Pentecost C (5 June 2022): Contagious Christianity/ Inspired by the Spirit/Celebration Time

 

THERE IS AN UPDATED 2025 VERSION OF THIS BLOG ENTRY WITH MORE STUFF  - SEE MY ARCHIVE LIST AT LEFT.

Bible Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17, 25-27.

About the Photos:
Upper Left:

This photo was taken by good friend David Husted when he was taken hot air ballooning over Melbourne by his kids for his 60th birthday. Balloons have always been a symbol for me of the Holy Spirit. Just as a balloon filled with air shows great promise so do we when we are filled with God's Spirit. Hot air balloons, flames and all, over a city are a sign of promise and challenge. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Upper Right: This image is free and come from the excellent ImageBank site which has closed down.

Middle Left: This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website which is down at present
Lower Left: This is a free image from the excellent Heartlight site - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: A free image from the Hermano Leon site. - see my link column at left.  

Whole Service Idea: Spread it Around
Found in Multi-Sensory Seasons by Wendy Raynor and Annie Slade, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271757, page 47 (pictured at left). These ideas are based primarily on the Acts reading.

Listening Song: Hands and Feet By Audio Adrenalin on WOW 2001 or their

album, Underdog (pictured at right). This works well with the Romans reading.

Listening Song: Holy Spirit
By Third Day on their self titled album (pictured at left).  This is a song that goes well with the whole theme of Pentecost.

Listening Song: Burning like Fire.  
By Iona on their album Beyond these Shores (pictured at right).  This also goes well with the whole theme of Pentecost and if you are into Celtic music, then this song is an added bonus. 

Prayer: Feathers  

In Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 34 (pictured at left). This prayer is based primarily on the Acts reading.

Drama: Verbal Symphony for Pentecost

 By M Preugschat in Drama Resources 2 by Lutheran Publishing House, 2000, page 55 (pictured at right). This drama is so much fun.  I turned it into a congregational drama - and everybody participated with great delight.

Drama: But It's Only 9 O'clock.
Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson (Ed), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 109 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the Acts reading.

Quote: Hitler
Hitler used fear to drive his attack on Europe. He said "If the Jews did not exist we would have had to invent them" . 

Film: The Legend of Bagger Vance 
Show this clip where Bagger Vance teaches Junuh how to find his "one truly authentic swing".



Discussion: The Legend of Bagger Vance 
1. What do you think our "one truly authentic swing" could be?
2. If Bagger Vance represents the Holy Spirit, how does the Holy Spirit help us to find our "one truly authentic swing"?
3. Have you found your "one truly authentic swing"?
(thanks to someone for this idea - unfortunately I can't remember who - let me know if you know).

Film: Dead Poets Society
(pictured at left) Use your discretion as to how much you show of this clip depending on the age and emotional resilience of your congregation. Show the clip prior to the student's suicide when the student, who is a talented actor, is stopped from realising his dreams by his father who thinks that acting is a waste of time. The student tries to explain his fear of a future which does not include acting and which will therefore be devoid of the things that he loves doing best.

Discussion:
What sort of things do we fear today?
What sort of things do we fear for our church?
What sort of things do we fear for ourselves? 

Film Clip: Spirit Wind
From Work of the People- see my link column at left

Story: Your Own Experience
Display digitally or have with you some of the more fear evoking headlines which we often see today or relate an experience you have had recently where you came across actions taken by others as a result of fear. eg on our last trip to Tasmania we were intrigued by the official who wanted to look under the bonnet of our car as we waited to drive on to the ferry at Port Melbourne. We were quite amused when he told us he was looking for bombs.... until we realised he was fair dinkum. 

Story: The Big Rock
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 36.

Response Activity:
Give everyone a sparkler. Light the front row and allow people to touch the ends to light others. Use them as a reminder of the first Pentecost (fire and wind) - they fire up best when they are waved about.....but please be careful!

Also:

Film Clip: The Fear
This film clip was suggested by Rob who visits this blog.  He says the clip "encapsulates how virtually an entire generation often feel. Also, the lyrics are genuinely intelligent and thought-provoking" and "the lyrics to The Fear are here, in case anyone can't make them out clearly - http://www.musicloversgroup.com/lily-allen-the-fear-lyrics-and-video/"
Thanks Rob!

Kids: The Sea-Breeze Hotel 

By Marcia Vaughan and Patricia Mullins with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 13. This goes well with the Acts reading.

Taize Service: Holy Fire

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 30. This is based on the Acts reading.

Two chapters of resources for Pentecost and the Holy Spirit:

By Ruth Burgess in Fire and Bread, Wild Goose Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781905010301, pages 147ff. 

Various Ideas: Power to Communicate the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 34. Connected with Acts. 

Lots of Useful Stuff: Portrait of the Artist

Found in Multi-Sensory Together by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union,2005, ISBN 1844271641, page 20.  Based on the Psalm reading.

Beautiful Illustrations of John's Gospel  connected to the Australian Outback

Found in The Gospel According to John Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, 2013, ISBN 9780646912462, page 36-37.

Epiphany 2 C (January 16): Sharing our Gifts/New Life

NB There is a 2024 version of this post with more stuff - see the top of my archives list at left to locate it

Bible Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

About the images:

Upper Left: The Country Fire Authority in Victoria in Australia is one of the best examples I know of people using their gifts for the benefit of the whole community. The CFA is a volunteer organisation which means heaps of men and women volunteer their time (often time when they would otherwise be in paid employment) to fight bushfires and protect property. They risk their lives and work in teams where each member has specific duties suited to their own gifts and abilities.

Upper Right: This is a free Microsoft clipart (mirrored) on to which I have placed the biblical text.

Middle Left: This is my image of Rainbow Beach with a line from the Third Day song below which is based on the Psalm for this week.  Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.

Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.

Lower Left:  Another free image from Heartlight.  See my link column at left. 

Lower Right: A free Microsoft image. 
 
Listening Song: Your Love, O Lord

By Third Day on their Time album (pictured at right).  This song is based on the Psalm set down for today.

Psalm: Fill in the endings

Ask people to suggest endings to each line of the psalm and then read the real psalm together, eg; Lord, your constant love reaches ..................., your faithfulness extends to the ..................... and so on.

Monologue: The Wedding

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Resource Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 54 (pictured at left). This monologue is based on the gospel reading.

Drama: Take control But....

This drama is based on the Corinthians reading and found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 75 (pictured at right).

Drama: The Birthday Party
This drama is based on the Corinthians reading and is found in Red Letter Days by Paul Burbridge and Murray Watts, Hodder and Stoughton, 1986, ISBN 034038347X, page 120 (pictured at left).  Start half way through at......."Holy Spirit: And now for the presents!"

Drama: What Are the Odds

Found in Mega Drama 5 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109194, page 59 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: A Deathless Kingdom

This story is based on the Isaiah reading and is found in Speaker's Source Book of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley, Word Publishing, 1995, ISBN 0849936756, page 130 (pictured at left).

Discussion about the above story:

Divide into groups and give each group a story (see below for suggestions) relating to gifts and then ask each group to answer the following questions:

1. What does this story say about gifts?

2. What does this story say about us?

3. How does this story help us to transform our community?

After 10 or so minutes gather together and as you tell each story ask the group who discussed that story to comment on the above questions.

Other useful stories to choose from (and don't be put off that some of these  stories are youth stories - they are fun and they get all ages thinking):

The Bodies 

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 177 (pictured at right)

How to Make A Difference 

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On, as above, page 159.

The Smallest Piece 

Found in Still More Hot Illustrations by Wayne Rice, Zondavan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 30 (pictured at left).

The Treasures of the Church 

Found in Still More Hot Illustrations, as above, page 176.

Smart Hopis 

Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 158 (pictured at right).

The Animal School 

Found in More Illustrations for Youth Talks (as above), page 33.

Be Yourself 

found in The Youth Bible, Word, ISBN 0849933390 (pictured at left).

Diversity 

found in 750 Engaging Illustrations by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551, page 173.

Freedom 

found in 750 Engaging Illustrations, as above, page 247.

Response Activity:
Give people a minute to think of a gift that they are already sharing with the church or which they would like to share with the church. Instead of passing the peace, ask people to tell a number of others what that gift is.

Response Activity:
Make group gift mobiles to hang in the church.

Prayer for Others Activity: The House Plan Script
From Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture union, 2005, ISBN 1844271668, page 54.

Also:

Prayer Exercise: Praying in Nature

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 56.  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Kids: The Cat's Tale

Found in Animal Tales by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, Candle Books, 1998, ISBN  1 85985 637 6.  This is a junior version of the gospel reading.

Service Outline: Miraculous God

Based on the gospel reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 118 (pictured at right).