Bible Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
About the images:
Upper Left: This image is by Dimitrios Tsouris and can be found in the Artist's section of www.imagebank.org.uk. Imagebank is a free image site which requires that you register to use their images. I put the text with this image.
Upper Right: This is my photo - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: This is a replica of a synagogue as it would have been in Jesus time; the image was taken at Nazareth Village - an awesome place to visit either on line - http://www.nazarethvillage.com or even better, in real life. This is my photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: This is a Microsoft free clipart with my text. See my response activity below - it all fits with the Nehemiah reading in particular.
Lower Right: This is what is on the table in the synagogue as it would have been in Jesus time; the image was also taken at Nazareth Village. This is my photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Bottom Left: Another amazing free graphic form Cerezo Barredo - see a link to his site in my link column at left.
Listening Song: I Didn't Know Love Could Be MineLinked to the Luke reading, this song by Vicka and Linda is on their self titled album. 1994. (pictured at left).
Discussion on the above song:
1. What is the song writer (Paul Kelly) saying about Jesus' words?
2. How do Jesus' words effect the song writer?
3. How do Jesus' words help us?
Listening Song: JubileeBy Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey, 1994 (pictured at right). This fits quite well with the Nehemiah reading.
By dc Talk on their Supernatural CD or Video, 1998, (pictured at right). This song is about the importance of scripture and fits very well with the Nehemiah reading.
Kids' talk:
Bring a photo album (or your smart phone album) and talk about how it helps you to remember good things about your family and friends - how it helps you tell your story. Then tell the Nehemiah story and conclude by mentioning that the Bible is a special way which we hear God's story and our story with God.
Kids' Talk
There is plenty of helpful stuff for both the Nehemiah reading and the Luke reading in Living Stones by Susan Sayers, Kevin Mayhew, 2000, ISBN 1840030097, pages 46-50 (pictured at right).
Bible Readings: The Book of GodRead the Nehemiah story from the Book of God by Walter Wangerin Jr., Zondervan, 1996, ISBN 03102000059, page 525 (pictured at left). This book turns the Bible into a bit of a novel and is a real delight to read - but then I think that goes for anything written by Walter Wangerin Jr.
Film Clip: Dead Man Walking(pictured at right) If you didn't use this for the Baptism of Jesus C (see details on my blog for that week) use it now - it's a great clip for repentance.
Story: Love Personified
This story can be found at http://midwayaog.org/midwaylove1-14-07_files/page0003.htm. It relates well to the Luke reading.
This story can be found at http://midwayaog.org/midwaylove1-14-07_files/page0003.htm. It relates well to the Luke reading.
Story: You'll Make It
This story is related to the Psalm and found in The Youth Bible, ISBN 0849933390, page 493.
Story: The New Irrational Version (NIV)
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan Publishing House, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 104 (pictured at right) . This list of funny illustrations emphasises the importance of studying the Bible.
Story: Knowing God's Word
Found at http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+3993
Poem: The Work of Christmas
Found in Parables etc by Howard Thurmond
Quote: David du Plessis
"My friends, if you take the great truths of the gospel out of your freezers and get them on the fire of the Holy Spirit, your churches will turn the world upside down."
Response Activity:
Sing Make Me a Channel of Your Peace together and then ask people to pick a phrase from the song that appeals to them, share it and take it home with them.
Response Activity: Balloons Belong in Church
An awesome poem from Reaching for Rainbows: Resources for Creative Worship by Ann Weems used by permission of Westminster John Knox Press. which I found in the Seasons of the Spirit™ resources: SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2015–2016 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2015. Follow it up with a balloon activity - blowing them up, writing on them, decorating the worship space, whatever fits with your worship space and people.
Also:
Kids: Pink Balloons
By Beverley McGregor, Ashton Scholastic, with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 19 (pictured at left). This goes well with the 1 Corinthians reading.
Kids: Gabriella's Song
By Candace Fleming and Giselle Potter, Simon and Schuster, with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 25 (pictured above left). This goes well with the Psalm reading.
Prayer Exercise: Praying in Nature
Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 56 (pictured at right. This is based on the Psalm reading.
Mission Manifesto
Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 86 (pictured at left). This is based on the Gospel reading. This resource is also available in electronic form through the Baptist Union of Victoria website, www.buv.com.au. where it can be copied freely for non-commercial use.
Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 86 (pictured at left). This is based on the Gospel reading. This resource is also available in electronic form through the Baptist Union of Victoria website, www.buv.com.au. where it can be copied freely for non-commercial use.
Lots of Useful Stuff: Body Beautiful
Meditation: Disciples of Christ
Found in Multi-Sensory Together by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union,2005, ISBN 1844271641, page 50. Based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Brilliant Comments on the Gospel
Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 147-169.
Sermon ideas: Working for the Poor and Oppressed
Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 180. This is based on the Gospel reading.
Drama: Body Parts
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 56and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 56and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Service Starter: Running Thread
Based on the Luke reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 12 (pictured at right).
Drama: The Interview
Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 37. This is based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Drama: The Kitchen Hand
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 16 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 76ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Luke reading.
Drama: In For a Penny
Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 104ff. This is based on the Luke reading.
Prayer: Prisoners
Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 48 and based on the Luke reading.
Prayer: Patchwork
Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 36 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Prayer: Jigsaw
Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 45 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Call to Worship:
By Maria I. Tirrabassi and found in Before the Amen by Maren C Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirrabassi (Eds), Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8298 1750 8, page 36. Based on the Luke reading.
Prayer/Action: Gifts
Found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 109 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Prayer/Action: Suffering
Found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 108 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.
Prayer/Action: Global Poverty
Found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 118 and based on the Luke reading.
Poem and Comment: Nation
Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the first Thursday of Advent. This is a Christmas preparation book, but is very useful for other times of the year as well. This entry is based on the Luke reading.
Psalm 19: The Ways of God
Found in Australian Psalms by Bruce Prewer, Lutheran Publishing House, 1979, page 20. This book is an oldie but a goodie.
Drama: Words from Isaiah
Found in From Advent to Emmaus by Jim Hayward, page 34 (pictured at right). This book is available in Print and Digital PDF versions, is based on Luke's gospel and is ideal for Lectionary Year C. For more information and/or to buy, visit the CMLA website - cmla.org.au.
