Pentecost Party pics

 

We each wrote our name on a balloon, then mixed all the balloons up. When I said, "Go!" we each tried to find our own balloon, as fast as we could. It was a little chaotic as we all rushed to find our own balloon.

Next, we tried it a different way. After all the balloons had been batted about the church and muddled up, I asked everyone to pick up the balloon that was closest to them. Then I asked them to read the person's name on the balloon and take the balloon to them. 

What a difference! It was so much faster and a whole lot calmer. 

We all saw how much better it is when we put others first, when we are givers and when we share God’s love with others!

God’s spirit fills us up - like the air in these balloons - God gives us power that enables us to do God’s work on earth.  God inspires us, gives us gifts (talents), and works through us.  God expects us to “do something in God’s name.”  This is a powerful self-image.  We are powerful and God has work for us to do.  

Let us pray:

God

Thank you for always being with us.

Thank you for our church family.

Thank you for Your love.

Help us to spread your love to others.

Amen

Party this Sunday!

 

Living Water

Just like water refreshes and transforms us, Jesus' love transforms our hearts.

 

Happy Mothers' Day!

This morning we learnt that there are many different names for God. Sometimes God is referred to as a king, a shepherd and even a rock. Many people call God 'Father', but did you know that God is also like a Mother?

In the bible, in the book of Matthew (chapter 23, verse 37), it talks about God being like a mother hen, 'gathering her brood under her wings'. In Isaiah 40:11, 'God tends the flock like a shepherd; and gathers the lambs with gentle arms and carries them close to the heart'. 

We shared the brand new book 'Mumapalooza' by NZ author and illustrators Sarina Dickson and Ant Sang. It's a wonderful celebration of all the mums and mother-like figures in our lives.

With 'gentle hands' we played the game of 'Pick Up Sticks', and created some beautiful framed artwork for a treasured mum.

Loving, gentle, caring God,

Thank you for loving us always, no matter where we are. 

Thank you for the special people in our lives who love us;

For the mums, dads, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles… 

for everyone who gathers us in with gentleness and love 

and carries us close to the heart, just like you.

Help us to show them how much we love them too.

Amen

West Coast celebrations

Check out the wonderful road map and cupcakes our Awesome Kids decorated this morning. Each cupcake was adorned with a placename of a town on the West Coast. It's amazing how many 'Coasters' there are in our community here in Canterbury.
 

The Good Shepherd

Last week our theme was the good shepherd. We made some 'lost sheep' and Claudia demonstrated just how to pick up and carry a lost sheep!

 

Palm Sunday

 

On Palm Sunday, our Awesome Kids made 'palm leaves' using their hand prints and check out these brilliant tiny teddies waving feijoa lolly palm branches! Thanks Carol and Maureen for sharing!

You Are Special

 We heard the story of Punchinello, the wooden toy - who believes he isn't good enough because of the things people say to him. Finally, he meets someone who has a very special message for him.

It was very much like the special message God has for us. God sees beyond all mistakes, all past, all dots and stars, and sees the child God made. God says You are beautiful. You are special. You are loved.

Find the book in your local library and read the story for yourself, it's You Are Special by Max Lucado. You can also watch the service on our church Facebook page and hear me reading the story there. Facebook page (fast forward to 13:27).

Afterwards, Lukas and Isabella had fun creating some handprint art for our gallery. I forgot to take photos of the finished work, so you'll just have to go and check it out in person at the Chapel Street Centre!