this is the artist. You tell or show the children remaining Grand Slam all age what the object is that the artist is to draw. You will need: 10 slips of paper for each The artist returns and the first person gives team with the first five books of the Old them directions on drawing the object and New Testaments printed or written without mentioning what the object on them. Each team should have a actually is. For instance, draw a straight differently colour-coded sheet of paper, line across the page half way up. The a large A3 sheet with the same names next person has to take over giving the written on, attached to the wall where all instructions, e.g., draw a wheel at the right can see it. hand side on the bottom of the line and All the slips of paper are mixed up in a pile so on. Objects need to be relatively simple on the floor. Each team is allocated their like a coat, house, telephone, wellington colour. boot, light bulb, dustbin, egg, iPad, book, spectacles, and so on. In a relay-type race the first child goes in each team. Looks through the pile until they have found Genesis in their colour Hit the Deck age 6-12 and run to the other end of the hall and lay You will need: a large list for the it out. The next person runs and does the children to see the order of the ten same looking for Exodus and so on until commandments, a set of ten slips they get to Acts. The winning team must of paper each with one of the ten have all the names laid out in the right commandments written or printed on it order and neatly. for each team. This game can be done on the floor or at a table. Pile the 10 randomly shuffled slips of paper in front tof the group. They have 2/3 minutes to get them in the right order.

32 spill the beans community is... trusting together community is... trusting together sunday 9 october 2011 exodus 32:1-14 Exodus 32:1-14 is depicted as being ready to destroy the Psalm 106:1-6,19-23 people but then something wonderful bible notes happens. Philippians 4:1-9 Where Aaron utterly failed to keep trust Broken Promises Matthew 22:1-14 with God and with the new community Promises broken, guarantees made to create a golden calf and builds an altar being built on God’s foundation, Moses meaningless, warranties with smallprint before it where they can worship their keeps his trust. When you think about it, exclusions, vows ignored. They crush us. visible gods. up to this point Moses has predominantly They turn what we thought was the way been a messenger for God. He has obeyed There are strong parallels to Jeroboam of things upside down, throwing us into God’s instructions, and he has led the in 1 Kings 12, and the use of a bovine confusion. people according to that guidance. Here creature to represent the gods fits with the we see something quite different. From childhood pinky promises Egyptian use of these images to marriage vows, from business and of the Canaanite Moses, whose whole being has become partnerships to international depictions of Baal intimately interlinked with the formation conventions, the covenants as a bull. So it is of a new community as they trek to the we make with each other Promised Land, is also specially attuned to are foundational to how what this community needs, and what God we see ourselves and how has promised for it. community is built and While the sinfulness of the strengthened. To fail to community puts in jeopardy recognise this and therefore the covenant, Moses heroically to fail to participate in this argues with God on behalf of covenant-making might as the new community, reminding well be a definition of being a God of his previous promises. sociopath. While in verse 14 the authors The Israelite community has tell us that Moses’s appeal works accepted the covenant that and God changes his mind, Moses God has offered, sealed in the Ten himself does not know this at this Commandments. In a sense they have put point, which helps to explain the lengthy on the golden ring that in our wedding no surprise that the image chosen is a calf. intercession that follows in the next ceremonies is used as a symbol of the What is abundantly clear is that the very chapters. promises made one to another. first commandment is broken at the point the people gather to worship this idol of a Like Abraham arguing with God over Yet, as soon as the ceremony has ended, god of their making. Sodom (Genesis 18), Moses reminds us we find the Israelites breaking their that the process of building a community promise to God. The covenant is tested What do we do when promises are is going to have many misteps along the almost immediately. broken? Do we seek vengeance? Do we way. There will be times when people trip seek compensation? Do we bring in the up and fall, sometimes bringing others Aaron, pathetically, capitulates to the lawyers? Do we try to work it out? down with them. That does not, however, people while Moses is away on Mount destroy the project of kingdom building Sinai speaking with God. Worn down by The legalist response to the Israelites breaking of the covenant was death. God that remains founded on mercy, love and their appeals, Aaron gathers their ear-rings forgiveness. pentecost 2a 2011 33 sunday 9 october 2011 the story shells once more. Moses and God Discuss “Look, God, you know how it is. They just need a little more time to get used to the Moses always felt he was walking on idea that you are not out to get them. eggshells. You know that way of balancing You led them out into a desert and they your walk between two sides you know thought they were going to die but you don’t seem to get on with each other? saved them. Is that all a waste? They were That’s what Moses felt he was doing, every thirsty and couldn’t find fresh water and day. you supplied it. You don’t regret that, Usually the People of Israel were do you? They are just growing up. Their complaining about something and theological hormones haven’t settled normally God was getting angry with them down yet. They are having to rewrite their for their impatience. It was a typical family whole history and belief system once more situation, of parents and teenagers. Moses and it is taking time. Think of Abraham, didn’t like being in the middle of it. So it and Isaac to whom you promised a new was a bit of a relief for him to be called land and many generations.” up the mountain to be in God’s presence And God went silent and Moses left the leaving the people down below. mountain to let God think it over once But no sooner had he gone when the more. People of Israel started complaining again. “Where’s he gone?”, “Why has he gone up Retelling for young people there and left us down here?”, “When will Perhaps create two spaces close to he be back?” and like typical teenagers each other, one to be the bottom of the enjoying worshipping their new statue. they took the time-out to their advantage mountain and one the top. and chose to rewrite the rules a little. At the top of the mountain Moses said At the bottom of a mountain the People to God, “Remember what you promised It didn’t take long for them to persuade of God were worried. Aaron to back their plan of designing a Abraham a long time ago, that you would new god, one what they could see, one At the top of the mountain God was lead him to a new land and a great nation that looked like a god and one that was talking to Moses. would grow. Please don’t go back on that promise. worth something. So together they asked At the bottom of the mountain the everyone to take the gold rings they had People thought Moses was taking a long (Pause) and melt them together and cast it into a time. statue of a golden calf. At the bottom of the mountain the At the top of the mountain God had lots people thought their new god was This was the sort of god they preferred. to say. wonderful. He didn’t have them wandering around At the top of the mountain God was not knowing where they were going. This (Pause) thinking again about what Moses had golden calf they took with them. They At the bottom of the mountain the said. were in charge once more. And so they People of God thought God had left feasted at the altar of the calf. them and decided to make a statue out At the bottom of the mountain the people were about to learn a lesson. The Almighty, however, had been keeping of gold that they could see and worship. an eye on their doings down below the So Moses’s brother Aaron gathered all At the top of the mountain God made a mountain and Moses rolled his eyes when, the gold and cast a golden calf. At the decision. bottom of the mountain the people in fury, God described what had been (Pause) going on while Moses was away. made a great feast and celebrated this new god they had, forgetting Moses was At the bottom of the mountain Moses “Look at these stubborn, hard-headed still at the top of the mountain. arrived back and told them what they people! What shall I do with them? I free had done wrong. them from slavery, I feed them in the (Pause) At the top of the mountain God’s love desert, I find water for them, I promise At the top of the mountain God was very was far greater and stronger than them a new home and what do they do to upset. God noticed what the people were anything else and God forgave the return my love? They find another god to doing at the bottom of the mountain people for forgetting God. follow! I can stand it no longer! Get back and was getting angry. “Can they not down there Moses because I have had remember all the things I have done for At the bottom of the mountain the enough. This is the last time they turn their them? Why do they want to hurt me like people learned that God would never back on me. Do they not know what it that.” leave them and they destroyed the calf. good for them!” (Pause) At the top of the mountain God smiled. Moses whispered under his breath that At the bottom of the mountain the At the bottom of the mountain the no, they didn’t know what was good with people smiled back. them and found himself on those egg people had forgotten God and were 34 spill the beans community is... trusting together worship ideas Through the Season Prayer of Adoration Act of Dedication Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages We are tired of building those things Provide symbols or objects that speak 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the that are this world’s golden calves; about what we give allegiance to such as scene throughout this theme. may we find you face to face money, newspapers, cars, mobile phone, in the lives of our community. etc. On the back of each a cross should Gathering all age be printed. Make sure there is more than We are tired of selling ourselves enough for everyone. Best to print them Place a large wooden cross loosely covered to the ways of this world; onto small credit card sized cards. Scatter in gold paper and material in a central may we find you face to face these over the communion table or central space. It ought to look very grand. in the lives of the poor. place. As people gather, every few minutes invite We are tired of investing so much During the singing of ‘Take, O Take me as I someone to remove some of the paper in the things that bring us so little; am’ or other suitable hymn, invite people or material slowly revealing the wooden may we find you in the daily moments to come forward and choose the symbol cross. With the removal of the final piece, that open up grace and love. the service begins. that they feel plays a great importance in We are tired of power their lives at the moment and that may Call to Worship and it’s incessant clutches; deflect them from other important things, may we find you in the freedom or a symbol that defines who they are. All that glitters, of laughter and renewal. all that tempts, Invite them to turn the card over, revealing the latest fad, We are tired of economic rise the cross, and then return to their seats. the lure of fame, and financial worry; the promise of wealth, may we find you in bread and wine Praise Songs / Hymns the idols of many forms and names; and the justice we share with the world. Dear Lord and Father of mankind we lay them aside now We are tired of not finding you (MP 111, CH4 485) as we come to worship the one God, in the systems of the world; Focus my eyes on you, O Lord (CH4 567) the true light of life, may we find you and bringer of love. in living fairly, together. May the God of hope go with us (CH4 256) Worship Reflection Prayer of Confession O, for a closer walk with God (CH4 552) O righteous Lord (CH4 2) Golden calves are things of the past May we find our way back to you, O God. not things that affect us now. May we walk the path, Purify my heart (MP 921) talk the story, We would never be so ensnared Put all your trust in God (CH4 270) by outward trappings, believe the truth, by gimmicks, know the moment, We are marching (MP 954, CH4 516) by things that look the part. find the purpose, We’re moving on (see page 44) trust the word, We would never be distracted hold the bread, What a mighty God we serve (JP 491) from the heart of the gospel, share the wine, Who is on the Lord’s side? (MP 769) by things that are shallow open the table, and short lived. forgive the sinner, Will you come and follow me (CH4 533) We recognise forgive ourselves, that image isn’t everything. call to you, follow your footsteps, Although... and love your people. it is important that we keep up with the world; May we find our way back to you, O God, folk won’t join us leaving all that hurts behind, if we’re drab and grey. all that makes us less Appearance matters, than you have called us to be, attractiveness is important, all that dulls our living, so we’ll haul out the best, lies to us, put on a show, trips us up. and hope that folk won’t look too closely May we find our way back to you, O God. and see that it’s all a sham.

pentecost 2a 2011 35 sunday 9 october 2011 age group ideas gathering Fancy Dress all age Discussion age 9-12 Backwards Quiz age 6-12 You will need: lots of items of clothing for The purpose here is to think about the In small groups provide everyone a list of dressing up. things that sometimes distract us from the ‘answers’. In their groups they then need real purpose of being at church: to worship to make up questions that would fit the A fun way into thinking about what is on God. answers. the outside and what is on the inside. Ask everyone to share the things they Answers are things to do with the worship The children can dress themselves up just cannot imagine not being a part of space such as: communion table, stained as they want—the more outlandish the their worship experience in church. For glass windows, cross, font, church building. better. example, hard pews, the sanctuary, hymn You might want a picture of the interior Who looks most unlike themselves? What books, etc. of the church to help identify what really matters: how we look or who we are everything is. Would the church be the same without underneath? these things? Explore the reasons. The questions and answers could be used Remember you can use the story retelling as a starting point for a brief discussion on page 34 to think again about the story. about how we understand our worship space and how important these things are to us in worship.

crafts beforehand for gift boxes they no longer Use the time of creating crafts as a way to need) and ask each child to make and explore the story and to link it to the lives decorate the box, and to use it to keep of the young people wherever possible. real treasures in—reminders of things that There is a lot in this story about people are really important to them and their chasing after what is new and shiny, relationship with God. something most people can relate to with the desire for the latest toy, mobile phone, It might be a verse from the Bible, a leaf etc., and forgetting what really counts, our to remind them of creation, a candle relationships with God and others. This ties etc. This links with the story by offering into our thoughts on who we can trust. an alternative to graven images asking people to thing about things that bring The craft is not an end in itself but a way of them back to God. engaging in conversation with people and to help focus on the story. shape on black card then ‘spatter paint‘ Idol Collage all age (gently flicking paint brush) with gold You will need: lots of cut out images from poster paint. Golden Calves age 3-5 magazines/newspapers, large sheet You will need: sheets with picture of Remove hand print and leave to dry. If of card, glue, coloured paper, scissors, a calf, gold and yellow paper, glue, there is time the hand shape can be placed pencils. scissors. on card again and process repeated. Provide lots of images from magazines and Give each child a sheet with a calf printed We see all the gold, but the real shape that newspapers which illustrate something on it. Use Google images to search for one. emerges is the hand even though it is not about what people see as important Ask children to fill in the shape of calf with there in the final picture. This could help to today. These could be the latest phone, wee squares of gold and yellow shades of explore the idea that while we do not see computer, car, designer label clothes, and paper. Use this to activity to ask them what God face-to-face, we can still know that so on. they can remember about the story. he is there. Talk about importance of trust, Together create a collage and talk about who do we trust? Silhouette Picture age 6-8 what ‘golden calves’ of today are. Keepsake Boxes age 9-12 Contrast this with a simple image of trust You will need: paper, card, scissors, by drawing round hands on different pencils, gold poster paint, paint brushes, You will need: box templates or small coloured paper, cut out and stick onto card newspapers. gift boxes, stickers, colouring pens and perhaps in an interlocking pattern that pencils, glue pens, etc. Ask each child to draw round their hand says something about trusting each other. and cut it out. Give each child a sheet of Use either a box template or provide small black card and ask them to place hand boxes, (perhaps ask the congregation 36 spill the beans community is... trusting together activity Jig Cow age 3-8 Balloon Debate age 9-12 You will need: large pieces of card, You will need: life-size outline drawing template of a calf, scissors. on paper/card of a cow, colouring pencils and pens, paints, magazine images. Draw a golden calf onto a large sheet of card. Cut it up into jigsaw and get people Ask people to imagine they are going games to make the jigsaw up. on a long trip in a hot-air balloon. Ask them together to choose 6 things that are Trust Games age 6-9 Different teams could make up their own important to them that they ought to take. jigsaw and offer it to another team. You As a group alternative to the traditional could time how long it takes for the team Once they have chosen, let them imagine ‘falling back’ trust game, make a small to put it together. they are now flying in their balloon but circle of people standing shoulder to suddenly the balloon descends and some shoulder. Place one person in the middle. This offers a visual reminder of the story. ballast has to be dropped. From among Blindfold them. Ask them to fall backwards them they have to choose/debate one into the arms of the circle. The people Cow Parade age 6-9 item they will discard. making the circle can then move the You will need: life-size outline drawing central person around the circle while they Then the balloon rises a little only to continue to lean against the outer circle. on paper/card of a cow, colouring pencils descend yet again, thus debate which and pens, paints, magazine images. will be the next item to be thrown over This game is about trust. The story today is There are a number of places that have the side. Ultimately the exercise whittles about choosing who we trust: God or what taken part in a Cow Parade (http:// everything down to the most important we can create with our own means. It can en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CowParade). This is item they need. It relates to the idea of begin discussions about trust in faith and an international public art exhibit where what we worship and hold valuable: a community. local people take a full sized fibreglass cow golden calf or God… and paint it. Find the Treasure all age Draw a full scale image of a cow and You will need: shiny sweet wrappers, tin ask everyone to take a portion of it and foil, etc. draw scenes from the story over the cow. Before you start, hide the sweet wrappers, Alternatively use images from newspapers tin foil around the gathering space. When or magazines that illustrate what they have the time comes, remember how the peo- learned about the story. ple in the story gathered all the fancy gold This activity helps discussion about what it jewellery together to melt down to create means to worship ‘golden calves’ in today’s the golden calf. world. Ask the children to run around collecting all the shiny stuff they can find. You could even give scores with the more common your notes items given a low score and the rarer items a higher score. Once everything is found, the children could help to stick all the found pieces onto a collage, or be used for the Cow Parade activity.

pentecost 2a 2011 37 sunday 16 october 2011 community is... seeing God in each other sunday 16 october 2011 exodus 33:12-23 Exodus 33:12-23 has it better when it has God responding Psalm 99 to Moses, “I shall go myself...” There is no bible notes ‘with’ in the Hebrew text. Without it, you 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 can understand Moses’ concern that God Knowing God Matthew 22:15-22 will leave them, and Moses knows what is likely to happen then after the incident It is well known by scientists that human However, there is more to it than just that. with the Golden Calf. So he keeps arguing beings are pattern generating machines. It This passsage comes in a section of Exodus with God. is how our brains work and it is brilliant for where, as we saw last week, Moses is helping us recognise objects, and perhaps In verse 17 Moses has success and God interceding on behalf of the errant sinful more specifically to recognise faces. agrees to Moses’s demands; this is truly people that he is leading. This is no easy wonderful. Moses is pushing and pushing We’re so good at it, that we see patterns task, and Moses is deeply frustrated with on behalf of his people. He is pushing the everywhere. We might Holy God to be present see Mother Theresa in a among the sinful Israelites, bun, or Jesus on a piece to live with them. of toast, or we look up into the sky and recognise In chapter 34 that follows the preeminent Christian we see Moses was right symbol in two dissipating to hold out for this as the contrails—and we marvel. Lord speaks and proclaims his compassion and mercy It is a matter of survival. when he appears in his We need to be able to glory. It is almost as if recognise people and in this account Moses is things, to know who we trying to help God reveal can trust, who we can himself and who he is to rely on. And we need to the people—a God of be able to do it fast and unfailing love. instinctively. Yet this mercy and We put so much weight forgiveness is still behind this that a phrase qualified. Moses has done such as “seeing is believing” is taken for them and the ease with which they forget an incredible job in interceding for the granted. We feel so much more secure God and turn to other idols. people, but he can’t quite persuade God when we have something concrete and towards total forgiveness. That is for a later substantial in front of us. What Moses is doing here is to argue for God’s presence with the people at all story. At first glance, this is what is going on in times. This is confused my a mis-rendering How do we intercede with God on behalf today’s passage from Exodus. Moses is of verse 14 in many of our translations. of others? How can we, through our own seeking the reassurance of God’s presence, The New Living Translation has God saying lives, help people to understand and see and that seems to be what God is offering right at the start of this conversation, “I will God’s presence? Moses. “Don’t fret, Moses, I know you and I personally go with you, Moses”, thereby favour you.” rendering the rest of the conversation superfluous. The Revised English Bible 38 spill the beans community is... seeing God in each other the story God’s Face Retelling for young people Voice A: It’s you! B: I don’t think you could get one You will need a large cloak for the single face that could hold all of storyteller to wear as they tell this story Voice B: Of course it’s me. who God is. It would blow your and slips of paper, pencils. A: And how did I know it was you? mind! The themes of this story are quite ‘deep’ B: Because you know me, and you A: Exactly! So how many faces which is a challenge for retelling the story know (pointing at own face) this would God need, so that we can for young people, particularly the very is me, the face you know so well! handle what we see, a little bit young. of God in this face and a little bit A: Exactly! I know your face! It’s Before leading into the storytelling, ask of God in that face. Maybe God unique! It’s you! The face of (B’s the young people for ideas about the thought, “this is how I’ll show name)… unmistakable! things they remember that God has done them what I look like”… (or that Jesus has done—may be easier B: Alright, what’s got into you? B: Uh-huh. Makes sense. Sooooo, and more concrete) and add their sug- What’s this all about? where are all these kazillions of gestions to the slips of paper. A: What does God look like? faces of God? Ideas such as ‘healing people’, ‘leading B: Uh? A: (turning to look closely in people’, ‘teaching’, ‘feeding 5,000’, ‘saving A: Haven’t you ever wondered? growing wonder at B’s face, the Israelites’, ‘helping me’, ‘created the What does God look like? God’s pause) Could be there’s one right world’, and so on. here. unmistakable face, what does it Once you have a bundle of ideas, start look like? A&B: (slowly, in amazed pensive tones, retelling the story, wearing the cloak: as though penny is dropping) B: God doesn’t look like… anything. One day, Moses was speaking with God. Made… in the likeness… of God! God can only look like… God! Moses was a bit concerned with all the A: Exactly! And what does God, (pause) trouble he was was having with the people and he needed God to guarantee looking like God, look like? Do A: (mock deep southern USA him that God would always be with them. you know, Moses once wanted accent) I have seeeeeeeeen the to know what God looked like. I glory! God said to Moses, “Please don’t worry, know how he felt. I mean, how Moses, I will go with you and everything B: (turning to look closely at A’s face, can we know God is with us, if we will be fine. I know you.” pause) Here’s another one here. don’t see anything; if we don’t Moses asked God, “Show me that you are see God’s… face. A: Do you really think so? here now.” B: How can God have a face! God B: (mock deep south accent) I have God answered, “I will pass infront of you, doesn’t have a face! What, you seeeeeeeeen the faaaace of the but you mustn’t look at my face, because really think God has a face? Loooord! it would be too much for you. You will A: God’s got a face alright, because A: But, there are new faces all the need to meet me on the mountain.” God said to Moses “you cannot time! Can there really be so much And so Moses climbed up the mountain see my face”. Then God walked of God to see? to meet with God. When he got there past Moses and let Moses only B: So much to see, so much to God said, “Hide in this gap in the rocks see his back! know, a never ending mystery! and I will pass by, but no peeking until B: If God’s got a face, why wouldn’t I am passed, then you can see me from A&B: (looking out, gazes spanning Moses get to see it? Why don’t behind. congregation’s faces) WOW! we get to see it? You know, you’re Walk around the room and let the right, it would be pretty cool to slips of paper drop behind you as you see what God does actually look continue. like. Yeah! What does God look like and when do we get to see? Moses did what God asked, and sure enough he saw God after he had passed A: If Moses had got a peek, he by, seeing where God had been and he wouldn’t have lived to tell the was reminded of all the things God had tale, apparently. I think I get what already done. God was saying. Imagine seeing all of God, all at once, imagine Things like... what kind of a face that would Moses knew that God was with him and be. with all the people.

pentecost 2a 2011 39 sunday 16 october 2011 worship ideas Through the Season Worship Reflection Meditative Activity Don’t forget the seasonal ideas on pages Deep in who we are You will need: two sheets of perspex 4 and 5 that can be used to help set the is who God is. or glass to make into a stained glass scene throughout this theme. A light, window. One sheet would do using the same light clingfilm for the other. Different colours Gathering all age that lit God’s eye of tissue paper, scissors. when God first thought of us. With a few people round about you, talk Invite people to come forward and take a That was the imagination about your name: your family history, were piece of coloured tissue paper and to cut it of creation, you named after someone, do you like or tear it into a shape that says something set free from heaven, your name, did you ever have a nickname about them, or a shape that they like. and about how important names are as we and placed in our hearts, get to know people. round which gathered soul Once they have shaped it ask them to which grew place it anywhere on a large piece of glass Additionally, you could show famous faces into us of perspex. Each piece can overlap with on screen and ask people to identify them. and the promise we are. others. When this has been completed, Talk about how we recognise people. What place a second sheet of glass or perspex or And every so often are people’s distinguishing features? even cling film over the tissue paper, and when we speak of God: stand the glass up lighting it from behind. the justice that brings renewal, Call to Worship Each piece of the stained-glass window the love that births universes, works together and with the light we see ‘Don’t look into the sun!’ the hope that speaks of reconciliation, something of the diversity and wonder we are told, that light of God’s creation. Indeed through us all for the light will hurt our eyes. round which soul has gathered pieced together, we witness God’s glory. ‘Don’t look at my face!’ flares God tells Moses, and burns through the skin, Creating God for you will be overwhelmed. and lights up our eyes, for it is alive We have seen you in the world this week: Look at where he has been, and recognises in other people, look at what he has done, how close the kingdom In the child homeless... (fill out the prayer) and bow down in worship, has come. In the family hungry... (fill out) for the awesome God In the people in conflict... (fill out) of Abraham, Isaac and Moses In those around us... (fill out) is present this day, In our neighbour and community... (fill out) in this place. In those we are closest to... (fill out) In all those we have seen, may our eyes always be open to recognising you in them, and may our act be enough they they recognise you in us.

40 spill the beans community is... seeing God in each other

Prayer of Adoration Being in God’s Presence This could either be a led response or two Place the objects mentioned in a central voices could be used. place or on the communion table. Leader: We name you, O God, On the mountaintop ‘Praise’ after the wind for the heavens light up after the fire Praise Songs / Hymns to the sound of your name. after the silence Be still (MP 50, CH4 189) you, O God All: And you have named us: Blessèd are the pure in heart (MP 58) Praiseworthy. (Open the Bible) Bring many names (CH4 134) Leader: We name you, O God, By the red sea ‘Glory’ enemy behind Brother, sister, let me serve you (CH4 694) for all of time and ocean before For the might of your arm (MP 154) speaks of your promise. and the parting of the sea you, O God Holy, holy, holy (CH4 111) All: And you have named us: Made in glory. (Pour some water) I am the church (CH4 204, JP 367) Leader: We name you, O God, In the garden I need Thee every hour (MP 288, CH4 566) ‘Wonder’ just at dawn Let us build a house (CH4 198) for the whole of creation with the gardener cries aloud with love. and tears Lord, the light of your love you, O God (MP 445, CH4 448) All: And you have named us: Wonderful. (Place a flower) Our God is a God who makes friends (CH4 792) Leader: We name you, O God, At the table ‘Life’ where crumbs fell Reach out and touch the Lord (MP 569) for every moment we live but even the dogs The Church is wherever (CH4 522) is filled with it. feasted you, O God Within the veil (MP 778) All: And you have named us: Fullness of life. (Break bread) Worship the Lord (CH4 201) Leader: We name you, O God, In this moment ‘Mystery’ gathered here for every journey each of us waiting is a an unknown adventure. for glory revealed you, O God All: And you have named us: Still to be fully known. (Either a handshake or light a candle) Leader: We name you, O God, Sending ‘Maker’ for each atom of life Glory isn’t light, overflows with grace from you. Glory is heavy, heavy enough to be shared All: And you have named us: in the sharing of life. Heaven-made. Go share God’s glory All: We have been named for each with the world! other. Prayers of Intercession You could project images of people from the news, known and unknown to illustrate the idea of seeing God in other people. Alternatively, verbally remind people of images that have been witnessed this week.

pentecost 2a 2011 41 sunday 16 october 2011 age group ideas gathering crafts Use the time of creating crafts as a way to All That Glistens age 9-12 Baby Competition all age explore the story and to link it to the lives You will need: mirror tiles/coasters, col- You will need: lots of items of clothing for of the young people wherever possible. oured mosaic tiles, PVA glue, CD marker dressing up. There are huge areas of concern for young people that this story could be used to pens. Bring in some photos of well known touch upon relating to children’s identity: Buy mirror tiles or mirror coasters from people in the congregation (e.g. Sunday how they see themselves. Especially a DIY shop or homeware shop. Give one School leaders) as babies. Pass these round with the older age groups, touching on to each child. Provide children with a the circle and ask if anyone can recognise these issues could lead into interesting selection of coloured mosaic tiles and get the people. Talk about how we recognise discussions, but sensitivity may also be children to make a frame for their mirror people. required for anyone that may be struggling by sticking mosaic tiles onto the mirror Remember you can use the story retelling with issues around their own identity. with PVA glue to a depth of a few cm from on page 41 to think again about the story. The craft is not an end in itself but a way of the mirror’s edges. engaging in conversation with people and Talk about looking in the mirror to see 20 Questions age 6-12 to help focus on the story. themselves and others looking in the As a group play 20 Questions. Choose an mirror. Talk about how when we see object or a food or an animal. Everyone Mirror, Mirror age 3-5 ourselves and others, we see God. has to guess what it is you are thinking of You will need: card shaped into hand- Alternatively, give each child a mirror by asking questions you can only give a mirror for each child, tin foil, scissors, tile or mirror coaster and a CD pen. Get ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ answer to. And they only have stickers, glitter, glue. children to look in the mirror and draw 20 chances. This introduces the idea of themselves. Talk about the images we see growing to recognise things as we find out Provide children with a pre-cut cardboard and the images God sees. more. hand held mirror shape and disc of tinfoil which will fit into ‘mirror’. Get children to Named all age stick tin foil onto card and decorate mirror with stickers, glitter, etc . You will need: A4 card sheets, colouring pencils and pens, sellotape, blu-tack. Talk about looking in mirror to see themselves and how others look when you Ask everyone to write their own name see them in the mirror. When we do kind onto an A4 piece of card in large writing and good things it is like people can see that can be coloured in and decorated. the love of God reflected in us. Some people might be able to create pictures with their names indicating Glory to the CD age 6-8 something they like or are good at e.g. put picture of pizza into letter c or o (see You will need: lots of CDs (ask people graphics on CBBC website for ideas). in the congregation for any freebies, old disks), CD marker pens, coloured Cut out names and put them altogether in tissue paper, glue, garden sticks, string, collage and talk about how we see God in scissors. each other. Give each child 3 or 4 CDs. Ask children to Whole Glory all age draw or write things about themselves on one side of CDs and cover the other side You will need: large black card sheet, of the CDs with a collage of small pieces of brightly coloured ribbon and paper, scis- tissue paper. sors, glue. Provide each child with a green garden Make a piece of installation art: make a stick or straws and string so that they can hole in a black sheet of paper. From the make a mobile. Thread string through back of the paper stick long strips of hole in centre of cd and tie onto stick at coloured paper ribbon. In addition use different lengths. various colours of A4 sheets of paper and cut out swirls. Stick them on the back This activity helps everyone to talk through of the black sheet of paper. Bring them the story and explore the idea that God’s all through the hole and ask people to glory is seen in our own faces. write different ways they have seen God’s glory break through: loving each other, kindness, peace-making etc. 42 spill the beans community is... seeing God in each other activity Conveyor Belt age 6-12 Who? age 6-12 You will need: two deep bags, table, ten You will need: paper, pencils, box. objects in one of the bags (e.g. tin of Everyone then writes their name at the Provide each player with two pieces of beans, toothbrush, cuddly toy, watch, bottom folds the sheet in half and puts it paper and a pencil. Tell them to write etc.) in the box. down the number 1-6 on the left hand side Put all the items in one bag and then place of one piece of paper. Nobody should see At random take out the sheets and ask if both bags on a table at the other side their answers. anyone knows whose favourite colour is... of the room. Place the bags at opposite everyone must write down who they think When you read out the following ends of the table. As the children watch that person is on their second sheets. questions, the players write down their they have to remember what they see, answers by the numbers. This can lead into discussion of how well Generation Game style. we know each other, and how what we 1. What is your favourite meal? The leader takes one thing at a time out like and what we do can be used to tell us of the bag and walks to the other bag and 2. What is your favourite colour? something about who we are. places it in the other bag. This gives the 3. What is your favourite TV programme? Alternatively or in addition ask the children children time to see what the item is. Once 4. What is your favourite hobby? to write down some good things they have all the items have been swapped over 5. What is your favourite singer? done for other people, the glory that has the children can either write down the shone out of them. answers or, if in teams, they are allowed to 6. What is your favourite animal? call out one at a time and go and pick up the item for their team. games Alternatively or in addition you can place the item on the table in full view and get What’s the Time age 3-5 Point out that everyone felt pretty silly the children to organise them in terms because appearances matter to us, but it of value. However, unbeknown to them Moses? doesn’t matter to God. No matter how we you have placed a £5 note hidden in the Children are randomly placed around the look on the outside God knows what we cheapest one (like a broken flower pot room or this can be played sitting down are like on the inside. It is who we are that with paper in it to cover the money) depending on activities. The children shows God’s glory, not what we wear. This could lead to a discussion about value chant ‘What’s the time Moses?’ and the and worth and how we judge others. leader shouts back ‘hopping time’, ‘waving Silly Silhouettes all age time’, ‘clapping time’, ‘singing time’ and You will need: large pieces of paper all the children do the actions but when Mirrors all age or wallpaper, marker pens, blu-tack, Moses says ‘quiet time’ the children sit powerful torch (for version A) Get the children into pairs facing down and if Moses says ‘restful time’ then each other and then they must mirror the children lie down. Version A everything that the other is doing. The group is divided into two teams, who The first person to go can dictate the This game for young children helps go to opposite sides of the room so they movements and the other one has to illustrate that we show God’s glory, or cannot see what each other is doing. follow: it must be done slowly for the full show others what God is ike by doing They blu-tac the paper to the wall at head effect. They then swap with the second things. height of a person sitting on a chair. One person taking the lead. Pass the Bag age 3-8 person sits in the chair, another person This can be used both to explore how we directs the torch light so a silhouette can look to others and follow them when we You will need: music, black bag, lots of be seen, while the others draw around the trust them. This is what we try to do with silly hats, glasses, ties, football socks, persons silhouette. Write the sitters name God as we see God through faithful people aprons, etc. on the back and have a guessing game like Moses (or Jesus), to follow his example. Have children sitting in a circle and start with the opposite team after. Depending playing pass the parcel with the bag. on the time they may all get their When the music stops the person has to silhouette drawn. put their hand in the bag and pull out the Version B first thing they touch and put it on. They keep the garment on until the end of the Play as before only this time the sitter has game. At the end of the game you could to sit right next to the wall with their ear have a fashion show. pressing against the wall and the others draw around them. pentecost 2a 2011 43 theme song: we’re moving on We're Moving On We’re Moving On

G Em D % # œ & 4 Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ There's hope in the air cause we're mo- ving on, there's

4 G E m D G # œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ joy in our hearts and we're mo- ving on, there's fear for the fu- ture, but we're

7 E m D C D G G sus G Fine # & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙. Œ mo- ving on, we're mo- ving to the pro- misedœ land. 1. 2. 3.

10 C D # & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Mo - ses and Aa - ron led us out of E - gypt. We Won - drous things hap - pened as we walked the des - ert, God All these years la - ter, God's voice still calls out to us: keep

12 C G G sus G # j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ should have been thank - ful but we moaned all day. No gave what was need - ed: we had wa - ter and food. He your bags packed rea - dy, be pre - pared to go. As

14 C D E m D # & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ long er were we slaves to Pha - raoh and his peo-ple, we were free to live, to gave us ten good rules to help us live to - ge-ther. Yet we can't o - bey, it's peo - ple of the faith we jour - ney on to - ge - ther so pre - pare to serve where-

17 C G Dsus D D.S. al Fine # & œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ wor - ship and to pray. Yes there's hard to be so good. But there's e - ver God will show. For there's

Words & music: Peter Johnston 44 spill the beans © 2011 Sleepless Nights Publications theme song: we’re moving on

Chorus: There’s hope in the air cause we’re moving on, there’s joy in our hearts and we’re moving on, there’s fear for the future but we’re moving on, we’re moving to the promised land.

1. Moses and Aaron led us out of Egypt we should have been thankful but we moaned all day. No longer were we slaves to Pharaoh and his people we were free to live, to worship and to pray. Yes, there’s hope…

2. Wondrous things happened as we walked the desert, God gave what was needed: we had water and food. He gave us ten good rules to help us live together. Yet we can’t obey, it’s hard to be so good. But there’s hope…

3. All these years later, God’s voice still calls out to us: keep your bags packed ready, be prepared to go. As people of the faith we journey on together so prepare to serve wherever God will show. For there’s hope…

© 2011 Sleepless Nights Publications for Spill the Beans

pentecost 2a 2011 45 2011 Spill the Beans Resource Team http://spillbeans.org.uk Booklet produced by Sleepless Nights Productions 46 spill the beans