Wild Goose Big Book of Worship Resources

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• Publisher: Wild Goose Publications
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781849525312
• eBook ISBN: 9781849525367
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

A wide-ranging collection of resources for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Transfiguration, Harvest, Holocaust Memorial Day, Mothering Sunday, and other special days, and on areas of concern, like refugees and peacemaking. Worship rooted in city and country, in work and in schools, in peacemaking and the eradication of poverty, in churches and the Iona Community resident group... So - as always with the Iona Community - worship which is contextual, prophetic, with a strong justice and peace edge. Originally published as single digital downloads by Wild Goose, these are now all brought together for the first time in one of at least two Big Books of resources and liturgies. Contributors include Jan Sutch Pickard, Tom Gordon, Ruth Burgess, Ian M Fraser, Thom M Shuman, Ruth Harvey, John Harvey, Joy Mead, David Rhodes, Chris Polhill, Kathryn Turner, Janet Lees, Rosemary Power, Glendon Macaulay, Tim Aldred, Dave Broom, Elaine Gisbourne and others.

Unexpected blessings

A dialogue and reflection on Genesis 18:1-15

Dave Broom

Introduction

Voice:	Our reading (today/tonight) comes from Genesis 18 [1–15]. The desert is an inhospitable, potentially deadly environment for human beings. Temperatures can rise to 45 degrees Celsius, or more, in the daytime, and plunge to as low as minus 18 at night. There is the risk of dehydration, heatstroke and frostbite and the danger of sandstorms.
	Desert-dwellers know the essential basic importance of shelter, food and water. And it is customary for them to offer hospitality to those who pass by their tents on their travels. Hospitality is a sacred act, and one that is vital if people are to survive in the harsh conditions.
	This giving seems to be all one way but, as we shall see in our story, can sometimes lead to unexpected blessings …
Reader:	The Lord appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day, he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground, he said, ‘Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. Let me bring some water for you to wash your feet; you can rest here beneath this tree. I will also bring a bit of food; it will give you strength to continue your journey. You have honoured me by coming to my home, so let me serve you.’ They replied, ‘Thank you; we accept.’ Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, ‘Quick, take a sack of your best flour, and bake some bread.’ Then he ran to the herd and picked out a calf that was tender and fat, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to get it ready. He took some cream, some milk, and the meat, and set the food before the men. There under the tree he served them himself, and they ate.
	Then they asked him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ ‘She is there in the tent,’ he answered. One of them said, ‘Nine months from now I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son.’
Voice:	Abraham had some very unexpected guests: guests who brought him some very good – and unexpected – news. Abraham offered self-giving hospitality to his guests, and his guests rewarded him. Would we receive unexpected visitors in the same way today? …

Scene: Israel’s Household and Garden Supplies, Peckham, South London

Dramatis personae:

Mr Israel/Abe – shop owner

Sarah – Abe’s wife

Ronald – a young shop assistant

Sound effect: Rain (use a rain stick or a recording), gradually fade …

This dialogue/drama can be spoken, or acted out in the crossing of a church, etc. Be creative, have fun and adapt this to your situation.

Narrator:	Peckham, London, November 2016 … It seems to be raining all over London. The streets are dark and cold. It’s the end of the day and people are hurrying home from work. Mr Israel, the elderly owner of Israel’s Household and Garden Supplies, is sitting in the back of his shop doing the accounts for the week. His wife, Sarah, is also in the back room, talking to a friend on the phone, even though, throughout the 35 years of their marriage, he has constantly told her not to talk on the telephone while he is doing the accounts. There are no customers in the shop and Ronald, the young shop assistant, is standing behind the counter staring into space after a long busy day, when he suddenly notices something …
Ronald:	(anxious) Mr Israel, Mr Israel –
Mr Israel:	(annoyed) Ronald, I’m in here. Come and find me if you want to talk to me.
Sarah:	(talking on telephone) Ooh, I know, I saw her yesterday, all dressed up, nowhere to go, looking like butter wouldn’t melt …
Ronald:	(loudly) Mr Israel –
Mr Israel:	Will you please be quiet! I’m trying to finish the books. And Sarah, for the last time, will you please go and take that phone call somewhere else?
Sarah:	Mind, there’s some would say she had something going on with that new vicar … You know, the one who looks like Clark Gable … (Pause) … Ooh, I know!
Ronald:	(bursting into room) Mr Israel!
Mr Israel:	Oh, for goodness’ sake – what is it?
Ronald:	There’s three men standing out in the road!
Mr Israel:	There are three men, Ronald. There are … And anyway, what’s that got to do with me? It’s a free country. People are entitled to stand in the road if they want to … even in the pouring rain. We are a shop, Ronald: we do need to attract customers. Some people have been known to call that business.
Ronald:	But, they’re big men. And they’re right outside.
Sarah:	(putting down the phone) Ooh, maybe you’d better go an...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• An infinity of stars: Daily prayers for Advent
• Advent signs: Prayers, reflections and symbolic actions
• Here is a cross: A meditation for Advent
• Christ in the time of strife: Mary’s memories: Narratives for the four weeks of Advent
• Readings for Holocaust Memorial Day
• Prayers for lighting candles
• Love has many faces: A meditative prayer for Valentine’s Day
• A Lenten and Easter cycle
• Come dancing: A Bible study and reflection for Lent
• Mothering God: Reflections for Mothering Sunday
• Prayers for Holy Week
• These are the friends: A song for Maundy Thursday or Good Friday
• At the foot of the Cross: A meditation for Good Friday for several voices
• Good Friday and Holy Saturday: Three reflections
• It wasn’t the nails: A reflection and prayers on the Cross
• Pentecost as template: A Bible study
• Journey towards Pentecost: A nine-day devotional
• The day of the vision: A dramatic reading and prayers on Acts 10
• A reflection on the story of the Transfiguration
• Ruth’s harvest: Worship resources for Harvest
• Live in the light: Reflections on peacemaking and reconciliation
• Unexpected blessings: A dialogue and reflection on Genesis 18:1-15
• The Prodigal Son returns to Peckham: A dialogue, activity and reflection on Luke 15:11-32
• Called to be a innkeeper: A reflection on Luke 10:25-37, the Good Samaritan
• Jesus was a refugee: Resources for worship
• Living water: Some worship resources
• About the Authors