Epiphany 5 A (February 05): Shine!/ Daring to have a go.

Bible Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12(13-16), Matthew 5:13-20

About the images:

Upper Left and Right and Lower Left and Right: These are free Heartlight images. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.

Middle left: This is a Microsoft free clipart with my text.

Middle Right: This is a free sample clip art from Church galleries which is not in operation at the moment.

Listening Song: Shine

By the Newsboys on their album, Shine: The Hits (pictured at left) or on WOW 1996. This song uses words from the gospel reading.

Discussion:

1. Salt and light have lost their preciousness in many ways to the Western world. What might Jesus say to us today if he was talking to us? You are like........
2. How do we shine God's light onto those around us?

Brainstorm:

Brainstorm definitions of the word "disciple".

Kids' Story: The Tawny Scrawny Lion

by Kathryn Jackson, Little Golden Book (pictured at right).  This goes well with the 1 Corinthians reading for both last week and this week.  It also goes well as a bit of a lead in conversation with kids about bullying.  I used it for both reasons at church today seeing that we celebrated the kids start of the school year here in Australia.  

Film Clip: True Fasting

This clip is from Work of the People - see my link column at left.  It goes well with the Isaiah reading: go to https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/true-fasting

Story: Why the Potatoes Sprouted

This story can be found at

http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/1801-1900/HDM1876.pdf Story No. 1430. It is based on the gospel story.

Story: Thermometers and Themostat

Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 198 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Matthew reading.

Also:

Poem and prayer: salt and light.

Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 14 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Shout aloud!

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 40ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Gospel reading and the Old Testament reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff

Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 39ff (pictured at left). 

Worship Activity: Prayer Lights

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN 0830724044, page 43 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Matthew reading. 

Worship Resources: What's Wrong with the World?

Found in Multi-Sensory World by Craig Borlase, Scripture Union/Tear Fund, 2008, ISBN 9781844272662, page 15 (pictured at left). This is based on the Old Testament reading. 

Drama: The Colours of the Rainbow
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 24 (pictured at right). This has been written for the gospel reading.

Sermon ideas: There is No End to the Work

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 171 (pictured at left).  This is based on the Gospel reading. 

Drama: How Many Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb

Based on Acts 12 and found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 23 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Matthew reading. 

Drama: Candles in the Bin

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 51ff.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer: Salt

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 29 and based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer: Let Your Light Shine

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 50 and based on the Matthew reading.

Worship Activities: Salt and Light

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 46. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Discussion: Love and Justice, Salt and Light

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 136. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

We Are Salt and Light: 

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 37. Based on the Matthew reading.

Kids: The Lampstand 

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2023. This goes with the Matthew reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A8 and for a further $A12 (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.

Prayer for Healing 

By Rachel G Hackenberg 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 221. Based on the Matthew reading.