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When our church comes together, we often sing songs in worship. The songs we sing can be upbeat and happy, or slow and thoughtful. From those very first friends of Jesus, people have been writing songs about Jesus. The songs may tell of their love for Jesus, or how they see Jesus in the world, or how they feel God’s love for them, or how they want to live their lives. Our bible reading for today is from a letter written after Jesus had left the Holy Spirit with the church on Pentecost. It’s a hymn sung by followers of Jesus who had never known him when he was living on earth. Because they had learned the stories of Jesus’s life, they came to see that Jesus showed them God’s very heart--how much God loved them and what God wanted for them and for the whole world. The writer of the letter quotes a song those followers of Jesus would recognize, a song they would have sung together: “We look at Jesus and in him we see God who cannot be seen with our eyes. We see Jesus and we see God’s love for the universe. We look at the world and see the love of Jesus everywhere, from the beginning of everything, to what we can touch and see around us. And wherever we see Jesus--we see God at work, fixing the broken places and bringing peace.” (Colossians 1:15-19) WONDER: I wonder where you see God’s love? I wonder if you know anyone who shows God’s love for others? I wonder if there’s a song we sing in church that you love? I wonder how you feel when you sing a favorite song? I wonder if you’ve ever written a song? PRAY: Dear God, thank you for music, for songs which help us express our feelings. Thank you for Jesus, who shows us how much you love us and the world. Help us to be like Jesus, showing your love for all people and all living things. Amen. EXTEND
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 Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1633, Gardner Museum READ: The friends of Jesus told many stories about Jesus saying and doing amazing things. One story tells of a time when Jesus and some of his friends were in a boat heading across to the other side of a lake. Once they were sailing, Jesus lays down and falls asleep in the boat. Suddenly a big wind began to blow, and the waves grew large, and they were in the middle of a great storm. The waves were spilling over into their little boat.
His friends were frightened. But despite the storm, Jesus was still sound asleep. They woke him up, telling him about the storm and their fears. When he woke up, Jesus stood up, and told the winds and waves to stop. And just like that, there was calm on the waters, and the winds were still. Then Jesus looked at his friends and asked, “Why didn’t you trust me?” His friends didn’t know what to think, they were amazed and wondered among themselves, “Who is Jesus? Only God can command the winds and the water.” Jesus’s friends told this story as a reminder that Jesus is always with them. WONDER: I wonder why the friends of Jesus were afraid when the storm began? I wonder if you’ve ever felt afraid like Jesus’s friends? I wonder how Jesus’s friends felt after Jesus calmed the storm? I wonder which part of this story you like best? I wonder what part of this story is most important? PRAY: Dear God, thank you for being a safe place for us when we have difficult times. Help us to remember you are with us when we are afraid. Amen. EXTEND
 READ: The book of Psalms is a collection of very old songs and poems; some may have been written by King David himself. We can find all kinds of feelings expressed in the psalms--sadness, joy, fear, anger, happiness, peace, regret, hope, and more. Psalm 104 is a celebration of the world--of the beauty and wonder of Creation and a song of thanksgiving for God’s gift of Creation.
“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks and salmon. Ships plow those waters, and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them. (Psalm 104:24-36) WONDER: I wonder what feelings the writer had when they wrote this psalm? I wonder how it feels to share your feelings with God? I wonder what kinds of feelings you share with God? I wonder what part of the world you find most amazing? PRAY: Dear God, thank you for the wonders of the world--for creatures big and small, for oceans and seas, lakes and streams. Teach us to take care of your world. Amen. EXTEND
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Weekly Faith ConversationsUse these guides as conversation starters with your family. A short retelling of the scripture passage is offered, or you may want to look the story up in your own bible or in a children's bible. The wondering questions are written to open up faith exploration with children and adults. Archives
November 2022
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