Proper 13 C (4 August 2019): The Things We Leave Behind/Good Stuff, God-Stuff and Other Stuff/God, the Loving Parent.

 

 

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

Bible Readings: Hosea 11:1-11. Psalm 107: 1-9,43, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image and I used it for the Response activity set out below.   I printed six images to an A4 (letter) sized sheet -any more and the image does not have enough room for people to write on it easily.
Upper Right: I made this image for the gospel reading. They are both my photos so please feel free to use them for worship purposes and other related activities. The reflected buildings are near Camberwell Junction in Melbourne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CamberwellJunction) and the head stones are from the fascinating cemetery on Norfolk Island(http://www.pitcairners.org/vt_cemetery.html).

Middle Left: This image comes from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. This site no longer updates (you will see the sad reason why when you visit) however the artist, Don da Silva, has left a legacy of wonderful free images and templates via the site archives.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. This particular one was free on the site a few years back.  The site may be back on line later year. Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: This is a free image from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Opening Response: In Quietness and Darkness
Found in Present on Earth by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2008, ISBN 0901557642, page 32 (pictured at left). This matches well with the gospel reading.

Listening Song: The Things We Leave Behind
By Michael Card on his album, Poiema, 1994 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Drama: The Barn Builder
Found in Forty More Devotions that Work With Youth by Geraldine Anderson (Ed.), JBCE, 1990, ISBN 0858198118, page 38 (pictured at left).

Drama: From the Files of Miles Wenckbach
Found in Drama Resources 1 by the Youth Office of the Lutheran Church of Australia (eds.), Lutheran Publishing House, page 54. This fits well with the Hosea reading.

Discussion: On the Hosea Reading
How/when do we take God's love for granted?
In what ways, do we shut God out of our lives?

Story: Cliff Hangers

Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1027, (pictured at left). This goes with the gospel reading,

Story: What is Your Price?

Found in When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado, Word, 1996, ISBN 0849913241, page 65 (pictured at right) This goes with the gospel reading.

Story: Materialism
Story No 423 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers edited by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured at left). This also goes with the gospel reading.

Response Activity: For the Luke Reading
Somewhere at the beginning of the service, give everybody a picture of a closed gift box with a large label on it (see image above)and ask them to imagine that inside is the thing that they want most in the world. Give them a minute to think what it is and then to share answers. At the end of the service ask people to look at the box again and ask them what they think God would put in the box for them. If you give them a pen or pencil as well, they can write their response each time on the label.

Prayer For Others: Materialism
Found in Worship Ideas For Youth Ministry, Group, 1997, ISBN 076442002X, page 69 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Creative Ideas: Hosea: The Forgiving Prophet 

Found in Multi-Sensory Prophets by Mike Law, Scripture Union, 2007, ISBN 9781844272587, page 43 (pictured at left). This is based on the Hosea reading.

Also:

Kids: The Rich Farmer

By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, found in Stories Jesus Told  by the above authors, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881 (pictured at right).

All Sorts of Useful Stuff: A Fool and his money

By Ian Birkinshaw in Multi-Sensory Parables, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 32.  This is based on the Gospel. 

Kids: Jelly Beans, Lima Beans and Boxes

Found in Party On Together by Beth Barnett and Dr Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2010, page 76. This is based on the Gospel reading. This resource is also available in electronic form through the Baptist Union of Victoria website, www.buv.com.au. where it can be copied freely for non-commercial use. 

Proper 11 C (21 July 2019): Priorities and Distractions

 

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

Bible Readings: Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

About the Images:
Upper Left: This image comes from the excellent Heartlight site (see my link column at left)
Upper Right: This is a combination of two free Microsoft cliparts.

Middle Left: This is a free clipart from the excellent Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. This site no longer updates (you will see the sad reason why when you visit) however the artist, Don da Silva, has left a legacy of wonderful free images and templates via the site archives.

Lower Left: This is a free Creative commons image to which I have added the word "Slowly".

Listening Song: Goodbye to Me

By David Robertson on his album, Soul Embrace (pictured at right)

Mediative Listening Song: Dies Irae

By Libera on their CD, Libera (pictured at left). I suggested this last week but it also fits this week.

Individual Introductory Activity: Priorities

Give everyone a pencil and a scrap of paper. Ask them to make a list of the things that are important to them in order of priority. After they have finished, ask them to note where getting to know God and serving God featured on their list. Let them know they will not be sharing their answers with anyone so they are not inhibited by what they think they may have to share.

Film Clip: Jesus of Montreal
(pictured at left).There are plenty of clips in this film in which Daniel, an actor who is to portray Jesus in a passion play, begins to mirror Jesus' life in his own life

Drama: One Thing Needed

Found in Let's Make A Scene Too,, by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 13 (pictured at right)  This drama is particularly useful for the gospel reading.

Discussion: On the Luke Reading

1. Who do you relate to more - Mary or Martha?
2. Why does Jesus think Mary has made a good choice? What is his point?
3. What is Martha's problem?
4. Should we try to balance the Mary and Martha activities in our lives?

Discussion: On the Amos Reading

1. What do you think the job description of a prophet would include?
2. What are some of the method's God uses to speak to people in the Old Testament?

Story: Saul Kills the Priests of the Lord
1 Samuel 22: 6-23 is considered to be the background for psalm 52. The story is about one of the biggest dobbers in history - it is about treachery, anger, and fear.

Story: First Letter Home

Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1024 (pictured at left). This is useful with the gospel reading.

Story: The Boat in the Window
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 44 (pictured at right). This is useful for the Colossians reading.

Story: Listen Slowly
Found in Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993, page 13.

Visual Analogy: Pot Bound Plant
Have a pot bound plant and a healthy pot plant with plenty of room to grow. Relate these to the Colossians reading where Paul talks about the things which prevent him from becoming complacent about his faith. Talk about how complacency and our comfort zones can wall us in and prevent us from growing the way we should.

Prayers and Poems: Mary/Martha

Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 147 (pictured at left). 

Also:

Response Activity: One Thing Necessary

Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year C by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2012, ISBN 9781921945083, page 107ff (pictured at right). This works well with all the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff

Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2016 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2015, page 139ff. These ideas are based on all of the readings.

Poem/Meditation: I am Mary and I am Martha
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 55 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Luke reading.