This package encompasses three separate seasons.

Transcription

1 This Season, So This package encompasses three separate seasons. Advent begins our Christian year and this year s Advent focus scriptures include passages which remind us of God s unconditional love and reflect the seasonal themes of longing, waiting, and looking forward with hope. The Christmas season is a time of great celebration as we see God s love made flesh in the coming of a small child. These scriptures provide us with the opportunity to recall the story of Jesus birth and the events just afterwards. In the Season after the Epiphany we watch with growing excitement as God s steadfast love shines forth first through the visit of the Magi, then in the words of a beautiful song from the Psalms, and finally through the life of Jesus as he takes the message of God s love out into the world. Advent For the four weeks of Advent, bring a blue or purple cloth, an Advent wreath with candles, Bible, and offering basket. The circular shape of the wreath reminds us of God s never-ending love. The candles that circle the wreath represent each of the four weeks of Advent and are lit progressively each week (first one, then two, and so on). Instructions for making a variety of Advent wreaths can be found on page 81. In the midst of the frenzied rush that often takes over at this time of year we can create a learning environment that provides a calm space for purposeful waiting. A quiet greeting as the children arrive and an unhurried session that doesn t try to pack in too many activities at once will be help. If possible try to keep Christmas decorations out of your learning area at this time. You may wish to display the poster Woman Listening. This evocative image conveys the sense of quiet expectancy that characterizes Advent. Christmas The Christmas worship table may be set with a white or gold cloth, whichever your church uses for this time. A Christ candle and Bible complete the clean, simple setting of this short season, where the emphasis is on the message we hear from the statement of love and hope found in Jesus birth. Display the poster The Newborn Child behind the worship table as a backdrop to the opening and closing rituals. Be aware that Christmas is not always a happy time for every child. We want it to be wonderful, but the reality is that holidays can be complicated and challenging for many families. Illness, family separations, or tight finances can create circumstances which make celebrating difficult. If you know of children living in such circumstances try to be especially aware of their needs at this time. Ask God to give you insight and wisdom as you seek to encourage and support them. The Season after the Epiphany Set the table with a green cloth, Bible, large empty bowl, pitcher of water and floating white candle. (If not available, float a tealight in a foil tart tin). Place the poster Splashing Water behind the worship table as a backdrop for the opening and closing rituals. Each week during the opening ritual you will pour the water from the pitcher into the bowl as a reminder of God s love poured out on us and all creation. The floating candle will be placed in the water and lit to symbolize the light of God s love that Jesus brought into the world. The Season after the Epiphany includes two special celebrations. The Baptism of Christ on the first Sunday after Epiphany, and Transfiguration Sunday just before Lent. On these two days replace the green cloth with a white or gold one. Gather The start of your your Gather time together is Connecting life and theme (formerly called Introducing the theme ). This activity helps the learners make an initial connection with the scriptures from their own life experiences. The length of time spent sharing stories and experiences will vary from week to week. Some discussions may go on longer than you expect. This kind of sharing builds community and helps the children discover how the Bible stories actually connect with their lives, something that becomes increasingly important for this age group. If you are ending a church year If this Season is a time of closing for your group, review ideas for Finishing (p ) in the booklet From Start to Finish. This supplementary resource is found in your Planning Resources folder on SeasonsOnline Basic supply kit: Variety of papers (newsprint, mural, tissue, crepe, coloured construction papers), writing paper, plain paper, clear tape, masking tape, scissors, glue sticks, white glue, glue spreaders, cool temperature glue gun, washable water-based markers (wide- and finetipped), pencils, crayons, pencil crayons, stapler, hole punch, paper clips, self-adhesive stickers, removable adhesive. Each week the Prepare section of a session will only list supplies not included in this kit.

2 Sense of the Sacred In the Season after the Epiphany, the church explores signs of God s glory shining in the world. Mark describes Jesus transfiguration and, with the disciples, we sense the sacred moment; we will see things in a new way from this time forward. We catch Elisha s vision of the sacred as Elijah is caught up to heaven. With Paul and the psalmist, we give thanks that God s light shines forth through us. Focus Scripture: Mark 9:2 9 The Season after the Epiphany ends with the story of Jesus transfiguration. This revealing of Jesus glory is a turning point, marking the end of Jesus ministry in Galilee and the beginning of the journey towards Jerusalem and the fate that awaits Jesus there. Just before today s reading, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. But Peter does not understand Jesus teaching about the kind of Messiah Jesus has come to be. Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain. While there, Jesus appearance is transfigured Jesus shines. The disciples see Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. This event has echoes of Hebrew Scriptures. Moses face was transfigured on Mount Sinai when he was in God s presence and received the Law. Elijah also experienced God s presence on Sinai. Elijah s return will announce the coming of the Messiah. For Mark, Jesus fulfills the work of the Law and the prophets. Jesus shining garments mark him as one who has triumphed through martyrdom. Jesus changed appearance a metamorphosis reflects his nature as both divine and human, and anticipates Jesus changed appearance at the Resurrection. Peter grasps a sense of the sacred, and wants to preserve it; he offers to build three tents. The word used for tent can mean tabernacle, the same word used in John 1:14 to describe the incarnate Jesus dwelling among us. This word also connects with the Exodus story of the tent in the wilderness, and the Ark where God s glory dwells. A cloud, a sign of God s presence, comes over the mountain. From it, a voice repeats the words from Jesus baptism: This is my Son, the Beloved. In Mark s account of Jesus baptism, only Jesus hears the voice from heaven. Here the disciples hear the voice telling them to listen to Jesus. This time must have been a terrifying and amazing experience for the three disciples, but Jesus cautions them not to tell anyone about it. We have seen this before in Mark s gospel. It is not yet time for the disciples to proclaim the good news. The meaning of Jesus messiahship is to remain a secret for the time being. As we move into the Season of Lent, we feel the tension building as Jesus ministry continues. It is in the seeing and understanding that God s messenger is known. In 2 Kings 2:1 12, the prophet Elijah is carried up to heaven, and Elisha glimpses the sacred and comes to a fuller understanding of who Elijah is. Elisha receives a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, and is thus known as a prophet in the true succession. The awe-inspiring image of God s majesty and our response to it are central in the other texts. In Psalm 50:1 6, God s majesty and power shine forth from Zion. God calls and judges, gathering the faithful. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:3 6, speaks in images of light and darkness, of blindness and sight. Just as Moses veiled his face when it shone with reflected glory, so the gospel of Christ is veiled and hidden from those who do not believe. As we live in faith, God s love shines in our hearts. As did the disciples on the mountain, we see God s glory in Jesus the Christ. Epiphany means showing forth. During this season, we have explored many ways in which God s glory is revealed in the life and work of Jesus and the disciples. Where and when have you sensed the sacred or caught glimpses of God s presence? How do such moments define your life as a disciple and a church? February 22, 2009 Focus Scripture Mark 9:2 9 Additional Scriptures 2 Kings 2:1 12 Psalm 50:1 6 2 Corinthians 4:3 6 Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus the Christ. Grant that, as we look on Christ, we may be transformed and be strengthened to follow your call to serve in 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. 75

3 The Focus for Ages 6 8 Children of this age know that there are certain people in their lives who have authority over them and that it is important to listen to these people. It is also probable that they have had the experience of a parent or teacher passing on their authority to someone else and instructing the children to listen to that person and follow his or her instructions. The session this week provides the opportunity for the children to hear God affirm Jesus authority and instruct us to listen to Jesus words. The story of the transfiguration is one that is almost beyond comprehension and you may wonder how you can explain it to the children. Be aware that most children in this age group enjoy amazing stories and will simply accept the awe and mystery of the story without requiring an explanation. If any children press for a deeper understanding you can simply say that we all experience things that are hard to understand and this is a story about one of those times. Although some children in this age group are starting to make the shift from concrete to abstract thinking, many of them are still concrete thinkers. The whole concept of listening to Jesus might be a little abstract for these literal thinkers and they may wonder how you can listen to someone you can t actually see or hear. The discussion after the story will offer some practical and concrete ways that we can listen to Jesus today. Following this, there is an activity that encourages the children to review some of the stories they have heard in previous weeks and consider what Jesus might be saying to them through each story. Pray for the children that they will discover new and exciting ways to listen to Jesus. February 22, 2009 PREPARE Materials needed Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on this week s focus scripture, Mark 9:2 9, and biblical background material on page 75. q Bring basic supply kit (see p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Music CD, vol. 7 and a CD player. q Bring items for the worship area: white cloth, Bible with bookmark at Mark 9, poster Splashing Water, pitcher of water, wide bowl, and floating white candle. If not available, use a tealight in a foil tart tin. q Print words to the opening and closing prayers on newsprint. Gather q Bring song I ve Got a Voice (pp. 8 9 in Music Section, also #13 on Seasons Music CD). q Bring masking tape and name slips (p. 86). Engage q Bring today s resource sheet Adventure on a Mountaintop. q Bring figures of Jesus, James, John, Andrew, Elijah, and Moses from Story Props poster. q Bring three or four small boxes of different heights, brown fabric, piece of white translucent fabric, and flashlight. q Bring poster Woman Listening and sticky notes. q Bring Pictures #1 4 from Story Props poster, which have been displayed in your learning area. Respond q Big ears: poster board, copies of today s resource sheet Are You Listening? and Teachings of Jesus (p. 85). Cut poster board into strips approx. 58 cm/23 in X 6 cm/2½ in. Make a sample pair of ears. q Service project: supplies for making sweet treats (such as biscuits/cookies), airtight containers, and a greeting card. Note: Check with your local food banks and shelters to see if they will accept food that is not commercially packaged. q Reminder locket: yarn, glitter, and copies of Teachings of Jesus (p. 85). Cut out 8cm/3 in circles from light coloured construction paper as shown. Bless q Bring song May You Find Peace (p. 12 in Music Section, also #19 on Seasons Music CD). 7676

4 February 22, 2009 Sense of the Sacred Scripture Mark 9:2 9 FOCUS To hear God tell us to listen to Jesus because he is special. 1GATHER Welcome the children and ask about their week. Gather around the worship table and invite the children to help you place the white cloth, Bible, bowl, candle, and pitcher of water on the table. Place the poster Splashing Water near the table. Notice that the colour of the cloth has changed. Comment that a white cloth tells us that this is a special Sunday of celebration. Today s celebration is called Transfiguration Sunday. Explain that transfiguration means that something is changed in an awesome way. Opening ritual Leader: Come and celebrate the story of God s never-ending love. (Point to Bible.) Let us remember God s love poured out over all creation and us. (Pour water into bowl.) Let us remember the light of God s love that Jesus brought into our world. (Place candle gently in the water and light it.) God s love shines out for you and me. Children: God s love shines out for all to see. Pray (repeat each line or read together.) Loving God, here we are again at the start of a new week. We ve come to think, and discover, and ask questions. Help us learn more about you. Amen. Extinguish candle as a sign that the gathering ritual has ended. Sing I ve Got a Voice (pp. 8 9 in Music Section, also #13 on Seasons Music CD). Connecting life and theme Connect with the children s experiences by playing a simple jumping game. Use tape to mark a line on the floor. Invite the group to stand on the line and explain that you will call out the names of some people (such as a parent, teacher, police officer, stranger, your pet, next door neighbour, grandparent, friend, shop assistant ). Direct the children to jump to one side of the line if that person is allowed to tell them what to do, and to the other side if that person is not. Call out each name and give the children time to make their jumps. When you have read out all the slips invite the children to name the people in their lives who are allowed to tell them what to do. Comment that today s story is about a time when God told some people to listen to someone very special. 2ENGAGE Bible story Move to the story circle. Invite a child to bring the Bible from the worship area and use the bookmark to open it at the marked passage in the gospel of Mark. Point to the name of the book at the top of the page and recall that the gospel of Mark is one of the books in our Bible that tells us the stories of Jesus. Setting the scene Invite the children to stack the boxes to create a mountain. Cover boxes with a large piece of fabric. Press each story figure into a ball of clay so they can stand on their own. Place the cloud fabric and flashlight nearby. Tell the story as presented in the resource sheet Adventure on a Mountaintop. After the story Poster Show the poster Woman Listening and invite the children to sit comfortably and listen carefully. n What can you hear? n Listen once more, what else can you hear? Recall that in the story God told the disciples to listen carefully to Jesus. n How might we hear Jesus today? Print the children s ideas on sticky notes and place them around the poster. 77

5 February 22, 2009 Possible responses might include listening to Bible stories, listening to the words of hymns and songs, listening to other people who love Jesus, listening to the minister, and listening to the quiet voice of the Spirit deep down inside. Story review Gather in a circle and place the story cards face down in the middle. Comment that one way to hear Jesus voice is to read the stories of Jesus. Recall that over the past few weeks you have enjoyed a number of stories about Jesus. Say the following chant, slapping thighs or clapping hands as a way of keeping the rhythm. Listen carefully. Can you hear? Jesus is speaking so open your ears! Jesus speaks to me, Jesus speaks to you. What does Jesus want us to do? Ask for a volunteer to turn over one of the story cards. Look at the picture and encourage the group to briefly recall the story. How did Jesus show God s love in this story? What did Jesus teach his followers in this story? What might Jesus be saying to us through this story? Repeat until all the cards have been turned over. 3RESPOND Choose from the following activities. q Big ears God told the disciples to listen carefully to Jesus. Follow the instructions on the resource sheet Are You Listening? to make and decorate giant listening ears. Encourage the children to share the joy by wearing their ears and parading around the church building. q Service project The story of the transfiguration reminds us to listen to Jesus and follow his way of living in God s love. One of the things Jesus told his followers to do was to feed those who are hungry. Have the children wash their hands and make sweet treats for a local food bank or shelter. Place them in airtight containers; include a list of ingredients used and a greeting card signed by the children. If possible arrange for the children to deliver the treats personally. Note: If your local food banks and shelters can only accept food that is commercially packaged you might make and share the treats with other learning groups. q Reminder locket Peter, James, and John discovered how special Jesus was and how important it was to listen to Jesus teaching. Distribute folded circles. Encourage children to print the words Are you listening to Jesus? on the outside of the circles. Decorate circles with markers and glitter. Glue one of Jesus teachings (p. 85) to the inside. Tape yarn to inside of circles as shown. Encourage children to share the message in their lockets with members of the congregation. 4BLESS Gather around the worship table and poster Splashing Water. Draw attention to the poster and invite children to imagine God s love splashing out into the world, filling it, and showering it. Relight the floating candle. Leader: God s love shines out for you and me. Children: God s love shines out for all to see. Pray Dear God, as we leave this place we think of you close beside us. Thank you for your love. Amen. Sing May You Find Peace (p. 12 in Music Section, also #19 on Seasons Music CD). Send each child out with the words, (Child s name), God s love shines through you. Extinguish candle. REFLECT Think back over the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. What were some of the highlights? In what ways have the children seen God s love through you? When have you experienced God s love through them? Please take some time this week to fill out the evaluation form at the back of your age level materials, or online in your This Season Folder. 78

6 Resource sheet February 22, 2009 Adventure on a Mountaintop Story Tip Practice the story before sharing it with the children. Make sure you have all the figures and other props readily available and in sequence before you start. (Place the figures of Jesus, Peter, James, and John by the mountain that the children created.) One day Jesus called to his friends Peter, James, and John, I m going to climb up this mountain to pray and I want you to come with me. Jesus friends looked at each other and then looked at the mountain. It was very high and very tall. It would be a very long climb. Still, Jesus had asked them to go and they would follow Jesus anywhere. So off they set. They climbed, and they climbed, and they climbed. (Invite the children to walk the figures of Jesus, Peter, James, and John up the mountain.) It took a very long time to get up to the top of that mountain. When they reached the top the view was magnificent. (Stand the figures on top of the mountain. Jesus should stand apart from the disciples.) Suddenly something very unexpected happened. Jesus was changed right before their very eyes. Jesus clothes began to shimmer and glow with a dazzling light. In fact the light that came from Jesus was so bright that the disciples had to shade their eyes. (Invite a child to shine a flashlight on Jesus.) Then something even more amazing happened. Two people suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stood with Jesus. (Place the figures of Elijah and Moses either side of Jesus.) It was the great prophet Elijah and the great leader Moses. The disciples had heard many stories about these two amazing people. They were great heroes of the Jewish people, but they had been dead for a long time. Now they were here on the mountaintop. The disciples didn t know what to do. They didn t know what to say. They didn t know what to think. It was an amazing moment. It was an incredible moment. (based on Mark 9:2 9) And it was a very scary moment. Without thinking, Peter spoke. Teacher, this is just amazing! What should we do? Let s build three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (Drape the translucent fabric over all the figures.) Just then a bright cloud covered them, and from deep in the cloud there came a voice, This is my child, special to me, chosen by me, and marked with my love. Listen to him! Suddenly the cloud was gone and the disciples were left looking around and rubbing their eyes. (Remove the cloud and the figures of Elijah and Moses.) Everything had gone back to normal. The cloud was gone. The dazzling light was gone. Moses and Elijah were gone. Now all they could see was the top of the mountain and Jesus standing there alone. As they came down the mountain, Peter, James, and John were very quiet. (Have the figures slowly walk down the mountain.) They were thinking about their amazing experience. None of them really understood what had happened, but they knew two things for sure. God had told them that Jesus was very, very special. And God had told them to listen to Jesus. The three friends knew that they would never, ever forget their amazing experience on the mountaintop. Years later they would tell the story to other people in the church, so that they would know that God had said that Jesus was very special. Eventually the story was written down and became a part of our Bible. The storywriter wanted everyone to know how special Jesus is and how important it is to listen to Jesus teaching. 79

7 Resource sheet February 22, 2009 Are You Listening? God told the disciples to listen carefully to Jesus, because Jesus was very special. Instructions Glue the words, I m listening to Jesus onto the middle of a strip of construction paper. Cut out listening ears. Use crayons to decorate the ears. Maybe you could add some earrings! Form the poster board strip into a circle to fit your head. Secure with a staple. Cut the tab on the ears where indicated. Fold one side forward and one side backward. Tape the ears to the headband, so that you have one ear on each side of your head. Choose some of the teachings of Jesus, cut them out and glue them to the headband or ears. 80

8 Advent Resources Making Advent Wreaths Traditionally, the Advent wreath is a circle of evergreens. It holds four candles, with a fifth candle in the middle representing Christ. The round shape symbolizes the never-ending love of God. The greens remind us of the hope of new life that all God s people share. The four candles represent each of the four weeks leading to Christmas. Today Advent wreaths can be made from a multitude of materials. The four candles that circle the wreath can be blue or purple. Some churches have a tradition of three blue or purple candles and one pink. The Christ candle in the middle is white. Traditional Wreath Materials: Evergreen wreath created with artificial or real greens, candles, candleholders, berries, bows Place candles in holders and place (evenly spaced) around the wreath. Decorate wreath with berries and bows. Place the Christ candle in the middle of the wreath. Variation: Gather locally available branches, leaves, and/or flowers to make the wreath. Advent Waiting (tune: This Old Man) Advent s here. Come and wait. It is time to celebrate. Light one candle, wait some more and pray. Getting ready for Christmas Day. Advent s here. Come and wait. It is time to celebrate. Hear God s stories, follow in God s way. Three more weeks till Christmas Day. Change the number of candles and weeks as Advent progresses. Play Dough Wreath Materials: Green play dough (see p. 83), coloured candles, one wide-based white candle, small non-flammable Christmas balls, tinfoil plate Form a lump of play dough into a thick rope. Join ends together and place in tinfoil plate. Stick four candles (evenly spaced) into play dough and press dough tightly around each candle. If desired, use more play dough to make small leaves and arrange around wreath. Add Christmas balls. Place the Christ candle in the middle of the wreath. Paper Wreath Materials: Green paper, candles, candleholders, glitter or garland Cut out a large paper wreath. Place candles in holders and place (evenly spaced) around the wreath. Decorate circle with glitter or garland. Place the Christ candle in the middle of the wreath. 81

9 TeachiNgs of Jesus (February 22) Here are some of the things Jesus taught the disciples. Feed the hungry. Love everyone. Take care of the sick. Listen to the children. Give water to the thirsty. Forgive others. 85

10 Name Slips (for February 22, 2009) Your mother. Your teacher. A stranger. Your dog or cat. Your next-door neighbour. Your grandmother. A police officer. The person who works in a store. Your friend. Your little sister. 86