Hello Story Keepers and welcome back to Christchurch Kids. Today is the first Sunday in Advent. It's a really special time at church when we got ready for Jesus coming at Christmas. It looks like the Story Keepers are getting ready for Christmas too. Let's watch today's episode together.
It's great that we can be Story Keepers too. By watching the video and learning the stories from the Bible we can share them with others and pass them on. Today, maybe it's enough to watch this video. If you would like to find out a bit more, keep reading...
Our BIG question today is...
how well do you know the Christmas story?
We've been on quite a journey with the Story Keepers over the past couple of months. In 64 A.D., sharing stories was the best way to share the good news of Jesus. They didn't have the stories of Jesus written down in Bibles that they could keep in their homes and pass to others.
The Bible is full of fantastic stories about people who did amazing things with God's help. Which story is your favourite? Daniel in the Lion's Den? David and Goliath? Jonah and the whale? Maybe the Christmas Story is your favourite?
The very best thing about Bible stories is not just that they are inspiring or exciting to read but that they are a way for God to speak to us today.
Did you hear anything today in the The Story Keepers episode that surprised you? Did you know that some people think the Wise Men could have arrived two years after Jesus was born?
Sometimes, if we think we know a story well, we might stop listening when it is retold. This Christmas, listen carefully to the stories and songs. God wants to talk to you.
Prayer
In the episode today we heard that Mary, Joseph and Jesus had to leave their home to escape the danger from Herod's soldiers. They had to leave their friends and family and escape to Egypt. They became refugees.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their home. It might be because of war or natural disasters. It might be because of persecution, which is when some is mistreated or punished for what they believe or who they are. You may see stories of refugees on the news today.
We know God cares as it says in Deuteronomy 10
The Lord your God is God of all gods. He is the Lord of all lords. He is the great God. He is strong and wonderful. He does not take sides. He helps orphans and widows. He loves foreigners. He gives them food and clothes.
We can pray for refugees and for the charities that help them. This video can help us with our prayers today.
We've got a great song today which features some of those brilliant Bible stories we talked about earlier. Let's praise God together with singing and dancing.
We hope you have enjoyed following the adventures of the Story Keepers as this was our last episode with them.
Join us this week on the blog as we start our very own online Advent Calendar! From the 1st of December we are going to be following the Three Kings as they find their way around Clevedon.
Pop back here each day to see what they've been up to.
Next week we are starting to get really excited about Christmas with F@CT online and F@CT in church. If you would like to book your place for F@CT in church, please click here.
Hello Story Keepers and welcome to Christchurch Kids. Today's episode is called "Sink or Swim" and the Story Keepers meet an old friend. When they hear his story, they decide to take action and go and help where they can but, once again, things don't go as smoothly as they expected.
It's great that we can be Story Keepers too. By watching the video and learning the stories from the Bible we can share them with others and pass them on. Today, maybe it's enough to watch this video. If you would like to find out a bit more, keep reading...
Our BIG question today is...
How do we react when something unexpected happens?
In the episode of The Story Keepers today, the family find themselves aboard a Roman ship setting sail for battle! They were not expecting that to happen when they went on board to bring bread to the slaves. Did you notice that Ben and Helena didn't hide and try to escape but went to the kitchen to help feed the hungry slaves instead.
Ben told the story of the four men who brought their friend to see Jesus to ask him to heal him. When they got there, there was such a huge crowd that they couldn't even get close to Jesus. They weren't expecting that but they knew it was so important for their friend to get to Jesus that they climbed up on to the roof and lowered their friend down into the house on his mat.
This was such an extraordinary thing to do that the story appears in the books of Mark and Luke in the Bible and we are still talking about nearly 2000 years later! They were friends who did something unusual in an unexpected situation because they really believed Jesus could help their friend.
What does this mean for us?
I think everyone could say that this year has been unexpected. We've had lots of unexpected things happen. Maybe some of those things have been really hard, like when we haven't been able to see friends or family. Perhaps some of those unexpected things have been good, such as spending more time together with our close family and finding new ways to have fun together.
At church, we have found new ways to help each other. We have been sharing food with those who need it. We have been speaking to each other online or on the phone. We have sent cards in the post.
In the parable of the two builders that we heard in today's episode, Jesus said that those people who listen to him and make a choice to do something are like the man who built his house on the rock. If we listen to what God says and make a choice to follow him, when unexpected things happen, we know we can trust Him and He will help us to help people around us.
Psalm 18 :2
The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my high tower
Prayer
Today, it's Remembrance Sunday. It's the special day of the year when we remember those who have served in wars to help keep others safe. Just like we have been talking about today, they found themselves in unexpected situations and showed bravery to help others.
We can use a poppy to help us pray. You may have your own poppy or your can look at the one here
Look at your poppy.
Poppies are bright and cheerful flowers: give thanks to God for the lives of those who have died in war, remembering all the joy they brought to families and friends, and all the good things they did for their home and their country.
Then look at the red petals
Red reminds us of danger and harm. Ask God to be close to those who are still facing danger each day, to give courage to the armed forces, and compassion to all who help others.
Place your whole hand over the poppy
Poppies are also fragile and need to be handled gently. God cares for those who are hurting and those who are sad. Ask God to comfort all who are grieving the loss of someone they love.
Finally place a finger on the centre of the poppy.
Ask God to help you play your part in working for peace in the world.
We've got a new song today. We can join in with the words or the actions as we praise God for who He is.
Thanks for joining us today. We are already starting to get excited about Christmas and we are going to be putting together our own online Nativity! If you would like to play a part, email Emy this week and let her know. childrenandfamilies@christchurch-clevedon.org.uk
We'll see you next week for more adventures with The Story Keepers.
