21st Sunday after Pentecost 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time ...€¦ · 128 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFSON Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017 Copyriht Wood Lae Publishin nc 2016

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Resources based onsemi-continuous

readings of the Revised Common Lectionary.

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

Things to keep in mind this week…

Planning ahead…

If you have Internet access, visit www.seasonsonline.ca to access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.

Liturgical colour: green

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Revised Common Lectionary (Year A)

127127Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017

4

3 2

1 31

30

29

Sunday, October 29 – Saturday, November 4 • 2017

October 2017S 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 31 1 2 3 4

September 2017S M T W T F S

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

November 2017S M T W T F S

1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 2526 27 28 29 30

21st Sunday after Pentecost30th Sunday in Ordinary TimeProper 25 (30)

Reformation DayFor materials for Reformation Day, go to www.seasonsonline.ca, click on the Library tab.

All Saints DayFor materials for All Saints Day, go to www.seasonsonline.ca, click on the Library tab.

All Souls Day

Deuteronomy 34:1–12Psalm 90:1–6, 13–171 Thessalonians 2:1–8Matthew 22:34–46

The Indian Ocean islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives

128 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 2017 Biblical Background • October 29, 2017

Time to Say Goodbye

Focus scriptureDeuteronomy 34:1–12

Additional scripturesPsalm 90:1–6; 13–171 Thessalonians 2:1–8Matthew 22:34–46

Draw closer to us,God of all seasons of life, for sometimes the seasons seem unfair. As they give and take, we miss what we can no longer experience,leaving us longing to relive memories of the past; and grieving the future we will never see. Amen.

Saying goodbye to a leader is hard. The people have trusted, followed, fought, and journeyed with Moses for 40 years, and now, just when the wilderness was

starting to feel like home, it is time to say goodbye to Moses and to start a new phase in their growing relationship with God.

Focus scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1–12In Moses’ dying, the significance of his life became clear – what it was and what it was not. He was the one called to liberate a great people from slavery and to lead them on a wilderness journey to a new identity. But he was not the one to take them into their new land. That was for the next leader.

In all those years of wilderness wandering, Moses and God lived an extraordinary friendship. Their conversation in Exodus 33:12–33 – when Moses persuaded God not to abandon the people of Israel – was just one of many intimate encounters between these old friends. But now, the One who is at the heart of our living and dying decides it is time for this episode of the great adventure to close; a different kind of leader is to be called out for the next challenge. Before Moses dies, his divine and compassionate friend takes him to a high point and shows him the land that lies at the end of all that wilderness journeying. Does the heart of God ache when such a journey comes to an end?

For some people, thinking of God as a divine being in human form is not helpful or credible. Perhaps God is more than the author or organizer of the unfolding story. Perhaps God is the story – the unfolding process. What would that look like in this account? The spirit, energy, and wisdom of Moses have gone, but not before another leader has been mentored and blessed. Now a sacred space

Seasons of the Spirit™ is based on the semi-continuous

readings of the Revised Common Lectionary.

opens up into which steps Joshua, son of Nun, “full of the spirit of wisdom,” ready to embody the next moment in the unfolding story of God.

Something lively and sacred in us wants to celebrate the passing on of faith and leadership from one generation to another. That’s God’s Spirit active in us, applauding the healthy choices and discerning the path of wisdom. It’s true that there is fragility to human life – we see that with Moses’ passing. It’s also the case that this remarkable resilience and heroism lives in the people for a lifetime, and then echoes out in a story for generations to come. So it was with Moses and Joshua; so it is with us.

The writer of Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 brings that larger vision of God when singing: “...you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” The reflection on human mortality that began with the reports of Moses’ death continues in the psalm. Everything will pass except God’s great story of creation’s unfolding and God’s steadfast love.

When we recognize, like Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8, that what we are doing is something that has been entrusted to us by God as a feature of God’s unfolding story of creation, our motivation changes. We seek relationships in which we can share more than a powerful truth; we want to share ourselves in relationships of love and vulnerability. Or as Jesus reminded those who set out to test him, as told in Matthew 22:34–46: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.”

• • • • •As we say goodbye to Moses, we are reminded of the ever-lasting lessons that his journey with God has taught us about trust, love, and relationships.


Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 2017Reflection and Focus • October 29, 2017

Adapt and use for youth and adult studies, sermon seeds, lay worship teams.

Reflecting on the Word

Connecting with life Reflect on a time when you had to say goodbye to a beloved leader or friend.

■■ Were you able to say your goodbyes in person, face-to-face?

■■ What did you say to them, or if you were not able to say your goodbye’s in person, what would you say to them now if you had the chance?

■■ If you were the person leaving, what would you hope to hear from those gathered to say farewell?

ScriptureDeuteronomy 34:1–12 gives an account of Moses’ encounter with God shortly before Moses’ death.

■■ What might it have been like for Moses as God showed him the land to which he had been leading the people?

Israel wept for Moses for 30 days. Imagine you are in a small group of those people grieving the loss of your leader.

■■ What are you saying about Moses? “Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom God knew face to face” (v. 10).

■■ Based on the life of Moses, what would you say are the characteristics that define a prophet?

■■ The only prophet in our Christian story who had a life and ministry comparable in size, grandeur, and awe to Moses is Jesus. It is no coincidence that both clearly emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with God and that both promised a better world, which we would have to work at to achieve.

■■ What do you think was Moses’ ultimate goal or mission?

■■ How would you describe Jesus’ ultimate goal or mission?

■■ How, or to what extent were these goals met?

It has been said that the measure of a person is not what people say about you after you have died, but how people have changed because of you.

■■ To what extent has the life of Moses influenced your life? To what extent has the life of Jesus influenced the way you live?

Psalm 90:1–6■■ How does this psalm speak to Moses’ life?■■ What in the psalm stands out for you and why?

Connecting scripture and life Theologian and author Leonard Sweet once said that it is im-portant to know where God is not going to use you. Knowing this, however, does not make it easier to say goodbye when you realize that somebody else is needed for the new work that is about to be done.

■■ Where will God not use you? ■■ Consider times when you or others have needed to

transition from a project that you or they helped to birth.

■■ What do you think is the hardest part about changing leadership roles?

■■ What might you, individually and as the church, do to ease the transition for others?

Focus for Worship, Learning, and Serving“You say goodbye, while I say hello.”

The juxtaposition of emotions in this Beatles song, yes versus no, stop versus go, high versus low, why versus “I don’t know,” shows a tension that is always present in our communities, people at different places and at different stages of their lives trying to live together. While the people of Israel are saying goodbye to Moses, they are also preparing to say hello to their new leader Joshua. For some, it might be too soon, and for others not soon enough.

This worship has to delicately deal with the complicated reality that while some are woefully lamenting goodbyes, others are anxiously anticipating hellos. Both emotions are healthy, but it can be hard for those who are grieving to be overly celebratory, and it can be hard for those who are celebrating to be present to those who are lamenting. In this worship, how can we honour all of the emotions that people are bringing?


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 www.seasonsonline.ca. Click on Library; Seasons Music Information. Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate.

Worship Outline • October 29, 2017

NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete, and add according to your local needs.

Prepare

Gather

Time to Say Goodbye

■❑ Recruit volunteers needed for worship.■❑ Choose an option for hearing Deuteronomy 34:1–12.

For the Bible story, arrange for a storyteller to present the story “God’s Promises” on p. 134. For “Entering the story,” arrange for two readers, and have enough clay figurines for one for each person.

■❑ Bring items for setting the worship space: sandbox and figurines from previous weeks. This week be sure to have enough figurines for one for each person.

■❑ The epistle readings in this season are letters of en-couragement that are shared amongst friends. Consid-er including in the worship service letters of support, love, and reflection from members of the congregation who may be away from the community. Invite people to write letters to the church to be read alongside the epistle. Another option would be to write a letter from the community to members of the community who are away. This week’s letter might be a letter of gratitude from a congregational member to the com-munity about how that person has been blessed with opportunities and encouragement to use their gifts in and through the work and ministry of the church. Or, it might be a letter of gratitude from the congrega-tion for the way that person has led the community in a particular way.

■❑ For moving into the focus scripture, prepare to share photographs and stories that go back at least 40 years in the history of your church (or community).

■❑ You might choose to print the art image ”Grossman Tower Doors” on your bulletin covers (in the Images to Project and Print folder on the Season of Creation, Pente-cost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION). You might also include one of the art engagement ideas described in “Connecting with the Art” (p. 4).

■❑ Bring a song such as “Behold, I Make All Things New” (Seasons Songbook, vol. 6, #4 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 6. Printed music and recording are also available at Sea-sons MP3 Downloads, www.seasonsonline.ca).

■❑ Set stations as described on pp. 135–136.

In God We Live and MoveBruce Harding; Seasons Songbook, vol. 9

Behold, I Make All Things NewJohn Bell; Seasons Songbook, vol. 6

I Want Jesus to Go with MeAfrican-American Spiritual; Seasons Songbook, vol. 6

We Are the People of GodMaria Millward; Seasons Songbook, vol. 3

God Be in My HeadRichard Pynson; Henry Walford Davies

When You WalkLinnea Good

Bring the baptism font to the front. Invite people to reflect on the many who have been baptized in the font and their ministries. How have they added to and contributed to the transformation in the community?

Call to worship(from Psalm 90. Response is Psalm 90:2b in Common English Bible © Copyright 2011 by the Common English Bible. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://www.CommonEnglish-Bible.com)One: O God, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.All: From forever in the past to forever in the future, you

are God.

One: A thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past.

All: From forever in the past to forever in the future, you are God.

One: You satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love.All: From forever in the past to forever in the future, you

are God.One: We praise you and your glorious power.All: From forever in the past to forever in the future, you

are God, and we worship you.

Opening prayerLoving God,as a parent tenderly cares for its child, you deeply care for each of us.



Engage

May we come before you, without flattery, seeking neither praise nor prestige,but with hearts filled with the love of Christ,ready to do the work of the Gospel.Amen.

Prayer of confessionForgive us, God, when we doubt our abilities…Forgive us, God, when we question the power of you working through us…

Forgive us, God, when we fail to love ourselves as you love us…Forgive us, God, when we fail to love each other…Forgive us, God, for all of our iniquities…Forgive us, God, we pray.Amen.

Words of affirmationBeloved, the favour of God is upon us; may we prosper for the sake of the gospel.

Opening the wordLetter from or to your communityIf you have been including letters of encouragement, love, and reflection from members of the congregation who are away from the community to the congregation or let-ters from the community to members who are away, this week’s letter might be a letter of gratitude for the way they have led the community in a specific area, or a let-ter of appreciation about how that person has been bless-ed with opportunities and encouragement to use their gifts in and through the work and ministry of the church.

Moving into the focus scripture Share photographs and stories that go back at least 40 years in the history of your church (or community). Ask questions about what has changed. What views or perspectives are no longer accepted? Who is no longer present? Who are new additions? What has remained the same?

Deuteronomy 34:1–12Choose from the following for hearing the focus story.Bible story Have a storyteller present the story “God’s Prom-ises” on page 134. Entering the story VOice 1: As we enter today’s reading from the Hebrew scrip-tures, the wilderness journey of the people of Israel is almost over. The people are about to enter a new life in a new land. VOice 2: Reads Deuteronomy 34:1.VOice 1: Imagine you are standing with Moses on Mount Nebo as Moses looks and sees over the plains of Gilead, Manasseh, and Naphtali as far as Dan, 160 km/100 mi to the north. Now, in your mind turn to face west and look with Moses across the Jordan valley beyond Jericho, the city of palm trees, to the land of Ephraim and then a little to the left to the whole land of Judah, stretching 120 km/75 mi to the Great Sea. As you follow Moses’ gaze, you find yourself turning and looking southwest across the Salt Sea to the city of Zoar and beyond that to the Negeb desert, 160 km/100 m

to the south. And God said to Moses.VOice 2: Reads Deuteronomy 34:5.VOice 1: In your mind, turn and look directly south to the land of Moab. There, just near Bethpeor is where Moses was buried, but no one knows his burial place to this day. VOice 2: Deuteronomy 34:7– 12.VOice 1: (standing by the sandbox) This is a sad day for our friends in the desert. They have been through a lot together (using the sandbox as a prop, recall the stories of past few weeks), and we have learnt a lot from their journey. We have learnt about faithfulness, trust, and what it means to be God’s people. In today’s reading, Moses is at the top of another moun-tain. This time, God is showing Moses the promised land, the place to which they had been journeying for all of these years. According to the story, it has been 40 years. After Moses sees the promised land, it becomes someone else’s job to lead the people through the next phase of the journey. The new leader is Joshua. Moses dies on the mountain, and the people mourn for an entire month; for there will never be another prophet like Moses. However, we will know people who remind us of what is possible when we develop a relationship with God.

Distribute clay figurines to all. Or if your congregation is large, you might distribute to children and young people only. Pray:

Thank you, God, for our journey through the wilderness.Thank you for the leadership of Moses.May we remember and carry with us the things that Moses taught,and the many things we learnt togetherwhile on this journey of faith.Amen.

After the focus scriptureInvite children, young people, and all who wish to move to the stations. Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word.



Bless

RespondAfter 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 “Behold, I Make All Things New” as people gather together again (Seasons Songbook, vol. 6, #4 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 6. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, www.seasonsonline.ca).

Prayers of the peopleOne: For the ministries of the church and all who work to-

wards our common vision of a united and uniting church...

Uniting God, receive our prayers: All: And in your love answer.

One: For faithful disciples in our communities of faith who work towards our common purpose of extravagant welcome, proclaiming the gospel and mending God’s world…


One: For the dreamers, teachers, and prophets who share our common longing to be one in Christ, with creation and with each other…


One: For those around the world who work towards our sacred message of justice and peace in harmony…


One: For the prayers we name to you now in the silence of our hearts (moment of silence)...

Uniting God, receive our prayers: And in your love answer.

All: Amen.(Written by Alydia Smith for the Full Communion service created

by Alydia Smith and Susan Blain; an international and historic event that joined The United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ

into full communion and shared ministry.)

Prayer of dedicationWe offer to you the work of our hands, the love of our hearts, the fruits of our labour, trusting that they will be used for your service and to your glory. Amen.

One: We are people of the Way. We are now called to leave this sacred gathering:All: to find new directions; to discover new stories; to explore new ways of being the Body of Christ

together.One: We give thanks for the way stretched out in front of us, and all of the challenges, fears, and possibilities it

brings.

We give thanks for the way that lies behind us; it has faithfully led us this far. We give thanks for the new ways that will emerge:All: May we continue to follow in the way that you are

leading with hopeful and daring hearts.


Special Days Commentary • October 29, 2017

Special Days CommentaryOctober 31 – Reformation DayOn the night of October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses – a proposal to debate the doctrine and practice of in-dulgences – to the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, beginning what became known as the Protestant Reforma-tion. Accordingly, this date has significance for churches of the Reformed tradition.

Luther chose this night knowing that many people would be attending church the next day – All Saints Day – and would thus read his statements of concern about the church. Some Protestant churches not of the Reformed tradition choose October 31 (or the Sunday prior) to honour “Saints of the Ref-ormation Era,” broadening the observance to include others.

For materials for Reformation Day, go to www.seasonsonline.ca, click on the Library tab.

November 1 – All Saints Day

November 2 – All Souls DayIn many churches, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all people of faith, recalling how, in New Testament usage, the word saints refers to Christians collectively, as well as those people of special significance who have been set apart by

the church or canonized. It is the recognition of the common bond of Christians, both living and dead, and the common bond of the church here on earth and the church triumphant in heaven. If November 1 falls on a weekday, All Saints Day is generally observed on the following Sunday.

For those traditions who use All Saints Day to commemor-ate canonized saints or those whose lives have been par-ticularly Christ-like, All Souls Day on November 2 pro-vides an opportunity to remember other Christians who have died. A simple, reflective service can provide an op-portunity to invite those who have been bereaved during the year to gather to remember their loved ones in prayer.

The night before All Saints Day was originally known as All Hallows’ Eve and, over time, became shortened to Hal-loween. Tracing its roots to an ancient Celtic day of the dead known as Samhain, it was believed that souls and super-natural beings would wander the night. Various traditions have merged over time, ranging from praying for saints and “lost souls” to children dressing up in costumes and going from door to door in search of treats.

For materials for All Saints Day, go to www.seasonsonline.ca, click on the Library tab.


Bible Story • October 29, 2017

A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFusion.

God’s Promises Based on Deuteronomy 34:1–12

Moses had been leading the people of Israel for 40 years. He was now 120 years old! He could see very well, and he still had lots of energy.

He had led the people from slavery into freedom, and he led them through life in the desert. During that time, Moses acted as God’s spokesperson. God would speak to Moses, and Moses would tell the people what God said. God often chose to speak with Moses from a mountaintop.

One day, Moses went up a mountain, called Mount Nebo. From the high place, God showed Moses land that stretched a very far distance. Moses could see flat lands, valleys, trees, cities, and even the sea.

God told Moses that this land that he could see was very important. This was a land of promise, a land where the people could finally settle after 40 years of living and trav-elling through the wilderness! This was a land they could call home. Here they could grow their food and raise their families. This was a place where they could be happy and free, and where they could build and plant.

Guided by God, Moses had led the people to this new land.

After Moses saw the land and talked with God, but before the people entered the land, Moses died.

The people were very, very sad. They mourned and cried for many days.

Moses had been an incredible leader, and after him there was no one quite like him. God had spoken to Moses face-to-face and had appointed Moses to do miracles and wonders that no one else could do. God’s power was seen through Moses, and Moses was well-known throughout the whole land of Israel.

When the people of Israel had finished crying about Moses, they learnt that they would have a new leader. Before he died, Moses had chosen Joshua to become the new leader. The people of Israel listened carefully to what Joshua had to say.

Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of today’s story

“God’s Promises,” 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 “God’s Promises.” 2. Use the art supplies to record your response.


Stations • October 29, 2017

Suitable for all ages

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 on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 CD and in the web version of SeasonsFUSION.

The article “Connecting with the Art” on page 4 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 and choose one of the art engagement ideas.

Promises The practice of promise-makingMaterials several small jars (one for

each person), wrapping paper or other brightly-coloured papers, scis-sors, tape, glue, index cards, pens, markers, a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions God had promised to bring the people out of Egypt and to a better land, a land of promise. God always keeps God’s promises.1. Select one jar, and decorate it with wrapping paper. Write the word “Promises” on

the jar.2. Silently reflect and pray about what it means to make a promise. What promises

might be important for you to make, which show your respect for God?3. Write some promises to yourself, promises to your family, and promises to God.

Write each promise on a separate index card.4. Place all of the promises in your jar, and take your jar home. Choose one promise

to live into. You might choose to focus on fulfilling one promise for one week, then choose another one for the following week.

5. Promises can be hard for us to keep. Who might help you keep these promises? 6. Once you have finished, offer a prayer asking God to be with us as we

try to live in God’s ways and live into our hopes, dreams, and promises.

Caring for the land The practice of stewardshipMaterials pens, paper, copy of the

directions displayed where all can see Directions God showed Moses the land of promise. This land was going to be the place where the people of Israel lived. They had waited a very long time to get to this new land, and so it was important that they would respect and care for it. Today, we can also be active in caring for the land and water. Some of those actions might happen around the church, and some might occur at home.1. Think about the land around your church or close to your home.

■■ What does the land look like? What is growing there?■■ Who takes care of the land at the moment?■■ What could you do to take care of the land?

2. Talk with one other person. Together, develop some ideas about how you could take care of the land. (Before you take action, such as planting flowers or trees, please obtain permission from the people who are the custodians of the land.)

3. Decide how you could learn more about the land and its history, as well as the Indigenous people for whom this land has been and is important.

4. Share your proposed actions with the church community, and talk with the church leadership about how to make your plans possible.

Suitable for all ages working together


Stations • October 29, 2017

Suitable for ages 7–adult

Modern-day prophets The practice of living justly Materials long lengths of mural paper

or a roll of brown packing paper, paint, paint brushes, felt-tipped markers, newspapers, current affair magazines, scissors, glue, computer or computer tablet with Internet access, and a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsIn Deuteronomy 34:1–12 we read, “never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses…” What is a prophet?

Prophet: noun•a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God;•a person who advocates or speaks in a visionary way about a new cause or theory;•a person who predicts what will happen in the future (Oxford Dictionary).

1. Whom would you name as modern-day prophets – who show what is good and what God requires of us: justice, love, mercy, and humility? As well as people you know, you might use an Internet search engine to meet some modern-day prophets, such as Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani school pupil and advocate for education and women’s rights. You can hear her speech to the United Nations here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtprX8i2k-Q.

2. Cover a section of a wall with long lengths of mural paper or a roll of brown pack-ing paper and create a “graffiti” wall, scattering the “wall” with names of people you regard as modern-day prophets.

3. Use cuttings from newspapers and current affair magazines to add pictures and words to your graffiti wall announcing modern-day prophets.

Story headlines The practice of telling stories of faithMaterials large sheet of paper – size

of a broadsheet newspaper, sheets of copy paper, pens, pencils, felt-tipped markers, pencils, Bibles, a current broadsheet newspaper, copy of the directions displayed where all can see

DirectionsAllocate the scripture references. Have each person design a news-headline for one of the main stories in the life of Moses: Exodus 1:2—2:10; Exodus 3:1–15; 12:1–14; Exodus 14:19–31; 16:2–15; 17:1–7; Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 32:1–14; 33:12–23; Deuteronomy 34:1–12.1. Bring your headlines together and create a front page of a “special edition” news-

paper that celebrates the life and times of Moses. The front page will include all the headings that capture the essence of Moses’ life.

2. Use a current newspaper as an example of how the page might be set out – includ-ing contents, advertising, weather, and so on.

3. Display on your church bulletin board and/or have someone scan the page for inclusion in the church bulletin or newsletter.

Suitable for ages 7–adult working together

Our history

Suitable for ages 12–adult

The practice of rememberingMaterials historical pictures of your

church, list of events in your church’s history, significant events in your de-nomination, resource sheet “Church History” (in the Extra Resources folder on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 Data CD), newsprint, markers, tape, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see. Before the ses-sion, post several pieces of newsprint on the wall, or lay them on the floor. Mark down dates in 5-year intervals (2015, 2010, etc.) to make a timeline of the past 40 years. Write a few of the church’s historical events on the timeline.

Directions Moses had led the people of Israel for 40 years. During that time, there were many significant events that the people remembered. God was with them over all of those years and was a part of their story. Reflecting on the past events in our own lives and our church’s life can also help us remember significant events. Remembering can also help us recall how God has been with us in our past and present.1. Reflect on the past few years of your life. Write down any significant events with

their dates (birthdays, awards, starting something new, special moments, and so on).

2. Using those dates, place them on the timeline, with your name beside them (e.g., Aja’s 5th birthday, 2010).

3. Reflect on your own life events and the church’s life events on the timeline.■■ What did you remember about yourself, and your own life journey?■■ What did you discover about your church’s history?■■ Where do you think that God was making a difference in the past in your life,

or in your church’s life? 4. Read “Church History.” What did you discover about the church’s long history,

over the centuries?

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rael

an

d he

lped

th

e pe

ople

tr

avel

to

a ne

w l

and.

The

y ha

d m

any

adve

ntur

es a

long

the

way

.

But

now

Mos

es w

as g

row

ing

very

old

. H

is h

air

was

lon

g an

d

whi

te.

His

bea

rd w

as l

ong

and

w

hite

. H

e w

alke

d

slow

ly

and

ta

lked

slo

wly

, too

.O

ne

day,

M

oses

ca

lled

all

the

peop

le

toge

ther

an

d sa

id,

“Fri

ends

, I a

m g

row

ing

very

old

. I

have

led

you

for

man

y ye

ars.

We

have

wal

ked

toge

ther

, and

we

have

ta

lked

tog

ethe

r fo

r m

any

moo

ns.

Now

I a

m f

eelin

g tir

ed, a

nd I

nee

d to

rest

.”Th

e pe

ople

sta

rted

to

whi

sper

, “W

ho w

ill l

ead

us n

ow?

Who

will

be

in

char

ge?”

the

y sa

id t

o ea

ch

othe

r. Th

e pe

ople

felt

wor

ried

.M

oses

he

ard

thei

r w

hisp

ers

and

felt

thei

r wor

ry. “

Dea

r fri

ends

,”

Mos

es s

aid

with

a s

mile

. “G

od w

ill

take

car

e of

you

. Th

ere

will

be

a

new

lea

der,

som

eone

you

nger

who

ca

n co

ntin

ue w

alki

ng w

ith y

ou a

nd

show

ing

you

the

way

to g

o.”

Mos

es i

nvite

d Jo

shua

to

com

e an

d st

and

besi

de h

im.

The

peop

le

look

ed a

t Jos

hua.

The

y w

eren

’t su

re

that

this

was

the

righ

t per

son

to le

ad

them

. The

y lo

ved

Mos

es. M

oses

was

th

eir

lead

er!

Mos

es

said

, “T

his

is

Josh

ua.

He

is a

goo

d lis

tene

r an

d a

smar

t th

inke

r. H

e w

ill b

e a

grea

t lea

der.”

Jo

shua

kne

lt do

wn

in f

ront

of

Mos

es.

Mos

es

put

his

hand

s on

Jo

shua

’s h

ead

and

said

, “I w

ill b

less

yo

u, Jo

shua

. Be

stro

ng a

nd b

e br

ave.

Yo

u w

ill le

ad th

e pe

ople

to th

e la

nd

God

has

pro

mis

ed to

them

. You

will

co

ntin

ue t

ellin

g pe

ople

abo

ut G

od’s

lo

ve. A

nd G

od w

ill b

e w

ith y

ou a

nd

keep

you

saf

e.”

The p

eopl

e sta

rted

to sm

ile. T

hey

knew

tha

t M

oses

was

rig

ht.

God

w

ould

be

with

them

, and

God

wou

ld

take

car

e of

thei

r new

lead

er, J

oshu

a.

We a

re al

l par

t

of Go

d’s st

ory

Mos

es a

nd th

en Jo

shua

wer

e pa

rt o

f G

od’s

stor

y, th

en th

eir c

hild

ren

and

gran

dchi

ldre

n an

d gr

eat-g

rand

-ch

ild, a

nd s

o on

dow

n th

roug

h th

e ag

es. T

hink

of y

our

fam

ily, f

rien

ds,

chur

ch f

amily

, and

oth

ers

who

are

pa

rt o

f God

’s st

ory

in t

he w

ay t

hey

show

God

’s lo

ving

way

s. W

rite

thei

r na

mes

on

the

figur

es in

the

draw

ing

belo

w a

nd u

se m

arke

rs o

r pen

cils

to

deco

rate

the

peop

le.

Moses

Bles

ses Jo

shua

Base

d on

Deu

tero

nom

y 34

:1–1

2

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSIO

N Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017Copyright ©

Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSIO

N Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017 Copyright ©

Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016

32

activityMoses was with the people of Israel teaching them about God’s way of love. Much, much later, Jesus went to many places teaching about God’s love. The people asked Jesus, “In everything we have learnt about living in God’s way, what is the most important thing?” Jesus answered:

“Love God. Love your neighbour. Love yourself.” There are many ways we can love. While you connect the dots, think of ways you like to show love. Inside the heart, draw or glue a picture of one of the ways you show love.

Documents

21st Sunday after Pentecost 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time ...€¦ · 128 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFSON Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017 Copyriht Wood Lae Publishin nc 2016