All-age service: Pentecost power!

Bible passage: Acts 2:1-41

Key verse: “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:3.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP ACTIVITY

Option 1

10 minutes

Divide into smaller, mixed-age groups and ask each group to write their own psalm based on Psalm 136. Each person takes a turn to remember something God has done for them and say it in one line (as in Psalm 136), followed by the whole group repeating the refrain: “His love goes on and on for ever.”

Option 2

5 minutes

You will need: mirrors; sleeping bags and pillows; large shoes; cakes and drinks

Set up different prayer stations around the room. Complete each activity and then pray for the specified topic.

Breathing: breathe on the mirror and, write ‘Thank you’ or draw a happy face. Thank God that he give us breath. Pray for those with illnesses that affect their breathing eg asthma or lung disease.

Sleeping: get inside a sleeping bag and thank God that he gives us sleep to refresh and gives us energy for the next day. Pray for anyone who is struggling to sleep.

Walking: put on some shoes and walk in them. Thank God that he gives us the strength and ability to walk and run. Pray for those with injuries or illnesses that affect their ability to walk.

Eating and drinking: share the refreshments and thank God that he gives us food to keep us healthy. Pray for those in poverty, and that we will be a people who give to others as God gives to us. If appropriate, provide details of local foodbanks.

STORY

10 minutes

You will need: snacks; wind sound effect; red, orange and yellow fabric

Before the service, ask three volunteers to play the parts of Cleopas, his companion and Jesus.

Cleopas and his friend were travelling from Jerusalem to their home village, called Emmaus. Cleopas and his companion should start walking around the church.

They had had quite a week! They had watched as their friend Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding a donkey, while the crowds cheered and sang to welcome him. Then they had watched the crowd turn against him. The religious leaders had arrested Jesus and sent him to the Roman governor, called Pilate. They had watched the crowds shout for Jesus’ death. They had cried as Jesus was nailed to a cross and died.

That was two days ago. Then this morning, some women said that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb and they had seen angels who said that Jesus was alive! Well, Cleopas and his friend didn’t know what to think. It had all become too confusing and they decided to go home.

As they were walking along the road, another traveller caught them up and started to chat. Jesus catches up with the two travellers and mimes chatting to them.

This new companion didn’t seem to know what had happened in Jerusalem over the past week. Cleopas was surprised. How could anyone not know about Jesus? The whole city was talking about him!

Cleopas told their new friend all about what had happened. When he finished, the traveller said something a bit surprising: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” The three actors stop. Cleopas and his friend look shocked and surprised.

The new companion then started to tell them everything about God’s special saviour, starting with Moses and going through all the scriptures. The three start walking. Jesus mimes talking, while the other two look surprised and amazed.

Finally, they got to Emmaus. The three come to a table with the bread and wine on it.

Cleopas told the traveller that it was getting dark and he should stay with them for the night. During dinner, the stranger took the bread and broke it. Jesus does this.

Suddenly, Cleopas and his friend knew who the man was. It was Jesus! As soon as they thought this, Jesus disappeared. Jesus goes off stage.

The friends were so surprised, they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell everyone what had happened! Cleopas and friend rush off stage.

REFLECTIVE RESPONSE

Option 1

10 minutes

You will need: snacks; wind sound effect; red, orange and yellow fabric

Lay out the ‘fire’ material across the floor. Play the wind sound effect again, but more softly this time.

Invite people to lie down on the material and think about the story and say the following:

Sometimes, we are like the disciples in the room. Waiting for God to act, we are surrounded by uncertainties and overwhelmed by our own weaknesses.

Forgive us, Father God, when we behave like the Pharisees, judging and tutting at others.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for promising to be with us. We need your power. Holy Spirit, please fill us and give us the power to be all you have made us to be and to do all you have asked us to do. Amen

Option 2

15 minutes

You will need: dressing-up clothes for the disciples, crowd, Pharisees, Peter and people today; toy microphones

Set out the clothes in different areas of your space. In pairs or threes, the congregation should visit each character, dress up and interview each other. Encourage them to think about what each character would make of the story’s events.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

10 minutes

Divide into mixed aged groups. Give under-fives some orange, red and yellow crepe paper to make a fire collage while you’re chatting, but ensure they’re still included in the discussion.