First Christian Church of Morehead
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Persistence

10/17/2022

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READ: Jesus told many stories which we call parables. One day Jesus told the story of a poor woman whose husband had died. The woman was badly treated by an unkind judge who would not listen to her and did not follow God’s ways. The woman wouldn’t quit! She kept coming back to the judge, day after day, pleading her cause. Because she would not give up, we call her persistent or even tenacious! Eventually the judge is so frustrated and bothered by the woman, he gives in and makes the right decision. He doesn’t change his mind because he has become kind or had a change of heart, but because the woman would not give up. (Luke 18:1-8)
After he told this story, Jesus said to his disciples, “If an uncaring judge can finally make the right decision for justice, rest assured that God who wants the best for you and for the world will hear the cries of those who are mistreated and long for justice. Don’t lose heart. Trust that our loving God will act with compassion.”
WONDER: 
I wonder how the woman felt when the judge did not listen to her?

I wonder if the woman came alone to the judge? 

I wonder how the woman felt when the judge changed his mind and helped her?

I wonder how the judge acted the next time someone came and asked for help?

I wonder how you feel when someone listens to you?

PRAY: Loving God, thank you for always listening to us. Help us to be kind and caring when others need our help. Amen.
EXTEND
  • Jesus told his friends not to lose heart. Last month we celebrated the Season of Creation, learning about how our planet is threatened and ways we can make a difference. Sometimes the problems of caring for the earth seem too big for us. Listen to Jack Johnson sing The 3 Rs song. Sing along if you know it.  As a family talk about what you are doing to care for the earth. Using your favorite art supplies create a poster to explain The 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle).
  • ​Read Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Caldecott Medal winner Mo Willems. In the story a young child Trixie goes with her father to the laundromat. Trixie is too young to speak. Along for the trip is Knuffle Bunny, Trixie’s beloved stuffed animal. After starting a load of laundry in the washer, Trixie and her father head home. Suddenly Trixie realizes Knuffle Bunny is missing! How can she tell her dad what’s wrong? She’s determined to try, even though she can’t speak. How is Trixie like the persistent widow in Jesus’s story?
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Make Yourselves at Home

10/10/2022

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Picture
READ:
The prophet Jeremiah wrote to people who had been forced to leave their homes and make a new life in a far-off land called Babylon. Jeremiah encouraged them to find goodness wherever they were and not to spend their lives wishing they were somewhere else. He wrote, “Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows where you live. Marry and have children. Raise your children and bless them as they create families of their own in this new country you live in. Make yourselves at home there. And make sure you do what you can to help that country thrive. And don’t forget to pray for Babylon, too. When things go well for that country and its people, good things will come to you, too.”
​(
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)

WONDER:
I wonder how it felt for the people to leave their homes behind?

I wonder if you’ve ever had to move from a place you called home?

I wonder how it feels to move to a strange place?

I wonder what makes a place feel like home?

PRAY:
Dear God, thank you for the place we call home. We pray for our neighbors, for those who help make our neighborhood safe, for those who care for us, and those who help make our neighborhood better. Help us be good neighbors, too. Amen. 

EXTEND
  • Using materials you have available (boxes, paper, glue, markers, crayons, etc.), design a home. As you create your design, talk about what makes a good house? What is necessary? What makes a home special? What sort of neighborhood does your designed home need? Add streets or other homes to your design as you imagine the neighborhood.
  • Read the book Blackout by John Rocco. You can hear the author read the book himself on YouTube. The power goes out in a city on a warm summer night. What do you do when the lights go out? The story follows one family as they discover ways of enjoying the sudden darkness. They find their neighbors on the rooftop watching the stars and out in the streets for an impromptu party. Have you ever found something beautiful in an unexpected situation?
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Some Things Can't Be Measured

10/2/2022

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Picture
READ:
​One day the disciples came to Jesus. They were worried they might not have enough faith to follow him. They demanded, “Increase our faith.”

Jesus listened to them and told them that the amount of their faith wasn’t the problem. “If you had trust in God the size of a tiny mustard seed, that would be enough. It’s not how much trust you have, but how you live with that trust. Your faith will show through in how you live. (Luke 17:5-6)
WONDER:
I wonder why the disciples thought they didn’t have enough faith?

I wonder what it feels like to trust someone?
I wonder what it feels like to have trust in God?

I wonder how much faith is enough?

PRAY:
Dear God, help us to see you in our world. Give us hearts big enough to love the world. Give us words to share your love with the world. And help us trust that what we can do will change the world. Amen.

EXTEND
  • Create a prayer pot or prayer jar. You’ll need a small jar or small plant pot, popsicle sticks, and art supplies to decorate the pots and write on the sticks. You can write one general prayer request or a more specific one on each popsicle stick, for example: family, friends, neighborhood, church, creation, a country or region, me, etc. The sticks from your prayer pot can be used to help guide your family prayer time. Each person can select one stick as an inspiration for prayer.
  • Read The Garden of Happiness written by Erika Tamar and illustrated by Barbara Lambase. An overlooked abandoned lot is transformed by a neighborhood into a community garden. Marisol wants to join the gardeners and plant something in the garden. She finds a tiny little spot of dirt left untended and she plants a flat seed she finds. She waters and cares for her little garden patch. Marisol’s surprise plant brings joy to the neighborhood. 
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    Weekly Faith Conversations

    Use 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. 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff >
      • Pastor >
        • Pastor Nancy's Notes
      • Secretary
    • Labyrinth
    • Gallery
    • FAQ
  • Ministries
    • Small Groups
    • Children & Youth >
      • At Home with Families
    • Music and the Arts
    • Outreach
    • Sermons
    • Our Library
    • Green Chalice >
      • 2021 Art Exhibition >
        • Season of Creation Art Gallery Blog
  • Give
    • Offering / Donation Online
    • Direct Debit Form
    • Other
  • News and Events
    • Calendar
    • Newsletter (The ECHO)
    • Links
  • Contact Us