Epiphany 2 A (January 15): Following/Keeping our Feet upon the Rock

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.

Middle Left: A homemade wordle.

Middle Right:  A free clipart from the wonderful Church Galleries site - not functioning at present. 
Lower Left: A free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: Another spectacular liberation theology line drawing from Cerezo Barredo - 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).

Also:

Drama: It Could Change Your Life
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 43 (pictured at left). This has been written for the gospel 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 4 (pictured at right)

Sermon ideas: Come and Meet the Messiah

Found in Life on the Road by Athol Gill, Herald Press, 1992, page 43 (pictured above right).  This is based on the Gospel reading. 

Meditation: Behold the Lamb of God
Found in He Was in the World by John L. Bell, Wild Goose Publications, 1995, ISBN 094798870X, page 71 (pictured at left) and based on the John reading.

Meditation: Behold the Lamb of God

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 21ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the John reading.

Reflection and Prayer:

By Norman Shanks and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 70ff and based on the John reading. 

Listening Song: Song of Redemption

Based on Psalm 40 and is found on the Sons of Korah album, Redemption Songs, Wordsong Artists, 2000 (pictured at left).

Activity: A Dramatic Meal

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 21. This is based on the John reading.

Baptism of Jesus A (January 08): Lighting Up the World/The Secret of Life

 

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.

Middle Left: A free Heartlight image - see my link column at left.

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

Lower Right: A free Cerezo Barredo image - 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 at right). 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 at left). 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 at left). 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."

Complete Service: Service for a Battered Woman

Found in In this Hour by Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Desbooks, 2001, ISBN 094982433X, page 37ff (pictured at left). 

Invitation to Baptism

By Nancy Rockwell 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 156. Based on the Matthew reading.

Activity: The Plumb Line

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 11. This is based on the Isaiah reading.

Activity: Light Cubes

Found in Multi-Sensory Scripture by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2005, ISBN 1 84427 166 8, number 10. This is based on the Isaiah reading.

Epiphany ABC (January 6): Sharing the Light/Journeys/Gifts/New Direction

Bible Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

About the Images:

Upper Left and Right: This one comes from Don Silva's site, www.sundaygraphx.blogspot.com. Don's death is a sad loss to the Christian on line community.

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

Middle Right: This is Microsoft free clipart with Biblical text.

Lower Left and Right: Free images from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left. 

Listening Song: Wise Man

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

Listening Song: On Earth as it is in Heaven

From The Mission soundtrack by Ennio Morricone (pictured at left). This makes a lovely call to worship. I just put lots of magi paintings and good clip art with it.

Kid's Story: The Story of Baboushka

This is a Russian folktale available everyone and in all sorts of publications. It reminds us not to get distracted from the call of God in our lives.

Kid's Time:

Talk about what an epiphany actually is. Use a Christmas

bon bon (cracker) as an example of an epiphany; i.e. it has an unknown surprise inside it.

Kids: The Three Wise Camels

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2012 (pictured at right). This goes with the Matthew 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.

Film Clip: Song of the Magi 

by Anais Mitchell -  a cover from my beloved Bethlehem.

Reading; Isaiah 60:1-6

I used the words of the www.laughingbird.net paraphrase of this reading on a powerpoint slide show of images of light and backed them with the music of Psalmas Ode by Vangelis on his album Reprise (pictured at left).

Drama: The Gate Keeper

From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 127 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the gospel story.

Poem: The Wise Man's Journey

From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 125 (pictured at right).

Poem: Good Morning Good Morning

Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at left) in the Spring section under Isaiah 60:1a.

Poem: The Three Gamblers

Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart  and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 36 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Poem: Gold rush

Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 38 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Discussion:

What sort of things distract us today from following God?

What are the gifts God gives us?

What are the gifts which we can give to God?

What are the gifts we can offer to others?

Meditation (or basis for sermon): Journeying With The Magi

By Lynda Wright in Hay and Stardust by Ruth Burgess, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1905010001, page 207 (pictured at left). 

Response Activity:

Give everyone a cut out star. Invite people to write on the star a gift that they wish to give the Christ child. Invite people to place their star near the Christ candle.

Also:

Poem/Meditation: Wise Men Visit Herod
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 42 (pictured at right). This goes well with Epiphany ABC.

Worship Activity: Giving to the Lord

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 38 (pictured at left)..  This is based on the gospel reading.

Meditation: The Outsiders

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 30.

Lots of Useful Stuff: Wise Guys

Found in Multi-Sensory Together by Ian Birkinshaw, Scripture Union,2005, ISBN 1844271641, page 32.  Based on the Matthew reading.

Drama: Gift to the King

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 101. This is based on the Matthew reading. 

Brilliant Comments on the Gospel

Found in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey, SPCK, 2008, ISBN 9780281059751, pages 48-55.

Service Outline: Jesus for the Whole World

Based on the Isaiah reading this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 74 (pictured at right).

Service Outline: Gifts Galore

Based on the Matthew reading this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 78 (pictured at right).

Service Starter: Royal Visit

Based on the Matthew and the Isaiah reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 23 (pictured at right).

Drama: The Court Of the King

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 36 . This drama goes well with the Ephesians reading.

Notes on the reading:

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 100. This is based on the Matthew reading.

Drama: Bearing Gifts

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 36ff.  This is based on the Matthew reading.

Poem: Herod's Apology

Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 40 (pictured at right above). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Poem: The Gifts of the Gamblers

Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 42 (pictured at right above). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Sharing Stories: Families on the Run

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 89. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Discussion Questions: The Politics of Jesus

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 126. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Opening Prayer: 

By Maria I. Tirrabassi 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 31. Based on the Matthew reading.

Call to Worship: 

By Maria I. Tirrabassi 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 32. Based on the Isaiah reading.

Epiphany

Found in Hay and Stardust by Ruth Burgess, Wild Goose Publications 2005, ISBN 1 905010 00 1, pages 204pp.

Reflection, Poem and Prayer:

By Ian M. Fraser and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 84ff and based on the Matthew reading. 

An All Age Celebration for Epiphany:

By Ruth Burgess and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 90ff and based on the Matthew reading. 

Reflection and Poems:

By Jan Sutch Pickard and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 99ff and based on the Matthew reading. 

Poem/Prayer: The Night Stair

By Alison Swinfen and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 103ff and based on the Matthew reading. 

God with us whether we like it or not

Found in Welcome Mat  A Resource for Opening the Bible with Children, Families and teens by Beth Barnett, Scripture Union, Victoria, 2010, pages 16 (small group resources), 96 (preschool resources), 123 (adult resources), 139 and 142 (dramas).

Based on the Matthew reading. 

Brilliant Pre-Reading: Unexpected Hope

Found in The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha, Broadleaf Books, 2022, pages 129ff. Based on the gospel reading. 

MORE IMAGES

About the Images above:

 Left: This is a microsoft free clipart image with text from the Isiaiah via www.laughingbird.net

Right: Found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ronja_beam_Prostejov.jpg

About these images:

Upper Left: This image is available from Hermano Leon (see my links at left). There is a lovely collection of "king" clipart and works of art available for us all to use.

Upper Right: This is a free microsoft clipart with my text.

Middle Left,: These is a  free image from Imagebank - see my links column at left