Tod Gobledale

Peter’s Easter, dramatic reading — Tod Gobledale, UK

Luke 24:36-38   (a version for today) While the disciples discuss the resurrection news, Jesus stands among them and says, ‘Peace be with you.’ Startled and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost.  Jesus asks, ‘Why are you frightened and, why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ We join fearful Peter now to listen to […]

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Acceptance – Mary Magdalene monologue — Gobledales, UK

Meditation of Mary Magdalene By Tod& Ana Gobledale Those men, those disciples, they are not going to listen, I can tell you that now. They have always been suspicious of me. Right from the start, they wonder what Jesus thinks, getting mixed up with someone like me. I know what they will say, mark my […]

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Induction Prayer — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

God, companion and guide, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for accompanying us all as we embark upon this new leg of the journey with you and with the companions you send our way along the road. Help us look forward with joy and anticipation, knowing that the past rests securely and […]

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What more do you want from us? – Tod Gobledale, Australia

To accompany the lectionary readings on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A — Psalm 119:33-40 and Romans 13:8-14 Supplies: a cross, towel and basin, and a soft (stuffed) animal toy set out on a table or other central focal point one heavy hammer and 2-3 large nails mop and bucket photos of children facing […]

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Doubting Thomas, dramatic reading — Tod Gobledale, UK

John 20: 24-25 (a version for today) When the other disciples tell Thomas that they have seen Jesus, Thomas replies, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in those very same nail marks, and thrust my hand into his wounded side, I will not believe!’ Let us […]

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Lazarus Prayer — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

God, sometimes we feel like Lazarus—dirty, unclean, poor, with nothing to offer the world. And yet, sometimes we are guilty of acting like the rich man. Many things – wealth, possessions, beliefs, opinions, fears – can limit our hopes, limit our discipleship, and keep us from living and loving as you would have us. We […]

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Luke 15, Lost and Found — Tod Gobledale, UK

Luke 15:1-32 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Bible:  Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that is lost until you find it? saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’…  […]

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Peace, Watched Word by John Potter, UK

Prayer for peace & illumination — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

Dearest Friend, gentle spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your speaking entered the void and light burst forth. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that your speaking extends to us today, that your light illuminates our world and our lives. Even as we […]

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Easter Prayer — Tod Gobledale, UK

Good news! Christ is risen! The stone is rolled away, life has triumphed. We sing our hymns of rejoicing to you. Even as we rejoice, we pause. For we know all is not right in the world. You are crucified again and again, laid in a grave, a stone sealing your tomb. You weep with […]

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Good Friday words — Tod Gobledale, UK

Who will keep watch with you? Who will stand with you? Your disciples disappear into the darkness. Their resolve dissolves. Denial. Detained. Assaulted. Battered. Like a detainee of today shuttled from pillar to post. From Pilate to Herod, from court to court. Crucified. Yet, even from the cross you plead for us, “Forgive them for […]

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Mary Interviewed, drama — Tod Gobledale, UK

‘I am doing a new thing’ – an interview with Mary of Bethany Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 (Lectionary readngs for Lent 5, Year C) Characters:   P = Preacher; M = Mary P: Will you pray with me? God of new things, this morning we ask you to calm the cacophony of our hearts and minds, […]

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Be prepared, Children’s Advent Message — Tod Gobledale, UK

Matthew 24:42-44 A Children’s Message for Advent Picture 1: Grasshopper playing fiddle + Once upon a time, on a warm summer’s day + A grasshopper stands in a field and plays his fiddle.       Picture 2: Grasshopper & Ant +The grasshopper sees an ant working hard carrying something. + The grasshopper calls to […]

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Autumn’s Bounty — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

A responsive prayer Luke 12:13-21 Provider of Life, creator of the earth and all that is in it, we lift our prayers of thanks to you For the beauty of the earth that surrounds us, For spring flowers that dazzle us and summer’s greenery that delights us, For autumn’s bounty that sustains us and prepares […]

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Communion, Children’s Message – Tod Gobledale, UK

Pentecost (5 Aug 2012) Year B Materials: Loaf of bread (unsliced) Travel communion set Bag in which the above items are held (out of which they are drawn) Script: Pull out bread and ask:   What is this? When do you eat bread? When do we eat bread in church? Bread is important. Pull out communion […]

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Welcome: I come in peace, a Zimbabwe greeting — Tod Gobledale, UK

For Pentecost 11, Year B Supplies: bag (cloth is best, less noise) Welcome sign Script I have something in my bag…. (Take out a welcome sign or the word ‘Welcome’ printed on a piece of paper.) ‘WELCOME.’ What does ‘welcome’ mean? … take responses Safe Part of the group How do you make someone feel WELCOME? […]

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Words Matter, Children’s Message — Tod Gobledale, UK

Arising from the Book of James Picture 1: Girl at school Once upon a time…a new girl comes to school. Picture 2: Map of UK with arrows from old home (Edinburgh) to new home (London); the map may be of any relevant country and towns. She comes from far, far away. She talks differently. She […]

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Busy-ness Advent Prayer — Tod Gobledale, UK

Isaiah 40:1-11 Mark 1:1-8 God, in the busy-ness of this season, help us remember the wilderness where your people meet you over and over again. We remember how even Jesus, busy teaching, healing and seeking justice, even Jesus took time out for re-freshment, re-newal and re-creation, retreating to draw closer to you. As we remember […]

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Down to the river, Advent Drama — Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK

Mark 1:1-8 Let us look back in time about 2000 years and join a mother working in her kitchen, preparing for the Chanukah holidays.  She worries about her nineteen year old daughter who disappeared leaving chores undone.  Let’s listen in. Mum:         That girl! She knows there is work to be done: floors to sweep, water […]

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Reign of Christ Sunday Intercessory Prayer — Tod Gobledale, UK

As we enter into this intercessory time—thinking and praying for others—let us first seek to still our spirits’ restlessness. I invite you to close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale, filling your lungs…. Exhale, emptying your lungs…. Inhale, fill your lungs…. Exhale, empty them…. Inhale… Exhale. Pray with me. Jesus, they hanged you […]

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Songs of Praise, Children’s moment — Tod Gobledale, UK

This children’s message was initially incorporated into a Songs of Praise service in which several church members (of all ages) chose a favourite hymn and shared why it is special to them. Download a ready-to-use script: Children’s message – Karl Barth & music PDF Children’s message – Karl Barth & music WORD Lectionary links This […]

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I, Mary Magdalene, an Easter drama — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

What words do we use to describe the mystery of Easter? Bodily resurrection?  Spiritual continuum? Risen?  Risen indeed? What words might Jesus’s friends have used to explain their experiences that day? This dramatic sketch, which might be titled, ‘Called by name’, presents words Mary Magdalene might have shared. Ready-to-print downloads of full script: Easter drama – […]

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Teenage Mary calls home, an Advent monologue — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

Title: I have good news…and bad news… Readings:  Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-55 This dramatic monologue, a phone conversation between pregnant teenage Mary and her Mum, was originally written as the sermon accompanying the lighting of the Advent Candle of Love.  It can be used effectively anytime during Advent. Notes: Mary pauses throughout the conversation when […]

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Mark 9:30-37, dramatised — Pentecost 18, Year B — Tod Gobledale, UK

Reading/Acting parts: Storyteller, Jesus, Peter, Thomas, Judas There is no need to require memorisation; allow readers to hold and read scripts. Full script ready to print and use: PDF Mark 9, 30-37 – drama WORD Mark 9, 30-37 – drama Script Storyteller:      Jesus and his disciples travel through their home country of Galilee.  Jesus teaches a […]

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Samuel (1) 3:1-10 drama, Call Waiting — Ana & Tod Gobledale

1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:35-41 Call waiting Introduction — Inclusive characters: Hearing a Bible story from a new perspective offers the opportunity for new, and often unexpected, themes and messages to arise in the ears and hearts of the participants and listeners/viewers.  As we prepared the drama to depict the interchange between Samuel and Eli, […]

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Alpha & Omega, Children’s Message — Tod Gobledale, UK

Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13 — Lectionary reading for Christmas and New Year A,B,C; Easter 2C, 5C and 7C, All Saints Day Year B, Pentecost 27B (Proper 29B) Alpha & Omega: Introducing the symbols of the church to children   This message offers children the opportunity to look around the sanctuary or worship room and discover […]

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Jonah 3:1-5,10 Drama — Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK

Dramatic presentation of Jonah 3:1-5,10 God changes… and invites us to change, too.     Printable ready-to-use copies of drama to download: WORD Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah PDF Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah Script Pray with me.  God may the words of our mouths and the thoughts of all of […]

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Keeping promises,Children’s message, Luke 2:22-40 — Tod Gobledale, UK

Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Readings for First Sunday after Christmas, Revised Common Lectionary Year B This is intended to be used with a group of children gathered together around the worship leader.  One or two children will suffice; more is delightful. Preparation: small child-size chair, for worship leader soft cloth bag large enough to hold […]

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Wedding banquet prayer — Tod Gobledale, UK

Pray with me. Indeed our hearts are overflowing with joy! As we sit at these tables, tables filled with the earth’s bounty for our celebration, we remember and give thanks, Eternal One, for your unnumbered blessings in our lives. We give thanks for family and friends gathered here. We remember loved ones not with us […]

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No to Bullies, Children’s Message — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

Standing up to bullies:  Anna & Martin make change (reform) happen Works well for Reformation Sunday; could be adapted to remember another person who stood up to bullies, historic or current. I have something in my bag. What’s this? … DVD – Frozen Who has seen Frozen? Who are the characters?  Who do you see here? […]

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Prayer for peace, Order of St Luke — Tod Gobledale, Australia

Dearest Friend, gentle Spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your Word entered the void and said, ‘Let there be light.’ This afternoon we sit mindful that we are kin and covenanted to that Word and to your light. We are grateful to you, […]

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