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Bishop Justus Church of England School Morning Worship The voice of one crying out in the wilderness 7th December 2017 Bishop Justus Church of England School
Let the light of Christ shine in our lives Gather The Lord be with you And also with you Let the light of Christ shine in our lives
Receive A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ From the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 3 to 5
Engage John the Baptist was the son of Zachary, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Elizabeth, a kinswoman of Mary. When John was thirty, he began to preach on the banks of the river Jordan against the evils of the times and called people to repent of their sins and to be baptised "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". He attracted large crowds. John said that he was preparing the way for the Messiah, the anointed one of God.
Engage Video suggestion … The naming of John the Baptist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVvTYLgoBM Some discussion ideas … In Hebrew the meaning of the name John is: Jehovah has been gracious. Does your name have a meaning? If you could give yourself a new name what might it be and why? Discussion techniques - Go back to the Bible passage ask “How does the theme link with the Bible passage?” Discuss the question in pairs for 30 seconds then invite a response from each pair. Use quick-fire answers e.g. throw a soft bean bag / toy to a student, when they answer they throw it back and you quickly throw to another student. Simplify the question - Invite quick one-word answers, write them on the board, then reflect on the answers – see connections. Activity suggestion … Create a simple obstacle course in the classroom. Decide what the obstacles represent – difficulties we face in life. Play a game of guiding people around the obstacles.
Respond Amen Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and true: [Reflect for a minute on the worship theme and our engagement …] Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and true: to you be praise and glory for ever! Your prophet John the Baptist was witness to the truth as a burning and shining light. May we your servants rejoice in his light, and so be led to witness to him who is the Lord of our coming Kingdom, Jesus our Saviour and King of the ages. Blessed be God forever. Amen Prayer / reflection technique – Give a summary of the theme and any responses that students may have made, then invite everyone to be still (remind no books open etc – lessen distraction). To pray or reflect on today’s worship. Be quiet for one minute. Then say the prayer …
Go out into the world with the light of Christ Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God Go out into the world with the light of Christ