Holy Name of Jesus Day ABC (January 1):

Bible Readings:   Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8, Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21

Top Left and Right and Bottom left: Free images from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left. 

Middle Left and Right: Free images from Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.                         

Bottom Right: A free Cerezo Barredo image - see my link column at left.

Drama: No Ordinary Baby

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 97 (pictured at left). This is based on the Luke reading.  

Drama: A Way With Words

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 41 (pictured at right) . This drama goes well with the Philippians reading.

New Year's Day ABC: All Things New

Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6, Matthew 25:31-46

About the Image:

Upper Left: Hibiscus bud photographed in my garden - you are free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my photo (my front yard) with words from the John Marsden prayer below. You are free to use my photo for worship and related activities.

Middle left: A free image from www.daveandpeg.com

Middle right: A free image from Church Galleries (see my links column at left)

Lower Left and Right: These are free Heartlight images - see my link column at left.

Confession: The Paradox of Our Times 
This can be found in many places on the net and makes a good confession if read by two people. Use 1 John 2:1-2 as your absolution.

Kid's Story: The "Sheep Lion"

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 147 (pictured at right). This is a story about recognising who you are in the context of God's purpose for your life.

Story: Missed Opportunities 
This story can be found at http://www.trinitycrc.org/sermons/mt06v19b.html. Scroll down until you find the heading "Folly".

Prayer: Prayer For the 21st Century

By John Marsden, Lothian Books, 1997, ISBN 0850918146 (pictured at left). A beautifully illustrated prayer appropriate for every new day, let alone every new year. It goes well with the track Adiemus by the group Adiemus on their CD, Songs of Sanctuary (pictured at right).

Response Activity:

Invite people to stand up and name a ministry in which they are involved in or in which they feel called (by God but not necessarily by the church) to be involved in, in the future (this may be something nobody is yet doing in the church).

Response Activity:

I combined the above Response Activity, the Prayer for the 21st Century and Wesley's covenant prayer as three distinct prayer stations to finish off the service.  People had the option and the time to visit all three stations or to spend time at just one or two. 

Also:

Taize Service: Loving the Least

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 14 (pictured at left). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer Exercise: The Psalms Teach Us to Pray

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 42 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Kids: Cecil and Psalm 8

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2012 (pictured at left). This goes with the Psalm.  The great thing about these books is that they only 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.

For Children and Families: God is Wise

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SU Victoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the Ecclesiastes reading. 

Various Ideas: The Glorious End of the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 46 (pictured at left). Connected with the Revelation reading.

Drama: Words Don't Mean a Thing

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 104 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.  

Poem: I think
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at left) in the Summer section.

Complete Service: Service for a Battered Woman

Found in In this Hour by Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Desbooks, 2001, ISBN 094982433X, page 37ff (pictured at right). 

Drama: I Have Time 

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 104 (pictured at left) . This drama goes well with the Ecclesiastes reading.

Poem: God's Good Time

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 77.  This poem is based on the Ecclesiastes reading.  

Storytelling

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 97. This activity is based on Psalm 8. 

Gingerbread

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 167. This activity is based on Psalm 8. 

Discussion Questions: What is Important in Life?

Found in Chapter 1 of The Gospel According to the Simpsons Leaders Guide for Group Study by Mark I Pinsky and Samuel F Parvin, Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, ISBN 0 664 22590 X.  These questions are based on the Ecclesiastes reading.

Drama: Our Image of Jesus

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 37ff. 

Prayer: Remembrance

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 40 and based on the Ecclesiastes reading.

Poem: Lenten Series, A Time For....

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 51. Based on the Ecclesiates reading.

Reflection and Prayer:

By John Davies and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 53ff and based on the Ecclesiastes reading. 

Australian Floral Illustrations and Links:

Found in The Scrolls Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Bible Society, 2011, pages 64 and 80-83 concentrate on the Ecclesiastes reading. Stunning!!  Images may be used for such purposes as church services, with acknowledgement of the artist. 

 

Proper 20 C (18 September 2022): Lament /Values/Praying For Peace/The Comforter

There is a 2025 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

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Bible Readings: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, Psalm 79:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13

About the Images:
Upper Left: Coopers Creek at the Dig Tree: such a peaceful place with such an odd history.  For more info, please visit http://www.thargotourism.com.au/the-burke-and-wills-dig-tree. This is my photo - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.

Upper Right: Ned Kelly the day before his execution by Charles Nettleton. The photo taken in 1880, so is public domain. Image taken from http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/slv/exhibitions/kellyculture/intro1.html

Middle  Left: This is a free image from Imagebank  - see my link column at left - with a line from CeCe Winnans song "Comforter".

Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which is down at present. . This particular image was free on the site.
Bottom 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.

Bottom Right: Another great free image based on the gospel from Cerezo Barredo

Listening song: Peacemaker
by Maire Brennan on her album, Whisper to the Wild Water (pictured at right). This is particularly good if played as a background to a series of images portraying war, anger, fighting etc as an introduction to the Timothy reading.

Listening Song: Comforter

By CeCe Winnans on her album, Alabaster Box (pictured at left).  This goes well with the Jeremiah reading, particularly Jeremiah 8:18.

Kid's Story:

If you have a dramatist or a mime clown in your congregation, ask them to go through a whole lot of different emotions with the children together eg "let's all be happy, sad, angry, sad" etc. They can use all of their body to show the emotion or just a body part such as a face, or a hand or an arm. Kid's love doing this and I often get the whole congregation to do it because everybody enjoys it. Lead this into a discussion about Jeremiah and about how honest we can be with God about how we feel.

Discussion Questions: For the Luke reading
When do we take risks for the gospel?
When do we put people's needs before financial concerns?

What are our priorities?

Film Clip: Wit
(pictured at right) Show the scene right need the end of the film where Vivian's old professor comes in and, through means of a children's story book, prays for her to die in peace. This goes well with the Timothy reading.

Discussion Questions for Film Clip: Wit
1. How does Vivian's old professor pray for her?
2. Why is it important for us to have peace in our lives?
3. How can we give peace to each other?

Story: Good News

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 161 (pictured at left). This story goes well with the Luke reading.

Story: The Prayer of Compassion

by Anthony Bloom and found in Resources for Preaching and Worship - Year C compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003, ISBN 066422508X, Page 248 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the Timothy reading.

Drama: Making the Most of it
Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 77 (pictured at left). This is based on the Luke reading.

Quote: Horatius Bonar

Index 3140-3141 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This quote goes well with the Timothy reading. You can also find this quote at http://www.jude3.net/bgwh8.htm - fifth paragraph up from the bottom.

Prayer for Others:
Introduce this prayer with 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Prayer for others: Light a Candle

This is an interactive prayer and can involve the whole congregation. It is written by Roddy Hamilton for Pentecost C 2007 and goes well with any of the readings for today. Roddy's site is call Mucky Paws and there is a link in my link section at left.

Adult Response: For the Luke reading
Give everyone a business card sized picture of a slightly dodgy cultural hero. Robin Hood works well as does Ned Kelly in Australia or ....... Ask: As a result of this rather shady story, what is God asking you to do?......Put God first?....Clean up a dodgy part of your life?.....or.....? Write a prayer on the back.

Adult Response Activities for the Timothy Reading:
Have three separate areas for people to pray for the world in three different ways. At each place have available multiple copies of the Timothy Bible reading or give everyone a copy of the reading before they start.
1. Write a letter to God.
Equipment needed: Good quality parchment paper and good pens or pencils.
Instructions: Some people find it easier to write down their feelings than to verbalise them. Try writing a letter to God expressing what is going on in your mind with regard to this reading today. You might want to say sorry for something you have not done, or there may be a part of the reading you can't understand or don't agree with and you want to make sure God knows how you feel. Maybe you just want to list the leaders you want to pray for? Writing a letter to god often clarifies what you really want to pray about.
2. Drawing prayers:
Equipment: Art paper and pencils, crayons etc.
Instructions: In response to the Bible reading, divide a piece of art paper in two. On the left side, draw how you think the world, your country or your community is today - particularly the bits/people you think need praying for. On the right side, draw how you would like it to be and/or how you think God would like it to be.
NB: This is between you and God. It is not an art exam. It will not be marked!!! Nobody will see it. So...enjoy praying.
3. Wallet prayers:

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 14 and 45 (pictured at left).

Also:

Brilliant Comments on the Gospel

Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 332-342 (pictured at right).

Prayer: The globe

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 20 and based on the 1 Timothy reading.

Prayer: North east South West 

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 17 and based on the 1 Timothy reading.