Description
Family Christmas Service -
The Adventures of the Lost Shepherd.
This is a whole service plan suitable for family services and all age worship.
The service starts as a normal service and is rudely interrupted by a lost shepherd who was left behind when his mates went running of in search of a New Born King. The narrator, Bible readings and carols helps the shepherd in his search for his friends. He follows the shepherds and walks in the footsteps of wisemen.
The service takes the congregation through the Christmas story with bible readings and carols. There is an opportunity for impromptu participation as volunteers are asked to dress as shepherds, angels and kings. They could form tableaux or simply stay in their seats as part of the congregation.
Costumes should be simple and quick eg: a tea towel and head band for shepherds, a tinsel halo for angels, and crowns for the ‘kings’. More could be added if needed eg: animal masks for sheep and at the stable.
People needed: Narrator, lost shepherd, and reader.
Preparation: Costumes for lost shepherd, shepherds, angels, wisemen and animals if needed (see above). One star and a suitable place to hang it.
The Adventures of the Lost Shepherd.
Narrator: Good afternoon and welcome to __for our Christmas Service. We really hope that you will stay for tea after the service in the school room just through that door.
We begin with hearing the story of the First Christmas.
Reader: Luke 2 v 1- 7
Narrator: Let us sing Carol No __Once in Royal David’s City.
Knock at chapel door – enter the lost shepherd in a fluster carrying a sheep under the arm.
Lost Shpeherd: Hello – I wonder if you can help – I’m – I’m one of the local shepherds. I was up in hills looking after the sheep and something really scary happened. I don’t know what it was but I was petrified and passed out with fright. When I came round the sheep had scattered and the other shepherds had gone. I can’t find them anywhere – can you help?
Narrator: Well, we may be able to. We are just about to hear a story about some shepherds on the hillside. Perhaps it will jog your memory.
Continues…
By - Rev Meryl White – 2014.