Sunday school activities - September 4

Think and Learn

Read today’s scripture passage below. This version is from the translation called “The Living Bible”:

Luke 14:25-33 25  Great crowds were following him. He turned around and addressed them as follows: 26  “Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. 27  And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. 28  “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills? 29  Otherwise he might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh! 30  “‘See that fellow there?’ they would mock. ‘He started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’ 31  “Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of 10,000 is strong enough to defeat the 20,000 men who are marching against him? 32  “If the decision is negative, then while the enemy troops are still far away, he will send a truce team to discuss terms of peace. 33  So no one can become my disciple unless he first sits down and counts his blessings—and then renounces them all for me.

In this message, Jesus is telling his friends that they really need to think about what they are doing if they want to follow him. It’s not a light decision! In those days, following Jesus literally meant leaving home, your family, your job – everything! – and going on a journey that would take you far away and would often be very difficult. He is telling them that they have to be ready to give up the things they love if they are really going to make this commitment.

Being a disciple of Jesus today doesn’t usually mean that you need to leave your home and family behind, but it does mean that, if you are going to follow him, you will think about his teachings when you make decisions – and sometimes those decisions might be hard or uncomfortable. One way to be a good follower of Jesus is to think, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” Jesus says it’s like making a plan for a big project. You need to know before you start what materials you need, how much it’s going to cost, and how much time you need to dedicate to getting it done.

We know that Jesus loves us and that he wants us to be able to be good followers of his teachings. He knows that we are human and might make mistakes along the way. He wants us to know that, even when we really, really want to be the kind of people God needs us to be, there will be times when we are tempted to give up and times when doing the right thing just seems too hard. At those times, Jesus knows that God doesn’t reject us. We are blessed with the love and grace that allows us to recognize our mistake and try again. Being a good follower of Jesus takes a lot of practice, but it’s worth it, just like learning any new skill.

Wonder

1. Have you ever wanted to buy something big but didn’t have enough money for it? Maybe you’d like to buy a new bike. You might have to save up for quite a while. That can be really hard! It might be tempting to spend some of your money on something smaller – a movie with friends, or candy, or a cool t-shirt. If you really, really want that bike, you have to make some choices so that you really can save enough money. What are some ways you might plan to earn enough money to buy that bike? What are some strategies you might use to make sure you don’t spend all your money of little things along the way and miss out on that bike?

2. Do you know how to play the piano or another musical instrument? If you do, you know that it takes a lot of practice. You can’t just decide one day, “I think I will be a concert pianist!” and have it happen immediately. First you need a piano, and then you need someone to teach you, and then you need to spend a lot of time practising and learning more and more. To become a good pianist will mean giving up some time and it will mean really dedicating yourself to getting better and better. What makes this hard to do? What kind of things might you have to give up to reach your goal? How can you keep yourself motivated to learn a skill that is difficult or complicated?

3. Can you think of some times when being a follower of Jesus is hard? Read these examples and think about what you would do in that situation:

•  Someone is being bullied at recess and everyone is just watching.

•  Someone plays a prank or tells a joke that makes another person feel bad. All your friends are laughing.

•  You are making a list of people to invite to your birthday party. You want your whole class to come – except for that one kid…

•  Your Sunday School class is collecting bottles to raise money for the food bank. You could take some of the bottles back yourself and have some money to spend on a treat.

• No one would know.

Do

Sometimes it’s good to have a reminder to ask yourself, “What Would Jesus Do?” when you are making choices. You may have seen some people wearing a bracelet with the letters WWJD. Each letter stands for a word in that question and is just the reminder we might need! Here’s a simple way to make one for yourself:

You will need:

 Three colours of embroidery floss or yarn

 Two pony beads

 Letter beads W, W, J ,and D.

1. Cut the strands into about 2-foot lengths. You need enough to braid together but not so

many that you can’t thread them through the holes in your beads.

2. Tie the three colours together about 3 inches from the ends.

3. Thread on one pony bead and tie another knot to hold it in place.

4. Separate your strands by colour and braid the three colours together for about 2 inches. Make a knot.

5. Thread on your letter beads WWJD, tie another knot. If you like, you can put a knot or a little bit of braiding between the beads.

6. Braid again for about 2 inches and tie a knot.

7. Add your last pony bead and secure it with a knot.

8. Get someone to help you tie it to your wrist and trim the ends.

Sunday school activities - August 28

The scripture reading for this week is Luke 14:1, 7-14. You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HahHU5vRTns

Think & Learn

When I was growing up, my mom and dad always sat at the two ends of the table; we children seemed to always sit in the same places each time too. Even when we had company, the one thing that never changed was that Mom and Dad sat in their usual spots. Do you have a special place you like to sit at the dinner table? Does your family have set places for each person, or do you just sit wherever you want each meal? What about on special occasions; is there a special chair for the person celebrating their birthday or do they still sit in the same spot?

In today’s story, Jesus is at a wedding banquet and he notices that people are all scrambling to get the best seat, at the head of the table by the host. He tells them that this is the wrong way to go about it. You can’t make yourself the most important person in the room just by taking that seat! It would be very embarrassing if the host says, “Sorry, this seat is reserved for this special guest. You will have to move.” Jesus says it is better to start by being humble and assuming that you will be seated at one of the less desirable spots, so that, if the host comes and says, “Oh, please come sit up here by me!” you will be honoured rather than embarrassed.

Wonder

Think about the difference between the two examples in Jesus’ story.

How would you describe the person that pushed their way into the seat of honour?

How would you describe the person who let others rush for the “good seats” and found a spot out of the way?

How do you think the other people felt about each of those people?

Have you ever met someone who thought they were better than everyone else in the room?

Maybe they think only their ideas are good…maybe they don’t give others a chance to talk…maybe they brag about their clothes or their house or their abilities… How do you feel when you are around people like this, who “puff themselves up”?

Have you ever met someone who always offers to let others go first, or who likes to share things, or who compliments others’ clothes or abilities? How do you feel when you are around people like this, who are “humble”.

Which kind of person do you think will have the most friends? Which kind of friend would you like to be?

Which kind of person do you think Jesus wants us to be? Why?

Do

Can you think of someone you know who works hard at a job we all need but does not always get the the appreciation they deserve? (Perhaps the clerk at a store or the people who deliver your mail or pick up the garbage, ect.) Make a thank you card and deliver it to them.

Then, if you have time, find the hidden words:

Sunday school activities - August 21, 2022

Today’s Scripture Story: Jesus Healed a Woman with a Crooked Back (Luke 13:10-17)

One day Jesus was teaching people in one of the synagogues. A synagogue is a place of worship for the Jewish faith, like a church is for us. That day, there was a woman at the synagogue. Perhaps she knew Jesus would be there, but the woman was not able to see Jesus; she was only able to hear Him because her back was crooked. She was so stooped all she could see was the ground. The woman could not look at the sky or the birds flying above. She could not see a rainbow or look up at the faces of other people. She had been this way for a very long time. Jesus saw her. Jesus wanted to help the woman. He called out to her and said, “You are well; your back is no longer crooked.” Then Jesus gently put his hands on her. Instantly, she stood up straight. The woman was so happy! She praised God that Jesus had healed her crooked back. There were many people who watched and listened to what Jesus was doing. They, too, praised God for how Jesus had healed the woman with the crooked back. However, a synagogue leader was upset that Jesus had performed the miracle on the Sabbath because Jewish law said that no work should be done on that day. Jesus told him that no one would leave their animals unfed or tied up just because it was the Sabbath; they would feed them and let them out into the fields. He argues that, in the same way, it was right for him to heal this woman who had been bound by her disability for so long.

Think & Learn

The Sabbath day in the Jewish faith falls on Saturday. It is a day of rest and a time for worshipping God. In strict Jewish cultures, no work at all is to be done on that day – and there are a lot of things considered to be work! No cleaning or gardening or doing homework, not even any cooking – all the meals need to be prepared the day before. People who follow this law very closely even consider little things, like pushing an elevator button, to be work and so even those things are not allowed! Our Sabbath day, in our faith tradition, falls on Sunday. There was a time, not so long ago really, when stores and movie theatres and businesses were closed on Sundays. It was a day when no one had to go to work except for people in emergency services or jobs to take care of others. Many families went to church and then spent the day together or visiting friends and relatives. It was a day of rest and worship too.

Wonder

1. Why do you think the synagogue leader was upset that Jesus healed the woman that day?

2. Why do you think Jesus felt that this was something that needed to be done right then and couldn’t wait for another day? Do you think he made a good decision?

3. Do you have a day of rest? Do you think it is important? Why or why not? What kinds of things would you do or not do on a day of rest?

4. What would you like about a day of rest? What would you not like?

5. Do you think rules and laws need to be followed to the letter at all times? Why or why not? What would make it ok to ignore a rule? Who should decide if a rule or law applies or doesn’t apply in some cases?

Do

Helping Hands Chain

You will need:

• Crayons or markers

• Scissors

• Glue or tape

• Paper (Construction/cardstock)

• Stickers, glitter, or other decorative items

• Pipe cleaners

Procedure:

1. Trace hands onto cardstock or construction paper.

2. Cut hands out and add captions on one side depicting “helping hands.”

3. On the other side of hands, place different elements that can be used as a loved one for a “coupon” (a kind act, gift of time, etc.).

4. Add extra decorations as desired.

5. String onto pipe cleaner and deliver the “coupon book” to someone that might need help!

Sunday school activities - August 14, 2022

Luke 12:54 -56

54  Then he turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west,

you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right.

55  “When the south wind blows you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56  Hypocrites! You

interpret the sky well enough, but you refuse to notice the warnings all around you about the

crisis ahead.

Think and Learn

In this section from today’s gospel reading, Jesus sounds a little frustrated! “For goodness

sake!” he says, “You recognize signs about the weather, so why don’t you pay attention to

other signs in the world that are important?”

Wonder

Are there some things happening in the world today that you think Jesus would want us to do

something about?

Are there some signs you think we should pay attention to in order to make the world a better

place today and in the future? Signs that the earth is in danger? Signs that people are not taking

care of each other?

Why do you think it is hard for people to pay attention to those signs?

Sometimes change is difficult for us – especially if that change might mean more work, or if it

means we might be a little less comfortable. Can you think of some examples?

Sometimes we feel that, by ourselves, we are too small to make a difference. Are there some

things we can do to make small differences have a big impact?

What are some things that each of us can do to protect the earth?

What are some things that each of us can do to make life better for others?

Do

1. Make leaf rubbings on paper.

2. If you’d like an extra challenge, calculate your family’s carbon footprint.

Sunday school activities - August 7, 2022

Think and Learn

This scripture has 3 messages:

1. Don’t be afraid!

2. Get rid of your “stuff” and collect “treasures” instead.

3. Be ready!

1. In the first message, Jesus is telling his followers not to worry about things so much. God

is with us to make sure we have what we need – maybe not what we want, but what we

need. We know that not everyone in the world has what they need. There are people

who are hungry or who have no home; there are people who always live with war and

violence and don’t know peace; there are lots of problems in the world, for sure. But, if

we look around, the answers to these problems are probably there. The trouble is that

those of us who have more than we need might have to let give up some of our comfort

and luxury to give others the things they need.

2. The second message tells us something about how we can do that – get rid of our

“stuff”. So much of what we think is valuable is really just “stuff” after all. So, instead of

collecting and saving that “stuff”, Jesus says we should collect “treasures”. I don’t think

he means valuable items like jewels or cars or even money - that’s just more “stuff after

all! He wants us to build up the kind of treasure that will make a difference in the world

– things like love, trust, responsibility, generosity, kindness…

He also tells us to make a strong “purse” to keep those treasures in. where do you think

you could keep that kind of treasure safe? Would you keep them in a titanium box? Or is

Jesus talking about some other place?

3. The third message says we should always be ready for when God or Jesus might come. It

would be easy to be ready if we had an email or a phone call to tell us that he’s on his

way, but we never know when Jesus is going to come through the door.

Wonder

1. Jesus tells his followers to sell their possessions. I don’t think he is saying that he doesn’t

want us to have nice things, though; he just doesn’t want us to hoard too many things

when we could use them to help others. How do you think you could help someone else

by getting rid of some of your things?

2. What do you think is the “strong purse” that Jesus wants his followers to make? Where

can you hold on to things like love, trust, responsibility, generosity, kindness? How do

you make it stronger?

What are some other “treasures” that you could keep in that “purse”?

3. What do you think it means to be ready for when He comes? What does being ready for

Jesus look like? When do you think you should start getting ready?

Do

1. Heaven Treasure

Print out the colouring page. On each picture of a jewel write something that counts as treasure in God's Kingdom. For example, sharing your toys or donating food to the food bank. Think of things that you can do to make the kind of treasure that God counts. Then colour the jewels.

2. Clutter Clearing Scavenger Hunt

Check out your own room and stuff, and see if you can find at least one of each of the following items:

• A piece of clothing that you don't wear anymore (maybe you outgrew it) that you can give to someone smaller than you.

• Something that you don't need to keep that can go into a recycling box.

• A toy or game that you don't play with anymore that you can give away to someone who would like it.

• Something you would like to share with a friend or sibling (maybe a treat like some candy, or a game you would like to play with them).

• A book to donate to the library because you aren't going to read it again.

• Something you don't need but can use to decorate a homemade greeting card (then make one with it).

Once you have found as many of these items as you can, then spend some time doing the things suggested with them (giving them away, recycling, sharing, etc.) Make sure you only find things from your own stuff (not your brother's or sister’s or parents' stuff) for this game, and check with a parent before giving or throwing away stuff. 

Sunday school activities - July 31, 2022

Think and Learn

God wants us to enjoy the world that God has made for us, and appreciate the good things that are in it: the food we eat, the clean water we can drink, safe places to live and the beauty all around us. But if we are greedy and have more than our share of things and don’t want to use these things to help others, is that what God wants us to do?

If you want something – maybe some new stylish shoes like all the other kids are wearing--and maybe tell your parents that you need it, do they ever say something like, “Do you really need that, or do you just want it?” What do they mean by a question like that? Perhaps they mean something like, “People do need shoes, but you already have a perfectly good pair of shoes that still fits, so do you really need those shoes, too? Or do you just want them because they are in style and you are envious of your friend who has them?” Then they might remind you that there are lots of other kids in the world who have to walk around in worn out shoes (or shoes that are too small for their growing feet, or even barefoot) because their families don’t have the money to buy new shoes. Is this how God wants the world to be, with some kids having more shoes than they need, and other kids having no shoes or shoes with holes or that pinch their toes? 

Jesus often taught lessons about how God wants us to live, using stories that he made up to teach us a point. We call them parables. A parable is a short little story that can really make us think. Most of them tell us something about how we should live to make the world the place that is the way God wants it to be.  Today we have a parable called “The Foolish Rich Man”, about a man who was pretty greedy and selfish, and learned a lesson about that. You can read the parable of “The Foolish Rich Man” in the Bible at Luke 12: 13-21.  A kid-friendly version of this parable can be watched on YouTube at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THPWXkJI_Rs

The foolish rich man had stored up more grain than he could ever use in a lifetime and then it all went to waste because he died before he could enjoy it. Can you think of some other examples in our modern world of situations where we might be tempted to keep so much of something nice for ourselves that we never would get to enjoy it? (For example, if you had a big birthday cake and decided not to share it with your friends and family but save it all to eat by yourself, it might get stale and have to be thrown out before you could eat it all. Can you think of other examples?) Wouldn’t it be better to share it with others who don’t have any than to try to keep it all to yourself and have most of it go to waste? Which way would Jesus want us to live? 

Wonder

• Has someone ever refused to share something with you, even though they had a lot of it? How did that feel?

• Can you think of anything that’s enjoyed more when it’s shared?

Do

Sunday school activities - July 24, 2022

Think and Learn

In the last few weeks we have been looking at one special prayer for Christians all over the world: the Lord’s Prayer.  The Lord’s Prayer is special because Jesus used it to teach all of his followers how we can communicate with God every day. There are many other prayers that have also been written down that we can use to communicate with God. Some are in the Bible (for example, many of the Psalms are prayers written by King David) and some have been written down in other places. Sometimes we might find a written down prayer that does a great job of putting something like our own thoughts and feelings into words, and so we might use those same words to pray to God. We can say the words out loud or just think them, and God gets the message. Sometimes the songs we sing can be prayers, too.

Using prayers other people have written down is good, but we don’t always have to communicate with God by repeating other people’s words; we can just say what we want to say to God in our own words, or we can use other ways besides words alone to communicate with God.

Think about how you communicate with other people, especially your close friends and family members who know you well. Communication isn’t always with words. Sometimes you communicate by your actions, such as perhaps holding the hand of a person who is feeling lonely or lost, or giving a pat on the back to encourage someone who is doing well. Sometimes we communicate using music that expresses how we feel, or by painting a picture, or by our facial expressions. There are many ways that humans communicate with each other. We can also use those ways to communicate our feelings and ideas to God.

Some of the things that we might want to communicate to God include: 

Thanks and praise for the good things we and other people have received, such as our family, good food, a safe and comfortable place to live, or the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature;

Things we need and hope to have soon;

Help with problems we have and ideas on what we can do to solve them;

Help for other people, perhaps those who are sick or in danger;

Feelings we have that are bothering us. For example, being angry with someone or feeling sad about something.

Real communication is a two-way street. If we really want to communicate with God, we have to pay attention to God’s response to our prayer. God doesn’t always, or even usually, send us a message in spoken or written words. But if we wait for God’s response, we might recognize it in a feeling or an idea that comes to us as we wait for an answer to our prayers. Or it might be in seeing how a problem gets worked out or could be made better after you have prayed about it.

Wonder

• Can you think of a time when you felt that God was communicating right to you

after you messaged God with a prayer?

• How do you like to pray? Words? Singing? Using a prayer that’s already written down, or using your own?

Do

This activity emphasizes God’s love for each child and his desire to communicate with us.

Items to Pack

• construction paper

• crayons or markers

• bright and colorful stickers

Set out the construction paper, markers or crayons, and colorful stickers. Make an invitation from God, inviting you to come and talk to God. Fill in the remaining information as follows:

Time: any time!

Place: any place!

Date: any day!

Sunday school activities - July 17, 2022

(adapted from “The Lord’s Prayer: An Illustrated Curriculum” from Illustrated Children’s Ministry, 2019. Used with permission.)

Think and Learn

This is the last lesson where we’ll be looking at the Lord’s Prayer. The first of this week’s verses are “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This directly names the temptations and hard times we will face in our lives. The Jews faced many struggles, and it was a challenge to keep faith in God.

To be tempted is to feel the desire to make a choice you know you shouldn’t make. When we pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we can think of this as keeping us from the temptation to use violence or participate in harming the life of someone or something. Many times we are tempted to use our power in a way that hurts people. When we ask God to lead us not into temptation, we can think of that as a way to say we will use our power in God’s way, by being loving, just, and compassionate.

“For yours is the kin-dom and the power and the glory, forever,” are words of praise. It means that all the world, the power, and the glory belong to God, the one who can empower us to live out this prayer and bring God’s kin-dom to the world.

 The prayer ends with “Amen,” which is a way of saying “may it be so.” By ending the prayer with this, we are committing to making this prayer a reality here and now.

Wonder

• Have you ever felt tempted to do something you knew you shouldn’t?

• What has helped you make the right decision when you feel tempted?

• How have you seen power used for good? How have you seen it used for evil?

Do

In today’s colouring page, there are paths across the page, each with a different type of temptation you might face. On each of the paths, write how you would respond in a loving and caring way. When you’re done, colour in the rest. 

Click here to print pdf

Sunday school activities - July 10, 2022

(adapted from “The Lord’s Prayer: An Illustrated Curriculum” from Illustrated Children’s Ministry, 2019. Used with permission.)

Think and Learn

This is our fifth session in our lesson on the Lord’s prayer. Many churches use different versions of the line, “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Some say “sins” and some say “debts”. In Matthew’s Gospel, this line is, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Throughout the book of Matthew, the words “debts” and “sins” were often used to mean the same thing. To the original listeners, sin meant the breaking of relationship or connection. 

Money and debts are one of the biggest ways to hurt each other. Because of the way the world works, having a lot of money means having a lot of power. When we pray to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors,” we are praying for a world where people aren’t divided, especially by money. 

A well known parable about debt and forgiveness is the story of the Prodigal Son. A father has two sons. The younger one of them asks for his inheritance early, and moves out. The son then wastes all the money he was given and is left poor and hungry. The son decides to return home to apologize to his father and ask to be hired to work on his father’s farm. The father, instead of being angry, is so happy to see his son again that he throws a party for his son who has been restored to the family. 

In this parable, forgiveness is about restoration. It heals and it puts people in harmony. Because we belong to each other and to God, we owe one another our commitment and collaboration in making a just world where everyone can flourish. For that to happen, we will need to have compassion for ourselves and each other the way the father and the younger son in the parable did. 

Wonder

• Do you remember a time when someone owed you something? Or when you owed someone else something? How did it feel?

• What did you like about the parable of the Prodigal Son?

• Have you ever forgiven someone for something? Have you ever been forgiven? How did it feel?

Do

This week's colouring page shows the party the father throws for his son. It seems to be missing things through. Draw what you think the party is missing: people, food, decorations, anything else. Then, colour the rest of the page.

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - July 3, 2022

(adapted from “The Lord’s Prayer: An Illustrated Curriculum” from Illustrated Children’s Ministry, 2019. Used with permission.)

Think and Learn

This is the fourth session in our lesson on the Lord’s Prayer. Just like the opening of the Lord’s Prayer emphasised Our Loving God, this part of the prayer also connects us with each other. As we pray “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are asking that everyone receive daily bread.

In Jesus’ day, Jews believed there would be a huge banquet in the world to come where all people would be invited to feast with God. Praying for daily bread is praying for God’s kin-dom to come now. Bringing ‘daily bread’ requires active participation from us. While the earth makes the grain, people turn the grain to bread. God wants to partner with us in bringing God’s kin-dom, and by praying for daily bread, we are saying “yes” to being partners with God.

Bread appears often throughout the Bible. In many of the stories involving bread, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks to God as a form of blessing, breaks the bread, then gives it to the people. Examples of such stories include the feeding of the large crowd, and the Last Supper.

Later in the Gospel of John, Jesus calls himself “the Bread of Life”. With this name for Jesus, we are reminded that Jesus feeds our hearts with the encouragement we need to keep hoping and serving as we work for God’s dream of a better world.

Wonder

1. Have you seen people take food, give thanks to God for the food, and share it with others?

2. Have you thought about how your food grows or gets made and comes to your table?

3. When have you used something God gave you to help somebody else?

Do

This week’s colouring page shows a crowd of people around Jesus as he takes, blesses, breaks, and gives bread to them. Draw yourself in one of the faces. Then, fill in the other faces with people you know.

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - June 26, 2022

(adapted from “The Lord’s Prayer: An Illustrated Curriculum” from Illustrated Children’s Ministry, 2019. Used with permission.)

Think and Learn

This is the third session in our lesson on the Lord’s Prayer. This week we will pray for our world, reflect on what God’s reign looks like and see how the Lord’s Prayer calls us to be active in bringing God’s transformative kin-dom to the world around us. The line that we will reflect on is this:

“Your kin-dom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

First, let’s talk about some important words.

A system organizes how a group of people live and work together. Family systems, educational systems, government systems; each system has its rules and expectations, but they can help us work together. 

Not all systems work well, though. In Jesus’ time, the Roman Empire, or kingdom, was the system governing everyone. Unfortunately, that system wasn’t a good one; the people in charge got more money and power while the poor became poorer. Even some systems today are like this.

God’s kin-dom, however, is a system where everyone is cared for, treated justly and has the things they need. When we pray “Your kin-dom come”, we commit to taking an active role in changing the unjust systems around us. We can bring about God’s kin-dom of justice and love by sharing with one another, listening to and learning from one another, laughing and crying with one another, and standing up for people treated wrongly. 

Jesus told several parables or stories about God’s kin-dom. For example, Jesus compares God’s kin-dom to a tiny mustard seed. Though it is a tiny seed, it grows to become an enormous tree providing shelter and food for other living things. This parable teaches us of how God’s kin-dom generously nourishes life and is gentle in its power.

Wonder

1. When did you stand up for someone who was being treated unfairly?

2. Have you ever worked to change a rule that wasn’t fair to make life fairer  for yourself or someone else?

3. Name some ways how you show your love and kindness to others at home, in school, at church and other places. 

Do

Write a parable like the ones Jesus told about God’s kin-dom. Keep in mind that, in parables, everyday items and ideas are used to describe more complicated ideas. For example, comparing God’s kin-dom to a mustard seed. The parable you write should be about what you think the kin-dom of God would look like today.

This week’s colouring page has plenty of space for you to draw the parable you wrote.

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Sunday Worship Service - June 19, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

INDIGENOUS DAY OF PRAYER / HONOURING FATHERS

June 19, 2022 – 10 am

Summer Sermon Series: “The Good News in One Word”

* The live service will be broadcasted and recorded on YouTube, check your email for the link.
The audio recording of the live service should be available by phone Monday afternoon at 613- 820-8104

Gathering Music: We Must Learn to Walk Together – Waites
Singalong

Refrain:
As the seasons keep on turning,
we are held in Creator’s hands.
We must learn to walk together,
to reconcile this land.
To reconcile this land.

1. When our respect grows, day by day,
when we learn, and sing, and pray.
When courage rises in one and all,
then justice comes, and truth stands tall!
Justice comes and truth stands tall! Ref

2. When honest words replace old lies,
when we smudge, and sweat, and cry.
When wisdom calls and we sing Love’s song,
then balance comes, and we’re made strong!
Balance comes and we’re made strong! Ref

3. When we have honoured elder’s years;
when their stories soothe our fears
When laughter rises, we dance and drum,
then healing comes, our hearts are one!
Healing comes our hearts are one! Ref

Words & Music © 2016 Lisa Waites
Reprinted with permission for Indigenous Sunday June 2022. All rights reserved.

Acknowledgement of Territory[1] 
Rev. Lorrie Lowes

We begin this time of worship by acknowledging that we are meeting on the land of the Algonquin and Anishinaabe people. This land has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. We thank all the generations of Indigenous people who have taken care of this land and been its stewards for thousands of years. We give thanks for the countless ways they have assisted the settler peoples who came to inhabit the land. We also recognize the contributions Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and strengthening this region, the provinces, and Canada as a whole. May the Creator hold us gently in this time as all mourn the loss of innocent Indigenous children’s lives. Meegwetch. All my relations.

Welcome & Centering for Worship
Rev. Kim Vidal

Lighting of the Four Candles
Acolytes:  Ruth & Ian Howes

From the light of Christ, we light these four candles to remind us of our relationship with our indigenous sisters and brothers.
We share in God’s dream of abundant life for all. (Yellow candle is lit)
We give and receive gifts of deep emotion, deep wisdom, and deep love. (Black candle is lit)
With gratitude, we praise Creator God, to seek transformation, and to celebrate the power of the Spirit who is always moving. (Red Candle is lit)
We light this candle to remind us that we are not alone as we do the work toward God’s dream of truth and reconciliation. (White Candle is lit).

Sung Response: Spirit of the Living God  -  Voices United #376

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us. (2x)
Break us, melt us, mold us, fill us.
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us.

Words & Music © 1926 v.1 Daniel Iverson, arr. © 1987 Darryl Nixon.
Song # FBC-A003716 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Call to Gather & Prayer of Approach [2]
Rev. Lorrie Lowes

In the presence of Creator, we gather:
People carrying burdens we may not know about looking for comfort; folks needing their spirits refreshed.
We draw together hoping for that touch that will enliven us, longing to be embraced in arms of love and understanding.
Help us to put aside our differences and see the earth as you see it, boundary-free.
You call us all: babies, toddlers on unsteady feet, school-age children with curious minds, teens with questing spirits, full of youthful confidence one moment and like frightened children the next.
We are called, as adults trying to take good paths watching out for the next generations, and those easing into their winter years passing on our teachings.
We are all kin in this meeting place whether we gather in person or through technology, our spirits joining to say meegwetch for all that we have been blessed with.
Thanks be to God for the goodness in our lives. Amen.

Opening Hymn: Called by Earth and Sky – More Voices #135

Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.

1 Precious these waters, endless seas,
deep ocean’s dream, waters of healing,
rivers of rain, the wash of love again.

Refrain: (French)
Du-ciel et de la terre,
Nous entendons l’appel’
Nous de-vons ché-rir l’univers,
é-crin de vie, pré-cieuse et belle;
du-ciel et de la terre.

Verse 2 (French)
Pré-cieux est l’air que l’on respire,
libre est le vent; Es-prit qui souffle,
viens nous in-struire, de grâ-ce
nous com-blant.

Refrain (French)

3 Precious these mountains, ancient sands;
vast fragile land. Seeds of our wakening, rooted and strong, Creation’s faithful song.

Refrain

4 - Precious the fire that lights our way,
bright dawning day. Fire of passion,
sorrows undone, our faith and justice one.

Refrain

Words & Music © 2005 Pat Mayberry, Arranged © 2005 Marg Stubington, Translation: 2006 David Fines
Song#119776 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime
Rev. Lorrie

Hymn: We Are One in the Spirit (They’ll Know We Are Christians by our Love)

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord (2x)
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored. Ref

Refrain: And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; (2x)
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land. Ref

We will work with each other, we will work side by side (2x)
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride. Ref

Words and Music © 1966 Peter Scholtes FEL Publications assigned to Lorenz
Song #81199 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination[3] 
Reader: Jordan Berard

Gracious God, take the words I will speak and bless them.
Take the listening we will bring to the Word and empower our reflection with action. Amen.

The Gospel Reading: Luke 8:26–39 (The Living Bible)

26 So they arrived at the other side, in the Gerasene country across the lake from Galilee. 27 As he was climbing out of the boat a man from the city of Gadara came to meet him, a man who had been demon-possessed for a long time. Homeless and naked, he lived in a cemetery among the tombs. 28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell to the ground before him, screaming, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? Please, I beg you, oh, don’t torment me!”

29 For Jesus was already commanding the demon to leave him. This demon had often taken control of the man so that even when shackled with chains he simply broke them and rushed out into the desert, completely under the demon’s power. 30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked the demon. “Legion,” they replied—for the man was filled with thousands of them! 31 They kept begging Jesus not to order them into the Bottomless Pit.

32 A herd of pigs was feeding on the mountainside nearby, and the demons pled with him to let them enter into the pigs. And Jesus said they could. 33 So they left the man and went into the pigs, and immediately the whole herd rushed down the mountainside and fell over a cliff into the lake below, where they drowned. 34 The herdsmen rushed away to the nearby city, spreading the news as they ran.

35 Soon a crowd came out to see for themselves what had happened and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet, clothed and sane! And the whole crowd was badly frightened. 36 Then those who had seen it happen told how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And everyone begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone (for a deep wave of fear had swept over them). So he returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.

38 The man who had been demon-possessed begged to go too, but Jesus said no.

39 “Go back to your family,” he told him, “and tell them what a wonderful thing God has done for you.”

So he went all through the city telling everyone about Jesus’ mighty miracle.

May God’s wisdom invites us to reflect on this Gospel story. Thanks be to God.

Ministry of Music: O God, I Know Not What to Ask - Snowdon
BCUC Choir

Sermon: “Legion” 
Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Lorrie

Grandparent God, look at our brokenness—
we know that in all creation
only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way.
We know that we are the ones who are divided
and we are the ones who must come back together
to walk in the Sacred Way. 

As we reflect on the history of the relationship
between the church and Aboriginal peoples,
we pray for openness.
In our learning and in our growing, may there be healing. 

As we open ourselves to the stories
of Aboriginal peoples hurt and wounded
by residential school and other experiences,
we pray for compassionate listening.
In the telling and in the hearing, may there be healing. 

As we feel the pain of individuals and communities
and recognize our impoverishment of spirit
through our failure to honour the gifts of different cultures,
we pray for a hunger for new ways
of walking the earth together.
In our recognition of the need for forgiveness
and for change, may there be healing. 

As we work together to embody
the spirit of reconciliation and healing,
we pray for expectant anticipation that our life together
in the church will be enriched and deepened.
In the giving and in the receiving, may there be healing. 

As we move forward as the people of God,
lifting up and supporting our sisters and brothers
of all tribes and races, we pray for God’s richest blessings.
In the honouring and in the sharing, may there be healing. 

Grandparent, Sacred One,
teach us love, compassion, and honour
that we may heal the earth and heal each other.  [4]

All these we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us join together in reciting the First nation’s version of the Lord’s Prayer.

Great Spirit, whose long house is in the sky,
whose hunting ground is the earth,
mighty and fearful are you called,
Ruler over storm, over human, bird and beast,
over earthway, over skyway;
Find us this day our meat and bread,
that we may be strong and brave.
Put aside from us our wicked ways,
as we put aside bad works of them who wrong us.
Let us not be led into troubled roads
but keep us from all evil.
For yours is all that is: the earth, the sky, streams and hills,
the stars, the moon, the sun,
and all that live and breathe the wonderful shining mighty,
mighty Spirit. Amen 

Invitation to Offer
Rev. Kim

Our offering of time, talents and treasures, is an act of love. We give from what we have and as we are able; but always, we give in the name of love. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church, mail them to BCUC, or send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to Bells Corners United Church.

Offertory Prayer

The world is very much with us this day: places of peace and places of conflict.
Receive these gifts from our hands and hearts, so that the world may be changed through them, by the power of your Spirit working in them and working in us. Amen.[5]

*Hymn: Faith of our Fathers    Voices United #580

1 Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy,
whene’er we hear that glorious word:
faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.

2 Faith of our mothers, daring faith,
your work for Christ is love revealed,
spreading God’s word from pole to pole,
making love known and freedom real:
faith of our mothers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.

3 Faith of our sisters, brothers too,
who still must bear oppression’s might,
raising on high, in prisons dark,
the cross of Christ still burning bright:
faith for today, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.

4 Faith born of God, O call us yet,
bind us with all who follow you,
sharing the struggle of your cross
until the world is made anew.
Faith born of God, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.

Words (v2-4) © 1981 Joseph Alfred
Song # 01214 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved 

*Sending Forth
Rev. Kim

Return now to the circle of Life, knowing,
That the love of Creator God is with us,
The compassion of Jesus inspires us,
The hope of the Holy Spirit comforts us.
May everyone we meet, know of our praise
of God’s name, by the singing and dancing
of our hands, heart, and feet! [6]

Amen.

Departing Music

[1] © 2022 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non- commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.

[2] Ibid.

[3] David Sparks, Gathering, Pentecost 1 2018 (Year B). Used with permission.

[4] Celebrate God’s Presence, p530-531. Used with permission.

[5] Kate Crawford. Gathering Pentecost 1 2019, p49. Used with permission.

[6] Lee Claus, Francis Sandy Theological Centre, 2008.

Sunday school activities - June 19, 2022

(adapted from “The Lord’s Prayer: An Illustrated Curriculum” from Illustrated Children’s Ministry, 2019. Used with permission.)

Think and Learn

This summer we are going to look at the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is one that we share with Christians all over the world. It is a prayer that Jesus taught his followers and has been translated into many languages. Because it is an ancient prayer, the words might seem a bit strange to our modern ears so, each week we will look at a new phrase and think about what it meant to the people in Jesus’ time and what it means for us today.

This week we begin at the beginning!

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

The very first word of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our” teaches us something really important. Each of us is God’s child, making us a family. Starting with “OUR Father” instead of “MY Father” immediately reminds us of that. We may have different skin, speak different languages, live in different places, and have different grown-up, moms or dads, but we are all one family. This means we belong to God, to each other, and to the earth God made.

God is bigger and more mysterious than we can imagine. No matter how many names or pictures we could think of for God, there are still more!

When Jesus taught his disciples this prayer, he chose to say, “Our Father” because in that time the father in a family was always the head of the family. They also called Kings, and other leaders, “father”. Today we might use different words because we know that families come in many different forms. We might say, “Our loving God”, or “Creator God”, or “Holy Mystery” instead – and that’s perfectly ok!

Using many different names for God keeps us from getting stuck in who we believe God to be and how we picture God. For example, if we always use male (or boy) names and pronouns for God, we might start to think God is a man. Allowing ourselves to see God in different ways helps us grow and live more into God’s dream.

See the word “hallowed”? It means holy or sacred. God’s name deserves our deepest respect and love. By starting the prayer this way – sometimes called adoration – we remember anything we speak to God comes from this place of love and respect.

Wonder

1.     What are your favourite names for God? Are there new names you can think of?

2.     How do you imagine or picture God?

3.     How does it feel to know we are all God’s children? How do we treat each other when we believe each person is a child of God?

Do

You will find 2 colouring pages attached to this lesson.

The first page is an oval surrounded by leaves. You can use this in two ways:

1.      Put your name in the middle. Make it as fancy as you like! On each of the surrounding leaves write one of the ways you are known. Relationships are a good place to start - son/daughter, sister/brother, cousin… Or you might have a nickname or something that everyone knows about you – artist, athlete, reader, helper…

2.     Put “God” in the middle oval and then all the names for God you can think of on the surrounding leaves.

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The second page is a colouring poster of the first line of the Lord’s Prayer. We will be adding a new one each week through the summer.  As you colour each picture, memorize the words. By the time summer is over you will know the Lord’s Prayer by heart and will be able to say it with everyone in our church or in other places you might gather with people who are followers of Jesus, or just when you want to pray and need some words to get started. Isn’t it cool to know that when you say this prayer you are joining Christians all over the world who also say this same prayer in many different languages?

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Sunday Worship Service - June 12, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

TRINITY SUNDAY / 97th UCC Anniversary

June 12, 2022

Celebration of Baptism

* The live service will be broadcasted and recorded on YouTube, check your email for the link.
The audio recording of the live service should be available by phone Monday afternoon at 613- 820-8104.

Gathering Music

Welcome & Centering for Worship
Rev. Kim Vidal

Good morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of the Triune God: Creator, Christ and Comforter on this Trinity Sunday.

Thank you for joining us in our virtual worship service today.

Friends, on this Trinity Sunday, May we feel the presence of God: One-in-Three and the Three-in-One, known to us in many ways. May God as Wisdom, Light and Presence come into our hearts as we gather in worship.

Lighting of the Three-in-One Candle[1]
Acolytes:  Ellen & Bob Boynton

We light a candle in the name of God the Creator,
who lit the world and breathed the breath of life for us. (First wick is lit.)
We light a candle in the name of Jesus the Son,
who transformed the world with love and justice. (Second wick is lit.)
We light a candle in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who encompasses the world and blesses our souls with yearning. (Third wick is lit.)

We light three lights for the trinity of love:
God above us, God beside us, God beneath us:
The beginning, the end, the everlasting one.

Sung Response: Spirit of the Living God  -  Voices United #376

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us. (2x)
Break us, melt us, mold us, fill us.
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on us.

Words & Music © 1926 v.1 Daniel Iverson, arr. © 1987 Darryl Nixon.
Song # FBC-A003716 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Call to Gather[2]
Rev. Lorrie Lowes

In the holy name of God: Father, Mother, Creator, Life-Giver,
we gather in this place.
In the holy name of Jesus the Christ: Son, Redeemer, Teacher, Friend,
we gather to praise!
In the name of the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Sustainer, Daily Guide, Wisdom,
we gather to worship!
In the holy name of One who is Three, and the Three in One,
we gather to celebrate new life!

Opening Prayer
(Bruce Sanguin, If Darwin Prayed)

This Happy Communion

Holiest Mystery,
Community of Love,
Creator, Christ, Spirit,
Three in One,
You in Christ,
Christ in us,
and everywhere, Spirit,
connecting, caressing,
cajoling us into the image of wholeness
tattooed on the heart and the soul of every living thing.
We are not alone,
never isolated except in the imagination of our wounded hearts.
Christ abides in us and we in Her,
and the joy of this is why we sing,
and why we pray,
and why we take our place in this happy communion.
Thank you for this banquet of love,
this feast of joy,
this miracle of common purpose. Amen.

Hymn: Come In, Come In and Sit Down - Voices United #395   

Refrain: Come in come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

1 You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain,
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. R

2 God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. R

3 There's life to be shared
in the bread and the wine,
we are the branches Christ is the vine. This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine, but we are a part of the family. R

4 There's rest for the weary and health
for us all, there's a yoke that is easy,
and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call, for we are a part of the family. R

Words & Music © 1984 James K. Manley; harm © 1987 Daryl Nixon
Song # 44817 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Celebration of Baptism: Felicity Anne Davis

Parents: Melissa & Mark Davis
Godparents: Angela & Jerem Cull 

Storytime
Rev. Lorrie                              

Hymn:  I Have Called You by Your Name – More Voices #161

1. I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.

2. I will help you learn my name as you go;
read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim,
offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

3. I know you will need my touch as you go;
feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,
hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.

4. I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
go and tell my precious people they are mine.

Words and Music © 1998 Daniel Charles Damon
Song #54619 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination
Reader: Bev Wilcox

Loving God within us, may these words move, challenge, inspire and deepen our understanding of who you are: Source of Life, Living Word, and Bond of Love. May we listen with an open mind and a heart ready to be transformed. Amen.

The Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15 (The Message)
The Spirit of Truth

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’

May the Wisdom of God: Lover, Beloved and Love give us understanding as we ponder on this Gospel story. Thanks be to God!

BCUC Choir: O Praise the Lord, with Heart and Voice – Haydn arr. Hopson

Sermon: “Truth-in-Three”
Rev. Kim

Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Kim

Let us join our hearts in prayer.

Creator, Christ, Comforter, like Jesus’ disciples, we come as needy people. Our hearts hunger for love. Our minds thirst for peace. Our dry spirits long to be watered by your grace. In times when uncertainties confront our comfortable lives, keep us mindful of your faithfulness. In times when we see hopelessness around us, fill us with your light so we can be witnesses of your love to the world.

Life-Giver, Friend, Sustainer, we long for the many ways of being a community of love, a community that embraces inclusion, compassion, justice, and truth. We yearn to work towards living in right relationships and in healing the world. Like in Jesus’ day, this longing and yearning can often be met with resistance, hostility and rejection, So we ask that you strengthen our faith and give us the gift of courage to face whatever challenge that may come our way. Help us to be resilient in difficult times.

Abba, Jesus, Spirit, we pray for homes that are nurturing and safe. We pray for families free of domestic violence and neglect, where all the children can grow without fear. Empower us to make your love a reality in every home we know. We pray for all who suffer, for the sick and the lonely, for those awaiting surgery and medical treatments, for those grieving the loss of a loved one, for those trapped in anxiety and fear, or those downtrodden by hopelessness and despair. We pray for those who walk beside us on our journey, whose lives are a blessing to us.

Justice-Seeker, Good Shepherd, Advocate, empower us to welcome people of every colour, ethnicity and creed. Encourage us to be advocates of the sacredness of human life that welcomes all. We pray for those who are living the reality of terror, violence, war, unrest, hunger, displacement and the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Deliver us from fear, greed, and all evil things that keep us away from your love.

All these things we ask in the name of God: Creator, Crist and Companion and in this prayer that we recite together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.

Invitation to Offer
Rev. Lorrie

The Triune God present in all of creation, holds each one of us in tender love and care. So we respond for all the blessings we have generously received from a loving Creator. Let us gather our gifts of time, talents and treasures and offer them to God in gratitude and praise.

If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

We offer these gifts, O Triune God, as we spread your love through the wisdom of Jesus and the indwelling of the Spirit in our hearts. May they bring healing and hope to our congregation, our community and the world. Amen.

Sending Forth[3]
Rev. Kim

And now, touched by God’s Spirit of truth, which makes us free,
held in God’s love, which gives us strength,
befriended by God’s Son, who breaks down walls,
let us live with hearts wide open
to all the adventure, all the pain,
all the joy, of being God’s people,
in every place life calls us to be. Amen.

Hymn:  Holy, Holy, Holy – Voices United #315

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee;
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which were, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Words Reginald Heber, 1820; Music: John Bacchus Dykes, 1861
Song Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing Music

[1] Inspired by Christpieces.files.wordpress.com

[2] Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 1 2021 (Year B). Used with permission.

[3] Bob Root, Gathering, Pentecost 1 – 2018 Year B.  Used with permission.

Sunday school activities - June 12, 2022

Theme Discussion

Every Sunday, we say the Lord’s Prayer in our worship service. 

Did you know that Christians all over the world, from many, many denominations also say this prayer? It is one way we are connected to followers of Jesus around the globe! It was originally written or spoken in Aramaic, the language that Jesus and his followers spoke but it has been translated into many, many languages.

The Lord’s Prayer is a special prayer Jesus taught his disciples. This prayer encourages and empowers us to live out God’s dream of justice, love, and full life. There are several versions of this prayer now, but they all say similar things. Here are two different versions. Is one easier to understand than the other? Do you think they still both mean the same thing?

Contemporary

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.

Traditional

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen

At BCUC, we have made another change! We replace the word “kingdom” with “kin-dom”. Does that make a difference? Does it change the meaning of the prayer? Why do you think we do that?

Do you know this prayer by heart? If you watch this video, you’ll hear it. You can also read it in the Bible at Matthew 6:9-13 or at Luke 11:2-4.

Wonder

1. Is prayer a part of your life? 
   What does prayer mean to you? 
   What do you pray for?

2. Is there a “right” way to pray? Do you have to say things aloud, or can you pray quietly? Do you even have to say things, or can you sing them? Dance them? Draw them? 

Really, you can pray anyway you want to express yourself. What ways do you like to pray?

Colouring Page

Click to print PDF (3 pages)

Sunday Worship Service - June 5, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

ALL-AGES PENTECOST SUNDAY

June 5, 2022

Outdoor Worship Service

* The live service will be broadcasted and recorded on YouTube, check your email for the link.
The audio recording of the live service should be available by phone Monday afternoon at 613- 820-8104

Gathering Music/ Sing Out!    Every Morning is Easter Morning
BCUC Choir

Joy!
BCUC Music Team

1.       I've got the joy (joy), joy (joy), joy (joy)! (3x)

Refrain
Down in my heart (clap, clap) (2x)
Down in my heart to stay,
Down in my heart to …   repeat
stay.

2.       Love…        3. Light…    4. Joy…

Words traditional, Arranged and Music; Amy Grant
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

More Voices #13 – O Let the Power Fall on Me

O let the power fall on me, my Lord, let the power fall on me.
O let the power from heaven fall on me, let the power fall on me.
For we want justice and truth and love, my Lord, we want justice and truth and love (2x)

Music: traditional Caribbean song         Words verse 1 and Adaptation by Birchfield Aymer
arrangement by Patrick Prescod   © the Caribbean conference of Churches
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

More Voices #6 – Holy Spirit, Come Into Our Lives

Holy Spirit, come into our lives. Holy Spirit, make us truly wise  (continuously)

Words and Music © 1998 Ken Canedo OCP Publications                    Song # 83119
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Acknowledgement of Territory
Rev. Lorrie Lowes

This morning as we gather here on the beautiful grounds of our church, we recognize that this land was taken from the Algonquin Anishinaabe people by settlers in this territory long ago. We honour the original caretakers of this land, and we thank them for their example of love for creation. We pray that we can come together to care for the earth and each other, as friends.

Welcome, Announcements & Centering for Worship
Rev. Kim Vidal

Good morning! Let us greet each other in different languages.

Buenas dias! Bonne journee! Anionghaseyo! Masantos ya agew!

On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. On that very first Pentecost gathering, the gift of the Holy Spirit gave the followers of Jesus the ability to speak in a multitude of languages to proclaim God's love and power. Today, we will celebrate this gift of languages as we embrace our common ground as a human family under one Spirit!

Beloved friends, may we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, like those people gathered on that very first Pentecost gathering. May the winds of change and the tongues of flame rush into our hearts and empower our souls. Let us now centre ourselves in the presence of God as we gather in worship.

Lighting the Christ Candle
Acolytes:  Berard Family

As we light this candle, we are reminded of the flame in each of us;
a fire of passion to be shared with the world.
Through Jesus, the physical reminder of God on Earth,
we feel the power and love inside ourselves.
With this invitation we are welcome; safe and ready to shine.

© 2016 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) Licence.

Sung Response: This Little Light of Mine (Traditional)

This little light if mine, I’m gonna let is shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Traditional Spiritual

Song #84048 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Call to Gather
Rev. Lorrie & friends

(Paul Detterman, excerpt, Reformed Worship Magazine.)

People of God,
Peace be with you.

1: Salaam alaykum.

2: Namaste.

3: Shalom alaichem.

4 : Que la paix soit avec toi.

5 : Хай буде з вами мир         (Khay bude z vamy myr)

Come, Holy Spirit, Advocate, Friend, Wind and Flame:
You break down barriers of language, race, and culture,
and heal the divisions that separate us.    

Come, Spirit of Power, make us bold witnesses of your redeeming love.

Come, Reconciling Spirit and unite us all in the love of God.

Come, Creator Spirit and make us new creations in Jesus Christ.

Come, let us gather to celebrate!

Pentecost Prayer with Movement
Wendy Morrell & Dan Lanoue

(Inspired by the prayer of Paul Detterman, Reformed Worship Magazine.)

Come, Holy Spirit! Bring your mighty power into our lives.
Rush through our spirits, inspiring us to witness to the great love of God.
Come, Moving Spirit! Burn light bright flames in our hearts.

Emblazon us with the confidence of faith that our lives will show your love.
Come, Embracing Spirit! Advocate, Friend, Wind and Flame
You break down barriers of language, race, and culture,
and heal the divisions that separate us.    

Come, Indwelling Spirit! Be with us today in our thoughts and our prayers.
Come, Wise Spirit! Be with us in our words and our deeds.
Come, Creator Spirit! and make us new creations in Jesus Christ. Amen

Hymn:  Come O Holy Spirit - More Voices #23

1.    Come, O Holy Spirit,
set the Church on fire;
strike it as the lightning
hits a posing spire.
Burn away the structures
and consume the sham
of our holy systems:
Come, in Jesus’ name! 

Refrain (English)
Come, come, come, in Jesus name!
Take our hearts by storm.
All the world lies open
Pentecost is now!  I said a -       repeat

Refrain (French)
Viens, viens, au nom de Jésus
Tempête en nos coeurs;
Partout c’est l’attente
La Pentecôte est là! Et je dis: - repete

2.       Blow away the cobwebs
of our stubborn past.
Come, send flying from us
myths unfit to last.
Wind of change, refresh us
and disturb our calm;
teach us what true love is,
take our hearts by storm. R  

3.       Free us from the babble
of our Babel mind;
spark in us a language
all can understand.
Lighten then our darkness,
Come and show us how
all the world lies open:
Pentecost is now!  R

A-----men!

Words © 1972 Fred Kaan rev. 1998– Hope Publishing Co. Song # 18536
Music © 2000 Ron Klusmeier www.musiklus.com            Song# 80560  French © 2006 David Fines 
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime with Lorrie

Is the wind blowing? How do we know?
Is the Spirit moving? What are the signs?
How can we show the world that the Spirit is moving in us?

(Make the Pinwheel) 

Hymn: Come, O Holy Spirit, Come (Wa, Wa, Wa, Emimimo) – Voices United #383

Come, O Holy Spirit, come
Come, O Holy Spirit, come
Come, come, come. 

Wa, wa, wa, Emimimo
Wa, wa, wa, Emimimo
Wa-oh, wa-oh, wa-oh.

O viens, Esprit, viens.
O viens, puissant, Esprit viens.
Viens, viens, viens.

English © 1986  I-to-Loh/Kimbrough, Jr., French © 1990 Joelle Gouel, Harm © 1986 Samuel Solanke
Yoruba Traditional, Song # 17508  Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214.
All rights reserved

The Story of Pentecost: Acts 2: 1-21
Storyteller: Erin Berard

Special Music:  P-E-N-T-E-C-O-S-T
CGS/Bell Canto with Erin Berard

Interactive Sermon: “Being Winds of Change”
Rev. Kim

(Rev. Kim’s sermon will be posted at bcuc.org on Monday)

Hymn: Spirit of Gentleness (Souffle, vent doux du Saint-Esprit) - Voices United #375

Refrain:
Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. 

1-Tu touchas la terre Esprit créateur
Tu dressas les montagne, en gloire et splendeur;
à travers les âges, tu crias à tous vents:
“déployez vos ailes, sortez du néant.” 

Refrain:
Souffle, vent doux du Saint-Esprit;
Tu grâce me conduit hors du desert.
Souffle, grand vent du Saint-Esprit,
secoue notre apathie, vent, vent sur la mer.

2-You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded with idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets
to open their eyes. R (English) 

3-You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people
on the rush of the wind. R (French) 

4-You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow
all the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions
your people arise. R (English)

Words & Music © 1978 James K. Manley; Translation © 1995 Andrew Donaldson
Song #44816 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

A Pentecost Prayers of the People
Rev. Lorrie

Come, Holy Spirit, and make us a Pentecost People.
Give us wisdom to help us make good decisions.
Give us knowledge and understanding so we can show empathy and compassion to those who are different from ourselves.
Give us awareness to fill us with awe and gratitude for all the blessings of Creation.
Give us courage to live our faith in the world.
Holy One, hear the prayers we have written on our pinwheels and the prayers we hold in our hearts as we blow them into the world…
All these things we ask in the words Jesus taught his friends which we now sing…

Sung Lord’s Prayer
Erin leading

Our Father,  (Our Father)
Who art in heaven,  (Who art in heaven),
Hallowed be thy name,   (Hallowed be thy name),
Thy kin-dom come,  (Thy kin-dom come),
Thy will be done,  (Thy will be done),
On Earth as it is in heaven, (On Earth as it is in heaven).
Give us this day our daily bread. (Give us this day our daily bread),
And forgive us all our trespasses, (And forgive us all our trespasses),
As we forgive those who trespass against us, (As we forgive those who trespass against us)
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kin-dom, (For thine is the kin-dom),
The power and the glory, (The power and the glory),
Forever and ever, (Forever and ever),
Ah-ah-men, (Ah-ah-men)                             Ah-Ah-men 

Offering Invitation & Prayer
Rev. Kim

Pentecost people! We have received gifts too numerous to count. Now we have a chance to give in thanks and joy. Your offering will enable our church to be a Pentecost presence in this community and the world—to reach out in passionate commitment and bring the wind and fire of the Spirit of Truth to a people and a world that so desperately need it. (ministrymatters.com)
I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings.  If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you may drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Hymn: What Can I Do? - More Voices #191

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

Words and Music © 2005 Paul Rumbolt & Michele McCarthy, arr. © 2005 Alan Whitmore       
Song # 82970 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Offertory Prayer

( Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 1, 2021. Used with permission.)
As Pentecost people, we offer these gifts with generous spirits
for the loving transformation of this world. Hallelujah! Amen. 

Hymn: She Comes Sailing on the Wind – Voices United #380

Refrain: She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.

1. Silent waters rocking on the morning of our birth, like an empty cradle waiting to be filled. And from the heart of God the Spirit moved up on the earth, like a mother breathing life into her child.

2. Many were the dreamers whose eyes were given sight when the Spirit filled their dreams with life and form. Deserts turned to gardens, broken hearts found new delight, and then down the ages still she flew on. R

3. To a gentle girl in Galilee, a gentle breeze she came, a whisper softly calling in the dark, the promise of a child of peace whose reign would never end, Mary sang the Spirit song within her heart.

4. Flying to the river, she waited circling high above the child now grown so full of grace. As he rose up from the water, she swept down from the sky, and she carried him away in her embrace. R

5. Long after the deep darkness that fell upon the world, after dawn returned in flame of rising sun, the Spirit touched the earth again, again her wings unfurled, bringing life in wind and fire as she flew on. R

Words & Music © 1985 Gordon Light, arr. © 1994 Andrew Donaldson,
Song # 117717 & 109370 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sending Forth
Rev. Kim

Now may God:
Holy Spirit, Advocate, Friend, Wind and Flame who brought us here,
tune up our ears for hearing,
open our eyes for seeing,
clear our sinuses for smelling,
cleanse our palate for tasting,
and open our mind for imagining.
The Pentecost God calls us to live “radically different”
each day of our lives. Amen!

Hymn: “Go Make a Diff’rence”  - More Voices #209

Refrain:  Go make a diff’rence. We can make diff’rence.
              Go make a diff’rence in the world. (2x)

1. We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see,
the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a diff’rence in the world. 

2.We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need,
The face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.  

3.So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.
Go make a diff’rence in the world!

Words and Music © 1997 Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek                    spiritandsong.com
Song # 82988 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Grace before the Picnic
Rev. Lorrie

God is great!
God is good!
And so we thank God for our food.
We’re gonna thank God morning, noon, and night,
Because our God is outa sight.
Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!
Yaaaaa….!

The Picnic – Two Men & A Stove and other volunteers

Games – Erin & friends

Sunday school activities - June 5, 2022

All Ages Interactive Sunday School Activities – Pentecost

Listen to the scripture told in many different languages!

Or this animated version:

Wordle Challenges!

Hint – the words have some link to the celebration of Pentecost!

Word #1: https://mywordle.strivemath.com/?word=bzrpp

Word #2: https://mywordle.strivemath.com/?word=swegd

Word #3: https://mywordle.strivemath.com/?word=odvdv

Scavenger Hunt!

Pentecost Related Items to Find:

ð       Someone wearing red and someone wearing white - the colors of Pentecost.

ð       A paper fan or pinwheel to symbolize the wind.

ð       A picture of a flame to symbolize the tongues of fire that came to rest on each of the Apostles.

ð       Something that rhymes with dove or has the same last 3 letters as dove.   The dove was used as a sign of the Holy Spirit in the story of Jesus’ baptism.

ð       A rock because Jesus said to Peter “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”

ð       A baptism candle or other light to represent that when we act by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be light for others.

ð       A small cross

ð       Something that starts with the first letter of your last name.

ð       Someone helping someone else - remind us that God wants us to serve others by the power of the Holy Spirit.