There is a 2025 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at leftReadings: Isaiah 65: 17-25, Psalm 118, Luke 24:1-12
Theme: Easter dreaming
About the photo: Buds shoot from the bark (epicormic shoots) of eucalypt (more commonly known as gum) trees devastated and defoliated by the 2003 bushfires in the Australian High Country.
Some Particularly Useful Stuff for a Dawn/Sunrise Easter Service
Location:
Have this service near a lake or beach if possible - if you live inland, then choose a high point - if you live inland on a plain then find a nice river -if you live inland on a plain in a desert (most of Australia) then you will have plenty of beautiful places to choose from.
Easter candle:
Have a camp fire or a fire pot instead.
Prayer: Jesus We Greet You
Found in Stages on the Way by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 188 (pictured in an earlier blog)Prayer: Lord God, Early in the Morning
Found in Stages on the Way as above, page 184 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Meditation: Prayers That Jesus Hears
Found in Present on Earthby The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 20028, ISBN 0901557642, page 95 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Response Activity
Cook fish over the fire and serve with warm bread
Easter services at a More Reasonable hour;
Call to Worship:
Silence. Then play Anthem Part 3 from the album, Powaqqatsi, (1988) while showing six 20 second Good Friday images. When the music reaches the fanfare show an Easter day image. Then dim the music enough so a reader can read Isaiah 65: 17-25Call to Worship: King of GloryPlay King of Glory by Third Day found n their album, or on WOW 2001. For each verse show an image of the crucifixion and for each chorus show a picture of the resurrection. show a resurrection picture for the last verse and then as the choir begins to back the Third day singer, dim the music to a background level and have somebody read the Psalm.
Call to Worship Activity:
If you had an old wooden cross in the church for Good Friday, give everybody a streamer or coloured ribbon as they enter and ask them to decorate the cross before sitting down.Kids: Butterflies and Flowers
Tell the Easter story using the cocoon and butterfly, seed and flower analogies. Have a dead branch at the front of the church and either have them make paper flowers or butterflies to decorate the branch with. This works very well as a congregational activity. Alternately have the kids give everyone in the congregation a tiny butterfly or flower sticker - people really run with this and wear them immediately putting them on lapels, collars, watch faces, spectacle frames etc etc.
Drama: What's Easter All About
Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109178, page 87 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Video Clip: Fantasia
The segment in the Firebird Suite after the fire when everything greens up again.
Discussion on video clip:
How does Easter bring new life to the world?
Story: Stephen's EggFound in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 159 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story; Nikolai Church and the fall of the Berlin wall
This story can be found often and easily by googling.
Story: Easter
Found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, page 51 (pictured in an earlier blog). Listening Song: Early in the Morning
By David Meece on his album, Once in a Lifetime.
Listening Song: Libera
By Robert Prizeman on his album, Libera.
Pass the Peace;
Give every one a balloon to blow up. Toss them, catch a new one and pass the peace using Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Response Activity:
In groups or individually get people to name their easter dreams for the world, for their church, for themselves and to use these as starters for a prayer time.
There is a 2025 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left
Bible Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, Luke 13:1-9
Theme: The God of Second Chances, The Generosity of God, Keeping in Touch
Kid's Story: The Second Chance
You need to word up the actors for this beforehand, but make it all look fairly natural in that it looks like part of your normal service. Have the congregation start to sing a kid's song led by your choir or musicians or band or whatever. Have one of the choir or band sing or play so badly that everyone can hear their mistakes and then have that person spit the dummy! (translation for non Aussies: throw a tantrum, get angry at themselves, yell out "Oh, I can't do it" etc etc). You stop the singing and inform the person making the mistakes that you are fed up with their mistakes and that you no longer want them to participate in the music in church. They look crestfallen and a couple of the other musicians speak up for them and beg you to tell the kids a story while they give the mistake maker some help. You say its not really worth their effort and the mistake maker might as well quit now. The other musicians persist and you give in - if they are willing to give the mistake maker a second chance, maybe you can too. You tell the kids the gospel story about the fig tree. Ask the kids how they think the fig tree will go with the extra care. Then ask them how they think the mistake maker will go now that he/she has had some help from the others. Check with the musicians who all assure you that everything will be fine now. Sing the song through all together successfully. Conclude by linking what has just happened with the gospel story.
Drama: Dead Plant
A bit like the one above but less involved and can be used to introduce the reading. Have a nearly dead plant - somebody sees it and says "That's no good, chuck it out". Another person comes along and says that they will feed it, repot it and give it another chance etc etc.
Film Clip: Pay It Forward
Show the start when the man who loses his car is given a brand new car to replace it.
Questions for the Film Clip
Have you ever helped a stranger? What happened?
How can we tell if God is generous?
How can we be generous to each other?
Film Clip: Keep in Touch
Any one of the series of New Zealand Telecom Commercials with the slogan "Keep in touch" is terrific for this topic.
Questions for this Clip:
Why is it important to keep in touch with each other?
Why is it important to keep in touch with God?
How can we do this?
Illustration: The Intimacy of Prayer
Found in Life at Its Best: A Guide Book For The Pilgrim Life by Eugene H Peterson, Zondervan, ISBN 0007111193, page 267
Kid's Story: The Giving Tree
By Shel Silverstein, Harper Collins Publishers, 1992 (renewed from 1964), ISBN 0060256656 (pictured)Story: Wrong Way Reigels
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 228 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: Brandon's Mess
As above, page 58
Story: The Whisper Test
Found in 750 Engaging Illustrations by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551, story no. 259 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Story: God's Nickel (change nickel for something relevant)
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 144 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: A Letter to Father Dudko
Found in High Mountains, Deep Valleys by Rowland Croucher and Grace Thomlinson (Eds.), Albatross Books, 1992, ISBN 086760090X, page 213 (pictured)
Story: Gratitude
found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, story no. 112 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Found in Stories, Illustrations and Quotes by Robert J. Morgan, Thomas Nelson, 2000, ISBN 0785244794, page 356
Story: Remembering
Found in Resources for Preaching and Worship - Year C compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003, ISBN 066422508X, Page 107
Quote: Brother Laurence
Those whose spirits are stirred by the breath of the Spirit of God, go forward even in sleep.
Discussion Questions:
Think of a time when somebody has given you a second chance.
"Well, he/she had it coming"...Why do we say this? Is it true?
What is the point of the fig tree story and why does it follow the story of the men who dies and a call to repentance?
What is God's grace?
Listening song; I Am Carried
By Geoff Bullock on his Hands of Grace album, C. 1997 Watershed Productions 
Listening Song: You're My God
By Delirious? on their Glo album. (pictured)
Homework?!: St John Chrysostom
St John Chrysostom told people to read psalm 63 everyday. Encourage people to try doing so for a while and report back.
Response Activity: Leaves
Give everyone a paper fig tree shaped leaf. Ask them to think about the following question and write the answer on their leaf.
If you had one more year, what would you need to help you turn your life around? or
What sort of fruit would you like your life to be producing by this time next year? What help will you need to realise this dream.
Either attach the leaves to a real branch or a sketch of fig tree. This activity should give you some idea of what your congregational needs are for the coming year.
Response Activity:
Have about a half a dozen comtemplative practices/spiritual exercises around the church for people to try - base each on the Bible reading you are concentrating on (I am going to use the psalm) and give people plenty of time (maybe a VERY short reflection) and space to
experience the discipline they have chosen. Encourage them to choose only one.
There is an updated 2025 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left
Bible readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35
Theme: Risking Everything/God's Wings
Listening Song: Why
by Tracy Chapman on her self titled album; 1998.
Discussion: On the Genesis reading
1. What do we learn about God in this reading?
2. What do we learn about Abram?
Drama: Don't You Get It?
4: God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but I don’t know if my money is going to out-last me. If I can just do a good job with my investments I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if we could only get some extra money - the kids will be going off to uni soon and at the moment I can't see how we'll manage. With a little more money I know everything will turn out all right.
4:But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
3: If only I could get my hands on that hotted up Torana everybody's being eyeing off down the street. Everyone would look up to me, envy me ..... then I know everything will turn out all right.
1: And I am so frightened of the future. All my family live a long way away. If I could work out some way to be near them then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
2: Yes, but if only we could get the house paid off and the renovations finished then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could get the results I really want at school then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but what if I get sick – what if I can’t look after myself any more. I’m going to find my self the best health specialists in the world… then I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if I could only make sure than I have the best time possible for as much of the time as possible then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could convince myself and everybody else that I'm not nearly as much of a dork as I seem to be then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward ....... You know, don’t think any of you get it!
Written by Rosemary Broadstock and Ann Scull: Permission granted for use and adaption however it would be nice if you could let us know, via this blog, that you are using itDiscussion on the Drama:
1. How do we stop becoming like persons 1,2 and 3?
2. How do we put our faith in God into action?
Story: The Tightrope and the Wheelbarrow Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 206 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story, featuring Blondin the famous tightrope walker, can also be found in numerous books and by Googling.
Story: Personal
Ask someone in your congregation to share a story from their own life where they had to trust God when they did not know what the final outcome was going to be. Ask the person before hand so that they can prepare what they are going to say.
Story: An Antidote for Fear
Found in The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 497 (pictured in an earlier blog)Quote: Darren Beadman, Leading Australian Jockey
"It's all about relationship and what lies within your heart.....Some people are at a stage in their life where they feel secure in their environment and don't want to step out because they don't know what the future holds. But if you've got the relationship with the Lord, and you believe that he is your provider and that this is what he wants you to do, well - do it" This is part of an interview found in Alive Magazine 1998 can't source the month, sorry.
Quote: Old Scandinavian Proverb
Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.
Response Activity:
Give everyone a coloured feather (found in craft shops).
While they concentrate on the feather ask:
1. Where in your life at the moment do you need to hear God say; " Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your very great reward"?
2. What situation are you in at present which should make you seek shelter under God's wings?
3. Are you trusting God or are you looking in other places for shelter and reward?
Have a time of silence.
There is an updated 2025 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left
Bible Readings: Luke 4:1-13Theme: Trusting God, Wilderness Times
About the photo: Lightning Ridge - northern New South Wales, Australia
Drama: A Very Reasonable ManFound in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 29 (pictured).Introductory Discussion Questions: About the drama and any pictures you can show of the devilHow have the artists portrayed the devil? Why?In the drama, what sort of voice does the devil have? Why?
Story: The Indian and the Rattlesnake
Second last story on the temptation page at www.sermonillustrations.com
Story: Don't Forget to Look After Me
By Max Lucado in the conclusion of his book, In The Grip of Grace, Word Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0849911435 (pictured).
Prayer: Stone Prayers
Give everyone a stone which they can hold comfortably (size wise) and which has both smooth and rough surfaces. Encourage them to shut their eyes in prayer. Ask them to feel the rough surfaces and to think of the rough (hard) areas in their lives at the moment. Encourage them to silently ask God for help with regard to these areas. Then ask them to feel the smooth surfaces and to think of the things in their lives that they are grateful for - the things that make them happy and give them joy. Encourage them to pray silently thanking God for these things.
NB 1. Depending on where you live - enough suitable stones might be hard to find. I dug up a bit of our gravel driveway! Sometimes plant nurseries sell stones but they are often too smooth - you may have to search though the bags to find a suitable lot.
NB 2. I did this first six years ago and met a lady just recently who keeps the stone from that service on a shelf which she passes each morning as soon as she gets up. She still starts each day with a "rough" help prayer and a "smooth" thank you prayer :-)
There is a 2025 updated version of this post with lots more stuff - see archive at left.
Bible Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-43a.
Theme: Reflecting God's Light
About the Photo:
Norfolk Island sunset
Decor of the worship space:
Decorate the focal point of your worship space with any combination of heaps of lit candles, spotlights, and white and gold material.
Listening Song: Great Light of the World
By Bebo Norman on his album, Myself When I Am Real, 2002, or on WOW 2004
Kid's Story:
I have a collection of large cards with dinner plate sized round faces drawn on them - each face reflecting a different emotion; eg tired, scared, surprised, sad, happy, excited, puzzled etc etc. The transfiguration lends itself very much to a retelling of the story using these cards to reflect the emotions of the disciples. You can either hand out the faces and get kids to hold up the one they have when they think that is how the disciples must have felt or you can hold up a relevant card at the relevant time and ask the kids (and the congregation?) to reflect the same face. It can be lots of fun.
Film Clip: Amelie
Show the clip where Amelie walks the blind man across the road. As she does so, she begins to detail all the things around him so that she gives him his sight.
Discussion Questions: For the film clip or as stand alones
To think about by yourself: When have you felt closest to God's glory?
Brainstorm: How did it make you feel?
Together: Why do you think God sometimes is revealed in these ways?
How has the experience impinged on your daily life?
How are we able to reflect god's glory on to other people?
What happens when we do?
Drama: We Can't Tell You
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 61
Story: A Candle in the Darkness
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 17 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: Reflected Son-light
Index 2166 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990
Story: Wouldn't He stick Out?
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 203 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Poem: Transfiguration
By Bruce Prewer and found his site at www.textweek.com (see my links at left) under Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc. on the Transfiguration C page.
Response Activity:
Project or give everybody a copy of 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and ask them to underline the part that gives them the most hope. Be generous with time to do this - make it a spiritual exercise. Then ask them to share their response with two other people.
Response Activity:
Give each person a small candle or tea light and ask them to light it at their main meal each day this week to remind themselves of God's love for them and that they are reflectors of God's light.
Response Activity:
Brainstorm ideas on how your congregation can be a light in the community? As each idea is suggested, write it on a separate piece of paper. Put them around the walls. Give everybody three stickers each and ask them to put a sticker on the three which excite them the most.
After the service, give the six with the most dots to a member of your church council or leadership team :-) !!
There is an updated 2024 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left
Bible Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30
Theme: God's Messengers.
Kids: Flat or ....?
Tell the story of the Jeremiah reading using a balloon - first he was flat: too young, no confidence, didn't have the words etc; then when God reassured him he was like an inflated balloon: full of life and energy, confident.
Film clip: Cocoon
Cocoon is a film about the elderly who are treated like the living dead but who discover they still have lives to live and something to offer. There are plenty of scenes which relate to the psalmist who is an old man who still knows he has something to say and a way to say it.
Drama: Home Town Sermon
Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Resource Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 189 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Quote: Unknown
"I intend to stay alive for the whole of my life."
Quote: By a British Politician
"When we assumed office four years ago we stood on the edge of the precipice. Since then, we have taken a giant leap forward". As quoted by Prime Minister Tony Blair during a White House Toast on 5th February 1998.
Quote: Martin Luther King Jnr.
"When I speak of love, I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response, I am speaking of that force which is ... the supreme unifying principle of life".
Story: Seeing Things from God's Perspective
Index No 1629-1631 in Bible Illustrator for Windows 1.0d, Parson's Technology Inc., 1990
Discussion and/or Questions to Ponder:
What encouragement is there is this/these readings for us?
What warning is there in this/these readings for us?
What is God asking you to do and what excuses are you using?
Discussion Questions for the Jeremiah reading:
What are Jeremiah's two excuses for not being God's messenger?
What is God's response to these excuses?
Response Activity:
Ask all the ministers present to stand up - should, of course, be everyone!
There is an updated 2024 version of this blog with heaps more resources - access it via my archive list at left.
Bible readings: Luke 2:41-52, Colossians 3:12-17
Theme: Transformation, Going Deeper, Changing Direction
Drama: One Day in the Temple
Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 9, (pictured in an earlier blog)
Kid's Discussion: Based on above drama
What is the thing you like doing best?
What new thing have you recently learnt to do?
Point: Because Jesus was a kid growing up and learning new things too, God knows what it is like to be a kid.
Discussion:
To share with your neighbour: What is your earliest understanding or memory of God?
To think about in silence: How much has changed since that earliest memory?
Story: Who Am I?
Found in The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1006 (pictured)
Story:What Do We Expect?
Can't source this story - think I found it in an email.....
A ten year old girl went with a group f family and friends to see the Christmas lights at various locations in her tow. At one church they stopped and got out to look at a beautiful nativity scene. "Isn't that beautiful?" said the little girl's grandmother. "Look at all the animals, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus." "Yes, Grandma," replied the grand daughter. It's really nice. But there's one thing that bothers me. Isn't baby Jesus ever going to grow up....he's the same size he was last year!"
Poem: Coming of Age
By Bruce Prewer in Beyond Words, Joint Board of Christian Education, 1995, ISBN 1864070722
Prayer: Thank you for the Life of Our Brother
By Bruce Prewer in Brief Prayers for Australians, Open Book Publishers.
Response Activity: Transformation
Ask: How can we respond to God's call to be continually transformed?
The ask people to:
1. come out and light a candle as a symbol of their willingness to be transformed by God, to grow deeper and to continue on their faith journey this coming year,
2. light their candle from the Christ candle to show that this is a journey they make with Jesus beside them, and
3. place the candle with everyone's elses as a sign that this is a journey they make together.
Easter services at a More Reasonable hour;
