VBS@Home Week 4: Tabitha Serves

Each week, physical resources will be available by 4 PM on Monday afternoon, and a copy of this guide will be sent to your email. Plan to join us on Zoom at 10 AM on Wednesday this week for an interactive time to kick off the week of learning. Here is the guide: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/vbs-at-home-2020-week-4-resources-tabitha.pdf

Check out this resource reveal video for a walk-through of the whole resource:

Zoom Link: 10 AM on Zoom July 1

Join Pastor Breen each Wednesday morning (Thursday this week) for a kick-off of this week’s Bible School story. Make sure that you have room to move! If you miss the Zoom, check out this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0V-IJaYUW4J7MxGhv44X27fc_sHYsi4p

Women of Our Faith Theme verse: Ephesians 3:20 ERV

This is the theme verse for the whole month. You can find it on the back of your Women of Our Faith Bible Friend Card. Practice this verse, repeat-after-me style, each time you gather to engage the resources.

With God’s power working in us,

God can do much, much more

than anything we can ask or imagine.

Women of Our Faith Theme song: Ephesians 3:20 song Saddleback Kids This is the theme song for the whole month. This song helps you to learn the verse through music and motions. Watch it together and sing along.

EXPLORE THE STORY

This is the “meat” of VBS@ Home. Pastor Breen will introduce the story at our Zoom meeting, and each family is asked to also engage in the story, through reading, devotions, and videos, at home. Complete this section first, and then choose activities from the Mix & Match Bible Stations below to reinforce the theme.

Theme Verse: 1 Peter 4:10 ERV

This is the theme verse for the week. You can find it on the back of your Deborah Bible friend card and on the front of your family devotion. Practice this verse, repeat-after-me style, each time you gather to engage the resources this week.

God has shown you grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift God has given you in a way that will best serve each other.

Bible Story: Peter & Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43)

Read this story from your Spark Story Bible as a family. You can use your Women of Faith Bible friend card as a bookmark, to easily find the story again later. If you have multiple readers in your family, you might takes turns reading by page, paragraph, or sentence. Answer the question at the end of the story as a family.

Spark Story Bible page 520

Get your own Spark Story Bible here: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/product/9780806670492/Spark Story –Bible –Sunday –School –Edition

Family Devotion: Tabitha Serves

Each learner will have their own copy of Week 4 Devos. After you have read the story from your Spark Story Bible, color the provided picture as you discuss the two sets of questions as a family. In “Understanding the Story,” you can find the answers to the questions by looking back at the story in the Spark Story Bible. In “God’s Story, My Story,” there are no wrong answers (as long as you are telling the truth 😊 ). If these questions spark questions that you do not know the answers to, please reach out to Pastor Breen. She loves to wrestle with hard questions alongside you!

Get your copy of the Devos here: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/devos-week-4-tabitha.pdf

Bible Story Videos:

Another way to engage this story is in video form. You can reinforce what you learned during your family devotion time during the week by offering these videos to your children and youth, or watch them as a family.

MIX & MATCH BIBLE STATIONS

Read through these stations, and decide which ones you would like to engage as a family. You might choose only one, or a couple, or one each day! Each activity is intended to reinforce the theme of the Bible story for the week in a concrete, memorable way.

Song: God’s Work, Our Hands (a song by Pastor Breen)

We will learn this song during our Zoom gathering. You can use the video to lead you during the week.

Game: Costume Obstacle Race

Tabitha made clothing for others and worked hard to give everyone what they needed. Play this game to remember Tabitha’s work, as well as the obstacles we face when we work to help others.

Kids love obstacle races and this one has a Tabitha twist by making them dress up as they go along. After each obstacle (use what you have, like a frisbee toss, baseball bat twirl, tunnel scoot, etc.) place a piece of clothing (hats, gloves and tunics work well) that must be worn. Talk about how we all need clothing and how we choose what we wear to reflect who we are.

From https://www.jesus-without-language.net/tabitha-dorcas-acts-9-play/

Outdoor Activity: Blanket Flip

Tabitha made clothing and blankets for others, and her example inspired the community. This activity is a team-building game that we often do at Confirmation Camp. It is even more fun if you play it in rounds, making the blanket smaller and smaller to make it more challenging each time. Encourage everyone to be gentle with one another, and to talk to one another.

Have the group of children stand on a blanket and challenge them to flip it over without anyone stepping off of it. Fold the blanket in a manner that challenges the group adequately. The blanket must be flipped over completely without any of the participants stepping off of it.

From https://fitkidshealthykids.ca/node/41 (there is a helpful video here, if you need help with the instructions)

Snack: Servant Snack

Tabitha served others; now it is time for the children to serve the adults. Choose a snack that your children can prepare, from start to finish. It might be chips and dip, or a veggie plate, or a sweet popcorn mix. Encourage them to work together to make and serve the snack, complete with dishes, silverware, napkins, and drinks. While you eat together, talk about how it feels to serve someone else, and think together about ways that you can do this for others.

Craft: Comfort Cross

Tabitha made clothing and blankets which helped and comforted others. She loved to serve and share. Each learner has enough materials two make two comfort crosses; one to keep and one to share. Think of someone you know who could use the help and comfort of God, and give one away!

Materials needed: 1 square of fleece, 1 craft foam cross, glue (tacky glue works really well), 1 pair of scissors

Step 1: Glue the foam cross to the center of the square of fleece. Allow to dry completely (you can stop here and enjoy the cross this way if you don’t want to use scissors).

Step 2: Cut out the cross, going right up to the edge of it. One side of your cross will be foam, the other will be fleece. Enjoy!

Prayer Practice: Comfort Cross

Tabitha comforted others, especially when they were in need. This week, we will pray for others. Hold the cross in your hand as you take turns praying for someone who needs God’s help and comfort. Sometimes, it is easier to concentrate on your prayers if your hands are moving and engaged, so feel free to trace your fingers over the cross, or rub the fleece side as you pray. In between each prayer, you can say, “God of mercy, hold us in love.” When everyone has had a chance to pray, pray the Lord’s Prayer together.

Daily Devos: Ascension Sunday 2020

Bible Story: Acts 1:1-11

Luke Writes Another Book

1 Dear Theophilus,

The first book I wrote was about everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning ²until the day he was carried up into heaven. Before he went, he talked to the apostles he had chosen. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he told them what they should do. ³This was after his death, but he showed them that he was alive, proving it to them in many ways. The apostles saw Jesus many times during the 40 days after he was raised from death. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom. ⁴One time when Jesus was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Wait here until you receive what the Father promised to send. Remember, I told you about it before. ⁵John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Carried Up Into Heaven

⁶The apostles were all together. They asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time for you to give the people of Israel their kingdom again?”

⁷Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only one who has the authority to decide dates and times. They are not for you to know. ⁸But the Holy Spirit will come on you and give you power. You will be my witnesses. You will tell people everywhere about me—in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”

⁹After Jesus said this, he was lifted up into the sky. While they were watching, he went into a cloud, and they could not see him. ¹⁰They were staring into the sky where he had gone. Suddenly two men wearing white clothes were standing beside them. ¹¹They said, “Men from Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? You saw Jesus carried away from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw him go.”

Questions: ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this story? What do I have questions about?

What delights me about this story? What is my favorite part, and why?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? It might be a time when I had to say goodbye to someone, for example.

What is God up to in this story? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this story?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank you for coming to earth to save us, and for returning to heaven to prepare a place for us. Send us your Holy Spirit, so that we may always follow where you lead. In your name we pray, Amen.

Activity: Lord, I Lift Your Name on High

When we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, it is a great time to tell the whole story of Jesus; to remember where he has been and where he is going. A great way to do that is through the song “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” by Rick Founds.

First, download the file with all the symbols you will need to tell the story. You can find the file here: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ascension-sunday-2020-lord-i-lift-your-name-on-high.pdf

Next, color the symbols and cut them out. You can mount them to popsicle sticks with double-sided tape or glue, if desired.

Then, look up the lyrics to the song. See if you can use your symbols and the words to tell the whole story of Jesus saving the world! You can find a copy of the lyrics here: http://www.divinehymns.com/lyrics/lord-i-lift-your-name-on-high-song-lyrics/

If you want to get your whole body moving, sing and dance along with this video:

A blessed Ascension Sunday to you and yours! If you would like more great ideas on how to celebrate the Ascension at Home, check out this post by buildfaith.org: https://buildfaith.org/celebrating-ascension-day-at-home/

Daily Devos: Come, Holy Spirit

PENTECOST: ACTS 2:1-4 (NRSV)

When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. ²And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Why do you think that the Holy Spirit comes in wind, fire, and language? How do you experience the Holy Spirit? What is the Spirit stirring up in you?

Holy Spirit, Breath of Life, breathe the fire of your love into us. Shape us, give us life, make us whole. Help us to spread the love of Christ to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Find a pdf of this devotion here: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/daily-devos-19-come-holy-spirit.pdf

Daily Devos: Jesus Ascends to Heaven

ASCENSION: ACTS 1:8-11

[Jesus said] “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Why do you think that Jesus ascends to heaven, instead of staying on earth?
Why send the Holy Spirit?
What are you looking forward to?

Risen Christ, thank you for making a place for us in heaven. Send your Holy Spirit among us, that we may be your risen people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Find a PDF of this devotion here: https://familygodtime.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/daily-devos-18-jesus-ascends.pdf

Daily Devos: GOD SAVES PAUL FROM THE SEA

PRAYER OF THE WEEK:

Dear God, we thank you for keeping Paul and his friends safe in the storm. Please be with us, even through scary times. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

COLORING PAGE OF THE WEEK:

Download the Coloring Page here: http://sundayschoolzone.com/activity/pauls-shipwreck-coloring-page/view/

Paul Shipwreck Coloring Page

BIBLE STORY OF THE WEEK: Acts 27:21-26, 39-44 NRSV

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. 22 I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we will have to run aground on some island.”
39 In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:

Tell about a time when you were on a boat. What was it like? Tell your best storm story. How did God keep you safe in the storm? What are some ways that you can encourage others when they are going through scary times in their lives?

Family God Time: GOD SAVES PAUL FROM THE SEA: Acts 27:21-26, 39-44

For the next two weeks, we will be remembering what we learned in Bible School at the beginning of the summer. Have fun learning more about each story from your children; they are sometimes our greatest teachers!

Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)

Dear God, we thank you for keeping Paul and his friends safe in the storm. Please be with us, even through scary times. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Bible Story: Acts 27:21-26, 39-44

Read about Paul’s Shipwreck in a children’s Bible or online here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+27%3A21-26%2C+39-44&version=ERV

Here is a video to show you Paul’s story:

Here’s a video about the shipwreck:

Questions to Ponder:

Tell about a time when you were on a boat. What was it like?
Tell your best storm story. How did God keep you safe in the storm?
What are some ways that you can encourage others when they are going through scary times in their lives?

Song: Paul Was Sailing on the Sea

It is hard to believe, but I could not find even one song about Paul’s Shipwreck on Youtube! Instead, I found this song that goes to “Michael Row the Boat Ashore.” I taught the kids the melody of the second line, and we sang it as a call and response with actions. It is from http://www.dltk-bible.com/paulwassailing.html

Activity: Sponge Sailboats

Since the main event of this story is a shipwreck, I thought I would be fun to make some simple boats of our own (and even wreck them). You can find easy instructions here: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/sponge-sailboat-craft-for-kids/

Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)

God be in my head, and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes, and in my looking.
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.
God be in my heart, and in my thinking.
God be at my end, and at my departing. Amen.

Children’s Devotion Time May 2018: To the Ends of the Earth

One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!

You can learn more about just how we have set this up here: Children’s Devotion Time Instructions

Large Group Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)

Dear Jesus, we thank you for this time to learn more about the last thing that Jesus said to us. Help us to learn to be your witnesses, all the way to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Large Group Bible Story: Acts 1:1-11

Read about Jesus’ Ascension in a children’s Bible, your own Bible, or you can find the story here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A1-11&version=ERV

We used the Spark Story Bible for our resource. It was the story called “Ascension.” You can purchase your own copy here: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/8122/Spark-Story-Bible-Sunday-School-Edition

Work in Pairs:

Each child/adult pair has a four-page leaflet to work on which is developmentally appropriate for the child. They work through the leaflet together, taking as much time as they need. This month, I made a leaflet with a map activity. Children identified where they lived on a state, country, and world map, and drew stars where they live and arrows to the ends of the earth. I also found an Ascension Paint-By-Number Image here: http://www.biblewise.com/kids/fun/ascension-paint-by-num.php You can also use the children’s bulletin from your church.

Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)

Dear Jesus, we thank you that you that you went back home to heaven so that we will have a home there too. Help us to spread your love to the ends of the earth. In your name we pray, Amen.

Activity: String Art Arrows

Supplies Needed
(1) 14” section of 2 x 4 per student
(1) arrow template, printed on cardstock and cut out
(1) ruler
(1) awl
(19) 16 x 1” wire nails with large heads per student
(1) hammer
(1) scissors
crochet thread in multiple colors

Instructions

Center the arrow template on the section of 2 x 4 and tape down, if desired. Mark the nail holes according to the dots on the arrow with an awl. Remove template.
Drive one nail into each marked spot. Once they are each in securely, adjust the height of the nails until they are fairly even (I left ½” sticking out).
Let the children and youth use string to fill in the design. On the example, I used red to outline, cream to fill in the middle, and red to do a double outline at the end. I secured the ends of each string around the bottom right nail.
Put it on a shelf in an upright position to remind us that Ascension Day is when Jesus returns to heaven!

Daily Devos: Jesus Returns to Heaven