Proper 11 C (July 17): Priorities and Distractions/Listen Slowly

 

 

Bible Readings: Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

About the Images:
Upper Left: This image comes from the excellent Heartlight site (see my link column at left)
Upper Right: This is a combination of two free Microsoft cliparts.

Middle Left: This is a free clipart from the excellent Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. This site no longer updates (you will see the sad reason why when you visit) however the artist, Don da Silva, has left a legacy of wonderful free images and templates via the site archives.

Lower Left: This is a free Creative commons image to which I have added the word "Slowly".
Lower Right: Free image from the Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Listening Song: Goodbye to Me

By David Robertson on his album, Soul Embrace (pictured at right)

Mediative Listening Song: Dies Irae

By Libera on their CD, Libera (pictured at left). I suggested this last week but it also fits this week.

Individual Introductory Activity: Priorities

Give everyone a pencil and a scrap of paper. Ask them to make a list of the things that are important to them in order of priority. After they have finished, ask them to note where getting to know God and serving God featured on their list. Let them know they will not be sharing their answers with anyone so they are not inhibited by what they think they may have to share.

Film Clip: Jesus of Montreal
(pictured at left).There are plenty of clips in this film in which Daniel, an actor who is to portray Jesus in a passion play, begins to mirror Jesus' life in his own life

Drama: One Thing Needed

Found in Let's Make A Scene Too,, by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 13 (pictured at right)  This drama is particularly useful for the gospel reading.

Discussion: On the Luke Reading

1. Who do you relate to more - Mary or Martha?
2. Why does Jesus think Mary has made a good choice? What is his point?
3. What is Martha's problem?
4. Should we try to balance the Mary and Martha activities in our lives?

Discussion: On the Amos Reading

1. What do you think the job description of a prophet would include?
2. What are some of the method's God uses to speak to people in the Old Testament?

Story: Saul Kills the Priests of the Lord
1 Samuel 22: 6-23 is considered to be the background for psalm 52. The story is about one of the biggest dobbers in history - it is about treachery, anger, and fear.

Story: First Letter Home

Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1024 (pictured at left). This is useful with the gospel reading.

Story: The Boat in the Window
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 44 (pictured at right). This is useful for the Colossians reading.

Story: Listen Slowly
Found in Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993, page 13.

Visual Analogy: Pot Bound Plant
Have a pot bound plant and a healthy pot plant with plenty of room to grow. Relate these to the Colossians reading where Paul talks about the things which prevent him from becoming complacent about his faith. Talk about how complacency and our comfort zones can wall us in and prevent us from growing the way we should.

Prayers and Poems: Mary/Martha

Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 147 (pictured at left). 

Also:

Response Activity: One Thing Necessary

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year C by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2012, ISBN 9781921945083, page 107ff (pictured at right). This works well with all the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff

Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2016 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2015, page 139ff (pictured at left) . These ideas are based on all of the readings.

Poem/Meditation: I am Mary and I am Martha

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 55 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Luke reading.

Worship Resources: Does My Faith Look Big in This?

Found in Multi-Sensory World by Craig Borlase, Scripture Union/Tear Fund, 2008, ISBN 9781844272662, page 48. This goes with the Amos reading.

Service Starter: What Jesus Wants

Based on the Luke reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 15 (pictured at right).

Poem: Martha
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 88 and based on the gospel reading.  

Drama: I'm So Busy
Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0 85910 920 8, page 70. This drama is based on the Luke reading.

Meditation: Disciples of Christ

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 76ff (pictured at left).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Meditation: There is One Among Us

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 130ff (pictured at left).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Meditation: Women On The Way

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 145ff (pictured at left).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Meditation: Four Changed Lives

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 183ff (pictured at left).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Drama: One Rotten Apple

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 164ff.  This is based on the Amos reading.

Prayer: A Prayer Labyrinth

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 30 and based on the Luke reading.

Confession

By Anna Shirey 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 228. Based on the Luke reading.

Poem and Comment: Resistance

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the third Saturday of Advent.  This is a Christmas preparation book, but is very useful for other times of the year as well. This entry is based on the Amos reading.