(Materials Copyright: The UCC GO Project 2022)
Theme Discussion
The theme for this Lent through our Sunday School resources and our Lenten ‘Wreck This Journal’ has been rest and self care following Jesus’ example. Check out this week’s video with another example of Jesus teaching the disciples to take time away.
The new reading for today is:
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
God created an amazing world and we are God’s delight: God’s piece of art, God’s masterpiece. We are made so that we might do the good things God planned for us long ago... which Jesus says is to love our neighbour in the same way that God loves us.
We don’t know exactly how Jesus played but we do know Jesus talked about love a lot. Jesus often ate meals with his friends and welcomed people in. He gave thanks. He seemed to notice and delight in the things around him. He noticed birds and plants and told stories about everyday things. He was present in his environment and present in his relationships. This suggests he delighted in the world around him and joyfully gave thanks for it.
Wondering
I wonder what a work of art is?
I wonder what it feels like to be God's work of art?
I wonder what delights you? Or makes you feel full of joy?
I wonder what delights God?
Music
Response Activity Ideas
Lenten Toolbox – Blowing Bubbles
Basic Homemade Bubble Solution
1 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid.
Mix up a batch of bubbles, by combining the above ingredients in a small jar. Create a bubble wand by curling one end of a pipe cleaner around in a circle or using a large straw.
Play with bubbles can be a meditative prayer activity. Take deep breaths in and blow the bubbles with a slow, steady exhale. Think about sending a prayer to God in each bubble as they float around the room or outside.
Tightly cover the jar of bubbles and place in your toolbox for another time.
Delight in Nature
Try sprouting a seed! You could use dried beans, seeds from inside a fruit or veggie you have in your fridge, or from a seed packet. Place a few in a ziptop bag with a damp paper towel. Close the bag and tape it to a sunny window to make a mini-greenhouse. Be patient… then delight in the new life growing right before your eyes!
Delight in Laughter
Did you know that laughter boosts your immune system?! The goal of the following exercises is to encourage more laughter in our time together and lives - to delight in God's laughter!
Make laughter milkshakes: Mix your own laughter milkshakes. Have everyone hold a pretend glass in their hands. Say, "Imagine all the funny thoughts you are going to put into the milkshake... think of the funniest things you’ve done, times when you’ve had the giggles and of things that really made you laugh. Put all of those thoughts into your milkshake. Shake it all around and drink it up. Feel your body start to laugh. Let the laughter bubble up... laugh and let it all up and out. Drink three laughter milkshakes!" Delight in watching everyone drink from theirs and as everyone begins to laugh.
The ‘Copy My Laugh’ Game: Stand in a close circle. One person can start off with a laugh that will then be copied by the next person, and so on. The goofier, the funnier!
No Smile Game: Pair off and see who can withhold from smiling the longest – sure to make everyone laugh pretty quickly.
Delight in Colour – Milk and colour experiment
Materials: Milk, liquid food colouring (not gel), dish soap, q-tips, a shallow pan or plate, towels or paper towels in case of mess.
Pour a thin layer of milk in a shallow pan. Add drops of food colouring all around in the milk. Dip the q-tip into the dish soap, then press the cotton swab into the drop of colour. Press it down in one spot and hold it for about 15 seconds. Continue to play in all the colours and see what shapes you can get!
What’s happening: For a very basic explanation, milk is made up of minerals, proteins and fats. The dish soap starts to break up the milk. The soap molecules move around, trying to attach to the milk. We can see it because of the food colouring. Normally, we wouldn’t see it happen.
Delight in Play – for Youth/Young Adults
Check out this information sheet about play styles. Read it and think about these questions:
Which one(s) feel the most like you?
What ways that you play feel most refreshing or energizing?
Do you have similar play styles to your friends or family?
Do you have enough play in your life? If not, where it is missing? How could you can add more play?