Morning Worship Liberation Dry Bones Easter Season 20th May 2015 Bishop Justus Church of England School  

Gather The Lord be with you And also with you Ezekiel was a priest called by God to speak comfort and hope to the people of Israel, who were in exile in Babylon. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and the people had been taken far from home as prisoners. As a result most had lost heart and felt that everything had come to an end forever. Ezekiel's prophecies promised a new beginning and life out of death for God's people. In a series of mysterious and vivid visions Ezekiel assured them that God would rescue them again and give them another chance. The famous story of the dry bones coming to life is one of these visions. Information from Barnabas in schools:

Receive I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones. He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?" I replied, "Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that!" He said, "Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord. Tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life. I will give you sinews and muscles, and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and bring you back to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 37:1-6 Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olaS5yA-lzs&feature=related Reflect on the humour of the story Discuss—what do you think we can learn about God from this story  

Engage What makes us alive? Reflect on what defines us as living beings Can a machine ever be alive? Dem bones Play the song Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones... For more humour!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54m6XOpRgU Invite someone to do a skeleton dance – go on!!! Reflect on God taking what is dead and making it alive again. Make connections with Jesus - his death and resurrection Hard things in life Share or imagine some dried pasta (there is always somebody who likes to eat it dry—but most will reject it!) If we cook it and add a tasty sauce it will become excellent. The story of the dry bones helps us to realise that our difficult things in life can become better What can we do to make this happen? Talk to God / get help etc. Creative reflection Encourage a quick creative response to this story How could you portray this via art / drama / prayer writing / dance etc. Watch this reflection to get some ideas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auANhCoBgvA

Respond Breathe on me, breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do. Edwin Hatch   This is a hymn—you might like to play this as you reflect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5keJHZdWYM

Go Filled with the Spirit’s power,   Filled with the Spirit’s power, go in the light and peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. Breath reflection Great for those in need of some exam stress relief Connect the importance of Breath and who we are as alive human beings—also connect the Holy Spirit (which we celebrated earlier this week) as the breath of God Ask students to relax and get comfortable and ask them to focus on their breathing have a time of stillness—you might like to guide students to reflect on their lives / goals / feelings etc.—whatever is appropriate for your group