Sunday June 21st - Family Activities

Song: God loves me! - https://youtu.be/-IFSTnFMN0g

Bet you can’t sing this without bouncing round the room!

Our Story this week: Genesis 21: 8-21

God had promised that Abraham and Sarah his wife would have a family but a long, long time passed and nothing had happened. So Sarah send Hagar, her maid to Abraham – “Have a baby with her” she said, “and if the baby is a boy, we will raise him as ours”.

So Abraham and Hagar had a boy- called Ishmael. But some time later Sarah also had a son, Isaac.

Sarah was jealous of Hager and her son and asked Abraham to send them away. This made Abraham sad as Ishmael was his son too. But God said “It’s OK – I will watch over Ishmael and Hagar too. Ishmael will also become the father of a great nation”.

Hagar and Ishmael went out into the desert and God’s angel rescued them when they ran out of water. They settled in a new city and Ishmael grew up to be a great hunter.

No matter what our families or experience have been- God can still take care of us. We all matter equally to him!

Jesus tells his followers: Matthew 10:29-30

29 For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent. 30 As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!

Some of our crafts make birds- to remind us that God cares us.

Make a Swan – follow the video instructions and change your paper square into a bird!

https://www.redtedart.com/easy-origami-swan-a-great-intro-to-origami/

In your envelopes this week, there are

• pages to colour,

• a wordsearch and,

• a dot to dot.

There is another cut out and stick together bird craft.

Show us what you have done- take a picture and post it online.

Facebook : St Catherine’s Pastoral Centre and Church

This is one of our favourite GLU songs about God’s faithfulness to us.

Song: Faithful One - https://youtu.be/HROSwkRwpPI

Sunday June 14th - Holy Communion

Welcome to our Service of Holy Communion

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The Story of Abraham and Sarah

We meet in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn: All my hope on God is founded - https://youtu.be/W3LCGh02Vew

Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

We come to say sorry to God:

My brothers and sisters,

as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ

in word and sacrament,

let us call to mind and confess our sins

Father, you come to meet us when we return to you:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,

FATHER FORGIVE

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,

FATHER FORGIVE

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,

FATHER FORGIVE

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,

FATHER FORGIVE

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,

FATHER FORGIVE

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,

FATHER FORGIVE

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,

FATHER FORGIVE

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Amen.

The Collect

God of truth,

help us to keep your law of love

and to walk in ways of wisdom,

that we may find true life

in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen

Song: Jubilate Everybody - https://youtu.be/8qS-7gh9tz0

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 and 21:1-7 Read by Sam

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.’

‘Very well,’ they answered, ‘do as you say.’

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. ‘Quick,’ he said, ‘get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.’

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him.

‘There, in the tent,’ he said.

10 Then one of them said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.’

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?” 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, ‘I did not laugh.’

But he said, ‘Yes, you did laugh.’

21 Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6 Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’ 7 And she added, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.’

Just a reminder… https://youtu.be/zNSZ22QKDUE

Song: Faithful One - https://youtu.be/HROSwkRwpPI

Gospel Reading: Matt 9:35-10:8 Read by John C

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Sermon

Over the next few weeks we’re going to follow the Old Testament readings. It’s so we can get to grips with parts of the Bible that we perhaps don’t read as much; learn how the Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament; find out how we can apply these ancient accounts to our lives today. So quite a big challenge…

Abraham and Sarah’s story: This is just a part

It’s not even the beginning. Abram was living miles away and God called him, his wife Sarai and their nephew Lot- all their servants, belongings, and animals to set out for a new land. There God would make Abram a great nation- for the blessing of the whole earth.

There are many twists and turns in the story. Abram and Sarai get their names changed to Abraham and Sarah as a sign of God’s covenant or promise to them.

The families fall out, they get into trouble with the Egyptian king, and all the time there is that promise. God will make a great nation from Abraham and Sarah- but they have no children. Sarah hatches a plan to get round the problem which leads to more conflict. Still God’s promise remains and still there is no sign of how it’s all going to work out.

When we’re reading the Bible to find out what God is saying, we’re encouraged to ask some questions.

What does this tell us about God?

What does it tell us about the people who are in the story?

What does it say to us?

So before we even get to the part we heard today- a summary of what’s gone before!

What does it tell us about God – his faithfulness, his promise but also his timing- so much slower than Sarah wanted!

The people in the story- brave and committed- setting out to follow God’s voice. Also failing and foolish- taking things into their own hands to fix stuff and making it all worse.

So perhaps we recognise ourselves already – the people in the Old Testament are often just like us.

But what happened next?

Abraham and Sarah have visitors to their tent; they respond with typical middle eastern generosity and hospitality.

And the visitors make a prediction.

So:-

What does this tell us about God?

What does it tell us about the people in the story?

What does it say to us today?

But finally, Isaac is born….

So Sarah has her boy- and names him Isaac which means he laughs. Sarah rejoices, Sarah laughs- not like before in derision but now in joy. God has turned her situation round.

Despite all the twists and turns in the story. Despite the things that people did wrong themselves or the things they tried to do to fix the situation that actually made it worse.

Despite that obvious thing about Abraham and Sarah really being much too old for children.

God has given them a child. Now one baby is a start for the making of a new nation but he’s not the whole story at all.

God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah was that they would be the start of a great nation which would bless the whole world.

Perhaps they thought that their bit was all done now (it’s not…) or that the past mistakes were over (sadly that’s not true either). But they were at the start of something new.

What does all say to us?

This reminds us that God’s story is BIG and we all play a part- our actions matter and they do have consequences for good or ill. We are called to be faithful, to hang onto God’s promises even when it seems impossible.

God is faithful, he will deliver.

The Creed

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us

with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Prayers led by Margaret

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Song: Great is your faithfulness - https://youtu.be/dTKIqmdfHSk

Holy Communion - https://youtu.be/fHVmDKTUAmg

The Lord be with you

and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation;

in your love you made us for yourself.

When we turned away

you did not reject us,

but came to meet us in your Son.

You embraced us as your children

and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.

In Christ you shared our life

that we might live in him and he in us.

He opened his arms of love upon the cross

and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.

On the night he was betrayed,

at supper with his friends

he took bread, and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his body is the bread of life.

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,

he gave you thanks, and said:

Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;

do this in remembrance of me.

Father, we do this in remembrance of him:

his blood is shed for all.

As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory,

send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine

may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.

As we eat and drink these holy gifts

make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.

With your whole Church throughout the world

we offer you this sacrifice of praise

and lift our voice to join the eternal song of heaven:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

We continue with the words of The Lord's Prayer:

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 for ever. Amen

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Every time we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death

until he comes.

God’s holy gifts

for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen

The Blessing

The peace of God,

which passes all understanding,

keep your hearts and minds

in the knowledge and love of God,

and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Song: Mercies- New Every Morning - https://youtu.be/rpC-dTewHaI

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.

Sunday June 14th - Family Activities

The story of Abraham and Sarah

What do you notice about this picture of Abraham and Sarah?

If I didn’t know this was them, I would be thinking this was a lovely picture of grandparents looking at their first grandchild…but it is not. It is Abraham and Sarah with their baby son Isaac. How could these two elderly people have a baby son-had they adopted him? No!

This was the fulfilment of a promise made to Abraham by God-and that was just the start. God called Abraham to follow him- to bring his family and their homes and settle in a land far far away which God promised to them.

Time for a song- Father Abraham had many sons… https://youtu.be/5o_J30x6E6s

So Abraham had many sons-how?

We need to hear his story… https://youtu.be/VrGkO8TOFck

So God made a promise to Abraham, that his wife Sarah would have a baby-even though both of them were really really old.

From the bible we are told…

When Abram was 75 years old, God appeared to him. (Genesis 12:1-7) Even though Abram didn’t have sons, God told him to “Look toward the heaven and count the stars, if you can and that is how many descendants you will have.” (Genesis 15:5-6) Abram believed what God told him. He said that Abram would be “a father of many nations” and now his name would be Abraham. Nations and kings would come from his descendants. Also, now his wife will be called Sarah.

Many years later, God talked to Abraham told him that He would bless Abraham and Sarah with a son and she will be a mother of all nations. How do you think Abraham felt about this? He actually fell on his face and laughed! (Genesis 17:17) Abraham asked God “How can I have a son when I’m 100 years old and my wife is 90?” God told him that Sarah would have a son and they are to call him Isaac and she would have him next year.

Later, Abraham was sitting by the door of his tent and when he looked outside, there were three men. He ran out to meet them and offered them water, rest, food and feet cleaning. He had Sarah make bread, and he took a good calf and had someone cook it.

They asked Abraham where his wife was and he told them “She is here in the tent.” Sarah was listening by the tent door and heard one of the men say that she would have a son. Well, she knew she was old and she laughed to herself.

Now the man asked Abraham why Sarah laughed because can’t God do anything? Sarah became afraid and denied that she had laughed, but He said “Yes you did.” The men rose and Abraham went with them to send them on their way.

The next year, Sarah had their son and they named him Isaac just as God told them to.

(From https://www.biblefunforkids.com/2013/07/genesis-abraham-sarah.html)

So to summarise…watch this - https://youtu.be/drv9osloJZY

Good points to remember

· God called Abraham to follow him and although a bit unsure of the future, Abraham did.

· Abraham was faithful to God-even though he had questions

· God was faithful to Abraham- he kept his promise to him.

· Nothing is impossible with God.

Now time for some craft to help us remember the story

1. God promised Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the uncountable stars in the sky.

Star “hangers”

1.Use cookie cutter or stencil to trace around and cut out three identical stars from the art paper. With point at top, fold two stars in half vertically.

2. Place folded stars on either side of remaining (flat) star and staple together along vertical fold with a single staple, or put a thin line of glue down the middle of the flat star and glue folded stars either side.

3.Decorate with glitter glue and/or paint, if using; let dry. Cut ribbons for hanging stars and attach with a dot of craft glue.

Or…

Star mobile

1. You need these bits…

2. Draw a spiral on a circular piece of paper/ card and then cut round the line. Thread a ribbon/ piece of string through the very middle bit.

3. Cut out star shapes/ shooting stars from other bits of coloured paper and glue them on

4. Pull string up from the middle and you will have top picture.

Promise Boxes

to make a promise box.

1. Find an empty box which isn’t wanted anymore (ask first!)

2. Decorate it with wrapping paper, stickers or anything you have at home to make it look fab.

3. As God kept his promise to Abraham, think of promises you can make to people and write them on a piece of paper.

4. Put them in your box. When you have kept that promise, you can give it to the person who you promised. Ask them to draw a star on the back for you. How many stars will you collect?

Closing prayer

God of the country, where rippling streams sing your praise, we worship you. God of the street and town, where people pass without a glance, we worship you. God of this place,

God of my heart, I worship you. Amen

Final Song- God who is faithful and unchanging... https://youtu.be/HROSwkRwpPI