Easter 5 A (May 07): We All Have A Part to Play/The Journey/Finding a Place to Belong

 

Bible readings: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14

About the Images:
Upper Left: Castellers: A free image from wikimedia commons, this is a photo of human tower (castall) traditionally built during festivals in many places in Catalonia in Spain. Besides the people who actually climb, many are also needed to form the the base of the castell. They help sustain the weight and act as a sort of safety net.

Upper Right: This is a microsoft free clip art with my text.

Middle  Left: Another Microsoft free clipart

Middle Right: A good image for when we are thinking about the journey.  I found this in the Bing copyright free images.
Lower Left: This is a free clipart from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at the left. 

Lower Right: A free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column to the left.

A service for email or hand delivery:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!ArWFF7A3pipHqgBnX7NSdBO12S2T?e=dJMBYl

Listening Song: What You Need
by Audio Adrenaline on their self titled album (pictured at left). This song fits with all the readings however I used it with the 1 Peter reading because it applied to it so well.

Introduction Activity: For the 1 Peter reading

Before the service, give everybody a piece of Leggo as they arrive at church. Just before the reading ask everyone to build something really interesting by themselves with their piece of Leggo. When it is obvious that it cannot be done, ask people to work together in groups. You can do the same thing by giving everyone a piece of a jigsaw puzzle however this works better with smaller congregations because if you have a large congregation you will need a big puzzle and it might take the whole service to complete it!!!!

Film Clip: I Am Sam
(pictured at right) Show the clip where Sam and his friends buy Lucy a pair of new shoes for her to go to school in.

Discussion: I Am Sam
How can this film clip be a picture of the church?
Can we all contribute to the church (think beyond money)?
What do you see as your role?

Drama: Well I Declare

Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 51 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the 1 Peter reading.

Drama: Do You Know the Way
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 53 (pictured at left) and based on the gospel reading. 

Story: Trying To Do the Job Alone

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 173 (pictured at right). This very funny story, although well known, fits in well with the 1 Peter reading and is always enjoyed.

Story: High Voltage

Found in Could Someone Wake Me Up Before I Drool On The Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, pp. 83 (pictured at left). This story is based on the 1 Peter reading.

Meditation: God's Own People

Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 97 (pictured at right). This meditation goes with the 1 Peter reading.

Poem and Prayer: the eternal now
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading. 

Opening and Closing Responses for Easter: 
By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, page 122 (pictured at right). The one for this Sunday is based on the gospel reading.  

Also:

Reflective Poem: Stephen: Holy Ground

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 109ff (pictured above left) . This is based on the Acts reading.

Reflective Poem: Resident Aliens

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 110 (pictured above left). This is based on the Acts reading.

Drama: Which Way?

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 20 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff: Legally Binding 

Found in Multi-Sensory Together by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union,2005, ISBN 1844271641, page 54 (pictured at right).  This is based on the 1 Peter 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 46-47 (pictured at left).

Drama: Only Superstition?

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 35.  This is based on the John reading. 

Drama: Living Stone, I Presume

Found in Let's Make a Scene for..... by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 29 (pictured at right). This goes well with the 1 Peter reading. 

Psalm 31

Found in The Psalms: An Artist's Impression by Anneke Kaai and Eugene Peterson, Piquant, 1999, ISBN 0 9535757 0 5, page 20.    

Meditation: Behold the lamb of God

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 21ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Meditation: Jesus said: I am the Way

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 34ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Reading: Who Am I?

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 60ff.  This is based on the John reading.

Prayer: Stones

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 46 and based on the 1 Peter reading.

Prayer/Action: Elisabeth Ann Seton

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 129 and based on the John reading.