Outline act of worship for all ages

What makes us tick?

• Invite people to share examples of any occasion when they have been grateful for help from someone from whom they might not have expected it. Without getting too personal, what reasons might we have for thinking someone will or won’t offer help?
• Display a few images of well-known cartoon characters (include examples that will be familiar to each generation present). Invite people, in twos or threes, to identify the characters and to discuss the kind of support the character might be expected to give (or not give) to someone in trouble, with reasons. For example, Bugs Bunny would not be expected to help Wile E. Coyote, whereas Toy Story 3 ends with Andy giving away his beloved toys to help Bonnie.
• What makes a cartoon character ‘tick’ is usually, and deliberately, rather obvious – they are rarely complex characters! But finding out what makes real people tick – what their core values are – is much harder. We might get clues (e.g. from unguarded or repeated behaviour); but we might also jump to wrong conclusions! Today we explore our own core values and how they affect our behaviour.
  
  

First impressions

You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.

Click on the image to view a larger version or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images. For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.

 Questions

• How would you describe the words on this wall?
• What words would be written on your wall?
• Pick one of your words – how might that value affect your behaviour?

Philippians 3.17–4.1

Although part of a letter, this brief passage feels like a political speech or a rallying cry, something that could have been delivered in person to a crowd of people. Choose a reader or actor who can present the passage in that way, speaking passionately and directly to those present. To reinforce the theme focused on citizenship of heaven, and how that should affect the way we live, play ‘Thaxted’ by Gustav Holst – i.e. the tune often associated with ‘I vow to thee my country’ – in the background. If you prefer to use the hymn rather than just the tune, listen to the second verse, which is the one that focuses on God’s country/kingdom.

Luke 13.31-35

This script could be used in place of a formal reading of the passage; it is based closely on the NRSV version, with an added introduction. You will need a narrator, Jesus and at least two Pharisees. You also need a ‘Wanted’ poster in the style of a ‘Western’ movie, that says: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, Wanted dead or alive! Reward. (signed) King Herod’.

Narrator: When we are under threat as disciples of Jesus, how should we react? Listen to what Jesus decides to do when he is in danger.

The ‘Wanted’ poster is displayed. Jesus enters and scrawls across the poster ‘Not yet, Foxy!’ (If the poster is projected, the words can ‘automatically’ appear when Jesus enters.)

Narrator: Some Pharisees came to Jesus.

The group of Pharisees enter and approach Jesus.

Pharisee 1: Jesus, get away from here.

Pharisee 2: Herod wants to kill you.

Jesus: Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.’

Jesus turns away from the Pharisees and looks into the distance (as if looking across the city).

Jesus: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Active worship

Fox or hen?

A way into thinking about our different personalities and qualities

Your will need: paper and pens, pencils or crayons.

• In the Gospel reading, animals – a fox and a hen – are used to describe human personality and character. Invite people to draw pictures of their favourite animals. Then, in small groups, to share with each other the qualities they most admire about their chosen animal, and why.
• Next, ask people to draw the animal that they think represents their own personality and character. Again, share and say why. What qualities appeal to you most in people?
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What would you do?

Discuss how our core values influence our behaviour

• Working in groups, reflect on the following two scenarios:

1. You come across someone at school/work who is being bullied; the victim is unpopular.
2. You are in a shop and you notice a friend of yours shoplifting.

    In each case, discuss your possible courses of action, and what each of those possibilities would say about your values.
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What does our church stand for?

You will need: a large and long piece of paper (e.g. a length of plain wallpaper), a range of craft/collage materials, paints, pens, scissors, glue.

• The exploration so far should have given you a range of core values held by those present. Working together, choose three core values that your church models in its work and witness. If necessary, have a vote (show of hands) to decide the top three.
• Together, make a banner, for public display, that illustrates the chosen values. Avoid ‘churchy’ or religious language or images that will not mean much to those outside your church context. Try to find ways to express your core values that will resonate with the people of your local community.
• In a large congregation you may need to work on more than one banner. When complete, if you can, display the banner in a suitable place – e.g. a noticeboard where it will be seen by the general public.
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A simple worship activity

A reflection on today, tomorrow and the next day.

Sometimes our fears may paralyse us. Invite people to listen to this poem. You could play the second movement of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, quietly, as background music while the poem is read.

Today, tomorrow and the next day
to Jerusalem I’m bound.
No threats or fears or rumours,
can make me turn around.

I know what there awaits me
betrayal, death and pain;
my friends will all desert me
yet from a cross I’ll reign. 

From that day, its morrow and the next one,
the darkness turns to bright.
Death’s power by God is broken
with Easter’s radiant light.

Today, tomorrow and the next day,
you too will tread your road;
but I will walk beside you –
so let me bear your load.

By Don Dowling

• End with a time of silence. 
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Activity sheet 

• We have been exploring core values and how they affect our actions. We have considered the core values that our church embodies. What should we do with this? What core values would we most want our friends to see in us? How does this help to shape the week ahead for each of us?
• Invite people to discuss these questions with those immediately around them. Encourage everyone to try to think of one (or more) event or situation during the coming week where a core value will, or ought to, be apparent. What will you do in that context?
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Go with God 24/7

Encourage everyone to put their faith into action

Find time, preferably at the beginning of each day, to reflect how your core values have shaped what you did (yesterday) or will do (today), and say the sending out prayer. 
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Give out the ROOTS at home resource to encourage faith at home.