Bible Readings: Hosea 11:1-11. Psalm 107: 1-9,43, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21
About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image and I used it for the Response activity set out below. I printed six images to an A4 (letter) sized sheet -any more and the image does not have enough room for people to write on it easily.
Upper Right: I made this image for the gospel reading. They are both my photos so please feel free to use them for worship purposes and other related activities. The reflected buildings are near Camberwell Junction in Melbourne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CamberwellJunction) and the head stones are from the fascinating cemetery on Norfolk Island(http://www.pitcairners.org/vt_cemetery.html).
Upper Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image and I used it for the Response activity set out below. I printed six images to an A4 (letter) sized sheet -any more and the image does not have enough room for people to write on it easily.
Upper Right: I made this image for the gospel reading. They are both my photos so please feel free to use them for worship purposes and other related activities. The reflected buildings are near Camberwell Junction in Melbourne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CamberwellJunction) and the head stones are from the fascinating cemetery on Norfolk Island(http://www.pitcairners.org/vt_cemetery.html).
Middle Left: This image comes from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. This site no longer updates (you will see the sad reason why when you visit) however the artist, Don da Silva, has left a legacy of wonderful free images and templates via the site archives.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. This particular one was free on the site a few years back. The site may be back on line later year. Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: This is a free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. This particular one was free on the site a few years back. The site may be back on line later year. Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: This is a free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.
Opening Response: In Quietness and DarknessFound in Present on Earth by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, ISBN 0901557642, page 32 (pictured at left). This matches well with the gospel reading.
Listening Song: The Things We Leave Behind
By Michael Card on his album, Poiema, 1994 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.
Drama: The Barn BuilderFound in Forty More Devotions that Work With Youth by Geraldine Anderson (Ed.), JBCE, 1990, ISBN 0858198118, page 38 (pictured at left).
Drama: From the Files of Miles Wenckbach
Found in Drama Resources 1 by the Youth Office of the Lutheran Church of Australia (eds.), Lutheran Publishing House, page 54. This fits well with the Hosea reading.
Discussion: On the Hosea Reading
How/when do we take God's love for granted?
In what ways, do we shut God out of our lives?
Story: Cliff Hangers
Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1027, (pictured at left). This goes with the gospel reading,
Story: What is Your Price?
Story: What is Your Price?
Found in When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado, Word, 1996, ISBN 0849913241, page 65 (pictured at right) This goes with the gospel reading.
Story: Materialism
Story No 423 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers edited by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at left). This also goes with the gospel reading.
Response Activity: For the Luke Reading
Somewhere at the beginning of the service, give everybody a picture of a closed gift box with a large label on it (see image above)and ask them to imagine that inside is the thing that they want most in the world. Give them a minute to think what it is and then to share answers. At the end of the service ask people to look at the box again and ask them what they think God would put in the box for them. If you give them a pen or pencil as well, they can write their response each time on the label.
Story: MaterialismStory No 423 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers edited by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at left). This also goes with the gospel reading.
Response Activity: For the Luke Reading
Somewhere at the beginning of the service, give everybody a picture of a closed gift box with a large label on it (see image above)and ask them to imagine that inside is the thing that they want most in the world. Give them a minute to think what it is and then to share answers. At the end of the service ask people to look at the box again and ask them what they think God would put in the box for them. If you give them a pen or pencil as well, they can write their response each time on the label.
Prayer For Others: Materialism
Found in Worship Ideas For Youth Ministry, Group, 1997, ISBN 076442002X, page 69 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.
Found in Worship Ideas For Youth Ministry, Group, 1997, ISBN 076442002X, page 69 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.
Creative Ideas: Hosea: The Forgiving Prophet
Found in Multi-Sensory Prophets by Mike Law, Scripture Union, 2007, ISBN 9781844272587, page 43 (pictured at left). This is based on the Hosea reading.
Also:
Kids: The Rich Farmer
By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, found in Stories Jesus Told by the above authors, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881 (pictured at right).
All Sorts of Useful Stuff: A Fool and his money
By Ian Birkinshaw in Multi-Sensory Parables, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 32. This is based on the Gospel.
Kids: Jelly Beans, Lima Beans and Boxes
Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 76. 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.
