Intergenerational
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What Is Your Story?
St. John’s is in the midst of pastoral transition. After 28 years of total ministry at St. John’s, my colleague who I pastored with for the past 16 of those 28 years retired. So this month, my call changes from co-pastor to solo pastor. Many pastors have been through the life of St. John’s for…
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Reflection on One’s Gifts & Talents
Here is a simple reflection on one’s gifts and talents that they have to offer and share. A large loom was set up in the sanctuary. Also tied some fabric on the loom as an example of what to do, but also to catch people’s eye so that they didn’t walk into the loom. People…
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Tunnel of Love
I wrote in a previous post about the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, where I described how to construct a balloon ebenezer. Another activity the youth did in small groups was helping to create a tunnel of love, not THAT kind of tunnel of love. Since the theme for the conference centered around hearts, participants were asked…
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Balloon Ebenezer
This summer, I had the pleasure of writing the small group manual for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT). PYT is a Presbyterian Youth Conference that brings about 4000 youth from all over the US to Purdue University. Throughout the week, youth engage with the theme through worship, small group study, and recreation. The theme was…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Pentecost (Romans 8)
These prayer stations focus on Pentecost using Romans 8. These stations focus on symbols of Pentecost. Interactive Prayer Station #1: Flame Materials: Large Candle, Markers, Wax Strips Interactive Prayer Station #2: Wind Materials: Pinwheel cut-out, Thumbtacks, Beads, Skewers, Water, Markers Soak the skewers in water to soften the wood and make it easier to…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter & Transformation
These prayer stations focus on Easter and Transformation. In a sermon, I had shared what a caterpillar goes through to transform into a butterfly. Using the metamorphosis as a metaphor, the stations are an opportunity to reflect on the transformation of one’s faith journey. Throughout the season of Easter, I hung about a thousand paper…
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Beatitude Mandala
“Happy are people who are hopeless . . . grieve . . . humble . . . hungry and thirsty for righteousness . . . show mercy . . . have pure hearts . . . make peace . . . ” (Matthew 5.1-11) The Common English Bible translates the Beatitudes by using the word…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Epiphany, Wilderness, & the Wise Men
These prayer stations focus on Epiphany, using different art of the Three Wise Men. As people participated in the different prayer stations, they were invited to look at different interpretations of the Three Wise Men. Interactive Prayer Station #1: Follow the Star Materials: Paper Stars, Markers Interactive Prayer Station #2: Symbol Materials: Sticks, Sand,…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Advent, Refugees, & Immigration
These prayer stations focus on Advent focusing on Jesus as a refugee. There is opportunity to not only reflect on refugee stories, but support refugee/immigrants as well. Interactive Prayer Station #1: Treasure Materials: Markers, Copies of Treasure Chests Interactive Prayer Station #2: Symbol Materials: Scissors, Glue, Glitter, Felt, Fabric Pens, Ribbon Interactive Prayer Station #3:…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Cleansing the Temple & Epiphany (John 2)
Jesus cleansing the temple is usually told during Lent. However, I’ve been going through the gospel of John at the beginning of Epiphany starting with Jesus calling the disciples. So the prayer stations are a combination of John 1 when Jesus calls Nathanael, John 2 when Jesus cleanses the temple, and the season of Epiphany.…
