Trinity Sunday A (11th June 2017): Revenge versus Forgiveness/ Three in One

There is a 2026 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Bible readings: Genesis 1 1-2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

About the images:
Upper Left: From http://www.sacredise.com/files/images/free/Trinity2.jpg.
Upper Right: Trinity found at http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/indexAgraf.html
Lower Left: This is an Imagebank free image - see my link column at left.
Lower Right: This is a free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.

Call to Worship:
Ask everyone to go outside or bring something in which reminds them of God's creation to place on the communion table.


Listening Song: Creation Calls
By Brian Doerksen on the album, Light the Fire (pictured at right). Illustrate this song with images from your own local area for greatest impact.

Film Clip: Antz
Show the clip at the very beginning straight after the credits and finish when Z says "I'm insignificant with attitude". (see below).  This clip includes the credits and a minute or so after Z's statement but it work best if you edit it to stop at his statement.



Discussion: on the film clip of Antz.
1. Why does Z feel insignificant?
2. In what sort of situations can we feel like this?
3. Matthew 28:19 says: "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples". What do you think of this verse? How does it make you feel?
4. What reassures you that this is not too big an ask of us ...or is it?

Kids story: The Blind Men and the Elephant
This old, old story makes a good lead in to a discussion on God, three in one, not only for children but for adults as well.

Drama: In the Beginning
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, Page 7 (pictured at right). This is based on the Genesis reading.

Trinity Illustration: Threesome
Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 321 (pictured at left). This is a lovely analogy of the Trinity and I once used it as the basis of my service and sermon.  

Story: The Life Saving Station
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 140 (pictured at right. This story is based on the gospel reading.

Story: The Skier
Story 155 in 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching by Michael P Green, Baker Books, 1989, ISBN 0801063302 (pictured at left). This illustration shows us the different ways the Holy Spirit can act in our lives.

Story: Through Thick and Thin

Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks Book 4 by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 2001, ISBN 0310236193, page 39 (pictured at right).

Story: Rivalry
Found as story No 226 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929. This story matches up well with the 2 Corinthians reading.

Prayer For Others: Circles
Found in Multi-sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 33. This goes quite well with the 1 Corinthians reading.


Response Activity:
I gave people a choice of three responses (see below). I used the words of 2 Corinthians 13:13, Matthew 28:19 and "Our God is complex, dynamic, relational, ever-reaching, ever seeking, ever creating, ever loving, and ever speaking" (William Willamon: Preaching Resources, Trinity Sunday, 2005) as the basis for all three responses. The choices were
1. Meditation: I used the words as a visual meditation with a powerpoint presentation and music by Moby from his album, Play. I used two tracks: "Inside" and "Guitar, Flute and String".
2. Discussion: I gave people the words on a handout and asked them to discuss the words.
3. Modelling: I gave people the words on a handout together with a small piece of self hardening clay and asked them to model a response to the words.

Response Activity: Relationships
Found in Bringing the Word to Life Together by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, MediaCom, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 94. This response is based on the Corinthians reading. There are also some great sermon notes to be found here as well.


Also:


Poem/Meditation: The Cheerful Unrepentant Weeds

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 13 (pictured at left).

Worship Activity: Prayer Lights

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 43.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer Exercise: The Psalms Teach Us to Pray

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 42.  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Also:

Kids: Cecil and Psalm 8

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2017.  This goes with the Psalm.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A7 and for a further $A10 (or instead of) you can buy on line the story in any format you need to project the pictures in church.  There are also free activity sheets and for a cost activity books for both teachers and children.  Visit www.lostsheep.com.au to check out all the excellent resources.

Kids: The Image of God

And another another brilliant book by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2017. This goes with the Genesis reading. 

A chapters of resources for Trinity Sunday:

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 199ff. 

Various Ideas: Te Great Commission: Getting the Message Out

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 30. Connected with the Gospel reading. 

Various Ideas: Creation - the Message of Love

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 7. Connected with the Genesis reading.

. 

Epiphany 7 A Proper 2 A: Living Generously

Bible Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119: 33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48.

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free Heartlight image. You can visit their site via my links column on the left of this page.
Upper Right: This image is from the Hermano Leon free clip art site (see my links at the left of this page). I like the open hand versus the clenched fist idea.
Lower Left: This is from the Church Galleries site (see my links column at left)

Kid's Story: Change Your Enemy into Your Friend
Found in The Lectionary Story Bible, Woodlake , 2009, ISBN 9781551455471, pages 65-66 (pictured at right) . This story is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: Wondrous Oblivion
(pictured at left) This is a great clip about a Jewish boy in England who, although suffering some discrimination himself, discriminates against a Jamaican girl who has kindly taught him to play cricket. The scene I chose is one where he tries to make amends for his behaviour. See the clip at Making Amends - Movie Clip from Wondrous Oblivion at WingClips.com

Drama: This is the Word of the Lord Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 27 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Music in a New Place
Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 18 (pictured at left) . This story is based on the gospel reading.


Story and Response Activity: Sometimes it is Really Hard to Love
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together by Dorothy McRae- McMahon and Andrew Collis, Mediacom, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 44 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading.

Poem: A Hymn of Imperfection
By Joy Cowley and found in Resources for Preaching and Worship Year A compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, ISBN 0664225071, page 74 (pictured at left). This is just a delight and goes beautifully with the prayer response below.

Prayer Response: Praying for our Enemies
Found in Forbid Them Not Year A by Carolyn C Brown, Abingdon Press, 1992, ISBN 068713255X, page 53 (pictured at left). I know, I know, this is supposed to be an activity for the kids but with the Poem (above) attached to it instead of the word puzzle; it makes a very thought provoking prayer activity for adults

Also:

Poem: He sends rain
Found In Due Season by Herbert F. Brokering, Augsburg Publishing House, 1966  in the spring section. Based on the Matthew reading.

Worship Activities: The Cheek, the Load, the Shirt

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 50. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Worship Activities: Rain for the Good and Bad

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 57. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Discussion: Love and Just Society

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 143. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Poem and Comment: Jesus

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the third Friday 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 Matthew reading.  

Prayer Exercise: Setting Sights Too Low
Found in Choosing Pilgrimage by Craig Mitchell and Kyle Dugan, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8358 9826 3, page 52-53. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 5 A (5th February 2017): Shine

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives at the left. 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12(13-16), Matthew 5:13-20

About the images:
Upper left and right: These are free Heartlight images. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Lower left: This is a Microsoft free clipart with my text.
Lower Right: This is a free sample clip art from Church galleries - see my link at left.

 Listening Song: Shine
By the Newsboys on their album, Shine: The Hits (pictured at left) or on WOW 1996. This song uses words from the gospel reading.

Discussion:
1. Salt and light have lost their preciousness in many ways to the Western world. What might Jesus say to us today if he was talking to us? You are like........
2. How do we shine God's light onto those around us?

Brainstorm:
Brainstorm definitions of the word "disciple".

Film Clip: True Fasting
This clip is from Work of the People - see my link column at left.  It goes well with the Isaiah reading:



Story: Why the Potatoes Sprouted
This story can be found at
http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/1801-1900/HDM1876.pdf Story No. 1430. It is based on the gospel story.

Story: Thermometers and Themostat
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 198 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Matthew reading.

Also:

Poem and prayer: salt and light.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 14 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Shout aloud!
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 40ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Gospel reading and the old Testament reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 39ff (pictured at left).

Worship Activity: Prayer Lights

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN 0830724044, page 43.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 4 A (29th January 2017): Paradox

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives column at left. 


Bible Readings: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, I Corinthians 1: 18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text.
Upper Right: This is a free Heartlight image. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Below left: This is a Microsoft free image with text from the song "God's Own Fool" (below).

Listening Song: God's Own Fool
By Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Kid's Story: The Lion and the Mouse
This is an Aesop fable and can be found almost anywhere on or off line.  It goes really well with the gospel reading and the Corinthians reading.

Film Clip: The Beatitudes
This clip is found on the Work of the People site (see my links column at left).
http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/the-beatitudes


Drama: I Believe Congratulations Are In Order
By Tick Brereton and found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916X, page 17 (pictured at right). This is a dramatic reading that looks at the Beatitudes and different approaches to what they really mean. I made this the basis of my sermon and added a couple more voices to each section who related directly to the struggles in our own community and lives and added prayers of reflection after each section as well.

Response Activity:
I gave everyone a copy of the Mega Drama (above) version of the Beatitudes and gave them a space to read them over and then underline the one that they do best in one colour and the one that they need most help with in another colour. We then prayed together and for each other.

Also:

Taize Service: Beatitudes

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 38. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 3 A (22nd January 2017): Discipling 101/Abandoning the Boats

Note: 

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives at left.

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1,4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23

About the Images:
Above Left: Abandoned whaler on Norfolk Island - it's my photo so feel free to use it for worship related activities. If you want to know more about Norfolk Island please visit http://www.norfolkisland.com.au

Above Right: This is a microsoft free clipart image with text from the unnamed poem by Philip Andrews (see below under Meditation/Poem).

Lower Left:  The words from the psalm with an image I have on paper from 40 years ago - I have no idea who to attribute this to -  if anyone knows the artist, please let me know.
Lower Right: This is a free image from Imagebank (see my link column at left). 

Listening Song: Jesus Freak
By dc Talk on their album, Jesus Freak (pictured at left). This song is about discipleship.

Listening Song: In the Light
By dc Talk on their album Jesus Freak (pictured at left). This song goes well with the Corinthians reading.

Listening Song: One

By U2 on their album Achtung Baby, 1991. 

Kids Story: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
By Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, Penguin, 2009, ISBN 9780143503583 (pictured at right). This story is just a delight and goes very well with the Corinthians reading.

Film Clip: Oh My God
This clip seems to have disappeared off the web however one of the major speakers, Rabbi Froman, is part of a new film about to be released, called A Third Way - a film about Israeli and Palestinians working together. Any clips you can access on this topic fit in beautifully with the Corinthians reading and if you can watch any of them without tearing up then you are better than me.

Film Clip: Meet the Parents
(pictured at left) Show the clip where Kevin shows off his carpentry skills and says he does it because he wants to follow in Jesus' footsteps. (about 55 minutes from the start)

Discussion: On Meet the Parents
1. What does it mean to be one of Jesus' disciples? Will being a good carpenter do it?
2. What should we do to be good disciples?

Discussion:
1. Was there a definable moment when you became a Christian?
2. What changed most for you if you did have a definable moment?
3. Is conversion the end of the story?

Drama: Leftovers
By Eric Stapleton and found at http://www.dramatix.org/archive/family/Leftovers.html This drama fits in well with the Corinthians reading.

Story: If Jesus Showed Up at Your School
Found in Could Someone Wake Me Up Before I Drool On The Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, pp11 (pictured at right) . This is a story about youth and discipleship.

Story: Soren Kierkegaard's Train Passenger
I don't know which book of his this is in but I found reference to this illustration in Rivers in the Desert edited by Rowland Croucher, Albatross books, 1991, ISBN 086760137X, page 253 (pictured at left). This story is based on the gospel reading.

Story: To Have It Within
Found in Speakers Source Book of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley, Word Publishing,1995, ISBN 0849936756, page 40 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Psalm.

Story: Fishers of Men Part 2
In When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 130-1 (pictured at left) . This story is based on the gospel reading.

Meditation: We Did Not Want to Go
In He Was in the World: Meditations for Public Worship by John Bell, Wild Goose, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, pp 87 (pictured at right). This meditation is like the song Jesus Freak above and centres on our unwillingness sometimes to be a disciple because we foresee difficulties.

Mediation/Poem: Unnamed
By Philip Andrews 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 125. (pictured in an ealrier blog). I put images with this and used Look Back In by Moby from his album, 18, as backing. This is connected with the Psalm.

Response Activity:
Display heaps of printed images and words around the worship space and ask people to choose a couple which most explain how they feel about or what they think in response to the Bible reading. Ask people to share why they chose the cards and or words which they did.
NB. www.innovativeresources.org make an amazing set of cards called Signposts which work really well with this activity.

Also:

Poem and prayer: repent - turn around.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 12.  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Invited to Bring the Light
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 36ff. This is based on the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 26ff.

Epiphany 2 A (15 January 2017): Following With Our Feet on the Rock

Note: 

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff.

Bible Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42

About the Images:

Upper Left: My photo, my foot, my boot :-) ...feel free to use as you want. This image goes well with Psalm 40:2 and the Gospel reading.

Upper Right: This image comes from heartlight - see my link to their site at left.

Lower Left: A homemade wordle.
Lower Right:  A free clipart from the wonderful Church Galleries site - well worth a subscription - see my link column at left.

Listening Song: Dancing on the Wall

By Iona on their self titled album (pictured at left).

This song goes well with the gospel reading.

Listening Song: 40
By U2 on their album, War or on their album, Under a Blood Red Sky (pictured at left). This, of course, is a version of Psalm 40. It is pre-recorded on the War album and live on the other.

Listening Song: It's Alright (Send Me)
By Winans Phase2 on their album We Got Next (pictured at left) or on WOW 2000. This goes well with the gospel reading.

Drama: For Me
By Pastor Keith Stiller and found in Drama Resources 2, Lutheran Publishing House, 1986, page 29 (pictured at right). This is a drama about discipleship.

Discussion Questions: Plenary, Group or with a Neighbour

1. What is the one thing you would need to know about them before you followed somebody?
2. Have you ever followed somebody (other than Jesus)?
3. What is it about Jesus that made you want to follow him? (This would also make a good interview question for one or two (three or four?) members of your congregation - their answers could take the place of the sermon for the week - you would have to give them prior warning in order for this to work well).4. Define "disciple".

Story: The Journey Thus Far

By Athol Gill in his book Life on the Road, Herald Press, 1989, ISBN 0836135881, page 11 (pictured at right). This links in well with the gospel reading.

Story: Rigby

Index 1158 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990 or find the story on line at http://bible.org/illustration/john-141. This story is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Uncompromising Determination
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 214 (pictured at left). I matched this story with the Isaiah reading because it talks about how we are valued and how much we matter in a rather comic manner.

Prayer/Poem: Deny Self and Imitate Christ

Found in Of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A'Kempis, Whitaker House, 1981, ISBN 0883680947, page 207 (pictured at right).