“I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Have you ever seen a rainbow? Where? (At the beach, in a book, etc.)
Listeningjavascript:void(0)
Tape down colored paper on the floor ordered: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Say: A long time ago God told a good man named Noah that a huge storm was coming. Noah built a big boat that kept his family and a lot of animals safe. When the storm was over God told him to bring his family and the animals outside and look at the sky. God set a rainbow in the clouds as a promise that the whole world would never be destroyed again by a flood.
Ask: In the story of Noah and the Ark, what appears in the sky when the flood is over? (A rainbow)
Say: When we see a rainbow in the sky we are to remember God’s promise. We also remember that God has filled our world with beautiful colors.
A color wheel shows us these colors in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. Today I made a color when on the floor. You’re each going to get a turn to hop from color to color as we say the colors together.
Let the children take turns hopping from color to color as you lead the group in repeating the colors with each hop.
Exploring
The children will make color wheels on white paper plates. They will have six sections on them and a dot of each color to help the children remember where the colors go.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
More Exploring
Play a game of categories that requires naming the color of the object in that category. Example: if you call out animals the children should say grey elephant or orange tiger.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Colors in God’s World: Purple Cloth
Colors in God’s World: Purple Cloth
“A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer of purple cloth.” Acts 16:14
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is your favorite color? (Blue, yellow, silver, etc.)
Listening
For the story each child will need a strip of purple to wave.
Say: This is your Purple Story Strip. Every time you hear the word purple in the story, wave your Purple Story Strip three times then stop.
Colors are mentioned in many stories in the Bible. In one story we learn about a woman named Lydia. Purple (Pause) is important to her story. Paul, another person in the Bible, was a missionary who told everyone about Jesus.
One day, Paul traveld to Macedonia in Europe to tell the people there about Jesus. He noticed that the mountains of Macedonia looked purple (Pause) in the distance. And he saw purple (Pause) grapes growing on vines. At the market he noticed fish whose scales shimmered with purple (Pause) scales. The he spotted a woman who was selling fancy purple (Pause) cloth. The woman selling the fancy purple (Pause) cloth was Lydia. She sold the purple (Pause) cloth to rich people.
Paul spoke to Lydia. He told her about Jesus. Lydia believed what Paul told her about Jesus and became a Christian. She invited Paul to stay in her home. Lydia was the first person in Europe to become a Christian. Some of the church services in Europe were held in her home. Today, we remember Lydia because she helped build the Christian Church in a new place. Hooray for Lydia and her purple (Pause) cloth!
Exploring
Play the “I Spy” game around church. Make sure everyone gets a chance!
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
“A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer of purple cloth.” Acts 16:14
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is your favorite color? (Blue, yellow, silver, etc.)
Listening
For the story each child will need a strip of purple to wave.
Say: This is your Purple Story Strip. Every time you hear the word purple in the story, wave your Purple Story Strip three times then stop.
Colors are mentioned in many stories in the Bible. In one story we learn about a woman named Lydia. Purple (Pause) is important to her story. Paul, another person in the Bible, was a missionary who told everyone about Jesus.
One day, Paul traveld to Macedonia in Europe to tell the people there about Jesus. He noticed that the mountains of Macedonia looked purple (Pause) in the distance. And he saw purple (Pause) grapes growing on vines. At the market he noticed fish whose scales shimmered with purple (Pause) scales. The he spotted a woman who was selling fancy purple (Pause) cloth. The woman selling the fancy purple (Pause) cloth was Lydia. She sold the purple (Pause) cloth to rich people.
Paul spoke to Lydia. He told her about Jesus. Lydia believed what Paul told her about Jesus and became a Christian. She invited Paul to stay in her home. Lydia was the first person in Europe to become a Christian. Some of the church services in Europe were held in her home. Today, we remember Lydia because she helped build the Christian Church in a new place. Hooray for Lydia and her purple (Pause) cloth!
Exploring
Play the “I Spy” game around church. Make sure everyone gets a chance!
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
Colors in God’s World: Coat of Many Colors
Colors in God’s World: Coat of Many Colors
“Now, Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children because he was the son of his old age, so Israel made Joseph a long robe with sleeve.” Genesis 37:3
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is the color of your favorite jacket or coat? (Red, purple, etc.)
Listening:
Use a male puppet.
Say: Hi everybody! Don’t you just love my coat made with so many colors? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) Do you have coats as beautiful as mine? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) My dad gave me mine. I am a character from the Bible. My name is Joseph. I have lots of brothers. My dad loves me the most. That’s why he bought me this beautiful coat of many colors. Do you think it’s fair for my dad to give me a beautiful coat because he loves me best? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) Well it made my brothers very mad. They were so jealous. In fact they were so jealous that they ripped off my beautiful coat and threw me into a pit. Do you think that was very nice? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.)
Well that is how my story started. I don’t have to time to tell you everything but I ended up bringing peace to my entire family. Is it god to bring peace to your family? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.)
Today I want to you to remember something happy about my coat, My beautiful coat of many colors reminds us that God gave us wonderful colors. When we wear these colors we are celebrating the colors of God’s world. Now you are going to get to color and design your very own coat of many colors!
Exploring
Pass out the coat papers and the crayons. Let the children design their own coat of many colors.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
“Now, Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children because he was the son of his old age, so Israel made Joseph a long robe with sleeve.” Genesis 37:3
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is the color of your favorite jacket or coat? (Red, purple, etc.)
Listening:
Use a male puppet.
Say: Hi everybody! Don’t you just love my coat made with so many colors? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) Do you have coats as beautiful as mine? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) My dad gave me mine. I am a character from the Bible. My name is Joseph. I have lots of brothers. My dad loves me the most. That’s why he bought me this beautiful coat of many colors. Do you think it’s fair for my dad to give me a beautiful coat because he loves me best? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.) Well it made my brothers very mad. They were so jealous. In fact they were so jealous that they ripped off my beautiful coat and threw me into a pit. Do you think that was very nice? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.)
Well that is how my story started. I don’t have to time to tell you everything but I ended up bringing peace to my entire family. Is it god to bring peace to your family? (Pause encouraging the children to answer.)
Today I want to you to remember something happy about my coat, My beautiful coat of many colors reminds us that God gave us wonderful colors. When we wear these colors we are celebrating the colors of God’s world. Now you are going to get to color and design your very own coat of many colors!
Exploring
Pass out the coat papers and the crayons. Let the children design their own coat of many colors.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
Colors in God’s World: Green Pastures
Colors in God’s World
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Psalm 23:2
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Can you name something green in God’s world? (Leaves, grass, herbs, etc.)
Listening
Plan on ending the story by leading the children outside to a green pasture, aka the playground area.
Say: There is a Psalm in the Bible that speaks of the color green. Listen carefully as I read to you the 23rd Psalm.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
Ask: Does anyone remember the line that mentions the color green? (He makes me lie down in green pastures.)
Say: This Psalm is told through the eyes of a shepherd. A shepherd must find green pastures. The sheep need fresh, green grass for grazing. The green grass makes the sheep happy. For us, this verse helps us understand that God will take is to green places too. Green places are the good things in life, such as food and friends, rest and play, homes and happy times. Let’s pretend we are shepherds leading our flock to a green pasture.
As you walk around outside point out pretend streams, shady trees, and dangerous rocky ledges. Keep a lookout for sheep straying from the flock and wolves lurking in the distance. Wave to the other shepherds. When you reach the green pasture invite the children to lie down a relax a few minutes.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
More Exploring
Have each child color a green pasture with any details they wish to add, rocks, sheep, wolves, etc, and then tape them out side of the classroom with the words “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Psalm 23:2
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Can you name something green in God’s world? (Leaves, grass, herbs, etc.)
Listening
Plan on ending the story by leading the children outside to a green pasture, aka the playground area.
Say: There is a Psalm in the Bible that speaks of the color green. Listen carefully as I read to you the 23rd Psalm.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
Ask: Does anyone remember the line that mentions the color green? (He makes me lie down in green pastures.)
Say: This Psalm is told through the eyes of a shepherd. A shepherd must find green pastures. The sheep need fresh, green grass for grazing. The green grass makes the sheep happy. For us, this verse helps us understand that God will take is to green places too. Green places are the good things in life, such as food and friends, rest and play, homes and happy times. Let’s pretend we are shepherds leading our flock to a green pasture.
As you walk around outside point out pretend streams, shady trees, and dangerous rocky ledges. Keep a lookout for sheep straying from the flock and wolves lurking in the distance. Wave to the other shepherds. When you reach the green pasture invite the children to lie down a relax a few minutes.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for all of the beautiful colors in your world. Amen.
More Exploring
Have each child color a green pasture with any details they wish to add, rocks, sheep, wolves, etc, and then tape them out side of the classroom with the words “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Pentecost
Pentecost
“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting” Acts 2:2
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Did anyone notice anything different in the church today? (The decorations changed, everything was red, etc.)
Listening
Say: Today is the start of a new church season. We were celebrating the Easter season and today we will begin celebrating something called Pentecost. I am going to tell you a story about Pentecost so we have a better idea about what it is.
After Jesus died on the cross, most of his friends ran away to hide. They were afraid that the soldiers who had hurt Jesus would hurt them too.
When the women came back from Jesus’ empty grave saying that Jesus was alive again, his friends were surprised and happy, but mostly they were confused. They just did not understand what was happening.
Then for forty days Jesus kept surprising them, Jesus came through a locked door to talk to them on night. He walked on a road with two of them one day. He fixed breakfast on the beach with some of the others. Every time he was with them, Jesus talked. He talked about how much God loved them, and he talked about sharing God’s love with others. When Jesus was with them, his friends felt brave, strong, and happy. Something new and exciting was happening, and they were going to b e a part of it. But when Jesus was not with them, they would remember the soldiers and feel sacred, weak, and uncertain.
When Jesus left them the last time, he said two things. First he said, “Go into all the world. Tell everyone about God’s love and teach them to be my disciples.” Then he said, “Wait in Jerusalem. God has a special gift for you.” Well the first job sounded big and important and scary! So they were glad to wait for the gift.
What do you think they did while they waited? Well, they hid together. Every day each one would come by a secret route to the hideout. They would knock quietly on the door. Someone inside woyld open it just a crack to see who was knocking. Theyn, the firend would be let in fast and would be asked, “Did anyone follow you?” All day they stayed in that room and remembered what Jesus said and did. And they prayed. They prayed and prayed and prayed. Do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
On the tenth day, they were beginning to wonder whether God was ever going to give them that special gift. But they carefully came to the hideout using their secret paths and they began praying again. And that day something did happen!
They had hardly started praying when a strong wind came through the hideout. The wind wrapped itself around each person there, and it felt like the wind was God’s loving arms holding them close, hugging them tight. They felt happy and loved and loving. The bright fire came through the sir and little flames of fire licked each one of them on the head. It felt as if God’s courage and bravery were burning in their hearts, and they knew that with God’s courage they could do things they couldn’t do before.
God’s love was in the wind and God’s courage in the fire were the special gifts they had been waiting for. They were so excited about their gifts that they could not keep them a secret. They ran out of their hideout and started telling everyone they met. Their hiding days were over.
Exploring
Wind socks
Wind and Fire Relay - Before class cut crepe paper into two feet lengths. Divide your children up into teams and give them each a straw and a piece of crepe paper. Have them use the straw to blow the crepe across the room and back. If you don't want them to get on the floor you can have them blow the crepe across a table.
Wind and Fire
Written by Carolyn Warvel
(Sing to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Tongues of fire,
Tongues of fire,
Mighty wind,
Mighty wind,
The Holy Ghost is coming,
The Holy Ghost is coming,
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Before class cut pieces of crepe paper into 3 feet lengths. Use red and orange to make the fire sticks and white and blue to make the wind sticks. Staple 4 or 5 pieces of crepe paper to jumbo craft sticks and then cover the staples with tape. Make one fire and one wind pompom for each child. As you sing "tongues of fire" have your children wave their fire pompoms up and down. As you sing "mighty wind" have your children wave their wind pompoms side to side.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit to be with us always, to give us courage, and to show us your love. Amen.
“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting” Acts 2:2
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Did anyone notice anything different in the church today? (The decorations changed, everything was red, etc.)
Listening
Say: Today is the start of a new church season. We were celebrating the Easter season and today we will begin celebrating something called Pentecost. I am going to tell you a story about Pentecost so we have a better idea about what it is.
After Jesus died on the cross, most of his friends ran away to hide. They were afraid that the soldiers who had hurt Jesus would hurt them too.
When the women came back from Jesus’ empty grave saying that Jesus was alive again, his friends were surprised and happy, but mostly they were confused. They just did not understand what was happening.
Then for forty days Jesus kept surprising them, Jesus came through a locked door to talk to them on night. He walked on a road with two of them one day. He fixed breakfast on the beach with some of the others. Every time he was with them, Jesus talked. He talked about how much God loved them, and he talked about sharing God’s love with others. When Jesus was with them, his friends felt brave, strong, and happy. Something new and exciting was happening, and they were going to b e a part of it. But when Jesus was not with them, they would remember the soldiers and feel sacred, weak, and uncertain.
When Jesus left them the last time, he said two things. First he said, “Go into all the world. Tell everyone about God’s love and teach them to be my disciples.” Then he said, “Wait in Jerusalem. God has a special gift for you.” Well the first job sounded big and important and scary! So they were glad to wait for the gift.
What do you think they did while they waited? Well, they hid together. Every day each one would come by a secret route to the hideout. They would knock quietly on the door. Someone inside woyld open it just a crack to see who was knocking. Theyn, the firend would be let in fast and would be asked, “Did anyone follow you?” All day they stayed in that room and remembered what Jesus said and did. And they prayed. They prayed and prayed and prayed. Do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
So they all went home by their secret paths and came back the next day and they prayed all day. And do you know what happened? Nothing.
On the tenth day, they were beginning to wonder whether God was ever going to give them that special gift. But they carefully came to the hideout using their secret paths and they began praying again. And that day something did happen!
They had hardly started praying when a strong wind came through the hideout. The wind wrapped itself around each person there, and it felt like the wind was God’s loving arms holding them close, hugging them tight. They felt happy and loved and loving. The bright fire came through the sir and little flames of fire licked each one of them on the head. It felt as if God’s courage and bravery were burning in their hearts, and they knew that with God’s courage they could do things they couldn’t do before.
God’s love was in the wind and God’s courage in the fire were the special gifts they had been waiting for. They were so excited about their gifts that they could not keep them a secret. They ran out of their hideout and started telling everyone they met. Their hiding days were over.
Exploring
Wind socks
Wind and Fire Relay - Before class cut crepe paper into two feet lengths. Divide your children up into teams and give them each a straw and a piece of crepe paper. Have them use the straw to blow the crepe across the room and back. If you don't want them to get on the floor you can have them blow the crepe across a table.
Wind and Fire
Written by Carolyn Warvel
(Sing to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Tongues of fire,
Tongues of fire,
Mighty wind,
Mighty wind,
The Holy Ghost is coming,
The Holy Ghost is coming,
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Before class cut pieces of crepe paper into 3 feet lengths. Use red and orange to make the fire sticks and white and blue to make the wind sticks. Staple 4 or 5 pieces of crepe paper to jumbo craft sticks and then cover the staples with tape. Make one fire and one wind pompom for each child. As you sing "tongues of fire" have your children wave their fire pompoms up and down. As you sing "mighty wind" have your children wave their wind pompoms side to side.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit to be with us always, to give us courage, and to show us your love. Amen.
People in God’s World: Father’s Day
People in God’s World: Father’s Day
“My child, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.” Proverbs 6:20-22
Call to Worship
(Sung to “Frere Jacques”)
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
For our dads. For our dads.
They are very special. They are very special.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Does anyone know what we are celebrating today? (Our Dads!) Yes! Today is Father’s Day. We are celebrating the men who are special to us. Does anyone have a special dad, grandpa, uncle, or friend that they want to share about with us?
Listening
Say: I have a story about a daddy and his son called “GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU” by Sam McBratney
Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you," he said. "Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms."But I love you this much," he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that. Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. "I love you all the way to my toe!" he said. "And I love you all that way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head. "I love you as high as I can hop!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down. "But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above. That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that. "I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore. Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. "I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon and back."
Exploring
Have sheets of paper and pencils and markers available on the tables. Have the kids write and/or draw some of their favorite memories about the men in our congregation, whether it’s their dad, their grandpa, their uncle, or their friend. We want them to celebrate the male role models they have. After they have written/drawn, have the children give their papers to the man they wrote about as a great Father’s Day present.
Benediction
Say: God has blessed us with wonderful male role models! Today let us celebrate them by blessing them! Amen.
More Exploring
Play an Animal matching game. Have the children match the babies with their daddies.
“My child, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.” Proverbs 6:20-22
Call to Worship
(Sung to “Frere Jacques”)
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
For our dads. For our dads.
They are very special. They are very special.
Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Does anyone know what we are celebrating today? (Our Dads!) Yes! Today is Father’s Day. We are celebrating the men who are special to us. Does anyone have a special dad, grandpa, uncle, or friend that they want to share about with us?
Listening
Say: I have a story about a daddy and his son called “GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU” by Sam McBratney
Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you," he said. "Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms."But I love you this much," he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that. Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. "I love you all the way to my toe!" he said. "And I love you all that way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head. "I love you as high as I can hop!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down. "But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above. That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that. "I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore. Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. "I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon and back."
Exploring
Have sheets of paper and pencils and markers available on the tables. Have the kids write and/or draw some of their favorite memories about the men in our congregation, whether it’s their dad, their grandpa, their uncle, or their friend. We want them to celebrate the male role models they have. After they have written/drawn, have the children give their papers to the man they wrote about as a great Father’s Day present.
Benediction
Say: God has blessed us with wonderful male role models! Today let us celebrate them by blessing them! Amen.
More Exploring
Play an Animal matching game. Have the children match the babies with their daddies.
People in God’s World: Many Teachers
People in God’s World: Many Teachers
“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.” Psalm 32:8
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is the name of one of your teachers? (Mrs. Smith, Mr. Rogers, etc.)
Listening
The following story takes the children on a pretend walk around town to see the many teachers at work.
Say: Teachers are very important people in God’s world. There are verses in the Bible that speak of teachers. Here’s one of them. “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go,” from Psalms 32:8. We have many teachers who help us learn. Some of those teachers are at school, but we have teachers in other places, too. Listen to this story as we take a pretend walk around town to see all of the teachers.
First, here is the Happy Hands Preschool. Ms. Pink is teaching the children the colors of the color when: red, orange, yellow… But now we are walking past the Delightful Days Daycare. Ms. Weeks is teaching the children the days of the week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…
Now we’re at the Skip to My Lou Elementary School. In the kindergarten room, Mr. Melody is teaching the children to sing.: There was a farmer had a dog, and Bingo was his name… But let’s peek into the first grade class. Mrs. Seven is teaching the children to add: one plus one is two, two plus two is four… But look at the fifth graders! Ms. Microscope is demonstrating a science experiment. In ten seconds a volcano is going to erupt! Ten, nine, eight…
There’s the school bell! School is out but teachers are still teaching! At the Tippy Toes Dance Academy, Madame Pirouette is teaching the students their ballet positions: first position, second position, third position… And on the T-Ball Field, Coach Batterup is showing the kids the proper way to swing a bat: Keep your eye on the ball…
Look into the church window. Pastor Church is planning out her children’s sermon for Sunday: “Good morning boys and girls…” And look, Mrs. Craft has just arrived with a handful of supplies for her Sunday School lesson on Sunday: glitter glue, feathers, and play clay… And finally let’s peek into one of the houses in the neighborhood. Jason’s mother is showing him how to tie his shoes: look like bunny ears… And Claire’s father is teaching her how to juggle: one orange, two oranges, three oranges… There are teachers everywhere!
Exploring
To make Teacher Folders, you will need folders and stickers, and markers. Explain to the children that teachers have a lot of papers, so a pretty folder is a perfect present. Have the children use the stickers and markers to decorate the folders to give to their teachers.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
More Exploring
Lead the children through an action game showing ways they can help their teachers: sharpening pencils, picking up blocks, cleaning the board, feeding the fish, sweeping the classroom, and washing the cafeteria table. Encourage the children to come up with other ways of helping their teachers.
“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.” Psalm 32:8
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is the name of one of your teachers? (Mrs. Smith, Mr. Rogers, etc.)
Listening
The following story takes the children on a pretend walk around town to see the many teachers at work.
Say: Teachers are very important people in God’s world. There are verses in the Bible that speak of teachers. Here’s one of them. “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go,” from Psalms 32:8. We have many teachers who help us learn. Some of those teachers are at school, but we have teachers in other places, too. Listen to this story as we take a pretend walk around town to see all of the teachers.
First, here is the Happy Hands Preschool. Ms. Pink is teaching the children the colors of the color when: red, orange, yellow… But now we are walking past the Delightful Days Daycare. Ms. Weeks is teaching the children the days of the week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…
Now we’re at the Skip to My Lou Elementary School. In the kindergarten room, Mr. Melody is teaching the children to sing.: There was a farmer had a dog, and Bingo was his name… But let’s peek into the first grade class. Mrs. Seven is teaching the children to add: one plus one is two, two plus two is four… But look at the fifth graders! Ms. Microscope is demonstrating a science experiment. In ten seconds a volcano is going to erupt! Ten, nine, eight…
There’s the school bell! School is out but teachers are still teaching! At the Tippy Toes Dance Academy, Madame Pirouette is teaching the students their ballet positions: first position, second position, third position… And on the T-Ball Field, Coach Batterup is showing the kids the proper way to swing a bat: Keep your eye on the ball…
Look into the church window. Pastor Church is planning out her children’s sermon for Sunday: “Good morning boys and girls…” And look, Mrs. Craft has just arrived with a handful of supplies for her Sunday School lesson on Sunday: glitter glue, feathers, and play clay… And finally let’s peek into one of the houses in the neighborhood. Jason’s mother is showing him how to tie his shoes: look like bunny ears… And Claire’s father is teaching her how to juggle: one orange, two oranges, three oranges… There are teachers everywhere!
Exploring
To make Teacher Folders, you will need folders and stickers, and markers. Explain to the children that teachers have a lot of papers, so a pretty folder is a perfect present. Have the children use the stickers and markers to decorate the folders to give to their teachers.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
More Exploring
Lead the children through an action game showing ways they can help their teachers: sharpening pencils, picking up blocks, cleaning the board, feeding the fish, sweeping the classroom, and washing the cafeteria table. Encourage the children to come up with other ways of helping their teachers.
People in God’s World: Older People
People in God’s World: Older People
“Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years.” Genesis 5:27
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Can you tell me the name of someone you know is an adult? (My grandma, Mrs. Smith, etc.)
Listening
Tell the children that you are going to slowly begin to count. When they hear their age, they are to stand up. Begin counting until all of the children are standing.
Say: I didn’t need to count very long! That’s because even though you are growing up and having birthdays every year, you aren’t very old yet. (Invite the children to sit back down for the rest of the story.) There is a man in the Bible named Methuselah who was very, very old. (Say the name again and ask the children to repeat it with you.)Methuselah was the grandfather of Noah. He lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years old. If we played the stand up game with Methuselah we would have to count for a very long time before Methuselah stood up!
In God’s world many people live long lives. We gain wisdom as we live. Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is knowledge. Wisdom comes from learning. When you live a long life and grow to be old, you learn many things. At church, in our families, and our neighborhoods, it’s good to listen to the wisdom of older people.
Exploring
Invite an older member of your congregation to visit with the children, and to share some of their wisdom. Remind your guest that the children are young and may have a limited attention span, but they will love to hear lively stories and anecdotes. Encourage your guest to bring along any visual aids such as photographs, awards, or souvenirs. Begin by introducing your guest to the children. After the guest has finished speaking, invite the children to ask questions.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
“Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years.” Genesis 5:27
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: Can you tell me the name of someone you know is an adult? (My grandma, Mrs. Smith, etc.)
Listening
Tell the children that you are going to slowly begin to count. When they hear their age, they are to stand up. Begin counting until all of the children are standing.
Say: I didn’t need to count very long! That’s because even though you are growing up and having birthdays every year, you aren’t very old yet. (Invite the children to sit back down for the rest of the story.) There is a man in the Bible named Methuselah who was very, very old. (Say the name again and ask the children to repeat it with you.)Methuselah was the grandfather of Noah. He lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years old. If we played the stand up game with Methuselah we would have to count for a very long time before Methuselah stood up!
In God’s world many people live long lives. We gain wisdom as we live. Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is knowledge. Wisdom comes from learning. When you live a long life and grow to be old, you learn many things. At church, in our families, and our neighborhoods, it’s good to listen to the wisdom of older people.
Exploring
Invite an older member of your congregation to visit with the children, and to share some of their wisdom. Remind your guest that the children are young and may have a limited attention span, but they will love to hear lively stories and anecdotes. Encourage your guest to bring along any visual aids such as photographs, awards, or souvenirs. Begin by introducing your guest to the children. After the guest has finished speaking, invite the children to ask questions.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
People in God’s World: Good Friends
People in God’s World: Good Friends
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is something nice a friend has done for you? (Mary invited me to her birthday party.)
Listening
Begin by giving the children a thumbs up sign.
Say: Thumbs up to all of you! You are my friends, and I am so glad that you are here! Friendship is a wonderful part of God’s world. Here is a verse from the Bible that talks about friendship. “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17. God wants us to be a good friend to others. As you listen to this story, make a thumbs up sign when you hear someone being a good friend. When you hear someone being a bad friend, make a thumbs down sign.
The kids were crowded onto the playground. Brandon was in a hurry to get down the slide so he pushed Liam. (Thumbs down) Sarah was mad that Brooke was using the sand sieve. She threw a handful of sand in Brooke’s face. (Thumbs down) Underneath the pine trees Lizzie invited Laura to help her build a pine needle fort. (Thumbs up) At the top of the jungle gym, Matt sang “Happy Birthday” to Martha, who was now seven. (Thumbs up)
At the bottom of the jungle gym, Jeb tripped Katherine as she was coming down the ladder. (Thumbs down) Meredith told Cliff that she thought his new shoes looked cool. (Thumbs up) Just for fun, Adam threw a rock really hard at Tyrone. (Thumbs down) Ricky was on crutches since he had broken his leg. When the whistle blew that recess was over, Ammar waited for Ricky and walked into school with him. (Thumbs up)
Exploring
We’re going to make friendship sticks! To make friendship sticks you will need large craft sticks, stickers, markers, tape, and ribbon.
Explain to the children that is some Native American tribes, it was the custom to present a friendship stick as a sign of friendship and peace. Tell the children that they are going to make a friendship stick to present to a special friend.
Have each child write their name down one side and their friends name on the other side. Have them decorate the sticks with stickers and markers. Help the children tie on and tape ribbon to the bottom of the stick. Explain to them that they will give their stick to the person they wrote on their friendship stick.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
More Exploring
Children will love ringing the Friendship Gong in honor of their friends. A pot lid and a large metal spoon make an excellent gong. Invite the children to come forward one at a time and say “I’m ringing the Friendship Gong for my friend (friend’s name).” If time permits, go another round or two.
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!
Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.
Sharing
Ask: What is something nice a friend has done for you? (Mary invited me to her birthday party.)
Listening
Begin by giving the children a thumbs up sign.
Say: Thumbs up to all of you! You are my friends, and I am so glad that you are here! Friendship is a wonderful part of God’s world. Here is a verse from the Bible that talks about friendship. “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17. God wants us to be a good friend to others. As you listen to this story, make a thumbs up sign when you hear someone being a good friend. When you hear someone being a bad friend, make a thumbs down sign.
The kids were crowded onto the playground. Brandon was in a hurry to get down the slide so he pushed Liam. (Thumbs down) Sarah was mad that Brooke was using the sand sieve. She threw a handful of sand in Brooke’s face. (Thumbs down) Underneath the pine trees Lizzie invited Laura to help her build a pine needle fort. (Thumbs up) At the top of the jungle gym, Matt sang “Happy Birthday” to Martha, who was now seven. (Thumbs up)
At the bottom of the jungle gym, Jeb tripped Katherine as she was coming down the ladder. (Thumbs down) Meredith told Cliff that she thought his new shoes looked cool. (Thumbs up) Just for fun, Adam threw a rock really hard at Tyrone. (Thumbs down) Ricky was on crutches since he had broken his leg. When the whistle blew that recess was over, Ammar waited for Ricky and walked into school with him. (Thumbs up)
Exploring
We’re going to make friendship sticks! To make friendship sticks you will need large craft sticks, stickers, markers, tape, and ribbon.
Explain to the children that is some Native American tribes, it was the custom to present a friendship stick as a sign of friendship and peace. Tell the children that they are going to make a friendship stick to present to a special friend.
Have each child write their name down one side and their friends name on the other side. Have them decorate the sticks with stickers and markers. Help the children tie on and tape ribbon to the bottom of the stick. Explain to them that they will give their stick to the person they wrote on their friendship stick.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, let us show our love for you. Help us to show our love for other people, for our families, for our teachers and for our friends. Thank you for being our guide. Amen.
More Exploring
Children will love ringing the Friendship Gong in honor of their friends. A pot lid and a large metal spoon make an excellent gong. Invite the children to come forward one at a time and say “I’m ringing the Friendship Gong for my friend (friend’s name).” If time permits, go another round or two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
