Introducing the Season

Transcription

1 Introducing the Season To orientate leaders to the focus scriptures, art images, and music offered by Seasons of the Spirit for. Before the session Remind leaders of the meeting and ask them to review their materials and bring them to this session. Bring newsprint, markers, and refreshments. Bring copies of the resource sheet Gathering and Blessing (p. 5). Gather Bring name tags (optional), matches, and taper. Bring a recording of meditative music such as Autumn Harp (#29 on the Seasons Music CD, Vol. 8). Set a worship space with green fabric, Bible, and pillar candle. Bring, if possible, the song, Come, O Holy Spirit, Come/Wa, Wa, Wa Emimimo (p. 12 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 5; #10 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 5). Engage Setting the scene: copies of This Season at a Glance (from Planning section of website) and some copies of About this Pentecost 1 (p. 1) and shared article, Elijah Narrative Timeline (p. 100 in 3-5, p. 129 in Multiage, p. 99 in all other ages) Engaging the scriptures: Bibles and copies of the resource sheet Bible Discussion (p. 6); cut sections apart. Engaging the art: copies of the resource sheet Art Reflection (p. 7); display seasonal posters, arranged according to the order in article, Connecting with the Art (at end of resources); place multiple sets if multiple available. (Note: Ages 3 5 and Ages 6 8 materials also include story posters. Option: bring a variety of art supplies (such as charcoals, oil pastels, markers, crayons) and drawing paper. Engaging the music: Copies of the Seasons Songbook and Seasons Music CD (Volumes 2, 5, and 8), if available, and CD player or MP3 player. If you have not already purchased these songbooks or music CDs but would like access to the music, you can purchase downloadable sheet music and MP3 recordings at the Seasons website. Option: invite a music leader to teach and lead the songs. Respond Bring copies of Introducing Seasons of the Spirit and Seasons Session Flow (from Planning section of website) for new leaders. Bring copies of articles as needed from the booklet From Start to Finish (in Library on website), such as stages of faith development, multiple intelligences, creating a respectful learning environment, building community. Bring copies of Registration Form and Leader Record (from Planning section of website) if needed. Bring copies of several recent postings to Spirit Sightings (on website). Bless Bring, if possible, the song, May Peace Be with You/Salamun, Kullahee (p. 10 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 8; #24 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 8). Bring copies of Lectionary Bookmarks for this season (from Planning section of website). PREPARE Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit 1

2 GATHER (10 minutes) ENGAGE (45 minutes) (Option: play Seasons music in the background as people are arriving and distribute name tags, if appropriate.) Welcome participants and invite them to gather in the worship space. If there are new leaders for this season, invite the group members to spend a few moments in pairs, sharing something about what drew them to this ministry. Opening ritual Light the candle and invite a few moments of silence. Pray Distribute copies of the resource sheet Gathering and Blessing (p. 5) and form two groups to read alternate lines of the Gathering prayer. Sing, or listen to, if possible, the song Come, O Holy Spirit, Come/Wa, Wa, Wa Emimimo (p. 12 in Setting the scene Explain that the first Sunday in this season is Trinity Sunday which begins the first half of the Season after Pentecost. This is a part of the church year often called Ordinary Time as it is the time when we explore what it means to live faithfully in the world today. The liturgical colour for this season is green, symbolizing a time of growing and learning. Introducing the season In this first half of the Season after Pentecost, we will hear about the great prophet Elijah and his disciple Elisha; we will explore stories in Luke s gospel of Mary and Martha and the healing of one bent over, as well as the parables of the Samaritan neighbour and the rich farmer. Pentecost 1 ends with two readings from Luke, encouraging stories about the priority of love over rules, and the openness of God s table. Read the introductory material from the materials, About this Pentecost 1 (p. 1). Then distribute copies of the chart This Season at a Glance (from the Planning section of the Library) and review the information together, noting the focus passages Seasons Songbook Vol. 5; #10 on the Seasons Music CD, Vol. 5). Making connections This Season after Pentecost begins with a reading about wisdom from Proverbs 8. We long to know God s wise ways in the midst of everyday joys and struggles. Form pairs to define the word wisdom. After pairs share their definitions with the group, talk together about the places where people look for wisdom today. Discuss: How do we know what is wise, and how might we live in tune with what is wise?? What wisdom about living in relationship with creation do you see in this week s readings from Proverbs 8 and Psalm 8? What might we hear in Wisdom s voice and call at this time here in the life of our community and world? (From Adult session for May 22) and titles for each week. Then invite participants to look at p. 2 in their resources, noting specific rituals and other information offered for their age group. Reviewing the articles Invite participants to find the extra resource sheets and articles at the back of their age-level resources. One of the shared articles across age levels, Elijah Narrative Timeline (p. 100 in 3 5, p. 129 in Multiage, p. 99 in all other ages) offers background information for the readings from 1 and 2 Kings. Ages 9 11 and Multiage have a resource sheet on Labyrinths, which could be used as a meditative tool by all leaders. The youth and adult resources include a background article on The Kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Engaging the scriptures Form three groups and give each group one of the three sections on the resource sheet Bible Discussion (p. 6). Invite the groups to use the uestions to help explore the scripture passages in their section. Ask each group to record some responses and then gather as a whole group to review and reflect on these responses. 2 Seasons of the Spirit Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

3 Engaging the art Gallery Invite participants to find the article Connecting with the Art at the end of their age-level materials; distribute extra copies as needed. Invite the group to view the two posters one at a time, reading the information and suggestions for activities for each image, before they move to the next one. Personal reflection Invite participants to find the set of posters in their packages or to sit where they can see all of the displayed posters. Distribute copies of the resource sheet Art Reflection (p. 7) and invite participants to use the uestions to guide their reflections. (Option: gather as a large group afterwards to share insights.) Artistic response If time permits, invite participants to respond to the art image they have chosen by using the art supplies provided to write prayer or a poem, or create a drawing or painting that captures their feelings or insights. Engaging the music (Use this section if the Seasons of the Spirit music resources have been purchased for use in your congregation.) Introduction The music for this season comes from Volumes 2, 5, and 8 of the Seasons Songbooks and the Seasons Music CDs. If you have not already purchased these songbooks or music CDs but would like access to the music, you can purchase downloadable sheet music and MP3 recordings at the Seasons website. Point out that the resources for Ages 3 5 and Ages 6 8 include pages of additional songs and fingerplays to augment the Seasons music resources. Ages 3 5 resources also refer to the Growing Faith Music CD and Songbook which contains music for young children. Review music Invite participants to look through the Seasons Songbooks, if available, noting the types of music included. Point out the songs that could be used for gathering and blessing ( Come, O Holy Spirit, Come/Wa, Wa, Wa Emimio, Spirit Come, You Are Holy/Hamba Nathi, May Peace Be with You/Salamun, Kullahee, and Hebrew Benediction ) and the songs that help explore the season s themes ( Guide My Feet, Never Give Up/ Bambelela, Everyday Loving, Listen to Jesus, and I Am Sent by God/Enviado Soy de Dios ). Draw attention to the margin notes with tips for leading the music in groups. Discuss together the ways these songs might be used in church school, youth group, adult study groups, and in worship services. Sing or listen Invite a music leader to lead the group in singing through selected pieces or listen to some of the recordings on Volumes 2, 5, and 8 of the Season Music CDs. Note that these music CDs also include recordings of meditative music, such as, Voice Tones (#35, vol. 5) or Autumn Harp (#29, vol. 8) for use during times of meditation and reflection. Moving into Respond Invite participants to spend a few moments in silent reflection on the ways in which the scriptures, art, and music for this season have spoken into their lives. What are some words, images, or melodies that you will carry with you into the coming months? Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit 3

4 RESPOND (20 minutes) Review materials Provide time for leaders to review and become familiar with their Seasons age-level materials. If some leaders are new, review the session flow, either as a group or by pairing off new and experienced leaders. Pay particular attention to any suggestions in the session materials for working with other groups or sharing in worship. Resources for leadership Distribute additional articles from the booklet From Start to Finish (in the Library on the website), if desired, and review together. Point out that there is a Virtual Resources Booklet in the Library. Distribute copies of the Registration form and the current Leader Record chart, if these are used in your program. Service and outreach projects Share information about service and outreach projects planned by the congregation during these seasons. How might age-level groups participate? Identify church committees or other groups who might need to follow up on ideas that go beyond the responsibilities of this group or individual leaders. Spirit Sightings Explain that Spirit Sightings are weekly postings to the Seasons website, making connections between the themes of each week and current news stories or films. Distribute copies of recent Spirit Sightings postings and review together. Encourage leaders to read these each week (information for accessing is included on each week s biblical background page). BLESS (10 minutes) Gather in the worship space and light the candle again. Sing, or listen to, if possible, the song May Peace Be with You/Salamun, Kullahee (p. 10 in Seasons Songbook, V0l. 8; #24 on the Seasons Music CD, Vol. 8). Pray Lead the group in the Blessing prayer on the resource sheet Gathering and Blessing (p. 5). Bless Read Hebrews 12:1 as a closing blessing. Distribute copies of the Lectionary Bookmarks for participants to use at home. 4 Seasons of the Spirit Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

5 Pentecost 2016 Resource sheet 1 Gathering and Blessing Sometimes, God... Sometimes, God, we keep our possessions to ourselves. Sometimes we hold back from affirming and encouraging those close to us. Sometimes we are aware of desperate needs in our community, but we are reluctant to share our time, ability, and money. And sometimes, God, we are aware of the huge ineualities in our world, but we are reluctant to support or give for people we don t know. God, give us a generous spirit; help us to share in new ways. Open our minds to new truth and to new ways of sharing it. Open our hearts to the needs of those around us. Help us share what we have with those who have little, or less than we have especially the powerless, the poor, and suffering. Adapted from a prayer by David Sparks in Prayers to Share, Year C. Wood Lake Publishing Inc From the 9-11, Multiage, 12-14, 15-18, and Adult resources. Blessing prayer Lead the group in a time of prayer, pausing after each line for silent reflection. Thank you, O God, for the witness of your people in biblical times... Thank you for the people of faith through the ages Thank you for each person in this group Thank you for those who will come after us May we be strengthened and encouraged in our ministry. Amen. Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit 5

6 Bible Discussion Resource sheet 2 Hebrew Scriptures group Divide the focus passages for May 22 July 3 among the group. Read the passages and discuss the uestions; record some thoughts in the spaces provided. Try to let go of any pre-conceived notions or understandings of the passages, and be open to something new and emerging. Proverbs 8:1 4, Psalm 96 1 Kings 17:8 16, (17 24) 1 Kings 21:1 10, (11 14), 15 21a 1 Kings 19:1 4, (5 7), 8 15a 2 Kings 2:1 2, Kings 5:1 14 Where do the themes of creation, healing, challenging injustices, God s presence, compassion, or ministry intersect your story/your life? Are there any connections with characters or events named in these readings? What picture does the text paint for you of a life or community grounded in God s ways? New Testament readings group Divide the focus passages for July and August 7 and 28 among the group. Read the passages and discuss the uestions; record some thoughts in the spaces provided. Try to let go of any pre-conceived notions or understandings of the passages, and be open to something new and emerging. Where Luke 10:25 37 do the themes of love for Luke neighbour, 11:1 13 being and Luke doing, 13:10 17 prayer, or liberation intersect your story/ your Luke life? 10:38 42 Luke 12:13 21 Luke 14:1, 7 14 Are there any connections with characters or events named in these readings? What picture does the text paint for you of a life or community grounded in God s ways? Letter to the Hebrews group Read the focus passages for August 7 and 14 and discuss the uestions; record some thoughts in the spaces provided. Try to let go of any pre-conceived notions or understandings of the passages, and be open to something new and emerging. Hebrews 11:1 3, 8 16 Hebrews 11:29 12:2 Where do the themes of faith and witness intersect your story/your life? Are there any connections with characters or events named in these readings? What picture does the text paint for you of a life or community grounded in God s ways? 6 Seasons of the Spirit Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

7 Resource sheet 3 Art Reflection Look at the posters in your package or sit where you can see the displayed posters. Spend some uiet time looking at each image. What do you notice about the colours? How do the shapes interact with the colours? This is one of the seasons of Ordinary Time in the church year. Where do you see the ordinariness of daily life portrayed in these images? How do these images connect with what is going on in your own life at this time? Choose one poster. Look at it more carefully, opening yourself to let the artist speak to your soul. In what ways does this image speak to your soul? Reflect on the title of each piece, given by the artist: Peace Above All Golden Cortex If you could give your own title to each piece, what would it be? Reflect on some of the themes in the scripture readings for this season: creation, healing, challenging injustices, God s presence, compassion, ministry, love for neighbour, being and doing, prayer, liberation, and faith. Where or how do you see these themes echoed in the art images? Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit 7