Please enjoy these resources that were used in opening worship at the NALC’s 2014 Mission Festival (Abida Hearts on Fire) & 2015 Mission Festival (Mission Possible). For other creative ideas, please visit: Creative Worship Ideas.
Adjust Your Mirrors
The sideview and rearview mirrors in an automobile were designed for a driver to periodically take a quick glance at what is happening. Mirrors are essential for safety – but it is never meant for you to remain there. When traveling the road of life, it is important for you to glance back into your “mirror”…
PDF Instructions: Adjust Your Mirrors
Setup: As many mirrors as you can find, dry erase markers (or permanent markers with alcohol wipes that instantly remove the permanent markers).
Downloadable Take Away Card for Participant:
Bring Your “A” Gam
Corporate America understands the principles of economy such as supply
and demand, speed and simplicity, consistency and personality. These principles are directly connected to the success or failure of any business. Those who advance in corporate America, enter with their “A” Game. All kinds of seminars and books are available to teach
methodologies of that which is highly in demand – Attendance, Appearance, Attitude, Ambition, Acceptance, Accountability, and Appreciation. First the natural, than the spiritual. What are the kingdom principles that should be understood by disciples and how do they connect?
PDF Instructions: Bring Your A Game; Bring Your A Game 2
Downloadable Take Away Card for Participant:
You Are Not Alone
Excitement and risk are both part of taking long road trips. However, having the right traveling companion can turn a long, boring monotonous journey into an adventure. In this day and age with technology, even when you are traveling alone, you never are truly traveling alone. Now you can use your GPS instead of cumbersome maps. The challenge is that a manmade GPS isn’t always reliable…
PDF Instructions: You Are Not Alone
Setup: Small piece of string for each participant
Downloadable Take Away Card for Participant: 
His Will, His Way
Are you ready to embark on a journey of faith? Where will faith in God take you? How do you find out what His will is for your life, ministry and church?
PDF Instructions: His Will, His Way
Downloadable Take Away Card for Participant:
Pitstop 1 -Water
Before you take a long car trip, it’s wise to check the water, the battery, the radiator fluid, windshield wiper solution… For believers, water signifies birth and life.
PDF Instructions: Pitstop – Water
Setup – Table, Marshmallows, water, bowl, paper towels
Pitstop 2 – Brakes
Brakes are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle, so it’s crucial that you keep them well maintained and stay on top of any repairs. Surprisingly, brakes are one of the most important safety features while fulfilling the mission.
PDF Instructions: Pitstop 2 – Brakes
Downloadable Take Away Card for Participant:
Pitstop 3 – Oil
The main function of motor engine oils is to lubricate the car engine parts. Lubrication prevents excessive wear of parts, cleans the surfaces, keeps the engine cool, inhibits corrosion and keeps the engine sealed properly. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on His people, His claim on us as His own.
PDF Instructions: Pitstop – Oil
Setup: Oil (for anointing)
Pitstop 4 – Air
Keeping your tires properly inflated has many benefits. Your tires all wear evenly, which prolongs their life and can improve your vehicles fuel economy. When correctly inflated, your tires can perform at their best which means better handling, dependable traction and a more comfortable ride for you. The Holy Spirit is also represented by wind. In fact, the original Hebrew and Greek words for “Spirit” can be translated “wind.”
Downloadable PDF Instructions: Pitstop 1 – Air
Hello – I Am…
How often have you received a name tag when walking into a meeting, conference or church setting? The cheaper disposable name tags often have the script “Hello – I am” at the top. Often times are identities are absconded with, so who we say we are is not what our identity in Christ truly is.
Directions: Have disposable name tags available. Ask each participant to write the “lie” that is believed about his or her identity. Distribute the new “I AM” statements and connect a Scripture verse that will remind the participant of truth instead of the lie.
Downloadable PDF Resource: I Am…
The Knots Prayer
This prayer station creates a “physical” conversation focused on the knots and nots in our daily lives, deciding what we cling to and what we let go.
Prep and Leadership:
Cover table with white table cloth and top with decorative cloth. Place a small group of chairs in a horseshoe in front of the table. Use two easels behind the table to display the poster size instructions and poem. Place the strings and post card instructions where they are easy for participants to access. In the back two corners of the table place grouping of candles.
Supplies:
15 inch piece of twine for each participant
The Knots Prayer printed on post cards
The Knots Prayer and instructions printed on a large display board Chairs for contemplation
Table
Table Cloth (white)
Decorative Table Cloth
Candles
Prayer Station Instructions:
As you hold your piece of twine, take a moment to pause and ask God to show you the unique storyline He is writing in your life. As you read The Knots Prayer tie a knot in your twine every time you say the word knot/not. Then go back to the first knot in your twine and begin a dialogue with God. Work your way down your row of knots pausing to talk with God about what each knot represents. Tie your string around your wrist or to a belt loop as a reminder to continue this conversation with God throughout your day.
Printable download: The Knot Prayer Activity Postcards
Wailing Wall
This contemplative prayer station is intentionally focused on our expression of personal longing. We yearn for God to fit the pieces together and fill in the gaps and brokenness of our daily lives.
Prep and Leadership:
Cover the table with the white table cloth. Unroll the chicken wire and wrap it around the two metal frames. Cut the chicken wire using the wire cutters and secure using the zip ties. Lay the frames flat on the ground on top of each other. Along one side, attach the two frames together using zip ties. Sit the frames up and open like a book. Place the frame on the middle back of the table top to be used as a “wall”. Arrange the blank prayer papers and extra pens on the table. Place some candles around the table or in small groupings (a safe distance from the papers).Next to the table arrange the easel to display the instruction poster. Lead by example, write a few prayer requests and place the papers in the Wailing Wall.
Supplies:
Table
Instructions printed on a large display board Slips of paper
Pencils/pens
Metal frame
Chicken wire and wire cutters
Zip ties
Candles
Prayer Station Instructions:
Often in our stories it may feel like there are gaps that are not filled in; parts of our story where we desire to see God speak into, filling in the gaps the way only He can. Take a slip of paper and write a prayer. Ask God to fill in the gaps and spaces that remain empty without Him. Then fold or roll your paper and tuck it into a crack or space in the wall.
“To you, O Lord I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me” Psalm 25:1 & 4
Source: Truministry
House of Balance
This contemplative prayer station uses a floor plan of a house to visually walk people through their life and prayerfully examine how personal faith is reflected in the different areas of our daily living.
Prep and Leadership:
At the door of the prayer station place the welcome mat and a small table or podium. Tape a floor plan of a simple house on the floor. Label the floor plan with the room signs provided. On table provide instructions so people can walk in and pick them up. Place a few chairs in each “room” to provide a place to stop and contemplate.
The Bedroom (Intimate Relationships)
Closet (The Secrets Only God Knows)
Family Room (Children, Parents, Siblings, Etc)
Office/Den (Details such as Finances, School, Work, Entertainment) Kitchen/Dining Room (Attitudes and Serving Others)
Living Room (Most Public Room – The image you show others)
Supplies:
Masking or painters tape
Room signs/label
Instructional Sheets for each participant Chairs for the rooms
Table/Podium
Welcome Mat
Prayer Station Instructions:
Welcome Home! You have just entered into the “floor plan” of your inner self. Please take an opportunity to walk through the house and pause in each room to prayerfully exam your “inner rooms”
Allow your imagination to play a large part in this activity. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your imagination and to help you be open to God’s presence.
Ponder the questions below for each room:
What does this room represent in my life and in my thinking?
What kind of items would I see lying around in this room?
How do I interact with God in this room, if at all?
How often do I let God into this room?
This week, every time you enter the room in your physical home that you struggle the most with inwardly, let it be a reminder of this conversation with God.
Source: http://www.creativeprayer.com
Printable Instructions: House of Balance Activity Instructions-2
Water and Spirit
This prayer station uses water and cups to demonstrate prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill our lives.
Prep and Leadership:
Place instruction sheets into page protectors and place a reminder label at the bottom right of the page protector. Prepare four or five mini stations around the “water element”. Each mini station will have a chair, a pitcher full of water, a cup, a large basin or bowl to catch the water, Towels and a covered instructional page. Hang a station sign on the back of each station chair. Place the full pitcher and cup inside the basin in front of the chair. Towels to the side of the chair and instructions in the chair.
Supplies:
Pitchers of water Bins to catch water Cups
Towels
*One set of instructions in page protectors for each mini station*
Chairs
Water Display/Fountain/Baptismal Font/Floating candles in Hurricane Vases Table &Table Cloth if needed for water display
Station Signs for the back of each chair
Prayer Station Instructions:
Take some time to settle down, taking deep breaths and relaxing your body. Acknowledge God’s presence with you here, and ask God to help you be open to whatever God wants to reveal to you.
We are all like jars of clay. God’s Spirit not only fills us with love, grace, and hope, but those things spill over and begin to splash on others. That is why smiles, generosity, and laughter are considered contagious.
Take a cup and the pitcher of water. Ask God to fill you with love, and as you do so, slowly fill the cup with water until it is full and over flowing. Let the water flow over your hand and into the basin. As you do this, imagine God filling you with His Spirit to the point of overflowing.
You may empty your cup and fill it again while thinking of His grace, hope or other abundant blessings that come to mind.
Prayer:
God of all who thirst,
Our hearts are parched from wandering in deserts, Far from your life-giving springs.
Call us to your well.
May we drink often from your stream.
Fill our cups with your grace.
Let your love overflow in our hearts,
And make us fully alive.
Amen
Source: http://www.creativeprayer.com
Printable Resources: Water and Spirit Activity Instructions-2
Water and Spirit Prayer Station Sign-2
This prayer station reminds us that there are needs present beyond our own borders. We must be vigilant in prayer for those who are close and farther away.
Prep and Leadership:
Create an adventurous and inviting atmosphere with a travel or global theme. Cover the table with white table cloth and flat maps. In the left back corner of the table display the suitcase and backpack. Center the globe in the table. Along the back of the table display the cultural pictures. In the front right open the map books and arrange the travel brochures. Place instruction sheets into page protectors and place a reminder label at the bottom right of the page protector. Arrange a few chairs out in front of the table. Place a few instruction sheets on the table and a few in the chairs.
Supplies:
Table
Table Cloth (white)
Prayer Station Sign
Globe and flat maps
Suitcase and or backpack
Cultural Pictures
Small maps or travel books
*12-14 copies of Prayer Station Instructions in page protectors* Chairs
Prayer Station Instructions:
Prayer should be a simple and central part of our daily living. We, so many times, focus our daily prayers on those that touch our lives directly, the people we can see, touch and hear with our own ears. It is easy to forget that there are thousands of people beyond our reach that are in desperate need of supplication. Those people are out of sight but should not be out of mind.
Take a good look at the map. Find the place that you call home. Find or discover a place you have never been. Maybe it is a place you know well and have always wanted to visit. Maybe it is a place that you know nothing about.
Find a comfortable place to settle down and focus in prayer. Open your hand and hold it palm up. Now open your mind and remember to pray beyond your personal world and into the unfamiliar world. Each of your five fingers can help remind you to pray BIG every day.
- Pinkie-pray for people who are ill
- Ring Finger-pray for the people who need to experience God’s love
- Middle Finger-pray for the people in power
- Pointer Finger-pray for people who lead
- Thumb-pray for people far away
Take a moment to practice your new five finger prayer. Don’t forget to pray for the people of the country you choose on the world map.
Printable Downloads: Prayer Stations-2 Praying
Martha and Mary
This prayer station helps us to identify our daily habits and tendencies. Then we are asked to reflect on what God’s priorities dictate.
Prep and Leadership:
Cover the table with the red table cloth and set it like a dinner table set for six. Place the center piece in the middle of the table and the candles on both sides. Arrange the chairs at each place setting. Near the table, use the rug, pillows, and stools to make a primitive seating/gathering area. Place instruction sheets into page protectors and place a reminder label at the bottom right of the page protector. Place instructions around the table and seating area.
Supplies:
Rug and Pillows Leather Stools Table and chairs Table Cloth
Six table settings Candles
Center Piece Prayer Station Sign
Prayer Station Instructions:
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus and His disciples arrive at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha around meal time. The Gospels records that Jesus felt comfortable in their home; the four weren’t just acquaintances but close friends. Naturally Martha invited them in. The story that ensues depicts two very different women with different priorities, different perspectives, but the same love for their guest and friend.
Martha’s Outlook
As her guests make themselves comfortable, Martha busies herself with preparing the meal. Martha’s words and actions depict her as practical, efficient, and an excellent hostess. Nothing is wrong with being attentive to the details and intent on meeting the needs of others. Or is there?
Mary’s Perspective
“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” If you were to stop at this point in the story you might think that Mary was a bit lazy, neglectful, or unconcerned that they had guests in their home. She simply sat at the feet of Jesus listening to him talk while Martha was left to do all the work.
The Mary/Martha Solution
Imagine yourself in this situation. You have an unexpected guest who stops in to see you and it is meal time. What role do you generally fill in this story? Are you Mary relaxing and relishing the precious time with your guest? Or are you Martha busy making sure that everything is prepared and perfect? If you are a Martha, go stand by the dinner table as if making preparations for the meal. If you are a Mary, take a seat in the living space around the rug and imagine listening to Jesus.
I see Martha buzzing around making sure that dinner is under way when she suddenly realizes that she’s putting in the hard work and Mary is in the other room enjoying herself. Martha is so comfortable with Jesus that she openly airs her frustration to Him. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Jesus responds tenderly “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.” Martha was fretting over something important to her: being a good hostess. But how important was this compared with other priorities? Who was more concerned about serving her Savior, Mary or Martha? Is one sister right and the other sister wrong?
Mary chose listening to Jesus over preparation of the meal. If you are more like Martha this may sound like the wrong decision. Mary knew that Jesus’ words were the most important needs of her life. Jesus reminded Martha that her life was taken up with many secondary needs, but her greatest need was that which Mary acknowledged: the words of eternal life. He commended Mary for choosing what was needed: holy words, truth and precious time with her Savior. Things which can never be taken from her, things that last.
Dear God,
In this world full of distraction, filled with frivolous trappings and empty momentary pleasures, help me to keep focused on “what is needed.” Create a balance in my life; a balance between serving and taking time to be with Jesus. When I am faced with the decision of being a Martha or being a Mary, remind me that there is a time for each as long as I am centered on You.
Amen.
Printable Documents: Mary and Martha Activity Instructions-2
Christians are Like M & M’s 
This prayer station is intended to focus reflection on our childlike faith and acknowledging the ways that God has intentionally made us the same and different.
Prep and Leadership:
Cover the display table with the white table cloth. Place instruction sheets into page protectors and place a reminder label at the bottom right of the page protector. Place large bowl and prayer station instructions in the front center of the table. Fill the bowl with the prepackaged M&Ms. Using the display picture provided arrange the variety of glass containers filled with candy around
Supplies:
Mini Packets of M&M
Table and Table Cloth
Station Sign
Copies of prayer station instructions
Prayer Station Instructions:
Christians are a lot like M&Ms!
1) M&Ms are marked with an “m”.
First of all, Christians are marked or sealed with the Holy Spirit of God. But we are also marked for a purpose and focus. We’re marked for ministry!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on
Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
2) M&Ms come in a variety of colors.
Just as M&Ms are all different looking on the outside with their various colors, so God has created us each unique and different. Although we are all called to ministry, we each are uniquely gifted, have different backgrounds, different personalities, etc.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Think about it, we vary in our colors too:
Some are RED – they are red hot and bold, competitive.
Some are BLUE – calm, dependable, solid.
Some are YELLOW – friendly, positive, creative, encouraging.
Some are GREEN – analytical, organized, practical, decisive.
Some are ORANGE – assertive, outgoing, assertive.
Some are BROWN – warm, inviting, trustworthy, wholesome.
Praise God for the qualities that he highlights in you. Listen for His guidance in how those talents will further His kingdom. Ask how He will pair your talents with the gifts of others.
3) M&Ms are filled with chocolate – the best part!
Christians are filled with God’s love! Like an M&M, although we may all look different, we are all
created to be filled. M&Ms are filled with chocolate – yum! We are made to be filled with God’s love – even better! Without the chocolate an M&M is just a fragile shell with really no taste. Even so, we, without God’s love, are fragile and empty too.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one
another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:9-16
Also, because of how M&Ms are made, they are easily shared with others. God’s love is made to be shared through sharing the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ! Ask God to help you be bold in your daily living, sharing the Gospel in your actions and words.
Printable Downloads: M&M Activity Instructions-2
Chapters of Our Lives
Prep and Leadership:
Depending on the seating available, make a seating area using comfy chairs, love seats, and chairs. If available, arrange around a coffee table. Coffee table can be decorated with a few stacks of book and the pillar candles provided. Cover the six foot display table with the white table cloth. Set up the two easels behind the table for displaying the poster size table of contents pages. On the display table arrange a few stacks of book, books together with the book ends, a library lamp in each of the back corners, the pens and activity prayer pages. Safely scatter a few votive candles around the display table if available.
Supplies:
Table and table cloth Stacks of books
Book ends
Pillar candles and votives Library lamps
Large poster “table of contents”
Example of personal table of Contents
*Table of Contents worksheet for each participant*
Prayer Station Instructions:
God is the author of life. He has been intricately and intentionally weaving together the details of our lives to create our story. On the Table of Contents page, take some time to consider the chapters of your life. Where did your journey with God begin? What would you title each of your chapters? Once you’ve identified the major chapters in your life, go back and consider which chapter was God working the most obviously and powerfully? What did He reveal about Himself and how has that shaped your story?
Collaborative Prayer Mosaic
This prayer station exercises our creativity to “show” the power of prayer in a high impact way.
Prep and Leadership:
Position the two tables like a T. The bottom of the T is the back of the prayer station. Cover the display tables with paper (tape the paper cover to the underside of the table). Arrange the dark & light colored tiles, ink pens, and instructions on the table which participants will gather around. Lay the board on the end of the table that forms the bottom of the T with plenty of room to work around the board. Tape, glue, paste, and paper towels can be placed under the table by the foam board. The collection container can be positioned at the opposite end of the table from the board. Participants will complete the tiles and place them in the collection container. The prayer station volunteer will take the completed tiles and arrange them to create the mosaic pictured above.
Supplies:
2 Tables
Paper table covering
Floor space to arrange mosaic before gluing
Roll of masking tape (to temporary stick tiles to backing) 3X3 paper tiles
Yes Paste & Paint brush
1⁄2 inch foam core board (DucTape to hinge the back) Colored ink pens
Prayer Station Instructions:
Luke 11:9-13 (NIV)
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Select one decorated tile, one white tile, and a colored pen.
We gather today with a desire to give, a call to share our God given gifts, and a heart of service and mission. Take a moment and think of all the talents and resources that God has blessed you with. On your decorated tile, use one of the colored ink pens to write down a few of those talents, gifts and resources that you can share.
We are gathered to learn new skills and discover different ways to reach the world with the gospel. As our hearts burn within us, write a short prayer on your white tile asking for God’s guidance in mission and express what you hope to gain from this week’s gathering. Once you have completed your tiles please deposit them in the container provided.
We clasp our hands together in prayer, prayers that will change the world. We join hands to reach around the world with the unending love of Christ Jesus. Once your personal prayers are said and your tiles contributed, they will be used for a mosaic that displays a bigger picture of how God is using us to reach out to his children of the world.
Abida Hearts on Fire 
This are really great ideas i’m excited to try this here in our church thank you very much for sharing this. GOD bless you all.
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