Films
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
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First experienced by theStory , Good Friday 2008
Video: Clips filmed by Branden Dale and Joe Manafo (except for Bono speech), edited by Joe Manafo. All videos can be downloaded and saved appropriatly at www.vixy.net .
Images: All images courtesy of the world wide web and The Passion in Art
Supplies: potted tree, dry leaves, journals and pens, cue cards and markers, communion supplies, 8 laptops, clothes pins.
Thanks: Nathan for his computer wizardry, theStory for taking the risk, Richard Harries for the insparation found in The Passion in Art
Can I use this?: This resource is FREE for you to use under the Creative Commons Liscence Agreement.
Brief Synopsis: The intent of this event was to raise the question; What does Jesus look like upon his death? Travelling through time, theology and persepective, the images shown speak of people working out their faith outloud, each observing Jesus from a different point of view, thus adding another piece to the puzzle. And on Good Friday, we too stare at the cross, faced with the same query.
Each section is concurrently accompanied by the corresponding image and corresponding video (video's loop for the duration of the event after they've been turned on at the appropriate juncture). Also, the eucharist was split into to parts...wine on Friday, bread on Sunday. The reason we tried this was to create the uneasy sense that Christ's work wasn't complete until He rose again. Hopefully the day and a half gap between elements drove the point home.
“I Witness”
Good Friday 2008
(Curator & musician(s) off to the side as to not obstruct the view of the images & tree)
Image: Eye on Record
Opening:
Is mystery more important than knowledge? When we mix confusion with wonder, sorrow with hope, is our end goal to know all the facts and have a grasp on the situation or is there something else, something just beyond our reach, something we know, yet don’t fully understand.
Today we find ourselves embroiled in a paradox of emotions – we both celebrate and mourn Christ’s death.
Today is about pain, suffering, sorrow, degradation and the brutality of sin.
Today we find ourselves at the foot of a tree, our eyes recording information, our brains and souls organizing this data the best it can, creatively filling in the gaps with homemade and borrowed symbols, experiences, ideas and images.
Today we leverage these things in an attempt to decipher what has happened. We need to do this in honesty, and admit that we are not able to look at the cross objectively since each of us is covered in the fingerprints of our upbringing and contexts. The risk we take is that our fears, pre-suppositions and agendas will be exposed, and at worst, or maybe best, challenged.
Today we gaze at the cross, and ask the question: What does a dying God look like? What does He look like from where you sit? What has He looked like from the vantage point of those who have come before us?
Today we’re going to hopscotch through symbols and imagery of the last 2000 years, we will eaves drop on people who were working out their theology out loud through art, and hopefully today, we will be able to immerse ourselves in what is both the highlight of the Christian calendar but at the same time, our darkest hour.
=>DESCRIPTION OF MORNING
Scripture: Luke 23:33-46
=>BLOW OUT CHRIST CANDLE
Response: Hymn: Wonderful Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
1. 33 Laps Around the Sun
Eyes: Wide Open, blinking; a child’s eyes
Historical Image: Christ Dead on the Cross, 11th Century
Historical Image Description:
In the earliest depictions of the Passion that have survived, Christ is shown alive on the cross. The reason for this and the eventual move to show Christ dead on the cross is intimately related to the theological controversies of the time. The major theological issue that concerned the Church from the fourth to the eighth centuries, in one aspect or another, was the person of Christ. The church came to assert that he is truly God and truly human, yet he remains one undivided person. If this is the case then how should Christ be depicted on the cross? If he was simply shown dead, or in the tomb, people might wonder what had happened to his divinity. So it would seem that from the fourth to the end of the seventh centuries artists tried to avoid controversial questions by not showing him dead on the cross at all. In that ear, Christ was at times shown with arms outstretched, head upright and eyes open, very much alive. However, between the seventh and eighth century, it seems the church resolved its doctrinal dilemmas leaving the way open to find artistic ways to represent all aspects of Christ’s nature. Thus, as in this image from the 11th century, Christ would be shown dead on the cross, indicating he was indeed fully human, experiencing death just like us.
Corporate Reading: Philippians 2:5-8
Counter Image: Roadside Monument image
Counter Image Thoughts: What does it mean for us to see God as a human? To acknowledge that divinity fused with humanity in such a way words like frail, tired, & hungry could now be used to describe God. How do we use human language and symbol to speak of God made man, enduring 33 laps around the sun, then succumbing to a fate no human can escape.
In thanks, today we erect a roadside monument, a makeshift shrine. The road is stained and marked, leaving a reminder of what happened, but at the same time it continues on, hinting at life beyond death.
Creative Response: In a journal write a prayer of thanks.
Music: I Remember by The Violet Burning; lyrics on slide
Oh how sweet is the blood of Jesus
That was poured out for me
Oh how lovely is the face beaten for me
Oh how sweet, is the blood of the Lamb
For the life You gave I could never repay
The precious blood poured out for me
I remember Your body
I remember Your blood
I remember You died for me
I remember Your love for me
Your sweet, precious love.
2. Both at Once
Eyes: Upward in reverence and awe
Hstorical Image: Volto Santo (Holy Face)
Historical Image Description:
In this carving, named ‘Volto Santo’ or ‘Holy Face’ we see Christ in triumph, reigning from the tree. He is depicted in a long sleeved robe, with a distinctive knotted belt, rather than in a loin-cloth and half naked. His two feet are separated but not nailed. At the time sculpture was created, the book of Revelation played a distinct role in the spiritual life of the church. In chapter 1 of Revelation, Christ is described as a high priest ‘clothed with a long robe and with a golden belt.’ Here we catch a glimpse of a Christ that is not only crucified but also who intercedes for us as priest and king.
Corporate Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," God said. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Counter Image: I.O.U. image
Counter Image Thoughts: When we come to the realization that we have nothing apart from Christ, when we finally arrive at the place of submission, where we admit that we are broken and weak, it is then, and only then that Christ can invade us, relieve us, redeem us, and strengthen us.
Creative Response: Silence & Prayer: In a moment of silence and prayer, ask God to break you. If you dare, pray that your hopes, fears, ego and self-worth be submitted to Him fully that His power would be made perfect in your weakness.
3. Oh God, Where are you Now?
Eyes: shifting everywhere looking around, blinking
Historical Image: Menorah by Roger Wagner, 1993
Historical Image Description:
“God where are you? Where were you?” are sentiments that some have been brave enough to verbalized, and all have fearlessly thought. This image, entitled Menorah, dares to voice the question. In the foreground are victims. They convey an impression of utter, abject grief. To the left a man, staring in horror, comforts his wife. One man hides his head and bends low, unable to look anywhere; two others cover their faces with their hands as a woman looks away while she and the man next to her hold out their arms in anger and dismay. The sense of impotence and dismay make them speechless. Beyond them hang Jesus and the two thieves. Motionless. Abandoned. In the background, 7 smokestacks, arranged to resemble the Menorah, a Jewish candle stick symbolizing the presence of God. This image begs the question, ‘Oh God, where are you now?”
Corporate Reading: Psalm 22:1-11
Counter Image: Holy Toast image
Counter Image Thoughts:
Is our God a God who only makes guest appearances, randomly surfacing on slices of bread and in crazed visions? Why does he appear to be speaking loud and clear to others and not me? Why does it sometimes seem that when we need him most He’s the furthest away? Can He hear me scream? Can He hear me whisper? Where did he go?
Creative Response: Listen: Oh God, Where are you Now by Suftjan Stevens (lyrics on screen)
4. Between Thieves
Eyes: Scowl, Disbelief, Offended, Angry
Historical Image: The First Depiction of Christ on the Cross, 5th Century
Historical Image Description:
The death sentence of a common thief? What an embarrassment, the Son of God hanging from a tree depicted here for the first time, at sompoint in the fifth century. Filling out the scene we find John his disciple, Mary his mother, and a soldier with spear in hand. Also pictured, in deliberate contrast, is Judas the traitor. Judas too is hanging on a tree, thirty pieces of silver spilled out onto the ground at his feet. The branch bends, almost breaking, with his weight. Christ however, appears strong, muscular, and fully alive. This is no defeated Christ: his eyes are open and head upright, his chest pushed outwards and his arms firmly stretched.
But why were the first Christians so reluctant to show Christ crucified on the Cross? Why wait until the 5th century? One reason may be that the crucifixion was, quite simply, a form of public execution, a horrible judicial torture. To an onlooker, crucifixion conveyed not only agony but disgrace. The cross as capital punishment was an affront, an assertion of lawlessness. With this in mind, there was little motive to display Christ on the Cross and every social reason why this should not be done. However, in the late 4th century and during the 5th, Christians did begin to depict Christ on the cross. This clearly had something to do with the fact that the emperor Constantine abolished crucifixion as a form of public execution when he became a Christian. It was fitting, then, for Christ to be shown on the Cross, for his death would no longer be interpreted as the death of a criminal, but as the saving act of a God in whom even the Emperor now believed.
Though executed as a common thief, Christ reigns from the tree with strength and power.
Corporate Reading: Romans 12:9-21
Counter Image: Between Thieves Image
Counter Image Thoughts:
Between friends. Between a rock and a hard place. Between two worlds. Between thieves. Being caught in the middle leaves us feeling like we belong to neither side. But what if instead of feeling trapped and out of options, we were to consider our self awareness as marching orders? What if like Christ, we’ve been commissioned to bring hope to those who have none? On our shift as the church, what if evil was overpowered by good?
Creative Response: Watch: Bono Video (4:25-end)
5. I Doubt It
Eyes: up in the corners, annoyed, sluffing it off, and unresponsive, half closed eyelids, rolling eyes
Historical Image: The Incredulity of Thomas, 420
Historical Image Description:
This piece is entitled “The Incredulity of Thomas”. Here Thomas is shown pointing at a wound in Christ’s left side. Christ holds his left hand high displaying the spot where he was pierced by the spike. Above his head are the words ‘the doors were locked’ from John 20:26 referencing that no doors or even the grave could keep him captive. This scene became a standard and was reproduced countless times over subsequent centuries.
However, what’s most intriguing about this particular version is the alteration inflicted by an unknown contributor. At some point in time, someone felt compelled to scratch out Thomas’ face, likely villanized for asking the question that everyone was thinking: “Jesus, is it really you?”
Corporate Reading: Matthew 18:1-5
Counter Image: Doubt image
Counter Image Description:
Are there any ‘faceless’ amongst us? If so, wear it like a badge of honour. Never be afraid to ask the hard questions. For too long has the good new of Jesus been sequestered from healthy questions and sincere doubt, from those genuinely curious about the cross. Thomas asked because he sought the truth. How can one answer if no one dares ask? From the cross Jesus calls us to come close, to come as children, and find rest for our souls.
Creative Response: Hymn: Come All You Weary by Thrice
Come all you weary with your heavy loads
Lay down your burdens find rest for your souls
Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind
I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine
Come all you weary move through the earth
Surrounded by rest stones and kicked out of church
A couple of loaves sit down at my feet
Lend me your ears and break bread with me
Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls
Come all you weary, crippled you lay
I’ll help you along you can lay down your canes
We’ve got a long way to go but we’ll travel as friends
The lights growing bright further on towards the end
6. Sweet Jesus
Eyes: Tearing, crying
Historical Image: Isenheim Altarpiece, 16th Century
Historical Image Description: Christians had often found it impossible to believe that the divine Son of God should be shown weak and suffering on the cross. But we must understand that the weakness and suffering of Christ on the cross is an essential element to our faith. The Son of God became fully human in all aspects sharing our suffering to the full, in order that He might redeem us. Interestingly, it was not until the 14h century that Christ was depicted with a crown of thorns, instead, He was shown crowned with a halo or golden wreath symbolizing majesty and victory. In some ways, that approach may have lent itself to skipping past the brutality of his death in favour of the ultimate outcome. In this piece from the 15th century, Christ is shown in sheer agony: mouth open, eyes closed and brow furrowed, stomach drawn in to the spinal column, his flesh dreadfully marked. This portrayal of Christ expresses, in the most brutally realistic way, the conviction that God himself in Christ experiences the violence of human life, of which people in the 15th century and even now in the 21st century were and are so very conscious.
Scripture: John 15:9-14a
Counter Image: Testamints
Counter Image Thoughts:
How do you make attractive that which is not?
How do you sell emptiness, vulnerability, and non-success?
How do you talk descent when everything is about ascent?
How can you possibly market letting-go in a capitalist culture?
How do you talk about dying to a church trying to appear perfect?
How do you package spilled blood?
How can a sweet taste come from a bitter cup?
Creative Response: Read Together: For Miles
I know one day, all our scars will disappear, like the stars at dawn
And all of our pain, will fade away when morning comes
On that day when we look backwards we will see, that everything is changed
And all of our trials, will be as milestones on the way
Together:
As long as we live, every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart
For there's no greater love, than the One who shed his blood for his friends
On that day all of the scales will swing to set all the wrongs to right
All of our tears, and all of our fears will take to flight
But until then, all of our scars will still remain, but we've learned that if we
Open the wounds and share them, then soon they start to heal
Together:
As long as we live, every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart
For there's no greater love, than the One who shed his blood for his friends
We must see that every scar as a bridge
We must open up these wounds
When someone stands in your shoes and will shed his own blood
There's no greater love
Together:
We must open up these wounds
7. My Personal Jesus
Eyes: closed
Historical Image: Christ on the Cross (Rembrant), 1631.
Historical Image Description:
In the period between1300-1500, religious art ceased to be a purely public matter. Images were present in peoples homes and went with them on their travels. Very often someone who commissioned a work of religious art would have their own image, worshipping Christ, incorporated in the picture. Religious manuals encouraged the supplicant to imagine that they were actually present in the scene, holding the Christ Child or suffering with the adult Christ. By the 17th century, the portrayal of Jesus alone on the cross became popular. Before this time it was common to show other people present, and often the scenes became very crowded and dramatic. Yet here we find Christ alone.
Scripture: Romans 5:6-8
Counter Image: Consumer Christ
Counter Image Description:
Did Jesus simply die so that I could live the good life? Or does His death go beyond my individual life and individual wants and needs? At times the good news of Jesus has been tampered with, leveraging the needs of one people group over another. On other occasions, the good news of Jesus has been used to promote a lifestyle or even instigate war.
Let the truth be told:
Jesus died for the rich and the poor.
Jesus died for the victim and the assailant.
Jesus died for the Canadian and the Iraqi.
Jesus died for all.
Jesus died for the sake of sinners.
On the tree, Jesus bore the weight of humanity’s guilt, corruption and rebellion so that all could be redeemed.
So that all could be redeemed.
So that all could be redeemed.
Including, but not limited to, you.
Creative Response: Today, may we recognized our participation in Christ’s death. Symbolically, let us write our names and on these cards then hang them on the tree representing the sins that Christ bore on our behalf.
Next, unearth a cup that represents the spilt blood of Christ, then, be seated until all have been served. We will then drink together.
Ending Thoughts/ EyeWitness
Eyes: Staring back
As we look at Christ pinned to the tree, He looks back at us.
As the tree bends under the weight of our sin, we realize that we carry them no more.
With the taste of death still in our mouths, we must now wait.
Go, in the uneasy peace of this Good Friday.
*if you care to see more photos, go here .
*and if you're curious, this is what the room looked like on Resurrection Sunday (before the kids played their part)
(after the kids played their part)
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Tuesday, 01 January 2008 |
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As part of our Xmas gatherings at theStory, we put together the
following Worship Installations to provoke thought and renew focus on
what this season is all about. Feel free to use, tweak and reinvent the
following:
1. Welcome to Our Home
Idea: Participant has to physically lower themselves (as Christ did) to see images of the world that Christ came to, our home.
Supplies: Welcome mat, photos from Century , printed excerpt from Philippians 2
2. Take Christ our of Christmas
Idea: Playing on the idea of ‘keeping the Christ in Christmas’, we
reversed the thought and tried to create and image of what Christmas
truly stands for today, and how it has nothing to do with Christ.
Supplies: Christmas flyers, printed text: Please take the Christ out of Christmas. Now.
3. The Big Picture
Idea: Reminding people why Christ came, and where he came to.
Supplies: Printed text: What’s the Big Picture? Jesus came into the
word to save sinners; printed mural of the globe. (you can blow up any
picture and make it mural size here.)
4. Voices
Idea: What have people said about Christ? Who do they think he is?
Supplies: Old school microphone, printed quotes:
“I like your Christ, but don’t like your Christians. You Christians are so unlike your Christ.” (Ghandi)
“If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, then look more redeemed” (Neitzche)
“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” (Mother Theresa)
“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what
foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus
Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men
would die for Him.” (Napoleon Bonaparte)
“Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is himself the way.” ( Karl Barth)
“I Like this quote I dislike this quote”I believe in God, but not as
one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people
call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and
Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the
translations have gone wrong.” (John Lennon)
“No man ever loved like Jesus. He taught the blind to see and the dumb
to speak. He died on the cross to save us. He bore our sins. And now
God says, ‘Because He did, I can forgive you.”” (Billy Graham)
“The authors of the gospels were unlettered and ignorant men and the
teachings of Jesus have come to us mutilated, misstated and
unintelligible” (Thomas Jefferson)
“Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, Bob, why are you resisting
me? I said, I’m not resisting you! He said, You gonna follow me? I
said, I’ve never thought about that before! He said, When you’re not
following me, you’re resisting me.” (Bob Dylan)
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what
you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the
person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.”
(Bridget Willard)
“The good news is that Jesus is coming back. The bad news is that he’s really pissed off.” (Bob Hope)
5. Xmas Comix
Idea: Taking a comical look at how Christmas is viewed and experienced.
Supplies: printed comics
6. The First Noel: The Birth of Christ under the Shroud of Genocide
Idea: Juxtaposing the lyrics from ‘The First Noel’ with Matthew 2:16’s description of the genocide caused by the birth of Christ
Supplies: Paper, knick knacks, marker
7. Out of Order
Idea: the image of the gum ball machine evokes for our community (due to the series
we just finished) the idea of the broken world that we find ourselves
in. However, we also understand that along with Christ we are working
towards the redemption of all people and all creation.
Supplies: gum ball machine, hammer and nails, icon, broken stuff, printed text: We are Christ’s fellow Workers (Ephesians )
8. Suggestion Box
Idea: suggestion box directed at God
Supplies: ballot box, paper, marker
9. Born to Die
Idea: Remind participants of the culmination of Christ’s incarnation.
Supplies: Tree of Life image, printed text: Luke 24:44
10. Moved into the Neighbourhood
Idea: A little background info on the idea of Jesus ‘tabernacling’ or,
in fact, ‘tenting’ among us. Included in this installation: historical
background on ‘tabernacling’; a tent, and the Moved In short film playing on a laptop inside the tent.
Supplies: Tent, Film, Laptop, info.
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Tuesday, 03 July 2007 |
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An alternative worship resource from the FRWY, courtesy of Pernell Goodyear.
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Friday, 20 April 2007 |
The following community art project was first experienced at Witt's End Church in Seattle, WA. Thanks to Phil Nellis for the contribution.
Through the season of Lent, the church studied the 10 commandments and practiced the spiritual discipline of confession before partaking in the Eucharist. These confessions were privately written down and placed in the "confession jar" that was available throughout lent on Sundays. The jar had red dyed water in it and slowly dissolved the paper which was later made into pulp (with a blender). This then was dried and mixed with resin and poured into two molds in the shape of the two beams of a cross. After they dried, they were assembled and presented to the community at the sunrise Easter service.
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Thursday, 19 April 2007 |
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This Lenten project was designed by Greater Victoria Artists
Collaborate and was originally experienced in Victoria, BC, Canada on
March 8, 2007.
Thanks to Ron Cole, James Kingsley and their crew for sharing the resource.
A description of the event can be found here.
Images of the evening can be found here.
Original video with original music and lyrics used at the beginning of the event can be found here.
And here’s the liturgy:
A liturgy…of Sorrow to Glory
(begin with mellow/minor/sad instrumental to)
the gathering opens here…
In the midst comes the sound, of moaning and crying.
We recognize the sound…for it has been us, and it has been our world.
It disturbs us.
Do we run and hide from sorrow.
Or do we draw near, with Christ, in Christ
to redeem and restore…sorrow for glory.
Two People Read the following:
(Reader #1) In the face of a disappointed world of betrayal
A world in which all fixed points have proven illusory
A world in which we are anchorless and adrift
Christ is the foundation
The origin
The way
The truth
And the life
In the face of a culture of death
A world of killing fields
A world of walking dead
Christ is the head of the resurrection parade
Transforming our tears of betrayal into tears of joy
Giving us dancing shoes for the resurrection party
(Reader #2) And this glittering joker who has danced in the dragons jaws of death
Now dances with a dance that is full of nothing less
Than the fullness of God
This is the dance of the new creation
This is the dance of life out of death
And this is the dance of all that was broken
All that was estranged
All that was alienated
All that was dislocated and disconnected
What was once hurt
What was once friction
Is reconciled
Comes home
Is healed
And is made whole
Because grace makes beauty out of ugly things
Everything
All things
What ever you can imagine
Visible and invisible
Mountains and atoms
Outer space, urban space, cyberspace
Every inch of creation
Every dimension of our lives
All things are reconciled in him
(Reader #1) And it all happens on a cross
It all happens at a state execution
Where the governor did not commute the sentence
It all happens at the hands of the empire
That captured our imagination
It all happens through blood
Not through a power grab by the sovereign one
It all happens in embraced pain and sorrow
For the sake of others
It all happens on a cross
Arms outstretched in embrace
And this is the image of the invisible God
This is the body of Christ
This is the Son that glorifies the Father
The son who took sorrow…transforming it into Glory
One Person reads: Prayer of St. Basil the Great
God, Lord of hosts and Maker of all creation, who in Your great
compassion and mercy sent down Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ, for the redemption of mankind and by His precious Cross
destroyed the record of our sins, triumphing over the source and power
of darkness: O Lord and Lover of mankind, accept also the thanksgiving
and fervent prayers of us sinners. Deliver us from every dark and
harmful transgression and from all the visible and invisible enemies
that seek to destroy us. Nail our flesh to the fear of You, and do not
incline our hearts to deceitful words or thoughts, but wound our souls
with love for You, that always looking to You, guided by Your light,
and seeing You, the eternal and ineffable Light, we may give You
unceasing praise and thanksgiving: to the Father without beginning,
with Your Only-Begotten Son and Your all-holy, good and life-giving
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
One: Let us worship the God who calls us!
Let us bring our sacrifice of brokenness!
Let us declare the Glory of God!
All: We come from the broken places of the world,
gathering the shards of harried lives,
bringing our offerings of tears and sorrow.
All: We gather as the ever-broken,
ever-risen Body of Christ,
our lives poured out for the healing of the world
redeeming and restoring, for God’s Kingdom, for His Glory
All: Let us worship the God who calls us.
Let us bring the sorrow of all that is broken.
Let us declare the Glory of God.
1st Reading: Isaiah 53: 1-5
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Sung Response…
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Spoken Resonse…
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Reflection and Confession…read by two people
Hear our cry, O God
Hear this, our prayer of longing
The smoke of our desire rises up to you
We come to you broken hearted, full of sorrow
The cracks in our fragile world
Grow wider every day
Split by our greed and complacency
We come to you broken hearted, full of sorrow
We take as much as we can grab
Our idol is scarcity
We do not remember our neighbor
And tuned out the cries of the orphan, and widow
We come to you broken hearted, full of sorrow
Those who sit out side the doors of our world
Unable to walk and with little to eat
We try not to look as we come and go
We come to you broken hearted, full of sorrow
2nd Reading … Isaiah 58 : 6-9
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
( at this point people come forward with a fragment of paper on
which they have written a sorrow and place it in a burning bucket )
Everyone says…
Here on this altar
We bring the broken places of your creation
We trust, that with you, and in you we will knit together
The new creation…revealing your Kingdom, and your Glory
Sung Response
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Read Response
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Have someone Give a Brief Reflection…
( Everyone reads the following )
God makes homecoming in the midst of exile
God makes creation in the midst of chaos
God makes resurrection in the face of crucifixion
In the midst of sorrow…God brings Glory
3rd Reading … Isaiah 60: 1-3, 16b-20
1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior,
your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,
and silver in place of iron.
Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,
and iron in place of stones.
I will make peace your governor
and righteousness your ruler.
18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
Sung Response
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Read Response
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
At this point in the service we tore a curtain to reveal an image of the crucifixion
Reflective Reading … John 12: 23-28
23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground
and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces
many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man
who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also
will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27″Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me
from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28Father, glorify your name!”
One Person reads…
In this hour darkness, sorrow and death come
They cover lives, and the earth like a curtain drawn for night
Your shed blood, and life sacrificed tear to shreds this curtain of sorrow
Through it we see the dawn of a new day, the Glory of God
Here there can be a reflective song … as participants move outside
Now outside and gathered around the burning bucket, everyone says the following as the sorrow papers are lit
One person reads…
Let us build an altar
from the fragments of these broken times;
Let us cry out for those who have no voice;
Let us work with what we have,
to help bring healing, justice and mercy
to those whose lives
are filled with fear and suffering;
and know that God is with us,
even in the dark of doubt, and in sorrow.
The smoke of our desire rises up to you
Here we light taper candles and say together:
We leave knowing, and trusting in your faithfulness
That even in the darkest sorrow, your light is the glimmering hope
Of Glory to come.
Amen.
Amen.
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Wednesday, 11 April 2007 |
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The following is an outline of a Good Friday service first experienced on April 6, 2007 in Sarnia, Ontario @ theStory.
More Info & Pictures: For a behind the scenes look and developed explanation, go here.
Original Concept: The following is an adaptation of Dead Man Waiting. Thanks to Cheryl and Mark for the inspiration, advice and help.
Included in this Package: Original Photography/JPG’s for Powerpoint
slides; Original writings (Denial: Cheryl;
Anger/Bargaining/Depression/Acceptance, Intro/Benediction: Joe Manafo);
links to song lyrics and videos.
Supplies Needed: 30-50ft of barbed wire; wire mesh (to hold ice); ice dyed red; fishing line to (hang).
Intro:
-this weekend is highlight of Xtian calendar, while at the same time today is our darkest hour
-in a paradox of emotions, today we both celebrate and mourn Christ’s death
-unfortunately in the past, the Church has glossed over Good Friday
and done a disservice to its meaning by avoiding its with statements
like: “…but don’t worry, Sunday’s a ‘comin’”, or ‘we’ve read the last
page and we know who wins and the end’
-while in one sense these statements are true, in another they have no place in our gathering today
-today is about pain, suffering, sorrow, degradation and the brutality of sin
-traditionally in the Lenten season, it is forbidden to even utter
the word ‘hallelujah’ because it is reserved for the resurrection and
has no place in the events we observe and remember today
-in this morning’s gathering, our approach will be this:
-confronted with His death, we will reflect on the words uttered by
Christ while living on earth, then, through the lens of the 5 stages of
grief (Denial/Anger/Bargaining/Depression/Acceptance) we will also
explore the immediate feelings associated with these stages that would
not only have been present to the fist hand witnesses, but also very
present feelings and questions that we have been or are confronted with
as disciples of Christ 2000yrs after the fact
-this morning’s experience will be multi sensory…taste, touch, smell, sound and sight
-in some places you will have the opportunity to participate, in others you’ll observe
Death Reading (Mark 15:22-39)/Christ Candle blown out
blood on our hands: DENIAL
Text: “But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you.
That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you
until I leave. But after I am gone I will send the Spirit to you.” John
16:7
Reading:
You think this is what’s best for us?
They humiliated you on a cross.
And we’re humiliated too, because we put our trust in you.
No wonder Peter denied you.
Maybe it wasn’t out of fear, but out of sheer, bloody rage
that this is how the dream ended.
How can you think this is what’s best for us?
We put everything we had into you.
Our trust.
Our belief that you were the one who could save us.
You offered us a taste of welcome,
a hint of grace,
a touch of freedom.
For a moment we glimpsed a new world,
and you promised an eternity of that.
And we trusted you.
We’re left wondering which is worse
- that it ended like this or that you knew it would end like this
and you took us with you anyway.
music: (Oh God, Where are you Now?) over video (finger paint Jesus)
blood on our hands: ANGER
Text:
“Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name,
claiming, ‘I am the Christ,[a]’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear
of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.
Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines
and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of
birth pains.
9″Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death,
and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many
will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow
cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this
gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a
testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-14
Reading:
Are you kidding? Persecuted ‘til death? Speak for yourself. No thanks.
Why didn’t you come down? Why didn’t you snap that cross in two and
beat down those soldiers with the pieces, or grab the mockers by their
throats and squeeze them lifeless?
And what’s this about the end coming? You’re delusional, the end if
here. If you couldn’t get the job done, what makes you think that I’ll
fare any better? Plus, I’m not interested in picking up your leftovers.
I have enough to deal with, especially now. You’re on your own.
music: (Wake up Dead Man)
blood on our hands: BARGAINING
Text:
27″But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If
someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to
you.
32″If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even
’sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who
are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that.
34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit
is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be
repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to
them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be
great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, because he
is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your
Father is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)
Reading:
Please have mercy. I’m not sure if I can deal with this right now. I
really hoped that things would’ve been different – but maybe they still
can. What must I do? Pray more, give more, be more? If we could rewind
all of this, I would do things differently. I would. I swear. You have
to believe me on this one. I promise.
I promise, no more doubt.
I promise, no more snickering. (Even though you did say some of the stupidest things I have ever heard)
I promise, I won’t deny you.
I promise, I’ll be the first to hop out of the boat this time.
I promise, stick up for you when they take you in.
I promise…just name it…I’ll do it.
One more chance.
Have mercy.
Rewind the tape.
Please.
I promise.
Corporate Reading: (Ps 22:1-11):
blood on our hands: DEPRESSION
Text:
25″Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look
at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
his life[b]?
28″And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the
field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O
you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run
after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
Reading:
I’m freaking out. I’m scraping bottom.
For such a lonely place there are quite a few of us down here. Never have I been in the company of so may morbid thoughts.
So low.
I am forgetting what it was like to live on the surface. I barely remember the sound of your voice.
To live in the absence of hope is the darkest place.
So this, is this the way it’s going to be?
Help.
Video: (Hurt)
blood on our hands: ACCEPTANCE
Text:
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the[b] covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you,
I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 25
Reading:
In the back of my mind, I suppose I knew things were heading in this
direction the whole time. It’s not like you hid it from us, it’s just
that we chose not to hear you. We had other hopes in mind, or maybe we
just didn’t believe that you were serious about this. Guess you were,
and now I see things for what they are.
I’m sorry. This, all of this, is my fault – our fault. I’ve look
everywhere in search for someone to pin the blame. But just now, I
caught a glimpse of my own hands.
They’re red. It’s me. I’m guilty.
I get it now.
Sorry.
And Thank you.
Music: (Some will seek Forgiveness, Others Escape)
Inked/Communion: (see explanation here)
Music: (Wonderful Cross)
Benediction:
Today, we leave this place in darkness.
The taste of His death still in our mouths, and our hands stained with guilt.
And now we wait. (pause)
Go, in the uneasy peace of this Good Friday.
Amen.
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 |
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The following is an outline of a Good Friday service first experienced on April 6, 2007 in Sarnia, Ontario @ theStory.
More Info & Pictures: For a behind the scenes look and developed explanation, go here.
Original Concept: The following is an adaptation of Dead Man Waiting. Thanks to Cheryl and Mark for the inspiration, advice and help.
Included in this Package: Original Photography/JPG’s for Powerpoint
slides; Original writings (Denial: Cheryl;
Anger/Bargaining/Depression/Acceptance, Intro/Benediction: Joe Manafo);
links to song lyrics and videos.
Supplies Needed: 30-50ft of barbed wire; wire mesh (to hold ice); ice dyed red; fishing line to (hang).
Intro:
-this weekend is highlight of Xtian calendar, while at the same time today is our darkest hour
-in a paradox of emotions, today we both celebrate and mourn Christ’s death
-unfortunately in the past, the Church has glossed over Good Friday
and done a disservice to its meaning by avoiding its with statements
like: “…but don’t worry, Sunday’s a ‘comin’”, or ‘we’ve read the last
page and we know who wins and the end’
-while in one sense these statements are true, in another they have no place in our gathering today
-today is about pain, suffering, sorrow, degradation and the brutality of sin
-traditionally in the Lenten season, it is forbidden to even utter
the word ‘hallelujah’ because it is reserved for the resurrection and
has no place in the events we observe and remember today
-in this morning’s gathering, our approach will be this:
-confronted with His death, we will reflect on the words uttered by
Christ while living on earth, then, through the lens of the 5 stages of
grief (Denial/Anger/Bargaining/Depression/Acceptance) we will also
explore the immediate feelings associated with these stages that would
not only have been present to the fist hand witnesses, but also very
present feelings and questions that we have been or are confronted with
as disciples of Christ 2000yrs after the fact
-this morning’s experience will be multi sensory…taste, touch, smell, sound and sight
-in some places you will have the opportunity to participate, in others you’ll observe
Death Reading (Mark 15:22-39)/Christ Candle blown out
blood on our hands: DENIAL
Text: “But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you.
That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you
until I leave. But after I am gone I will send the Spirit to you.” John
16:7
Reading:
You think this is what’s best for us?
They humiliated you on a cross.
And we’re humiliated too, because we put our trust in you.
No wonder Peter denied you.
Maybe it wasn’t out of fear, but out of sheer, bloody rage
that this is how the dream ended.
How can you think this is what’s best for us?
We put everything we had into you.
Our trust.
Our belief that you were the one who could save us.
You offered us a taste of welcome,
a hint of grace,
a touch of freedom.
For a moment we glimpsed a new world,
and you promised an eternity of that.
And we trusted you.
We’re left wondering which is worse
- that it ended like this or that you knew it would end like this
and you took us with you anyway.
music: (Oh God, Where are you Now?) over video (finger paint Jesus)
blood on our hands: ANGER
Text:
“Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name,
claiming, ‘I am the Christ,[a]’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear
of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.
Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines
and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of
birth pains.
9″Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death,
and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many
will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow
cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this
gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a
testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-14
Reading:
Are you kidding? Persecuted ‘til death? Speak for yourself. No thanks.
Why didn’t you come down? Why didn’t you snap that cross in two and
beat down those soldiers with the pieces, or grab the mockers by their
throats and squeeze them lifeless?
And what’s this about the end coming? You’re delusional, the end if
here. If you couldn’t get the job done, what makes you think that I’ll
fare any better? Plus, I’m not interested in picking up your leftovers.
I have enough to deal with, especially now. You’re on your own.
music: (Wake up Dead Man)
blood on our hands: BARGAINING
Text:
27″But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If
someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to
you.
32″If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even
’sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who
are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that.
34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit
is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be
repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to
them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be
great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, because he
is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your
Father is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)
Reading:
Please have mercy. I’m not sure if I can deal with this right now. I
really hoped that things would’ve been different – but maybe they still
can. What must I do? Pray more, give more, be more? If we could rewind
all of this, I would do things differently. I would. I swear. You have
to believe me on this one. I promise.
I promise, no more doubt.
I promise, no more snickering. (Even though you did say some of the stupidest things I have ever heard)
I promise, I won’t deny you.
I promise, I’ll be the first to hop out of the boat this time.
I promise, stick up for you when they take you in.
I promise…just name it…I’ll do it.
One more chance.
Have mercy.
Rewind the tape.
Please.
I promise.
Corporate Reading: (Ps 22:1-11):
blood on our hands: DEPRESSION
Text:
25″Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look
at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
his life[b]?
28″And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the
field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even
Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O
you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run
after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
Reading:
I’m freaking out. I’m scraping bottom.
For such a lonely place there are quite a few of us down here. Never have I been in the company of so may morbid thoughts.
So low.
I am forgetting what it was like to live on the surface. I barely remember the sound of your voice.
To live in the absence of hope is the darkest place.
So this, is this the way it’s going to be?
Help.
Video: (Hurt)
blood on our hands: ACCEPTANCE
Text:
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the[b] covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you,
I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 25
Reading:
In the back of my mind, I suppose I knew things were heading in this
direction the whole time. It’s not like you hid it from us, it’s just
that we chose not to hear you. We had other hopes in mind, or maybe we
just didn’t believe that you were serious about this. Guess you were,
and now I see things for what they are.
I’m sorry. This, all of this, is my fault – our fault. I’ve look
everywhere in search for someone to pin the blame. But just now, I
caught a glimpse of my own hands.
They’re red. It’s me. I’m guilty.
I get it now.
Sorry.
And Thank you.
Music: (Some will seek Forgiveness, Others Escape)
Inked/Communion: (see explanation here)
Music: (Wonderful Cross)
Benediction:
Today, we leave this place in darkness.
The taste of His death still in our mouths, and our hands stained with guilt.
And now we wait. (pause)
Go, in the uneasy peace of this Good Friday.
Amen.
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