2016 National Lutheran Schools Week RESOURCE MANUAL

Transcription

1 2016 National Lutheran Schools Week RESOURCE MANUAL

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter....3 Presidential Proclamation....4 Introduction....5 Worship Together Sunday or Celebration Service Praise Together....6 Chapel Time and Worship....7 Chapel Talk Message Life Together Monday Pray Together Tuesday Learn Together Wednesday Reach Out Together Thursday Serve Together Friday Play Together The Lutheran Identity Life Together, Life Forever Poster Sample Bulletin Insert Sample Graphic Sample Additional Resources Copyright 2015 The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossways Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymn texts with the abbreviation LSB are from Lutheran Service Book, copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Texts with the abbreviation LSB Agenda are from Lutheran Service Book: Agenda, copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Hymn texts with the abbreviation AGPS are from All God s People Sing!, copyright 1992 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Life Together, Life Forever, copyright 2015 Dr. Jeffrey Burkart. Cover photo: BananaStock/Thinkstock Resources in this publication may be duplicated for use by LCMS schools.

3 WELCOME IT S NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK, time for a celebration! This week, we celebrate the fact that more than 157,000 students attend 2,111 Lutheran schools located across our great country. In this celebration, we will recognize, experience and give thanks for the lavish gifts that God bestows upon us His love, grace and mercy. We also give thanks to God for this opportunity for our schools to serve within the context of our life together within sponsoring Lutheran congregations. In our life together among our family of believers, 1,190 preschools allow little children to hear about how God loves them and welcomes them into His family. In many cases, our teachers have the opportunity to make known the love of Jesus to children and families who are living outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and celebrate the opportunities that we have been given to share Jesus with a parent s most precious possession: his or her little children. In life together with their congregations, teachers serving in 842 elementary schools intentionally integrate their Christian faith in all school subjects, thereby supporting Christian parenting in the home. Students are empowered to witness about their faith in Jesus to others. They learn to pray with and for other students and school families. Our schools provide the congregations of our Synod with an excellent opportunity to invite school families to engage within the life of the supporting congregations. In 85 Lutheran high schools, Christ-centered instructors are dedicated to offering quality educational experiences to those who acknowledge Christ as their risen Savior, as well as to those who do not yet know the Lord. Our high schools enroll students with a broad range of abilities, place these students with teachers of excellence and then produce clear results of academic success and Christian leadership. Lutheran high school students are taught and empowered to boldly defend their faith in a world that is often openly hostile to the Christ-centered worldview. Lutheran high school students are provided with venues for service to share their faith in word and deed. Through a unique educational system involving more than 2,100 schools, our church body provides unparalleled opportunities for LCMS congregations to engage with the community. Join us again this year as we thank God and celebrate our life together in Lutheran schools. Sincerely in His name we serve others. Terry L. Schmidt Director, LCMS School Ministry The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

4 2016 NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK PROCLAMATION Whereas, Scripture promises that, God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9 ESV); and Whereas, That fellowship, or life together in Christ, is created by Him. It also creates a life together with others in Christ, and that fellowship manifests itself in Lutheran schools across the country, in art rooms and gyms, in cafeterias and on school buses; and Whereas, Dr. Martin Luther believed strongly that a Christian education ought to be of paramount importance to parents and guardians, writing that, Where the Holy Scriptures are not the rule, I advise no one to send his child. Everything must perish where God s Word is not studied unceasingly (Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, 1520); and Whereas, Christ s free gifts of wisdom, thought, effort and inquiry are daily promoted in Lutheran classrooms, hallways and chapels, encouraging thoughtful discussion and rigorous study that find their beginning and end in Him alone; and Whereas, The Synod continues to hold up learning as a mission priority, bearing witness to the world that promoting and enhancing Lutheran education is important not only to Lutheran educators but to the Church at-large; therefore, be it Resolved, That Jan , 2016, be officially proclaimed as National Lutheran Schools Week in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Whereas, Pastors and church workers continue to champion Lutheran education and all its benefits; and Whereas, They do so because Lutheran schools mesh high-quality education with sound theology, providing an environment that accomplishes that which Dr. Luther discussed: emphasizing God s faithfulness and the certainty of His Word, while also being distinctly education-focused and learningdriven; and Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison President, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Whereas, Lutheran schools embody the Synod s emphasis on life together that is, joyful fellowship grounded in a common, faithful confession of who Jesus is and what He has done and they also remind all students of their value and worth on account of Christ, highlighting that which is at the heart and core of what makes Lutheran schools and students unique; and LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

5 INTRODUCTION God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9 ESV). Lutheran schools demonstrate life together every school day. Students, staff, parents, congregation members and other ministry partners gather in the name of the One who brings us together, Jesus. In the theme text, the apostle Paul celebrates that we were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We are together because Jesus gave His life and is alive again. The 2016 National Lutheran Schools Week emphasis provides Lutheran schools with the privilege of celebrating life together within the school and congregation contexts, in the homes of school families and into the communities that the schools serve. National Lutheran Schools Week is an opportunity to step beyond the routine of school ministry to share the mission of the Lutheran school and celebrate the blessings of a Lutheran school ministry. Worship is the primary expression of life together in a Lutheran school. The Worship Together resource includes suggestions for a worship assembly as well as daily classroom and staff devotional materials. While celebrating life together, students, staff and other ministry friends and partners are then invited to PRAY together, LEARN together, REACH OUT together, SERVE together and PLAY together. Each of the five themes might be the focus of a school day or intertwined throughout the week. Activities to live out each theme in the church, school, community and home are included. Each Lutheran school setting is encouraged to live out the theme in ways that make the celebration relevant to their setting. Life Together in Christ provides a meaningful theme for one special week in the life of a Lutheran school, church and community. Gathered around God s Word and directed by the Spirit, the broader impact of the theme is expressed in the Life Together, Life Forever celebration hymn: Life together, now and ever, is the promise that God gave. May God bless your celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week now and evermore in the promises He made to us. Rev. Robert Riggert Author of Life Together in Christ LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

6 Worship Together: Sunday or Celebration Service PRAISE TOGETHER Theme Text God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1:9. Additional Hymns All Who Believe and Are Baptized (LSB 601) We Are Called to Stand Together (LSB 828) Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds (LSB 867) Lessons Is. 1:18 20; 1 Cor. 1:4 9; John 17:20 26 NLSW Song Life Together, Life Forever Collects Note especially the collects for: Baptismal Life (LSB, Page 309f) Home and Family (LSB, Page 315f) For a parish school (LSB Agenda, Page 276) For the mission of the Church (LSB, Page 305) Liturgy Divine Services for Sunday setting or Responsive Prayers for weekday settings (from LSB) Message Thoughts See Chapel Talk section Hymns From All That Dwell Below the Skies (LSB 816) Blest Be the Tie That Binds (LSB 649) LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

7 Responsive Prayer 2 (LSB, Page 285) Worship Together CHAPEL TIME AND WORSHIP Opening (L Leader, C Congregation) L: O Lord, open my lips, C: and my mouth will declare Your praise. (Ps. 51:15) L: Make haste, O God, to deliver me; C: make haste to help me, O Lord. (Ps. 70:1) Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Hymn From All That Dwell Below the Skies (LSB 816) Readings Is. 1:18 20 Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 1 Cor. 1:4 9 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. John 17:20 26 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds (LSB 649) Chapel Talk LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

8 Kyrie (Mark 10:47) L: O Lord, C: have mercy. L: O Christ, C: have mercy. L: O Lord, C: have mercy. Lord s Prayer (Matt. 6:9 13) L: Taught by our Lord and trusting His promises, we are bold to pray: C: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Apostles Creed C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen. Collects L: Let us pray. For a parish school (LSB Agenda, Page 276) L: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, since You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, graciously enlighten those who teach and learn at this school that they may know the truth and trust in You all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. Baptismal Life, Morning (LSB, Page 309) L: Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessing remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness, and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. C: Amen. For home and family (LSB, Page 315) L: Visit, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep all harm and danger far from them. Grant that we may dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, sharing eternally in Your blessings; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. For the mission of the Church (LSB, Page 305) L: Almighty God, You have called Your church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the Good News of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

9 Morning Prayer (Small Catechism) C: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. Closing Hymn Life Together, Life Forever (Burkart, 2015) Other Hymns And Songs All Who Believe and Are Baptized (LSB 601) We Are Called to Stand Together (LSB 828) Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds (LSB 867) Blessing L: The Lord bless us, defend us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. C: Amen. All Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymn texts with the abbreviation LSB are from Lutheran Service Book, copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Texts with the abbreviation LSB Agenda are from Lutheran Service Book: Agenda, copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Life Together, Life Forever, copyright 2015 Dr. Jeffrey Burkart. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

10 Worship Together: CHAPEL TALK MESSAGE IT S GREAT TO BE TOGETHER! THE WORDS It s great to be together are heard from those who have gathered together. The family context may be a Christmas, Easter, anniversary or other special celebration. School friends may be reunited after years of separation. Friends in Christ celebrate being together. Gathered for the Divine Service, we rejoice, saying, It s great to be together in Jesus name. In the perfection of Eden, Adam and Eve certainly celebrated their relationship with God and each other, saying, It s great to be together. Those perfectly together in the Garden of Eden were suddenly separated by sin. God and man would never be together again. Husband and wife would never experience life together in harmony with God and one another. Brokenness is seen in sibling rivalry and, ultimately, murder. Lutheran school students, staff and families live in the reality of broken relationships. Lutheran schools share the message of the Law that sin separates. God intervenes in the broken creation with the promise that there will be life together again. Noah and his faithful family are huddled together on the ark, awaiting new life after the flood. The family of Israel anticipates life together again in the Promised Land. A remnant of Judah waits for life together after exile in Babylon. God s people knew that only He could bring about life together and that His promise would be fulfilled in the Messiah. Jesus comes as the Life and, by His suffering and death, fulfills all God s promises and brings life now and eternally for all who believe in Him. Lutheran school students, staff and families share the Good News that Jesus is the Life and because of Him we are blessed with life together. The church celebrates, saying, It s great to be together. It s great to be together around the baptismal font, to be together hearing and living the Word, to be together at the Lord s Table. The message and Means of Grace and life empower every Lutheran school partner and context. Lutheran schools celebrate, saying, It s great to be together. Faculty members gather together, guided by God s Word and sharing blessings and concerns in prayer. Students gather together in classrooms, beginning each day in the name of Jesus and asking His blessing on their day together. When Satan attempts to misdirect the ministry with broken relationships, partners in Lutheran school ministry build on the reality that we have life together in Jesus. Lutheran school families celebrate, saying, It s great to be together. Life together in Jesus unites the family in devotions around the family table and prayer at the bedside of children. Family celebrations have added joy because Jesus presence strengthens the bond. When family crises threaten the togetherness of the family, the resurrection and the life brings peace and hope. It s great to celebrate life together in Lutheran schools. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

11 Life Together: MONDAY PRAY TOGETHER Scripture Text: Luke 22:39 46 Theme Verse: Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation (Luke 22:46b). Student Devotion: Prayer Places Where are your prayer places? You may have prayer places at home: around the family table or in your bed at night. (Explore other personal or family places with the children.) We have prayer places at school. We pray in our classroom. We pray in the lunchroom before a meal. (Explore other school places with the children.) Jesus prayed in many places by Himself and with His disciples. (Students can share places where they remember Jesus praying.) The Bible tells us that in the last hours before He went to the cross, Jesus went to one of His prayer places the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew that in a few hours He would experience horrible suffering and be nailed to the cross. Jesus shared His agony with His Father and then He prayed, Not my will, but yours, be done. Because Jesus went to the cross, we have the forgiveness of our sins and the privilege of praying to our heavenly Father. Jesus wanted the sleepy disciples to stay awake and pray with Him. Jesus knew that they, too, would face temptations in the next hours. Jesus knows that we face many temptations in all sorts of places. To help us face our temptations and to help us face our trials, Jesus gives us the privilege and the places to pray. Classroom Conversations: How is our classroom a prayer place? How is our church a prayer place? What prayer places do you have at home? Do you have other places you like to pray? Prayer: Dear Jesus, because You are with me everywhere, I can pray anywhere. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayers. Help me to pray as You prayed, seeking the will of our heavenly Father. Amen. Staff Devotion: Prayer Priorities I ll be praying for you. Have you ever made that statement to another person? Many of us have heard the needs and concerns of others and have promised our prayers. Have you kept your prayer promises? Many of us confess that our promised prayers have been sporadic at best. We move on to other activities, and we forget to pray. New prayer needs draw our attention, and others petitions are moved on (and off) the prayer list. As Jesus was about to experience the agony of His Passion, He withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. His desire was that His disciples would make prayer a priority. If Jesus had polled the disciples months or even hours before the journey to the garden, the disciples would likely have promised, We ll be praying for you. However, in the hour of trial, sleep became their priority. The forgiveness of Jesus that is ours through His sacrifice on the cross covers all areas of our weaknesses and failures. We are forgiven our misplaced priorities, including our prayer priorities. Jesus invitation comes anew to us: Rise and pray. One of the privileges of ministry in a Lutheran school is that prayer is a priority. Staff devotions and meetings include prayer. Every school day and every school activity begins with prayer. Staff celebrations invite prayers of thanksgiving. Staff burdens warrant petitions for healing, comfort, direction and other divine intervention. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

12 Staff Dialog: How can we keep our promise when we say, I ll be praying for you? Who are you praying for? How can we hold one another accountable to our prayer priorities? Prayer: Dear Jesus, like the disciples in the garden, we, too, fall asleep in our prayer opportunities. Help us to listen to the needs of others. Help us to listen to You, Lord, as You direct our lives and answer all of our prayers. Amen. School and Family Activities Classrooms can take a prayer walk around the neighborhood (or around the school), stopping to pray for families, fellow students and so on Organize a school prayer vigil Have a prayer Skype with a Lutheran school in another region or country Explore biblical texts on prayer Share a psalm prayer of the day Have children (or a classroom) publish their own prayer book Draw a hand and note five prayer designations (self, others, family, etc.); post the prayer hands on a classroom or school bulletin board Invite congregation members to adopt a school family and pray for them Encourage prayer buddies in the school or classroom Use resources from Lutheran Service Book: sing hymns on prayer (LSB ); explore and use Prayers, Intercessions, and Thanksgivings (LSB, Pages ); use the service for Daily Prayer (LSB, Pages ) Pray for a missionary or mission field LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

13 Life Together: TUESDAY LEARN TOGETHER Scripture Text: Luke 2:39 40 Theme Verse: And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom (Luke 2:40a). Student Devotion: My, How You ve Grown! Has anyone ever told you, My, how you ve grown? Perhaps your grandparents or others who haven t seen you for a while note how you ve gotten taller and broader. While many note how you ve grown physically, we also might note other ways you ve grown. Throughout the school year, month upon month, grade after grade, you ve grown in what you know or understand. You ve grown in the ability to read, solve math problems and use resources, as well as in lots of other classroom skills. As a boy, Jesus grew in every way that you grow. We can imagine Jesus family and neighbors in Nazareth commenting, My, how you ve grown. Jesus grew physically, and He also grew in wisdom. Jesus learned about the world His heavenly Father created. In our Lutheran school, we are blessed to learn together. We, too, grow in wisdom as we learn all the subjects that make up our daily classroom schedule. We are blessed to learn about Jesus. Jesus the child grew into the man who came as a teacher and miracle worker. Most importantly, we learn about Jesus who came as Savior. Through the Holy Spirit, we are blessed to believe what we learn. The Spirit moves the message from our brains to our hearts. Your teachers, parents, pastors and others who care about you want you to study hard and grow in knowledge about many things in the world. We are blessed to be in a Lutheran school where we can learn about Jesus every day. We are thankful for all the people who help us to grow and especially to grow as children of God. Classroom Conversations: How does your school help you to grow? What s your favorite topic to learn about? What have you learned about Jesus this year? Prayer: Let me learn of Jesus; He is kind to me; Once He died to save me, Nailed upon the tree. When I go to Jesus, He will hear me pray, Make me pure and holy, Take my sins away. (AGPS 156:1 2) Staff Devotion: Lifelong Learners What have you learned lately? The students are not the only learners in a Lutheran school. Everyone (teachers, administrators, office staff, etc.) is learning. Perhaps the learning involves a new curriculum or teaching technique. Technological advances always involve learning. Our learnings go beyond our classrooms and profession. Perhaps we ve learned a new skill, hobby or bit of trivia. Lutheran school staff learners are students of God s Word. As the teacher prepares to lead the staff devotion or teach the religion lesson, the Bible may be on the desk as a textbook. However, Lutheran school teachers search the Word for more than assignments, lesson preparations or devotional obligations. As the lies of the world and the lies of Satan misdirect teachers and students from the truth of the Word, Lutheran school teachers are blessed and directed by the Spirit to celebrate God s eternal truths for them and for their students. The truth of Jesus centers all learning and teaching on the cross. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

14 When Jesus faced temptation, He spoke the Word He had learned (Luke 4:1 12). When Jesus was questioned as to His being and purpose, He spoke the Word He had learned. When Jesus hung on the cross, He spoke the Word He had learned (Matt. 27:46). If the all-knowing Son of God learned and lived the words of Scripture, certainly we in our weak and sinful human nature need to read and listen to that Word so that we might not only learn the truth of Scripture but also believe those truths for ourselves and share them faithfully with the children in our school. Prayer: God s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations. Amen. (LSB 582) Staff Dialog: What have you learned lately? What have you learned (or relearned) from God s Word lately? School and Family Activities Host a book fair Have classroom or school science, geography or history fairs Host a family literacy night where children read to parents and parents read to children Sponsor a career/vocation day where congregation members and parents talk about their vocations Encourage multi-age (older student/younger student) or multi-generational learning experiences Encourage a family learning project, such as a family genealogy study Invite congregation members to come in to read to students, tutor students, etc. Have a quilting group (or other church group) teach children their craft Have staff share their favorite books, hobbies and other learnings ( What have they learned lately? ) Develop mini-courses based on student interests led by members of the church community LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

15 Life Together: WEDNESDAY REACH OUT TOGETHER Scripture Text: John 5:1 15 Theme Verse: The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him (John 5:15). Student Devotion: What s Different? What s different? is a classroom question for all age levels. Preschool children may be asked to identify what s different in comparing two simple and similar pictures. As the grade levels advance, the comparisons get more detailed. What was different about the Pool of Bethesda? When Jesus went to this site in Jerusalem, He encountered a group of different people blind, lame and paralyzed. Their physical differences had separated them from their peers. Jesus, the all-powerful Son of God, heals the paralyzed man not by putting him into healing waters but by speaking a healing Word. In a later dialog with the healed man, Jesus speaks of His primary mission: Sin no more. Jesus comes as the One who heals us from our sin. Sometimes we let our differences separate us. We have different interests, different personalities and different abilities. Jesus doesn t see our differences. He sees all of us as the sinners that we are. He died for every one of us. We are healed from our sin in the healing waters of Baptism. Jesus now sees us as His forgiven and loved children. All Lutheran school students are different. We are not different from our friends in other schools because of our looks, dress, what we know or other common comparisons. We are different because we have daily opportunities to confess what we believe: that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world. We are different because we know about God s grace for us in Jesus. We see one another as children loved by God and gifted in different ways. It s great to be different. It s great to accept and celebrate the differences in others. Classroom Conversations: What is great about being different? How do we respond when others make fun of someone who is different? How can we reach out to those who may appear to be different? Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for making a difference in our lives. You died for us so that we would no longer be lost in sin but live differently as forgiven children. You created different colors of skin, different personalities and different abilities. Help us to accept and celebrate the differences in others for Jesus sake. Amen. Staff Devotion: Poolside Encounters Wouldn t you love a poolside encounter? Perhaps you picture a relaxed summer scene. Perhaps you picture a spring break escape to a quiet poolside, reading a book or enjoying a cool beverage. Jesus had a poolside encounter. Jesus wasn t vacationing or seeking to escape people. Jesus was always looking to interact with sinners and those who needed His care and compassion. Jesus went to the poolside of Bethesda to encounter the blind, lame and paralyzed. When Jesus encounters His audiences, He deals with the reality of their physical maladies and the reality of the spiritual malady of sin. The all-powerful Son of God touches and heals. On Jesus journey to the cross, He encounters the hopeless and helpless. There is no pool of water that can take care of sin. There is only the pool of His cleansing blood. Jesus takes us to the pool of grace in the waters of our Baptism and in the cup of Holy Communion. In His grace, Jesus invites us to believe and to be cleansed in the pool of grace. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

16 Jesus has healed us so that we might be His representatives at the pools of ministry. Who s at your poolside? Certainly, God brings students, families, fellow staff, neighbors and others to your poolside. We are blessed to be Jesus voice and touch. We anticipate and welcome many of the poolside encounters, but then Jesus may bring someone who is difficult to understand, accept or even love. We seek Jesus forgiveness and then remember that at the Bethesda poolside it was Jesus who healed. We are not the source of love or the instrument of healing. Jesus is! Staff Dialog: Who s at your poolside now? What challenges do you face in being Jesus instrument to someone in need? Prayer: Jesus, thank You for reaching out to me. You saw my need for healing from the sickness of sin, and by Your suffering and death, You healed me. Help me to see those in need in the poolsides of my life and ministry. Help me to accept them as they are and then to see them Spirit-led to You. Amen. School and Family Activities Explore the ministry and resources of Bethesda Lutheran Ministries and offer prayer and financial support Visit a homeless mission; prepare meals for or provide supplies for a homeless mission Take an online mission trip or Skype a missionary Contact LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces or a local veterans group and reach out to servicemen and women Visit a nursing home (take notes, pictures, cards, etc.) Explore Lutherans For Life or other pro-life ministries to reach out to the unborn Reach out to a special-needs group home or ministry in the community Contact the pastor to reach out to members confined to home, nursing homes, hospital, etc. Reach out to the students in another classroom with random acts of kindness Conduct conversations on respectful treatment of everyone in school and elsewhere (anti-bullying) LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

17 Life Together: THURSDAY SERVE TOGETHER Scripture Text: John 13:1 17 Theme Verse: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet (John 13:14). Student Devotion: Could I Do That? One child sees another enjoying a project, game or some other energetic or entertaining activity and asks, Could I do that? We all want to be part of the fun. However, if the task is hard, dirty or in other ways demanding, we may be less likely to volunteer. Few people in Jesus time saw a household servant washing feet and asked, Could I do that? Jesus, the King of creation and Lord of lords, found Himself washing His disciples feet. He went from the room and did even more. He did what only He could do. He went to the cross and suffered and died for our sins. We can t do what Jesus did. We can t do the miracles that Jesus did. We can t pay for our own sins or anyone else s sins. Only Jesus could do that, and He did. Washed by Jesus blood, we are blessed to serve others. We can do what Jesus did for His disciples in the upper room. We can wash feet. We may not actually wash feet, but we can do things to help others. We can even do some things that we d rather not do. We can do hard and dirty things for others. We can see something that demonstrates Jesus love and ask, Could I do that? There may be a mess in the classroom, dishes to clear off the table at home, a friend who needs our kind words, and we can ask, Could I do that? Thankful for Christ s sacrifice on the cross and His total commitment to and accomplishment of our salvation, we respond in humble acts of service, giving all glory to Him. Classroom conversations: What could you do to show Jesus love in school? What could you do to show Jesus love at home? What have you been blessed to do that may have been hard or even dirty? Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for doing what no one else could do dying for my sins and rising from the grave again. Because you did that, I am forgiven and freed to do things for others so that they might see Your love through me. Help me to see the things that I could do, and help me to do them lovingly for Your sake. Amen. Staff Devotion: Servant Teachers Somebody s got to do the dirty work. We may casually and perhaps even resentfully make that comment. Lutheran school ministry is often dirty work not only for the custodian or cleaning crew but also for the teacher, administrator, office assistant, pastor and others. Jesus did the dirty work! In the upper room, He washed feet. The dirty work was just beginning. The words in the courtroom of the high priest and Roman officials were dirty. The treatment by the disciples and soldiers was dirty. The walk to the cross was dirty. The soldiers did not nail Jesus to the cross with sanitized hands. It was dirty. When Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus body from the cross, it was a dirty job. When the women went to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning, they anticipated a dirty burial duty. Jesus has taken away the dirt of sin and cleansed us. The angel at the tomb was dressed in clothing white as snow (Matt. 28:3). We, too, are clothed in the whiteness of Christ s righteousness. By Jesus death and resurrection, the dirty work of salvation is completed, and we are claimed and cleansed so that we might be about the dirty work of being Jesus hands. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

18 There s a lot of dirty work in Lutheran schools. Parents who misunderstand us, students who frustrate us, team members who disappoint us, support systems that fail. But Christ s death, example and love free us to serve willingly and joyfully, not seeking glory for ourselves but desiring to bring Him glory. We get to be the ones to do His dirty work. Staff Dialog: What dirty work have you seen done recently? How do we help one another with the dirty work? Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for washing the dirty feet and my dirty heart. Thank You for those who have lovingly washed the dirty corners in my life and who have been your instruments of care and concern. When the dirty work comes, help me not to be resentful, but fill me with Your Spirit to be willing and joyful in response. Amen. School and Family Activities Serve lunch (or a snack) to the students in another classroom Invite a senior citizens group from the church or community to the school and serve the group cookies or other snacks Collect food items for a local food pantry Have children develop coupon books for service to family members (or teachers) Invite families to serve the church/school by taking care of a cleaning task Serve the community by cleaning up a park or playground Organize children to serve in the worship service by ushering, greeting, etc. Invite families to serve their neighbors/neighborhood through an act of service LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

19 Life Together: FRIDAY PLAY TOGETHER Scripture Text: Mark 10:13 16 Theme Verse: And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them (Mark 10:16). Student Devotion: The Gift of Play What is your favorite time of the school day? Many students quickly respond, Recess. Recess is playtime. It s a time to play with friends, play at a favorite place on the playground or play a favorite game. Our school is a place to pray, learn, worship, serve and play. Do you think Jesus played? As a child in Nazareth, Jesus no doubt played with friends. Jesus was true man in every sense. He worked, and He played. We can especially picture Jesus playing with children. While Jesus would be very serious in teaching children the things of God, Jesus also would smile, sharing the wonders of His creation. While Jesus would certainly be angry at those who disobeyed Him, He also would joyfully praise with those who worshipped Him. Jesus had fun. Jesus loved to play. Jesus gives us the gift of play. There are a lot of things about school that are serious. We act very reverently in worship. We treat our teachers and others very respectfully. We do our best in all the subjects of school. Lutheran schools also are places where we laugh and play. We have the greatest joy of all knowing that Jesus is risen from the dead and that He is victorious over sin and Satan. We know Jesus is always with us and we will be with Him in heaven. So, have some fun and play in your Lutheran school! Classroom Conversations: What do you think Jesus played as a boy? What do you like to play at school? How can you make your classroom and school a play place? How can we praise God as we play? Staff Devotion: Playing Together Parents and teachers comment to kids, You have to learn how to play together! That s good advice for adults also. We are expected to serve together, work together, worship together, plan together and do all sorts of other tasks together. Has anyone asked you about playing together? Playing together does not have to involve playing a trick on another person (and that also may be OK), and it doesn t mean doing playground supervision together (that s working together). Playing together means a joyful attitude, a kind spirit, a ready smile, a sincere good morning, a warm have a good evening and a host of other expressions, words and actions that display the joy of teaching in a Lutheran school. Obviously, not every task and day is happy (note the dirty work devotion). Not every relationship is always Christ-like, or every word uplifting. Lutheran school staff members are all sinners. They all have their weaknesses. They all have their burdens. Lutheran schools are Easter places in all seasons of the year. The Good News that He is risen indeed fills our hearts, classrooms, staff lounges, meeting rooms and every ministry setting of a Lutheran school. Lutheran school servants always take their calling seriously. Lutheran school servants take their responsibilities seriously. Lutheran school teachers also have their playgrounds and playtimes. The faculty lounge can be a playpen. The faculty meeting can sometimes be a playtime. Christian author Leonard Sweet writes, When our lives become God play, we can hear echoing in our- LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

20 selves the assuring words Jesus heard at the Jordan River: You are my beloved. You bring me great pleasure. Life is not work. Life is play (The Well-Played Life, Tyndale, 2014, Page 38). Play together, Lutheran school servants! Staff Dialog: Do we know how to play together? How do you like to play together outside the school setting? How is play God s gift to us? Prayer: Jesus, we picture You at play as a child in Nazareth. We picture You playing with children. Lord, You have called us Your children and invited us to play in Your grace. We thank You for the playtimes in our life where we are refreshed. Give us a spirit of play as we serve You together. Amen. School and Family Activities Host a game night for families Organize a family fun night at the school or at a community play area (bowling, roller skating, ice skating, etc.) Clean up a play place a park or playground Plan a playtime for the neighborhood Invite other church groups to school ( Come play with us! ) Host a father/daughter dance Host a family field/fun day with outdoor games Collect play things (games, toys, etc.) to give to a children s hospital or other charity Explore a staff vs. student activity ( Let s play with each other! ) LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

21 THE LUTHERAN IDENTITY LUTHERAN SCHOOLS are diverse in setting and style: large and small; rural, suburban and urban; traditional and classical; early childhood, elementary, high school and university. Lutheran schools are diverse in culture with faces of all colors and families from many backgrounds. Lutheran schools are diverse in context as they are local and global. Whatever the diversity or distinction, Lutheran schools celebrate life together in confession and mission. Lutheran schools are together in confession. Lutheran school teachers are commissioned and installed, as they respond, Yes, I believe and confess the canonical Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice, Yes, I believe and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds because they are in accord with the Word of God, Yes, I make these Confessions my own because they are in accord with the Word of God (LSB Agenda, Pages ). As an extension of the ministry of the local congregation or under the requirements of a Recognized Service Organization, Lutheran schools adhere to the Word of God and the historical Confessions of the church. Lutheran schools share and celebrate life together as a church that confesses the Lord who proclaims: I am the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Lutheran schools are together in mission. God s inspired witness, John, summarizes his Gospel: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31). Each year, Lutheran schools welcome children who have never heard of Jesus, the Life who brings life. These children experience many aspects of life together in a school setting lessons, lunch, recess, athletics, music and school programs. As the Word of God is proclaimed in Lutheran school worship, Bible lessons, prayers, hymns and the witness of teachers and students, the Spirit brings Jesus, the Life, into the hearts and lives of students and families. Life together is begun through Baptism, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit (Luther s Small Catechism, Baptism How can water do such great things? ). God uses Lutheran schools in mission to bring the greatest blessing of life together with Jesus forever. National Lutheran Schools Week provides an opportunity for Lutheran schools to celebrate their confession and share their mission as they celebrate life together. We were made one in Christ Jesus Through baptismal water pure And the Word of God together Ever in our Lord secure. By the power of the Spirit We once died and rose again! Now together, as God children, One in Christ we shall remain. ( Life Together, Life Forever v. 4) LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

22 LIFE TOGETHER, LIFE FOREVER Sung to Hymn to Joy (the tune for LSB 803 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee ) by Jeffrey E. Burkart 1 Life together, life forever With the Father, Spirit, Son; Life together, life that never Ends because our Savior won Our salvation through His dying And His rising from the grave. Life together, now and ever! Is the promise that God gave. 2 We were made for life together; God created us to be Living ever in the garden One with God eternally. But we chose to walk in darkness Loving self instead of God. Life together, lost forever; On sin s lonely path we trod. 4 We were made one in Christ Jesus Through baptismal water pure And the Word of God together, Ever in our LORD secure. By the power of the Spirit We once died and rose again! Now together, as God s children, One in Christ we shall remain. 5 Life together, life forever! Praise to God the Father sing. Life together, life forever! To the Son let praises ring. Life together, life forever! To the Holy Spirit we Sing in joy for life together With the Holy Trinity! 3 Then the LORD had mercy on us; Promised He would send the Son Who would bring us back together And with God again be one. Born a child, dear Jesus entered This world torn apart by sin So that we could live together And as one new life begin. Life Together, Life Forever copyright 2015 Jeffrey E. Burkart. All rights reserved. Written for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod s 2016 National Lutheran Schools Week celebration. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

23 POSTER SAMPLE Life Together in Christ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor. 1:9 ESV) lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek Download PDF at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

24 BULLETIN INSERT SAMPLE Lutheran Schools Sharing the life-changing message of Jesus love with more than students, their families and the community 250,000 1,190 Early Childhood Centers 85 High Schools 842 Elementary Schools Raising up the next generation of faithful Christian disciples ) Experiencing and celebrating God s lavish gifts or love, grace and mercy ) Sharing those gifts with others ) Being transformed by God s Word ) Clinging to the cross of Jesus Providing excellent academic preparation ) Developing love for and excitement about learning ) Excelling at reading, writing and effective communication ) Training minds for success at the next academic level ) Creating strong work ethics, critical thinking skills and ability to relate well with others Learn more: 888-THE LCMS ( ) lcms.org/schools Download PDF at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

25 GRAPHIC SAMPLE Download at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Additional resources including theme images, daily posters, a worship power point presentation and more are found at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek. LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST: National Lutheran Schools Week

26 1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO THE LCMS ( ) lcms.org NLSW16 E