Go and Share the Love

This week's Awesome Time Online is brought to you by Jillian and Richard.

You can watch the video HERE.

What kinds of things do you like, or need to pack to go away on holiday? I know that when we go to church camp some people take lots and lots of stuff!!!! How much of what you take do you really need, or even use?

This week’s bible story is from Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.It tells us about when Jesus sent some of his followers, or workers, out to go into every town and place where He was about to go to share the good news of God’s love. And do you know what Jesus told them to take with them? Nothing!! They didn’t need anything, because they had everything they needed to be successful: they went with love and peace and blessings. Could you go away with nothing?

The important message here is that just as Jesus sent out his followers, we too can go and share the love of Jesus through stories, songs, making music, or just telling others. Whatever happens after that is up to God. He just wants us to do the doing, and he’ll take care of the rest.  

Below is a link to a You Tube video you may like to watch on making a little origami suitcase to keep tiny things in.

Note from Mel:

Thanks, Jillian and Richard for this week's Awesome Time and the link to the origami. Paper folding is definitely NOT my strong point... but I thought I would give it a go (see below picture! Oh dear!) 

Here's my challenge to all our Awesome Kids: I would absolutely LOVE to see some photos of your attempts! Have a go, take a photo and send it in to me. All entries will go into the draw for a chocolate-y prize!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for making us part of your family

You remind us every day how special that is

Help us be ready and willing to be your workers,

to spread your love to others,

to share the Good News,

and to give the thanks and praise to you for all that you have done. 

In Jesus name we pray,  

Amen

Wild Things

This week's story from the bible is the story of the Prodigal Son. It's about a son who runs away from his father, and behaves rather badly, like a wild thing. Eventually, he misses his father and returns, just hoping his Dad will let him come home. His Dad does more than that... he shows overwhelming love and forgiveness and welcomes his son home with open arms.

This reminds me of the book 'Where the Wild Things Are', by Maurice Sendak, where Max misbehaves and 'runs away'. 

Watch this week's Awesome Time Online by clicking HERE.

Jesus didn't tell stories about perfect people who never mess up. Instead, Jesus told stories about people who made mistakes, but who were loved and welcomed home and forgiven. We too mess up and make mistakes, but like Max's return to his Mum, and the prodigal son's return to his Dad, as children of God, we are always loved and forgiven.

Watch the story of the Prodigal Son here:

the Prodigal Son (Lego version)

the story of the Prodigal Son

Create a Wild Thing:

Make a paper bag Wild Thing... draw a 'wild thing' face and add some googly eyes, wooly hair or fur.

Use an old holey sock to create a 'wild thing' sock puppet (don't use a good sock though!). You could use buttons or scraps of fabric for eyes and mouth.

Wordle:

Click HERE for this week's Wordle!

Caleb's Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for loving us always, even when we mess up.

Help us to remember we ALL make mistakes.

Teach us to show love and forgiveness to others, just like you do for us.

Amen

Thanks to Izak & Caleb for their help with this week's Awesome Time Online!

Use Kind Words

 We heard the story, Being Frank, by Donna W. Earnhardt, illustrated by Andrea Castellani. A boy called Frank learned the hard way that speaking the truth can sometimes be tricky. His grandpa taught him how to speak the truth with kindness and grace... sprinkling his words with a little sugar, rather than too much pepper!

Angie read a verse from Ephesians 4 which taught us God wants us to speak the truth with kindness, and show love and peace to others.

Monica showed us how to draw some cool cartoon characters, with a step by step tutorial. We then made speech bubbles with words of kindness and created some cool comic posters with crazy, colourful backgrounds. You can check them out below in the photos and videos, thanks to our tech wizard, Izak!

https://youtu.be/_MLogZaXh48

Feeding the Crowd

 After hearing the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, we pooled our resources and chef skills and baked batches of biscuits to share with the congregation. Even the littlest among us was able to help... proving that 'small' can do great things.

Just like in the bible story, there were lots of leftovers! Those who hung around at the end were happy to 'help' make them disappear.

https://youtu.be/jbbhKANEYHg

Thanks to Izak for the video!

Matariki Stars

 This morning we celebrated Matariki and the start of our service was led by some awesome young people from our parish. What amazing leaders and role models they all were, all spoke so beautifully and confidently in both English and Te Reo Māori.

It isn't easy to be a leader, or to be one of God's people. Even Jesus had a tough time. We heard a story about Jesus, and how when he tried to teach in his own hometown, no one would listen. He had to leave and go to other towns.

People don't always like us... and that is ok. Our job is to be ourselves... to be the person God created us to be. God wants us to use our gifts and talents and live as one of God's people, sharing God's love with others.

Check out this video of this morning's activities, which involved a very complicated Matariki star craft, courtesy of Carol... and don't they look incredible?!

https://youtu.be/7WMjEUZV_qc

Pentecost

 Last week we celebrated Pentecost. We talked about how it's a bit like the birthday of the church. It's when a few people shared their faith with others and the church began to grow.

Fire and wind, both symbols of the Holy Spirit, were used in our Awesome Time activities. We made some fire-biscuits... cookies decorated with red and orange flame icing! We used our breath to blow bubbles and make some coloured bubble art. 

You can watch some of the activities here: https://youtu.be/ZrDTPGbgN04

Disciples

 Check out this video: https://youtu.be/xt8gZxZODik

...this is from Awesome Time on 16 May where we learnt about the 12 disciples. Some of our youth were challenged to a bible quiz... with marshmallows and m&ms for correct answers!

Stick with Jesus

 Last Sunday, our Awesome Kids created some arty wall hangings from driftwood and wool. Check them out in this video (thanks to Izak!)

We turned dried, dead, bits of driftwood...

and colourful wool...

...into these awesome hangings!

Reminding us that Jesus is the Vine and we are the BRANCHES. 

STICK with JESUS!

Rejoice in the Lord always!

 "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!" | Philippians 4:4

Watch the video of this morning's Awesome Time and find out how Izak was able to blow up 24 balloons in under 2 minutes!

We also decorated cupcakes, planted little gardens, had fun with bubbles and played a silly game where we had to try not to laugh! All these things brought us joy, and we were reminded that God loves us and is with us always - even if we are not feeling very joyful. God is right there with us, helping us deal with whatever life throws at us.

Click HERE to watch REJOICE! video

The Philippians bible reading reminds us that God wants us to be calm and rest in the knowledge that Christ is in our hearts and minds. No matter what is going on in our lives, even if it’s one of those terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days... God’s peace encourages us to not be troubled, but rather rest in the assurance that God’s peace is better than anything we will ever understand. God LOVES us. No matter what, ALL the time. Accepting the invitation to ‘God’s party’, means we will always carry a piece of Christ in our hearts and live thankfully. 

Watch Blessing of the Animals

 Check out the video made by Izak last week, of our Blessing of the Animals service...

Click HERE to watch Blessing of the Animals video

God's Love flows like a River

 Last week, our Awesome Kids created a collaborative artwork, based on John's vision from Revelation 22:1-5. We were reminded that God's never ending love flows through us like a river.

It was also New Zealand Sign Language Week, so we had a go at learning how to sign our names in NZSL.

https://youtu.be/vBisV4DSpLw

Here's a link to the NZ Sign Language alphabet poster. Try and learn your own name! 

You might like to try this online game, Sign Ninja, to discover some more signs!

D.A.T. 18 | LAND Sunday | Tongan Language Week

 

Mālō e lelei! Hello!

Tongan Language Week / Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga is held every year during September. This week we have some very special helpers to celebrate this, as well as Land Sunday.

This week we think about how important the land is... and celebrate God's beautiful creation. We are part of this and are connected with God's creation. We remember that with God's help, just like the land, we can heal and grow.

Check out the video below, and enjoy the beautiful Tongan singing from Peatalisa, Tevunga and Angie... and the tour of the vegetable garden and glasshouse. We also pay a visit to the O'Keefes and meet their hens.

https://youtu.be/tpanCRIKl_o

The second song the girls sing, is very special to the Vaea family. It was Samu's grandma's favourite hymn, which she used to sing to Angie when she was a baby. Samu's mum taught Angie and Peatalisa, and Samu is now teaching 'Emeline and Tevunga. The translation is something like this... "Lord hear my prayer, At this hour, Take my sins away, Prepare me for heaven."

CHALLENGES

1. This week you might like to take a photo or draw a picture of something awesome you have discovered in your garden. 

2. Help out in the garden. You might like to do some weeding, or help with planting or watering.

3. Learn some Tongan! Do some research and learn a Tongan word or phrase. We'd love you to share it with us.

4. Try this week's Awesome Time Quiz:

KAHOOT!

D.A.T. 17 | Forest Sunday

https://youtu.be/Ygf2ktq9uiU

This Sunday is both Forest Sunday and Spring Flower Sunday. We can find God's beauty, mystery, and majesty in the trees and flowers. We can see, hear and feel God's presence in the wind, the ferns, the flowers and in the forest. 

The environment has heaps to teach us. From the forest, we can learn about the web of connection that binds all creation together with our awesome Creator God. We can rejoice in the wonder of God's creation and know that we have a special place in it.

 

Activities

Try the TREE QUIZ KAHOOT! 

There are heaps of cool activities on the Kiwi Conservation Club website. You can check them out here: https://kcc.org.nz/activities/

Here are some of my favourite tree activites... see how many you can do!

BE WITH A TREE

1. Go on a tree hunt. Meet a type of tree you haven't met before. Take a photo with it, find out what kind of tree it is.

2. Find something living in a tree.

3. Find a tree that provides us with food.

4. Find a tree that has interesting bark. Use some paper and a crayon to make a rubbing of the bark's pattern.

5. Find a tree you think is beautiful. Draw or paint a picture of it.

6. Plant something - a tree, a flower, a vegetable... anything!

7. Find some spring flowers and draw or paint a picture of them.

8. Make up a poem, song or rap about TREES or SPRING.

9. Find some TREE JOKES (that are better than mine!)

    Why do trees hate riddles? Because it's too easy to get stumped.

    How do trees go on the internet? They log on.

    Why don't you ever see hippos hiding in trees? Because they're really good at it!

D.A.T. 16 | Ordinary People Called to do Extraordinary Things

God calls us to all be part of God's way of love, and share God's love with other people. What are some of the ways we can share God's love with others?

When we are living in God's way, we bring the light and warmth of God's love to the world.

https://youtu.be/PsWzVnra244

This week's story comes from the book of Exodus (Chapter 3: verses 1 to 15) and is about Moses. Remember him? He was the baby in our story last week. If you didn't catch it last week, there is a link further down this post to the video about him (and the heroines who saved his life - so that he could then go on to do awesome things for God!)

Like Moses, many people who feel quite ordinary have answered the call to do extraordinary things. Check out the Kahoot below, and see if you can match the names of the people to the incredible work they were called to do. (Thanks to Izak for putting this together!)

Click HERE to play the Call and Answer KAHOOT!

Click here to watch Baby Moses video

Here's another video about this week's story, where Moses has to listen for God's voice.

Clilck here to watch Moses and the Burning Bush

Let us pray that we will remember God's call to us, to share love and light in the world. Amen.

D.A.T. 15 | Not all Superheroes Wear Capes

This week our story is about two heroes you may not have heard about before... 

Imagine meeting the most powerful person in the country, and when you meet him he asks you to do something bad... really, really bad. What would you do? 

Meet Shiphrah and Puah. This happened to these two women, and they chose to be heroes. They risked everything and their choice saved the child who would one day save their nation.

https://youtu.be/XkewPkL7ovo

You can learn more about what happened next to baby Moses by watching the video below... and discover more superhero women showing courage to do the right thing.

Challenges

1. Imagine: 

Image you are a superhero with superhero powers... what would they be? What would you hope to do with your powers? Draw a picture of yourself in your superhero outfit.

2. Poster: 

Make a poster promoting the wearing of masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

3. Mask Design: 

Design (and even make) your own face mask.

4. Superhero Photo:

Dress yourself up as a superhero, take a photo in your best superhero pose and email it to us.

5. Courage Words:

Through the courage and love of women, Moses was kept safe. Create a Basket of Courage Words as reminders of God's loving care. Draw a basket shape on paper and add lines to make it look like a woven basket. Write inspiring words on strips of paper and tape them to the basket. Here are some ideas:

God's love never fails.

God is always with us.

Friends are signs of God's love.

God helps us act with courage.

I can be a brave helper.

God gives us courage to stand up for love.

God helps us make hard choices.

6. Thank a Superhero

Make a thankyou card to give to one of your heroes. Thank them for being so awesome.

Pray

Loving God,

Thank you for always being with us. Thank you for giving us courage to stand up for love, even when it is hard. Please help us to show brave love this week. Amen. 

 

Whatif...

Have you every had one of those nights when you're lying in bed and you can't get to sleep, because the Whatifs are going around in your head?

What if the bus is late?

What if my teeth don't grow in straight?

What if I flunk that test?

What if green hair grows on my chest?

We created a movie, inspired by the poem titled 'Whatif', by Shel Silverstein. You can check it out below.

We added an extra verse though... 

But then I remembered the words from Paul*

who said there is totally nothing at all

anywhere, anytime in all of creation

that would ever be able to cause separation

between us and the love of God, which is ours

through Jesus our Lord and His awesome powers.

So when I 'What-if' and I'm worried and scared

I remember God's with me and send off a prayer

and wherever, whenever, however I'll know

whatever the whatifs, I'm never alone!

We also read the book, Some Things Are Scary, by Florence Parry Heide - and created some illustrations inspired by some of the 'scary' things in her story. 

*In the book of Romans, in the Bible, a man called Paul made a list of all the things he worried could get between him and God's loving care. Our list was a little different... we talked about being late to school, going to the wrong class, getting the wrong day for Mufti Day, being bullied, not getting picked for a team, nightmares and not being able to get to sleep. In the end though, like Paul in the bible, we came to the same conclusion - that no matter what scary things we worried about, NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE of GOD. We are never alone... God is always with us, helping us get through. 

https://youtu.be/5kwquxUFEUQ

Parable of the Sower

This morning, Richard told us a story which Jesus told to a crowd of people, many years ago, while he was sitting in a boat! Richard even brought a boat along to church, which he sat in to tell us the very same story... the Parable of the Sower.

The farmer sowed... that's sow with an 'o', not sew with an 'e'! Sew with an 'e' is to sew with needle and thread. Sow with an 'o' means to plant seeds.

Anyway, the farmer sowed his seeds - some fell on hard ground, some on rocky ground, some on thorny ground and some on soft ground. Which seeds do you think grew the best? You can listen to the story in one of the videos below.

Jesus explained the parable like this:

Those who hear Jesus's stories but don't even try to understand them, are like the seeds that fell along the path. They easily get distracted and lose interest and do the wrong things. The seeds that fell on the rocky ground, stand for those who listen to Jesus's teachings for a short time, but when it gets a bit difficult to do the right thing, they give up easily and do their own thing. The seeds that fell among the thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message, but are more interested in having expensive toys and the latest gadgets than helping others, and what is right.

The seeds that landed on the good soil stand for those who hear and understand Jesus's message, and grow up to be strong people who love others and love God. They want to do what's right and help others to do the same.

We 'planted' M&Ms in some chocolate pudding (to represent sowing seeds of faith) - there were even a few gummy worms in there! 

We created some beautiful flower artwork, gluing seeds onto the centre of our flowers.

Watch an animated story of the Parable of the Sower:

Hear the Parable of the Sower explained:

Baby Shower

We are all so excited about the upcoming arrival of Mele & Samuela's precious child. It was great to all be together at the Chapel Street Centre on Sunday and have something so wonderful to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who made the baby shower so special!

Sharing God's Love

On Sunday, we made yarn hearts, which we turned into a mobile to hang in our church foyer. They are a reminder to share God's amazing LOVE with ALL we meet.

We heard the story, Time to Go, Hippo, written by Bob Hartman and illustrated by Kate Simpson. Just how do you deal with a big, bumpy, powerful grey monster with stomping feet, chomping teeth and a fearsome and SMELLY roar? 

Well, the farmers tried charging at it with their wheat-thrashers, rat-smashers and potato-mashers; the soldiers attacked it with their catapults and battering rams... but that didn't work. The hippo just watched them, went on calmly chewing his way through their vegetable patch and ROARED his great, smelly roar at them.

The old man, Barnabas knew. You'll have to find the story and read it for yourself to hear HOW he did it. But... it wasn't by charging or attacking or trying to scare the animal away. Barnabas watched and listened. He talked to the hippo. He said sorry for the way the people had treated him. He explained that we are all God's creatures, and that it is important to get along. Finally, he gave the hippo an onion (he had learned by watching the hippo that hippos love onions). "Something I would never have learned by chasing them away," he said. The old man befriended the hippo.

We talked about how hard it can be sometimes, to make that decision to befriend someone - if it is someone we wouldn't normally hang around with. Maybe it's the new kid at school, perhaps it's someone nobody else plays with, it could be someone who's a bit different or seems a little scary. But, God is with us as we make those hard choices, and God really wants us to show His amazing LOVE and KINDNESS to others, ESPECIALLY when it's hard.

It's pretty difficult to get to know someone if we're always chasing them away, or ignoring them. If we could be like the character of old Barnabas in the story, and make time to really listen and learn about the other person, let them know we see them, we hear them... and we care. And who knows...we could make a new friend! (Although, perhaps leave the raw onions at home!)

D.A.T. #14 | Shine Your Light

This morning we created some self portraits, which we backlit with battery operated candles. They remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World, and Jesus wants us to 'be like a light' and shine the love of God in the world.

Check out the art in progress in the video below. So good to be back in person with our Awesome Kids!

And on the same theme... here's a video pulled deep from the archives (thanks to Laura!).

Shine Your Light