Proper 13 A (August 06): More than Enough/ No Holding Back

Bible Readings: Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is my photo - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my photo (you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities) taken at the back of our place at Mason's Bay, part of the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria (for more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes)
Middle Left: This is my image and I think it goes well with Psalm 17:5 - you have permission to use it for worship purposes and related activities. 
Middle Right and Lower Left: These are free images from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left.  I love the mosaic.  It comes from the floor of the Tabgha Church of the Multiplication on the Sea of Galilee.  You will notice there are only four loaves of bread - that is because the fifth one is assumed to be on the communion table above this mosaic -ready to share!

Lower Right: Another wonderful free Cerrezo Barredo image - see my link column at left. 

Listening Song: From a Distance 

by Bette Midler on her album, Some People's Lives (pictured at left). Compare this song's idea of God with the gospel reading's idea of God. They are very different. 

Listening Song: Wake Up Dead Man
By U2 on their album, Pop (pictured at right). This goes with the Genesis reading.

Listening Song: Peace on Earth
By U2 on their album, All That You Can't Leave Behind (pictured at left). This also goes well with the Genesis reading.

Listening Song: Psalm 17: Apple of Your Eye 
by Sons of Korah on their album, Resurrection (pictured at right).  

Film Clip: Ray

(pictured below  left) Show the scene where Ray's Mum lets him struggle to find his way around after he goes blind so that he will be a strong person able to take responsibility for himself. It shows her struggle as well as his. This clip goes very well with the Genesis reading and I found it at Wingclips - see my link column at left.  

Discussion: Ray
1. What is happening here?
2. How can our struggles be helpful?
3. When do we struggle with God? 

Drama: The Feeding of the Twenty Five

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 74 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the gospel reading.

Reflective Drama: Night of the Long Struggle
Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page12 (pictured at left). This is a great take on the Genesis reading and can be used as is or as the basis for a sermon.

Story: Here, Take What You Need!
Found in Pulpit Resources, August 4th, 2002 by William H. Willimon 

Story: Love and the Cabbie
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 111 (pictured at right). This story fits well with the gospel reading.

Poem: Oversupply
By Bruce Prewer and found at http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/47SUN18.htm

Prayer: It's Me in That Struggle
By Carter Heyward and found in Imaging the Word Volume 2 by Susan A. Blain, Sharon Iverson Glouwens, Catherine O'Callaghan, Grant Spradling (Eds.), United Church Press, 1995, ISBN 0829810331, page 253 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Genesis reading.

Also:

Taize Service: Loaves and Fishes

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 24 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Poem: Jacob

And if you didn't use this in Proper 11 A ......Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 28 (pictured at left).  This poem is based on the Genesis reading.  

Poem: Enough

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 83 (pictured above left).  This poem is based on the Matthew reading.  

Prayer: Walkabout

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 14 (pictured at left) and based on the Psalm reading.

Worship Activities: Feeding Our Understanding of Justice

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 79. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Prayer/Action: St Simon Stylites

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 130 and based on the Matthew  reading.  

Proper 12 A (July 30): Signs of God/Be Alert

 

Bible Readings: Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free microsoft clipart image on which I have placed the Biblical text.
Upper Right: This is a free Cerezo Barredo image - see my link column at left. 
Middle Left and Right: These are free Heartlight images - see my link column at left. 

Lower Left and Right: Based on the Romans reading and free from Sundaygraphix - http://sundaygraphx.blogspot.com

Listening Song: Father of Lights
By Randy Stonehill on his album, Thirst (pictured at left) or on Nothing But Pop. This makes a great response to the gospel reading. 

Object Lesson
Give everyone in the congregation two binder rings (a tad hard to find these days but still available in large stationary shops) locked together and ask people to see if they can pull them apart without undoing them. Unless you have Samson (complete with hair) in your congregation, nobody should be able to do it. Relate this to us and God - God sticks with us. 

Kid's Story: The Precious Pearl 
By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, found originally as an individual book (pictured at right), Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1986, ISBN 0551012781; and lately in Stories Jesus Told (pictured at right) by the above authors, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881.

Drama: Mustard Seeds and mountains
Found in Let's Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 42 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: A Solitary Life
Just google the title and you will come up with hundreds of versions of this story, however a useful and succinct one is found at http://www.allsaintsmtka.org/worship/Sermons/2002/2002-07-28.cfm

Story: The New Narnia

Found in The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis, Penguin, 1964, page 154 (pictured at right) or last page of chapter 15 in other editions.

Story: The Art Auction
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 120 (pictured at left). This story goes well with the gospel reading.

Story: View of the High Country
Found in When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado, Word, 1996, ISBN 0849913241, page 191 (pictured at right). Lucado links this story with the Romans reading. 

Discussion:
What are the special promises which God makes to us that will get us through tough times?

Response activity:
Give everyone a small card with a mustard seed (or a pearl if you are rich enough ;-)) attached and the relevant verse printed out and ask people to write on the back of the card the characteristic of God's realm that they cannot live without.

Also:

Drama: Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love
Found in Welcome Mat by Beth Barnett, Scripture Union Victoria, page 176. The book gives no more publishing details that I can share with you.  However it is excellent and packed full of resources for all age worship and can be bought from Scripture Union Victoria. 157 Heidelberg Road, Northcote, Victoria 3070, Australia. 

Kids Stories

Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259 (pictured at right) has heaps of services connected to children's books. Below are three.....

Kids: The Magic Saddle

By Christobel Mattingly and Patricia Mullins with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 2 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Matthew reading.

Kids: The Tiny Seed 

By Eric Carle (pictured at right) with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 2 (pictured at right above). This goes well with the gospel.

Kids: Let the Celebrations Begin

By Margaret Wild and Julie Vivas, Box Press, (pictured at left)  with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 55 (pictured at right above). This goes well with the Romans reading.

All Sorts of Useful Stuff: Finders Keepers

By Ian Birkinshaw in Multi-Sensory Parables, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 17 (pictured at left).  This is based on the Gospel. 

Drama: The Pearl

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 72. This drama is based on the Gospel reading.

Drama: Whe Do You Say That I Am
Found in Lets Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 31 (pictured at right). This drama is useful for the Romans reading.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 194. This is based on the Romans reading.

Poem and Comment: Money

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the third Wednesday of Advent.  This is a Christmas preparation book, but is very useful for other times of the year as well. This entry is based on the Matthew reading.  

Proper 10 A (July 16): Sowing Seeds/Choices, Promises, Perspectives

 

Bible readings: Genesis 25:19-24, Psalm 119:105-112, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9,18-25. Psalm 65

About the Images:
Upper Left: The Sower: painted by Vincent Van Gogh and taken from Wikimedia Commons - a public domain site.
Upper Right: This is a free clip art from the Hermano Leon site - see a link at left in my links column.
Middle Left: This is a free Heartlight image.  See my links column at left.
Middle Right: Sketch of the sower by Van Gogh photographed by me at the amazing Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 

Lower Left and Right: These are Sundaygraphicx free images based on the Psalm reading. See my link column at left. 

Listening Song: Joy in the Journey
By Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey (pictured at right). This song fits in well with all the readings but fits particularly well with the gospel reading. 

Listening Song: Never Alone
by Barlow Girl on their album, Barlow Girl (pictured at left) or on the album WOW 2005. This song goes well with all the readings - I put it with the gospel reading. 

 Prayer of Confession: Thistles
This is an activity prayer and is found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 12 (pictured at right). It is based on the gospel reading.

Object Lesson: Irish Spring and the Word of God
Found in Fresh Ideas Volume 2 by Jim Burns and Mark Simone, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 083718842, page 64 (pictured at right) . This is based on the psalm.

 Film Clip: The Neverending Story

(pictured at right) Show the conversation about the story not being safe and link it with Bible is good news but that it is also not safe in the sense that it always presents us with a challenge.

Film Clip: Chicken Run
(pictured at left) Show the scene quite near the beginning where the hens are all planning their escape and becoming demoralised about the whole idea when one of them says "the biggest fences are inside your heads".

Discussion: Chicken Run
1. What things make you feel spiritually uncomfortable?
2. When do we have fences inside our heads when it comes to thinking about God and what God calls us to be or to do?

Film Clip: Pirates 3: At World's End

(pictured at right) Show the clip where Will asks Elizabeth to marry him in the middle of a gigantic sword fight/battle.  

Discussion: Pirates 3: At World's End
1. Why is it a bad time for Will to ask Elizabeth to marry him?
2. What sort of things distract us from following God?

Drama: Seeds

Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 69 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Lamps R Us

Found in Creative Worship Ideas by Lois Keffer, Group, 1993, ISBN 1559450991, page 58 (pictured at right). This drama is related to the psalm.

Drama: Psalm 119
Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 7 (pictured at left).

Drama: Genesis 25:19-34
Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 6 (pictured at left).

Discussion:
Where do Jacob and Esau fit in the gospel parable: are they seeds on the path, on the thin soil, amongst the thorns or in good soil?
What helps us to have deep roots in good soil?

Story: The Native American and the Cricket

Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 123 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the gospel reading.

Prayer For Others: Reminders (Version 3: Mixed Nuts)
This is an activity prayer and found in Multi-sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 47. This goes quite well with the gospel reading.

Poem: Living Hearts
Found in Imaging the Word Volume 2 by Susan A. Blain, Sharon Iverson Glouwens, Catherine O'Callaghan, Grant Spradling (Eds.), United Church Press, 1995, ISBN 0829810331, page 240. This goes well with the gospel. I used images with this poem and the music of Tony O'Conner's track, Memories, from his album, Rainforest Magic.

Meditation: A Sower Went to Sow
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 165.  This goes quite well with the gospel reading.

Also:

Story Plus Other Stuff: Seeds

Found in Wally the Dodgy Trolley and other Stories of Faith and Humour by Ian Johnson, Scripture Union Australia, Lidcombe, 2000, ISBN 0949720984, page 55.

Poem/Meditation: The Cheerful Unrepentant Weeds
By Ruth Burgess in Dandelions and Thistles: Biblical Meditations from the Iona Community by Jan Sutch Pickard (ed.) Wild Goose Publications, 1999, ISBN 1901557146, page 13 (pictured at left). 

Kids: The Tiny Seed 

By Eric Carle with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 7. This goes well with the gospel.

Responsive Reading:
By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 25.  This is based on the Psalm. 

All Sorts of Useful Stuff: The Parable of the Sower:

By Ian Birkinshaw in Multi-Sensory Parables, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 7.  This is based on the Gospel. 

Drama: Say it, Say it So I Hear it

Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 54 . This drama is based on the psalm.

Psalm 119

Found in The Psalms: An Artist's Impression by Anneke Kaai and Eugene Peterson, Piquant, 1999, ISBN 0 9535757 0 5, page 36. 

Meditation: A Sower Went to Sow

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 165ff.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer: Reminders

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 47 and based on the Matthew reading.

Kids: The Sower and the Seed

By Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2021, ISBN 9781925036657. This goes with the Matthew reading. Absolutely the best story series around for kids and adults. My whole congregation is delighted every time we use one of these wonderful books. 

Worship Activities: Seeds and Soil

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 75. These are based on the Matthew reading.