Sunday School
Here is a read-aloud story about how each of us in important to share with your family:
"Just a Worm"
A music video to share with your whole family:
"The Butterfly Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUvgOTsPkzc&list=RDtUvgOTsPkzc&start_radio=1
Today is Mother's Day and Christian Family Sunday. Here is a story about families to share with your family:
"One Family"
a read-aloud story about different families
A music video to share with your whole family:
"We Are a Family"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foptl0BeXnY&list=RDfoptl0BeXnY&start_radio=1
Eeyore suffers from low self-esteem
Here's a short video of Eeyore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_bD5SysAMk
We talk about how when we have big feelings that don’t have words, they come out as tears. What are some big feelings that people might have?? What to do when you feel overwhelmed?
When we are sick and have a runny nose, a bad cold or a sinus infection. Sometimes when we are very sick, we go to the doctor and get medicine. Our brains, just like our hearts and our lungs, need to be healthy. Mental health means taking care of our whole body; including our brain. When our brain is healthy, we feel better. Sometimes we cry when we are feeling sad. And when we cry, God is with us. When we are sick and not feeling good, God is with us. We are never alone because God is always with us. God loves us even when we cry and when we feel sick even when we feel happy and healthy.
Prayer
Thank you God for tears that express how we are feeling. Thank you, God, for our brains that help us know your love. Thank you, God, for mental health and for people who help us feel better when we are sick. We love you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
A music video to share with your whole family:
"I Look in the Mirror"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doOWgtZnwVo&list=RDdoOWgtZnwVo&start_radio=1
"Find Your People"
Joe brought a bag of items and invited children and adults to each take one but not look at it nor show it to anyone. By just using fingers and hands, we were to try to determine what the item is and find someone who had a similar item. We ended up in three groups (moustache, bat, and tree). By finding someone with a similar item, we could “find our people”. This year’s camp theme at Pearce Williams is “Find Your People”, an opportunity to meet new friends who may be your people.
A music video to share with your whole family:
"It Only Takes a Spark"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yY3GFlsCo8&list=RD3yY3GFlsCo8&start_radio=1
Celebrating Earth Day
Do you know what Earth Day is all about?
Here's a link to a read-aloud story explaining what Earth Day is and what can you do:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"On This Earth"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbbqFyrbHEA&list=RDNbbqFyrbHEA&start_radio=1
Saying "thank you"
Gratitude makes everyone feel big inside!
When someone holds the door open for you,
do you remember to say thank you?
Here's a short video about what happens when you say "thank you":
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o-Cn0_lJ1NU
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Thankful"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeSdQmO51Ps&list=RDYeSdQmO51Ps&start_radio=1
A new sunrise
Rev. Larry took time today with the children to talk about Jesus dying, and being put in a tomb, then, when His friends came to the tomb on Easter morning, found the tomb empty and Jesus missing. They were afraid, until a man they thought was the gardener revealed himself as Jesus, risen from the dead. Jesus encouraged the women to go and tell His disciples that He was alive.
Here is a link to the Easter Story:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Rise Again"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=692qs3m3bD0&list=RD692qs3m3bD0&start_radio=1
The Purpose of Palms
Rev. Larry took time with the children to explore why we wave palm branches today in our worship. The children were delighted to join the parade as the choir processed to the front of the church while singing "Hosanna".
A music video to share with your whole family:
"The Palm Sunday Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RISfny5Po8&list=RD-RISfny5Po8&start_radio=1
“Not My Problem” Story Adapted from a Thai folk tale
Once upon a time, a queen sat on her balcony eating pancakes and syrup with her chief advisor. As they ate, they gazed down at the busy street below. The Queen pointed to something in the distance, and as she did a drop of syrup from her pancake landed on the balcony railing.
"My Queen, you have spilled a drop of syrup. Shall I call a servant to come and clean it up?" But the Queen laughed, "A little drop of syrup is NOT MY PROBLEM. Someone will clean it later."
They went on eating and talking as the drop of syrup warmed in the sun and began to slowly drip down the side of railing until it landed in the street below with a plop! "Your Highness, that drop of syrup has now fallen into the street, where it is attracting flies. Shouldn't we call a servant to come and clean it up?"
But again, the Queen yawned lazily and replied, "A little drop of syrup and a few flies are NOT MY PROBLEM. Someone will deal with it later."
Soon a lizard darted out from underneath the palace wall and began to catch the flies on her tongue. Then a cat sprang from the baker's shop and began to bat the lizard back and forth like a toy. Just then a dog charged out from the butcher's shop and began to bite the cat on the neck. "Your Highness, now the flies have attracted a lizard, which attracted a cat, which is now being attacked by a dog. Shouldn't we call someone to stop the fight?"
But the Queen only stretched, and shook her head at her advisor, "Won't you relax. A silly animal fight is NOT MY PROBLEM. Someone will surely see to it." In fact, the baker did see to it. She saw the dog attacking her cat and ran out with her rolling pin and began to hit the dog. And then the butcher heard his dog howling and ran out with his broom and began to hit the cat. Soon the butcher and baker were hitting each other. Then the neighbouring shopkeepers began to take sides, joining in the fight. Then some soldiers came along, but some knew the butcher and some knew the baker. So, the soldiers, too, took sides and the battle grew. It grew and grew until a great battle waged in the streets. People were throwing rocks through windows and tipping over the vendor carts. Someone picked up a torch from the wall and hurled it through a window. Fire raged, and eventually it spread to the palace.
The next thing they knew, the Queen and her advisor were being escorted down a ladder from the balcony into the street below because the palace itself was in flames. Later that day when the fire had died out, the Queen and her advisor surveyed the ruins of their land. Suddenly the Queen stopped in the street underneath where her balcony had been. She reached down and touched something in a small puddle on the ground. "It's syrup! I guess I should have made it my problem and cleaned up that drop of syrup in the first place. Now, my whole kingdom has been lost because of it.
That was the last day that the Queen ever said: IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM!
What can we learn from this story?
A music video to share with your whole family:
"I Know the Plans I Have For You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSzDq44ePug&list=RDKSzDq44ePug&start_radio=1
Thinking Day, celebrated by all the levels in the Guiding Movement (Sparks, Embers, Guides, and Pathfinders), marks the birthdays of the founders of the Guiding Movement, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. This year is the 100th Anniversary of Thinking Day. It's a chance to be curious and creative, to form meaningful connections with our sisters in Guiding and beyond.
This year, for their Thinking Day Activity our Area Pathfinders and Guides got together to create a paper chain of 100 Acts of Kindness they had performed. Out of their kindness they gifted this long chain to share with our Church Family and others who come into our building.
We took turns reading some of the Acts of Kindness included on the chain.
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Kindness"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H98Rfljxmsc&list=RDH98Rfljxmsc&start_radio=1
Can you get water from a rock?
Can you get water from a well?
These were the questions Rev. Larry
had for the children of all ages in worship. Then he hold the story of Moses and his people in the desert and how God helped Moses to get water from a rock.
Here's the story you can listen to:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"God Makes a Way"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIoFeB9WIIU&list=RDAIoFeB9WIIU&start_radio=1
What do you think is above the clouds?
In his story Author Brent McCorkle introduces
"Firebird"
whose Mama taught him to soar above the clouds.
Here is a link to the story so you and your family can read it together:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Together We Shine"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9NDUJbsvqI&list=RD_9NDUJbsvqI&start_radio=1
Did you know that God knew you before even your parents knew you??
God made you especially to be the person you are - like nobody else!
We heard a story, "When God Made You",
by Matthew Paul Turner.
Here is a link to the story so you and your family can read it together:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"God Made Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eEin85-S4Y&list=RD4eEin85-S4Y&start_radio=1
If you light a candle then put it in a jar
and put a lid on it . . . what happens?
Rev. Larry and Faith experimented with a candle
to see what would happen.
A flame need oxygen to keep burning.
So, too, does your body need oxygen to stay alive.
Jesus can be like oxygen to you.
He can be in your life as long as you let Him.
A music video to share with your whole family:
"This Little Light of Mine"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ&list=RDcKkbIZtqhyQ&start_radio=1
Speech balloons show up in printed cartoons so we know what the characters are thinking and saying.
Rev. Larry invited children, young and older, to the front to help draw some speech balloons.
If there was a cartoon featuring Jesus and you . . . what would your speech balloon say?
A music video to share with your whole family:
"God's Love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4rZcN8dQpE&list=RDi4rZcN8dQpE&start_radio=1
We heard a story about how a lot of trucks got stuck in the snow and how they got rescued. This story was written and illustrated by a member of Marilyn's family.
The children were asked, "Why do you think they didn't just call mom in the first place when they must have know it was the right thing to do.
So, when you need help who do we depend on?
It's God, through and through! He is there for us, always.
A music video to share with your whole family:
"The Beatitudes"
A music video to share with your whole family:
"The More We Get Together"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9entMffz0&list=RDho9entMffz0&start_radio=1
Dr. Crick-Butler hid goldfish stickers around the sanctuary before service and asked the children to find them. She asked if the children could find Jesus where the stickers were. Stickers were on the pulpit (where we hear the stories of Jesus), on the Communion Table (where we take part in the Lord’s Supper), on the Christ Candle (lit each week to remind us that Jesus is here), on the Baptismal Font (where we, or our parents, promise to teach us about Jesus), on the piano (which provides music and we sing songs about Jesus), and on a couple of chairs (because we find Jesus in our neighbours and ourselves).
Jesus is always with us; he hears us and helps us.
Jesus invites us to “come and see”!
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Come and See"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pb_3iEqW_Q&list=RD6pb_3iEqW_Q&start_radio=1
Do you remember if you were baptized?
Did someone put water on your head and say some words?
These questions were asked by Rev. Larry as we talked about the Baptism of Jesus and how the water used in baptism is sacred.
We use water to wash our hands and bodies, clean food before we eat, and to keep our bodies nourished. In Baptism, water is used to wash away any sins we may have.
A music video to share with your whole family:
"When I Am Baptized"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUNV0JKEgFU&list=RDvUNV0JKEgFU&start_radio=1
After presenting our gifts to be blessed, the children listened to the story of the Magi, how they visited the Baby Jesus and brought Him gifts.
Here is a video of the story:
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Follow That Star"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVjURsyqCkE&list=RDLVjURsyqCkE&start_radio=1
The story of two wolves is a Cherokee legend illustrating the most important battle of our lives: the one between good and bad within us.
The children heard the legend then talked about how they often have to decide between good and bad.
Which wolf do you feed?
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Kindness"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H98Rfljxmsc&list=RDH98Rfljxmsc&start_radio=1
Rev. Larry asked children of all ages where they were going to sleep tonight. Top bunk of bunk beds, a queen-sized bed with a John Deere comforter, grey sheets, pink sheets, and so many more answers.
Then Rev. Larry described where the Baby Jesus slept on his first night, in a cow's manger filled with straw.
Many were grateful they don't sleep on a bed of straw!
A music video to share with your whole family:
"Away in a Manger"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ULTkNmIEY&list=RDM2ULTkNmIEY&start_radio=1
Rev. Larry asked children of all ages what might be on their Christmas Wish List. World peace was mentioned, as was food and clean drinking water for everyone. Izzy is asking for a donkey!
What is on your list? What would bring you JOY?
A music video to share with your whole family:
Christmas Joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBYjEKa1k1s&list=RDCBYjEKa1k1s&start_radio=1
Rev. Larry asked children of all ages to close their eyes and imagine walking along a quiet path, past a babbling brook and a meadow where sheep grazed, then into a forest where only the sound of your footfalls could be heard. Then he asked us, "Do you feel peaceful?"
Peace is a difficult situation to find, especially in 2025, and more especially at this time of year.
What can you do to restore peace in your life?
A music video to share with your whole family:
Light a Candle for Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9M8SmWh2Fo&list=RDK9M8SmWh2Fo&start_radio=1
Right now we are beginning the season of Advent. At the end of Advent is Christmas. The word "advent" means "coming". It is the season when we remember the coming of Jesus, God's only son, into the world.
Rev. Larry asked the children of all ages,
"Have you ever waited for something for a long time?"
God's people had been waiting for a very long time for God to send a Saviour to them and keep all of his promises. That Saviour was Jesus who was born long ago in a stable in Bethlehem.
The baby Jesus would grow up to save all of God's people.
Yet that is not all of the good news.
It was God's plan to send Jesus to the world twice. He came long ago and he is coming back again.
Like the people of Israel, we are waiting for him to come.
A music video to share with your whole family:
Season of Hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6jaVq3tzGc&list=RDY6jaVq3tzGc&start_radio=1
Rev. Larry asked the children of all ages,
"How many of you like sheep? Have you been near a flock of sheep or touched a sheep?"
Sheep definitely need a shepherd. They will wander everywhere if someone does not take care of them.
So, Jesus said that we are like his sheep
and he is our true shepherd.
A shepherd does not just leave the sheep alone and go off to do whatever he wants. That is a really bad shepherd. Jesus is not like that!
He promised that we would always be with us.
That is why we call Jesus "The Good Shepherd".
He keeps us all together
and you can always talk to him about anything.
A music video to share with your whole family:
He's the Good Shepherd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGPQX3vQtU8&list=RDPGPQX3vQtU8&start_radio=1
Here is The Poppy Song we shared with our Children this morning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Gu3Xe1yrw&list=RDd9Gu3Xe1yrw&start_radio=1
Children were asked if they knew what this flower is and why it is important on Remembrance Day. Faith was quick to respond - and she knew why we wear a poppy for Remembrance Day!
Children were also asked if they ever lost a poppy from their shirt. Losing a poppy reminds us of how easy it is to forget that freedom and peace are not things that just happen. King George VI said "Peace and freedom cannot long be separated. Without freedom there can be no enduring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."
Here is a song about Jesus walking on water:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8HQGsAHfmg&list=RDq8HQGsAHfmg&start_radio=1
Dear God: We just need your calm, loving presence.
We want to be reassured that all will be well.
We long to feel anything but helpless.
We depend upon you listening to our hearts,
yet we know we need time to listen to you too.
We thank you for our families and Jesus.
Both teach us how to be kind and spread kindness and peace all around us.
Please be patient with us as we learn the lessons
that Jesus taught us. Amen
Here's a read-aloud story about how to keep peace in your life by being kind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOGSnG297x4
In the video, how was the little girl treated when she spilt the grape juice? People can be cruel, so when you are treated unfairly, is it best to get mad? Get even? Sulk? Let the person know why you are upset? After you let the person know why you are upset, should you: Listen to them explain? Walk away? Ignore them? Tell them you don’t believe them and stay mad?
Is peace in the world just a lack of fighting, no more wars? Or is it something more, like being kind to others and making sure things are fair? Peace is being kind and helpful to yourself, others, and your community. When you are kind to someone, how do they feel? If we are kind, helpful, respectful, and listen to people, if we work together, share, and clear up misunderstandings, will that help spread peace around our school, community, and eventually the world?
If we act peacefully in our lives, we can help create peace in our world. Every little act of kindness is a step toward peace in our lives and the world.
Somebody sneezed and I said, “God bless you!” Why did I say that? Do you think that a blessing is a good thing?
I’m going to taste this cookie then share with you. Would you be thankful if I gave you a cookie with a bite out of it? Do you feel blessed? Do you like this gift?
Here are some butterflies. Do they make you smile? Take one. Now you might feel more blessed than if you received a half-eaten cookie? These butterflies are a blessing because a blessing isn’t just any old gift. It is a good gift that can be useful or delightful or entertaining. It makes you feel good inside and helps you know that the other person cares. When we receive that kind of a gift, it is a blessing. God gives us lots of blessings—like butterflies! Can you think of any other blessings we get from God?
It all comes from God; that’s a blessing. Whenever you feel sad, or lonely, or you think you’ve done something wrong, or someone has done something wrong to you, God is with you. We can’t see or touch God, but God is with us - always. And that’s a blessing! And you know what? When you do something nice for someone else, you are a blessing to them! Would you like to be a blessing to someone else today? Take another butterfly so now you have two. First, we’re going to offer a prayer (or sing a song together), and then, as you go to Sunday school I invite you to give one of your butterflies to someone you’d like to offer a blessing to today. You can keep one butterfly, if you wish, or give it away as well. Either way, you are a blessing to your family, friends, and all the people around you.
Prayer -by Gord Dunbar, Kincardine PC, Kincardine, ON
(This is the Lord’s Prayer as a “repeat-after-me” prayer for young children.)
Hey, God! You are everywhere. You are in everyone. Put peace in our hearts. Put love in our actions. Give us and everyone food to eat. Hold us when we do bad things. Hold others who do bad things to us. Protect us when it’s scary. Teach us to do good things. Thanks God. Amen
Rev. Larry shared a story about
Noah's Ark and Thanksgiving.
Here is a link to a read-aloud story about Noah's Ark:
Rev. Larry shared a story about
two women in the bible:
Ruth and Naomi.
Here is a link to a video of the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDmjO7X8ELI
Do you know the significance of
Orange Shirt Day?
Here is a video to explain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuW4WbekhxY1
Here is a beautiful song to share:
"Light a Candle for Peace"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9M8SmWh2Fo&list=RDK9M8SmWh2Fo&start_radio=1
Have you ever lost anything?? Here's a song called
"Lost and Found"
to sing along with.
Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHxwdfjxegs&list=RDrHxwdfjxegs&start_radio=1
To welcome you back to Sunday school, check out this song:
Welcome back to Sunday School. Rev. Diane had stickers for all our children and their teachers reminding them of some of the things that Jesus teaches us.
Rev. Larry talked to the children of all ages about "labour" and what it means. The children had fun following Rev. Larry's instructions to move some items around and then discussed the outcome.
Sunday School starts next week, September 7. We hope you can join us!
