Crew Wanted All-ages talk and activities for Sunday 1 st March 2009 Prepared by the Parish Resources & Stewardship Department The Diocese of Llandaff
First Sunday in Lent March 1 st 2009 Readings Genesis 9:8-1 Psalm 25:1-10 (Year B - Revised Common Lectionary): 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 Mark 1:9-15 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life." At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him. After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message." (Translation taken from The Message) 2
All Ages Talk and Family Fortunes activity To maximise interaction and act out the Family Fortunes activity you will need: A kit bag containing the following items: A bottle of water A torch/candle Oil A doll (to represent a person) A heart shape A joined together family e.g. A string of paper dolls Words written on card and placed around the church (e.g. stuck to pillars, pew ends): Serve Pray Worship Grow 3
Opening - Family Fortunes Invite two families out to be contestants in Family Fortunes (if you use technology you could play the music from the TV programme). Explain that in the bag are 5 things connected to baptism no survey has taken place, just the vicar s idea! Invite each team to guess in turn. If they guess correctly pull the item out and invite the congregation to make a sound effect and a thumbs up sign. If they fail invite congregation to make a sound effect and thumbs down and then pass the bag to other team. After each team has had three turns, you will have a winning team! They return to their seats. If there are any other items not guessed continue the exercise with the whole congregation. All these things are part of our baptism each of them says something important. Some are familiar water, light, even oil, but baptism is also about love and belonging. All Age Talk Ask people if they know what the first words that were said when they arrived in their family (you could flash these on a screen or have them paraded on cards): He looks like his Dad She s beautiful We re so proud He s so tiny Or was it the words You re my child and I love you (Hold up heart shape) 4
Knowing we are loved and wanted is the foundation of our lives. It gives us confidence, security and strength. If you know the story of Harry Potter you will remember that is the mark of love that gives him his special gifts (you could expand on this further). When Jesus was baptised the same thing happening: a voice spoke and his heavenly father told him he was loved and that his life brought delight and pleasure. Alongside being loved by God, baptism reminds us that we belong to God s people, the family which isn t just here in church, but also in the diocese (explain) and across the world (describe). (Hold up joined up people) We are welcomed - and as loved people we can all take part in the life of the church. Invite people to bring the words from around the church to the front. These are things that we can all do as part of the family. We can: Serve together, reaching into our school, community, diocese, world. Pray together, young or old, listening and talking to God. Worship together, praising God and knowing his presence. Grow together, sharing and learning and changing year by year. Each one of us is special and loved; each one of us has a place amongst God s people. As Jesus moved forward from his baptism and began serving, praying, worshipping and showing others the way to God, so each one of us can do the same. 5
Responsive prayer activity You will need: Scented rose petals: enough for one each [Tear up some artificial silk flowers and place the petals into water. If you ve time add a few drops of an essential oil and leave to soak overnight. Remove from water and allow to dry] An attractive bowl to hold them. Appropriate music Font with water in Invite people to come forward and take a rose petal from the bowl. Then they walk to the font and drop the petal in, making their silent prayer response to the talk. They then quietly return to their seat. Play music as this happens (rather than sing). When everyone has returned to their place offer a gathering prayer on behalf of all. 6