Easter 4 A (26th April 2026): Revenge or Repair/Church - dead or alive?/Coming Home

 

Bible Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10

About the Images:
Upper Left: This image has it's copyright details included on the image.
Upper Right: This is a microsoft free clipart image.
Middle Left: Mine - free for worship and related activities
Middle Right and Lower Right: Free clipart from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left.
Lower Left: This is a creative commons clipart with no copyright attachments.  The text is mine. 

Bottom Left and Right: These free images come from the Sundaygraphx site - see my link column to the left.

At home service:  Here is a service for this week based on some of the resources below.
https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArWFF7A3pipHqX-LvaVhujdhQRI2?e=rHRhxD

From the Amazing Work of the People site: in reference to a Pandemic

Listening Song: Better Days Aheadby Steve Grace on his album, Better Days Ahead (pictured at right).

Kids: The Song of the King
By Max Lucado, Eagle, 1995, ISBN 0863472974 (pictured at left) and originally published as Tell Me the Secrets. This story goes beautifully with the gospel reading.

Kids: Sometimes I Get Scared: Psalm 23 for Children
by Elspeth Campbell Murphy and Jane Nelson, Chariot Books. 1980. ISBN: 9780891912750 (pictured at right)

Kids: Kindness Makes Us Strong

by Sophie Beer (pictured at left)

Youth: More Than Skin Deep
Found in Could Someone Wake Me Up Before I Drool On The Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, pp. 73 (pictured at right)

Film Clip: Nottinghill
Show the scene where they are sitting around in a small group and they all begin sharing personal things about themselves. (pictured at left) Goes well with the Acts reading.

Discussion: On film clip above
What does this clip teach us about small groups?

Film Clip: Dead Poets Society
(pictured at right) Show chapter 3 where Mr Keating (Robin Williams) encourages the boys to tear out the first few instructional pages of their poetry books and challenges them to instead, think for themselves and be part of life. He asks them what verse they will contribute to the world.

Discussion: On film clip above
What is your verse?

Film Clip: Worlds Apart
The new Heineken ad speaks to the Acts reading beautifully.

Film Clip: Eat Together
This clip from the Canadian government (I think) also speaks to the Acts reading very well. 

Drama: The LCA and ECC
Found in Drama Resources 2, Lutheran Publishing House, 2000, page 74 (pictured at left). This is a drama about the church.

Story: The Flying V
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 95 (pictured at right). This story is based on the church.

Story: Twenty Dollars Short 
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks Book 4 by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 2001, ISBN 0310236193, page 122 (pictured at left). This goes well with the 1 Peter reading.

Quote: Teresa of Avila
"Lord, if this is the way you treat your friends, it's no wonder you have so few!" This also goes well with 1 Peter.

Response Activity: Fridge Magnet Psalms
Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 22 (pictured at left).

Response Activity: Abstract Art Bible
Pictures Found n Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 25 (pictured at left)

Response Activity: Psalm Calligraphy
Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 27 (pictured at left).

Also:

Kids: Claudia The Caterpillar
This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006. This goes with the John reading.  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: Cecil and Psalm 23
This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006. This goes with the Psalm reading.  See above for more details (pictured at left)

Kids: Jesse
By Tim Winton, Penguin Books Australia,  with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 49. This goes well with the 1 Peter reading.

Taize Service: Holy Fire
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 30. This is based on the Acts reading.

Opening or Closing Response
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 121 (pictured at left). 

Various Ideas: Power to Communicate the Message
Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 34. Connected with Acts. 

Drama: The Lord is My Shepherd 

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 62. This drama is based on the Psalm.

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 33

Sermon ideas: What are Friends For, Anyway?

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 147.  This is based on the Acts reading. 

Jesus' "I am" sayings: I am the Good Shepherd

Found in Lucy Moore, Messy Church, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 978 1 84101 503 3, page 123ff.

Poem and Painting: I am the Good Drover

Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 20. These are based on the John reading. 

Prayer/Action: Things

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 110 and based on the John reading. 

Listening Song:

Psalm 23 is found on the Sons of Korah album, Refuge, Wordsong Artists, 2011 (pictured at right).

OR

Listening Song: The Lord is My Shepherd

By Sons of Korah on their album, Hand to the Plough, Wordsong, 2001 

 

Easter 3 A (19th April 2026): Shattered Dreams/On the Road Again/God in Disguise

 

 

Bible Readings: Acts 2:14a, 3-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35

About the Images:

Upper Left: Free from http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/dibujosA/25PascuaA3.jpg

Upper Right: The text is from the Bible and I am not sure where this clipart comes from - it may be from Mediacom or an expired clipart site.

Middle Left: This is free from the Hermano Leon site - see my link at left.

Middle Right: Another excellent free image form Church Galleries - see my link column at left.  This site is one of the few I gladly subscribe to but whhichis not in operation at the moment.

Lower Left: This is a free image from the Hemano Leon site - see my link column at left. 

Lower Right: Another Heartlight image - see my linl column at left.

Bottom Left and Right: These free images come from the Sundaygraphx site - see my liink column to the left. 

A Covid19 DIY service based on some of these resources:
Https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArWFF7A3pipHqX5f_go5upHkjCc8?e=TkO8uh

Listening Song: All I Need
By Bethany Dillon on a single of that name or on WOW 2005 (pictured at left).

Kid's Story: Oh, It's You!
This is a great way to introduce the gospel story. Project or show a half a dozen photos of members of the church who are well known to the children. Show photos that are hard to recognise - I used dated photos where hairstyles were quite different (or now gone!) and baby photos. Talk with the children about times when it is hard to recognise people for all sorts of reasons ; eg; you weren't expecting to see them, they were wearing sports gear instead of ordinary clothes...whatever.

Kid's Story: There's a Sea in My Bedroom
By Margaret Wild and Jane Tanner, Nelson, 1984, ISBN 0170064581 (pictured at right). David expected the sea to be dangerous and frightening but his father and a shell helped him to think about the sea in a new way. The two disciples in the gospel were frightened until Jesus helped them see everything in a new way.

Drama: I Was the Happiest
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 58 ff (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: The Road to Emmaus

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 96 (pictured at right).

Film Clip: Bruce Almighty
(pictured at left) Use Chapter 5: When God tries to get Bruce's attention and he ignores all the signs or go to the excellent wing clips site in my Links column at left.

Discussion: Bruce Almighty
Why can't Bruce see all God's messages to him?
When do we fail to recognise that God is with us?

Poem: Luke 23:24
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at right) in the Autumn section under Luke 23:24.

Discussion:
What happens if you take Jesus' resurrection out of your life?

Story: Prayer and Meditation
Found as story No 201 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured at left). This story makes a great introduction to the psalm.

Story: Resurrection
Story 568 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at right).

Meditation/Quote: William H. Willimon
"If you want to experience the resurrection of Jesus Christ in your life, where you live, just get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other and head down the road. Follow the way. But please, go with a bit of imagination. Walk with the expectation of the possibility of surprise." This quote goes very well with images and reflective music. From Mediacom Preaching Resources, April 10 2005.

Poem and prayer: this third night

Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 21 (pictured at left). These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity:
Project the question: What helps you recognise God's presence in your life? Have nine work stations around your worship space each with some craft materials such as paints, pencils, paper, etc etc and each with an individual answer to the above question: e.g., Spending time Alone with God, Talking with a Trusted Spiritual Adviser, Being Part of a Study Group, Going to Church, Communion, Reading the Bible, Music, Getting Back to the Bush, Other. Ask people to go to the station they relate to best with respect to the projected question. Ask each work station group to make a one minute presentation to encourage the rest of the congregation to use their method to recognise God's presence in their lives.

Also:

Kids: The Sea-Breeze Hotel 

By Marcia Vaughan and Patricia Mullins (pictured at left) with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 13. This goes well with the Acts reading.

For Children and Families: God is Life

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

Service Sample: Party On and On and On

Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 59 (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. 

Hope for the Hopeless

Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 116 (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. 

Drama: Two Friends

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 90 (pictured at right).

An Emmaus Road Liturgy of Commitment from Iona Abbey

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 93 (pictured at right).

Prayers On the Emmaus Road

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 94ff (pictured at right).

Opening or Closing Response 

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 120 (pictured at right). 

Various Ideas: Power to Communicate the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 34. Connected with Acts.

Drama: Pontius Pilate speaks

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 90. This drama is based on the 1 Peter reading. 

Meditation: The Stranger
Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 90 and based on the Luke reading.

Drama: Sky Watchers

Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 101. This drama is based on Luke reading.

Drama: The Emmaus Road

Found in From Advent to Emmaus by Jim Hayward, page 128 (pictured at right). This book is available in Print and Digital PDF versions, is based on Luke's gospel and is ideal for Lectionary Year C. For more information and/or to buy, visit the CMLA website - cmla.org.au.

Listening Song: Psalm 116

By Sons of Korah on their album Light of Life, Wordsong, 1999