Lent 3 A (27th March 2011): Thirsting For God/What's the Point of Worship?

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

Bible readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4: 5-42 About the Images: Left: This is a microsoft free clipart with my text. Right: This is an image I took while traversing the Simpson Desert last year (for more info on the Simpson please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson_Desert. The words are from the psalm. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. Listening Song: You Move Me By Susan Ashton from her album, A Distant Call or on the album, Nothing But Pop. Listening Song: The Valley Song By Jars of Clay on their album, Furthermore (pictured at right) or on WOW 2004. This goes well with the Exodus reading. Listening Song: Lifesong By Casting Crowns on their album, Lifesong, or on WOW 2007. This goes very well with psalm 95. Drama; Coffee Break Found in Let's Make a Scene For.... by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1998, ISBN 0859108937, page 10 (pictured in an earlier blog). ...Goes well with the psalm. Dramatic reading: John 4:5-42 Using the translation you prefer, you can turn this reading into a script very easily by having people speak the words of Jesus, the woman, Disciple 1, Disciple 2, and the crowd (use the whole congregation for the crowd). Any scripture that doesn't fit these characters and groups can be read by a Narrator. Film Clip: Walk the Line (pictured at left) The scene where Jonny Cash and his band sing for the record producer and the producer tells him that if he doesn't mean the songs and live the songs then he is never going to be a good gospel singer - great clip for psalm 95. Discussion: On Walk the Line film clip What is the point of worship? Discuss together a definition of worship. Film Clip: Patch Adams Show the clip following the death of Patch's fiance where he has a conversation with God while standing on the edge of a cliff. (pictured at right) Discussion: On Patch Adams film clip Have you ever questioned God like Patch does? Did God answer? What is the significance of the butterfly? Story: Tribulation A young man was having a great deal of trouble developing patience. He had tried everything, but could not develop the habit. Finally, in desperation, he visited the nearby monastary and the wise man who lived there. "Father", said the young man, "Please help me! I am so impatient and nothing I can do seems to help! I would really appreciate it if you could pray and ask God to develop in me some patience!" "Certainly," replied the wise priest, and began to pray. "Heavenly Father, send this young man tribulation. Send him tribulation in the morning, send him tribulation in the evening..." "Stop!" cried the young man. "Tribulation? I asked you to pray for God to develop in me some patience! Why are you you asking Him to send me tribulation? That's the last thing I need!" The wise priest smiled at him. "How else do you think you are going to develop patience unless you get a chance to practice it? Hence the need for tribulation!" This story which fits well with Romans 5:3-5 is one of those emails that is forwarded around the net rather regularly. Story: Worship Found as story No 298 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 . Fits well with the gospel reading. Sermon: Exodus 17:1-7 Tell three stories with similar sub-headings (see below) 1. The story of Exodus 17:1-7 2. The story entitled Urgent Messages in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 237. This story is based on the gospel reading. 3. A personal story of your own Sub-headings: a) the journey, b) a distressing event, c) when God seems absent, d) God IS present. Response Activities: Allow each member of the congregation to choose one of three different options: 1. Make a rain stick each (there is so much water symbolism in these readings!) 2. Discuss one of the readings. 3. Sit quietly and watch a powerpoint meditation - I put pictures and meditative music to psalm 95 followed by a prayer - I put both the psalm and the prayer up one line per slide and allowed around 15 seconds per slide. Response Activity:Psalm Consequences In Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 19. Drama: A Monty Python Version of the John reading For this to work well the actors need to be Monty Python addicts! Cast: Jesus Samaritan woman - with large plastic bucket Three disciples - wearing tea towels and headbands not quite straight (Jesus and disciples enter down left aisle - Jesus sits slightly to left of centre, disciples stand in centre half facing him and congregation) J: Oh good, a well! I'm hot, tired, thirsty and hungry. D1: What about we go and buy a bit of lunch, then? D2: Oooh, what a good idea! D3: Can I come too? (Start up centre aisle of church - make sure conversation finishes before door) D1: Ham and salad sandwiches would be nice! D2 : Freshly baked rolls would be the thing! D3: Um.... I can't really see ham being on the menu, can you? D1: Well, anyway, I think I should pay! D2 : No, No, No.... I'm sure it's my turn! D3: I really do think one of you should do it? D2: What is ham anyway? D3: Pig.......... Hang on a minute, now. We can't eat pig, can we? It's against all the rules. D1: Are you quite sure its pig? D2: Pig: a hoofed domestic animal, reared for its flesh...... or an oblong mass of melted metal as in pig iron: ....... and to follow on : piggish: pertaining to or like pigs, dirty, greedy, stubborn; pig tail: the tail of a pig, a braid of hair hanging from the back of the head.........(on 'head' all three leave the church). (Samaritan woman comes down right aisle to draw water from the well) J: Excuse me, would you mind giving me a drink, please? W: What? Are you asking me? You're a Jew!..... (pause) And I'm a Samaritan, in case you haven't noticed. (pause)...And we're not supposed to talk to each other, are we now? J: You don't know what God wants to give you. If you knew me you'd be asking me for the water that gives life. W: But, you've got no bucket!!! This is a deep well, you know.... Or have you got a better well somewhere else? J: If you drink the water I give you, then you will never be thirsty again. W: What! Are you saying that I can just throw this bucket away? A perfectly good bucket! J: Go and bring your husband. W: Um....well now....actually...er...in actual fact.....ah, to put it bluntly .......... I have no husband. J: That's nicely put. You have hit the nail on the head. You've already had five husbands and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. W: Oh ho! So you're a prophet, are you. You know what ? The Messiah's coming. When he arrives we'll get the whole story from him! J: Well, you're speaking to him! (Disciples enter and stop halfway down the church centre aisle laden with shopping bags or with a filled supermarket trolley) D1: Well, would you look at that! A Samaritan woman! At the well! In the middle of the day! D2: My goodness! Jesus is talking to her! D3: And what's more - she's a Samaritan! D2: And another thing - she's a woman! D1: And , wink, wink, nudge, nudge, - she's obviously not your most popular lassy around town if she's here at lunch time.! W: (to Jesus) I want to tell everyone about you! (She runs off down right aisle leaving her bucket at Jesus' feet) D3: Look she's leaving! (All shoosh each other and tell each other to pretend not to have noticed that Jesus was talking to the woman as they shuffle up to Jesus). D1: Mmmmm, lovely bucket! D2: No holes - a good sound one, isn't it? D3: Very comely shade of um.... er ...... D2: Bucket! Vessel for drawing or carrying water; piston of pump; scoop of dredging machine or grain elevator, socket for whip carbine or wooden leg etc.; and to follow on - kick the bucket: slang term for die or perhaps obsolete form of...... D1: (obviously changing topic) My goodness. I'm hungry! Teacher, you must be starved. What about a bite to eat? J: I have food that you don't know anything about D1: What's this, then? Who bought food out here? D2: What are we going to do with this lot then? D3: (sarcastically) Hark, do I hear a street vendor's dulcet tones in the distance. D1: Well, this is just not good enough, is it? Undermines our responsibilities! D2: Dulcet: adjective, sweet, soothing especially of sounds; dulcify: sweeten, make gentle, hence dulcification, dulcimer: 15th century musical instrument....... J: (shaking his head and breaking in gently) Stop a minute, you lot. Listen. (Disciples sit at Jesus' feet to listen) My food is to do what God wants! He is the one who sent me, and I must finish the work that he gave me to do. c. Rosemary Broadstock and Ann Scull

Lent 2 A (20th March 2011): Going Places

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

Bible Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 About the Images: Left: This is a little bloke who looks as if he is well cared for in the safety department and who knows where he is going. Sort of like the Psalmist :) This is my photo so please feel free to use it in the context of worship. Right: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text. Kid's Story: A Picture Strip Bible by Felecity Henderson and Chris Saunderson, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994970, page 10 (pictured at left). This obviously fits in with the Genesis reading. Drama: Eternal Life And All That Found in Lets Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 12 (pictured at right). This drama is based on verses from the gospel reading. Story or Film Clip: Jim Elliot The story of Jim Elliot and his four missionary colleagues has some great parallels with the readings. You can find the full story in the book Through the Gates of Splendour by Elisabeth Elliot, ISBN 185078034X, or on the film of the same name. Story: Worry or Life Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 99 (pictured at right). This story is based on the gospel reading. Story: Anxiety You can find this story at http://www.christiancrusaders.org/details_web.asp?ID=454. Scroll right down to the end of the page to find this story which goes very nicely with the Psalm. Quote: Alice in Wonderland "Cheshire Puss", Alice began rather timidly, "Would you tell me please which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where....," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go", said the Cat. From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Quote: Lewis Smedes "God is there, ahead of time, before you get there, waiting, hands open, to hold you when you are sure you are sinking. You will feel his presence, feel his strength, feel the courage that comes from his support, if you just let him hold you. And when you do feel him, you will know that it will be all right with you at that moment, later, or any time....". By Lewis Smedes in How Can It Be Right When Everything Is All Wrong? and found in High Mountains, Deep Valleys edited by Rowland Croucher and Grace Tomlinson, Albatross, 1990, ISBN 086760090X, page 58. (pictured at left) Poem/Meditation: The Love of God This is a take on John 3:16 and I found two versions of it on the net: 1. Go to http://www.pastornet.net.au/gac/sermons/greatest-gift.php and scroll to the end of the page. 2. Go to http://webpages.marshall.edu/~cole8/sermons/SEPARATE.HTM and look in section III. Adult Response: Have a variety of art materials on hand as well as paper and pens. As a congregation, make a list of all the symbols found in the John reading eg., light, wind, bronze snake etc. Ask people to choose one symbol and group together with others who have chosen the same symbol. Ask each group to 1. Create a group representation of the symbol they have chosen , and 2. Write a prayer together which incorporates the symbol. Some can compose while others create.

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.