Epiphany 7 A Proper 2 A: Living Generously

Bible Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119: 33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48.

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free Heartlight image. You can visit their site via my links column on the left of this page.
Upper Right: This image is from the Hermano Leon free clip art site (see my links at the left of this page). I like the open hand versus the clenched fist idea.
Lower Left: This is from the Church Galleries site (see my links column at left)

Kid's Story: Change Your Enemy into Your Friend
Found in The Lectionary Story Bible, Woodlake , 2009, ISBN 9781551455471, pages 65-66 (pictured at right) . This story is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: Wondrous Oblivion
(pictured at left) This is a great clip about a Jewish boy in England who, although suffering some discrimination himself, discriminates against a Jamaican girl who has kindly taught him to play cricket. The scene I chose is one where he tries to make amends for his behaviour. See the clip at Making Amends - Movie Clip from Wondrous Oblivion at WingClips.com

Drama: This is the Word of the Lord Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book Publishers, 2001, ISBN 0859109151, page 27 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Music in a New Place
Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 18 (pictured at left) . This story is based on the gospel reading.


Story and Response Activity: Sometimes it is Really Hard to Love
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together by Dorothy McRae- McMahon and Andrew Collis, Mediacom, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 44 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading.

Poem: A Hymn of Imperfection
By Joy Cowley and found in Resources for Preaching and Worship Year A compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, ISBN 0664225071, page 74 (pictured at left). This is just a delight and goes beautifully with the prayer response below.

Prayer Response: Praying for our Enemies
Found in Forbid Them Not Year A by Carolyn C Brown, Abingdon Press, 1992, ISBN 068713255X, page 53 (pictured at left). I know, I know, this is supposed to be an activity for the kids but with the Poem (above) attached to it instead of the word puzzle; it makes a very thought provoking prayer activity for adults

Also:

Poem: He sends rain
Found In Due Season by Herbert F. Brokering, Augsburg Publishing House, 1966  in the spring section. Based on the Matthew reading.

Worship Activities: The Cheek, the Load, the Shirt

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 50. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Worship Activities: Rain for the Good and Bad

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 57. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Discussion: Love and Just Society

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 143. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Poem and Comment: Jesus

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the third Friday 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 Matthew reading.  

Prayer Exercise: Setting Sights Too Low
Found in Choosing Pilgrimage by Craig Mitchell and Kyle Dugan, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8358 9826 3, page 52-53. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 5 A (5th February 2017): 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:
Upper left and right: These are free Heartlight images. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Lower left: This is a Microsoft free clipart with my text.
Lower Right: This is a free sample clip art from Church galleries - see my link at 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 of the word "disciple".

Film Clip: True Fasting
This clip is from Work of the People - see my link column at left.  It goes well with the Isaiah reading:



Story: Why the Potatoes Sprouted
This story can be found at
http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/1801-1900/HDM1876.pdf Story No. 1430. It is based on the gospel story.

Story: Thermometers and Themostat
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.

Also:

Poem and prayer: salt and light.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 14 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Shout aloud!
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 40ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Gospel reading and the old Testament reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 39ff (pictured at left).

Worship Activity: Prayer Lights

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN 0830724044, page 43.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 4 A (29th January 2017): Paradox

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


Bible Readings: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, I Corinthians 1: 18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text.
Upper Right: This is a free Heartlight image. To visit the Heartlight site, please go to my Links column below left.
Below left: This is a Microsoft free image with text from the song "God's Own Fool" (below).

Listening Song: God's Own Fool
By Michael Card on his album, Joy in the Journey (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Kid's Story: The Lion and the Mouse
This is an Aesop fable and can be found almost anywhere on or off line.  It goes really well with the gospel reading and the Corinthians reading.

Film Clip: The Beatitudes
This clip is found on the Work of the People site (see my links column at left).
http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/the-beatitudes


Drama: I Believe Congratulations Are In Order
By Tick Brereton and found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916X, page 17 (pictured at right). This is a dramatic reading that looks at the Beatitudes and different approaches to what they really mean. I made this the basis of my sermon and added a couple more voices to each section who related directly to the struggles in our own community and lives and added prayers of reflection after each section as well.

Response Activity:
I gave everyone a copy of the Mega Drama (above) version of the Beatitudes and gave them a space to read them over and then underline the one that they do best in one colour and the one that they need most help with in another colour. We then prayed together and for each other.

Also:

Taize Service: Beatitudes

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 38. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Epiphany 3 A (22nd January 2017): Discipling 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:
Above 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

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

Lower Left:  The words from the psalm with an image I have on paper from 40 years ago - I have no idea who to attribute this to -  if anyone knows the artist, please let me know.
Lower Right: This is a free image from Imagebank (see my link column at left). 

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.

Listening Song: One

By U2 on their album Achtung Baby, 1991. 

Kids Story: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
By Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, Penguin, 2009, ISBN 9780143503583 (pictured at right). This story is just a delight and goes very well with the Corinthians reading.

Film Clip: Oh My God
This clip seems to have disappeared off the web however one of the major speakers, Rabbi Froman, is part of a new film about to be released, called A Third Way - a film about Israeli and Palestinians working together. Any clips you can access on this topic fit in beautifully with the Corinthians reading and if you can watch any of them without tearing up then you are better than me.

Film Clip: Meet the Parents
(pictured at left) 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 should 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 right) . This is a story about youth and discipleship.

Story: Soren Kierkegaard's Train Passenger
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 left). 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 (pictured at right). 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 (pictured at left) . 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 (pictured at right). 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 ealrier 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.

Also:

Poem and prayer: repent - turn around.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 12.  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Invited to Bring the Light
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 36ff. This is based on the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 26ff.

Epiphany 2 A (15 January 2017): Following With Our Feet on the Rock

Note: 

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

Bible Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42

About the Images:

Upper Left: My photo, my foot, my boot :-) ...feel free to use as you want. This image goes well with Psalm 40:2 and the Gospel reading.

Upper Right: This image comes from heartlight - see my link to their site at left.

Lower Left: A homemade wordle.
Lower Right:  A free clipart from the wonderful Church Galleries site - well worth a subscription - see my link column at left.

Listening Song: Dancing on the Wall

By Iona on their self titled album (pictured at left).

This song goes well with the gospel reading.

Listening Song: 40
By U2 on their album, War or on their album, Under a Blood Red Sky (pictured at left). This, of course, is a version of Psalm 40. It is pre-recorded on the War album and live on the other.

Listening Song: It's Alright (Send Me)
By Winans Phase2 on their album We Got Next (pictured at left) or on WOW 2000. This goes well with the gospel reading.

Drama: For Me
By Pastor Keith Stiller and found in Drama Resources 2, Lutheran Publishing House, 1986, page 29 (pictured at right). This is a drama about discipleship.

Discussion Questions: Plenary, Group or with a Neighbour

1. What is the one thing you would need to know about them before you followed somebody?
2. Have you ever followed somebody (other than Jesus)?
3. What is it about Jesus that made you want to follow him? (This would also make a good interview question for one or two (three or four?) members of your congregation - their answers could take the place of the sermon for the week - you would have to give them prior warning in order for this to work well).4. Define "disciple".

Story: The Journey Thus Far

By Athol Gill in his book Life on the Road, Herald Press, 1989, ISBN 0836135881, page 11 (pictured at right). This links in well with the gospel reading.

Story: Rigby

Index 1158 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990 or find the story on line at http://bible.org/illustration/john-141. This story is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Uncompromising Determination
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 214 (pictured at left). I matched this story with the Isaiah reading because it talks about how we are valued and how much we matter in a rather comic manner.

Prayer/Poem: Deny Self and Imitate Christ

Found in Of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A'Kempis, Whitaker House, 1981, ISBN 0883680947, page 207 (pictured at right).

Baptism of Jesus A (8th January 2016): Lighting Up the world/The Secret of Life

Note: 

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

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-27

About the Image:
Upper Left: A free Clip Art image from Corel
Upper Right: A free microsoft clipart image with text from the Bible.
Lower Left: A free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.
Lower Right: A free image from Imagebank - see my link column at left.

Decor:
If your Baptismal font is in a prominent position or if you can put it in a prominent position, then high light it in some way - lighting, cascading blue silks, whatever. Alternatively or as well, have a portable water fountain somewhere prominent and place a microphone close by so that the water sounds are particularly audible to the congregation (on second thoughts, if you have an elderly congregation, a very young one or a particularly sleepy one; think seriously about whether this second option may be a good idea or not :).

Listening Song: Go Light Your World
By Kathy Troccoli on her albums Greatest Hits (pictured at left) and Sounds of Heaven or on WOW 1998. This song goes well with the Isaiah reading.

Listening Song: Flowing Over Me 
by Derri Daugherty on Flap Your Wings, Resolve Records,2000 (pictured at right). This song goes well with the Acts reading and the gospel reading.



Film Clip: City Slickers 
(pictured at left) Use the scene where they are riding along having a discussion about the meaning of life- this clip goes well with the Isaiah and/or Matthew readings.

Discussion: On City Slicker film clip
What do you think is the meaning of life?

Film Clip: Forrest Gump
(pictured at right) Start at around 18 minutes in, when Forrest gets on the bus in his braces and nobody but Jenny talks to him. This goes particularly well with the Isaiah and Acts readings.

Discussion: On Forrest Gump film clip
What did Jenny risk by sticking up for Forrest?
Why is it difficult sometimes to show kindness to people who are different?

Film Clip: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(pictured at left) Use the scene where Galadriel, the elf queen pours water into a basin and talks to Frodo about how the water can show him the things that were, the things that are and the things that are yet to pass.

Discussion: On Lord of the Rings film clip
How does your baptism show you
a) the things that were
b) the things that are
c) the things that are yet to be

Drama: Where Have You Been?
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 63 (pictured in an earlier blog). This has been written for the Matthew reading.

Story: The Little Girl and the Piano
In Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, page 143 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story sits well with the Isaiah reading.

Story: The Littlest Candle
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 43 (pictured at right). This goes very well with the Matthew reading if you connect baptism with each person's ministry.

Story: Father Daniel Berrigan
Just google his name and you will find all you need to know about this amazing Christian who brings God's light to the world. His story therefore connects with the Isaiah reading and the gospel reading.

Story: Baroness Cox
See this video about this woman who brings God's light to the most oppressed people on earth - she is a real "free the prisoner" lady. She talks here about suffering and grace and the way people bring light to each other.



Story: Hold On
Another amazing story of someone shedding light in a very dark place



Story: Norman the Barking Pig
Found at http://www.meds.com/archive/mol-cancer/1998/10/msg01802.html
This story goes well with both the gospel reading and the Acts reading.

Story: Pull Buddy
In Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks Book 4 by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 2001, ISBN 0310236193, page 23 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story goes well with the Isaiah and the gospel reading.

Poem: Christmas Poem
By Howard Thurman and found at www.workersforjesus.com/workofchristmas.htm There is another version by Jim Strathdee which is also on the net. I put images and music with this poem via powerpoint.

Discussion:
Find three people and tell them
a) whether you are baptised or not
b) why or why not
c) What you understand about baptism.

 Response Activity:
Have pencils, sticky tape and small paper cut outs of doves and water droplets around your baptismal font. Ask people to think about their ministry. Do they know what it is? Do they think they are doing it? Do they need to find out more? Do they need to take some action? Ask people to write the action they need to take on one of the cut out symbols (doves or water droplets) and then stick it on the font?

Response Activity:
Ask how people think they can light up the world through their own congregation. Write each suggestion on a separate piece of large paper and then get people to go to the one which excites them the most and write on it the things they intend to do to help make it happen.

Response Activity:
Give people a choice of the following three:
1. Make a "Beloved Child of God" card as a gift for someone.
2. Discuss the following questions together:
What are we doing to serve God?
What can we do to bring justice and compassion to people in need ?
Does God rely on us to do these things?
What blessings and challenges come with God's gift of the Spirit?
3. Sit and meditate on the following quote from Bill Loader: To hold people in high regard so that we want them to know Jesus rather than holding them in low regard until they hear about Jesus."