Active worship
Ideas to engage different ages, spiritual styles and learning preferences.
A simple worship activity for all ages
Prepare a table with a paper tablecloth and some simple bread and grapes (see Prepare the space), and have pencils and pens available.
Ask everyone to think of someone they would like to invite to come to the table with them. It could be a friend, a family member, a neighbour, a colleague – but someone they know, someone who, like Zacchaeus, might be in need of kind hospitality. Invite everyone to come to the table and write the name of their guest on the tablecloth. If mobility is an issue, you could give out pieces of tablecloth that are then placed on the table when ready. While this is happening, quietly play or sing a suitable song (e.g. ‘All are welcome’). Finally, invite people to think of those they have brought to the table, and say this prayer:
Today salvation has come to this house.
We pray for those who long for healing,
for those who long for welcome,
for those who long for rescue.
The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Amen.
E S
Sharing your gifts
Divide the congregation into groups, and give each group a sheet of paper and some pens. Ask them to discuss all the skills and talents they could share with others in the wider church and local community. Invite the groups to imagine that the piece of paper is a table to be prepared for a sharing feast – but instead of food items, the feast is made up of their gifts and talents. Ask them to write or draw their sharing ideas on the paper. You could display the results by placing the pieces of paper on or near tables used for refreshments after the service.
W E A
Play a change game
Divide the congregation into small groups, and give each group some play dough (or a couple of pipe cleaners). Each person in turn should mould a figure or an object of their own choice, then hand it to the next person. That person then makes something different. Allow each person a set amount of time (say, 15 seconds), so that things move quickly. You can mark the time with a whistle or a shout. As they are doing this, invite everyone to reflect on this action as representing God reshaping our lives. E S
Enjoy a feast
Divide the congregation into groups, and give each group a ‘tasting plate’ of Middle Eastern foods – the sort of foods that Zacchaeus might have given Jesus, such as flatbread, fruit, cheese, hummus, falafel (see Prepare the space) – and invite them to try all the items (remember to warn about allergies, where appropriate). Ask the groups to discuss the best foods to choose for a party, to make sure everyone feels welcome. W E S