Epiphany 6 B (February 12): Healing/Are We Rocks or Diamonds?

Bible Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45

About the images:
Left: This is a free image from www.heartlight.org. A really great site - see my links column at left.
Right: This is a photo from my church. It shows the healing found in community. I love looking at their faces. Please feel free to use this photo for worship or related activities.

Listening Song: Never Alone
by Barlow Girl on their CD, Never Alone (pictured at left) or on WOW Hits 2005. As well as fitting in nicely with the Bible readings, this song is also very useful in areas suffering from disasters of any kind. This song is a beauty if accompanied by images of the disaster you may be focussing on.

Kids Story: The Man Who Took Seven Baths
by Joann Schek, Arch Books, 1970 (pictured at right)

Video Clip: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Copyright 1989: Paramount Pictures (pictured at left). Show the first scene straight after Paramount promo and before credits – stop where J’onn rests his head on the rider’s chest.

Discussion: Star Trek V: The Last Frontier
1. How does the caped horseman help J'onn?
2. How can we be helpers for each other?
3. What are the risks?

Drama: Look at Me
in Mega Drama 3,Open Book 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), pp 54-55 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Jimmy and the Genie
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995 ISBN 0310207681 (pictured at left), page 96-97. The Naaman story is a Jimmy and the Genie story because the rocks turn out to be diamonds and the diamonds turn out to be rocks.

Meditation:
Give each member of the congregation a heart with a bandaid sized tear in it and mention that all of us require the healing touch of God all of the time. Invite each member of the congregation to silently write in tiny writing around the tear on their paper heart, the healing that they are looking for.Play A Day Without Rain by Enya on A Day Without Rain whilst they are doing this. Then read Pethla in He Was in the World: Meditations for Public Worship by John Bell, Wild Goose, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, pp 30-33 (pictured in an earlier blog). Finally, distribute bandaides to everyone, and invite them to place the bandaid over the tear and the words on their torn heart. Let the mended hearts be a reminder both of the healing they have received from God, and the healing that they can bring to others.

Also:

Kids: The Man with Leprosy

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006. This goes with the Mark reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A5 and for a further $A10 (or instead of) you can buy on line the story in any format you need to project the pictures in church.  There are also free activity sheets and for a cost activity books for both teachers and children.  Visit www.lostsheep.com.au to check out all the excellent resources.

Drama: I Was In The Race Once

Found in Let's Make Another Scene 3 by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 40.  This is based on the ! Corinthians reading. 

Prayer: Christ the Healer

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 14 and based on the 2 Kings reading reading.

Listening Song: Psalm 30: Garments of Joy

By Sons of Korah on their album Shelter, Wordsong, 2002 

Baptism of Jesus B (January 8): Washed Clean

There is an 2023 updated version of this post - see archive at left.

Bible Readings: Genesis 1 1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 

About the Image: Left: In rural (and increasingly suburban) Australia, when the water pours out of the top of our rainwater tanks like this, there is cause for rejoicing. It means the dust is gone and all around us everything is washed clean - the very leaves and blades of grass sparkle. It also means that we don't have to worry about our household water supply for a while. This is my photo, and my tank, so feel free to use it for worship and related activities. Right: This is my photo from the front of our place at dawn (for more info visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes) with a line from the song below by Caedmon's Call. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. 

Listening Song: Who You Are By Caedmon's Call on their album, In the Company of Angels (pictured at left) or on WOW 2003 . 

  Children's activity during the service: Rainsticks Have the children quietly make rainsticks as you worship - use them towards the end of the service during a reaffirmation of baptismal vows or the benediction or during a hymn or song. A rainstick is made from a tube of cardboard with a handful of rice inside with both ends sealed with sticky tape. They can be decorated any way the kids wish.

Film Clip: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (pictured at right) There is a great scene in this film where Zachary and one of the boys discuss the meaning of baptism. This clip is readily and easily availabe at www.wingclips.com (see my links column at left) in most of the popular formats. 

Discussion: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town Is Zachary Beaver right about baptism? What does it mean for you to be baptised? Do we change when we are baptised? If so, how?

Drama: In the Beginning Found in Lets Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 7ff (pictured at left).This voice/reader drama is based on Genesis 1. 

  Drama: Someone Really Great Found in Mega Drama 3 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109178 (v.3), page 50-51 (pictured in an earlier blog). This puppet or people drama matches up very well with the gospel reading. 

Discussion Questions: 1.When did you first realise that the life God has given you was good and valuable, that God was pleased with you. 2. What changed for Jesus when he was baptised? 3. What changed fro the world when jesus was baptised. 4. What is the blessing for us in baptism? 5. How are we changed in baptism? 6. What is the significance of baptism for us? Testimonies: Instead of having everyone discuss the above questions, ask one or two people beforehand to prepare a three minute answer to one or a couple of the questions as part of the sermon or teaching time. An added bonus to this exercise is that it is a great way to encourage people to discover their preaching and leadership gifts within the congregation. 

Story: Baptism A modern story about baptism found at http://www.gobinumc.org/new_page_6.htm - scroll down to Case 2. 

Meditation: The Creator's Meditation By Grace Krag and found in Building Worship Together by Martha Keys Barker and the Fisherfolk, Celebration, 1983, ISBN 0906309212,page 92ff (pictured in an earlier blog). This goes very well with the Genesis reading. This reading goes very well with selected images and the following music: Grace by Moby from his album, Songs (pictured at right). 

Response Activity: Set up three stations around your worship space. Encourage people to visit all three stations but in any order they wish. 

Station 1: Have a stack of printed creeds or affirmations of baptism or your church's baptism service available. Encourage people to softly say the reading aloud at their own pace. Reassure people ahead of time that they will not be a distraction to others - they will make a gentle worshipful hum. If you really think people will be bothered, either play soft music in the background or encourage them to go outside to read it. 

Station 2: Have a sand bowl, the Christ candle and tapers available and a note of instruction in a dim part of the worship space. Ask people to light a taper from the Christ candle and sit and watch the flame for awhile remembering that just as the flame is a light in the dark, so too, they can, with God's help, be lights of hope, peace and justice in a dark world. 

Station 3: This station is very similar to the benediction activity below. Stand beside the baptismal font and as each person comes up to you, mark their foreheads with a cross and say..."Name (whatever it is) God is pleased with you." After doing this, ask them to sit in a quiet space and think about/pray about what these words mean to them. 

Benediction: Have the font near the exit (if a movable font) or have the congregation exit past the font and as each one passes, pour a little water over their hands and say their name and the words "God is pleased with you". Alternatively have people do this to each other as they leave.

Advent 3 B (December 11th): Joy

THERE IS AN UPDATED 2023 VERSION OF THIS BLOG ENTRY with lots more stuff  - SEE MY ARCHIVE LIST AT LEFT.

Bible Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11, Psalm 126 or Luke 1:47-55, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8,19-28. About the image: Left: Such a joy filled little face! Right: From www.wordle.net Call to worship: Streamers Have lots of 60cm (2') pieces of very brightly coloured streamer and safety pins at the door as people arrive. Ask them to take a pin and to choose two different coloured streamers to take into church with them. During the start of the service ask people to think of something that gives them great joy. On your count, tell them to shout out their reason for joy and wave their streamers about. Do it a couple of times to get everyone in the mood. After praying, thanking God for all the reasons for joy which we have, encourage people to pin their streamers on to their clothing somewhere as a reminder of the joy that God gives each one of us. Thought starter: The Blues 20% of teenagers feel emotionally empty 20% feel confused most of the time 61% feel extremely sad or depressed at least ten times during their teenage years 60% admit they worry a lot about all sorts of things: poor school results, death, accident etc. 30% experience moderate to severe depression (can't remember where I got these stats from other than scribbled on a scrap of paper - if anyone knows, please let us all know via the comment section below this post). Story: Corrie Ten Boom and Thankfulness Found at http://www.tagnet.org/clarkston/Illustrations4.htm. Put the word "Corrrie" into your Find to save some time - the page is very long. This story fits well with the Thessalonians reading. Quote: Alaskan Road Sign (and could easily be Australian too) "Choose your rut carefully, you'll be in it for the next two hundred miles". This matches up with the Thessalonians verses about discernment. Adult Input: Based on the Thessalonians Reading Label four corners of the worship space "Prayer", "Thankfulness", "Listening to the Spirit" and "Discernment". Ask people to move to the corner that interests them the most and then give everyone the same question to talk about: How do we put this into practice so that we can dare to rejoice - even in the hard times? Response Activity: Isaiah reading Read together Isaiah 61:1-3a (projected) but substitute the personal pronouns (I and/or me depending on your translation) with a space. Encourage people to fill the space with their own names as they read and to use the reading as a personal challenge with respect to their ministry. Also: Prayers: Based on the Isaiah Reading From Advent, Christmas and Epiphany by Brian Wren, Westminster John Knox Press, 2008, ISBN 978066423309, page 60 (pictured at right). Prayer of Confession: Based on the Psalm By Channice E Charles and found in Before the Amen: Creative Resources for Worship by Marin C and Maria I Tirabassi (Eds), The Pilgrim Press, 2007, ISBN 9780829817508, pages 126 (pictured at left). Response Activity: Bearing Witness From Bringing the Word to Life Together Year B by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2011, ISBN 9781921945038, page 18ff (pictured at right)

Proper 20 A (September 2011): Focus and Purpose/The Generosity of God

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post.  

NB: There is a new updated 2026 version of this blog with heaps more resources. See archive at left.

Bible Readings: Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6,37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 About the Images:Both images match the Philippians reading. Left: This is a microsoft free clipart with my text Right: This is my image with text as acknowledged. I took this image in central Australia and you can see what a battle this tree has had to survive by the way it has grown. It seemed to illustrate Pauk Harvey's quote very well. Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities. For Kids: Fair Wages Found in Saving the Ants by Ruth Gilmore, Augsburg, 2001, ISBN 0806640804, page 106. This is based on the gospel reading (pictured at right). Discussion questions: How does God help us cope with the uncomfortable things in our lives? How does God give us hope and strength? Story: The Greyhound Races Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 106 (pictured at left). This story illustrates the Philippian words about purpose. Story: Last Supper Story 2 Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties Inc, 1994, ISBN 031040261, page 162 (pictured at left). This story illustrates the Philippian words about focus. Story: Bad Tyre, Good Business In Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks Book 4 by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 2001, ISBN 0310236193, page 33 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the the gospel reading. Reading: Letter From A Communist Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 105 (pictured at right). This reading challenges our committment - when you read it, don't tell the congregation who wrote it - let them try to guess. Poem/Prayer: Realigned Again A revelation, poem & prayer by Kelly Hall. Music by Tracy Howe Wispelwey/The Restoration Project. This comes from The Work of the People (see my link at left) . This poem prayer is about renewal, surrender, transformation, rethinking and realigning one's life. Response Activity: Ask or project: What would you have to change in your lifestyle and in the way you deal with the harder parts of your life in order to live the life God has called you to? Give out business cards with the words from Psalm 105:3-4: Be glad that we belong to God. Go to God for help. Seek God's presence continually. Multiple Service Ideas: All Worked Up Found in Multi-Sensory Parables by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union, 2006, ISBN 9781844272310, page 50ff (pictured at left). Lots of good stuff here relevent to the gospel reading.

Proper 18 A (4th September 2011): Our God of New Beginnings and Second Chances

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post.  

Bible readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

About the Image:
Left: This is a free image from the Hermano Leon site - see my links column at left.
Right: This is a free Imagebank image from their excellent, although slightly disorganised, site. See my link column at left. Listening Song: Just Like You
By Keb Mo on his album, Just Like You (pictured at left).This goes well with the gospel reading.
Call to Worship: All God's People
Found in Crafts For Creative Worship by Jan Brind and Tessa Wilkinson, Canturbury Press, 2009, page 205 (pictured at right). This goes well with the Romans reading.
Drama: No Thumping Whatsoever
Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 21 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Film Clip: The Day is Near
This goes realy well with the Romans reading - it's from the Work of the People (see more excellent clips from their site which you can find via my links column - the clips cost but they are well worth it)

Story: Don't Hire a Hit Man
Found in Could Someone Wake Me up Before I Drool on the Desk by Kevin Johnson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1556614160, page 49 . This is based on the gospel reading.

Discussion:
After reading the Romans reading and the gospel reading, divide into groups to discuss together and make a list together of the means by which a Christian community can live in harmony.

Quote: Do It Anyway
Probably written originally by Dr Kent M. Keith and adapted by Mother Teresa. Find the original and the adapted words at http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm

Adult Response:
Give everybody a piece of spring blossom. Tell everyone that the blossom is a sign of spring, new life and new growth. In the silence, encourage people to think of a broken relationship in their lives and encourage them to ask God to show them how to repair it.

Adult Response:
Give everyone a small piece of self hardening modelling clay (1cm cube is big enough for this) and
1. Ask people to mould their feelings about someone they disagree with in their faith community.
2. Ask them to mould the clay back into a ball
3. Ask them to mould the clay into a symbol of Jesus' love for them.
4. Encourage them to take home their symbol as an example of relationship.

Father's Day (Australia - and maybe some other places?) Resources:

Listening song; Butterfly kisses By Bob Carlisle on his album of the same name (pictured at right)

Proper 9 A (3rd July 2011) Sharing a burden

THERE IS 

A 2026 UPDATED VERSION OF THIS POST WITH  MORE STUFF - SEE MY ARCHIVES AT LEFT.

N.B.  You will find a search engine to the left if you do not follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Just pop in a Bible reference or a topic and it will take you to a relevant post.

Bible Reading: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Psalm 45: 10-17 or Song of Songs 2:8-13, Romans 7;15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. About the Images: Left : This is a microsoft free clipart onto which I have put the Biblical text. Right: This is a free image from Heartlight (you will find a link to Heartlight in my links column at left). Listening Song: Much Afraid By Jars of Clay on their album, Much Afraid (pictured at left). This song fits quite well with the Matthew reading. Listening Song: A Noble Theme Psalm 45 By Sons of Korah on their album, Hand on the Plough (pictured at right). Call to Worship Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 4. Kids Time: Liturgical stole and Good Intentions A good explanation about both which links well with both the Matthew and the Romans reading can be found in Forbid Them Not Year A by Carolyn C Brown, Abingdon Press, 1992, ISBN 068713255X, page 129. Film Clip: Wall-e Show the trailer in which you see Wall-e bored and lonely (pictured at left). Discussion: Wall-e What two things are making Wall-e sad? What do you think would make him happy? Film Clip: Les Miserables (pictured at right) Use the clip right near the end when Javert and Valjean have a conversation by the river and Javert lets himself fall into the water. This is a great illustration of the Romans reading when we can paint ourselves into a corner if we do not acknowledge our need for a Saviour. I used a Wingclips film clip for this - you can visit their site via my link column at left. Discussion on the Matthew reading In what areas would you like to be more closely yoked with Jesus as a church? Drama: A Load of Rubbish Found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 17. This drama is based on the gospel reading. Discussion for A Load of Rubbish What are some of the burdens we carry around with us? Drama: All Messed Up Found in Life Plus Ideas For Worship, JBCE 1996, ISBN 1864071079, page 4. Story: Too Polite Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 88 (pictured in an earlier blog). Story: Pulling Together Index 3894-3899 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This story is also found at http://www.churchchrist.net/Sermons/Ministry.htm and is called Pulling Yoke Together. Story: The Flying Wallandas Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialities, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 96 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story is about trusting God. This goes with both the gospel reading and the Genesis reading. Story: The Civil War of the Soul Found in In the Grip Of Grace by Max Lucado, Word Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0849911435, pages 139ff. Lots of stories and discussion questions (at the back) based on the Romans reading. Poem/Meditation: Prisoner Found in The Electric Bible: Poems For Public Worship by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 100. This poem is based on the Romans reading. I put an image up for each stanza and read it out loud with a pause between each verse. Response Activity: Give everyone a business card with a picture of two yoked bullocks and the words "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.....For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light - Jesus". (see image above and feel free to use). Ask people to think about the words and write on the back of the card either a burden they are carrying which they need to share with Jesus or a job that Jesus is asking them to do with his help. Response Activity: Burdens Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 54 (pictured in an earlier blog).

Easter 2 A (1st May 2011): Doubt and Discipleship

A newer 2026 version of this post is now available with heaps more resources - see my archive at left

Bible readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41,Psalm 16, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 About the Images: Left: Free from http://www.brazilbrazil.com/scenic.html Right: Free Microsoft clipart to which I have added the Bible text and the cross Listening Song: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For By U2 on their album, Joshua Tree (pictured at left) or Best Of 1980-1999. This song matches in well with how Thomas is thinking. Drama: You'll Never Guess What Happened Found in Let;s Make a Scene by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, page 53 ff (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel reading. Drama: Thomas Reflecting Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 210 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. Prayer: Glory be to You Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 195 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading. Story: The Death of Doubt Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1095 (pictured at right). This is story is based on the gospel reading. Story: Love of God Story 409 in 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers by Craig Brian Larson and Leadership Journal, Baker Books, 2002, ISBN 0801091551. This story goes well with the 1 Peter reading. Story: Weakness Found as story No 291 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929. This story matches up well with the 1 Peter reading. Meditation: Fear and Loneliness Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose publications, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 50 Quote: Alexander McLaren "He puts the key of the treasure chamber into our hand and bids us take all we want. If someone is admitted into a gold bullion vault of a bank and comes out with just one cent, whose fault is it that he or she is poor?" Found on http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/page.php?page_id=4504 Response Activity: Keys of God's Treasure Chamber Give everyone a business card with a key printed on it. Project the Alexander McLaren quote. Ask people to think about what it is that they need from God today - is it reassurance, love, the power to be a follower, the Holy Spirit, peace, or direction? Give people a silent space to talk this need with God.