Proper 27 A (8th November 2026): Choose/Be Prepared

 

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post. 

Bible Readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13.

About the Images:
Top Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image with my text.
Top Right: This is my photo taken in a Byzantine cave church in Avdat, Israel. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Upper Left: This is a free clipart image from the wonderful Hermano Leon site - see my links column at left.
Upper Right: This is a free image from the brilliant Heartlight site - see  my link column at left

Middle Left: The Ten Young Women

Attribution: JESUS MAFA. The Ten Young Women, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48394 [retrieved October 30, 2017]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).Found at the https://www.liturgytools.net/2017/10/pictures-32nd-sunday-ordinary-time-year-a-wise-foolish-virgins-oil-in-lamp-bridegeroom-comes.html

Middle right: My fair dinkum holy land oil lamp, my photo - please feel free to use for worship and related activities.

Lower Left: Another brilliant free image from Cerezo Barredo. 

Listening Song: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
By Jim Fisher and the White Pointers on the compilation album, Tim Winton: Dirt Music: Music For a Novel, 2001 (pictured at left). This song is based on the Matthew reading. 

Listening Song: Got To Serve Somebody 
By Bob Dylan and found on various CD's and on line. This goes very well with the Joshua reading and with the gospel reading. 

Discussion: Based on the Psalm
What is one thing about God you think the kids (in Sunday School, Youth Group, your family, whatever is appropriate in your congregation) should know above all else. It might be a Bible verse, a Bible story, a personal story, a verse from a song, a prayer or ......... When people have had a bit of time to talk it through, ask them to individually write down what they each think is the most important thing that they want the kids to know about God. I collected all of these, printed them on to A4's folded as A5 cards and gave them to the kids in our kid's club the following week. It was like a gift from the adults to the children and everybody enjoyed the experience.

Discussion: On Joshua reading
1. What sort of things in our past can hinder our relationship with God?
2. What sort of things in our culture hinder our relationship with God?
NB: I divided the congregation into age groups for this discussion because the answers differ between generations more so than usual. 

Drama: What should I Do? 

Found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 26 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the Joshua reading. 

Story: Testimony
Index 4173 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This story makes a good introduction to the psalm.

Quote: Thomas Bandy and Bill Easum from their book Growing Spiritual Redwoods.
(Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1997, ISBN-10: 0687336007; pictured at left)
"It is a pre Christian world. 
It is a world similar to the first century after Jesus.
It is a world of technological change and population migration;
a world of systemic injustice and apocalyptic longing;
it is a world of excessive materialism and spiritual yearning;
it is a world of deep anxiety and utter cynicism towards the religious institutions of the past."
Ask people to suggest examples for each of these and then link these examples of modern society with the Matthew reading concentrating on the "be prepared" aspects of the parable more than the "keep watch" aspects..

Poem: The Zode 

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 75 (pictured at right).   This is a Dr Seuss poem which fits with the choice issue in the Joshua reading.

Poems, Prayers and Images: Choose This Day.
All the resources (which include the words to the Dylan song above) set down for the Joshua reading in Imaging the Word Volume 3 by Susan A Blain, Sharon Iverson Gouwens, Catherine O'Callagan and Grant Spradling, (Eds.), United Church Press, 1996, ISBN 0829801862, page 66ff (pictured at left) are absolutely brilliant!!!!

Adult Response:
When the people decided to choose God, Joshua put a stone in the meeting place to be a witness to the people's intentions. Ask the congregation to write down on a piece of paper one of the things that hinders their relationship with God. Collect them all in a dish or a basket and bury them under a big stone (literally or figuratively).

Also:

All Sorts of Useful Stuff: Ready or Not

By Ian Birkinshaw in Multi-Sensory Parables, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 60 (pictured at left).  This is based on the Gospel. 

Drama: Champagne Blond

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 13 (pictured at right). This is based on the Joshua reading.

Brilliant Comments on the Gospel

Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 269-278 (pictured at left).

Service Starter: Bridesmaids

Based on the Matthew reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 35 (pictured at right).

Prayer: Broken Dreams

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 12 (pictured at left) and based on the Matthew reading.

Reflection and Prayer: Found in Advent Readings from Iona by Brian Woodcock and Jan Sutch Pickard, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1901557332 (pictured at right). These are based on the Matthew reading and found under the heading: December 4 - I know these are reflections for Advent but they are lovely and so often adapt to other times of the year as well.

Sermon and Worship Suggestions: A Bridesmaid's Rules

By Robert J Morgan and Joshua D Rowe in Nelson's Annual Preachers Source Book, Thomas Nelson, 2008, ISBN 1 4185 2536 7, page 72 (pictured at left).  These resources are based on the Matthew reading.

Proper 26 A (1st November 2026): Mainly About Saints/Shining Lights

 

 

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post. 

Bible readings: Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12

About the Images: 
Top Left: This is my image of Eringa Waterhole (http://www.exploroz.com/Places/71886/SA/Eringa_Waterhole.aspx) north of the Oodnadatta Track (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oodnadatta_Track) near Hamilton Station (or ranch or farm or homestead or whatever you call them in your part of the world) (http://www.exploroz.com/Places/40214/SA/Hamilton_Station.aspx). This really is a pool in the desert. Please feel free to use the image for worship and related activities. 
Top Right: This is a free Corel clipart with my text.
Upper Left:  This is a free image from Hermano Leon- see my link column at left.
Upper Right: This is a free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Middle Left: This photo, by an unknown author, is licensed by CC-BY-NC-ND.

Middle Right: This free image comes from the now defunct Scripturepic site. 

Lower Left: A free image from Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Listening Song: Go Light Your World 

By Kathy Trocolli on her album, Greatest Hits, or on WOW 1996 (pictured at left)

Kids Story: Gertrude McFuzz
Found in Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr Seuss, Collins, 1950, ISBN 0001717588 (pictured at left). This fits well with the Matthew reading because it talks about how we often act to impress.

Quiz: Who Am I?
Play this with the congregation as per usual - one line at a time until somebody gets it.
I was born on the 16th January 1902 in Tientsin, China.
My parents were missionaries for the London Missionary Society.
My baptismal names were reversed on the way to my baptism when my parents realised my initials would spell a rude word.
My grandfather was a grocer who often got into trouble for singing Moody and Sankey hymns which were considered far too modern and evangelical.
I enrolled at the School for the Sons of Missionaries in London when I was six years old,
My lasting school comment was " I don't think much of lessons, but I can run".
I started a Science degree at Edinburgh University in 1920.
I committed my life to Jesus when I was at university.
I played international Rugby for Scotland but I retired early.
In 1921 I lost the only race I ever lost in Scotland.
I was known as the only athlete to speak to a black athlete at one track meeting.
I always shook hands with all those I was running against.
I would often dig the starting holes for my opponents.
I would give less experienced runners the inside lanes.
I was once pushed over and off the track - but got up, gained the twenty yards I had lost, and still won.
I was selected for the 1924 British Olympic team to race in the 100 meters.
When I discovered that the heats were on Sunday I refused to compete.
I ran the 400 meters which I had not trained for - and won!
I am Eric Liddell (Chariots or Fire)

Film Clip: Chariots of Fire
(pictured at left) There are heaps of clips which fit this theme. Two which come to mind are the one of him telling the Prince he will not run on Sunday and the one of him winning the race at the Paris Olympics.

Story: What is a Saint

Find this story at http://preachingpoint.org/the-marks-of-a-saint/

Story: What was Eric Liddell's Secret
Find the answer at http://www.evcsj.org/blogs/2008/08/eric-liddell-going-for-gold.html

Story: Hudson Taylor
Years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a  biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor’s saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Saviour. Whether we realise it or not, our example leaves an impression on others. Source unknown. Also found at http://net.bible.org/illustration.php?topic=815

Story: Saints Depend on God
A young theology college graduate came up to the pulpit, very self confident and smug. He was immaculately dressed. He knew he had what it took. He began to deliver his first sermon to his first church but when he started to speak, the words simply wouldn’t come out. Humiliated, he burst into tears and ended up leaving the pulpit, obviously humbled. There were two old ladies sitting in the front row and one remarked to the other, "If he'd come in like he went out, he would have gone out like he came in." Source unknown (but let me know if you know). 

Discussion: Matthew 23:1-12
1. In verses 1-7 what are the things which prevent God's light from shining through us.
2. In verses 8-12, what are the things that allow God's light to shine through us?
3. Think of a saint you have known or still know. Describe that saint to the person next to you and explain the influence they have had on you.

Book: Hope is an Open Heart 
By Lauren Thompson, Scholastic Press, 2008, ISBN 139781741692228. This beautiful book fits anywhere in this service - call to worship, children's talk, sermon, or response (pictured at left). 

Response Activity:
Light a candle in memory of:
1. A saint you have known who has died, or
2. In thankfulness for a saint who still has the light of God shining through them, or
3. As a symbolic statement of your own intent to live as a saint.

Also:

Drama: The First Shall Be Last

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 63 (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel story.

Prayer: Thanksgiving

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 44 (pictured at right) and based on the Psalm reading.

Prayer: North, South, East, West

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 17 (pictured at right) and based on the Psalm reading.

Activity: A Dramatic Meal

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 21 (pictured at left). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Giving Thanks

Found in Words to God, Words From God by Howard Neil Wallace, Ashgate, 2005, ISBN 0 7546 3692 5 PBK, page 88ff (pictured at right). This uses the Psalm. 

Liturgies

Found in Navagatio: Pocket Liturgies by Safe Space Telford, Proost, 2007, ISBN 978 1 9066340 03 2, page 16ff. These use the Psalm.

Proper 25 A (25th October 2026): Being/Feeling at home with God

 

 

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post. 

Bible readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46

About the Images:
Top Left: This is a microsoft free clipart background with the Biblical text.
Top Right: This is my image taken from the summit of Mt Nebo (biblical Moab, present day Jordan) with the Biblical text. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Upper left and right and middle right: These are free clipart from Heartlight (see my links column at left).

Middle Left: This is a free image is by Samuel Zeller from the awesome Unsplash site....with my words.

Lower Left: A lovely free image from Cerazo Barredo - see my link column at left.  He has an image for every week. 

Listening Song: Gather At The River 
By Point of Grace on their album, The Whole Truth (pictured at left) or on the WOW 2001 album. This song is about loving one another.

Film Clip: Liar Liar
This clip can be found at the excellent Wingclips site - see my links column at left or go to the following address: 
Grown Ups Lie - Movie Clip from Liar Liar at WingClips.com.  

Discussion: Liar Liar
1. Do you agree that adults have to lie sometimes to be kind?
2. How transparent should we be to those around us?
3. Where does God fit into this discussion? 

Drama: We are a Family
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 31 (pictured at left). A drama about not being at home with God.

Story: Sharing the Gospel
Found at the following address:
http://pietist.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html
Type the name of the author, Cecil Northcott, in to find the story.

Poem: The Real Problem

By Adrian Plass in Clearing Away the Rubbish, Minstral, 1988, ISBN 1854240250, page 142 (pictured at right). A poem about not being at home with each other.

Quote: Robert Frost 
"Home is where when you go there they have to take you in." Found in Death of a Hired Man.

Prayer for Others: Based on the Gospel reading
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2010, ISBN 9780949656911, page 152 (pictured at left). This is a beautiful "hands on" prayer.

Sermon: DIY
Have three stations for people to visit in any order - each with input and response activities as follows
Station 1:
Have the poem, The Real Problem (above), printed on the other side of the adult response frames (below). Ask people to read the poem first and then respond with the frames in the same way as I have described in the Response Activity below. Provide pens or pencils so that they can do this.
Station 2:
Have a poster of the story, Sharing the Gospel (above), pinned up and in large print - it is a small story so it will be easy to do this. Ask people to read the story and then respond as per the prayer for others (above).
Station 3:
Have pens or pencils and a pile of A5 sheets of paper with 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8 on the B side with the question "How does your list compare with Paul's?" beneath the reading. On the A side, which they will look at first, have the following: 
1. Write a list, in order of priority, of those you wish to please the most. 
2. Turn the sheet over and read the other side.

Response Activity:
Give each person a small folded card (three fitted on an A4 for me) with two empty frames printed on the inside. Reassure everybody that this is an activity between themselves and God - that no one will see what they write or draw. Ask people to write or draw their public image in the left hand frame, and the real person in the right hand frame. Play some nice thinking music while they are doing this. To conclude, either pray a prayer about committing/giving all of ourselves to God and/or challenge people to put their cards in with their offering as an act of commitment.

Also:

Kids Talk: The Greatest Commandment
Found in Saving the Ants by Ruth Gilmore, Augsburg, 2001, ISBN 0806640804, page 116 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading.

Prayer of Confession: Based on Psalm 90
By Rachel C. Hackenburg and found in Before the Amen: Creative Resources for Worship by Marin C and Maria I Tirabassi (Eds), The Pilgrim Press, 2007, ISBN 9780829817508, pages 200 (pictured at left).

Meditation: Two Visions of the Future

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 59. This goes well with the Old Testament reading.

Drama: How Much do You Love Yourself

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page23 (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel story.

Praying Laments

Found in Words to God, Words From God by Howard Neil Wallace, Ashgate, 2005, ISBN 0 7546 3692 5 PBK, page 79ff (pictured at right). This uses the Psalm. 

Prayer Exercise: Submitting Our Work

Found in Worship Feast: Lent and Easter by Mike Baughman and Jenny Youngerman, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2007, page 24 (pictured at left). This is set down as a Lenten practice but works well at any time and uses the Psalm reading. 

Liturgies: St Chad

Found in Navagatio: Pocket Liturgies by Safe Space Telford, Proost, 2007, ISBN 978 1 9066340 03 2, page 34ff. These use the 1 Thessalonians reading.