Worship

Advent and Your Faith Story

Advent is a great time to share stories of faith. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, we can learn more about our church community too. Check out the Reformed Worship article “Linking the Advent Wreath to Our Faith Stories” by Laura and Robert Keeley to learn how to incorporate story into a worship service and share faith stories at home.

The Journey of Life Drama

by Laura and Robert Keeley

The following drama could be used as part of a worship service with an emphasis on church education or as part of a commissioning service of church school volunteers.

Characters:
John
George

Props: John has maps in his pocket or backpack.

The Drama

(George is on stage. He is looking at his shoes, tying them and cleaning them. John joins him.)

John: Hi George, how are you? I haven’t seen you in a while!

George: Hi John! Sorry, I can’t stop to talk. I’m getting ready for a journey.

John: Oh really? Where are you going?

George: Lots of places. At least, I think so. I’m not really sure.

John: That’s strange—is this a mystery tour or something?

George: Sort of. It’s the “journey of life.” [Use exaggerated hand motions when you say “journey of life.”]

John: The journey of life?

George: That’s right. I’m going with my church group and I’m getting ready now.

John: Does that take a long time?

George: Well, I’ve been getting ready for a few weeks now. Buying things for the trip—stuff like that.

John: What sort of stuff do you need for this journey of life?

George: The first thing I got was good shoes.

John: So you plan on doing a lot of walking?

George: Of course—what did you think? It’s a journey!

John: This is an actual journey? I thought that maybe it was, you know, metaphysical.

George: No, it’s completely physical. I need good shoes.

John: They certainly look cool.

George: Well, that was the reason I chose them.

John: I would think that comfort and support would be at the top of your list if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking.

George: You just don’t get it, do you? Sure, there’s walking involved, but I want other people who are on this journey with me to know that I’m really serious about it.

John: And the shoes let them know that.

George: Absolutely. But I’m not going to wear them the whole time. I don’t want to wear them out.

John: Why not? That’s what you bought them for, right?

George: You see, this nice-looking woman who is also on the journey said that she wanted to save my sole so I hope she notices these new shoes!

John: I think she might have meant a different kind of soul.

George: Doesn’t matter—I’m keeping them good just in case. I want to make a good impression on her.

John: What else do you have there?

George: I have some maps.

(George reaches in a pocket and removes the maps.)

John: I thought you said you didn’t know where you were going.

George: I don’t know exactly where I’m going but I have at least a couple of clues—for example, I think we might be going to Heidelberg.

John: Really? In Germany?

George: Apparently there’s some cat we have to see there.

John: A cat.

George: Yeah, every week somebody says something about some Heidelberg cat.

John: I don’t think that’s an actual cat—I think the word is “catechism.”

George: Yeah, whatever. I also think we’re going to Belgium.

John: Why do you think you’re going there?

George: I’m not sure—I think someone has to admit that he did something wrong.

John: Why would you need to go to Belguim for that?

George: Beats me. They just keep talking about some Belgium confession.

John: Could it be “Belgic Confession?”

George: Maybe. Hey, you seem to know a lot about this journey—have you already done it?

John: Well, in a manner of speaking, yes. I’ve learned about it at church.

George: I go too, but I haven’t learned all that stuff you’re talking about.

John: Then maybe you should come to our church education classes.

George: Classes? They have classes at church?

John: Yeah, they do—and by going to these classes I’ve learned lots of things about God, about his Word and about how I should live—about how to take the “journey of life.”

George: What stuff do you need to buy to do that?

John: You don’t need to buy anything.

George: No special shoes?

John: No special shoes—just a willingness to learn. It really helps me grow in my faith.

George: You don’t suppose that woman who likes shoes will be there, do you?

John: She might be there—but there are other good reasons to go too.

George: OK, I’ll give it a try. But I’m sorry I won’t be going on this trip—I was looking forward to seeing the Apostles’ Creek.

(John and George exit.)

Commissioning

September is the time when many churches begin a new season of programs. A service of commissioning is a wonderful time to recognize the commitment and gifts of the workers involved in these programs and to ask God’s blessing on their ministry. Check out the following services from Reformed Worship online here.

• Issue 28: "Called to Serve"
• Issue 36: "Joining Hands in Service"
• Issue 64: "Coming in Grace"

Also look at the Learning for Life commissioning service for Christian Educators (.pdf). Scroll down to pages 18 to 20.

Prayer

The following responsive prayer for illumination can be used before the Scripture is read.

Reader: Blessed Lord, we remember Enoch who walked with you.
People: Help us to walk with you.
Reader: We remember Noah who obeyed and by faith built the ark.
People: Help us to respond in obedience.
Reader: We remember Abraham who left his family to follow God and became the father of many nations.
People: Help us to follow you.
Reader: We remember Jacob who wrestled with you and was blessed.
People: Help us to wrestle with your Word and be blessed by it.
Reader: Prepare our hearts and lives so that we are strengthened and changed by your Word.
People: Help us, Lord. Amen.

Songs

The following songs address the theme of faith formation in various ways and may be helpful in your worship planning. If you would like to suggest additional songs for this list, please email Jolanda Malburg at malburgj@crcna.org.

The following abbreviations tell where to locate these songs:
PsH refers to Psalter Hymnal, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1987
SNC refers to Sing! a New Creation, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2001
SWM refers to Sing With Me, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2006