Exploring the Tactile in Worship

At this point in the lectionary, we’re being confronted by “seed” parables in the gospel readings. These Sundays are great opportunities to unpack the readings in more tangible ways. 

For example, last Sunday’s gospel text was on the parable of the sower, in which a sower sows seeds which fall on good soil and rocky soil; some are picked up by birds and eaten; some are choked out by weeds which grow up later.  This could translate into decorating the chancel with rocks, jars of sand, jars of seed, baskets of thistles and other weeds, etc.

This coming Sunday’s text is about the parable of the wheat and the weeds, in which weeds grow up in the midst of wheat and the servants aren’t sure what to do about it.  Consider placing vases of wheat and weeds in the sanctuary in place of the usual flower arrangements, or pass the plants around during the reading or sermon as an illustration. 

The following Sunday confronts us with the parable of the mustard seed.  Pass out mustard seeds during the children’s sermon, or have ushers sprinkle some in people’s hands as they enter the worship space and use them as a visual and kinesthetic aid during the reading and sermon.

As other texts with similar imagery appear in the lectionary, consider visual elements as you plan worship.  Brainstorm ways to engage the senses and reinforce the texts in creative ways.

Have you experimented with these kinds of ideas before?  What have you done?  How was it received?   What might you do differently in the future?