Family Faith Seeds: And it was Very Good, Week of January 3rd, 2021

I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme focuses Dwight’s sermon from the January 3rd service.

Scripture: From Desmond Tutu's, Children of God Storybook Bible

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on the Scripture Above

• What was there in the beginning?
• What happened on the first day?
• What happened on the second day?
• What happened on the third day?
• What happened on the fourth day?
• What happened on the fifth day?
• What happened on the sixth day?
• What happened on the seventh day?
• That seems like a lot to happen each day huh.  Do you think that the days were the same kind of days like how we think of them?  24 hours?
• What did God create humans, based on the scripture?
• What does taking care of the earth and enjoying it mean to you?

Thoughts from the Director of Faith Formation

In Dwight’s sermon, he identifies this first creation story as an origin story.  I would agree.  I have also been known to identify it in the literary genre of myth.  Babylonian myth, to be precise.  Some folks, scholars, conjecture that much of the book of Genesis originate in Babylonian myth.  I love myths!  There is a lot to learn from myths.  And myths can re-frame our understanding of what a truth can be.  

For me, myths aren’t factual truth, but something else.  They are truth, in effect that they help us gain insight.  This is why I ask the question about time above.  Rather than think of each day in this creation story like days on a calendar, another way we could think about time here is by event.  Each day is marked by an event, since there was barely a day and night to record calendar days by yet.  If day and night were just created, then the calendar was still something to be figured out much later.

But, I’m getting way off topic!  I love the Tutu translation of this story because of how it relates our purpose.  Our purpose is to enjoy the earth and take care of it.  One of the ways I enjoy the earth is noticing her in as many ways as I can.  I try to take time to see the earth in small ways:  a sunset, the ways the leaves change during seasons, how beautiful the earth becomes when the snow is falling, or the bounty of her beautiful lakes, of which we have many here in Minnesota.  When I lived in California, I would go backpacking in mountainous terrain, and take in the beauty of the earth in higher altitudes like Yosemite.  When I would go backpacking, I had nothing to do BUT enjoy the earth and take care of her.  I would notice everything around me while backpacking because there were absolutely no distractions. I wonder how you enjoy the earth.  Are the ways you enjoy the earth also taking care of it, too?  

Activity: Creation Mirror

• You may have heard of mirroring exercises, where you have a partner and you both do the same movements, taking the lead from one another, with one person begin the leader and the other following.  It’s a great way to learn about, and to get in touch with the other person.
• For our Creation Mirror exercise, each member of the family who is participating is invited to find something in nature to observe and then mirror.  It’s that simple!!  Through doing this, we can learn about creation, and get more in touch with it. 
• After you’ve all done your mirroring exercise, you are encouraged to talk about your experience with each other. 

Family Faith Seeds: Fourth Sunday of Advent Week of December 20th, 2020

 I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme, and the next few weeks themes during Advent will be based on the Lukan Advent stories.

Scripture-- Luke 2: 1-20,The Birth of Jesus

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on Above Readings

• Why did Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem?
• Why do you think people were terrified by the angel?
• How is it possible that the angel knew that this tiny baby, Jesus, is going to be a great leader, healer, and friend?

Home Participation in the Manger/Creche Scene

Since we can’t all be in the sanctuary together each week to see the different creche figures up close, you are invited to have your own manger/creche with the figures at home.  Each week, we’ll ask I wonder questions, and place figures in the creche/manger.  You are invited to do this at home, too.

This Sunday, only the manger is in the creche.  We will be adding the animals and the shepherd and wonder, “I wonder if the merchants could feel in the air around the stable, how special that place was."

Home Participation in Lighting Advent Candles

First, if you don’t have an Advent wreath, that’s OK.  Just candles will do.  And, if you would like to make an Advent Wreath, here are the instructions to make the one we usually make during Advent Now.

You may wish to light these, with the ritual, every evening of Advent and let them stay lit a spell…

• You are invited to start by singing this song.  We’ll sing it in worship too.

• Next, the candle lighting liturgy.  The words are from I Will Light Candles this 
• Week 1, Nov. 29 and through the week: I will Light Candles this Christmas, “Candles of joy despite all the sadness, candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 2, Dec. 6 and through the week: “Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 3, Dec. 13 and through the week: “Candles of courage for fears ever present,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Adding on for Week 4, Dec. 20: “Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 21 and through the week: “Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 24: “Candles of love to inspire all my living,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”  
• And, end your candle lighting ritual with singing Holy Darkness again.

A Family Manger Creation Activity

You may already have a nativity scene that is set up for all to view at the beginning of Advent.  And that is wonderful!  Nativity sets are so beautiful and make a lovely addition to setting the holiday ambience in many homes.  You are invited to create a different nativity set, if you would like, to participate in the weekly Time with Children, that is accompanied by the I wonder question of the week.

This one is a printable nativity scene that you can put on your refrigerator.  The cool thing about this nativity scene is that you can color it yourself however you would like.  I plan on changing the words a bit that are inside the angel. You could even add your own pieces to it. You can have a place on the fridge for the characters to be until it is their turn to be part of the manger scene each week!  I plan on printing this one out and doing this at home.  If this one doesn’t suit you and your family, there are several others from this great website that you might like better.

Family Faith Seeds: Third Sunday of Advent Week of December 13th, 2020

I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme, and the next few weeks themes during Advent will be based on the Lukan Advent stories.

Scripture-- Luke 1: 39-55, Mary Visits Elizabeth

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on Above Readings

• Why did Mary go to visit Elizabeth?
• Mary talks a lot about feeling blessed. Can you think of a time you could feel God's blessings in your life?
• How does this story pertain to your life? In other words, can you think of ways that perhaps God uses you in the world, or could use you in the world?

Home Participation in the Manger/Creche Scene

Since we can’t all be in the sanctuary together each week to see the different creche figures up close, you are invited to have your own manger/creche with the figures at home.  Each week, we’ll ask I wonder questions, and place figures in the creche/manger.  You are invited to do this at home, too.

This Sunday, only the manger is in the creche.  We will be adding the animals and the shepherd and wonder, “I wonder if the merchants could feel in the air around the stable, how special that place was."

Home Participation in Lighting Advent Candles

First, if you don’t have an Advent wreath, that’s OK.  Just candles will do.  And, if you would like to make an Advent Wreath, here are the instructions to make the one we usually make during Advent Now.

You may wish to light these, with the ritual, every evening of Advent and let them stay lit a spell…

• You are invited to start by singing this song.  We’ll sing it in worship too.

• Next, the candle lighting liturgy.  The words are from I Will Light Candles this 
• Week 1, Nov. 29 and through the week: I will Light Candles this Christmas, “Candles of joy despite all the sadness, candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 2, Dec. 6 and through the week: “Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 3, Dec. 13 and through the week: “Candles of courage for fears ever present,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Adding on for Week 4, Dec. 20: “Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 21 and through the week: “Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 24: “Candles of love to inspire all my living,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”  
• And, end your candle lighting ritual with singing Holy Darkness again.

A Family Manger Creation Activity

You may already have a nativity scene that is set up for all to view at the beginning of Advent.  And that is wonderful!  Nativity sets are so beautiful and make a lovely addition to setting the holiday ambience in many homes.  You are invited to create a different nativity set, if you would like, to participate in the weekly Time with Children, that is accompanied by the I wonder question of the week.

This one is a printable nativity scene that you can put on your refrigerator.  The cool thing about this nativity scene is that you can color it yourself however you would like.  I plan on changing the words a bit that are inside the angel. You could even add your own pieces to it. You can have a place on the fridge for the characters to be until it is their turn to be part of the manger scene each week!  I plan on printing this one out and doing this at home.  If this one doesn’t suit you and your family, there are several others from this great website that you might like better.

 

Family Faith Seeds: Second Sunday of Advent Week of December 6th, 2020

I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme, and the next few weeks themes during Advent will be based on the Lukan Advent stories.

Scripture

Luke 1: The Birth of Jesus Foretold

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[c] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on Above Readings

• What do you think the angel Gabriel looks like?

• Have you ever seen an angel?

• I wonder what Mary thought as she was greeted by an angel.

• Do you think Mary wondered we she was chosen for this?  How would you feel if you                were chosen to do something really big and important?

Home Participation in the Manger/Creche Scene

Since we can’t all be in the sanctuary together each week to see the different creche figures up close, you are invited to have your own manger/creche with the figures at home.  Each week, we’ll ask I wonder questions, and place figures in the creche/manger.  You are invited to do this at home, too.

This Sunday, only the manger is in the creche.  We will be adding the animals and the shepherd and wonder, “I wonder what the animals dreamt about under the stars while they were at the stable?”

Home Participation in Lighting Advent Candles

First, if you don’t have an Advent wreath, that’s OK.  Just candles will do.  And, if you would like to make an Advent Wreath, here are the instructions to make the one we usually make during Advent Now.

You may wish to light these, with the ritual, every evening of Advent and let them stay lit a spell…

• You are invited to start by singing this song.  We’ll sing it in worship too.

• Next, the candle lighting liturgy.  The words are from I Will Light Candles this 
• Week 1, Nov. 29 and through the week: I will Light Candles this Christmas, “Candles of joy despite all the sadness, candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 2, Dec. 6 and through the week: “Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Adding on for Week 3, Dec. 13 and through the week: “Candles of courage for fears ever present,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Adding on for Week 4, Dec. 20: “Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”     
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 21 and through the week: “Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”   
• Also adding on for Week 4, Dec. 24: “Candles of love to inspire all my living,” ending with, “ candles that will burn all year long.”  
• And, end your candle lighting ritual with singing Holy Darkness again.

A Family Manger Creation Activity

You may already have a nativity scene that is set up for all to view at the beginning of Advent.  And that is wonderful!  Nativity sets are so beautiful and make a lovely addition to setting the holiday ambience in many homes.  You are invited to create a different nativity set, if you would like, to participate in the weekly Time with Children, that is accompanied by the I wonder question of the week.

This one is a printable nativity scene that you can put on your refrigerator.  The cool thing about this nativity scene is that you can color it yourself however you would like.  I plan on changing the words a bit that are inside the angel. You could even add your own pieces to it. You can have a place on the fridge for the characters to be until it is their turn to be part of the manger scene each week!  I plan on printing this one out and doing this at home.  If this one doesn’t suit you and your family, there are several others from this great website that you might like better.

 

Family Faith Seeds: First Sunday of Advent, week of November 29th, 2020

I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme, and the next few weeks themes during Advent will be based on the Lukan Advent stories.

Scripture

Luke 1: The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on Above Readings

• Who are the different characters in this story?

• Why were Zechariah and Elizabeth unable to have children?

• Why do they name their son John?

• Why is John important?  

Thoughts from the Director of Faith Formation

I really love Advent.  And, I really REALLY loved the Advent pageant the children and youth participated in last year.  We can’t do a pageant this year because of the pageant.  So, I thought we could focus on the different stories each week of Advent this year, rather than focus on the scripture that will be used in worship.

This first story seems a little out of place, doesn’t it.  I mean, isn’t Advent about Jesus and not John? Yes, and also, Yes and!  Advent is a time where we get ready for Jesus’ birth.  And, the birth of John is a big part of that.  John grows up to be known as John the Baptizer.  He’s the one that Baptizes thousands with water.  It’s actually why we do baptisms today!  And, it’s a really central part to our Christians rituals and traditions.  We focus on our baptism through Confirmation.  Some might believe that taking Communion is a time they remember their baptism.  Easter Vigil is usually a time where we do baptisms.  And, there are even more traditions linked to baptism in Christianity.

Baptism is often described as an outward sign of an inward commitment to living life on the Jesus path.  A path where we commit ourselves to helping our neighbor, standing up for injustice, taking care of the earth, and acting with love, grace, and mercy in the world.  This is important to remember as we prepare for the birth of the central figure that makes this vision possible.  So, I guess this story about John isn’t so out of place afterall.

Home Participation in the Manger/Creche Scene

Since we can’t all be in the sanctuary together each week to see the different creche figures up close, you are invited to have your own manger/creche with the figures at home.  Each week, we’ll ask I wonder questions, and place figures in the creche/manger.  You are invited to do this at home, too.

This Sunday, we will begin with an empty manger/creche.  And, here is our I wonder question for the week: I wonder what if felt like when the manger was empty.

A Family Manger Creation Activity

You may already have a nativity scene that is set up for all to view at the beginning of Advent.  And that is wonderful!  Nativity sets are so beautiful and make a lovely addition to setting the holiday ambience in many homes.  You are invited to create a different nativity set, if you would like, to participate in the weekly Time with Children, that is accompanied by the I wonder question of the week.

This one is a printable nativity scene that you can put on your refrigerator.  The cool thing about this nativity scene is that you can color it yourself however you would like.  I plan on changing the words a bit that are inside the angel. You could even add your own pieces to it. You can have a place on the fridge for the characters to be until it is their turn to be part of the manger scene each week!  I plan on printing this one out and doing this at home.  If this one doesn’t suit you and your family, there are several others from this great website that you might like better.

Family Faith Seeds: Stewardship Sunday 11.15.20-- This is also what has been mailed to your homes.

Greetings!!

First, I really do miss you!  All of you!!  I’m excited for the day we can all be in-person again.  I pray that you all are well, healthy, and able to find a little joy.

The work of keeping making sure our beloved Mayflower church can continue to do the work of God’s dream of justice on earth is ALL our responsibility.  Children and youth can glean a great growth opportunity by learning young how to spend, save, and give.  You are encouraged to have a conversation about this with your young ones.  

And, it’s important to mention that no pledge is a small matter.  Each pledge, whether it is a quarter, a dollar, or 5% of your early allowance is a big deal.  It is a way to show that you are invested in Mayflower’s work, which is your work too!

How will you covenant to spend, save, and give this year? If you pledge an amount to Mayflower, I have included a fun coloring page for children. Children,  are invited to color the sheet attached and send it back to Mayflower. If you didn’t receive a coloring sheet, but want to color something, I made the front of the pledge card in a manner that it can be colored too, for those youth the still love to color (like me!).  We would love to hang your artwork up in a place that can be seen during weekly worship.  Thanks for taking the time to discern what kind of pledge you would like to make.

In Peace,

Eli’jah 

Family Faith Seeds: All Saints day, Week of November 1st, 2020

I hope you find this to be a great faith activity for the whole family of all ages. This week’s theme of All Saints Day and the scripture from the service.

Scripture

Isaiah 49: 15- 16a

• (NRSV) Can a woman forget her nursing child or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands your walls are continually before me.
• (Message) Can a mother forget the infant at her breast walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.
• (Spark) Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. 

Questions and Family Wonderings Based on Above Readings

• What kind of writing do you think this is?  Is it part of a novel, or a history lesson, or maybe a poem?
• How does the writer inscribe someone on the palms of their hands, do you think?
• I wonder if there is someone in your life that you could never forget.

Thoughts from the Director of Faith Formation

This is some beautifully poetic stuff from Isaiah.  What I love most about poetry is that, as the reader, I get to breath a bit of my own life into the words.  How does this scripture pertain to me and my life’s walk?

This Sunday’s Time with Children is about my grandma and her parents.  My great grandparents Mary Jane Smith and David Tarswell were married in November of 1917 in Michigan, after the start of World War I and just before the start of the flu pandemic of 1918.  Great Grandpa was a pie baker, and he would sell his pies going from door to door.

In September of 1920, great grandma and great grandpa Tarswell gave birth to my granny, Agnes Marie Tarswell.  But, no one was allowed to called her Agnes.  Marie was what most called her.  I called her granny.  She inherited her dad’s baking skills.

So, if you do some pregnancy math, you’ll figure out that my grandma was conceived during the flu pandemic of 1918.  If you are unsure what the word conceived means, you are invited to ask the adults in your life what that means.

My great grandparents are brave to me.  They endured a World War and a pandemic enough to have 12 children, one of those being my sweet but feisty granny.  During a time when there was a lot of death happening, kind of like right now, my grandma was born.  This story about my family’s history helps me to carry a little hope.  That, though things are really hard right now, and there is so much sadness and loss, there will be an end to this.  Folks like my great grandparents were really brave.  We can be brave too.  

I guess this is how I my great grandparents and granny are “inscribed on the palm of my hand”.  Their story is part of me, helping through difficult times.

All Saints Day—Remembering Someone Who Impacts Your Life

“Spending extra time talking about the person who died can make all the difference to a child, while helping them develop healthy coping skills. Encourage them to express their feelings. Listen as they try to make sense of what happened. Support them as remember what they loved most about that special person.” (moloneyfh.com, 10/31/20)

• Having some quality time as a family to remember those important to us, the Saints in our lives, can be a real growth moment.  You are encouraged to think of someone who has impacted your family, prepare their favorite foods, and have a meal together.  You could even play their favorite music in the background.  And, I offer this meal time prayer:
• When you love somebody, their memory becomes like a treasure.  God, please let our memories of ____________ make us happy.  Amen. (from Prayers for Faithful Families by Traci Smith)

Additional Resource

The idea above came from a great online resource.  I hope you take a moment to check it out.