Bible readings: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31.
About the images:
Upper Left: Doubting Thomas by Michelangelo Caravaggio (1602-3) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caravaggio_Doubting_Thomas.jpg
Upper Right: My photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle left: A free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: A free Imagebank image - see my link column at left - which I thought went well with the Psalm for today.
Lower Left and Bottom Left: These images 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 images and templates via the site archives.
Lower Right: I used this image of mine with the 1 John reading - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. It is of the Gippsland lakes from out the front of our place very early (!) one morning.
Lower Right: I used this image of mine with the 1 John reading - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. It is of the Gippsland lakes from out the front of our place very early (!) one morning.
Call to Worship:
Bits of Psalm 133 make a good call to worship if you use a modern translation or paraphrase.
Listening Song: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
By U2 on their album, The Joshua Tree or The Best of 1980-1990 (pictured at right) or by The Sensitive New Age Cowboys on Tim Winton: Dirt Music. This makes a good starting point for Thomas' story in the gospel reading.
By U2 on their album, The Joshua Tree or The Best of 1980-1990 (pictured at right) or by The Sensitive New Age Cowboys on Tim Winton: Dirt Music. This makes a good starting point for Thomas' story in the gospel reading.
Prayer: This Day
By Richard Sharples and found in Fire and Bread in by Ruth Burgess (Ed), Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 48-78 (pictured below right).
Prayer of Confession and Assurance:
Bits of the 1 John reading are useful here as long as you use a modern translation or paraphrase.
Introduction to the theme: What am I?
I was created in the 1970’s.
People go to see me all of the time all over the world.
Often they go to see me late at night and they see me more than once.
People often dress up when they go to see me.
I have recently had a revival.
People wear dark sunglasses when they see me.
People, both men and women of all ages from children to the elderly, wear dark suits, white shirts and narrow black ties.
People wear small pork pie hats when they see me.
People go to see me all of the time all over the world.
Often they go to see me late at night and they see me more than once.
People often dress up when they go to see me.
I have recently had a revival.
People wear dark sunglasses when they see me.
People, both men and women of all ages from children to the elderly, wear dark suits, white shirts and narrow black ties.
People wear small pork pie hats when they see me.
I am.....the Blues Brothers film.
This can lead in to a discussion/sermon about what it means to be on a mission from God.
Film Clip: The Blues BrothersThe part early on in the film where Jake and Elwood believe that God has spoken to them and that they are now on a mission from God. (pictured at left)
Pew Discussion:
One of the signs of "delusions of grandeur" on various psychological tests is the positive answer to the question "Do you believe you are a special agent of the Lord?"
What would you write if you had to do such a test?
Could you seriously say that you are on a mission for God?
Do you believe that other people are?
What would you write if you had to do such a test?
Could you seriously say that you are on a mission for God?
Do you believe that other people are?
Drama: Who Me?
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing, 1991, page 41 (pictured at right). This goes well with the John reading where Jesus talks about sending his disciples out into the world.
Story: Computer GraceIn Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1194, ISBN 0310402611, page 77 (pictured at left). This links well with the 1 John reading.
Meditation: Candle, Cross, Bible and Ball.
In 40 Devotions that Work with Youth, by Geraldine Anderson (ed).,JBCE, 1983, ISBN 0858194147, page 43 (pictured at right). In the book this was intended to be a youth group devotion however it can be quite easily adapted to suit a congregation and used as part of the sermon or as a an introduction to the 1 John reading.Response Activity:
Ask: what do you need to do today to be God’s special agent. Is it just a matter of saying OK, I’ll do it. Is it a matter of discovering what God wants you to do. Is there something else? Give each person a small business card and encourage people to think about their response to what is written on it (as follows):
My challenge: To be God sent
My authority: God’s say so
My help: the Holy Spirit
My response:...........................
Response Activity: The Blood of Jesus
From Bringing the Word to Life Together Year B by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2011, ISBN 9781921945038, page 73ff (pictured at left). This goes very well with the 1 John reading.
My challenge: To be God sent
My authority: God’s say so
My help: the Holy Spirit
My response:...........................
From Bringing the Word to Life Together Year B by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2011, ISBN 9781921945038, page 73ff (pictured at left). This goes very well with the 1 John reading.
Opening or Closing Response
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 124 (pictured at below right).
A Chapter of Resources for Easter 2: 
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 48-78 (pictured at right).
Also:
Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 89 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Psalm 133 reading.
Taize Service: Overcoming Doubts
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 18 (pictured at left). This is based on the John reading.
Taize Service: Illumination
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 34 (pictured at left). This is based on the 1 John reading.
Worship Activity: Dark Room
By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 38 (pictured at right). This is based on the 1 John reading.
For Children and Families: God is everywhere
Worship Activity: Laser and Spotlight Prayer
By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 44 (pictured at right). This is based on the 1 John reading.
Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 50 (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel reading.
Reflection: Scars Reveal Resurrection
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 106ff (pictured above at right).
Reflective Poem: Thomas, my twin
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 109ff (pictured at above right). This is based on the Gospel reading.
Found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 39 (pictured at right). This goes well with the 1 John 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 62-63.
Drama: Reason to Believe
Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verona Johnson (ed) Openbook, 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), page 36 . This drama is based on the John reading.
Drama: You'll Never Guess What Happened
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 53ff (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading and is a humorous skit based on the story of doubting Thomas.
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 53ff (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading and is a humorous skit based on the story of doubting Thomas.
Sermon ideas: What are Friends For, Anyway?
Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 147. This is based on the Acts reading.
Drama: Take a Letter
Found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 39 (pictured at right). This goes well with the 1 John reading. Prayer: Confession
By Elizabeth D Barnam 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 85. Based on the John reading.
Prayer: Confession
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 88. Based on the John reading.
Drama: Testify to Love
By Heather Kirk-Davidoff and Nancy Wood-Lyczak 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 91. Based on the John reading.
