On
tables in front of everyone there are bowls of water and a twig for
each person. Accompanied to music ('I heard the voice of Jesus say'
for example) these words are spoken. Slides would also be effective,
if possible, illustrating each stanza. Everyone is invited to think
quietly to themselves or speak the words they are thinking in
response to each question.
(Slide
of creation)
It
was in the beginning
And
the universe roared with chaos
Stars
detonating
Planets
birthing
Primordial
ocean on fire
And
from that chaos
God
whispered
God
sounded
God
spoke
Order!
Let there be order!
And
creation swung into breathtaking beauty
It
was the first bringing to wholeness
The
first healing
With
the word creation what do you think?
(Slide
of candle/tunnel)
It
was to Isaiah God spoke
Of
that tiredness
That
exhaustion of life
When
everything seems dark
And
there is no light
But
at the end of every tunnel there is light
The
Lord gives strength to those who are weary
Even
young people get tired, then stumble and fall
But
those who trust in the Lord will find new strength
They
will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings;
They
will walk and run without getting tired
It
is the bringing of wholeness
It
is the beginning of healing
With
the word light what do you think?
(Slide
of people praying/crying)
It
was to John in the middle of confusion and fighting and chaos
The
words came that God is love
That
as Jesus did, so much we give life for others
If
we have no pity
No
support
No
prayer for another person
No
candle to light
No
word of hope
No
will to carry them
We
cannot say we love God
It
is the drawing of wholeness
It
is the way of healing
With
the word prayer what to you think?
(Slide
of rainbow/sunset)
It
was to the evangelist
In
times of worry
Unknown
futures
When
life collapses
And
the world oppresses
That
the word of peace came
A
peace unknown by the world in its madness and confusion
But
is for us
In
us
Through
us
Given
to us
Only
by love, and love's maker
It
is the gift of wholeness
It
is the strength in healing
With
the word peace what do you think?
I
invite you now, to use those objects in front of you
To
break the twig
Symbolising
the breaking of darkness
Of
sin
Of
chaos
And
to cross yourself with water
The
symbol of renewal
Of
re-birthing
Of
wholeness and healing again
(Break
twigs and cross self)
Let
music continue till appropriate to finish.
