LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT

Transcription

1 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT Summary of Today s Story Out of nothing, God creates the universe, ending with the creation of humanity, in his own image. And when He had finished with the work of creation, God rested on the seventh day. Where You ll Find Today s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Genesis 1:1 2:3 In Children s Bibles If you plan to use a children s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of today s story in the space below. In Our Sunday Lectionary Today s story is told in church on the following Sunday: Year A: Great Vigil of Easter, Trinity Sunday Year B: First Sunday after Epiphany (RCL); Great Vigil of Easter Year C: Great Vigil of Easter

2 2 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story God, who is Love, created the world around us. Love permeates the whole universe, because its creator is Love. Here, in the first story in the Bible of creation, we see God the creator and us as creatures. We are created for our creator, and that is the relationship in which we stand with God. Our place in the universe, and in relationship to God, lies in our acceptance of our humanness. We are also enjoined to accept and appreciate the diversity of all of God s creatures. In the second story of creation, Genesis 2-3, Adam and Eve are tempted to be like gods. This is indeed a temptation, because we are never meant to be like gods or to be like God. We are meant to be as fully human as we can be, which means that we stand before our God as creatures to creator, and never as equals. When we acknowledge our utter dependence on God for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, as said in the General Thanksgiving in our Book of Common Prayer (Morning Prayer, p. 101), we can stop trying to be bigger than we are and relax in the limitations of our humanity. We can accept that we are merely human. God does; God made us that way and pronounced us good. As we look at the universe around us, it is good also to remember that God pronounced not only humans but all of creation to be good. Celebrating the Sabbath As Christians, we do not observe the Friday sunset to Saturday sunset Sabbath. Instead, we celebrate the Lord s Day, the day of Christ s resurrection, each Sunday. This day is set aside, as was the traditional Sabbath, for prayer and worship to God and for thanksgiving to God for the gifts of creation. Though we ought to honor and worship God every day of our lives, we set aside our Sundays as a special day of special worship. Thus we keep the same emphasis as the Jewish Sabbath, of worship and praise to God at this time. Though we may have lost much of our sense of worshipfulness in our busy Sundays, by mowing the lawn, shopping for groceries or rushing off to children s soccer games, we still acknowledge our original intention by continuing to call Sundays a day of rest. And the command by God is a dual one: rest and worship. For, as the prayer goes, we have no peace until we find our rest in God. This is our challenge and our command, which is increasingly pressing in this busy world in which we tend to forget about God in our Monday-to-Friday lives. When we come to church on Sundays, we gather as a community the people of God to celebrate and worship God together. Although we can indeed worship God outside of church, we also need to be counted in the community of the faithful as part of our Christian life. Christianity is a communal faith, not a solitary one, and so when we worship, we do so as a people of God. The Episcopal Thread How does today s story connect to our Episcopal and Anglican tradition? Here are some important ways in which we appropriate the story of God s creation into the faith and teachings of the Episcopal Church, especially as found in our Book of Common Prayer. The story of the creation is one of the readings in the Liturgy of the Word for the Easter Vigil, as part of the record of God s saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past. The story of creation

3 3 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 begins this great story of God s love for us, which is fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ (p. 288). In our Rite of Holy Baptism, the Thanksgiving over the Water gives thanks to God, our Father, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation (p. 306). In the simplicity and commonness of water is a grace given to us by God, which, when sanctified as the water of Baptism, becomes the way of new life for us in Jesus Christ. In our Holy Eucharist, the Great Thanksgiving and the Eucharistic Prayer are always addressed to God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth. After our prayers of praise in singing Holy, Holy, we give thanks to God creatures to creator for God s mighty acts, beginning with the creation and especially in the creation of us God s people. For example: In Eucharistic Prayer A (p. 362): In your infinite love you made us for yourself... In Eucharistic Prayer B (p. 368): We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation... In Eucharistic Prayer C (p. 370): At your command all things came to be... By your will they were created and have their being. In this Eucharistic Prayer, the theme of God s creation is very strong. This prayer is also interesting because it acknowledges and affirms the gift of reason we have been given. Our Anglican tradition affirms the threefold nature of our faith, of Scripture, tradition and reason, the right use of reason being an essential component of a living faith in God. In Eucharistic Prayer D (p. 373): You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world in our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. In our Anglican theology, there is a very strong strand of thanksgiving for creation and incarnation, for God s gift of creation given out of love. We believe that creation is good, that the world is good, because God made it. In this thinking, we have a very earthy spirituality. We affirm life in this world, and we celebrate God s entry into human life and history as a great gift and blessing to us. Look for these strands in the various prayer and worship services in the Prayer Book, for example in Morning Prayer (beginning on p. 75), in the Psalms (see especially Psalm 104, beginning on p. 735), and in various prayers of the Church (see especially Prayers for the World on p. 814 and Prayers for the Natural Order on p. 827). Also look at the Catechism, page 846, for the relationship between God the Father and God s creation. Our Hymnal 1982 also contains many hymns that are hymns of praise for God and creation, such as All Things Bright and Beautiful (#405), All Creatures of Our God and King (#400), and Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (#376). You may want to help older children find more hymns that celebrate the goodness of God s world. Look especially at the hymns of Praise to God (# ). On Honoring Sabbath Time Look at our Baptismal Covenant in the Book of Common Prayer, page 304. After the Apostles Creed, the celebrant asks: Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? We answer, We will, with God s help. In this response, we promise to keep the tradition of the Sabbath, of honoring God, every day and especially on Sundays. As Anglicans, we are a sacramental church and a sacramental people. The keeping of a day for the Lord is part of this sacramental orientation. This is expressed in the beauty of our worship and our worship spaces and in the stateliness of our worship

4 4 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 and our liturgy. Our Sunday worship is an essential part of our faith and the center of our Prayer Book spirituality, and we anchor it by celebrating the Holy Eucharist on every Sunday. Gathering As children enter, engage them in a simple activity that relates to today s lesson. Clay Creations Younger children will enjoy playing with play dough, a natural play companion to the story about creation. Older children enjoy playing with dough also, though they may not admit it! You may also ask them to make something that can be used at a Sabbath or Sunday meal, such as a candlestick, plate, bowl or cup. Creation Pictures for Storytelling Time An alternative is for children to draw and cut out pictures of various elements of God s creation. Then during storytelling, tape sheets of poster board, foam board or newsprint to the wall and have them glue or tape their picture onto the poster. Instructions for this activity are on page 48 at the end of this lesson. See additional Gathering activities at the end of the lesson: Our Day of Rest and Worship, How Are We Made?, Draw Yourself with Your Own Creation and In the Beginning. Older intermediate children may enjoy a brief time of fellowship, sharing the news of the past week and renewing friendships. Far from being a waste of time, such fellowship time promotes stronger bonds of community and communion within our church family and is to be encouraged. the Prayer Book, make up your own or use the following: O God of love, you made all of us here in your own image, and made us all your children and brought us together to share your stories. We thank you for this church, and for our time together in our church and with our church family. We ask that you will bless this time together, that we may learn to know you better and then to love you as you love us. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Here is a prayer from the Prayer Book (p. 814): O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Telling the Story Read aloud today s story from a children s Bible, showing the pictures, tell the story in your own words, or read from the version of the story we provide, found on pages This story is simple enough that you can also read from a regular Bible, though younger children will want pictures. To enhance the storytime, here are some suggestions: Story in the Dark Turn out the lights and darken the room as much as possible. Begin telling the story in the dark, then lighten the room when God says Let there be light. You might set up a tent and begin inside the tent, for more darkness. When you are ready to begin the lesson, gather the children for an opening prayer. Use a prayer from

5 5 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 Story Bags Ahead of time, take six bags and put in each bag an item that represents one of the days of creation. Label the bags and have children open each one in turn, as you read or tell the story. Here are suggestions for the contents of the bags: Day 1: a flashlight Day 2: an empty round container Day 3: a jar of water, a jar or baggie of dirt or a small plant, seeds or fruit Day 4: glow-in-the-dark stars, sun and moon (or paper ones) Day 5: toy birds and fish, or feathers and fish crackers Day 6: animal crackers and doll Day 7: blanket Creation Pictures If the children made pictures during Gathering time, tape a large sheet of poster paper or newsprint to the wall, perhaps blank white paper the beginning (In the beginning there was nothing...) and blue and green paper background as the story of creation progresses. Each child should have at least one picture in his or her hand when the story begins. Invite the children to glue or tape their picture onto the poster at the appropriate point in the story. This can be flexible, creative storytelling, with the children putting their items just where they want them. When you have finished telling the story, pause for a few seconds, then proceed to the worship time. Save any analysis or discussion of the lesson until Sharing time, and allow the power of this story to enter into the hearts of the children. Give them time to absorb the power and the wonder of God s creative action with their hearts before asking them to analyze it with their minds. We also suggest that you refrain from asking even the older children to take turns reading the entire story from the Bible. Reading aloud in public can be a stressful activity for children, and we are not trying to teach them how to read. We want rather to encourage them to hear and absorb the story that is being told to them. The connection of the story with the Bible will come during the worship time, when one or two verses will be read from the Bible as part of this simple Liturgy of the Word. Alternate or Additional Readings For different interpretations of God s creation of the world, consider the following books or stories: The Creation, by James Weldon Johnson (NY: Holiday House, 1995), the story of creation in verse by the African American poet who was also the author of the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing. The poem is in a collection of Complete Poems by Johnson, and is also printed as an illustrated children s book with pictures of an African American man telling the story to children. This is an excellent poem to read to the children as they act out the story of creation as Johnson tells it. One Day in Paradise, by Helme Heine (NY: Atheneum, 1986) In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World, by Virginia Hamilton (NY: Graphia, 1991) The Magician s Nephew, by C.S. Lewis (NY: HarperCollins, 2000, a volume from the Chronicles of Narnia series; there are a few chapters that tell of the creation of Narnia, in a lyrical and amusing way) There are many other picture books that tell of the biblical account of the creation, which you can use. For contemporary stories about the observance of Sabbath, here are two children s books: Mrs. Moskowitz and the Sabbath Candles by Amy Schwartz (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 1983) Joseph Who Loved the Sabbath by Marilyn Hirsch (NY: Puffin, 1998), a traditional Jewish story

6 6 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 about the devout but poor man who honored the Sabbath with his finest things. Prayer Set up a small worship center in your room. Materials: small table with a cloth to cover it 2 candles or 1 Christ candle matches Bible cross optional: flowers (real, artificial or handmade by the children) Have the children set up the worship and prayer space. Then light the candles. Read one or two verses from today s scripture out of the Bible so that the children connect the story with the Bible, which is the Word of God. Suggestions for the readings: For younger children: Genesis 1:1-2 For older children: Genesis 1:1-5 Help familiarize the children with our liturgy by doing the reading as it is done in church. Read as follows: Reader: A reading from the book of Genesis: (Read the selected passage.) Reader: The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself then invite prayers from each child in the circle: Invite prayers of thanks for the ways in which God has been present in their lives during the past week. An especially appropriate prayer for today is one that gives thanks to God for the blessings of creation. Have children think of one part of God s created world that they are especially thankful for: the warm sunshine, our pets, our friends, the flowers, rainbows, trees. Welcome prayers of concern or petition for anyone in any need or trouble, including anybody who is sick. They can pray for themselves or for others in their families, their community or the world. Encourage prayers for the environment also, that we may learn to care for God s creation. Recognize any birthdays or other special occasions and give thanks to God for these special times. End by praying the Lord s Prayer. Carefully extinguish the candles. Sharing If possible, set a table for a Sabbath meal. See Sabbath Meal under the Activities section for ideas. Pass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as this traditional Jewish table grace, which affirms God as creator and sustainer: Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Amen.

7 7 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 Or: Be present at our table, Lord, Be here and everywhere adored. Thy creatures bless, And grant that we may feast in Paradise with thee. Amen. This is an excellent time, while sharing a snack, to begin talking about the story that the children have just heard. There may be many questions and many wonderings: What was it like when there was only God, only Love? Why do you think God created the universe, and why God created us? Older children may be familiar with the debate about creationism, the Big Bang Theory of the universe and evolution. This story of creation does not conflict with evolutionary thinking. Science tries to explore how the universe was created; the Holy Scripture tells us why. The Bible tells us about God, and about the creative activity of the One who made us. You may also want to invite children to share their thoughts about the Sabbath and about our Sundays. What do we do to mark Sunday as a special day for the Lord? What special activities (rituals) do we do as families, as a church or on our own? Notice that God commands for us a day of rest. Thank you, God! As we learn about the meaning and the importance of keeping a Sabbath to honor and worship the Lord, we may begin to think of some rituals that we can create. How can we best honor God on this day? What activities might help us focus on God today? (praying alone, praying with others, time with friends, time alone with nature, play time) What inner attitude goes with these activities? What should we do with feelings of anger or resentment on the sabbath? What are ways to show a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude on the sabbath? If you want to discuss these issues with your children, please do so. Anglicanism is a rational faith, possessed by a love of truth, responsible intellectual inquiry and openness to new knowledge. In this is the essence of our Anglican faith, the synthesis of two different approaches to the world: Anglican theology is true to its genius when it is seeking to reconcile opposed systems, rejecting them as exclusive systems, but showing that the principle for which each stands has its place within the total orbit of Christian truth... (A.R. Vidler, Essays in Liberality [London: SCM, 1957], p. 166)

8 8 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. After the snack, give the children an activity to supplement and enhance the story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so that they make the connection. Suggested activities are provided at the end of this lesson. ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK S SESSION The Appendix (also downloadable) contains suggestions for general activities such as craft supply recipes, music and drama. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time. Take-Home Paper At the end of this lesson you will find a two-page take-home paper for families called Threads. Threads provides parents with a briefer version of the information on scripture and Episcopal faith found in the introduction to the lesson, as well as multiple suggestions for household activities and prayer. Parents can use Threads to continue each child s classroom experience at home throughout the week. We suggest duplicating and distributing these two pages to children and/or their parents at the end of each lesson.

9 9 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 Memorization Older children can learn the verses that are the very beginning of our Bible: Genesis 1:1-2. This verse is not so much a spiritual guidepost for ethical living as a description of pure beauty, awe, wonder and praise for God our creator. It is also a familiar Bible verse, and so it is well to know it. As an ongoing memorization project, have children begin to learn the Baptismal Covenant by heart. This includes the Apostles Creed on page 304 of the Book of Common Prayer and continues with the five questions and our promises, We will, with God s help, on pages , which is the covenant we make with God in the church as baptized Christians. Suggestions for ways to help the children with their memorization can be found on page 15 in the Appendix (also downloadable). Weaving God s Beloved Community God s beloved community is woven as our own stories connect to the story of God and to the stories of the people around us. As your time together draws to a close, take a few minutes to help the children summarize the story and say what they learned today by asking questions such as: What did we talk about today? What did God do? What did God say about the things that God created? (That it was good.) How are we are part of that creation? Are we part of God s love in creation? Does God say of us, It is good? What is the name of the day that Jewish people celebrate every Friday to Saturday evening? What day do we Christians celebrate? Closing Prayer Before the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: O loving God, you promise that we can be your people and that we will always belong to you. We thank you for the time that we have had here today to glorify you and to know you. We thank you for giving us these Sundays, our Sabbath time, as our special time that we can worship you. Stay with us this week, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit, the Spirit that created the world in love, that we may know that you are with us always. And help us to love you and to love our family and friends and neighbors as you love us. We ask all this in Jesus name. Amen. End with a dismissal used in church, such as these words from the Prayer Book: The peace of the Lord be always with you. The children respond: And always with you.

10 Genesis 1:1 2:4 The earth where we live is old. It s more than four billion years old. The whole universe everything that there is is even older. The universe is more than thirteen billion years old! How did we get here? There was a moment when the universe began. Science tells us how it began with a Big Bang. But the Bible tells us why because God made it, to bring love and joy and beauty into being. The Bible tells the story of Why the story of God making a world that is good for us to live in, because it has God s love and joy and beauty in it. Here s God s story: In the beginning, the very beginning, there is nothing but dark and deep, a watery darkness a deep, deep darkness. God s wind blows over the dark water. Then God swoops her arm across the dark and says, Let there be light! And suddenly, there is light, all over. But it is only light and nothing else. God divides the light from the dark. Now there is Day and Night. This is the first day that God works. On the second day, God looks at the watery formless deep. God makes a huge dome and puts it in the middle. Now there are waters over the dome, and waters under it. God calls the dome Sky. Does the sky look like a big dome above you? We all live under that big dome. But God wants more than just water. So God says, with a sweep of God s hand, Water under the dome roll up into one place! Move over and let the dry land underneath you come out! So all the water rolls up to make the seas and the oceans. The leftover waters make the 10 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 STORY

11 rivers and lakes and ponds, and rain and snow. Then, from underneath what was only water, there is now dry land the earth! Very good! says God. But the earth needs to be alive. So with a flick of God s hands, God says, Plants! Let plants grow on the earth! And then the plants sprout out of the ground. There are palm trees and evergreen trees, apple trees and cherry trees, tomato plants and potato plants. What kinds of plants grow in your neighborhood? God made those, too! Night and day pass: the third day of creation, and now the earth is green. God peers down at the earth. Light and dark are all mixed up. How can the plants tell day from night, and summer from winter? How can they grow if they do not know when to come up out of the ground, and when to sleep? So God says, It s time for the sun and the moon! The round shapes appear in the sky the blazing bright hot one and the dim one that shines mostly at night. Then, for a special treat, God flicks twinkling lights into the night sky. Stars! God is pleased. That s good, says God. The bright one will give warmth and help the earth to grow. The dim one will light the way at night. Night and day pass: the fourth day of creation, and now the earth has oceans and dry land, plants and sun to help them grow. But there s still more. God is a God of life. God wants living, moving, breathing beings on this beautiful earth. God s hand swoops over the earth, and swarms of birds and other flying creatures fill up the sky, squawking and chirping and hissing and singing. God s hand swoops over the oceans, and swarms of fish and whales and other watery creatures fill the waters. There are now eagles and parrots, robins and owls in the sky. There are whales and dolphins, lobsters and eels in the sea. What other flying and swimming creatures are there? Very nice, says God. Night and day pass: the fifth day of creation, and now the earth has oceans and dry land, plants and sun to help them grow, and creatures in the air and in the water. But not on the land. 11 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 STORY CONTINUED

12 Now it is time for the creatures of the land. With a swish of God s hand, God says, Animals on the earth! All kinds and shapes and sizes of wild animals let them cover the earth! Then appear creeping animals, walking animals, prowling animals, big and small, furry and slimy, weird and beautiful. God makes cows and horses, lions and zebras, snakes and lizards, beetles and worms. What kinds of animals live in your neighborhood? That s good, says God, seeing all of the animals with all their wild beauty. But something is missing a creature more like God. Creatures that can love and dream, and love God back when God loves them. Humans! Lifting up God s hands, God says, Humans made in my image, made to love God and love one another, to care for each other, and to care for the earth and all its creatures. So God created us in God s image, who can love and be loved just like God. God blessed us humans, and told us to care for the beautiful earth that God had made. Take care of the plants and animals, the seas and the land and everything in it, God says to us humans. I have given this earth the breath of life. Keep this earth alive! Then God is pleased. Very, very good, says God. Day and night pass: the sixth day of creation, and now there is heaven and earth, sun and moon, oceans and dry land, plants and animals, and humans to watch over all of God s world. On the seventh day, God rests. And God makes each seventh day holy and commands us to rest also, because if God can rest, so can we. 12 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 STORY CONTINUED

13 GATHERING ACTIVITY: HOW ARE WE MADE? Use the code below to find out what the Bible says about how human beings were created by God. The letters underneath the spaces are the codes. The chart tells you which letters to use instead, to form the message. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z F M U K G X R B V I L 0 Z T E D W S N A C Q Y H P F I J S N X O J B T E O L A E L P 13 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

14 GATHERING ACTIVITY: GOD CREATES THE UNIVERSE Find the words below. Words can run up, down, diagonally, left to right or right to left. The first seven letters that are not used will form a word that answers the question: What is the day that celebrates the creation? Put your answer in the spaces below the puzzle. CREATION DAY LIGHT SEAS CREATURES EARTH NIGHT SKY DARKNESS HUMANS PLANTS STARS T S C A B B A T H V Q S G O W H G N R T O P G J R E V F X E G G L X E A H U Y R D P E W L I P Q J N A J Q U G F C O Q T L L U G I S T T A K K C K Q B N L J T A U A I S F Q P T Y N I W M E Q E F S O S N A M U H G X S H R O E W X N D A Y I K H M Y C Y N S K Q U P Q V Y S T J S T K E M Y A V X C P R G B P F R V A Y Y J Z O L A W N T N A J D R V K Y P A T I A G A D B U K T Q D S N S A M B H V N Z T W H M F T W I U K D E S O H J I G W S S L T V M E U 14 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

15 GATHERING ACTIVITY: DRAW YOURSELF WITH YOUR OWN CREATION God created all of the animals and us too. In the space below, draw an animal that you create out of your imagination. Then draw a picture of yourself next to that animal. 15 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

16 GATHERING ACTIVITY: IN THE BEGINNING Unscramble the letters in these sentences to find out how God made the animals. So God created the great sea and every living semotsrn that moves, of every, with which the earurcte dnik swarm, and every stearw geniwd ibdr of every kind. And God saw that it was. God made the oodg of the of dlwi slimnaa threa every kind, and the of every kind, and everything tltcae that upon the of every kind. eprecs gnuodr And God saw that it was. dogo See Genesis 1:21 and 25, NRSV 16 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

17 GATHERING ACTIVITY: OUR DAY OF REST AND WORSHIP Find the way through the maze and mark your path in pencil. After you reach the end, go back and write down the letters in your path, in the order they appear. Then you will find out what we call the day of rest and worship in the Bible. We begin our special day here: And this is what we celebrate: 17 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

18 GATHERING ACTIVITY: CREATION PICTURES Preschool, Primary, Elementary Children make pictures illustrating parts of the creation story from Genesis. During storytelling time, as the story is told, each child tapes or glues the appropriate picture to the poster. As a group, design the background poster and cut out the pictures ahead of time, during Gathering time. Materials: very large sheets of poster board, foam board or newsprint for background (white, dark blue, light blue, green) construction paper, various colors shiny paper such as gold or silver foil tape or glue sticks scissors markers or crayons creation patterns (pp ) Preparation: Make the background for the pictures by preparing foam board, poster board or newsprint to represent nothing, sky, the ocean and land. Post this on a wall, low enough for all children to reach. Directions: 1. Older children can draw and cut out pictures representing the different parts of God s creation. For younger children, help them to draw and cut out a picture, or have them use a pattern such as on the following pages. 2. As the story is read, invite the children to glue or tape the pictures onto the background poster. 3. When the story has been told and the picture is complete, hang the poster on the classroom or hallway wall. 18 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

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26 BODY PICTURE Preschool Children make life-size cutouts of themselves, decorate them and post them for all to see. Materials: butcher paper or poster paper, white pencil scissors crayons Preparation: Cut a length of butcher paper or poster paper for each child. It must be longer than the height of any of your children. Directions: 1. Have each child, by turns, lie down on a piece of paper while you outline his or her shape on the paper with a pencil. 2. Let the child color the picture, adding facial features, hair and clothes. 3. Cut out the picture and tape to the classroom wall or hallway wall. 26 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

27 CREATION PLACEMAT Preschool Materials: large sheet of construction paper clear adhesive shelf paper leaves, flowers and other natural materials (as flat as possible) glue Scripture Strips (p. 28) Preparation: Make copies of the Scripture Strips on page 28. Cut these apart. You will need one Scripture Strip per child. Directions: Invite each child to make a placemat as follows: 1. Glue a Scripture Strip onto the center of a piece of construction paper. 2. Carefully glue leaves, flowers and other decorative materials onto the paper. 3. Have an adult cut a piece of adhesive shelf paper and cover the front and back of the paper. 27 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

28 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. 28 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT CONTINUED

29 SABBATH GARDEN CROWN Preschool Children use construction paper to decorate a crown with plants and animals they d find in a garden. Materials: green construction paper colored paper scraps scissors glue stapler Directions: 1. Cut a long piece of green construction paper to fit around each child s head. 2. Invite the children to snip the band to look like grass, as in the illustration below. 3. Invite the children to make flowers and bugs from paper scraps. They can make worms, ladybugs, bees and birds for the critters. 4. Help children glue the flowers and animals onto the grass. 5. Staple the band to fit each child s head. 29 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

30 EGG CARTON ANIMALS Preschool Children use paint, pipe cleaners and egg carton cups to create an animal. Materials: egg cartons markers optional: acrylic paints and paint brushes scissors glue pipe cleaners (chenille craft wires) googly eyes books or magazines showing pictures of animals Preparation: Cut the egg carton into individual cups. If you will be making caterpillars, leave strands of 4-6 cups stuck together. Cut pipe cleaners into small lengths for antennae and legs. Directions: Invite the children to make their animals as follows: 1. Decide what kind of animal you want to make. 2. (Optional:) Paint the egg carton cup to the desired color of the animal. Let dry. 3. Glue eyes to the head. 4. Have an adult help you to poke pipe cleaner sections into the cups, making legs, tail and antennae, then apply glue around the hole to secure the pipe cleaners. 30 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

31 TABLE DECORATION FOR SABBATH MEAL Preschool Children use construction paper, crayons and cotton balls to create a vase of pussy willows. Materials: construction paper, many colors crayons cotton balls scissors glue vase shape (p. 32) Preparation: Draw a vase shape for each child on construction paper. Use a variety of colors. Directions: Invite each child to make a vase as follows: 1. Glue the paper vase onto a contrasting piece of construction paper. 2. Draw branches coming out of the vase. 3. Glue cotton balls along the branches to make pussy willows. 31 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

32 32 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT CONTINUED

33 PEACOCK FAN Preschool, Primary All of the animals that God created are amazing, but the peacock stands out as one of God s most wondrous creatures because of his gorgeous tail. Children make a colorful peacock fan to keep them cool in summer! Materials: markers green, blue or white paper glue scissors Directions: Invite each child to make a fan as follows: 1. Decorate a piece of paper. Fold it back and forth accordion-style. 2. Then fold the folded paper in half. Glue the inside edges together. 3. On another piece of paper, draw a front view of a peacock body. Draw feet and a face. 4. Cut out the peacock body and paste it on the fan. 33 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

34 IMAGE OF GOD MIRROR Preschool, Primary We are made in the image of God. Children make a mirror to remember that God pronounced them and all of us good! Materials: poster board or other stiff material heavy-duty aluminum foil markers or acrylic paints decorative materials such as feathers, stickers, glitter, sequins or acrylic jewels liquid glue scissors mirror pattern (p. 35) Preparation: Use a copy of the mirror pattern to trace two mirror frames for each child on poster board. They need to be mirror images of each other that is, back-to-back. Cut out the frame, including the center hole. Directions: Invite the children to make the mirror as follows: 1. Decorate the front side of both mirror frames with markers or paints, then write Made in God s Image on the frame. Embellish the rest of the mirror with other materials. Let the glue dry. 2. Cut out a piece of aluminum foil that is smaller than the size of the frame but larger than the center hole. Glue this onto the back of one of the frames. On the back of the other frame, apply glue. Then glue this to the back (foil side) of the first frame. Let the glue dry. 34 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

35 35 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT CONTINUED

36 NEW WORLD 3-D PICTURE Preschool, Primary Children use items from nature along with paper, netting and cotton balls to create a scene of God s new creation. Materials: large sheets of black construction paper chalk, various colors (include green, blue and brown) aerosol hair spray animal crackers green netting blue foil wrapping paper small twigs cotton balls or pieces of cotton or pillow fluff sand plastic spoons glue scissors small containers to hold sand and other materials Preparation: Cut the netting and foil wrapping paper into small shapes. Pour the sand into the small containers and put a spoon in each container. Directions: Invite the children to make a 3-D picture as follows: 1. Use chalk to color the sky, dirt and grass on the black paper. 2. An adult leader will spray the picture with hair spray, to set the chalk. Let dry. 3. Glue twigs onto the picture, representing tree trunks. Add green netting for foliage. 4. Glue blue foil paper for water and cotton for clouds. 5. Squeeze glue onto the brown chalk areas and sprinkle sand over the glue. Pour excess sand back into the bowl. 6. Glue animal crackers onto the picture. 36 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

37 GOD CREATED ME SPECIAL STAND-UP PHOTO Preschool, Primary Children glue photos of themselves onto craft sticks to make miniature stand-up figures. Materials: digital camera with printer and printer paper scissors craft sticks glue non-drying clay Directions: 1. Take a picture of each child individually. Print the pictures. Cut around the picture of the child to eliminate the background. 2. Invite each child to glue his/her photo onto a craft stick. 3. Stick the bottom end of the stick onto a lump of clay, which has been smoothed out into a hill shape, to make a stand. 37 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

38 CREATION MOBILE Elementary Children make a mobile from wire coat hangers and pictures they ve colored of the six days of creation. Materials: thin coat hanger, or thick wire string or transparent filament (fishing wire) paper, various colors gold foil or origami paper pencils markers scissors hole punch optional: thin ribbon Preparation: Bend the hangers or wire into a spiral shape. Leave around 3" of one end straight, then form a hook for hanging. Directions: Invite each child to make a mobile as follows: Draw and cut out a picture representing each day of creation: dark/light, sun, moon and stars, oceans, trees and flowers, various kinds of animals, sea creatures and humans. Use the story of creation in Genesis 1 for your guide. Be creative! 1. Make the pictures at least 4" tall. 2. Punch a hole at the top of each picture. Tie a length of string or filament through this hole. 3. Tie the pictures at different places on the spiral wire. 4. Cut a length of wire or string for hanging the mobile. If you prefer, use a length of thin ribbon. Tie one end to the hook. 38 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

39 SPECIAL SABBATH PLATE Preschool, Primary Children make a plate out of poster board and use markers or paints to illustrate it with Sabbath scenes. Materials: poster board cut into a 10" circle markers or paints and paintbrushes clear adhesive shelf paper scissors Preparation: Cut 10" circles from the poster board, one per child. Directions: Invite each child to make a special plate as follows: 1. Decorate one side of a poster-board circle with pictures of what you like to do on Sundays to worship God and to rest. 2. Have an adult cut a 12" piece of clear shelf paper and cover the picture. Do the same for the back of the plate. 3. Cut the excess clear paper from around the edge of the picture. 39 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

40 SABBATH MEAL Preschool, Primary Children enjoy a simple Sabbath meal during Sharing time. Materials: 2 loaves of bread juice drinking cups, plates, napkins and other eating and serving materials 2 candlesticks with candles matches (for the adult leader) Directions: 1. Put everything on the table: bread, juice, candlesticks. Set the rest of the table for the children. 2. Invite everyone sit at the table. 3. Say, Now it s sundown on Friday. 4. Light the candles. 5. Say Shabbat shalom and have the children repeat. Have them say it to each other. Sing Shalom Aleikhem to welcome the Sabbath angels and to greet the best day of the week. This is in the Hymnal 1982, #714, and can be sung as Shalom, my friends. 6. Say a traditional Jewish blessing: Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringeth forth bread from the earth. Traditionally, this is the mother s prayer. 7. You can also say a special prayer for the Sabbath: bless the juice (wine) and then the bread, and then the children, before beginning the meal. Traditionally, these prayers are said by the father. 8. Serve the meal. Eat and enjoy! Note: For a more traditional meal, serve two loves of braided white bread. Two loaves are used to recall the double portion of manna gathered by the wandering Israelites on Friday to last through the Sabbath during their wandering through the wilderness. Other foods are gefilte fish, chicken soup or roast chicken and pudding. 40 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

41 SABBATH RESTING PILLOW Preschool, Primary Children use felt and construction paper to make a special pillow for a day of rest. Materials: 9" x 9" felt squares fabric glue pillow stuffing red construction paper scissors (leader only) decorative things to put on pillow, including colored permanent markers Preparation: 1. Cut felt into 9" x 9" squares, two squares per child. Glue three sides together to make a pillow, leaving the fourth side open for stuffing. 2. Cut small hearts from the red construction paper. Directions: Invite each child to make a pillow as follows: 1. Decorate the pillow, if you want. 2. Stuff the pillow with pillow stuffing. Also place a red paper heart inside, representing God s love for us. 3. Glue the fourth side of the pillow together. 41 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

42 CREATION BOOK Primary Children use paper and markers to make their own picture book about the creation story. Materials: black construction paper, 9" x 12" white paper milky pens, various colors crayons or markers Directions: Invite each child to make a book as follows: 1. Fold the black construction paper in half for the cover. Fold the white sheets of paper in half. (Use long sheet of white paper, adding pictures as the days come.) 2. On the first page, use pens, crayons or markers to draw a scene from the first day of creation. Continue with the second day of creation on the second page, and so on. 3. Write God s Creation on the cover and use milky pens to decorate it. Variations: If you do not want to use milky pens, use lighter construction paper instead of the black paper, and use regular markers or paints, or even fabric or puffy paints instead of the milky pens, to decorate the cover. Or make a miniature book, just 2"-3" wide and tall. Use a foam sheet for the cover and decorate with foam pieces. Staple together to secure. Variation: To make a huge book, use 12" x 18" construction paper for the cover. Use two sheets, one for the front and one for the back, with 12" x 18" white construction paper for the drawing sheets. Do not fold these papers. Tie together with ribbon or staple. 42 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

43 ORFF -STYLE CREATION INSTRUMENTS Primary, Elementary Children make drums, bells, tambourines and rainsticks to represent each day of creation and to play as the creation story is retold. Materials for the Drums: coffee cans or oatmeal containers, with lids construction paper yarn or thin ribbon large spoons or wooden sticks Materials for Bells: jingle bells elastic Materials for Tambourines: thick white paper plate, or aluminum pie pan (2 per tambourine) uncooked beans hole punch thin ribbons, various colors jingle bells Materials for Rainsticks: paper towel or wrapping paper tube construction paper tape fabric pieces rubber bands ribbon uncooked rice or pebbles 43 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

44 For All Instruments: glue scissors markers or paints with paintbrushes tape Preparation: Gather the materials for each instrument and put in separate bags, to make a kit. Directions: Invite each child to make one or more the instruments as follows: Drum: Wrap a sheet of colorful construction paper around the container to size, then cut the paper a little larger than the circumference of the container. Glue the paper to the container. Tie one or two lengths of yarn or ribbon for a decoration. Use two spoons or sticks for the drumsticks. Bells: Cut a 12"-14" length of elastic band. Thread a jingle bell through the elastic, then tie to hold it in place. Do this with several bells. Then fit the elastic band around your wrist and have somebody cut it large enough for you to tie the elastic to make a bracelet. Tambourine: Put one plate or pan on the table and pour around 20 beans onto the plate. Glue the other plate on top of the first one, top down. Decorate with crayons, markers or paint. Cut several lengths of ribbon around 12" long. Punch a series of holes around the edge of the tambourine and tie various colorful ribbons to hang down festively. Rainstick: Wrap a piece of construction paper around the tube and glue to fit. This may be decorated with markers, crayons or paint. Cut two circles of fabric to fit over each end of the tube, with around 2"-3" hanging over the sides. Use a rubber band to secure one end of the tube with the fabric circle. Then add a cup of rice or pebbles to the tube. Cover the other end with the second fabric circle and secure with a rubber band. For a final flourish, wrap some colorful ribbon around the tube and tie. As you twirl the stick for the rain noise, the ribbon will fly. When the instruments have been completed, assign each day of creation and type of creation to an instrument. Then retell the creation story, having children express the joy of creation by playing these rhythm instruments on their assigned day of creation. 44 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

45 ADAM AND EVE NAME THE ANIMALS Elementary Children act out animals of creation while Adam or Eve try to guess who they are and catch them. Directions: 1. Choose one child to play Adam or Eve. Have Adam or Eve stand at one end of the room. 2. Have all of the other children stand together behind a masking tape line, at the other end of the room. This is home. 3. The group will choose one animal from God s creation, without Adam/Eve hearing. They then walk up to Adam/Eve and dance around him or her, acting like that animal. They can make that animal s noises but no other sounds. 4. Adam/Eve must try to guess the name of the animal. When he or she does, all of the animals must run home while Adam/Eve tries to catch one. 5. If an animal is caught, he or she becomes Adam or Eve for the next round. If no one is caught, the same person is Adam/Eve. Or you may rotate Adam/Eve at each round, regardless of who is caught. 45 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 ACTIVITY

46 PAINTED SPOOL CANDLEHOLDERS Elementary Children decorate wooden spools with paint to make candleholders. Materials: large wooden thread spools, with center holes, 2 or more per child small candles that will fit into the holes (like birthday candles) acrylic paints thin paintbrushes small plates or bowls for the paint painting shirts newspaper or butcher paper water paper towels Preparation: Remove any paper from the thread spools. Pour a little of each color paint into small plates or bowls so that each child is within reach of all paint colors. They may share the paints. Spread newspaper or butcher paper on the table to protect it. Have water and paper towels ready for cleanup. Directions: Invite each child to make a pair of candleholders as follows: 1. Give each child two spools and a painting shirt to wear. 2. Invite the children to decorate the sides of the spools with the paints. 3. Demonstrate how to push the candles into the spool holes and enjoy the candle centerpieces. Traditional Sabbath candles number two. 46 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

47 GOD S CREATION PAPERWEIGHT Primary, Elementary, Intermediate Children make a paperweight from natural materials, poster board and felt. Materials: felt small natural items (dried flowers, seashells, pine cones, rocks, etc.) poster board paper markers liquid glue (tacky glue will work best with this craft) scissors pencils a 6-oz glass or a clear plastic custard cup for each child Preparation: Cut a 5" piece of poster board and a 5" piece of felt for each child. Directions: Invite each child to make a paperweight as follows: 1. Turn the cup upside down on the 5" poster board square. Trace around the cup with a marker or pencil. Cut out. 2. Turn the cup upside down on the 5" felt square. Trace around the cup with a marker and cut out. 3. Glue the felt circle to the poster board circle. 4. Cut out a small strip of paper. On it, write God Made the World. 5. Glue this strip to the bottom part of the felt circle. 6. Glue the natural items onto the center of the felt circle. 7. Squeeze a line of glue along the outer edge of the felt circle. Press the upside-down cup onto the glue. Let dry. 47 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

48 A DIFFERENT CREATION STORY Primary, Elementary, Intermediate Children illustrate parts of the creation story to make a larger mural. Materials: paper drawing materials of various kinds (markers, crayons, paints) various other materials Directions: 1. Read the story of creation from the Bible aloud. If possible, also read the creation story from another source (see suggestions under Telling the Story). 2. Then invite the children to draw or create different parts of the creation, using whatever materials you have made available. You may have different children focus on separate parts of the story. Intermediate children may make more symbolic representations of light and dark, etc. 3. Put up the artwork in the classroom or church hallway as a mural. 48 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

49 AUTOGRAPH BOOK Elementary, Intermediate Children make an autograph book to help learn each other s names and to record appreciative comments to each other. Materials: wallpaper samples hole punch plain white paper markers, pens, pencils or crayons leather or plastic lacing large beads, several beads for each child decorative materials such as foam shapes, feathers or fabric Directions: Invite each child to make a book as follows: 1. Fold several sheets of white paper in half to make the inside pages of the autograph book. 2. Cut a piece of wallpaper sample to make a 9" x 12" book cover. Fold this in half. 3. Punch several holes through the folded half of the papers, for the binding. If you have a single hole punch, you will need to measure where the holes will be, then punch one or two sheets at a time. 4. Cut a long length of leather or plastic lacing and thread through the top hole, knotting the end to that hole to secure it. Then lace the other end through the remaining holes. There should be several inches of lacing hanging free. 5. Thread several beads through the free end of the lacing, then knot the end to keep the beads from falling off. 6. Decorate the cover. 49 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

50 GOD S NEW WORLD Elementary, Intermediate Children create a miniature 3-D scene of the first days of creation. Materials: shallow pan or box lid moss (available at craft stores) non-drying clay, natural colors mirror or silver foil miniature animals pebbles, various shapes and sizes miniature flowers (may be made from tissue paper, or purchased) Directions: Invite the children to make the scene as follows: 1. Shape a landscape with clay, adding valleys and hills where desired. 2. Add a mirror or silver foil to make a lake or pond. Push some clay around the pond, to create a natural effect. 3. Add moss around the landscape, then pebbles for rocks, and flowers and animals. 4. To make trees, use clay to shape the tree, then add to landscape. 50 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

51 LEAF RUBBING Elementary, Intermediate Children make a colorful leaf collage and use twigs and twine to frame it. Materials: different kinds of leaves paper colored chalk, colored pencils or pastels twigs, as straight as possible twine or ribbon glue Directions: Invite each child to make a rubbing as follows: 1. Put a leaf on top of a piece of paper, then another piece of paper on top of the leaf. 2. Use the side of a pencil lead, or a piece of chalk, to make light wide brush strokes across the paper, causing the pattern of the leaf to appear. 3. Use different colors of chalk or pencils and different leaves to make a collage. You can overlap leaves for an interesting effect. 4. Use twine or ribbon to tie twigs together for a simple natural frame. You may need to use glue to hold the twine or ribbon in place. 5. Glue the leaf rubbing picture to the underside of the frame. 51 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

52 SABBATH CANDLEHOLDERS AND CANDLES Elementary, Intermediate Children make candles from beeswax and a pair of candleholders from play dough. Materials: air-drying clay or make your own play dough (see Appendix also downloadable for the recipe) small medium-thick candles or sheets of beeswax for making your own candles long length of candle wick Directions: Invite the children to make the candles and holders as follows: 1. If making your own candles, cut a sheet of beeswax in half. 2. Cut a length of candle wick 1" longer than the length of the candle. (You need to decide whether you are rolling the beeswax sheet along its length or its width, then measure along that side.) 3. Place the wick at one end of the beeswax, letting 1" of wick protrude from the top. Roll up the beeswax to make one candle. Repeat for the other half of the beeswax, to make the second candle. 4. Take a large lump of clay. 5. Shape two balls of clay for the candleholders. There are always two Sabbath candles. Leave at least half the clay for the base that will connect the candleholders. 6. For the candleholders, flatten the balls a little, then push a candle into the center of each ball. Shape the ball around the candle to create the shape that you want. 7. Roll the rest of the clay into a long coil. 8. Placing the candleholders around 2" apart on the table, wrap the coil around and between the candleholders, to create a single two-candle candleholder for the Sabbath meal. 52 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

53 SABBATH REMINDER Elementary, Intermediate Children make a magnet to remind them to keep the Sabbath that God gave to us a day of rest and worship. Materials: button magnets, or strip magnets that can be cut to size white air-drying clay, or colorful baking clay such as Fimo acrylic paints and paintbrushes glue Directions: Invite each child to make a magnet as follows: 1. Use clay to shape an object that reminds you of worshiping God. This can be candles, a cross, a church, flowers, a Bible or other item that leads you toward God. You need to have a flat back surface to attach a magnet. 2. Let the clay dry, if an air-drying clay, or bake it according to instructions if you are using Fimo or other clay that must be baked in an oven. 3. If using white air-drying clay, paint your object after it has dried. 4. Stick a magnet to the back of the item, using glue if you have button magnets. 53 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

54 CREATION DIORAMA Intermediate Children make scenes representing the seven days of creation. This project might require two class sessions. Materials: 3 shoeboxes per child construction paper scissors glue markers or crayons other decorative materials as needed: foil or shiny origami paper, feathers, natural objects such as pebbles, leaves or pine cones, miniature animal figures Directions: Invite each child to make a diorama as follows: 1. Use construction paper to divide each shoebox into two halves. 2. Glue the three shoeboxes together, one on top of the other. Each compartment will represent one of the six days of creation, with the top of the stack used for the seventh day. 3. Use paper and other decorative materials to create scenes of the six days of creation. Label each scene. 4. On the top of the diorama, add a picture or scene representing the seventh day: So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. 54 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

55 SABBATH BOX Intermediate Children make a special container to keep reminders of their Sabbath activities, prayers or special thoughts. Materials: small plain boxes (use jewelry boxes, or buy shaped cardboard boxes at craft stores) acrylic paints paint brushes optional: glitter glue acrylic jewels and other decorative items paper markers, pens or pencils scissors Directions: Invite each child to make a box as follows: 1. Paint the entire box, then let dry. 2. Use paints, glitter glue and decorations to make the box unique to you. You may want to paint words such as Sabbath Thoughts on the box. 3. Cut paper into small pieces. On the paper, write prayers, thoughts that you have about Sabbath observance and things that you might do that are appropriate for this special day. Put these papers into your box. Also put in some blank paper for additional ideas. 55 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

56 SABBATH JOURNAL Intermediate Older children assemble and decorate their own journal to use to help them connect with God their unique way. Materials: foam sheets (if you cannot find these, use poster board, plain but pretty wallpaper samples, felt or other fairly sturdy material for the journal cover) paper* hole punch (a two- or three-hole punch will be helpful) pens or pencils foam pieces or other decorative materials scissors thin ribbon, various colors *For an interesting journal, use all-black paper with milky pens. You can also have available some light pastel sheets of paper instead of the ordinary white. Directions: Invite each child to make a journal as follows: 1. Choose a foam sheet. Cut the sheet in half to make the front and back covers of your journal. If using other materials, cut two sheets of felt, paper or other material the same size for the journal cover. 2. Cut the writing/drawing paper to be around 1/2" smaller than the journal cover size. 3. Punch three holes on one side of the cover pages, to prepare for binding. 4. Punch three holes in the writing/drawing paper. Be careful to match the holes in the book covers. 5. Cut a length of ribbon in the color of your choice. Thread the ribbon through the holes to secure. Or cut three lengths of ribbon and bind each hole separately, tying a bow to secure. 6. Decorate the front cover with foam pieces to make pictures, or other decorative materials. 7. Punch a single hole at the top of the book cover. Cut a long (20") length of ribbon and tie one end to this hole. Tie a pen or pencil to the other end. 8. Use this as a writing journal about your thoughts and your conversations with God, or journal of notes on what you plan to do on the coming Sabbath, or pictures that you draw to create a worshipful attitude. 56 LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S BELOVED COMMUNITY, YEAR 3 CRAFT

57 LESSON 1: GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT We Believe... In our Anglican theology, there is a strong strand of thanksgiving for creation and incarnation, for God s gift of creation given out of love. We believe that creation is good, that the world is good, because God made it. In this thinking, we have a very earthy spirituality. We affirm life in this world, and we celebrate God s entry into human life and history as a great gift and blessing to us. Look for these strands in the various prayer and worship services in the Prayer Book as well as in the Catechism. Our Hymnal 1982 also contains many hymns that are hymns of praise for God and creation. Today s Story Genesis 1:1 2:3 God, who is Love, created the world around us. Love permeates the whole universe, because its creator is Love. Here, in the first story in the Bible of creation, we see God the creator and us as creatures. We are created for our creator, and that is the relationship in which we stand with God. Our place in the universe, and in relationship to God, lies in our acceptance of our humanness. We are also enjoined to accept and appreciate the diversity of all of God s creatures. In the second story of creation, Genesis 2 3, Adam and Eve are tempted to be like gods. This is indeed a temptation, because we are never meant to be like gods or to be like God. We are meant to be as fully human as we can be, which means that we stand before our God as creatures to creator, and never as equals. As we look at the universe around us, it is good also to remember that God pronounced not only humans but all of creation to be good. Words to Remember God saw everything that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31a God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2: by Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, All rights reserved.

58 Sharing Read more of the story of Creation from a children s Bible, showing the pictures, or from your family Bible. For a creative twist on storytelling, ahead of time, take six bags and put in each bag an item that represents one of the days of creation. Label the bags and have children open each one in turn, as you read or tell the story. Here are suggestions for the contents of the bags: Day 1: a flashlight; Day 2: an empty round container; Day 3: a jar of water, a jar or baggie of dirt or a small plant, seeds or fruit; Day 4: glow-in-the-dark stars, sun and moon (or paper ones); Day 5: toy birds and fish, or feathers and fish crackers; Day 6: animal crackers and doll; Day 7: blanket. This Week at Home Have family members each illustrate a different day of creation. Post these in order on the wall. Invite everyone to explain their drawings, then talk about you like most about what was created each day, for example, constellations of stars on the fourth day or snakes on the fifth day. Play a game of Which Day? Family members take turns pointing to things in the house or outside; as they point, others guess which day the item represents. For example, pointing to a patch of bare earth would suggest the third day, as would pointing to a tree or an acorn. Pointing to the family pet or a bird in a tree would suggest the fifth day. Pointing to mom or dad would suggest the sixth day. Some things might be more ambiguous (water, for example); reinforce that their may be several correct guesses in those cases. Pretend to be God during the week of creation. Have fun as you take turns improvising what God may have said for each day, for example: Water, water everywhere! I need to sort this out. I think I ll gather the water into things I ll call oceans, seas and lakes and I ll connect them with rivers. Great idea. And above it all, a big open area I ll call sky. Hmm, what color to make the sky? Red? Purple? Blue? Yes, Blue looks good! Talk about how you observe the Sabbath? What do you typically do on Sunday? Are there things you d like to change? How can you make sure Sundays include time with God? time to refresh and restore? time to express gratitude? Find out what God keeps creating. Even now, new stars are born, new plants are developed, new species of animals evolve. God doesn t stop creating! Find out what has been recently discovered or created in the last few years, and discuss how God would call them good. Draw your own creation. God created us with imaginations to create our own ideas. If you could create another animal for this earth, what would you create? Draw a picture of your new animal and color it. And then name it, just like God told Adam to do with the animals that God created. Share with one another where it would live, what it eats, what special things it can do. Household Prayer O loving God, you promise that we are your people and will always belong to you. Thank you for giving us Sundays as our special time to worship you. Help us to love you, our family, our friends and our neighbors as you love us. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. LESSON 1 GOD MADE THE WORLD AND LOVES IT WEAVING GOD S PROMISES, YEAR by Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, All rights reserved.