Friday, May 23, 2008

Proper 4 A Epiphany 9 A: Finding Firm Footing


Bible Readings: Genesis 6:9-22, 7:24, 8:14-19, Psalm 46, Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-31, Matthew 7:21-29
Theme: Finding Firm Footing

About the Image:
Copyright free from Wickimedia Commons
Decor of the worship space:Long satiny lengths of material in the colours of the rainbow.
Kid's Story:The House on the Rock
By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen,
found originally as an individual book (pictured at left below), Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1986, ISBN 055101279X; and lately in Stories Jesus Told (pictured at right below) by the above authors, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881.












Youth Object Lesson: What's Your Foundation
Found in Fresh Ideas Volume 2 by Jim Burns and Mark Simone, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 083718842, page 65 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Listening Song: Flood

By Jars of Clay on their self titled album (pictured in an earlier blog).


Drama: House On the Rock
In Time to Act by
Paul Burbridge, Murray Watts, Hodder & Stoughton Religious, 1979, ISBN: 0340246995

Drama: Jesus Rock
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910915, page 15 (pictured in an earlier post).

Film Clip: Mission Impossible 2
I have used this clip before but this time I have used it in a different way. Show the clip right at the start where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is climbing up the rocky face of a mountain. When he slips,it is only his tenacious hold on the rock which saves him from falling (pictured at left).

Discussion: Mission Impossible 2
1. What saves Ethan from falling to his death?
2. How is he like the man who built his house on the rock?
3. How can we hold on tight to God?
(We have about 40 children coming to church this morning by themselves. I intend to get each one to sit with an adult for this segment and discuss these questions in pairs - as a get to know you and so that they can see the wisdom in each others responses.

Response Activity: In response to the song, Flood.


Ask the congregation to spend a few minutes thinking about something that makes them feel like they are drowning: a sin, a grief, a hurt, a big ask from another person or from God. Finish by asking God for help for each person present and that God will stay close by.


Response Activity: Firm Foundations
Found in Multi-Sensory Parables by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 13 (pictured at right).

Also:

Prayer Exercise: A Life of Prayer Requires Discipline
Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 22.  This is based on the Psalm.

Drama: Welcome Sinners
Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 41. This is based on the Romans reading.

Drama: Jesus Rock
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910915X, page 15. This is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Noah and the Ark
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910915X, page 57. This is based on the Genesis reading.

Service Starter: Decisions to Make
Based on the Matthew reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 34 (pictured at right).

Poem: After the Flood
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 23.  This poem is based on the Genesis reading.  

New Life: A New Start
Found in Lucy Moore, Messy Church, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 978 1 84101 503 3, page 149ff. This fits with the Genesis reading.

Worship Activities: Rock and Sand
Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 70. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Liturgy using Genesis 6, 7 and 8
By Maren C Tirabassi 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 103. Based on the Genesis reading.








1 comment:

Friend said...

I'll be using this on our weekly newsletter - we call it Network. It's perhaps a more appropriate image than the houses on sand and rock to express that "sinking feeling" we get. Thanks for the post.