Lent 2 A (5th March 2023): Watching Over Us/ Going Places

 

There is an updated 2026 version of this post with more stuff. See my archives at the left. 

Bible Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a little bloke who looks as if he is well cared for in the safety department and who knows where he is going. Sort of like the Psalmist :) This is my photo so please feel free to use it in the context of worship.
Upper Right: This is a microsoft free clipart image with my text.
Middle Left: This is a free image from the excellent Church Galleries site (see my link column at left) - this site is not functioning at present..
Middle Right: This sculpture, found on Mt Nebo in Jordan, by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni, symbolizes the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14). This is my image so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Lower Left:  This is a free Heartlight image - see my link column at left. 

Lower Right: A free image from the now defunct Scripturepics site. 

Kid's Story:
Found in Picture Strip Bible by Felecity Henderson and Chris Saunderson, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994970, page 10 (pictured at left). This obviously fits in with the Genesis reading.

Drama: Eternal Life And All That

Found in Lets Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 12 (pictured at right). This drama is based on verses from the gospel reading.

Story or Film Clip: Jim Elliot
The story of Jim Elliot and his four missionary colleagues has some great parallels with the readings. You can find the full story in the book Through the Gates of Splendour by Elisabeth Elliot, ISBN 185078034X, or on the film Beyond the Gates of Splendour (pictured at left).  

Story: Worry or Life
Found in When You Walk by Adrian Plass, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1997, ISBN 0745935524, page 99 (pictured at right). This story is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Anxiety
You can find this story at http://www.christiancrusaders.org/details_web.asp?ID=454. Scroll right down to the end of the page to find this story which goes very nicely with the Psalm.

Quote: Alice in Wonderland
"Cheshire Puss", Alice began rather timidly, "Would you tell me please which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where....," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go", said the Cat.
From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Quote: Lewis Smedes
"God is there, ahead of time, before you get there, waiting, hands open, to hold you when you are sure you are sinking. You will feel his presence, feel his strength, feel the courage that comes from his support, if you just let him hold you. And when you do feel him, you will know that it will be all right with you at that moment, later, or any time....". By Lewis Smedes in How Can It Be Right When Everything Is All Wrong? and found in High Mountains, Deep Valleys edited by Rowland Croucher and Grace Tomlinson, Albatross, 1990, ISBN 086760090X, page 58. (pictured at left)

Poem/Meditation: The Love of God
This is a take on John 3:16 and I found two versions of it on the net:
1. Go to http://www.pastornet.net.au/gac/sermons/greatest-gift.php and scroll to the end of the page.
2. Go to http://webpages.marshall.edu/~cole8/sermons/SEPARATE.HTM and look in section III.

Adult Response:
Have a variety of art materials on hand as well as paper and pens. As a congregation, make a list of all the symbols found in the John reading eg., light, wind, bronze snake etc. Ask people to choose one symbol and group together with others who have chosen the same symbol. Ask each group to
1. Create a group representation of the symbol they have chosen , and
2. Write a prayer together which incorporates the symbol.
Some can compose while others create.

Also:

Poem and prayer: love saves.
Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 21 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: Seeing the Face of God
Found in Bringing the Word To Life Together: Year A by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, Adelaide, 2010, ISBN 9780949656919, page 55ff (pictured at right). This is based on the Gospel reading and the old Testament reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 65ff (pictured at left).

Taize Service: A Great Help

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 44 (pictured at right). This is based on the Psalm reading.

Opening and Closing Responses for Lent

By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 76-77 (pictured at left) - two to choose from. 

For Children and Families: God is Wise

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SU Victoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading. 

Various Ideas: Creation - the Message of Love

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 7. Connected with the Genesis reading.

Epiphany 6 A Proper 1 A (February 12): Heart Stuff/The Reason For Reconciliation

 

Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Mathew 5:21-37

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is my image of Sturt desert Peas which grow in Central Australia. I also used this image for part of the poem The Law of Christ (see below). Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my image of Mt Sinai in Egypt with a piece of text from the poem The Law of Christ (see below). Please feel free to us this image for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: This is a free image from Heartlight - see my link column at left
Middle Right: This is a free image from https://images.knowing-jesus.com
Lower Left: This is a free image from Heartlight - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: This is a free clipart with copyright attached.

Film Clip: Tangled
(pictured at left) The Reluctant Reliance clip is a great little clip for use with the gospel reading - particularly the part about anger and reconciliation. It is very funny too. For this purpose it works best if you stop it at the bells and leave out the last kick - or talk specifically about that last kick in the light of what Jesus says about going to those who have/feel something against you.

Drama: What should I Do?
Found in Let's Make Another Scene by Verena Johnson, Open Book Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0859107620, page 26 (pictured at right). This drama is based on the Deuteronomy reading.

Drama: The Clean-Up
Found in Creative Worship Ideas by Lois Keffer, Group, 1993, ISBN 1559450991, page 55 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Story: Great Babies
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 79 (pictured at right). This story is based on the Corinthians reading.

Story: Who Could Be More Important than the President?
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 left). This story links in well with the gospel reading.

Story: Divorce by Instant Text Messaging

Found in Incredible Illustrations by Mikal Keefer, Group Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0764426141, page 47 (pictured at right). This news article is linked with the gospel reading - please do not use it as an excuse to show up any other religion - the point of the illustration should be to show how flimsy and undervalued are many of our relationships - marriage or otherwise - whoever we are and wherever we come from.

Poem: The Law of Christ
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 85 (pictured at left). This poem is based on the Gospel reading. I put the words with images and used the following backing music: "Raver" by Burial on the album Untrue (pictured at right).

ALSO:

Meditation: Growth 1
Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 29 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Corinthians reading.

Meditation: Joy

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 41 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Deuteronomy reading.

Meditation: Growth III

Found in Meditations from the Iona Community by Ian Reid, Wild Goose Publications, Trowbridge, 1998, ISBN 1901557022, page 91 (pictured just above). This goes well with the 1 Corinthians reading.

Drama: Is there Something More
Found in Mega Drama 1 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 0859109151v1, page 11 (pictured at left). This has been written for the Deuteronomy reading.

Poem: In God's Garden
Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew, 2003, ISBN 1844170411, page 102 (pictured above left) and based on the Corinthians reading. 

Blessing

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 149 (pictured at left). This activity is based on the Psalm.

Discussion: Love and Just relatiionships

Found in Welcome by Beth Barnett and Keith Dyer, Scripture Union, 2011, ISBN 978 0 9871500 2 8, page 139. These are based on the Matthew reading. 

Holy Name of Jesus Day ABC (January 1):

Bible Readings:   Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8, Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21

Top Left and Right and Bottom left: Free images from the Heartlight site - see my link column at left. 

Middle Left and Right: Free images from Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.                         

Bottom Right: A free Cerezo Barredo image - see my link column at left.

Drama: No Ordinary Baby

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 97 (pictured at left). This is based on the Luke reading.  

Drama: A Way With Words

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 41 (pictured at right) . This drama goes well with the Philippians reading.

New Year's Day ABC: All Things New

Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6, Matthew 25:31-46

About the Image:

Upper Left: Hibiscus bud photographed in my garden - you are free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Upper Right: This is my photo (my front yard) with words from the John Marsden prayer below. You are free to use my photo for worship and related activities.

Middle left: A free image from www.daveandpeg.com

Middle right: A free image from Church Galleries (see my links column at left)

Lower Left and Right: These are free Heartlight images - see my link column at left.

Confession: The Paradox of Our Times 
This can be found in many places on the net and makes a good confession if read by two people. Use 1 John 2:1-2 as your absolution.

Kid's Story: The "Sheep Lion"

Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg McKinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 147 (pictured at right). This is a story about recognising who you are in the context of God's purpose for your life.

Story: Missed Opportunities 
This story can be found at http://www.trinitycrc.org/sermons/mt06v19b.html. Scroll down until you find the heading "Folly".

Prayer: Prayer For the 21st Century

By John Marsden, Lothian Books, 1997, ISBN 0850918146 (pictured at left). A beautifully illustrated prayer appropriate for every new day, let alone every new year. It goes well with the track Adiemus by the group Adiemus on their CD, Songs of Sanctuary (pictured at right).

Response Activity:

Invite people to stand up and name a ministry in which they are involved in or in which they feel called (by God but not necessarily by the church) to be involved in, in the future (this may be something nobody is yet doing in the church).

Response Activity:

I combined the above Response Activity, the Prayer for the 21st Century and Wesley's covenant prayer as three distinct prayer stations to finish off the service.  People had the option and the time to visit all three stations or to spend time at just one or two. 

Also:

Taize Service: Loving the Least

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 14 (pictured at left). This is based on the Matthew reading.

Prayer Exercise: The Psalms Teach Us to Pray

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 42 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Psalm reading.

Kids: Cecil and Psalm 8

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2012 (pictured at left). This goes with the Psalm.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A7 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.

For Children and Families: God is Wise

Found in Rewind by Beth Barnett, SU Victoria, 2011, ISBN987098710035, navigate from page 5 (pictured at right). This is based on the Ecclesiastes reading. 

Various Ideas: The Glorious End of the Message

Found in Multi-Sensory Message by Dave Maclure, Scripture Union, 2008, ISBN 9781844272730, page 46 (pictured at left). Connected with the Revelation reading.

Drama: Words Don't Mean a Thing

Found in Mega Drama 4 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109186, page 104 (pictured at right). This is based on the Matthew reading.  

Poem: I think
Found in In Due Season by Herbert F Brokering, Augsburg Publishing, 1966 (pictured at left) in the Summer section.

Complete Service: Service for a Battered Woman

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

Drama: I Have Time 

Found in Mega Drama 6 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2002, ISBN 0859109208, page 104 (pictured at left) . This drama goes well with the Ecclesiastes reading.

Poem: God's Good Time

Found in The Electric Bible by Peter Dainty, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2003, ISBN 1 84417 041 1, page 77.  This poem is based on the Ecclesiastes reading.  

Storytelling

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 97. This activity is based on Psalm 8. 

Gingerbread

Found in Messy Church 2 by Lucy Moore, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008, ISBN 978 1 84101 602 3, page 167. This activity is based on Psalm 8. 

Discussion Questions: What is Important in Life?

Found in Chapter 1 of The Gospel According to the Simpsons Leaders Guide for Group Study by Mark I Pinsky and Samuel F Parvin, Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, ISBN 0 664 22590 X.  These questions are based on the Ecclesiastes reading.

Drama: Our Image of Jesus

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 37ff. 

Prayer: Remembrance

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 40 and based on the Ecclesiastes reading.

Poem: Lenten Series, A Time For....

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 51. Based on the Ecclesiates reading.

Reflection and Prayer:

By John Davies and found in Going Home Another Way by Neil Paynter, Wild Goose Publications, 2008,pages 53ff and based on the Ecclesiastes reading. 

Australian Floral Illustrations and Links:

Found in The Scrolls Illuminated by Fiona Pfennigwerth, Bible Society, 2011, pages 64 and 80-83 concentrate on the Ecclesiastes reading. Stunning!!  Images may be used for such purposes as church services, with acknowledgement of the artist. 

 Liturgies: Spring                                                                     Found in Navagatio: Pocket Liturgies by Safe Space Telford, Proost, 2007, ISBN 978 1 9066340 03 2, page 52ff. These use the Ecclesiastes reading. This has the wrong season but easily adaptable words.