(Materials Copyright: The UCC GO Project 2022)
Theme Discussion
Check out this week’s cartoon:
We know how God loves us, and because of that, we know how God wants us to love others. Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart and soul. Jesus also taught us to love others as God loves us and as we love ourselves.
God’s dream (God’s vision of shalom, the kingdom of God) reminds us of God’s hope for us and the world. When we are overwhelmed by things or full of worry, it can be hard to know if we should take care of ourselves or be there for others. Sometimes we just want to take care of ourselves or ignore everybody else.
When we rest in God’s love, we know we are cherished and cared for. When we rest in God’s peace, we can be fully present in the moment. When we rest (and play!) in God’s delight, we can find joy all around us. When we rest in these ways, we fill up our spirits and we can also rest in God’s hope and be part of making God’s dream come true.
It’s not just taking care of others and it’s not only taking care of ourselves. When we care for ourselves, we care for others. We can be good friends to all people. We can love beyond boundaries, we can care for our neighbours and ourselves because we know God loves us all.
Wondering
I wonder what God’s love feels like?
I wonder what it would be like to love and care for others like God cares for us?
I wonder if it’s easy or hard to do that?
I wonder what it would be like if everyone was welcome and cared for and had everything they needed? I wonder where God is when we are welcoming and caring for our neighbours?
Music
Response Activity Ideas
Lenten Toolbox: Love Your Neighbour Jar
We are called to love our neighbours as God loves us and as we love ourselves. Think of ways we can love our neighbours, and think about who our neighbours are, expanding from a neighbour being just the ones next door to everyone we meet.
Materials: Jar, stickers, coloured paper, glue, scissors
Start by decorating your “Love Your Neighbour” jar with a colourful label, stickers, coloured paper shapes, or any other designs you wish.
Next, brainstorm ways that you can love your neighbours and write them down on a big list, adding a drawing if you want. Cut them apart and put them in the jar.
At home, try to do something to help people every day or every few days. Pull an idea out and try to do that. The jar can also go in the Lenten tool box, although we can help our neighbours all the time.
Self-Portrait
Create a self portrait, reflecting on the physical aspects of identity. This activity relates to the Greatest Commandment to love ourselves as God loves us and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. It begins to explore who we are, and how what we look like can affect how others see us. It also celebrates diversity.
Look in the mirror and describe the shape of your face; skin colour and complexion; eye shape and colour; hair colour, texture, length and style; nose shape; and other characteristics like birthmarks, freckles, glasses, braces, etc.
Using whatever art supplies you have available – paint, crayons, markers, etc. – take your time and create a detailed self-portrait.
Discuss:
What do you notice about your self-portrait?
How does your self-portrait reflect aspects of your identity in terms of race, ethnicity and other identity characteristics?
How do you look similar to and different from people in your family, friends and classmates?
God’s Dream Village
Watch the video for If the World Were a Village:
Discuss:
What does it need to make sure everyone has what they need?
What does your world look like?
What does it need to be God’s dream for the world?
Design a village for 100 people, imagining what the world would be if God’s dream was lived in the world today.
You can draw this world, sculpt it out of clay or play dough, build it out of blocks or loose parts, or create it in other ways.
As you work think about:
What do you like the best? What needs improvement?
What aspect is most important?
What the world be like if God’s dream were here now…
Lord’s Prayer Rewrite – Youth activity
Think about the Lord’s Prayer as a vision for Shalom.
Read traditional and contemporary versions of the Lord’s prayer then see if you're up for writing your own. As you read different versions explore what imagery comes to you for God's Shalom. Think about what you like, don't like, agree with, disagree with, etc.
Traditional (Breaking it down):
Our Father, (A greeting)
who art in heaven, (how we know God)
hallowed be thy name (Acknowledge the mystery)
thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth (A Shalom Vision)
as it is in heaven. (to come to life on earth)
Give us this day our daily bread; (take care of our daily needs)
and forgive us our trespasses (forgive us)
as we forgive those who trespass against us; (help us forgive others)
and lead us not into temptation, (what is temptation?)
but deliver us from evil. (What is evil?)
For thine is the kingdom The power and the glory (may your love last always)
Forever and ever
Amen.
Contemporary:
Eternal Spirit, Source of all that is and ever shall be,
Loving Parent in whom we discern heaven,
May knowledge of your holiness inspire all peoples,
And may your commonwealth of peace and freedom flourish on earth
Until all of humankind heed your call to justice and compassion.
May we find the bread that we need for today,
And for the hurts we cause one another
May we be forgiven in the same measure that we forgive.
In times of trial and temptation, help us to be strong;
When life seems overwhelming, help us to endure;
And thus from the yoke of sin deliver us.
May you reign in the power of human love, Now and forever.
Amen.
(Adapted from the prayer book of the Anglican Church of New Zealand)
Now try writing your own!