Advent 1 C (December 1): Hoping/Watching/Waiting/Preparing/Creating

 

Bible readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-46

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a photo I took on Norfolk Island which I overwrote with a Bible text. Please feel free to us it for worship and related activities. If you are interested in seeing more of beautiful Norfolk Island visit www.norfolkisland.com.au 
Upper Right: This watch tower was built on the south east coast of Australia at Boydtown near Eden by Benjamin Boyd in the 1840's as a lighthouse and as a whale lookout. It was never completed and was never used as an official lighthouse, however generations of whalers used it for spotting whales. If you want to know more about Boydtown visit http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boydtown. The photo is mine so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle Left and Right: I took both of these photos in the old city of Jerusalem - one along a street (the little indented box in the wall) and the other at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, They both reminded me of hope - things growing in hard and unexpected places. Please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Lower Left: A free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: A free Microsoft clipart image with words from the Psalm 

Bottom Left: A free clip from the Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Opening Prayer: Blessing Prayer

Found in Seasons of Celebration by Patricia Mathson, Ave Maria press, 1995, ISBN 0877935661, page 19 (pictured at right). This prayer is useful for the entire advent season.

Confession:
Use bits of the Jeremiah reading and the psalm.

Film Clip: The Man in the Egg
Found on Leunig Animated, Madman, 2001 (pictured at left).  This clip goes well with both the Gospel and the Thessalonians reading.

Film Clips: Paperless Christmas
www.paperlesschristmas.com has the greatest set of short films for use in church based on a modern look at the christmas story. A brilliant effort! 

Kids: Hope 
Ask the kids if they have ever planned something that didn't work out the way they intended it to. Share a story from your own life which will illustrate this and show them if possible (mine is a quilt which went horribly wrong between the planning and the completing!!!)
Tell them that Advent is the time when we remember all of God's terrific promises to us that everything will work out because Jesus is the one who brings us ......
Have huge letters H O P E stuck up in random order around the worship space. Ask the kids to help you sort them into a word they know.
Discuss with them what the word means and how it relates to Christmas.

Discussion: In pairs or threes.
What do you think has gone wrong with the world? How do you think it should be?
What do you think has gone wrong with our local community? How do you think it should be?
What do you think has gone wrong with our church? how do you think it should be?
Talk about waiting for change and about changing back or changing forward. Then discuss:
What are you waiting for?
What are we as a church waiting for?
What is this particular congregation waiting for?

Story: Goodness and Mercy Will Win
By Erskine White in Together in Christ, CCS Publishing Co. or find it at illustrations@CLERGY.NET This goes well with the Jeremiah reading.

Story: Some Things are Immovable
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg Mckinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 47 (pictured at right). This story fits well with both the gospel and the Thessalonians reading.

Poem:
Accept surprises
that upset your plans
shatter your dreams,
give a completely
different turn
to your day
and - who knows? -
to your life.
It is not chance.
Leave the Father free
himself to weave
the pattern of your days.
By Dom Helder Camara in A Thousand Reasons For Living, ISBN 0800606647.

Prayer/poem: The Coming Bushman
Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1981, ISBN 0859105628 (pictured at left).  This fits in well with the gospel reading.

Meditation: And This Shall Be A Sign to You 
By Robert A Raines in Imaging the Word Volume 1 by Kenneth T Lawrence, Jann Cather Weaver and Roger Wedell (Eds.), United Church Press, 1994, ISBN 0829809716, page 78 (pictured at right). This fits in well with the Gospel reading. I put these words with a series of images of babies and used the 11th Commandment by Ben Harper and the Blind Boys from Alabama on their album, Let there Be Light, (pictured at left) as backing music.

Meditation: Waiting

From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 20 (pictured at right). This fits well with all the readings.

Prayer for Others; Pinning Our Hopes on Jesus (i)
Found in Cloth For The Cradle, page 54 - see at right
 
Response Activity: Pinning Our Hopes on Jesus (ii)
Found in Cloth For the Cradle, page 56 - see at right

Response Activity: Advent Angels: 
This is an advent version of secret buddies. Encourage or organise people (in the sense that you pair people up somehow without them knowing - like you do for secret buddies or Chris Kringles) to be advent angels ie where people do unexpected favours or give unexpected encouragement or praise anonymously to others in the congregation.

Response Activity: Fridge magnets:
Give everyone a small (laminated maybe) card with the words of Psalm 25:4-5 on it attached to a small fridge magnet (see above image)

Also:

Kids: Oi Get Off Our Train

By John Burningham, Random House,  with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 42 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Thessalonians  reading.

Creative Ideas: Jeremiah: The Prophet of Hope

Found in Multi-Sensory Prophets by Mike Law, Scripture Union, 2007, ISBN 9781844272587, page 37(pictured at right). This is based on the Jeremiah reading.

Four Advent Meditations:

Found in In this Hour by Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Desbooks, 2001, ISBN 094982433X, page 46ff (pictured at left). 

Drama: The World's Going to End

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0 85910 920 8, page 60 (pictured at right). This drama fits with the gospel reading

 

Christ the King B ( November 24): Who IS in charge?

 

 

Bible readings: 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132: 1-12 (13-18), Revelation 1:4-8, John 18:33-37

About the Images:
Upper Right and Left and Lower Right: All three images are Microsoft free clipart with my text added.

Middle Left: This comes free from a site called Scripture Pics which seems to have disappeared.

Middle Right: This comes, with permission, from the site of one of my favourite artists of all time, James B Janknegt.  If you want to use this image please visit his awesome site and ask for permission for yourself: http://www.bcartfarm.com/
Lower Left:  This is a free image from Heartlight.  See my link column on the left.

Bottom Left: This is a free image from Cerezo Barredo - see a link to his illustrations in my linl column at left. 

Listening Song: For the Glory of Your Name
By Michelle Tumes on her album, Very Best of Michelle Tumes (pictured at left) or on WOW 2000.  This song matches in well with all of the readings for today.

Film Clip: Chariots of Fire

Show the clip in the film (pictured at left) where Eric Liddell talks with the Prince of Wales en route to the Olympic Games. Eric had a God space in his week that he was not prepared to give up. His allegiance to Jesus and his heavenly kingdom was more important than his allegiance to King and country. This clip is a little long but.....

Discussion Questions:

1. What are Eric's top priorities?
2. Who or what do we give our allegiance to?

Don't let this discussion degenerate into an argument about a particular day.  Concentrate on encouraging people to talk about God spaces.

Story: The Kingdom of God

Story No 363 in 750 Engaging illustrations by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at left). I used this story with the 1 Samuel reading.

Sermon Help Notes and Response Activity: Revelation by Song

Give everyone a strip of paper with the words of Revelation I:8 printed across it. Under these words, print three pictures entitled as follows:

Picture 1: a cradle and the words "who is"

Picture 2: a spider and the words "who was"

Picture 3: music notes and the words: "who is to come".  

1. The God who Is.

Sing Rock a Bye Baby together. Note that the song does not say "if" but "when the bough breaks". Life is full of surprises - not all of them good - but God is acting and moving in our world. Ask them to talk to the person next to them about how they see God at work in the world today.
2. The God Who Was.
Ask people to sing Ipsy Whipsy Spider together. Note that the song is very like human kind - we repeat our mistakes as nations, as communities, as families and as individuals but we keep plugging away. And "out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain". God repeatedly over history heals, restores, loves and forgives us.
3. The God who is to come

Sing the hymn "Joyful, joyful we adore you" to Beethoven's Ode To Joy. Note that because God is yet to come, the way we live makes a difference.

I couldn't remember where I got this idea from - but a reader has suggested

Homiletics, November 23, 1997 (see comments for Christ the King Sunday 2009). Thankyou

Adult Response
In verse 6 of the Revelation reading we are all called to be ministers. Ask people:
In order to be a minister, where do you need God the most:
healing your past,
with you in your present,
or being your future?
Fold your strip of paper in three so that the one you need is uppermost and take it home that way.

Prayer: Multi-Sensory Prayer:
There are some useful bits for this Sunday in in Multi- Sensory Church by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2002, ISBN 1859996671, page 15 (pictured at left).

A Now For Something Completely Different: A Short Taize Style service.
Decorate your communion table with pieces of white and gold material and cover it all with heaps of small lit tea lights. For the service have an opening prayer only and maybe a song or two. Then have about a half an hour of reflective music which suits the Bible readings - I used music from The Prayer Cycle by Jonathan Elias (pictured at right), Immortal Memory by Lisa Gerard and Patrick Cassidy(pictured at left), an untitled album by Doros (pictured at right), and A Feather on the Breath of God by Hildegaard of Bingen (pictured at left). At the same time I projected Christ the King images - about thirty in all timed for a minute each. I gave each person an envelope filled with the bible readings and relevant quotes - about 20 in all. People could then chose to read some or all of the quotes, watch the pictures, listen to the music, watch the candles or do a mixture of all. I finished the service with the prayer for others , another song and a blessing. 

Also:

For Children and Families: God is Faithful

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel 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 54-59 (pictured at left).

Drama: What is Truth

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0959109186, page 12 (pictured at left). This drama fits with the gospel reading.

Poem: King Jesus

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 94 (pictured at right) and based on the gospel reading. 

Poem and Painting: The Politics of Pilate

Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 34. These are based on the John reading. 

Proper 28 B (November 17): What Lasts and What Doesn't/Finding Strength When We Are Weak/The Challenge of Our Time/God Can be Trusted

 

 

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Psalm 16, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8,

About the images:

Upper Left: A free microsoft image with my text.

Upper Right: Uluru with words from 1 Samuel 2:2. This is my image so please feel free to use this image for worship or related activities.
Middle Left: Another piece of street art from one of the laneways of inner city Melbourne, Australia. For more info on the laneways, Google Melbourne and see the page on "Melbourne laneways" under "About Melbourne" or "Welcome to Melbourne". This is my image so please feel free to use this image for worship or related activities.

Middle Right: A free heartlight image - please see my link column at left.

Lower Left: This is my image so please feel free to use for worship and related activities - it is an image from Beit Shean in Israel. 

Lower Right:  Pretty sure this is a microsoft free clipart with my text - please let me know if it is not.

Bottom Left: This is my image (my husband's ear to be entirely truthful, not God's) so please feel free to use for worship and related activities 

Listening Song: Bearers of the Light

by Michael Card on his album Poiema (pictured at right). This song enhances the Hebrews reading.

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 (pictured at left). Based on the 1 Samuel reading.

Confession

By Rachel G. Hackenberg 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 105 (pictured at left). Based on the Samuel reading.

Kid's Story: Won't You Help Me
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 35. (pictured at left).

Film Clip: Nottinghill

Show the scene in Nottinghill (pictured at right) where the characters, in the intimacy and safety of their shared meal together, all share their secret fears and insecurities to illustrate Hebrews 10:25. 

Film Clip: 2018 Social Revolution
Produced by The Social Media College and available on Youtube this is six years out of date; nevertheless, this is a great way to introduce the helpful hints contained in the Hebrews reading for living in our fast paced world...or find a new more up t date set of stats.

Drama: The End of the World is Coming

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0959109186, page 51 (pictured at left). This drama fits with the gospel reading.

Introduction: The Challenge of Our Times
Can't remember the source of the following info - probably the web :-)

"Did you know that....

There is more than one mobile phone per head of population in Finland.
My ordinary car has more computer power than the rocket that took Neil Armstrong to the moon.
Our computers at home are out of date the moment we buy them.
The World Wide Web puts people in touch with each other like never before … and simultaneously isolates them.
The miracles of modern science have not eliminated pain and grief and loss and family breakdowns."
Link this to the Hebrews reading.

Discussion Questions:
Do you think we are in times of turmoil and collapse today – in the world, in our society, in our church?
At such times, what sort of things do people place their faith in?

Story: God's Trustworthiness
Story 593 in 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching by Michael P Green, Baker Books, 1989, ISBN 0801063302 (pictured at left). This story fits well with the Samuel reading.

Story: The Power of Our Words
Found in Illustrations, Stories, and Quotes to Hang Your Message On, (as above) page 169 to illustrate Hebrews 10:24.

Story: God's Care
Story 98 in Your Point Being by Graham Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured at left).  The story sits well with the Samuel reading. 

Adult Response:
Ensure that everyone has a small candle and is standing and that you have a lit a large Christ candle that everyone can see. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and explain that we are now going to live out these verses by giving each other the light and hope and encouragement. Light your candle from the Christ candle. Explain that you are going to light one person's candle and at the same time tell them something encouraging. That person will do the same to someone else until everyone in the room has a lighted candle. Tell them that when their candle is alight and when they have lit someone else's and encouraged them, they should sit down with their lighted candle.

Adult Response:
Make tiny (20 will fit on an A4 or letter size) cards/photos/drawings/whatever of the symbols of God found in the Samuel reading - make a total of three times as many as there are people in your congregation. Ask people to select one for themselves and one to give somebody else.

ALSO:

Service Starter: Right Focus

Based on the 1 Samuel reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 16 (pictured at right).

Drama: It's Them!

Found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 27 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Hebrews reading. 

Hannah

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 145 (pictured at left). This activity is based on the 1 Samuel  reading. For a few reasons that sadden me, Messy Church activities are often moved out of regular church services into their own little niche service. They are fine in a normal service.... and fun.... and connect worship with a variety of people.

Prayer Response

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 154 (pictured above left). This activity is based on the second 1 Samuel reading. 

Prayer: Absolution

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 39 (pictured at right) and based on the Hebrews reading.

Activity: Connections Web

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 25. This is based on the 1 Samue reading.