Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Advent 4 B (December 24): Love

 




















Bible readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38.

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free microsoft clipart with text.
Upper Right: This is my image with text. It is of a sunset about ten minutes by slow boat from my place on the Gippsland Lakes (for more info on this area please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes). Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: An image from Heartlight (see my link column at left).
Middle Right: An image from Cerrezo Barredo's page (see my link column at left)
Lower Left: This is a free Imagebank  image - see my link column at left.
Lower RightAnother image from Heartlight (see my link column at left).

Film Clip:


Film Clip: My Soul Rejoices
  

Film Clip: We are Bethlehem
A visual benediction by Alana Levandoski found on the Work of the People site and well worth paying the little they ask.  See my link column at left. 

Drama: The Village Gossips
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 58ff (pictured at left).

Drama: Mary and the Angel
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 42ff. (pictured at left).

Drama: Mary
A monologue in which Mary talks about her feelings as she awaits the birth of Jesus found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, page 21.

Reading: Mary Pondering
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 47 (pictured at above left).

Discussion: On Luke readings
1. When is it hardest for us to say yes to God?
2. What makes Mary able to say it?
3. How can we follow her example?
4. What is one way we can show God's love this Christmas?

Story: Gabriel's Questions
Found in When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado, Word, 1996, ISBN 0849913241, page 58 (pictured at right). This goes with the gospel reading.

Story: The Hornbill
Found in The Manger is Empty: Stories in Time by Walter Wangerin, Hodder and Stoughton, 1989, ISBN 0340555548, page 21 (pictured at left). This goes exceptionally well with the gospel reading. 

Poem: Mary's Fear
Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 14 (pictured at right) This goes with the gospel reading. 

Meditation: Sightings 
By Kathy Ga
lloway in Dandelions and Thistles: Biblical Meditations from the Iona Community by Jan Sutch Pickard (ed.) Wild Goose Publications, 1999, ISBN 1901557146, page 44ff (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: The Hornbill
Print some of the questions from the last part of this story on to cards for people to take home.

Response Activity:
Give everyone the following prayer, a pen or pencil, and a silent space to write their response:
Lord, help me to marvel at Gabriel's message when I am.............................
Lord, give me courage like Mary to tell you about........................................
to ask questions when I feel.................................................................... and to confidently give you my ................................................................
Help me to see the Christmas story with new eyes and to thank you for........................................................................................................
Amen.


Also:


Drama: Thinking Outside the Box
Found in All Age Sketches for the Christian Year by Peter Shaw, Bible Reading fellowship, 2006, ISBN 101841014583, pages11ff (pictured at left). This is an advent 4 drama based on the gospel reading. 

Adult Response: My Soul Gives Glory to my God
Found in 
Bringing the Word to Life Together Year B by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2011, ISBN 9781921945038, page 20ff (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading. 

Poem and prayer: nothing will be impossible.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 68 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2014 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 263ff (pictured at right).  

Taize Service: Sing Out My Soul
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 32. This is based on the Luke 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.

Drama: Just a Simple Girl
Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 82. This is based on the Luke reading.  

Digital Worship Experiences: Let It Be
From Fresh Out of the Box by Lumicom Digital Productions, Abingdon Press, 2003, ISBN 0687036720, page 70ff (pictured at left) . Some good ideas here based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Mary
A monologue in which Mary talks about her feelings as she awaits the birth of Jesus found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, page 21.

Service Resources: Angels of Proclamation : God's Messengers
Found in Angels by Robert and Ro Willoughby, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 1 84427 223 0, pages 36ff. These resources are based on the Luke reading. 

Service Outline: Gifts Galore
Based on the Luke reading this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 78 (pictured at right).

Service Starter: David: A King Forever
Based on the Matthew reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 44.

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: I Sang For Him
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 78ff (pictured at left).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Prayer: The Annunciation
Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 8 and based on the Luke reading.

Call to Worship: Psalm 89
By Maria I. Tirrabassi 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 19

Opening Prayer for a Season of Sorrow
By Jamie Norwich McLennan 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 55. Based on the Luke reading.

Reflection and Prayer: 
Found in Advent Readings from Iona by Brian Woodcock and Jan Sutch Pickard, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1901557332 (pictured at right). These are based on the Romans reading and found under the heading: December 19th.

Reflection and Prayer: 
Found in Advent Readings from Iona by Brian Woodcock and Jan Sutch Pickard, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1901557332 (pictured at right). These are based on the Luke reading and found under the heading: December 21st.

Theotokos - Broken Dreams
Found in Hay and Stardust by Ruth Burgess, Wild Goose Publications 2005, ISBN 1 905010 00 1, pages 39 with lots of other great Christmas stuff.


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