Monday, January 03, 2022

Epiphany 2 C (January 16): Sharing our Gifts/New Life

























Bible Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

About the images:
Upper Left: The Country Fire Authority in Victoria in Australia is one of the best examples I know of people using their gifts for the benefit of the whole community. The CFA is a volunteer organisation which means heaps of men and women volunteer their time (often time when they would otherwise be in paid employment) to fight bushfires and protect property. They risk their lives and work in teams where each member has specific duties suited to their own gifts and abilities.
Upper Right: This is a free Microsoft clipart (mirrored) on to which I have placed the biblical text.
Middle Left: This is my image of Rainbow Beach with a line from the Third Day song below which is based on the Psalm for this week.  Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Middle RightThis image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left:  Another free image from Heartlight.  See my link column at left. 
Lower Right: A free Microsoft image. 
 

Listening Song: Your Love, O Lord
By Third Day on their Time album (pictured at right).  This song is based on the Psalm set down for today.

Psalm: Fill in the endings
Ask people to suggest endings to each line of the psalm and then read the real psalm together, eg; Lord, your constant love reaches ..................., your faithfulness extends to the ..................... and so on.

Monologue: The Wedding
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Resource Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 54 (pictured at left). This monologue is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Take control But....
This drama is based on the Corinthians reading and found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 75 (pictured at right).

Drama: The Birthday Party
This drama is based on the Corinthians reading and is found in Red Letter Days by Paul Burbridge and Murray Watts, Hodder and Stoughton, 1986, ISBN 034038347X, page 120 (pictured at left).  Start half way through at......."Holy Spirit: And now for the presents!"

Drama: What Are the Odds
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 59 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: A Deathless Kingdom
This story is based on the Isaiah reading and is found in Speaker's Source Book of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley, Word Publishing, 1995, ISBN 0849936756, page 130 (pictured at left).

Discussion about the above story:
Divide into groups and give each group a story (see below for suggestions) relating to gifts and then ask each group to answer the following questions:
1. What does this story say about gifts?
2. What does this story say about us?
3. How does this story help us to transform our community?
After 10 or so minutes gather together and as you tell each story ask the group who discussed that story to comment on the above questions.

Other useful stories to choose from (and don't be put off that some of these  stories are youth stories - they are fun and they get all ages thinking):

The Bodies 
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 177 (pictured at right)

How to Make A Difference 
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On, as above, page 159.

The Smallest Piece 
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations by Wayne Rice, Zondavan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 30 (pictured at left).

The Treasures of the Church 
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations, as above, page 176.

Smart Hopis 
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 158 (pictured at right).

The Animal School 
Found in More Illustrations for Youth Talks (as above), page 33.

Be Yourself
 
found in The Youth Bible, Word, ISBN 0849933390 (pictured at left).

Diversity 
found in 750 Engaging Illustrations by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551, page 173.

Freedom 
found in 750 Engaging Illustrations, as above, page 247.

Response Activity:
Give people a minute to think of a gift that they are already sharing with the church or which they would like to share with the church. Instead of passing the peace, ask people to tell a number of others what that gift is.

Response Activity:
Make group gift mobiles to hang in the church.


Prayer for Others Activity: The House Plan Script
From Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 54.

Also:

Prayer Exercise: Praying in Nature
Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 56.  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Kids: The Cat's Tale
Found in Animal Tales by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, Candle Books, 1998, ISBN  1 85985 637 6.  This is a junior version of the gospel reading.

Service Outline: Miraculous God
Based on the gospel reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 118 (pictured at right).

Drama: The Cana of Galilee Case
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 45ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Reading: The Wedding
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 54ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Poem and Painting: The Tin Kettling at Cana
Found in A Bloke Called Jesus by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Rigby, 1982, ISBN 0 7270 1758 6, page 10. These are based on the John reading. 

Prayer/Action: Hangovers
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, pages 121 and based on the John reading. 


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