thinplace workshop NYWC -san diego-

first worship workshop in the sanctuary space this convention was called "encountering God" i based it on the thinplace design we used for worship the last three years in cincinnati. the thinplace model involves opening by praying a psalm out loud together, listening to a gospel passage read outloud (three times with three different voices) allowing the holy spirit to highlight words and phrases and ideas from the passage (lectio divina) and then having 30 minutes to journal and/ or create in art our responses to the gospel passage and what God is speaking to us about. then we meet back together to share what God said (you only have to share if you want to) and finishing with an experiential element that ties the theme together and then closing in prayer.

Rosh Hashanah started off the Jewish New Year this week, so our theme was centered around this. and the experiential elements involved passing out cups filled with water ...pouring out the old year (pouring out the water in to a large bowl) and taking away our empty cups as a reminder that God is filling our cups in new ways this year ...an empty cup available for God to fill in the New Year.   after pouring out the water we dipped an apple slice in to a bowl of honey and ate it as a symbol of receiving the sweetness of the new year. During Rosh Hashanah prayers are prayed beside water whenever possible and the apple and honey are a part of the worship service.  Rosh Hashana means we have a clean slate, we get a new start and we all need one of those on a regular basis.

here's a copy of the service order we used:

THINPLACE

This week, we get to start over! a brand new year!! I love new beginnings...What? You thought New Years was Jan.1st? Well Happy Rosh Hashanah It is the Jewish High Holiday celebrating the New Year. Rosh Hashanah celebrates the kingship of almighty God...and celebrates the day of creation and begins ten days of prayers moving towards Yom Kippur...the day of atonement. So Happy New Year…as you begin a New Year in ministry, what does Jesus have in store for you? Are you ready for a clean slate?

 

PRAY TOGETHER: Psalm 145 A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;

   I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you

   and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;

   his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another;

   they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

   and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—

   and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They celebrate your abundant goodness

   and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,

   slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;

   he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All your works praise you, LORD;

   your faithful people extol you.

11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom

   and speak of your might,

12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts

   and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

   and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises

   and faithful in all he does.

14 The LORD upholds all who fall

   and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,

   and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand

   and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways

   and faithful in all he does.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,

   to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

   he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,

   but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.

   Let every creature praise his holy name

   for ever and ever.

 GOSPEL ( read aloud three times, three different voices) Lectio Divina

Matthew 6:7-15 (NRSV)

When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

'Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Things to consider while journaling or creating in art:

1. Anyone in your life today that you need to forgive? Anyone you need to ask to forgive you? Tell God about this?
2. Anything you need to forgive yourself for as the New Year begins, so you can start fresh?
3. What does it mean to you to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth?
4. How do you need God to provide for you in this New Year? Talk to God about this.
5. Do you believe that God really knows your needs? Why or why not? Why is it hard to believe this?

 

Sharing our stories after journaling

 

Experiential RESPONSE:

Pour out water…pour out your cup of water into the bowl as a symbol of pouring out the old year and the junk, sin, brokeness of the old year take home your empty cup to recieve what God wants to pour into it this year. To receive the new things God has for you.

Eating the apple and honey. Dip a slice of apple into the honey and accept the Gift of the New Year.

 

“Welcoming a New Year” poem/prayer by Joyce Rupp (leader prays this aloud )

A new year stands on my doorstep

Ready to enter my life’s journey.

Something in me welcomes this visitor:

The hope of bountiful blessings

The joy of a new beginning

The freshness of unclaimed surprises

Something in me rebuffs this visitor:

The swiftness of the coming

The boldness of the entrance

The challenge of a year’s good-bye.

Something in me fears this visitor:

The unnamed events of future days

The wisdom needed to walk love well

The demands of giving away and growing

A new year stands on my doorstep.

With fragile caution I move

To open the door for its entrance.

My heart leaps with surprise,

Joy jumps in my eyes,

For there beside this brand-new year

Stand my God with outstretched hand!

He smiles and genly asks of me:

Can we walk this year together?

And I, so overwhelmed with goodness,

Can barely whisper my reply:

Welcome in!  AMEN

(found on p.25 in Fresh Bread, Ave Maria Press)

 

CLOSING PRAYER : Pray out loud together

We welcome you Jesus to clean us up and renew our minds.

We ask that you help us to trust in your provision.

We ask you to help us to rest in your love.

We ask that you renew us with your Spirit and fill us to overflowing with your peace and joy. Amen

 

c. designed by lilly lewin for NYWC 2011