NOTES
for the
Family Service
at
St. Augustine's

2003 March 30

These are notes and comments on some of the items which appear in the Family Service script. Links from the script point to these entries; clicking the links in the left hand column of the table takes you back to the corresponding link in the script - or, where more than one link from the script points to the note, back to the first such link.

The comments are typically related to features of the service which are specific to our church or the time of the service, or which for some other reason we think might require alteration for another setting.

For references to the internal geography of the church, it might be helpful to inspect the plan.


BEFORE THE SERVICE -
Properties : Bell for leper;

Suitcase with toys etc in it;

Lavender sprigs - enough for each person in the congregation.

Furniture : Table at front with a pot on it containing 'sparklers'; there should be enough sparklers for everyone in the congregation.

Small table on the altar side of the altar rail, near the gap in the middle. The basket of lavender sprigs for people to collect will eventually be put on it.

People : Overhead projector operator ready.

Helpers and Leader at back with 'sparklers' ready to proceed in.


CHARITIES. Devonport Christian Care and Auckland City Mission are both local Christian charitable organisations which give help to people in need. Any organisation of similar character will do.


GIFTS. The gifts ( bread, cooking pot, fruit, sheep, shopping basket, tractor, truck ) are ( obviously ! ) models. Details are unimportant, but they should be big enough to be recognisable from anywhere in the congregation.


HEARTS. These were pieces of thin red card shaped like two hearts side by side, joined and folded at the common edge, bearing these texts :

"page" 1 : "God is love" ( John 4.16 );

"page" 2 : The Ten Commandments ( Exodus 20.3-17 );

"page" 3 : Jesus's Greatest Commandments ( Mark 12.30-31 );

"page" 4 : St Paul on love ( 1 Corinthians 13.4-8 ).


LAVENDER SPRIGS. Lavender sprigs are made out of three lavender shoots, tied together with purple curling ribbon. They are placed in a basket which is originally on the altar, and later moved to a point from which people can collect them. There should be enough sprigs for each member of the congregation to have one.


SMALL TABLE This table stands by the gap in the communion rail. It is used towards the end of the service to hold the basket of lavender sprigs. We have assumed that it's there all the time, but there's no reason why it couldn't be moved to there later on if it would get in the way.


SPARKLERS. Short ( 20cm ) wooden sticks with several shiny brightly coloured strips attached to one end; they give a festive impression when waved. Further details.


TABLE The table must be big enough to hold the pot for the sparklers, the gifts for which we give thanks, and the charitable donations.


TESTIMONY. The testimony is personal and unscripted. It should emphasise the grace of God which drew the speaker to Christianity.


THANKSGIVING PRAYER. Any general thanksgiving will be equally satisfactory.