Family Service
at
St. Augustine's

2002 September 29

Key :

directions
instructions for congregation
movements during service
prayers and readings
sections of the service

Other information :

There are some notes on our production of the service.

A rough plan of the church is available.

A note on copyright.

THE SERVICE.

A DAY AT JACOB'S WELL

Leader Welcome.

Any people not on Parish Roll please fill in a card.

Toilets between two buildings;

Music available - hands up if you would like a set;

There will be a cup of tea available in the Hall after the service - everyone is welcome to join us.

Please stand for the song :
This is the day that the Lord has made.

( During the singing of this hymn the tribesmen and Disciple 1 come to the front. )

This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made;
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made !
We will rejoice and be glad in it !
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made !

SENTENCE
Tribesman 1 Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. For the scripture declares that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in Me."

( John Chapter 7, verses 37,38. )

INTRODUCTION
Disciple 1 This morning we will be thinking about the "River of Life" that flows from God above. As a reminder of this theme we have draped material from the foot of the Cross to the altar, and placed on the altar jars of water which have been blessed by our Vicar and will be used later in the service.
Tribesman 2 We will be imagining some events that may have taken place at Jacob's Well on a day in about 30AD.

( Point to well ) Here is the well, ( point to the back ) and the central area at the back represents the village, Sychar, which was about 1 kilometre from the well. The side aisles represent some of the different routes to the well.

Tribesman 3 The well stood at the junction of two main routes between Judaea and Galilee and was situated in Samaria. At this time Jews and Samaritans did not speak to one another or share their things although they had originally come from similar roots.
Tribesman 4 Jacob's well is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but traditionally Samaritans, Muslims, Christians and Jews all agree that it is associated with Jacob and it is thought that Jacob's people did, indeed, build it in about 1760BC.

The well was found to be 80 metres deep in AD 670, and thought to have been even deeper when it was originally built.

Some of our dramatisation is imaginary - the rest is taken from John's Gospel Chapter 4 and can be found on page 1174 of the pew Bibles.

( The tribesmen stand to one side at the front during this next hymn, Disciple 1 goes to the back by the lectern side aisle. )
Leader Please stand for the hymn :
Jesus is Lord !
Omitted for copyright reasons; further details.
Leader Please sit for the play :

EARLY MORNING AT JACOB'S WELL

It is early morning at Jacob's Well. Overnight a group of Tribesmen have been camping near the well.

They are now preparing to pack up and move on to the hills where there is grass for their animals.

( Tribesman 3 brings ball out; Tribesman 3 and Tribesman 2 play with it in front of the well, with Tribesman 4 as the unwanted child to one side. )
Tribesman 1 Phew - I've finished my morning jobs, can I join in ? We'll all be moving off soon.
Tribesman 3 Yes, come in here - we're just passing the ball from one to another.
( Three Tribesmen play with ball then go into a "gossip huddle". )
Tribesman 2 Remember, don't let HIM play. ( pointing to Tribesman 4 )
Tribesman 3 He's no good.
Tribesman 1 He's hopeless !
Tribesman 3 Did you see what a mess he made of getting the water from the well ?
Tribesman 1 Yes - and he couldn't even pour it into the drinking trough properly.
Tribesman 3 I wonder if he'll be able to keep up with us on our journey today ?
Tribesman 2 I hope I'm not asked to help him.
( They play with the ball; Tribesman 4 gets more and more upset.

Eventually, the ball goes over near Tribesman 4; Tribesman 4 catches or grabs the ball. )

Tribesman 1 Look - he's got the ball ! Quick, get it off him !
( Tribesman 2 grabs the ball back. )
Tribesman 2 We're not letting him join in.
Tribesman 4 Please can I play ?
Tribesman 3 No way - we don't want you.
( Tribesman 4 wanders into a corner. )
Tribesman 1, Tribesman 3 and Tribesman 2 together Oh, look - we're off now !
( All go down far aisle, with Tribesman 4 trailing miserably behind them. They stay at the back. )
Leader ( Points down centre aisle where Woman 1, Woman 2, Woman 3 are coming, miming carrying water jars. Woman 4 joins them as they reach the altar steps. )
Look, here come the women from the village to draw water from the well before it gets too hot.
( When they reach the well they mime filling water jars as they gossip together. )
Woman 1 Have you seen HER today ?
Woman 2 No, and she isn't here - thank goodness. I wonder how she's managing for water ?
Woman 3 Our plan of not talking to her seems to be working.
Woman 4 Yes, I turned my back on her the other day, and she scurried away.
Woman 3 I think she must be getting the message that we don't like her behaviour.
Woman 1 Is that man still with her ?
Woman 4 Yes, I saw him there last night.
Woman 3 It's disgusting, such a bad role model for our children.
Woman 2 She's been married five times and now lives with another man.
Woman 4 I can't stand her. Whenever I see her outside, I call the children in and shut the door so they can't be influenced by her.
Together I do wish she would go away.
( Women pick up their full water pots and return down the central aisle still talking amongst themselves. The others stay at the back. )
Leader Please sit or kneel for the prayers.
Leader Praise You, Lord, for Your wonderful creation.
People We praise You, O Lord.
Leader Thank You, God, for the wonderful gift of Your Son Jesus, who died on the Cross to set Your people free.
People We thank You, O Lord.
Leader Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your Holy Spirit Who enables us to serve You.
People We thank You, O Lord.
Leader Thank You, Lord, that You are our refuge and strength in times of trouble.
People We thank You, O Lord.
Leader We are sorry, Lord, for the times when we are unkind and mean to one another.
People Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Leader Forgive us, Lord, for the times we gossip about each other.
People Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Leader Save us from our enemies and all who desire to harm us.
People Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Leader Teach us, Lord, to be still and know that You are God
People Teach us to be still, O Lord.
Leader ( Singer's name ) will now lead us in Psalm 46.
Singer Teaches the people to sing the refrain.
solo : Refrain :

   Be still, then, and know that I am God.

solo : God is our refuge and strength :
a very present help in trouble.
The Lord of Hosts is with us :
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
all : Refrain
solo : So we will not be afraid though the earth should quake :
and the mountains fall into the depths of the sea,
though the waters of the sea rage and foam :
and the mountains tremble at the tumult.
all : Refrain
solo : There is a river, its streams make glad the city of God :
which the Most High has made a holy dwelling,
God is within her, she can not be shaken :
God will help her at the break of day.
all : Refrain
solo : Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken :
but God has spoken, and the earth melts away.
Come and see what the Lord has done :
the devastation brought upon the earth.
all : Refrain
solo : The Lord makes wars to cease in all the world :
the Lord breaks the bow and snaps the spear, and burns the shields in the fire.
"Be still then, and know that I am God :
high over the nations, high above the earth."
all : Refrain
Leader Please sit for the first reading from John chapter 4, verses 3-6 and 8-9.

NOON AT THE WELL Part 1
( Jesus and disciples go up organ side to the well. )
Leader Jesus and his disciples were on their way from Judaea to Galilee and their journey took them through Samaria.

Jews and Samaritans did not mix together or eat or drink together or share the same drinking cups.

About midday Jesus and his friends reached Jacob's Well - they were hot, tired hungry and thirsty Jesus was especially tired and the disciples suggested that he should rest by the well whilst they went into the village of Sychar to buy food for them all.

( Jesus sits down on the edge of the well and then Disciples 1, 2, and 3 go down the central aisle to the village. )
( Samaritan woman, from the village, walking slowly up the central aisle, carrying a water pot, says : )
Samaritan Woman I must get to the well.
I must get water.
Oh, I wish I didn't have to come all this way at this time of the day, it's so hot.
I do hope there's nobody there.
Oh dear, there is someone there -
What am I to do ?
I have to get water.
Oh my goodness - it's a man.
Oh, that will be OK - I get on well with men. ( Samaritan woman goes behind the well ready to draw water. )
Leader Please stand for the hymn
I heard the voice of Jesus say

1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
  "Come unto Me and rest;
  Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
  Thy head upon My breast" :
  I came to Jesus as I was,
  Weary and worn and sad;
  I found in Him a resting place,
  And He has made me glad.

2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
  "Behold, I freely give
  The living water, thirsty one;
  Stoop down and drink and live" :
  I came to Jesus, and I drank
  Of that life-giving stream;
  My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
  And now I live in Him.

3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
  "I am this dark world's Light;
  Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
  And all thy day be bright" :
  I looked to Jesus, and I found
  In Him my Star, my Sun;
  And in that Light of life I'll walk
  Till travelling days are done.

Leader Please sit for the second reading from John : chapter 4, verses 7 and 9-26.

NOON AT THE WELL Part 2
Jesus Will you give Me a drink of water, please ?
Samaritan Woman You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan - how can you ask me for a drink ?
Jesus If you only knew what a wonderful gift God has for you, and who I am, you would ask Me for some living water !
Samaritan Woman But you don't have a rope or a bucket, and this is a very deep well ! Where would you get this living water ? And besides, are you greater than our ancestor Jacob ? How can you offer better water than this which he and his sons and his cattle enjoyed ?
Jesus Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but the water I give them becomes a perpetual spring within them, watering them for ever with eternal life.
Samaritan Woman Please sir, give me some of that water ! Then I'll never be thirsty again and won't have to make this long trip out here every day.
Jesus Go and get your husband.
Samaritan Woman I'm not married.
Jesus All too true. For you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now.
Samaritan Woman Sir, you must be a prophet ! But, say, tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshipped ?
Jesus Believe me, ma'am, a time is coming when we will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.
Samaritan Woman Well, at least I know that the Messiah will come - the one they call Christ - and when He does He will explain everything to us.
Jesus I am the Messiah !
( PAUSE )
Leader Please stand for the hymn
Ho ! Everyone that thirsteth
Chorus :
  Ho ! ev'ryone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money, come ye buy and eat.
Verse :
  Come buy without money; come, buy without price.
Come buy milk and honey from Jesus Christ
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Verse
Repeat Chorus
Leader Please sit for the third reading from John chapter 4, verses 29, 30, and 39-42.

NOON AT THE WELL Part 3
( Samaritan Woman plonks her water jar down by the well and runs back to the village; when she gets there she says : )
Samaritan Woman Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did ! Can this be the Messiah ?
( The people come streaming from the village and the Tribesmen from the hills, Tribesman 1 to organise 'her' children, Tribesman 3 to be carrying the ball, Woman 1 to organise 'her' children. )

( When all are settled and listening to Jesus : )

Leader They listened to all that Jesus had to say to them, then they begged Jesus to stay at their village and He stayed for two days, long enough for many of them to believe in Him after hearing Him. Then they said to the woman :
All Now we believe because we have heard Him ourselves, not just because of what you told us. He is indeed the Saviour of the world.
( Tribesman 3 with the ball throws it to Tribesman 4 and the women mouth "sorry" to the Samaritan Woman. )

( Organist plays chorus from "Ho ! ev'ryone that thirsteth" whilst the people return to the village and the hills, and Jesus and Samaritan Woman stay at the front. )

Leader Please remain seated for the message.
Speaker The Message.

THE INVITATION
Leader Jesus offered the woman at the well the wonderful gift of God - "Living water".

This morning we offer to each of you the opportunity to drink a small cup of water, which our Vicar has blessed, as a symbol of your desire to receive God's wonderful gift of "living water".

Those who desire to drink this water, please come up the centre aisle and return to your seats down the side aisles. Thank you.

( There are waste paper baskets at the sides for your used drinking cups. )

I invite you now to come and drink.

( Organist plays whilst people come to drink, when all finished - )
Leader Let us all quietly sing this hymn twice - please remain sitting or kneeling.
There is a river
That flows from God above,
There is a fountain
That's filled with His great love,
Come to this water
There is a vast supply,
There is a river
That never shall run dry.
Leader Please stand for the hymn :
Down the mountain the river flows
Omitted for copyright reasons; further details.
Leader Please sit or kneel for the prayers.
Woman 4 Thank You, Lord God, for Your precious gift of "Living water". Help us as we go out into the world to live and work for You. May our lives witness to Your living water flowing through us to all peoples.

Amen.

Woman 2 Lord God, we pray for all people who are outcasts and for those who for different reasons are unable to live comfortably in our society. Help us, Lord God, to reach out to them with your love and compassion. We remember those people in the world who are short of food; comfort them, and help us, who have plenty, to share our wealth with them generously.

Thank you Lord. Amen

Woman 3 Father God, we pray today that You would pour out upon all nations the desire and ability to live with one another in peace and love.
Pour out upon our families the wonderful peace of Jesus, filling each one of us with Your blessings of peace and love; teach each one of us to live harmoniously together, throughout our lives.

Amen

Woman 1 We pray for those who are sick, asking You to heal them and restore them to good health. We pray for those who are troubled or distressed, asking You to comfort them and help them overcome their difficulties through the blessed strength of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Leader : Together we shall sing the Lord's Prayer.
All : Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth, as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours now and for ever. Amen
Leader Please stand for the hymn :
Guide me, O my great Redeemer.
During this hymn a voluntary collection will be received.

1. Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
  pilgrim through this barren land;
  I am weak, but You are mighty,
  hold me with Your powerful hand :
  Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
  feed me now and evermore,
  feed me now and evermore !

2. Open now the crystal fountain
  where the healing waters flow;
  let the fiery, cloudy pillar
  lead me all my journey through :
  Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
  ever be my strength and shield,
  ever be my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan
  bid my anxious fears subside;
  Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
  land me safe on Canaan's side :
  songs of praises, songs of praises,
  I will ever sing to You,
  I will ever sing to You.

Leader May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever; and the blessing of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and those you love today and for ever more. Amen

We invite you all to stay for a cup of tea in the Hall (  behind the church ).

Those taking part :

Leader
Organist
Overhead projector operator
Jesus
Samaritan Woman
Tribesmen
Village Women
Disciples
Singer
Speaker

The sentence, introduction and prayers could all be read by non-actors.