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SA
T FR
I TH
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Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
Things to keep in mind this weekhellip
Planning aheadhellip
Lection Connection links current events with this weekrsquos scriptures Go to wwwseasonsonlineca and click on the link
Liturgical colour green
SA
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Revised Common Lectionary (Year A)
135135Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Seasons of the Spirittrade is based
on the semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
Sunday November 8 ndash Saturday November 14 bull 2020
Based on In Godrsquos Hands Common Prayer for the World ed By Hugh McCul-lum and Terry MacArthur (Geneva World Council of Churches 2006)
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30
November 2020
December 2020S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31
October 2020S M T W T F S
1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31
23rd Sunday after PentecostProper 27 (32)32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Armistice DayRemembranceVeteranrsquos Day
Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25Psalm 781ndash7Matthew 251ndash13 the focus for age-level materials1 Thessalonians 413ndash18
Republic of Congo Gabon Sao Tomeacute and Principe
136 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Biblical Background bull November 8 2020
Seasons of the Spirittrade is based on the semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary
Season of Creation Pentecost 2 2020Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25Psalm 781ndash71 Thessalonians 413ndash18Matthew 251ndash13 the focus in age-level materials
Door Shut or Open
Spirit of liberation you have called us to be wit-nesses to your compassion and justice Yet we grow impatient and discouraged because so little seems to change and our efforts feel incon-sequential Help us maintain the joy enthusiasm and commitment required so that we might always be ready to reflect your love when the opportunity comes our way Amen
This weekrsquos texts remind us there is nothing casual about living as a witness to Godrsquos liberation and jus-tice It is a daily commitment shared by each genera-
tion with a readiness to respond trusting the assurance this is the door to realm-of-God life
Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 is ripe with internal tensions On the one hand it embraces an imperial theology of domination with a divinely sanctioned genocidal story of eliminating people who presently reside in the land On the other hand it calls for communities of liberation to be a faithful witness to a God whose liberation and justice are for all Ultimately it is up to each person and community to decide the nature of the God they choose to follow and the type of the world for which they are preparing Psalm 781ndash7 invites us to experience our lives and faith in relationship both to those who have gone before and those who go after Each genera-tion has a responsibility to share the story of liberation and justice they have received In 1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 we are reminded that there is no place where hope no longer resides including death The promise of Godrsquos liberation justice and love unite us in life and death Matthew 251ndash13 is directed to the early community of faith and to believers of every age who struggle with the discon-tinuity between the realm of God transformational-prom-ise and lived reality The realm of God preached and lived by Jesus raised expectations for both personal and social transformation Yet when the gospel of Matthew is written some 30 to 40 years after the disciples proclaimed the resur-rection of Christ it appears to most that little if anything has changed The Roman empire is still in charge The poor continue to be exploited Roman imperial military might has a firm grip on the populace
What do you do when the realm-of-God promise of personal and social transformation goes unfulfilled Whether the challenge faced is that of the early Christians a contemporary struggle with drug addiction health insurance immigration climate change or any number of
personal and social issues how does one trust much less live into the promised transformation when nothing seems to change
It may be half-hearted but the early Christians to whom the gospel of Matthew is first directed still hold hope that the transformative promise of liberation justice and compassion is possible The notion that those claiming to be followers of Jesus might like the foolish maidens be shut out of the realm-of-God promise is as discomforting to these early Christians as it for us today Yet this is what this parable claims ldquoThe door is shutrdquo
The message of the women waiting is reminiscent of the Woody Guthrie song ldquoYou gotta walk that lonesome valley You gotta walk it by yourself Nobody here can walk it for yourdquo Participation in the transformative work of the realm of God only happens when we as individuals and as communities of faith are prepared to do the transformative work of liberation justice and compassion No one else can prepare for us It is for example never enough to put a statement in onersquos bulletin or pass a resolution saying you are welcoming Participation in the realm of God means doing the hard work in advance before a stranger or guest ever appears It is never enough to say we support diversity but then neglect to do the hard work demanded by racial justice
The message to Christians of every age is the transformative moment for realm-of-God change will come in its own time Half-hearted or half-prepared will never do If we fail to do the work we will miss the opportunity when it arrives Expect delays but be ready For those who prepare their light will shine bright and the door to Godrsquos realm will be open
bull bull bull bull bullThere is a well-known gospel refrain that goes ldquothey will know we are Christians by our loverdquo An alternative refrain might read ldquothey will know we are witnesses by our lightrdquo This weekrsquos texts call us to be witnesses to that light and live by the hope it provides
137137Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Reflection and Focus bull November 8 2020
Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams
Reflecting on the WordSeason of Creation Pentecost 2 2020
Connecting with life What type of situation makes you feel that you are
only partially committed and consequently only going through the motions
How do you feel when hoped-for results fail to materialize How does that affect your commitment and readiness to offer your best
When have you recognized that your growth your learning was something only you could do
When have you experienced opportunities that might never have been there without preparation
ScriptureJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 describes the initial effort of Joshua to follow in the steps of Moses as a leader for this liberation community of faith as they step into the promised land In spite of the challenges this text provides there are things we can learn and important questions raised
Why might it have been especially important that those in leadership roles embrace their identity as a community of liberation What difference does leadership make in shaping the ethos of a community
If the people truly live into their vocation as a witness to liberation and justice for all people what might it mean for them to be a witness How would a faithful witness shape their relationship with the Amorites in whose land they were living
Psalm 781ndash7 encourages us to see our faith in a multigenera-tional context
What does it mean to care about future generations
How might such considerations shape the life of a community of faith and how they prepare for the future
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an encouragement to live with hope grounded in faith
What does it mean to live without hope What does it mean to live with hope and how do these two orientations make a difference for a community of faith
Matthew 251ndash13 provides strong encouragement to the early church to continue striving for the realm of God as a place of liberation justice and compassion even when it appears the fulfilled promise is much delayed with no evi-dence of its arrival
What might have made early Christians feel like there was no reason to take the risks of being faithful disciples and that going partway was good enough
What might being only partially prepared for the reign of God look like
What might being prepared with extra oil look like for the early church What challenges would being prepared present
What does it mean that the door to Godrsquos realm is closed Is this forever as some Christian traditions proclaim about personal salvation or does the closed door have to do with the opportunities that come our way to live out the value of Godrsquos realm
How does your congregationrsquos light shine bright in the wider community
Connecting scripture and lifeWestern culture often reinforces a go-it-alone attitude that inhibits a collective response to challenges we face
How might ldquowalking that lonesome valley alonerdquo be an asset to our everyday life
In what ways are we being asked to prepare for transformative possibilities today
Focus for Worship Learning and ServingOnce again there is tension Once again ndash dichotomy In our spiritual lives we are called to balance being pre-pared for the arrival of the realm of God and knowing that we have long lives to live in faithful attention This week provides opportunities to examine this new point of tension For many people there is a division between their spiritual lives and their working or weekday lives Worship includes an invitation to examine the ways that
aspect of our lives either draws us closer or further away from our sense of God and Gods love for us This includes a gentle challenge to what it means to follow the Christ rather than simply be a good follower of the rules of the church into which we might have been baptized as infants Making choices about our faith and being intentional are critical aspects of our journey Our scriptures offer us a variety of entry points to explore these dynamics
138 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Music Suggestions
A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs
Prepare
Gather
Door Shut or Open
Recruit volunteers needed for worship Choose an option for hearing Matthew 251ndash13 For
the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoEnough for Allrdquo on p 142 For Are you serious prepare to project the following words or have them displayed on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices Provide pens and paper for note-taking
Bring items for setting the worship space an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and only par-tially filled and a jar containing additional lamp oil
Print in your bulletin or prepare to project the prayer that is in response to the reading from Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25
Fix a roll of paper to a wall in the worship space for the reading from Psalm 781ndash7
You might choose to print Truth Teller on or in your bulletin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For background to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 10
Bring song such as ldquoAs Long as We Follow Na Nzela Na Lolardquo (Seasons Songbook vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Set stations as described on pp 143ndash144
As Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lola Joseph Kabemba Seasons Songbook vol 9
The AnointingJames Maher Seasons Songbook vol 9
Jesu Tawa PanoJesus We Are HerePatrick Matsikenyirl Seasons Songbook vol 6
All We Long ForTrisha Watts Seasons Songbook vol 6
As We Go NowStephen Fischbacher Seasons Songbook vol 6
I Would Be True Howard Walter Joseph Peek
Keep Awake Be Always Ready Arthur G Clyde Philipp Nicolai
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning African American Spiritual
Prepare the Way of the LordMichael Burkhardt
Seek Ye FirstKaren Lafferty
Place an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and is only partially filled on the worship table Have it lit with the other candles at the beginning of the service Allow the oil to burn out as the service progresses Have also another jar containing additional lamp oil During the prayers of the people as you are speaking words of supplication for renewal and strength take the time to carefully pour more oil into the lamp creating a visual connection with the scripture and the desire to ldquobe readyrdquo as people of faith
Call to worshipAdapted from Psalm 781ndash7One Give ear O people to Godrsquos teachingsAll For in parable and story Godrsquos wisdom is revealedOne Come let us remember the stories of our ancestors in
faithAll Let us share them with our children and celebrate
the goodness that has come from them
One God has established decrees with our grandparents and all generations
All and God has asked us to teach and continue themOne Come people of God let us raise our hope in God and
remember our blessingsAll let us never forget Godrsquos glorious works in our livesOne Come let us worship
Opening prayerHoly Leader we are presented once again with many choices Today we have chosen to worship together in thanksgiving and praise We have found the freedom and joy of being able to gather in peace we have found the time and resources to be able to enjoy this precious opportunity
139139Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Engage
and we have followed the calling of our faith to come together in supplication intercession and gratitude Be with us as we worship and help us to choose you over and over Help us to recommit ourselves to the blessings and chal- lenges of our devotion to you and your love Be made known to us and help us to feel you near we pray Amen
Prayer of confessionAbiding God there have been times when we have chosen the gods of our contexts over full devotion to you We have worshipped at the altars of progress efficiency competition and acquisition We have claimed to be your people while behaving in ways that do not bear this out We have allowed the obsessions of the ldquoworldrdquo and the scar- city mentality of our cultures to permeate our spirits and cause us to wander
We imagine we are ready to be in your presence but in truth are often asleep to the true preparedness of constant vigilance in your grace Forgive our shallow ways and wake us up to what it means to be ready to follow whole- heartedly Jostle us into alert commitment Teach us to embrace the responsibilities that come with help- ing to bring about your realm on Earth And help us to stay awake and prepared we pray Amen
Words of affirmation The great good news is that though we may sleep and fall short God is always awake to our needs and provides over-flowingly Though we may wander into the wildernesses of many temptations Godrsquos journey is one of focused and complete compassion We are loved and forgiven God will always embrace us whether we are ready for such grace or not In this let us be assured
Opening the wordJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 This text in conjunction with Mat-thew 251ndash13 invites us to pay attention to the ways we wor-ship other gods or serve other purposes that make us unpre-pared and unready to meet God in fullness You might reflect on the things that prevent from fully worshipping God Have the phrase ldquoWe are witnesses against our-selves We claim to worship God but instead we worship ______________ Help us to choose you Loving Godrdquo print-ed in your bulletins or projected on a screen to use as a response at the end of the reading and reflection
Psalm 781ndash7 In the movie Enemy Mine there is a beautiful scene in which ldquoJeriba (Jerry)rdquo played by Louis Gossett Jr recites his lineage as a rite of passage for the young Willis to hear and own in order to recite it in turn for the child that will soon be born In the Hawaiian tradition it was customary for people to recite their lineage upon entering a new community This psalm speaks of sharing with future generations what previous generations have ldquoheard and knownrdquo On a large piece of paper ndash perhaps along a wall of the worship space ndash consider inviting worshippers to draw and tell the story of an important occasion in the life of the church or people in the church When many have done so ndash you will have a full(ish) timeline of and story of the life of your congregation Celebrate this
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an example of metaphorical theology Consider emphasizing this fact by inviting people to offer words or phrases that envision a metaphorical future full of beauty and peace Moving into Matthew 251ndash13 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE
Choose from the following
Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142)Are you serious For many Christians our faith has been an ldquoinheritancerdquo of sorts We may have been baptized as infants and introduced to our tradition through our family and the church customs Project or have the following words dis-played on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career and Work Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices (what neighbourhood to live in what car to drive what food to eat worklife balance and so on) After the reading invite groups to spend some time reflecting honestly about how these aspects of their lives are reflective of their faith and challenges to their faith As they do this ask them also to consider what it would mean to be ldquomore readyrdquo or more intentional about following Christ or being people of God with regards to each aspect Alternatively if your space allows people might gather around the topic of their choice and enter into conversation
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
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Seas
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Woo
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Seas
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sto
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Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
136 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Biblical Background bull November 8 2020
Seasons of the Spirittrade is based on the semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary
Season of Creation Pentecost 2 2020Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25Psalm 781ndash71 Thessalonians 413ndash18Matthew 251ndash13 the focus in age-level materials
Door Shut or Open
Spirit of liberation you have called us to be wit-nesses to your compassion and justice Yet we grow impatient and discouraged because so little seems to change and our efforts feel incon-sequential Help us maintain the joy enthusiasm and commitment required so that we might always be ready to reflect your love when the opportunity comes our way Amen
This weekrsquos texts remind us there is nothing casual about living as a witness to Godrsquos liberation and jus-tice It is a daily commitment shared by each genera-
tion with a readiness to respond trusting the assurance this is the door to realm-of-God life
Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 is ripe with internal tensions On the one hand it embraces an imperial theology of domination with a divinely sanctioned genocidal story of eliminating people who presently reside in the land On the other hand it calls for communities of liberation to be a faithful witness to a God whose liberation and justice are for all Ultimately it is up to each person and community to decide the nature of the God they choose to follow and the type of the world for which they are preparing Psalm 781ndash7 invites us to experience our lives and faith in relationship both to those who have gone before and those who go after Each genera-tion has a responsibility to share the story of liberation and justice they have received In 1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 we are reminded that there is no place where hope no longer resides including death The promise of Godrsquos liberation justice and love unite us in life and death Matthew 251ndash13 is directed to the early community of faith and to believers of every age who struggle with the discon-tinuity between the realm of God transformational-prom-ise and lived reality The realm of God preached and lived by Jesus raised expectations for both personal and social transformation Yet when the gospel of Matthew is written some 30 to 40 years after the disciples proclaimed the resur-rection of Christ it appears to most that little if anything has changed The Roman empire is still in charge The poor continue to be exploited Roman imperial military might has a firm grip on the populace
What do you do when the realm-of-God promise of personal and social transformation goes unfulfilled Whether the challenge faced is that of the early Christians a contemporary struggle with drug addiction health insurance immigration climate change or any number of
personal and social issues how does one trust much less live into the promised transformation when nothing seems to change
It may be half-hearted but the early Christians to whom the gospel of Matthew is first directed still hold hope that the transformative promise of liberation justice and compassion is possible The notion that those claiming to be followers of Jesus might like the foolish maidens be shut out of the realm-of-God promise is as discomforting to these early Christians as it for us today Yet this is what this parable claims ldquoThe door is shutrdquo
The message of the women waiting is reminiscent of the Woody Guthrie song ldquoYou gotta walk that lonesome valley You gotta walk it by yourself Nobody here can walk it for yourdquo Participation in the transformative work of the realm of God only happens when we as individuals and as communities of faith are prepared to do the transformative work of liberation justice and compassion No one else can prepare for us It is for example never enough to put a statement in onersquos bulletin or pass a resolution saying you are welcoming Participation in the realm of God means doing the hard work in advance before a stranger or guest ever appears It is never enough to say we support diversity but then neglect to do the hard work demanded by racial justice
The message to Christians of every age is the transformative moment for realm-of-God change will come in its own time Half-hearted or half-prepared will never do If we fail to do the work we will miss the opportunity when it arrives Expect delays but be ready For those who prepare their light will shine bright and the door to Godrsquos realm will be open
bull bull bull bull bullThere is a well-known gospel refrain that goes ldquothey will know we are Christians by our loverdquo An alternative refrain might read ldquothey will know we are witnesses by our lightrdquo This weekrsquos texts call us to be witnesses to that light and live by the hope it provides
137137Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Reflection and Focus bull November 8 2020
Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams
Reflecting on the WordSeason of Creation Pentecost 2 2020
Connecting with life What type of situation makes you feel that you are
only partially committed and consequently only going through the motions
How do you feel when hoped-for results fail to materialize How does that affect your commitment and readiness to offer your best
When have you recognized that your growth your learning was something only you could do
When have you experienced opportunities that might never have been there without preparation
ScriptureJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 describes the initial effort of Joshua to follow in the steps of Moses as a leader for this liberation community of faith as they step into the promised land In spite of the challenges this text provides there are things we can learn and important questions raised
Why might it have been especially important that those in leadership roles embrace their identity as a community of liberation What difference does leadership make in shaping the ethos of a community
If the people truly live into their vocation as a witness to liberation and justice for all people what might it mean for them to be a witness How would a faithful witness shape their relationship with the Amorites in whose land they were living
Psalm 781ndash7 encourages us to see our faith in a multigenera-tional context
What does it mean to care about future generations
How might such considerations shape the life of a community of faith and how they prepare for the future
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an encouragement to live with hope grounded in faith
What does it mean to live without hope What does it mean to live with hope and how do these two orientations make a difference for a community of faith
Matthew 251ndash13 provides strong encouragement to the early church to continue striving for the realm of God as a place of liberation justice and compassion even when it appears the fulfilled promise is much delayed with no evi-dence of its arrival
What might have made early Christians feel like there was no reason to take the risks of being faithful disciples and that going partway was good enough
What might being only partially prepared for the reign of God look like
What might being prepared with extra oil look like for the early church What challenges would being prepared present
What does it mean that the door to Godrsquos realm is closed Is this forever as some Christian traditions proclaim about personal salvation or does the closed door have to do with the opportunities that come our way to live out the value of Godrsquos realm
How does your congregationrsquos light shine bright in the wider community
Connecting scripture and lifeWestern culture often reinforces a go-it-alone attitude that inhibits a collective response to challenges we face
How might ldquowalking that lonesome valley alonerdquo be an asset to our everyday life
In what ways are we being asked to prepare for transformative possibilities today
Focus for Worship Learning and ServingOnce again there is tension Once again ndash dichotomy In our spiritual lives we are called to balance being pre-pared for the arrival of the realm of God and knowing that we have long lives to live in faithful attention This week provides opportunities to examine this new point of tension For many people there is a division between their spiritual lives and their working or weekday lives Worship includes an invitation to examine the ways that
aspect of our lives either draws us closer or further away from our sense of God and Gods love for us This includes a gentle challenge to what it means to follow the Christ rather than simply be a good follower of the rules of the church into which we might have been baptized as infants Making choices about our faith and being intentional are critical aspects of our journey Our scriptures offer us a variety of entry points to explore these dynamics
138 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Music Suggestions
A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs
Prepare
Gather
Door Shut or Open
Recruit volunteers needed for worship Choose an option for hearing Matthew 251ndash13 For
the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoEnough for Allrdquo on p 142 For Are you serious prepare to project the following words or have them displayed on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices Provide pens and paper for note-taking
Bring items for setting the worship space an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and only par-tially filled and a jar containing additional lamp oil
Print in your bulletin or prepare to project the prayer that is in response to the reading from Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25
Fix a roll of paper to a wall in the worship space for the reading from Psalm 781ndash7
You might choose to print Truth Teller on or in your bulletin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For background to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 10
Bring song such as ldquoAs Long as We Follow Na Nzela Na Lolardquo (Seasons Songbook vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Set stations as described on pp 143ndash144
As Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lola Joseph Kabemba Seasons Songbook vol 9
The AnointingJames Maher Seasons Songbook vol 9
Jesu Tawa PanoJesus We Are HerePatrick Matsikenyirl Seasons Songbook vol 6
All We Long ForTrisha Watts Seasons Songbook vol 6
As We Go NowStephen Fischbacher Seasons Songbook vol 6
I Would Be True Howard Walter Joseph Peek
Keep Awake Be Always Ready Arthur G Clyde Philipp Nicolai
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning African American Spiritual
Prepare the Way of the LordMichael Burkhardt
Seek Ye FirstKaren Lafferty
Place an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and is only partially filled on the worship table Have it lit with the other candles at the beginning of the service Allow the oil to burn out as the service progresses Have also another jar containing additional lamp oil During the prayers of the people as you are speaking words of supplication for renewal and strength take the time to carefully pour more oil into the lamp creating a visual connection with the scripture and the desire to ldquobe readyrdquo as people of faith
Call to worshipAdapted from Psalm 781ndash7One Give ear O people to Godrsquos teachingsAll For in parable and story Godrsquos wisdom is revealedOne Come let us remember the stories of our ancestors in
faithAll Let us share them with our children and celebrate
the goodness that has come from them
One God has established decrees with our grandparents and all generations
All and God has asked us to teach and continue themOne Come people of God let us raise our hope in God and
remember our blessingsAll let us never forget Godrsquos glorious works in our livesOne Come let us worship
Opening prayerHoly Leader we are presented once again with many choices Today we have chosen to worship together in thanksgiving and praise We have found the freedom and joy of being able to gather in peace we have found the time and resources to be able to enjoy this precious opportunity
139139Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Engage
and we have followed the calling of our faith to come together in supplication intercession and gratitude Be with us as we worship and help us to choose you over and over Help us to recommit ourselves to the blessings and chal- lenges of our devotion to you and your love Be made known to us and help us to feel you near we pray Amen
Prayer of confessionAbiding God there have been times when we have chosen the gods of our contexts over full devotion to you We have worshipped at the altars of progress efficiency competition and acquisition We have claimed to be your people while behaving in ways that do not bear this out We have allowed the obsessions of the ldquoworldrdquo and the scar- city mentality of our cultures to permeate our spirits and cause us to wander
We imagine we are ready to be in your presence but in truth are often asleep to the true preparedness of constant vigilance in your grace Forgive our shallow ways and wake us up to what it means to be ready to follow whole- heartedly Jostle us into alert commitment Teach us to embrace the responsibilities that come with help- ing to bring about your realm on Earth And help us to stay awake and prepared we pray Amen
Words of affirmation The great good news is that though we may sleep and fall short God is always awake to our needs and provides over-flowingly Though we may wander into the wildernesses of many temptations Godrsquos journey is one of focused and complete compassion We are loved and forgiven God will always embrace us whether we are ready for such grace or not In this let us be assured
Opening the wordJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 This text in conjunction with Mat-thew 251ndash13 invites us to pay attention to the ways we wor-ship other gods or serve other purposes that make us unpre-pared and unready to meet God in fullness You might reflect on the things that prevent from fully worshipping God Have the phrase ldquoWe are witnesses against our-selves We claim to worship God but instead we worship ______________ Help us to choose you Loving Godrdquo print-ed in your bulletins or projected on a screen to use as a response at the end of the reading and reflection
Psalm 781ndash7 In the movie Enemy Mine there is a beautiful scene in which ldquoJeriba (Jerry)rdquo played by Louis Gossett Jr recites his lineage as a rite of passage for the young Willis to hear and own in order to recite it in turn for the child that will soon be born In the Hawaiian tradition it was customary for people to recite their lineage upon entering a new community This psalm speaks of sharing with future generations what previous generations have ldquoheard and knownrdquo On a large piece of paper ndash perhaps along a wall of the worship space ndash consider inviting worshippers to draw and tell the story of an important occasion in the life of the church or people in the church When many have done so ndash you will have a full(ish) timeline of and story of the life of your congregation Celebrate this
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an example of metaphorical theology Consider emphasizing this fact by inviting people to offer words or phrases that envision a metaphorical future full of beauty and peace Moving into Matthew 251ndash13 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE
Choose from the following
Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142)Are you serious For many Christians our faith has been an ldquoinheritancerdquo of sorts We may have been baptized as infants and introduced to our tradition through our family and the church customs Project or have the following words dis-played on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career and Work Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices (what neighbourhood to live in what car to drive what food to eat worklife balance and so on) After the reading invite groups to spend some time reflecting honestly about how these aspects of their lives are reflective of their faith and challenges to their faith As they do this ask them also to consider what it would mean to be ldquomore readyrdquo or more intentional about following Christ or being people of God with regards to each aspect Alternatively if your space allows people might gather around the topic of their choice and enter into conversation
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
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N S
easo
n of
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atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
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right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
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ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
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1
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ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
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N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
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pyrig
ht copy
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ke P
ublis
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2016
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ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
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sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
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right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
137137Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Reflection and Focus bull November 8 2020
Adapt and use for youth and adult studies sermon seeds lay worship teams
Reflecting on the WordSeason of Creation Pentecost 2 2020
Connecting with life What type of situation makes you feel that you are
only partially committed and consequently only going through the motions
How do you feel when hoped-for results fail to materialize How does that affect your commitment and readiness to offer your best
When have you recognized that your growth your learning was something only you could do
When have you experienced opportunities that might never have been there without preparation
ScriptureJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 describes the initial effort of Joshua to follow in the steps of Moses as a leader for this liberation community of faith as they step into the promised land In spite of the challenges this text provides there are things we can learn and important questions raised
Why might it have been especially important that those in leadership roles embrace their identity as a community of liberation What difference does leadership make in shaping the ethos of a community
If the people truly live into their vocation as a witness to liberation and justice for all people what might it mean for them to be a witness How would a faithful witness shape their relationship with the Amorites in whose land they were living
Psalm 781ndash7 encourages us to see our faith in a multigenera-tional context
What does it mean to care about future generations
How might such considerations shape the life of a community of faith and how they prepare for the future
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an encouragement to live with hope grounded in faith
What does it mean to live without hope What does it mean to live with hope and how do these two orientations make a difference for a community of faith
Matthew 251ndash13 provides strong encouragement to the early church to continue striving for the realm of God as a place of liberation justice and compassion even when it appears the fulfilled promise is much delayed with no evi-dence of its arrival
What might have made early Christians feel like there was no reason to take the risks of being faithful disciples and that going partway was good enough
What might being only partially prepared for the reign of God look like
What might being prepared with extra oil look like for the early church What challenges would being prepared present
What does it mean that the door to Godrsquos realm is closed Is this forever as some Christian traditions proclaim about personal salvation or does the closed door have to do with the opportunities that come our way to live out the value of Godrsquos realm
How does your congregationrsquos light shine bright in the wider community
Connecting scripture and lifeWestern culture often reinforces a go-it-alone attitude that inhibits a collective response to challenges we face
How might ldquowalking that lonesome valley alonerdquo be an asset to our everyday life
In what ways are we being asked to prepare for transformative possibilities today
Focus for Worship Learning and ServingOnce again there is tension Once again ndash dichotomy In our spiritual lives we are called to balance being pre-pared for the arrival of the realm of God and knowing that we have long lives to live in faithful attention This week provides opportunities to examine this new point of tension For many people there is a division between their spiritual lives and their working or weekday lives Worship includes an invitation to examine the ways that
aspect of our lives either draws us closer or further away from our sense of God and Gods love for us This includes a gentle challenge to what it means to follow the Christ rather than simply be a good follower of the rules of the church into which we might have been baptized as infants Making choices about our faith and being intentional are critical aspects of our journey Our scriptures offer us a variety of entry points to explore these dynamics
138 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Music Suggestions
A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs
Prepare
Gather
Door Shut or Open
Recruit volunteers needed for worship Choose an option for hearing Matthew 251ndash13 For
the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoEnough for Allrdquo on p 142 For Are you serious prepare to project the following words or have them displayed on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices Provide pens and paper for note-taking
Bring items for setting the worship space an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and only par-tially filled and a jar containing additional lamp oil
Print in your bulletin or prepare to project the prayer that is in response to the reading from Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25
Fix a roll of paper to a wall in the worship space for the reading from Psalm 781ndash7
You might choose to print Truth Teller on or in your bulletin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For background to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 10
Bring song such as ldquoAs Long as We Follow Na Nzela Na Lolardquo (Seasons Songbook vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Set stations as described on pp 143ndash144
As Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lola Joseph Kabemba Seasons Songbook vol 9
The AnointingJames Maher Seasons Songbook vol 9
Jesu Tawa PanoJesus We Are HerePatrick Matsikenyirl Seasons Songbook vol 6
All We Long ForTrisha Watts Seasons Songbook vol 6
As We Go NowStephen Fischbacher Seasons Songbook vol 6
I Would Be True Howard Walter Joseph Peek
Keep Awake Be Always Ready Arthur G Clyde Philipp Nicolai
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning African American Spiritual
Prepare the Way of the LordMichael Burkhardt
Seek Ye FirstKaren Lafferty
Place an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and is only partially filled on the worship table Have it lit with the other candles at the beginning of the service Allow the oil to burn out as the service progresses Have also another jar containing additional lamp oil During the prayers of the people as you are speaking words of supplication for renewal and strength take the time to carefully pour more oil into the lamp creating a visual connection with the scripture and the desire to ldquobe readyrdquo as people of faith
Call to worshipAdapted from Psalm 781ndash7One Give ear O people to Godrsquos teachingsAll For in parable and story Godrsquos wisdom is revealedOne Come let us remember the stories of our ancestors in
faithAll Let us share them with our children and celebrate
the goodness that has come from them
One God has established decrees with our grandparents and all generations
All and God has asked us to teach and continue themOne Come people of God let us raise our hope in God and
remember our blessingsAll let us never forget Godrsquos glorious works in our livesOne Come let us worship
Opening prayerHoly Leader we are presented once again with many choices Today we have chosen to worship together in thanksgiving and praise We have found the freedom and joy of being able to gather in peace we have found the time and resources to be able to enjoy this precious opportunity
139139Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Engage
and we have followed the calling of our faith to come together in supplication intercession and gratitude Be with us as we worship and help us to choose you over and over Help us to recommit ourselves to the blessings and chal- lenges of our devotion to you and your love Be made known to us and help us to feel you near we pray Amen
Prayer of confessionAbiding God there have been times when we have chosen the gods of our contexts over full devotion to you We have worshipped at the altars of progress efficiency competition and acquisition We have claimed to be your people while behaving in ways that do not bear this out We have allowed the obsessions of the ldquoworldrdquo and the scar- city mentality of our cultures to permeate our spirits and cause us to wander
We imagine we are ready to be in your presence but in truth are often asleep to the true preparedness of constant vigilance in your grace Forgive our shallow ways and wake us up to what it means to be ready to follow whole- heartedly Jostle us into alert commitment Teach us to embrace the responsibilities that come with help- ing to bring about your realm on Earth And help us to stay awake and prepared we pray Amen
Words of affirmation The great good news is that though we may sleep and fall short God is always awake to our needs and provides over-flowingly Though we may wander into the wildernesses of many temptations Godrsquos journey is one of focused and complete compassion We are loved and forgiven God will always embrace us whether we are ready for such grace or not In this let us be assured
Opening the wordJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 This text in conjunction with Mat-thew 251ndash13 invites us to pay attention to the ways we wor-ship other gods or serve other purposes that make us unpre-pared and unready to meet God in fullness You might reflect on the things that prevent from fully worshipping God Have the phrase ldquoWe are witnesses against our-selves We claim to worship God but instead we worship ______________ Help us to choose you Loving Godrdquo print-ed in your bulletins or projected on a screen to use as a response at the end of the reading and reflection
Psalm 781ndash7 In the movie Enemy Mine there is a beautiful scene in which ldquoJeriba (Jerry)rdquo played by Louis Gossett Jr recites his lineage as a rite of passage for the young Willis to hear and own in order to recite it in turn for the child that will soon be born In the Hawaiian tradition it was customary for people to recite their lineage upon entering a new community This psalm speaks of sharing with future generations what previous generations have ldquoheard and knownrdquo On a large piece of paper ndash perhaps along a wall of the worship space ndash consider inviting worshippers to draw and tell the story of an important occasion in the life of the church or people in the church When many have done so ndash you will have a full(ish) timeline of and story of the life of your congregation Celebrate this
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an example of metaphorical theology Consider emphasizing this fact by inviting people to offer words or phrases that envision a metaphorical future full of beauty and peace Moving into Matthew 251ndash13 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE
Choose from the following
Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142)Are you serious For many Christians our faith has been an ldquoinheritancerdquo of sorts We may have been baptized as infants and introduced to our tradition through our family and the church customs Project or have the following words dis-played on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career and Work Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices (what neighbourhood to live in what car to drive what food to eat worklife balance and so on) After the reading invite groups to spend some time reflecting honestly about how these aspects of their lives are reflective of their faith and challenges to their faith As they do this ask them also to consider what it would mean to be ldquomore readyrdquo or more intentional about following Christ or being people of God with regards to each aspect Alternatively if your space allows people might gather around the topic of their choice and enter into conversation
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
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right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
138 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Music Suggestions
A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at wwwseasonsonlineca Click on Library Seasons Music Information Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
NOTE All of these suggestions are mere starting points adapt delete and add according to your local needs
Prepare
Gather
Door Shut or Open
Recruit volunteers needed for worship Choose an option for hearing Matthew 251ndash13 For
the Bible story arrange for a storyteller to present ldquoEnough for Allrdquo on p 142 For Are you serious prepare to project the following words or have them displayed on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices Provide pens and paper for note-taking
Bring items for setting the worship space an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and only par-tially filled and a jar containing additional lamp oil
Print in your bulletin or prepare to project the prayer that is in response to the reading from Joshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25
Fix a roll of paper to a wall in the worship space for the reading from Psalm 781ndash7
You might choose to print Truth Teller on or in your bulletin (in the Images to Project and Print folder) For background to the art and artist see ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on p 10
Bring song such as ldquoAs Long as We Follow Na Nzela Na Lolardquo (Seasons Songbook vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Set stations as described on pp 143ndash144
As Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lola Joseph Kabemba Seasons Songbook vol 9
The AnointingJames Maher Seasons Songbook vol 9
Jesu Tawa PanoJesus We Are HerePatrick Matsikenyirl Seasons Songbook vol 6
All We Long ForTrisha Watts Seasons Songbook vol 6
As We Go NowStephen Fischbacher Seasons Songbook vol 6
I Would Be True Howard Walter Joseph Peek
Keep Awake Be Always Ready Arthur G Clyde Philipp Nicolai
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning African American Spiritual
Prepare the Way of the LordMichael Burkhardt
Seek Ye FirstKaren Lafferty
Place an oil lamp that has a transparent vessel and is only partially filled on the worship table Have it lit with the other candles at the beginning of the service Allow the oil to burn out as the service progresses Have also another jar containing additional lamp oil During the prayers of the people as you are speaking words of supplication for renewal and strength take the time to carefully pour more oil into the lamp creating a visual connection with the scripture and the desire to ldquobe readyrdquo as people of faith
Call to worshipAdapted from Psalm 781ndash7One Give ear O people to Godrsquos teachingsAll For in parable and story Godrsquos wisdom is revealedOne Come let us remember the stories of our ancestors in
faithAll Let us share them with our children and celebrate
the goodness that has come from them
One God has established decrees with our grandparents and all generations
All and God has asked us to teach and continue themOne Come people of God let us raise our hope in God and
remember our blessingsAll let us never forget Godrsquos glorious works in our livesOne Come let us worship
Opening prayerHoly Leader we are presented once again with many choices Today we have chosen to worship together in thanksgiving and praise We have found the freedom and joy of being able to gather in peace we have found the time and resources to be able to enjoy this precious opportunity
139139Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Engage
and we have followed the calling of our faith to come together in supplication intercession and gratitude Be with us as we worship and help us to choose you over and over Help us to recommit ourselves to the blessings and chal- lenges of our devotion to you and your love Be made known to us and help us to feel you near we pray Amen
Prayer of confessionAbiding God there have been times when we have chosen the gods of our contexts over full devotion to you We have worshipped at the altars of progress efficiency competition and acquisition We have claimed to be your people while behaving in ways that do not bear this out We have allowed the obsessions of the ldquoworldrdquo and the scar- city mentality of our cultures to permeate our spirits and cause us to wander
We imagine we are ready to be in your presence but in truth are often asleep to the true preparedness of constant vigilance in your grace Forgive our shallow ways and wake us up to what it means to be ready to follow whole- heartedly Jostle us into alert commitment Teach us to embrace the responsibilities that come with help- ing to bring about your realm on Earth And help us to stay awake and prepared we pray Amen
Words of affirmation The great good news is that though we may sleep and fall short God is always awake to our needs and provides over-flowingly Though we may wander into the wildernesses of many temptations Godrsquos journey is one of focused and complete compassion We are loved and forgiven God will always embrace us whether we are ready for such grace or not In this let us be assured
Opening the wordJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 This text in conjunction with Mat-thew 251ndash13 invites us to pay attention to the ways we wor-ship other gods or serve other purposes that make us unpre-pared and unready to meet God in fullness You might reflect on the things that prevent from fully worshipping God Have the phrase ldquoWe are witnesses against our-selves We claim to worship God but instead we worship ______________ Help us to choose you Loving Godrdquo print-ed in your bulletins or projected on a screen to use as a response at the end of the reading and reflection
Psalm 781ndash7 In the movie Enemy Mine there is a beautiful scene in which ldquoJeriba (Jerry)rdquo played by Louis Gossett Jr recites his lineage as a rite of passage for the young Willis to hear and own in order to recite it in turn for the child that will soon be born In the Hawaiian tradition it was customary for people to recite their lineage upon entering a new community This psalm speaks of sharing with future generations what previous generations have ldquoheard and knownrdquo On a large piece of paper ndash perhaps along a wall of the worship space ndash consider inviting worshippers to draw and tell the story of an important occasion in the life of the church or people in the church When many have done so ndash you will have a full(ish) timeline of and story of the life of your congregation Celebrate this
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an example of metaphorical theology Consider emphasizing this fact by inviting people to offer words or phrases that envision a metaphorical future full of beauty and peace Moving into Matthew 251ndash13 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE
Choose from the following
Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142)Are you serious For many Christians our faith has been an ldquoinheritancerdquo of sorts We may have been baptized as infants and introduced to our tradition through our family and the church customs Project or have the following words dis-played on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career and Work Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices (what neighbourhood to live in what car to drive what food to eat worklife balance and so on) After the reading invite groups to spend some time reflecting honestly about how these aspects of their lives are reflective of their faith and challenges to their faith As they do this ask them also to consider what it would mean to be ldquomore readyrdquo or more intentional about following Christ or being people of God with regards to each aspect Alternatively if your space allows people might gather around the topic of their choice and enter into conversation
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
139139Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Engage
and we have followed the calling of our faith to come together in supplication intercession and gratitude Be with us as we worship and help us to choose you over and over Help us to recommit ourselves to the blessings and chal- lenges of our devotion to you and your love Be made known to us and help us to feel you near we pray Amen
Prayer of confessionAbiding God there have been times when we have chosen the gods of our contexts over full devotion to you We have worshipped at the altars of progress efficiency competition and acquisition We have claimed to be your people while behaving in ways that do not bear this out We have allowed the obsessions of the ldquoworldrdquo and the scar- city mentality of our cultures to permeate our spirits and cause us to wander
We imagine we are ready to be in your presence but in truth are often asleep to the true preparedness of constant vigilance in your grace Forgive our shallow ways and wake us up to what it means to be ready to follow whole- heartedly Jostle us into alert commitment Teach us to embrace the responsibilities that come with help- ing to bring about your realm on Earth And help us to stay awake and prepared we pray Amen
Words of affirmation The great good news is that though we may sleep and fall short God is always awake to our needs and provides over-flowingly Though we may wander into the wildernesses of many temptations Godrsquos journey is one of focused and complete compassion We are loved and forgiven God will always embrace us whether we are ready for such grace or not In this let us be assured
Opening the wordJoshua 241ndash3a 14ndash25 This text in conjunction with Mat-thew 251ndash13 invites us to pay attention to the ways we wor-ship other gods or serve other purposes that make us unpre-pared and unready to meet God in fullness You might reflect on the things that prevent from fully worshipping God Have the phrase ldquoWe are witnesses against our-selves We claim to worship God but instead we worship ______________ Help us to choose you Loving Godrdquo print-ed in your bulletins or projected on a screen to use as a response at the end of the reading and reflection
Psalm 781ndash7 In the movie Enemy Mine there is a beautiful scene in which ldquoJeriba (Jerry)rdquo played by Louis Gossett Jr recites his lineage as a rite of passage for the young Willis to hear and own in order to recite it in turn for the child that will soon be born In the Hawaiian tradition it was customary for people to recite their lineage upon entering a new community This psalm speaks of sharing with future generations what previous generations have ldquoheard and knownrdquo On a large piece of paper ndash perhaps along a wall of the worship space ndash consider inviting worshippers to draw and tell the story of an important occasion in the life of the church or people in the church When many have done so ndash you will have a full(ish) timeline of and story of the life of your congregation Celebrate this
1 Thessalonians 413ndash18 is an example of metaphorical theology Consider emphasizing this fact by inviting people to offer words or phrases that envision a metaphorical future full of beauty and peace Moving into Matthew 251ndash13 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE
Choose from the following
Bible story Have a storyteller present the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142)Are you serious For many Christians our faith has been an ldquoinheritancerdquo of sorts We may have been baptized as infants and introduced to our tradition through our family and the church customs Project or have the following words dis-played on four placards or printed in the bulletin Finances Career and Work Social Activities and Choices Personal Choices (what neighbourhood to live in what car to drive what food to eat worklife balance and so on) After the reading invite groups to spend some time reflecting honestly about how these aspects of their lives are reflective of their faith and challenges to their faith As they do this ask them also to consider what it would mean to be ldquomore readyrdquo or more intentional about following Christ or being people of God with regards to each aspect Alternatively if your space allows people might gather around the topic of their choice and enter into conversation
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
140 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Worship Outline bull November 8 2020
Bless
RespondInvite children young people and all who wish to move to the stations Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word
After proclaiming the word you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations taking ten minutes or so with a chosen practice
Sing or listen to a song such as ldquoAs Long as We FollowNa Nzela Na Lolardquo as people gather together again (Seasons Song-book vol 9 17 on Seasons Music CD vol 9 Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads wwwseasonsonlineca)
Prayers of the peopleSpoken near the worshipCommunion table Take time during part of this prayer to carefully replenish the oil in the lamp that was placed at the beginning of the service CAUTION Be sure the flame is extinguished and the lamp cool before adding oil and relightingLoving God we are a people who have often taken our faith for granted We have allowed ourselves to become distracted by the con- stant light show that is human life on this planet in this age And yet we gather desiring to be your people in truth and honesty Although we are surrounded by the glittering masterworks of technology and entertainment we sometimes strug- gle to find your light We long for clarity of life in your love but the temptations of our culture can consume us(Filling the lamp) Help us to be ready and to be renewed when we fall short Fill us with your joy humility justice grace and mercy Help us to be replenished by your forgiving love and teach us to renew others as we go
Renew your planet we pray Teach us to walk gently upon it as readiness in your reignRenew your communities we pray Teach us to work and live in harmony and justice as readiness in your reignRenew your children we pray Teach us to find deep purpose and satisfaction in worshipping you as readiness in your reign Renew your leaders we pray Guide them to be led by compassion and wisdom and help us to support them in their endeavours toward the common good as readiness in your reignRenew your presence among us Help us to discern your light even in the brightness of the lights of this world as readiness in your reign And receive us into holy communion with you ndash united in the glorious fruition of love imagined designed and embodied We pray in the name of the embodied one Jesus the Christ Amen
Prayer of dedication or offering prayerToday more than most we ask you to hear our prayer of dedication We dedicate ourselves again to you We are ready to be in your presence and to be your people Receive our worship and our promises as evidence of our commitments and love And bless them all we pray Amen
Go now Seek and worship God Light and shine Godrsquos love Prepare yourselves and remember your commitments Al-
low God to work in you and give thanks for Godrsquos grace Go in peace
Special Days Commentary
November 11 ndash Armistice DayRemembrance Day Veteransrsquo DayAt the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice ndash laying down of arms ndash was signed to end the first World War Many nations continue to call this Armistice Day while others name it Remem-brance recalling the sacrifice made by women and men in both World War I ndash ldquothe war to end all warsrdquo ndash and the many wars that have taken place since
November 12 ndash Bahalsquoulsquollahrsquos Birthday (Bahalsquoi)The birthday of the founder of the Bahairsquo faith is often observed with prayers feasts and community activities Baharsquoursquollah was born in Nur Persia in 1817
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
141Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Poetry and Prose bull November 8 2020
Blessing for WaitingWho wait for the night to end
bless them
Who wait for the night to begin
bless them
Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer
bless them
Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word
who wait for a job a house a child
bless them
Who wait for one who will come home
who wait for one who will not come home
bless them
Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage
who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together
bless them
Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why
bless them
Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out
bless them
Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready
who wait for you
o bless
From Circle of Grace A Book of Blessings for the Seasons Copyright Jan Richardson Janrichardsoncom
Used by permission
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
142 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Bible Story bull November 8 2020
A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder
Enough for AllMatthew 251ndash13
Jesus went to talk with a group of peopleHe told them stories about Godrsquos dream The dream
was about a community where everyone was loved healthy and happy People would be treated well everyone would eat and be filled and the place where they lived would be beautiful Some called it the kingdom of God and some called it Godrsquos reign
This community was so big and beautiful that it is hard to describe so Jesus told stories to help the people imagine such a place The stories also helped the people to imagine wonder and think deeply about how we should live into the world that God wants for all people
In this story he said that the community would be like ten women who were going to a wedding They had to walk a long distance and it was dark so everyone had lamps to help guide them The lamps needed oil to make them work but some of the women did not have enough oil for their lamps Other women carried extra oil for the lamps
After travelling for a little while the women became tired and decided to rest Everyone slept
Suddenly a voice woke them up ndash it was time to get ready to go The women all hurried to get their lamps prepared so they could go to the wedding banquet But some women did not have enough oil to keep their lamps alight They asked the other women if they could share But the women who had extra oil said no if they tried to share there would not be enough for everyone They encouraged the women who did not have enough to go and buy extra oil
The women with extra oil walked on to the wedding banquet The women who did not have enough oil went instead to the store After they had bought oil they hurried to the wedding banquet But they were too late The wedding banquet had begun The women learned that they should always be ready because they do not know what would happen
The disciples thought deeply about that story and what it might mean ldquoPerhapsrdquo said one of the disciples ldquowe should be ready at all time to keep the light of Godrsquos love shiningrdquo
Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of todayrsquos story
ldquoEnough for Allrdquo player paper or drawing pads crayons pencils a copy of the directions displayed where all can see alternatively arrange for a storyteller to present the story
Directions1 Listen to the story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 2 Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
143Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages working together
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Living Learning Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church Choose one or more practices depending on your space and numbers Display the directions
For your convenience instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder
The article ldquoConnecting with the Artrdquo on page 10 provides some background to the two posters for Season of Creation Pentecost 2 and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups You might choose to
add an Art Engagement station each week using one of the art engagement ideas
Lamps and lights The practice of letting our light shineMaterials Bibles or copies of Matthew
251ndash13 copies of Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo (p 142) pictures of oil lamps from biblical times self-hardening air dry or oven-baked clay either pur-chased or homemade (enough clay for one lamp per person and divided ahead of time) battery operated tea-lights one per person a copy of the directions displayed for all to see
Directions1 Mould an oil lamp from the clay provided size the opening so a battery tealight
fits inside (see illustration of a Palestinian lamp) 2 Insert the battery tealight3 Once the clay has dried use the lamp to retell the story using the reading from
Matthew 251ndash13 or the Bible story ldquoEnough for Allrdquo 4 Display your lamp at home in a place that will be a reminder to keep the light of
Godrsquos love shining in your lifeYounger children might make a simple holder for the tealight such as a small saucer-shaped holder
Creator of life and promise you imagined our unfolding world and called it into being
To make self-hardening clay mix 4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of alum 1frac12 cups salt together in a bowl Gradually add 1frac12 cups of water until the mixture is smooth and no longer falls apart Store in the refrigerator in sealed plastic Bring clay to room temp for easy use Leave finished article to dry for two days (Increase measures to suit the number of people likely to be at this station)
A new view of the reading The practice of digging deeperMaterials Bibles or copies of Mat-
thew 251ndash13 sheets of paper pens pencils personal journals (optional) copies of the directions (one for each person)
Directions1 Read Matthew 251ndash13 This is a puzzling parable as it seems that privilege wins
out 2 Reflect in your journal on a separate sheet of paper or in pairs or small groups This is such an odd parable It would seem the privileged win out What if the ldquofool-ishrdquo maidens didnrsquot have money to buy more oil
How might our view of this parable change if we substituted the word privileged for wise and the word poor for foolish What do you think about the bridegroom keeping the door tightly shut excluding half of the maidens
How does this parable fit or not fit with what you believe about what Jesus taught and modelled about what it means to ldquobe the churchrdquo in todayrsquos world
What if we re-cast this parable to think of the lamp and the oil it contains as repre-senting both us as individuals and the wider church ldquoBeing the churchrdquo can use up a lot of oil
Think about the life of your church community What might result in the lamp being out of oil
What messages does your church give about taking time to refill the lamp both individually and collectively Is true sabbath time encouraged or does the need to accomplish church tasks take priority
What fills you up What needs to be replenished so we can collectively continue to ldquobe the
churchrdquo How might we support each other in community to help keep the lamp filled
How can we provide oil for each other
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
144 Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Stations bull November 8 2020
Suitable for all ages
Service projects The practice of active waitingWaiting can be hard regardless of onersquos age so this aspect of the parable is something with which children youth and adults can all relate This station has two options depending on the ages of those participating
With young children or an intergenerational groupMaterials paper markers pens pen-cils copy of the directions displayed where all can see
DirectionsWhen have you had to wait What was it like What made it harder or easier Did having something to do like the I spy game make waiting easier The story Jesus told was about waiting ndash and waiting and waiting Have you ever had to wait so long that you didnrsquot think what you were waiting for would ever happen Invite sharing The first Christians who lived after Jesus died had a hard time waiting too Many of them were very poor The leaders in their country treated them cruelly Some of them thought Jesus would come back and fix all the problems in their lives but they had been waiting for so long ndash years and years ndash and nothing seemed to have changed These people were waiting and hoping that Jesus would come back to change things that were not fair Now we know Jesus wants us to help change the things that are not fair Jesus might be saying ldquoWhat are you waiting for You do itrdquo 1 ldquoDoodle journalrdquo or draw about what you might do in service to others and help
change the things that are not fair (some examples cleaning church or a neighbourrsquos yard serving a meal as part of a larger group writing letters or cards to govern-ment leaders regarding a specific issue making cards for those isolated in their home or apartment picking up litter in your community washing cars for free)
Ages 15ndashadultMaterials copies of the poem ldquoBless-ing for Waitingrdquo (p 141) paper pens pencils sticky notes copies of the dir-ections displayed where all can see
Suitable for all ages
Suitable for ages 15ndashadult
Blessing with oil The practice of blessing and prayerMaterials olive oil or baby oil placed
in a small container paper towels or small cloth towels a copy of the direc-tions displayed where all can see
Directions The women in the story did not have enough oil for their lamps Oil is used in many different ways in history one of the ways is for healing and with prayer In the Bible oil was also used to bless people oil would be rubbed on parts of the body such as the forehead After people were blessed with oil they would go out to do good things in their communities Today you will have an opportunity to be blessed with oil1 Dip one of your fingers into the container of oil2 Use the oil to draw a cross on your forehead3 As you smear the oil say words such as ldquoGod is with me nowrdquo4 Offer a prayer of thanks and consider how you could be a blessing in your com-
munity5 Use the towels to wipe any excess oil from your fingers
Directions1 Read the poem ldquoBlessing for Waitingrdquo 2 Reflect on the following
When might we the church be waiting when we should not wait What might it mean to practice ldquoactive waitingrdquo What are youwe the church waiting for What do we do while we (the church) wait (How are we the hands amp feet of
Christ) 3 What community-building project might you plan support or participate in that
fits within the overarching mission of your faith community (for example letter-writing advocacy bread-baking supply-gathering) Write your thoughts on sticky notes and fill a section of the wall with drawings notes and ideas
4 Take a photo of the wall and display on the bulletin board or invite people to take a sticky note and commit to this project ndash individually as a household or a circle of friends
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N S
easo
n of
Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
020
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
19
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Sea
son
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
202
0 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2019
4
1
Seas
ons o
f the
Spiri
ttrade S
easo
nsFU
SIO
N Se
ason
of C
reat
ion
bull Pen
teco
st 2
201
7 Co
pyrig
ht copy
Woo
d La
ke P
ublis
hing
Inc
2016
Se
ason
s of t
he Sp
irittrade
Sea
sons
FUSI
ON
Seas
on o
f Cre
atio
n bull P
ente
cost
2 2
017
Copy
right
copy W
ood
Lake
Pub
lishi
ng In
c 20
16
41
sto
ry
tim
e
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 12
201
7
crea
teTe
n Yo
ung
Br
ides
mai
dsLo
ng a
go J
esus
told
a st
ory
abou
t ten
brid
esm
aids
10 y
oung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng fi
ne
One
ran
out o
f oil
and
then
ther
e w
ere
9
9 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sai
d ldquoT
he b
rideg
room
is la
terdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 8
8 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sad
ldquoN
ow it
rsquos pa
st e
leve
nrdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 7
7 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
brig
htly
bur
ning
wic
ks
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 6
6 y
oung
wom
en a
sked
ldquoW
hen
will
he
arriv
erdquo
O
ne ra
n ou
t of o
il an
d th
en th
ere
wer
e 5
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
sta
ndin
g in
the
room
ldquoFin
ally
hersquo
s co
min
g H
ere
com
es th
e gr
oom
rdquo
5 yo
ung
brid
esm
aids
with
lam
ps b
urni
ng b
right
w
ent t
o th
e w
eddi
ng a
nd s
hare
d th
eir l
ight
Just
like
the
brid
esm
aids
we
mak
e ch
oice
s to
oW
e ca
n le
t our
ligh
ts s
hine
dep
endi
ng o
n w
hat w
e do
Are
we
prep
ared
and
read
y to
shin
e th
e lig
ht o
f God
rsquos lo
ve k
indn
ess
and
ca
re
Dec
orat
e a
cand
le h
olde
r as
a r
e-m
inde
r tha
t we
are
calle
d to
be
shin
-in
g lig
hts
of G
odrsquos
love
You
will
nee
d a
glas
s ja
r w
ith la
bels
re
mov
ed
scis
sors
pe
ncils
ti
ssue
pa
per
whi
te
glue
th
inne
d w
ith
wat
er t
o th
e co
nsis
tenc
y of
sta
rch
co
lour
ed s
and
(fro
m h
omew
are
or
craf
t sto
res)
vot
ive o
r tea
light
cand
le
Inst
ruct
ions
1 C
ut
tiss
ue
pape
r in
to
vari
ous
size
d st
rips
and
squ
ares
2
Pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e of
the
jar
with
a
glue
sol
utio
n3
Lay
er
the
tiss
ue
pape
r so
th
e pi
eces
ove
rlap
4
Whe
n th
e ja
r is
cove
red
pai
nt th
e ou
tsid
e w
ith g
lue
solu
tion
agai
n
Do
this
car
eful
ly so
you
don
rsquot di
s-tu
rb th
e ti
ssue
pap
er
5 P
ut a
bout
5 c
m2
in o
f san
d in
the
jar
6 P
lace
a c
andl
e in
the
jar
pres
sing
it
dow
n in
to t
he s
ame
to m
ake
it st
able
Alte
rnat
ivel
y us
e a
tea-
light
can
dle
or
batt
ery
oper
ated
te
alig
ht
said
N
ow it
s pa
st e
leve
n
sand
to m
ake
Child
ren
s Act
ivity
Lea
flet bull
Nov
embe
r 8 2
020
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSIO
N Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020 Copyright copy
Wood Lake Publishing Inc 2019
Seasons of the Spirittrade SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2020
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 20193
2Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016Seasons of the Spirittrade
SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation bull Pentecost 2 2017
Copyright copy W
ood Lake Publishing Inc 2016 3
2
activityWhen we show Godrsquos love Godrsquos love goes on and on Jesus shows the way
Use your markers to decorate the people of the world
ltltprepress gtgt
Recommended