Youth Ministry Special

8/6/2019 Youth Ministry Special

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MUSIC AND ARTIN WORSHIP

DRIFTWOOD DISCIPLES' CHAPELIt is not too difficult to find the'locations of the chapel in our summercamps. Just look for the rows of logseats with a rugged wooden cross atthe front. Wood, logs, boulders, peb-bles are such basic building materialsand it always comes asa surprise to methat we have not utilized them in amore creative way in our outdoor wor-ship experience. After all, worshippingoutside gives us a.bit more freedom touse materials and concepts one couldnever use inside, such as sky, water,rocks, space, twigs, small trees, bark,cliffs, canyons, hills, etc.Who can resist driftwood? Driftwoodis interesting stuff. Usually the wind,sand, and- water has eroded away all

the rough and angular areas to produceforms which are smooth, rounded,tactily inviting, and irresistably soothingto our emotions. The smooth and inter-esting shapes, soft colors, and varietyof textures all appeal to our senses and

asthetic - rich in new meaning. "It'sso ugly, it's beautiful."The twelve disciples were an inter-esting heterogenous group of people.They all had different and varied back-grounds as well as personalities.

Peter-strong and weakJames-son of thunderJohn-disciple of loveAndrew - friendlyBartholomew - meditatorJames the less-power of prayerSimon-zealotMatthew - wealthy, politicalJude- missionaryThomas-builder, doubterPhillip-Greek name, outsiderJudas - treasurer, betrayerSince we all respond to driftwood inanemotional way, and since the twelvedisciples had different personalities andsince driftwood has such a variety offorms, textures, and colors, why not

PURPOSEThe purpose of art is to makewhole.The purpose of religion and redemptionisto make whole. Art and religion havemuch to offer mankind and are partnersin whole making.Before print, books, film, and mediacame into being, this was the case. Illu-minated manuscripts, stained glass,sculpture, . vaulted ceilings, majestic

Reinhold P. Marxhausenway. Extended conversation is nolonger essential. The surrogatemay/must be the visual arts and physi-cal gesture.Christmas, Lent, and Easter are spe-cial events of our church year, sorich infeeling, meaning, and renewal that onemust go beyond trees, ashes, and liliesto mine the depth of possibilities


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MY CAPSULE JUST FITS"I USED TO BEAS AFRAID OF DEATHAS ANYONE ELSE. EVEN THOUGHWEKNOWTHAT CHRISTHAS CON-QUEREDDEATH..

PASSION PORTRAITSBanners about the characters of Lent

made use of non-traditional bannermaterials. The materials were used todepict a mood, character, or feeling.We used words only if they helped withthe message. Otherwise we let thematerial do the work.Examples:

1. Herod, Seeker of Thrills. The ban-ner was cut into strips and it usedvery colorful materials.

2. Caiaphas, Religious Formalist. itlooked like a banner with folds in itand even fringe. But it was stiff,artificial looking like a machine. Itwas ugly. It was made of thinaluminum metal.

3. Mary Magdalene. Sinner turnedsaint. Banner made from two dif-ferent kinds of cloth. One was anold Purina feed sack with holes in it.Into this old cloth was woven abrand new piece of cloth. Powerfulimage of old into new.

4. Timid Friend. Joseph who claimedthe body of Jesus and buried Him ina tomb in his garden. The sermontalked about quiet Christianity. The1 2 foot banner was pale pink in col-or and had 125 crosses on it that noone in the congregation could seebecause I used a fine ball point pen.

5. Centurion. The Bold Confessor.Bright and powerful colors. Redandblue that made the eyeballs tired inlooking at it. This bold affirmationof faith "spoke out" in color. Sincewitness is by word, I used letteringand did it so the leters became the


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Pace 4

The cross is the best known symbolof Christianity and is very common inchurches. The meaning is always the. same, yet the meaning can take on add-ed dimension when certain materialsare used or when the cross shape itselfis used in a meaningful way.Gold or silver crosses speak ofelegance, royalty, Christ the King.Wood crosses are humble and Lentenin feeling.Iron crosses seem powerful.Paper crosses depict a temporary feeling.Red crosses depict suffering.Black crosses depict death.A cross of lilies means ressurection.So the artistic rendering of the cross

can give an ancient symbol a newmeaning which was not there yearsago. The art of crosses can transmit asmany meanings as paintings and sculp-ture when the media is considered.Seeing cross forms in our everyday

life can remind us that not all crossesare in churches. A telephone pole, rail-road crossing sign, clothes line, win-dow pane are all cross forms whichmay remind us as well as offer newsymbolic relationship and new mean-ings.So a variety of crosses can be used in

church to depict a feeling or mood ofthe worship experience. A cross madeof four trumpet bells gives a wonderfulfeeling of festivity and sound for Re-formation or Easter services when usedin a procession. These crosses can bemade out of very temporary materialssuch as paper or plastic and of a dis-

CROSSES


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Peter's Denial

~ARROWSArrows show direction and help us

to get around. Arrows becamethe sym-bol aswell asthe meansto produce thedesigns and ideas needed. ,Again thetheme centers on the actions of a per-son or anaction inthe Lentendrama. Infact, the same persons show up eachYSClrn the story and the challenge is todepict the same person or idea using anew graphic. This is the challenge forthe preacher AND the artist. Thethemes are similar:1. Committed to go to Jerusalemshows arrows moving to one point.

2. Frightened Disciples. The red ar-rows point toward a center andform a Jewish Star. When the goinggot rough, they turned around andfled and in the process turned pinkand white. In this series red meantbold, strong, follower.

3. The Trial show arrows pointing tothe center. No chance.4. Peter's Denial shows a red arrowspinning around in opposite direc-tion and turning to pink to white andbreaking the circle of loyalty.5. The Last Supper shows 12 arrowspointing in and out.

THE NEED FOR RESCUE


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Thanksgiving is a special time of theyear when something unusual can bedone during worship. Years ago in thecountry churches, people piled corn,stalks and pumpkins around the altar torepresent blessings of the harvest. To-day a different symbol may have to beused since most people in the city thinkthat all food comes in boxes or cans.Examples:1. Labels from food cans can be usedto make a large collage for the nar-thex or the chancel.

2. Many empty cereal boxes of allkinds can be glued into a largesculpture to be placed in thechancel next to the altar or in thenarthex.3. Tin can lids can be painted to be us-ed asmedallions for a youth serviceor a regular service.

4. Find all the round objects you canfind to make a collage.5. I used stacks of aluminum pot piecontainers which were imbedded inplaster to represent fossils of ourtime.6. Banners can be made listing itemswe've used in the past year.

7. A city dump is a good place to seeall of our waste. It reminds us ofblessings overflowing.Thanksgiving is about the- past and

not the future. Remnants of the pastare still with us ... antiques, memor-ies, photographs, empty boxes and car-tons, l itter, and discards. Many of thethings we arethankful for are still withus in the form of tangible goods and

THANKSGIVINGMY SON/YOUR SA VIOR/MY CHILDREN

possessions. Many no longer actuallyexist but exist as memory, photo-graphs, empty boxes and cartons, lit-ter, and discards. Many blessings leavea residue to either haunt or to remindus. Visual reminders help us to see.

Ham Lid

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Some years ago my family and I at-tended a Christmas service at St. Johndesigned byArlen andMari Meyer. dur-ing the service I wrote words on theback of my program to indicate whatwas happening.SilenceNo treesSound of breaking baublesHand bellsMarching - paradingBannersAngels- white cloth - plasticclapclap clapclap clap clapclap clap clapchromatic colorsDecorations made by childrenIncrease in sound and activitywhite to purpleBellsPlace filled with whitenessAPPLAUSE WOWJesus - Savior banners4 treesPurple/red/red orange/orange/yellowllight yellow/White12 candlesxylophonerecorderkindergartentraffic jambanners on wallscommunion railHappy Birthday to usThump of drums


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Page-SObjects act as symbolic forms bythemselves, but forms in relation toeach other produce new ideas and con-cepts.Five symbolic forms using color,shape, texture, and the space relation-ship between two or more forms cancreate countless meanings that change

and give visual meaning throughout thechurch year. Most church symbols are historic,traditional emblems used mostly in iso-lation which need to be intellectualizedand have no intrinsic, communicativevalue by themselves.In cornbsiation. the liturgi-cal churchyear unfolds and changes from time totime.

HOPE LUTHERAN MOVABLE FORMS

Resurrection6" aluminum ring

Earth, God-manceramic form

HANDS OF LENT1ST SUNDAYADVENT

oEASTER

Sinful Worldspot made ofold name plates

4TH SUNDAYADVENT

,.o

Suffering, Sin-bearingWounded, Crucifixionstainless mosaic

CHRISTMAS

Mission OutreachOthers, Witnessfour arrows

LENT

oRESURRECTION ASCENSION PENTECOST

GOOD FRIDAY

TRINITY


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THELASTWORDSOFJESUSThe seven panels were made of avariety of materials and are in relief.They are permanent and still exist and'can be used in other churches if re-quested. The panels are divided intotwo parts indicating the two oppositethoughts or concepts.

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1. Forgiveness. The top portion showsno forgiveness and represents allthe bad we do to each other in-dicated by words written with chalkon a blackboard. On the bottom isan eraser removing all the wordsand'forgetting them. Never to be re-membered.


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LOVE CARESFOR THE LOVEDJohn 19:25-27

LOVE PROMISESPARADISELk. 23:39-43

LOVE SACRIFICESFORALLJohn 19: 28-30

LOVE FORGIVESTHE PENITENTLk.22:49-51

. \ l 'OVE PROVIDESAMEALMatt. 26: 17-20LOVE HEALSAN EARLk. 22:49-51 LOVE RECALLSTO DISCIPLESHIPLOVE WITHOUT LIMITSLove is a verb.


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Page 11NARTHEX NICHEOur new church has a niche on the

wall which is four feet wide and eightfeet high. Instead of installing some-thing permanent that can beseeneverySunday for 100 years, it isa space withnothing in it.Objects, panels, banners, lettering,collages, sculpture, and materials of all

kinds can bearranged into the space tohighlight the sermon, the series, or thetheme for the year. When there is noth-ing happening or no demand, it standsempty and black. Simple lettering cutout of construction or contact paper

can enhance the space and highlightthe sermon. The letters are attachedwith loops of masking tape.Keep letters blocky and simple. Useonly one color at a time. Use the little

pieces from inside the letters to make adesign on the bottom or top. Use thepieces like building blocks.~esides "lettering, we have plywoodpanels which can be suspended three

at a time. One panel represents GodtheFather, another Jesus Christ, and thethird the Holy Spirit. When they arehung together it is used for the Trinitv.

Bottom panel:GodMiddle panel:

RedeemerTop panel:Saved

Another panel represents the world.and another the people of St. John (apanel with names of families stampedin metal addressograph plates). Bymaking arrangements of these panelsone can say various things about God.Jesus, or Spirit.The space has been an interestingchallenge over the years and continues

to beckon the creative spirits. The newimages keep the Gospel alive and fresh,not only for the worshippers. but alsofor the artists who use the space.

ELECT IONBALLOT~ORSAVIO"


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EASTERCOCOONSMembers of the student body were in-

vited to make large papier mache co-coons which could contain their wholebody. Man sized cocoons. They werethen askedto spendonehalf hourperday(during Lent) sitting inside the darknessof it. While inside they could think abouthow it feels to beblind, forgotten, alone,unloved, and generally to meditate.While inside they could take magic

markers and write graffiti on the insidewalls with words or comments. Maybethey listed things they would like to berid of.On Easter morning the studentscould break out of their cocoons tosymbolically begin a new life. The oldpapers and bad words can be buried inthe ground.

PEOPLE WALLMost church basements or entryways have dull blank walls.Decorate the walls with people

forms. Ask people to bring remainingpaint and brushes from home. Use aflashlight source and shine on a personclose to the wall. Have someone tracethe outline of the person with a pencil.Now choose a color and paint your im-age. Images may overlap. Be imag-inative with your pose or gesture. Letthe gesture be you. Include the pastorand his wife. When the wall is full, addlayetl!Pon layer so that the wall reallycontains all the members of the church,even though you can't see them sep-arately.


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FAMILY BANNERSFamilies were given special emphasis

in the Christmas service based on thetheme of family reunion. Jesus Christbecame our Brother and reunites uswith our Father. The child of God seesthis reunion through Christ as thesource and hope of Christian reunions- in the family, in the church, now andin eternity. Christmas is anoccasion forcelebrating that concept.The assignment of small family ban-ners to be made at home became asource of interest and involvement forall families with school-age children.Each member of the family was to con-tribute something to this banner, andthe joint effort was to result in a rep-resentation of each person on the ban-ner. The family name with the phrase"The (Muellers) are the children ofGod" was on each banner.The individuality and variety in thebanners - even though they were re-stricted to a specific size - was asource of visual excitement as approxi-mately 250 banners were processed inand placed around the congregation.Children of each family processed to-

gether carrying their banner, creatinganother visual representation of thetheme.The feeling of reunion celebrationwas strong in the opening of the ser-vice. Before the procession several chil-dren were assigned to greet and wel-come people aloud at random, callingtheir names and shaking hands as theymoved down the aisles. The processionwith the family banners was particular-ly effective as the children sang a songwritten for the service by Charles and

Constance Ore:Come to our reunionCome Joseph and MaryCome shepherds, come allo reunite with our GodOur God and our FatherCome home through your BrotherThe Christ child so smallThis original piece was woven with

the familiar "0 Come ~ Ye Faithful"sung by the congregation. Banners,children, candles, music, the un-expected and the familiar in sight and

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sound created an atmosphere ofheightened joy and anticipation.We who are spiritual beings needthese occasions to be lifted into ahigher realm. How else can we begin to

sense what our faith is all about? Weneed not let secularism take more ofour enthusiasm and provide our joys forourselves and our children. It is evidentthat children who participate in theseservices are as turned on by them asthey are by opening gifts in theirhomes.

RING, BELLS, RINGA Christmas Eve service with 1,000or more bells is an exciting experience.When eachmember is asked to bring abell to church, the excitement begins.

"How will they be kept quiet?" Shouldthey be quiet at Christmas?Even as bells have sounded fromchurch towers all around the world an-nouncing, sharing, and giving witnessof the presence of Christians every-where, so we too will ring our bells tolet the world know we are hereto cele-brate the birthday of our King.With bells in hand, much can happenwhen the leader proclaims "Ring outbells, i t is the birthday of our King."The following response drew en-thusiastic participation:Response of the Bells(Children ring bells)Listen to the bells! Their soundspreads out in ever-widening circles.(Children ring bells)Listen to the bells! Their sound

Children: I will think about God andpraise Him by being loving and kindto my classmates, my teachers atschool, and all the people I meet eachday.

(high-pitched bells)Children: Awake my soul! Awake, 0harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!I will give thanks to Thee, 0 Lord,among the peoples; I will sing praisesto Thee among the nations. For Thysteadfast love is great to theheavens, Thy faithfulness to theclouds.

Children: I will take the example thatJesus gave us in his life and do mybest to live my days in praiseandjoy!

(all bells together)Children and congregation: Awake, mysoul! Awake, 0 harp and lyre! I willawake the dawn! I will give thanks toThee, 0 Lord, among the peoples; Iwill sing praises to Thee among thenations. For Thy steadfast love is


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Visuals in the Christmas service"Jesus Changes Us" were used to stirthinking about the change that tookplace and continues to take place in ourlives because of Jesus' life on earth.To represent this contrast of life withChrist and life outside of Christ, con-trasting objects were used - a rockand a candle.Each worshiper was given a rock

when he entered the church with theinstruction, "Hold the rock." Uponleaving the service each worshiper ex-changed the rock for a warm-coloredcandle to take home and light. Theideas for these objects were generatedfrom a Christmas poem written by Vic-tor Pera, "Divine Laughter."How can you love a rock?Its hardnessMay have some colorBut no warmth -It leaves you cold.

ROCKS AND CANDLESHow can you control arock?With hammer and chiselOf course;With biceps bulging -Hitting hard.Hearts set like concreteAnd countless blowsOf scolding, cursing, blaming,ProduceA petrified human forest.How cure this raging plague,Control these stones?Law and order -Shoot to kill?Will earthquakeFire and storm prevail?What foolishness! A joke!To thinkThat something warmAnd soft would have effect

Where prisons, clubs and gunsHave failed.Cover you face, - your laughter.(Shades of Sarah?)God's answer isA baby small and cuddly -What can he do?'Mid the din of many decibelsA still small voiceIn flesh and bloodmelts rock and concrete -Reaching through.Men fine-tune economiesAnd tread the moon.But only warm raysOf heaven-sent loveTouch and transform.Other symbols of contrast used to re-late this theme were banners which

were grey on one side, vibrant and bril-liant on the other. They were turned atpoints in the service to accent the cold-ness of the rock and the warmth ofGod's love. Tree ornaments made bychildren were tin can lids painted greyon one side and brightly colored on theother.An element of surprise in the servicewas the use of 8" x 16" stadium cardswhich were grey on one side, bright onthe other. They were held by all of thechildren expressing the ideas of the

litany. The grey showed first and thenturned asa group when the children re-sponded, "God took us out of the darkinto light." Even the service folder wasgrey and unprinted on the outside whilethe inside pages were orange andyellow.All these visuals were intended tomake the point that Christ's birthchanged life. Christ changes lives.


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PLANTSPlants are not a new symbol to beused in the church. Traditionally manychurches regularly use plants or cutflowers nearthe altar in a decorative as

well as symbolic use.When every worshiper received a liv-ing plant in a Christmas Eve servicewhich was focused on the new life wereceive in Christ the plant becamespecial. Think of all the symbolism 'in-volved. Plants are a living gift. No onecan make them. They can nurture,prune, perhaps propogate them. Plantsmust receive light. Unattended, a plantdies. Months after Christmas peopletalked about the plants they receivedand how they were growing. There isprobably no better symbol of the gift oflife - new life. Jesus often used thissymbol. Consider the mustard seed,the fig tree, the lilies, the sower.Several varieties of plants suited tohouse care were provided by a localgreenhouse for this service. The plantswere concealed in small boxes decorat-ed by children. Neither the children orthe other worshipers knew what thegift was unti l they opened them at theappropriate time in the service.

M IRRORSWhat do you see when you look in amirror? A reflection of something, de-pe idinq on where you focus it. Mirrorsare used to see what is important to

you, but not possible to see directly -your own face ora full view of yourself.Mirrors were used in a Christmas ser-vice as a symbol to explore the reflec-

Another use of plants - cut Easterlilies - was incorporated into a bannerfor this same service. A large whitecross was covered with Easter lil ies.This traditionally is used in our church

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for Easter, unexpected at Christmas.Before worshipers arrived, a white ban-ner was hung in front of the lily cross,concealing it. On this banner was the.word ANNOUNCING. The processional'banner was made of clear plastic withthe words on it: THE BIRTHOFA SON,JESUS CHRIST. This was placed infront of the "announcing" banner(words arranged so asnot to cover An-nouncing). At the the end of the servicewhen the benediction was sung thetwo banners were recessed. As thelights were dimmed a spot focused onthe lily cross. This image provided apowerful message of purpose and hopewhich needed no further explanation.The theme of the service was carriedout of the church in sound as the

children spoke this chant:I

6 The8

I- tJ - J ' / - 1 -free gift of God is e- ter- nal life in Christ Je- sus our Lord

J . I ' II J.11J ' J .

Os tina to . Life - new life.


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Page 16PRE-SERVICE MUSIC Adult Bel l ChoirTHE LITTLE DRUMMER BOYBREAKFORTH, 0 BEAUTEOUS, HEAVENLY LIGHTo COME, 0 COME IMMANUELSILENT NIGHTAWAY INA MANGERAND THEREWERESHEPHERDS

ABOUT THE SERVICEPeole of many times and cultures, in their struggle to find God, have wor-shipped the sun. The sun is so vital to life that it seems a natural choice as anobject to worship. We, asChristians, gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ,can look to the sun and find a rich symbol for our God who, in Christ, bringslight to all darkness.Join us in spirit as we explore this symbol. May it help us to again find the realmeaning of Christmas. As we hear and recall the facts of Christ's birth, may welift our spirits in praise of God the Sun who gives us life. Let the sun shine in!

BLESSED BY THE SUNNOTE: Please rise and face the cross during the procession. The processionwill pause for unison prayes.

PRAYER#1 Almighty God, your love fills heaven and earth. Enternow into my quiet and waiting heart. Come, Lord Jesus.Amen.

PRAYER#2 Almighty God, your love fills heaven and earth and myheart. All is well. Welcome Lord Jesus. Amen.PROCESSIONALHYMN (congregation be seated)CONGREGATION: This night a new revealing story

Makes known to me God's love and graceThe Child who well deserves all gloryBrings light to our dark fallen race;And though a thousands suns did shineStill brighter were that light divine.

CHILDREN: The Sun of Grace for us is beamingRejoice, my soul, in Jesus' birth!The light from yonder manger streamingSends forth its rays 0er all the earth.It drives the night of sin awayand turns our darkness into day.

SUN ANDComments from two individuals

sparked the idea for a theme for Christ-mas with reference to the sun as sym-bol for Christ. A young son sat out-doors and said, "Jesus, you arelike thesun in my life, you make me grow likethe trees." And a junior high boy atschool remarked, "My mom thinks thateveryone should be given an orange atChristmas." Why not? References toGod as sun or light are found often inScripture. The gift of an orange was anideal visual to relate to the concept ofsun and our life in light. The brandname Sunkist lent itself to the transla-tion Son-kissed. The following portionfrom the service highlights the use ofthe orange:Speaker B: The orange you have beengiven is useful because it is ripe. Whoneeds a green apple or unripeorange? As Christians living in God'slove, we mature. We mature just asfruit ripens in the sun.

Speaker A: Didyou ever think of what itmeans to be Son-kissed? You were


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ORANGESgiven an orange as a symbol to keep.The idea of an orange kissed by thesun suggests it is ripe, flavorful, andready to be used. Maybe evenblessed. Do you believe that you areblessed, favored by God, that Hegave you His Son - the Sun ofRighteousness? Are you ready to beused? Will you share yourself, yourlife, so that all will truly see the Sonin you ... that Christ may becomereal to all people?

Speaker B: Loved by the Father, re-deemed bythe Son, made holy by theSpirit, we become useful as we arefil led by His perfect love. The morewe turn to Himand seek Hisgifts, themore nearly we resemble His perfectSon whom He gave us.Youth Ministry

Family BannersChildren had no difficulty coming up

with ideas for sun ornaments for thetrees. The more familiar the objects,the easier the symbolism is drawn fromit. These two symbols, the sun and theorange, required no contriving to berelated to Christ and to Christmas. I U1

Page 17RESPONSORY

PASTORand No longer will the sun be your light by day, or the moon beCONGREGATION: your light by night. The light of My glory will shine on you.Your days of grief will come to an end. (Is. 60: 10-20a)

CHILDREN: When God is your light you will not need the sun or themoon anymore. He will shine on you.PASTOR andCHILDREN: I, the Lord, will be your eternal light, more lasting than thesun and moon. (Is. 60:20b)CHILDREN: God will be your light. He will never stop shining.PASTORandCONGREGATION: The Sovereign Lord has fil led me with His Spirit. He haschosen me and sent me to bring Good News to the poor, to

heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to the cap-tives and freedom to those in prison. (Is. 60:v.1)CHILDREN: The Lordwho ismy ruler haspicked me to tell the poor peo-ple, the sad people, the prisoners, the Good News that Je-

sus loves them.PASTORand He has sent me to comfort all who mourn; to give to thoseCONGREGATION: who,mourn in Zion joy and gladness instead of grief, a songof praise instead of sorrow. (Is. 61 :v.2&3a)CHILDREN: Hehas sent meto sing ahappy song about Godto His peo-ple.PASTOR andCONGREGATION: And God will bepraised for what Hehas done. (Is, 61 :v.3b)CHILDREN: And God will be praised for what He has done.

THE BLESSINGPASTOR: May you be kissed by the Son, loved by the Father,changed by the Spirit. Celebrate Christ's birth inthe light of

His glory.PEOPLE: Amen.

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Youth Ministry Special