Proper 21 A : The God who Comes to Us/Attitude

THERE IS AN 2023 UPDATED VERSION OF THIS POST WITH MORE STUFF - SEE MY ARCHIVE COLUMN AT LEFT

Bible readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78, 1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32

Theme: The God Who Comes To Us/Attitude About the image: My photo (Easter cross outside Bairnsdale Uniting  church) so you can use it as you want. 

  Listening Song: Talk About it By Nicole C Mullen on her album, Talk About It. 

  Film Clip: The Day After Tomorrow Show the clip where Jack promises his son, Sam, that he will come for him no matter what. This clip is once again available at that wonderful site www.wingclips.com.

Discussion: The Day After Tomorrow 1.Why does Jack promise to come for Sam? 2. In what way do you think that God has come for us? See the Philippians reading.

Film Clip: Remains of the Day Show the clip where Miss Kenton , after threatening that she will leave if the Jewish girls are dismissed, then decides to stay on regardless. This scene comes a little over an hour into the film. 

  Discussion: Remains of the Day 1. Why did Miss Kenton change her mind? 2. What do you think of Miss Kenton? 

Quiz: Winners Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks Book 4 by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 2001, ISBN 0310236193, page 148 (pictured in an earlier blog). This quizzes people on who are the real winners in our memories. 

  Drama: In Their Shoes Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916, page 98 (pictured in an earlier blog). About Jesus coming to earth and what the angels think of his arrival. 

 Drama: The Boy who Said Yes and then Didn't Go Copyright 2002 Ann Scull and Rosemary Broadstock Blogger will not accept a cut and past of this drama for some reason. If you would like a copy then please email me (see above left). Make sure you put in your own email address as well because often people make requests, suggestions and ask questions and then tick the anonymous option. When you do this I can't answer you :-)

Kid's Story: The Two Sons By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, found originally as an individual book, Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1986, ISBN 0855790652; (pictured at left) and lately in Stories Jesus Told (pictured in an earlier post) by the above authors, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881. 

  Kid's Story: Yertle the Turtle Found in Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr Seuss, Collins, 1950, ISBN 0001717588. (pictured at right). This fits well with the Philippians reading because it talks about the pitfalls of putting yourself first. 

Story: Make Me Like Joe Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth by Wayne Rice, Zondervan 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 114 (pictured in an earlier blog).About what it means to be an imitator of Christ. 

Story: The Hermits Gift In Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, page 131 (pictured in an earlier blog) 

Response Activity: Because part of the Philippians reading is probably an ancient creedal type hymn, this could be a good opportunity to encourage people to write their own creed or hymn. For those who are more hands on, have small pieces of clay available and encourage those people to model who they believe Jesus to be or how thier faith can be expressed. 

Response Activity: Make a bridge with a plank of wood and some bricks over a river made of fabric. Give everybody two tea lights and a texta. Ask then to think of something they find difficult to say yes to God about and draw a symbol of that on the bottom of their tea light. The ask them to think of somebody who does not come up to their expectations as a Christian and draw a symbol representing them on the other tea light. Encourage people to sit in the darkened worship space and talk to God about both themselves and the person who disappoints them. When they are ready invite them to thank God for the grace which God gives freely to everybody and then to come out and light both candles from the Christ candle and place them both on the bridge.