Welcome Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy as a way to begin your time of learning together. One:    Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today. All:      Who is with us?   One:    Christ, the light of the world. (Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.) All:      Who is with us? One:   The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world. (Place a cross on a table in your gathering place) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the scriptures   (Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God (Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell – on a table in your gathering space.) All:      Who is with us? One:    Our risen Lord, who meets us at the Table. (Place a symbol of Communion – a plate and … [Read more...]

Joy is a concept that children are quite familiar with, whether they realize it or not. There is a constant undercurrent of joy as they laugh and play, as they embrace new ideas without judgment, and as they easily form friendships. While they experience joy on a regular basis, they may not readily connect it with their faith. In this lesson, children will explore what it means to experience the joy of God’s unwavering love for creation. Starting off Begin your time with the children by asking them what the word joy means to them. What does joy look like? How do they know when they’re experiencing joy? Then ask them to consider how joy is different than happiness. Are two words for the same feeling or are they different? How are they different? Explain that while we often use these words interchangeably, they have different meanings. Happiness depends on something happening or not happening. We’re happy when we receive a gift or a compliment. We’re happy when we get to enjoy … [Read more...]