Hello again! Welcome to lesson part two of February’s story called “How to Pray” located on pages 222-227 in The Jesus Storybook Bible. The Biblical reference is from Matthew 6.
Children: Please read the story out loud to an adult or out loud by yourself. Last week you were asked to think a lot about prayer and praying. From hearing and reading the story, you know that you pray to be able to talk to God, and that you can pray whenever and wherever you want. You also know He wants you to be honest (truthful) and sincere (meaning what you say) when praying. Maybe you are wondering what you should tell or ask God when praying? God loves to hear what is in your heart. Make a list of things or draw pictures of what you can ask him or share with him or how to thank Him.
The 5 Finger Prayer below is one way of organizing your prayer thoughts:







​​












If you choose to record your thoughts and feelings, remember to blog on our website or write in your own journal.
Adults: For all Christians, praying is very important. It is much more than giving God a list of things He should do, although that sometimes happens. It is more to do with spending time enjoying God’s company, a bit like we would do with a close friend … Asking questions, talking about family and friends, wondering about the future, saying sorry, saying thank-you, listening to what they have to say, not worrying about the silences, just being glad to be with them.
~This week’s prayer for all:
I know that God, my heavenly Father, listens to my every prayer and does what is best for me.

​So long for now,
Margo Greer

A happy hello, everyone! This is January’s third and final online “Let’s Go” Learning Together lesson.

Children: Turn to the pictures (illustrations) on pages 212-213 of The Jesus Storybook Bible and carefully look at the faces of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. What do their faces tell you? Can you explain how these 4 disciples, when called by Jesus to join him, could drop everything in their lives to follow him? It does not seem like an easy choice to make! What do you think?

In the Bible, Jesus told the disciples that he will make them “fishers of men.” What do you think he meant by that? Can you be a fisher of men?.
​
Adults: Jesus was a true servant for his disciples because he equipped and taught them how to become leaders of the church. He chose each one for a specific reason, with certain talents and abilities. Each disciple had a purpose. The church works the same way. Each of us has a purpose. Consider how you have been called.

~This week’s prayer could be said every day: Dear God, You have called me to be a good helper to my family. I pray that each day I will bring a smile to those who love me. Amen. 

​Hi! Welcome to January’s second week of Learning Together! Today we are continuing our discussion of “Let’s Go” in The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Children:  Please read the story on pages 208-213 out loud to an adult or by yourself.  Remember last week’s question asking about the things that tempt you? Today, we will consider what we can DO when we are being tempted. What are some of your ideas to avoid temptation?  Make a list or draw pictures of solutions that work for you.
Adults: For The Bible versions, please turn to Matthew 4, Mark 1, and Luke 4-6. As grown-ups, we all realize that there is no way around it. We are all tempted because we are human, and as we mature, we face different levels of tests, but we do not have to fight temptations by ourselves. If we will take the time to read God’s word and develop a relationship with Him, we will find that when we feel weak, He is always strong. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states ‘… that God is faithful. He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. When we are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that we can endure it.’
~I invite all to offer the following prayer for this week: Dear God, Let me be like Jesus, who stood strong in Your Word and did not give in to temptation. Amen.
The second portion of our story tells us about how Jesus gathered his helpers, his disciples, to assist him in spreading the Word that God loves us.
Children:  Question – If you needed help to do an important job, how would you choose your helpers? What was Jesus’ method for choosing? Please write/share your thoughts on our blog or save for in-person sharing.
Next week will be the final online lesson for Learning Together’s “Let’s Go” story, and all are invited to attend the after-church, in-person Sunday School wrap-up lesson on January 30th (Good Lord willing and the crick don’t rise.)
Have a safe week, everyone!

Hello, friends! Happy New Year and welcome to January’s Learning Together. As with the other lessons before it, you will be invited to listen and read and imagine and create and pray around one particular story.

Our story for January is called “Let’s Go!” For this week, please listen to the story being read out loud from The Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, pages 208-213, in our Sunday afternoon email. All members of your family are encouraged to listen together.

As you listen, you will discover there are two parts to this story. The first part involves Jesus being lied to by the Devil, so think about the things that may tempt you. The second part is about Jesus gathering his helpers, called disciples; we will discuss that part more closely next week.
Write or blog any comments or thoughts to Pastor Mary.
 
A prayer for this week would be: Sometimes I want to do the wrong thing. Lord, help me to do what God says! Amen.
 
Have a good week,                                                                                                                
Margo Greer

​

During these December days of Advent, as you prepare for Christmas in so many different ways, I encourage you to include in those preparations, time for wonder and prayer.

Sit quietly and look at your Christmas tree.  Draw a picture or write about how you feel when you see the tree and the lights and ornaments.  Talk about your memories of Christmas with your family or write down your reflections.  What is an especially happy memory you have?  Is there anything that is especially hard about this day?

I wonder if Christmas is especially happy for God because it is the day he gave the world the gift of Jesus?  I wonder if it is especially hard for God because Jesus died?
​
Talk to God—either with words or by sitting quietly and listening to what is in your heart.  This is prayer.

If you've tried any of the ideas that were shared in the Advent mailing about traditions in the 26 countries or if you have a family tradition that you'd like to share with us, please comment below! It will be great to hear how traditions last through the generations in your households!

Welcome to our second week of Learning Together for November. We will continue our discussion of “God to the Rescue”, which is the story of Passover.

This week I would like you to read the story from The Jesus Storybook Bible out loud to an adult or by yourself. How did God’s people feel after they were rescued from the Pharaoh? Think about a time when someone rescued you. What happened and how did you feel? Write or blog to share your thoughts. Pastor Mary will respond to your comments and questions online or in-person during the fourth Sunday time.

A prayer for this week, alone or with family, would be: Dear Lord, help me face life’s problems with the sure knowledge You’ll always be there. Amen.
​
Have a good week,
Margo Greer