Origin: Quiet Service, Cityside 17 May 1998 (Near Mothers Day)
Theme:
God as Mother
Mood:
Setup:
Large screen forms one end
OHP + Slide projector rear projected
3 clusters of 6 large candles burning
Communion Table set up, sand tray of 50 votive candles (unlit)
Gear:
Running order:
Arrival
6.50pm:
Tracks: ambient…
CD runs continuously through service.
Screen: Mother breastfeeding baby
7.10pm
- Track: volume down
Reader: Intro ex Handout…
The Christian God is person. Personal. Yet not male or female. God the Spirit who is knowable. Known through actions and words, both adjective and metaphor.
Theologically and biblically God is described in both masculine and feminine metaphors – both equally valid and appropriate. For cultural and traditional reasons God has come to us described primarily as male. We have an incomplete and inadequate understanding of, and relationship with God when we limit God in this way.
- Track: ‘This Is To Mother You’, Sinead O’Connor ex Gospel Oak
Screen: Lyrics
- Link: We’re going to read some scriptures that talk about God as female /mother, listen for
a phrase or sentence that stands out.
- Readings: with 30 seconds silence between each.
Psalm 90: 1/2 (NIV)
Psalm 22: 9/10 (A literal translation)
Numbers 11:12
Isaiah 49: 14/15 (NIV)
Isaiah 43: 6/7
Isaiah 44:2, 44: 24
Isaiah 46: 3/4
Isaiah 66: 12/13
Isaiah 42:14
Matthew 23: 37/39
(Screen: Slide changed every second reading. Images of Madonna, mothers etc)
5. Psalm 131 – no screen
Re-read with own name in place of Israel
Track: ‘This is to Mother you’ (no Lyrics on screen)
6. Read aloud together Ps 131 (insert own name)
7. Light communion candle, break bread, pour wine
- Read ‘This is to mother…’ Lyrics as invitation to communion.
‘The mystery of the bread and wine’
Take elements as ready.
- Track ‘This is to mother you’ x2
- Silence when track finishes (Second time)
Leave when wish to…
NB: I had intended to play ‘The Look of Love’ as communion track but when it got to the time the Sinead O’Connor track seemed more powerful to re-use. Reading the lyrics was unplanned but they made a great intro to communion. ‘God says to us as we take part in the mystery of bread and wine, ‘this is to mother you…etc’ Worked well.