SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

Things to keep in mind this weekhellip

Planning aheadhellip

Planning

Liturgical colour white

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

Revised Common Lectionary (Year A)

163163Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Lection Connection links current events with this weekrsquos scriptures Go to wwwseasonsonlineca and click on the link

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

SAT

FRI

THU

R

WED

TU

ES

MO

N

SUN

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

Things to keep in mind this weekhellip

Planning aheadhellip

Planning

Liturgical colour green

SA

T FR

I TH

UR

W

ED

TUES

M

ON

SU

N

Revised Common Lectionary (Year A)

163163Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2018 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2018ndash2019

22

21

20

19

18

17

16

Sunday February 16 ndash Saturday February 22 bull 2020

Based on In Godrsquos Hands Common Prayer for the World ed By Hugh McCullum and Terry MacArthur (Geneva World Council of Churches 2006)

S M T W T F S

12 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 29

February 2020

January 2020S M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30 31

6th Sunday after the Epiphany6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 3015ndash20 or Sirach 1515ndash20Psalm 1191ndash81 Corinthians 31ndash9Matthew 521ndash37The focus for age-level materials

Portugal Spain Italy Malta

March 2020S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

164 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Biblical Background bull February 16 2020Advent Christmas Epiphany 2019ndash2020Deuteronomy 3015ndash20 or Sirach 1515ndash20Psalm 1191ndash81 Corinthians 31ndash9Matthew 521ndash37 The focus in age-level materials

Grow

God help us to grow with open eyes and open hearts Help us to open our hearts to what breaks our heartsso that we may live with compassion and peace Open our eyes to the abundance found in Creationin what blooms and grows even against the odds Amen

We each wake up at the start of our day and end our days with routines that enable us to move into spaces of alertness and then end with rest Be-

tween those beginnings and endings wersquore given the op-portunity to make clear choices from how we use our words what food we will put into our bodies and to whom we devote our time and attention We always have the choice about how we move into our day

Deuteronomy 3015ndash20 As the people stand on the border and look toward a land of promise God sets before them a choice Faithfulness to God and Godrsquos ways will bring them closer to the heart of God and the opportunity to flourish as the people of God This new land however holds its promise of plenty only as far as the people keep the covenant relationship with God Sirach 1515ndash20 echoes the themes of faithfulness and our freedom of choice

Psalm 1191ndash8 proclaims ldquohappy are thoserdquo who wholeheartedly live in the way of God The pursuit of faithfully following God with onersquos whole heart speaks to Godrsquos faithfulness and presence to Godrsquos people God welcomes us to continue directing our hearts to God and to do so together

Working together is a message presented by Paul to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 Regardless of who plants and waters the seeds God gives the growth The planter and the water-bearer matter They are a part of Godrsquos fertile plan and we all work together

Matthew 521ndash37 Jesus speaks directly to the crowd about topics that might have the attention of the best gossips in town Words and actions matter whatever they are Jesus

reaches right to the heart of daily living and goes deeper with the commandments from Deuteronomy From anger (vv 21ndash26) to adultery (vv 27ndash30) to divorce (vv 31ndash32) to using onersquos voice (vv 33ndash37) Jesus challenges each of us about how we are to behave as a people of God There is no small standard here The bar is set high Jesus offers a measure of equality in the way he ap-proaches these teachings placing all on the same field We are each seeds planted and given the Law as fertilizer teach-ing us as we grow into our full natures Those who judge and those who are being judged are equally invited to the table All are of equal value and measure all with the op-portunity to live with integrity and wholeness ldquoLet your word be lsquoYes Yesrsquo or lsquoNo Norsquordquo speaks just as clearly to each of us today Our words and actions matter whatever they are and they especially matter to God We are bombarded with choices and might struggle to make the best choice We can experience decision-making fatigue However fatigued we might be we long for blessing and to know we are on the right path

bull bull bull bull bullAs worshipping communities we have our own routines of awakening and resting We have a language that we share when encountering one another those we welcome and those we serve Always always our words and actions matter How do we find a way to move forward when we make mistakes When we are serving God with our whole hearts directed toward Godrsquos commandments and follow-ing Christrsquos teachings we are on the faithful path When we live and serve God with all our heart God blesses the growth

165165Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Reflection and Focus bull February 16 2020

Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams

Reflecting on the WordAdvent Christmas Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Connecting with lifeReflect on these words from John Wesley ldquoDo all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you canrdquo

Spend a moment considering the ldquogoodrdquo we are called to do in the world your means ways you might share this ldquogoodrdquo work

ScriptureDeuteronomy 3015ndash20 contrasts life and prosperity death and adversity The choice of the author is clear ndash following God leads to life

When we ldquochoose liferdquo what are we choosing

Psalm 1191ndash8 reminds us that our decisions our words and our actions matter

Finish the sentence Happy are those whohellip What happens when an ldquoupright heartrdquo is in conflict or

has caused harm How does living with a ldquowhole heartrdquo influence our experi-ence of worship 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 looks to the future recognizing that we are all working for God

How is this read differently by children youth adults or in the prime of life

Considering the imagery of ldquoGodrsquos fieldrdquo (v 9) what is required to prepare the soil we are to tend

Materials Epiphany poster poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169)

Taking a long view what can we do today in preparation for the future

How do we as a community of faith make decisions together

What process helps to have a ldquocommon purposerdquo

Matthew 521ndash37 Jesus reaches into the heart of daily liv-ing to give encouragement through a collection of teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount Jesusrsquo pointed deeper questions invite us to the heart of daily living with him Our words and actions matter whatever they are

When and where have you witnessed these verses being used for harm

How can these verses be misused or misinterpreted especially when taken literally

Inspired by Jesusrsquos teachings what are the non-negotiables that we value as followers of Christ

Taking these lessons and distilling them what is at the heart of Jesusrsquos teachings from these texts

Read ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo

Connecting scripture and life Using the Epiphany poster as a model what core

ministry value or purpose are you serving Add that to the centre star (or re-create an outline of the star and lines of starbursts to add your words to) Within each of the rays imagine how that core ministry value or purpose influences the world of your ministry and community

How are you working together to wholeheartedly choose life following Godrsquos guidance for living

Focus for Worship Learning and ServingWe long for the freedom to make decisions that enable us to live fully with compassion and purpose Many who gather to worship this week will not always have the full freedom to make the decisions they want to make We can be limited by time resources health energy when we look to ourselves alone This weekrsquos texts call us to expand our view and work together toward a common purpose When we pool together our time resources and energy as a community we have exponential choices before us As

followers we are given the direction and ability to discern Godrsquos call as we grow together Our growth further ex-pands our attention to the broader world and our creative ability to share ourselves through our time resources and gifts The community of faith becomes Godrsquos instruments of love beacons of hope and healing and ushers of peace in a hurting world As we partner in Christrsquos service to this hurting world we become healed through our par-ticipation in dedicating ourselves to Godrsquos unfailing love

166 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Music Suggestions

A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs

Prepare

Gather

Grow

Recruit volunteers needed for worship multiple age levels to lead the call to worship and the prayer of dedi-cation

Choose an option for hearing Matthew 521ndash37 For the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo on p 170 For paraphrase arrange for 2 to 4 storytellers access the reading at httpswwwhopefaithprayercomscripturescotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan

Bring items for setting the worship space Carefully arrange atop or around the worship table gardening tools potted plants gloves gardening pliers a shovelanything that visually represents growth

You might choose to print Epiphany on or in your bulle-tin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For back-ground to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 11

Bring song such as ldquoLove Canonrdquo (Seasons Songbook vol 1 44 on Seasons Music CD vol 1 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Down-loads wwwseasonsonlineca)

Gather instruments for use during one or more songs during worship Once the song is familiar you might

create a parade around the worship space inviting movement and dance

Set stations as described on p 171ndash172

Be GodrsquosDanielle Rose Seasons Songbook vol 9

Teach Me WisdomBruce Harding Seasons Songbook vol 7

May the God of HopeAlvin Schutmaat Ann Mitchell Seasons Songbook vol 6

Where the Spirit IsJonas Jonson Per Harling Seasons Songbook vol 2

Let Us Put On the Clothes of ChristBret Hesla Seasons Songbook vol 1

Love CanonSeasons Songbook vol 1

We Give Our Hands to YouDaisy Nshakazongwe Andrew Donaldson Seasons Songbook vol 1

Draw the Circle WideGordon Light

With lights dim have candles lit in the worship space and pre-service music playing as people enter The music and candle lights create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort with a more mystical element

Call to worshipOne God we gather in your house to worship you All With open hearts we give you our thanks and praise One Guide us in all we do as we come seeking you All With happy hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Help us to grow as a community of faith who serves

love in your name All With whole hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Come let us worship the living God who makes all

things possible

Opening prayerGod we come before you today knowing that you are a God who gathers near In the morning light you shine a generous glow over the earth In the fertile soil you bless the earth with colourful flowers and fresh aromas You are present in every colour of the rainbow Your love shines through your creativity and is beyond measure When we sing and play and dance you dance alongside us When we stumble and fall you send someone to lift us up When our hearts are heavy and we grieve your tears flow with oursReceive us as we are here and now We are here with open arms and open hearts Help us to receive your compassionate care in each of our ages and stages of life Be with us in our worship as we gather together drawing near to your presence Amen

164 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Biblical Background bull February 16 2020Advent Christmas Epiphany 2019ndash2020Deuteronomy 3015ndash20 or Sirach 1515ndash20Psalm 1191ndash81 Corinthians 31ndash9Matthew 521ndash37 The focus in age-level materials

Grow

God help us to grow with open eyes and open hearts Help us to open our hearts to what breaks our heartsso that we may live with compassion and peace Open our eyes to the abundance found in Creationin what blooms and grows even against the odds Amen

We each wake up at the start of our day and end our days with routines that enable us to move into spaces of alertness and then end with rest Be-

tween those beginnings and endings wersquore given the op-portunity to make clear choices from how we use our words what food we will put into our bodies and to whom we devote our time and attention We always have the choice about how we move into our day

Deuteronomy 3015ndash20 As the people stand on the border and look toward a land of promise God sets before them a choice Faithfulness to God and Godrsquos ways will bring them closer to the heart of God and the opportunity to flourish as the people of God This new land however holds its promise of plenty only as far as the people keep the covenant relationship with God Sirach 1515ndash20 echoes the themes of faithfulness and our freedom of choice

Psalm 1191ndash8 proclaims ldquohappy are thoserdquo who wholeheartedly live in the way of God The pursuit of faithfully following God with onersquos whole heart speaks to Godrsquos faithfulness and presence to Godrsquos people God welcomes us to continue directing our hearts to God and to do so together

Working together is a message presented by Paul to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 Regardless of who plants and waters the seeds God gives the growth The planter and the water-bearer matter They are a part of Godrsquos fertile plan and we all work together

Matthew 521ndash37 Jesus speaks directly to the crowd about topics that might have the attention of the best gossips in town Words and actions matter whatever they are Jesus

reaches right to the heart of daily living and goes deeper with the commandments from Deuteronomy From anger (vv 21ndash26) to adultery (vv 27ndash30) to divorce (vv 31ndash32) to using onersquos voice (vv 33ndash37) Jesus challenges each of us about how we are to behave as a people of God There is no small standard here The bar is set high Jesus offers a measure of equality in the way he ap-proaches these teachings placing all on the same field We are each seeds planted and given the Law as fertilizer teach-ing us as we grow into our full natures Those who judge and those who are being judged are equally invited to the table All are of equal value and measure all with the op-portunity to live with integrity and wholeness ldquoLet your word be lsquoYes Yesrsquo or lsquoNo Norsquordquo speaks just as clearly to each of us today Our words and actions matter whatever they are and they especially matter to God We are bombarded with choices and might struggle to make the best choice We can experience decision-making fatigue However fatigued we might be we long for blessing and to know we are on the right path

bull bull bull bull bullAs worshipping communities we have our own routines of awakening and resting We have a language that we share when encountering one another those we welcome and those we serve Always always our words and actions matter How do we find a way to move forward when we make mistakes When we are serving God with our whole hearts directed toward Godrsquos commandments and follow-ing Christrsquos teachings we are on the faithful path When we live and serve God with all our heart God blesses the growth

165165Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Reflection and Focus bull February 16 2020

Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams

Reflecting on the WordAdvent Christmas Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Connecting with lifeReflect on these words from John Wesley ldquoDo all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you canrdquo

Spend a moment considering the ldquogoodrdquo we are called to do in the world your means ways you might share this ldquogoodrdquo work

ScriptureDeuteronomy 3015ndash20 contrasts life and prosperity death and adversity The choice of the author is clear ndash following God leads to life

When we ldquochoose liferdquo what are we choosing

Psalm 1191ndash8 reminds us that our decisions our words and our actions matter

Finish the sentence Happy are those whohellip What happens when an ldquoupright heartrdquo is in conflict or

has caused harm How does living with a ldquowhole heartrdquo influence our experi-ence of worship 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 looks to the future recognizing that we are all working for God

How is this read differently by children youth adults or in the prime of life

Considering the imagery of ldquoGodrsquos fieldrdquo (v 9) what is required to prepare the soil we are to tend

Materials Epiphany poster poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169)

Taking a long view what can we do today in preparation for the future

How do we as a community of faith make decisions together

What process helps to have a ldquocommon purposerdquo

Matthew 521ndash37 Jesus reaches into the heart of daily liv-ing to give encouragement through a collection of teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount Jesusrsquo pointed deeper questions invite us to the heart of daily living with him Our words and actions matter whatever they are

When and where have you witnessed these verses being used for harm

How can these verses be misused or misinterpreted especially when taken literally

Inspired by Jesusrsquos teachings what are the non-negotiables that we value as followers of Christ

Taking these lessons and distilling them what is at the heart of Jesusrsquos teachings from these texts

Read ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo

Connecting scripture and life Using the Epiphany poster as a model what core

ministry value or purpose are you serving Add that to the centre star (or re-create an outline of the star and lines of starbursts to add your words to) Within each of the rays imagine how that core ministry value or purpose influences the world of your ministry and community

How are you working together to wholeheartedly choose life following Godrsquos guidance for living

Focus for Worship Learning and ServingWe long for the freedom to make decisions that enable us to live fully with compassion and purpose Many who gather to worship this week will not always have the full freedom to make the decisions they want to make We can be limited by time resources health energy when we look to ourselves alone This weekrsquos texts call us to expand our view and work together toward a common purpose When we pool together our time resources and energy as a community we have exponential choices before us As

followers we are given the direction and ability to discern Godrsquos call as we grow together Our growth further ex-pands our attention to the broader world and our creative ability to share ourselves through our time resources and gifts The community of faith becomes Godrsquos instruments of love beacons of hope and healing and ushers of peace in a hurting world As we partner in Christrsquos service to this hurting world we become healed through our par-ticipation in dedicating ourselves to Godrsquos unfailing love

166 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Music Suggestions

A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs

Prepare

Gather

Grow

Recruit volunteers needed for worship multiple age levels to lead the call to worship and the prayer of dedi-cation

Choose an option for hearing Matthew 521ndash37 For the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo on p 170 For paraphrase arrange for 2 to 4 storytellers access the reading at httpswwwhopefaithprayercomscripturescotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan

Bring items for setting the worship space Carefully arrange atop or around the worship table gardening tools potted plants gloves gardening pliers a shovelanything that visually represents growth

You might choose to print Epiphany on or in your bulle-tin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For back-ground to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 11

Bring song such as ldquoLove Canonrdquo (Seasons Songbook vol 1 44 on Seasons Music CD vol 1 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Down-loads wwwseasonsonlineca)

Gather instruments for use during one or more songs during worship Once the song is familiar you might

create a parade around the worship space inviting movement and dance

Set stations as described on p 171ndash172

Be GodrsquosDanielle Rose Seasons Songbook vol 9

Teach Me WisdomBruce Harding Seasons Songbook vol 7

May the God of HopeAlvin Schutmaat Ann Mitchell Seasons Songbook vol 6

Where the Spirit IsJonas Jonson Per Harling Seasons Songbook vol 2

Let Us Put On the Clothes of ChristBret Hesla Seasons Songbook vol 1

Love CanonSeasons Songbook vol 1

We Give Our Hands to YouDaisy Nshakazongwe Andrew Donaldson Seasons Songbook vol 1

Draw the Circle WideGordon Light

With lights dim have candles lit in the worship space and pre-service music playing as people enter The music and candle lights create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort with a more mystical element

Call to worshipOne God we gather in your house to worship you All With open hearts we give you our thanks and praise One Guide us in all we do as we come seeking you All With happy hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Help us to grow as a community of faith who serves

love in your name All With whole hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Come let us worship the living God who makes all

things possible

Opening prayerGod we come before you today knowing that you are a God who gathers near In the morning light you shine a generous glow over the earth In the fertile soil you bless the earth with colourful flowers and fresh aromas You are present in every colour of the rainbow Your love shines through your creativity and is beyond measure When we sing and play and dance you dance alongside us When we stumble and fall you send someone to lift us up When our hearts are heavy and we grieve your tears flow with oursReceive us as we are here and now We are here with open arms and open hearts Help us to receive your compassionate care in each of our ages and stages of life Be with us in our worship as we gather together drawing near to your presence Amen

165165Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Reflection and Focus bull February 16 2020

Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams

Reflecting on the WordAdvent Christmas Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Connecting with lifeReflect on these words from John Wesley ldquoDo all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you canrdquo

Spend a moment considering the ldquogoodrdquo we are called to do in the world your means ways you might share this ldquogoodrdquo work

ScriptureDeuteronomy 3015ndash20 contrasts life and prosperity death and adversity The choice of the author is clear ndash following God leads to life

When we ldquochoose liferdquo what are we choosing

Psalm 1191ndash8 reminds us that our decisions our words and our actions matter

Finish the sentence Happy are those whohellip What happens when an ldquoupright heartrdquo is in conflict or

has caused harm How does living with a ldquowhole heartrdquo influence our experi-ence of worship 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 looks to the future recognizing that we are all working for God

How is this read differently by children youth adults or in the prime of life

Considering the imagery of ldquoGodrsquos fieldrdquo (v 9) what is required to prepare the soil we are to tend

Materials Epiphany poster poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169)

Taking a long view what can we do today in preparation for the future

How do we as a community of faith make decisions together

What process helps to have a ldquocommon purposerdquo

Matthew 521ndash37 Jesus reaches into the heart of daily liv-ing to give encouragement through a collection of teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount Jesusrsquo pointed deeper questions invite us to the heart of daily living with him Our words and actions matter whatever they are

When and where have you witnessed these verses being used for harm

How can these verses be misused or misinterpreted especially when taken literally

Inspired by Jesusrsquos teachings what are the non-negotiables that we value as followers of Christ

Taking these lessons and distilling them what is at the heart of Jesusrsquos teachings from these texts

Read ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo

Connecting scripture and life Using the Epiphany poster as a model what core

ministry value or purpose are you serving Add that to the centre star (or re-create an outline of the star and lines of starbursts to add your words to) Within each of the rays imagine how that core ministry value or purpose influences the world of your ministry and community

How are you working together to wholeheartedly choose life following Godrsquos guidance for living

Focus for Worship Learning and ServingWe long for the freedom to make decisions that enable us to live fully with compassion and purpose Many who gather to worship this week will not always have the full freedom to make the decisions they want to make We can be limited by time resources health energy when we look to ourselves alone This weekrsquos texts call us to expand our view and work together toward a common purpose When we pool together our time resources and energy as a community we have exponential choices before us As

followers we are given the direction and ability to discern Godrsquos call as we grow together Our growth further ex-pands our attention to the broader world and our creative ability to share ourselves through our time resources and gifts The community of faith becomes Godrsquos instruments of love beacons of hope and healing and ushers of peace in a hurting world As we partner in Christrsquos service to this hurting world we become healed through our par-ticipation in dedicating ourselves to Godrsquos unfailing love

166 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Music Suggestions

A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs

Prepare

Gather

Grow

Recruit volunteers needed for worship multiple age levels to lead the call to worship and the prayer of dedi-cation

Choose an option for hearing Matthew 521ndash37 For the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo on p 170 For paraphrase arrange for 2 to 4 storytellers access the reading at httpswwwhopefaithprayercomscripturescotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan

Bring items for setting the worship space Carefully arrange atop or around the worship table gardening tools potted plants gloves gardening pliers a shovelanything that visually represents growth

You might choose to print Epiphany on or in your bulle-tin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For back-ground to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 11

Bring song such as ldquoLove Canonrdquo (Seasons Songbook vol 1 44 on Seasons Music CD vol 1 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Down-loads wwwseasonsonlineca)

Gather instruments for use during one or more songs during worship Once the song is familiar you might

create a parade around the worship space inviting movement and dance

Set stations as described on p 171ndash172

Be GodrsquosDanielle Rose Seasons Songbook vol 9

Teach Me WisdomBruce Harding Seasons Songbook vol 7

May the God of HopeAlvin Schutmaat Ann Mitchell Seasons Songbook vol 6

Where the Spirit IsJonas Jonson Per Harling Seasons Songbook vol 2

Let Us Put On the Clothes of ChristBret Hesla Seasons Songbook vol 1

Love CanonSeasons Songbook vol 1

We Give Our Hands to YouDaisy Nshakazongwe Andrew Donaldson Seasons Songbook vol 1

Draw the Circle WideGordon Light

With lights dim have candles lit in the worship space and pre-service music playing as people enter The music and candle lights create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort with a more mystical element

Call to worshipOne God we gather in your house to worship you All With open hearts we give you our thanks and praise One Guide us in all we do as we come seeking you All With happy hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Help us to grow as a community of faith who serves

love in your name All With whole hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Come let us worship the living God who makes all

things possible

Opening prayerGod we come before you today knowing that you are a God who gathers near In the morning light you shine a generous glow over the earth In the fertile soil you bless the earth with colourful flowers and fresh aromas You are present in every colour of the rainbow Your love shines through your creativity and is beyond measure When we sing and play and dance you dance alongside us When we stumble and fall you send someone to lift us up When our hearts are heavy and we grieve your tears flow with oursReceive us as we are here and now We are here with open arms and open hearts Help us to receive your compassionate care in each of our ages and stages of life Be with us in our worship as we gather together drawing near to your presence Amen

166 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Music Suggestions

A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs

Prepare

Gather

Grow

Recruit volunteers needed for worship multiple age levels to lead the call to worship and the prayer of dedi-cation

Choose an option for hearing Matthew 521ndash37 For the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo on p 170 For paraphrase arrange for 2 to 4 storytellers access the reading at httpswwwhopefaithprayercomscripturescotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan

Bring items for setting the worship space Carefully arrange atop or around the worship table gardening tools potted plants gloves gardening pliers a shovelanything that visually represents growth

You might choose to print Epiphany on or in your bulle-tin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For back-ground to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 11

Bring song such as ldquoLove Canonrdquo (Seasons Songbook vol 1 44 on Seasons Music CD vol 1 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Down-loads wwwseasonsonlineca)

Gather instruments for use during one or more songs during worship Once the song is familiar you might

create a parade around the worship space inviting movement and dance

Set stations as described on p 171ndash172

Be GodrsquosDanielle Rose Seasons Songbook vol 9

Teach Me WisdomBruce Harding Seasons Songbook vol 7

May the God of HopeAlvin Schutmaat Ann Mitchell Seasons Songbook vol 6

Where the Spirit IsJonas Jonson Per Harling Seasons Songbook vol 2

Let Us Put On the Clothes of ChristBret Hesla Seasons Songbook vol 1

Love CanonSeasons Songbook vol 1

We Give Our Hands to YouDaisy Nshakazongwe Andrew Donaldson Seasons Songbook vol 1

Draw the Circle WideGordon Light

With lights dim have candles lit in the worship space and pre-service music playing as people enter The music and candle lights create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort with a more mystical element

Call to worshipOne God we gather in your house to worship you All With open hearts we give you our thanks and praise One Guide us in all we do as we come seeking you All With happy hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Help us to grow as a community of faith who serves

love in your name All With whole hearts we give you our thanks and

praise One Come let us worship the living God who makes all

things possible

Opening prayerGod we come before you today knowing that you are a God who gathers near In the morning light you shine a generous glow over the earth In the fertile soil you bless the earth with colourful flowers and fresh aromas You are present in every colour of the rainbow Your love shines through your creativity and is beyond measure When we sing and play and dance you dance alongside us When we stumble and fall you send someone to lift us up When our hearts are heavy and we grieve your tears flow with oursReceive us as we are here and now We are here with open arms and open hearts Help us to receive your compassionate care in each of our ages and stages of life Be with us in our worship as we gather together drawing near to your presence Amen

167167Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

Engage

Invite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word

Prayer of confessionGod todayrsquos scriptures reach our heartstrings and tug Each of us comes with the desire to choose life ndash to follow you There are times choosing life means opening our eyes and waking to the day We choose life when we persevere despite our own despair May we know your love in the times we want to give up run away and hide

We each confess to the times we have caused harm by our words and actions We know that we sometimes cause harm without intending to do so We ask that you forgive us for the times our words and ac-tions have caused harm

The psalmist teaches ldquoHappy are those who keep your de-crees who seek you with their whole heartrdquo

We long to seek you with our whole heart God We want to know that happiness Help us to release that which binds us to unhappiness Help us to shed the layers of doubt dis-ease and uncertainty Help us to clothe ourselves with your limitless love and wash us with your forgiveness Forgive us God for the times we have allowed our doubts to claim our attention when our hearts have been closed to your love Amen

Words of affirmation Friends and neighbours let us rejoice God tells us that when we confess our sins God forgives Know that your confession has drawn you closer to Godrsquos love Let go of your doubts and your fears completely for you have placed them at Christrsquos feet Rest assured ndash your sins are forgiven Be at peace to love and serve God

Opening the wordDeuteronomy 3015ndash20 calls us to ldquochoose liferdquo which ties in with the way we are following Christrsquos light and the Epipha-ny star We have free will even if we fail we can still make a choice ldquoShall we make a new rule of life from tonight always be kinder than necessaryrdquo ndash JM Barrie What are the ldquorules for liferdquo that your community of faith values most Perhaps write them on sticky notes and add them to a display

Sirach 1515ndash20 feels like a call to confession which you might read before the prayer of confession

Moving into Matthew 521ndash37 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCOREInvite those gathered to reflect on what it takes to get along with friends and family Then ask them to think about a specific time when they were upset with someone or some-one was upset with them What did it take to make that situation better In what has been called the Sermon on the Mount that has been our gospel readings for the past four weeks Jesuslsquo teaching suggests ways Godrsquos love can work in us and through us helping communities to be healthy and strong

Choose from the following

Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo (p 170)Paraphrase Use the version found in the Cotton Patch Gospel at httpswwwhopefaithprayercomscripturescotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan

ldquoCotton Patch Gospel recasts the stories of Jesus and the let-ters of Paul and Peter into the language and culture of the mid-20th century United States South Born out of the Civil Rights struggle these now classic translations of much of the New Testament bring the far-away places of scripture closer to home Gainesville Selma Birmingham Atlanta and Washington DCrdquo

Invite two to four storytellers to actively present the text which can be broken into 4 parts part 1 ndash vv 20ndash24 part 2 ndash vv 25ndash26 part 3 ndash vv 31ndash32 part 4 ndash vv 33ndash37 You might create a retelling of this scripture in the context and language of your culture inspired by the Cotton Patch Gospel presentation

168 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Worship Outline bull February 16 2020

Bless

RespondAfter proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice

Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoLove Canonrdquo (Seasons Song-book vol 1 44 on Seasons Music CD vol1 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)

Prayers of the peopleCompanioning Godwhen we feel your presence we are never alone You are the rock and the soft moss filled with life You offer the path to travel and bless the traveller You bless each step offering spaces to heal when we fall You reach toward us and lift us up You guide us with light that summons our best self You welcome us as we are while stirring us to awaken Our lives matter and you fill us with hope Thank you for the steps that bring our lights into your radiance Thank you for the communities of light that bless us and offer blessing to others

Thank you for the spaces of hope that carry our hearts when we feel too broken to move You show your love as we heal You bless us through encircling us with your loving presence Help us to grow so that we may encircle others offering your hope and love through each step Amen

Prayer of dedication or offering prayerOne Here I am God I choose love (place hand on heart)All We are here God We choose love (place hand on heart)One Here I am God I choose kindness (make prayer hands

in front of chest)All We are here God We choose kindness (make prayer

hands in front of your chest)One Here I am God I choose life (with open hands)All We are here God We choose life (with open hands) God we choose to be instruments of your love bea-

cons of hope and healing and ushers of peace in a hurting world When we are afraid lonely or tired we choose rest and renewal Create in us cycles of life and seasons of healing When we are rested and renewed we dedicate ourselves to the service of your love sharing our light to a hurting world Amen

Option 1 May you be rested and ready for each new day with strength and courage to meet new people and make new friends May you be an encourager a steady presence with a strong heart and a clear mind to love and serve God Amen

Option 2 ldquoDo all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you canrdquo ndash John Wesley

169169169Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Poetry and Prose bull February 16 2020

Blessed arehellip

Blessed are those who stay brave and courageousWise are those who know when to bite their tongue

Blessed are those who speak the truth when truth is hard to come byWise are those who are grateful

Blessed are those who choose loveBlessed are those who are kind

Blessed are those who are challenged so they may achieve growthWise are those who pay attention

Wise are those who swim patiently in urgencyWise are those who seek to listen and to understand

Blessed are those who listen in loveWise are those who keep the peace

Blessed are those who hold hope for tomorrow Wise are those who welcome all to share the feast

Blessed are those who grow in Godrsquos love

Written with participation of members of Grace Baptist Church Richmond VA while in fellowship around the weekly Welcome Table

Inspired by work with The Calvin Worship Institute

170170 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Bible Story bull February 16 2020

A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder

The Things Jesus TaughtBased on Matthew 521ndash37

For a long time your parents your grandparents your great-grandparents have known that it is wrong to kill another person There is never a good reason to kill

someone It is called murderNow I want to tell you something harder If you are

angry and you think that you would like to kill someone that is just as bad You are murdering that person in your heart

Donrsquot say things that hurt somebody else It is wrong to say something that will make them feel bad It is also harmful if you think mean things about someone Even if you donrsquot say it out loud

Sometimes you bring money to the church Thatrsquos good But if you are angry at someone put the money back into your pocket Go and talk to that person Try to become friends again When yoursquove done that then you can bring your money to the church

Never say what you donrsquot mean When you tell a friend that you will do something be sure you do it Donrsquot say ldquoI forgotrdquo or ldquoI didnrsquot really mean itrdquo

When you make a promise keep that promise

Lectionary Story Bible Year A by Ralph Milton Copyright copy 2007 Wood Lake Publishing Inc

Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story

ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pen-cils Legosreg or play dough a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a story-teller to present the story

Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo2 Choose between Legosreg play dough or drawing materials You may offer more

than one option for others to choose between 3 Using the materials provided create a visual retelling of todayrsquos story How would

you tell the story using the materials provided 4 Create a show and tell gallery What is made more vivid through the visual retell-

ing of todayrsquos story

171Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions

For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder

The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 11 provides some background to the poster for Epiphany and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to add an Art Engagement

station each week using one of the art engagement ideas

We grow together The practice of wisdomMaterials coloured papers pencil

markers tape scissors a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Wisdom comes as we search our hearts listening for Godrsquos Spirit to stir or speak within Wisdom comes as we witness and share with one another our stories and our call We grow together as we get to know one another and are inspired by one another 1 Using a central circle write the words ldquoWe Grow Togetherrdquo and place it on in the

middle of the poster board table or bulletin board 2 Cut ldquopetalrdquo shapes from coloured pieces of paper 3 Assist those who need write on each petal what each brings to the growth of the

community What unique offering does each bring Offer assistance as needed to any who are not sure what to write after all we see gifts and uniqueness of others sometimes more clearly than they see for themselves Some suggestions levity humour love objectivity peace calmhellip

4 Tape each petal around the central circle adding more and more as they are com-pleted

5 You can add blank petals sporadically for others to add their words to at a later time

6 Place this in a visible space for all to see and enjoy

Linked by love

Suitable for all ages

The practice of loveMaterials pipe cleaners in varying colours needle nose pliers a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions 1 Gather materials in the middle of the table 2 Using a pipe cleaner bend it into the shape of a heart Do so by bending it in half

unfolding it in the opposite direction joining the open ends together and shaping the ldquoheartrdquo

3 Taking the next heart join it to the first one linking them together 4 As each heart is placed next to another you can say ldquoWe grow in Godrsquos loverdquo 4 Repeat as many times as you desire Each heart thatrsquos added represents how we are

each linked by Godrsquos love and that love continues to grow the community of faith 5 These can be hung around the church used as a table runner or in some other

visual capacity

See the article ldquoLiturgy for Life Prayer Stations in Larger Congregationsrdquo on p 22

172 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Suitable for ages 6ndashadult working together

Blessed are The practice of blessingMaterials poster board copies of the

poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Often our language can be focused on the negative or in a complaining tone In this activity each is given the opportunity to speak in uplifting tones with a language of hope and blessing Inspired by work with The Calvin Worship Institute 1 Each person at this station is invited to add their own short proverb to the poster

board Begin with the words ldquoBlessed arerdquo or ldquoWise arerdquo and use your words to complete the line See the poem ldquoBlessed arerdquo for examples of this

2 Build a group litany3 You can use these as a part of your liturgy for the day or as a prayer of blessing 4 Display or photograph to add to your social media or as bulletin cover art

Tower of words The practice of balancing our wordsMaterials Jengareg game (a tall narrow

tower made of identical finger-size wooden bricks) dark permanent markers a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions1 Jesus reminds us that words are powerful Words can build us up and they can

tear us down In this fun activity you will try to build a strong steady tower of words but be careful as you build higher you can tip the balance and the tower will topple

2 Using only one hand push or move one of the blocks from a lower level of the tower and place it on the top level of the tower

3 Going clockwise each player takes a turn removing a block from a lower level and placing it on top of the tower

4 As the tower gets taller be careful you donrsquot want to be the one to make the tower fall 5 After the game reflect on the following In the laws in the Matthew 521ndash37 passage

we are called to create a world of justice or forgiveness peace reconciliation love commitment and honesty How might the building of this tower of words be a metaphorsymbol for your community and our world

We are Godrsquos building

Suitable for all ages working together

The practice of building communityMaterials drop cloth or brown craft paper quantity of modelling clay or clay anything that would make good building materials (toothpicks pipe cleaners spools corks rolling pins stick pretzels construction paper) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsJesusrsquo teaching in the Sermon on the Mount guides us as we grow as communities of mercy justice reconciliation peace and love 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 one of the other readings for today states ldquoFor we are Godrsquos servants working together you are Godrsquos field Godrsquos buildingrdquo In this activity you will work together with other church members to build a community 1 Using the clay and building materials provided build one piece of a community (a

house a store a forest a gas station a park a road a city hall a river a mountain a windmill a garden a church a soup kitchen a school ndash whatever comes to mind)

2 Once you create your piece place it in relation to pieces that others have created 3 Cut a thin strip of construction paper about the length of your finger Place a

length of drinking straw (or toothpick) vertically at the middle of the paper Glue the drinking straw in place and fold the paper over so that you have a small flag On this flag write a word such as ldquopeacerdquo ldquoloverdquo ldquofaithrdquo ldquomercyrdquo and then place that flag on a spot in the community where you think that word lives If there is no place to anchor your flag use clay to create a base at the end of the length of drinking straw or toothpick

4 Rules You cannot destroy a structure that someone else has created You cannot move a structure that someone else has created You may not take items (clay toothpicks stick pretzels and so on) from another personrsquos piece

5 As you build this community together ndash ask what others are building and why they chose to create that structure Why did they place the structure in that particular spot

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

41

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

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Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

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sto

ry

tim

e

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 12

201

7

crea

te

Jesu

s an

d hi

s fr

iend

s w

ere

talk

ing

toge

ther

on

the

top

of a

tal

l hill

It

was

the

ir f

avou

rite

pla

ce t

o sh

are

stor

ies

Jesu

s be

gan

to ta

lk w

ith h

is

frie

nds

ldquoEve

ryon

e is

spec

ial b

ecau

se n

o on

e is

exa

ctly

alik

e

ldquoSom

etim

es w

e m

ight

not

get

alo

ng

beca

use

we

have

dif

fere

nt id

eas a

nd

plan

s

ldquoSom

etim

es th

ere w

ill b

e day

s whe

n w

e get

frus

trat

ed o

r ang

ry w

ith ea

ch

othe

r

Godrsquo

s Dre

am ndash

Par

t 3Ba

sed

on M

atth

ew 5

21ndash

37

Hea

rt Ru

bbin

gsD

irec

tion

s1

Fix

the h

eart

shap

es to

a ta

ble w

ith

rolle

d pi

eces

of t

ape

2 C

over

the

hea

rt s

hape

s w

ith a

la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er

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ape

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r in

pla

ce m

akin

g su

re th

at th

e pap

er w

onrsquot

rip

whe

n do

ing

the

rubb

ings

4

Rub

acr

oss

the

pape

r w

ith t

he

side

s of

cr

ayon

s to

m

ake

the

hear

ts a

ppea

r5

Eac

h ti

me

a he

art

appe

ars

com

-pl

etel

y c

all

out

a m

essa

ge s

uch

as ldquo

Love

is h

ererdquo

6

Con

tinu

e un

til

all

hear

ts h

ave

been

rev

eale

d

ldquoBut

whe

n th

at h

appe

ns

it is

im

-po

rtan

t no

t to

hur

t ea

ch o

ther

We

all c

arry

God

rsquos lo

ve in

our

hea

rts

ldquoGod

rsquos lo

ve c

an g

row

ins

ide

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t ea

ch

othe

r ev

en w

hen

we

are

feel

ing

frus

trat

ed

or a

ngry

rdquo

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Jesu

s he

lps

us li

ve a

nd g

row

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Now

this

love

wersquo

ll sh

ow

God

rsquos lo

ve is

alw

ays t

here

We

carr

y it

in o

ur h

eart

s it

shi

nes

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t eac

h ot

her

You

will

nee

d a

vari

ety

of p

aper

s w

ith

inte

rest

ing

text

ures

(s

uch

as w

allp

aper

co

nstr

uctio

n pa

per

sand

pape

r) c

ut i

nto

hear

t sh

apes

ve

ry la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er c

ray-

ons

with

pap

er c

over

ings

rem

oved

cl

ear

stic

ky ta

pe

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 175 2016-04-23 113656 AM

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 16

202

0

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
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170170 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Bible Story bull February 16 2020

A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder

The Things Jesus TaughtBased on Matthew 521ndash37

For a long time your parents your grandparents your great-grandparents have known that it is wrong to kill another person There is never a good reason to kill

someone It is called murderNow I want to tell you something harder If you are

angry and you think that you would like to kill someone that is just as bad You are murdering that person in your heart

Donrsquot say things that hurt somebody else It is wrong to say something that will make them feel bad It is also harmful if you think mean things about someone Even if you donrsquot say it out loud

Sometimes you bring money to the church Thatrsquos good But if you are angry at someone put the money back into your pocket Go and talk to that person Try to become friends again When yoursquove done that then you can bring your money to the church

Never say what you donrsquot mean When you tell a friend that you will do something be sure you do it Donrsquot say ldquoI forgotrdquo or ldquoI didnrsquot really mean itrdquo

When you make a promise keep that promise

Lectionary Story Bible Year A by Ralph Milton Copyright copy 2007 Wood Lake Publishing Inc

Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story

ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pen-cils Legosreg or play dough a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a story-teller to present the story

Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoThe Things Jesus Taughtrdquo2 Choose between Legosreg play dough or drawing materials You may offer more

than one option for others to choose between 3 Using the materials provided create a visual retelling of todayrsquos story How would

you tell the story using the materials provided 4 Create a show and tell gallery What is made more vivid through the visual retell-

ing of todayrsquos story

171Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions

For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder

The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 11 provides some background to the poster for Epiphany and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to add an Art Engagement

station each week using one of the art engagement ideas

We grow together The practice of wisdomMaterials coloured papers pencil

markers tape scissors a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Wisdom comes as we search our hearts listening for Godrsquos Spirit to stir or speak within Wisdom comes as we witness and share with one another our stories and our call We grow together as we get to know one another and are inspired by one another 1 Using a central circle write the words ldquoWe Grow Togetherrdquo and place it on in the

middle of the poster board table or bulletin board 2 Cut ldquopetalrdquo shapes from coloured pieces of paper 3 Assist those who need write on each petal what each brings to the growth of the

community What unique offering does each bring Offer assistance as needed to any who are not sure what to write after all we see gifts and uniqueness of others sometimes more clearly than they see for themselves Some suggestions levity humour love objectivity peace calmhellip

4 Tape each petal around the central circle adding more and more as they are com-pleted

5 You can add blank petals sporadically for others to add their words to at a later time

6 Place this in a visible space for all to see and enjoy

Linked by love

Suitable for all ages

The practice of loveMaterials pipe cleaners in varying colours needle nose pliers a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions 1 Gather materials in the middle of the table 2 Using a pipe cleaner bend it into the shape of a heart Do so by bending it in half

unfolding it in the opposite direction joining the open ends together and shaping the ldquoheartrdquo

3 Taking the next heart join it to the first one linking them together 4 As each heart is placed next to another you can say ldquoWe grow in Godrsquos loverdquo 4 Repeat as many times as you desire Each heart thatrsquos added represents how we are

each linked by Godrsquos love and that love continues to grow the community of faith 5 These can be hung around the church used as a table runner or in some other

visual capacity

See the article ldquoLiturgy for Life Prayer Stations in Larger Congregationsrdquo on p 22

172 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Suitable for ages 6ndashadult working together

Blessed are The practice of blessingMaterials poster board copies of the

poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Often our language can be focused on the negative or in a complaining tone In this activity each is given the opportunity to speak in uplifting tones with a language of hope and blessing Inspired by work with The Calvin Worship Institute 1 Each person at this station is invited to add their own short proverb to the poster

board Begin with the words ldquoBlessed arerdquo or ldquoWise arerdquo and use your words to complete the line See the poem ldquoBlessed arerdquo for examples of this

2 Build a group litany3 You can use these as a part of your liturgy for the day or as a prayer of blessing 4 Display or photograph to add to your social media or as bulletin cover art

Tower of words The practice of balancing our wordsMaterials Jengareg game (a tall narrow

tower made of identical finger-size wooden bricks) dark permanent markers a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions1 Jesus reminds us that words are powerful Words can build us up and they can

tear us down In this fun activity you will try to build a strong steady tower of words but be careful as you build higher you can tip the balance and the tower will topple

2 Using only one hand push or move one of the blocks from a lower level of the tower and place it on the top level of the tower

3 Going clockwise each player takes a turn removing a block from a lower level and placing it on top of the tower

4 As the tower gets taller be careful you donrsquot want to be the one to make the tower fall 5 After the game reflect on the following In the laws in the Matthew 521ndash37 passage

we are called to create a world of justice or forgiveness peace reconciliation love commitment and honesty How might the building of this tower of words be a metaphorsymbol for your community and our world

We are Godrsquos building

Suitable for all ages working together

The practice of building communityMaterials drop cloth or brown craft paper quantity of modelling clay or clay anything that would make good building materials (toothpicks pipe cleaners spools corks rolling pins stick pretzels construction paper) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsJesusrsquo teaching in the Sermon on the Mount guides us as we grow as communities of mercy justice reconciliation peace and love 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 one of the other readings for today states ldquoFor we are Godrsquos servants working together you are Godrsquos field Godrsquos buildingrdquo In this activity you will work together with other church members to build a community 1 Using the clay and building materials provided build one piece of a community (a

house a store a forest a gas station a park a road a city hall a river a mountain a windmill a garden a church a soup kitchen a school ndash whatever comes to mind)

2 Once you create your piece place it in relation to pieces that others have created 3 Cut a thin strip of construction paper about the length of your finger Place a

length of drinking straw (or toothpick) vertically at the middle of the paper Glue the drinking straw in place and fold the paper over so that you have a small flag On this flag write a word such as ldquopeacerdquo ldquoloverdquo ldquofaithrdquo ldquomercyrdquo and then place that flag on a spot in the community where you think that word lives If there is no place to anchor your flag use clay to create a base at the end of the length of drinking straw or toothpick

4 Rules You cannot destroy a structure that someone else has created You cannot move a structure that someone else has created You may not take items (clay toothpicks stick pretzels and so on) from another personrsquos piece

5 As you build this community together ndash ask what others are building and why they chose to create that structure Why did they place the structure in that particular spot

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

41

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

41

sto

ry

tim

e

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 12

201

7

crea

te

Jesu

s an

d hi

s fr

iend

s w

ere

talk

ing

toge

ther

on

the

top

of a

tal

l hill

It

was

the

ir f

avou

rite

pla

ce t

o sh

are

stor

ies

Jesu

s be

gan

to ta

lk w

ith h

is

frie

nds

ldquoEve

ryon

e is

spec

ial b

ecau

se n

o on

e is

exa

ctly

alik

e

ldquoSom

etim

es w

e m

ight

not

get

alo

ng

beca

use

we

have

dif

fere

nt id

eas a

nd

plan

s

ldquoSom

etim

es th

ere w

ill b

e day

s whe

n w

e get

frus

trat

ed o

r ang

ry w

ith ea

ch

othe

r

Godrsquo

s Dre

am ndash

Par

t 3Ba

sed

on M

atth

ew 5

21ndash

37

Hea

rt Ru

bbin

gsD

irec

tion

s1

Fix

the h

eart

shap

es to

a ta

ble w

ith

rolle

d pi

eces

of t

ape

2 C

over

the

hea

rt s

hape

s w

ith a

la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er

3 T

ape

the

pape

r in

pla

ce m

akin

g su

re th

at th

e pap

er w

onrsquot

rip

whe

n do

ing

the

rubb

ings

4

Rub

acr

oss

the

pape

r w

ith t

he

side

s of

cr

ayon

s to

m

ake

the

hear

ts a

ppea

r5

Eac

h ti

me

a he

art

appe

ars

com

-pl

etel

y c

all

out

a m

essa

ge s

uch

as ldquo

Love

is h

ererdquo

6

Con

tinu

e un

til

all

hear

ts h

ave

been

rev

eale

d

ldquoBut

whe

n th

at h

appe

ns

it is

im

-po

rtan

t no

t to

hur

t ea

ch o

ther

We

all c

arry

God

rsquos lo

ve in

our

hea

rts

ldquoGod

rsquos lo

ve c

an g

row

ins

ide

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t ea

ch

othe

r ev

en w

hen

we

are

feel

ing

frus

trat

ed

or a

ngry

rdquo

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Jesu

s he

lps

us li

ve a

nd g

row

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Now

this

love

wersquo

ll sh

ow

God

rsquos lo

ve is

alw

ays t

here

We

carr

y it

in o

ur h

eart

s it

shi

nes

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t eac

h ot

her

You

will

nee

d a

vari

ety

of p

aper

s w

ith

inte

rest

ing

text

ures

(s

uch

as w

allp

aper

co

nstr

uctio

n pa

per

sand

pape

r) c

ut i

nto

hear

t sh

apes

ve

ry la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er c

ray-

ons

with

pap

er c

over

ings

rem

oved

cl

ear

stic

ky ta

pe

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 175 2016-04-23 113656 AM

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 16

202

0

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack

171Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions

For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder

The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 11 provides some background to the poster for Epiphany and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to add an Art Engagement

station each week using one of the art engagement ideas

We grow together The practice of wisdomMaterials coloured papers pencil

markers tape scissors a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Wisdom comes as we search our hearts listening for Godrsquos Spirit to stir or speak within Wisdom comes as we witness and share with one another our stories and our call We grow together as we get to know one another and are inspired by one another 1 Using a central circle write the words ldquoWe Grow Togetherrdquo and place it on in the

middle of the poster board table or bulletin board 2 Cut ldquopetalrdquo shapes from coloured pieces of paper 3 Assist those who need write on each petal what each brings to the growth of the

community What unique offering does each bring Offer assistance as needed to any who are not sure what to write after all we see gifts and uniqueness of others sometimes more clearly than they see for themselves Some suggestions levity humour love objectivity peace calmhellip

4 Tape each petal around the central circle adding more and more as they are com-pleted

5 You can add blank petals sporadically for others to add their words to at a later time

6 Place this in a visible space for all to see and enjoy

Linked by love

Suitable for all ages

The practice of loveMaterials pipe cleaners in varying colours needle nose pliers a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions 1 Gather materials in the middle of the table 2 Using a pipe cleaner bend it into the shape of a heart Do so by bending it in half

unfolding it in the opposite direction joining the open ends together and shaping the ldquoheartrdquo

3 Taking the next heart join it to the first one linking them together 4 As each heart is placed next to another you can say ldquoWe grow in Godrsquos loverdquo 4 Repeat as many times as you desire Each heart thatrsquos added represents how we are

each linked by Godrsquos love and that love continues to grow the community of faith 5 These can be hung around the church used as a table runner or in some other

visual capacity

See the article ldquoLiturgy for Life Prayer Stations in Larger Congregationsrdquo on p 22

172 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Suitable for ages 6ndashadult working together

Blessed are The practice of blessingMaterials poster board copies of the

poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Often our language can be focused on the negative or in a complaining tone In this activity each is given the opportunity to speak in uplifting tones with a language of hope and blessing Inspired by work with The Calvin Worship Institute 1 Each person at this station is invited to add their own short proverb to the poster

board Begin with the words ldquoBlessed arerdquo or ldquoWise arerdquo and use your words to complete the line See the poem ldquoBlessed arerdquo for examples of this

2 Build a group litany3 You can use these as a part of your liturgy for the day or as a prayer of blessing 4 Display or photograph to add to your social media or as bulletin cover art

Tower of words The practice of balancing our wordsMaterials Jengareg game (a tall narrow

tower made of identical finger-size wooden bricks) dark permanent markers a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions1 Jesus reminds us that words are powerful Words can build us up and they can

tear us down In this fun activity you will try to build a strong steady tower of words but be careful as you build higher you can tip the balance and the tower will topple

2 Using only one hand push or move one of the blocks from a lower level of the tower and place it on the top level of the tower

3 Going clockwise each player takes a turn removing a block from a lower level and placing it on top of the tower

4 As the tower gets taller be careful you donrsquot want to be the one to make the tower fall 5 After the game reflect on the following In the laws in the Matthew 521ndash37 passage

we are called to create a world of justice or forgiveness peace reconciliation love commitment and honesty How might the building of this tower of words be a metaphorsymbol for your community and our world

We are Godrsquos building

Suitable for all ages working together

The practice of building communityMaterials drop cloth or brown craft paper quantity of modelling clay or clay anything that would make good building materials (toothpicks pipe cleaners spools corks rolling pins stick pretzels construction paper) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsJesusrsquo teaching in the Sermon on the Mount guides us as we grow as communities of mercy justice reconciliation peace and love 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 one of the other readings for today states ldquoFor we are Godrsquos servants working together you are Godrsquos field Godrsquos buildingrdquo In this activity you will work together with other church members to build a community 1 Using the clay and building materials provided build one piece of a community (a

house a store a forest a gas station a park a road a city hall a river a mountain a windmill a garden a church a soup kitchen a school ndash whatever comes to mind)

2 Once you create your piece place it in relation to pieces that others have created 3 Cut a thin strip of construction paper about the length of your finger Place a

length of drinking straw (or toothpick) vertically at the middle of the paper Glue the drinking straw in place and fold the paper over so that you have a small flag On this flag write a word such as ldquopeacerdquo ldquoloverdquo ldquofaithrdquo ldquomercyrdquo and then place that flag on a spot in the community where you think that word lives If there is no place to anchor your flag use clay to create a base at the end of the length of drinking straw or toothpick

4 Rules You cannot destroy a structure that someone else has created You cannot move a structure that someone else has created You may not take items (clay toothpicks stick pretzels and so on) from another personrsquos piece

5 As you build this community together ndash ask what others are building and why they chose to create that structure Why did they place the structure in that particular spot

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

41

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

41

sto

ry

tim

e

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 12

201

7

crea

te

Jesu

s an

d hi

s fr

iend

s w

ere

talk

ing

toge

ther

on

the

top

of a

tal

l hill

It

was

the

ir f

avou

rite

pla

ce t

o sh

are

stor

ies

Jesu

s be

gan

to ta

lk w

ith h

is

frie

nds

ldquoEve

ryon

e is

spec

ial b

ecau

se n

o on

e is

exa

ctly

alik

e

ldquoSom

etim

es w

e m

ight

not

get

alo

ng

beca

use

we

have

dif

fere

nt id

eas a

nd

plan

s

ldquoSom

etim

es th

ere w

ill b

e day

s whe

n w

e get

frus

trat

ed o

r ang

ry w

ith ea

ch

othe

r

Godrsquo

s Dre

am ndash

Par

t 3Ba

sed

on M

atth

ew 5

21ndash

37

Hea

rt Ru

bbin

gsD

irec

tion

s1

Fix

the h

eart

shap

es to

a ta

ble w

ith

rolle

d pi

eces

of t

ape

2 C

over

the

hea

rt s

hape

s w

ith a

la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er

3 T

ape

the

pape

r in

pla

ce m

akin

g su

re th

at th

e pap

er w

onrsquot

rip

whe

n do

ing

the

rubb

ings

4

Rub

acr

oss

the

pape

r w

ith t

he

side

s of

cr

ayon

s to

m

ake

the

hear

ts a

ppea

r5

Eac

h ti

me

a he

art

appe

ars

com

-pl

etel

y c

all

out

a m

essa

ge s

uch

as ldquo

Love

is h

ererdquo

6

Con

tinu

e un

til

all

hear

ts h

ave

been

rev

eale

d

ldquoBut

whe

n th

at h

appe

ns

it is

im

-po

rtan

t no

t to

hur

t ea

ch o

ther

We

all c

arry

God

rsquos lo

ve in

our

hea

rts

ldquoGod

rsquos lo

ve c

an g

row

ins

ide

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t ea

ch

othe

r ev

en w

hen

we

are

feel

ing

frus

trat

ed

or a

ngry

rdquo

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Jesu

s he

lps

us li

ve a

nd g

row

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Now

this

love

wersquo

ll sh

ow

God

rsquos lo

ve is

alw

ays t

here

We

carr

y it

in o

ur h

eart

s it

shi

nes

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t eac

h ot

her

You

will

nee

d a

vari

ety

of p

aper

s w

ith

inte

rest

ing

text

ures

(s

uch

as w

allp

aper

co

nstr

uctio

n pa

per

sand

pape

r) c

ut i

nto

hear

t sh

apes

ve

ry la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er c

ray-

ons

with

pap

er c

over

ings

rem

oved

cl

ear

stic

ky ta

pe

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 175 2016-04-23 113656 AM

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 16

202

0

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack

172 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

Stations bull February 16 2020

Suitable for all ages working together

Suitable for ages 6ndashadult working together

Blessed are The practice of blessingMaterials poster board copies of the

poem ldquoBlessed arehelliprdquo (p 169) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Often our language can be focused on the negative or in a complaining tone In this activity each is given the opportunity to speak in uplifting tones with a language of hope and blessing Inspired by work with The Calvin Worship Institute 1 Each person at this station is invited to add their own short proverb to the poster

board Begin with the words ldquoBlessed arerdquo or ldquoWise arerdquo and use your words to complete the line See the poem ldquoBlessed arerdquo for examples of this

2 Build a group litany3 You can use these as a part of your liturgy for the day or as a prayer of blessing 4 Display or photograph to add to your social media or as bulletin cover art

Tower of words The practice of balancing our wordsMaterials Jengareg game (a tall narrow

tower made of identical finger-size wooden bricks) dark permanent markers a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions1 Jesus reminds us that words are powerful Words can build us up and they can

tear us down In this fun activity you will try to build a strong steady tower of words but be careful as you build higher you can tip the balance and the tower will topple

2 Using only one hand push or move one of the blocks from a lower level of the tower and place it on the top level of the tower

3 Going clockwise each player takes a turn removing a block from a lower level and placing it on top of the tower

4 As the tower gets taller be careful you donrsquot want to be the one to make the tower fall 5 After the game reflect on the following In the laws in the Matthew 521ndash37 passage

we are called to create a world of justice or forgiveness peace reconciliation love commitment and honesty How might the building of this tower of words be a metaphorsymbol for your community and our world

We are Godrsquos building

Suitable for all ages working together

The practice of building communityMaterials drop cloth or brown craft paper quantity of modelling clay or clay anything that would make good building materials (toothpicks pipe cleaners spools corks rolling pins stick pretzels construction paper) a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsJesusrsquo teaching in the Sermon on the Mount guides us as we grow as communities of mercy justice reconciliation peace and love 1 Corinthians 31ndash9 one of the other readings for today states ldquoFor we are Godrsquos servants working together you are Godrsquos field Godrsquos buildingrdquo In this activity you will work together with other church members to build a community 1 Using the clay and building materials provided build one piece of a community (a

house a store a forest a gas station a park a road a city hall a river a mountain a windmill a garden a church a soup kitchen a school ndash whatever comes to mind)

2 Once you create your piece place it in relation to pieces that others have created 3 Cut a thin strip of construction paper about the length of your finger Place a

length of drinking straw (or toothpick) vertically at the middle of the paper Glue the drinking straw in place and fold the paper over so that you have a small flag On this flag write a word such as ldquopeacerdquo ldquoloverdquo ldquofaithrdquo ldquomercyrdquo and then place that flag on a spot in the community where you think that word lives If there is no place to anchor your flag use clay to create a base at the end of the length of drinking straw or toothpick

4 Rules You cannot destroy a structure that someone else has created You cannot move a structure that someone else has created You may not take items (clay toothpicks stick pretzels and so on) from another personrsquos piece

5 As you build this community together ndash ask what others are building and why they chose to create that structure Why did they place the structure in that particular spot

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

41

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

41

sto

ry

tim

e

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 12

201

7

crea

te

Jesu

s an

d hi

s fr

iend

s w

ere

talk

ing

toge

ther

on

the

top

of a

tal

l hill

It

was

the

ir f

avou

rite

pla

ce t

o sh

are

stor

ies

Jesu

s be

gan

to ta

lk w

ith h

is

frie

nds

ldquoEve

ryon

e is

spec

ial b

ecau

se n

o on

e is

exa

ctly

alik

e

ldquoSom

etim

es w

e m

ight

not

get

alo

ng

beca

use

we

have

dif

fere

nt id

eas a

nd

plan

s

ldquoSom

etim

es th

ere w

ill b

e day

s whe

n w

e get

frus

trat

ed o

r ang

ry w

ith ea

ch

othe

r

Godrsquo

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am ndash

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t 3Ba

sed

on M

atth

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Hea

rt Ru

bbin

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tion

s1

Fix

the h

eart

shap

es to

a ta

ble w

ith

rolle

d pi

eces

of t

ape

2 C

over

the

hea

rt s

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ith a

la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

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er

3 T

ape

the

pape

r in

pla

ce m

akin

g su

re th

at th

e pap

er w

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whe

n do

ing

the

rubb

ings

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Rub

acr

oss

the

pape

r w

ith t

he

side

s of

cr

ayon

s to

m

ake

the

hear

ts a

ppea

r5

Eac

h ti

me

a he

art

appe

ars

com

-pl

etel

y c

all

out

a m

essa

ge s

uch

as ldquo

Love

is h

ererdquo

6

Con

tinu

e un

til

all

hear

ts h

ave

been

rev

eale

d

ldquoBut

whe

n th

at h

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ns

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im

-po

rtan

t no

t to

hur

t ea

ch o

ther

We

all c

arry

God

rsquos lo

ve in

our

hea

rts

ldquoGod

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ve c

an g

row

ins

ide

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t ea

ch

othe

r ev

en w

hen

we

are

feel

ing

frus

trat

ed

or a

ngry

rdquo

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Jesu

s he

lps

us li

ve a

nd g

row

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Now

this

love

wersquo

ll sh

ow

God

rsquos lo

ve is

alw

ays t

here

We

carr

y it

in o

ur h

eart

s it

shi

nes

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t eac

h ot

her

You

will

nee

d a

vari

ety

of p

aper

s w

ith

inte

rest

ing

text

ures

(s

uch

as w

allp

aper

co

nstr

uctio

n pa

per

sand

pape

r) c

ut i

nto

hear

t sh

apes

ve

ry la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er c

ray-

ons

with

pap

er c

over

ings

rem

oved

cl

ear

stic

ky ta

pe

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 175 2016-04-23 113656 AM

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 16

202

0

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

9ndash20

20Co

pyrig

ht copy

Woo

d La

ke P

ublis

hing

Inc

2019

41

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

Seas

ons o

f the

Spiri

ttrade S

easo

nsFU

SIO

N Ad

vent

bull Ch

ristm

as bull

Epip

hany

201

6ndash20

17

Copy

right

copy W

ood

Lake

Pub

lishi

ng In

c 20

16

41

sto

ry

tim

e

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 12

201

7

crea

te

Jesu

s an

d hi

s fr

iend

s w

ere

talk

ing

toge

ther

on

the

top

of a

tal

l hill

It

was

the

ir f

avou

rite

pla

ce t

o sh

are

stor

ies

Jesu

s be

gan

to ta

lk w

ith h

is

frie

nds

ldquoEve

ryon

e is

spec

ial b

ecau

se n

o on

e is

exa

ctly

alik

e

ldquoSom

etim

es w

e m

ight

not

get

alo

ng

beca

use

we

have

dif

fere

nt id

eas a

nd

plan

s

ldquoSom

etim

es th

ere w

ill b

e day

s whe

n w

e get

frus

trat

ed o

r ang

ry w

ith ea

ch

othe

r

Godrsquo

s Dre

am ndash

Par

t 3Ba

sed

on M

atth

ew 5

21ndash

37

Hea

rt Ru

bbin

gsD

irec

tion

s1

Fix

the h

eart

shap

es to

a ta

ble w

ith

rolle

d pi

eces

of t

ape

2 C

over

the

hea

rt s

hape

s w

ith a

la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er

3 T

ape

the

pape

r in

pla

ce m

akin

g su

re th

at th

e pap

er w

onrsquot

rip

whe

n do

ing

the

rubb

ings

4

Rub

acr

oss

the

pape

r w

ith t

he

side

s of

cr

ayon

s to

m

ake

the

hear

ts a

ppea

r5

Eac

h ti

me

a he

art

appe

ars

com

-pl

etel

y c

all

out

a m

essa

ge s

uch

as ldquo

Love

is h

ererdquo

6

Con

tinu

e un

til

all

hear

ts h

ave

been

rev

eale

d

ldquoBut

whe

n th

at h

appe

ns

it is

im

-po

rtan

t no

t to

hur

t ea

ch o

ther

We

all c

arry

God

rsquos lo

ve in

our

hea

rts

ldquoGod

rsquos lo

ve c

an g

row

ins

ide

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t ea

ch

othe

r ev

en w

hen

we

are

feel

ing

frus

trat

ed

or a

ngry

rdquo

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Jesu

s he

lps

us li

ve a

nd g

row

Jesu

s kn

ows

us

Jesu

s lo

ves

us

Now

this

love

wersquo

ll sh

ow

God

rsquos lo

ve is

alw

ays t

here

We

carr

y it

in o

ur h

eart

s it

shi

nes

whe

n w

e re

mem

ber

to c

are

abou

t eac

h ot

her

You

will

nee

d a

vari

ety

of p

aper

s w

ith

inte

rest

ing

text

ures

(s

uch

as w

allp

aper

co

nstr

uctio

n pa

per

sand

pape

r) c

ut i

nto

hear

t sh

apes

ve

ry la

rge

shee

t of p

lain

pap

er c

ray-

ons

with

pap

er c

over

ings

rem

oved

cl

ear

stic

ky ta

pe

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 175 2016-04-23 113656 AM

Child

ren

s Act

ivity

Lea

flet bull

Feb

ruar

y 16

202

0

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2019Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2019ndash2020 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019

32

Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO

N Advent bull Christmas bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017

Copyright copy W

ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 Seasons of the Spirittrade

SeasonsFUSION Advent bull Christm

as bull Epiphany 2016ndash2017 Copyright copy

Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2016

32

activ

ityFind fill in w

ith marker and count as m

any hearts as you can find

ACE 2016-17 FUSION B - printindd 176 2016-04-23 113657 AM

• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
• _GoBack
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