Transfiguration of Jesus A (6th March 2011): Finding God

There is an 2026 updated version of this post - see archive at left.  

                                    

Bible Readings: Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2 or Psalm 99, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9. 

About the images: Left:I took this photo in the Australian high country (for more info visit: http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.00034C30-86B8-1ED6-869180C476A90000/) where it snows in winter. Sometimes the light up there is really amazing and the mountains seem to glow. Right: This is my photo with biblical text added. The photo is taken looking down Duck Arm (to where we live) on the Gippsland Lakes (for more info: http://www.gippslandtourism.com.au/Gippsland-Lakes/). Feel free to use both these images for worship and related activities.

Listening Song: Shine By the Newsboys on their album, Going Public (pictured at left) or on WOW 1996. This song uses words from the gospel reading. 

Listening Song: Jubilate By Robert Prizeman on the album, Libera (pictured at right). I used this with the Adult Response below.

Kid's Story: Westlandia By Paul Fleischman (Author), Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator), Candlewick Press, ISBN 9780763600068 (pictured at left). Discussion: Share a time when you have experienced the presence of God?

Story: The Job Applicant Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 126 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Matthew reading. 

  Story: The Boy and the Circus Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 56 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Matthew reading. 

Adult Response: Give every one a pencil and a card with a mountain pictured on it. Suggest: Let's think of ways we can "climb the mountain" and put ourselves in places where God can reveal His presence to us. Have a minute or so in silence. Play a piece of thinking music - Jubilate (above) works really well. Use the card to write a prayer, draw a picture, compose a poem or put down a resolution. Not sure where I got this idea from - let me know if it's not mine.

Proper 3 A Epiphany 8 A: God Never Forgets Us

Bible readings: Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34

About the Images:
Left: This is a Microsoft free clipart image with text from the Matthew reading.
Right: This is also a Microsoft free clipart image (for all who have asked; just type in "hands" in the search box). This wonderful image reminds me of the Isaiah reading.

Middle Left and Right: These free images come from the excellent Sundaygraphx site - see my link column at left. 

Listening Song: Psalm 131: Stilled My Soul
By Sons of Korah on their album, Resurrection. Based on Psalm 131 (pictured at left)

Listening Song: Treasure
By Iona on their album, Beyond These Shores (pictured at right). This song is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: China Cry
(pictured at right) This film is based on an actual true story and this clip is a good example of Jesus' words in Matthew to live one day at a time. You will find the clip at One Day At A Time - Movie Clip from China Cry at WingClips.com.
Drama: Where Do I Fit?
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 13. This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Creative Reading: The Word on Worry
Found in Worship Ideas For Youth Ministry, Group, 1997, ISBN 076442002X, page 14. This goes well with the gospel reading.

Story: Worry or Life
Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 20 (pictured at left) . This story is based on the gospel reading.
Story: Intimacy With God
Story 337 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551. This story is matched with the Psalm.Response Activity: Pipe Cleaner Prayers In Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 18. This activity is based on the Isaiah reading.

Also:

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: Bob the Bird
By Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006. 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 Resources: Why Does My Wallet Ache?

Found in Multi-Sensory World by Craig Borlase, Scripture Union/Tear Fund, 2008, ISBN 9781844272662, page 52. This goes with the gospel reading.

Sermon ideas: Watch Out for the Fork in the Road

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 101.  This is based on the Gospel reading. 

Meditation: Pethla
Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 30 and based on the Isaiah reading.

Nest and Bird

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 174. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer: Mirrors

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 28 and based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer: Consequences

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 35 and based on the 1 Corinthians reading.

Worship Activities: Worries

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 63. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Sharing Stories: The Worry Free Family

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 101. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Prayer/Action: Past, Future, Living in the Now

Found  in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 123 and based on the Matthew reading.  

Activity: Pipe Cleaners

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 19. This is based on the Isaiah reading.

Prayer Exercise: Lack of Trust in God
Found in Choosing Pilgrimage by Craig Mitchell and Kyle Dugan, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8358 9826 3, page 58-59. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Liturgies

Found in Navagatio: Pocket Liturgies by Safe Space Telford, Proost, 2007, ISBN 978 1 9066340 03 2, page 18ff. These use the Gospel reading.

Epiphany 5 A (6th February 2011): Daring to Shine

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives at the left. 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12(13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 About the images: Left: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text. Right: This is a free Heartlight image. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left. Listening Song: Shine By the Newsboys on their album, Shine: The Hits (pictured at left) or on WOW 1996. This song uses words from the gospel reading. Discussion: 1. Salt and light have lost their preciousness in many ways to the Western world. What might Jesus say to us today if he was talking to us? You are like........ 2. How do we shine God's light onto those around us? Brainstorm: Brainstorm definitions o the word "disciple". Story: Why the Potatoes Sprouted This story can be found at http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+4048. It is based on the gospel story. Story:Thermometers and Themostats Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 198 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 3 A (23rd January 2011): Discipleship 101/Abandoning the Boats

Note: 

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives at left.

Bible Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1,4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 

About the Images: 

Left: Abandoned whaler on Norfolk Island - it's my photo so feel free to use it for worship related activities. If you want to know more about Norfolk Island please visit http://www.norfolkisland.com.au 

Right: This is a microsoft free clipart image with text from the unnamed poem by Philip Andrews (see below under Meditation/Poem) 

Response to the Floods in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and NSW (Australia): Lament and Intercession These are excellent and although written in response to the Queensland floods, they can be used for any of the floods - devastating and heartbreaking as they all are! These prayers can be found at http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=2&articleId=2654 and I quote the note of explanation and credit which accompanies them: "Amidst the devastation of the Queensland floods, some Queensland Uniting Church members have prepared a liturgy and prayers of intercession for use in worship.

Lament written by Jennifer Farquhar, Secretary, Presbytery of Central Qld. PowerPoints compiled by Karyl Davison, Rural Ministry Coordinator, Presbytery of Central Qld, and the Queensland Synod Communication Services Unit.

Photos used with permission and taken by Uniting Church members and associates in December 2010 and January 2011."

Listening Song: Jesus Freak By dc Talk on their album, Jesus Freak (pictured at left). This song is about discipleship. Listening Song: In the Light By dc Talk on their album Jesus Freak (pictured at left). This song goes well with the Corinthians reading. 

Kids Story:Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

By Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, Penguin, 2009, ISBN 9780143503583. This story is just a delight and goes very well with the Corinthians reading. 

Film Clip: Oh My God 

I got this from WingClips (see my link at left) and the scene is called Know Your Neighbour. The clip fits very well with the Corinthians reading and if you can watch it without tearing up then you are better than me 

Film Clip: Meet the Parents 

(pictured at right) Show the clip where Kevin shows off his carpentry skills and says he does it because he wants to follow in Jesus' footsteps. (about 55 minutes from the start) 

Discussion: On Meet the Parents 

1. What does it mean to be one of Jesus' disciples? Will being a good carpenter do it? 2. What sshould we do to be good disciples? 

  

Discussion: 1. Was there a definable moment when you became a Christian? 2. What changed most for you if you did have a definable moment? 3. Is conversion the end of the story? 

Drama: Leftovers 

By Eric Stapleton and found at http://www.dramatix.org/archive/family/Leftovers.html This drama fits in well with the Corinthians reading. 

  Story: If Jesus Showed Up at Your School 

Found in Could Someone Wake Me Up Before I Drool On The Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, pp11 (pictured at left) . This is a story about youth and discipleship. 

Story: Soren Kierkegaard's Train Passengers 

I don't know which book of his this is in but I found reference to this illustration in Rivers in the Desert edited by Rowland Croucher, Albatross books, 1991, ISBN 086760137X, page 253 (pictured at right). This story is based on the gospel reading. 

Story: To Have It Within 

Found in Speakers Source Book of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley, Word Publishing,1995, ISBN 0849936756, page 40. This story is based on the Psalm. Story: 

Fishers of Men Part 2 

In When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 130-1. This story is based on the gospel reading. 

Meditation: We Did Not Want to Go 

In He Was in the World: Meditations for Public Worship by John Bell, Wild Goose, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, pp 87. This meditation is like the song Jesus Freak above and centres on our unwillingness sometimes to be a disciple because we foresee difficulties. 

Mediation/Poem: Unnamed 

By Philip Andrews 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 125. (pictured in an ealier blog). I put images with this and used Look Back In by Moby from his album, 18, as backing. This is connected with the Psalm. 

Response Activity: 

Display heaps of printed images and words around the worship space and ask people to choose a couple which most explain how they feel about or what they think in response to the Bible reading. Ask people to share why they chose the cards and or words which they did. NB. www.innovativeresources.org make an amazing set of cards called Signposts which work really well with this activity.

Epiphany ABC (6th January 2010): Sharing the Light

NB There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff.

Bible Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

About the Images:
Upper: This is a microsoft free clipart image with text from the Isiaiah via www.laughingbird.net
Lower: Found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ronja_beam_Prostejov.jpg
Listening Song: Wise Man
By David Robertson on his album Soul Embrace (pictured at left).
Listening Song; On Earth as It is in Heaven
From the soundtrack of The Mission (pictured at right).

Reading; Isaiah 60:1-6
I used the words of the www.laughingbird.net paraphrase of this reading on a powerpoint slide show of images of light and backed them with the music of Psalmas Ode by Vangelis.

Drama: The Gate Keeper From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 127 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel story.
Poem: The Wise Man's JourneyFrom Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 125 (pictured at left)

Poem: Isaiah 60:1a
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at right) in the Spring section under Isaiah 60:1a.

Proper 21 C (26 September 2010): The Secret of Contentment/Seeing the Bigger picture

There is a 2025 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Bible Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6,14-16, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 

About the images: 

Upper: A microsoft free clipart image with Nathan Nettleton's text (see www.laughingbird.net for wonderful Australian paraphrases of the lectionary readings) 

Lower: Copyright (C) 2001, Free Software Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this image under the terms found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Gnu-listen-half.jpg 

Prayer: A Litany of Confession Found in Resources for Preaching and Worship - Year C compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003, ISBN 066422508X, page 255 (pictured at left). 

Kids: Jeremiah The Jeremiah story is full of emotion - sadness, fear, contempt, ridicule, anger, hope. Tell the story and ask the kids, at set points in the story, to reflect the emotion you have mentioned, either through their facial expressions or through their hands. Do it with them. You may need to practice first at home, so you have an idea of what to encourage the shyer kids to do. I have discovered that it doesn't take much to involve the whole congregation in this type of activity - and you will find that if you do it before the Bible reading, the adults develop a far better understanding of the reading than they would have if you had not done it. 

Listening Song: Whomsoever Dwells By Sinead O'Connor on her album, Theology (pictured at right). This is basically a sung version of Psalm 91. 

Listening Song: The Power of the Gospel By Ben Harper on his album, Fight for Your Mind (this CD is pictured in an earlier blog) 

Video Clip: Chariots of Fire Chapter 19: The conversation between the discontented Harold and his friend, Aubrey (this dvd is pictured in an earlier blog). This goes well with the Timothy reading. 

  Discussion Questions: Chariots of Fire 1. Describe a time when you felt contentment. 2. How often do you feel this way? 3. How do you find contentment? 4. What desires, besides the desire for more money or more possessions, keeps a person from feeling contented? 

Video Clip: Elizabeth: The Golden Age Show the clip where Walter Raleigh explains to Elizabeth how he lives out his hope when he is sailing unchartered waters. I found this clip at Wingclips (see my links column at left). This goes really well with the jeremiah reading. 

Discussion: Elizabeth: The Golden Age 1. How does Raleigh live his faith and hope while at sea? What tools does he use? 2. How do we live our faith and hope? What tools can we use?

Drama: Sunbaking Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 16 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Timothy reading.

Story: Money Found as story No 175 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003 . This is a very funny story about a wallet eating train toilet (book is pictured in an earlier blog). This goes well with the Timothy reading. 

Story: Courage Index 849-852 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This can also be found at http://www.free-sermons.org/sermons/Success--14042 - scroll down to section 2E. This fits well with the psalm or with the Jeremiah reading. 

  Story: What are You Afraid of? Index 856-859 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990 or it can be found at http://www.hgtaylor.net/psalm91.htm This goes well with either the psalm or the Jeremiah reading. 

Response Activity: Ask people to form small groups and give each group a few textas and a large sheet of paper with the words: "Real contentment is found......". When they have finished, stick the sheets up around the worship space and give people time to walk around and read all the sheets. 

Response Activity: Ask: If you had a chance to tell somebody how to find real contentment in this life, what would you say? give people a chance to think about this and then ask them to tell three other people what their answer would be. 

Response Activity: 

For the Jeremiah reading Set up three stations so that people can move around from station to station. Allow at least ten minutes for this activity. My three stations based on my service and what I said were: 1. There is a bigger picture - at this station put out coloured bookmarks for people to take and read to themselves. Each one should have Bruce Prewer's A Creed printed on it. This lovely poem/creed can be found at http://www.bruceprewer.com/DocC/C55sun26.htm 

2. Grasp hold of and trust God now - I used the art space in our church (but any space and pin board of some sort will do) for this station. Lay out lots of pictures, postcards and prints. Ask people to choose an image which symbolises for them grasping hold of and trusting God and ask them to pin their chosen image on the display board. 

 3. Living your faith and hope - at this station set out pens, envelopes and paper and a small clay jar which can be sealed (try an Op shop for one of these - there is sure to be something like it). Ask people to write a hope that they intend to live for a) themselves b) their church and c) their community or the world. Then ask them to seal their note in an envelope, put their name on the front and put it in the jar. After everybody has finished, seal up the jar..........to be opened in a year or so.

Proper 8 C (27 June 2010): Freedom, Discipleship, Memory

There is a 2025 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Bible Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 About the images: Upper: A microsoft free clip art image with my text. Lower: My photo - please feel free to use it for worship purposes. Listening Song: Edge of the World By Iona on their CD, Beyond These Shores (pictured at right). A song about discipleship. Listening Song: Libera By Libera on their CD, Libera. A song about God's presence. Listening Song: Free By Ginny Owens on Without Condition, 1999 or WOW 2001. Kid's Story: Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas Omnibus Books, 1984, ISBN 1862913471. (pictured at left) It is about memory so goes well with Psalm 77. Video Clip: Home Alone The scene where Kevin discovers that he is home alone - the freedom he discovers is his and his celebration of that. Discussion: On "Home Alone". What does freedom mean to Kevin? What does freedom mean to you? Does physical freedom necessarily mean true freedom? Why or why not? Film Clip: Noelle Show the clip where the two priests discuss praying - I found this clip at Wingcips (see my links at left). Discussion: Noelle 1.What does this clip tell us about praying, priorities, fellowship and judging others? 2. What do you think about these things? 3. What does Jesus say about these things? Quote: Karl Barth To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world. Quote: John Ruskin He who offers God second place offers God no place. Drama: The Robbery Found in Let's Make A Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 44 (pictured in an earlier blog). Based on Galatians 5:22. Discussion: On Luke reading What are the things that distract us today from following Jesus? Poem: When I Became a Christian Found in Clearing Away the Rubbish by Adrian Plass, Minstral, 1989, ISBN 1854240250, page 175ff (pictured at right). A poem about discipleship. Give a copy of this poem to each person in the congregation together with a coloured pencil and encourage them to find a place by themselves to read the poem and colour over the words that mean the most to them. Story: The Testimony of Wing Commander Edward Howell Found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, story no. 270 (pictured in an earlier blog). Adult Response: Have enough fruit shaped lollies (candy) or stickers with fruit on them for everybody in the congregation to have one. Put them in easy reach of people but do not give them out. Ask everybody to look at the list of the fruit of the Spirit again. Ask them to chose the one from the list that they most need in their life at the moment. Read out the list one more time but with long pauses between each fruit of the Spirit. Ask people to take a fruit lolly or a sticker when you get to the one they want. Ask the rest of the congregation to pray for those people as they eat their lolly or stick their sticker somewhere obvious (lapel? forehead? cheek? whatever?)