Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Easter Day A (5th April 2026): Easter is an earthquake/ What Holds You Captive?

 



















Bible readings: Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10

About the images
:
Top Left: This is a photo of a tomb in Israel with a rolling stone door. This photo was taken by Mr John Nicholson and permission is given for it to be used for worship and other related activities.
Top Right: This is a photo of a replica of the inside of a rock tomb in Israel. This is my photo and permission is given for it to be used for worship and related activities.
Upper Left: This is a free imagebank image - see my link to their excellent site at left
Upper 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; however, the site is down at present.
Middle Left and Lower Left and Right and Bottom Left: This is a free image from the old Sundaygraphicx site which no longer posts. See my links column at left for more images.
Middle Right: A free image from the excellent Heartlight site - see my links colum on the left.

Decor:
Have the Good Friday cross totally wrapped in the brightest material you can find - strips of satiny stuff looks great. Have it covered in black material until an appropriate moment.

Connection with Good Friday
Show a few images of Good Friday with some down music (I used Endorphin by Burial from the album, Untrue - pictured at left), followed by a silence with no image at all and then show lots of images of the resurrection to a piece of upbeat or music that builds (I used Intermezzo from Karelia Suite by Sibelius but stopped it before it tapered off again).

Prayer: Jesus We Greet You
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 188 (pictured at right). This prayer is based on the gospel reading.

Prayer: Here Are Your Disciples
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose,1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 198 (pictured at right). This prayer is based on the gospel reading.

Kid's Story: Some Things Are Scary

By Florence Parry Heide (Author), Jules Feiffer (Illustrator), Candlewick, 2000, ISBN 0763612227 (pictured at left)

Kid's Story: Mary and the Gardener
By Andrew MacDonough, Lost Sheep Books, 2017 (pictured at right). This goes with the John reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only cost 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.

Drama: The Three Women
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 192 (see picture above right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: If Only

Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 58 (pictured at left). 

Film Clip: Amistad
(pictured at right) Show the scenes where Yamba looks through the bible and afterwards, on his way to court, notices all the cross symbols everywhere. These two scenes are amazingly powerful and full of Easter messages

Film Clip
The Amazing Adventures of Mr Bean

Show The Exam (pictured at left)

Discussion on Mr Bean Volume 1.
1. How does doubt, confusion and fear affect Mr Bean?
2. How do they affect us in our Christian lives?

Listening Song: Libera
On Robert Prizeman's album of the same name (pictured at left)

Listening Song: He Reigns
By the Newsboys and found on their album, Adoration, Sparrow Records or on WOW 2004 .

Poem: Psalm 118:22
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 in the Summer section under Psalm 118:22.

Story: Imprisoned
The day Harry Houdini couldn't escape - find this story at http://dev.bible.org/netbible/illustration.php?topic=794

Story: Prison
In Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl tells the story about some of his fellow prisoners in the Dachau Nazi prison Camp during World War II. They had been held captive so long that when they were released he said, “they walked out into the sunlight, blinked nervously and then silently walked back into the familiar darkness of the prisons, to which they had been accustomed for such a long time.”

Story: Prison Accidently Opens Gate for 500
Found in Incredible Illustrations by Mikal Keefer, Group Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0764426141, page 62 (pictured at left). 

Meditation: Every Day is Easter
This is a great response written by Roddy Hamilton and found via his Mucky Paws site (see my links at left) archived under March 2008.

Response Activity: Resurrection Remembrances II
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 207 (pictured above right). This activity is based on the gospel reading (pictured above right)
.
Response Activity:
Give everyone a balloon and string or streamers to wave at appropriate parts of the service and then to take home to be tied to their car aerials and/or to be fixed to their gateposts, letterboxes or front doors.

Multiple ideas: "I Have Seen the Lord"
Found in Multi-Sensory Seasons by Wendy Raynor and Annie Slade, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271757, page 36 

Lots of Useful Stuff:                                                                                  Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2014  by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 94ff (pictured at right). 

A Chapter of Resources for Easter Day:
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 19-46.

Response Activity: Love and Determination
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 55ff. This is based on the John reading .

A Chapter of Resources for Easter Sunday:
By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 223-244 (pictured at left). 

Also:

Poem and prayer: still dark.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 21 (pictured at left). These are based on the John reading.

Story Plus Other Stuff: Roxsanne Makes Good
Found in Wally the Dodgy Trolley and other Stories of Faith and Humour by Ian Johnson, Scripture Union Australia, Lidcombe, 2000, ISBN 0949720984, page 37.

Opening and Closing Responses:
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 20.

Drama: Peter and Mary
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 87. This is based on the John reading.

Drama: Easter Egg-citement
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 94. This drama is based on the John reading.

Drama: The Feast of Victory 
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 92. This drama is based on the Matthew 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 60-61.

Drama: Isn't it Wonderful?
A monologue in which a joyful Mary announces the news of Jesus' resurrection. Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 52ff (pictured at left).  This drama is based on the Matthew reading.

Drama: Could it Be True?
Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing, 1991, ISBN 085910608, page 59. This drama is linked to the Matthew reading. 

Drama: The Story
Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing, 1991, ISBN 085910608, page 66. This drama is linked to the Matthew reading. 

Drama: In the Courtyard
Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 59. This drama is based on the Matthew reading. 

Drama: In the Upper Room
Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 63. This drama is based on the Matthew reading. 

Drama: An Exceptional Day
Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 68. This drama is based on the Matthew reading. 

Service Starter: Dying  - and Rising to Victory
Based on the Matthew reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 41.

Poem: Stones
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 98 and based on the Matthew reading. 

Drama: Stop the Presses
Found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 70 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Matthew reading. 

Meditation: Prayers That Jesus Hears
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 93ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Poem and Painting: I Could Not Believe My Eyes
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 44. These are based on the John reading. 

Sharing Stories: Change!
Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 95. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

A Time to Rejoice
By Maria I. Tirrabassi 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 53. Based on the Matthew reading.

Easter Poem
By Mary Taylor 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 62. Based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer/Action: Light
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, pages 106 and based on the Matthew reading. 

Prayer/Action: Snow
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 125 and based on the Matthew reading.  

Resurrection
Found in Welcome Mat:  A Resource for Opening the Bible with Children, Families and Teens by Beth Barnett, Scripture Union, Victoria, 2010, pages 65 (small group resources), 109 (preschool resources), 128 (adult resources) and 160 (dramas).
Based on the Matthew reading. 


Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Easter Dawn A (5th April 2026)

 

 





















Bible readings: 
Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6,Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10


About the images:
Top Left and Lower Right

This is the little suburban lake we use for our dawn service. This is my photo and permission is given for it to be used for worship and related activities.
Top Right:
This is the brake drum fire we use to cook the bread on at our dawn service.  It leaves no mess in a suburban park. This is my photo and permission is given for it to be used for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: Making bread, cooking fish.
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; however, the site is down at present.
Lower Left:  The Sea of Galilee: this is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.   
Bottom Left: A free Hermano Leon image - see my link column at left

Note:
Most of the resources here come from services from other years. This is such an intimate service linked so much to what we are seeing and experiencing around us that I feel it is unnecessary to change much from year to year. I usually only change the bible reading, the meditation and the reflection - the rest stays as is.

Location:
Have this service near a lake or beach if possible - if you live inland, then choose a high point - if you live inland on a plain then find a nice river - if you live inland on a plain in a desert (much of Australia) then you will have plenty of beautiful places to choose from.


Po
em/Meditation: I'd had Enough
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 79 (pictured at left).

Taize Service: Breakfast With Jesus
Found in Worship Feast: 20 Great Services in the Spirit of Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 28 (pictured at right).

Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Good Friday A (3rd April 2026)

 


















Bible Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42

About the images:
Upper Left and Right and Lower Right: These images are free from the Hermano Leon site which you can find via my links at left. This is a really great lectionary based clip art site.
Middle Left: This image is free from the Image Bank site which you can find via my link at left.

Middle Right: This is a free image from the Cerezo Barredo site.  It is a little hard to navigate if you are an English speaker but he has lovely sketches such as this one accessed at the bottom of his web page sorted by lectionary year. 
Lower Left: This is a photo of the pit under the church of St Peter  Gallicantu in Jerusalem.  The plaque on the wall says:  "Excavations in 1889 uncovered 3 Byzantine crosses engraved in the orifice at the top, 7 red and 4 black oxide crosses on the walls, and the silhouette of a praying figure on the lower south wall. These findings, along with the ruins of a church and a significant number of mosaics, coins and religious objects, testify to the presence of a 5th-century church. Prompted by the dungeon like appearance of the pit and prompted by its proximity to Caiaphas’ palace—thought to have been located in this general area—the Byzantines recalled here Jesus imprisonment overnight as he awaited trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin"
Bottom Left and Right: These are free images from the Sundaygraphx site - see my link column to the left. 

Start the servi
ce:
by projecting images from Jesus life to music. I used about 20 images and backed them with 'In Mcdonalds" by Burial on his album, Untrue (pictured at left).

Poem: The Pain of Peter

Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Norman Habel and Pro Hart, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0727017586, page 32. (pictured at right). As the title suggests, this goes with the gospel reading.

Poem: The Politics of Pilate
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Norman Habel and Pro Hart, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0727017586, page 34 (pictured at right). As the title suggests, this goes with the gospel reading.


Listening
 Song: Thief
By Third Day on their album, Third Day (pictured at left). This is a song about the men on the cross with Jesus.

Listening Song: Walk Him Along
by Leigh Newton - download found at 
www.leighnewton.com This is basically a crucifixion song.

Drama: The Signal
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 82 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Stages on the Way
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 44 (pictured at right).These stages represent different aspects of Jesus' journey towards the cross as seen by a variety of bystanders.

Reading: They went Out and Followed Him

Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 130 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Meditation: Voices From the Crowd
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 144 (pictured above right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.


Response Activity: Laying Our Burdens Down
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 163 (pictured above right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: The Colours of Good Friday
Found in Multi-Sensory Seasons by Wendy Raynor and Annie Slade, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271757, page 29 (pictured at right). I used the George McLeod quote and put the words with images to the music of Novio by Moby on his album, Songs.

Useful music for praying/meditating:
Albinoni: Adagio in G Minor
Bach: Air on a G String
Moby: Novio
Part: Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten
Vivaldi: Largo from Flautino Concerto in C Major.


Also:

A Chapter of Resources for Good Friday: 
By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 165-206 (pictured at left). 


For Children and Families: God is Wise
Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading. 

For Children and Families: God is for Everyone
Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading. 

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. 

Drama: Bad Friday
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 84 (pictured above right). This has been written for 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).

Poem and Painting: The Anguish of Judas
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 30 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Poem and Painting: The Pain of Peter
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 32 (pictured above right). These are based on the John 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 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Poem and Painting: A Chant for Killing
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 36 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Poem and Painting: She's Hot on the Hill
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 38 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Poem and Painting: I am a Mother
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 40 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Poem and Painting: The Lament of Nicodemus
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 42 (pictured above right). These are based on the John reading. 

Activity: Broken Hearts
Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 18 Pictured at left). This is based on the Psalm reading.

Prayer Exercise: Judgement at the Hands of Pilate
Found in Worship Feast: Lent and Easter by Mike Baughman and Jenny Youngerman, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2007, page 43. This is part of a Stations of the Cross service and uses the John reading for this section. 

Prayer Exercise: Jesus Carries His Cross
Found in Worship Feast: Lent and Easter by Mike Baughman and Jenny Youngerman, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2007, page 44. This is part of a Stations of the Cross service and uses the John reading for this section.