SCRIPTURE/FALL SCAVENGER HUNT

Transcription

1 SCRIPTURE/FALL SCAVENGER HUNT In your packet are a brown-colored leaf and a set of fall-themed stickers. Each household (individual or family) is encouraged to complete at least three and up to five activities described in this booklet. This becomes your Scripture/Fall Scavenger Hunt. As you complete an activity, paste one of the stickers on the leaf. When you ve completed at least 3 or more, sign the leaf (if you choose), bring it to the church and place it on one of the fall trees that are in the back of church before our October monthly G.R.A.C.E. session. Each activity opens up a connection to the Bible and explores how to understand the Bible as God s Word to us. In addition, each activity ties into some fall activity and/or image. Enjoy this follow-up activity to our September G.R.A.C.E. session. May God s Word inspire you to a deeper experience of the wonders of this season. Happy Fall, SS. John & Paul Parish Pastoral Staff

2 FALL ACTIVITY #1 WRITING A PERSONAL/FAMILY PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE WONDER OF CREATION Read Genesis 1:1 2.4, an imaginative story of creation. What are the awesome/amazing things of creation, little as well as big, that we can thank God for? After reading, thinking about/discussing the story of creation from Genesis, write a prayer that captures your sense of thanksgiving. You might make up your own refrain (for example, God s goodness is everlasting or God has made it good or Give thanks to God for his blessing or any other short refrain) as part of the prayer. Then pray the prayer before a meal, using that refrain after each naming of what we are appreciating. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.

3 FALL ACTIVITY #2 TAKING A WALK IN NATURE AND APPRECIATING DIFFERENT TYPES OF GROWTH Read Mark 4:2-9 or Matthew 13:4-9, the parable of the sower and the seeds. Connect the Scripture to our lives by thinking about/discussing what in our life acts as good soil for growing as a Christian and what hinders that growth like the hard ground, rocky soil or thorns. Take a walk/hike at Stoney Creek or other park or trail. Be attentive to all the variety of nature growing around you. Notice the rocky or hard ground that allows for little growth as well as areas that seem to thrive and connect it to what you thought/discussed about the passage above. For children, if you wish, draw below something you saw on the nature hike. For adults, if you wish, take pictures and put them on the computer for viewing. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.

4 FALL ACTIVITY #3 VISITING A CEMETERY Read John 12:24-26, the grain of wheat How do we try to protect ourselves or keep ourselves from being broken open? Jesus uses the word hate and this is often misunderstood. How might we understand what he is saying in a way that does not tell us to literally hate people? Fall calls us to reflection on death and dying, yet always in a spirit of hope. Visit a cemetery in the area. If you know someone who is buried there, go to their gravesite and look at the name and years of life. Talk about what that person was like. What they had to face in life. What you appreciated about them. If you don t know anyone at the cemetery, just pick a headstone and read it and think about what was happening during those years of life and what that person would have lived through. End with a prayer for that person that includes asking for strength in your life. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.

5 FALL ACTIVITY #4 THE TRADITION OF THE 5 GRAINS OF CORN Read Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd. Where are the green pastures and restful waters in our life right now which we are thankful for? Where are the valleys of darkness that we need to get through, trusting and having confidence in God s presence? Begin the fall tradition of the 5 grains of corn. Pop/buy a bag of popcorn. At meals during the week, put just 5 kernels of the popcorn at each table. Before starting the meal, think about the meaning of one of the kernels (explained below) and share/reflect on it. This practice started as a New England custom, a reminder of the hard early winters the pilgrims faced when the corn supply was low and so only a few grains of corn could be given to each individual at any one time. To remember those sacrifices which enabled the settlers to survive, this custom was developed. Eventually each kernel came to express gratitude to God for a different type of bounty: 1) autumn beauty; 2) family; 3) God s love and care; 4) friends; and 5) freedom. If you wish, use the space below to list what was thought/talked about with each of the kernels of corn. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf. AUTUMN BEAUTY: FRIENDS: FAMILY: FREEDOM: GOD S LOVE AND CARE:

6 FALL ACTIVITY #5 TAKING AN INVENTORY AND DONATING TO A FOOD PANTRY Read Luke 12:16-21, the parable of the rich fool. What do we hold onto too tightly? Where is there some excess in our life that is not necessary? Spend a few minutes taking an inventory of our food cupboards and food storage areas. Is there anything there that might not be needed or considered in excess of what we really need in the days ahead? If so, gather it together and donate it to Samaritan House in Washington Township ( )or the Agape Center in Romeo ( ). For children, if you wish, color in some of the food items below. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.

7 FALL ACTIVITY #6 VISITING AN ORCHARD Read Matthew 9:35-38, the laborers are few. Where do we see opportunities for using our gifts and talents? Where in our family, church, or community do we see a real need for helping out? Talk about the idea of vocation : God calls us to us to use our gifts and talents to serve. To what is God calling us? How might we serve in the church or help the church community? Fall is often orchard time. Make a visit to an orchard mill in the area. If possible, take the time to personally pick the apples. Think about how the cider is made. Reflect on how much labor goes into the food we get or eat. Say a prayer for all those who produce the food for us. For children, if you wish, name and draw various types of apples and all the ways apples are turned into various kinds of food for us. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.

8 FALL ACTIVITY #7 RAKING AND BURNING LEAVES; GETTING GARDENS READY FOR WINTER Read Matthew 13:24-30, the parable of the weeds in the grain. Where in our lives do our strengths also at times cause problems? Where are some weaknesses that can turn into blessings? Whom do we too harshly judge for their faults and fail to appreciate their good side? Plan a leaf-raking (and if allowed) burning day or a garden ending day where dead flowers are pulled and spring bulbs prepared. Think/talk about the beauty that was in these leaves/flowers and connect it to all the good in us and others. As we burn or throw away the dead leaves/flowers, think about what attitudes in our life we can let go of that are not life-giving. For children, if you wish, color in the picture below. When completed place one sticker on your Activity Leaf.