Welcome to St Named Church, Yourtown Christingle service 9 December 2007 The second Sunday of Advent

1. This PowerPoint presentation includes a complete service, a talk on light and dark, and an explanation of the Christingle orange. There are blank slides at various points to make it easier for you to add your own material - delete them if you don�t need them. You can therefore use all or part of this presentation according to your local needs. Slides 1-7,43,44 Introduction, worship, conclusion Slides 8-32 The talk on light and darkness Slides 33-36 Prayer building on the theme of the talk Slides 37-42 Explanation of Christingle oranges Have the first slide on the screen 15 minutes before the start of the service. It will be something to look at, and the very presence of the screen and the message will help people to relax and feel welcome. However, it is also important that they are given a warm (but not over-the-top) welcome by a human being as they arrive, and if necessary shown to a suitable seat! This PowerPoint presentation includes a complete service, a talk on light and dark, and an explanation of the Christingle orange. There are blank slides at various points to make it easier for you to add your own material - delete them if you don�t need them. You can therefore use all or part of this presentation according to your local needs. Slides 1-7,43,44 Introduction, worship, conclusion Slides 8-32 The talk on light and darkness Slides 33-36 Prayer building on the theme of the talk Slides 37-42 Explanation of Christingle oranges Have the first slide on the screen 15 minutes before the start of the service. It will be something to look at, and the very presence of the screen and the message will help people to relax and feel welcome. However, it is also important that they are given a warm (but not over-the-top) welcome by a human being as they arrive, and if necessary shown to a suitable seat!

2. This slide can be shown during the welcome and notices. As with many Christmas services, we should assume that in the Christingle congregation there are people who do not come to church very often, or who are visitors from other places. Putting up the names of the participants here (and at other appropriate times) will help people to relax and feel �at home�.This slide can be shown during the welcome and notices. As with many Christmas services, we should assume that in the Christingle congregation there are people who do not come to church very often, or who are visitors from other places. Putting up the names of the participants here (and at other appropriate times) will help people to relax and feel �at home�.

3. It is always good to announce page numbers if you have a service book, but put them on screen as well to remind people or to help those who may not catch what you say first time. As an alternative, you could put all the text into this presentation, so that they do not need a book at all.It is always good to announce page numbers if you have a service book, but put them on screen as well to remind people or to help those who may not catch what you say first time. As an alternative, you could put all the text into this presentation, so that they do not need a book at all.

4. You could add the full Bible text to duplicate slides if you wish. It is often helpful for people to be able to see as well as hear the words. For some members of the congregation the biblical imagery will be unfamiliar and it will be a special help for them to be able to focus on some parts of the reading that do make sense, or to have unfamiliar words or ideas reinforced visually.You could add the full Bible text to duplicate slides if you wish. It is often helpful for people to be able to see as well as hear the words. For some members of the congregation the biblical imagery will be unfamiliar and it will be a special help for them to be able to focus on some parts of the reading that do make sense, or to have unfamiliar words or ideas reinforced visually.

5. Use this blank slide to put in Bible text, hymn words or other item at this point.Use this blank slide to put in Bible text, hymn words or other item at this point.

6. This Bible passage will be familiar to many people as a traditional Christmas reading, although it may need further explanation to help people unfamiliar with it to understand that �the Word� is Jesus!This Bible passage will be familiar to many people as a traditional Christmas reading, although it may need further explanation to help people unfamiliar with it to understand that �the Word� is Jesus!

7. Use this blank slide to put in Bible text, hymn words or other item at this point.Use this blank slide to put in Bible text, hymn words or other item at this point.

8. This is where the talk starts. Tell people we�re going to think about the difference light makes to our lives. The slides are meant to be used quite quickly with only a few brief but well-chosen words to each one. Use the ideas that follow as a starter, but make it all your own. Light is something we take for granted. It�s almost always there - daylight, or artificial light. Even if we go out in the dark, we can carry a torch. This is where the talk starts. Tell people we�re going to think about the difference light makes to our lives. The slides are meant to be used quite quickly with only a few brief but well-chosen words to each one. Use the ideas that follow as a starter, but make it all your own. Light is something we take for granted. It�s almost always there - daylight, or artificial light. Even if we go out in the dark, we can carry a torch.

9. If possible have someone ready to turn out the lights when you ask them. But warn people first! Otherwise, use the slide as an illustration of darkness, and get people to close their eyes and imagine darkness. Let�s see what we can see when the lights go out! You can�t see much in the dark, can you? If possible have someone ready to turn out the lights when you ask them. But warn people first! Otherwise, use the slide as an illustration of darkness, and get people to close their eyes and imagine darkness. Let�s see what we can see when the lights go out! You can�t see much in the dark, can you?

10. Let�s throw some light on the situation! (If the lights are out, you could strike a match before moving to this slide.) Even a little light, like a match or a candle, can pierce the darkness and help us to see a few things.Let�s throw some light on the situation! (If the lights are out, you could strike a match before moving to this slide.) Even a little light, like a match or a candle, can pierce the darkness and help us to see a few things.

11. Once we have some light, we can do things like read a book.Once we have some light, we can do things like read a book.

12. So let�s think about the sort of things we need light for. Ask for suggestions. Collect some, and then weave the m into the next few slides. Try to get people of all ages contributing.So let�s think about the sort of things we need light for. Ask for suggestions. Collect some, and then weave the m into the next few slides. Try to get people of all ages contributing.

13. When you lose something, like a coin that runs into a corner, it often helps to put the light on or to shine a torch, to give extra light so that you can see it more easily. Anyone done that recently? Did you find what you were looking for? When you lose something, like a coin that runs into a corner, it often helps to put the light on or to shine a torch, to give extra light so that you can see it more easily. Anyone done that recently? Did you find what you were looking for?

14. When you are driving in the dark countryside, the car headlights shine on the road ahead and help the driver to steer the car safely. In towns, there are streetlights so that we can walk from one place to another without getting lost. In a power cut, a torch can help us find the fuse box or some candles.When you are driving in the dark countryside, the car headlights shine on the road ahead and help the driver to steer the car safely. In towns, there are streetlights so that we can walk from one place to another without getting lost. In a power cut, a torch can help us find the fuse box or some candles.

15. And light is essential to life itself. There are a very few organisms that live in the deepest oceans that do not need light - but apart from them, all living things need light. Plants do not grow well (if at all) if they are denied light - that�s why in a dense woodland there may be patches of bare earth all year round. And people need light to grow, too. Exposure to daylight helps our bodies to make Vitamin D, an essential building block for bones and teeth.And light is essential to life itself. There are a very few organisms that live in the deepest oceans that do not need light - but apart from them, all living things need light. Plants do not grow well (if at all) if they are denied light - that�s why in a dense woodland there may be patches of bare earth all year round. And people need light to grow, too. Exposure to daylight helps our bodies to make Vitamin D, an essential building block for bones and teeth.

16. So just as light does these three things, so in a different sort of way does Jesus, who is sometimes called �the light of the world�.So just as light does these three things, so in a different sort of way does Jesus, who is sometimes called �the light of the world�.

17. He shows us what God is like. God is too great for us to be able to see, because he doesn�t have a body like us, he isn�t limited to one place or time as we are. But Jesus was God in human form. He took on the limitations of human life in order to show us what God is really like. So as we read about the life of Jesus, and see the things he did and hear the things he said, we�re getting a glimpse of what God is like. For example. we see his love and care, his concern for justice and truth. But Jesus also shows us what we�re like. We soon realise that we don�t match up to Jesus� standards. (Give one or two examples, perhaps from current news stories: we�re not very good at forgiving people, loving our enemies, etc.) He shows us what God is like. God is too great for us to be able to see, because he doesn�t have a body like us, he isn�t limited to one place or time as we are. But Jesus was God in human form. He took on the limitations of human life in order to show us what God is really like. So as we read about the life of Jesus, and see the things he did and hear the things he said, we�re getting a glimpse of what God is like. For example. we see his love and care, his concern for justice and truth. But Jesus also shows us what we�re like. We soon realise that we don�t match up to Jesus� standards. (Give one or two examples, perhaps from current news stories: we�re not very good at forgiving people, loving our enemies, etc.)

18. The sort of light Jesus promises to give us is very positive. Have you ever been in a situation when you don�t know what to do or say? The New Testament promises that if we ask God for wisdom, he�ll give it. The more we get to know God by reading the Bible, through prayer and worship, the more we�ll find his �light� coming into our lives and helping us to do and say the things that really help people - rather than the things we want to do or say.The sort of light Jesus promises to give us is very positive. Have you ever been in a situation when you don�t know what to do or say? The New Testament promises that if we ask God for wisdom, he�ll give it. The more we get to know God by reading the Bible, through prayer and worship, the more we�ll find his �light� coming into our lives and helping us to do and say the things that really help people - rather than the things we want to do or say.

19. Lots of people today are aware of the spiritual dimension to life. If we�re honest, most of us want a god we can contain and control. But if we�re really serious about spirituality, then we�ve got to be willing to let God get to work on our lives - perhaps rooting out the �weeds� (things that aren�t right in our thoughts or actions), and giving us the strength to do what is right. Jesus the light of the world isn�t just an idea, nor just a dead person in history. But a living God who can help transform our lives into something beautiful for God, and for others.Lots of people today are aware of the spiritual dimension to life. If we�re honest, most of us want a god we can contain and control. But if we�re really serious about spirituality, then we�ve got to be willing to let God get to work on our lives - perhaps rooting out the �weeds� (things that aren�t right in our thoughts or actions), and giving us the strength to do what is right. Jesus the light of the world isn�t just an idea, nor just a dead person in history. But a living God who can help transform our lives into something beautiful for God, and for others.

20. �Darkness� means everything that is bad or wrong - fear, hatred, violence In the Bible, �darkness� is used to describe things that are bad or wrong. You could ask for suggestions of what kind of things (perhaps in the news locally or globally) come under that heading.In the Bible, �darkness� is used to describe things that are bad or wrong. You could ask for suggestions of what kind of things (perhaps in the news locally or globally) come under that heading.

21. �Darkness� means everything that is bad or wrong - fear, hatred, violence Bad things sometimes happen to good people. But if we�re trusting Jesus and seeking to relate to him day by day, then we can know his presence and his help in every situation. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. But if we�re trusting Jesus and seeking to relate to him day by day, then we can know his presence and his help in every situation.

22. That�s exactly what our second reading said. (Read the verse on the screen - you could ask everyone to join in.)That�s exactly what our second reading said. (Read the verse on the screen - you could ask everyone to join in.)

23. Remember the sun? (Depending on the current weather, you could say it did shine, once or twice, this year, or did you notice it as you came in, etc.) Remember the sun? (Depending on the current weather, you could say it did shine, once or twice, this year, or did you notice it as you came in, etc.)

24. Often of course, a cloud covers the sun. You can�t actually see the sun any more.Often of course, a cloud covers the sun. You can�t actually see the sun any more.

25. And in a really heavy storm, the sky can go very dark and it can almost seem like the evening even in the middle of the day.And in a really heavy storm, the sky can go very dark and it can almost seem like the evening even in the middle of the day.

26. But actually, there�s still some light coming from the sun, even though we can�t see it. The cloud hasn�t put the sun out. It�s hidden the source of our light, but not the light itself.But actually, there�s still some light coming from the sun, even though we can�t see it. The cloud hasn�t put the sun out. It�s hidden the source of our light, but not the light itself.

27. And eventually, of course, the clouds pass or evaporate under the heat of the sun, and we see it shining again.And eventually, of course, the clouds pass or evaporate under the heat of the sun, and we see it shining again.

28. That�s another picture of the light of Jesus. He never stops shining - in other words, he never goes to sleep, never goes on holiday, never gives up on us or anyone else. He�s always there. He never stops loving us.That�s another picture of the light of Jesus. He never stops shining - in other words, he never goes to sleep, never goes on holiday, never gives up on us or anyone else. He�s always there. He never stops loving us.

29. And he promised always to be with us. We may not feel him near, but he�s there, none the less.And he promised always to be with us. We may not feel him near, but he�s there, none the less.

30. And that means that nothing in the world can stop us living for him and serving him and doing what he wants. Whatever problems we face, he may not take them away but he can help us find a way through them - the Bible says we can cast our burdens on him, because he cares for us. He supports us in good times and bad. And that means that nothing in the world can stop us living for him and serving him and doing what he wants. Whatever problems we face, he may not take them away but he can help us find a way through them - the Bible says we can cast our burdens on him, because he cares for us. He supports us in good times and bad.

31. Use this slide to reinforce the message.Use this slide to reinforce the message.

32. Use this and the next slide (adapted if necessary) as in introduction to a prayerful response to the talk.Use this and the next slide (adapted if necessary) as in introduction to a prayerful response to the talk.

34. Lord Jesus,Take away the darkness from my life;Help me to shine with your love in the world; and may your light break through the dark places of the world where there is fear, hatred and violence.Amen. You could ask everyone to join in the prayer.You could ask everyone to join in the prayer.

35. Add hymn or other items hereAdd hymn or other items here

36. Use a responsive prayer if possible to help people continue to take part and to respond to the talk.Use a responsive prayer if possible to help people continue to take part and to respond to the talk.

37. This is an introduction to the Christingle symbol, which you can use before giving out the oranges.This is an introduction to the Christingle symbol, which you can use before giving out the oranges.

38. You could ask people if they know what each items stands for. The orange is the world - but not just the physical earth, the �world� (people) he made and loves.You could ask people if they know what each items stands for. The orange is the world - but not just the physical earth, the �world� (people) he made and loves.

39. The red ribbon reminds us that the Jesus whose birth we celebrate was born to die. At Easter, he fulfilled his mission by dying on the cross and rising again - that was God�s way of giving us the opportunity to make a fresh start, to enjoy his forgiveness and enter into a loving relationship with him that will never end.The red ribbon reminds us that the Jesus whose birth we celebrate was born to die. At Easter, he fulfilled his mission by dying on the cross and rising again - that was God�s way of giving us the opportunity to make a fresh start, to enjoy his forgiveness and enter into a loving relationship with him that will never end.

40. The sweets or fruits can remind us of the four corners of the earth (God cares for all people), the four seasons (God provides through the harvests of the world all that we need), and the good things that he provides (that we sometimes forget to thank him for).The sweets or fruits can remind us of the four corners of the earth (God cares for all people), the four seasons (God provides through the harvests of the world all that we need), and the good things that he provides (that we sometimes forget to thank him for).

41. And here�s the final reminder of what we�ve been thinking about: Jesus the light of the world. Why not take this candle home and save it for Christmas day? Light it before you have Christmas dinner and say a simple thank you prayer for Jesus, whose birthday we�re celebrating, asking him to be present and active in our lives every day.And here�s the final reminder of what we�ve been thinking about: Jesus the light of the world. Why not take this candle home and save it for Christmas day? Light it before you have Christmas dinner and say a simple thank you prayer for Jesus, whose birthday we�re celebrating, asking him to be present and active in our lives every day.

42. Have this slide showing while the Christngles are given out. Have some appropriate organ or other music playing quietly.Have this slide showing while the Christngles are given out. Have some appropriate organ or other music playing quietly.

43. Use this slide for your service conclusion, putting up the full text if you wish.Use this slide for your service conclusion, putting up the full text if you wish.

44. Don�t turn the projector straight off! Leave up a notice about other events, which people can read as they gather their things, or stay behind for refreshments if you are serving them (it�s a good idea to do so if you can!).Don�t turn the projector straight off! Leave up a notice about other events, which people can read as they gather their things, or stay behind for refreshments if you are serving them (it�s a good idea to do so if you can!).