Made it out of Egypt. Cool. Now life should be great, right? Not quite.

In exploring the story of Israel from the Red Sea until the giving of the ten commandments, we touched on issues of need and provision. After a walk through the Red Sea, we were invited to remember our baptism and enter the wilderness.

Quail were placed around the church and people were invited to write on them how God has provided for them. There was a tent of meeting and a golden calf. The latter was a painful reminder of the idols we have in our lives.

We even considered eliminating the Café - a standard part of every Up - and having refreshments moving from place to place in the church throughout the night. But that was going too far. Wouldn't want to make ourselves too uncomfortable...

Photo album

Resources

Clay tablets - recipe for modelling clay used for making tablets and the ten commandments

Tent of meeting - the text

Sign at the entrance (by the baptismal font)

dip your hand in the waters of baptism
reenact your passage through the waters
stop and remember God’s cleansing grace

Followed by signs on the floor saying

after his baptism in the river Jordan Jesus was led
into the wilderness

after being saved through the Red Sea the people of God were led
into the wilderness

after we acknowledge Godís saving watery grace we are often led
into the wilderness

Text used alongside map of the evening

welcome to uprooted
you have come through the water

the red sea has closed behind you
and you have left everything that was familiar and comforting back in egypt
including the cucumbers

you are going to the promised land
where the sun is warm and the food is plentiful
how long will it take to get there?
will the journey be easy?
do you really believe god told moses to bring everyone out here?

pick up a map and set out in faith