There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left.
N.B. You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post.
Bible Readings: Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21
About the Images:
Upper Left: This is my photo - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my photo (you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities) taken at the back of our place at Mason's Bay, part of the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria (for more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes)
Middle Left: This is my image and I think it goes well with Psalm 17:5 - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities.
Middle Right and Lower Left: These are free images from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left. I love the mosaic. It comes from the floor of the Tabgha Church of the Multiplication on the Sea of Galilee. You will notice there are only four loaves of bread - that is because the fifth one is assumed to be on the communion table above this mosaic -ready to share!
About the Images:
Upper Left: This is my photo - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my photo (you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities) taken at the back of our place at Mason's Bay, part of the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria (for more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes)
Middle Left: This is my image and I think it goes well with Psalm 17:5 - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities.
Middle Right and Lower Left: These are free images from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left. I love the mosaic. It comes from the floor of the Tabgha Church of the Multiplication on the Sea of Galilee. You will notice there are only four loaves of bread - that is because the fifth one is assumed to be on the communion table above this mosaic -ready to share!
Lower Right: Another wonderful free Cerrezo Barredo image - see my link column at left.
Listening Song: From a Distance
by Bette Midler on her album, Some People's Lives (pictured at left). Compare this song's idea of God with the gospel reading's idea of God. They are very different.
Listening Song: Wake Up Dead Man
By U2 on their album, Pop (pictured at right). This goes with the Genesis reading.
Listening Song: P
eace on Earth
By U2 on their album, All That You Can't Leave Behind (pictured at left). This also goes well with the Genesis reading.
Listening Song: From a Distance by Bette Midler on her album, Some People's Lives (pictured at left). Compare this song's idea of God with the gospel reading's idea of God. They are very different. Listening Song: Wake Up Dead Man
By U2 on their album, Pop (pictured at right). This goes with the Genesis reading.
Listening Song: P
eace on EarthBy U2 on their album, All That You Can't Leave Behind (pictured at left). This also goes well with the Genesis reading.
Listening Song: Psalm 17: Apple of Your Eye
By Sons of Korah on their album, Resurrection, Wordsong Artists, 2005 (pictured at right).
Film Clip: Ray
(pictured below left) Show the scene where Ray's Mum lets him struggle to find his way around after he goes blind so that he will be a strong person able to take responsibility for himself. It shows her struggle as well as his. This clip goes very well with the Genesis reading and I found it at Wingclips - see my link column at left.
Discussion: Ray
1. What is happening here?
2. How can our struggles be helpful?
3. When do we struggle with God?
Drama: The Feeding of the Twenty Five
Discussion: Ray
1. What is happening here?
2. How can our struggles be helpful?
3. When do we struggle with God?
Drama: The Feeding of the Twenty Five
Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 74 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the gospel reading.
Reflective Drama: Night of the Long Struggle
Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page12 (pictured at left). This is a great take on the Genesis reading and can be used as is or as the basis for a sermon.
Story: Here, Take What You Need!
Found in Pulpit Resources, August 4th, 2002 by William H. Willimon
Story: Love and the Cabbie
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 111 (pictured at right). This story fits well with the gospel reading.
Poem: Oversupply
By Bruce Prewer and found at http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/47SUN18.htm
Prayer: It's Me in That Struggle
By Carter Heyward and found in Imaging the Word Volume 2 by Susan A. Blain, Sharon Iverson Glouwens, Catherine O'Callaghan, Grant Spradling (Eds.), United Church Press, 1995, ISBN 0829810331, page 253 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Genesis reading.
Also:
Poem: Jacob
Reflective Drama: Night of the Long StruggleFound in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page12 (pictured at left). This is a great take on the Genesis reading and can be used as is or as the basis for a sermon.
Story: Here, Take What You Need!
Found in Pulpit Resources, August 4th, 2002 by William H. Willimon
Story: Love and the Cabbie
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 111 (pictured at right). This story fits well with the gospel reading.Poem: Oversupply
By Bruce Prewer and found at http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/47SUN18.htm
By Carter Heyward and found in Imaging the Word Volume 2 by Susan A. Blain, Sharon Iverson Glouwens, Catherine O'Callaghan, Grant Spradling (Eds.), United Church Press, 1995, ISBN 0829810331, page 253 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Genesis reading.
Also:
Taize Service: Loaves and Fishes
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 24 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.
And if you didn't use this in Proper 11 A ......Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 28 (pictured at left). This poem is based on the Genesis reading.
Poem: Enough
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 83 (pictured above left). This poem is based on the Matthew reading.
