Pentecost A (28th May 2023): Enough for Everyone/The Community of Christ/ Like a Flame

 

THERE IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS BLOG WITH MORE STUFF UPDATED IN 2026 - SEE MY ARCHIVES IN THE FAR COLUMN AT LEFT

Bible Readings: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30, Psalm 104:24 -35, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21, John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39.

About the images:
Upper Left: This is a mirrored free microsoft clip art on to which I added the biblical text.
Upper Right: This is my image (and my lounge room fire) with a line from the Third day song below on it. You have permission to use the image for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: This is a wickimedia photo with no copyright issues that I can ascertain.
Middle Right: This image reminded me of Acts 2:17 - desert flowers tend to congregate together. This is my image of the Simpson desert - you have permission to use this image for worship and related activities.
Lower Left and Right and Bottom Left: Free images from the Sundaygraphicx site. 

An at home service based on some of these resources:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArWFF7A3pipHqiZdwXuyPhjhwWuK?e=MYPSJe

Listening Song : Holy Spirit
By Third Day on their self titled album (pictured at left).

Kids Story: Webster the Preacher Duck
By Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2007, ISBN 9781921229084 (pictured at right) or go to the Lost Sheep web site and download the book as a powerpoint or similar including worksheets for kids for a mere $10.  This is a lovely story about using your gifts. Thanks to Sandra Houghton for introducing me to this brilliant series for young and old. Laugh and learn - and as it says on the title page "Any similarities between the characters in this book and the old ducks in your church is purely coincidental". 

 Film Clip: Edward Scissorhands
Show the clip where Edward trims the bushes into a dinosaur - everyone has a gift! (pictured at left).

Drama: Pentecost Photos?

Found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 73 (pictured at right). This drama is lots of fun and is based on Acts 2.

Drama: What's A Holy Spirit?
Found in Let's Make A Scene For...by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 77 (pictured at left). This drama is based on Acts 2.

Story: The Lifeboat
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 137 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Corinthians reading.

Story: Too Helpful
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 161 (pictured at left). This story is based on the Corinthians reading.

Illustration: The Use of Power
Found in Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal (Eds.), 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers [Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2002] Story no 68- Church (pictured at right). This is an easily understood illustration of the power of the Holy Spirit as seen in Acts 2.

Poem: Acts 2:1
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at left)  in the Summer section

Quote: William H Willimon
The Holy Spirit is the engine that drives the church out into the world.

Quote: William Blake
Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen.
Unless the ear catch fire, God will not be heard.
Unless the tongue catch fire, God will not be named.
Unless the heart catch fire, God will not be loved
Unless the mind catch fire, God will not be known.

Response Activity: Pentecost Celebration
Parts of this can be done at various times during a service however it makes a great conclusion. It was written by Uniting Church in Australia minister Coralie Ling - for full details visit http://thebillabong.info/lectionary/ideas-for-pentecost/the-gifts-of-the-spirit/

Also:

Worship Service based on The Sea-breeze Hotel
Found in Worship Is For Everyone by Julia Pinazza, Open Book Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 13 (pictured at left). This is based on the Acts reading.

Kids' Story: The Sea-Breeze Hotel

By Marcia Vaughan and Patricia Mullins, Margaret Hamilton Books (pictured at right).

Meditation: Fear and Loneliness

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 50 (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Taize Service: Overcoming Doubts

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 18. This is based on the John reading.

Taize Service: Holy Fire

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 30. This is based on the Acts reading.

For Children and Families: God is everywhere

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SUVictoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5. This is based on the gospel reading. 

Reflection: Scars Reveal Resurrection

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 106ff.

Reflective Poem: Thomas, my twin

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 109ff. This is based on the Gospel reading.

Two chapters of resources for Pentecost and the Holy Spirit:

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 147ff. 

Various Ideas: Power to Communicate the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 34. Connected with Acts. 

Drama: Humanity Reconstructed 

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 102 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the Acts reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff: Portrait of the Artist

Found in Multi-Sensory Together by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union,2005, ISBN 1844271641, page 20.  Based on the Psalm reading.

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 62-63.

Ascension Day ABC (18th May 2023):

There is an 2026 updated version of this post with more stuff  - see my archive at left.

Bible Readings: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Psalm 93, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53

Top Left and Right: Free clipart from the Hermano Leon site.                                                   

Middle Left and Right: Free clipart from the Sundaygraphx site.                                                

Lower Left and Right: Free clipart from the Heartlight site.

Drama: Deconstruction Inc                                                                                                                                          Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 100 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the Acts reading.

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 36-37 (pictured at right).

Discussion Questions: Knowing God and Becoming Part of a Community

Found in Chapter 10 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 (pictured at left).  These questions are based on the Acts reading.

Drama: Up, Up and Away

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 113ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the Luke reading or the Acts reading.

Drama: They Can Find Their Own Chairs 

Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 24 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the reading.