to tithe is to share. to tithe is to care 2006

Transcription

1 to tithe is to share. to tithe is to care Department of Christian Education Campaign to Restore Tithing to Orthodoxy 4-5 Grades 4-5 teacher notes In the early chapters of the first book of the Bible, we come across the term tithing --the offering of 1/10 of all we earn or receive. Tithing has been the measure of worship since the time of the Patriarch Abraham. At the National Convention of 2005, a motion was approved to require churches to tithe to the Archdiocese, by God never asks of us anything that is not for our good. Tithing helps build stronger church communities, and helps all of us keep in mind what is really needful. The Department of Christian Education campaign endeavors to restore this form of offering to the Orthodox Church. Mandate. In 2004, Metropolitan PHILIP mandated that tithing should be taught in the church school, and the Department of Christian Education provided materials for four lessons during the year. After the first program, Metropolitan PHILIP asked that the children be reminded monthly. The program has been designed in response to this request, and has been built around the feasts of the liturgical year. Booklet. A booklet has been designed with a page for each month between November and May. The booklets should be kept at church until the end of the schoool year. Each page in the booklet should take five to ten minutes, with the exception of the Prep page, as it serves to introduce the program. The pages of the booklet are self-explanatory; puzzle solutions are included with this teacher package. to tithe is to share to tithe is to care Materials Needed: Student Books Pencils Envelopes Logo stickers for envelopes How I served God strips Shoe box, logo cover for lid (optional) Program Initiation: The students are to complete the Prep page in their booklets, and make their tithing envelopes, using the logo stickers. It is their church piggy bank--as soon as they receive their allowance, or gift money, they are to place a portion in this envelope. It is suggested that the child s envelope be placed at the icon corner in the home. The How I served God strips are to be kept in the classroom and filled in by the child who does not have their tithing envelope. The child is to write one way he or she served God (helping, sharing, being kind, obeying Mom and Dad, etc.). These are to be treated the same as a donation. Envelopes. The students are to bring their envelopes to church every Sunday and either empty them into the donation box in the classroom, or into the collection basket during Divine Liturgy. A student may be designated to bring the class collection box to church to present to the usher. Either way, the envelope is to be retained by the child, and reused. Have extra envelopes and logo stickers ready for lost tithing envelopes as the year continues. The logo sticker template is found in the Church School Director folder. There is an evaluation sheet on the website. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you for participating--may we all see stronger churches because of our efforts! Carole Buleza, Director Department of Christian Education

2 Three Holy Hierarchs The Feast day of the Three Holy Hierarchs is January 30. St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Basil the Great are the three bishops who are the Three Holy Hierarchs. Their feast day is January 30. The bishops take care of the church by passing on the faith, passed on by the apostles. We take care of the Church by tithing. Our tithes builds stronger churches, and more churches. In this way, we help the bishops pass on the faith to all people. Find 13 words from the narrative above. 2 Jan

3 The Great Fast The first Sunday of the Great Fast is Orthodoxy Sunday. If we approach the Great Fast with prayer, service to others, and, we find ourselves ready for Holy Week. Fasting and tithing help us keep a right attitude towards the things of this world. We will remember that our money is not our own, even if we earn it. We have been given everything by God, and are to be caretakers. If we make a habit of tithing each week, we have a better chance to learn the meaning of His words, Where your treasure it, there also will your heart be. Luke 12:34 word bank: money tithing prayer everything treasure caretakers week discipline heart holy earn remember attitude habit service 3 Mar

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5 4-5 Donation box lid cover to tithe is to share to tithe is to care