John F. Schuurman

We presented service plans for the three Old Testament fall festivals in Reformed Worship 61 (Sept. 2001). The three springtime Old Testament “religious festivals” are

[Family of four—Mom, Dad, two kids aged 8-12—enters the sanctuary. They are dressed for a summer outing and carry things for a picnic: lawn chairs, blanket, picnic basket. They also have Bibles.]

Child 2: [running ahead] Hey, everybody! I think this is the place.

< strong >Child 1: I don't think so. I think it’s further south.

Throughout the Old Testament, God commands his people to observe special holidays. Chief among them are three fall and three spring festivals. The fall festivals were all celebrated in the same Jewish month of Tishri; the equivalent of our September/October:

We planned this service as part of an evening series on the book of Nehemiah. It focuses on the feast of booths or tabernacles (sukkot). With a little bit of tweaking, it could be an interesting service either for the time of sukkot or else possibly a service for the first Sunday of Advent.

"Hey you guys, let's put on a play!"

"Great idea, Lucy! My dad has some old boards laying around for a set. I'll get them"

"Mom threw out some curtains the other day. We can make costumes!"

"Fantastic. Who can get some paint?"

"Abby, you do publicity. Barney, see if Mom mill give you some of her lipstick.

"Can I be the bad guy? "