A Boy Falls from a Window

Ages 3 5 August 5, 2018 E A Boy Falls from a Window Goal: To trust the church to reach out to us when we are sad, hurt, or sick. RECOGNIZING GOD S GRACE...... In Acts 20:7 12 Paul met with believers in Troas and had much to tell them. After a common meal, the day before Paul was to leave the city, Paul continued talking until midnight (v. 7; CEB). The young man, Eutychus, who was sitting in the window area, was overcome by deep sleep at this late hour. He fell out of the third-floor window and died. Paul went down, fell on him, and embraced him. Paul said, Don t be alarmed. He s alive! Then Paul went upstairs, ate, and continued to talk until daybreak. But his friends took Eutyches away, alive and they were greatly comforted (v. 12; CEB). Here was God s love in action. By God s power, Eutychus was brought back to life, to live the rest of his life as a believer in Christ. This was a reason for great comfort and praise. Death is the most ultimate experience, leaving us totally without any human power or ability. But by God s grace, death was overcome. For Eutychus, death was reversed. New life came to him as an expression of God s gracious love. Imagine the amazement and relief of his friends! They witnessed God s grace and love; their comfort and gratitude were great!... In your experiences with the children This miracle story of Paul restoring life to Eutychus is both dramatic and vivid. It invites imaginative connections for children. Paul had been teaching for a long time in a very crowded room that was hot and stuffy; so Eutychus did a smart thing to sit on the windowsill to catch a cool breeze. Children will get that. They will also get Eutychus falling asleep because Paul was speaking so long. So, there is both humor and tragedy in this story, both of which children can understand. They can also understand Paul s immediate action in helping Eutychus with his healing act.... In your relationships with the children As you read the story and think about the background above, keep in mind the children you will be teaching. Be aware of those who may have questions about death and restoring to life today and if that happens or can happen. Some may express their own stories about the death of a friend or family member and wishing they could have life again like Eutychus. It is helpful to remind children that health care providers do all they can to heal and make life possible. It s good to help them know that though not everyone can be cured of illness or even death like Eutychus, we can all be healed by the loving presence of those around us. Dear God, help me to reach out to my brothers and sisters, in Jesus name, when they are sad, sick, or hurt. Amen. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 109

A Boy Falls from a Window Ages 3 5 August 5, 2018 E Supplies basic supplies (see p. vii) e-book or story audio (see p. vii) Music & Melodies (MM) 2017 2018 Stories, Colors & More (SCM) 10, 10a, 27, 34 38 Guided Play choice 3: small rug or large piece of fabric, pillows, quiet music Exploring choice 3: prepared copies of Grace Notes (GN) 1, prepared paper cups choice 4: copies of GN 2 GATHERING IN GOD S GRACE Before the Children Arrive Select the activities that will work best for you and your children. You do not need to do everything suggested. Designate a story corner and lay out a blanket or individual mats for the children so their backs will be to the door. Use SCM 35 36, Your Visual Schedule, to provide clear expectations and a visual cue for the group. See SCM 37 38 for the key to icons (for example, ) and ways to adapt for children with special needs or disabilities. Exploring God s Grace, choice 3, requires more prep. Welcoming and Guided Play Greet the children as they arrive and say, Grace and peace be with you. Prompt them to respond, And also with you. Be attentive to any children who might be coming for the first time. Introduce yourself to parents and caregivers that you do not know personally. Tell the parents today s story is about an event which happened while Paul was telling others about Jesus. Invite the children to choose a guided play activity to start: 1. Block Corner Invite the children to build a house church. Encourage a conversation about what a house might look like if people met there for church. Let them think about what may be needed in the house. 2. Make a Fan Provide paper plates cut in half and crayons. Encourage the children to color a nighttime sky on the plate. Help the children glue craft sticks to the back side of the plate to form a handle. 3. Resting Corner Create a resting corner by placing a small rug or large of piece of fabric on the floor to designate the space. Put a couple of pillows for soft seating and a music player playing quiet music in the space. Invite the children to rest in this space. Ask the children what makes them sleepy. For some children, consistency in transitions is the key. Growing in Grace & Gratitude utilizes familiar songs and rhymes as a way to aid in the ease of routine without making it feel stale. 110 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing

A Boy Falls from a Window Ages 3 5 August 5, 2018 E Transitioning to Story Time When the children are ready to move into group time, call them to the story corner, singing God Is So Good MM 3; SCM 27. Repeat words and phrases as appropriate. Follow Me Invite the children to repeat each line after you and follow your motions. I am looking for God. (Cup hands around eyes.) I am following God. (March in place.) I am learning to share. (Move both hands away from you with palms up.) I am being kind. (Hug a neighbor s shoulder.) I am loving God. (Cross hands over chest.) Come and Hear Say or sing the following song to the tune of The Bear Went Over the Mountain and do the motions indicated. Invite the children to join you. Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the right.) Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the left.) Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the right.) Sit down and fold your hands. (Sit and fold hands in your lap.) Hearing the Story Open the Bible to Acts 20 so the children know the story comes from the Bible. Tell the children that they are going to hear a story about an event which happened while Paul was telling others about Jesus. Read SCM 10 or 10a. Express the emotions of the story in your voice, gestures, and facial expressions. Conclude the story by prompting the children to say, Amen. Read the story again inviting the children to fan themselves with the paper-plate fan made in Welcoming and Guided Play. Have the children pretend to fall asleep when they hear the name Eutychus (YEW-ty-cus) until Paul says, Eutychus is alive! At that point, go to each child and touch them on the shoulder. Invite the children to jump up and say, Praise God! 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 111

A Boy Falls from a Window Ages 3 5 August 5, 2018 E EXPLORING GOD S GRACE 1. Build a Body Church Say that Paul went around telling people about Jesus. The people who heard Paul became a church. Ask the children to stand in a circle. Say that they can build a church by using their bodies. They can make the walls by standing close together. Wonder how they could make a roof and a door. Invite their ideas and encourage their creativity. Have the children take turns being the one in the middle of the church. Ask the children, How does the church take care of (Name)? Say a prayer thanking God for each child. Conclude with a prayer for the people in your congregation. 2. Here is the Church Tell the children that the people were all gathered together to hear Paul tell about Jesus. Say that they also were singing and praying. Ask them what this gathering sounds like. Suggest that it reminds us of our worship service someone tells us about Jesus or God and the congregation sings and prays. Invite the children to follow your actions as you lead them in the familiar rhyme, Here is the Church, with some new additions! Here is the church. (Interlock fingers with palms facing each other.) And here is the steeple. ( Point index fingers up to make a steeple shape.) Open the doors (Move thumbs out and away from each other.) And see all the people. (Wiggle fingers.) Here people worship. (Lift arms up.) And here people eat. ( Pretend to eat.) We pray together, (Fold hand together in prayer.) Each time that we meet. (Open arms wide.) We hear of Jesus (Make a cross with both pointer fingers.) And all of it s true. (Hands palms up.) We are so grateful. (Touch right three middle fingers to chin and move out.) And God, we love you! (Cross arms over heart.) 112 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing

A Boy Falls from a Window Ages 3 5 August 5, 2018 E more Use wonder questions that do not force a child to remember facts. Wonder questions help children think aloud. Answers are neither right nor wrong. They help teach children to speak from their hearts. Ask parents and caregivers for their e-mail addresses so you can send the Grace Sightings link, or invite them to visit gracesightings.org. prep 3. Eutychus Is Alive! Before the session, make a small cut in the bottom of an 8-ounce paper cup for each child. Cut out a Eutychus figure and label from GN 1 for each child. Invite them to color Eutychus and the label for their cup. When the children have finished coloring, tape their figures to a craft stick and set aside. Give each child a paper cup and invite them to glue their label to the cup. Tell them the label says, Praise God! When they have finished coloring, help the children push their craft stick through the hole in the bottom of the cup with Eutychus inside the cup. Show the children how to move Eutychus up and down. Retell the story. When Eutychus falls asleep, indicate that Eutychus falls into the cup. When Paul prays, have the children pop up Eutychus and say, Praise God! 4. Coloring Page Hand out copies of GN 2 and crayons. Invite the children to color the picture. Engage the children in conversation as they color using the following Z wondering questions. ZI wonder, ZI wonder, Z When have you felt sleepy? How do you feel when someone helps you up? Z How do you feel when you fall down? ZI wonder, Transitions can be difficult. This may be a good time for some quick physical activities, such as touching toes, turning in a circle, taking giant steps, and so forth. LOVING AND SERVING GOD Call the children together, singing Jesus Says God Cares for Us MM 29; SCM 34. Repeat words and phrases as appropriate. Ask the children how God cares for them and their families. If you would like to share a snack, now would be a good time. Pray: Thank you, God, for the food before us. Thank you, God, for the friends beside us. Thank you, God, for the love between us. Amen. As the children leave, bless them: (Name), the grace of God is with you. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing 113

Grace Notes August 5, 2018 GN 1 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing Ages 3 5 115

Grace Notes August 5, 2018 GN 2 A Boy Falls from a Window Paul and the church run to help Eutychus. 2018 Congregational Ministiries Publishing Ages 3 5 117