Three into one. How does that work?

​StF 15 The Splendour of the King

Interactive Options
1) Questions to consider: - 
1. We often find the concept of the Trinity difficult to understand. Why might this be?
2. How did the disciples obey the command of Jesus?
3. How might we as a church and also as individuals follow in the footsteps of the disciples?

2) Creative activity:
Make a prayer Kite:
Equipment needed: A couple of sheets of A4 paper (brightly coloured if possible but white can always be coloured if that’s all you have). Pens, pencils, felt tips if you have them. Scissors, string, ruler.
Process.
Fold one sheet of paper into 3 approximately equal sections, unfold and then fold the corners of the top third inwards and likewise with the bottom two thirds to create the kite shape (you might need to jiggle the folds a bit to create the point at the bottom). You may want to cut the folded edges off but it won’t hurt to leave them folded at the back of your kite shape either!
Rule lines across the top to bottom points and the 2 sides – you have created a cross. At the highest point write the word “Father”, at the centre of the cross write the word “Jesus”, at the 2 sides write the words “Holy Spirit” and at the lowest point write your own name.
Decorate the Kite shape as much as you like and think about how all of those words you have written down are linked together by the cross on which Jesus died. Attach a sting to the lowest point of the kite under your name and then use either the bits of the kite that you have cut off or a separate sheet of paper cut into small strips to write short prayers on and tie them to the string to create a prayer streamer at the base of the kite. You could always put this on a notice board at home and update the prayers when you want to or need to.
​3) Meditation: -
Meditate on today’s Bible reading from Matthew’s Gospel (see below). What do these words mean in our lives today?
Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
4) Musical meditation for our times.
Meditate on the words to hymn 399 in Singing the Faith which are printed below. If you want to sing it the tune is Repton to which we usually sing “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”.
1. When deep despair casts out all light
And hope is wearing thin;
Come Spirit, dance with gentle grace,
Shine through the dullness we embrace
And make the colours sing;
And make the colours sing.

2. When greed dictates that children die
And poverty holds sway;
Come Spirit, burn as living flame,
Prompt us to act to end this shame;
Cast apathy away;
Cast apathy away.

3. When colour, lifestyle, creed or name
Cause groundless hate and fear;
Come Spirit, weave a web of peace,
That prejudice and violence cease;
Reveal God’s purpose here;
Reveal God’s purpose here.

4. When guilt and fear tear us apart
And faith’s a bitter thing;
Come Spirit, dance with gentle grace,
Shine through the dullness we embrace
And make God’s colours sing;
And make God’s colours sing. (Michaela Youngson)

​StF 394 Spirit of God, unseen as the wind.

Summing up.

Prayers for others
Our needs in our prayers to God are all different at this time so I invite you to bring your own prayers to God in the silences that follow each bidding.

Father God, Creator of all things, hear our voices in the silence as we bring our prayers to you. (Silence)

Jesus our saviour, Son of God, you gave your life for us, hear our voices in the silence as we bring our prayers to you. (Silence)

Holy Spirit, our comforter, hear our voices in the silence as we bring our prayers to you.
(Silence)
​
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, we worship you and we bring our prayers together before you. We praise you and we thank you knowing that you will always hear the voices of all your children.
Amen

​StF 378 Father of everlasting grace.

​Thanks to the other members of the Interactive Worship team for their contributions of suggestions and ideas for this service.