Hunger and Thirst - February 29, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

 ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:

   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hunger and Thirst - February 28, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is God telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Luke 4:16-30

Jesus’ First Sermon

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

   ¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because he has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”^[a]

 ²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

 ²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

 ²³ Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

   ²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. ²⁵ I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. ²⁷ And there were many in Israel with leprosy^[b] in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

 ²⁸ All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Hunger and Thirst - February 27, 2012

Pray:  Ask god to give me an open mind and open heart in hearing God’s word.

Read:  What is the point of the scripture?

Reflect:  What is god telling me through the passage?

Practice:  How does the scripture apply to my life today?

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

 ¹ One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

 ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

 ⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

 ⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

 ⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

   Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Feb. 25 & 26: Tell God What You Need

This Weekend in MC Park, in Sunday School and Elementary Worship, your child will learn the story of Blind Bartimaeus.

Jesus Heals the Blind Man

You can review the story in Mark 10:46-52. A great memory verse for your family this week is Titus 3:5a — “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy”

Questions for review with your child:

1.    How do you think Bartimaeus felt when Jesus healed him and he suddenly could see?

2.    Is it OK to ask God for things we don’t really need?  Why or why not?

3.    Why do you think God wants us to tell him what we need?

4.    What things would you like God to give you?  Explain.

5.    What things do you need Got do help you with?

6.    How has Gold helped someone you know who needed something?

7.    How has Gold helped you when you’ve asked him for what you need?

8.    We can tell God what we need.  How do we tell God we need to be saved?

9.    What can you do to show God that you need him?  Explain.

10. What can you tell God you need the next time you pray?

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In Kindergarten Worship and Wonder at 11 a.m., this week's lesson:

The Parable of the Two Sons

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 21:28-32

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.    I wonder how the priests and elders are feeling bout Jesus’ parable?

2.    I wonder how the priests and elders feel about the two sons?

3.    I wonder how the father feels about his two sons?

4.    I wonder what it’s like for them to work in this vineyard?

5.    I wonder how the first son feels when his father tells him to work in the vineyard?

6.    I wonder why he said no?

7.    I wonder how the father feels when his son said no?

8.    I wonder how the father feels when his son comes to the vineyard?

9.    I wonder how the son feels working with his father?

10. I wonder how the father feels waiting for his second son to come to the vineyard?

11. I wonder why the son said yes, but didn’t go to the vineyard?

12. I wonder if this son will ever change his mind and go to the vineyard?

13. I wonder how the brothers feel about each other?

14. I wonder how Jesus feels when the priests and elders keep trying to trick him?

15. I wonder why the priests and elders didn’t believe John the Baptist and change the way they live?

_____

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9 a.m. Sunday, and 3s and 4s W&W at 11 a.m. on Sunday, this week’s lesson:

The Sower

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 13:3-8; Mark 4:3-8; Luke 8:5-8

Questions to wonder about with your child:

 1.     I wonder how the seeds felt that fell on the path?

 2.      I wonder how the birds felt?

 3.      I wonder if the birds have names?

 4.     I wonder what the seed felt about the birds?

 5.        I wonder how the seeds felt that fell among the rocks?

 6.        I wonder how the sun felt about the little seeds?

 7.      I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in the thorns?

 8.       I wonder what the thorns felt about the little seeds?

 9.       I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in good soil?

10.     I wonder how the good soil felt about the little seeds?

11.  I wonder how so much grain could come from the little seeds?

February 18 & 19 -Friends Bring Friends to Jesus

This week in Elementary worship and Sunday School, your child will learn the following:

Four Friends Help a Paralyzed Man

You can review the story in Mark 2:1-12. A great memory verse for your family this week is 1 John 1:9a - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins"


Questions for review with your child:

1. Why is bringing a friend to Jesus so important?

2. Do you think Jesus wants to know our friends? Why or why not?

3. How do you think it makes Jesus feel when we bring our friends to him?

4. What other messages can we use to bring friends to Jesus?

5. Why do you think it is hard for some people to confess their sins to Jesus?

6. Why do you think Jesus wants us to bring our friends to him?

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In Worship and Wonder at 11:00 am on Sunday, the kindergarten class will be studying the following:


Jesus Makes Lazarus Alive Again

Verse for this lesson is John 11

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1. I wonder how Mary feels when her brother is so sick?

2. I wonder how Martha feels?

3. I wonder how Martha and Mary feel as they watch Lazarus die?

4. I wonder what they might be saying to each other as they prepare Lazarus's body to be placed in the tomb?


5. I wonder how they feel that Jesus didn't come before Lazarus died?

6. I wonder how they feel when they see Jesus?

7. I wonder how they feel when Lazarus is alive again?

8. I wonder why Jesus loves Lazarus, Martha and Mary?

9. I wonder why Martha, Mary and Lazarus love Jesus?

10. I wonder how Martha knows Jesus is the Christ?

11. I wonder who Mary thinks Jesus is?

12. I wonder who Lazarus thinks Jesus is?

13. I wonder why some of the people love Jesus and follow him?

14. I wonder why some of them will not follow Jesus?

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9:00 am Sunday and 3's and 4's W & W at 11:00 am on Sunday, we will be studying the following:

The Good Samaritan

Verses for this lesson are Luke 10:25-37

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1. I wonder if the person who was left by the side of the road half dead has a name?

2. I wonder where the road was really going?

3. I wonder who was a neighbor to the robber?

4. I wonder who was a neighbor to the priest?

5. I wonder who was a neighbor to the Levite?

6. I wonder who was a neighbor to the Samaritan?

7. I wonder how a Samaritan could be a neighbor?

Feb. 11 & 12: Jesus Cares When We’re Afraid

This Weekend in MC Park, in Sunday School and Elementary Worship, your child will learn about Jesus calming a storm.

Jesus Calms a Storm

You can review the story in Mark 4:35-41. A great memory verse for your family this week is 1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”

Questions for review with your child:

1.    How does the story of Jesus calming the storm help you understand that Jesus cares when we’re afraid?

2.    What other times does Jesus show he cares for us?

3.    Why is it important that we ask Jesus for his help when we’re afraid?

4.    How do you stay calm when you’re feeling nervous, afraid, or uncertain about what’s happening?

5.    When has Jesus calmed your fears?

6.    How can it be comforting to know that the wind has to obey Jesus?

7.    What are things that may you feel afraid?

8.    Who are two people who care for you when you’re afraid?

9.    How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is with you when you are afraid?

10. When you’re feeling afraid, what can you do to help you remember that Jesus cares about your feelings?

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In Kindergarten Worship and Wonder at 11 a.m., this week's lesson:

The Lamp Under a Bowl

Verses for this lesson: Luke 8:16-18

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.    I wonder if God gives me light?

2.    I wonder what the light is that God gave me?

3.    I wonder what I will do with my light?

4.    I wonder if I would hide my light?

_____

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9 a.m. Sunday, and 3s and 4s W&W at 11 a.m. on Sunday, this week’s lesson:

The Sower

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 13:3-8; Mark 4:3-8; Luke 8:5-8

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.    I wonder how the seeds felt that fell on the path?

2.    I wonder how the birds felt?

3.    I wonder if the birds have names?

4.    I wonder what the seed felt about the birds?

5.    I wonder how the seeds felt that fell among the rocks?

6.    I wonder how the sun felt about the little seeds?

7.    I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in the thorns?

8.    I wonder what the thorns felt about the little seeds?

9.    I wonder how the seeds felt that fell in good soil?

10. I wonder how the good soil felt about the little seeds?

11. I wonder how so much grain could come from the little seeds?

Feb. 4 & 5: Jesus Came to Help Us

This Weekend in MC Park, in Sunday School and Elementary Worship, your child will learn about Jesus helping others by healing and casting out demons.

Jesus Heals, Prays and Preaches

You can review the story in Mark 1:29-39. A great memory verse for your family this week is Matthew 11:28 - “Come to me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest”

Questions for review with your child:

1.    Have you ever tried to do something on your own without Jesus’ help?  What happened?

2.    What are the jobs of people who help you each week?

3.    What would happen if no one was willing to do these jobs and help others?

4.    Why do you think Jesus came to help us?  Explain.

5.    If you could write a “help wanted” ad asking for help in any area of your life, what would you write?

6.    If you were to write a job description for Jesus, what would you include in it?

7.    How has Jesus helped you in areas you’ve needed help?

8.    How would you like Jesus to help you this week?

9.    Why is it important to tell others about Jesus?  Who can you tell this week?

10. How can you follow Jesus’ example and help others?

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A note from Ms. Betty for the 3’s Sunday School at 11 a.m.:

Ms. Betty's and Mr. Dan's 3-4 year old Sunday School class learned about generosity during January. The children heard about a boy who shared his fish and bread with Jesus which fed 5,000. The children have been asked to bring in one non-perishable canned or boxed food item each week to Sunday School as an offering. The food collected will be donated to the Eastern Area Ministries food pantry to help feed others in the community. They also heard about a poor widow who gave all she had. She offered her last two coins at the temple. This offering meant more to Jesus than offerings given by those who had more to give.  The children have been asked to bring in a few coins each week as an offering if possible. These will be donated to various church ministries.

Help your child become a generous giver.

God's Blessings from the Clifton's

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In Kindergarten Worship and Wonder at 11 a.m., this week's lesson:

The Prodigal Son

Verses for this lesson: Luke 15:11-32

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.    I wonder why the younger son wanted leave his father?

2.    I wonder how the father felt when the younger son left?

3.    I wonder how the younger son felt when he had to get a job feeding pigs?

4.    I wonder what the son was thinking when his father hugged him and welcomed him home?

5.    I wonder why the older brother wouldn’t go to the party?

6.    I wonder if the older brother ever went to the party?

7.    I wonder what the father meant when he said, “My son was lost but now he is found?

_____

In Worship and Wonder on Saturday night, 9 a.m. Sunday, and 3s and 4s W&W at 11 a.m. on Sunday, this week’s lesson:

The Great Pearl

Verses for this lesson: Matthew 13:45-46

Questions to wonder about with your child:

1.        I wonder what could be so great that the merchant would exchange everything he had for the 

      great pearl?

2.        I wonder how this pearl could be the Great Pearl, and all the other pearls could be just pearls?

3.        I wonder what the Great Pearl could really be?

4.        I wonder how this person could ever give away the Great Pearl?

5.        I wonder which person has the most now?

6.        I wonder if you know the merchant?

7.        I wonder if the merchant has a name?

8.      I wonder if the merchant is happy where he is?

9.      I wonder if you’ve ever been close to this person?

10.   I wonder if this person has a name?

11.      I wonder where this place could really be?

112. I wonder where this whole place could really be?