Proper 24 B (October 20): Anchoring Hope, Leading from Behind,

  

Bible Readings: Job 38:1-7, 34-41, Psalm 104:1-9,24,35, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

About the images:

Left image: This is a Microsoft free clip art image to which I have added the Bible text.

Right image: This is Australia Rock near Narooma in New South Wales, Australia. Unless you stand in front of the Australia shaped hole you cannot see the bigger picture - the sea beyond. From the side, it appears to be a solid rock wall. This is my image so please feel free to use it. It goes well with the Job reading. Nobody is quite sure how the hole in the rock wall was made but it is known that ships used to tie up here in the early days of Australian white settlement. For more info about Narooma, visit www.visitnarooma.com

Middle Left and Right and Lower Right: Three free cliparts from the Heartlight site - see my links at left.
Lower Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart with a line from the Audio Adrenaline song below.

Bottom Left: An excellent image from Cerezo Barredo - see my link column at left. 

Listening Song: Get Down

By Audio Adrenaline on their album, Underdog (pictured at left). This song fits in well with both the gospel reading and with the Job reading.

Listening Song: You then Me

By Rebecca St James on her album, God, 1996 (pictured at right). This song fits in well with the Mark reading.

Kid's talk: God is Here

Have each letter of the words "God is Here" on separate cards and scatter them about the worship space. Get a couple of people to adlib a conversation about the whereabouts of God and their difficultly working out just where God is - especially when things go wrong. Have a third person join the conversation by noticing the scattered cards. Together, with the help of children in the congregation, sort out the cards so that they spell out the words "God is here" and then work out how these words apply to the conversation about the whereabouts of God in difficult times.

Kid's Talk: Fighting The Green Eyed Monster

Found in Fun Group Devotions For Children's Ministry by various authors, Group Publishing, 1993, ISBN 1559451610, page 75 (pictured at left). This fits in well with the disciple's reaction to the request by James and John in the gospel reading. 

Film Clip: Psalm 104
This clip is from the excellent Work of the People site.  These clips are not free but they are very good and worth the dollars.

Drama: What is a Servant

Based on the gospel reading and found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859100186, page 23 (pictured at right).

Story: Servanthood

Story 623 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 1993, ISBN 0801091551 (pictured left). This also suits the gospel reading.

Story: A Lesson in Servanthood

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 151 (pictured at right). This story fits in well with the gospel reading.

Quote: Fredrich Buechner

"God does not always give us all the answers.......God gives us himself." This quote links to the Job reading.

Quote: Nelson Mandela

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory, when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

Poem/Prayer: This Aching World

By Janet Morley and found in Resources For Preaching and Worship Year B compiled by Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, ISBN 100664224776, pages 244.  Goes well with the Gospel and the Job readings.

Response Activity:

Ask people to form inward looking circles of around eight to ten people. Tell them that each circle represents the church. Get each circle group to discuss and reform in any way and in any shape that they like in a way which they think, as a group, best represents the way the church should be.

Closing Prayer:

By Michael Quiost and found in Gentle Darkness by Rowland Croucher (Ed.), Albatross Books, 1994, ISBN 073241007X, pages 421-422 (pictured at right). This fits well with the gospel reading.

Also:

Lots of Useful Stuff: Portrait of the Artist

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

Poem: Clouds and Prophets

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 46 (pictured at left).  This poem is based on the Psalm reading.  

Poem: Life, Beauty Love

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 67 (pictured at left). This poem is also based on the Psalm reading.  

Poem and Comment: Creation

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0 (pictured at right), and found under the first Monday 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 Job reading.  

Poem and Comment: Spirit

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0 (pictured at right),  and found under the fourth Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 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 Psalm.  

Proper 23 B (October 13): Let God Sort it/Treasure Chests

 

Bible Readings: Job 23: 1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31

About the images:
Upper Left: The needle image comes from Wickimedia Commons, and the camel from Microsoft free clipart.  

Upper Right: This is my photo - please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. I see this as a choices picture - the world often reflected in the window of our faith. 

Middle Left:  This is a free image from Church Galleries - see my link column at left.

Middle Right: This is a free image from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left. 

Lower Left: A free image from Cerezo Barredo - see my link column at left

Lower Right: A free image from Heartlight. - see my link column at left.

Bottom Left: Another free image from the Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú

Listening Song: What Good
By Third Day on their album, Time (pictured at left). This songs matches in well with the gospel reading.

Opening Prayer

By Molly Phinney Basquette and found in Before the Amen by Maren C Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirrabassi (Eds), Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8298 1750 8, page 117 (pictured at right). Based on the Mark reading.

Kids: The Little Gate

By Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen and found in their book, Stories Jesus Told, Candle books, 2005, ISBN 101859855881 (pictured at left).

Film Clip: Home Movie

Make a home movie of random people in your local area - not necessarily church people but mix a few in.

Ask them all the same questions:

1. What does being rich mean to you? and

2. How do you get to have eternal life?

Ask the congregation to then discuss these same two questions.

Film Clip: Schindler's List

Show the scene near the end of the film  when Schindler is leaving and all the people he has saved crowd around to thank him, however, all he can think about is the ones he didn't save and he looks at his wealth with new and despairing eyes. If you can watch this without weeping, you are tougher than me.  I suggest you watch it a few times before showing it in church so you don't end up a crying mess in the pulpit.

  

Quotes: Millionaires:

Andrew Carnegie: Millionaires seldom smile.

John Jacob: I am the most miserable man on earth .

John Rockefeller: I have made many millions but they have brought me no happiness.

W.H. Vanderbilt: The care of $200 million is too great a load to bear. There is no pleasure in it.

Discussion Questions: Millionaires

In pairs or threes:

• What do you like to think is in your treasure chest?

• Evaluate what Jesus would think of your treasure.

Meditation: Four Changed Lives

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 183, (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Prayer for Others
Make a powerpoint presentation of pictures from your local newspaper of war, famine, accident, murder, ... (the hard and sad things that we read about) to some contemplative music and allow people to pray either during or after the presentation.

Prayer: Child, I am Here
By Michel Quoist in Prayers of Life, Macmillan, 1965, ISBN: 0717101584 (pictured at right). This goes well with the gospel reading.

Also:

Story Plus Other Stuff: Some Very Hard Homework

Found in Wally the Dodgy Trolley and other Stories of Faith and Humour by Ian Johnson, Scripture Union Australia, Lidcombe, 2000, ISBN 0949720984, page 70 (pictured at left).

Poem/Meditation: Follow Me

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 48 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Mark reading.

Worship Activity: The Presence of God

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 83 (pictured at left).  This is based on the Psalm.

 

Prayer Exercise: When God Seems Distant

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 35 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Psalm.

Sermon ideas: Keep an Eye on the Camels

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 90.  This is based on the Gospel reading (pictured at right). 

Drama: Just a Prayer Away

Based on the Hebrews reading and found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859100186, page 47 (pictured at left)

Poem and Comment: Bible

Found in Disturbing Complacency by Lisa Bodenheim, Wild Goose Publications, 2007, ISBN 978 1 905010 37 0, found under the second Tuesday 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 Mark reading.  

Proper 22 B (October 6): Sticking Up For Others

  

Bible Readings: Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16.

About the images:

Upper Left: This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.

Upper Right: I took this photo of my kids about thirty years ago. I wanted to take a photo of Kate without the teddy bear (which had the odd name of "Winter") and, as you can see if you look closely or click on the image to enlarge it, her eyes filled with tears at the very thought. Her big brother, Jared, immediately sprang to her defence and insisted Winter be part of the photo as he comforted Kate. Naturally, I photographed them all :-) Please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.

Middle Left: A free image from Cerezo Barredo -see my link column at left.

Middle Right: This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.  It reminded me of the words in the blessing song from Together in Song 779, May the Feet of God Walk with You because the last two lines fit beautifully with the gospel reading - May the child of God grow in you and his love bring you home. 

Lower Left:  It is World Communion Sunday this Sunday (or thereabouts).  This image is free from Creative Commons.  The copyright details are attached to the image.

Lower Right:  This is a free Heartlight image - see my link column at the left.

Bottom Left: This is a free image from Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.

Invocation

By Susan E. Brown and found in Before the Amen by Maren C Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirrabassi (Eds), Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8298 1750 8, page 117. Based on the Mark reading.

Listening Song: People Putting People Down

By Bob Dylan on his Hardest To Find album, 1996 (pictured at right)

Psalm 26: The Prayer of the Innocent Believer

Often called the above name for obvious reasons - works well if you ask different people to read a verse or two each. Get them to read from where they are sitting in the congregation and choose the readers from a variety of ages and gender, different ethnic backgrounds and various abilities/disabilities etc etc.

Kid's Story: Jesus loves kids

I can't source the original idea for the story about James, but it pops up in various places and in various forms when Googled eg

http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au

where Moira Laidlaw uses it for a similar purpose.

Take along a large photograph of one of your children or a child who is special to you and, if possible, take a photo of the kids as they come and sit around the front. Discuss with them about how photographs are a good (sometimes!) record of what a person looks like. Hold up your photo - say that its not a bad likeness of the child you love. Tell them that even though the child's face is imprinted on your heart you still like to have a few photo's around as well. 

Then tell the following little story (from the internet).

Three years old James was visiting his grandparents and he was playing in the garden just outside the back door whilst his grandmother was making tea. It was getting pretty dark and stormy and she was just going to call James indoors when there was a flash of lightning.

Thinking that James would be afraid, she rushed to the back door just as he came running in, filled with excitement - "Guess what, Gran," he shouted "God just took my photo!"

Well, we know that lightning is not really God taking photos of James or anyone else. Do you know why? Because God doesn't need to take our photo because God is with us all the time. And we know what God is like because we know from the Bible what Jesus is like. So, that's almost as good as a photo. And while we haven't any photos of Jesus either, we have enough words written about him to know what he was like. 

Tell the gospel story for today of the children coming to him.

Then ask the kids to put on badges that say "I am one of God's beloved children" and if there is time and availability of badges, ask them to distribute one to every member of the congregation - alternatively, they could make the badges during the service to distribute to everyone just before the benediction.

Kid's Story: Jesus and the Children

By Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2007, ISBN 9781921229091 (pictured at right).  This is one of a brilliant set of books and each can be downloaded for a small cost from the web as a slide show.

Discussion on the Gospel Reading: Mark 10:13-16

1. Who is being hurt or put down or rejected?

2. Who is doing the hurting? - why?

3. How does Jesus respond to those doing the hurting?

4. How does Jesus respond to those who have been hurt?

Film Clip: A Colour Purple

(pictured at left) Show the clip where Shug Avery comes back to reconcile with her father and he walks out on her. Ask the same four questions as above replacing the word "does" with "would". 

Film Clip: The Preacher's Wife

(pictured at right) Show the clip where the Rev. Henry Biggs prays for help and Dudley, the angel, arrives in answer to his prayer. Unfortunately, Biggs puts the angel (God’s help) down by thinking it’s all a bit of a joke and drives off.

Drama: Out of the Mouths of Babes

In Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.) Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859100186, page 58 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Further Discussion: Our Community

1. What sections of our community here in .....(put in the name of your own community) do you think our church may hurt or put down or reject?

2. How?

3. How would Jesus respond to these sections of the community?

4. How would Jesus respond to us?

Response Activity:

Give everyone a business card with a clip art drawing or sketch of two people hugging - this works best if one person is larger than the other.

Also give everyone a pencil. Encourage everyone to use this card and the pencil as a conversation starter with God.

Ask: Is there someone you need to reconcile with? Do you need to put your arms around someone who you have hurt? Then colour in the larger figure?

Or do you need a hug this morning, do you need Jesus arms around you today? Sometimes we sit on the other side of the fence like David in Psalm 26. Sometimes it is us who are hurt, sometimes it is us who suffer some sort of put down or rejection. Then colour in the smaller figure?

Either way, don't show it to anyone - it is for you and God alone.

Listening song: I Am

By Jill Phillips on her self titled album (pictured at right). I have suggested this song before but it fits beautifully as something that can be listened to either after or during the above activity.

Response Activity: Meditation and Symbolic Action: Testimony and Prayer of Three Anonymous Children

From Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 2002, ISBN 0901557642, page 111 (pictured at left). This can also be found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 74 (pictured at right) and is based on the Mark reading.  I put images with the third testimony and backed it with music: Searching from the Past by Secret Garden on their album, Earth Songs. 

Also:

Prayer Exercise: Guided Imagery Prayer

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 70 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Gospel reading.

Poem: In some very tiny places
Found In Due Season by Herbert F. Brokering, Augsburg Publishing House, 1966  in the spring section (pictured at left). Based on the Hebrews reading.

Sermon ideas: The Priority of the Oppressed

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 195 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Gospel reading. 

Meditation: I Sang For Him

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 78ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the Mark reading.

Commitment to Teaching and Learning

By Deborah Gline Allen and found in Before the Amen by Maren C Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirrabassi (Eds), Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 2007, ISBN 978 0 8298 1750 8, page 229. Based on the Mark reading.

Poem/Meditation: A Child
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 63 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Mark reading.

Sermon and Worship Suggestions: The Best Person on Earth

By Robert J Morgan and Joshua D Rowe in Nelson's Annual Preachers Source Book, Thomas Nelson, 2008, ISBN 1 4185 2536 7, page 46.  These resources are slightly based on part of the Job reading.

Sermon and Worship Suggestions: I Know that my Redeemer Lives

By Robert J Morgan and Joshua D Rowe in Nelson's Annual Preachers Source Book, Thomas Nelson, 2008, ISBN 1 4185 2536 7, page 108.  These resources are based on the Job reading.