This half term, we are thinking about having courage. This is the same as being brave. In the film, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the lion wanted to have courage because he was very scared.

What he didn’t realise was that he had courage all the time. How any of you think you have courage? You don’t have to be a superhero or a grown up to have courage. We can all have courage.

Christians pray to God for encouragement and strength and it is important that we encourage others when they are having a difficult time.

Our theme today is encouraging others.

Has anyone ever been on a storm sea? What words would you use to describe it?

Today’s story tells how the apostle, Paul, faced opposition and danger with courage and trust in God. He was also able to inspire and encourage others around him to keep calm and work together. Watch the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U16uNUKNvVM

How did Paul show courage? .How did he encourage others? We all need to show courage from time to time and remember the ‘Because I can…’ session from yesterday and the courage that Tim showed. He was also encouraged from those around him when he felt like giving up. How will you encourage others this week?

Dear God

Thank you for being with us when times are tough. Help us when we face problems and difficulties to be courageous and determined. When people we know are struggling, may we be ready to encourage them and help them in any way we can.

Amen

Finally, watch this clip of someone showing courage and being encouraged.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Yn4b9iClE

Good morning,

The last few weeks have been very difficult for lots of people. Just have a think about some of the things you liked about being at home and the remote learning. Then have a think about some of the things you missed most about being apart.

Now have a look and listen to this song – We are all Connected

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoYTbYs1xqA

Next collect your ideas on what things you like most about being back together (it is OK to say there are things you find hard about being back in school too).

Choose a coloured heart and write your name on it. Then write down a word or a sentence about some of the good things about being back together e.g. fun, friendship, caring for each other, learning together etc. Cut out your hearts and send them to Mrs Derrer

You can also have a listen to this song- ‘Lean on Me’ by Bill Withers. Have a listen to the words and say what you think the song is about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-MySzAac

Dear God,

We all face challenges.

They may be difficult and overwhelming.

We pray for calmness and peace as we approach these challenges.

We pray that we will comfort and support each other over the coming weeks.

Help us, today, to bring our friendship and love to others.

Amen

Good morning everyone,

I know that lots of you are looking forward to coming back to school because you have been missing your friends and can’t wait to see them again.

What difference does having a friend make to your life?

Do you know who this is?   It’s Burglar Bill from the book of the same name by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.  It is the delightful story of a thief who lives off other people’s fortunes, until two major events change his life forever. The first is when he steals a box only to find it contains a baby, and the second is when he, too, is burgled, by Burglar Betty. The improbable meeting of these two thieves, turns them both into honest folk who vow to keep on the straight and narrow.  Their lives are all changed for the better – because they became friends!

In one of The Bible stories, Jesus makes friends with a man called Zaccheus.  Now Zaccheus was a tax collector, but not an honest one.  Zaccheus stole from other people and took extra money when he gave them their tax bills and became very rich on all the money that he stole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIQeriw-USs&feature=emb_logo

Before Zaccheus met Jesus, he didn’t really have any friends because he was greedy, dishonest and selfish. Would you want to be friends with someone greedy, dishonest and selfish? But Jesus befriended him, he gave Zaccheus a chance and showed that he cared for him. I wonder why?

Jesus loved everyone when he lived on the earth. It didn’t matter how bad people were, Jesus was always there for those who needed him. This is true for us too – no one is so bad that God doesn’t love them. And the more time we spend with God – praying, thinking about him, finding out about him, the more we want to be like Jesus; kind, helpful and good.

Through showing Zaccheus his love and friendship, Jesus helped to change Zaccheus to being kind and caring.

Have a moment to reflect – have you always shown kindness and friendship to others when they aren’t being kind and caring?  I wonder if your friendship could help change how other people behave?  Friendship and love are powerful and they are qualities that so many of you have been missing.

Have a listen to this song and thing about your friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNi02gxTI1M

Dear God
Thank you for our friends and for everything that they are.
Thank you for all their gifts and talents, the kindness they have shown us and the many things they have given to others.
Please continue to guide me, so that I may also be a good friend to others.
Amen.