Proper 7 B (June 23): Shelter/Facing the Goliaths/The Other Side of the Lake/Stormy Times

 

Bible readings: 1 Samuel 17: 1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5,10-16, Psalm 9:9-20 or Psalm 133, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41.

About the Images:

Upper Left: This is a microsoft free clipart with my text from Ephesians 2:20 - part of one of the readings for the Uniting Church in Australia's anniversary on 22nd June.

Upper Right: This is my photo of a storm near Narooma on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia - it goes well with the gospel reading. Please feel free to use the image. To see more of this area please visit http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/attractions.php

Middle Left: A free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left

Middle Right: A free image from the Church Galleries - see my link column at left

Lower Left:  A free image from Cerezo Barredo - see my link column at left. 

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

Bottom Left: A free image from the Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Listening Song: Who Am I?

by Casting Crowns on their album, Casting Crowns (pictured at left) or on WOW 2005.

Film Clip: Glosali

Glosali is a video clip for the song Glosali sung by the group Sigur Ros on their album, Takk. It is a beautiful picture of discipleship - the risks involved and what must be left behind. You can download the clip from the Sigur Ros website.

Kid's Story: The Mouse's Story

By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, Marshall Pickering, 1998, ISBN 0551015780 (pictured at left).

Kid's Story: The Boy With the Sling

By Mary Warren and Sally Mathews, Arch Books, 1965, ISBN 0859101975 (pictured at right).

Kid's Story: Alone - The Boy Who killed a Giant

Story No 20 in The Lion Book of Bible Stories and Prayers by Mary Batchelor, Lion Books, 1980, ISBN 0867602058 (pictured at left).

Drama: What Are You Afraid Of?

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 55 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: The Big Wave

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0901557642,page 43 (pictured at right).This drama is also based on the gospel reading.

Drama: A Giant Problem

Found in Let's Make A Scene For... by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 44 (pictured at left).This is based on the Old Testament reading.

Questions to Ponder: Based on the Gospel Reading

1. Which side of the lake are you on, the safe side or the other side?

2. Maybe you are on the way across and facing a few storms. Jesus invites each of us to cross to the other side with him. Where is he inviting you to be and what he is calling you to do for him?

Discussion Questions: On the 1 Samuel Reading

1. Name together some of the Goliaths we face in our personal lives, our churches and our communities.

2. What does God equip us with so that we can face these Goliaths with confidence and courage?

Response Activity: Question Cards

Give everyone a business card with a David and Goliath image in the corner or in washout and the following questions printed with enough room for people to write a short answer. I used Arial 11 and it all fitted well and was still quite readable for everybody.

1. Who or what is my Goliath?

2. What gifts, skills and talents has God given me to overcome my Goliath?

3. How does God's strength, calm, comfort and power help me to overcome my Goliath?

Response Activity: Boats

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 16 (pictured at left). You could use the questions above as the questions for this activity. If your church is within walking distance of a creek or river or dam and there is no danger of drowning any of the congregation, think about REALLY floating your boats - however if you do this, make sure you make your boats out of something other than paper such as twigs and flowers ie something biodegradable and environmentally sound which won't leave a mess. 

Meditation: Praise and Thanksgiving

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 25 (pictured at right). This goes well with Psalm 9:1 or 11a

Also:

Meditation: The Storms of Life

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 68 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Meditation: The Peacemakers

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 89 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Psalm 133 reading.

Kids: Jesus and the Storm

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2016 (pictured at left). This goes with the Mark reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A5 and for a further $A10 (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.

Drama: Calming Storms

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 57 (pictured abovet). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Service Starter: Larger Than Life

Based on the 1 Samuel readings, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 26 (pictured at right).

Junk Boats

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 175. This is based on the Mark reading.

Drama: The Big Wave

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 43ff.  This is based on the Mark reading.

Call to worship

By Kenneth L. Sehested 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 105. Based on the Psalm reading.

Prayer/Action: St Apollinaria

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, pages 131 and based on the 1 Samuel reading. 

Resources for kids, teens and families: Faith Can Replace Fear

Found in Question Mark by Beth Barnett, Scripture Union, Victoria, 2009, start at pages 3 and 6 and follow the prompts. Based on the Mark reading.