The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Watch on YouTube/read the Bible story online
Couldn’t find this week’s story as an online video, but this story of Noah is related:
Context
This is a reading for the first Sunday in Advent. Rather than looking forward to the birth of a baby, and the joy we associate with Christmas, this reading asks us to look towards the time when Jesus’ work and sacrifice will be completed, when the Kingdom of God comes on Earth.
The key messages are that no-one knows when the Kingdom will come, but that we should be prepared. This sounds unsettling, but if we live our lives in faith, then we have no need of knowing the precise timing, we have the promise of being part of God’s kingdom whenever it happens.
What does being prepared look like? The stories immediately following this passage give us an idea. One is the Parable of the Talents – we should use our gifts for God’s benefit, and secondly, we are told that helping the poor, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoner are like helping God. Being prepared is following the greatest commandments – to love God, and to love your neighbour as yourself.
Plan
| Icebreaker | /quickbuild Make an object – we will tell you what you have to create and give you five minutes to work on it! |
| Story | /home Make your way into church. We will read the first prayer (laminated sheets) and listen to the story. |
| Create Refreshments are served! | /timeYou have 20 minutes or so to build something in response to the story, either on your own, or team up with others. Some ideas: · Build some people being surprised by a flood – maybe a lake with a door that will cause a flood when opened. · Find a way for someone to go missing from a field – maybe a hole to fall in · Build a mill · Build a house safe from thieves If you don’t fancy building you can go back to the home village (/home) and read the story again in the church, or read some of the other stories in the library, or you might want to just explore the world, or work on your house. |
| Wonder | While you are creating, think about these questions with the adults on your table. I Wonder: · which part of this story you like the best? · what part is the most important? · where you are in this story or what part of the story is about you? · if there is any part of this story we can leave out and still have all the story we need? There are many other things that can make us WONDER – what are you thinking about? |
| Final Prayer | /home Back to the church for our final prayer (laminated sheet) |
| Dance | /home We’ll put some music on and let your Minecraft characters dance about using jumping or emotes! |
| Games | Free play while the adults tidy up!! |
We are a FAIRTRADE Church Why not join us for morning coffee? Served each Saturday in the church foyer between 10am and 12noon.
November 24, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Hi we are interested in the Minecraft club does it involve playing on the computer? Would it suit older children only? Thanks
Maz andboys
November 26, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Hi Maz, it involves playing on a tablet, phone or iPad, or a laptop with Minecraft for Windows installed. We have spares if you don’t have your own. I would say it is for ages 6 – 14 ish, though we have quite a few adults who enjoy coming too! It is possible to join in with drawing or Lego if you aren’t confident with Minecraft. Very young children are not catered for, but we do have a creche. Hope to see you there!