This evening we looked at new ways of worshipping God, drawing on ideas from the alt.worship/emerging church/fresh expressions movements. We looked at some photos of existing groups (more at Small Fire) and then had a go - we set up ten mini stations in the church to explore. Let us know what you thought!

The challenge this week is to think of a new idea for a similar station - either describe or draw it, or get all the materials together and make it if you can. We might use a few at the forthcoming youth service.


thaw
⠕take an ice cube and place it near to the candles
⠕the heat from the candles represents God’s love
⠕watch as the jelly baby is freed from it's cold prison
⠕think how God has warmed your life


photo
⠕hold the camera at arm’s length and take a photo of yourself
⠕you are an important part of runway and God’s family


bricks
⠕build a wall out of the scouring pads
⠕think of the things that seem to separate you from God
⠕read: ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8)
⠕knock down your wall


taste
⠕close your eyes; take and eat a sweet at random - is it sweet or sour?
⠕try this a few times until you’ve had both types
⠕think about how life is a mixture of good and bad things
⠕remember that God is with you in the tough times as well as the fun


precious
⠕our cat Paws is our most precious possession
⠕what is your most precious possession?
⠕draw it now in chalk on the blue board
⠕God would have drawn you


nature
⠕look at the flowers and rub the herbs to smell them
⠕thank God for the world
⠕write your favourite natural things on a flower
⠕stick it on the tree


gift
⠕God has given us everything we need
⠕read the Bible verses on the gift
⠕write a short thank-you note to God


flush
⠕sit on the naughty spot think and of something you are ashamed of
⠕write it on a piece of loo roll
⠕put it in the bin as you say sorry to God
⠕we will flush them all away at the end - God forgives you


talent
⠕use a crayon to draw around a talented bit of your body
⠕e.g. your hand if you are arty, your feet if you dance, etc
⠕write your talents inside the shape you drew
⠕thank God for giving you gifts and ask for wisdom to use them


news
⠕find a news story in the paper that you care about
⠕pray that God would help
⠕use a marker pen to highlight the story