Church@home for families - week 1 - Noah

Hey everyone, hope you're all well, getting to grips with home schooling and managing to enjoy the sun in a safe way. My plan is to touch base each week with a few idea's of things you could do at home, possibly during the time SonSeekers, Toddlers, or church would normally be happening - games, craft, bible story, thought and song (find links to a story and song in comments) Hope you enjoy and do let us know if the church can do anything to help you in anyway. Every Blessing, Bex (Children & Families worker at St John's)

GAMES

Don’t drop the ball - How many throws and catches to someone 2m apart can you do within 60seconds

Animal Pictionary - Draw an animal getting those around you to try and guess what you’re drawing – take it in turns

Origami boats - Make a boat out of paper then float it in the sink or the bath, be careful though you don’t want it to sink

Exploring and responding to the bible & God

Read the story of Noah

-it’ll be near the start of a children’s bible

- in the bible it’s Genesis chapter 6 verse 9 to the end of chapter 8

-or check it out on Youtube ‘Noah-God’s Story’

Praying Hands - Draw around your hand and write things that you would like to pray for on each finger. You may want to pray for family members, friends doctors/nurses, people who are ill, etc

Sing out loud (Youtube) - Check out - ‘Every Step’ by Nick & Becky Drake

Noah was a man who lived a life pleasing to God, he trusted in Him. When God gave him a job to do, he did it, even though it was a bit strange. He ended up on a boat for 40days and 40nights with lots of animals, whilst the earth got completely flooded, again a bit strange (stuck in with your family AND animals, fun times) but Noah continued to trust God, and God continued to be with Noah, He kept him safe and protected him every step. When the flood was over, Noah said Thank You to God for looking after him, and God put a rainbow in the sky as his promise that he wouldn’t flood the earth again. TRUST, HOPE, God always keeps His promises, he is with us in these strange times!

Coronavirus

As I write, Coronavirus is having a significant impact on life for many in Britain, so I think I should write about it.  First, at the risk of sounding like Corporal Jones from Dad's Army, I want to say 'Don't Panic'.  This is not the first epidemic to sweep the country and the world and, whilst this virus is very infectious, it is much less deadly than many.  For example, it does not compare with the 1918 global flu outbreak which killed even more people than World War One.

Second, as a Christian I believe in a God whose love and power are stronger than even death.  Through His son Jesus, God experienced human weakness and frailty first-hand and He fully understands our situation.  He hears our prayers, knows us better than we know ourselves, and loves us more deeply than we ever dreamed. In him we can be content and at peace in good times and bad.

Third, we need to behave responsibly. A few days ago, my wife and I did the weekly shop and saw the supermarket shelves completely bare of soap and toilet rolls.  One of the ways in which we can behave with responsibility and care for others is by avoiding panic-buying and trusting the robust supply chains we have.

And fourth, the coronavirus outbreak provides opportunities to care in practical ways for others around us in greater need than we are.  For example, maybe you could do the shopping for a self-isolating neighbour (and leave it on their doorstep of course).

These are genuinely challenging and anxious times.  Let us rise to the challenge and act selflessly.  This would certainly be the way God wants us to live.

David

Love

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, with many a romantic date celebrated across the world.  It prompts me to think about what it means to love someone, and to be thankful to Becky for putting up with me since we got married 32 years ago. As in all marriages, we've had plenty of ups and downs along the way.

I find myself also thinking of what Jesus said when he was asked to spell out the greatest command from God.  He responded by saying two things:

• Love God with all your heart, soul, mind
       and strength; and

• Love your neighbour as yourself.

(You might like to look at Matthew chapter 22 to find out more.)

All too often in our human love for one another, we hold something back, being more inclined to be selfish than to love as we'd like to be loved.  And our love for God is often a half-hearted pale reflection of what Jesus had in mind.  I thank God that His love for us is very different - without limit, leading Jesus to die for us  - and I hope that one day our love for Him and for other people will be more like that.

And finally … a thought about St Valentine.  He was, like me, a church leader.  But, unlike me, he didn't live in a place and time where freedom of belief and speech was a reality.  Third century Italy was a tough context to be
a Christian, and he was put to death under Roman Emperor Claudius II.  For Christians, celebrating this day speaks of an all-loving God who blesses those who love one another, as Jesus urged his followers to do, whatever the cost.

Seeking

As Vicar of St John's, I'm sometimes asked about the sign above the church door, which says, "It is time to seek the Lord".  This is a quotation from Hosea chapter 10 verse 12, and I recently found myself reflecting on four aspects of seeking.

First, seeking often takes time.  The same verse talks about sowing and reaping, which are usually (at least) months apart.  We live in a very 'instant' culture of fast food, 'while U wait' service, etc but sometimes the most important things are not speedy.

Second, seeking can be frustrating and hard work.  The passage talks about 'breaking up unploughed ground', which prompts me to think about those aspects of our lives which are hardened against God, as we try to keep Him out.  I wonder: what aspects of your life would you like to keep God out of?

Third, seeking something new sometimes involves letting go of and saying sorry for past patterns of behaviour.  The Bible uses the old-fashioned word 'repentance' for this - we thought about that in a previous blog.

And finally (and thisis the best part), the seeking works both ways: at the same time as people seek the Lord, He seeks us too (you might like to look at the parable of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15 to find more).  I hope that your own seeking is fruitful.  

David

Actions have consequences

At St John's we're currently in the middle of a series looking at the prophet Hosea.  Like many prophets in the Bible, his message included warnings about dire consequences just ahead if people wander away from
what they know to be right.  Many of these came to pass, and the phrase "reap the whirlwind" comes
originally from Hosea's book.  If this message were a movie or TV programme, there would be ominous music playing building up to a tragic event.

Interestingly, Hosea's message to the Israelites is mirrored by his own experience with his wife Gomer.  She is unfaithful to him in a way that is symbolic of the Israelites being unfaithful to God and chasing after other gods.

But wonderfully, Hosea does not give up on Gomer, and he welcomes her back into a restored, loving relationship with him.  We could summarise this in just three words as 'loving the unlovely'.  I am so glad that God is like that.  It means there’s hope for me, an you, and anyone who responds positively to God.