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 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.
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 ThingFound 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.
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Drama: No Ordinary Baby
