Origin: Cityside Quiet Service, 16 December, 2001. A remediation of Ripples Through Time 1.
Theme:
Reflecting on Christmas
Mood:
Reflective, upbeat.
Setup:
3m diameter pool (polythene, plastic pipe, hose), candles in water around edge, TV’s running ripples loop.
Gear:
Handouts: ‘Mofo’ lyrics, 3 stones. floating candles, benediction.
Running order:
1. Prelude: light levels up. TRACK:
- Call to Worship: TRACK: Mofo U2 ex POP #3 + lyrics
Link: Music symbolises rush and bustle of Christmas and struggle of our Christmas lives, yet lyrics…
- Intro: Tonight we’re going to hear the Christmas story read from Luke and Matthew’s accounts, and reflect on the ripples of influence and effect that run out from those events, through history, and eventually to us today.
Lie back, relax, reflect.
(VID: ripples loop)
- Reading #1: Prophecy
(silence)
- Link #1: In the beginning God’s Spirit hovered over the waters and the ripples of the presence of God spread throughout Creation. The ripples of the presence of God spread through the people of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Sarah, Rebecca and Mary.
- Response #1: Say together, ‘The ripples from the story of God’
Toss stone #1 in pond and watch ripples.
(silence)
- Reading #2: Announcements
(silence)
- Link #2: The ripples from the presence of God spread through a young woman Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. Surprising them. Challenging them. Frightening them. Changing them forever.
- Response #2: Say together, ‘The ripples from the presence of God’
Toss stone #2 in pond and watch ripples.
(silence)
- TRACK: Veni Emmanuel, Anne Dudley ex Ancient and Modern #4 (Loud)
- Reading #3: Birth
(silence)
- Link #3: The ripples of God’s activity in the world spread out further through a young woman, the birth of a child in a shed; through heavenly creatures; and affected a confused father, some farm workers, and everyone who met any of them.
- Response #3: Say together, ‘The ripples from the story of God’
Toss stone #3 in pond and watch ripples.
(silence)
- Reading #4: Presentation and visits
(silence)
- Link #4: The ripples of God’s presence and activity in the world spread in ever expanding circles, affecting time and space. Bringing different responses from all who encountered them, but always demanding a response; always having an effect.
- TRACK: I Believe In You, Sinead O’Connor. ex A Very Special Christmas 2 #19
- Response: Candle Prayers:
And so the ripples from this ancient story reach us, in Auckland, on this night.
Light candles and float them on the water as symbols of the places and ways you would like the God of the Christmas story to affect your life this Christmas, and for other people and situations you know need to be touched by God’s presence.
TRACK: Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) Enya ex Cool Christmas (repeat)
- Benediction: Unaccompanied. ‘Now Unto Him’.
Stay as long as you like…