Easter 7 C (May 29): United but not Homogenous/Freedom

 

 

 

Bible Readings: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22:12-14, 126-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26

About the Images:

Upper Left: This is free clipart from Heartlight - their address is in the column to the left.

Upper Right: This is my image. Please feel free to use it for worship purposes.

Middle Left: This is an Imagebank free clip art - this site is now closed. 

Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. This site is now closed
Lower Left and Right: These are also free images from Heartlight - their address is in the column to the left.

Bible Reading: Psalm 97

This Psalm lends itself well to being read aloud accompanied by relevant projected images.

Bible Reading: John 17:20-23

Read these verses together replacing the words "these followers" with the name of your congregation the first time and thereafter with the words "this congregation".

Kid's Story: The Jailor Who Changed His Mind

By Carol Granger and Jim Roberts, Arch Books, 1971 (pictured at right).

Introductory Activity/Discussion:
Give everybody a blue card and an orange card. Make a series of statements - some very straightforward such as "You have blue eyes" and some more complicated , such as, " you do not a agree with......." (fill in with a recent political or denominational decision). Get them to hold up the blue card if they agree with the statement and get them to hold up the orange card if they disagree. Encourage them to look around as each statement is read out so that they see the amazing diversity which makes up any congregation. Then ask them to talk together about or to make a list of all the things that Christians agree on. Finish with a question about ways we can achieve unity within a congregation.

Film Clip: Jesus  Said These Things

By the Work of the People - see my link column at left

Listening Song: One

By U2 ...I got this idea from Singing From the Lectionary (see link at left) and then went looking on the web and found this:

Drama: Six People in One Pew 

Found in Gospel Dramas by Dean Nadasdym Ausburg Publishing, 1985, ISBN 0806621850, page 79 (pictured at left). This play is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: A Man Named Paul 

Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 66 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the Acts reading.

Story: Testimony
Story No 266 in Your Point Being...? by Graham Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, (pictured at left.) This story fits in very well with the Jailer's question in the Acts reading.

Story: The One Only A Mother Could Love
By John Wilmot and found in the magazine, On Being, June 1997. This story goes well with the Gospel reading.

Story: The Hermit's Gift.

Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 112 (pictured at right). This story fits well with the Gospel reading. 

Responsive Reading: Ring of Faith 

By Ruth Bell and found on the Mucky Paws site (see address at left in my links section) archived under 20th May 2007.  This is a lovely 5 part voice reading connected to the theme of Freedom via the Acts reading.

Also:

Meditation: The Power of Forgiving Love

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 53 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Acts reading.

Worship Activity: The Power of God

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 84 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Acts reading.

Opening or Closing Response: 

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 134. 

Various Ideas: The Glorious End of the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 46. Connected with the Revelation reading.

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 52-3 (pictured at right).

Drama: Our Text For Today
Found in Lets Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 33 (pictured at left). This drama is useful for the John reading.

Drama: When Two Or More

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 44ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Jailhouse Flock

By Tom Nalesnik 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 90. Based on the Acts reading.

Easter 6 C (May 22): No Fear/ About Face!/Hoping, Healing, Dreaming

Bible Readings: Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22 - 22:5, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9.

About the images:
Upper Left: This is my image taken on the Gordon River, a world heritage area on the west coast of Tasmania - the beautiful island state south of mainland Australia. If you want to know more about this area please visit http://www.discovertasmania.com

Upper Right: This is my image also. Note how the two small boys on the ride - one in the middle, one near the back - both instinctively lean into their fathers for protection and/or comfort.  Please feel free to use both these images for worship and related activities.

Middle Left: This is an Hermano Leon free clip art - see my link column at left

Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which is down at present. This particular image was free.  

Lower Left:  This a Banksy painting on the Separation Wall built by the Israel government to take away the Palestinians freedom of movement.  This is my image. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Lower Right: This is a free image from Cerrezo Barredo site -see my link column at left.

Film Clip: Psalm 67


Listening Song: Psalm 67
By Sons of Korah on their album, Resurrection (pictured at right).

Listening Song: Song of David (Psalm67)
By Maire Brennan on her album, Perfect Time (pictured at left). 

Listening Song: Breathe
By Sixpence None the Richer on their album, The Best of Sixpence None the Richer (pictured at right). 

Film Clip: Shawshank Redemption
(pictured at left) The scene where Red first meets Andy in the prison yard and in a voice over tells us that Andy seems to have a an invisible coat (or peace?) which enables him to withstand the rigours of prison life. At about the 28 minute mark depending on whether you are using a DVD or video.

Questions on the Film Clip:
How can we be like Andy?
How is or can God be an invisible coat for us?

Drama: Do You Promise
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 52 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the John 14 reading.

Illustration: The Holy Spirit

Found in Living Stones: The All Age Resource for the Common Worship Lectionary Year C by Susan Sayers, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1840030097, page 110 (pictured at left). This all-age talk is a great reflection on the Acts reading.

Story: The Holy Spirit

Found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, story No. 134 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the Acts reading.

Story: Obedience

Story 463 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 John 14 reading.

Response Activity: The Holy Spirit
Display a list of words and phrases which describe the Holy Spirit (based on the John 14 reading). Ask people to select the one that they think is most useful to them right now and then talk about it with a neighbour.

Response Activity: Preparing For Worship
I know this sounds like a bit of a contradiction but I think this little exercise, although well suited to the start of worship, also could introduce a time of contemplation in response to the John 14 reading or sermon or whatever. Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 55 (pictured at left).

Various Ideas: The Glorious End of the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 46. Connected with the Revelation reading.

Also:

Poem: Shalom
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 155.

Response Activity: Who Do You See

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year C by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2012, ISBN 9781921945083, page 77ff. This works well with the gospel reading.  

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2016 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2015, page 92ff. These ideas are based on all of the readings.

Poem/Meditation: The Cripple at the Pool
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 74 (pictured at left). This goes well with the John 5 reading.

Taize Service: With Us Always

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 46. This is based on the John reading.

Opening or Closing Response 

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 133. 

Various Ideas: The Message of Blessing 
Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 11. Connected with the Psalm. 

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 17 and 46-47

Drama: Did Ya Hear?

A skit (also suitable for puppets) which is a discussion on peace - peace is better than a present.  Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, page 35.

Drama: The Christian Brothers
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 60ff. This is a dialogue in which Paul and Silas describe part of their second missionary journey.

Service Outline: Harvest Gatherers

Based on the Psalm reading this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 66 (pictured at right). 

Poem: Sitting By the Edge of the Pool
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 90 and based on the gospel reading. 

Blessings

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 149. This activity is based on the Psalm.

Reading: The Paralysed Man at the Pool

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 222ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Poem and Painting: Sign at the Shearing Shed

Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 14. These are based on the John reading. 

Prayer: The Tree of Life

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 12 and based on the Revelation reading.

Prayer: Invocation

By Donald Schmidt 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 89. Based on the Acts reading.

Easter 5 C (May 15): God Plays No Favourites/Belonging/God is in the Neighbourhood

 

 

 

Bible Readings: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13: 31-35.

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a Microsoft free clipart onto which I placed the text.
Upper Right: I love this image - it shows that we all belong to God's family. This is a free clipart image from a lovely little site (http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/) which puts images up each week to match with the lectionary readings. Now and again I get a tad lost on the site because most of the text is in Spanish. It is worth the effort though because the images are excellent. I have also listed this site in my links section (see left).
Middle Left: This is a free clipart from the Heartlight site (see my links column at the left).
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which os presently closed
Lower Left: This is possibly the house of Simon the Tanner in Jaffa.  Tanners were another disdained profession (like tax-collectors) in Jesus' day because they dealt with dead animals and urine.  This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. 

Lower Right: Caesarea Maritima was a bustling city when Peter visited. It can still be visited today but is now in ruins. This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities

During the Service:
I have done this at scattered intervals throughout a service one family or person at a time: Ask a number of families (include a single person, a single parent family, a nuclear family, a married couple with no kids, an empty nest family etc etc) the following questions:
1. Describe your family situation
2. What does belonging to the church mean to you?
3. Why?

Listening Song: I've Always Loved You

By Third Day on their album, Time (pictured at right).

Kids: Love Unlimited
Found in Fun Group Devotions for Children's Ministry by various authors, Group Publishing, 1993, ISBN 1559451610, page 18 (pictured at left). This goes really well with the gospel reading.

Kids: Whoever You Are

by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leslie Staub, Scholastic, 2015 (pictured at right).  This goes well with the Acts reading. 

Film Clip: Tuesdays With Morrie
c. Touchstone 1999 (pictured at left). A great discussion on love starts around 1 hr 10 mins in and goes for approximately 2 minutes or about half way through this clip:



Discussion Questions: Tuesday with Morrie
1. How would you define love? 
2. What does belonging mean to you?
3. What do you think Morrie means when he says: "We must love one another or die"

Film Clip: Life Vest Kindness



 Drama: Love One Another
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson. Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910915, page 32, (pictured at left). This drama goes well with the gospel reading. 

Drama: What is Heaven?
Project or display a very traditional picture of heaven - fat angels, clouds, harps etc.
1: Is that heaven?
2: Is what heaven?
1: You know - like in that picture? Angels, harps, clouds?
2: Well, good question! Nobody really knows where it actually is?
1: So is it up in the sky?
2: Dunno really. I just know heaven is wherever God is.
1: Oh,so what do we do in heaven? Play harps and stuff?
2: Hmmm. Hard to say. I do know we'll be worshipping God.
1: Oh, so it will be like church!!!
2: Ummm, maybe.
1: So we're just going to be sitting around and praying?
2: Ummm, I think the Bible mentions that we'll get a chance to rest too.
1: Resting for eternity!!! Isn't that going to get a bit boring?
2: Well......we might do other stuff as well. I think the Bible talks about serving God too.
1: Heaven after you die isn't sounding too crash hot at the moment.
2: Well, I'm not explaining it very well. I know I have read that there is a big FUN component built in .......and anyway, who said anything about heaven after you die - what if it is going on right now.
1: What HAVE you been drinking
2: I haven't been drinking anything - but I have been reading! Listen to this.....
Then get No. 2 to read the Revelation reading.

NB: Not sure where I got this - pretty sure , by the language, that it is mine; but I stand to be corrected. 

Story: Love
Story 393 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551, (pictured at right).

Story: When Do I Die
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 223 (pictured at left). This is a poignant illustration of love and sacrifice.

Story: Are You God? 
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 36 (pictured at right). This illustration goes well with the gospel reading.

Discussion:
Who are the Cornelius's in our lives?
Who are the people missing from our church because we have not encouraged them in.
What are we going to do about it?
What does it mean for us to love people unconditionally?

Response Activity: Thank you For Being the Family We Choose to Have.
Have a new photo album ready and print off a variety of frames with blank middles - enough for everyone to have one. Encourage people to draw, in their frame, the people who mean a lot to them, whether family or friends. Play meditative music while this is going on. At the conclusion of the activity put the drawings in the photo album. The kids love this job while the adults sing.

Response Activity: Candles
Dim the lighting. Give everyone a small thin candle and a one centimeter cube of self hardening clay. Play some meditative music. Ask people to think about the question: What does it mean for me to love people the way Jesus did, unconditionally? While they are thinking, encourage them to make a candle stand with their clay. Ask a few to come out and light their candle from the Christ candle and then share the flame around until everyone has a lit candle in front of them. Point out how the light is similar to God's love - it is spread by sharing. This adult activity is adapted from the kid's activity, Love Unlimited (above)

Also:

For Children and Families: God is for Everyone

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel reading. 

Opening or Closing Response 

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 132 (pictured at right). 

Various Ideas: The Glorious End of the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 46 (pictured at left). Connected with the Revelation reading.

Drama: One of You is Going to Betray Me

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 80. This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 42.

Complete Service: Service for a Battered Woman

Found in In this Hour by Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Desbooks, 2001, ISBN 094982433X, page 37ff. 

Poem: One Day

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 53.  This poem is based on the Revelation reading.  

Drama: Real Love

Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 14. This drama is based on the John reading.

Poem: Life, The Roundabout of Life

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 74.  This poem is based on the Revelation reading.  

Prayer: Remembrance

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 40 and based on the Revelation reading.

Reflection and Prayer:

By Brian Woodcock and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 62ff and based on the Revelation reading. 

Prayer/Action: New Ways to Touch the Hearts of All

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 117 and based on the John reading. 

Call to Worship

By Priscilla M Denham 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 178. Based on the Psalm reading.