November Things to keep in mind this week. Planning ahead. Ecumenical Prayer Calendar. Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

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1 SAT 17 FRI 16 THUR 15 WED 14 TUES 13 MON 12 SUN 11 25th Sunday after Pentecost 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 27 (32) Remembrance Day (Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom) Veterans Day (USA) Sunday, November 11 Saturday, November Things to keep in mind this week Planning ahead November 2018 S M T W T F S October 2018 S M T W T F S December 2018 S M T W T F S /30 24 / Revised Common Lectionary (Year B) Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24 28 Mark 12:38 44 Resources based on semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Liturgical colour: green If you have Internet access, visit to access Spirit Sightings for If you have Internet access, visit connections between current events and the focus passage. to access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Ecumenical Prayer Calendar Ecumenical Prayer Calendar Republic of Congo, Gabon, São Tomé and Principe Based on In God s Hands: Common Prayer for the World, ed. By Hugh McCullum and Terry MacArthur (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2006). Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost

2 Season of Creation, Pentecost Biblical Background November 11, 2018 Focus scripture Mark 12:38 44 Additional scriptures Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24 28 God of hope, lead all who are vulnerable to places of sanctuary where life may be sustained and hope may be found. Strengthen us to serve you in all we say, in all we do, in all we give. Seasons of the Spirit is based on the semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. The Way of Giving and Receiving Appearances loom large in today s passages. Gifts are not what they seem; the great come under scrutiny; widows receive honour. Solid things are revealed to be illusions, and valuables prove to be vanities. God s presence and our trust reveal the real. Focus scripture: Mark 12:38 44 Jesus warns against leaders who seek to draw attention to themselves by their dress, by the greetings they evoke, and by the places they take not just in society but also within the worshipping community. Their ethics reek to high heaven (devouring widows houses is about as low as you can go), while they keep up appearances with pious shows of long prayers. Communities where leadership is focused on prestige and trappings will invariably fail in their duty to care for the little ones, to use a term from Mark s gospel referring to those who are vulnerable. Jesus then draws attention to a destitute widow as she puts two copper coins in the temple treasury. She remains anonymous in contrast to the scribes who proudly project their egos to the world around them. In Greek, the word used for the widow s coins is lepton, which means a tiny thing. This lepton was the smallest coin, the smallest unit of money in circulation during that time and place. It would take between four to eight of these coins to make a penny. Jesus makes clear that this widow is poor (v. 42). There are two Greek words used in the New Testament for the word poor: one refers to someone who doesn t have a steady job (penes), the other describes someone who is a beggar (ptoche). Mark s widow is identified as ptochoi; she is the poorest of the poor. It is significant that the widow possesses two coins, since this means that she potentially could have given one to the treasury and kept one for herself. Instead, she gives it all, everything she had, all she had to live on (v. 44). In Greek, this verse reads that she literally gives her whole life. The widow s presence in the temple demonstrates sacrificial love but it also exposes the oppressive nature of a system that has made her destitute. Those two coins hitting the bottom of the treasury sound a reminder to the powers that be of their responsibilities to her and to all who are powerless. Will her call to be served by those who claim to serve God be answered? In our claims to serve God, how do we respond to those who cry out for justice? Jewish law is unambiguous in its demand for the care of widows. In Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17, Boaz acknowledges his obligation and the story attributes the birth of Obed to God s blessing. As in many passages in Hebrew scripture, just action results in blessing. Images of safety, security, and prosperity fill Psalm 127. The particulars are specific to the culture of the time and place, but the essence of the vision is universal and timeless. It s worthwhile to explore the connections between just giving and this picture of abundance for all. How does our trust in God enable blessings for all? The affirmation in Hebrews 9:24 28 is that Christ s offering is sufficient, justice has been done. Salvation is available to all who will live in trust. If justice has indeed been done, then we can have the courage to give everything. As in the psalm, when God builds we can live in confidence. How does justice result in blessing for all, both givers and receivers? What does God s call for justice, sounded in the drop of two small coins into the treasury box, mean for you? 150 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

3 Reflection and Focus November 11, 2018 Reflecting on the Word Adapt and use for youth and adult studies, sermon seeds, lay worship teams. Connecting with life In some cultural communities, if you compliment a person on their shirts or shoes, they would eventually remove that item of clothing and give it to you. The rationale is that if you like it, then you should receive it as a gift. What is your view on giving and receiving gifts? Do you prefer to give gifts or receive them? Scripture Mark 12:38 44 Jesus observes the activity around the treasury. He notices the crowd, the rich people and a widow who lives in poverty. In this teaching moment, Jesus encourages his disciples to consider a different way of understanding generosity, abundance, power, and scarcity. Jesus gives warning against the scribes who act spiritually for the sake of appearances. What do you do, in and out of the church, for the sake of keeping up appearances? Why is this important to you? Jesus states that the rich give out of their abundance, but the widow gives out of her poverty. What does attitude toward money reveal about understandings of scarcity and abundance? The widow s action is not only an example of faithful giving but also a demand for justice. The two coins hit the bottom of the treasury and sound a reminder to the powers that be of their responsibilities to the widow and all who are powerless. What might the story suggest about different practices of giving? What might the story teach about the use of church and community funds? What responsibilities do you think that church and society have toward people who have less power and privilege in society? Focus for Worship, Learning, and Serving A church was having a potluck meal. As people brought their dishes to the table, one woman, who was new to the church, brought a loaf of bread. An elder picked it up and gave it back to her. You don t need to contribute to the potluck, they said. Your family needs this bread, take it back home. The woman, not knowing what to do, picked up the bread and went home with tears in her eyes. Why did the elder have such a hard time receiving the gift of bread from this woman? What assumption is the elder making of this woman? What brought the woman to tears? How might she have felt in the community after this event? It is difficult for many in this congregation to receive gifts. Middle- and upper-middle class churches (and society) often focus primarily on giving. Perhaps giving Season of Creation, Pentecost Mark 12 includes difficult exchanges and controversies between Jesus and various people of power and influence, then ends with Jesus lifting up one of the least noticed and esteemed people in the temple and placing her in the centre of his teaching. What questions do these verses bring to mind for you? The widow gives all she has to live on. She gives her life. Does her story sadden or inspire you? Why? What are you willing to give up? Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17 The actions of Naomi and Ruth demonstrate loyalty and kindness toward each other that goes beyond the Law, and even beyond what is deserved. The Hebrew term for this is hesed, and is usually translated as loving kindness or security and wholeness. What kinds of security and wholeness did Naomi and Ruth provide for each other? In Hebrew, one meaning for the word widows is leftover pieces, another is silenced ones. It appears that the world has nothing to offer Ruth, Naomi, and the widow of Mark 12. The social, economic, cultural, and religious structures that supported them collapse with the death of the men in their lives. These three refuse to be victims. What can we learn about faithfulness and resourcefulness from these three women? Connecting scripture and life A line in the song Bring It to the Table by Canadian band revolve invites people to let your whole life speak. Similarly, Mark 12:44 translates the widow gives her whole life. In what ways do you think giving could let your whole life speak? How might you do this in a way that is not showy, like the religious leaders Jesus criticized? The song God Grant that We May Be Transformed (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7) asks: Release us from the power of pride, from selfishness us free. Bring us to that new life in Christ, of sharing willingly. What do these words say to you about the way of giving and receiving? is a more comfortable conversation as it calls attention to what we have to offer, implying and sometimes celebrating the authority, power, and riches within the community. Giving can also feed a prevailing ideology that our self-worth and status are attached to our possessions (what we have and what we can give). This week s theme challenges this idea by inviting us to focus on receiving. The ability to receive from others is challenging; it requires humility and a strong sense of self. It is important that the receiver understands that what they need or are lacking does not define who they are. In what ways do we as a church and community make it harder for people to receive what they need with dignity and respect? Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost

4 Prepare Worship Outline November 11, 2018 The Way of Giving and Receiving NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete, and add according to your local needs. Recruit volunteers needed for worship. Choose an option for hearing Mark 12: For the Bible story, arrange for a storyteller to present the story Love Shown by Giving on p For the thoughtful question, arrange for a reader and one other to bring the question and the story from Alydia Smith. Bring items for setting the worship space: three large boxes wrapped as gifts placed on or by the Communion table. Label the boxes: most valuable, most beloved; most precious; priceless. November 11 is Remembrance Day in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and Veterans Day in the USA. If red poppies are part of your tradition, you might have some displayed, or buttons available for distribution. Option: print the gathering reflection in your bulletin, or prepare to project as people enter. Bring song such as Come Build a Church (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 and #16 Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording are also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, You might choose to print the art image Love One Another on your bulletin cover (in the Images to Project and Print folder on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION). For For your gathering time, invite people to reflect on a gift that they had a hard time receiving. You might have this printed in your bulletin or projected as people enter. Call to worship One: Unless we love each other as God loves us, All: we serve only in part. One: Unless we seek justice for everyone, All: we welcome only in part. One: Unless we praise God with our whole self, All: we worship only in part. One: Come let us worship God with body, mind, and spirit. Gather background on the art and artist, see Connecting with the Art on p. 4. Set stations as described on p Music Suggestions All Are Welcome Marty Haugen; Seasons Songbook, vol. 9 Come Build a Church Ken Medema; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Friend to Friend Eduardo P. Hontiveros; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 For Everyone Born Shirley Erena Murray; Seasons Songbook, vol. 4 This Is My Commandment Jim and Jean Strathdee; Seasons Songbook, vol. 1 We Give Our Hands to You/Reamo Leboga Daisy Nshakazongwe; Seasons Songbook, vol. 1 When I Needed a Neighbour Sydney Carter Nothing Can Trouble/Nada Te Turbe Taizé Tis the Gift to Be Simple Joseph Brackett A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at Click on Library; Seasons Music Information. Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate. Opening prayer Great healer, lover of our souls: Bless this sacred time set apart for worship and praise. May this space be different from the places we left to come here. May this his space be a glimpse of your coming kin-dom and a foretaste of your glory. Amen. 152 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

5 Worship Outline November 11, 2018 Prayer of confession Jesus, we are eagerly waiting for you, come quickly to our aid. Forgive us when we are more concerned with appearance than practice; quantity than quality; being blessed than being a blessing. Forgive us when we are unaware of how our actions affect others. Engage Forgive us for the times that we are addicted to privilege and motivated by praise. Forgive us, correct us, transform us, and lead us in your way. Amen. Words of affirmation Friends, God calls us to do better. With God s help, and the loving support of each other, we can demonstrate a glimpse of the change that we hope to actualize in our homes, community, country, and world. Opening the word Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17 The Bible is full of stories that are meant to surprise us. They are meant to remind us that things are not always as they seem. These stories ask us to pay attention to the people who are usually neglected and overlooked, people like Ruth. As a young widow, Ruth is like a mustard seed in her society, small and easy to ignore. But if we take the time to really see her, we will see something completely different. We will see remarkable strength, inspiring courage, and radical devotion. Read Ruth 3:1 5; 4: Moving into the focus scripture Gift boxes Refer to the gift-wrapped boxes on or by the Communion table. One is labelled most valuable, most beloved; another is labelled most precious, the third is labelled priceless. Ask for suggested gifts you, as a congregation, might offer people in your community. Make suggestions of your own; for instance, in one box might be the Communion set (the gift of grace and hospitality), or poppies (a gift of remembrance). Mark 12:38 44 Choose from the following for hearing the focus story. Bible story Have a storyteller present the story Love Shown by Giving. Thoughtful question After reading Mark 12:38 44, have someone enter from the side bringing the following question and then offering the story from Alydia Smith. Is it possible to give too much? (Pause and look around before continuing.) Alydia Smith writes, When I was called into ministry, I was told to be like the widow of Mark 12; to give all that I have, without reservation to the service of God, and I would receive it back, with interest. I wanted to give my all, but I did not trust the receiver. What if my all was not accepted? What if I received nothing in return? What if I gave until there was nothing left for me to give, to God, to others or to myself? I wanted to give my all, but I was mindful that my church, like most large denominations, is rooted in racism. Slavery was supported and justified by the church. When wealthy slave owners tithed their offerings, it was not denied. Much of my church s wealth comes from the enslavement of my ancestors. It felt wrong to sacrifice everything to an institution that has exploited and oppressed my people for generations. I wanted to give my all, but it only felt right to give my all to God, so I did. Trusting that I was not serving a particular congregation or denomination, but that I was serving God who would cherish anything I offered with a full heart. And mindful that small and surprising actions are often the most lasting acts of resistance. Reflection for after the reading from Mark Today s readings from Ruth and Mark show examples of two women in difficult situations because of a tremendously unfair and unjust system that kept woman reliant on men for survival. Reflect on how the full personhood of these women was diminished by societal and cultural norms. Throughout history, the church has been used to reinforce and justify such oppressive norms as the norms about widows being highlighted today. In the history of your church, what are the oppressive norms that you have helped to maintain throughout your past? Be honest. Are you still helping to support these oppressive norms? What can your community do to address this injustice and start to change the practice? After the focus scripture Invite children, young people, and all who wish to move to the stations. Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word. Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost

6 After proclaiming the word, you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations, taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice. Sing or listen to a song such as Come Build a Church as people gather together again (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7, #16 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, Prayers of the people Giving Saviour, we bring to you the situations, places, people, and things that stop us from sleeping and cloud our thoughts (moment of silence). We bring to you the things that cause us to smile involuntarily and make water pool in the corners of our eyes (moment of silence). Receive our prayers and, whenever possible, help us to go deeper. The people of God are revolutionary, countercultural, rebellion leaders! Go with God, creating new paths where there once were none. Go with Jesus, breaking down walls and systems that exclude and oppress. Special Days Commentary Respond Bless Worship Outline November 11, 2018 Grant us the wisdom and compassion to develop a heightened awareness of the situations around us, ever mindful of how others might be experiencing the same situation differently and why. We join these prayers together in the prayer that Jesus taught us (prayer of Jesus). Amen. Invitation to offering Our offering is one of the only things that is measured by personal intent and impact. The value of our offering is based on God s economy, not our own. Prayer of dedication or offering prayer God, in your great commonwealth, love is the highest currency. Please accept these gifts as a love offering towards the work of your kin-dom here on earth. Amen. Go with the Spirit, resisting and persisting any force that tries to keep you down. Amen! November 11 Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/ Veterans Day At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the armistice laying down of arms was signed to end the First World War. Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day, while others name it Remembrance, recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I the war to end all wars and the many wars that have taken place since. November 12 Baha u llah s Birthday (Baha i) The birthday of the founder of the Baha i faith is often observed with prayers, feasts, and community activities. Baha u llah was born in Nur, Persia, in Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

7 Poetry and Prose November 11, 2018 Just Giving The world is in the midst of a refugee crisis. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in 2016 there were 65.6 million people forcibly displaced from their homelands; this included refugees, asylum seekers, and people who are internally displaced from their homes. The reasons for forced migration are multiple: it could be due to war, famine, environmental degradation, natural disasters, or political persecution. Regardless of the reason, people who flee have no other choice but to leave their possessions behind. The pace of displacement is quite high: the UNHCR notes that every minute 20 people are displaced from their homes. In recent years, the majority of the world s refugees have come from Syria. A brutal and raging multi-year war in Syria has resulted in more than 5 million people fleeing the country since (More than 6.3 million people have been internally displaced within the country.) People were suffering. Many countries around the world opened their doors to Syrian refugees, while others intentionally closed their borders, and made it very difficult for refugees to enter and settle. Canada was one of the many countries who opened its doors, and tens of thousands of Syrian refugees have been settled in various parts of the country. People from churches and nongovernmental organizations, as well as private individuals, are involved in the resettlement efforts. In many cases, to quality as a refugee sponsor, a person needed to raise an assured amount of money to financially support the incoming refugees, as well as provide emotional and logistical support when they arrived. Adele Halliday Despite the financial support which often covers an incoming family s basic necessities such as housing, food, and clothing many refugees arrive with very little and start their lives in Canada with next to nothing. These refugees became landed immigrants upon arrival in Canada and are spread across the country as they resettled. In 2014 several arrived in western Canada, in the province of Alberta. About one year later, as they had begun to settle, an uncontrollable wildfire razed in the northern Alberta town, Fort McMurray. It blazed for days and forced the province s largest evacuation in its history. More than 80,000 people fled their homes, and more than 1,600 homes were destroyed. It was some of the province s newly settled Syrian families, living in more southern parts of the province, who were among those who gave generously in the efforts to rebuild. Some gave whatever they could afford, even though they had very little to spare. Several said that they were ready to give whatever they could. Some gave of the little they had to live on. Some gave a few dollars, which was all they could afford. Even Syrian children gave: some children collected their newly acquired toys and offered to give them to people in need. They were determined to help others. After personal hardships, losses and suffering, Syrian immigrants of all ages quietly gave as much as they were able. Thousands of dollars were raised through their generosity, and their offerings were honoured. What might you give in the context of community? Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost

8 Love Shown by Giving Based on Mark 12:41 44 One day Jesus was in the temple talking to his friends who had gathered around him. They were sitting opposite the thirteen wooden boxes that were used for collecting money. A label was put on each box to identify the type of donation it would hold: for the upkeep of the temple, for purchasing food for the people who worked in the temple, and for helping the poor. These boxes were usually placed in a public place so that every contribution was accompanied by a loud clanking sound. Every person in the courtyard could hear the giver dropping in the coins, and often eyes would turn toward the sound. It was expected that everyone would give money to the temple and to the poor as part of their service to God. A man dressed in fine robes walked up to one of the treasury boxes. He carried a large bag of coins that clattered loudly as they fell into the receptacle. He looked around at the people, hoping someone noticed how much money he had put in. Then another man proudly walked up and deposited a handful of gold coins. Yes, I am a generous person, he thought. God will be very pleased with me. And he, too, quickly glanced around and saw just how many people nodded their heads in approval at such a grand gift to God. All morning, people paraded past Jesus and his friends and headed towards the treasury boxes. And each person seemed to give more money than the last person. And each person made sure the sounds of the coins would be heard throughout the room. Jesus sat quietly looking and listening. Bible Story November 11, 2018 Then along came a poor woman, a woman who didn t have any family. All she had were two tiny little coins the smallest coins imaginable. When she thought nobody was looking, she shoved a hand into her tattered pocket and brought out the two coins, opened her palm and dropped both coins into a treasury box. The coins hardly made any noise at all. The woman stood for a while, said a silent prayer, and then turned and walked away. She hoped no one noticed her. Not so. Jesus noticed her. She had come so quietly that Jesus had to point her out to his friends. Look, Jesus said to his friends. It may surprise you to hear that this woman has put more into the temple treasury than anyone else today. The friends looked at each other in astonishment. How could two small coins be worth more than all those coins? You see, explained Jesus, the other people had enough money that they could afford to show off their generosity and still have money left in their pockets. This woman was very poor, yet she has put in everything she had. If you give only to show off, or if you give to God only what you consider to be left over from everything else, you have not given from the heart. This woman gave from her heart. She gave a gift of love the biggest gift of all. All heads turned to watch the woman as she left the temple. Again, Jesus had given everyone something to think about! A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFusion. Bible story Materials recording of today s story Love Shown by Giving, player, paper, crayons, pencils, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see; alternatively, arrange for a storyteller to present the story The practice of storytelling Directions 1. Listen to the story Love Shown by Giving. 2. Use the art supplies to record your response to the story. 3. What does the story tell us about Jesus? 4. The temple is a busy place, and there is a lot going on amidst all this activity Jesus notices a woman and her actions. 5. What important events do we give our attention to, and in doing so, what do we miss? 156 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

9 Stations November 11, 2018 Living, Learning, Growing as Disciples The following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other For your convenience, instructions are formatted places around the church. Choose one or more practices, depending on your for printing and available in the Stations folder space and numbers. Display the directions. on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION. The article Connecting with the Art on page 4 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups. You might choose to add an Art Engagement station each week using, one of the art engagement ideas. Jar of good deeds Materials Bibles, small canning jars or plastic cups, construction paper, scissors, glue and tape, tongue depressors, fine-tip permanent markers, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages The practice of helping others Directions 1. Take one jar or cup and create a label with the construction paper and markers that says, Jar of good deeds. Attach it to the jar. 2. Next, take several tongue depressors and think of acts of kindness or good deeds you can do for others. Thinking about today s readings from Mark 12:41 44 and Ruth 3:1 5; 4:13 17, what might you do to reach out and support the widows or widowers in your congregation/community? What might you do to help a single parent or military spouse? Write one idea on each tongue depressor. 3. Take these sticks and your jar home with you. Put them somewhere you will see them (near your TV or computer, perhaps) to be reminded of the good deeds waiting to be done. When you ve performed a good deed, place the stick in the jar. When it s full, empty it and start again, this time removing the stick from the jar until it is empty, and so on. Chain of gifts Materials construction paper or copy paper in a variety of colours, scissors, markers, stapler, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see. Suitable for all ages working together The practice of giving Directions 1. Cut the construction paper into 5 cm/2 in strips. 2. Think about the talents and gifts that you have to share with others. Think about the gifts you share at home, work or school, and in your church community. 3. Write each gift on a strip of paper. 4. When each person at this station has written down a few of their gifts, start creating a chain by first stapling the ends of one strip together to make a link and then place another strip through the first link, staple the ends, and so on. (Note: You might also invite everyone in the congregation to write one or two of their gifts on strips of paper and then add them to this chain of gifts.) 5. Bring your chain back to worship and during the offering time, bring the chain forward as a symbol of giving your gifts to God. Younger children Ask younger children to write or draw something they are good at on a strip of paper. Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost

10 Reflecting on sacrifice Materials paper, pens, pencils, Bibles or copies of today s focus scripture, invite people to bring their personal journals to this space, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Poster Suitable for ages 15 adult Materials variety of recycled magazines that have plenty of pictures, poster board, scissors, glue, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages Internet search Materials computer, Internet access, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for ages 9 adult Stations November 11, 2018 The practice of journalling Directions 1. Reflect in your journal using these prompts: One of the themes of today s focus scripture is sacrifice. The widow in Mark gives out of her poverty, and gives generously compared to the other people coming to the treasury. What does the word sacrifice mean to you? What are three examples of sacrifice from your own life, or an example that stands out from recent news? Sacrifice can be difficult, and many times, true sacrifice is costly in some way. What aspects of making a sacrifice for others are easy for you? What is challenging? What s a sacrifice someone has made for you? What was the impact on your life? What could you sacrifice right now for the good of others? What could you give up that would be a gift for others? Can you commit to this one time or for one day, one week, one month? The practice of giving thanks Directions The last two coins that the woman gave to God tell us that she loved God. All the gifts God gives to us tell us that God loves us. 1. Search through the magazines for pictures that show God s gifts to us. 2. Glue those pictures onto poster board. 3. Think of a title such as Thank you, God, for all the love you give to us. 4. Find a prominent place in your church to display your poster. The practice of exploring the world of art Directions Many different artists have painted the story of the woman giving her last two coins to the temple treasury. 1. Use the Internet to search for some of these images. (One easy way to find some images is to use a search engine, type in the words widow s mite and click on images. Note: a widow is a woman who no longer has a husband. A mite is a tiny coin that is worth very little.) 2. How did these various artists see this woman? How do these pictures differ? What may the artist be trying to express in each painting? 158 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

11 create A few coins can make a big difference when we share them. Decorate this label. Wrap the label around a jar or can (make sure there are no sharp edges!) and glue it in place. Cover your jar or can with a square of construction paper and hold it in place with a rubber band. Cut a slit in the cover. Use your jars to give what you can. Talk with a grownup about people with whom you might share these precious gifts. A Poor Woman's Gift Look at me, said the rich man. See how much money I am giving to God! The man put a big bag of gold coins into the box. Jesus and his friends were watching. They were sitting in the temple, where there were boxes for people to put money into. The money was to pay for things in the temple, such as fixing the walls or buying food for the people who worked there. Jesus was glad people gave money to the temple. But Jesus didn t like the way some people bragged about how much they gave. I m giving even more money than that! said another rich man as he put a bigger bag of money into the box. Jesus shook his head. He was sad. Children's Activity Leaflet November 8, 2015 Children's Activity Leaflet November 11, 2018 story time Then a very poor woman came by a woman who didn t have any family. All she had was two tiny little coins. When she thought nobody was looking, she put them into the money boxes. Look, Jesus said to his friends. She gave the biggest gift of all! But all she put in was two tiny little coins, said Jesus friends. It was easy for the rich people to put in those bags of money, said Jesus, because they still have lots more money at home. It was very hard for the woman to give those two small coins. But When those rich men go home tonight, they will have lots to eat. But who will care for this poor woman who has given all she had? slightly adapted from Lectionary Story Bible: Year B by Ralph Milton. Copyright 2008 Wood Lake Publishing Inc. Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc

12 2 activity Use paints or markers to decorate this drawing. Use your decorated picture to tell the story to your family and friends. Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc