Proper 9 A (July 3) : Sharing a burden

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Bible Reading: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Psalm 45: 10-17 or Song of Songs 2:8-13, Romans 7;15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. About the Images: Left : This is a microsoft free clipart onto which I have put the Biblical text. Right: This is a free image from Heartlight (you will find a link to Heartlight in my links column at left). Listening Song: Much Afraid By Jars of Clay on their album, Much Afraid (pictured at left). This song fits quite well with the Matthew reading. Listening Song: A Noble Theme Psalm 45 By Sons of Korah on their album, Hand on the Plough (pictured at right). Call to Worship Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 4. Kids Time: Liturgical stole and Good Intentions A good explanation about both which links well with both the Matthew and the Romans reading can be found in Forbid Them Not Year A by Carolyn C Brown, Abingdon Press, 1992, ISBN 068713255X, page 129. Film Clip: Wall-e Show the trailer in which you see Wall-e bored and lonely (pictured at left). Discussion: Wall-e What two things are making Wall-e sad? What do you think would make him happy? Film Clip: Les Miserables (pictured at right) Use the clip right near the end when Javert and Valjean have a conversation by the river and Javert lets himself fall into the water. This is a great illustration of the Romans reading when we can paint ourselves into a corner if we do not acknowledge our need for a Saviour. I used a Wingclips film clip for this - you can visit their site via my link column at left. Discussion on the Matthew reading In what areas would you like to be more closely yoked with Jesus as a church? Drama: A Load of Rubbish Found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 17. This drama is based on the gospel reading. Discussion for A Load of Rubbish What are some of the burdens we carry around with us? Drama: All Messed Up Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 4. Story: Too Polite Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 88 (pictured in an earlier blog). Story: Pulling Together Index 3894-3899 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This story is also found at http://www.churchchrist.net/Sermons/Ministry.htm and is called Pulling Yoke Together. Story: The Flying Wallandas Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialities, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 96 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story is about trusting God. This goes with both the gospel reading and the Genesis reading. Story: The Civil War of the Soul Found in In the Grip Of Grace by Max Lucado, Word Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0849911435, pages 139ff. Lots of stories and discussion questions (at the back) based on the Romans reading. Poem/Meditation: Prisoner Found in The Electric Bible: Poems For Public Worship by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 100. This poem is based on the Romans reading. I put an image up for each stanza and read it out loud with a pause between each verse. Response Activity: Give everyone a business card with a picture of two yoked bullocks and the words "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.....For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light - Jesus". (see image above and feel free to use). Ask people to think about the words and write on the back of the card either a burden they are carrying which they need to share with Jesus or a job that Jesus is asking them to do with his help. Response Activity: Burdens Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 54 (pictured in an earlier blog).