Outline act of worship for all ages

Mothering Sunday

• Today is Mothering Sunday/Mothers’ Day. Encourage people to share special things they have done, or will be doing, today.
• Remember that while today is a joyful occasion for most people, it is not so for everyone. Some will be sad for mothers no longer with them, or may not have a good relationship with their mother, or may not have known their mother at all. With that in mind, it may be helpful to think more broadly about all those who have been like a mother to us – in short, all who have loved us.
• Today’s Gospel reading is a story that Jesus told, not about a mother but a father. He had two sons: one made some bad choices; the other became angry and resentful. But their father loved them – outrageously so. And that is what we will explore today.

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 do you imagine the loving and open arms of God?
• What does ‘outrageous love’ mean to you?
• What could you do as an expression of outrageous love?

2 Corinthians 5.16-21

When the Covid-19 vaccination campaign got under way, a call went out for people to encourage others to get the jab. Words and actions together, designed to break down the walls of fear and suspicion. Paul uses similar language to encourage similar action: Christians who have experienced the breaking down of the barriers that divided them from God should embody that reconciling message to others. Before you hear Paul’s words, listen to ‘There is a place of commanded blessing’ by Robin Mark. The final verse repeats the words: ‘We will break dividing walls and we will be one’.  The song can be found in various volumes of The Source; and its lyrics and a link to a YouTube video can be found on the internet. 

Luke 15.1-3,11b-32

Frame the Gospel reading with this imagined monologue by the father in the story.

Father: (enters and speaks to all present) I have two sons and I love them. Both of them have caused me heartache, but I still love them. Listen to my story (sits and listens along with everyone else).

Narrator: Reads Luke 15.11b-33.

Father: (stands up) So there you have it. I know what many of you are thinking: I was too soft and indulgent with my younger son. It is true that he acted disgracefully. He shamed our family  – not only by going off in the way he did, but also by how he acted while he was away. So why did I run to meet him? Why did I not only allow him back, but also celebrate his return with a party – and restore his status as a son? Couldn’t I understand my other son’s resentment and anger? From his perspective, his brother had ruined our family, and didn’t deserve to be forgiven – let alone be reinstated. He had never gone astray. 
So why should his brother’s outrageous behaviour be rewarded? (pause)

But if you have ever caused hurt to parents or family, then you understand that this story is not about deserving anything; it is about costly love. If, like my elder son, you have never gone astray, and imagine love is earned by good behaviour and forfeited by bad, you probably have yet to understand what costly love is. That is why I am begging my elder son to come in. I have two sons. I love them both. And I don’t want to lose either of them.

Active worship

What would you say? 

Reflect on the parable’s relevance to your life.

• Invite people to imagine themselves a character in the Gospel story and to ponder some questions. Allow a reasonable amount of time for each one. If you are a brother, what would you say to your brother at the beginning and end of the story? How will you change in the days after the party? If you are the father, what would you say to each of your sons on the day after the party? (Think about the future.)
• Finally, in what ways is, or might, this story be about you and your life, and God?
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Family role play

Explore the parable in a contemporary context.

• Form family-size groups. Among yourselves, agree with each other on a role for each person (father, son, mother, daughter, etc.). Imagine the story taking place in a modern context leading to a ‘family talk’ – before or after the party. Talk with each other from your character’s viewpoint about any of the issues raised by what has happened.
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Group discussion and plan

What does it mean to be the ‘open arms of God’?

• Working in groups, invite people to think of their experience of life in your local community, asking: How does the parable challenge our attitude to people who have, or have not, succeeded ‘in the system’ that is modern society? For example, are there local issues/needs concerning inclusion, fresh starts, family relationships, and so on? Make a list of these as you go.
• Review your list, asking how, individually or together, you might be the ‘open and welcoming arms of God’ in some of those situations. Agree at least one practical and achievable thing to do to begin to address one of the needs.
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Individual reflection

Explore how the story touches on relationships.

• Imagine that you were the unmentioned mother of the two sons, wife of the father. What would you have said and done? Alternatively, what difficult or challenging family experiences have you had? What action does this parable inspire or encourage you to take?
• Write a letter to your (imaginary) sister about it.
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Amazing grace

A song to inspire creativity.

You will need: paper/card, a wide range of craft materials.

• Another way to speak of God’s outrageous love is ‘grace’. In his well-known hymn, John Newton does just this. It includes the phrase ‘Once I was lost but now I am found’.
• Read and/or listen to ‘Amazing grace’. While doing so, recall a time when you felt lost then found – what were the different emotions you experienced? Using the craft materials, find a creative way to express those feelings and.
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A simple worship activity

A prayer for outrageous love.

• Give everyone three strands of wool, each a different colour. Choose one colour to represent saying ‘yes’ to God’s outrageous love. Choose another to represent loyalty, and the third will represent curiosity. Knot the three strands together at one end, then plait them.
• Encourage people to use their plait as a reminder that we need all three of the qualities the colours represent to follow Jesus. Invite them to think about how those qualities play out in their lives, or should or could do so. Finish with this prayer:

Loving God, our father and mother,
thank you for your outrageous love,
welcoming us all home.
We are sorry for our lostness.
Give us a new start each morning,
and help us to be open and welcoming to one another.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen. 
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Activity sheet

• If we are to be the ‘open arms of God’ in today’s world, what sort of party should we be throwing? Who should we invite? Invite people to discuss this, for a few moments, with those around them. Invite feedback and begin to plan a party or celebration, including a list of local people to invite.
• Draw up a list of tasks needed to make this happen, and find volunteers for each action. Make it happen!
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Go with God 24/7

Encourage everyone to put their faith into action

Find ways to be welcoming to people you meet; be generous with your time, and unconditional – even outrageous – with your love.
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Give out the ROOTS at home resource to encourage faith at home.