Sunday Sermon & Worship Resource, 3.22.20

In case you missed this week’s worship, here is a link to the sermon. Because of copyright and sensitivity issues, only the sermon will appear here. If you want to worship live with us, email Pastor Melissa for next week’s link.

Here is an additional devotional resource you may find helpful this week!

Worship with Us on Sunday!

On Sunday, we will “gather” for worship from our own homes. Contact Pastor Melissa for a link to join us. Here is an order of worship to guide you:

Welcome
”Meet & Greet”
Responsive Reading
God you gather us from different spaces and places.
From our kitchen tables to our living room couches
And in our pjs, sweats, or Sunday best,
We come ready to worship you.
May your presence fill this virtual space
And may our voices rise to worship you.
Amen.
Children’s Message
Offering
Special Music
Homily: John 9, “Blinded by the Truth”
“Amazing Grace”
Benediction

Preschool Links and Activities

Our Pre-K director, Debbie Gordon, has provided a list below of links to use with your children while you’re home…

http://www.funbrainjr.com/

Letter recognition

https://www.simplefunforkids.com/sticky-note-letter-hunt.html/

https://frugalfun4boys.com/paper-plate-alphabet-memory-game/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ATr-aV9KC37cs3H3un0x4cy62_xqJ-1qZ1tt5gYTQHA_RxEOElmVpAU/

https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/outdoor-alphabet-hunt.html

Math activities

https://frugalfun4boys.com/race-fill-cup-counting-game-preschoolers/

https://planningplaytime.com/kindergarten-counting-activity

https://busytoddler.com/2017/03/roll-cross-math-game/

Ways to Help - Blood Drive

As you’re looking for ways to help, the American Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage, largely due to the inability to have blood drives in the community. If you are able to help, please contact the Red Cross (1-800-733-2767).

Wednesday Family Night Check-In and Bible Study

We are all set for a live check-in tonight at 6:30pm using our Zoom technology. We’ll start with a whole family check in and answer the question, “where have we seen God at work?” We will cover prayer requests and then have our interactive Bible study. Those joining online will have full access to participate in all aspects. Here is the link to the study guide. Contact Pastor Melissa for information on how to log on.

More Family Resources

Parents, as you navigate these unfamiliar waters, here are a few additional resources available:

• NPR Comic explaining the coronavirus to kids.

• Scholastic Classroom Magazine resource for talking to various ages about the coronavirus.

• PBS Kids has some online resources.

• And don’t forget the link we shared earlier in the week with weekly coloring pages.

• If you need a laugh and a good reminder to wash your hands, here’s a fun link to sing with your kids.

What resources would you like to share? Comment below.

Also, stay tuned for some ways we will connect online in the days ahead.

Encouraging Words of Scripture

As we turn to our faith during crisis, here are some passages of Scripture you may find encouraging. What others might you add? Please leave them in the comments.

• Psalm 27

• Psalm 34:1-10

• Psalm 56:3-4

• Psalm 73:25-26

• Psalm 121

• Isaiah 40:28-31

• Isaiah 41:8-10

• Isaiah 43:1-7

• John 10:10

• Philippians 4:4-9

• 2 Timothy 1:7

Supporting Our Community - Henrico Public Schools

As we keep our eyes and ears open to ways we can help our community, here is a link from Henrico County Public School to help support families in need.

Family Resources - and coloring pages for adults!

As more and more of us are staying home in the days ahead, we will dedicate some space on this blog to offer suggestions on how to navigate these days with children. Here are a few to get us started:

• Have honest conversations with your child(ren). In the absence of information, children begin to fill in gaps. Ask your child what he or she may be most concerned about. You may find some of those fears are completely unfounded or misinformed and you can easily address them. Other concerns may be a springboard for you to talk about how your faith helps you deal with those needs.

• Find ways to give thanks. Fear oftentimes chokes out gratitude. Talk about the things you are most grateful for!

• We provided some children’s worship bulletins for the coming weeks in worship today. If you were not here but would like some of those, tomorrow (Monday) we will place them in the black mailbox directly outside the covered entrance closest to the pastor’s office. Feel free to take one and share with a friend.

• Illustrated Ministry is providing a free weekly coloring page and other resources. You can sign up for that here.

• See our post above about how you can help other families in need.

If you have other ideas for families, feel free to share them in the comments.

Sunday Sermon and Worship Materials, 3.15.20

Sunday’s sermon is up for you to watch. In addition here is a related link which offers a study guide, including a coloring page, related to the sermon topic of how we handle crises. As you watch the sermon video, please be mindful we are using the best resources available to us at this moment. Thanks for your understanding! Feel free to post comments in the comment section.