Origin: End of Black Stump Festival, 9-10.15am. Sunday 30 September, 2001
Adapted from Ripples Through Time services concept.
Theme:
Ripples from the story of God affect us
Ripples from what God is doing at Black Stump affect our lives
Ripples from our lives affect others as we return to home
Mood:
Setup:
Very low ambient lighting. 4m (12 foot) diameter x 60 mm (2.5 inch) central pond of black polythene with 5 candles around inside edge. If number of likely punters means it needs to be bigger it could be say 6 metres long and 3-4 metres wide. Folding polythene over a timber surround lying loose on the ground would work fine. Maybe a low spot directly over pond? A video camera picking up what happens in the pool would be stunning. Needs to be low lux.
1 or 2 garbage bins lined with black polythene (or black plastic bins/drums) and full of water. Be nice to have these bins lit around the edges/floor but the bin itself in darkness. This is where punters will drop their stones of confession that will disappear into the darkness of the water drums.
3 large screens (bedsheet fabric is fine), 2-3 Kodak Carousel slide projectors, video projector/s?, tvs?, PA, vcr, cd player, 1-2 mics.
Gear:
Slide changer cables, Floating candles (1 per person plus some), Stones/pebbles (3 per person plus some), Pond stuff- 4x4m black polythene, 2 rolls of black gaffer tape, miscellaneous candles, hose to syphon water out, bucket to carry water in, 2 x water drums, or bins lined with black polythene, Bread plate, Bread, Wine goblet, Wine, Serviettes, Rice Crackers (wheat allergy people!) Incense kit and thurible.
TRACKS: -Late Late Service 5: Deep Peace, Grace (various artists). VIDS: ripples loop
Running order:
1. Prelude: TRACK:
SCREENS: Welcome…VID PROJ: ripples loop (continuous thru service)
As enter….Each person given 3 stones/gravel pebbles and a heating candle (that floats!)
2. Call to Worship: TRACK: ‘Come Holy Spirit’ ex Late Late Service 5: Deep Peace
SCREENS:
- Welcome and Purpose:
- TRACK continues: Space for reflection
5. Scripture reading?
6. Responsive Confession: SCREENS: Almighty and merciful God…x3
Silence for reflection
- SCREENS: 1John1/8-10 Read declaration of forgiveness…
Hold one of your stones in your hand. Hold it tight…
The stone you are holding represents the stuff in your life that is hard to get rid of and yet you know it needs to go if you’re to be the person God wants you to be. It may be a symbol of hard stuff that God wants to soften with his/her love, or of stuff you struggle with…Talk to God in the silence about that…
SILENCE
I now invite you to bring the symbol, the stone, of your desire to be put into a right relationship with God and to drop it in the barrel. As you do, say, ‘Lord, hear my prayer’
TRACK: as move to dump stone #1 in black bin of water.
SCREENS: Lord, Hear my prayer…,1John1/8-10…,
END: reread 1John1/9
8. Rant: ripples in society and biblical story.
New York City terrorism, Union bosses, you….
Angel – Mary…Mary – Joseph
Jesus life/preaching
Jesus death….ripples come through history to meet us…
- Stone #2: What has God been saying to you at Blackstump this weekend? Where have you seen God at Blackstump? Or ask God, ’Where are the ripples of your presence at Blackstump, God?’
Toss stone #2 into pond. Watch ripples. Say individually as do: The ripples of God’s presence at Black Stump’. (words on SCREENS)
TRACK:
9. Link Rant:
- Stone #3: As you leave Stump, even while you are here, your life will impact on others. In what ways or to whom would you like this to happen? This second stone represents the effect of your life on others, or others who you would like to see the Spirit of God touching…Toss stone #3 into pond. Watch ripples. Say individually as do: ‘The ripples of my presence in the world’. (SCREENS)
TRACK:
11. Bread and Wine: Words of Institution, Servers??
Candle Prayers: Who or what would you like to pray for the ripples of Gods love and life to affect this morning? What is God speaking to you about? Gather all those hopes and fears and uncertainties and certainties up and light a candle and float it out on the pond as your prayer.
- Benediction: Responsive ex SCREENS:
12. SCREENS: Feel free to leave…
13. Postlude: TRACK:
SCREENS: