Sunday School, August 23, 2015 13 Pentecost, B proper 16

Sunday School, August 23, 2015   13 Pentecost B proper 16

Sunday School Themes

Hebrew Scriptures

One selection is about Solomon and the building of first temple in Jerusalem.  And it is important to remember that God of the Temple was the God of everyone.  So there is a reminder that God does not just belong to us and the place of worship is to be a place for everyone.

Another selection is about the second leader of the people of Israel who led them after the great Moses died.  His name was Joshua.  He reminded his people that they were to be known as those who were loyal to the One God.  They were not become like the people who believed in many Gods.

For the New Testament lesson since the last four weeks and this week have been about the bread of heaven discourse of John’s Gospel, perhaps one can give it a rest.

Use the example of a Roman Soldier’s armor from the Epistle to the Ephesian.  Bring pictures of Roman Soldier in their battle gear.  Show a picture of modern soldier in full battle gear.  Show the comic superheroes like Iron Man and Transformers with their full battle gear.

Being prepared in life means that we have to protect our insides, especially what we see and learn.  How is our life like a war or a battle?  We try to prevent the things which can hurt us by good preparation.  How do we prepare:  Learn to do healthy things. Tell the truth.  Do right things.  Learn to have faith and not fear.   Walk in the shoes   that take us in the path of peace as we share the good news of Christ.  Learn about God’s words.  Learn that we have God’s Spirit with us to help us at all times.  We have to face things in our lives which can make us have fear, tempt us to do wrong things, lie, fight, and think unhealthy thoughts.  St. Paul uses the example of the soldier’s uniform to tell us that we always need to be prepared to face all of the struggles and hard things in our life.  We have to realize that life is often like a war or a battle because sometimes it can seem easier to do wrong than do good?  Why is it easier to eat lots of brownie but not lots of healthy food?  Why is it easier to play with our toys rather than pick them up?  Why does it sometimes seem easier to be sad and moody and crabby than to be cheerful and happy?  St. Paul said that we have to be prepared for a battle because learning how to be really excellent in life is not easy.

Sermon

      I have a pictures here of a soldier.  And this is the most famous toy soldier.  What is his name?  G.I. Joe.  And since a soldier has to fight to protect people a soldier has to wear a special uniform.

  St. Paul said that our life is like a battle; not like a real war.  It is a battle against things that are not good for us.  So like a soldier, we have to be prepared.  As school students, we have to be like soldiers and be prepared.

  St. Paul said we need to put on the armor of God.

He said we need to have the belt of truth.  A belt is very important in the armor.  In school you are learning the truth about all sorts of things.  And the more truth that you can learn the better your life will be.

  Paul said we need to wear the breast plate of righteousness and we need to have a shield of faith.  Learning to do the right thing is very important in life.  And having faith means that we do have to fear because we believe that God cares for us.  Notice on GI Joe the breast plate and shield are the same thing; he has body armor to stop bullets.

  Paul said that we should wear the helmet of salvation.  What does a helmet protect?  Our heads.  And what is in our head?  Our mind and our thoughts.  Salvation means building healthy thoughts in our mind and that is why we go to school. (Do you see GI Joe’s helmet?) 

  Paul said we needed the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Modern soldier don’t use swords; they carry knives and they use guns.

  Just as a soldier needs to know how to use a knife and a gun, St. Paul said that we need know how to use the word of God.  We need to study words, we need to learn how to read and write, we need to know how to use words in a good way, because with our words we can say some very wonderful things to help people, to teach people and to encourage people.  And when we use our words in good ways, our words are words of the Spirit of God.

  So are you ready for school this year?  St. Paul reminds that learning is like being a soldier; we prepare ourselves, we educate ourselves, we learn as much as we can so that we can do some very good things in our world.

  So remember St. Paul’s words about putting on the armor of God.

Holding our heads:

  Bless O, Lord our minds to learn new things.

Eyes:

  Bless our eyes to see and read new things.

Ear:

  Bless our ears to hear new things.

Lips:

  Bless our lips to says and speak new things.

Hands:

  Bless our hands to create art and to write wonderful words.

Feet:

  Bless our feet with strength to play and grow strong.

Heart:

  Bless our heart to love to learn many new things in school.

Bless us in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

August 23, 2015: The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering Songs: Onward Christian Soldiers, We Are Marching, Let the Hungry Come to Me, Awesome God

Song: Onward Christian Soldiers  (blue hymnal # 562)

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with cross of Jesus going on before!  Christ the royal Master, leads against the fore; forward into battle, see his banners go. 

Refrain: Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before!

Liturgist:

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the Letter to the Ephesians

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Liturgist:

The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 34

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, * and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, * to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them * and delivers them from all their troubles.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.   When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."  Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon:  Fr. Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

 Liturgist:        The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:            And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Song: We Are Marching (Renew! # 306)

We are marching in the light of the Lord, we are marching in the light of the Lord.  We are marching in the light of the Lord, we are marching in the light of the Lord. 

Refrain: We are marching, marching we are marching, Oh, marching, we are marching in the the light of the Lord, of the Lord.  We are marching, marching, we are marching, Oh, marching we are marching in the light of the Lord.

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Blessing for Students and teachers as the new school year begins

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

Children may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

The Prayer continues with these words

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:        Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Song:  Let the Hungry Come to Me (Renew!  # 220)

Let the hungry come to me, let the poor be fed.  Let the thirsty come and drink, share my wine and bread.  Though you have no money, come to me and eat.  Drink the cup I offer, feed on finest wheat.

I myself am living bread; feed on me and live.  In this cup my blood for you; drink the wine I give.  All who eat my body, all who drink my blood, shall have joy forever, share the life of God.

Here among you shall I dwell; making all things new.  You shall be my very own, I, your God with you.  Bless’d are you invited to my wedding feast.  You shall live forever, all your joys increased.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Awesome God (Renew!  # 245)

Our God is an awesome God, he reigns from heaven above,

with wisdom, power and love.  Our God is an awesome God.

(sing three times)