Bible Readings: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30
About the images:
About the images:
Upper Left: Sometimes in rural Australia, we have occasions where we literally help shepherd the sheep if we want to get to where we are going. This is my photo, my car and my neighbour's sheep, so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities
Upper Right: This is one of the excellent free images from Heartlight (see their address under my Link section at left)
Upper Right: This is one of the excellent free images from Heartlight (see their address under my Link section at left)
Middle Left: This is a free image from the Imagebank site which has since closed down.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries websitewhhich has since closed down.
Lower Left: In Bethlehem today, the sheep graze on tiny patches of grass even on the top of cliffs and need constant watching. This is my photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities - shepherd not included because he was very small and my poor Arabic and his poor English precluded me from asking permission from his parents.
Lower Right: Restoration: My photo, my husband, his grey Fergie - please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities
Listening Song: The Lord is My ShepherdBy John Bell, sung by the Cathedral Singers with Mhairi Lawson on their album, Psalms of David, Songs of Mary (pictured at left). I played this track and projected images with the following words from an unknown author (if you know who wrote the extra words, please let me know - Google has not come up with an answer for me):
The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd --That's RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want -- That's SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures --That's REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters --That's REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul -- That's HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --That's GUIDANCE!
For His name sake -- That's PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil --That's PROTECTION!
For thou art with me -- That's FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me --That's COMFORT!
Thou preparest a table before mein the presence of mine enemies --That's HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil --That's CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over -- That's ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life --That's BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord --That's SECURITY!
Forever -- That's ETERNITY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures --That's REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters --That's REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul -- That's HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --That's GUIDANCE!
For His name sake -- That's PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil --That's PROTECTION!
For thou art with me -- That's FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me --That's COMFORT!
Thou preparest a table before mein the presence of mine enemies --That's HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil --That's CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over -- That's ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life --That's BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord --That's SECURITY!
Forever -- That's ETERNITY!
Kids Story: Herbert and Harry
By Pamela Allen, Puffin Books, 1986, ISBN 0140567836 (pictured at right)
Kids' Story: Cecil and Psalm 23By Andrew McDonough, Adelaide, Lost Sheep Resources, 2008, ISBN 9781921229312 (pictured at left).
Drama: And Then There Were Shepherds
Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 24 (pictured at right).
Discussion Questions on the Gospel Reading:
NB: These questions can be used randomly through the service or where ever.
What is your definition of a shepherd when you hear Jesus or God referred to as one?
Brainstorm: How do the verses John 10:37-29 make you feel?
Think to Yourselves: How have you experienced God's healing in your life?
With Your Neighbour: What was the result of this healing for others around you?
Film Clip: The World's Top Missionary sending Country
Film Clip: Meet me in the Middle of the Air by Paul Kelly
Story: Christ As Shepherd
Index 3264-3267 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990.
Index 3264-3267 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990.
Story: Overcoming Mediocrity Means Living Differently
Index 11015-1017 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990.
Introduction to the Acts story: Bubbles
Discussion on the Acts Story:
Is this story....
a miracle story
a definition of a disciple
a blueprint for a subversive new world order
an indicator of hope.
Response Activity for the Acts Reading:
Project or distribute the following:
This story tells us that God is.......
protector of the vulnerable,
defender of the persecuted,
comforter of the broken hearted, and
giver of new life.
Ask: Look at the slide.
Do you fit any of these categories or do you know somebody who does?
Use this time of silence to either pray for yourself or for someone you know.
Response Activity for the John reading:
Give everyone a long and a short piece of pipe cleaner and project the following questions
1. Maybe you want to trust that God knows the way even if you don’t
2. Maybe you would like to thank God for someone who has been a shepherd on God’s behalf to you
3. Maybe you want to risk the way of Jesus and be part of God’s ripples out into the community
Pray about the answers to these questions as you fashion a shepherd's cross out of your pipe-cleaners. (N.B. - a shepherds cross is a cross where the vertical piece is made of a shepherd's crook).
2. Maybe you would like to thank God for someone who has been a shepherd on God’s behalf to you
3. Maybe you want to risk the way of Jesus and be part of God’s ripples out into the community
Pray about the answers to these questions as you fashion a shepherd's cross out of your pipe-cleaners. (N.B. - a shepherds cross is a cross where the vertical piece is made of a shepherd's crook).
Also:
Listening Song: Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd
By Sons of Korah on their album, Hand to the Plough (pictured at left).
Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel connected to the Australian Outback
Opening or Closing Response 
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 131 (pictured at right).
Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 34 (pictured at left).
Service Starter: Peter Prays
Based on the Acts reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 57 (pictured at right).
Poem: Green Are the Pastures
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 Psalms reading.
Drama: Faulty Hearing
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 50. This drama is based on the John 10 reading.Voices of Prayer: Take Back the Night
By Rachel G Hackenberg 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 225. Based on the Revelation reading.
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