Sunday, January 14, 2024

Epiphany 3 B (January 21): God Gives Second Chances/Following God

 
















B
ible reading
s: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-121 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

About the images:
Upper Left: I took this photo up at Hervey Bay (http://www.hervey.com.au) a few years ago - two whales were so interested in us and the boat we were on that they hung around for ages popping out of the water beside us to get a closer look. Feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Upper Right: A free Microsoft clipart image with my text.
Middle Left: My image of Uluru with Biblical text.  Please feel free to use for worship and related activities.
Middle Right: A free Heartlight image - see my links column at left
Lower Left: This is my photo of middle eastern fisherman. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Lower Right: Once again, my image. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 
Very Bottom Left: A free image from the amazing Cerezo Barredo.

Listenin
g Song: More
By Matthew West on his album, Happy, universal South/Sparrow Records,or on WOW Hits 2005
 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Jonah reading.

Listening Song: I Am
By Jill Phillips on her self titled album and on WOW 2000. (pictured at right). This goes well with the Jonah reading.

Image"Jonah and the Whale" by He Qi (2001).
Look at the painting. Notice the face looking over the whole scene in the top left hand corner.

Film Clip: The Colour Purple 
Sh
ugs father refuses to speak to her but when she returns to the church with all her friends singing "Listen, God's trying to Tell You something" he realises he has been given a second chance her back as his daughter.

Discussion: The Colour Purple
1. Who was given a second chance in this film clip?
2. Do you think God has anything to do with it?
3. How does it feel when someone gives you a second chance?

Film Clip: Veggie Tails: Jonah
I can never work out who usually enjoys Veggie Tales the most - the kids or the adults.



Film Clip: Wild Stories about Jesus by the Australian Bible Society




For Children: Jonah and the Whale
By Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006, ISBN 1921229020 (pictured at left).  I cannot recommend these books highly enough.  They are excellent and engage all ages.  The website also has numerous extra activities - some free and some at a small cost including each book in powerpoint and apple format.  

DramaHas God Been Talking To You Lately?
Found in in Mega Drama 2 edited by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2001, page 27 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the Jonah reading.

Discussion:
What is it in the story of Jonah that tells us that God is the God of second chances.

Story:
 When The Tag Was Changed
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, 
ISBN 0830718834, page 201 (pictured at left). This story goes well with the Jonah reading.

Adult Response: Prayer Stations:
Station 1: A Mirror and Card:
The card reads: Ask yourself: Do you need a second chance from God?

Are you also hard on yourself - do you need to give yourself a second chance as well? Look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself that it is you that God loves. Read these words from Isaiah 43:4. God says: “You are precious and honoured in my sight and …I love you” What do these words say to you about God’s love for you?
Station 2: Christ candle, tapers and card
The card reads: Think of somebody who you need to give a second chance to. Think about that person now. Light a taper as a symbol, that just as God is willing to give you a second chance, you will give them a second chance.
Station 3: Map, tea lights and card
The card reads: Think of a part of the world that needs a second chance – a place where there is need or a war or natural or man made disaster. Think about that place now and place a lighted tea light on the location of that place on the map.


Also:

Meditation: Difficult Choices
Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 85. This goes well with the gospel reading.

Poem/Meditation: Jonah
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 32 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Jonah reading (duh!).


Poem/Meditation: Follow Me
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 47 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Mark reading.


Various Ideas: The Message for the Least Deserving
Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave MacLure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 17 (pictured at right). Connected with the Jonah reading. 

Drama: The Motivator
Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), page 19 (pictured at left). This drama matches up very well with the gospel reading.

Sermon ideas: The Call to Follow Jesus
Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 27.  This is based on the Gospel reading. 

Service Outline: Peter, This is Your Life
Based on the Mark reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 110 (pictured at right).

Service Starter: Larger Than Life
Based on the Jonah reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 33 (pictured at right).

Service Starter: New way of Life
Based on the Mark reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 51 (pictured at right).

Psalm 62
Found in The Psalms: An Artist's Impression by Anneke Kaai and Eugene Peterson, Piquant, 1999, ISBN 0 9535757 0 5, page 28.    

Poem and Comment: Nation
Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the fourth Thursday 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 Mark reading.  

No comments: