Sunday school activities - October 3, 2021

Theme Discussion

Mark 10: 13-16 - Jesus Blesses Little Children

13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

This is a familiar story, one that we often use at baptisms in our church. It’s a message that Jesus welcomes everyone – even little children – with open arms.

Why do you think the disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus?

Do you feel welcome or unwelcome at church? What makes you feel that way?

Do you think there might be some people who don’t feel welcome at church? What things can we do to change that?

In this story, Jesus tells the people gathered that you need to receive that welcome to God’s kin-dom the way a little child does. Let’s unpack that a bit…

When someone welcomes you with arms wide open, how do you react? Is it different if that person is someone you know well or someone you have just met? What makes that difference?

Trust, love, and acceptance are all important parts of being able to open your arms to receive a welcome like that – and they are all important parts of being open to God.

Do you think this is easier for children than it is for adults? Why?

Response Activity Ideas

Loving You THIS Much

Materials: construction paper, scissors, colouring tools, glue/tape

Trace your hands on construction paper and cut out.  Cut out a long strip of paper (glue or tape 2 strips together to make it longer if you wish) and accordion-fold it. Attach a hand on each end of the strip.  Finally, write a message on the hands and/or paper strip that reflects your ideas about this Bible passage, maybe:

“Jesus Welcomes Us with Open Arms” OR “God Loves Me THIS Much – and more!”  OR “All Are Welcome Here!” OR “I love you SO much!”

Jesus Loves Me Song – Rock You version

Tap twice on your legs and then clap once.  You’re ready to listen and sing along with the CGS and Bell Canto camp version of Jesus Loves Me!

Challenge!  Can you write a new verse about Jesus welcoming everyone in place of the ‘Jesus loves me, this I know’ section?

JESUS LOVES ME/WE WILL ROCK YOU

Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong in his love they will grow strong.

Singing Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na

Sing about his love, His love is what we sing about Sing about his love, His love is what we sing. Sing about his love, His love is what we sing about Sing about his love, His love is what we sing.

Singing Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na

Yes, Jesus loves me (clap, clap) (2X) Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so

Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I'm bad, even though it makes him sad.

Singing Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na

Sing about his love, His love is what we sing about Sing about his love, His love is what we sing. Sing about his love, His love is what we sing about Sing about his love, His love is what we sing.

Singing Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na na na na Whoo! Na na na na na na na na na

Yes, Jesus loves me (clap, clap) (2X) Yes, Jesus love me, The Bible (clap) tells me (clap) so.

Word Search

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Sunday school activities - September 26, 2021

September 30 has been designated as a “Day for Truth and Reconciliation”. You might know it as “Orange Shirt Day”. This morning, in the church service, we heard the story about Phyllis Jack’s orange shirt that sparked the “Every Child Matters” movement. It’s a story about how one little girl’s experience on her first day of school made her feel that she didn’t matter, that her feelings weren’t important, and that no one cared about her. Here’s the story again, in case you missed it:

“I want to share a story with you about a little girl who was going to school for the very first time. Her name is Phyllis Jack and she lived on a reserve in northern British Columbia with her Granny. When she was 6 years old, she went to the Mission School. Just like you, she was really excited about going to school. Her family didn’t have very much money but somehow her Granny managed to buy her a new outfit to wear to school. She remembers that day clearly. Here’s what she says:

“I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It
had eyelets and lace, and I felt so pretty in that shirt and excited to be going to school!”

She sounds like every little girl and boy I know who is excited about starting school – especially with a brand-new special outfit.

But, Phyllis’ first day of school was very different from yours. It was a Residential School, a place where she stayed night and day. The teachers spoke a different language and she couldn’t understand what they were saying. On that first day, all of the students had their clothes taken away and they were given different clothes to wear. Phyllis never saw her special orange shirt again. She couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to her. It was her shirt, a special shirt, a gift from her Granny that she had picked out herself.

So, that little girl who was so happy and proud to be going to school, didn’t feel happy or cared for anymore. She didn’t want to stay at this school. She wanted to go home – and she wanted her orange shirt back. Phyllis wasn’t just feeling sad on that first day of school. She felt sad and unloved for much of her life. The colour orange always reminds her of that feeling.”

This story reminded me of another one that we have used at church: “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” You can listen to it here:

Can you give some examples of when your bucket was filled?

Have you ever felt that someone was dipping into your bucket?

How are some ways you can fill someone’s bucket?

Think about Phyllis’ story.

When was her bucket filled?

Who dipped into her bucket?

Phyllis’ story is her personal one, but the way she was treated and the way she felt was experienced by all the First Nations children who were sent to Residential Schools. They grew up with empty buckets.

Can you think of some ways that we can help to fill the buckets of First Nations people in Canada?

Response Activity Ideas

Fill the Bucket

Let’s Collaborate! – Visit this document and add a text box or two to the bucket on page 1 with your ideas for filling the buckets of Indigenous Peoples of Canada.  Read the ideas others have posted as well!

            OR

On your own – Print out the bucket template on page 2 of the above presentation and fill it with your own ideas.

First Nations Schools

How does your school experience compare to that of Phyllis and some of the other residential school survivors whose stories you’ve heard?  Write or draw about some of the differences and similarities in your school experience and what you know about theirs.

Many current First Nations schools are not well-funded enough to provide the resources and safe spaces the students need to learn.  Find out more by reading about Shannen’s Dream and learn about ways to respond.

Colouring Sheets – by Michelle Stoney, Gitxsan artist

Feather – “First of all the feather represents so much in our culture. Maybe too much to even explain so I’ll just say what it means to me in the hand and this one. To me it means strength and healing, we really value the feather and it means so much to us. I know we use it for smudging, and to me that represents cleansing .

Inside the feather is the spirit of the 215 children. The face on the bottom is not an animal. That is how I draw people , and I wanted to make long flowing hair, that they were forced to cut.”

Click to print PDF

Leaf – “This is a truth and reconciliation day colouring page I made…I don’t really have a story behind it, but this is what I was thinking … September 30th is the first truth and reconciliation day, it takes place in the fall. The tree these trees fall from represent their nation to me. And these are the children that left and didn’t come back. I added the same things I added to the feather I did last year. And added some hearts, because we will never forget them.”

Click to print PDF

See more of her work and find other generously-offered colouring images for personal use at: www.facebook.com/mstoneyart/photos/

Sunday school activities - September 19, 2021

Theme Discussion

Reading: Mark 9: 30-39

Do you always like to be first in line? What about being first in games or contests? Would you like to receive an award or a prize for being the first? I’m sure most of us do. The person who ran the fastest, or sang with the most beautiful voice, or shot the most goals wins the prize. That’s normally how it works, right? But if we think about it, we cannot be first or the greatest or the best all the time.

In our Bible story today found in Mark 9: 30-39, Jesus heard his disciples arguing about which one of them was the best or the greatest. Jesus stepped in to end the argument. Jesus said that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last. This really sounds weird and confusing, doesn’t it? What do you think Jesus means by this verse?

Well, I think Jesus was saying that greatness is not about being the first all the time although that is very good in many ways. Greatness or being the best means to think of others first before ourselves. When you help those in need or when you care for others or reach out to those who are lonely, you are actually putting others first before you.

Have you let someone go first in line? Have you given your seat to someone in the bus? Or let your brother or sister take the first pick of freshly baked cookies? Have you shared your favourite toy with someone that is not a close friend? How did you feel?

Jesus wants us to win by loving others and showing that you care. When you make others feel special, that is also being a winner. Do you think this makes sense? Do you agree with Jesus?

There’s also another part of the Bible story which is really neat. Jesus took a child and showed the child to his disciples and said: “Whoever welcomes this small child welcomes me and whoever welcomes me, welcomes God who sent me.” Children were not very important at the time of Jesus. They had no rights. They were not considered the greatest members of the society. But Jesus thought otherwise. Why do you think Jesus uses a child as a model of teaching greatness to his disciples and to us?

Jesus upholds that children are very special.  To be the greatest or the best, you have to pay attention to children, to notice them and give them love. Do you think children are special? Why?

Response Activity Ideas

Great People

If you were asked, who are some of the greatest people in history, who comes to mind?  What is it that has made them ‘great’?  Do an internet search to learn more about some great people.  There are some ideas below. What can we learn or copy from their life and experiences?

https://kids.kiddle.co/Mahatma_Gandhi

https://kids.kiddle.co/Nelson_Mandela

https://kids.kiddle.co/Kublai_Khan

https://kids.kiddle.co/Marie_Curie

Topsy-turvy

This is another one of Jesus’ teachings where things seem backwards – the last shall be first – which can seem confusing until we think about it for awhile.  It’s like an optical illusion – it seems one thing at first, but when you study it, or change your view point, something else becomes clear. 

Follow the tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29Y-fkPVTY to draw a double-sided person – one that is happy on one side and sad at the other.  Try modifying it by adding more details (eyebrows/mustache?) to make it your own.  As you view from the ‘happy’ direction, think of ways you and your family can be great by putting others first!

Rainbow

Did you hear Rev. Kim’s Storytime this week?  If not, check out the video or text version of it on the BCUC website.  Using watercolours, (or other colouring tools on hand), illustrate the story she tells of all the rainbow colours arguing, but learning that they are all important and valued.

Sunday school activities - September 12, 2021

Theme Discussion

Hello!  What’s your name?  Nice to meet you!  There’s more to a person than just their first name, though, isn’t there?

Go around the room taking turns with your family talking about each other: What are some (kind!) names and adjectives you have to describe the others?  (Sister, helper, reader, best cupcake baker, etc.)

If other people were asked to describe you, would they all say the same thing? What they say about you will depend on how they have experienced you. Your parents, your siblings, your friends, your teacher, your coach – each one would likely describe you in a different way. Who do you think knows you best?

Today’s Bible story, Mark 8:27-38, has two parts to it:

In the first part, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They give many different answers. They have heard people say Jesus is John the Baptist, or a prophet like Elijah, or Jeremiah, come back to life. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter says, “You are the messiah.” Jesus tells them that they must keep this a secret because the people coming to see him wouldn’t understand.

The disciples have spent more time with Jesus than most other people and so they are beginning to understand that God has given him a very special role to play in the world. I think Jesus might be worried that if they call him the Messiah or the Saviour to other people who don’t know him so well, they will expect him to be like a king or a great military leader.

How does the way someone describes you change the way they act with you, or expect you to act? 

Next, Jesus tells his disciples that there are going to be some hard times ahead and that the leaders will not like what he does and says. He tells them he will suffer and even die. Peter isn’t happy with this kind of talk. He takes Jesus aside and tells him to stop scaring everybody with this negative talk. Jesus gets cross with Peter and tells him that they all need to hear these things because they need to know what they are getting into by following Jesus. It will be hard and even sometimes scary and dangerous.

What do you think it would have been like to travel with Jesus as the disciples did?

What do you think is the hardest thing Jesus asks us to do as his followers?

How do people around you react when you do those things? How do you feel about yourself when you do them?

Response Activity Ideas

Jesus is like…. I am like…

Gather colouring tools and print out the worksheet (or use blank paper).  At the top, draw a picture that represents the name or image you have for Jesus, and fill in the sentence to explain what you drew.  At the bottom, think about yourself.  What skills, qualities, gifts can you share with others?  What are you like for the people around you?  Again, draw a picture and explain with words.

Doing the Right Thing Poster (WWJD?)

Choose an inspirational quote or Bible verse that could remind you to consider what the right thing to do in a situation might be, even it’s not the easiest choice or the option you’d prefer.

Using markers, paint, or crayons OR working on the computer with different fonts and colours, make a small poster to put up at home or get tucked into your planner or a binder at school.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. – C.S. Lewis

Do the right thing. It will gratify some and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain

When in doubt, don’t. – Benjamin Franklin

Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right. - Theodore Roosevelt

Wordsearch

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Sunday school activities - September 5, 2021

Reading of the story: God sends the holy spirit

Theme Discussion

In today’s story we see the Holy Spirit giving the apostles the ability to talk in all languages so that they can share God’s teachings with everyone. When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were capable of performing miracles to help people and open their hearts. 

When the people heard the apostles speaking in their own language, they became believers, and many wanted to be baptized.

The Holy Spirit is always around us and helping us and we often don’t notice. It can help you get the confidence to talk to new people, or do scary things. It can help when you’re having trouble remembering something. You can also give the gift of the Holy Spirit to others. This happens when you can help someone who’s hurt or sad, or when someone’s lost and you tell them where to go. 

How do you think the apostles felt when they were able to talk to everyone and spread God’s teachings to everyone?

How has the Holy Spirit helped you or your friends and family?

How have you shared the Holy Spirit with people?

Craft

For today’s craft you’ll need one of the colouring pages, colouring tools, scissors, string or yarn, and glue or tape. 

Colour the kite shaped colouring page however you like, then cut out the kite. Next cut 3 pieces of string or yarn about 8 inches long, attach them to the longest point to make a tail for your kite. You can continue to add tails or decorate your kite however you’d like.

Have you ever thought about how kites fly? They get lifted up by the wind, we can’t see the wind but we can see it working. In this way the wind is similar to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always around us and with us and we just can’t see it. We can’t see the wind but we can see it’s great power, we also can’t see the Holy Spirit but we can see the good that it does.

If you attach another string to the front of your kite and find an open place you can try to fly it, it will have to be a very windy day to fly since it’s just a paper kite.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - August 29, 2021

Song about the story: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 song

Story and Discussion

Today’s story is about Moses and the most important commandment that God gave him. When Moses was wandering through the desert with the Israelites God gave him commandments to follow. Moses told the Israelites about all the commandments and he made sure to tell them all about the most important one, Moses said “Listen up, everybody! God is our God, the one true God! And here’s what we’re asked to do: Love God with everything we’ve got, love God with your whole heart, with all your soul, with every ounce of strength you’ve got. Remember what God asks of you, memorize it. Tell God’s words to your children. Talk about God’s words when you wake up in the morning, when you’re sitting still or walking around, when you go to bed at night. Write them down and tie them to your finger, to your forehead. Write them at the doorway of your home, and at the entryway to your town, so whenever you’re going in or out, you see God’s words, and you remember to love God.”

That commandment was followed by Moses and the Israelites and we should follow it too. It’s such an important commandment because if you follow it then you’ll be following the other commandments too.

How do you think the Israelites felt when they heard this commandment? How did you feel?

Why do you think loving God with our whole self is what God wants most from us?

How can you follow this commandment at home, in school, or with friends and family?

Craft

For this craft you’ll need Post it notes and something to write and draw with.

God told the Israelites to remember what God asked of them. To help us remember what God asks of us we’re going to write on the Post it notes, you can write things like “Love God” or draw a heart, whatever helps you remember. 

God told the Israelites to put their reminders on their doorways and on their foreheads. Can you think of any good places to put your reminders? You could put them on the mirror in the bathroom or on your bed.

These Post it notes will remind you, your family, and your friends to love God.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - August 22, 2021

Reading of the story: Lydia is baptized

Theme discussion

Today’s story is a story of hospitality, Lydia showed hospitality in a number of ways. She opened her heart to God and she opened her home to Paul. Hospitality is more than having people over to your house though. It’s opening our lives and making space in our hearts for others. It’s helping people around us feel welcomed and important. Paul showed Lydia hospitality by baptizing her and Lydia returned the hospitality by inviting him into her house. God wants all of us to show hospitality to each other, just like Paul and Lydia did. How can you show hospitality to people around you?

Why do you think God wanted Paul and Lydia to meet?

Why do you think Lydia wanted to be baptized? Have you been baptized?

Craft

Today’s craft is making a baptism scene where characters can be baptized. This craft requires two white paper plates, scissors, markers, and something to attach the plates. If you don’t have plates you can also use pieces of paper.

The first step is to cut waves and a sky out of the plates, you can use the picture below as inspiration for how to cut it.

Second step is to attach the waves and sky to the second plate. I recommend stapling around the outside but you could also glue around the outside or use tape.

Once the plates are attached you can draw on them to make it look like a sea and sky.

You now have a baptism scene, you can baptize objects or you can make characters. I recommend making a Paul out of paper and having him baptize things.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - August 15, 2021

Reading of the story: The Most Important Commandment

Theme discussion

God is big on love, today’s story tells us that the most important commandment is about love. The commandment tells us to love God and to love others as we love ourselves. This means we should treat others how we would want to be treated. If we love God and love others as we love ourselves then the other commandments should be easy and should happen naturally.

When the Pharisees tried to stump Jesus by asking him which commandment was the most important Jesus knew what to answer. Jesus knew that loving God and others as we love ourselves was the most important because all the other commandments will happen naturally if you follow this one. When Jesus said this to the Pharisees they were amazed by his knowledge and all agreed with him.

Did Jesus’s response in this story surprise you?

What do you think it looks like to love others like you love yourself?

Have you ever experienced God’s love through an action someone else did?

Craft

Today’s craft is making a heart necklace to remind ourselves of the most important commandment. For this craft you’ll need paper, string or ribbon, markers, and scissors.

Watch this video for directions on how to make the necklace, you should stop watching once you get to 5:03 or when the second craft starts.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - August 8, 2021

Reading of the story: Jesus and Zacchaeus

Theme discussion

The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus teaches us about God’s forgiveness and new beginnings. Zacchaeus had been a greedy and a cheating tax collector his entire life but that didn’t stop Jesus and God from loving him, God saw his potential for good.

When Jesus called out to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and asked to be his guest, Zacchaeus realized something. Jesus and God still loved him even when everyone else hated him. When Zacchaeus arrived home with Jesus, he knew he had to change his ways. He found his potential for good and said he would give half his wealth to the poor and pay back anyone he had cheated, four times over.

This story shows that God’s love is unconditional and because of this,we are able to transform our ways knowing that God will forgive our wrongdoings. Everyone can have a second chance to do things right.

Why do you think Jesus wanted to go to Zacchaeus’ house?

How do you think Zacchaeus felt when Jesus wanted to come to his house? How would you feel if Jesus wanted to come to your house?

The crowd didn’t think Zacchaeus deserved to have Jesus in his house, how do you think Jesus felt when the crowd spoke about Zacchaeus like that?

Craft

For today’s craft you’ll need paper, scissors, and markers.

First draw a heart on your paper, then cut out the heart with the scissors.

Now you’re going to write names in the heart, start with your own name and then do your family and friends, you can also do pets if you have any. This is a reminder that we are all loved by God all the time.

Once all the names are in you can decorate the heart however you like.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - August 1, 2021

Reading of the story: Jesus is Lost

Theme discussion

Children are very important. They're not only our future but also our present in many ways. God knows this and loves children. When Jesus was young, about 12 years old, according to Luke, God worked through him and gave him truth and wisdom so that he could speak with religious leaders and have conversations with them.

When Jesus grew older, he recognized the importance of children and would let them come sit near him and listen while he preached. Jesus put to practice what God taught him when he was young and so he continued to welcome children and taught his disciples that the children are the greatest in God’s reign. Jesus recognized the truth that everyone was a child at some point in their life. 

As a child, it is important to ask as many questions as you like and learn everything that interests you. The knowledge that you learn may help you to make a great invention or maybe scientific discovery in the future or maybe you’ll be a great leader or a fearless adventurer. 

Sunday school is organized so that God’s teachings and the good news that Jesus preached can be shared with children. Where else do you learn important things?

Have you ever felt ignored because of your age? How did you feel?

God was working through Jesus at such a young age, how do you think God might be working through you?

Craft

Today’s craft is using puppets to recreate Jesus talking to a religious leader. This craft will require popsicle sticks, glue or tape, markers, and a printer.

First, print out this picture and cut out the figures. Jesus is the shorter one on the left and the religious leader is the taller one on the right.

Click to print PDF

Then colour in the characters and stick them to popsicle sticks using glue or tape.

With your puppets you can act out the scene, what do you think Jesus and the religious leader were talking about and saying?

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - July 25, 2021

Reading of the story: The Daughters of Zelophehad

Theme Discussion

Zelophehad’s daughters had an unfortunate dilemma before them when they learned that they couldn’t inherit their father’s land because they were female. They felt it was unfair for inheritance to only go to sons because it left them with no place to live or have a future. God also thought this was unfair and when the daughters brought their issue to Moses he was instructed by God that the daughters were right. God said that if there were no sons for the inheritance to go to then it may go to the daughters. When Moses heard this, he made it the new law. 

In this story, God teaches us about equity which means that everyone, male or female, has every right to be treated fairly and justly according to their needs. Like in our story, the daughters needed a place to live so they were able to inherit their father’s property. The story also teaches that equity is more important than equality. Equity is when we give different people the different help they need. Equality, on the other hand, is when we give that help to everyone even if they don’t need it. We are called by God to offer equity to everyone. This is what God asks of us.

What was your favourite part of this story? Were there any parts you didn’t like?

Imagine you, like the daughters, were told you couldn’t have what you needed to have a full life when others were allowed to. How would you feel? What would you say?

Was there ever a time you saw something unfair happening and you spoke up or got involved? If there was, what happened?

Activity

For this activity you’ll need paper, something to draw with, and a sibling or adult.

For this activity you’re going to trace your feet. Each person will do one of their feet. You’ll then put the tracings beside each other and compare them. You should notice that everyone has differently sized and possibly differently shaped feet. If we were going to give people shoes would you give them all the same size? If everyone got the same size that would be equality, they would fit some people but not everyone. If everyone got a shoe their size that would be equity, everyone would have shoes that fit. This is why God teaches us that equity is more important than equality.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - July 18, 2021

Reading of the story: Jacob's Ladder

Theme Discussion

In this story, God talks to Jacob while he is dreaming. This surprises Jacob because he wasn’t anywhere special.  The place he had chosen to sleep was just an ordinary place. When Jacob woke up, he realized God was everywhere and all around him seemed to have been touched with holiness. He called the place Bethel to denote that the place was sacred and that God was present in that time and in that space. We can learn from this story that God is all around us and always with us no matter where we are or what we are doing. 

Was there anything in the story that seemed strange to you?

If you were Jacob and you woke up and realized God was in your dream, how would you feel?

Was there ever a time where you felt God’s presence, maybe in a dream or while you were doing something?

Craft

Today’s craft will be making reminders that God is everywhere like Jacob did with the rock in Bethel. You’ll need paper, scissors, crayons or markers, and any other decorations you want.

First cut the paper into rectangles about 15cm long and 10cm wide.

Then write “God is always with us” or an activity where you need a reminder that God is with you, for example “God is with me when I swim”.

Finally, you’re going to decorate your reminders however you want!

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - July 11, 2021

Reading of the story: Hagar and Ishmael

Theme discussion

In this story, Abraham faces a difficult decision when Sarah tells him to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael, Abraham isn’t sure if he should send Hagar and Ishmael away and so he looks to God for guidance. God tells Abraham to listen to Sarah and God will make sure everything will be okay. God is there for Abraham and helps him when he needs it most. Just like for Abraham, God will always be there for us and will help us with difficult decisions we face.

Later, when Hagar and Ishmael were crossing the desert, they ran out of water. God hears Ishmael crying and sends an angel to show Hagar that there is a well nearby. God is always watching over us the same way God watched over Hagar and Ishmael and will help us when we are in need.

Did anything in the story surprise you?

Have you ever faced a situation, like Hagar, where you needed help and were afraid?

Did you feel God’s presence in that situation?

Have you ever had to make a difficult decision, like Abraham?

Did you experience God’s guidance in that situation?

How do you think Hagar felt when she heard God’s voice and saw the well?

How can you carry God’s love with you to new places and people?

Craft

Today’s craft is making a God’s eye, this craft will remind us that God is always watching out for us and there for us. This craft requires:

• Two sticks (either popsicle sticks or from a tree)

• Yarn (string, ribbon, or twine can also be used it just won’t work as well)

• Glue can be used to stick the sticks together but it is not required.

Here is a good video showing how to make a God’s eye:

Colouring Sheets

Sunday school activities - July 4, 2021

Reading of the story

God's Story: Abraham and Sarah

Theme discussion

Trust is something that a lot of us struggle with, it’s hard to know who we should trust and when we should stop trusting them, especially when they make promises. If god had told you to leave your home and go to a new place that you’d never seen before, would you? Abram and Sarai trusted god and followed him, and he kept his promise because god always keeps his promises and we should trust him when he tells us to do something.

Was there ever a time that you had to leave something or someone you loved? If you did what or who were you leaving?

Was there ever a time that you trusted someone? Was it a good idea to trust them, did they keep their promises?

How does it feel to be always connected to God as part of his big family? Does it help you to trust people?

Craft

We are going to make a paper chain to remind ourselves how we're all connected to God as part of his family. For this craft we will need paper, scissors, crayons or markers, and tape.

Step 1: Cut the paper lengthwise into three strips.

Step 2: Fold the paper accordion style, each fold should make a square. Cut any extra off.

Step 3: Draw a person on your paper, the arms should touch the sides.

Step 4: Cut out your person by cutting along the line, be careful to leave the arms attached.

Step 5: Decorate your paper chain and customize your people! 

Step 6: Tape the ends together to make a circle, if you want a longer chain connect multiple strips of paper.

Colouring sheets

Click to print PDF

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - June 6, 2021

Theme Discussion

Listen to the story, “Stolen Words”:

This week, the news was full of the sad story of indigenous children taken away from their families and sent to Residential Schools. The idea was to make the children more like the European settlers in Canada, to make them forget their language and their culture. It broke apart families and caused a lot of hurt for our First Nations neighbours. They are still hurting today and the news of so many children who died and were buried in Kamloops has made all of us both sad and angry.

Have you ever hurt someone? Maybe you struck out in anger, or maybe you just bumped them by accident. When that happens, we are usually asked to apologize, to tell the hurt person that we are sorry. Does that help? Does it make all of the hurt go away? What else do we need to do to make the situation better and to be friends again?

When we become friends again with someone we have hurt, that’s called “reconciliation”. That’s what Canadians hope will happen between the indigenous people and all the other people who call Canada home. The United Church of Canada said “sorry” for the Residential Schools in 1996 but we are still working to make things better. We need to make life better for indigenous people in our country and we need to show them love and respect. It will take a lot of work and a lot of time for the hurt to go away.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbours. How can we show our indigenous neighbours that we love them and that we really want to make up for the hurt that was caused by the Residential Schools? One way is to listen to their stories and to learn about their culture. They have so much to teach us about caring for each other and for the earth.

In just a couple of weeks we will be celebrating the Indigenous Day of Prayer at BCUC. What a great opportunity to learn and share stories! We are so blessed to have Esther and Marlon Stewart in our congregation. They love to share their culture with us. This is one way we can get to know each other better – and that’s a big part of reconciliation.

Response Activity Ideas

Show of Support Shoe

Many are responding to the recently discovered burial site at the Kamloops Residential School by leaving shoes as a memorial to the many children who lost their lives.

(Image source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/survivors-families-react-ottawa-to-215-bodies-kamloops-residential-school-1.6047161)

Write and/draw a message of support, a promise to do better and learn more, a call for more action, or a prayer on this shoe.  Where will you post it?  How will you act upon what you wrote?

Click to print PDF

Four Directions – Sacred circle

Materials: colouring tools, scissors, glue, cardstock/construction paper, hole punch, yarn/string

Read about the significance of the Four Directions and the Seven Sacred teachings common to many First Nations peoples on the print out.  What connections can you make to our Christian beliefs and teachings?

Cut out the Sacred circle and glue it onto cardstock or construction paper.  On the back of each colour, write/draw the key elements and meanings of each section. 

Next, cut out the feathers.  On each, write one of the Seven Sacred teachings, then attach them to your circle with yarn or string to hang below.

Share what you learned with someone else!

Click to print all 3 PDFs

Nature Printmaking

A connection to our natural world is a vital part of indigenous cultures.  As part of this year’s Solstice Festival, Algonquin artist Emily Brascoupé-Hoefler taught students about printmaking using natural materials in a virtual presentation.  Try it out yourself!

Materials: paint, flat tray or plate, brush or small roller, paper, collection of leaves, petals and/or flat stones, etc. (This can also be done with markers instead of paint!)

Choose the first item you would like to print.  Set it on your tray and paint a very thin layer of paint over it (or colour it heavily with marker).  Carefully pick it up, then press the item down onto the paper, coloured side down, and press firmly all over the backside, before lifting gently away.  Repeat with other items, experimenting with colour, repeated prints, and layering of prints.

Inuit and First Nations Music and Games

Learn more watching these videos!

Throat-singing:

Inuit games:

The bear song:

Sunday school activities - May 30, 2021

Theme Discussion

Do you know what a simile is?  It’s when we compare something to something else using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’, such as when we say “I’m as busy as a beaver!” or “I sing like a bird!”.  We aren’t really beavers or birds, but these sentences help make a picture in our minds to explain how things are; we are LIKE those things.

Can you complete these similes?

It is as straight as…

My uncle is as tall as…

The decoration shines like…

Those kids are as loud as…

She runs like…

It is as sweet as…

I am as fast as…

My friend swims like…

Now what if you were asked to describe God?  It is so hard, isn’t it?!  Many of us come to church and Sunday School to ask questions and figure that out.  The Bible and our discussions are often full of similes and symbols to try to explain God and God’s vision for the world.

When Jesus was on Earth, he talked and taught a lot about what God was like, what God kin-dom was all about, and people asked him lots of questions.  One of those people was Nicodemus.  Here’s his story:

Jesus used similes and other comparisons to help Nicodemus understand.  He told him to really be part of God’s kingdom, it’s like being born again!  What do you think that really meant?  Maybe Jesus meant Nicodemus needed to start all over in learning about God wants for us - to stop worrying about all the laws and rules and to let his decisions and actions be based on love.

Sometimes those comparisons are still tricky to understand, aren’t they?!  But the great thing to remember is there is not just one way to explain or know God. In the Storytime today, Rev. Karen showed us the triquetra symbol that helps to explain and show how there are many ways to thinks about God.  Sometimes we try to explain God as a loving caregiver with words like Creator, Father, or Mother.  Other times God seems closer to being human, like Jesus, and the love and support shared between people around us.  Other times God is like a Holy Spirit giving us encouragement to live well and do good.  God can be like more than one thing for us, and God may mean different things to different people. 

Where do you ‘see’ God?

How or when do you feel God’s presence?

What is God ‘like’ for you? 

Response Activities

Triquetra Drawings

Print out the triquetra page or draw one of your own (Click here for an easy tutorial!).  Think of the 3 different loops of the knot as three different ways you understand God or feel God’s presence.  Draw something that represents each of the ideas inside the three loops. 

Click to print PDF

Alphabet Challenge

Can you think of a way to describe God using each letter of the alphabet?  You could use adjectives – God is Loving! Or similes – God is like a Mother hen! Or short phrases – God Guides us!

Celtic Knot Colouring

Print and colour the designs or try your hand at drawing your own!

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - May 23, 2021

Watch the video

Theme Discussion

This is an interesting story! Can you imagine what it would have been like to be with Jesus’ disciples and followers that day? Have you ever been at a gathering where it seemed like the spirit of the crowd was just getting bigger and bigger? (“We Day”... a major sporting event… Rendezvous...) There was a Spirit at work in this group for sure. The excitement in the room was so great that it spilled out into the street. People thought they must be drunk! They just couldn’t wait to share their enthusiasm with the whole world.

Can you think of a time when you felt excited about a project to help others? At BCUC, we often work together on this kind of project. We call it “outreach” because we are reaching out beyond the wall of the church to make a difference in the world. Sometimes we collect things for Famsac, and one year the Sunday School collected items for the Wild Bird Care Centre. Sometimes we collect money to help children in faraway places, like we did with our “Sleeping Children Around the World” campaign. It feels good when we can do outreach projects like this, especially when we can share our enthusiasm with those around us and have them join in.

Can you think of an outreach project that you would like to do to help others?

Response Activity Ideas

Make a plan

If you’ve thought of a project you’d like to do, write it down and make a plan to help you get organized and be able to follow through with your great idea.  Print and fill in the template, or make your own planning sheet!

If you’re still looking for ideas, check out the Doing Good Together website for lots of family-friendly community outreach ideas!

Click to print PDF

Pentecost Noise-maker

Make an instrument and join in a noisy celebration at Pentecost!

Materials: Paper plate, markers/crayons, curled ribbon, Dried beans/pasta, Tape, glue gun/stapler

Colour and decorate the back side of the paper plate.  Cut many 6-12” length pieces of curled ribbon and tape them sticking out all along the edge of the paper plate.  Place a handful of beans or pasta into the centre of the plate, then fold in half and secure with stapler or gluegun.  Shake and dance and celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit!

(source: https://www.kixcereal.com/kix-cereal-paper-plate-noise-maker/)

Colouring Page

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Sunday school activities - May 16, 2021

Theme Discussion

Do you like having friends over to your house? It’s something we’re missing during this pandemic for sure – inviting friends in or going to their houses to play or study or listen to music, just to hang out together. Most of you probably have some really close friends that you like to do this with. They are welcome in your house and you are welcome in theirs. Sometimes we say a close friend is almost like a brother or sister! - but, there are some differences, aren’t there?

Most friends wouldn’t go ask your Mom or Dad for a snack if they were hungry or just go look in your fridge – they’d be more likely to ask you and then you would ask your parents or just go get them something. If they were cold, they might ask to borrow a jacket or a sweater, but it’s not likely that they would just go open your closet and help themselves. There are some things you can do when you are at home that you just wouldn’t do when visiting someone else’s house, no matter how close a friend they are.

Of course, you are very welcome and they want you to be happy and comfortable in their home, but there is just something different when that home isn’t yours. Your friend’s parents might love you very much, but it’s unlikely that they would treat you exactly the same way they treat their own children. They probably wouldn’t check to see if you finished your homework, or tell you what to wear, or pack your lunch for school every day. It’s unlikely that they would plan your birthday party or expect you to be with them on Christmas morning. No matter how much they love you, that would be strange. You are a friend and a guest – but you aren’t their child.

In today's Bible passage, Peter and other Jewish followers of Jesus were asked to go teach a group of non-Jewish people about Jesus, and they felt pretty weird about it because it went against their customs to even associate with them.  Peter shared about Jesus, and these 'outsiders' understood this gospel and were filled with God's Holy Spirit. Peter and his friends were surprised! They had welcomed these new friends into their faith, but God took that welcome a big step further and made them part of the family.

1.     How is a friend the same as a member of your family? How are they different?

2.     What are some things you expect to do when you are at home with your family that you wouldn’t expect at a friend’s house?

3.     Have you ever been the new kid at school or on a team or in a club? How does that feel? What needs to happen before you feel like you belong in the group?

4.     How do you think we can make people feel welcome in our church? How do you think we can make them feel like they belong?

Response Activity Ideas

You Are Welcome Here

The lyrics for one of the CGS and Bell Canto Singers’ favourite anthems is on this worksheet.  It’s about someone who is not sure they belong, but the rest of the group welcomes them and reminds them that ALL are welcome in God’s family.  Read (or sing!) through the words and in the space below or on a separate page, draw a picture that represents the lyrics.

Click to print PDF

All Are Welcome Here Book

Read and listen to the story:

What are some ways the teachers and classmates made each other feel welcome?

What would it be like to be at a school like that?  Does your school have the same feeling?  Why or why not?

What do you think would happen if that same welcoming attitude carried on into the community outside of school?

How could we make everyone feel welcome in our neighbourhood?

Colouring Sheet

Click to print PDF

Sunday school activities - May 9, 2021

Theme Discussion

Today is the day we traditionally call “Mother’s Day”! It’s a day to celebrate Moms and the hard work they do and the love they share. What are some ways a mother shows love for her child?

In the church calendar, though, today’s celebration has been changed to “Christian Family Sunday.”  Why do you think that is?  It makes it a great day to honour all the people who love us with the kind of loving relationship between a mother and child.

Even though most of us will still celebrate the mothers in our lives today, it’s a good reminder that there are many other people who love us and care for us in our lives and that we should celebrate them too.  Are there other people in your life that show you this kind of love?

In our scripture reading today, Jesus gives his disciples the commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you.” We have heard this in other scripture readings too. It is probably the most important thing Jesus ever said. If everyone really did this, the world would be more like the world that God dreams for us. So, it makes sense that it is repeated over and over again!

In this reading from John 15:9-17, that we heard today, Jesus tells his disciples that he loves them the way God loves him. He invites them to make themselves “at home” in that love. I think he means that his love for them is safe and secure, that it will never go away. He tells them that he wants them to share all the joy that he feels. This sounds a lot like the way a mother loves a child, doesn’t it? But Jesus doesn’t call them that, he calls them friends.

Maybe calling them “friends” is a reminder that the love and care are meant to go both ways!

What are some ways friends show their love for each other?

Can you think of some ways the love of a mother and the love of a friend are the same and ways they are different?

Response Activity Ideas

Heart Wreath

Print out the hearts (or make your own) and cut out each one.  Arrange the hearts in order to make a selection from the Bible passage from today.  These could be coloured and glued down around the edge of a paper plate or circular piece of construction paper like a wreath.  Extra hearts are included, and/or make your own from different coloured paper to fill out the wreath. In the centre, draw a picture showing a way of loving others the way Jesus showed us.

Click to print PDF

Connected Family/Friends – Heart paper chain

Materials: construction paper or card stock, writing tools, scissors, tape or stapler

Cut many strips of paper approx. 1”x 11”.  On each, write the name of someone you love – it could be family members, friends, pets… Next, fold each strip in half, with the names on the outside.  Bend in the open edges of one piece to make a heart shape and secure with tape or staples.  Loop another strip through the first heart and form into a heart as before. Continue to make a long chain of love!

Scripture Word Cloud

Read the today’s scripture passage on the handout and make a word cloud highlighting the words and ideas that are in Jesus’ message.

Click to print PDF

“I love you more than…”

A silly game to play with your family:

Start by saying “I love you more than…” followed by something beginning with the letter A.  Then the next person says, “I love you more than…” repeating your item, and then adding another item beginning with the letter B.  Continue like this, with each person trying to remember all the came before, as well as adding something for the next letter. Can you get to the end of the alphabet?

Sunday school activities - May 2, 2021

Theme Discussion

In today’s reading from the book of John, Jesus explains his relationship to God and to us by comparing this idea with a vineyard, a place where grapes are grown. He says that God is like the vineyard keeper, or gardener, who creates the vision of what the vineyard could be - will look like and what it will produce. God cares for creation the way a gardener cares for the plants, making sure the soil has the right nutrients, that the vines have a strong support system and access to the sunlight and rain they need to grow. Jesus is like the strong vine that has its roots deep in that garden that God created. The vine can provide those nutrients to the branches that grow out of it, just like Jesus gives us the good lessons we need to grow strong and loving. We are like the branches who grow strong and healthy by using the nutrients or lessons that Jesus provides. The fruits we bear are the ways we work to make the world a better place and help it grow with justice, kindness, and love.

You can’t grow good grapes by simply sticking a branch into the soil, just as you can’t grow a tree by planting a piece of wood. They need to be attached to roots in order to get what they need to grow.

What are the “roots” that help you grow?

Who are the people in your life that are the “gardeners” that God hopes will help you grow strong and healthy?

What “nutrients” do you think it takes to grow a good person or a good follower of Jesus?

What “fruits” or gifts can you give to make the world a better place?

Response Activity Ideas

My Vine

Version 1 (younger):

Materials: construction paper, scissors, pencil, glue

Trace your forearm and hand onto brown, green, or black paper and cut it out.  This is your vine or tree and branches. Stick this onto a brown or black paper that represents the soil and think about the people who make you feel safe and secure.  Cut out some leaf shapes out of construction paper to stick onto your branches.  As you put each one on, think about the people teach you and give you what you need to be strong and healthy.  Finally, draw and cut out some of your favourite fruit to stick on the vine.  As you do, think of ways you can make the world a better place.

Version 2 (older):

Create your own vine and garden outline using words!  To make the branches, roots, fruit, and gardening tools, write the experiences or names of those who support you in growing your ‘vine’ following the questions in the Theme Discussion.   To make longer lines you could use phrases, sentences, or repeat names.  Draw in any extra details to complete your picture.

Planting scraps

Have you ever tried planting fruits or veggies from the food scraps? Sometimes you don’t need to buy seeds to start a fresh new plant. Give it a try! Click here for ideas using kitchen scraps to regrow produce.

As you plant or prepare your old fruits or veggies, think about how the new shoots are dependent on the strong foundation and past growth of the old plant, nutrients of the soil all around, and your careful attention… just like we ourselves are growing out of the experience, nurture, and love of our biological, church, and community families. Can you make other connections between your planting project and this week’s bible passage and image of Jesus as the ‘vine’?

Wordsearch

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