Parable of the Ten Virgins - Children's Sermon

How many of you are Cub or Boy Scouts? How many of you are Girl Scouts?

Who can tell me one thing that both programs have in common?

Who can tell me something that is different about them?

Well , I have a trivia question for you. Did you know that both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have the same motto? Does anyone know what it is?

That’s right, “Be Prepared”

What does it mean to “be prepared”?

My daughter loves to watch Survivor and we are always amazed by the number of contestants that don’t know how to build a fire or swim or some other crucial outdoor survival skill. The host, Jeff, even said in the reunion show that he is amazed how many contestants get caught off guard with fire starting skills. This year, this skill may have cost one of the contestants the win. Jeff asked them why they don’t practice these skills once they hear that they have been selected.

In the Bible, there is a story of 5 women who were not prepared. This story is told in Matthew 25: 1-13

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Remember, this story is a parable: a story, like a fable, with a hidden purpose or idea in it. Did you guys bring your thinking caps?

Ok, Question 1: This is a story about a wedding. But what do you think the wedding is supposed to be? What special place do you think these people are trying to go to? (Try to get one of the kids to say “heaven”)

You guys are very smart. If they are trying to get into heaven, who do you think the bridegroom is? (God or Jesus)

Why were some let into heaven and others not? (they were ready)

Ok, here is the biggie – How do we “prepare” for heaven? (Read the Bible, Pray, Go To church)

Doesn’t that make sense? Just like if you got invited to go on the next Survivor you would learn how to start a fire, swim, balance on a stick, when you are trying to join God in heaven, you would prepare by talking to him, learning about his ways, and by following those ways?

In this way, we are prepared. . .just like the scouts and just like the well-trained survivor contestants.

Before my words of prayer are said, I fold my hands and bow my head:

Dear God, Please help me prepare for the day that I enter heaven. Let me learn all that I can. Help me to be prepared for your call. Let your grace fill me and your love feed me. Amen.

A Good Question for the New Year

Evangalize - Be a Witness to the Word

According to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, evangelism is defined as:
Pronunciation: \i-ˈvan-jə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: circa 1626

1 : the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ
2 : militant or crusading zeal

Interestingly, the use of such a word in mainstream Christianity often brings thoughts of Tammy Faye Baker with her Eyelashes caked together



and the constant request for money from a televised mega-church. But evangelism is the call of all Christians; “go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19).

I was thinking about this command again the other day as I was watching the Duggars (the family with 18 children).



They are truly espousing the word of the Lord. They are not standing on a pulpit or “teaching” in any standard way that we think about it. Instead, they are just sharing their experience. In sharing, they are spreading the word. I thought this was a good example for all of us. We need not be ministers or deacons or Sunday School teachers (although it is certainly wonderful if you are), you can fulfill this commission by sharing your experience. You may never know who you reach or how or when the words that you speak will take root, but you have met the command if you speak the word.



“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:9 (KJV)

“Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.” Isaiah 42:18 (KJV)

Being at Church Fully

As our program at work finished up this weekend, I noticed that well before the speaker finished, several of the students were already standing, putting on their coats and placing up their chairs. This was especially painful since the students are becoming teachers and will soon face this same issue from the other side. I mentioned this to them in closing, somewhat scolding them for their behavior. This, however, is not the only time that I have seen such behavior: People already preparing for their next activity before they have completed the last.

Like many church services, our Sunday worship has a predictable structure. Prayers, readings, and hymns may change but they are always placed in the same place. Traditionally, just before the benediction, we sing "Go Ye Now in Peace". As we begin to sing, the rusling starts: coats are put on, handbags are put over shoulders, hymn books are put away. As I watch this behavior, I am often left wondering When did the clock out from church? How long have they been waitng to put their coat on?

Worship is about connecting with God. Can't we release teh outside world long enough to be fully present during worship? Wouln't it be interesting if there was a pause after worship while we absorbed the fullness of the service before we got our coats and left.

Proclaiming Your Faith Under Duress

I was looking for information on Today in history to post some information on Homeschool with Heart when I found this little tidbit for today.

"In 1520, Martin Luther publicly burned the papal edict demanding that he recant, or face excommunication."

Can you imagine feeling so confident in your beliefs that you would face excommunication from the all powerful church? What do you believe? Have you ever taken the time to write it down? Have you ever reviewed your beliefs, thought about why you feel the way you do? Have you ever shared your thoughts with others?

As, we talked about in my DD's God & Life class this week, do people know that you are a Christian? Can they read it in your behavior? Do you stand as a visible witness to His Word? Have you inspired someone through your behavior and beliefs? We do not have to face excommunication like Martin Luther, nor do we need to found a new denomination, but we do have an obligation to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28 19-20 NIV) Have you followed this commission today? yesterday? everyday? Would you do so under pressure? Under the threat of excommunication, physical harm, death?

Christmas Cantata

As Christmas comes closer, we begin to prepare for our Christmas celebrations. Our choir is performing Candles & Carols.

This is such a beautiful arrangement, I can't wait to perform it. It is made even more beautiful by the fact that the choir is joined by anyone in the congregation that would like to join us. If you want to hear small sections of this piece performed by a much more professional group than ours, check out this site and listen to the segments. Perhaps you may be inspired to sing it with your choir next Christmas.

The Living Word - The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Children's Sermon

This week we had a guest minister who spoke of the parable of the bridegroom / Ten Virgins. This is another parable that appeared to go against what I thought of God’s love and forgiveness, but for some reason as I listened to it being read this week, I heard . . .I was looking at it backwards again. It was not about sharing or the lack thereof. It was about filling our life with God. It was about listening, learning, and growing our faith now, so that when the call is made, we will be ready. You cannot wait for the call and then decide to believe. You have to live a good and righteous life today, now, always and the door will be opened. You cannot wait until the call has been made to proclaim your love and dedication.

I thought about how you might teach children about this parable. Children understand getting prepared. They have slept over Grandma’s house or gone camping.

Props: sleeping bag, tooth brush, hair brush, change of clothes, pjs, pillow

Hello everybody. How are you today?

Today, we are going on a trip and we need to pack. If we really were going on a camping trip, what items might you bring with you? (as they mention the items that you have out, move them from one side to the other on stage)

What if I told you that we were going to go on a trip after Sunday School next week, when would you pack? How many would pack when you get home today? How many would pack during the week? Who would wait until the very last minute and would be finished just in time to get in the car to head to church?

Now what if I did not tell you when we were going but told you that you needed to be ready whenever I came by. I may not come by today, this week, or even this year. Would you go home and pack right away? Would you keep your bag packed?

This is what Jesus is talking about in the parable of the Bridegroom. This can be found in Matthew 25: 1-13 :

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour".

Jesus is also talking about preparing about a journey, he is talking about preparing spiritually, not physically. He is speaking of the call to heaven. Are you ready? Have you packed?

What do you think Jesus wants us to pack in our heart?

When do you think he wants us to get ready? Should we be asking him to wait while we get our last few things together? Or should we have packed and been ready for whenever he may come?

You all are already packing to be ready for the call. You have come to church. You go to Sunday School. I’m sure you pray and are beginning to read your Bibles. When the call comes you will be ready and welcomed. The doors to the banquet will remain open for you.

Lets fold our hands and bow our head – Dear God, Thank you for the gift of your word. We continue to read it and to try to understand it. We will continue to fill our spiritual lamps and try to light the way for others. So that all may be ready for your call, so that we can all enter the banquet of heaven. AMEN

Advent - Preparing for the Coming

Growing up Advent was not a part of our family’s Christmas celebration. But in my family, we have found Advent to be the cornerstone to our Christmas celebration. This decision has helped us to keep Jesus as the focus of the holiday and not the commercial secular holiday that many people complain about.

Advent, if you are not familiar with it, is literally “the coming”. It begins four weeks prior to Christmas. Each week in advent is focused around one ideal: Faith, hope, love, peace, and culminates with the birth of Christ.

Our church makes Advent the focus of each Sundays’ service. One family shares their holiday traditions with the congregation and then lights the Advent candle as we all sing the Advent Song. This tradition has helped our family keep Jesus as the center of our celebration. All of our energies are spent thinking about the coming.

Actually, our Advent starts in early November when we participate in Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child teaches us to focus on other’s needs as opposed to our own. But the traditional Advent begins this year on Sunday, November 30th and is the beginning of the church calendar.

If you are interested in celebrating advent with your family, you may want to get advent candles, plan readings, or use an advent calendar. Advent candles can be as simple as votive candles and calendars can be as unique as the Advent calendar sold by Lego.





Advent can be an interesting and unique as you wish to make it as long as you keep the focus on Jesus’ birth. One family I know adds hay straws in their cresh for each good deed that their children do with the anticipation of making a comfortable bed for Jesus while at the same time doing his work on earth.

Taking Back Sundays

As a child, I remember lazy Sundays. They were lazy because there was nothing else to do – church, home, and lots of football. It wasn’t just my family, it was everyone’s. Sunday was a day apart from the rest of the week. Nothing happened on Sunday. There was nowhere to go on Sunday. Sundays were long and luxurious.

Then things changed. I think we thought it was a good idea to repeal the Blue Laws. They were annoying. You couldn’t go to the market on Sunday. The pharmacy wasn’t open on Sunday. Monday through Saturday had gotten so busy. It seemed only practical to add another day of business to get all of it done. We wondered why were adhering to some silly old Puritanical laws anyway. Some in the state weren’t even Christian, why should they “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”. Sunday had potential. It was an unused resource.

At first it was kind of exciting, being able to transact business on Sunday. Suddenly there was more time to get things done. You didn’t have to get everything done Monday through Saturday, because now there was Sunday. Sunday soon became just another day for many of us. Sure it was part of the weekend, but you could now fill it in with kids’ sports games, grocery shopping, picking up birthday presents. . . Down time was a thing of the past.

In that change, we began and / or amplified a much larger change. Sunday family dinners became a relic of the past. Big dinners are now relegated to holidays and the occasional birthday. Sunday services at church started to become optional. If you could fit it into your busy schedule, you might go. There were now better things to do on Sunday; chores to be done or perhaps working yourself at the market, department store, or pharmacy.

Sunday no longer was a day of respite and rejuvenation. We were now fully plugged into the 24/7 society. These days, I have even found that you can bank on Sunday (What happened to good old banker’s hours?).

I ask is 24/6 ok? Can we turn back the clock and take back Sundays? We still have some vestiges of the Blue Laws i.e. no alcohol sales and no mail on Sundays, but there is even talk of changing those. Before we do, we better think not of what we are getting (the ability to get mail on Sundays or buy beer that you forgot to get the rest of the week), but what are we losing.

Sundays are days of family, fellowship, respite. For many, it is a day of prayer. Sunday should not just be another day in our hectic lives but a day to celebrate all that we have, a day to come back together with family, a day of peace in an otherwise crazy world. And if we disserve that, so to do the people working at the pharmacy, the market, and the department store. Let’s rebuild the family by giving it time to be together. Let’s regain our sanity by giving ourselves a little vacation every week. Let’s take back Sundays – for our community, for our families, for ourselves.

Perhaps we could all reply as my friend Lisa does when clients ask to meet her on Sunday, “I’m sorry. I reserve Sundays for my family.”

Dedication Sunday for Operation Christmas Child - Children's Sermon

Please join me today in praying over the 1,000's of shoeboxes that are being sent around the world in the name of Jesus Christ.




I will be giving the children's sermon today for the dedication. If you are interested, here is what I will be saying:

Welcome. I am so happy to see you all again. I want to read a story to you today based on Luke18:35-43. It is about a blind man who gets his sight back

“35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord, I want to see," he replied.

42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”

How many of you think that this was a miracle?
How many think that God has worked through you to achieve a similar miracle?

Well, today you are in the process of making a miracle. You are about to make, not one blind man see, but many people see. I believe that many of you brought in items for Operation Christmas Child and almost all of you made notes or pictures to pack with our boxes. Today we are going to bless them and send them on their way.

You are probably saying that is not a miracle. We can’t make someone see with a Christmas present. But I am here to tell you that you are part of God’s miracle and indeed you are opening eyes.

If there was a solid wood wall with a door between you and I, would you be able to see me? If then I opened the door, could you see me then? Doesn’t that mean that you couldn’t see me, but now you can? It is kind of like be blind but then having site.

These boxes that we are shipping all over the world are going to people that may know nothing about Jesus Christ or God. They can’t see him. They’ve never been introduced to Him. It is as if no one has opened the door to let him in, but now you are. You are opening the door and introducing these children to God. You are opening their eyes. You are letting them see God for the very first time. You are creating a miracle.

I want to thank all of you that brought in items, all of you that wrote notes, all of you that will help me after coffee hour wrap our boxes. Because of your efforts, we will be sending at least 20 boxes with the word of God. With your help now, I would like to add the most important ingredient to those boxes:

Before my words of prayer are said, I fold my hands and bow my head:

Dear God: Thank you for working through us to create a miracle. We pray that these boxes travel safely around the world and find just the right hands that you mean to receive each box. We pray that that child might receive the gift of your word and open their heart to all the wonders of Your love. We pray that you comfort them in their pain, support them in their troubles, and that through You they may find Everlasting Life and Love.
Amen

Amazing Grace - Il Divo

Sometimes nothing else need be said:




I think I will be stopping to pick up this CD.

Scouting Religious Awards

Do you know about the God and Me Program? PRAY publications puts out a curriculum for scouts and other youth organizations to earn their religious awards. In the Protestant faith, there are four levels: God and Me, God and Family, God and Church, and God and Community. Participants range from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Adults can particpate as councelors or can take their own faith journey as an adult mentor. The length of the programs depend on the ages.

We ran this program 4 or 5 years ago under the auspices of the Board of Christian Education and DH is running it again as part of his Wood Badge for Scouts. Ideally, children would participate at all four levels so they receive the most complete overview of their religion. Our children will be participating for the second time. DD at the God and Community level and DS, at the God and Church level.

Although this program can be time consuming, I have found it very useful in assisting children along their faith journey. Your minister has to oversee the program, but does not have to run or teach it. I encourage you all to look into it and see if it is a program that you may wish to offer at your church. There are actually religious awards in both Girl and Boy Scouts for almost every conceivable faith, PRAY only covers a portion of what is available. Check with your local councils for more information.

Be Inspired by Jesus' Ministry

Did you know that Jesus' ministry was between 2-4 years long (depending on scholarly opinions & interpretation). I have to admit that I did not. I had never really thought about it and certainly had never timed it out. I always assumed that it was much longer than that. Take a minute to think about that, Jesus' ministry - 2-4 years.

For me, this idea has huge implication: Two to four years of Jesus' life have reverberated and impacted people for more than 2,000 years around this entire earth. While clearly none of us are the Messiah, we are God's wonderous creations. What can we accomplish if we devote ourselves to a cause? What impact may we have?

This idea of micro & macro effect struck me. Jesus, one man in a very small area of our vast world, preached for a relatively short time and he changed the world. What seed did God plant in your heart? What gifts? How can your actions inspire others?

2 years, 2,000 years ago changed the world
What can you do with 1 hour a month?
a week?
a day?

Man Arrested for Stealing Communion Wafers

Last night, I saw the most disturbing news story on the news. It was reported that a man in Florida was arrested for stealing communion wafers in a church. He was actually physically held down by parishioners until the authorities came.

I guess I may have a warped view of this, as I have thought it before when I have heard about church robberies, so forgive me for spouting, but I figure that if someone has the gaul to come into a sanctuary and take something that they know is for the worship of God then perhaps they need it more than the church does. Specifically I think to several scriptures:

Matthew 12: 1-8

"1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (NIV)

1 Samuel 21

1 David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"
2 David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. 3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find."
4 But the priest answered David, "I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here—provided the men have kept themselves from women."
5 David replied, "Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!" 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. (NIV)

Matthew 25: 31-46
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)

I am sure that I could go on and on, but you get the point. I am also sure that there is more to this story than the briefing in the news, but if a man has to steal wafers, should we not hand him the whole bowl?

Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven Lesson Plan

Grade: 3-5


Pray: Dear God, Thank you for bringing us all together today to study Your Word. As we read, let our mind and hearts be open to hear. Amen

Activity: Create dough for bread using yeast. Leave some yeast in warm water with sugar aside to view shortly. Put some prepared dough in the oven to cook and enjoy later in the lesson.

Find: Matthew 13:31

Read: Matthew 13:31-33 (NIV version below)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
"31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
33He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Discuss: Show the students a mustard seed & a picture of a mustard plant.
Discuss what this comparison might imply?

Look at yeast mixture and the dough that you put aside. What has happened? What might Jesus be saying about heaven?

Explain and Create: Review the idea of a simile (comparisons using the words like or as). Have students make a few silly similes. Then reorder and brainstorm a list of similes about heaven. Record on large sheet or chalkboard.

(Extra activity if time: Have students illustrate one simile and post around room)

Discuss -why do you think Jesus spoke in parables. (Fulfilling prophecy, illustrative ideas to help people understand difficult concepts, intrigue people into asking more questions)

Enjoy fresh baked bread.

Close with Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for feeding us today both in Your word and with substance. Watch over each of us this week as we return to our daily lives. AMEN

Homework: Have students look through New Testament to find another parable that they can share with class next time.

Having Faith to Walk Across Water

“Time Warp”on discovery Channel reviewd the physical elements of oobleck, technically a non-newtonian liquid. It was cool to watch as they made an entire cement mixer of the substance. They batted it with a bat, rolled a blowling ball on it, and then walked on water. As I watched I thought of Jesus and Peter. Jesus walked across the water with ease and then Peter sunk. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31KJV)

Here too on the oobleck, if you did not keep the faith and the action, you would sink into the muck. Maybe the lake was a large non-Newtonian material to which Jesus knew the secret. Others could have followed if they believed with their heart and not their head. But even one moment of hesitation would cause you to sink.

Obviously I don’t believe that Jesus walked across a sea of oobleck, but even if they found a scientific explination would it lessen the impact of the lesson. Would the need for faith be any less?

This video is not the Time Warp version, I could not find it to share with you, but it is the same idea. You can also find a similar version from Mythbusters.



If you are interested in making oobleck with your children and studying its properties, check out this

Be Careful Where You Sit in Church

If you are not careful where you sit in church, you may get drafted into doing things that you don’t expect. Of course, I’m sure that most people will not sit less than 4 ft from their minister during a service, but in our church that is where the choir sits. I sit in the closest seat toward him as I am the tallest soprano. As we are taking communion this morning, suddenly I am being handed the tops to the bread baskets. He whispers, “Please put these somewhere” and then as the offertory comes in, I can see that there is no where to put that either. Communion is spread across the table. I again help out. However, trying to take the plates from him is easier said than done, as his fingers were getting caught between the plates. We did manage though.

Last week, we had a comical go round within the choir about when we should begin our recess. Usually we recess on the last verse of the last hymn, but one of the tenors always signals the number at the beginning of the hymn. The particular hymn last week was short and only had three verses. Murray coded two to which one of the other sopranos coded back three. He coded back three in confirmation / realization of the error to which the minister caught funny, coded “5”. This led to a flurry of hidden finger signals which ended with a very stern three signal. Then all I could think of was 3.1459 . . . which I thought would be a unique place to stop. Of course, I’m not sure how I would have signaled this, but it had me giggling inside all the way through the recession.

So as you choose your seat next week, you better choose wisely ; ) You never know what may be in store.

Apologetic - What do you believe? Why?

DD is working on her faith paper for Confirmation class. Our minister asks the students to write a paper to explain why they are part of our church and part of the confirmation class. He explained to all of us that he has them do this in the style of the Apologetics. Confirmation is the time for the students to decide their religious fate. Their parents can make them attend confirmation classes, but we cannot force them to be confirmed. We can dole out bribes or punishments, but the choice is ultimately the students both if they choose to join the church and to which denomination they choose to join. This faith paper is just one step toward making some of these decisions.

"Apologists are authors, writers, editors of scientific logs or academic journals, and leaders known for taking on the points in arguments, conflicts or positions that are either placed under popular scrutinies or viewed under persecutory examinations. The term comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), meaning a speaking in defense.
The term Apologist applies especially to early Christian writers (c 120-220) who took on the task of recommending their faith to outsiders." (definition from Wikpedia)

I thought that this was a great idea not just for her but all of to do. Why do we believe? What do we believe? I think that I may do this activity myself and read some other appologetics.

Have any of you written such a statement? Perhaps you could add a tag for us to read your statement.

Devotional - God's Gifts

Read Romans 12: 1-8

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28 (KJV)

As with many women these days, my days can be crazy - - -between work and the kids, there hardly seems any time. Yet, somehow I find a way to work in volunteerism, book clubs, and homeschooling our children. Although to outsiders, it looks like I am always organized and prepared, inside I’m terrified that I have forgotten something or wondering what I will do if something goes wrong. On one of these particular days, I was particularly harried I ran into my minister. He simply said, “You know, Dawn, Romans 8:28 that is what I always say.” I think the blank stare in my eyes told him that I did not understand the reference. “All things work together for good to those who love God,”(NKJV) he winked and walked away. Immediately I felt better. He was right. I was working for God. I had done all that I could to prepare. It was in God’s hands. I could relax.
“Romans 8:28” is now my mantra whenever I feel unsure or overwhelmed. It even has become a bit of a reassuring chuckle, when as I make brownies for coffee hour, I have just enough flour or when someone comes to volunteer when I haven’t even voiced my need. I have even reminder our minister of this scripture when I’ve seen our minister a bit harried or overwhelmed.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to find our Godly gifts so that we can better serve you. Help us to improve those gifts so that we show your glory throughout our church, community, and the world. Remind us that that when we do Your work, You stand beside us and carry us when needed. Amen

Thought for the Day
How can you use God’s gifts today?

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish except with apples and pasta

This morning I was trying to figure out what to make for breakfast. We are out of milk so choices were a little limited. I opted to make Apple Oatmeal Muffins as we have a bag of apples that was given to us after helping out at the crop walk (note: I know it takes milk, fortunately dry milk saves practically forever). As I was cooking away, it dawned on me that in the past two week’s several of our meal had come by the grace of God. I’m sure like many of you out there; we are starting to feel a pinch in this economic time and have been downscaling and being careful. One of the few discretionary expenses is food. The question becomes how far can you stretch a dollar.

Lately, especially after my car died this week, I have been feeling very depressed about the situation. I’ll be honest. I was losing hope. This morning though as I was stirring the muffin mix I realized that I was in the middle of my own loaves and fishes story. In the past week and a half or so, God had truly provided. Whenever we have done something for others or for the church, we have been rewarded. DH helped a friend at a Spaghetti dinner. He came home with extra ziti, sauce, apple cider, bread, and parmesan cheese. DH helped with our church auction, he and the kids were fed and we received a very helpful gift which allowed he and DS to get breakfast and lunch. We all partook in the Church pot luck for which DH made Chili using some of the meat sauce that we got from the spaghetti dinner. Then as I said from the crop walk DD and I received a bag of apples which have now served us apple crisp and now apple oatmeal muffins. Thanks be to God.

Sometimes you just need a reality check. As I worry, in my warm house with tv and internet, there are so many in worse shape. I could be serving my children mud pies like in Haiti to quell their hunger.

God, Thank you for all that you provide for me and my family. I am truly grateful. I am sorry for those times that I seem like an ungrateful, selfish child. Please forgive me. Thank you for reminding me of your presence today when I needed it. Please show my family how we can best use our talents to help in your service.
Amen

Children's Sermon - Reformation Sunday

For those of you that are protestant, you know what an important day today is. It is Reformation Sunday: the day to celebrate the posting of Martin Luther’s questions of the church. This reform eventually produced the Protestant religion. The actual date was October 31st, but it is celebrated in the church today.

It was my day to give the children’s sermon so I opted for this topic. It wasn’t biblical per se, but definitively historical to our religion. I wasn’t sure if the subject matter would go too far over the kids’ heads, but it went off very well. One of the kids even came up with the invention of the printing press to one of my questions.

I was so nervous and this weekend had not been going well. I even joked with the other choir members that if I seemed to get lost in thought that they should break into “Jesus Loves Me” to save me. And just before I went down to the give the meditation, I actually gave a quiet prayer asking God to help me through and getting his message across.

The general mediation went basically like this:
Welcome everyone. How are you today? Today we are celebrating a very special day in the Protestant religion. Way back on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther began the reformation. Some of you may have heard that word earlier when mentioned that today was “Reformation Sunday”.
Sometimes when you are part of the church there are words or terms that go over your head. Today, I am going to try to let you know what this special day is about. The reformation was started by Martin Luther (Not Martin Luther King Jr. that many of you may be familiar with, but Martin Luther). Martin Luther actually set out to ask some questions about the Holy Roman Catholic church. He did not set out to beginning a new church, but just to reform the Catholic Church. Reform – thus we call “Reformation”. He began a protest that became our protestant church.

Interestingly, part of what happened Marin Luther never intended. Have you ever done something that you haven’t thought something all the way through. For example, if I had a pile of books next to me and asked one of the kids to take out the bottom one. If he pulled the bottom one out, what would happen? (the books would fall over) This is kind of what happened to Martin Luther. He was troubled by some of the things going on in the church and so he got his quill out and wrote down 100 questions and thoughts which he posted out on the door to be discussed. But there was a little invention that had just come out. Does anyone know what that might be? (the printing press)

Exactly, very good. So the note that Martin Luther had posted on the door was taken down and copied. Copies spread throughout the town, Germany, and even to other parts of Europe. The for a series of political, social, and religious reasons, a protest was begun: A protest that would lead to the reform of the church and the founding of the church.

And one of the important parts of our church is the questioning and learning. That is why our minister is Dr. Reverend so that he can help us learn and understand. So keep questioning and keep learning and this Friday take a few minutes to say thank you to God for the special man, Martin Luther.

Before my words of prayer our said, I fold my hands and bow my head.

Dear God,
We have so much to be thankful for. Specifically, we thank you for Martin Luther. We thank you for giving him the insight and courage to begin the reformation that led to the Protestant church.
Amen

Sing Unto the Lord

“Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel." - Judges 5:3 (KJV)

"Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!" -1 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)

"Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.' - Psalm 9:11 (KJV)

Singing was one of my favorite things as a teenager, but just as many other activities and interests; it had gotten pushed aside by the responsibilities of work and family. I could, however, be heard singing song in the shower or as I did my chores. DD picked up on this and started to encourage me to join the choir at church, which I finally did last year.

I hate to report that my range has diminished and I’ve forgotten so much about technique it is truly sad., but it feels so good to sing in church. There are times I actually get the chills (and that’s not just when I hit some horrible dissonant note).. Singing and making a joyful noise makes me think of the way some worshippers transcend space and time and feel one with the spirit. While I am not quite at that point, it is a spiritual experience.

So I encourage all of you, no matter your voice or talent to make a regular joyful noise unto the Lord. It will add another dimension to your worship.

Devotional - Let All Blessings Flow

Read Psalm 100

“And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessings.”
-Ezekiel 35:26 (KJV)

I had hit a dark time. It seemed that I could not escape a sadness that had taken over. I had spent so much of the past months helping with my mother’s care that when she died, I did not know how to go back to my “regular” life. Everything became a chore – something to get done so that I could get to the next thing. I knew I didn’t like being this way, but I could not seem to break the gloom. I decided that I needed to change my perspective, to start seeing God’s blessings again. I started to literally count my blessings. Each night before I went to bed, I listed at least five blessings that had occurred in my day. At first it seemed hard. One and two usually came quickly, but I really had to think of three, four, and five. But then as I continued, I could almost feel the Holy Spirit fill me. He hadn’t left me before. He had carried me or I most surely would have collapsed, but now He took a new role. As I asked for Him to fill me up, he did. As I took one step forward, He took two toward me. It wasn’t long until I could not only list 5 blessings a day, but could often fill full pages. God’s blessings were simple things like the flutter of a butterfly. They were concrete like cuddling with my children. They were spiritual like the feeling when singing hymns in church. I was awake again and in God’s light. It had always been there, but now I could see it.

Prayer: Dear God, You are always with us in dark days and joyous. Thank you for always being there. Please help me to continue to see the many blessings that you pour onto us. Amen

Thought for the Day:
Blessings are all around us, if we would just stop to look.

Mission Monday - Knit One, Save One

Here is a terrific opportunity to help the world with a small action. Knit One, Save One is run by Save the Children. The program is requesting us to knit or crochet hats for infants (plans are in their booklet) and to send a note to our new President to make sure that he knows infant health care is our priority and should be his. I encourage all of us to participate in this program. I think DD and I will try to crochet at least one hat. I hope that you will too.

Book Club - The Year of Living Biblically

A.J. Jacobs is insane. Trying to live a year following the all the rules in the Bible literally, is the definition of ab absurdum. His wife Julie deserves all of our respect. She not only endured this year but did it while carrying twins. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed his experience from the safe distance of my couch.

I was intrigued by this book, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possibly, as soon as I heard about it. It seemed like an interesting way to learn more about religion and to hear another opinion about God’s word without having to endure the slog through another dry read. This book is witty, insightful, and a joy to read. There were some areas that I wish he developed more, but he does a good job covering a huge range of Biblical topics from the wearing of tassels to snake handling.

I would not recommend this book to people who believe that the Bible IS the word of God as they will call it heretical and dismiss it outright, but for those who believe that it contains the word of God, this is a worthwhile read. This book will make you consider areas of the Bible that you had not before. It may give you insight as to why the Bible calls us to do things that we don’t fully understand.

As for A.J., a self-proclaimed agnostic, it is interesting to read his own personal transformation: from purposeful prayer to inspired prayer; from A.J. to Jacob and back to A.J.?; from Jewish by genealogy to Jewish by life choice. One of my favorite scenes was his time locked in his bathroom – did the handle fall off or perhaps a greater hand in his lesson? A.J.’s voice is friendly and interesting and though most of us probably would have given him wide berth in his white un-mixed fiber costume, you will want to continue to hear from him. In fact, I plan to try to get his other book The Know It All out of the library today.

,

(Oh wait - I have to read Suite Francaise for the Book Club - see how this becomes a problem?)

Bible Study - Jesus birth through baptism

As I have mentioned, in Bible study we are reading “A Harmony of the Gospels” by Ralph Heim, which is a parallel way of looking at the gospels. Each gospel is lined up so that you can see what they have in common and what they don’t. For this week’s assignment we read the first section (basically, the birth of Jesus through his baptism and temptation by the devil).

The most interesting part is the volume of words. The book of John is mute. There is no writing in this section at all. Mark is second, keeping his words to a minimum. Mathew and Luke however have a great deal to say.

It is also interesting to note the phrasings that are identical between some of the books: John the Baptist “making the path straight”; John saying “After me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry”, and they all seem to concur that the heavens were opened and a dove came down (although there seems to be some semantic disagreement about who / what the dove is) along with a voice that was heard saying, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased”. They also all seem to agree that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Luke and Matthew give much more detail to this, while Mark’s explanation is rather brief.

I also found differences as interesting as similarities. For example, neither Mark nor John speaks of Jesus’ lineage in this section; however, Matthew and Luke do. Interestingly too, differences arise. One, the lineages don’t match until both reach King David. Two, it is interesting that Matthew only extends the line back to Abraham while Luke finds importance in extending the line back to Adam and therefore God. Of course I find it rather interesting that this paternal genealogy is so pertinent when just a few verses later they make a point that Joseph is not the father of Jesus, but that Jesus is God’s son and he has no earthly father.

I look forward to a lively conversation on this section and can barely wait to read on and see what else I notice due to the different format. How I wish I knew and understood more. I will pray for God to continue to direct my learning and understanding of this miraculous book, the Bible.

If you read the Gospels in parallel form, I would love to hear about some of your insights.

Mission Mondays - The Hunger Site

Apparently, I should not have called this post Mission Mondays because I don't seem to make the posts on Mondays and when I find something I want to share, I don't want to wait.

Another way to help without spending a penny. It costs you just the time it takes you to go to this site and click. While you are there check out their other click to help sites.

Devotional - God Endures

Read Peter 1: 23-25

“And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:11 (KJV)


When we bought our new house, we were so excited to have land of our own that we could plant and till. Due to the costs of actually buying the house, we had little extra to expend on purchasing more, but yardwork could easily be done with little expense. We were often out raking and planting. I took advantage of the many perennials that were already in the yard, splitting them and moving them to new areas. During this time, we came across many interesting things: more golf balls than could fill three coffee cans, old rusted tools still stuck in the soil, two stones that had etched in them Mom and Dad, an old wooden swing discarded in the woods. We could only guess where these things were from and why they were left here.
Inside, however, sat our Bible, a book filled with stories thousands of years old and a word that is just as true today as the day it was first written: A simple, but visible reminder of the fleetingness of this life and a promise of the everlasting life to come. A reminder of where our focus should be as we set about making our new home. Paint would make the house look pretty. Flowers would bring a sweet aroma. But without the foundation of our family in the Good Book, all our work would be for naught.


Prayer: Dear God, It is so easy to dream of more: to always wish for newer cars, bigger houses, and fancier clothes. Please forgive us for these earthly desires and remind us where the true treasure lies. Amen

Thought for the Day:
Center your life around God.

Confession Time

I did not go to church today. I have not missed in quite a while and today, there really was no excuse. My stomach was bothering me, but I’m sure I could have made it through. DH and DS were camping, but DD and I could have gone. I feel guilty for the choice not to go. We used to skip all the time. We didn’t really even go to church between the time we got married and the time we had children, but now it has become a very central part of our lives. This week though, I skipped. It was a pretty selfish choice and today hasn’t seemed right since. If I could rewind, I would get my lazy but out of bed this morning and get to church on time.

How important do you think going to church is to your faith?

mission Monday - HELO, Inc

At our Girl Scouts meeting last night, one of the girls invited Elisabeth Kennedy to speak to our girls about her mission. The girls have been working on their Global Girls interest project and have been learning about many of the issues that affect women and children around the world. After doing several other activities, the girls created a display about women and children's at our local library. This reminded one of the girls about a speaker that she had heard and so she asked if we would be interested in having her speak to us, thus last night Elisabeth spoke to us about her experiences. After 9/11, Elisabeth began her trips to Haiti. She was so touched and tortured by what she found, she has committed herself to making a change. Through a series of unexpected events and a bit of grace, last year she opened an orphanage in les Cayes, Haiti. Her orphanage currently cares for 13 children, who without her intervention would be left to their own devices and possibly not survive. Her orphanage brings hope and opportunity to these children and hopefully many more to come. She named her program HELO, Inc. HELO stands for Home, Education, Love, and Opportunity. Elisabeth says that she has learned to take small steps but in the course of a year, she has already rented a house for the children, hired caretaker, and begun the kid’s education, but her dreams are larger. She would like to care for my children. She would like to own a campus where a church, school, and home can all be developed for the children. It is important to her that the children have a skill that can carry them on after they leave the care of the Centre Fe Formation Juvenil Bethestda.

We can help in this mission by:
-Becoming more educated about the situation in Haiti and educating others.
-Praying for this mission.
-Donating money (If you are interested in this option, HELO is a non-profit agency. The address for donations is HELO, Inc, 43 Lake Shore Dr., Middlefield, CT 06455. If you would like to specify usage for your money, please choose one of the following categories: Shelter, Food, Education, School Supplies, Clothing, Building Fund, or you can sponsor an individual child for $75 per month. Include your name and address so that a receipt can be returned to you).

The entire meeting left me thinking of the amazing power of One. Elisabeth had felt the calling and she acted. It is quite an amazing story.

PS. I know that it is not Monday, but this infomation couldn't wait.

New Sunday School Ideas

We did the Operation Christmas Child all church activity today. It was a little chaotic and I missed the beginning of church because I was setting up, but 45 minutes into the program all the kids were seated and still working on their respective projects. I figured this alone made the program a success. Afterward, the superintendent of the Sunday School, myself, and a mutual friend were talking. We started by talking about the fact that Bible Quest has ceased publication and now the Board of Christian Education has to find a new curriculum, but we digressed to a discussion of the number of students. We didn’t have 60 students in the program today. This is down from registration in previous years of up over 100 – not a good sign. Our conversation developed into a conversation about how important is was to keep a strong Sunday School. It is easy to say that our numbers are down, the economy is tight, perhaps we should scrimp, but I think that if we scrimp we will loose the battle. Loose the children: Loose the parents.

So, does anyone have any good Sunday School Curriculum that they can recommend (we are a Congregationalist / Methodist church)? Or any innovation Sunday School ideas that we might incorporate to spice up the Sunday School?

Operation Christmas Child - All Sunday School Program - Final Plan

Whole Group –
Prayer:

Dear God:
Thank you for bringing us all here today.
Please assist us as we undertake Operation Christmas Child again this year.
You have given to us and we understand our obligation to give to others.
We look forward to passing on our blessings like clothes, toys, and school supplies, but most importantly passing on your love and your word.
Please be with us as we fill our shoeboxes and shower your love on those who receive them.
Amen

We have participated in Operation Christmas Child for several years now. Can anyone explain about this project to someone who is new?

Here is a quick quiz for everyone:
How many different countries received gifts through Operation Christmas Child in 2007? 10, 50, or 100
How many shoe boxes were sent in 2007? 700,000; 1,000,000; 7.6 million

The journey of these boxes is very much like the delivery of gifts many years ago. Can anyone think of gifts that were delivered a long time ago?

You know, I think those bearers of gifts are here today (in walk three kings).
King 1: We are the three Kings
King 2: We have traveled a long way to worship the king of the kings.
King 3: We come bearing gifts.
King 1: I have gold fit for a king.
King 2: I have frankincense for a priest.
King 3: I have myrrh to symbolize that his death will be as important as his birth.

(kings will stand frozen while the scripture is read)

Matthew 2:1-12 (New International Version)
The Visit of the Magi
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magifrom the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.



Today we are going to begin thinking about our gifts. Gifts that will not be going to Jesus, but instead going in his name. From now until November 9th, we ask that you bring donations for us to fill shoeboxes. I will pass out fliers with information to each of you, but don’t feel that you have to put together a whole box yourself. If you bring in items we will combine them into boxes from all of us. To that end, we are going to begin our journey today with a few fun activities. I’m going to break you up into three groups pre-K -2nd; 3-5; 6-8.

Break kids into smaller groups as described below:

Group 1: PRE-K to 2nd (four older children to facilitate)
Create the star that the Magi saw – Have star cutouts available. Let kids use glue and glitter to decorate. Let the kids know that they should take this star home to remind them to bring their gifts in, just like the Wise Men did when they saw the star.
Take picture of group.
Have kids decorate Gingerbread Cookies to serve at coffee hour. Explain to them that this is how we are going to let the adults know that we are kicking off Operation Christmas Child.

Group 2: 3 to 5(Two older kids)
Take picture of group.
Brainstorm and write down ideas on a board about what God expects of us and why we do missions. After several ideas are written down, ask kids how do these ideas fit into how they behave and act. Do they need to change to better reflect these ideas?
Decorate wrapping paper. Explain that we would like to wrap the gifts with their love. Ask them to use symbols of God and Christmas to decorate the paper.
When they are done, fill in “about me” paper.

Group 3: 6-8 (2 adult)
Explain that part of the mission of these boxes is to convert people to Christianity. Many of the people that get these boxes may never have heard about God’s love. This box may be their first contact with God.

Ask them to write a letter / note to the recipients about how Jesus & God has affected their lives and why they should received God into their lives.
Challenge them to think about how we could expand this program to include our community.
Give them materials to create posters for town wide collection or pen and paper for a letter to the editor.

Dismiss as needed.

If extra time, come back together as group and do Pass the Prayer Parcel(copied from http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/files/file/OCCCelebrationGuide.pdf ).
Hand out boxes to groups. Explain that, in the manner of ‘Pass the Parcel’, you will play some music during which each small group passes the box round. When the music stops, the person holding the box takes out a slip of paper containing a prayer and reads it out. When the room goes quiet, start the music again and continue.

[Picture: Exercise booksandpens]
God, our maker,
Everyone needs to learn.
We pray that our gifts will help children to
enjoy learning at school.

[Picture: Woollyhat]
God, our maker,
Everyone needs clothes.
We pray that our gifts will help children to
keep warm, day and night.

[Picture: Toothbrush]
God, our maker,
Everyone needs to keep clean,
We pray that our gifts will help children to
enjoy looking after themselves.

[Picture: Teddybear]
God, our maker,
Everyone needs to be loved.
We pray that our gifts will help children to
know that someone cares for them.


When you think everyone is finished, bring the music to an end and conclude with the following prayer:

Leader: God, our maker,
we are all your children,
and we all need your help.
We thank you for giving us Jesus,
because he shows us
how much you want to help us in our lives.
Amen
(copied from http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/files/file/OCCCelebrationGuide.pdf )

Incredible Church Photography

In researching the development of churches for the confirmation class I can by these beautiful pictures by Paul Wainwright:





You have to visit this photographer's site, go visit the exhibition, or buy his upcoming book or prints. His photographs reminds us how special our meeting houses are. These are only two of the many, many on his site.

Bible Study Begins

Today was the first day of the new year of Bible Study. In the past we have worked through Karen Armstrong’s History of God & Our Religions. This year we are going to focus more on Christianity and are going to be working through A Harmony of the Gospels by Ralph D. Heim. It is a parallel gospel so that we can compare the similarities and differences in each book. As our minister noted, too often we blend similar stories into one and forget the differences. I look forward to really delving into the gospels.

In today’s conversation, I was intrigued by the idea of scripture. As we discussed the writing of the gospels we contemplated the audience to which the texts were written. At that time there was no New Testament, nor a consideration of one. While each may have known of the other’s writings, they were not originally intended to be together. When they were talking of scriptures, they were speaking of their religious scripture, i.e. the Old Testament. This may seem like a silly point but it really struck me as profound. It is hard to imagine that they originally saw themselves as a sect of Judaism and not as the beginning of a new religion called Christianity!

Confirmation into Our Church

Well, DD has entered a new phase of life. She has begun confirmation classes at our church. Tonight, parents and children were required to attend. This is the beginning of 20 classes until Confirmation Sunday in April. As those of you who read DD’s entry on A Cup of Tea with Mom and Me, being confirmed at our church means a great deal to her.

The class started with a quiz:
1. In the Book of Genesis there are how many creation stories?
2. God asks Abraham to leave Ur and travel to what land?
3. Even before he had 12 sons God changes Jacob’s name to?
4. King David conquered what city and made it his capital?
5. King Solomon built the first one of these buildings?
6. The first five books of the Bible, also known as the Torah, are:
-Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Joshua, and Deuteronomy
-Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
-Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Judges and Deuteronomy
7. What two Sacraments are celebrated by Protestants
- Holy communion and Baptism
-Holy communion and Confirmation
-Holy Communion and Holy Orders

There is more but I will not bore you. They then made us compare our scores with our children.

Fortunately, I beat dd. Not all parents did.

Over the next 20 weeks, DD will have to write an apology, do research on an important religious figure, attend a retreat, read a book on the history of Christianity, and pass periodic quizzes. And worst of all, I have been tapped to teach next week’s class. DD is not too thrilled with this and I just hope that I can do it justice. I have to instruct ,with the help of one of the dad’s thank goodness, on the architecture of the church and on how our church works. When she has survived all this, she will be a full member of our church.

Book Club - Suite Francaise

We have decided on a book Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. Barnes and Noble describes it as:

"Beginning in Paris on the eve of the Nazi occupation in 1940. Suite Française tells the remarkable story of men and women thrown together in circumstances beyond their control. As Parisians flee the city, human folly surfaces in every imaginable way: a wealthy mother searches for sweets in a town without food; a couple is terrified at the thought of losing their jobs, even as their world begins to fall apart. Moving on to a provincial village now occupied by German soldiers, the locals must learn to coexist with the enemy—in their town, their homes, even in their hearts.

When Irène Némirovsky began working on Suite Française, she was already a highly successful writer living in Paris. But she was also a Jew, and in 1942 she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died. For sixty-four years, this novel remained hidden and unknown."


A couple of women in the church have read it and recommended it. It certainly sounds interesting. If anyone wants to discuss it once I've read it, I'd love to. I have also reserved The Year of Living Biblically at the library. It just looks to good to pass up.

Church Book Club - November Reading

Has anyone read this book?



We left our book club last month without picking a new book and frankly I’m a little nervous about attendance. A couple people recommended books that other book clubs are doing, but I’m not sure that it is worthwhile doing books that other groups are currently doing. It may reduce the possibility of people coming. As we are a church group, I thought this book might bring up some very interesting conversations.

These are the other books that I was considering.






Let me know if you have any insight on any of these. I welcome your help.

All Church Activity - Kick Off Operation Christmas Child

I have to do an all Sunday School activity next Sunday as we kick off our Operation Christmas Child Collection. I am thinking of trying to do a rotational system. The OCC facilitator’s package comes with a great DVD full of videos about the program, but we have watched the video every year. Usually I have all the kids come together, watch a section of the video and then do some sort of note making that we include in the boxes. Last year, we also took a picture of all the kids to include in the boxes too. The problem is that there are so many kids, I’m not sure that they all stay focused. This year I’m thinking of breaking them into four groups maybe pre-k –k, 1- 2, 3-5, 6-8 and then having four stations.

STATION ONE can watch the DVD – there are plenty of different levels so we can choose to watch sections appropriate to their age instead of boring the older children or being too advanced for the younger ones.

STATION TWO can create wrapping paper. Instead of buying wrapping paper, it might be a great idea to have the kids create the paper. I will have to check on prices of butcher paper. We can supply stamps, markers, and stickers to decorate the paper. Note to self: I will need a lot of extra hands in this station.

STATION THREE can create the note cards. The OCC site has a PDF note card that some of the younger kids can do, but I’ll have to think about what the older kids can do.

STATION FOUR - HMMM? Here I may need some assistance – Maybe we can do a verse memorization or a group prayer. Maybe a relay. Perhaps they could decorate some Christmas cookies to serve at coffee hour. I am really open to ideas.

I have a week and a half to get it all pulled together. If anyone else does Operation Christmas Child and does related activities with their Sunday school, I would love to hear about it. We aren’t doing the Children’s Sermon related to OCC until Dedication Sunday in November, so I have barely even begun to think about that.

Children's Sermon - You Mouth is Your Rudder

I am so happy to see you all here today.

One of the last times that I talked to you, I mentioned that you should think and pray about scriptures. To show you that I was serious about this fact, I would like to show you one way that I do this. I read a devotional. I have found I really like the Upper Room Devotional, but there are all kinds of other devotionals: Devotionals for kids, for moms, for men, for teens, for girls. Devotionals usually have you read scripture and then have some commentary about it. Some devotionals include prayers, related scriptures or quotes, or sometimes even a game or comic. When I was reading mine the other day, September 24th actually, I thought of you all. The topic was “A Gentle Answer” and the reading was James 3:2-12.

First, I thought that the book of James may be one of the lesser known of the 66 books so you may find that interesting. Actually, I thought it might be interesting if you challenged your parents or older brothers and sisters tonight to list as many books of the Bible as they could and then you could check to see how close they were to 66.

Secondly, I thought this would be appropriate because it speaks to my comment about the Bible that although it is an old book, it relates to our life today. The Bible gives us direct instruction about how we are to live our lives. The particular reading for today relates to our mouths.

I assume you all have a mouth. How many of you have a brother or sister? How many of you have parents? Well, then this scripture speaks to you directly.

James 3:2-12 (New International Version)

“2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Have you ever yelled at your brother or sister? Or gotten mad at your parents and said something mean? That is exactly what this scripture is about. If we say that we are trying to be Godly and therefore praise God, should we use the same mouth to be mean or hurtful. If we use our mouth to say prayers, should we use the same mouth to use bad words? When we use our tongue for evil or bad, we aim our entire life in that direction. If you want to do well, then speak well.

The devotional actually goes on to tells a story about a woman who was quite upset. She called to complain about service on her computer. She was really angry and ready to scream at whoever answered the phone, but when the woman answered the phone she was very pleasant, “Hello, how can I help you?” With a little of her thunder stole, she told her complaint to which the woman replied apologetically, “I am so sorry, we will be right over to take care of your problem.” By being nice to the complainer, everyone’s mood changed. Bad was made good.

So I encourage you to live as you believe and to let your tongue direct your body toward goodness.

Let me finally share with you from the devotional, the prayer for that day. Before my words of prayer are said, I fold my hands and bow my head.

“Father, help us to mirror the character of your son, Jesus, not only in good times but also when we are tired, frustrated, and upset. Amen”

A Prayer - - -

I’m asking for a small prayer for a small child. Our friend’s daughter was placed in the hospital to help her fight off an infection. She has Cystic Fibrosis. I encourage you to go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s website to learn more about this disease. In the meantime, please send a prayer for a small child who is not sleeping her own bed tonight but in a hospital and for her parents and brother, who are watching over her.

Favorite Sermons?

This weekend as I mentioned I did the Children’s Sermon again, due to the illness of the regular lady. I felt very badly about the situation since the regular woman is still not feeling well. I asked her sons how she was doing. The boys, who are adults, both have special needs. They related how badly their mother felt about not being present at church to give her “favorite” sermon. This favorite sermon has become a bit of insider joke in the church. I cannot tell you how many years she has given the same sermon. The sermon has no scriptural basis, but is related to the children of the church listening to their parents as we all set you for our local fair. Most people were thrilled not to hear this same sermon again. It made me realize that I better be wary of creating a “favorite” sermon. Being able to refer to the sermon as “favorite” may imply that I have told the sermon one too many times.

Mission Mondays - Box Tops for Education

In these tough economic times, it is always helpful to find ways to help that don’t cost you more money. Certainly you can always offer sweat equity, but here are two related ideas that build on actions you already take. Most people are already familiar with the traditional Box Tops for Education: clip, collect and send in those little boxtop coupons found on our food packages . However, some people may not realize that if your school is not already listed, you can add it in. This is not just true for public schools but also for private schools and homeschool organizations. Also, the program does not end with boxtops. Since all of us need to shop, if you do so through their online corridor, you will not only buy what you need, but also will be adding a donation to your chosen school without spending a cent yourself. BoxTops has partnered up with companies like JcPenney, Staples, Barnes & Nobles, and many, many more. Donations for your purchases range from .5 - 22.5% depending on the store's particular arrangements. Both of these programs are terrific opportunities to help out, without cutting into your already tight budget.

God's Plan - I am his pawn

Today, I gave one of the Children’s Sermons. I cannot say that I felt that the spirit within me. I felt rushed and skipped key parts that I wanted to get across. I was complemented by those that heard it, but I did not feel I had gotten across what I had wanted, what I felt I was supposed to get across. I sat back down in the choir pew after finishing. Fortunately, one of the other choir members hugged me from behind and complemented me in my ear. I tried again to release my vanity into the air. If there was a message to heard, God would be sure that it was heard. It was not for me to worry. I had done the best I could for that day, that moment. It amazes me how this journey of faith continues. I thought that I had come so far and now I am realizing that I haven’t even put my shoes on to start the journey.

Children's Sermon - Parable of the Wheat

As we talked about last time, this book, the Bible, is full of stories. Some of the stories that you will find are called parables. Jesus actually tells many parables in the New Testament. Does anyone know any parables? (if you get them to respond and get a good list of them, you do not need to continue with the next line)

Some parables that you may be familiar with are the Mustard Seed, the Lost Sheep, Laborers in the Vineyard, the Talents, the Good Samaritans, the Prodigal Son, but there are also many, many more.

I looked the word up parable online; this is the definition that I found: "1. A short moral story 2. Any of the stories told by Jesus to convey his religious message." A synonymous word is fable. See the unique thing about a parable is you are hearing one story, but if you think about what you are hearing you will realize that there is another story hidden inside it. The hidden story often carries with it a moral.

Today, I am going to read you the parable of the Wheat in Matthew 13:24-30.
“Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

" 'An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' “(NIV)

In this particular case, Jesus helps us along in our understanding by explaining the parable a few verses later in Matthew 13:36-43, but I think that if we really put our thinking caps on, we can figure it out for ourselves.

Have any of you gardened?

Have you planted seeds? What did you plant?

Did you have to weed after that? Was it hard sometimes to tell the difference between the weed & the plant?

Which is good, the weed or the plant?

Which is bad?

What if we imagine that this garden was full of people instead of plants? Are there good and bad people?

Ok, what if the garden wasn’t a garden but the whole world? Who do you think the gardener of the world might be? (make sure that they come to the conclusion that the Gardener is God).

You guys are very smart! So when we hear the parable of the wheat we are to understand that Jesus is talking about us. That at the end of times God will separate the good from the evil. The good will be rewarded in the Kingdom of heaven.

Some of Jesus’ parables are easy to understand and other times they take a lot of thought and consideration, but I encourage you to read more of them by yourself or with your parents. If you ever want additional help understanding them or you are not sure if you have discovered the real secret message – I’m sure that (insert your minister's name) will happily discuss your thoughts.

Before my words of prayer are said, I fold my hands and bow my head:
Dear God, Please be with us as we explore your words. Help us to uncover the meanings in your world and to lead our life in the way your word directs.
Amen

Am I Mary or Martha?

I have been mulling over the devotional that I read the other day. It spoke to working for the church, but not working with the spirit. This devotional spoke directly to me. I tend to get so caught up in plans and activities that I forget what I am there for. Church can become a chore and not a joy. It made me think of the story of Mary and Martha:


"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42 (New International Version)

I need to take a breath and focus on my real purpose. This certainly does not mean that I cannot help out at church. It just means that I need to remember what I am really there for.