Sunday May 31st - Pentecost Family Activities

Children’s Activities at

PENTECOST

The gift of the Holy Spirit

The birth of the Church

At Pentecost we remember that God sent his Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to tell God’s story so that it spread all round the world. It is the birth of the Church.

Let’s see how this happened… https://youtu.be/OMQKy1Mx49M

Pentecost happened at a time when many people were visiting from all different parts of the world. So that people could understand God’s story, they needed to hear it in their own language. This was the gift the Holy Spirit gave to Jesus’ friends. They also healed people in the name of Jesus.

Time for SONG… https://youtu.be/J3vXskhI1ig

Time for prayer

Between Ascension (when Jesus returned to heaven) and Pentecost (the sending of his Holy Spirit), we have been asked to Pray for 5.

Our prayer today- Please Lord Jesus, I ask you to make yourself known to my 5 people. Let them feel your presence in their lives. Open their hearts to your love and send your Spirit to help them follow you and empower them to share your story with others. Amen.

In the story, when the Holy Spirit came there was a sound of rushing wind and there appeared flames of fire resting on each of the disciples’ heads- so our craft will be

Making paper spirals- a challenge…you need a square of paper, scissors and glue. A piece of cotton thread to hang it up with. https://youtu.be/BdXHzGnTQ-8

Briefly

1. Take your square of paper, fold in half along diagonal and then fold again

2. With pointy edges up, make a small fold across the base and unfold again

3. Put that fold on your left, then cut strips in the rest of the paper up to that fold but not beyond it, following the direction of the longest edge.

4. Open paper out

5. Take centre two points and glue together. Turn over.

6. Take next two points and glue together. Turn over

7. Repeat this until all points are glued. And you should end up with this…

Making a Windsock

Materials:

• One sheet 8 1/2 X 11 inch paper

• One piece tissue paper 28 cm X 28 cm

• White glue or paste

• Sellotape

• Scissors

• Something to make a hole with

• One Paper clip

• Ruler

• 1.2 m string

Procedure:

1. Fold a piece of 8 1/2 X 11 inch paper lengthwise to make the border strip for the wind sock.

2. Form a loop from the strip and tape the ends of the paper together. Mark the outside edge with the letter A.

3. On the tissue paper use a marker to draw a line 4 cm from one edge and across the paper. Mark this area with the letter B.

4. Then using a pair of scissors cut up to this line in a series of strips (streamers of windsock)

5. Glue edge B of tissue paper to edge A of the loop strip made in step 2. Allow time for the glue to dry.

6. Use a hole punch to punch three holes equal distance around the paper ring.

7. Cut 3 pieces of string 30 cm long. Tie one end of each string to the wind sock at each of the three holes.

8. Tie the three loose ends of the string to a single paper clip. Add an additional 30 cm length of string to the paper clip.

9. Test the wind sock by holding the single string in front of a fan or run FAST!.

And by special request from Alex- a word search. (in post)

And so to finish in prayer

Amen.

Sunday May 24th - Family Activities

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

Opening prayer

In your love we trust, creator God: your love for your world; your love for each one of us; your love that invites us to love others, to love ourselves, and to love you.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our love now, and our thanks.

Amen.

Let’s here this story

Ascension - https://youtu.be/UcFw8pLBSIo

So to sum up…

Jesus came back from the grave* and spent 40 days with his beloved disciples*. He taught his dear students many things and told them that he would visit again.

He said, "Soon, you will be baptized* with the Holy Spirit and receive the power of God. You will tell my story to the people in Jerusalem and to people all over the Earth." Jesus blessed his disciples*. Then as they look at him Jesus became surrounded by bright light. He was taken into the heavens, and he disappeared.

Two men appeared and told the disciples that Jesus was in now heaven.

So Jesus ascended to heaven in glory and triumph well befitting our eternal King.

SO LET US TOO CELEBRATE THAT WE HAVE A KING IN HEAVEN WHO LOVES US…SO TIME FOR A SONG…. King of kings and lord of lords. https://youtu.be/-LJcuNd4Ivg

And now for some craft work

1. Jesus told his disciples to go and tell everyone his story and spread this good news. Who are you going to tell…?

We are going to make this:

You will need:

• Paper,

• pen,

• string,

• sellotape,

• scissors, and

• crayons.

Get some paper and draw round your own feet (both) or draw your own picture of a pair of feet. Then cut out several copies.

On one pair of write the words follow Jesus

You can colour them all in.

You need to cut out some labels and write the names of the people you are going to tell on the labels.

Glue the labels onto the feet to hold them together-as in the picture.

Cut a long bit of string and then Sellotape your pairs of feet to it, with the two saying follow Jesus at the top.

Do a really big label for your name and put it right at the top.

Hang them up somewhere where they will remind you to tell people about Jesus.

2. You could make this…

• You will need a

• paper cup,

• cotton wool,

• glue,

• some string,

• scissors and

• a picture of Jesus.

Or if you have a printer you can print this out (we can send this in the post).

3. or you can make this- it’s like a keyring

Pattern for this in the post.

4. If you just want to do some relaxing colouring how about this…(pattern in post). This is what Jesus promised to his disciples just before he went back to heaven.

5. Another way to colour in use this template…(in the post)

And trace over it using greaseproof paper (so that it is see through). Colour it in.

When you have finished you need to fold the paper (a bit like folding a fan) along the gaps. This gives it the effect of being 3D. You can stand it in your window and let the light shine through and the beauty of your picture will be revealed.

A bit like this (but coloured in)

Just like Jesus’ light shining through you!

Play a game…

Play snakes and ladders.

Explain that as we go through life we rarely go straight from A to B without life throwing little detours. Our journey to be more like Jesus can be like that too, life throws us challenges, but we always end up back on the right track.

Sunday May 24th - Holy Communion

We meet in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Alleluia Christ is Risen

He is Risen indeed Alleluia

Song: There is a Redeemer https://youtu.be/Ki0liDzP9iY

Father God, we come to you because you turn doubt into hope, tears into laughter and fear into fearlessness. We come to you because on this Sunday and on every other day, we can say, ‘Jesus is alive!’ Amen.

We Say Sorry to God

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins,

and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of your resurrection.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

Almighty God,

who forgives all who truly repent,

have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in life eternal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Song: The God who stays (Chosen By Faith’s family) https://youtu.be/KHMVSdIjBcg

The Collect

Risen, ascended Lord,

as we rejoice at your triumph,

fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,

that all who are estranged by sin

may find forgiveness and know your peace,

to the glory of God the Father.

Amen

First Reading: Acts 1:1-14 - Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven - https://youtu.be/8dHZi2p5ZF8

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Song: He’s got the whole world in his hands (Chosen by Gerald) https://youtu.be/QPL82nvBQiw

Gospel Reading : John 17:1-11 - Jesus Prays to Be Glorified - https://youtu.be/WzjQmVWQlB0

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

Sermon by Wilson - https://youtu.be/Ta61DzGLovM

What we believe

Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ died for our sins

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he was buried;

he was raised to life on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures;

afterwards he appeared to his followers,

and to all the apostles:

This we have received,

and this we believe.

Amen.

Prayers - https://youtu.be/UG-IIvnJnS8

Song for reflection What a beautiful name (Chosen by Precious) https://youtu.be/nQWFzMvCfLE

The Peace

The Risen Christ came and stood among

his disciples and said,

Peace be with you.

Then they were glad when they saw the Lord.

Alleluia

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Offertory Hymn: Our God (Chosen by Alice) https://youtu.be/01Yj7H-eSjM

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

The Lord is here

His Spirit is with us.

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.

Lord of all life,

you created the universe,

where all living things reflect your glory.

You give us this great and beautiful earth,

to discover and to cherish.

You give us happy times

and things to celebrate.

In these we taste your kingdom,

a feast for all your children.

You made us all,

each wonderfully different,

to join with the angels

and sing your praise:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,

Holy is the Lord God Almighty: x2

Who was and is and is to come,

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

We thank you, loving Father,

because, when we turned away,

you sent Jesus, your Son.

He gave his life for us on the cross

and shows us the way to live.

Send your Holy Spirit

that these gifts of bread and wine

may be for us Christ’s body and his blood.

On the night before he died,

when darkness had fallen,

Jesus took bread.

He gave thanks, broke it,

and shared it with his disciples, saying:

‘This is my body, given for you.

Do this to remember me.’

After they had eaten, he took the cup of wine,

gave thanks, and shared it with his disciples, saying:

‘This is my blood, poured out for you and for many,

for the forgiveness of sins.’

So Father, with this bread and this cup

we celebrate his love, his death, his risen life.

As you feed us with these gifts,

send your Holy Spirit,

and change us more and more

to be like Jesus our Saviour.

Help us, Father, to love one another,

as we look forward to that day

when suffering is ended,

and all creation is gathered in your loving arms.

And now with St Catherine and all your saints

we give you glory,

through Jesus Christ,

in the strength of the Spirit,

today and for ever.

Amen.

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.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

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 God of peace,

who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

that great shepherd of the sheep,

make you perfect in every good work to do his will;

and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son

and Holy Spirit be with you now

and remain with you always. Amen.

He is not here. He is risen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the name of Christ. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia.

Final Song: Rescuer (Chosen by Alex, Alyssa and Sandile) https://youtu.be/leh-4fCc5MI