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Sunday, April 30th
Fourth Sunday of Easter
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CHRIST IS RISEN!
CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!
Eastertide is a period of 50 days, beginning on Easter Sunday and ending at Pentecost, when we celebrate the birth of the Church. During Eastertide, we celebrate the Risen Christ and imagine how we might live as Easter people.
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HOLINESS OF LIVING
This morning, Pastor Kyle spoke about the story known as the "widow's mite" from the Gospel of Mark. He placed an offering into a tithe plate that he used to explain how God calls us to give whatever we have, for others and for the Lord, whether that be money, or our time, or our talents.
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“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 1The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
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We talked about where we are on the liturgical calendar. We remembered how we are now in the season of EASTERTIDE, which is a period of 50 days, that begins on Easter Sunday and ends at Pentecost.
We also talked about how during this season of Easter, it is a time when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection and focus on how to be His followers.
We discussed today's Bible story, and how Jesus tells us He is the gate, and we shared ways we follow Jesus today.
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We also talked about how Jesus says He came so people can have a full life of ABUNDANCE.
We talked about what the word ABUNDANCE means - a life full of everything you need to sustain yourself in joy and purpose. We shared our thoughts on what a full life of abundance looks like too!
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The children made "Sheep at the Gate."
The children cut out their own sheep and used cotton balls and google eyes to assemble their sheep. They also created their own gates by gluing popsicle sticks.
While making their sheep, we talked about how Jesus uses the example of sheep entering through a gate into their pasture to teach us about following Jesus and listening closely to Him. We discussed how, like us, sheep sometimes have difficulty listening to their leader. We also discussed why gates and shepherds are important to the sheep. The sheep are a visual reminder of Jesus' story of the sheep at the gate.
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In addition to coloring the illustrations in their own Bible story booklets, each week, as time allows, the children will also make a craft that ties with the lesson. | | |
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The children had fun playing the game "Shepherd Says".
In our Bible story today, Jesus tells us how important it is to follow a leader's voice. We shared about times we were ever in a situation where we needed to be able to listen and follow directions. We discussed how sometimes at school or at home, listening can be challenging, but practice can help us become better listeners. Playing "Shepherd Says" was a fun way to practice our listening skills!
We played the game as the children completed their crafts and/or colored an additional illustration of today's Bible story. (Some children had fun gluing popsicle sticks to the gate on this illustration too!)
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Each week, as time allows, the children will play a game or experience a fun activity together to help them think creatively about the scripture. | | |
Dear God of green fields and still waters, lead us toward all this is beautiful and good. Teach us to listen to your voice so we may follow you like sheep entering safe pasture.
Amen.
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Every week, the children will take home an additional coloring page which has an illustration of a short phrase from our scripture passage. I encourage our parents to color with your children to reflect on the scripture and have an even deeper connection with the scripture and each other! | | |
Additional practice to help form healthy, spiritual and mindful habits with your child(ren): | |
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Be sure to visit our FUMC Children's Ministry Facebook
page to stay up-to-date on all things children's ministry!
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