Sunday, August 28, 2011

Proper 18 A (September 4): Our God of New Beginnings and Second Chances



















There is an updated 2023 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left

Bible readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

About the Image:
Left:
This is a free image from the Hermano Leon site - see my links column at left.
Right: This is a free Imagebank image from their excellent, although slightly disorganised, site. See my link column at left.
Listening Song: Just Like You
By Keb Mo on his album, Just Like You (pictured a
t left).This goes well with the gospel reading.
Call to Worship: All God's People
Found in Crafts For Creative Worship by Jan Brind and Tessa Wilkinson, Canturbury Press, 2009, page 205 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Romans reading.
Drama: No Thumping Whatsoever
Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 21 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: The Day is Near
This goes realy well with the Romans reading - it's from the Work of the People (see more excellent clips from their site which you can find via my links column - the clips cost but they are well worth it)

Story: Don't Hire a Hit Man
Foun
d in Could Someone Wake Me up Before I Drool on the Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, page 49 . This is based on the gospel reading.

Discussion:
After read
ing the Romans reading and the gospel reading, divide into groups to discuss together and make a list together of the means by which a Christian community can live in harmony.

Quote: Do It Anyway
Probably written originally by Dr Kent M. Keith and adapted by Mother Teresa. Find the original and the adapted words at http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm


Adult Response:
Give everybody a piece of spring blossom. Tell everyone that the blossom is a sign of spring, new life and new growth. In the silence, encourage people to think of a broken relationship in their lives and encourage them to ask God to show them how to repair it.

Adult Response:
Give everyone a small piece of self hardening modelling clay (1cm cube is big enough for this) and
1. Ask people to mould their feelings about someone they disagree with in their faith community.
2. Ask them to mould the clay back into a ball
3. Ask them to mould the clay into a symbol of Jesus' love for them.
4. Encourage them to take home their symbol as an example of relationship.

Father's Day (Australia - and maybe some other places?) Resources:


Listening song; Butterfly kisses
By Bob Carlisle on his album of the same name (pictured at right)