This coming Sunday's lectionary reading is Luke's version of the Beatitudes which contain 4 parallel "blessings" and "woes" - hence my theme "Good News, Bad News". Here's some of what I'll be doing at Blackwood.
The readings also have a theme of a tree by a river with its roots going deep, contrasting that with a plant that is dry from being cut off from its source. I couldn't but help think of the Murray-Darling River controversy and how it looks to people here in SA.
Photos by Jackoscage and Tim J Keegan - Creative Commons Licence.
So we'll have a river and a tree at the communion table.
Pre-service - "Down to the River to Pray" from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack along with a video loop of water.
Call to Worship
Psalm 1 says
that people who meditate on God’s presence
who listen for God’s voice
are like trees planted by a stream of water
their roots drink deep,
their leaves do not wither
and they bear fruit in season.
They seek and find God’s goodness.
So if you feel parched
come and be refreshed by God’s presence
If you feel dry
come and be drenched by the Spirit
If you feel cut off from the Source of Life
come and dig deep for God’s wisdom
This is a place for restoration
This is a place for healing
This is a place to be nourished
This is a place for connection with God
and with one another.
Come and worship God.
Sermon - "Good News, Bad News"
- Some jokes to kick off - Download Good-News_Bad-News_Jokes (PDF)
Video clip of 6 images with music "Sparrowfall" by Brian Eno - Download Good News Bad News (zip file) - Video clip of the same images with reverses captions with music "Sparrowfall II" by Brian Eno - Download Bad News Good News (zip file)[These are stock photos so please do no redistribute.]
We'll also be doing a reaffirmation of baptism at a bowl/font of water next to the tree and the river.
Songs - "As the Deer", "Search Me, O God", "Like a Candle", "Beauty for Brokenness" and "Commitment to Creation" by June Boyce-Tillman.
There's more stuff too...
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