Sunday School, February 14, 2016 First Sunday in Lent
Themes and Topics
Learning Self Control
Learning to be one’s own hero
Fasting is a practice of learning self-control
Gospel Story: Jesus
went away to a place to be alone and fast
When you feed a dog, you put the food in the dog dish and
set it on the floor. And what do many
dogs do? They immediately try to eat all
of the food as fast as they can. Now
some dog owners will try to teach a dog to wait until he or she give the command
to the dog to eat. A dog owner may try
to teach a dog to wait before eating.
When babies are hungry, they want their milk right
away. They don’t want to wait and if mom
makes them wait, what do they do? They
cry.
Growing up means we learn how to control our selves when we
have to wait for something that we need.
So you may be hungry right now, but mom says the food is
still cooking and besides we’re waiting for dad to come home so we can eat
together. So even if you are hungry
right now, you learn to wait so that you can eat with the rest of the family.
Learning to wait to eat is “fasting.” It is learning how to control yourself. It is learning to not let your desire for
something make you unhappy if you cannot get it right away.
Fasting is about learning to wait and have patience so that
you can learn to do things together with other people. Fasting is about learning other people’s
schedules.
When you teacher asks you to be silent and raise your hand,
this is also fasting because it is waiting for your turn to speak so that you
can honor the schedule of your class.
Jesus was a hero because he learned to fast; he learned to
do things according to God the Father’s time.
He did not obey the voice of Satan which tempted him to do the wrong
things, at the wrong time in the wrong way.
Lent is about learning how to be our own superhero by
learning how to control ourselves.
Jesus was a superhero of self-control; And we can learn from Jesus about being our
own superhero as we learn self-control.
An important part of self-control is learn how to share in how we live
with other people.
Lent is a season of learning self-control for the purposes
of sharing the gifts and good things of our lives with others, especially those
who do not have enough.
A sermon about learning to be one’s own hero
How would you like
to be a hero? How do you think you can
be a hero? Do you have to fly like
Superman, Batman and Spiderman in order to be a hero? Do you have to save someone from drowning to
be a hero? Do you have to rescue some
one from a burning building to be a hero? Doing those things would make you a
hero, but there is another way to be a hero.
And Jesus wants us
all to be heroes. How can all of us be
heroes? By being strong. Let me see your muscles. But the muscles in our arms are not important
muscles that we need.
We need some other
muscles. We need strength to be able to
not do things that are bad for us. We
need strength to be able to do things that are really, really good for us.
And so we need to do
some training to be heroes. That is what
the season of Lent is for..it’s for doing some special training.
Is it easier to eat
four pieces of chocolate cake than to eat our vegetables? Chocolate cake is good and vegetables are
good. And we need to be heroes by
becoming strong enough to choose the right amounts of good food for us. Say, I am strong. I am powerful. I will be a hero. I will choose good food.
Is it easier to
watch cartoons on TV or clean your bedroom or do your school work? It is fun to watch TV but when there are
other things that we need to do, we need to have the power to choose to do
other things to help our families and to help us get good grades at
school. Can you flex your muscles and
say: I am powerful. I will be a
hero. I will choose to do good things.
Jesus was a hero
because he learned to have power to do the good things that he was supposed to
do. When he was given the choice between
doing some good and doing something bad, he chose what was good.
You and I have to
practice being good. And how do we
practice being good? We have to build
the muscles of our choosing power. We
have to practice making the right choices.
Our teachers and parents help us to make the right choices. Even though they are not perfect; they still
are able to help you make good choices.
And if we learn to make good choices, then we become powerful and we
become heroes of our own lives?
Can you learn to be
a hero today? Let’s see your
muscles. Say: I am strong.
I can make good choices. I can be
a hero today.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
February 14, 2016 The First Sunday in Lent
Gathering Songs: On Eagle’s Wings, Just As I am, I Am the
Bread of Life, Thy Word
Song: On Eagle’s Wings (Renew! # 112)
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in his
shadow for life, say to the Lord: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust.”
Refrain: And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you
on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm
of his hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine
will bring you no fear: under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your
shield. Refrain
Liturgist: Bless the Lord who forgives all of our sins.
People: God’s mercy endures forever. 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
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many
temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find
you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Litany of Praise: Chant: Praise be to God!
O God, you are Great!
Praise be to God!
O God, you have made us! Praise be to God!
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Praise be to God!
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Praise be to God!
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Praise be to God!
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Praise be to God!
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Praise be to God!
Liturgist: A reading from the Letter to the Romans
For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one
confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who
believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between
Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on
him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be
saved."
Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, * abides
under the shadow of the Almighty.
He shall say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and my
stronghold, * my God in whom I put my trust."
He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter * and from
the deadly pestilence.
He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find
refuge under his wings; * his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
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 Luke
People: Glory
to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and
was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by
the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he
was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command
this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is
written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up
and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said
to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has
been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will
worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is
written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and
serve only him.'" Then the devil
took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to
him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is
written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they
will bear you up, so that you will not
dash your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to
the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him
until an opportune time.
Liturgist: The
Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise
to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon – Father 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.
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.
Youth 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
Offertory Hymn: Just
As I Am (Renew! # 140)
Just as I am without one plea but that thy blood was shed
for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I
come. I come!
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.
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.
All 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,
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: Hallowed be thy name.
Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant: Christ
our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore
let us keep the feast.
Words of Administration
Communion Hymn: I Am the Bread of Life (Renew! # 246)
Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink of
his blood, and drink of his blood, you shall not have life within you.
Refrain: And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up,
and I will raise you up on the last day.
Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of
God, who has come into the world. Refrain
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: Thy Word (Renew! # 94)
Refrain: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
path.
When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still you’re
there right beside me. And nothing will
I fear as long as you are near. Please
be near me to the end. Refrain
I will not forget your love for me, and yet my heart forever
is wandering. Jesus, be my guide and
hold me to your side; and I will love you to the end. Refrain
Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!
