Sunday, May 29, 2016

Proper 5 C (June 05): Dare to Make A Difference/ God is Forever Faithful


 


 
There is a 2019 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Bible Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16,(17-24), Psalm 146, Galatians 1:11-24,
Luke 7:11-17


About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image. I think it is a good illustration on of how God brings life from death,
Upper Right: This is a free Microsoft clipart image with my text.
Lower Left:  Bush flowers following a bush fire in the Victorian High Country near the Blue Duck.  Another life from death image. This is my image. Please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Lower Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which was decimated by hackers last year. At present it is possible to buy these images very cheaply - however this particular one is free on the site this week.  Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com
  

Kid's Story: Elijah and the Widow Stories
Make up a number of white posters with dinner plate sized round faces. Make each face a different emotion - sad, happy, confused or puzzled, delighted, amazed, etc. Tell either story and use the faces to help the children reflect or guess the emotions involved in the story.


 Kid's Story: Elijah
Found in The Picture Strip Bible by Felicity Henderson and Chris Saunderson, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994970, page 48 (pictured at left).

 Film Clip: Mr Holland's Opus
(pictured at right) Show the clip very close to the end where Mr Holland is taken to the gym for his surprise celebration which honours the difference he has made in hundreds of students lives. If you have time, run this clip until the credits begin (it is not all that long) but at least make sure you include the speech given by one of the students.

Lots of Good Ideas for all the Readings
Found in Living Stones by Susan Sayers, Kevin Mayhew, 2000, ISBN 1840030097, page 129ff (pictured at left).


Drama: Paul Called By God
A monologue by God found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 68 (pictured at right).


 Discussion: Psalm 146

1. Who or what are the "princes" and powerful people in our world today?
2.Why are they no help to us?
 

Story: Outreach
Story 471 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at left). This story goes very well with the Psalm.

Story: God - His Care

Found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, Story No. 99 (pictured at right). This story fits well with the 1 Kings reading.

Story: Rosario
As above, Story No 278. This story fits in well with the Psalm.

Story: No Funerals
Index 2407-2416 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990.


Poem: This Time
By Giles David and found in Resources for Preaching and Worship - Year C compile by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003, ISBN 066422508X, page 184 (pictured at left). This works really well with projected images and music. I used Lord of All Space by Caim from their album, Sung Prayers in the Celtic Tradition. This poem fits well with all four of the readings.

Meditation Stations: Elijah and the Widow
This mediation is based very roughly on a suggestion made on page 35 of a really beaut book called Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668.
Have five separate stations around your worship space and some meditative music playing. Each station will be decorated differently (see below) and will have a short reading to contemplate and some suggestions for prayer and action. Arrange stations and people so that not everybody goes to Station 1 first - although the stations are chronological as far as the story goes, they can be visited in any order without losing a sense of what is happening. Allow around 3-5 minutes for each station and encourage people to visit them all at least once. However, also make it clear that they can revisit some if they wish to.
Station 1:
Have a map of the world, a lit candle and enough tea lights for everybody.
On small cards or note paper, print the following:
1 Kings 17:8-9. Note that the woman is not one of God's chosen people, is a widow, a woman (duh!) and has a son. Both she and the boy are marginalised.
To think and pray about:
Who are the marginalised people in our lives?
Who are the people we assume may be outside God's love because of their lifestyle, occupation, beliefs or ethnicity?
How can we make a difference and reflect God's love?
Light a candle and place it on a part of the world that needs Gods transforming love and life?
Station 2:
Have a simple bowl filled to overflowing with small loaves of (if possible, hot) bread. On small cards or note paper, print the following:
1 Kings 17:10-15 (or summary).
The widow gives away her very last meal to a man she has never met before who she meets at the town gate.
Think of a time when you have mistrusted a request from a stranger.
Think of times when you have been generous to strangers.
What were the results?

Think of the difficulties you face as you try to balance requests for your time and/or money.
As you eat one of the small loaves, pray for the wisdom to know when to say "yes", when to say "no" and how to make a difference.
Station 3:
Have a number of postcards, photos, works of art, mounted magazine pictures of deserts, dry creek beds, angry or hurting faces, dry bones etc - anything that represents hard times, anger, and sadness. On small cards or note paper, print the following:
1 Kings 17:17-18 
Think of a time in your life when you have been fearful, depressed or angry with God.
Choose a picture from the collection that represents your feelings best.
How do you think God can or has make a difference to these feelings.
If you are feeling like this now, tell God about it.
or
If you know someone who may feel like this, pray for them.

Station 4:
Have a simple bowl filled with tiny bulbs or seeds (depending on the season)On small cards or note paper, print the following:
1 Kings 17:19-23
Take a seed/bulb.
Look at the seed and think about what your life be like if God was not a part of it? Imagine the potential of your seed, what it will grow in to, and imagine what God is doing with your potential. If God is continually transforming you, how can you share that with others?

Station 5:
Have this station near a brightly illuminated pertinent painting, window or banner - I used our Pentecost banner and arranged chairs around it. On small cards or note paper, print the following:
1 Kings 17:24
Think of a time when God has used somebody to enable you to "see the light".
How has it helped your faith?
Thank God for the people who have made a difference to your faith.
Ask God to enable you share your faith with others - pray for specific people and/or communities. 


Kids: The Day My Father Danced Again
By Gordon Lee Chambers and Alison Kubbos, Box Press,  with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 52. This goes well with the Galatians reading.

Service Starter: Power to Provide
Based on the Kings reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 60.

Useful Stuff: Keeping It Real
Found in Galatians: Experiencing Freedom in Jesus by Groups Biblesense, Group, 2007, ISBN 13 978 0 7644 3244 6, page 8

Prayer/Action: Water
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 133 and based on the 1 Kings reading. 

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Proper 4 C / Epiphany 9 C (May 29):

 



 
Bible readings: 1 Kings 18: 20-39, Psalm 96, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10

About the Images:
Upper left and right: These free images comes from Heartlight - please see my link column at left.
Lower left: These free images comes from Imagebank - see my link column at left.
Lower right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which was decimated by hackers last year. At present it is possible to buy these images very cheaply - however this particular one is free on the site this week.  Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com


Service Starter: Power to Amaze.
By Scripture Union, The All Age Service Annual, Volume 4, Scripture Union, London, 2010,  ISBN 9781844275199, page 61 (pictured at left).   This service starter is based on the Kings reading. 

Call to Worship: Praise Him All Creation
By Terry Falla (Ed.), Be Our Freedom, Lord, Lutheran Publishing House, Adelaide, 1981, ISBN 0859101754, page 22 (pictured at right - this is a slightly newer edition).  This call to worship is based on the Psalm.



Lots of Useful Stuff: Please
By Beth Barnett, Welcome Mat, Scripture Union, Melbourne, Pages 72-77, 112-114, 129, 163 (a drama) and 182-188 (pictured at left).  These useful worship aids are all based on the gospel reading. 

Kids' Story: The Water That Caught On Fire
By Joann Scheck and Bob Fanter, Arch Books, St Louis, Missouri, 1969 (pictured below at right). This is based on the 1 Kings reading and is an oldie but a goodie.


Drama: One Under Authority
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Adelaide, Open Book Publishers, Adelaide, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 28-30 (pictured at left).  This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: The Faith of the Centurion
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Adelaide, Open Book Publishers, Adelaide, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 31-33 (pictured at left).  This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: Look Beyond Borders: Four minutes by Amnesty International Poland
I think this goes well with the gospel reading in particular

 

Questions to Think About: Elijah on Mount Carmel
By Sue Wallace, Multi-Sensory Scripture, Scripture Union, Bletchley, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 74 (pictured at right).

Poem: Sing a New Song
This poem is based on the Psalm and found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, Suffolk, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 66.  

Poem: The Prophets of God
This poem is based on the 1 Kings reading and found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, Suffolk, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 51ff. 

Poem: Go No Further
Also a great prayer and collect based on the gospel reading included on the same page.  Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 159. To order a copy of this excellent book email jennie.gordon@billanook.vic.edu.au


Response Activity: Love the Reaches Beyond Human Boundaries
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year C by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2012, ISBN 9781921945083, page 90.  This is based on the gospel reading.

Also :

Poem/Meditation: Elijah's Story
By Ruth Burgess in Dandelions and Thistles: Biblical Meditations from the Iona Community by Jan Sutch Pickard (ed.) Wild Goose Publications, 1999, ISBN 1901557146, page 18 (pictured at left). This goes well with the 1 Kings reading.



Prayer Exercise: Singing our Prayers
Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 68.  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Creative Ideas: Elijah: The  Fighting Prophet
Found in Multi-Sensory Prophets by Mike Law, Scripture Union, 2007, ISBN 9781844272587, page 15. This is based on the 1 Kings reading.

Service Starter: Power to Amaze
Based on the Kings reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 61.

Drama: One Under Authority
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 28 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the Luke reading.

Poem: The Prophets of God
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 51.  This poem is based on the 1 Kings reading.  

Useful Stuff: Keeping It Real
Found in Galatians: Experiencing Freedom in Jesus by Groups Biblesense, Group, 2007, ISBN 13 978 0 7644 3244 6, page 8