This is a picture of this past Sunday, our first Sunday switching to an intergenerational worship format. On the floor, you see tubs of play dough, tools,… Read more “A Journey in the Intergenerational Worship Experiment”
Tag: Intergenerational
Children in Worship: It’s More than Having Coloring Sheets
In the first issue of PLGRM, Rev. LeAnn Watkins, rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul, MN, shares how after numerous attempts of increasing attendance… Read more “Children in Worship: It’s More than Having Coloring Sheets”
Interactive Prayer Stations on Pentecost III
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled… Read more “Interactive Prayer Stations on Pentecost III”
Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter & Empty Tomb
20 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. (John… Read more “Interactive Prayer Stations on Easter & Empty Tomb”
Intergenerational Palm Sunday Worship
36And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. 37When Jesus was starting down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd… Read more “Intergenerational Palm Sunday Worship”
No Stress, No Fuss Holy Week Pageant & Worship
A few years ago, this worship was one of my beginning attempts to integrate children in worship. At the time, we were just starting to get a… Read more “No Stress, No Fuss Holy Week Pageant & Worship”
Interactive Prayer Stations on Lent
1 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Luke 4.1) Lent is a wonderful opportunity… Read more “Interactive Prayer Stations on Lent”
Interactive Prayer Stations on Stewardship & Commitment
Stewardship and commitment to the church are wonderful opportunities for people to explore on their own personal commitment. Below are ideas of interactive prayer stations that focus on these themes. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”) To view pictures of the Interactive Prayer Stations, click here.
Interactive Prayer Station #1: Journey into Celebration
Materials: Markers, Pledge Card, Basket, Candle
Although I’m tempted to approach God as a consumer, seeking to be served, these days am I using God or letting God use me. Authentic worship means God being present to me and me being present to God who penetrates our whole life, regardless of how we feel in the moment.
How authentic do I find myself to be in worship? (draw a symbol of self)
How is it dangerous for me? (draw a symbol of that feeling)
How do I offer up to God? (draw a symbol of your gift)
For whom am I God’s presence? (draw a symbol of your capacity)
Interactive Prayer Station #2: Journey into Community
Materials: Bucket of sand, Tealights, Pencils, Candle, Pledge Card
Why in the world would I want to be part of a church, or St. John’s – what difference does it make in the lives of others? I really am taking a risk to be among others with whom I have little, if any, history! Living in community within God’s household can get messy. A church is a way of living deeply and fully with people here and now, in the place we find ourselves – a collection of storied, fractured folks.
What 3 words speak of my story?
What do I offer to others in this community?
Who is God’s presence for me?
Light a candle to symbolize your light in this community.
Interactive Prayer Station #3: Journey into Compassion
Materials: Basket, Candle, Pledge Card
Imagine yourself moving into a house with a huge picture window. . . keeping the window clean develops into an obsessive-compulsive neurosis. You accumulate ladders and buckets and squeegees. You construct a scaffolding both inside and out to make it possible to get at all the difficult corners and heights. You’re very pleased with yourself. You have the cleanest window in the country – but it’s now been years since you looked through it. You’ve lost your vision.
If I want to follow Jesus, it is less about making my life better and more about serving, giving up, letting go for others.
Reflect upon your desire and offer a prayer that speaks of that desire.
A Sunday (3) in the Life of a Pastor/Mother: Casualties
Today was one of those days in which I should have just crawled back into bed. Actually, the whole week was like that. Already my energy was low from having to plan and lead a 6-hour presbytery retreat for 50 council members and committee chairs a couple of days ago. With me being presbytery moderator and my husband being a committee chair it was just easier to not take the kids to school that day. But I digress . . . today was another day. In fact, I literally thought it was a different Sunday than the one I had planned for.
You see, today was a day we call “Interactive Sunday,” where we set up interactive prayer stations in worship. On these Sundays, we don’t have any Sunday School programs because the stations are meant to be intergenerational. Only yesterday morning, did I wake up and realize the mix-up. Now, you can say, “Theresa, everyone does that every now and then.” Except that, I literally spent the week planning for both the interactive prayer stations and Sunday School this Sunday without realizing it. It was as if my right brain and my left brain weren’t aware of what the other was thinking. Usually I would just shrug it off but I am aware that next Sunday we have a guest preacher because my Head of Staff will be having hip replacement surgery this week and no Sunday School planned. So, it will be all me for a while.
With all this on my mind, this pastor/mother was a bit frazzled. Running 15 minutes late, I rushed the kids into the car, ignored the empty gas light that was on, and managed to accidentally drop my 3 year old on the ground while taking her out of her car seat. My saving grace really is my congregation, who after noticing the mix-up of programs, volunteered to help me put together an impromptu Sunday School program for next week.
Luckily the casualties were minor this time for this frazzled mom: I lost a few more brain cells; my son was only mildly neglected; and my baby girl has a little scraped arm. Nothing that McDonald’s can’t fix.
Interactive Prayer Stations on Baptism
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1.8) The Baptism of the Lord is a wonderful opportunity to remember one’s own… Read more “Interactive Prayer Stations on Baptism”
Still Waters 