Blue Christmas A (for any time in Advent); For those who find Christmas to be a tough time.

Note: There is an updated 2022 version of this post with more stuff

Bible Readings: Luke 2:1-7, Luke 6:17-23, Psalm 22:1-11, Matthew 11:28-29, Romans 8:35, 38-39

Blue Christmas's are not lectionary based - here below are a few ideas which vary from those I have put up in previous years B and C.

About the images:
Above left: This is a free microsoft clipart image - it connects well with a particular age and gender for whom blue Christmas services are particularly applicable.
Above Right: Taken by Mrs Julia Walker - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. Grief and loss are experienced by all ages.

Middle Left:  This is a free Heartlight image: see my links column on the left.

Middle Right: This free image comes from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. It makes a great background slide. 

Lower Left: This free image, based on the Matthew reading,  comes from Cerrezo Barredo.See my link column at left.

Listening Song : Mary Did You Know
By Kathy Mattea on her album Good News (pictured at left) or on WOW Christmas.

Story: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

By Susan Wojciechowski and P. J. Lynch, Walker Books, 1995, ISBN 0744554020 (pictured at right) . This is a breathtakingly beautiful children's book which speaks to all ages about loss, grief and Christmas.

Story: Piccola

By Mala Powers and found in The Lion Christmas Book by Mary Batchelor (ed.), Lion Publishing, 1986, ISBN 0745912206, page 24-25, (pictured at left).

Proper 28 C (November 17): Perserverence / Following God

There is an updated 2022 blog for this week with more resources - please find it in my archives on the left of this page. 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

About the Images:
Upper Left and Right :Free clipart from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com - see my link column at left) 
Middle Left and Right: Free clip art from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left
Lower Left:A free image from the Cerrezo Barredo site - see my link column at left.

Kid's Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
By Judith Vorst and Ray Cruz, Angus and Robertson, 1972, ISBN 0207151375 (pictured at right). Finish with an assurance that God is always with us.

Listening Song: Legacy
By Nichole Nordeman on her album, Woven and Spun or WOW 2004 (pictured at left). This song goes very well with the Thessalonians reading.

Exercise: Fake Money
Ask all the youth to come forward for free money. Give them Monolopy money and then have a discussion on how you tell the difference between real money and fake money. Relate this to "who do we listen to" below and the Luke reading.
 
Film Clip: Ice Age
Show the scenes at the very beginning of this film where Scrat holds on to his nut no matter what happens. (pictured at right and seen below). This clip goes very well with the Thessalonians reading.



Film Clip Group Discussion: Ice Age
1. How is Scrat a picture of perseverence?
2. Make a list together of some of the things in life you think are worth persevering with?

Film Clip: Titanic
(pictured at left )The scene near the beginning when everybody is on the wharf just before boarding the Titanic and all the claims are made about how strong and beautiful - and unsinkable - the Titanic is. This fits well with "Who do you depend on" below and the Luke reading.

Discussion: On the Thessalonians reading
How an we encourage each other not to be discouraged, to never give up, to persist?

Story: Leadership
Found as story No 147 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured at right). This fits well with the Thessalonians reading about following instructions.

Story: Sewing the Sheets Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 68 (pictured at left). This fits well with the Thessalonians reading about following instructions.

Story: Prophecy/Harper's Weekly 

Index 2889-2894 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. Fits well with "Who do you turn to?" below and the Luke reading.

Story: Fear
Index 856-859 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. Fits well with "Where do you get Your words?" below and the Luke reading

Drama: Who Do You Depend On
This drama is based on the Luke reading for this week. Use hymns, the film clip, poems, stories and prayers between the sections and do not have a sermon.

1. WHO DO YOU DEPEND ON?
Reader: Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.
A: (looking around) Isn’t this just the most beautiful church, you’ve ever seen?
B: Yes, we definitely have the nicest one in ........... (put your own town here).
A: We dedicated it to God, and he certainly has blessed us!
B: I’m sure the others in town would love to have what we’ve got.
Reader: But Jesus said: As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.

2. WHO DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Reader: They asked Jesus:
A and B: Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?
Reader: He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming,
A: I am the One!
B: The time is near!
A: Follow me
B: Listen to me!
Reader: But Jesus said: Do not follow them.
 
3. WHO DO YOU TURN TO?
Reader: Jesus said: When you hear of wars and revolutions.....
A: The war in Syria reached a new intensity today as missiles landed.........
B: The residents of the city continue to live in fear. Police have been unable to withstand rioters and looters.....
Reader: Jesus said: Do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
A: Military exercises continued today in foreign waters. Response was swift with ....
B: Planes carried out a surprise bombing attack before daybreak today .....
Reader: Jesus said: There will be great earthquakes
A: More than one hundred thousand people lost their lives in a devastating earthquake. Authorities say the quake measured 8.1 on the Richter scale ....
Reader: ......sickness.......
B: These virus’s continue to spread our the community. Health authorities claim they are in epidemic proportions and show no signs of letting up ....
Reader: .........famines in various places,.............
A: Two more shipments of food reached port but never made it to the starving masses. Warlords continue to control .......
Reader: Jesus continued: Fearful events and great signs will come from heaven.
B: Scientists claim two asteroids are on a collision course...
A: How much science fiction can become actual reality?

4. WHERE DO YOUR LOYALTIES LIE?
Reader: Jesus said: But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you.
A: You’re under arrest!
B: Take that!
A: No video tape so lets give ‘em a good thumping!
B: Teach them a lesson!
Reader: Jesus said: They will deliver you to synagogues
A: Don’t you know the stories about Jesus aren’t really true?
B: If your Christianity really worked you wouldn’t be suffering like this.....
Reader: ... and put you in jail
A: We’ll put you away for good!
Reader: ......and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
B: Why do you believe when it is against the law?
A: You are going against the very things your country stands for. You traitor!

5. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR WORDS?
Reader: But this will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry before hand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
B: Well, actually, you make a lot of sense.
A: I think I’ll have to think about this - you have a point.
Reader: You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends.......
B: Come on, I’m your mother. After all I‘ve done for you, how can you waste your life following Jesus.
A: I’ve been your best friend since kinder. You’re too smart for all this. You’ve been brainwashed.
Reader: and they will put some of you to death. All people will hate you because of me.
A and B: Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!
Reader: But Jesus said: "But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.”
c. R. Broadstock and A. Scull (please feel free to adapt)

Response Activity: For the Thessalonians reading
Have a large mural sized piece of paper that all your congregation can fit around (or multiples thereof)  and have lots of felt markers (textas) available. In the middle of the paper have the three main points from the Thessalonians reading written in very large letters: Follow Instructions, Do Your Bit, Never Give up. Ask people to visualise in turn their lives, their families, their workplace and their church community. Allow a little time for them to think about their contribution to each of these areas - what they contribute to make each of these areas a place of worship and service and places imbued with God's love and understanding. Encourage them to write unsigned responses on the paper (encourage people to use it like a graffiti board).
N.B. I used this idea in 2004 and I am not sure (forgotten) if this idea is mine or somebody gave it to me. I am happy to acknowledge a source if someone can enlighten me.

Benediction: Breathe
Based on Isaiah 65 and from the excellent Work of the People site (see my links at left).

Also:

Kids: Jesus Gets the Last Word
Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 82 (pictured at left). 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. 

Proper 24 C (October 20): Never Give Up/Persistence and Encouragement

There is a 2022 updated version of this post with more resources - see archive at left.

Bible Readings: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119: 97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8

About the Image:
Upper Left: This image comes from the Sunday Graphx site (http://sundaygraphx.blogspot.com/) and makes a good thematic background for your digital slides if you are concentrating on the Jeremiah reading.
Upper Right: The quill is from free Microsoft Clip art so feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.

MiddleLeft: This image is free from the the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which is down at the moment.  This particular one was free on the site.
Lower Left:This image is free from the the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Listening Song: Written on My Heart

By Plus One on their album. The Promise or WOW 2001 (pictured at right). The words of this song are inspired by the Jeremiah reading.

Film Clip: Psalm 121 (an alternative Psalm for the day).

Found at http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/visual-liturgy

Film Clip: It's Not Your Fault

This clip is found in the film Good Will Hunting (pictured at left) and on YouTube under the above heading.  I hesitate to suggest this clip because you would have to be very careful where you showed it and how you showed it in the context of worship.  It has very many expletives - nevertheless if you have a bleeping system or whatever, maybe it would be a possibility. Be that as it may, I have never seen a clip which so obviously illustrates Jeremiah 31:29-30 and which has the ability to reduce me to tears every time I see it.

Discussion Questions: For the 2 Timothy reading                      

1. What should we persist with in our own personal faith?

2.What sort of things is Timothy encouraged to persist with?

3. What sort of things should we persist with together?

4. Are people fighting battles we know nothing about?

5. How deep does our commitment to each other go?
6. What scripture do you have written on your heart?
7. What does it mean for our congregation to live in confidence and hope?

Story: The Horse Trader
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth by Wayne Rice, Zondervan 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 86 (pictured at right). I think this is a good introduction or a good youth story for the 2 Timothy reading.

Story:Forgiveness                                             Found as story No 75 in
Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured at left). This story matches up well with the Jeremiah reading.

Story: God, the Recreator.
I have a beautiful clock made by a man who makes all his clocks out of wood from houses which have been pulled down. For God, nothing is too far gone to be restored or recreated into something of beauty - God's promise in the Jeremiah reading.

Quote: Harold Kushner
"I read the Torah as Jews have read it and loved it for centuries. For example, I can tell you what is the middle word in the Torah. I can tell you what is the middle letter in the Torah. Over the generations Jewish scholars have read the Torah not as a novel to see how it ends, but as a love letter. For instance, ‘Why did he use this word instead of that word?’ ‘Why is there a space here?’ ‘Why a comma here instead of a period?’ That’s the way you read a love letter and wonder, ‘What did he or she mean by this word?’ We Jews have seen the Torah as not just a book of stories or law codes, but as a love letter from God." Comment by Rabbi Harold Kushner on VISN TV or in Questions of Faith.  Sorry I cannot source this any better as I have neither seen the TV program or read the book.  When I procure a copy of the book I may be able to give you more information. Nevertheless, it is a lovely quote to introduce today's Psalm 119 reading.

Response Activity:
Give everybody a red heart cut out of paper or cardboard and a pencil. Ask people to write a short prayer about faith and persistence.

Also:

Taize Service: A Great Help

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 44 (pictured at left). This is based on the Psalm reading.

Kids: The Bible Reader, the Question Asker and the Sorter-Outer

Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 79. 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. 

Brilliant Comments on the Gospel

Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 261-268.

Proper 23 C (October 13): Living in the Present/Love Where You Live

There is a 2022 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Bible readings: Jeremiah 29:1,4-7, Psalm 66:1-12, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19

About the image:
Upper Left: This comes from a great free lectionary based image site: Hermano Leon Clipart. You will find a link to this site in my link column at left. Well worth a visit.
Upper Right: The image comes from a now defunct free worship image site. I put the text onto it. 
Middle Left: This is a free image from Cerrezo Barredo - see his site in my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which is down at present.  This particular one was free on the site.
Lower Left: This obviously fits with the Old Testament theme but you probably need to be living in the Knox area in Melbourne, Australia for the pictures to be relevant - but you get the idea :)

Prayer Brighten My Heart
Found in Celtic Prayers by Robert Van de Weyer, Hunt and Thorpe, 1997, ISBN 1856082814 page 43 (pictured at left). This makes a lovely opening prayer.

Listening Song: Speechless
By Steve Curtis Chapman on his album, Speechless or on WOW 2000 (pictured at right). This goes very well with the Psalm reading.

 Listening Song: Unspoken
By Jaci Valasquez on her album Unspoken or on WOW 2005 (pictured at left).  This song fits in very well with the Jeremiah reading.

 Listening Song: From a Distance
By Bette Midler on her album, Some People's Lives (pictured at right). This makes a great introduction to the following discussion linked with the Luke reading.

Discussion:
How do/What happens when we keep people at a distance?
How do/What happens when we keep God at a distance?

Video Clip: As Good As It Gets
(pictured at right). Play the restaurant scene which is about 1:35-40 minutes in.

Discussion: As Good As It Gets
1. Think of examples where Jesus met somebody and their whole life was transformed.
2. How does this happen?

Drama: Unclean, Unclean.
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 227 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: I'm At The Synagogue
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 27 (pictured at right) . This drama is based on the gospel reading,

Story: Attitude of Gratitude
Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1040 (pictured at left). This story is based on the gospel reading.

 Story: Faithfulness of God
Found in 750 Engaging Illustrations from Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Barker Books, 1993 (pictured at right). Story No. 200. This story is based on the gospel reading.

Who Am I? John Newton
Play a who am I game with John Newton as the subject: a man who came face to face with God.

Response Activity:
Ask:
1. What is it about your relationship with Jesus that the world cannot live without? (a Bill Easum question)
2. How can you share it this week....without words?!

Response Activity:
1. Project the poem Falling In love by Father Pedro Arrupe (attributed) line by line on a screen accompanied by images and music. You can find this poem at http://www.arrupe.org/pl/sentence.html
2. Hand out the poem printed on a sheet of paper and allow people time to sit and absorb the words.
3. Finally project the following questions at thirty second or one minute intervals.
a. Who are you in love with?
b. What fills your heart and your head and your time?
c. What seizes your imagination?
d. If God the Creator, Saviour, and Enabler does not figure largely in your answers, maybe it's time to return, like the Samaritan leper, to deepen your relationship with Jesus?
(I have lost the acknowledgements for this activity - not sure if it is mine or belongs to someone else. Let me know if you can source it).

Response Activity: For the Jeremiah reading
How do we work for the peace and consequent prosperity of the communities where we are? Give everyone a piece of A4 paper folded into three with each section labelled as follows: my church, my community, my world.
Encourage people to either discuss together or work alone in order to jot down practical ways they can work for peace in each of these three areas.

Also:

Meditation: Thanksgiving

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 21.

Worship Activity: Thanks to the Lord

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 45.  This is based on the Luke reading.