A weekly blog of Creative Ideas for Leading Worship
Creating a Natural Treasures Collage in Worship
Click for audio narration
Looking for a hands-on way to engage people of all ages with a Scripture reading?
Here’s an interactive worship activity that encourages participation, reflection, and creativity.
Preparation Before the Service
Set up a long table at the front of the church, ensuring there’s space for people to walk around it on all sides. Cover it with a plain tablecloth to provide a neutral background.
On a front pew, arrange a selection of natural treasures in baskets:
- Stones
- Shells
- Feathers
- Freshly cut foliage from your garden (gathered on the day)
[Thanks to Heather Garside for the photos]
To add another dimension, we placed two worn-down beeswax candles from the church cupboard on the pew, along with matches, so people could choose to light them if they wished.
During the Service
After the prayer of approach, but before the Scripture reading, I invited the whole congregation – children and adults – to come forward.
I explained that our reading for the day, 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, speaks of the church as a body with many parts, each working together in unity.
Then, I introduced the activity:
- I invited people to use the materials to create a collage that visually expresses the spirit of unity.
- I reassured them that there was no “right” way to do this – just to place the items as they felt led.
At first, people hesitated. So, to get things rolling, I asked two specific people to start by choosing an item and placing it on the table.
Once they did, others quickly followed, adding materials and shaping the design organically.
Someone asked if they could light the candles, and I said yes.
When the collage was complete, I invited everyone to form a circle around the table. I affirmed the beauty of what they had created and reiterated the message:
Just as each piece contributed to the whole, each person has a place in the church. We need one another to flourish.
While still standing in the circle, we sang the waiata Wairua Tapu (See our blog post on singing waiata in worship here: https://philipgarsidebooks.com/blogs/news/20-singing-waiata-in-english-language-services).
Then, everyone returned to their seats.
Reflections on the Experience
Finding an engaging way to introduce the theme in worship – whether as a Time with Children, Storytime, or Theme Introduction – is always a challenge.
This natural treasures collage worked well:
- People of all ages participated, and the hands-on aspect encouraged interaction.
- The Scripture spoke through the activity itself, rather than through extensive explanation.
- I referenced the collage again later in the sermon, reinforcing its meaning.
Try It for Yourself
Consider ways you could incorporate a similar interactive element in a service you lead.
Instead of natural materials, you could use:
- Tools, nails, bolts
- Fabric patches, pottery, buttons
- Toys, playing cards
- Recycled materials, household items…
The key is getting people out of their pews, interacting, and experiencing worship in a tactile way.
You can then explore its meaning more deeply in the sermon.
Give it a go and leave a comment below to let us know how it works for you!
Nga mihi
Philip