Lent 5 A (22nd March 2026): God's Big Surprises/The Power of God

 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION....

Bible Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45
 
About the Images:
Upper Left: Just an image of surprise - it is mine so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Upper Right: This is a Microsoft free clipart image. I liked the way it portrays God's new life as something that we discover and find in unexpected places and that all of that is part of a reality bigger than the one we see in front of us.
Middle Left: Another excellent free image from the Heartlight site - see my link in the column at the left.
Middle Right: Another excellent free image from Church Galleries - see my link column to the left. This site is doen at the moment. 
Lower Left: This is a Sundaygraphics image (see my link column at left) with a quote from Bishop Oscar Romero - not only is this relevent to the readings but also for the world and the Covid 19 situation. 

Lower Right: And another excellent free image from the Heartlight site - see my link in the column at the left.

Bottom Left and Right:  These are more free images from the Sundaygraphx site.

Listening Song: Panis Angelicus
By Russel Watson on his album, The Voice (pictured at left). Great song to use for the introduction or during a communion service.

Listening Song: You Raise Me Up
By Selah on their album, Hiding Place, (pictured at right) and on WOW 2005.. This goes well with pretty much all the readings.

Listening Song: Out of the Depths
By Sinead O'Conner and found on her double album Theology - (pictured at left and where you get two versions - Dublin and London).  This is based on Psalm 130.  I love it.

Kids: Emoticon Faces
As I have mentioned in earlier blogs I have a set of large cards with dinner plate sized round faces drawn upon them. Each face depicts a different emotion; happy, sad, puzzled, angry, surpised etc etc. The gospel story this week really lends itself to these emotion cards. Tell the story (or get a good story teller to tell the story) and either have kids pick the face which goes with a particular part of the story or hold up the appropriate card and get the kids (and the congregation) to mimic the face or act out the emotion.

Kids: Bubbles
Give everyone (I am giving one to all the adults as well - why should they be left out of the fun) a small bottle of bubble solution and ask them to blow bubbles without opening their mouths. Have some fun with this before encouraging everybody to blow bubbles. Link: Just as we breathe life into the bubbles so God breathed life into the dry bones, and so God's Spirit breathes life in to us.

Film Clip: The Shawshank Redemption
(pictured at left) After Brooks kills himself after being released from prison and Andy has just completed two weeks in solitary confinement for playing Mozart over the prison speaker system, Red and Andy have a fascinating conversation about hope. Show the conversation.

Discussion: On The Shawshank Redemption film clip
1. What is Red's attitude to hope?
2. What is Andy's opinion of hope?
3. What value is hope for us? 
 
Film Clip: The Hurricane

(pictured at right) Show the scene where Rubin quotes Genesis 49 and tells Lesera (another version of the name Lazarus) that it is Lesera's love that has raised/saved him and given him new life.

Film Clip: Castaway

(pictured at right) Show the clip which is about 1hour 40 minutes in from the credits where Wilson, the volley ball which Chuck becomes so attached to in his loneliness that he treats it as real person, falls loose. Chuck repeats "I'm sorry, Wilson" over and over again.

Discussion: On Castaway Film Clip
What sort of situations cause us to grieve and make us sad?
How can we survive grief?

Artwork: The Raising of Lazarus, 1990
By Pro Hart. Ask people to look at the different expressions on the people surrounding Lazarus. Relate this to the responses some people may have had to Ezekiel's life giving vision. Then ask people to think about how they respond to the Good News of the gospel and mention that, depending on our circumstances at different times, we are not always overjoyed. Ask them to look at the painting to see if they can see their present response somewhere in it.

Bible Reading: John 11:1-45
This is a very long reading for any church service despite being a great story. Try it as a Good News Bible reading via the relevant film clip from the Vision Bible film of The Gospel of John (pictured at left) or read it as a beautiful and moving story from Walter Wangerin Junior's book The Book of God, Zondervan, 1996, ISBN 0310200059, page 756 ff (pictured at right).

Story: Comfort
Found as story No 31 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured at left). Fits well with the gospel reading.

Reflection: Dry Bones

A brilliant reflective piece by Carlynne Nunn and found at https://tinylittleglows.com/dry-bones/ I will be giving out a copy of this to each person so that as well as using it in the service, people will be able to use it for personal reflection during the week. 

Meditation: Lazarus

Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 77 (pictured at right).

Meditation: Prayers That Jesus Hears
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 93 (pictured at left). This is based on the John reading.

Prayer for Others/Response Activity
This one needs a bit of work on your part before the service. Boil the meat off one or two chooks (translate "chicken" for the non Australians) and then dry the bones in an oven (at least you get a good feed for your efforts :-) ) Give everyone a chicken bone before or during the Ezekiel reading. During the prayer for others or response activity project or give out the words of the Bishop Oscar Romaro quote (below). Encourage people in a time of silence to talk to God about a situation they consider to be hopeless or beyond them to solve. Ask them to give the situation to God to deal with by placing their dried bone at the foot of the cross.   

Quote: Bishop Oscar Romero

"We are living in a black night but Christianity discerns that beyond the night the dawn already glows. The hope that does not fail is carried in the heart. Christ goes with us."

Response Activity: Three Choices
Let people choose between:
1. Watch a powerpoint meditation. I put images and music to Bruce Prewer's From Death to Life found at http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/24LENT5.htm
or
2. Group Discussion:
a) How does Jesus' response to Lazarus' death and Mary's weeping help you to trust him more?
b) What have you found helpful when you are called upon to help a friend who is undergoing a hard time?
or
3. Make cards for people who are sad.

Also:

Poem and prayer: shouting at stones
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 24 (pictured at left). These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: A matter of life and death

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 61ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Gospel reading and the old Testament reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 79ff.

Meditation: Watching

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 36. This is linked to the Psalm.

Meditation: The Valley of Dry Bones

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 88. This goes well with the Ezekiel reading.

Opening and Closing Responses for Lent

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 85. 

For Children and Families: God is Life

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5. This is based on the gospel reading. 

Prayers On the Emmaus Road

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 94ff (linked to the Ezekiel reading).

Song/Prayer: Song of the Lord's Reviving

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 243  (linked to the Ezekiel reading).

Drama: Ezekiel Speaks
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 103. This has been written for the Ezekiel 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 36-37.

Drama: Today's Headline

An interview in which a reporter visits Bethany on the day of Lazarus' resurrection.  Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, page 37.

Bible Study: Called to New Life

by Craig Mitchell in Water for the Journey, Desbooks, 2001. These Bible Studies were originally written for use in Lent Year A.  The intention was that the study groups would meet during the week before hearing the Bible passages read on the following Sunday.  In this way, these studies help people prepare for worship.  This particular study is based on the Ezekiel and the John readings. 

Poem: The Prophets of God

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 51.  This poem is based on the Ezekiel reading.  

Psalm 130

Found in The Psalms: An Artist's Impression by Anneke Kaai and Eugene Peterson, Piquant, 1999, ISBN 0 9535757 0 5, page 44. 

Meditation: I Sang For Him

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 78ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Poem and Painting: That Larrikan Lazarus

Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 22. These are based on the John reading. 

Prayer: The Valley of Dry Bones

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 50 and based on the Ezekiel reading.

Prayer: Seeds of Hope

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 20 and based on the John reading.

Words for Lent: A Time to Mourn

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 52. Based on the John reading.

Breathe on Us

By Kenneth L Sehested 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 226. Based on the Ezekiel reading.

Listening Song: More Than the Watchman

Based on Psalm 130 and is found on the Sons of Korah album, Redemption Songs, Wordsong Artists, 2000 (pictured at left).

Activity: Abstract Art Bible Pictures

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 30. This is 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. This is based on the John reading.

Activity: Chewing Things Over

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 24. This is based on the John reading.

Lent 4 A (15th March 2026): You Are Special/Looking on the Inside/Feeling Drawn to Your Presence

 

 

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41

About the image:
Upper Left: From Wikipedia Commons and therefore free (indexed under "love") .
Upper Right: This is microsoft free clip art with my text.
Middle Left: This is microsoft free clip art with my text.
Middle Right: This is a free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.
Lower Left and Bottom Left: These are free images from the Sundaygraphics site - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: This is another free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.

Listening Song: Looking on the Outside

By the Allies on their album, Shoulder to Shoulder (pictured at right). This song goes very well with the 1 Samuel reading and is based on the verse about God looking at our hearts more than anything else.

Listening Song: Into You

By Jennifer Knapp on her album Lay It Down (pictured at left). This also goes very well with the Samuel reading.

Kid's (Adult) Story: You Are Special
By Max Lucado, Christian Art Publishers, 2000, ISBN 1868525791 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Samuel reading. There is also a DVD of this story available.

Activity Related to Above Story
I included all the adults in this activity as well and they loved it. Before the service, make business cards with the words "You are special" printed on one side. Fold each one in half so that the words are on the inside and fix the cards shut with small stickers of stars and dots. Before I read the above story I gave out the cards and I asked everyone to write on the blank outside a couple of words to represent how they thought the world judges/sees them and the way they judge/see themselves. I took pains to explain that nobody else would see these words. After the story, I read the meditation below.

Meditation related to Above story by Rosemary Broadstock c.2002
God is blind…..
To outward appearance
To what seems to be
To labels
To judgement by prejudices
God looks on the heart.
There, God has eyes wide open.
Are our eyes wide shut?
       

When I look at God’s creation every day,
The stars, the hills, a blue sky, fresh rain
Do I see?

When I look at another
Do I take the time
to see?
to listen?
to appreciate?
to marvel? 

When I look at the people of other countries
When I look at an immigrant, a refugee
Do I see God’s child?

When I look at the cross
Do I see the courage, the power
In the face of God

When I look at the cross
Do I see the message
"For You.”

Rejoice!
God sees beyond all fault, all mistakes, all past, all facades.
He sees the child He made.

And God says
“For you are beautiful, Son of Adam
For you are beautiful, daughter of Eve.

May we be blind as God is blind
May we be sighted as God is sighted.
And as we learn what really matters, may all our dots fall off.

Take off the stars or dots keeping your card shut and see what God has to say to you.'

Sermon Illustration: A Box of Potential
Found in Case Studies Talk Sheets and Discussion Starters by Jim Burns and Mark Simone, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718842, page 59 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Samuel reading as well.

Drama: How to Install Love
A terrific drama but unfortunately now that we are up to Windows 10 and Mac whatever it is becoming a little dated. It is a great idea and worth modernising if you have the time. It can be  found at http://www.dramatix.org/archive/Preevangelism/how_to_instal_love.html It comes complete with a link to a powerpoint that is necessary for the drama. 

Quote: Paul Tillich
We are free to look at all things unimpeded. But when we are tired of seeing the world in all its disorder, its facades, its hate and separation, its demonic destruction, its adoration of the false, then let us close our eyes. Then we will see someone who looks at us with eyes of infinite human depth and power. And those eyes say to us "come and see".

Offering: Inside Gifts for the Church
During the offering time ask people to think about the person on their right and the person on their left and to think about what inner quality each person has which is a gift to the church. At the conclusion of the offering allow time for people to tell their neighbour what they have been thinking about.

Response Activity: Psalm 23
I first saw a version of this in the MediaCom Whole People of God (http://www.mediacom.org.au) theme conversation for this week in 1999 and have used it in varying ways with psalms ever since. The easiest way to do this activity with a whole congregation is to give everyone (or a groups of people) a printed copy of the psalm with blank spaces where significant words should be. In this case for instance leave out the word "shepherd" and in small brackets or with a verbal explanation ask people to fill in the space with an image they think of as appropriate as a protector and carer. A small child used "father". a mad keen sailing teenager used "captain' and a bushwalker used "guide". Continue through the psalm in the same manner. You will discover that not only do people proudly write amazingly personal psalms, they also write thematic psalms connected to the things they are interested in or hold in high regard. It makes the psalm very applicable and understandable.

Also:

Kids: Cecil and Psalm 23

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006 (pictured at right). This goes with the Psalm reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A5 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.

Opening and Closing Responses for Lent

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 82 (pictured at left). 

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

Drama: The Light
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 17 (pictured at left). 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 31 (pictured at right).

Bible Study: Called to Give

by Craig Mitchell in Water for the Journey, Desbooks, 2001 (pictured at left). These Bible Studies were originally written for use in Lent Year A.  The intention was that the study groups would meet during the week before hearing the Bible passages read on the following Sunday.  In this way, these studies help people prepare for worship.  This particular study is based on the 1 Samuel and the John readings. 

Service Starter: Close to God's Heart

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 25 (pictured at right).

Drama: Here's Mud in Your Eye!

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 46 (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: Of Such is the Kingdom

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 203ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the John reading.

Opening Responses: In Quietness and Darkness

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 32ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the John reading.

Prayer: Perfume

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 55 (pictured at left) and based on the 1 Samuel 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 

Activity: Fire and Water

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 43. This is based on the Psalm 23 reading.