AGE:
Secondary |
THEME:
New Beginnings |
AIM: |
- To reflect upon pupils' past and present experiences of thanksgiving, penitence and hope.
- To show how God works with us in all we are and do to create a world consistent with his vision.
- To show that the future is open and not pre-determined - we do have choice.
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PREPARATION: |
- If the space allows, arrange pupils in a large semi-circle or as three sides of an open square. This encourages a sense of togetherness, that all are participating actively in the worship.
- Either...
- As a focus of attention, have a table with the following objects arranged on it:
- A picture of a very young baby
- Year group or tutor group photographs
- Photos of any events in which the year group, or members of it, have participated
Or...
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Prepare a rolling PowerPoint presentation with pictures of the same objects.
- Prepare a number of students who will contribute from within the body of the group. Each input should be limited to one minute maximum. The content should reflect the 'history' of the group e.g.
- 'I have really enjoyed being part of the ...team, because...'
- 'I remember when we all went on a visit to...'
- 'I remember getting into trouble for... And since then...'
- 'What I am looking forward to is...'
- 'What I am concerned about in the future is...'
- Prepare another group of readers to read the Bible quotations.
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INTRODUCTION: |
Play the music from Appalachian Spring.
| READERS 1 & 2: |
Read the Genesis readings. (See READINGS below.)
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| NARRATOR: |
When the universe began, God had created not a finished product but a wealth of possibilities. He had given to human beings the enormous and hugely privileged responsibility of sharing that work of creation. Together God and his creation had the challenge of making the most of what lay before them.
There were mistakes, but even those God was able to turn to advantage. It may be hard to see or accept, but even from the horrors of the Holocaust some good has emerged. As a result of that terrible event in the 20th century, some humans have learned to be more compassionate and more tolerant. If we are to able to see or bring any good from the evil events of the past, the evil has not won.
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SECTION 1: 'Where we are' |
- Display the picture of the baby.
- Student 1 gives input (as in Preparation point 3 above).
- Display team photos.
- Student 2 gives input.
- Display events photos.
- Student 3 gives input (followed by Student 4, Student 5 etc. as required)
- Final student gives input. (This will be the account of an experience of having done wrong and learning from it.)
| NARRATOR: |
What we have done, taken part in, or experienced, stays with us. It is part of our contribution to the building of the world. This will include things that we have got wrong, and which have helped us to grow. These too are an important contribution that we make to the development of the world. We all have much to be proud of in the way we have developed and in the way we have helped others to develop their lives. Nothing that we do affects just us alone. |
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SECTION 2: 'The Future' |
| READERS: |
'When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it, that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before.' (Joshua 3:3b & 4b)
'Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.' (Matthew 28:20b)
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| STUDENTS: |
'What worries or concerns me about the future is... '
'What I hope for the future is... '
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| NARRATOR: |
The future is unknown. We all have hopes and fears or concerns about it. But if we look at how we have arrived at where we are, we can have confidence. Each step leads on from the last and leads forwards.
Go forward to the next stage in life in confidence. God - however you have met him/her or understood him/her, is with you. Not to push or to command, but to accompany, to be a companion on the way.
Where will the journey lead?
No tidy endings, I'm afraid. A tale is begun, but not yet ended. At the moment of your conception your journey began - its end is not yet, but its end will be with God.
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READINGS: |
Genesis 1:1-2 & 26-27
Genesis 2:15
Joshua 3: 3b & 4b
Matthew 28:20b
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MUSIC: |
- From Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copeland - the section better known as the tune 'I danced in the morning', or 'Lord of the Dance'.
- From Beethoven's 9th Symphony, the 'Ode to Joy'.
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