Series Vision Each season I will share with you one idea that I’ve fleshed out a bit. Remember, this is just one direction you might take and continue to flesh out for your congregation. The point of the Worship Design Studio is to jump-start your own brainstorming so you can find the theme–the “Series Vision”–that will best suits your context. This series may suit your context or it may simply inspire you to another direction. Remember, the Worship Design Studio is based on the idea that “one size does NOT fit all” so these are not full-blown liturgies - as if I could design exactly what you need for your church. Rather, they are themes and ideas for you to expand and adapt according to your context.
NOTE: While this utilizes Year A scriptures, you could use it any year.
This Holy Week I am working on a theme that starts with Palm Sunday since that day also includes the beginning of Holy Week as we begin to recount the events of Jesus’ life in that last week (Passion Sunday). The anchor image of “threshold” is a provocative one for me. You’ve heard me talk about the importance of the “threshold moment” in a worship experience–when we move from “business-as-usual” to the place of transforming possibilities. Certainly the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem is such a moment. So the main image for this season are the portals through which we are called to move in order to let our life, passion and ministry grow on behalf of the world. Each service provides an experiential way of going deeper into the our faith journey. My visual suggestion is to create an arbor or sorts to act as a “gateway” and to use it in different ways for each service.
Palm Sunday/Liturgy of the Passion: “Through the Gate”
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord…. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.” Ps 118:19, 26“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road… When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?!’” Matthew 21:8, 10
This Sunday will be the beginning of the Holy Week journey as we stand at the gate, preparing to enter Jerusalem, the site of so many “thresholds” in the life of Jesus and the disciples–and by extension, the thresholds of our lives. A word that means “threshold” is also “liminality.” This word means that we are “in between” identities. We are not what we once were and yet we do not yet know what is becoming. The entrance into Jerusalem is such a moment. This parade seemed to be such an incredible moment. People were coming to Jesus in droves, they had heard of his preaching and healing and hope seemed to be afoot. But like many moments of our lives, things can turn on a dime and we find ourselves going through gates we never dreamed of–facing turbulent times–things that require change, courage, and perseverance.
Prayer of Confession
! O God, we stand at the gate, hesitant and uncertain. ! At times we are unwilling to answer your invitation; ! ! slow to take steps into the journey toward your Kin-dom.! Forgive us, we pray.! Help us to embrace the joy and the pain ! ! which comes of following you,! ! of loving others, ! ! of accepting ourselves.! Grant us the courage to join you in the procession;! ! the selflessness to lay our cloaks before you;! ! the freedom to lift our palms to your glory;! ! and the knowledge that by your grace we are forgiven. Amen.!
Leader: ! Hear this good news! The procession is ever moving forward. We can join at any moment. The invitation still stands! Come through thegate on your journey. Do not be afraid–walk with Jesus, in whose nameyou are forgiven!
People: ! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God! Amen!
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A CALL TO WORSHIP for Palm Sunday
(based on Luke 19:28-40 and Psalm 118:1, 19-29 Needed: 6 readers who can read with dramatic intonation, 2 acolytes, 1 gong & player, 10 youth, many children with palms. The “People” should be prompted by a liturgist in a call and response method for their parts so that all eyes and ears are on the action and the people need no “script”) The Story Teller: As Jesus approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ʻWhy are you untying it?ʼ tell him, ʻThe Lord needs it.ʼ”
People: ! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;! ! his love endures forever.
The Story Teller:! They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
The gong soundsReader #1:! (from the back) ! ! ! Open the gates of righteousness;! ! ! I will enter and give thanks to God.
Reader #2:! (from the back)! ! ! This is the gate of the Lord! ! ! through which the righteous may enter.
Readers #1 &2:! I will give you thanks, for you answered me;! ! ! you have become my salvation.
Choir sings a Choral Introit (as cloths are brought down the aisle and billowed at the front end of the center aisle and laid on the ground - 10 youth who can practice)
Note: If you have the new Worship & Song resource, be sure to look at a wonderful new hymn, “Blessed is He Who Comes in Godʼs Name” by Worship Design Studio regular expert, John Thornburg! http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=871124
The gong soundsReader #3:! (from the altar as the cloths are brought forward and placed on the altar)! ! ! The stone the builders rejected ! ! ! has become the capstone;! ! ! the Lord has done this, ! ! ! and it is marvelous in our eyes.
All Readers:! (from around the congregation)! ! ! This is the day the Lord has made;! ! ! ! let us rejoice and be glad in it!! ! ! This is the day the Lord has made;! ! ! ! let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The gong soundsReader #4:! (from the baptismal font)! ! ! O Lord, save us;! ! ! O Lord, grant us success.
The Story Teller:! When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
(acolytes come forward with light)People:! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.! ! From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Reader #5:! (from the front center aisle, indicating to acolytes as they pass)! ! ! The Lord is God,! ! ! ! and he has made his light shine upon us. ! (pause as the candles are lit, then turn to indicate children in doorway)! ! ! With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession! ! ! ! up to the horns of the altar.
The Story Teller:! Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
All Readers:! ! You are my God, and I will give you thanks;! ! ! ! you are my God and I will exalt you.
People: ! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;! ! ! his love endures forever.
Processional Hymn! ! “We Are Marching in the Light of God”! (grand procession... all ages)
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Monday Vespers: “Hospice”
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”… Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12: 5, 7
The Gospel lectionary reading draws us into a dinner given by Mary and Martha for Jesus, who had just raised their brother, Lazarus, from death to life. Not surprisingly, Mary feels such devotion and gratitude that she takes a pound of expensive perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet. This lavish hospitality causes quite a stir among the disciples but Jesus recognizes this as the first strains of his own burial rituals. He welcomes such love and hospitality as part of his journey toward what he knew was to come. This evening we have a special service in honor of all those who have provided (and are providing) hospice care in our community–loved ones and professional workers. These persons know what it is to usher someone over a threshold into life in God’s realm with care and dignity. In the tradition of Mary’s act, their hospitality is also an act of extraordinary love.
Music ideas for this service could include songs of healing and comfort from your own denominational hymnals. Here are some of my favorites:
“Healer of Our Every Ill” URW (Upper Room Worshipbook) 161“Healing River” URW 162“You Are Mine” FWS (The Faith We Sing) 2218“Without Seeing You” FWS 2206“Wounded World that Cries for Healing” FWS 2177“You Who Are Thirsty” FWS 2132“Peace of the Earth” URW 446“Nothing Can Trouble” FWS 2054
“Salve for the Soul”
You could incorporate an anointing ritual based on the Gospel story. Oil has always been a symbol of healing and was used in ancient times for many purposes. It was used as a salve to help soothe the skin. Based on this, I have sometimes done a kind of variation of anointing–using body lotion (get the kind that would have the least perfume and chemicals that people might be sensitive to) and inviting people to rub the lotion into each other’s hands and upper arms. This has been less daunting to some than foot-washing and many of these care-givers who are being honored tonight will probably have done this for their patients/families.
Creating a take-home for those you honor tonight for their caregiving would a nice touch. At the least: a simple prayer of thanks written for them and printed on nice paper.
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Tuesday Vespers: “Birthing”
“The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb God named me.” Isaiah 49:1 “Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” Ps 71:6“’Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say–‘Father, same me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour… believe in the light.” John 12: 27, 35
Thresholds (changes) in our lives feel like re-births, complete with labor and frequently a moment when we say “can I take it back?” The scriptures speak of how the ever-present God, who “took me from my mother’s womb” is there to accompany us through all the birthing and re-birthing of our lives. We know the train has left the station, so to speak, but the journey can be frightening anyway. Even Jesus, who in the reading this night says he will not ask God to save him from this threshold moment, ends up saying in the garden, “take this from me!” We are not alone. We can cry out to God and God will offer light in the darkness, even if the cup cannot pass from us. If you feel frightened or anxious about a threshold in your life, come this night for prayers and assurance.
Verbals and Visuals: I would incorporate lots of singing and times of silence and prayer in this service. I would set up several places to go and sit and look at a beautiful altar setting. I would make copies of many affirmations (scriptural and secular quotes) and put all around the sanctuary and invite people to pick the slips of paper up and take home. The songs suggested for the previous service are good ones for this as well... anything about trusting in God on the journey (“Blessed Assurance”... ).
Some songs that I like:
“Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth” FWS 2050“All I Need is You” FWS 2080“Out of the Depths” FWS 2136“Just a Closer Walk with Thee” FWS 2158“Jesus, Draw Me Close” FWS 2159
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Wednesday Vespers: “Starting Gate”
“The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame…” Isaiah 50:7“…I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!” Ps 70:5“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1“Jesus said to [Judas], ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’” John 13: 27
“Out of the starting gate” has become part of our language of what it is to begin something. The story of Jesus inviting Judas to go “do quickly what you are going to do” was a kind of “starting gate” for the unfolding of the events of the next three days. Enduring hardship comes through strongly in the other lectionary scriptures but we are assured in the Hebrews’ text that we are not alone in this race. Because we are surrounded by all those, like Jesus, who endured hostility and at times grew weary, we too can persevere. This evening is a time of embodied meditative prayer, walking the labyrinth surrounded by candles, each representing “the saints”–those who have suffered for justice worldwide and locally. You are invited to come anytime between 5-9pm.
Some ideas about a labyrinth: I think that having a portable labyrinth is a wonderful gift for a church to give itself... most churches that have one of these say they use it extensively! You can get canvas ones that you just roll out or you can get templates to create your own labyrinth in an open space outside at your church. Another way to do it is to use tape on a gym floor (get not-to-sticky-easy-to-remove tape) to create a temporary one. Here is a place to start your investigation: http://www.labyrinthcompany.com/index.php
If you CAN’T do a labyrinth... don’t despair... just create a journey through the sanctuary or the church with meditative stopping points along the way. This could be really fun to create (perhaps the youth could take this on as a project)
If you are able to have a small ensemble play as people walk, the music from Taizé is ideal. But if you are having a come-and-go time of about three hours such as my suggestion above, I usually use CD’s of meditative music.
And, of course, CANDLES... always indirect lighting, soft lighting, candles... have I told you that I have a candle addiction? :-) In this service, there could be a number of significant candles around the room or perimeter of the labyrinth that have tags with names and descriptions of those who risked their lives and/or livelihoods for justice.
“What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me? I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD…” Ps 116:12, 13“…the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Cor 11:24“Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world… After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done for you?... For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you… I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” John 13: 1, 12, 15, 34
It is the night of the last meal of Jesus with his beloved community. They gather together and even though the disciples seem not yet aware of the gravity of the moment, Jesus certainly knows. He turns to the power of rituals in order to leave the disciples with instructions for what they must do when they leave this table–when they face the threshold of life without him. He washes their feet and tells them they must do the same. He breaks bread and blesses the cup and tells them that after this night–after they have left this table of physical communion with him–they must remember him in their table rituals and know communion with him through the love that continues forever as they live their discipleship in love for one another.
Note: the “threshold” moment on this night seems to be the exit from the room... the time when we leave the table and nothing is the same. So... you might want to wait and bring the arbor or archway (whatever you are using), into the room at the end of the communion and footwashing ritual and have the leave-taking be the time when everyone goes through the “gate.”
The Song of Simeon is an ancient text that speaks of “let your servant go in peace.” There are many “renditions” of this text. One of my favorite settings: “Now, Lord You Have Kept Your Word” URW 26
If you use projections, be sure to check out this video - powerful!“Stranger” http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00520
“Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 52: 11“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?... I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint… you lay me in the dust of death.” Ps 22: 1, 14, 15“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness…” Hebrews 4: 16“When Jesus received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19: 30
This is a night of lament, of crying out to God, “Why have you forsaken us!?” Many of us are aware of the “stages of grief” and have experienced them. Denial, anger, depression and bargaining are human longing for the situation to change, for something or someone to intervene, for this threshold from life to death to be taken away. Acceptance of loss is the last place we go before crossing the threshold into new possibility. Before his last breath, Jesus sees his beloved chosen family gathered around and offers them his last act of relationship-making, “here is your son, here is your mother.” He takes his last breath–he “gives up his Spirit.” Isaiah and the Psalms give us opportunity for lament and then, with the author of Hebrews (who is trying to encourage a community to stick together through their persecution), we hear words of hope we are to take with us, “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Music: I think a different, interesting and unique thing to do would be to sprinkle this service with “breath” songs... and then the end of the service focuses on the “last breath...”
“This is the Air I Breathe” W&S 3112 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgUAvMyclbU
“Breath of God, Breath of Peace” W&S 3145
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” UMH 420
check out secular songs (yes, sometimes songs about human relationships can relate to human-holy relationships):
Pearl Jam http://video.pbs.org/video/1333048905/
Anna Nalick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAlWxZK-ps4&feature=related
Taylor Swift http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a9O_jm8YA4
“The earth was without form and voice, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Gen 1: 1-3“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of God, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6: 3, 4.
The Easter Vigil is the “threshold” par excellence–a rich time of Light, Word and Water. An outdoor bonfire begins the ritual and then a candlelight procession into the dark sanctuary offers the experience of literally “crossing the threshold,” the door of the church, and bringing with us light and life to what was a dark “tomb.” We remember our own threshold from death to life in Christ through a baptismal reaffirmation. The night ends with all decorating the church for tomorrow’s resurrection celebration.
This service can be filled with light songs and water songs... also think about finding a song and using it as a thread through the whole service... creating continuity. One of my favorite “Light” and “Word” songs is by regular Worship Design Studio music guest, Christopher Grundy called “More Light.”
Listen at: www.christophergrundy.comSee Christopher do this song at a youth event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xthUkBY2Y&lr=1
You can find an outline for creating this service in your denominational books of worship and/or at:http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent//prep-eastervigil.html
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD…” Ps 118: 19, 20“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…” Col 3: 1“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb… Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’” John 20: 1, 15
The stone blocking the threshold of our lives is gone! We passed through a gate at the beginning of this Holy Week journey and we come again to the Psalm which proclaims another kind of gate–“the gate of the LORD.” With the women and the disciples, we bend over and peer into the tomb, but there is nothing there for us. Jesus is not there. The liminality of the grave is transformed into our sure identity as the Body of Christ, raised up with Jesus to eternal hope and victory over death of all kinds. We must live with the knowledge that death has no hold over us and we can move on. Always. No matter what we face, we can be part of life-giving journeys.
I would create a poem/litany based on what has happened with the arbor/gateway/door to use in the Easter service. If you use projections, take pictures all week long that depict the different ways it was used:
The thresholds of our lives come into stark relief in the thresholds of Jesus’ journey from life to death and to life once again.
We have given homage to our own thresholds, our own passageways in this week...
[etc...]
And now, we come to the threshold that defines our living... the threshold of the tomb. We are called to come out into the light of renewed and everlasting life. We are called to shake off the funeral clothes that we too often carry. We are called to cast off fear of death, fear of “the end,” fear of “never-after.” It is this threshold, this gateway, that is the promise of God!
Follow this with the song, “We Are Called” (FWS 2172) that starts “Come! Live in the light...”as the arbor is decorated with flowers!!!
