MULTIAGE. (Ages 5 12) Weekly resources for the lively one-room learning environment. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany

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1 MULTIAGE (Ages 5 12) Weekly resources for the lively one-room learning environment Advent, Christmas, Epiphany RCL Year A November 28, 2010 to March 6, 2011

2 Contents Multiage (Ages 5 12) This Season...1 This Season, So Ideas for leading ages 5 12 this season...2 November 28, 2010 Ready and Waiting...3 December 5, 2010 Vision of Peace...11 December 12, 2010 Heartbeat of Justice...19 December 19, 2010 God with Us...27 December 26, 2010 Cosmic Praise...35 January 2, 2011 Epiphany January 9, 2011 Possibilities Unfolding...51 January 16, 2011 All That We Are January 23, 2011 Called Together...67 January 30, 2011 Vision Beautiful...75 February 6, 2011 Restoring Beauty...83 February 13, 2011 From the Heart...91 February 20, 2011 Expanding Boundaries...99 February 27, 2011 Putting Love First March 6, 2011 Dazzling Reign Extra Resources Advent s Beginning The Functions of Art and Imagination About the Art Reading Matthew from the End Evaluation form Printed material included with this resource: Music Section with words and music for the seasonal songs Posters Christ in Cookham Christmas Creation (1987) Landscape with Tree Starry Night over the Rhone Word of Light From Start to Finish provides suggestions for beginning and ending the year, plus an overview of Seasons of the Spirit. It can be downloaded from the Library at Ages 5 12 writer and editor team: Carol Wehrheim, Sandi Marr, Christine Battjes, Susan McIlveen, Susan Burt Cover design: Katherine Carlisle Illustrations: Anna Payne-Krzyzanowski Cover: Word of Light (La Parole de Lumiere). Corinne Vonaesch. Copyright Corinne Vonaesch. Used by permission. Wood Lake Publishing Inc., Seasons of the Spirit Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Printed in Canada. Seasons of the Spirit resources for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany is a collaborative effort of an international and ecumenical community that includes participation by Seasons writers, editors, resource persons, and members of the Seasons Production, Marketing/Interpretation, Customer Service, Business Operations, and Publishing Teams. Participants at the Seasons Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Writer Conference included Christine Battjes, Patricia Bays, Chip Borgstadt, Susan Burt, Amy Crawford, Sean Gilbert, Rebecca Grothe, Dorothy Henderson, Sandi Marr, Jeffrey Nelson, Susan McIlveen, Ken Ostermiller, Donna Scorer, Cathie Talbot, and Keri Wehlander. Seasons of the Spirit is based on the Revised Common Lectionary, copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT). All rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. Copyright 2010 Wood Lake Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. See Terms of Use. For permission information contact permission@spiritseasons.com. ISSN: Published by: Wood Lake Publishing Inc Jim Bailey Road Kelowna, British Columbia Canada V4V 1R2 Phone: Seasons of the Spirit resources are produced collaboratively by teams of writers, editors, and resource persons from Australia, North America, and the United Kingdom. The teams include representation from denominations such as Anglican and Episcopal, Presbyterian, the United Church of Canada, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodists, and The Uniting Church in Australia. Please Note! Everything in this resource marked with this symbol can be photocopied for use in your church during Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Everything else is copyright protected unless otherwise stated. At Wood Lake Publishing, we are committed to caring for the environment and all creation. Seasons of the Spirit resources are printed on SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified and chlorine-free papers using vegetable oil inks suitable for children s packaging. Wherever possible, we offer digital options on Seasons products.

3 This Season Advent, Christmas, Epiphany The focus readings for these three seasons of the Christian year lead us from the call to be ready and waiting, and expect the unexpected, to the vision of Christ transfigured and the dawning understanding of the disciples of what God s reign might mean. The sombre blue and purple colours of Advent remind us that Jesus was born into a world of uncertainty, a world where tyrants threatened and peace seemed elusive. We hear the promise of a child from Joseph s point of view and take courage from Joseph s example of faithful living in troubled times. In the white/gold Season of Christmas, we join with all creation in a hymn of praise to God. In the Season after the Epiphany, we stretch to catch the vision of peace and justice that God intends. This year, there are nine Sundays in the Season after the Epiphany and this gives time to engage more fully with the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus in the gospel of Mathew. From the Beatitudes to Jesus reflection on the demands of the Law, we are encouraged to dig more deeply into these teachings to discover what is at the heart of the law and gospel. We are challenged to discover what it means to live in God s ways and to experience anew the sacred call to participate in God s mission of love. The colour for these Sundays is green, the colour of growth and renewal. This is a time for heeding our call and to grow in Christian faith and discipleship. The art images that accompany us during these seasons include images of revealing, of the natural world praising God the creator, and of human lives touched by the presence of Christ in their midst. All these express a vision beautiful, the revealing of God s realm in our midst. 1

4 This Season, So Before the opening session Prepare yourself. Go to regularly to see what interests you for your own growth. Visit the Seasons website to access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage for each session. Continue your preparation with the beautiful art posters for this season. Spend a few moments just looking at them. Then read About the Art (p. 133) as you look at the array of posters. Another source of nurture for you is Behold: Arts for the Church Year. This 28-page arts resource explores themes of the season through a diverse and beautiful collection of images, writings, and scripture. To order, contact your curriculum distributor for information. As you look over this guide, note activities that particularly interest you, or that need special materials or extra preparation. Read The Focus for Ages 5 12 for each session to gain a general idea of how the children in your group might approach these Bible texts. If children of this age are new to you, read about them in the booklet From Start to Finish. It can be downloaded free from the Library at It is also available in the folder From Start to Finish on the SeasonsDisk. Then spend time in prayer before you begin to plan the first session. Advent, Christmas, and the Season after the Epiphany Read the letter to families (p. 123). Add a sentence or two particular to your church school program and the plans for your group. If you are a new leader, how would you like to introduce yourself? Perhaps you would like families to read the focus scriptures during the week. If so, include a schedule of the dates and texts. Perhaps you will invite the children to join in a congregational Advent project, and tell the families about it so they can plan together. The rituals in Gather and Bless are important to building community in your group. Include them each week. Incorporate older children in leadership roles. Thoughtfully plan how to set up the Respond zones. The quiet zone works best in a corner so the children face the corner and avoid some of the distractions from the other zones. Generally, this zone can be set up to be self-directed. However, if your group is mostly children who do not have good reading skills, station someone in this zone to lend a hand. The zones that use art supplies might be near the art zone, for convenience. What outreach projects or ministries does your congregation support? How might the children be included in them? Look over the outreach zone activities. Which ones match your congregation s projects? Advent and Christmas have their own zones. During the Season after the Epiphany the Christmas zone becomes the discipleship zone with ways for the children to explore their own discipleship. Basic supply kit The materials required for specific projects are listed in Prepare in each session. However, some supplies are assumed to be available and are not included in those lists. For your group, you need: crayons or coloured markers pencils scissors glue or glue sticks masking tape newsprint and markers clear tape stapler and staples writing paper plain paper As you nurture the children, may you grow in faith too. As you tell the familiar stories of these seasons, may they stir fresh thoughts in you and hearts filled with wonder in the children. 2

5 Ready and Waiting We begin this Season of Advent not with news of a baby to be born, but with unsettling images of the end of time as we know it. God s promise of hope comes to birth in our midst in surprising ways, bringing a peace to which all nations will be drawn. Be ready and waiting for signs of God s reign breaking into the world that day is near. Focus Scripture: Matthew 24:36 44 We enter Advent through stories about new ways in which God is breaking into our world. Matthew was written after 70 CE to a community of new Christians undergoing struggles. The first Christians were Jews. There was tension among the many religious parties within first-century Judaism, and some of that conflict is reflected in this gospel. These early Christians had a deep connection with Jewish scripture and teaching, and Jesus had given them a new understanding of God s reign. In 70 CE, the temple the centre of Jewish worship was destroyed by the Romans. The Jews were scattered. Matthew s first readers likely sensed that the future was out of their control. They may have wondered how to prepare for what was coming. Many writers in this era believed that human history was headed towards some final cataclysm, and there was much speculation about the end. We read in our own day similar kinds of speculation about the last days. This passage is set near the end of Matthew, as part of the account of Jesus trial and crucifixion. Jesus is in Jerusalem in the days before his death. He is teaching on the Mount of Olives, the place where the prophet Zechariah says God will begin the final battle against evil (Zechariah 14:3 5). Jesus speaks of the Son of Man, a figure regarded in Hebrew Scriptures as one whose coming will signal the end of human history (Daniel 7:13 14). To Matthew s community, this identification would link Jesus with the promised Messiah. God s reign is coming, Jesus says all the signs are there. The coming of the Son of Man will bring both promise and judgment. No one knows when that day is coming, Jesus says. It will happen in the midst of ordinary life. For example, in the days of Noah, there was no hint of any coming disaster. But Noah was active and prepared; he was able to respond to God s call and participate in the new life that God established. Jesus challenges his hearers to be ready, to keep awake for this coming change. Some have interpreted verses 41 and 42 to predict an event called the Rapture, when they believe the faithful will be snatched away from this world to another. Others say these verses describe the forming of the Christian community. Some men and women will choose to be gathered into this community; some will not. Jesus followers today are called to participate actively in bringing God s reign into our world. As we live into this vision, we can be confident that God is present with us and beckons us to a promise still to be fulfilled. Isaiah 2:1 5 announces to a people in exile the promise of God s saving love for all nations. Isaiah gives a vision of shalom God s desired wholeness. God s people are called to journey into this way of peace and justice. Psalm 122 reinforces the image of shalom within the house of God. God s justice will prevail, and God s people respond with praise. Romans 13:11 14 continues the gospel theme of being ready. Paul asserts that God s reign is near; it is time to wake from sleep. Those who have put on Christ (the baptized) are called to live honourably while waiting for the fulfillment of God s promise. In the birth and ministry of Jesus the Christ, God s reign breaks into our world in new ways. What does it mean to be ready and waiting for Christ s work among us? In what ways is God s promise of shalom being fulfilled in your community? What still remains to be done? November 28, 2010 Focus Scripture Matthew 24:36 44 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 2:1 5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11 14 We long for the fullness of your peace and justice in our midst, O God. Help us to be alert to signs that your reign is breaking into our lives. Strengthen us to do our part in bringing your promises to life in our waiting world. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 3

6 From Start to Finish Ideas for beginning and ending the year; setting spaces; integrating music, visual arts, and technology; plus an overview of Seasons of the Spirit can be found in the booklet From Start to Finish. It can be downloaded free from the Library at the Seasons website. Also available in the From Start to Finish folder on SeasonsDisk. The Focus for Ages 5 12 Two concepts in the focus passage for this session will be familiar to children of all ages: get ready and waiting. Every child has probably muttered, You told me to hurry up and get ready, and now I have to wait. Children who move more slowly than other family members may even cringe at the admonition to get ready. All children (and you won t find much difference between the 5- and the 12-year-old) see displays in stores and watch television commercials and special programs telling them that Christmas is just around the corner. But they have little time for waiting. Still, that is what Advent is all about: preparing and waiting. What will be new for the children is the idea that the church is getting ready for God s way of justice, peace, and love as we wait. In the story based on Matthew 24:36 44, the idea of God s world of love, peace, and fairness is introduced. This description will echo throughout the weeks of Advent. Pray that the children in your group will find that the church waits for God in joyous hope. November 28, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 24:36 44, and biblical background material (p. 3). Also read Advent s Beginning on page 131. How will you use Advent to be prepared for God? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). q Read letter to families (p. 123). Add any special information you have and sign it before making copies to send home with the children. Gather q Prepare worship table with purple or blue cloth for Advent, Advent wreath with candles (three purple and one rose, or four blue, whichever is used in the sanctuary), long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. q Bring today s resource sheet Advent at Home. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Getting Ready for God. q For Advent chain group, bring blue or purple construction paper. q For God s reign group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Be Ready for God s Reign and directions. Respond q Art zone: mural paper or shelf paper and Advent chain from Engage q Music zone: song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: notices about Advent project q Quiet zone: poster Landscape with Tree and directions q Advent zone: purple or blue construction paper and copies of today s resource sheet Advent at Home Bless q Bring copies of letter to families (p. 123). 4 4

7 November 28, 2010 Ready and Waiting Scripture Matthew 24:36 44 FOCUS To learn from Jesus that we are to be ready for God at any time. Welcome the children and introduce guests or new children to the others. Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather at the worship table. Opening ritual Call to learning Point out the purple or blue (use the colour your congregation uses) cloth, an indication of a new church year season. Explain that this is the first Sunday of Advent and the first Sunday of a new church year. Note the Advent wreath with its candles for each Sunday during Advent. Advent wreath Teach the children the Advent motion for hope on today s resource sheet Advent at Home. Then invite a child to light one Advent candle. Have the children echo these words: We light one Advent candle to welcome God s hope (make motion for hope) as we come to learn about God and Jesus today. Song Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) once for the children to hear. Then sing it together, substituting the word hope for the word peace. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of hope, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Getting ready Invite the children to think about what they had to do to get ready to come to church school. After they have named such things as getting dressed, eating breakfast, or brushing their teeth, ask: n How does your family get ready when someone is coming to visit, perhaps to stay overnight? Encourage them to talk about the excitement and anticipation that comes with this kind of getting ready. Then suggest that they remember what this feels like as they hear in the Bible story about a people who were ready and waiting, but they weren t sure how long they had to wait. Preparing for the story Advent To connect Advent and the Bible passage, explain that Advent is a time for waiting. During this season, we get ready and wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Have a child get the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark, the beginning of the gospel of Matthew. Remind the children that the Bible has many stories where God surprises people. The story today is from Matthew 24. Have a child turn to chapter 24 and hold the Bible open to it as you tell the story. Invite them to listen for a surprise in what Jesus is teaching the disciples in the story for this session. The Bible story Jesus teaches The story provides its own introduction, so as soon as the children are settled and quiet, tell the story from today s resource sheet Getting Ready for God, based on Matthew 24: Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. 5

8 November 28, 2010 Advent chain group The group will begin the conversation about what it means to get ready for God as they construct an Advent chain for the worship table. Jesus reminded the disciples that Noah got everything ready to wait for the flood. During Advent we get ready to welcome the birth of Jesus. Ask: n What are some things we might do to get ready to welcome Jesus and God s world of love, peace, and fairness? Encourage the children to suggest things they can do and things they can help their family to do. As they name them, print their ideas on strips of blue or purple construction paper with a black marker. The children can take turns adding links with the printing on the outside of the chain. Place it on the worship table. God s reign group These children will review Jesus message as though they were part of the church that first heard it from the writer of Matthew. They will need copies of today s resource sheet Be Ready for God s Reign and the following directions: 1 Take a copy of Be Ready for God s Reign. 2 One person can read the paragraph at the top of the page out loud. 3 Select three readers and someone to read the part of Jesus. Everyone reads where it says All. 4 Take a minute to look over the parts. Help one another with difficult words. 5 Read the play out loud. 6 Talk about this question: n How might people who read the gospel of Matthew get ready for God s way of love, justice, and peace? The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to come together. Have the God s reign group present the play. Then the Advent chain group can show their chain and read some of the ideas on it as the transition to the Respond options. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Mural In this zone the children will create a mural depicting ways they can get ready for God s world of love, peace, and fairness. Provide half sheets of drawing paper and markers or crayons for each child to create one scene. For ideas to get started, read the links on the Advent chain created in Engage. As the children finish, glue or tape their scenes to a sheet of mural paper or shelf paper. Make a title Getting Ready for God with the artists names to display above the mural. If possible, display it in a hallway where others will see it. q Music zone: Advent song The song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) is sung during Advent. This additional attention to it will prepare the children to sing it with confidence. Play the song for the children. Then explain that each week during Advent the word peace will be changed to match the theme of the Advent candle: Advent 1, hope; Advent 2, peace; Advent 3, joy; and Advent 4, love. Sing the song four times, changing the word each time. By this time, many children will know the song and be able to lead the singing. q Outreach zone: Advent project The community of Matthew s gospel tried to live God s love, peace, and fairness even as they waited for it. The church does the same today as it ministers to others while waiting for the fullness of God s vision. The children can participate in this ministry through joining in an Advent project with the congregation. Check with your pastor or educator for information about a congregational project, or visit your denominational website for ideas for an Advent project for the group. Introduce it in this zone and have the children prepare notices to send home with everyone. 6

9 November 28, 2010 q Quiet zone: Prayer As we ready ourselves to receive God, prayer is an important component of our preparation. This prayer is built on the child s imagination. Display the poster Landscape with Tree at eye level for seated children. Place chairs in front of it. Place a page with the following directions on each chair: 1 Look carefully at this painting. It is called Landscape with Tree. 2 See the light coming from the top of the painting. Think of this light as God. 3 If God is coming into this landscape, how do you think it will change? 4 As you think of the wonderful things that God will bring, pray for God s way of love, fairness, and peace to come. q Advent zone: Advent booklet Advent is a time for families to celebrate this season together as they prepare to welcome Jesus and get ready for God s way of love, fairness, and peace. In advance, cut the copies of today s resource sheet Advent at Home on the dotted lines to make the booklets. Cut blue or purple construction paper into pieces slightly larger than the blocks on the resource sheet. Have the children glue the blocks from the resource sheet to the pieces of construction paper. Make sure they are stacked in the correct order and staple them together. Talk together about how they can celebrate Advent at home. To include children with undeveloped reading skills in this zone, have a leader available to read the directions, allowing the children time to complete each step. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Light one Advent candle. Say: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of God s hope (motion for hope). Play the song I Am Becoming Peace, substituting the word hope for peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). The children who were in the music zone can lead the singing. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of hope, we are ready and waiting for your hope. May it shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, May the hope of Advent be with you. That child repeats the blessing to the next child, and on around the circle. Give today s resource sheet Advent at Home to any children who did not make an Advent booklet, and a copy of the letter to families (p. 123) to each child. As you enter this new season with the children, what previous knowledge of Advent did they bring? Look at the Advent chain prepared in Engage. What clues does it give you about the interests of the children? Plan a way to deliver or send the letter to families and a copy of Advent at Home to the children who were absent from this session. 7

10 Resource sheet November 28, 2010 Getting Ready for God based on Matthew 24: Encasing the focus scripture in a story helps children put it in a context. Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem. They left the temple and started the short walk to the Mount of Olives, a garden where they could sit quietly. On the way, they passed people doing their everyday work. A child was picking berries for the family to eat. A woman was mixing dough to bake bread for the family s meals. A man was getting everything ready to repair a hole in the roof at the house next door. Perhaps Jesus pointed to these people as they passed them. Perhaps the disciples noticed them on their own. Anyway, Jesus remembered seeing people getting ready for many things on the way to the garden. The disciples were happy to sit down when they got to the cool shade under the trees. Walking on the dusty, rocky roads, even for a short distance, tired them. From here they could see the city of Jerusalem and the walls around it. They could also see the temple with its huge stones. Here, away from the crowds, the disciples knew that it was a good time to ask Jesus about things they didn t understand. And there was a question that was always on their minds. Finally, someone asked, Jesus, when will the whole world live in God s way? The disciples had been with Jesus long enough to know that he wasn t going to answer something like, In two weeks or When the olive trees are in bloom. But his answer still surprised them. Be ready and waiting, Jesus said, for God s promise of a new world filled with love. Not wanting to end this conversation, someone else said, But didn t you come to bring a world of love, peace, and fairness? Another disciple chimed in, And that certainly hasn t happened. But Jesus wasn t finished. That day will come. But only God knows when. So we need to be ready for it at any time. The disciples weren t convinced, so Jesus continued. Remember the story of Noah? God told Noah to build a big boat, an ark. When it was finished, God told him to put his family and two of every animal on the ark. And this was in the middle of dry land. Everyone wondered what Noah was doing. But Noah was ready when the floods came. Then the water disappeared and never came back. Everyone was quiet as they thought about Jesus words. They remembered the people they had passed on the way. They were getting ready as they cared for others. They were waiting for something good from God. They wondered what they were to do to get ready for something good from God. How could they get ready and wait for God s world filled with love, peace, and fairness? 8

11 Resource sheet November 28, 2010 Be Ready for God s Reign* The gospel of Matthew was written many years after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. It was a way to remember Jesus teachings and ministry. At this time, the Roman government made it hard for Christians to follow Jesus teachings and worship God. The emperor wanted all people to worship him. The words from Jesus in Matthew 24:36 44 brought them hope and courage. Cast: Reader 1, Reader 2, Reader 3, Jesus, All Reader 1: Jesus had just said something amazing, something surprising God s reign of love, peace, and fairness is coming. The disciples wondered together, When, when will that be? They wanted to learn how to live God s ways. They were waiting, waiting for God s love, peace, and fairness to come. All: When will we see this happen? Reader 2: Several years later, after Jesus had been crucified, new followers of Jesus were wondering what it meant to live in Jesus ways of love, peace, and fairness. Reader 2: We see signs of God s coming reign all around, and still the world is not yet filled with God s love, peace, and fairness. Reader 3: God s reign is still coming. We don t know when, but we can get ready, just like Noah got ready for the flood. We remember the stories that Jesus taught about being ready and waiting. Jesus shows us how to be ready and waiting for God s surprising ways. All: How should we live as we wait for God s promise of a world filled with love, peace, fairness, and hope? Reader 3: At a time when life was dangerous for followers of Jesus, they asked one another, When will we see this happen? When will God s reign come? They reminded each other, We saw it in Jesus. Reader 1: Yes, Jesus shows us what a world filled with God s love, peace, and fairness is like. People love and care for each other. They treat others in fair ways and work for peace. Jesus: All: Keep your eyes open and watch for signs of God s coming into our world. Look for God s surprising ways of love, peace, and fairness. Share God s love, peace, and hope with others. Know that God is in charge of the future. God s love, peace, and fairness are here. God s love, peace, and fairness are coming. (based on Matthew 24:36 44) 9

12 Resource sheet November 28, 2010 Advent at Home Celebrate Advent at home with this Advent candlelighting litany. We will use a similar litany each week in church school. Make a simple circle of greens with four blue candles or three purple and one rose candle (whichever your congregation uses). Place it where it can stay throughout Advent, perhaps in a corner of the family room or on the table for family meals. On each Advent Sunday, light the candle(s) and say the litany for that week. If you have a rose candle, light it on week three. Pray together for concerns and joys of your family. Week One We light one Advent candle to welcome God s hope (motion for hope) as we wait for the birth of Jesus. Week Two We light two Advent candles to welcome God s hope (motion for hope) and God s peace (motion for peace) as we wait for the birth of Jesus. Week Three We light three Advent candles to welcome God s hope (motion for hope), God s peace (motion for peace), and God s joy (motion for joy) as we wait for the birth of Jesus. Week Four We light four Advent candles to welcome God s hope (motion for hope), God s peace (motion for peace), God s joy (motion for joy), and God s love (motion for love) as we wait for the birth of Jesus. 10

13 Vision of Peace Shalom is the Hebrew word for the healthy wholeness of life that God desires for all creation. The vision of how this peace, justice, and wellness will come into the world can be shocking. Dead stumps send out live shoots. Spirit-led leaders rule for the poor. Hatred and animosity are released. We are invited to turn again to God and live into this vision. Focus Scripture: Isaiah 11:1 10 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse (verse 1). Jesse was King David s father, so stump of Jesse is a reference to kings who followed David. To call that line of rulers a stump might have been shocking to those who thought the Davidic line would continue forever. Some scholars understand this reference as an indication that the passage comes from the time when the people of Judah were living in exile in Babylon in the sixth century BCE. It must have seemed that the Davidic dynasty had ended in that national disaster. Verse 2 promises that God s Spirit will equip the shoot from Jesse s stump with qualities needed for just rule. The prophet is clear about the power of God s Spirit and God s intent for shalom for all creation. The Hebrew Scriptures often link Spirit and the leaders of a community. For example, God s Spirit possessed Saul on the day of his anointing as king (1 Samuel 10:10). When Samuel anointed David as king, the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David (1 Samuel 16:13). God s Spirit was present in creation (Genesis 1:2). Now, God s Spirit is promised in the transformation of creation that the prophet envisions as coming through a righteous ruler and a peaceable kingdom. Verse 3 may seem confusing when it indicates that the new leader will not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear. This does not mean that justice can be achieved by avoiding the sights and sounds of the world. Rather, the verse affirms that God s new leader will not be swayed by outward appearance. Hebrew prophets condemned the leaders of Israel and Judah for bias toward those who were rich and privileged. These prophets promised, as Isaiah does here, a new day of God s reign governed by a vision of shalom. The mention of equity in verse 4 suggests that a situation of inequity existed at the time this was written; such injustice would be reversed by God s ways of peace. The prophet s use of animal imagery is striking, and hearkens back to the themes of creation and re-creation. Dramatic change is promised. How can we trust that God has the power to effect such change? For Isaiah, God s power as Creator grounds our hope in transformation God created all things, and God s power can renew all things. The prophet pairs predator and prey in this peaceable vision as a metaphor of God s power to renew. Psalm 72:1 7, likely was written for a king s coronation. God s vision of peace takes form in the psalmist s prayer for a just ruler. The God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things is to be praised. In Matthew 3:1 12, John the Baptizer testifies to the nearness of God s realm. John s call to repentance insists that God s people seek integrity between God s vision of shalom and their daily lives. Paul also encourages such integrity in Romans 15:4 13. To welcome one another is to mirror Christ s welcome of us. The stories of faith share God s shalom, even as they shape how Jesus followers conduct their lives. Living into God s vision of healthy wholeness of peace presents opportunities that surprise us with transformation and hope. Such shalom warrants turning and changing on our part. What does it mean to live with openness to God s surprising vision of peace in our day? Where, and through whom, do we perceive God s Spirit at work for shalom? What transformation might God s promises be calling us to make? December 5, 2010 Focus Scripture Isaiah 11:1 10 Additional Scriptures Psalm 72:1 7, Romans 15:4 13 Matthew 3:1 12 Open us, O God, to your unfolding vision of peace. Shape us for shalom by the power of your Spirit. Make us bold to hope and dream, living as your trusting children. In the name of Christ. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 11

14 From Start to Finish Ideas for beginning and ending the year; setting spaces; integrating music, visual arts, and technology; plus an overview of Seasons of the Spirit can be found in the booklet From Start to Finish. It can be downloaded free from the Library at the Seasons website. Also available in the From Start to Finish folder on SeasonsDisk. The Focus for Ages 5 12 While the children may not live with the extreme violence that was the setting for the prophet Isaiah, they know about conflict and the lack of peace. In their daily lives, they encounter struggles with other children as well as parents and other adult figures. They can, on their own level, appreciate a world where fighting and destruction are no more. The children will be introduced to the role of peacemaker on January 30 when they explore the Beatitudes. The younger children in the group may be aware of the natural predators that exist in the animal world. If they live in rural areas, this may seem quite natural to them, or they may have watched nature programs on television. However, they will not so easily transfer the wonders of the world that Isaiah describes to the world of human beings. A child playing around dangerous snakes won t make sense to them. The older children in the group will also find this incomprehensible, but they may have glimmers of the image Isaiah is trying to show. Pray that the children in your group will make this vision of God s world of hope and peace their own. December 5, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Isaiah 11:1 10, and biblical background material (p. 11). What images of peace in Isaiah give you the most hope? q Bring basic supply kit (see p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with purple or blue cloth for Advent, Advent wreath with candles (three purple and one rose, or four blue, whichever is used in the sanctuary), long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmarks at Matthew and Isaiah. Engage q Prepare to tell story on today s resource sheet A Message of Peace. If you choose, recruit a church member to portray Isaiah, who can read the message from the resource sheet. q For the animal parade group, you will need today s resource sheet A Message of Peace, copies of today s resource sheet Animals in Isaiah, people figures (see pattern on p. 124), and construction paper. q For art engagement group, bring poster Starry Night on the Rhone and directions. Respond q Art zone: copies of today s resource sheet Signs of Peace, tissue paper or cotton balls, and yarn q Music zone: carols as selected q Outreach zone: construction paper and variety of art supplies (yarn, fabric, special markers, sequins) q Quiet zone: directions. Prepare the newsprint as directed in the zone. q Advent zone: boxes (shoebox size), selfadhesive plastic or construction paper, and copies of resource sheet Nativity Animals (p. 125) 1212

15 December 5, 2010 Vision of Peace Scripture Isaiah 11:1 10 FOCUS To delight in God s vision for a peaceful world. Call to learning Point out the purple or blue (use the colour your congregation uses) cloth, an indication of a new church year season. Explain that this is the Season of Advent and the second Sunday of a new church year. Note the Advent wreath with its candles for each Sunday during Advent. Advent wreath Review the motion for hope and teach the children the Advent motion for peace (resource sheet Advent at Home, p. 10). Then invite a child to light two Advent candles. Have the children echo these words: We light two Advent candles to welcome God s hope (make motion for hope) and peace (make motion for peace) as we come to learn about God and Jesus today. Song Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) once for the children to hear. Then sing it together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of peace, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candles as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Finding courage To keep working at a new skill or for a change in the world, people need a vision or ideal to work towards. Find out what gives the children courage to keep working at something. Ask them to think of something that they had to work hard at to do. Ask: n What has given you courage or hope to keep working at that? n Why didn t you give up? The questions may take some children by surprise. They are also questions that the children may ponder in the coming days. After some discussion, explain that the Bible story for this session is about a people who were in a difficult situation and were trying to do something hard. The words they heard from God helped them to keep trying. Preparing for the story Hebrew Scriptures Have a child get the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark near the end. Remind the group that the story for the previous session was from the gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. It was written after Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Then have the child open the Bible to the earlier bookmark. Ask the group to tell whether they think this bookmark is in the New Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures, which were written hundreds of years before the New Testament was written. Some children will quickly realize that the bookmark is in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is at the book of Isaiah. The book is named after Isaiah who was a prophet, a person to whom God gave messages for the people of Judah. The Bible story God s vision of peace When God sent this message to the people, they were in very hard times. Wars were all around them. Tell the story on today s resource sheet A Message of Peace, based on Isaiah 11:1 10. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain 13

16 December 5, 2010 the two options and have each child select one. Animals picture group This group will ponder the wonder of the animals existing together in peace and being led by children. Distribute copies of today s resource sheet Animals in Isaiah. Have the children name the animals on it and point out the pairings in Isaiah 11. Be sure they understand that the animals in each pair would normally be natural enemies. Give each child a sheet of construction paper and one people figure (see p. 124). Provide crayons and scissors for them to colour the animals and add features to the figure, making it represent themselves. They can glue the animals to the construction paper so the child is leading them. Art engagement group This group will wonder about the emotions of the people of Judah when they heard this message of hope and peace. Display the poster Starry Night on the Rhone. Provide plain paper, pens or pencils, and these directions: 1 Look at the poster Starry Night on the Rhone. Let your eyes be drawn to the parts of the painting that attract you. 2 Look at the sources of light in the painting. Even though this is a night-time painting, there is much light in it. 3 Light is often thought of as a symbol for hope. 4 Take a piece of paper and a pen. Select one source of light in the painting. Draw that shape, but much bigger, on your paper. You might draw a circle like the stars in the sky, or a long road like the reflection of the light from the shore. 5 Find Isaiah 11:1 10 in the Bible and read it. Think about how this painting along with God s words to Isaiah gives us hope for peace. Write your thoughts in the shape you drew on your paper. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to come together. Have the animals picture group show their pictures. Invite the art engagement group to show the poster Starry Night on the Rhone and read what they wrote about signs of hope for peace. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Animal ornaments The ornaments will be reminders of the message of peace in Isaiah 11. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Signs of Peace and crayons or markers. Read the paragraph on the resource sheet to the children. After discussion of the animals they might draw on the empty circle, have them draw the ones they chose and decorate both circles. To complete the ornament, cut out the circles. Glue the two pieces together around the edge, but leave a small opening. Lightly stuff tissue paper or bits of cotton ball inside. Glue the decoration closed. Punch a hole at the top and thread yarn through it for a hanger. q Music zone: Carols In this zone, provide an opportunity for children to learn some of the Christmas carols that will be sung in worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day so they can join in the celebration. Ask your pastor or musician which carols will be used in worship. Begin teaching the children the first stanzas of them. Use bells to accompany them. Sing them softly as lullabies or loudly as songs of great joy. q Outreach zone: Advent project Continue to emphasize the Advent project of the group. Have the children in this zone make posters to display around the church building to promote the project. Find places to display them so they will be evident to others in the building. 14

17 December 5, 2010 Provide construction paper and a variety of art supplies (yarn, fabric, markers, sequins). q Quiet zone: Echo prayer This prayer is repeated like an echo, encouraging the prayers to think more and more deeply about their efforts for peace. Print the following prayer beginning at the top of a sheet of newsprint and the group response at the bottom: God, we ask you to light our way so we can help to bring hope and peace to the world by Response: And the Earth will be filled with God s ways. 1 To pray this prayer, you need to add ideas of what you can do to the first line. Each person in the group can offer a suggestion that someone writes on the newsprint. 2 When you are ready to pray the prayer, read the opening sentence and one suggestion. Then everyone reads the response together. 3 Repeat until all the suggestions have been included in the prayer. Depending upon the ability of your group to work on their own, you may choose to station a leader in this zone to help the children organize their efforts. q Advent zone: Nativity box In Advent we prepare to welcome a baby who lived in God s way of peace. This project will be completed on December 19. Each child will need a box about the size of a shoebox. In advance, cover the boxes with self-adhesive plastic or glue construction paper inside and out. Give each child a copy of the resource sheet Nativity Animals (p. 125) to colour and cut out. Place them in the child s box, but wait to assemble the scene until all the pieces are ready. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Light two Advent candles. Say: On this second Sunday of Advent, we light the candles of God s hope and peace (motions for hope and peace). Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). Invite the children to sing the parts they recognize. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of peace, we are ready and waiting for your peace. May it shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, May the peace of Advent be with you. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. How did the children make this jump from Jesus in Matthew to Isaiah many years before? Which children are learning the song I Am Becoming Peace? Listen to hear if they hum it, or Cosmic Hymn of Praise, as they work on art or other projects. Look ahead to see what you will need to omit in the next two sessions if there are any changes in your church school schedule. 15

18 Resource sheet December 5, 2010 A Message of Peace based on Isaiah 11:1 10 If you choose to have someone act the part of Isaiah, substitute this sentence for the last sentence of the first paragraph: Look, here comes Isaiah now. I can t tell from the way he is walking whether this is a message of hope or not. Let s hear what the prophet has to say. The people of Judah are living in hard times. Nations are at war around them. Jerusalem has been attacked. The people are tired of all this violence. They wonder where God is. But today, they are gathered in the meeting place to hear the word of God from the prophet Isaiah. They wait silently because prophets often bring harsh and difficult messages, reminding the people that they have disobeyed God. They long for words of hope, a message of peace. Isaiah approaches the crowd gathered to hear from God. God gave this message to me for you. Like a branch that grows out of a cut-down tree when you thought it was dead, someone from the family of our great leader David will come to lead us. This one will be filled with God s Spirit, which will give the ruler wisdom and understanding. This ruler will know what it means to worship God. This new ruler will judge everyone, rich or poor, fairly. People will not be judged by how they look or how they speak. This ruler from God will wear the clothing of justice and faithfulness. God showed me this vision for the world. The wolf and the lamb will live in the same field. The leopard and the young goat will live together too. Even calves and lions will lie down together. But there s more. A little child will be able to walk among these animals and lead them around like a shepherd leads sheep from place to place. The cow and the bear will eat from the same field of grass. Yes, imagine that, and the lion will eat straw like an ox. But there is still more. Babies will play on the ground and snakes will not bite them. On this holy mountain, God says, nothing will be hurt or destroyed. The earth will be covered with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea. On that day, when all this is real, the ruler from David s family will stand before all the people. Other nations will ask advice and seek the wisdom of this ruler. What amazing news! Thanks be to God! 16

19 Resource sheet December 5, 2010 Animals in Isaiah 17

20 Resource sheet December 5, 2010 Signs of Peace In God s dream for the world, all creation will live in peace and take care of each other. Isaiah described a picture of that world of peace. In it the animals in his country that were usually enemies lived together safely. What else did Isaiah say about the picture of a world with God s peace? They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain. Isaiah 11:9 If you wanted to show a picture of your world where even animals who were enemies lived safely together, what animals would you choose? Draw them in the empty circle. 18

21 Heartbeat of Justice God s saving ways are full of surprises. God chooses young Mary to be the mother of Jesus the Christ. Mary s prophetic voice invites us to rejoice in God s work of justice, which seems shocking and upside-down in the world s eyes. Her heartbeat becomes ours as we bear this vision of wholeness to the world. Rejoice! Focus Scripture: Luke 1:47 55 Tradition holds that Luke was a Gentile follower of Jesus who wrote this gospel as an orderly account (Luke 1:3) of the events surrounding the life of Jesus. In telling the story, Luke emphasizes the surprising work of the Spirit, God s powerful compassion for those who are poor or victims of injustice, and Jesus continuity with the history of the Jews. In a small town in the Judean hills, the scene is set for the powerful hymn that is today s focus. Mary has accepted the angel s announcement that she will bear God s Son and has gone to visit her relative Elizabeth, also pregnant in a miraculous way. In their heart-to-heart conversation, we can perceive a reversal of all that society expects in regard to God s power and justice. A saviour, a messiah, had been promised to God s people long before the time of Elizabeth and Mary. It was hoped that this saviour would change the political and social landscape of Jerusalem, much like King David did. To the religious faithful in their day, it would have seemed quite unlikely that these two women would be God s prophets in heralding the Messiah. But in Luke s gospel, this is exactly how God works. As Mary arrives, Elizabeth s unborn child who will be the prophet John the Baptizer leaps in joy at Mary s greeting. Mary responds to this blessing by singing the glory of God s powerful love that has chosen her to carry the Christ child. She sings because God acts with justice and mercy to lift those who are considered lowly, scatter those who are proud, and feed those who are hungry. In Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of this saviour, Jesus, who shatters all expectations of what God s power and justice are like. In verses 50 and 55, Mary sings for all the generations who have hoped, and hope even still, for God s vision of justice to come to fullness in their lives. Mary s praise is anchored by the promise made to the descendants of Abraham the promise of becoming a great nation blessed by God to be a blessing to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:2 3). God s people live in response to the Mighty One s promised shalom. Isaiah 35:1 10 speaks a word of hope to the exiles of Judah in Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Isaiah writes a vision of wilderness and people renewed. In this vision, the Hebrew exiles might imagine the victory of God s justice and their own return to Judah. In Psalm 146:5 10, the psalmist speaks of God s actions of justice in the present tense. Even so, the last verse looks forward to God s future reign. When John the Baptizer asks for confirmation of Jesus identity, Matthew 11:2 11 reports actions of justice that serve as the witness to Jesus identity. The writer of James 5:7 10 encourages readers to be strong and patient while awaiting the fullness of God s reign of justice and peace. This day is as close as a heartbeat. On this third Sunday in Advent, observed by some traditions as Rejoice Sunday, we are called to join our heartbeats with Mary s in praising God. The Spirit fills us with power, as well, to prophesy to God s vision of wholeness that comes to birth in Jesus the Christ. What might you and your church point to as God s saving activity toward you in actions past, present, and future? In what ways might you encourage one another to proclaim God s vision of justice and peace in word and deed? December 12, 2010 Focus Scripture Luke 1:47 55 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 35:1 10 Psalm 146:5 10 James 5:7 10 Matthew 11:2 11 O Mighty One, we rejoice this day that you come to save. We rejoice that you invite all to join with Mary in proclaiming this news and sharing in your works. Make our hearts beat with your heartbeat of justice. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 19

22 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Most children, even those with no younger siblings, know something of the excitement that surrounds the birth of a baby. Some children may have been around newly born animals and can recognize the joy of seeing new life. While they may not comprehend the special quality of the pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary, they will pick up on the emotional tone of this story and Mary s song. While Mary s song, traditionally known as the Magnificat, is the focus scripture, the children will hear the background story as well. This story is important for the setting of Mary s praise to God. Since some of the concepts in her song are more difficult for children, this is an appropriate way for them to approach this text. Then, of course, there is the building excitement in children of all ages as Christmas draws near. Being prepared and ready to go as soon as the first child arrives is one way for leaders to counter the extra energy of the children. Pray that the children in your group will sense the special joy that comes to the church as Christmas approaches. December 12, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Luke 1:39 45 (46 55), and biblical background material (p. 19). What words in Mary s song point you to joy? Read Breaking Boundaries on page 126. What boundaries might you help break? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with purple or blue cloth for Advent, Advent wreath with candles (three purple and one rose, or four blue, whichever is used in the sanctuary), long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmarks at Matthew and Luke. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Mary s Joy. q For Mary s song group, practice the song so you can sing it confidently. q For Mary s story group, bring copies of today s resource sheet More Words of Hope, black construction paper, white chalk, and directions. Respond q Art zone: CD or DVD discs (used or new), ribbon, permanent markers, and sparkling decorations (glitter, sequins, plastic jewels) q Music zone: song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) and select carols q Outreach zone: card stock/heavy paper and ribbon q Quiet zone: poster Word of Light and directions q Advent zone: Nativity boxes (see December 5), copies of resource sheet Nativity Animals (p. 125), and copies of today s resource sheet Nativity People 2020

23 December 12, 2010 Heartbeat of Justice Scripture Luke 1:39 45, (46 55) FOCUS To rejoice with Mary at the news of God s amazing love. Call to learning Point out the purple or blue (use the colour your congregation uses) cloth, an indication that this is the Season of Advent and the third Sunday of a new church year. If your wreath has a rose candle, this is the Sunday to light it. Advent wreath Review the motions for hope and peace. Then teach the children the Advent motion for joy (see resource sheet Advent at Home, p. 10). Then invite a child to light three Advent candles. Have the children echo these words: We light three Advent candles to welcome God s hope (make motion for hope), peace (make motion for peace), and joy (make motion for joy) as we come to learn about God and Jesus today. Song Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) once for the children to hear. Then sing it together, substituting joy for peace. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candles as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Surprising news Ask the children to think of a time when they were told some surprising news. Some children may remember being told of a baby brother or sister. Another child may have received a special award unexpectedly. After they have recalled such moments and how they felt, explain that someone in the Bible story for this session hears some very surprising news. Preparing for the story The gospels In this session, the children turn to another gospel. Advent began with a teaching from Jesus in Matthew. On this third Advent Sunday we move to Luke for the story about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Have a child get the Bible from the worship table and open it to the first bookmark (Matthew). Recall that Jesus taught the disciples always to be ready for God. Then have a child open the Bible to the next bookmark. Point out that it is very close to Luke in the Bible, in the New Testament. Luke is also a gospel, one of the books that tell the good news of Jesus, news that brings us great joy. The Bible story Mary s song Tell the story on today s resource sheet Mary s Joy, based on Luke 1:26 45, Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Mary s song group The focus scripture for this third Sunday of Advent is Mary s song, also known as the Magnificat. Having heard the story around Mary s song, the children in this group will sing a simple song of praise and joy as they enter into the emotions of Mary. Teach the children this song, sung to the tune of London Bridge Is Falling Down : 21

24 December 12, 2010 God has blessed me with a child, with a child, with a child. God has blessed me with child. I m so happy! He will bring us peace and joy, peace and joy, peace and joy. He will bring us peace and joy. I m so happy! Praise to God who loves us so, loves us so, loves us so. Praise to God who loves us so. I m so happy! Talk with the group about Mary and Elizabeth, for both women might have sung this song. Sing the song again, but substitute we re for I m in the second and third stanzas. Invite the group to express the joy of the song in their voices and with their bodies. Mary s story group This group will spend more time on the lead-up to Mary s song. Provide copies of today s resource sheet More Words of Hope, black construction paper, white chalk, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of More Words of Hope. 2 Luke 1:26 38 tells the story of when Mary learned she was to have a special baby. Read it as it is recorded in the Bible on this page. Read verses How do you think Mary felt? Write your words in the margin along the top and side of the paper. 3 Read to the end of the story. How do you think Mary feels at the end of the story? Write your words in the side margins. 4 Remember how Elizabeth greeted Mary when she came to visit? And Mary s song? How do you think Mary feels at Elizabeth s house? Write your words at the bottom of the page. 5 Look at the list of words. Think about all the feelings that Mary had in this story. 6 Take a piece of black construction paper and white chalk. Draw simple faces to show Mary s feelings during these days. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to come together. Invite the Mary s story group to show their pictures of Mary s feelings. Have the Mary s song group sing the song they learned. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Christmas ornaments Sparkle and shine suggest joy, and these ornaments have lots of sparkle. Each ornament requires two CD or DVD discs (new, recycled, junk mail promotions). Glue them together with the shiny plain sides out. Tie a ribbon loop through the hole for a hanger. Decorate both sides with words or symbols of Mary s song, using permanent markers. Add more shine with glitter, sequins, or other small shiny objects. q Music zone: Joyful sounds Sing and enjoy music that is joyful praise to God. Begin with Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD). Encourage the children to join in each time Praise God is sung. Have them sit on chairs and jump up to sing Praise God. Then continue teaching the children the first stanzas of carols that will be sung on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in congregational worship. 22

25 December 12, 2010 q Outreach zone: Greetings of joy If your congregation delivers flowers to people in care facilities or who are unable to leave their homes, ask if the children can create messages of joy to go with them. Provide strips of card stock/heavy paper and colourful crayons or markers. Print sample greetings on newsprint for the children to copy, such as The joy of Christmas is for you or Greetings of joy to you on this Christmas. Punch a hole in the corner and tie a length of ribbon through it. q Quiet zone: Art meditation Artists use paint instead of words or music to express joy. In this zone, the children will explore the joy expressed in the poster Word of Light. Lay the poster flat on a table and anchor it with weights on the corners. Provide these directions: 1 Sit where you can touch all parts of the poster. 2 Recall the story of Mary and her joyful song to God. 3 As you think about it, place a finger on the edge of the poster. 4 Follow a path to the yellow section, the light. Your path can be the space between two dark lines or a dark line. 5 Move slowly and spend time thinking about the joy of Christmas. You may want to limit this zone to two or three children at a time so their fingers do not get entangled. q Advent zone: Nativity box Continue creating the Nativity boxes that will be completed in the next session. Provide boxes (see December 5) for children who do not have them as well as the resource sheet Nativity Animals (p. 125). Provide today s resource sheet Nativity People for everyone to colour and cut out. Place the figures in the boxes to assemble next week. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Light three Advent candles. Say: On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candles of God s hope, peace, and joy (motions for hope, peace, and joy). Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). Substitute the word joy for the word peace. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy, we are ready and waiting for your joy. May it shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, May the joy of Advent be with you. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. No doubt the excitement is growing in the children as Advent is at the midpoint. How did you help the children calm themselves to participate in this session? Check your supplies for the completion of the Nativity boxes to be sure you have enough for any new children at the next session. 23

26 Resource sheet December 12, 2010 Mary s Joy based on Luke 1:26 45 and Additional verses from Luke are added to the focus scripture in order to add the background story of Mary s joy. This will help the children develop a framework for the stories surrounding Jesus birth. Mary, barely a teenager, was busy helping her mother with the daily chores of cooking, cleaning, all the things that had to be done for a family. Suddenly an angel named Gabriel was by her. Mary jumped back. It isn t every day that you see an angel of God. Don t be afraid, Mary, Gabriel said. I have wonderful news for you. You will have a baby, a special baby. This baby will grow up to show people what God s love is like. Such surprising news! Who could she tell? Right away Mary knew that she wanted to tell Elizabeth, a family member who lived in the hills outside Jerusalem. Elizabeth had also heard some surprising news. She and her husband Zechariah were much older than Mary, but they had no children. An angel had told Zechariah that Elizabeth would have a baby. So Elizabeth was going to have a baby too. When Mary got to Elizabeth and Zechariah s house, Elizabeth knew right away why Mary looked so happy. Both women were bursting with joy. The baby inside Elizabeth leaped with joy too. My dear Mary, said Elizabeth, I know your baby is special. Mary smiled. Then she sang a song about her baby, a song of joy and praise to God. My soul shouts Yes to God, and joy bursts from my heart. God is great and wonderful and God is doing wonderful things through me. The world is going to change like never before. When my baby is born, people who thought they were better than others will be brought down. People who thought they didn t make any difference will go right to the front of the line. Everyone who is hungry will be fed; everyone will know God s love. Mary and Elizabeth were full of joy and surrounded by God s love. 24

27 Resource sheet December 12, 2010 More Words of Hope Luke 1: One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee 27 with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. 28 The angel greeted Mary and said, You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you. 29 Mary was confused by the angel s words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, Don t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end. 34 Mary asked the angel, How can this happen? I am not married! 35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God! 38 Mary said, I am the Lord s servant! Let it happen as you have said. And the angel left her. (Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.) 25

28 Resource sheet December 12, 2010 Nativity People 26

29 God with Us The gospel of Matthew helps us see the story of Jesus birth through the eyes of Joseph a descendant of David, a righteous man obedient to God s surprising call. Jesus birth continues the story of God s care for God s people. As Christians we believe that, in Jesus, God enters into human history to bring God s saving love and to restore us to right relationship with God and each other. God is with us. Focus Scripture: Matthew 1:18 25 The gospels include two different stories of Jesus birth. When we think of an angel announcing the birth, we are most likely to think of Luke s account of the visit of Gabriel to the young woman Mary. But Matthew s gospel begins in a different way, with the story of an angel s visit to Joseph, a righteous man a follower of God s law who is engaged to Mary. Matthew s gospel stresses Jesus Jewish origins. The genealogy in chapter 1 traces Jesus lineage back to Abraham, patriarch of the nation of Israel. The gospel often quotes Hebrew Scriptures to show that Jesus is the Messiah, often indicating this with the phrase: to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet. Matthew 1:18 25 tells the story of Jesus birth from Joseph s perspective. Joseph is identified here as a descendant of David from whose royal house the Messiah God s chosen saviour and deliverer is to come. Matthew often refers to Jesus as son of David. Joseph and Mary are engaged. A formal marriage contract has been exchanged. They are in an interim period when the bride continues to live in her parents home before she moves to the home of her husband. Marital relations are not permitted during this time. Yet Mary is found to be with child. Joseph can only assume that another man is the father of the child but, because he is a righteous man and also merciful, he decides not to accuse Mary publicly. Instead, Joseph chooses to dismiss her quietly in order to avoid disgracing her. God s messenger calms Joseph s fear and invites him to be part of God s plan, explaining that the child Mary is carrying is born of God s Spirit. The angel tells how the child is Emmanuel, which means God with us. This phrase bookends Matthew s gospel; Matthew 28:20 tells the disciples that Jesus will be with you always, to the end of the age. The angel tells Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means salvation from God. In Joseph s culture, it was the right of the father to name the child. In doing so, Joseph becomes Jesus father and acknowledges that Jesus is his son. By Joseph s yes to God s plan, Jesus becomes part of the line of David. Isaiah 7:10 16 contains a prophecy of a coming child whose name Immanuel is a sign of hope to Israel. In the bleak days of Israel s captivity, the birth of a special child, perhaps the son of Isaiah himself or of King Hezekiah, reminds the people of God s care. Many scholars believe it is unlikely that this is a literal foretelling of Jesus birth; it is a story from Israel s history with the same theme of God s promise of salvation. Psalm 80 is a lament on the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel, and a plea for restoration. God the Shepherd leads Joseph like a flock. God has power to save. Paul, in Romans 1:1 7, establishes his credentials by giving a brief outline of the gospel message he is called to proclaim. Jesus is descended from David according to the flesh and is the Son of God through the working of the Spirit. By Jesus life, death, and resurrection, a new age has begun. The phrase God with us was a powerful message of hope to the Hebrew people in exile and to the early Christian community. How do you sense that God is with us in our time? Where do you find hope and encouragement for today in these stories of God s promise? December 19, 2010 Focus Scripture Matthew 1:18 25 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 7:10 16 Psalm 80:1 7, Romans 1:1 7 O God, in the birth of Jesus you came among us embodied in human flesh, to bless and to save. Come now and be among us today. Give us courage and hope to live in faithful obedience to your will. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 27

30 The Focus for Ages 5 12 For most children, the Christmas season is a time for family activities. The Bible story for this session is also about a family, the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. However, this story may not be what the children tell when asked to tell about the birth of Jesus. No shepherds, no magi, no animals, only one angel and that one in a dream. This story wouldn t make much of a Christmas pageant. Since the children are not so likely to know this story, it does provide a way to enter this week before Christmas on a slightly lower key. The emphasis on Joseph offers older children a different way to think about this special baby, Jesus. Older children may be taken with the decision that Joseph must make about marrying Mary. Younger children, with the help of the poster Christmas, may consider the role of Joseph in a new way. Pray that the children in your group will enter these days before Christmas Day with a joy that comes from knowing that Jesus brings God s presence to us. December 19, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 1:18 25 and biblical background material (p. 27). Imagine telling the story of Jesus birth through the eyes of Joseph. q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with purple or blue cloth for Advent, Advent wreath with candles (three purple and one rose, or four blue, whichever is used in the sanctuary), long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmarks at Matthew and Luke. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Joseph s Dream. q For art conversation group, bring today s resource sheet Joseph s Dream, poster Christmas, and baby doll. q For drama group, bring copies of today s resource sheet The Baby Jesus Is Born and directions. Print first stanza of song Jesus, Face of God (pp. 6 7 in Music Section) on newsprint. Respond q Art zone: copies of today s resource sheet Name Plaques copied on card stock or heavy paper, and glitter glue, glitter markers, or other embellishments. On newsprint, print Jesus, Salvation from God, and Rescuer sent from God. q Music zone: song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) and select carols q Outreach zone: materials to complete the Advent project and information about a project for Christmas q Quiet zone: poster Word of Light, copies of prayer chant, and directions. Copy the prayer chant on newsprint. q Advent zone: Nativity boxes (see December 5), copies of resource sheet Nativity Animals (p. 125), copies of resource sheet Nativity People (p. 26), and card stock/heavy paper, cut into strips (4 x 7 cm/1½ x 2½ in) 2828

31 December 19, 2010 God with Us Scripture Matthew 1:18 25 FOCUS To celebrate the sign of God s love in the birth of Jesus. Call to learning Point out the purple or blue (use the colour your congregation uses) cloth, an indication that this is the Season of Advent and the fourth Sunday of a new church year. Advent wreath Review the motions for hope, peace, and joy. Then teach the children the Advent motion for love (see Advent at Home on p. 10). Invite a child to light four Advent candles. Have the children echo these words: We light four Advent candles to welcome God s hope (make motion for hope), peace (make motion for peace), joy (make motion for joy), and love (make motion for love) as we come to learn about God and Jesus today. Song Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) once for the children to hear. Then sing it together, substituting love for peace. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of love, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candles as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Christmas Display the poster Christmas where all the children can see it. Invite them to look at it quietly for a moment. Then ask: n Why do you think the artist Palmer Hayden called this painting Christmas? Listen to their answers. They will tell you much about how the children think about art and how much they are able to imagine something differently than it first seems. If no child has mentioned them, point out the man, probably the father, and the baby. Suggest that they listen for a father and a baby in the story for this session. Preparing for the story The gospels In this session, the children return to the gospel of Matthew. Have a child get the Bible from the worship table and open it to the last bookmark (Luke). Ask: n What do you remember about the story with Mary from Luke that you heard last week? Explain that the story about Mary and Elizabeth is only in the gospel of Luke. Then have a child open the Bible to the first bookmark. Point out that it is very close to Luke in the Bible, in the New Testament. The story for the first week of Advent was from the gospel of Matthew. However, it was a story of after Jesus was born and had grown up. The story for this session is also in Matthew, but at the beginning of the gospel, the first chapter. The Bible story Joseph s story Tell the story from today s resource sheet Joseph s Dream, based on Matthew 1: Explain that this is how the story of Jesus birth is told in the gospel of Matthew. Just as the story of the visit of Mary to Elizabeth is only in the gospel of Luke, the story of Joseph s dream is only in the gospel of Matthew. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Art discussion group This group will have an opportunity to explore the story from Matthew and what it tells them about the birth of Jesus. Review the story with questions like these: 29

32 December 19, 2010 n Who was the Bible story about? n What worried Joseph? n What made Joseph feel better? After the children have recalled the story, show them the poster Christmas. Invite them to imagine that this is a painting of Joseph and the baby Jesus. Ask: n What do you think Joseph is thinking? Place a chair before the group. Invite the children to take turns to sit in the chair, hold the baby doll, and say what they think Joseph is thinking. Drama group This group will work more directly with the story as recorded in Matthew as well as the first stanza of the song Jesus, Face of God (pp. 6 7 in Music Section). In advance, print the first stanza of the song on newsprint. Provide copies of today s resource sheet The Baby Jesus is Born and these directions: 1 Take a copy of The Baby Jesus is Born. 2 Select the readers. 3 Follow the directions on The Baby Jesus is Born. Prepare to present this drama to the others. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to come together. Have the drama group present the reading. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Name plaque In the story of Jesus birth in Matthew, we learn that the name Jesus means salvation from God. Provide copies of the name plaques on today s resource sheet Name Plaques. If you are unable to copy them on heavy paper, make templates for them and have the children trace them on cardboard to cut out. On newsprint, print Jesus, Salvation from God, and Rescuer sent from God. Talk with the children about the meaning of Jesus name, which also means rescuer. Ask: n What do you think the people might want Jesus to rescue them from? Older children who have more information about the Roman Empire may make a connection between the Roman occupation and this story. Others may remember the words of God s prophet Isaiah and Mary s song, which talked of a time of peace. To make the name plaque, print Jesus and Salvation from God or Rescuer sent from God on a plaque. Decorate it with glitter and other embellishments. q Music zone: Seasonal songs On this last Sunday of Advent, sing I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD), inserting the words love, joy, and hope for peace as you have done during Advent. Include the motions used for these words during this season. Continue to sing carols the congregation will sing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day so the children will be able to join in this praise to God. q Outreach zone: Christmas project Many Advent projects are completed on this Sunday so the gifts can be distributed for Christmas. If your church school meets on the Sunday after Christmas, you might look for a project appropriate for that Sunday and tell the children about it in this zone. Perhaps a community program to support mothers and infants needs infant clothing or blankets. Whatever you find, prepare notices the children can decorate and take home. You might frame the request as a baby shower for Jesus. 30

33 December 19, 2010 q Quiet zone: Prayer chant In these remaining days before Christmas, many children can benefit from a way to quiet and calm their excited bodies and minds. Print this rhyming chant on newsprint and have copies available for the children: In every hour of night and day God is with us along the way. Display the poster Word of Life and these directions: q Advent zone: Nativity boxes Complete the Nativity boxes begun on December 5. The children can arrange the animals and people in the boxes. When they know where they want them, tape the figures to strips of card stock/ heavy paper, leaving enough at the bottom to fold under in order to glue the figures in place. Are you excited about Christmas? When we are very excited, sometimes we need to quiet ourselves. Here is a way for you to quiet yourself this week or any time: Read the words by the poster. Read them over and over. Read them slowly and think about how important it is to know God is with us. Look at the poster and whisper the words. Take a copy of the words so you will have them to say anytime. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Light four Advent candles. Say: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the candles of God s hope, peace, joy, and love (motions for the four words). Play the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). Substitute love for peace. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of love, we are ready and waiting for your love. May it shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, May the love of Advent be with you. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. Although the focus scripture is the story of Jesus birth, it also has a message of God s presence for the children. Which children seemed to connect with that message? Did you notice children in the group who seemed excited but also apprehensive about Christmas? If so, keep them in your prayers during the coming week. 31

34 Resource sheet December 19, 2010 Joseph s Dream based on Matthew 1:18 25 The first paragraph will help the children connect the story from Luke with this story from Matthew. In the small town of Nazareth lived Mary and Joseph. They were engaged to be married. An angel named Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a baby, a special baby. But when Joseph heard that Mary was going to have a baby, he was worried. What is going on, he thought, we have not married yet. One night, Joseph had a surprising dream. In the dream, an angel of God appeared. Joseph, son of David, the angel said, don t worry about Mary and what is happening. Go ahead and marry her, as you have planned. When Mary has the baby, you will name him Jesus, because this baby will save the people of God. The name Jesus means salvation from God. As Joseph thought about this surprising dream, he remembered the words of the prophets of old. They promised that God would send a child called Emmanuel, which means God is with us. Could the baby that Mary would have be the promised one? Joseph was a faithful man of God. He knew the people of Nazareth would be angry if they learned that Mary was going to have a baby before they were married. They might even try to hurt Mary. Joseph loved Mary and he didn t want her to be hurt. Still he wasn t sure what to do. He worried during the day when he was working. He worried during the night when he tried to sleep. So Joseph did what the angel said. He and Mary got married and waited for their baby to be born. 32

35 Resource sheet December 19, 2010 The Baby Jesus is Born (based on Matthew 1:18 25) The first time you read this page, read the footnotes and skip the response. When you see a small number above a word, look to the matching numbered note at the foot of the page. Read the footnote, then continue on. The second time you read this page, skip the footnotes and read the response on the newsprint. Reader 1: This is the story of how Jesus was born. A young woman named Mary 1 was engaged to Joseph 2 who was from the House of David. 3 Before they were married, she discovered she was going to have a baby. This baby was from the Holy Spirit. 4 All: Read verse one of Jesus, Face of God. Reader 2: Now Joseph was a good person who always tried to do the right thing. He did not want to embarrass Mary, so he thought it might be best to quietly call off the wedding. Reader 3: While Joseph was trying to decide what to do, an angel of God came to him in a dream. The angel said, Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. All: Read verse one of Jesus, Face of God. Reader 1: The angel told Joseph that after the baby was born Joseph should name the baby Jesus. 5 Reader 2: So the Lord s promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah 6 had said, A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Emmanuel. 7 All: Read verse one of Jesus, Face of God. Reader 3: When Joseph woke up from his dream, he listened and did everything just as the angel had told him. Joseph and Mary were soon married. And Joseph named the baby Jesus. All: Read verse one of Jesus, Face of God. Footnotes: 1 Mary: a Jewish teenage girl. 2 Joseph: a faithful person who was close to God. 3 House of David: people related to King David. 4 Holy Spirit: another name for God s Spirit. 5 Jesus: means Salvation from God 6 The prophet Isaiah: a prophet named in the book of Isaiah; brought a message from God about a great leader to come bringing God s love and justice (see Isaiah 7:14). 7 Emmanuel: means God is with us (see Matthew 28:20). 33

36 Resource sheet December 19, 2010 Name PlaquesEnlarge these templates on a photocopier. Copy onto heavy paper and cut out. 34

37 Cosmic Praise All creation praises God who, by speaking, brings all things into being. We, along with earth and sky, sing praises to God and rest in God s care. God creates us, brings us out of situations of separation, and saves us in our times of distress. We celebrate that Jesus, God with us, shares our humanity and reaches out to us with God s saving love. Focus Scripture: Psalm 148 The psalms are a collection of song prayers, written over the course of at least five centuries for liturgical use in temple worship. Psalm 148 was written after the exile in Babylon, which ended in 536 BCE. The exiles returned to Jerusalem to find the city and temple in ruins. By the time this psalm was written, the temple had been rebuilt and the people of Israel were able to return with thanks to worship God, who had sustained them. This psalm is sung as they rejoice in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem and the restored temple. God s reign is eternal; God s power extends over the events of human history. In the scriptures, praise is the worship of God in a way that recognizes God as the source and giver of all good gifts. So the psalmist praises God by telling the story of creation, following the same order as the account in Genesis 1, which likely was recorded during the same post-exilic period as Psalm 148. As in Genesis 1, verse 5 declares that God creates by speaking: God commanded and they were created. God s word brings forth all that is. In response, God is praised by the heavens sun and moon, stars, waters above the heavens. God is praised by the earth sea creatures, wind and weather, mountains, trees, animals and birds. God is praised by humankind, the final act of God s creation. All creation is present to God, and every creature is part of God s plan. Our human prayer mirrors the prayer of all creation. Verse 14 tells how God has raised up a horn for the people. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the horn is a symbol of power, victory, or glory. The people rejoice and praise the Holy One who restores. The worship of God sustained the Hebrew people in exile; this psalm expresses that worship. On this day after Christmas, we join in Psalm 148 to praise God and abide in the joy of God s presence in the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. Chapters of Isaiah also were written around the time when the people of Israel had returned from exile. In Isaiah 63:7 9, the prophet repeats the theme of salvation found in the psalm. God lifts up and carries the people. It is God s presence alone that has saved them. Hebrews 2:10 18 describes God as the one who creates, by whom all things exist. Jesus is one with creation and shares our humanity. Because Jesus was tested, he is able to help us when we are tested by suffering. Jesus is merciful and faithful. Matthew 2:13 23 picks up the theme of exile and resettlement. In another dream, Joseph is warned that Herod seeks to harm the child; Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Because Jesus shares our humanity, he also is vulnerable. Joseph praises God through faithful obedience. There are many parallels here with Israel s earlier experience, recorded in Genesis and Exodus: God s people spent time in Egypt; there was a man named Joseph who dreamed; there was a cruel ruler; innocent children were massacred. God, who brought Israel out of Egypt and restored the people after exile in Babylon, saves and reconciles in and through the life and work of Jesus the Christ. The stories we read today proclaim that God is with us from the very creation of life. We live today in uncertain times. When is it difficult to sense God s presence among us? What are the things for which we praise God this Christmas season? How might our experiences of exile and restoration nourish our hope in God for the future? December 26, 2010 Focus Scripture Psalm 148 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 63:7 9 Hebrews 2:10 18 Matthew 2:13 23 Creator God, we praise you for the wonders you have made and for our lives, which come from you. When we feel separated and alone, bring us back to our true selves. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, who shares our humanity and reaches out to us in love. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 35

38 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Christmas Day is over, but the excitement in children probably hasn t abated. They will be eager to tell you about special treats and guests at Christmas, or where they went. Enjoy their delight in this day of cheer. If there are children for whom this holiday was not so happy, try to have a time for individual conversation with them. Let them know that you understand and will listen to them. The day after Christmas may be a day with low attendance. Make the most of having a smaller group and being able to interact with individual children. As you plan this session, you may choose to keep the children together for exploring the story deeper in Engage and use the art conversation suggestion. In that case, you may wish to incorporate some of the information on today s resource sheet The Book of Psalms in your introduction to Psalm 148 earlier in Engage. Pray that the children in your group will come alive to the joy of praising God with all creation. December 26, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Psalm 148, and biblical background material (p. 35). How does this psalm connect with the joy you find in the Christmas story? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with white or gold cloth for the Season of Christmas, Advent wreath with candles (three purple and one rose, or four blue, whichever is used in the sanctuary) and large white pillar Christ candle in the middle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Psalms. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet All Creation Praises God. q For art conversation group, bring poster Creation. q For Psalms group, bring copies of today s resource sheet The Book of Psalms and directions. Respond q Art zone: poster Creation, pipe cleaners, and (optional) drawing paper the size of the poster q Music zone: song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) and materials to make selected musical instruments (see today s resource sheet Praise God with Music ) q Quiet zone: blank notecards with envelopes and string q Christmas zone: basket and slips of paper with names of animals and parts of creation 3636

39 December 26, 2010 Cosmic Praise Scripture Psalm 148 FOCUS To join all creation in praising God. Call to learning Point out the white or gold (use the colour your congregation uses) cloth, an indication of a new church year season. Explain that this is the Season of Christmas, which lasts for twelve days. The white candle in the middle of the Advent wreath is called the Christ candle. Light it. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Praise Invite the children to think about times when they were praised. Ask: n When has someone praised you? Any children who are uncertain about the meaning of praise will come to a definition by hearing the answers of others. n What are some words that mean the same thing as praise? n What does it feel like to have someone praise you? Explain that the Bible passage for this session is praise for God. Preparing for the story The book of Psalms Have a child bring the Bible from the worship table and open it at the bookmark. Explain that this is the book of Psalms. It has prayers and poems. The Hebrew people sang the poems in it as their music to worship God. Hold the Bible so the children can see that the words are arranged like poetry. Explain that many of the poems are words of praise to God. Refer to their previous discussion of what praise is. Ask: n What words do you think would be good words to praise God? The Bible story Praises to God Tell the story on today s resource sheet All Creation Praises God, which includes a paraphrase of Psalm 148. Then play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (#1 on Seasons Music CD), or read the words to this hymn (p. 5 in Music Section). Invite the children to listen to hear how the song is like the psalm in the story. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Art conversation group Look at the poster Creation together. Invite the children to remember how the family in the story looked at the skies and praised God. Perhaps the psalmist who wrote the psalm had a similar experience looking at God s creation. Ask: n What do you notice in this art? n The title is Creation. What parts of creation seem to be praising God? Look more closely at the stream of people in the art. Ask: n How do you think people praise God? Psalms group This group will research to learn more about the book of Psalms. Provide copies of today s resource sheet The Book of Psalms, pencils, Bibles, and these directions: 37

40 December 26, Take a copy of The Book of Psalms, a pencil, and a Bible. 2 Follow the directions on The Book of Psalms. You can work alone or with a partner. 3 Decide on some information you want to tell the others. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite the Psalms group to present their information. Ask: n What are some ways people might praise God? This brief conversation will prepare the children to participate in the Respond zones. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Poster additions Along with the parts of creation named in Psalm 148 and shown on the poster Creation, the children can add other elements of God s creation to the poster. Provide drawing paper and markers for drawing them, and pipe cleaners for creating three-dimensional shapes. Lay the poster on a table so the children can add their creations to the appropriate stream on it. Also have large sheets of drawing paper for children who want to create their own imitations of the poster art. q Music zone: Music to praise God This activity will encourage the children to compare the song and the psalm more closely. The song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) was the transition song during Advent, so the children will recognize it. Play it for the children in this zone. Ask them to listen for parts of creation. They will notice that it is like Psalm 148 that they heard in the story. Read all the parts of the creation that are in the song. Then play the song and have the children join in on each Praise God. Provide musical instruments (see today s resource sheet Praise God with Music ) for the children to play as well. If this song will be sung in worship, perhaps the children can accompany it with their instruments. Older children in the group can learn the refrain repeated at the end of each stanza. q Outreach zone: Helping creation Another way we praise Creator God is to care for this earth. Talk with the children in this zone about how they and their families can care for the environment. Children have many ideas about how to do this. They might prepare a list to publish in the church newsletter. Help them write an article to submit to the church office or newsletter editor. q Quiet zone: Thank you cards Letting others know they are appreciated is also a way of praising God. Provide blank notecards for the children to decorate with markers or crayons. Help them write brief thank you notes to family and friends for Christmas gifts or for special acts of kindness. Package them with envelopes and tie them together to be taken home. q Christmas zone: Game This game provides a fun way of naming how each part of creation might praise God. To prepare for the game, write names of animals and other parts of creation on slips of paper, using those the children will know. Place the slips in a basket. Invite each child to take one and keep it secret. One at a time, the children act out the names on their slips. They can use movements and sounds, but no words. When the group guesses correctly, ask: n What might the (name) be thankful for? After this conversation, the child with the slip completes this sentence: I am a (name) and I think God for. Repeat until each child has a turn. 38

41 December 26, 2010 Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Then sing it or hum it together with musical accompaniment. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of all creation, we join with the sun and the moon. We join with the seas and the skies in praising you. May our delight in you and all that you have created shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), sing and laugh for God this week. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. In what ways did the children praise God during this session? What did you learn about their interests in God s world? If your church school is coming together for a special session on the story of the magi, think about how you will welcome the group in two weeks. 39

42 Resource sheet December 26, 2010 All Creation Praises God To give a context for Psalm 148, the story is one about children today. Look at the children directly as you tell it. Grandmother looked out the door and saw the sky filled with stars. Let s go lay on the ground and look at the sky, she called to the family. Father gathered up some blankets and out they went. When everyone was settled, they got very quiet, even five-year-old Susie, the wiggler. Isn t the world beautiful? sighed someone. From another blanket, a voice said, It s like the skies are singing. No one had noticed that Mother had brought a little flashlight and Bible with her. She began to read: Look up at the sky and sing, Look up at all the birds! God has given you your life, Sing and laugh for God. Can you see the sun and moon? Can you see the sky? The song they sing is meant for God. Why don t you sing it too? The whales and fishes laugh for God! Snow and rain laugh, too! All the hills and mountains laugh! Why don t you laugh too? Queens and kings will smile for God! Old men and women grin. Children and their parents smile. Why don t you smile too? If you breathe then you can sing. Sing your song to God. God has given you your life. Sing and laugh for God.* When Mother finished reading, Susie began to giggle. Soon everyone, even Grandmother, was laughing for God. *From Lectionary Story Bible: Year A by Ralph Milton. Copyright 2007 Wood Lake Publishing Inc. Used by permission. 40

43 Resource sheet December 26, 2010 The Book of Psalms Find the book of Psalms in the Hebrew Scriptures part of the Bible. Read each section below. Look up the psalm to answer the questions. The word psalm comes from a Greek word meaning songs sung to a harp. Many psalms are written so a group can sing them. Music and musical instruments are often mentioned in the Bible. What musical instruments are named in these psalms? Psalm 98 Psalm 150 The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible. How many psalms (or chapters) are in it? Psalm 119 is the longest psalm. How many verses are in it? Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm. How many verses are in it? Just as in our hymnbooks, different kinds of psalms or songs can be found in the book of Psalms. Psalm 148 is a psalm of praise. How many times is the word praise in it? Psalm 130 is a cry for help from God. Copy the first verse of Psalm 130 here, or write it in your own words. Psalm 9 speaks of God s power. Write the words in this psalm that remind you of God s strength and power here. Psalm 23 is probably the best-known psalm in the Bible. How is God pictured in Psalm 23? 41

44 Resource sheet December 26, 2010 Praise God with Music Praise shakers Materials: paper plates, small pebbles, stapler Place two plates together with insides facing each other. Begin to staple around the edges. Leave a small space through which to pour a small amount of pebbles. Continue stapling the edges closed. Jingle sticks Materials: small dowels, pipe cleaners, jingle bells Weave two or three bells onto each pipe cleaner. Wrap pipe cleaners around dowels. Rhythm sticks Materials: dowels, sandpaper Two sticks are needed to play these rhythm sticks. For each one, wrap a piece of sandpaper around a dowel. Glue or use a staple gun to keep the edges in place. Rub the sticks back and forth to produce a sound. Drums Materials: any round tins, cans, boxes Stretch a piece of cloth or leather over the open end and hold in place with a rubber band (or tape a piece of heavy paper over the end). Tap with fingers or a small stick. Plastic bottle shaker Materials: clean plastic jar with a lid, pebbles, aquarium gravel, or buttons Put a small handful of pebbles, aquarium gravel, or buttons inside the bottle. Put a little white glue around the inside of the rim of the bottle and seal closed. Tube shakers Materials: long paper tubes, fabric scraps, rubber bands, pebbles Cut circles from fabric to fit over ends of tubes. Use a rubber band to cover one end of a tube with a fabric circle. Place a small amount of pebbles in the tube. Cover the other end of the tube with another fabric circle. To play, tip the tube back and forth to hear the pebbles sliding. Gong Materials: metal lid, metal spoon, string Suspend a metal lid by a string and hit it with a large metal spoon. Guitar Materials: small shoeboxes (without lids), rubber bands Slip several rubber bands around the box so the bands stretch across the open end. Tape rubber bands in place. 42

45 Epiphany On this day the church celebrates Epiphany, a name that comes from a Greek word meaning to make manifest or to display. On this day and during this Season after the Epiphany, Christians rejoice in the gift of saving love and the unfolding vision of wholeness that God has made manifest for all people in Jesus the Christ. Our call is to participate in proclaiming this good news. Focus Scripture: Matthew 2:1 12 The wise men or magi mentioned in verse 1 appear only in the gospel of Matthew. Magi refers to a priestly group in ancient Persia and Babylon, whose work combined elements of astrology, astronomy, and dream interpretation. Despite the song We Three Kings, wise ones is a more accurate synonym for magi than kings. In addition, the text does not say how many magi there were. Perhaps the description of the three gifts in verse 11 inspired the notion of three magi. Matthew seems to make it clear that the magi were Gentiles people who are not Jewish. Some scholars speculate that the magi may have connected the star described in verses 2, 7, 9, and 10 with the birth of a Jewish king because of their contact with Jews who remained in Babylon after the end of exile in the sixth century BCE. It is significant that these Gentiles are seeking the promised Messiah. Why does Herod react with fear to the news of this baby s birth? Herod the Great was a powerful ruler known for his ruthlessness and paranoia, and he likely perceived this suggestion of a new king as a threat. The gifts described in verse 11 befit a royal ruler. Gold is mentioned often in the Bible as a metal of great value used for worship vessels, as well as for personal adornment. Frankincense and myrrh are fragrant plant products. In Bible times, they were valued as ingredients for incense to be burned in worship, as well as for perfumes. The magi are told in a dream to return to Jerusalem. So, in defiance of Herod s order to report Jesus whereabouts, they go home by another road. The magi s choice to participate in God s unfolding plan affords protection to Jesus. This account in Matthew further grounds the events of Jesus life in Hebrew Scriptures. Herod s threat echoes the story of Pharaoh and the child Moses (Exodus 2:1 10). In both cases, a child is saved from a tyrant s intent to kill that tragically victimizes other innocents. In both cases, the child grows up to lead God s people. Verse 6 quotes Micah 5:2 to speak of Jesus as the promised one of God. Verse 12 recalls several stories in the Hebrew Scriptures that link dreams and deliverance (for example, Joseph in Genesis 41). As the magi followed a bright star to Jesus, the prophet in Isaiah 60:1 6 declares that nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Your is likely a reference to Jerusalem as it would be after the end of the exile in 536 BCE. The Hebrew word translated as nations here is the same as Gentiles. In Psalm 72:1 7, 10 14, the psalmist prays for a wise ruler who will keep God s promises on behalf of those who are usually left out those who are poor, needy, and oppressed. The mystery of Christ is addressed in Ephesians 3:1 12. Paul proclaims that Gentiles are also full members of the Body of Christ. The church in Ephesus is called to make known the vision of God s wisdom, grounding their action in bold faith in Christ. Epiphany is more than a celebration of the magi s visit to the young Jesus. The star beckons each of us to embrace the gift of Christ. Participating in the vision of God s ways may call us to change directions; the promise of Epiphany is God s leading. What are the joys and risks of accepting the call to live into God s unfolding vision of wholeness? In what ways, and in what individuals, might God be revealing Christ in your midst today? January 2, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 2:1 12 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 60:1 6 Psalm 72:1 7, Ephesians 3:1 12 We praise you, Holy One, for visions of your loving ways. Stir our hope and fill us with courage to imagine how we might journey in the paths you illuminate with the brilliance of the Christ child. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 43

46 This session is designed for all ages to come together for approximately an hour to explore the story of the magi. The Focus for All Ages The story of the magi searching for the new ruler of the Jews is one of the key stories of the Christian community, a story that is told and celebrated every year. Such stories are not only timeless, but they are for everyone, from the youngest child to the eldest adult. And these stories are ones we can hear and enjoy together over and over. When we come together across the age groups to learn and explore our faith stories, each person can be a role model for others. When we come together like this, we find that we learn from the youngest in the group as well as the eldest. This session is designed for all ages to come together for approximately an hour to explore the story of the magi. A team other than the regular age-specific leaders might plan and lead this special session. During this time of the year, church gatherings have a smaller attendance as people travel during the Christmas and New Year holiday. Take advantage of that smaller group to help the generations get to know one another better through this event. No matter how carefully you plan, some adults find it impossible to imagine learning with children and some children become shy when approached by an adult who is not a family member. Some teens and young adults may be reluctant to be separated from their peers. Or, for reasons of space or numbers, you may choose to meet in age-specific groups for this session or for the Respond activities. Therefore, the zones in Respond offer ways to adapt the activities to make them more challenging for a group of teens or simpler for children only. Then too, older adults sometimes find that the noise created by a group of all ages makes it difficult for them to hear. They may prefer to be in a quieter spot where they can discuss the story and its ramifications. Think about the people that you hope will attend and try to meet as many of their needs as possible. Pray that everyone, whatever the age, finds new meaning and joy in this story of the recognition and worship of the Christ child. January 2, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 2:1 12 and biblical background material (p. 33). What message do you take from this story? q Bring, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with white or gold cloth, Christ candle, matches, Bible, and offering basket. Set up a crèche with the figures of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on the worship table. q Bring poster Starry Night over the Rhone or photograph of the night sky filled with stars. Engage q Prepare to tell story on today s resource sheet A New Star in the Sky. q Bring nativity set, figures as large as you can find. Consider having more than three magi figures. q Cut a large star from cardboard and cover with glitter. Respond q Art zone: Chalk, glitter glue, dark blue or black construction paper, poster Starry Night over the Rhone or photograph of night sky filled with stars, and star pattern on today s resource sheet My Gift q Quiet zone: copies of today s resource sheet My Gift, pencils or coloured markers, scissors, hole punch, yarn q Conversation zone: copies of today s resource sheet The Magi and Their Gifts q Music zone: song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD), (optional) rhythm instruments, and hymn books with Epiphany hymns q Outreach zone: nylon netting squares, potpourri, rubber bands, ribbon, and spoons Bless q Bring votive candles, one for each person 4444

47 January 2, 2011 Epiphany Scripture Matthew 2:1 12 FOCUS To hear and celebrate the story of the visit of the magi. Opening ritual Call to learning When everyone is settled and focused on the worship table, light the Christ candle. Point to the nativity figures on the worship table and recall with the group that we have just celebrated Christmas. But now the angels and the shepherds are gone, leaving Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the scene. If you are not holding this event on Epiphany Day (January 6), say when it is and note that Epiphany Day concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas. On that day and for this time together, you are gathered to celebrate Epiphany Day, the day when the church recalls the visit of the magi to Bethlehem. The word Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning to display or appearance. Have the group say this response several times: Epiphany is a light in our lives. Then lead them in the opening litany: O God, when the Christmas trees and decorations are looking tired, Response When the rest of the world thinks Christmas is over, Response We light our candle and remember the star the magi followed. Response Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). Receive any offering during this song. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of love, we gather as we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus. May our hearts be open to your word to us, as we explore the story of the magi s visit. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Starry skies The star is a central feature of the story of the magi and one thing that all ages will recognize. Wherever you live, looking at the sky on a clear night is dramatic. Draw out this wonder as the group talks about seeing the stars in the sky. Ask: n When you are outside at night and see all the stars in the sky, how do you feel? After several answers, show them the poster Starry Night over the Rhone or a photograph of the night sky filled with stars. Ask: n Looking at this picture, how do you think the sky filled with stars made the artist or photographer feel? Conclude with noting that the story today is not about lots of stars, but one special star. Preparing for the story Birth of Jesus Distribute figures from a nativity set (Mary, Joseph, Jesus, animals, shepherds, angel). Have the persons with the figures set them on the table, creating the traditional crèche scene, as the story is told. From the gospel of Luke: Gabriel told Mary the surprising news that she was going to have a baby and she sang a song of joy. (Mary is brought forward.) From the gospel of Matthew Joseph learned of the coming birth from an angel in a dream. (Joseph is brought forward.) Back to Luke: Mary and Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. (Mary and Joseph walk around and are finally placed at the crèche.) While there, the baby Jesus was born in a stable, where the animals were kept. (The baby Jesus and the animals are placed in the crèche.) 45

48 January 2, 2011 Angels announced the birth to shepherds, who came to see the baby. (Hold angel over the crèche. Bring shepherds to the crèche for a moment and then take them away.) The Bible story Visitors from far away Introduce the story of the magi by noting that not only did shepherds leave their fields around Bethlehem to come to Bethlehem, but people from far away also came to see the child Jesus. Their story is in the gospel of Matthew. Give one person the large star (see Prepare) and distribute the figures of the magi. Tell the story on today s resource sheet A New Star in the Sky, based on Matthew 2:1 12. Have the people carry the figures as they follow the person with the star who walks slowly around the space. Have them place the figures of the magi in the crèche when that part of the story is told. Those who carried the magi figures stand to the side until the end of the story. Then they take the magi figures away, to indicate that they returned to their homes. Have each child find an adult or teenager to form a pair. If there are more adults than children or vice versa, suggest that the additional people join one of the pairs. Give them these questions to discuss: n Why was Herod so worried about this little child? n Why were the magi so excited to find the child Jesus? n What do you think appeared or was revealed in this discovery of the magi? The Bible story and us When all the pairs have had time to discuss the questions, bring them together. Invite some to tell their answers to the last question above. Recall that the magi brought gifts of gold and expensive perfume to Jesus. In the Respond zones, everyone will have ways to think about what gifts they can give to Jesus today. Explain the choices in the zones. Invite everyone to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Star of Epiphany The star is the dominant symbol of the Epiphany story. This activity will attract anyone with an artistic bent. Display the poster Starry Night over the Rhone or the photograph of the night sky as inspiration to create starry pictures. Provide art supplies, such as chalk or glitter glue to use on dark blue or black construction paper. First, invite the participants in this activity to sit quietly and gaze on the poster or photograph, thinking about the journey the magi made to find Jesus. When they are ready, they can create their idea of what following the star was like. Combine their drawings with the large star from Engage to create a display for the congregation to see. An adaptation to include creative writing: Use the star pattern on today s resource sheet My Gift to cut stars from plain paper. Provide thin-tip coloured markers for the participants to write their thoughts about following the star on the paper stars. q Quiet zone: Gifts for Jesus The gifts brought by the magi prompt us to consider what we might give to Jesus. This activity can be self-directed or guided by a leader. Provide copies of today s resource sheet My Gift and pencils or coloured markers. Have participants follow the instructions on the resource sheet. Decorate the star and cut it out. Punch a hole at the top of the star, thread yarn through the hole and make a loop hanger. They can hang them at home as reminders of the journey of the magi and the church s celebration of Epiphany Day. To use this activity with a group of children, talk with them about the things they can give to Jesus. Then help them write their choices on the stars. Continue as above. To use this activity with a group of adults, provide more questions for reflection, such as: What gifts do we offer Jesus? How might we bring God s love and justice to others? Conclude with each person writing a response on a star, selecting what they will do in the coming week to show God s love and justice to others. 46

49 January 2, 2011 q Conversation zone: The magi and their gifts This activity encourages a deeper look at the story of the magi and its meaning for today. Provide copies of today s resource sheet The Magi and Their Gifts and Bibles. Form groups of three or four to read and discuss the questions on the resource sheet. To use this activity with a group of older children, lead them in the discussion about the magi. Then have them imagine going with the magi. Ask: n What gifts would you bring to Jesus? See the quiet zone for a way to complete this activity. To use this activity with a group of teenagers or adults, have a leader guide the discussion with the information and questions on the resource sheet. q Music zone: Praises to God The magi journeyed to Bethlehem to honour or praise the one whose star they saw in the sky. We continue to offer our praises to Jesus and God. These praises often take the form of song. The song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) calls forth praise from all creation. First, teach the part of the song that includes the phrases, Praise God and Let all creation sing. Encourage everyone to join in on those parts as more of the song is sung or listened to on the Seasons Music CD. To use this activity with a group of children, teach them the portion of the song as noted above. Distribute rhythm instruments for them to play as they sing their parts. Additional activity If the church choir has this Sunday off, perhaps the all-age group could provide this song as the anthem for the service of worship. Epiphany songs Ask worship planners for the Epiphany hymns that will be included in worship. Add them to the music zone so the people will be prepared to sing them if worship follows, or so they will learn more about them if worship preceded the education time. q Outreach zone: Sachets One gift the magi brought to Jesus was perfume. The participants will make sachets as reminders of God s love and the church s care to give to people residing in adult residences or church members who are unable to leave their homes. Place a spoonful of potpourri on a square of nylon netting. Gather up the sides and close tightly with a rubber band. Tie a colourful ribbon around the rubber band. Prepare gift cards to go with the sachets. To use this activity with children, assist them in putting the rubber band around the top. Print gift cards in advance for the children to decorate. Gather When it is almost time to conclude the session, ask the participants to finish their activities and come to the worship table. Light the Christ candle. Light of Christ Give each participant a votive candle to light and hold during the litany prayer. Pray this litany. Explain that the group is to follow each line of the prayer with We travel with the light of Christ. God of all creation, we praise Jesus as the magi did, and now (Response). At your direction, the magi went home by another road, and on our road, (Response). This Epiphany Day will soon end, but (Response). Amen. At the end of the prayer, for safety s sake, have the participants blow out their votive candles. Blessing Invite the participants to say this blessing to people next to them: Follow the Epiphany star, the light of Christ, this week. God is with you. When did you observe the participants discovering something new about the story of the magi? When did the different age groups interact in a conversation or activity? How would you describe this special session in three to five words? What would you change for a future all-ages event? 47

50 Resource sheet January 2, 2011 A New Star in the Sky based on Matthew 2:1 12 Rehearse this story so you can tell it with the wonder and awe that it inspires. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a special star appeared in the sky. But the star didn t shine only in Bethlehem or even in the countryside around it. The star shone in lands far away. In some of those lands to the east, people who studied the night sky and watched the stars saw it. These magi looked at this new star with wonder. What did a new star mean? They were sure it was a special star, a star with a message. The message was that a new ruler was born for the Jewish people. Some magi from these faraway lands, especially interested in this new star, decided to look for this new ruler. The star will lead the way, they said. Getting ready for a long trip, and one where you didn t know exactly where you were going, took some time. Camels had to be packed with bedding, food, clothing, pans, and everything necessary for such a long trip. People had to be hired to take care of the camels, to cook the food, and all the other jobs necessary from day to day. Finally, on one beautiful day, everything was ready. But the magi could not leave when the sun was shining. They waited until night so the star could show the way. With only the moonlight and the light of this new star, they moved slowly across the land. When they reached Jerusalem, they stopped to see King Herod. It was only polite to call upon the king when you entered a new land. And King Herod was known as a harsh king so the magi did not want to anger him in any way. So off they went to the king. Of course, King Herod wanted to know why they had come to his land. The magi answered, We have seen a new star in the sky. We believe this star means that a child has been born who is king of the Jews. We want to worship this child. Can you tell us where we might find this baby? Everyone present gasped. King Herod was king of the Jews. Indeed, this news worried the king a lot. However, King Herod was sly and didn t let the magi know how upset he was. He stepped away and called together the chief priests of the Jews. Where is this Messiah, the ruler for whom you are waiting, to be born? This was not a hard question for the chief priests. The prophets have told us that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem of Judea, they said. When King Herod returned to the magi, he smiled and asked, Now when did you first see this star? After the magi told him, King Herod said, Go to Bethlehem. When you find the child who is to be king of the Jews, let me know. I want to worship the child too. The magi left King Herod, pleased that they knew where to go and that the king was friendly to them. And they were almost at the end of their journey. The star continued to lead them until they came to a house in the village of Bethlehem. To be truthful, it didn t look like much of a place for a king. But the magi were excited to find Mary and the child Jesus inside. They quickly unpacked the gifts they had brought. They gave Jesus gold, along with frankincense and myrrh, which were sweet-smelling expensive perfumes. Then they left Bethlehem, thinking that they would return to Jerusalem to see King Herod on their way home. But that night, as they slept, they dreamed. In their dreams, God warned them not to tell King Herod about the child Jesus. So they went home by a different road. 48

51 Resource sheet January 2, 2011 My Gift The magi brought very special gifts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. They chose expensive gifts because they wanted to give the very best that they could. Gifts don t have to be expensive to be special. What is the best gift that you could give Jesus? Perhaps you could say something encouraging to someone care for the earth by taking bottles to the recycling depot play with a younger brother or sister 49

52 Resource sheet January 2, 2011 The Magi and Their Gifts Turn to Matthew 2:1 12 in the Bible. The story of the magi is found only here. Let s dig deeper into this story to find why it is in Matthew s gospel. magi (plural) people who studied the stars and the night skies When speaking of one person, say magus. How many magi or wise ones followed the star? Are you sure? Check your answer in Matthew 2:1 12. Why do you think we use three in illustrations and songs about the magi? The magi were not Jews. How do you think they knew about the star for a new king of the Jews? What did they want to know from King Herod? Who did Herod ask so he could answer their question? Let s think more about the magi. Since they were not Jews, why do you think they wanted to show respect or worship the new king of the Jews? God gave the magi an important message in a dream. What was it? Why was it important? Digging deeper for young people and adults The magi brought gold, certainly a gift for a ruler of the nation. They also brought frankincense and myrrh, which were perfumes used by royalty. Myrrh was also one of the ingredients used to prepare bodies for burial. Knowing the story of Jesus whole life, what might these gifts from the magi symbolize? What gifts might we bring to Jesus today? King Herod was a strong ruler. Even so, he feared that someone was trying to overthrow him. Being fair to the people he ruled was not important to him. Justice was not shown to the people. For the Jews, the promise of a new ruler brought hope for peace and justice. What is your hope for peace and justice today? What can you do to promote peace and justice for the world? 50

53 Possibilities Unfolding As we enter the Season after the Epiphany, the scriptures invite us to wonder about the unfolding possibilities that are opened to us through the revealing of God s ways in Jesus the Christ. On this Baptism of Jesus Sunday, we hear God s Spirit-filled voice speaking new things into action, reminding us that we are God s beloved children and planting God s purpose in our midst. Focus Scripture: Matthew 3:13 17 Reading the verses before this focus text, we learn that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned from Egypt and settled in Galilee. As chapter 3 begins, John the Baptizer is preaching in the wilderness of Judea telling people to return to God s ways and proclaiming that one who is more powerful than I (Matthew 3:11) is coming. Jesus, now an adult, comes to John for baptism in order to fulfill all righteousness (verse 15). Righteousness in this context means doing the work that God has given one to do. John s work is to announce the presence of the Messiah and the coming reign of God. In baptizing Jesus, John s mission is fulfilled. As noted before, the writer of Matthew strives to link the story of Jesus life with the story of God s people as told in the Hebrew Scriptures. In the stories of the Hebrew prophets, their call from God is important. In this focus passage, the Spirit of God and a voice from heaven reveal Jesus identity as the Son of God. In Matthew, this is the first direct statement of Jesus divine identity. Verse 17 reports a voice from heaven describing Jesus as with whom I am well pleased. Here, the gospel writer creates a connection with the beginning verses of the Servant Song (Isaiah 42). This statement identifies Jesus as God s beloved child and faithful servant. Verse 16 speaks of the heavens opening suddenly. Imagine the potential and the possibilities that were opened to Jesus at this moment. Jesus ushered in a new era that will not close until the end of time. To underscore the beginning of this new work of God, the Spirit of God rests on Jesus in the form of a dove. This symbolism may have reminded early Jewish Christians of the story of Noah. In Genesis 8:10 11, a dove marks the beginning of new life for creation. God s pleasure in Jesus is announced as Jesus ministry begins. Obedience to the call of God is a continuing theme in Matthew. The blessings of God, however, are not contingent on behaviour. Rather, such grace is what makes it possible to follow in God s ways. The voice from heaven that speaks at Jesus baptism echoes the voice spoken in Isaiah 42:1 9. These words proclaim the mission of God s beloved servant to restore justice. Every age in human history has longed for someone like the servant described in Isaiah. It is easy to see how the first Christians would have associated Jesus with this figure. In Psalm 29, the psalmist affirms that God s powerful voice creates, even in the midst of chaos. God speaks at the beginning of creation and at the baptism of Jesus. As the disciple Peter travelled with Jesus, he learned of the new ways of God s reign. The Spirit that descended on Jesus at his baptism is the same Spirit that is poured out on believers in the book of Acts. In Acts 10:34 43, Peter proclaims the cosmic nature of God s plan in Jesus. As the Spirit dwells with Jesus followers, then and now, it enables the continuing of God s mission. In the whoosh of a dove s wings and a Spiritfilled voice, we perceive the vision of God s unfolding purpose in the life of Jesus. When we open our hearts to God, we sense the presence of this dove and the power of this voice to reveal God s unfolding possibilities for us and our world. When have you sensed God s Spirit resting on you, as an individual and as the church? How is your life shaped by being called God s child and faithful servant? January 9, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 3:13 17 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 42:1 9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34 43 Holy One, we give thanks that you call us beloved. Open us to receive your bountiful Spirit as our companion, and inspire us to embrace the life revealed in the unfolding possibilities you place before us. In Christ. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 51

54 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Will all the children in your group have seen a baptism in your sanctuary? With many churches scheduling congregational worship and church school at the same time, children can easily reach adolescence without being present for a baptism. If that is the case for your children, plan a time for them to observe a baptism, even if it is several weeks after this session. God s words of affirmation to Jesus are also an affirmation to God s people today. Children deserve to hear these positive words of love and caring often. This story presents one more time for that message to be reinforced. This is also a good time for you to evaluate how you reinforce those words through your actions with the children. Pray that the children in your group will always remember that they are special to God. January 9, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 3:13 17, and biblical background material (p. 51). What do you remember or know of your baptism? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with white cloth for the Baptism of Jesus Sunday, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. q Bring symbols of membership in various organizations, such as library card, membership cards, family photo, or organization s newsletters. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Jesus Comes to the River. q For echo story group, rehearse the echo story so you can lead the children confidently. q For art and poetry group, bring poster Word of Light and directions. Respond q Art zone: watercolour paper, white crayons or wax sticks, watercolour paints, and brushes q Music zone: song The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: copies of today s resource sheet Welcome Postcard q Quiet zone: recording of quiet, soothing music and copies of today s resource sheet Quiet Prayer Time q Baptism zone: guest to talk about baptism as practiced by your congregation and denomination 5252

55 January 9, 2011 Unfolding Possibilities Scripture Matthew 3:13 17 FOCUS To hear with Jesus that we are loved by God. Call to learning Point out the white cloth for Baptism of Jesus Sunday. The Advent wreath has been removed. Left is the Christ candle. Remind the children that the candle is called the Christ candle as you light it. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Signs of membership To help the children identify with groups to which they belong, show them the things you brought that indicate groups or organizations to which you belong (library card, family photo, membership card or organization s newsletter). Perhaps some of the children have their own library cards, school identity cards, or special clothing for scouting groups or other organizations. Ask: n What does it mean be a member of something? n What kinds of things do you do because you belong to (the library) or because you are a member of a group? Suggest that they listen for something in the Bible story that is a sign of being part of a group or belonging. Preparing for the story Matthew s story of Jesus Invite a child to get the Bible from the worship table. Explain that each year the church focuses on one gospel. Ask: n Whose story is found in a gospel? n What are the four gospels in the New Testament? Some children will remember that the story of Jesus is found in the gospels. If they cannot name the four gospels, now is a good time to teach this Bible fact. Even the youngest children can recall Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then have the child open the Bible to the bookmark and tell what gospel it is. The Bible story Baptism of Jesus Explain that in this session we begin to follow the life of Jesus as an adult. The baby born in Bethlehem is now a man. Younger children may need this clue to connect the baby in Joseph s arms with the man at the Jordan River. Tell the story from today s resource sheet Jesus Comes to the River, based on Matthew 3: At the end of the story, comment that this story is so important that it is told in all four gospels. Just for good measure, lead the children in naming the four gospels in unison. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Echo story group This group will review the story of Jesus baptism by creating an echo story. Explain to the children that you will begin the story of Jesus baptism. In the lines you say, they are to repeat the last word each time. Then they will complete the echo story with their own words. Begin with: 53

56 January 9, 2011 Jesus came from Galilee (Galilee). Jesus came to see John (John). John was at the Jordan River (river). John said, Not me, no (no). Jesus said, You, yes (yes). Now help the children create more lines to tell the rest of the story. Print the lines they write on newsprint so you can lead the expanded echo story for the others. Art and poetry group The children in this group will think about what it means to be loved by God. Display the poster Word of Light. Provide Bibles or copies of Matthew 3:13 17, writing paper, pencils, and these directions: 1 Sit where you can look at the poster. 2 Take a Bible (or copy of Matthew 3:13 17) and find Matthew 3. 3 Read Matthew 3:13 17 silently or with a partner. 4 Look at the art poster. What part of the Bible story does it remind you of? 5 Take paper and a pencil. Write a short poem or a few sentences about Jesus baptism. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite children from the art and poetry group to read their work. Have the echo story group present their echo story. Make the transition to Respond by noting that the words Jesus heard are words of good news of God s love for us too. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Wax relief paintings The waters of baptism mark us on the outside, a symbol of belonging to Christ and being beloved of God. Provide watercolour paper, white crayons or clear wax, and watercolour paints and brushes. Have the children draw shapes and designs, such as water drops, on the paper with the crayons. Then paint over the entire paper with one or two hues of watercolours. Watch the designs emerge. Recall how the waters of Jesus baptism brought out an important message from God. q Music zone: Creative movement The song The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD) is too much to teach the children, especially in one session. However, they can enjoy the music and gain some understanding of the words. Help them develop simple movements to interpret the refrain of the song. A simple process is to work with phrases and then put the movement to the music. For example, Lead us to listen can be matched with holding a hand cupped behind the right ear and bending the body slightly to the right. For to hear the heart speak, reverse and hold a cupped hand to the left ear and lean in that direction. The children in this zone can present the movements during the Blessing. q Outreach zone: Welcome postcards When children or adults are baptized, we welcome them into the church. The group can make postcards using today s resource sheet Welcome Postcard to send when there are baptisms or new members join. After adding colour to the picture, write a generic message on the address side of the card, such as Welcome to our church or Welcome to (name of congregation) and sign name of group. Save the postcards to mail as baptisms occur or new members join the congregation. 54

57 January 9, 2011 q Quiet zone: Meditative prayer Hearing that we are God s beloved is something to contemplate and ponder. This zone will provide a quiet spot for children to do that. Play meditative music, such as Jesus, Face of God (#4 on Seasons Music CD) or soothing instrumental music if you do not have access to the Seasons Music CD. Either have a leader in this zone to lead the meditation or provide the children with copies of today s resource sheet Quiet Prayer Time and these directions: q Baptism zone: Guest Baptism, a sacrament of the church, is practiced in various forms today. Invite your pastor or a church member to talk with the children about the way your congregation and denomination practices this sacrament. If possible, take the children to see the baptismal font or area in the sanctuary. 1 To prepare for this prayer, take a copy of Quiet Prayer Time. 2 Sit in a comfortable position and listen to the music. 3 Read each line on the paper. Do each direction for a moment before reading the next line. 4 Take this paper home and pray in this way whenever you wish. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Song The music zone group can present the movements to the refrain of The Anointing. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you love and bless us. May your delight in us and all that you have created shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), you are loved by God. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. What examples of belonging did the children express? From their conversations, how do you think they feel about belonging to the church? What questions did the story of Jesus baptism bring about the sacrament of baptism today? If some questions linger, what else can you provide for the children? If the children created movements for the refrain of The Anointing, save them to use on March 6. 55

58 Resource sheet January 9, 2011 Jesus Comes to the River based on Matthew 3:13 17 When telling a story, stand still until all eyes are on you. Focus on one child as you begin. A steady stream of people came to the Jordan River where John baptized them. People came from all over to hear John preach and to be baptized by him. Important religious leaders came. Roman soldiers came. Ordinary, everyday people came. When they confessed that they had not followed God s way, John baptized them. He dipped them into the river. Day after day, this is what John did. But he also reminded the people that God would send someone more important than John. This one would baptize with God s spirit, not river water. Then one day Jesus came to the Jordan River where John was baptizing people. When John saw Jesus, John said, I cannot baptize you. You should baptize me. Really, no, no. But Jesus insisted. Yes, John, you must baptize me. God wants this to happen. Yes, yes. So John agreed. John and Jesus walked into the river. John dipped Jesus into the water just as he had dipped all the other people. But something happened when John lifted Jesus out of the river. The skies opened up. Jesus saw something like a dove come down. This dove was a sign of God s Spirit. Then a voice came from high above Jesus, John, and the people. This is my child whom I love. I am pleased with my child. This was God s sign to Jesus that Jesus was ready to do the work God had just for Jesus. This work was to show people God s way by the way Jesus lived. But before Jesus could begin, he went to a lonely place to get ready. 56

59 Resource sheet January 9, 2011 Welcome Postcard Welcome 57

60 Resource sheet January 9, 2011 Quiet Prayer Time Begin by sitting in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and listen to the music for a few minutes. Then open your eyes and follow these directions. Pause after each one. Take a moment to breathe deeply. Feel your breath going in and out. Let your body and mind be at peace. Hear God saying your name. Hear God telling you that you are loved and blessed. Imagine God s blessing pouring down over you. Imagine God s Spirit with you. Know that you are God s beloved. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Then stand up. 58

61 All That We Are What do we give our strength to? In this Season after the Epiphany, we explore God s call to us. Isaiah is called by God to proclaim the restoration of Israel. Paul encourages those called to be saints. Jesus calls disciples. Through these accounts, we are invited to consider the ways that God s call comes to us and discover the ways that God equips and strengthens us to live into this call to be all that we are. Focus Scripture: Isaiah 49:1 7 The section of Isaiah in chapters 40 48, sometimes called Second Isaiah, was composed during Israel s exile in Babylon, BCE. Cyrus of Persia is now ruling over the Babylonian empire. He seems more tolerant of other religions. The Hebrew people begin to see a glimmer of hope after long years away from Judah and Jerusalem. This section of Isaiah has several passages that speak of God s servant and chosen one. Today s focus passage is the second of these Servant Songs. The servant here is the prophet or perhaps Israel itself, called to spend its strength for the important task of doing God s will. The prophet Isaiah is called by God to proclaim to a people in exile in Babylon that God is faithful and will restore them. God s faithfulness is a theme repeated in the other readings. Isaiah describes his vocation God knew him before his birth and has given him powerful words to proclaim God s message. Isaiah s story follows a pattern common to Hebrew prophets: there is a strong sense of a task God wants the prophet to fulfill, and there is a point when the prophet feels unworthy and despairs that life s work has been in vain. But life is full of possibility. The call is repeated as God promises to do even greater works. Not only will Israel (called the tribes of Jacob in verse 6) be restored and the captives brought back, but it will become a light to all nations. God s salvation will reach to the ends of the earth. The redemption of Israel is one step in God s plan to redeem the whole world. Israel now serves a foreign power, but one day all nations will look to it. This charge to be a light to the nations is too big for an individual it needs a community to respond. Israel will become such a light when the people, as a community, live out their call to be compassionate, hospitable, generous, and justice-seeking. When the community devotes its strength to living into the possibilities of this call, God s saving love spreads to many. Psalm 40 is a thanksgiving for deliverance. Scholar Walter Brueggemann translates the words waited patiently as hoped intensely. God hears the cry of the people, brings them out of their distress (as in the exodus), and gives them a new song of praise to sing in witness to God s faithfulness. To live in the ways of God s life-giving law brings delight. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:1 9, speaks of his call to be an apostle of Jesus the Christ. He reminds the Christians in Corinth that they are called to be saints those who follow faithfully in God s ways. God will strengthen them; they will not lack any spiritual gift. In John 1:29 42, the gospel writer tells the story of Jesus baptism as a prelude to the call of the disciples. Many prophets and teachers had disciples who accompanied them and listened to their teaching. Jesus first disciples are disciples of John. They are drawn to learn more about the one whom John calls the Lamb of God. Jesus invites them to come and see. Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus, a reminder of our call to share the good news with others. We are named as members of the Body of Christ in baptism. What does it mean to be called and named by God? The biblical passages raise questions about our own call. How do we identify and confirm that call to be all we are and can be? What does it mean today to be a light to the nations? January 16, 2011 Focus Scripture Isaiah 49:1 7 Additional Scriptures Psalm 40: Corinthians 1:1 9 John 1:29 42 Faithful God, you create us and give us life. You know all that we are and can be. Help us discern your call and recognize the gifts you have given. Strengthen us to bear your light in the world, so that your ways may be known to all people. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 59

62 Now is a good time to read The Functions of Art and Imagination on page 132. The Focus for Ages 5 12 The children hear another message from God through Isaiah in this session. It includes the same message that they heard in the story of Jesus baptism: God loves you and cares for you. To that message is added God s call to us to show God s love to others. Children are eager to help others and the outreach zone in Respond provides additional ways for them to work together to answer that call. Offer such opportunities regularly to the group. The children in this age group will have differing experiences that help them to determine the talents and abilities that God has given them. As they talk about talents together, they may be able to help each other identify their gifts. Using our gifts is not about how old or mature we are, but how we can help others today. Pray that the children in your group will be assured of God s love and look forward to using their gifts for God s work. January 16, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Isaiah 49:1 7, and biblical background material (p. 59). To what is God calling you? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). q Cut a hole in large sheet of paper so that when you place it over the poster Christmas only the seated man holding the baby can be seen. Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Isaiah. q Bring poster Christmas covered with paper as described above. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Loved and Called by God. q For Isaiah s message group, bring poster Landscape with Tree, today s resource sheet Loved and Called by God, and sticky notes. q For Bible research group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Meeting the Prophets and directions. Respond q Art zone: beads and plastic lacing or jute q Music zone: song Be God s (pp in Music Section; also #3 on Seasons Music CD) Print these words on individual strips of card stock/heavy paper: mercy, hope, justice, joy, grace, truth, strength, healing, song, beauty, rock, child, smile, life, light. q Outreach zone: list of potential outreach projects or ingredients for a healthy snack q Quiet zone: copies of today s resource sheet All That I Am and directions q Interview zone: copies of resource sheet Interviewing Questions (p. 127) 6060

63 January 16, 2011 All That We Are Scripture Isaiah 49:1 7 FOCUS To discover with Isaiah that God loves us and calls us to special work. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome back children who have been absent. Introduce yourself to new children. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. Remind the children that the candle is called the Christ candle as you light it. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Loved and cherished Hold the poster Christmas with the paper covering before the children. Invite the children to look closely at the man and baby. Ask: n How do you think the man feels about the baby? n What might the man be thinking as he looks at the baby? Many parents and other adults think about what the baby will be like when it is grown-up. Ask: n What dreams might this man have for the baby? Explain that the Bible story for this session is about the dreams one person has for his life and fulfilling God s plan. Preparing for the story Back to Isaiah Invite a child to get the Bible from the worship table. Before opening it to the bookmark, ask: n Just by looking at where this bookmark is, do you think it is in the Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament? Some children will quickly recognize that the bookmark is nearer the front of the Bible than the bookmarks for the previous stories in the gospels. Simple activities like this help the children figure out the structure of the Bible. Have a child open the Bible and tell what book it marks. Recall with the group that in Advent, they heard about God s plan for peace for all creation, which was from the book of Isaiah. The Bible story Isaiah, God s prophet Tell the story about Isaiah on today s resource sheet Loved and Called by God, based on Isaiah 49:1 7. If you have invited someone to portray Isaiah, begin with the introduction in the box at the top of the resource sheet. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Isaiah s message group Putting the prophet s message from God into their own words will help the children make this message their own. Place the poster Landscape with Tree on a table. Point to the lone tree in the middle of the artwork. Comment that sometimes God s prophets 61

64 January 16, 2011 stood alone as they gave God s message to the people. Review Isaiah s message from today s resource sheet Loved and Called by God with the children. After each line, have the children say the message in their own words. Print their words on sticky notes and attach them to the poster around the tree. Meeting the prophets group This group will learn more about the books of the prophets and about Isaiah. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Meeting the Prophets, Bibles, pencils, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of Meeting the Prophets, a Bible, and a pencil. 2 Read the directions on Meeting the Prophets and complete the page. You can work alone or with others. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite the groups to report on their activities. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Bracelets The prophet of Isaiah knew that God was with him and that God helped Isaiah do the work God had for him. The children will make bracelets as reminders that God is with them too. Provide beads and plastic lacing or jute for them to string beads in a pattern that reminds them of God s care and call for them. Suggest that they wear their bracelets to remind them that they are chosen by God for something special. q Music zone: Motions The song Be God s (pp in Music Section; also #3 on Seasons Music CD) names many ways that we answer God s call. Prepare the cards according to the directions in Prepare. Place the cards, face up, on the table. Check for the children s understanding of each word. Have the children select two or three words and think of a simple action to represent each one. Play the song and invite the children to perform their actions when the words are sung. When using the activity with younger children, begin with two or three word cards that they will understand. q Outreach zone: God s work How children answer God s call is limited, but not impossible. Provide a list of choices for the children to begin to select a new outreach project for the rest of this season. In this session, they might learn more about some of the options. If you are not ready to select a new project, provide the ingredients for the children to prepare a healthy snack to serve to another group in the congregation. q Quiet zone: God s call In this zone, the children have the opportunity to think about their abilities and gifts today and how they might use them to answer God s call. Provide copies of today s resource sheet All That I Am, pencils, crayons, and these directions: 1 You will need a copy of All That I Am and a pencil. 2 Follow the directions on All That I Am. 3 When you finish, think about how you can help others in God s way. 62

65 January 16, 2011 q Interview zone: Interviews Talking with adult church members about their faith and calling is a way for the children to discover how they can use their gifts. Invite two or three church members to be present in this zone for the children to interview. Provide copies of the resource sheet Interviewing Questions (p. 127) and pencils. Go over the questions with the children in this zone before the guests arrive. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Song Play the song Be God s (pp in Music Section; also #3 on Seasons Music CD) and invite the children from the music zone to show the motions for their words. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you love and bless us. May your delight in us and all that you have created shine in us and through all the world. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), you are loved and called by God for a special work. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. Think about each child in your group. How does she or he recognize God s love? Which children seemed to connect with the story of the prophet s call from God? Which children expressed appreciation for God s gifts to them? How did they hear God s call to them? Which Respond zones are the busiest? What might make the other zones more attractive to your group? 63

66 Resource sheet January 16, 2011 Loved and Called by God based on Isaiah 49:1 7 If you have invited a church member to portray Isaiah, introduce the actor: Why, I think this is another prophet Isaiah. This one was also a prophet of God and gave the people messages from God. Greetings, I am glad to see you. Many years have passed since God sent the message of hope and peace that you heard during Advent. Since then rulers of another country have conquered the people of Judah. They took us to live far from our homes. It was the saddest thing you can imagine. We thought God had surely forgotten us. We longed to hear words of hope and peace like those from years ago. We were filled with hope by the picture of God s holy mountain where the cow and the bear would eat in the same field, where the wolf and the lamb would live in the same place. Perhaps you remember that story. Then it happened again. God had a message of hope. God chose me to give the people this important message: People, no matter where you live, pay attention! God called me, God named me before I was born. God got me ready to do a special work. God is my strength to do this work. God told me to tell all people this message, to be a light to all nations. God s saving power will not stop with the people of Judah, but reach to the end of the earth. Even rulers will kneel before God, the Holy One of Israel. And God has chosen you. When the people heard this message, they knew that God had not forgotten them. God was calling them to a special work too. Praise God! 64

67 Resource sheet January 16, 2011 Meeting the Prophets You will need a Bible to find the answers to these questions. Isaiah is the first book of a prophet in the Hebrew Scriptures. Find it. Hint: Look in the table of contents to find it faster. Isaiah 1:1 tells us the name of Isaiah s father. What is his name? Isaiah is one of the longer books of the prophets. It isn t as long as the book of Psalms, but how many chapters are in Isaiah? The books from Isaiah to the end of the Hebrew Scriptures are called the books of the prophets. What is the last book of the Hebrew Scriptures? How many chapters are in the last book? The book of Isaiah covers many years. Most people who study the Bible day after day believe that many people had a part in writing this book. They named the book after Isaiah, who was a famous prophet. So there is more than one Isaiah prophet in this long book. Chapter 49, the reading for this session, was to a people who were in exile in Babylon. They had been sent away, banished from their home in Judah to this new land. Find Isaiah 49:1 7. Read it together. Some of you read the odd-numbered verses and the rest of you read the even-numbered verses. Take turns reading the verses aloud. n How did the prophet come to understand that God had chosen him for a special work? n What was the message that God gave Isaiah? n Most prophets were given messages for a particular group of people. Read verse 6. To whom was the prophet to give this message of God s saving love? 65

68 Resource sheet January 16, 2011 All That I Am You have unique, God-given abilities. Our whole lives long, God speaks to us in many different ways and invites us to use our gifts for the good of others. In what ways might you have felt God guiding you or speaking to you? Use the list below and check all the options that are true in your life: I have a strong feeling deep inside about something I like to do I have a natural talent or ability for something Someone commends me or points out my strengths When I do an activity I feel happy and good about myself A special opportunity comes along that seems just for me I admire and like to be around other people who have this ability When I think about the future, I can imagine myself doing this even when I m older I get excited when I have a chance to share this interest with others Other: On the inside of the person below, write words that describe who you are: what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, and the talents God has given you. On the outside of the person, write phrases that describe how you can use your gifts to serve God. Decorate the person to look like you. 66

69 Called Together During the Season after the Epiphany, the scriptures invite us to journey together into the choices and changes that mark the lives of those who follow in God s ways. Just as the group of fishers who choose to follow Jesus, we too are called to follow in God s ways, choosing to embrace the changes that accompany such choice. Focus Scripture: Matthew 4:12 23 As we enter this text, we meet Jesus as he begins to preach and gather disciples. Verse 12 reports that the arrest of John the Baptizer is a turning point for Jesus. From Luke 3:18 20, we learn that Herod imprisoned John for rebuking Herod because of the evil things he had done. Upon hearing this news, Jesus withdraws to Galilee. (The Greek verb for withdraw here is the same verb used to describe Mary and Joseph s flight to Egypt with Jesus.) Choosing to follow in the way of God was the call of the prophets. It was the heart of John s message before his arrest. Now the call to change directions and journey in God s ways becomes Jesus message. Jesus ministry unfolds in Capernaum in Galilee, an area with many Gentiles. Jesus made his home in this ancient land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. In offering this detail, Matthew points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the words in Isaiah 9:1 2. The prophetic ministry of John the Baptizer becomes Jesus own. Jesus calls the crowds to repent, for God s reign is near. This call to repent is a call to change to turn one s life in a new direction. The call of the disciples in verses seems abrupt. It may be helpful to note that the writer of Matthew relates significant events in the story of Jesus without necessarily indicating the passage of time. Jesus speaks and the fishers respond. These brothers change the direction in their lives and follow. Within this one passage, all the elements of Jesus earthly ministry are included: proclaiming the presence of God s reign, teaching, healing, and calling disciples. An indication of the manner in which Jesus ministers can be found here, too. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is shown as responding to violence or threats by withdrawing rather than retaliating. Matthew portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah s description of God s faithful and peaceful servant. Jesus actions indicate God s new ways, and set a model for the church and all who seek to follow Jesus. In the focus scripture, Matthew connects Jesus with Isaiah s message about the saving love of God, as celebrated in Isaiah 9:1 4. Here the prophet speaks of the light of a new king, probably referring to a new prince born after 732 BCE, following a time of war. This king was to inaugurate a time of peace and justice. Since the early church, Christians have associated this promise with Jesus, seeing Jesus as the Prince of Peace and a king in the Davidic line. Psalm 27:1, 4 9 also extols God as light and salvation. The psalmist trusts in God s presence as a refuge in the midst of difficulties. These words might form the prayer of all who respond to the call to do God s work. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 18 Paul calls the Christians in Corinth to change direction and be united in outlook. This miracle is possible, Paul believes, because of God s saving grace. Paul calls them to follow in God s ways, secure in the knowledge that they belong to Christ. Living into the unfolding vision of God will change the community of faith. God s call often comes through the gradual unfolding of events and experiences in our lives. This call becomes our invitation to follow in God s ways, extending the good news of God s saving love to others. In what ways do you and your church respond to the call to follow Jesus and fish for people? How do you support one another in your lives as disciples? January 23, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 4:12 23 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 9:1 4 Psalm 27:1, Corinthians 1:10 18 Turn our hearts to you, O God, and open us to the gradual unfolding of your call in our lives. Bind us together as one Body of Christ, and be our hope as we seek to live into your mission of love. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 67

70 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Children of all ages enjoy getting invitations, especially party invitations. However, they may not recognize spoken invitations as clearly as those that come in writing. The story of Jesus invitation to follow him will be familiar to some children who are accustomed to hearing Bible stories at home, or who have been regular attendees at church school and vacation Bible school. The story of the call of the first disciples is a popular one for children. However, some children are puzzled by how grown men could leave their work behind, even their families, as they chose to follow Jesus. If there are children in your group whose parents are separated or divorced, even those with a parent in the military, they may feel some emotional pain as they hear this story. The activities following the story in Engage encourage the children to imagine what it would be like to hear an invitation from Jesus. The children will enter into this activity in various ways. Some will find it hard to put themselves in the place of the first disciples. Others will be able to do so only as they think about themselves. However the children are able to place themselves in the story is sufficient for their faith development at this moment. Pray that the children in your group will, through this story of Jesus invitation, grow in their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. January 23, 2010 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 4:12 23, and biblical background material (p. 67). To what is Jesus calling you? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmarks at Isaiah and Matthew. q Bring invitations you have received or sent (to weddings, store openings, birthday parties, anything you can find). Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Invitation from Jesus. q For art conversation group, bring poster Christ at Cookham. q For newscast group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Reporting from Galilee, directions, and a dowel or something to use as a microphone. Respond q Art zone: mural paper or plain shelf paper, figure from resource sheet Jesus Teaches (p. 128), and copies of people figure (p. 124) q Outreach zone: copies of today s resource sheet Invitation and stickers (optional) q Quiet zone: floor pillows and children s Bibles or storybooks about Jesus 6868

71 January 23, 2010 Called Together Scripture Matthew 4:12 23 FOCUS To join with the first disciples in following Jesus and learning about God. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce new children to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. As you light it, remind the children that the large white candle is called the Christ candle. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Invitations Show the children any invitations you have. Examine how they are written and to what you have been invited. Ask: n When have you or your family received a written invitation? n How else are we invited to something? They may recall a phone invitation for a play date or a birthday party invitation through the mail or . Suggest that they listen for an invitation in the Bible story for this session. Preparing for the story From Isaiah to Matthew Invite a child to get the Bible from the worship table. Before opening it, ask the children to notice the placement of the two bookmarks in the Bible. Ask: n Just by looking at where this bookmark is, where do you think each bookmark is, in the Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament? Some children will recognize that the bookmark near the front is in the Hebrew Scriptures or that the one near the back is in the New Testament. Have a child open the Bible to the first bookmark and tell what book it marks. Recall with the group that the story for the previous session was from Isaiah in the Hebrew Scriptures. Then have a child open the Bible to the second bookmark and tell what book it marks. Remind them that Matthew is one of the gospels, which tell us about Jesus. It is in the New Testament. The Bible story Jesus invites followers Turn to Matthew 4 in the Bible as you tell the children that the story is found in the fourth chapter of Matthew. Leave the Bible open as you tell the story on today s resource sheet Invitation from Jesus, based on Matthew 4: Following the story ask: n Who was invited to do something in the story? n Who invited them? Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Art conversation group This group will extend the invitation to follow from Jesus to the people in the poster Christ in Cookham. Look at the poster together. Explain that the artist placed Jesus in the town where the artist lived. Have the children each select a person in the painting and sit or stand as that person is sitting or standing. Ask them to think how that person might feel and act if Jesus said, Come, follow me. I will make you fishers of people. After a moment invite the children to tell what they imagined. After each child who wishes has answered, ask: 69

72 January 23, 2010 n What would make it hard to leave everything and go with Jesus? n Why might some people in the painting choose to go with Jesus? n How do people follow Jesus today? The last question above will be asked at the end of Engage of the whole group. Newscast group This group will review the story through a newscast script as a way to acknowledge some of the feelings of the people in the story. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Reporting from Galilee, a microphone for the reporter, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of Reporting from Galilee. This is on-the-scene reporting. 2 Look over the parts listed at the top of the script. Decide who will read each one. 3 Read the script together. Then read it again but act it out this time. 4 Rehearse the script again, if you have time. You will present it to the others. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite the newscast group to present Reporting from Galilee. Show everyone the poster Christ in Cookham and ask: n How do people follow Jesus today? This question will help the children participate in the Respond zones. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Mural The mural about following Jesus can be finished in this session or continued over the remaining sessions in this Season after the Epiphany. Begin with a long piece of mural paper or shelf paper. Cut out the figure from the resource sheet Jesus Teaches (p. 128). A child can colour it. Other children can draw people on plain paper to add to the crowd that Jesus is teaching. Cut them out and glue them to the mural. Provide two copies of the people figure from page 124 for children who are uncertain about drawing figures without help. q Music zone: Invitation song The children will learn a simple song to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. The words are: Come, come, come with me. Join with me today. Come and fish for people now, and learn about God s way. After you teach the children the song, sing it as you play this game. Everyone stands in a circle. One person is Jesus. Sing the song and, at the end, Jesus invites a child to follow. These two children hold hands and walk around the circle as the song is sung again. At the end of the song, they invite another child. Continue until everyone is holding hands and following Jesus. 70

73 January 23, 2010 q Outreach zone: Invitations Sending children out to invite people to come to the church is not a good plan, but they can prepare invitations that others deliver or send to visitors to the church. Provide many copies of today s resource sheet Invitation and crayons or markers for the children to decorate the invitations. Before you copy the resource sheet, write a message of welcome and an invitation to come again to visitors to your church. Copy some invitations without this message for older children to write their own messages. If they will be mailed, leave the front blank for the address and postage stamp. Once they are decorated, fold the two shorter flaps to the middle. Then, fold one long flap to the middle. This will be the bottom of the invitation. Finally, fold the top flap down and seal with tape or a sticker. Talk with your pastor or church visitors to see how these invitations from the children can be sent or delivered. q Quiet zone: Stories about Jesus Sometimes children need a quiet place to sit and think. Place some large pillows and children s Bibles or stories about Jesus in this zone. Display a sign that invites the children to come to this zone to read or look at books about Jesus. q Discipleship zone: Acrostic poem The four men who left their fishing nets to follow Jesus became his first disciples. The children in this zone will write individual acrostic poems or work on one together. Print the word disciple down the side of a sheet of newsprint for a group poem or the side of a sheet of paper for an individual poem. Each line of the poem begins with a word beginning with that letter of the word. For example, the first line with the letter d might be Daily work was left behind. Perhaps the poems can be published in the church newsletter or displayed on a bulletin board where others will see them. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Look at any work the children completed in Respond. Song Invite the children from the art conversation group to teach everyone the song from Engage. Sing it together. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), you are called by Jesus for a special work. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. How did the children react to people leaving everything behind to follow Jesus? What did they think about how people follow Jesus today? This theme will come up again and again during these weeks with stories from the gospel of Matthew. If you made changes in the Respond zones, how did they affect the choices of the children? 71

74 Resource sheet January 23, 2010 Invitation from Jesus based on Matthew 4:12 23 In the previous session, the children heard about Jesus baptism. This story begins with a bridge from that event to the beginning of Jesus ministry. Jesus had been baptized with God s Spirit and was ready to begin God s work. He left his home town Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum (KA PER' NA UMM) in the land of Galilee. Capernaum was on the Sea of Galilee. To the people there, Jesus said, Change the way you think and the way you live. Make way for God s vision. It is really close. Jesus enjoyed walking along the sea and watching the fishers in their boats. The seaside was a busy place. The brothers, Peter and Andrew, left their fishing nets and their boat and went with Jesus. A little farther along the seaside, they came to two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. The brothers and their father were sewing up the rips in their fishing nets. Jesus said to James and John, Come, follow me! I will show you how to catch people. They left their fishing nets and their father and went with Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James, and John went all over Galilee with Jesus. Jesus taught the people in their synagogues, which are like churches. He announced the good news of God s vision. He also healed people with all kinds of diseases. Jesus was now doing God s work and Peter, Andrew, James, and John were with him from the beginning. On this day, Jesus saw Peter and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea. Jesus watched them working together so well. When they came near, he called to them, Come, follow me! I will make you fishers of people. 72

75 Resource sheet January 23, 2010 Reporting from Galilee Characters: Announcer, Reporter, Andrew, Peter, Fisher, James, John, Zebedee, Zebedee s wife, any number of other people to be the crowd Setting: On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where the fishing boats are docked Announcer: This is the Biblical Broadcasting Company coming to you with a live interview from the Sea of Galilee s shoreline. We re joining our on-the-spot reporter now. Reporter: Hello, everyone. Some unusual events have just happened here at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came along this shoreline calling for people to repent. He approached two brothers, Peter and Andrew, who are with me now. What did Jesus say to you? Andrew: Well, Jesus walked up and said, Follow me, I will make you fishers for people. I dropped my nets and walked away with him. Peter: Wait a minute. Jesus was speaking to me and I was the first one to leave everything to follow him. Andrew: No, he spoke to me first. Peter: No, me. (They continue to argue as the reporter moves on.) Reporter: We will leave those guys to settle their argument. Hello, were you here when Jesus came by? Fisher: I sure was and it was weird. People I have known all my life just walked away from their boats, and left their families and friends to follow that new teacher. Sure, it sounds exciting, but how can they leave everything they know? That s too scary for me. Reporter: Did Jesus ask you to come? Fisher: Not exactly. But if he had, I would have said no. I m not one to go off like that. And I never would have expected that of Zebedee s sons, James and John. Reporter: Thanks for talking to us. Let s find out what James and John have to say (moving on). Hi there! I understand you re both going to follow that new teacher. James: It s hard to leave everything, but deep inside I know it s the right thing to do. John: The other fishers have been trying to talk us out of going, but we ve made our decision. I don t know where we ll end up, but we re going with Jesus and that s what is important. Reporter: How do your parents feel about this? Zebedee: (Butting in to interrupt.) Miserable, that s how I feel. Just when our boats were beginning to make a profit and I could think about retiring, these two sons of mine up and leave. Now, I ll have to work twice as hard and at my age (shakes head). Zebedee s wife: (Speaking to her husband.) Now, take it easy, Zeb. (Speaking to the reporter.) He gets all worked up and it isn t good for him. As for those two boys, well it was bound to happen. They wanted a life of their own. I just hoped they would marry and live nearby so I could play with my grandchildren. Reporter: That s all the time we have for the news today. I m going to follow Jesus down the road to get more information. I ll bring you an update tomorrow. This is the Biblical Broadcasting Corporation reporting live from the Sea of Galilee s shoreline. 73

76 Resource sheet January 23, 2010 Invitation 74 cut on solid line

77 Vision Beautiful Today we begin a five-week exploration of a collection of Jesus sayings known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus radical vision of what God s reign on earth might look like is a vision of wholeness for all people. Paul reminds us that God s wisdom is different from worldly wisdom. Micah and the psalmist describe ways to live this vision beautiful. Focus Scripture: Matthew 5:1 12 After Jesus baptism, he calls a group of disciples. They travel throughout Galilee teaching and healing, sharing the good news that God s realm is breaking into the world. It is a message that the gospel writer s own community desperately needs to hear. Matthew is written to a group of new Christians after disaster has happened. The temple has been destroyed, the people scattered. Jesus is no longer present in the flesh. What laws will govern the community now? What will the new community look like? What is the good news for those trying to be faithful in a hostile world? Of the four gospels, Matthew most wants to show that Jesus fulfills Israel s experience. In this gospel, Jesus is shown as the new Moses, teaching from the mountain as Moses did when he gave Israel the law. The gospel writer arranges Jesus words in five blocks of teaching, reminding readers of the five books of Moses. Chapters 5 to 7 the Sermon on the Mount form the first block. The Beatitudes begin the Sermon on the Mount. They are a series of sentences beginning with the word blessed, or happy in some translations. Blessing is God s free gift to humankind, a sign of covenant relationship with God. Such blessing may look very different from the world s idea of happiness. In these sayings, Jesus turns human notions of happiness upside down. What kind of living brings God s blessing? Jesus teaches that the blessed ones are those who are humble of heart ( poor in spirit ), who are gentle, who show mercy, who hunger and thirst for God s ways. Those who mourn will be comforted; those who make peace will be called God s children. Those who are persecuted in the cause of justice will find themselves part of God s transforming reality. There is urgency in Jesus teaching. He uses the present tense this is happening right now. In Jesus coming, God s love is revealed and made manifest. This teaching is directed to the disciples, the Twelve and the larger group of men and women who accompany Jesus. The Beatitudes describe the way of life for those who commit themselves to follow. For Matthew s community, this vision beautiful is what life should be like. Living in right relationship with God and neighbour brings blessing calling out the best in us and others. The other readings spell out this vision of wholeness. Micah 6:1 8 describes a dramatic confrontation, a lawsuit between God and Israel. What must Israel do to be in a right relationship with God? Verse 8 summarizes: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Psalm 15 gives a similar response. The psalmist asks who may come before God in the temple. It is those who do what is right, speak the truth, and do no evil to their neighbours. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 31, Paul echoes Matthew s theme of worldly values turned upside down. God s wisdom seems like foolishness to the present age. God overturns the established order. God chooses us to play our part in God s plan. In Christ we are strengthened to bring about God s reign of justice and peace. Our experience today is, in many ways, similar to that of Matthew s community. We may not be persecuted for our faith, but the ways of faith often seem foolish compared with the values of society. In what ways do the gospel values challenge contemporary views turn them upside down? What challenges do you find in trying to live according to the standards expressed in today s readings? January 30, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 5:1 12 Additional Scriptures Micah 6:1 8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18 31 O God, you turn things upside down, calling the wise to embrace your folly. Help us to grow in acknowledging our need for you. Open us to the vision of your reign on earth, and strengthen us to do our part. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 75

78 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Today s children seem to be surrounded by violence and anger. Perhaps that has always been true for many children, but television programs, video games, and movies (whether appropriate for children or not) are common fare for many children, even those in your church school group. Jesus teachings, known as the Beatitudes, seem so tame next to this everyday menu. Still, challenging what they see around them with another way to interpret and live one s life is our task. The word blessed is not specifically defined for the children. Instead, the words you are blessed and can be happy are used to give them a clue to how they might think about blessed. This session begins a group of five sessions that focus on a collection of Jesus teachings about how to live as disciples. They are found in Matthew and known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes offer a kind of framework for these sessions. On February 27, the children will have opportunities to bring these teachings as recorded in Matthew together. Pray that the children in your group will find living the Beatitudes a way to meet the challenges of their lives. January 30, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 5:1 12, and biblical background material (p. 75). Which of these Beatitudes sticks in your mind today? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Live with God in Love. q For the blessings game group, make sets of cards from card stock or heavy paper using today s resource sheet Blessings Game. Bring today s resource sheet Live with God in Love. q For Jesus the teacher group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Jesus the Teacher, pencils, Bibles, and directions. Respond q Art zone: drinking straws, string or thread, construction paper, and copies of today s resource sheet Blessings Game q Music zone: song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) and today s resource sheet Live with God in Love q Outreach zone: today s resource sheet Live with God in Love q Quiet zone: card stock/heavy paper (cut to 8 x 13 cm/3 x 5in) and directions q Discipleship zone: poster Christ in Cookham and people figures (p. 124) 7676

79 January 30, 2011 Vision Beautiful Scripture Matthew 5:1 12 FOCUS To hear from Jesus about God s way of living. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. As you light it remind the children that the tall white candle is called the Christ candle and it reminds us of the light of Jesus Christ. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Happiness Some Bibles translate blessed in the focus scripture as happy. Both words are used in the paraphrase on today s resource sheet Live with God in Love. Find out how the children think about happiness as a way to introduce them to the focus for this session. Ask: n What makes you happy? You may want to probe their answers with additional questions to help them think past the acquisition of things. Then explain that in the story for this session, Jesus teaches about happiness that comes from God. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The story for the previous session was in Matthew, chapter 4. Have the child turn to chapter 4. Help the children review the story about the invitation to Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Jesus. Point out that the story for this session is also from Matthew, at the beginning of chapter 5. The Bible story Jesus teaches Remind the group that one reason the four fishers followed Jesus was because Jesus said he would teach them. Jesus began to teach them right away. Tell the story on today s resource sheet Live with God in Love, based on Matthew 5:1 12. Following the story, ask: n What was something Jesus taught the new followers? The children s answers to this question will give you clues to what they found most compelling in the Beatitudes. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Blessings game This matching game will review some of the concepts in Jesus teachings and provide a way to talk about them. Make sets of cards according to the directions on today s resource sheet Blessings Game. To play the game, lay all the cards, upside down, in four rows. The children take turns picking up two cards, trying to make a match. When matches are made, those cards are removed. The cards provide some concepts at the beginning of Jesus teachings. When a match is made, invite the child or the group to finish that line. For example, when sad is matched, the rest of the line is God will comfort you. Play until all the cards are removed. Then review the line that goes with each card. Jesus the teacher group Jesus taught in many ways, but the Beatitudes are some of Jesus most 77

80 January 30, 2011 famous teachings. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Jesus the Teacher, pencils, Bibles, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of Jesus the Teacher, a pencil, and a Bible. 2 Read and follow the directions on Jesus the Teacher. 3 Together select two or three things to tell the group about Jesus and teaching. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. The blessings game group can show the cards for the game and tell about one or two. Invite the Jesus the teacher group to tell their information. Ask: n Why do you think the writers of Matthew saved these teachings of Jesus? This question has no right answer, but will encourage the children to begin thinking on their various levels about Jesus teachings and how the Bible has come to us. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Mobile This mobile is a way of capturing the teachings of Jesus known as the Beatitudes in a simple format. The children will make small mobiles to take home. Each child will need two drinking straws, construction paper, and today s resource sheet Blessings Game. Go over the illustrations and words on Blessings Game. Have the children glue the resource sheet to construction paper. Then cut out the rectangles, adding any glue necessary to adhere the illustration securely to the backing. Tape varying lengths of thread or string to the back of each piece. Cut one straw in two. Tie the smaller pieces of straw to the longer straw. Tie a length of string to the middle of the longer straw for a hanger. Then tie the illustrations to any of the three pieces of straw. Hold the mobile by the string hanger to work out the balance. Children will find that working in pairs is helpful when it comes to putting the mobile together. q Music zone: Song of commitment The song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) represents the emotions and actions that are named throughout the Beatitudes and in living God s way. During these seasons the children have heard and sung I Am Becoming Peace. In Advent they learned motions to go with the Advent themes (p. 10). Sing the song with the motions as you did in Advent. Then read each of the teachings of Jesus on today s resource sheet Live with God in Love and invite the children to name how they might see what is described happening in the world and signs of God s love in those situations. q Outreach zone: Acts of kindness Another way to think about the Beatitudes and living in God s love is through doing simple acts of kindness, as noted in Matthew 5:7, usually translated as showing mercy. Read from today s resource sheet Live with God in Love : You are blessed and can be happy when you are kind to others. You will receive kindness. Be prepared to tell of times when someone, perhaps a stranger, acted kindly to you. Then ask: n When do you remember someone being kind to you? After some stories from the children, ask: 78

81 January 30, 2011 n When were you kind to someone? With the children, revise this Beatitude to name acts of kindness. For example, if a child has described helping a younger sibling learn to play a game, the new wording could be: You are blessed and can be happy when you help someone learn to play a new game. You will receive kindness. q Quiet zone: Meditation cards Jesus teachings are words to consider deeply throughout our lives. The children can begin this kind of deep thinking with meditation cards, reminders of the Beatitudes. Provide cards (see Prepare), markers, and these directions: 1 Jesus taught the disciples seven ways to live in God s love in the story from Matthew 5. They can be remembered in seven words or phrases: 1 Depend on God, 2 Sad comfort, 3 Gentle, 4 Obey God, 5 Kind, 6 Hearts that see God, and 7 Peacemakers. 2 Take seven cards. Write each one on a card. Decorate the card with symbols of that way to live God s love. 3 In a quiet time, take one card. Look at it and think about how you can live that teaching in your life. q Discipleship zone: Joining the disciples This group will entertain the idea of being part of those following Jesus as they explore the poster Christ in Cookham. Display the poster so everyone can see it. Some of the children may remember looking at it, even working with it, in the previous session. Invite them to notice the types of people in the picture. Select a group and ask: n What do you know about these people from the way the artist painted them? n If you wanted to paint yourself into this painting, where would you place yourself? After they have thought about where, give the children people figures (see p. 124) to colour and attach to the edge of the poster adjoining the group they chose. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Sing I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) with the motions. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), you are blessed. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. After working with the Beatitudes, how do you think the children understand the word blessed? How did this session help them gain understanding of living in God s way of peace, justice, and love? When in this session did you see children being especially kind? How might you show appreciation to those children? 79

82 Resource sheet January 30, 2011 Live with God in Love based on Matthew 5:1 12 When everyone is quiet and looking at you, gaze just for a moment at them before you begin the story. Jesus days were filled with teaching and healing. More people came from all over to see Jesus every day. All kinds of people came: rich people, poor people, religious leaders, Roman soldiers. With so many people around, there was little time for Jesus to be alone with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. On this day, Jesus tried to get away from the crowds by going up the side of a mountain. When Jesus sat down, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and perhaps a few others, came to him. He began to teach them. This is what Jesus said: God has given us blessings and goodness around us, in good times and in bad times. You are blessed and can be happy when you depend on God. You are a child of God. You are blessed and can be happy even when you are sad and grieving. God will comfort you. You are blessed and can be happy when you are gentle and humble. The whole Earth is yours. You are blessed and can be happy when you obey God s ways. God hears your prayers. You are blessed and can be happy when you are kind to others. You will receive kindness. You are blessed and can be happy when your hearts are pure. You will know about God. You are blessed and can be happy when you make peace. You will be called God s peacemakers. You are blessed when you live God s ways of peace, justice, and love. Even when people treat you badly, be full of joy because God is with you. 80

83 Resource sheet January 30, 2011 Blessings Game Instructions: Make two copies on heavy paper or card stock. Cut cards apart to make a set of 16 cards, consisting of 8 pairs of matching symbols. If you have a large group, you may wish to make two sets of cards. 81

84 Resource sheet January 30, 2011 Jesus the Teacher At the beginning of the story, what was the clue for the followers to come to Jesus? Read Matthew 5:1. When Jesus sat down, the disciples could assume that Jesus wanted to teach them. Teachers in Jesus day sat to teach their students. There are other places where Jesus sat to teach. Find them in your Bible: Matthew 13:1 2 and Matthew 24:3. Where did Jesus teach? Read Matthew 4:23. Jesus went to the synagogue in the village or town. A synagogue is a place of worship and learning. Jews gathered in the synagogue to talk about the Scriptures. But Jesus taught in the outdoors, too. Read Matthew 5:1 and Matthew 13:2. Take a copy of Live with God in Love. Read the teachings of Jesus in the special type. These teachings are found in Matthew 5:3 12. The words on Live with God in Love are called a paraphrase. That means someone has read Matthew 5:3 12 and put them in simpler, easy-to-understand words. This teaching of Jesus is called the Beatitudes. Find them in your Bible and see how they are different from the paraphrase. Which is easier for you to understand? 82

85 Restoring Beauty Jesus tells us that we are salt and light as we seek to live as God s people in the world. With the Spirit s help, we offer our gifts and talents to extend the reach of God s realm. With Isaiah and the psalmist, we learn what it means to practice righteousness, to restore beauty in community as we live out the heart of our faith. Focus Scripture: Matthew 5:13 20 Today we continue to read from the collection of Jesus teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus uses powerful images of salt and light as he describes what it means to live according to the ways of God s realm. The same images of salt and light are used in the Hebrew Scriptures to describe covenant and law. David and his descendants are called a lamp before God. Jesus continues and expands the message found in the scriptures. Jesus tells his followers that at this very moment they are salt cleansing, preserving, adding flavour. At this moment they are light revealing what is hidden, allowing all to see. God s reign is not only a future promise, it also is present reality. We participate in that reign as we live in God s ways. Our light should shine before others, not so that they can applaud our piety, but so that our works can direct others to give thanks and praise to God. God, through us, gives light to all in the house. The word translated here as house is the word for the established world it is a big house! For Jews in Jesus day, the law or Torah was understood as the whole content of God s revelation to the people. It was contained in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Torah included law codes such as the Ten Commandments and many other regulations that governed community life. Jesus is accused by the scribes and Pharisees of not keeping God s law, but he is faithful to the law s intent. Jesus comes not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Jesus calls followers to live righteous lives, showing justice and mercy to all. Jesus calls followers to go to the heart of God s law, fulfilling the spirit of it. Those who break God s law and teach others to do so are least in God s realm; they are not banished from God s reign, but need to change and be restored to a right relationship. The concern of the scribes and Pharisees was obedience to God s law. Jesus followers must be just as whole-hearted in following the intent and spirit of the law. In Isaiah 58:1 9a, (9b 12), the prophet reminds us that performing religious practices without changing one s behaviour toward God s ways is not enough. During the exile in Babylon, the Hebrew people developed customs of fasting since they could no longer fulfill the obligation of temple sacrifices. Here God says that fasting does no good if it does not change people s hearts. True fasting is to free those who are oppressed, to care for those who are hungry and homeless, and to work to bring justice. When that happens, God s light shines in the world and the exiles will be restored. Psalm 112 is an acrostic wisdom psalm. Each line begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalm teaches that our actions have consequences. The psalmist praises the righteous, those who act justly. They are not broken by adversity, but are secure in God. Righteousness endures. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 2:1 12, (13 16), continues to reflect on wisdom and what it means to have the mind of Christ. It is God s Spirit that helps us understand how to live according to God s law. Loving God is the way to become wise. Jesus calls us to lives of righteousness, the ethical actions expected of those who believe in and follow Jesus the Christ. Where are the challenges in responding to the Sermon on the Mount? Where does the world need salt and light now? How might we be that salt and light? February 6, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 5:13 20 Additional Scriptures Isaiah 58:1 9a, (9b 12) Psalm 112:1 9, (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1 12, (13 16) Enlivening God, you call us to be salt, adding flavour to the world. You call us to be light, illuminating and restoring beauty. Give us courage to respond, so that your presence may be revealed through all the world. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 83

86 The Focus for Ages 5 12 While the children know about salt and light as objects, most children in this age group are not ready to use them as metaphors. Therefore, a simple explanation is included in the story based on Matthew 5: The message for the children is that they can show God s love to others. The Respond zones offer ways for the children to think about how they can do that. Even though salt and light are included in various art activities they are used to encourage the children s imagination rather than to interpret the metaphor. Children naturally want to help others, so presenting that help as a way to show God s love is an easy way for them to connect with this scripture. Keep track of their ideas throughout this session. They will give you ideas for how they see themselves as windows for God s love. Pray that the children in your group will recognize that they, like the first disciples of Jesus, can show God s love in the world. February 6, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 5:13 20, and biblical background material (p. 83). Where do you see God s light in the world? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Salt and Light. q For art conversation group, bring poster Starry Night over the Rhone and removable adhesive (optional). q For inside the story group, bring directions. Respond q Art zone: template from today s resource sheet Stained Glass Window, black construction paper, and tissue paper q Music zone: song Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section; also #7 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: grimy copper coins, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and small drinking glasses q Quiet zone: copies of today s resource sheet Candle Holders, tea lights, small glass jars, pastel tissue paper, and clean brushes q Discipleship zone: watercolour paint, brushes, watercolour or art paper, and salt 8484

87 February 6, 2011 Restoring Beauty Scripture Matthew 5:13 20 FOCUS To discover how to show God s loving light through us to the world. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. As you light it, remind the children that the tall white candle is called the Christ candle. It reminds us of the light of Jesus Christ. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Light Talk with the children about ways that artificial light is used in their daily lives. Ask: n What are some lights that we use at night? List their answers on newsprint so they see that we have a variety of sources of artificial light. Select one, such as a candle, and ask what would happen if we covered it up. Explain that they can listen for an example about how we show the light of God in the Bible story for this session. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The story for the previous session was in Matthew, chapter 5. Have the child turn to chapter 5. Help the children review the story about Jesus teachings to the disciples called the Beatitudes. Point out that the story for this session is also from Matthew and follows the previous one in chapter 5. The Bible story Light and salt Before telling the story, note that Jesus is still on the mountainside teaching the disciples about living in God s way. This will help the children who were present for the previous story to connect the stories. Tell the story on today s resource sheet Salt and Light, based on Matthew 5: Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Art exploration group The art poster Starry Night over the Rhone gives visual representation to how light can brighten the surroundings, especially at night. Place the poster flat on a table. Invite the children to look at all the spots of light in this painting. Ask: n If these spots of light are God s love shining in the world, what actions might they stand for? As they offer suggestions, print them on small irregular shapes of yellow or white paper and place them on the poster or attach them with removable adhesive. To conclude this activity, read all the suggestions aloud. Inside the story group This group will join the disciples in thinking deeply about Jesus teachings. Provide Bibles, pencils, writing paper, and these directions: 85

88 February 6, Take a Bible, a pencil, and a sheet of paper. 2 The disciples thought hard about Jesus words. You can, too. 3 Read the words of Jesus about salt in Matthew 5:13. Talk together about what you think Jesus means. 4 On the sheet of paper, write what you think Jesus wants you to understand about following God s way. 5 Now read the words of Jesus about light in Matthew 5: Talk about these words together. Then write about Jesus words on the paper. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite the art conversation group to tell about Starry Night over the Rhone. Ask the others to add their ideas to the poster. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Stained glass window Jesus encouraged the disciples and others in the crowd to shine with God s love. Follow the directions on today s resource sheet Stained Glass Window to make stained glass windows, which create a special beauty when light shines through them. Prepare the black construction papers for younger children, but provide the template for older children to create their own window designs. They may also like to create their own designs. q Music zone: Sing of showing God s love The song Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section; also #7 on Seasons Music CD) is another way of imagining what Jesus was teaching the disciples. Play it for the children. The repetition of the words and music makes it easy for all ages to learn and sing. Enjoy the music together. Then ask: n What are ways you can pass the teachings of Jesus on? After the children have suggested what they can do, sing the song again. q Outreach zone: Shining brightly Jesus told the disciples that they were the light of the world, shining God s love to others. Have the children clean grimy copper coins to keep as reminders of their charge to let God s love shine through them. Give each one a coin to place in a small glass. Add lemon juice or vinegar, enough to cover the coin, and a pinch of salt to each glass. Set the glasses aside for three to five minutes. While you wait, talk with the children about ways they can show the light of God s love to others. Ask: n How do you think your family or community might change if you and others let the light of God s love shine through you to others? If not all children will have a chance to be in this zone, clean additional coins for them. q Quiet zone: Candle Holders As reminders of how God s love can shine in and through them, the children will make candle holders. Provide the materials on today s resource sheet Candle Holders and copies of the resource sheet in this zone. Make a sample candle holder to place in this zone. 86

89 February 6, 2011 q Discipleship zone: Salt paintings Jesus told the disciples that they were the salt of the earth. However, salt not only gives flavour to food, but can add lustre to paintings. Provide watercolour paint, paper, and brushes for the children to create a painting of their home or community. While the paint is still wet, have them sprinkle pinches of salt at various places on the painting. The salt will soak up some of the paint and will sparkle when it dries. As they finish, talk together about words and actions that bring the light of God s love to others. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table, where you have displayed the poster Starry Night over the Rhone with the ideas for showing God s love to the world. Sing Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section; also #7 on Seasons Music CD). The children who did not participate in the music zone will catch on quickly. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), you are a light of God s love to the world. Shine brightly. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. What ideas did the children have for showing God s love to others? As you think about their ideas, what clues do they give you about future outreach projects for the group? Which children were able to think about the salt and light as images for their ways of showing God s love to the world? 87

90 Resource sheet February 6, 2011 Salt and Light based on Matthew 5:13 20 When telling a story with metaphors, help the children connect with them but don t try to explain them away. Jesus days were filled with teaching and healing. More people came from all over to see Jesus every day. All kinds of people came: rich people, poor people, religious leaders, Roman soldiers, young people, old people. With so many people around, there was little time for Jesus to be alone with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Jesus paused for the new disciples to think about being salt of the earth. Then he said, You are also a light to the world. You know how we light lamps so we can see in the night? We don t hide the lamp under a basket then. No, we put it where it will give the most light to us. You have the light of God in you. Let it shine so others see it. Don t hide it from the world. Let the goodness and love of God shine through you to all the world. Again Jesus paused. Then he smiled at Peter, Andrew, James, and John. If you do what I am teaching you, you will be blessed when you live in God s love and show God s love to others. On this day, Jesus tried to get away from the crowds by going up the side of a mountain. When Jesus sat down, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and perhaps a few others, came to him. He began to teach them. As he taught them about living in God s love, others joined the disciples. Jesus looked right at Peter, Andrew, James, and John and continued: By now, many people had climbed up the side of the mountain. Some looked puzzled because they hadn t heard all that Jesus taught. Others looked like they were thinking about being salt and light. Everyone was eager to hear more from Jesus. You are the salt of the earth. You know how salt is used to preserve food and to give a better taste to the food. When you live in God s love, you make life better for others too. 88

91 Resource sheet February 6, 2011 Instructions: 1. Make a template by cutting the designated sections from the pattern below. 2. Copy the template onto black construction paper using a white pencil. 3. Cut out the sections from the design leaving a sunburst pattern. 4. Cut tissue paper into 5 cm/3 in squares for the sun and 2 cm/1 in squares for the rays. 5. Have children glue pieces of tissue paper over the holes in the pattern. 6. Hang the stained glass window in front of a window. 89

92 Resource sheet February 6, 2011 Candle holders Materials tea lights small glass jars (size of baby food jars) pastel tissue paper white glue, thinned with water clean paint brushes Directions 1 Tear the tissue paper into small pieces. 2 Brush white glue on the outside of a glass jar. 3 Place the small pieces of tissue paper on the jar. When the glue dries, brush on more. 4 Cover the jar with a single layer of paper, overlapping edges. 5 Place a tealight inside the jar. Set it aside to dry. 90

93 From the Heart Jesus helps us take another look at some commandments to discover what is at the heart of the law love of God and love of neighbour. God s people are urged to choose to act in ways that are life-giving. As we work together to live into the vision of God s reign, we can be assured that it is God who gives the growth. Focus Scripture: Matthew 5:21 37 It is sometimes hard to hear the good news in these verses from the collection of Jesus teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount. The words seem to expect from Jesus followers a more rigorous obedience to the law than that demanded in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, contains many regulations and commandments about specific details of everyday life. Jesus followers sought to discover what it meant to apply these teachings in new situations. In this section of teaching, Jesus uses a traditional rabbinic method: You have heard it said...but I say... Jesus sets out a law ( you shall not murder ) and goes more deeply to talk about the anger that is at the heart of the matter. Jesus applies the concept to other situations how does the prohibition against anger apply to temple worship, to the law courts? The society of Jesus day was an honourshame society, in which the defence of one s honour could result in retaliation and revenge. Jesus shows a new way to live as a community of disciples. In each example, Jesus speaks not of punishment, but of finding a way to restore relationships. In several of the examples, Jesus speaks to the victim. If your brother is angry with you, you should be the one to find a way to be reconciled before you bring your gift to the altar. Restore the broken relationship with the one who accuses you before it gets to the law courts. Do not be careless with family relationships. Keep your promises. Jesus uses exaggeration in his teaching. There is the escalating series of punishments for anger first the judge, then the council of the Sanhedrin, and finally the hell of fire. The word translated here is Gehenna, the name of the smouldering garbage dump outside Jerusalem, the place where it was believed God would return at the end of time to judge the world. There is the advice to leave one s sacrificial animal at the Jerusalem temple and return a three-day journey to Galilee to restore a relationship. There is the extreme suggestion of cutting off hands and plucking out eyes. Jesus did not intend these words to be taken literally. He is using vivid language to impress on his hearers that if they cannot learn to deal with anger and jealousy, lust and dishonesty, they are not living according the values of God s realm. The Corinthian church seems to have been full of conflict. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:1 9, cautions against jealousy and rivalry within the Christian community. Those who are jealous of one another are not living according to God s Spirit. They are acting in immature ways. Paul uses the metaphor of the garden to show that, when Christians work together, God gives life and growth. Both Deuteronomy 30:15 20 and Sirach 15:15 20 have the same message. To follow God s laws brings life; to depart from God s ways is death. We can choose ways of living that honour and fulfill God s promise. Psalm 119:1 8 is a long poem in praise of the law. For the psalmist, seeking God from the heart is a blessing. Jesus shows us a new way of being human, of being peacemakers, of reconciling conflict, of telling the truth. As Christians, how should we handle conflict and rivalries within the Body of Christ? What does it mean to hold fast to God from the heart? What does it mean to live in ways that restore relationships and strengthen community? February 13, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 5: Additional Scriptures Deuteronomy 30:15 20 or Sirach 15:15 20 Psalm 119:1 8 1 Corinthians 3:1 9 Life-giving God, in Jesus you show us a new way. When we are tempted to jealousy and anger, teach us to respond in love. Unfold to us the heart of your gospel, and strengthen us to work together to bring about your realm on earth. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 91

94 The Focus for Ages 5 12 For some children, this session may touch close to home. The children will hear Jesus telling them to get along with their brothers and sisters (in the broadest sense). That may not be good news for some. Yet, this teaching in Matthew 5:21 24 is one children of all ages can more easily understand than the rest of the focus scripture. For that reason, it is the basis of the story. Older children have the opportunity to explore the rest of the focus scripture in an option in Engage. With Valentine s Day following this session, the art zone is about making valentines with messages drawn from Jesus teachings. The children can take them home and distribute to family, neighbours, and friends. Pray that the children in your group will take to heart the message of making things right and working it out with others. If you haven t done so, read Reading Matthew from the End on page 134. February 13, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 5:21 37, and biblical background material (p. 91). Which of these various teachings from Jesus most affect your life? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Make Things Right. q For big ideas group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Jesus Deep-down Teachings and directions. Respond q Art zone: heart template (p. 124), red and pink construction paper, trims, other art supplies, and envelopes q Music zone: songs Pass It On and I Am Becoming Peace (pp. 12 and 4 in Music Section; also #7 and #6 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: copies of resource sheet Making Things Right Heroes (p. 130) and guests (optional) q Quiet zone: directions and poster Creation q Discipleship zone: copies of today s resource sheet Drama Starters Bless q Bring poster Creation. 9292

95 February 13, 2011 From the Heart Scripture Matthew 5:21 37 FOCUS To explore further how God s love can work through us. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after Epiphany. As you light it remind the children that the tall white candle is called the Christ candle. It reminds us of the light of Jesus Christ. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Getting along with others To help the children place the focus for this session in their daily lives, have them think about how they interact with others. Note that we all are around and interact with people every day. Ask: n What does it take to get along with your friends? n What does it take to get along with your family? Encourage them to think more deeply by suggesting different times, such as when they are upset with a sibling or friend, or when a parent is upset with them. Ask: n What does it take to make that situation better? After some conversation, explain that in the Bible story for this session Jesus teaches about getting along with others. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The stories for the previous two sessions were in Matthew, chapter 5. Have the child turn to chapter 5. Help the children review the stories about Jesus teachings to the disciples called the Beatitudes and how we are to be like salt and light to show God s love to the world. Point out that the story for this session is also from Matthew and follows the previous one in chapter 5. The Bible story Making things right Remind the group that in the previous stories Jesus has been teaching the disciples and a larger crowd on the side of a mountain. Then tell the story on today s resource sheet Make Things Right, based on Matthew 5: After the story, ask: n What was something Jesus taught about how to get along together? Encourage several children to give different answers so they don t get the impression that you are looking for only one answer. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Key words group Fewer rather than more words are usually better if you want children to remember a concept. Jesus teachings in the story for this session have been condensed to four phrases: Work it out. Make things right. Say I m sorry. Be forgiving. 93

96 February 13, 2011 Say the four phrases over and over with the children. Eventually you will develop a rhythm. Add claps. Prepare to teach this to the others later. Big ideas group For children who are ready to read the Bible text and think about the big ideas in it, this option will provide more of a challenge. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Jesus Deep-down Teachings, pencils, Bibles, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of Jesus Deep-down Teachings, a Bible, and a pencil. 2 Find Matthew 5 in the Bible. 3 Read the directions at the top of the page and follow them. Notice that you can work with friends. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Have the key words group teach everyone the four phrases. Ask: n When can Jesus teachings about getting along with others help you? This question provides a natural lead-in to the Respond zones. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Valentines Valentine s Day is a perfect time for the children to express their thanks to family and friends for their love and for helping them get along or make things right. Provide hearts (see template, page 124) cut from red or pink construction paper, along with fancy trims and other art supplies. The children can decorate the hearts and write words like love, peace, and thanks on them. Talk together about to whom they might give the hearts. Give each child an envelope to take the hearts home. q Music zone: Songs of peace The songs Pass It On and I Am Becoming Peace (pp. 12 and 4, Music Section; also #7 and #6 on Seasons Music CD) present themes consistent with the focus scripture. Both will be familiar to many children in the group. Focus on the first stanza of I Am Becoming Peace and invite the children to respond to this question after singing it: n What actions can you do to show that you are becoming peace? After each suggestion, sing the song again, substituting the child s name and is for I am. If this will take too long, sing after every two suggestions and use the names of both children in the song. Conclude this zone by singing Pass It On together. q Outreach zone: Making things right heroes One way to encourage children to follow these teachings from Jesus is to provide them with role models. Read together the stories on the resource sheet Making Things Right Heroes (p. 130). Tell the stories of others from your community or nation. If there are people in your congregation who work at peacemaking, invite them to tell the children about their work. q Quiet zone: Prayer An important idea in Jesus teachings for this session is making things right, which involves forgiveness. From a young age, children are told to say I m sorry when they have hurt someone, often unintentionally. In this zone, they have a way of talking with God about forgiving and being forgiven. Display the poster Creation and these directions: 94

97 February 13, 2011 One of the big ideas in Jesus teachings is making things right with others. This often means saying you are sorry or being willing to forgive someone. Look at the poster Creation. God made all these wonderful parts of the world. And God is always ready to hear our prayers asking for forgiveness. God is also ready to help us forgive others. Look at the poster and think about things you are sorry you have done or said. Ask God to help you tell others you are sorry so you can make things right. Look at the poster and think about things others have done to you that made you sad or angry. Ask God to help you to forgive those people so you can make things right with them, too. q Discipleship zone: Drama Trying out Jesus teachings can help children see what it is like to ask forgiveness, to forgive, to make things right. Depending on the number of children in this zone, use one or more of the vignettes on today s resource sheet Drama Starters. Two children can enact each of the stories, although others can be involved in setting up the drama. The children can read each one and decide which one they want to complete. If you have more than one drama team, they may choose different or the same drama starters. Perhaps one team can present their drama to everyone during Bless. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Drama Invite the children from the drama zone to present a vignette. Sing I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD). Look at the poster Creation together. Remind the children that God, the creator of all that is, is with them as they try to live in God s way. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), do what you can to make things right with others this week. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. Depending upon the temperament, some children will take to Jesus message more easily than others. Think about each child in your group, which ones will have to work harder to make things right or to work it out. How can you support them during the church school time? How were you able to watch or assist as needed when children had to work things out during this session? 95

98 Resource sheet February 13, 2011 Make Things Right based on Matthew 5: As a general rule, don t ask a question for the children to answer during the story. This steers them away from the story and the children (and sometimes the storyteller) lose track of what is going on. Jesus days were filled with teaching and healing. More people came from all over to see Jesus every day. All kinds of people came: rich people, poor people, religious leaders, Roman soldiers, young people, old people, sick people. With so many people around, there was little time for Jesus to be alone with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. On this day, Jesus tried to get away from the crowds by going up the side of a mountain. When Jesus sat down, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and perhaps a few others, came to him. He began to teach them. As he taught them about living in God s love, others joined the disciples. Jesus looked right at Peter, Andrew, James, and John and told them that they were like salt that makes food taste better, but they could make life better for others. Jesus told them they were a light to the world because God s love could shine through them to others. And Jesus had more to say to everyone: We have been taught, Do not murder. But I tell you not even to complain about others. If you have an argument with a friend or a sister or brother, don t go away angry. Work it out together. And don t stay angry with anyone. Sometimes people come to worship God when they have been fighting with someone. I tell you, leave and go to the person and make things right. Then, come and worship God. When you say unkind words to a person, that person is no longer your friend. Say that you are sorry and put your friendship right. When you do something wrong, ask to be forgiven. And when someone does something wrong to you, forgive the person. Always work to make things right between you and your family and friends. Jesus paused to let the disciples and the other people think about these words. They were words to help them live in God s way every day. They were words that would help them show God s love to everyone around them. 96

99 Resource sheet February 13, 2011 Jesus Deep-down teachings Introduction The writer of the gospel of Matthew wanted people to remember that following Jesus didn t mean leaving behind the Hebrew Scriptures and all they taught about God s laws and the messages of the prophets. In Matthew, Jesus wanted the people to follow God s ways more deeply. Jesus taught the people to take another look at what that they already knew from the Hebrew Scriptures to discover what is at the heart, or at the deep-down core, of God s laws. Instructions Work with one or two friends to try and figure out what Jesus was saying. Read the passage indicated in the box, and then summarize the main idea of the passage in your own words. You have heard that it was said Matthew 5:21 BIG IDEA: But I say to you Matthew 5:22 26 BIG IDEA: Matthew 5:27 BIG IDEA: Matthew 5:28 32 BIG IDEA: Matthew 5:33 BIG IDEA: Matthew 5:34 37 BIG IDEA: 97

100 Resource sheet February 13, 2011 Drama Starters Jesus said, If you are at church and remember that someone is angry with you, go and work things out. Use these drama starters or one of your own. Work in pairs to come up with an ending for each drama that shows how we can live as a loving community. Present the entire drama from beginning to end. More than one group can work on the same drama. Drama one Maya Gets the Part The children in Mr Long s group are preparing a drama to present to the rest of the church community. There is one main part in the drama along with other smaller parts. Katie and Maya both want the main part. When they auditioned for it, Maya was chosen. Katie s feelings were hurt, especially because Maya said some unkind words about Katie. It is the Sunday after Maya was chosen for the main part. Maya and Katie are sitting at opposite sides of the worship table. Mr Long is speaking with one of the parents and the session hasn t started. What will happen next? Drama two The Birthday Party Invite Chris birthday is coming up and a big party is being planned. While playing outside after church, Scott mentions to Chris that he heard Terry say some mean words about Chris during church school. Chris decides not to invite Terry to the birthday party. The next Sunday all the children are talking about the invitations they received to Chris birthday party. Terry looks confused and sad. Scott whispers to Chris, Remember when I said Terry said mean things about you last week? Well, it was a joke. Now Chris feels awful. What will happen next? Drama three The Case of the Missing Bike Silas is angry at his brother Zack. Without asking, Zack took Silas bike to go to the park. When Silas went to get his bike to go to his friend s house, it wasn t there. He missed playing at his friend s house because he didn t have a bike to get there. When Zack got home, Silas started calling him names and breaking his much-loved building set. What will happen next? Drama four The Disappearing Magic Cards Allison brought a special deck of magic cards to show her friend Renee after church school. Allison told Renee about the cards and said they were in a bag hanging by her coat. After church school, Allison went to get the cards but they were missing. Allison was very sad and asked if anyone in the group had seen the cards. Everyone said they had not seen them. The next week, Robert came to church school and sat by Allison. Robert reached into his pocket and pulled out the deck of cards. Many of the cards were bent and dirty. It would be hard to use them now. What will happen next? 98

101 Expanding Boundaries What does it mean to love our neighbour? Jesus teaches us what it means to live in a right relationship with others. We are called to love the way God loves choosing to act with compassion and to love without discrimination. As we expand the boundaries of our concern, we grow into maturity and wholeness. Focus Scripture: Matthew 5:38 48 For Jews in Jesus day, the Torah was the revelation of God to the people. It contained instruction about how to live in relation to God and one another. Matthew s gospel uses the term law to refer to the whole content of this teaching. In this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus again uses a rabbinic form of teaching You have heard it said...but I say... to examine some teachings of the law and expand their boundaries. Exodus 21:23 24 ( eye for eye, tooth for tooth ) said that an injury could not compel unlimited revenge, but only compensation in direct proportion to the offence. Jesus goes beyond this to counsel non-retaliation. Even before Jesus time, there were streams of thought in both pagan and Jewish traditions opposing revenge and calling for restraint. Jesus builds on this. Disciples can fulfill the requirements of the law, and also choose to give more than the law requires. Jesus encourages his hearers to go behind the literal words of the law to discover the love that lies at its heart. Deuteronomy 24:10ff describes taking a person s cloak as pledge for a loan. The law required that the cloak be returned at night so that the borrower would have some cover. Jesus calls for generosity: Give to everyone who begs from you. In fact, do more than is asked of you. Matthew s community lived in a hostile society in which a Roman soldier could compel someone to carry his pack for a mile. There were many who demanded revenge for this oppression. Jesus tells his followers that they have the power to choose to do more than is required, to go the extra mile. Leviticus 19:18 says love your neighbour as yourself. Again, Jesus invites disciples to go farther, loving enemies as well. Jesus words must have shocked some of his hearers. Love of enemy is a revolutionary idea, especially in an occupied country. Jesus unfolds for his hearers a deeper understanding of God s ways. Jesus reminds his followers that God s nature is to love without discrimination. God sends blessings on both the just and the unjust. Jesus calls on disciples to be perfect. This seems an enormous burden. How can one be perfect? But the Greek word used here does not mean to be without fault or never to make a mistake. The word means complete or mature. Christian maturity means showing compassion to all, as God does. In Leviticus 19:1 2, 9 18, Moses reminds the people that they become holy by keeping God s commandments. They are called to act justly, to deal honestly with others, to care for those in need, and to love their neighbours as themselves. Being God s people means behaving in God s ways. In Psalm 119:33 40, the psalmist asks for understanding in order to observe God s law wholeheartedly. God s word issues in action I will observe it. In 1 Corinthians 3:10 11, 16 23, Paul reminds the gathered community that they are God s living temple, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Paul counsels his readers to choose with care how to build on this foundation, because they belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God. Jesus teaching raises questions about how to live in our own society. What does it mean to live without retaliation and yet to seek justice? Our society will know that we are Jesus followers by the way we follow Jesus teachings and expand the boundaries of our love and care for others. How can these teachings be applied in our own situations today? February 20, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 5:38 48 Additional Scriptures Leviticus 19:1 2, 9 18 Psalm 119: Corinthians 3:10 11, Teach us, O God, the way of your commandments and give us grace to follow where you lead. You break down the walls that separate us from one another. In everyone we meet, help us to see a neighbour and reach out in love and service. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 99

102 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Sibling rivalry, fights between best friends, difficulties with parents children know what discord is and how hard it is to think kindly of people with whom you are angry. Jesus teachings in the focus scripture for this session may be striking a little too close to home for some of them. On the other hand, children can often quickly get over a rift and be ready to play together in the blink of an eye. However, if you discover in conversation with a child that she or he is being bullied, take care that the child understands that such actions are wrong. Loving your enemy does not mean that they must allow someone to treat them unfairly or badly. Children, at least many of them, are aware of world conflicts. Praying about such situations together will give some children peace of mind. Others, especially children with one or more military parents or relatives, may find such prayers more difficult. Allow each child to come at this teaching on her or his own level and place. Pray that the children in your group will learn from Jesus that God loves everyone. February 20, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 5:38 48, and biblical background material (p. 99). When have you been able to pray for your enemies? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. q Bring map of your community, one that will include each child s home. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet Love Everyone. q For role playing group, bring poster Landscape with Tree and today s resource sheet Love Everyone. q For digging deeper group, bring copies of today s resource sheet Digging Deeper and directions. Respond q Art zone: world map, magazines, newspapers, and sticky notes q Music zone: song A World of Difference (pp. 2 3 in Music Section; also #2 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: poster Landscape with Tree and sticky notes q Quiet zone: basket or small gift bag. Write questions on slips of paper. q Discipleship zone: today s resource sheet Matching Game copied on card stock/ heavy paper Bless q Bring poster Landscape with Tree with prayers from Respond outreach zone

103 February 20, 2011 Expanding Boundaries Scripture Matthew 5:38 48 FOCUS To learn more from Jesus about how to treat others. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. As you light it, remind the children that the tall, white candle is called the Christ candle. Its light reminds us of Jesus Christ. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Neighbours Bring a map of your community. Look at it with the children. Help them locate places they know, such as the church building, school, playgrounds, and parks. Locate the neighbourhood of each child. Invite each child to tell what is in her or his neighbourhood. Then ask: n Who lives in your neighbourhood? After they have told about the people in their neighbourhoods, explain that the teaching from Jesus in this session has something to say about neighbours. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The stories for the previous three sessions were in Matthew, chapter 5. Have the child turn to chapter 5. Help the children review the stories about Jesus teachings to the disciples called the Beatitudes and how we are to be like salt and light to show God s love to the world. The story in the previous session was about making things right with family and friends. Note that the story for this session is also from Matthew and continues the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 5. The Bible story Love everyone After reviewing the teachings of Jesus presented thus far, tell the story on today s resource sheet, Love Everyone, based on Matthew 5: After the story, ask: n What is new or surprising about Jesus teachings in this story? Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Role playing group One way for children to make a story their own is to imagine themselves as part of the action. Show the children the poster Landscape with Tree. Invite them to imagine that under the tree is where Jesus sat when he went up the mountain with the disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. After a moment, ask them to pretend that they, along with other people, have followed Jesus there. Ask: n Where are you, close to Jesus or near the back of the crowd? n What is the weather like, hot with no breeze, or with a cool breeze? n Imagine the people around you. Are they people you know, or are they strangers? 101

104 February 20, 2011 Give the children a moment to be fully in the scene. Then read the paraphrase of Jesus teachings on today s resource sheet Love Everyone. Ask: n What do you think about this teaching of Jesus? The children will have an opportunity to answer this question again at the conclusion of Engage. Digging deeper group This option is more appropriate for older children who read well. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Digging Deeper, Bibles, pencils, and these directions: 1 Take a Bible, a copy of Digging Deeper, and a pencil. 2 Find a partner. 3 Read Matthew 5:38 48 in your Bible. 4 As you read it, refer to the footnotes for verses 39, 41, and 46 at the bottom of Digging Deeper. 5 With your partner, complete the blanks in the chart on Digging Deeper. Put your answers in your own words. This will help you dig deeper to discover the meaning. 6 Talk with your partner about this question: What do you think about this teaching of Jesus? The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Bring the two groups together. Ask: n What do you think about this teaching of Jesus? Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Global neighbours poster Neighbours are near us and far away. In a world with instant communication to anywhere, the children are ready to expand their concept of neighbour. Tack or tape a world map to the wall or bulletin board. Look at it together, identifying countries the children know. Remind them that Jesus taught that we should pray for everyone, even people we don t like or who don t like us. Have the children look through magazines and newspapers for pictures of people, as many different kinds as they can find. Cut them out and glue them to sticky notes. Attach the people to the world map. Be sure you add as many people as there are children in the group. This map will be a focus in Bless. q Music zone: Song of peace The song A World of Difference (pp. 2-3 in Music Section; also #2 on Seasons Music CD) speaks of a world of peace and urges us to make a difference to bring that world into reality. Read the third stanza to the children in this zone, asking them to listen for things that remind them of Jesus teachings. After talking about it, have the children listen to the chorus. Then read the words aloud and have them repeat each phrase after you. Finally, sing the chorus together. Ask: n What are things we can do to make a difference, to bring change to the world? Then sing the chorus together. q Outreach zone: Prayer for peace While the children may not be able to change distant parts of the world, they can pray for people everywhere. In this zone, they will add prayers to the poster Landscape with Tree. Talk together about places and groups 102

105 February 20, 2011 who need prayers for peace. List their ideas on newsprint. Then give each child a sticky note and pencil to write a place or group. Explain that you will ask them to read what they have written as part of the prayer. When everyone is ready, pray this prayer or tailor it to the children in this zone: God, we know that you love each of us. We know you love our neighbours, the people who live in this community. We know you want us to live together in love. Help us to do that. We pray for places and people where they do not get along: (have the children read their papers and place them on the poster) Jesus teaches us that God loves everyone and that we should try to love everyone too. We are thankful that God loves us. We are thankful that God loves all our neighbours, here and far away. Let us live together in that love. Amen. q Quiet zone: Review As the season comes to an end, this is a good time to review the stories from Matthew. Print these questions, and others you prepare, on slips of paper: From what book of the Bible have we read stories about a teacher on the side of a mountain? Who was the teacher on the side of the mountain? Who came to listen to this teacher on the side of a mountain? What is another way to say You are blessed? How can we show God s love to the world? What is one teaching from Jesus about getting along with others? What question would you like to ask Jesus about the teachings on the side of a mountain? Put the papers in a basket or small gift bag. Place these directions next to it: Take turns drawing a paper from the bag. Read it aloud. Talk about it together. q Discipleship zone: Game The children can play this matching game to review Jesus teachings and apply them to their lives. Cut apart the rectangles on today s resource sheet Matching Game. Place them, upside down, on a table or flat surface and mix them up. The children take turns turning them over, two at a time, and trying to match the two pieces. When someone matches two pieces, the children all contribute to explaining that teaching and how they can live it each day. Older children, after reviewing the matching pieces, can devise another, more challenging game to play with the matching papers. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Sing the chorus of A World of Difference (pp. 2 3 in Music Section; also #2 on Seasons Music CD). Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. We pray for (ask the children from the outreach zone to read their places for prayer on the poster Landscape with Tree). Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), go into this week with God s love in your heart. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. How did the children absorb the concept of praying for people you don t like or who don t like you? What did you discover about their awareness of the world? How did the children show love to one another during this session? What surprised you about their interpretation of the focus scripture? 103

106 Resource sheet February 20, 2011 Love Everyone based on Matthew 5: Because of the irregular patterns of attendance, retelling the major themes of previous stories is an important way to help children keep up with the stories. Jesus days were filled with teaching and healing. More people came from all over to see Jesus every day. All kinds of people came: rich people, poor people, religious leaders, Roman soldiers, young people, old people, sick people, curious people. With so many people around, there was little time for Jesus to be alone with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. On this day, Jesus tried to get away from the crowds by going up the side of a mountain. When Jesus sat down, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and perhaps a few others, came to him. He began to teach them. As he taught them about living in God s love, others joined the disciples. Jesus looked right at Peter, Andrew, James, and John and told them that they were like salt that makes food taste better, because they could make life better for others. Jesus told them they were a light to the world because God s love could shine through them to others. But Jesus didn t stop with talking directly to the four fishers who chose to follow him. Jesus looked at the crowd that had gathered. Jesus saw families, people who were friends, and people who were not friends at all. To all of them, Jesus talked about making things right when people weren t getting along and forgiving each other. And Jesus had more to say to everyone: All our lives we have heard, Love your neighbours. But there is more to loving your neighbours. I say, Love your neighbours and pray for the people who don t like you and make you unhappy. If you only like and pray for the people who like you, what good is that? Anyone can do that. No, think of God as an example. God sends the sun to shine and the rain to fall on everyone, whether they are true to God or not. So follow God and be kind and pray for everyone, whether they treat you kindly or not. Then you will be living God s way of peace, justice, and love. Jesus stopped and looked at the people. They needed time to think about what he was saying. Perhaps someone was thinking, This is really hard. Another person might have been thinking, How can I pray for the Roman emperor who has made our lives so terrible? Yet another might be thinking, I am sure that Jesus is right, but my brother and I have not spoken to each other in ten years. And I have to love him now? Jesus looked around and quietly spoke, Yes, just as God shows love to everyone, you are to love too. 104

107 Resource sheet February 20, 2011 Digging Deeper The gospel of Matthew shows that the message Jesus taught was based on the laws and teachings found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus encouraged people to think more deeply about living in God s ways of love and fairness. Jesus message was that God s love and God s ways were for all people, whether they knew the Hebrew Scriptures or not. What it says: What it means: How we d say it today: Matthew 5:38 An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If someone hurts you, you can hurt them just as much as they hurt you but no more. If someone punches you, punch them back. Matthew 5:39 Do not resist an evil person Don t try to get even with someone who has hurt you. Matthew 5:40 42 Matthew 5:43 44 Matthew 5:46 48 Footnotes: verse 39: Striking someone s face was a serious insult, particularly if you did it with the back of your hand. To be hit in such a way was demeaning, and usually an assault from a person of higher status to a person of lower status. A right-handed person would use the back of her or his hand to slap someone on the right cheek. Turning the other cheek, that is, your left cheek, toward your attacker meant that she or he could no longer slap you with the back of the hand. If your attacker wanted to hit you again, it would have to be as an equal. verse 41: Under Roman law a soldier had the right to force a person to carry his pack as far as one mile. Forcing someone to carry your pack emphasized that you had more power than that person. But if the person, after carrying your pack for a mile, volunteered to carry it for another mile, you were being done a favour, and couldn t really regard the person as your inferior any longer. verse 46: The Romans hired local people to collect taxes for them to help pay for the government, the army, and so on. These tax collectors often collected much more money than they needed to pay the Romans. The Jewish tax collectors in Palestine were hated by their own people, who considered them traitors to their country and to their religion. 105

108 Resource sheet February 20, 2011 Matching Game You are blessed when you live God s ways of peace, justice, and love. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are told, Do not murder, work it out together. When you do something wrong, ask to be forgiven. Love your neighbour and pray for people you don t like. 106

109 Putting Love First God cares for us and provides for our needs. At this very moment, we are dwelling in the realm of God; we are formed by God s ongoing relationship with us. When we are distracted by everyday pressures, it can be a challenge to put God s love first in our lives. Jesus invites us to entrust our very being to God s Spirit as we participate in God s ways. Focus Scripture: Matthew 6:24 34 As we move towards the end of the Season after the Epiphany, the focus text concludes the five-week study of the collection of Jesus teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount. At the heart of the Law of Moses is God s covenant with God s people (Exodus 20 32). Jesus affirmed the principles of the law that Moses taught, but interpreted them differently than many of the religious authorities of his time. This caused confrontations between Jesus and some religious leaders. Jesus teaching about the meaning of the law might have seemed revolutionary, but the law remained central for Jesus as he taught the disciples about what it means to seek God s ways and participate in the present and future reign of God. Verse 24 begins with Jesus teaching that no one can serve two sources of authority equally. Those who follow Christ, including those in Matthew s community, must make a choice (6:24) between the vision of God s reign and the lure of wealth. Wealth can become the focus of one s trust and love, becoming an idol that distracts from knowing and serving God. God s presence empowers disciples to put love first. Therefore, continues Jesus in verse 25, do not worry about your life. Jesus is not forbidding followers from securing what is essential to physical well-being. Jesus is speaking about not allowing worry or anxiety to monopolize one s energy and focus Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? (verse 27). In verses 26 29, Jesus speaks of birds and lilies. Birds are fed from the bounty of creation. Wild lilies grow prolifically in Palestine and clothe the hillsides in beauty. King Solomon was famous for his ornate possessions, but Jesus says that these were nothing compared to the God-given beauty of the lily. In Jesus time, grass clippings were used as fuel for cooking; Jesus says God cares also about grass. In this text, Jesus is teaching the disciples, and us, about knowing God s character, God s righteousness. Jesus explains that our character can reflect God s righteousness when we live in God s ways. Worry about our own needs leads us to seek security in possessions, power, or beauty. These distractions can divert our attention from our neighbours who are in dire need of the abundant gifts of God s creation. Living in God s ways and trusting in God s providence helps disciples put love first in their relationships with neighbours near and far. We need not worry, says the prophet in Isaiah 49:8 16a. God will not forget God s covenant relationship with us. Psalm 131 rejoices that God s presence helps us to calm our distractedness and to live in hope. In 1 Corinthians 4:1 5, Paul tells how awareness of God s presence in his life has formed him as a servant of Christ and steward of God s mysteries. Knowing that God alone will judge and commend, Paul is freed to put love first. When we pay attention to the things that God pays attention to, our lives are grounded in God s realm. When we grow in trusting in God s love and care for us, we are freed to put love first in our relationships with others. Our hearts are released to celebration and worship. What does it mean that God knows you and is involved in your well-being? What distracts you and your church from acts of outrageous compassion from putting love first? February 27, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 6:24 34 Additional Scriptures Psalm Corinthians 4:1 5 Isaiah 49:8 16a Bountiful and generous God, increase our joy in the unlimited riches you provide. When worry and anxiety overwhelm our hearts, enliven us with your Spirit to trust in your ways, which always put love first. In Christ. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 107

110 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Are there children in your group who worry about having food to eat or warm clothes to wear when the temperatures dip? Are there children in your group who have expressed concern for people they have seen on television who are homeless? If so, they may bring doubts to Jesus words, Don t worry. Accept their fears and concerns. If you pretend they don t matter, the children may decide that nothing at church matters either. On the other hand, Jesus reminds us of God s love and that we can share this love with others. Children can learn how to speak a word of kindness and recognize that this word is living God s way of peace, justice, and love. Children can experience that word and be eager to share it with others. Listen to their words and watch their actions in the learning time and elsewhere. Children can surprise us and show us the way. Pray that the children in your group will reflect on these teachings of Jesus now and throughout their lives. February 27, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 6:24 34, and biblical background material (p. 107). When do you most feel God s care for you? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with green cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. q Bring poster Christmas. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet God s Care. q For picture group, bring Jesus figure (p. 128), people figures (p. 124), and poster board. Prepare speech balloons from plain paper. q For on the scene group, bring copies of today s resource sheet You Are in the Crowd and directions. Respond q Art zone: copies of resource sheet Box Pattern (p. 129) on card stock or heavy paper. Print the messages for the box on newsprint for the children to copy. q Music zone: song The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: song Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section; also #7 on Seasons Music CD) q Quiet zone: posters Creation, Landscape with Tree, Starry Night over the Rhone, Word of Light, and directions q Discipleship zone: copies of today s resource sheet Then You Decide To (one for each child one to cut apart and place in bag or bowl)

111 February 27, 2011 Putting Love First Scripture Matthew 6:24 34 FOCUS To learn from Jesus about God s generous love. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the green cloth for the Sundays during the Season after the Epiphany. As you light it, remind the children that the candle is called the Christ candle. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Image of caring Invite the children to look at the poster Christmas. Direct their gaze with this question: n What signs of caring do you see in this painting? As they focus more on the man and infant, ask: n Who cares for you, and what do they do that tells you that? After some discussion, suggest that they listen for signs of God s caring in the Bible story for this session. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The stories for the previous three sessions were in Matthew, chapter 5. Have the child turn to chapter 5. Help the children review the stories about Jesus teachings to the disciples called the Beatitudes and how we are to be like salt and light to show God s love to the world. Then Jesus taught them about making things right with family and friends. In the previous session, Jesus teachings were about loving everyone, even the people we don t like. Note that the story for this session is also from Matthew, at the end of chapter 6. Ask a child to turn to the end of Matthew 6. The Bible story God s care Remind the children to listen for signs of God s care in the story. Tell the story on today s resource sheet God s Care, based on Matthew 6: After the story, ask: n What signs of God s care did you hear in the story? Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. Picture group The children in this group will create a group picture of them with Jesus. Copy and cut out the figure of Jesus (p. 128). Glue it to a sheet of poster board. Give each child a people figure (p. 124) and crayons or markers. First they decorate the figure to represent themselves. Then they think about what they would like to say to or ask Jesus. Give each child a speech balloon to write what she or he wants to say or ask. Help them paste their figures and speech balloons to the poster. 109

112 February 27, 2011 On the scene group This group will put themselves in the crowd on the side of the mountain and explore Matthew 6: Provide copies of today s resource sheet You Are in the Crowd, Bibles, pencils, and these directions: 1 Imagine what it was like to hear Jesus teaching. The opening sentences on You Are in the Crowd will help you pretend you are there. 2 Then follow the directions on You Are in the Crowd. 3 When you have finished, find a friend to compare what you have written. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Ask: n What do you think it was like to be with Jesus on the side of the mountain, listening to his teaching? Questions like this help children enter Bible stories and identify with the people who were there. This prepares them to take in what Jesus said. Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Box The children will make boxes in this zone that they decorate with reminders of the teachings of Jesus. Each child will need a copy of the resource sheet Box Pattern (p. 129). Cut out the box and decorate it before it is folded. There are six sides to the box for the children to decorate. Here are possible teachings from the stories beginning on January 30: Be peacemakers. Shine with God s love. Forgive others. Put love first. Love everyone. Trust in God. After they print the messages on the box, they can decorate each side with markers and then fold the box and tape it. If you have several younger children, print the statements on the flat box in advance so it is ready for them to decorate. They will need help cutting the box out and folding it. q Music zone: Song of commitment The refrain of the song The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on the Seasons Music CD) brings together the themes of Jesus teaching and the lives of his followers today. Read the words to the children, talking about each line together. Hum the music before adding the words. Notice how the words and the music fit together. Then sing the song, teaching the children one line at a time. q Outreach zone: Living God s way The children have probably enjoyed the happy rhythm and melody of the song Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section). As a focus for this zone, use the words for Pass It On as an opportunity to think about how children and adults do pass the words, the love, and the peace of Jesus to others. Invite the children to think of ways they pass the words of Jesus on. Ask a volunteer to act out one way. Continue with the children thinking of how they pass the love and then the peace of Jesus on. Give each child a turn to act out how to pass it on. 110

113 February 27, 2011 q Quiet zone: Meditation art Meditation on a piece of art has long been practiced as a way to be with God. Display the posters Creation, Landscape with Tree, Starry Night over the Rhone, and Word of Light. Provide these directions: 1 Select the poster that you find most interesting. Sit in front of it on the floor or on a chair. 2 Look intently at the poster. Think about this question as you look at it: How does God care for me? 3 When you are ready, pray to God. q Discipleship zone: Unfinished stories This zone provides another way for the children to think about how they can live Jesus teachings. Cut apart a copy of today s resource sheet Then You Decide To. Add other situations that might be of importance to the children in your group and community. Have the children take turns drawing one from a bowl or bag and reading it to the group. Each person tries to think what she or he would do. Talk about the situation together, working to consider as many responses that reflect Jesus teaching as possible for that situation. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Sing the chorus of The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD). Also sing Pass It On (p. 12 in Music Section; also #7 on Seasons Music CD). Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), pass God s love on this week. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. Give each child a copy of today s resource sheet Then You Decide To to read and discuss with families. Which of Jesus teachings have made the deepest impression on the group? What growth have you noticed in the children as they have explored these teachings since January 30? Perhaps their ideas for living in God s way of peace, justice, and love have broadened. Perhaps they are more reflective about relationships. The next session concludes this Season after the Epiphany. Are there projects to complete or send home? 111

114 Resource sheet February 27, 2011 God s Care based on Matthew 6: This story gathers together the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5 and combines them with the focus scripture in Matthew 6. Treat this as one extended time with Jesus. Jesus days were filled with teaching and healing. More people came from all over to see Jesus every day. All kinds of people came: rich people, poor people, religious leaders, Roman soldiers, young people, old people, sick people, curious people, worried people. With so many people around, there was little time for Jesus to be alone with Peter, Andrew, James, and John. On this day, Jesus tried to get away from the crowds by going up the side of a mountain. When Jesus sat down, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and perhaps a few others, came to him. He began to teach them. As he taught them about living in God s love, others joined the disciples. Jesus looked right at Peter, Andrew, James, and John and told them that they were like salt that makes food taste better, because they could make life better for others. Jesus told them they were a light to the world because God s love could shine through them to others. But Jesus didn t stop with talking directly to the four fishers who chose to follow him. Jesus looked at the crowd that had gathered. Jesus saw families, people who were friends, and people who were not friends at all. To all of them, Jesus talked about making things right when people weren t getting along and forgiving each other. Jesus reminded them to love their neighbours, but also to pray for people they didn t like, even the people who didn t like them. This is how you live God s way of peace, justice, and love, Jesus told the people. Jesus knew these words were difficult to imagine, but there was more. Look at the birds in the blue, blue sky. See how beautiful they are in all their colours? They have nests to sleep in and food to eat. If God cares for the birds who are only worth a few cents, don t you know that God will care for you? Look at the flowers over there. Their beauty lasts just a day or two and then they wither and die. If God makes them with such beauty for a little while, don t you know that God will care for you for many days? So don t spend a lot of time worrying about where you will sleep, or what you will eat, or what you will wear. God will take care of you. Instead, think about God s way of peace, justice, and love. Jesus could see that the people were thinking about how God cared for them. Then he continued, God loves you and cares for you. Share God s love and care with others. Put love first in everything you do. 112

115 Resource sheet February 27, 2011 You Are in the Crowd What if you were in the crowd when Jesus taught? Pretend that you are in the crowd listening to Jesus. Close your eyes and watch the birds flying overhead. See the flowers bending in the breeze. Now read Matthew 6: When you get home later, your friend asks, What did Jesus teach about today? What would you say? In Matthew 6:24 34, Jesus does not want us to In Matthew 6:24 34, Jesus also wants us to 113

116 Resource sheet February 27, 2011 Then You Decide To... God cares about us, so we can ask God to help us when we face difficult situations that may cause us to worry. Use the following questions to lead a discussion about situations that can cause worry. Allow the children to suggest and discuss multiple responses. Then work with the group to choose a scenario to dramatize, or divide into smaller groups and dramatize a number of scenes. If any responses are activities that your group might do later (such as collecting funds for famine or other disaster-stricken areas), keep track of those ideas, perhaps to use as congregational projects during Lent. You are invited to a friend s birthday party and you say you will go. Then another friend invites you to a movie that you really want to see. You have to decide what to do. You feel worried. Then you decide to You wake up in the middle of the night thinking about a big test coming up in school. You feel worried. Then you decide to Your teacher tells you that you are not doing well in a certain subject. You feel worried. Then you decide to You overhear your parents having an argument. You feel worried. Then you decide to You hear that Africa is suffering from a drought and there will be a famine, in which many people could starve. You feel worried. Then you decide to Your friends all have the new shoes that everyone wants. You can t afford the shoes and your parents won t get them for you. You feel worried. Then you decide to You told a lie in order to cover up the fact that you didn t get your homework done. Now you are afraid that the teacher will find out. You feel worried. Then you decide to You hear that your grandparent is sick and in the hospital. You feel worried. Then you decide to You learn in school that the water, air, or soil in your area is being polluted. You feel worried. Then you decide to You are the only one in your school class who cannot do something. (Climb a rope or kick a goal or pass a spelling test or multiply in your head, for example.) You feel worried. Then you decide to 114

117 Dazzling Reign Today s readings seem an exclamation point to Jesus teaching about God s realm in the Sermon on the Mount. In a place of sacred mystery, the shining and shadow of Jesus transfiguration convey holy presence in the community of God s people across time. In this place of silence and witness, Jesus followers catch a glimpse of God s dazzling reign. Focus Scripture: Matthew 17:1 9 As noted before, the gospel of Matthew often grounds the stories of Jesus in references from the Hebrew Scriptures. The story of the transfiguration of Jesus echoes the story of Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29 35). Both are encounters with God on a mountain, considered to be a place of holy presence by ancient peoples. In both situations God s voice is heard from within a covering cloud. Also, Jesus face shines as Moses did on his descent from Mount Sinai. The presence of Moses and Elijah on the mountain with Jesus is a strong symbol. Both Moses and Elijah endured rejection by the people, but had support from God. Both were supporters of the Torah (law) and performed miracles. Elijah was taken up into heaven without having died (2 Kings 2:11). Legends in first-century Judaism suggest Moses also was taken up into heaven before death. The word transfigured in verse 2 translates the Greek verb metamorphoo. Elsewhere in the New Testament, that verb is used to suggest changes deep within a person. For example: Be transformed by the renewing of your minds (Romans 12:2). The story of Jesus transfiguration uses outward details to hint at the deeper mystery of metamorphosis. Jesus takes James, Peter, and John with him up this mountain. Jesus later asks these three to remain with him while praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). All three were major figures in the early church. Peter became a leader among the disciples. John, whom many believe is the one referred to as the beloved disciple, served as a model for closeness of relationship with Jesus. Matthew does not tell us if this James was the brother of John or the brother of Jesus. In the four lists of the twelve disciples in the New Testament, the name of James the brother of John always appears among the first three named. This is my Son, the Beloved (verse 5) declares the voice from the cloud. This is the same affirmation that Jesus heard at his baptism (Matthew 3:17). This time, the voice from the cloud adds a command: listen to him. These words assert that this holy encounter is meant to lead to obedience and following Jesus into Jerusalem. Hearing this, the disciples are overcome by fear. In verse 7, Jesus words, do not be afraid, make it possible for Peter, James, and John and for us to take up the challenging call of discipleship. The additional readings also speak of awesome encounters with God. Exodus 24:12 18 tells of Moses ascending Mount Sinai. God s glory meets Moses in shadow and light. The words of Psalm 99 balance God s holiness with affirmation of God s justice. The holy mountain of the temple on Mount Zion continues to offer a place of resting in God s presence. In Psalm 2, the psalmist warns against those who act with indifference toward God. God cares, and out of that care comes invitation to faithfulness. In 2 Peter 1:16 21 we hear of God s majesty in another account of Jesus transfiguration. The Season after the Epiphany closes with the disciples witnessing Jesus holy encounter on a mountain. Transfiguration reveals Jesus not merely in the details of shining, but in the words of God s favour and the summons to disciples to listen to Jesus as they live into God s realm. In what ways do you and your church listen to Jesus? How has such listening changed you? What does it mean for you and your church to live into the mystery of God s dazzling reign? March 6, 2011 Focus Scripture Matthew 17:1 9 Additional Scriptures Exodus 24:12 18 Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 2 Peter 1:16 21 Holy God, when we seek you, meet us. When we try to flee from your presence, come into our midst. Open us to the many ways you reveal yourself, and prepare us to journey by the leading of Jesus the Christ, your anointed one. Amen. Check out Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Spirit Sighting are posted weekly prior to the date of use. 115

118 The Focus for Ages 5 12 Being included in something special may be the highlight of a child s life to date. Staying up late to watch a special show makes the child feel grown up. Going on a special vacation with the family or spending a week with grandparents without other family can build deep relationships. Perhaps Peter, James, and John felt something like this too. The mystery in this story, from the surprising shining Jesus to the admonition not to tell, will not be lost on children. They enjoy such aspects of an event or a story. It also provides them a time to ponder the mystery and wonder of God and Jesus. The best answer to their questions about this story may be, I just don t know. At the same time, Jesus taught the followers to be a light to the world, to show God s light and love to others. This connection will be made in some Respond zones. Pray that the children in your group will feel and hear the mystery in this story and never lose it as they mature. March 6, 2011 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Matthew 17:1 9, and biblical background material (p. 115). Where is the mystery and wonder in this story for you? q Bring basic supply kit (see This Season, So on p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 9 and CD player. Seasons.mp3 Downloads are available for purchase from q Bring songs I Am Becoming Peace and Cosmic Hymn of Praise and (pp. 4 and 5 in Music Section; also #6 and #1 on Seasons Music CD). Gather q Prepare worship table with white cloth, large white pillar Christ candle, long fireplace matches, offering basket, and Bible. Place bookmark at Matthew. Engage q Prepare to tell the story on today s resource sheet On the Mountain with Jesus. q For art conversation group, bring today s resource sheet On the Mountain with Jesus, poster Starry Night over the Rhone, tealights or votive candles, and matches. q For drama group, bring copies of today s resource sheet A Special Time and directions. Respond q Art zone: black construction paper, poster Starry Night over the Rhone, and art materials with a shine (fluorescent markers, glitter glue, sequins) q Music zone: song The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD) q Outreach zone: poster board q Quiet zone: copies of today s resource sheet Reflecting God s Love and directions q Discipleship zone: paper stars (see template on p. 124)

119 March 6, 2011 Dazzling Reign Scripture Matthew 17:1 9 FOCUS To see God s love reflected in Jesus. Welcome Greet the children as they arrive. Welcome children who have been absent or who are new. Introduce yourself to new children and them to the group. Call to learning Point out the white cloth for this Sunday. A white cloth tells us this is a special Sunday in the church year. As you light it, remind the children that the candle is called the Christ candle. Sing the song I Am Becoming Peace (p. 4 in Music Section; also #6 on Seasons Music CD) together. During the song, have a child receive the offering. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God of joy and hope, we are thankful for your love and that you are all around us. Amen. Extinguish the candle as a sign that the opening ritual is over. Connecting with the focus Special times Engage in a conversation with the children about being present for special times. Ask: n When have you been allowed to go to a special event or to stay up for something special on television? After the children have remembered some occasions, ask: n What was special about the event? n How did you feel because you were allowed to be there or watch it? When the children have gotten a sense of being chosen to be present for something special, suggest that they listen for something special for Jesus, Peter, James, and John. Preparing for the story Review Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship table and open it to the bookmark. The stories for the previous five sessions were in Matthew, chapters 5 and 6. Ask: n What were some teachings from Jesus in the stories for the previous sessions? They may recall the Beatitudes and how we are to be like salt and light to show God s love to the world. Some may remember that Jesus taught about making things right with family and friends, even praying for people we don t like or who don t like us. Children present for the previous session may tell about God s loving care for us. If you have one of the boxes made in the previous session, the words on it may jog their memories. The Bible story A special time Have a child turn to chapter 17 in Matthew. Point out that this story is after Jesus had spent many months teaching and healing. Tell the story on today s resource sheet On the Mountain with Jesus, based on Matthew 17:1 9. Following the story, ask: n Who did Jesus take to this special time? n What special thing happened? This brief conversation will help the children participate more fully in the following activities. Exploring the story further To enable the children to explore the story further, according to interests and abilities, explain the two options and have each child select one. 117

120 March 6, 2011 Art conversation group Vincent Van Gogh s paintings of night skies have a luminosity that connects with this story of Jesus. Place the poster Starry Night over the Rhone before the children in this group. Without offering any explanation, ask: n How does this poster make you think of the story of Jesus on the mountaintop? As the children answer the question, light tealights or votive candles and set them by the poster. To review the story, ask: n What happened when Jesus face and clothes were shining? From this question, help the group recall the rest of the story. Drama group The children in this group will prepare a drama of the Bible story that follows more closely the language of most Bibles. Provide copies of today s resource sheet A Special Time, Bibles, and these directions: 1 Take a copy of A Special Time. 2 Decide who will read each part. 3 Look over the play. Help each other with words you don t know. 4 Read the play together. 5 Get ready to read the play for the others. 6 If you have time, find Matthew 17:1 9 in the Bible and read the story there. The Bible story and us Play the song Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather together. Invite the drama group to present the play. Ask: n Now that you have spent more time with this story, what would you say is special about this time with Jesus? Invite the children to select a zone and work with the materials there. q Art zone: Abstract art The children will create art with a luminous quality, akin to Jesus shining face and clothes. The poster Starry Night over the Rhone, while not abstract, can be an inspiration for their work. Provide dark construction paper and fluorescent markers, glitter mixed with white glue, glitter glue, or any other art material that shines for the children to create paintings. q Music zone: Baptism affirmed Sing the song that was introduced at the baptism of Jesus, The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on the Seasons Music CD). The children also sang this song in the previous session. Review the refrain of the song. Then go over the movements that the group created for the refrain on January 9. If they did not do this, work with the group to create movements for each phrase of the refrain. For example, Lead us to listen can be matched with holding a hand cupped behind the right ear and bending the body slightly to the right. For to hear the heart speak, reverse and hold a cupped hand to the left ear and lean in that direction. q Outreach zone: Project review Since this is the last session before Lent, now is a good time to review the projects the children have participated in since Advent. They can make a poster of their care for others to display in the learning space. Seeing their work listed is often an incentive for the children to do more. 118

121 March 6, 2011 q Quiet zone: Shining for others Help the children connect the special shining through Jesus with the way they can be light to the world, shining with God s love. Provide copies of today s resource sheet Reflecting God s Love, writing paper, pencils, and these directions: 1 In the Bible story, Jesus was shining with God s love. 2 Remember when Jesus taught that we are light to the world, showing God s love. We don t shine like Jesus did, but we can be light. 3 Take a copy of Reflecting God s Love and a pencil. 4 Think about the questions in the stars on the paper. If you like, write down what you think and think about it some more at home. q Discipleship zone: Reflecting God s light Acquaint the children with members of the congregation who reflect God s light and love. Provide lots of paper stars (cut with template on page 124) and markers. Ask: n Who in our church reflects God s light and love? Prompt them with names, if necessary, but encourage them to think about the people they know, including those in their group. With each name, encourage the child to say what that person does. Print each name on a star. Tape the stars around the learning space or hang them in windows. Gather Play Cosmic Hymn of Praise (p. 5 in Music Section; also #1 on Seasons Music CD) as the signal to gather in a circle around the worship table. Sing the chorus of The Anointing (pp. 8 9 in Music Section; also #5 on Seasons Music CD). Include the movements. Pray this prayer, or one of your own: God, we are so happy that you sent Jesus to teach the world about you. We also give thanks for the people who reflect your love in the world today. Amen. Blessing To a child next to you, say, (Child s name), reflect God s light and love this week. That child says it to the next child, and on around the circle. When did you see the light of God s love reflected in the group in this session? What signs of growth in the group have you seen since the beginning of Advent? As you conclude these seasons, please take time to complete the evaluation page at the end of this guide so that Seasons of the Spirit can improve based on the information we receive from our users. Thank you for taking the time to do this. 119

122 Resource sheet March 6, 2011 On the Mountain with Jesus based on Matthew 17:1 9 The story of the transfiguration has much mystery. Try to tell the story so the mystery is revealed through your voice and movements. For many days, even months, Jesus had walked throughout the countryside. He stopped in villages to teach and to heal. People hurried to find him when they heard that Jesus was nearby. By now he had chosen twelve friends, the ones we call the disciples. Jesus wanted to teach them so they could teach, heal, and help others as Jesus did. They went everywhere that Jesus went. Jesus message was always the same: God loves you and wants you to live in peace, justice and love. I imagine that Jesus longed for a day when he could relax and be with his twelve friends. Sometimes Jesus went off to be alone and pray. On this day, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to go with him. You might remember them. James and John were brothers. They, along with Andrew, Peter s brother, were the first disciples that Jesus called to follow him. The four men left their fishing boats and nets to go with Jesus. The other disciples watched as Jesus led Peter, James, and John up the side of the mountain. When they were out of sight, the other disciples turned away and found other things to do. At the top of the mountain, exciting, special things happened. At the top of the mountain, Jesus looked different. Jesus face and Jesus clothes were shining as brightly as the sun. Peter, James, and John put their hands to their faces to shield them from the light. Then, all of a sudden, two people were with Jesus. It was as if they came out of nowhere. One was the great prophet Elijah and the other was the great leader Moses. The disciples had heard the stories in the Hebrew Scriptures about them. They were heroes of the faith, but they had been dead for many, many years. Now here they were on this mountaintop talking with Jesus. This was an amazing, incredible time. Peter, James, and John stared. They didn t know what to do or to say. It was also a scary time. What was going to happen next? Teacher, Peter said to Jesus, this is an amazing thing. If you want me to, I will build a tent for Moses, a tent for Elijah, and a tent for you. But before Peter could finish, a cloud of the brightest brightness you can imagine came over the mountaintop. From deep in the cloud, a voice spoke, This is my child. I am very pleased with my child. Listen to my child. Just as quickly, the cloud of brightness was gone. Moses and Elijah were gone. Jesus was no longer shining. The disciples and Jesus were alone on the mountaintop. And the disciples weren t sure what had happened. They looked around. They rubbed their eyes. They shook their heads. They felt a little afraid. Jesus looked at Peter, James, and John. Everything s fine, Jesus told them. You don t need to be afraid. They started down the mountain. When they could see the other disciples, Jesus turned to Peter, James, and John. Don t tell them what happened on the mountain. Not yet. But Peter, James, and John did not forget what they had seen and heard. Jesus was special and they were to listen to Jesus. 120

123 Resource sheet March 6, 2011 A Special Time (based on Matthew 17:1 9) Characters: Narrator, Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, and a voice in a cloud or voice of God. Involve all other children as disciples. Narrator: Jesus had been working hard spreading God s message. So Jesus and the disciples were resting near the foot of a mountain. Jesus: I know you re tired, friends, but I must go up the mountain. Will you go with me? Narrator: The other disciples looked on as Peter, James, and John stood up to go with Jesus. The four climbed wearily up the mountain. At the top of the mountain, Jesus stopped and stretched his arms out beside him. James and John: What s going on? Your face your clothes! They re shining. Narrator: Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared and began talking to Jesus. The others watched for a moment, and then Peter called over to Jesus. Peter: Lord, it is good that we are here. I can make three tents one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Narrator: Peter had barely finished speaking when a bright cloud appeared near Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. When James, John, and Peter saw it, they fell to the ground afraid. Voice: (speaks loudly) This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him, so listen to him. Narrator: Peter, James, and John lay facedown and hid their eyes. Jesus walked to them and touched each of their shoulders. Jesus: Get up and don t be afraid. Narrator: The disciples cautiously lifted their eyes. Moses, Elijah, and the cloud had disappeared. Only Jesus was still standing there. He waited as they got up, then began to lead them down the mountain. Just as they were returning to the other disciples, Jesus turned to Peter, James, and John. Jesus: (Speaks very quietly and seriously.) Don t tell anyone about what you saw not until God s Son has been raised from the dead. Narrator: The disciples nodded and followed Jesus back to the bottom of the mountain. 121

124 Resource sheet March 6, 2011 Reflecting God s Love How do you try to reflect God s love in your life? When is it hard to show God s love to others? What helps you to show God s love? Who helps you learn to reflect God s love? Who do you know who reflects God s love brightly? 122

125 Advent, Christmas, and the Season after the Epiphany Dear families, So many exciting church year seasons take place between November 28 and March 6. Our wish is that your family enjoys each one and through it grows together in faith. These are busy times and children get very excited. We encourage you to take time to talk with your child about the religious meaning of these days. During Advent and Christmas, our group will be exploring passages from Isaiah and Psalms as well as the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Your child may be intrigued by the role of Joseph in the nativity story in Matthew. During the Season after the Epiphany, we encounter ways that we are called by God s love to live God s ways. The gospel of Matthew, especially chapters 5 and 6, will be our focus. The children will learn how the teachings of Jesus made new the ways we can be a light to the world as we live God s way of peace, justice, and love. During these busy weeks, we will be praying for each child in the group. We ask that you pray for us too. May we all celebrate the birth of Jesus and be called to continue the ministry of Jesus that can transform our world. Sincerely, 123

126 Patterns Heart Star People 124

127 Nativity Animals 125

128 Breaking Boundaries By Onleilove Alston As someone who experienced poverty while growing up in an inner-city community in Brooklyn, I know there is a great deal of strength among the poor; it takes enormous tenacity and resourcefulness to survive in an underserved community. I have experienced well-meaning Christians from more privileged backgrounds who feel called to serve poor people, but instead end up negating their autonomy and enacting charity, as opposed to justice. I have also been blessed over the past few years to be part of organizations that follow a justice model for ending poverty groups such as Union Theological Seminary s Poverty Initiative, which is dedicated to building a movement, led by the poor, to end poverty. It includes both poor people and those who are not from poor backgrounds at every level of leadership, from speaking and writing to on-the-ground organizing. Based on my experience, here are some practical ways to build a multiracial, multiclass, progressive Christian movement. 1. Make a habit of supporting indigenous leaders If you are called to relocate to serve a different community, first seek out existing local leaders in that community. No one can be given a voice; instead, those of privilege must step aside so that everyone s voice is heard. 2. Socially locate yourself In my work with the Poverty Initiative, we make it a practice before every Bible study, training, or sermon to socially locate ourselves: We talk about our experiences with poverty or privilege and what has brought us to this work. These times of testimony are powerful and encourage others who are marginalized to find their voices and join the movement. 3. Share the spotlight What has defeated many movements of the past is the focus on one gifted leader; once the main leader is gone, the movement is over. In the progressive Christian movement, the main leader we should focus on is Christ everyone else is an equally important part of the body. 4. Don t be ashamed of the gospel Of course, those wanting to serve people in disadvantaged circumstances should avoid the mistake of attempting to bring God to a community. God is already there. But we must avoid operating out of a totally secular paradigm, because, if we are part of a progressive Christian movement, our relationship with Christ should serve as the impetus for all that we do. 5. Find strong, detail-oriented critics who will judge your actions, not just your intentions; listen to criticism without panic or anger As an evangelical, I remember the use of accountability partners to assist people in their Christian walk. Some may scoff at this youth-group term, but, as progressive Christians, we need to have people around us who can gently critique our actions to ensure that we are not operating in racism, classism, sexism, or some other ism that will hinder the movement. 6. Build community and long-term relationships with social bonding, fun, and en couragement As people dedicated to social justice, we must remember self-care and fun. I m part of a group of women at Union Theological Seminary who take time to share a meal, laugh, and talk together in what we call special communions. These times give us a chance to let off steam while remembering that Jesus is the reason for our justice work. 7. Know that you will always struggle and have room for improvement Do not beat yourself up if you find it difficult to do this work of justice. Everyone can seek to build better alliances and friendships across race and class lines. Where we are weak, Christ can make us strong; his light shines brightest through the cracks of broken vessels. Onleilove Alston, a MDIV/MSW candidate at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, was a 2008 Beatitudes Society Fellow at Sojourners and currently is a contributing writer for the magazine. She serves on the Servant Leadership Team of NY Faith & Justice and is a Poverty Scholar with the Poverty Initiative. Used by permission. 126

129 Interview Questions Everyone has their own story about how they have experienced God guiding them in their lives. We can learn a lot about how God might be speaking to us through the stories of others. Use these questions to interview a guest speaker. Add questions of your own. Write down any ideas or words that come to you during the interview that you want to remember. 1. When you were our age, what did you dream about doing when you grew up? 2. Is that what you are doing now? If not, what led you to the work you are doing now? 3. How did you prepare for the work you are doing? 4. What abilities or talents has God given you for the work you do? 5. Who encouraged you to use your abilities for the good of others? 6. In what ways do you experience God s presence in your daily work? Give us some examples. 7. How do feel you are serving God with your abilities? 8. Do you ever feel inadequate for your job? If so, how is God with you? 9. What do you like best about your job? 10. What is the most difficult part of your job? 11. What difference does it make in your work that you are a follower of Christ? 12. What words of encouragement can you offer us as we explore what God invites us to do with our lives? 13. Other: 127

130 128 Jesus Teaches

131 Box Pattern (for use on February 27, 2011) Photocopy on card stock or heavy paper. Enlarge as necessary. Cut out on solid lines. Fold on dotted lines. 129

132 Making Things Right Heroes Susette La Flesche of the Omaha tribe in the United States learned that her people were not counted as people in the United States Constitution. She wrote articles about the unfairness of this treatment and sent them to newspapers. Then she and her brother Francis went throughout the country, telling of this unjust treatment. After years of hard work, the US Congress passed a bill to allow the Omahas to gain title to their land. Susette worked to make things right for the Omahas and other tribes. When Yoshiko Uchida was 12 years old, the war between Japan and the United States broke out. She and her family were forced to sell their home and go to a camp set up in a racetrack in Montana. The housing was crude and cramped, with 8,000 Japanese Americans living at this racetrack. The Uchidas helped organize churches and schools. Yoshiko taught second grade. Even after the war ended, Yoshiko could not forget those terrible years. With the hope that this would never happen again, she wrote books for children about those years. Yoshiko wrote to make sure things stayed right for all people. In El Salvador, where Oscar Romero grew up, violence was everywhere. After he became a Roman Catholic priest, he saw clearly that the church had to help make things right. After trying to keep peace and harmony no matter what, his message changed. He said, The church is crying out against sin. Let not hate rule, let not violence rule, let not fear rule. Many threats were made on his life, but they did not stop his message. Until his death, Oscar Romero worked to make things right for the people in El Salvador. Father Chris Riley worked as a teacher, youth worker, probation officer, and school principal. All these experiences convinced him that There s no such thing as a bad child just a bad environment. In 1991 he began Youth Off the Streets to help homeless young people. He delivered meals on the streets of King s Cross in Sydney, Australia. Today there are more than 17 programs, including residential programs and independent high schools. Father Riley works to make things right for the young people who have no one else. 130

133 Advent s Beginning By Patricia Bays The Advent readings this year begin, not with gentle stories of the birth of a child in a stable, but with frightening images of the day of the coming of the Son of Man. People will be going about their daily business. Some will be snatched away, others will be left. Judgment will come at an unexpected hour. Why do we begin Advent in this way, and what might the passage mean for us today? To use this passage in Advent reminds us that Advent is a season with its own themes and images. It is not primarily an introduction to the Christmas story. To speak of the coming of God is to speak of more than the coming of the infant Jesus to a particular time and place. And so the framers of the lectionary remind us of the Advent themes by choosing texts that are not connected with Christ s birth. These are texts that point us to a future fulfillment of God s reign among us, at a time we cannot predict. The style of writing Matthew uses here is called apocalyptic, from a Greek word meaning revelation. Apocalyptic writing, found in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the other gospels, contains visions or prophecies of the end times or the age to come. The community of Matthew s gospel has a very real sense of living at the end of an age. It seems to them that their world is crumbling. Palestinian Christians live in an occupied country, at odds both with the Jewish community and the Gentile society around them. The Temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed in 70 CE, and people are scattered. Jesus had promised the disciples that he would return. Surely this distress must mean that this return will happen soon. God will not abandon the people. Surely God is coming to restore the faithful and bring an end to trouble and distress. The gospel writer cautions that no one knows the time when this will occur, and attempts to answer the question, How shall we live in this in-between time? The gospel of Matthew sets out five great blocks of Jesus teaching to show the new way of life to which Jesus calls us. From John the Baptizer s very first call to repentance, Christians are called to shape their lives according to the example of Jesus. These are themes then that shape our Advent experience: stay awake, be alert, watch. The gospel of Matthew reminds us that we must change our manner of life now, must begin to live according to Christian values, even though God s reign is not yet fully established. We do not know how long a process that will be. But we affirm our belief that history will reach its fulfillment, that God s reign will be established, transforming the world into a world of justice and unity and peace. Jesus birth at Bethlehem signals an important new stage in God s plan to bring this about. The writer of the gospel of Matthew says that rather than trying to predict future events, we must make good use of the time we have been given. God calls us to live as though God s reign is a present reality in our lives. We are called to play our part in bringing that reign to completion. Advent is the time to think again about those values and to make them part of our everyday lives. Patricia Bays is an Anglican author and theological educator who lives in Ottawa, Canada. Patricia is a member of the Seasons of the Spirit writing team and a frequent contributor. 131