We set up a space in darkness and at a point which is pretty obvious the central camping light was switched on and sent a star shaped soft light through the dark space.
I used those glow in the dark stars you can get in massive packs and wrote people's name on them in OHP indelible pen.
It was lso really great for the first time at Xp not to rely on cd music but actually to have one of our young people playing some songs on the guitar.
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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass, cloaked in darkness. And the spirit of God was hovering over its surface.
In our lives there is darkness, things we keep hidden.
God can bring light to those things of which we’re ashamed. Think of them now and offer them to God while we listen to Ben playing his guitar.
Then God said, let there be light and there was light And God saw that it was goodBen plays
Genesis 1.
Lord God you have brought light into our lives
God, You light up our darkness
(paraphrase of Psalm 18)
God’s light came not only at creation but in the coming of God’s Son into the world
For God who said, “Let there be light in the darkness, has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4-6
He is the light to reveal God to the nations
Luke 2.32
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone.
John 1
Pure Light Matt Redman:
O, to see You as You are
To glimpse the wonderst yet unseen
Assist my sight, unveil my eyes
To see You
Lord, to know You as You are
To even dare to speak or stand
Though marked beloved, to fall as dead
When I see You
And through grace untold, to see You
With this heart unveiled, to know You
Lord, in Your pure light
How great the glory of Your name
How small the voice I humbly bring
Yet with my all I raise a song
When I see You
It is the song of love's pure light
The grace reflected in these eyes
The overflow of those who know
They have seen You
We are disgraced, but You graced us
With the warmth of Your forgiveness
Now You lead us ever closer
To the pure light of Your holiness
And I'll sing of the wonders of Your grace
Sing of the wonders of Your grace
Sing of the wonders of Your grace, O Lord
And I'll tell of the glory of Your name
Tell of the glory of Your name
Tell of the glory of Your name, O Lord
With God’s light to light up our darkness we are empowered and strengthened
As the psalm says:
The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger – so why should I be afraid?
Psalm 27
The light shines through the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish.
John 1
We receive that light from God and it is not just for us to keep but to share:
Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another calling each by it’s name.
Isaiah 40.
In the middle of the floor in a moment you will find a star with your name on it. Come and collect it while the next song playsBrian Doerksen, You Shine
Why should I feel mad,
When You made the heavens?
Why should I be afraid,
When You put the stars in place?
Why should I lose heart,
When I know how great you are?
Why should I give up,
When Your plans are full of love?
In this world we will have trouble,
But You have overcome the world!
You Shine,
Brighter than the brightest star!
Your Love,
Purer than the purest heart!
You Shine,
Filling us with courage and strength
To follow You!
Why should I feel mad,
When You made the heavens?
Why should I be afraid,
When You put the stars in place?
Why should I lose heart,
When I know how great You are?
Why should I give up,
When Your plans are full of love?
You Shine,
Brighter than the brightest star!
Your Love,
Purer than the purest heart!
You Shine,
Filling us with courage and strength
To follow You!
In this world we will have trouble,
But You have overcome the world!
You have overcome the world...!
You Shine,
Brighter than the brightest star!
Your Love,
Purer than the purest heart!
You Shine,
Filling us with courage and strength
To follow You!
You Shine,
Brighter than the brightest star!
Your Love,
Purer than the purest heart!
You Shine,
Filling us with courage and strength
To follow You!
You---- Shine----,(oh Lord! oh Lord give us courage,
give us courage and strength, to follow you!)
You---- Shine----! (to the ends of the earth! oh Lord! oh Lord!
We're gonna follow, we're gonna follow You!)
These stars are to remind you that God's light is for you to share:
You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all.
Matthew 5.14
For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord , and your behaviour should show it.
Ephesians 5.8
Let your lives shine as points of light in the darkness.
Philippians 2.15
I hope you will keep these stars to remind you to shine out with your lives and also to remind you that even in darkness God's light is with you.
The service is now over but if you would like to stay here in the quiet space some music will be playing.
Violet Burning, Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart
worship
3 comments:
Why hmmm Phil?
I'm with Phil... love the liturgy... really creative and, I'm sure affective! I'll probably pinch bits of it if thats OK... love the Stars idea! Like Phil though I think I will probably steer clear of the music you used ;-)
Mark, feel free to use the idea.
You music snob you!!!
In fact I used that one for a few reasons:
1) because one of the young people had said they were really into the album
2) because it came up on the search in Windows Media player on the laptop when I was planning the worship
3) because it really fitted the mood
4) because, though I normally have music playing at the same time as the words but because I had a hideous cold and little voice I opted instead for words THEN music and so chose wordy music rather than more chilled stuff.
and in all honesty I was a little surprised at how well the music fitted with the theme, especially the other track which (unbeknownst to me, contained several of the Bible passages I'd already used!)
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