Resource | HolyLand Adventure | Jericho | Bible Buddy

"Jericho" was conceived as a week-long Vacation Bible School in the style of Group Publishing's HolyLand Adventures.  However, to get things moving and field test some ideas, I offered a one-hour version as a fall follow up to our summer "Wilderness Escape" VBS.  

Like the earliest HLA VBS programs, Jericho has at this point a single "Bible Buddy."  His name is Kelev, which is the Hebrew word for "dog."  Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg talks about the significance of the name here.  The word "kelev" is also related to the name "Caleb," who will be mentioned throughout Jericho.

Here is the full-color illustration of Kelev:

This  is a line drawing of Kelev, which can be used for coloring sheets, etc.:

This is what Kelev might have looked like as a petroglyph during ancient times... And, yes, he is facing the opposite direction from the previous two illustrations, but there is a reason for that...:

And here's one way we incorporated Kelev into the program.  Since the children were required to wear masks, it made traditional face painting impossible.  So I carved a rubber stamp of Kelev and we offered "temporary tattoos" using kid-safe inks.  Remember, when carving asymetrical designs on rubber stamps, you have to reverse the image so it prints correctly.

And here's what the printed image looks like:

Songs and Hymns for First and Second Lesson Sermons

Year A

Lectionary 14

Semicontinuous Psalm (alternate): Song of Solomon 2:8-13

His Banner Over Me Is Love, The Other Songbook (Based on Song of Solomon 2:4)

Year B

Lectionary 22

Semicontinuous First Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-13

His Banner Over Me Is Love, The Other Songbook (Based on Song of Solomon 2:4)

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 30 A | Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The Ten Commandments (1956).

Featuring Charlton Heston (Moses) and Yul Brynner (Rameses II).

The death of Moses is foreshadowed in the final scene of Cecil B. DeMille’s epic, the final film he directed before his death in 1959. Forbidden by the Lord to enter the Promised Land, Moses says good-bye to his wife, known in this film by her Greek name “Sephora” (Yvonne De Carlo). Passing leadership to his successor, Moses gives his staff and mantle to Joshua. As Moses lays his hands on Joshua’s head, he responds, “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Moses instructs Aaron (John Carradine) to give Eleazar (Paul De Rolf) the Books of Law to put in the Ark of the Covenant. Moses sends the Israelites (and movie viewers) out with the commission: “Go! Proclaim liberty throughout all the lands to all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10).

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 27 A | Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

The Ten Commandments (1923)

Featuring Theodore Roberts (Moses).

The story of Moses makes up the first part of Cecil B. DeMille’s silent film, a precursor to the 1956 epic film.  Moses receives the Ten Commandments in dramatic fashion. Each is “written with the finger of God” through primitive--but impressive--special effects. Moses then inscribes them on tablets.  You can watch clips at www.tinyrurl.com/MosesMovie07.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 26A | Exodus 17:1-7

 

Moses (1995)

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), David Suchet (Aaron),  and Enrico Lo Verso (Joshua).  

The “water from the rock” story is often left out of movies depicting the Exodus.  However, this movie does include a parallel story from the book of Numbers.  In this scene, Moses is mourning the death of his sister, and we see him lash out in anguish, grief, and anger.  Quite a contrast to the emotions seen in last week’s film clip. Watch the scene at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie06.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 25A | Exodus 16:2-15

 

Moses (1995).  

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), Frank Langella (Merneptah), Christopher Lee (Ramesses), and Geraldine McEwan (Miriam).  

The Israelites awaken to discover “manna” falling like large snowflakes.  As it accumulates on shrubs, they taste this bread from heaven.  “It is delicious!”  “Like coriander seed!”  After the intense scenes we’ve watched in previous weeks, it is nice to see the joyful expressions on the faces of Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and the others as they receive the gifts of manna and quail from the Lord.  Watch a short clip at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie05.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 24A | Exodus 14:19-31

The Prince of Egypt (1998).  

Featuring the voices of Sandra Bullock (Miriam), Sally Dworsky (Miriam singing voice), Michelle Pfeiffer (Tzipporah).  

After the plagues and the death of the first born, Moses leads the Hebrew people out of Egypt.  As they leave, Miriam and Tzipporah sing “When You Believe.”  The Hebrew children sing words from Exodus 15, verses 1, 11, and 13.  The song received an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song, in 1999.  Watch it at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4a  Continue watching as the people of God cross the Red Sea and watch for the whale shark!  Visit tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4b