HANDMAIDENS OF THE LORD

Important Announcement

The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More

Postmodern Youth Ministry Ideas

By Richard Krejcir

The rules have changed. Everything you believe is suspect. The world is up for grabs.

Into Thy Word -

Digging Deeper for the Heart of God<o:p></o:p>

This is a supplement to the Youth Specialties book “Postmodern Youth Ministry,�?by Tony Jones. And the “Going Deep thoughts in our book, “Into Thy Word,�?/I> by Richard J. Krejcir<o:p></o:p>

Here you'll find brief outlines for services and spiritual exercises—the kind of ancient-yet-modern expressions of faith that Tony discusses in Postmodern Youth Ministry. The sessions included are:<o:p></o:p>

Living Stations of the Cross<o:p></o:p>

Every three years at summer camp (so each camper only experiences it once), we run the Stations of the Cross. Using staff and counselors as actors, each of the following stations is set up somewhere in camp. All the campers and one counselor per cabin are gathered in the chapel in the evening where we have quiet reflective singing and prayer. One cabin at a time, they are released to follow Jesus' journey to the cross, singing a song between stations and reciting the following liturgy at each station. This can also be done with artwork, music, or any other experiential medium.<o:p></o:p>

The following is an experience adapted from the Cursillo retreat movement (to find out more, surf to www.natl-cursillo.org/whatis.html):<o:p></o:p>

Introduction<o:p></o:p>

Paul said that we who have been baptized into Jesus have been joined to his suffering and his death and his resurrection. As we watch these Stations of the Cross, the steps along the path Jesus took from his trial to his crucifixion, know that each of us makes this journey with him.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, as we hear your words, "Take up your cross daily and follow me," some of us refrain from letting these words come too close, lest the burden be too great and the shame too bitter. If we could only see that your command to follow you to Calvary is not just an iron law of cruel fate, but a condition of everlasting happiness, maybe then we could better make the journey.<o:p></o:p>

Christ: These steps you are now about to pass through, you do not take alone. I walk with you. You and I are truly one—one in me. You, my brother, my sister, were baptized into me, joined to me, marked with my cross forever! Therefore my way of the cross 2,000 years ago and your way now are also one. But note this difference: My life was incomplete until it was crowned by my death—our journey will only be complete when you let me crown it with my life!<o:p></o:p>

First Station - Jesus Is Condemned to Death<o:p></o:p>

Christ: In Pilate's hands, I see my Father's will. Pilate is unjust, but he is also the lawful governor. He has human power over me. And so, as the Son of God, I obey. I bow to Pilate's rule because this is my Father's will—can you do otherwise?<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, obedience cost you your life. For me it costs my delusion—the delusion that I am a self-made person answerable only to me, and ultimately serving only me. Lord, it's so hard to bend. Remove the blinders from my eyes and help me see it's you whom I must obey. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Second Station - Jesus Takes Up His Cross<o:p></o:p>

Christ: This cross, this piece of wood—this is what my Father has chosen for me. The crosses you bear are largely the products of your daily lives, are they not? And yet my Father has chosen them for you, too. Receive them from his hands. Take heart, my brother, my sister: I will not let your burdens grow one ounce too heavy for your strength.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: We know, Lord, how crosses are made. Your will is the timber that points up; ours is the one that crosses it. When we place our will against yours, we make the cross. Grant that we may make no more crosses for you, but that we might place our will alongside yours to make a yoke that will always be a burden fit to carry. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Third Station - Jesus Struggles under the Weight of the Cross<o:p></o:p>

Christ: Can you believe me? The God who made the universe—who holds it in existence by his will alone—has become a human being too weak to bear the weight of one piece of timber. My Father willed it this way. I had to join you where you are. How else could I have done this without taking on your frailties? If you are joined to me, then you, too, must accept your own weakness. Is this not so?<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, how can I refuse to accept the weaknesses that you obediently took upon yourself? Help me willingly accept my weaknesses—my irritations, my moods, my headaches, my fatigue—all my defects of body, mind, and soul. As you took on human frailties, help me see the special nature of my own. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Fourth Station - Simon Helps Jesus<o:p></o:p>

Christ: My strength is gone—I can no longer bear the cross alone. And so the soldiers make Simon help me. Simon is like you, my brother, my sister. Give me your strength. Each time you lift some burden from another's back, you lift as with your very hand the awful weight of the cross that crushes me.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, help me to realize that every time I assist another in some small task or give someone preference—each time I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or lend my hand in any way, it matters not to whom. The kindness I really give to you. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Fifth Station - Jesus Is Crucified (the sound of a hammer pounds in the background)<o:p></o:p>

Leader: At this moment, as he mounts his "pulpit" for the last time, Jesus is silent of words. Only the hammer speaks. This Preacher is the living Word of God. The congregation is the gathering of soldiers who throw dice for his garments. The congregation is also the unbelievers whose mouths are trumpets of hate and blasphemy. But also in the congregation are three faithful ones: Mary, the innocent one; Mary Magdalene, the penitent one; John, the beloved one. These three types of souls are always found beneath the cross. And now the last words of Jesus are spoken. First, he speaks on behalf of the mockers and blasphemers: "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Next, he speaks to the sinner: "This day you shall be with me in paradise." And finally, Jesus speaks to the saints: "Mother, behold your son."<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: My God, I look at you and think: Is my soul worth this much? What can I give you in return? I now begin to see what love really is, and how often I have crucified both it and you. Your hands rose to bless me, your feet that have sought me—these have I nailed fast. So now I can do nothing other than return to the cross, the hope of nearly hopeless sinners. And as I stand beneath your cross, I begin to understand—if I had never sinned, I could never call you "Savior."<o:p></o:p>

Sixth Station - Jesus Dies<o:p></o:p>

Leader: His garments are consigned to his executioners, his blood to the earth, his body to the grave, his mother to John and his soul to his heavenly Father. Having finished the last word of his gospel, Jesus bows his head and dies.<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Jesus, how truly you have taught us: No one can save himself if he is to save another. You did not save yourself from death, and in so doing you have saved us! May I always remember this. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Seventh Station - Jesus Is Taken Down<o:p></o:p>

Leader: At the foot of the cross, throughout the ordeal, sat Jesus' mother, agonizing over the suffering of her son—suffering that she had to watch but could not stop. (Some legends say that when Jesus' body was taken down from the cross, it was placed in the arms of his mother, who must have recalled the first time she held him in her arms at Bethlehem.) Is it possible that she recalled that those same hands now pierced on a cross had once been warmed by the breath of oxen in a manger? Is it possible that her eyes filled with new tears as she remembered that she had once nourished his body with food from her own?<o:p></o:p>

Let us pray: Lord, with your mother, those of us who try to love you and follow you have discovered that this is not Bethlehem, but Calvary. We know this when we see again that the hands that once accepted the gifts of the Magi have since been pierced with nails. Help us, Lord, like your mother, to travel the Stations of the Cross—we, too, must go from Bethlehem to Calvary... and beyond!<o:p></o:p>

Conclusion - The Beginning<o:p></o:p>

Christ: So ends my mortal life. But now another life begins—for Mary, for Mary Magdalene, for John, for Peter... for you! My earthly life's work is done. My work within and through my church must now commence. I look to you, my other self, the one to whom I am joined in baptism, day in, day out, from this time forth, be my apostle, my servant, my saint. Go in peace. Serve the Lord!<o:p></o:p>

All: Thanks be to God!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

The Easter Vigil<o:p></o:p>

There is a long-standing tradition in the church that Christians should "make Vigil" the night before Easter. Having gone through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the church has become a dark and depressing place. On Ash Wednesday, the Pascal Candle that symbolizes Christ's sacrifice is extinguished, and it remains, unlit, on the platform at the front of the sanctuary throughout Lent.<o:p></o:p>

We gather with students and adults on Holy Saturday at 10 p.m. by the fireplace outside the sanctuary. Taking a flame from the hearth, we relight the paschal candle and follow it into the totally dark sanctuary. People are invited to take the flame from the paschal candle and light all of the other candles in the sanctuary.<o:p></o:p>

The following liturgy reflects the ancient practice of focusing on many of the biblical passages about light and dark and about water, all leading to Easter morning—the light of Christ and the saving waters of baptism.<o:p></o:p>

The Service of Light<o:p></o:p>

Welcome<o:p></o:p>

Opening prayer<o:p></o:p>

Liturgy of the light<o:p></o:p>

Leader: It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam's sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people.<o:p></o:p>

Students: This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land.<o:p></o:p>

Leader: This is the night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.<o:p></o:p>

Students: This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave.<o:p></o:p>

Leader: How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son. <o:p></o:p>

Students: How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and men and women are reconciled to God. <o:p></o:p>

All: Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning—he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. .<o:p></o:p>

Procession of the light into the sanctuary<o:p></o:p>

Responsive greeting<o:p></o:p>

Leader: Jesus Christ is the light of the world,<o:p></o:p>

Students: the light no darkness can overcome. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening<o:p></o:p>

Students: and the day is almost over. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: Let your light scatter the darkness<o:p></o:p>

Students: and illumine your church. <o:p></o:p>

Hymn: "O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ"
The Phos Hilarion is an ancient hymn of light, found in most hymnals. <o:p></o:p>

The Service of Lessons<o:p></o:p>

First lesson: The Story of Creation Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Silence
Prayer<o:p></o:p>

Second lesson: The Flood Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:13-18; 9:8-13
Silence<o:p></o:p>

Third lesson: Israel's Deliverance Exodus 14:21-15:1a<o:p></o:p>

Song of Moses and Miriam (responsively)<o:p></o:p>

Leader: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. <o:p></o:p>

Students: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has been my Savior. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. <o:p></o:p>

Students: Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? <o:p></o:p>

Students: In your mercy you led forth the people you set free; you guided them in your strength to your holy habitation. <o:p></o:p>

Leader: You will bring them in and plant them on the mount that is your possession, <o:p></o:p>

Students: The place, O Lord, you have made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have prepared. <o:p></o:p>

All: The Lord shall reign forever and ever. <o:p></o:p>

Silence<o:p></o:p>

Song: "Jesus, I Surrender"
Jesus, I surrender, all my life I give.
I'm sick of only dying, I want to really live.
You're the only one who can bring peace to my life,
so you can have me, Jesus, I yield you all my rights.
Lord, I'm yours. I surrender, I am yours. (Repeat line.) (Repeat all.) <o:p></o:p>

Fourth lesson: Salvation Offered Freely to All Isaiah 55:6-11
Silence
Prayer<o:p></o:p>

Fifth lesson: A New Heart and New Spirit Jeremiah 31:31-34<o:p></o:p>

All (in unison): The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.<o:p></o:p>

Sixth lesson: Dying and Rising with Christ Romans 6:3-11
Silence<o:p></o:p>

Seventh lesson: Sealing the Tomb Matthew 27:57-66<o:p></o:p>

Affirmation of faith
Apostles' Creed
All (in unison): I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Closing song: "All in All"<o:p></o:p>

Benediction<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Reaffirmation of Baptism<o:p></o:p>

Christy, who was graduating from high school, came to see me. She had been a faithful Christian as a sophomore and junior, but had fallen away from her faith as a senior. Before she left for college, she wanted to be baptized again. She said she didn't feel like her earlier baptism was valid because of how she had lived her life as a senior, so we talked about the nature of baptism in our tradition and about the pragmatics of baptizing people every time they fall away from Christ.<o:p></o:p>

We decided it would be better for her to reaffirm her baptism, and I did some research on a service for such an occasion. Combining the best of the few I found, I designed the following service. Christy invited her family and a few of her closest friends, some of whom read scripture. We held the service in a circle at the front of the sanctuary. (You can modify this service for use with a large group.)<o:p></o:p>

Welcome<o:p></o:p>

Reaffirmation of baptismal vows<o:p></o:p>

Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ.<o:p></o:p>

Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins.<o:p></o:p>

Do you renounce evil and the false values of this world? I renounce them. <o:p></o:p>

And now I ask you to confess the faith into which you were baptized, and in which you continue to live and grow�?/SPAN><o:p></o:p>

Do you believe in God, who made you and loves you? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. <o:p></o:p>

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord? I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven; he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. <o:p></o:p>

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, and the continuing work of our salvation? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. <o:p></o:p>

This is the faith of God's baptized people. We are not ashamed to confess it in Christ our Lord.<o:p></o:p>

I ask you now to pledge yourselves to Christ's ministry in the world�?/SPAN><o:p></o:p>

Will you continue in the community of faith, the apostles' teaching, the breaking of bread and the prayers? With God's help, I will.<o:p></o:p>

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ? With God's help, I will.<o:p></o:p>

Will you seek Christ in all people, and love your neighbor as yourself? With God's help, I will.<o:p></o:p>

Will you strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being? With God's help, I will.<o:p></o:p>

May almighty God, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, keep you steadfast in the faith and bring you to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<o:p></o:p>

Scripture readings<o:p></o:p>

Silent meditation on the meaning of baptism<o:p></o:p>

The pastor makes the sign of the cross with water on the forehead of each person who is reaffirming baptismal vows and says, "Remember that you have been baptized into Christ in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."<o:p></o:p>

The pastor then sprinkles water on everyone present (preferably with a palm branch), saying, "Remember your baptism!"<o:p></o:p>

Close with a song and a prayer of blessing.<o:p></o:p>