Maundy Thursday ABC (April 17)

 

 

 

Bible Readings: Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14, Psalm 116: 1-2, 12-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13: 1-7, 31b-35 

(the same readings are used for Year A, Year B and Year C).

About the Images:

Upper Left and Right and Middle Left:  These three images come from the free Heartlight site.  See my link column at left. 

Middle Right: This is my image so you are free to use it for worship and related activities.  It has been carved in olive wood by a craftsman in Bethlehem in Palestine.  If you would like one, please contact https://starbazaar.bethbc.edu/ .  I love mine. It sits in my office where I can always see it to remind me of what real leadership is all about. 

Lower Left: This is a free image from the now defunct Imagebank site.

Lower Right: This image comes from the free Hermano Leon sitewhich also appears to be no longer working.

Bottom Left: This is a free image from the now defunct Imagebank site. 

Introductory Activity:                                                                                                 Have a small laminated footwashing picture for each person to hold throughout the service and take home afterwards. some of the images above would work well or visit www.paulajolly.com for a couple of great pencil sketches on this theme. Please abide by all copyright rules.

Response Activity:                                                                                                     This works well as a change from foot washing or when there are congregational members who have mobility difficulties. It also takes a while to do so have some meditative music playing in the background.  Pass a peeled onion around and talk about how raw onions leave a nasty reminder behind. As each person takes a turn to hold the onion ask them to think of a disappointment, a hurt or an action that they have suffered or caused.  Then pass a box of scented disposable towelettes around and ask each person to wash the hands of the person on their right. As they do so, ask them to pray for that person asking God to remove the pain or disappointment or hurt in that person's life. I am fairly sure this is my idea but lots of other people have had e a similar idea and there are numerous variations on this theme. 

Just to be a little different  at any time                                                                     I sometimes use the Matthew readings which lead up to Jesus' arrest - so our concentration was on the Last Supper rather than the foot washing.  We sat in a circle and remembered the foot washing story by serving each other communion poured from a communal jug/pitcher/bottle. We used a little more food than just the bread and reflected on betrayal and denial, grief and desertion and how each of these can be overcome by companionship and community. 

Also:

A Chapter of Resources for Maundy Thursday: 

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 154-163 (pictured at left). 

For Children and Families: God is for Everyone

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right) . This is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: Love One another
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 32 (pictured at left). This has been written for the gospel reading.

Drama: I have set you an Example

Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verona Johnson (ed) Openbook, 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), page 64 (pictured at right) . This drama is based on the Gospel reading. 

Messy Communion

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 200ff (pictured at left). This is based on the 1 Corinthians reading.

Prayer 

By Kathryn J Campbell 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 66 (pictured at right). 

 

Holy Week ABC

  

About the images:

All are wikicommons images with their copyright information attached if they have any.  

Telling the Story: An Interactive Holy Week Drama and Communion Liturgy   

By Nicole M Havelka 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 69 (pictured at left) . Based on Matthew readings.

Palm Sunday:

See my previous blog post

Monday:

Bible Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 36:5-11 Hebrews 9:11-15 John 12:1-11

Drama: The "Grace" Clause
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 36 (pictured at left). This drama is based on Hebrews 9:11-15.

Tuesday:

Bible Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7       Psalm 71:1-14    1 Corinthians 1:18-31     John 12:20-36

Drama: The Politics of Suffering
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 70 (pictured above). This drama is based on John 12: 23-33

Wednesday:

Bible Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a    Psalm 70             Hebrews 12:1-3  John 13:21-32

Drama: You Can Always Tell By the Eyes
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 72 (pictured above). This drama is based on John 13:21-30.

Maundy Thursday:

Please see (next) separate blog entry

Good Friday:

Please see separate (after Maundy Thursday) blog entry

Saturday:

Bible Readings: Job 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66, Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, John 19:38-42

Australian Floral Illustrations and Links:

Found in The Scrolls Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Bible Society, 2011, pages 47, 48 and 56-57 (pictured at left) concentrate on the Lamentations reading. Stunning!!  Images may be used for such purposes as church services, with acknowledgement of the artist. 

Drama: A Time Of Mourning
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 89 (pictured above). This drama is based on John 19:38-42.

Drama: The Resurrection
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 92 (pictured above). This drama is based on Luke 24:1-12.

Drama: The Plan

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 65 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: In the Courtyard

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 59 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: The Watchers

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 61 (pictured above left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: In the Upper Room

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 63 (pictured above left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: The Message

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 66 (pictured above left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: I've Heard Nothing Else All Day

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 87 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Not What You Expected?

Found in Welcome Mat:  A Resource for Opening the Bible with Children, Families and Teens by Beth Barnett, Scripture Union, Victoria, 2010, pages 57 (small group resources), 106 (preschool resources), 127 (adult resources), 153 (dramas) The book is pictured here on the right.  Based on the Matthew reading. 

Saturday Vigil:

Drama: Missing the Boat 

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 40 (pictured above left). This drama is based on the Genesis reading.

Poem and Comment: Bible

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0 (pictured at left), found under the third Sunday 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 Proverbs reading.  

Easter Sunday:

Please see separate (after Good Friday) blog entry

Palm Sunday C (April 13): In and out of season/The Day of the Donkey

  

Bible Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:9-12, 16-19, Luke 19:29-40

About the images:
Upper Left: This comes from http://www.scripturepics.org/ A free site well worth a visit but not always up to date particularly for those of us a day or so ahead of most of the world. Use the site search engine if you find the site is a bit behind.
Upper Right: This is a photo of mine which I have fiddled with a bit. It makes a useful background. Please feel free to use it for worship or related activities.
Middle Left:  Jesus followers were a mixed bunch!  This image is of Gamla where the Zealots hailed from - a hill top fort-like town overlooking the Sea of Galilee where many of their arms were manufactured. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Middle Right: This is a palm tree near Seisia on the Cape York Peninsula (for more info on this beautiful bit of Australia, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seisia,_Queensland) 
Lower Left: This is a free image from Ceredo Barredo - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: Entry into Jerusalem by Wilhelm Morgner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bottom Left: a free image from the Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Listening Song or Film Clip: Hosanna
From the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar


Listening Song: Chorus of Faith
By Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey, Birdwing Music, 1994.  This fits really well with the gospel reading (pictured at left).

Prayers and Poems: gloria 
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 148 (pictured at right). These match up with the gospel readings.

Kid's Story: Paradise of Saints/Who Am I?
Found in Object Lessons by Edward C. Grube, CPH St Louis, 1994, ISBN 0570046483, page 54 (pictured at right). This pretty much goes with all the readings but is based to some degree in the Old Testament reading.

Kids: Jesus the King                    

Found in The Picture Strip Bible by Felicity Henderson and Chris Saunderson, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 18599964970, page 103 (pictured at left).

Kids: Day of the Donkey

Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 80 (pictured at right) . This is based on the Gospel reading. This resource is also available in electronic form through the Baptist Union of Victoria website, www.buv.com.au. where it can be copied freely for non-commercial use. 

Youth: Fashions and Fads
Bring some odd very dated clothes from your youth (I took witches britches and my husband's platform shoes from the late 60's/early 70's). Talk about how things go in and out of fashion. Discuss which celebrities are "in" at the moment. Talk about Jesus' popularity on Palm Sunday compared with later on in the week. Challenge them to follow Jesus whether he is in or out of fashion and not to let him go out of style. Pick an example of a place where people follow Jesus where it is not popular to do so. There is a great picture taken by John Leongard of the Polish people celebrating Easter in 1982 (when public faith gatherings were still banned) in Life Classic Photographs, 1988, ISBN 0821217143, page 70 (pictured at right).

Drama: Palm Sunday Interviews
The complete drama is below however the answers for each character are not written word for word; instead the general idea only is given so that a real interview feeling is realised. Interviewer's questions are in bold print.
Interviewer:
Today we are at the scene of a major rally. Something really big is happening here. I haven't seen so many people gathered in the streets for a long, long time. Let's ask a few of the crowd just what this is all about.
Rally Follower:
Excuse me, Sir/Madam/Miss, would you mind telling our viewers what you're doing out here on the street waving around that large palm branch?
Swept along with the branch wavers. Joined in for the thrill of it all.
What's this all about then? Why are all these people here?
Don't really know and don't really care - as long as its lots of fun and I feel involved. Think the bloke on a donkey is supposed to be a king or something.
On a donkey!!!! What happens if he's not? Won't you feel a little silly?
Hadn't really thought about that. I'm not really sure......trails off.
Friend of Lazarus:
Excuse me Sir/Madam/Miss, why are you attending this demo?
I saw Lazarus rise from the dead and I'm really excited about Jesus power. It was a fair dinkum miracle and gives everybody great hope for even bigger and better things to come. At last someone has come that can solve all our problems and fix everything up for us.
But have you heard the rumour that there is a price on his head?
Oh no, that's not possible is it? There can't be. That would change everything if anything happened to him. It's not possible.
Mugwump: [the person who sits on the fence with his mug (face) on one side and his wump on the other]
Excuse me, why are you attending this major gathering?
Just come to have a look.
How do you feel about becoming an integral part of this rally?
No way. We've all been warned. If we take part, there is a strong possibility that the chief priests will take down our names and then there's no telling what will happen.
What do you think of Jesus, the man on the donkey?
No comment. Don't get me involved.
Lazarus:
There's a man who people seem to be making rather a fuss of? Excuse me, Sir, can I have a word with you? Why do you seem to be attracting a bit of the attention away from Jesus?
Tells about his resurrection.
I've heard rumours that there's a price on your head.'
Yes, the Pharisees have done that etc etc.
Well, you seem to be the meat in the sandwich, don't you?
Yes, it's very confusing. I'm losing the point of my miracle if I'm only going to die anyway.
Yes , if you follow Jesus then you may pay the ultimate cost. Do you think a man who they say is a King, yet rides on a donkey, is going to be of much use to you?
.............
Pharisee:
Ah I see one of the our town's leading Pharisees over there. Tell me, Your Grace......
Today's a great success.....How do you feel about the number of people who have turned up today?
Not particularly pleased. Crowds are pretty fickle and easily swayed.
Do you think you're losing it with the common man... you know, losing control?No not at all....Jesus and Lazarus are obviously trouble makers whose activities will be nipped in the bud.
Ah, so you have plans to get rid of these two, have you?
No comment except to say that we have ways and means of ending little disturbances like these!
Disciple:
Ah, I see one of Jesus' very good friends - a disciple. Could you please tell me ...... Do you feel that this day has been a real success?
Yes, heaps of people (very enthusiastic)
Well then, what's with the donkey. Hardly a kingly mode of transport is it?
Not sure about the donkey - but knows that Jesus is going to fix the world still .....only not sure how He's going to do it. Maybe the donkey is an ancient sign of a miracle worker.
Interviewer:
Well folks, there you have it. These are the facts. There is far more to this rally today than meets the eye. It is a far more complex situation than we first anticipated. Is this Jesus the man we thought he was? He can perform astounding miracles: yet he came in to our city riding on a donkey - a small, unbroken colt, in fact. Has He given people false hopes - a man on a donkey doesn't look too promising. Is it time to restore order with the Pharisees or could you follow this mysterious man? Is Jesus the conquering King who will save the world? Can He solve all our problems? Can He save us from ourselves? What you will all have to decide is - has He really got something to offer? Could you, and would you, follow this man? Thankyou for watching.
c. Ann Scull and Rosemary Broadstock. Permission granted for use in worship.

Discussion: On the above drama.
Explain how we can all be like those who were interviewed at different times in our lives. Number everybody off from one to eight, ask people to get into the eight groups and then give each group one of the characters in the dram to discuss using the following questions:
1. Who is this person today?
2. What role can we play in their faith journey?

Story: Jesus, the Leader
Found in Ruth Daugherty, "Issues of Leadership in the 21st Century.' in Viewpoint, Summer, 1991,2.

Meditation: Three Stone Meditations
Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 92 (pictured at right).  

Prayer: You Called Us Your Disciples
Found in Stages on the Way by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 59 (pictured at left).  This goes well with the gospel reading.

Resources for Palm/Passion Sunday

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 124-135 (pictured at right). 

Lots of Useful Stuff:

Lots to be found in Resources for Preaching and Worship Year C compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, 2003, ISBN 066422508, pages 119-122

Also:


Response Activity: Holy Passion

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year C by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2012, ISBN 9781921945083, page 59ff (pictured at left).  This works well with the gospel reading.  

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2016 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2015, page 54ff (pictured at right). These ideas are based on all of the readings.

Story Plus Other Stuff: Roxsanne Makes Good

Found in Wally the Dodgy Trolley and other Stories of Faith and Humour by Ian Johnson, Scripture Union Australia, Lidcombe, 2000, ISBN 0949720984, page 37 (pictured at left).

Drama: The Gospel According to Mark
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 82. This drama is based on the Philippians reading.