‘Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.’ Psalm 145:4 NLT
“I once participated in a Passover meal and was struck by the level of storytelling that was involved. The great acts of God in leading the children of Israel from slavery towards freedom were explained, with an emphasis that the youngest was informed of this great act of divine deliverance.
Story-keeping and storytelling are both key aspects of the life of any community. Families enjoy sitting together and recalling events from long ago as well as the immediate present. How often do we sit around the table and open a sentence with the words, “Do you remember when …”? It’s why it’s important that church communities continue to tell of the great deeds of God recorded in scripture and add personal testimony to how God is equally active in the life of its individual members. Church is the active community of God’s people engaging in faith … It is the stories we each have of God’s dealings in our life that offer the greatest testimony to the reality of that same God in today’s world.”
The above is part of an online devotional I receive from Premier (written by Dr Micha Jazz) and it speaks to me about what our children’s ministry is all about – passing on the story of God to the next generations; telling God’s story as recorded in the Bible; continuing the story of how He is at work in our lives today!
We tell His story in schools through Open the Book; on Sundays in our groups, all-age services, and Messy Church; in our weekday groups; and at yearly events, like the Light Party.
In a couple of weeks we have our Messy Good Friday where we will explore the Easter story. Craft activities will be linked with different aspects of the story – an opportunity to sit and talk with people as you do them. There will be the prayer trail, reflecting on the Easter story as you go around and collect items on the way; these will fit into eggs in an egg box to be taken home and used to help remember and retell the story. And of course, through the service, our puppets will help to share the story!
So, how are you passing God’s story on to the next generation? Can you be involved in passing on that story to them here at St Saviour’s? Sign up today to help on Good Friday or come and have a chat to explore how else you can get involved!
Thank you.
Caz Gatehouse, children’s minister
