Sunday, January 22, 2023

Epiphany 4 A (January 29): Paradox/Turning the World Upside Down

 





























Bible Readings: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text.
Upper Right: This is a free Heartlight image. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Middle left: This is a Microsoft free image with text from the song "God's Own Fool" (below).
Middle RightThis is another free Heartlight image. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Lower LeftAnd another free Heartlight image! To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Lower Right: A creative commons image to which I added BE :) Gives a bit of room to preach around the beatitudes.

Listening Son
g: God's Own Fool
By Michael
 Card on his album, Joy in the Journey (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading and with the 1 Corinthians reading.

Kid's Story: The Lion and the Mouse
This is an Aesop fable and can be found almost anywhere on or off line.  It goes really well with the gospel reading and the Corinthians reading.

Film Clip: The Beatitudes
This clip is found on the Work of the People site (see my links column at left).

Drama: I Believe Congratulations Are 
In Order
By Tick Brereton and found in Mega Drama 
2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916X, page 17 (pictured at left). This is a dramatic reading that looks at the Beatitudes and different approaches to what they really mean. I made this the basis of my sermon and added a couple more voices to each section who related directly to the struggles in our own community and lives and added prayers of reflection after each section as well.

Response Activity:
I gave everyone a copy of the Mega Drama (above) version of the Beatitudes and gave them a space to read them over and then underline the one that they do best in one colour and the one that they need most help with in another colour. We then prayed together and for each other.

Also:

Taize Service: Beatitudes
Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 38 (pictured at left). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Drama: World Wise
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 9 (pictured at right). This has been written for the 1 Corinthians reading.
Brilliant Comments on the Gospel
Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 65-90 (pictured at left).

Drama: Blessed are the Poor
Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 41 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Poem: O That Land
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 44 (pictured at left).  This poem is based on the Micah reading.  

Blessings  
Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 149 -150 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Drama: Fair's Fair
Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 84ff.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Worship Activities: God Blesses Those People
Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 45. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Sharing Stories: The Family Framework
Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 99. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Discussion: Transforming Values
Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 132. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Confession and Assurance of Grace
By Wesley Brian Jamison 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 55. Based on the Micah reading.

Reflection and Prayer: 
Found in Advent Readings from Iona by Brian Woodcock and Jan Sutch Pickard, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1901557332 (pictured at right). These are based on the 1 Corinthians reading and found under the heading: December 14th. This fits with next week also. 

Prayer/Action: Suffering
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, pages 108 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading. 

Prayer/Action: Peace on Earth
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 112 and based on the Matthew reading. 

Prayer/Action: The Lord of Misrule
Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 120 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading. 

Reading: God's Rainbow People
By Ann B Day 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 218. Based on the Micah reading.




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