September Messy Church

If you would like a Messy Church in a bag they will be available to pick up from St James church between 12.30 and 1.30pm this Sunday(13th September)

Last month we had a lovely picnic on the grassy area around the church. It was lovely seeing so many of you and catching up with your news. While the weather is good we are planning on having our BYO Messy Church picnic between 12.30 and 1.30pm. You can pick up your Messy Church in a bag while you’re here!!

The church toilets will be open. Please note we are unable to provide any refreshments.

We are all facing giant challenges at the moment. I wonder how you’re feeling right now. Maybe courageous isn’t a word that comes to mind.

I wonder what you think of when you hear the word courage?
I wonder who you think of when you hear the word courage?

In our story David shows courage facing up to the giant Goliath in our story today. I wonder what we can learn from David about being courageous.

1: Catapult: you will need lolly sticks, elastic bands, spoon and pompom.

Directions-for-Making-Popsicle-Stick-CatapultsDownload

2: Water glass trick: you will need a glass, water, piece of card, a bowl or basin.

Fill your glass around 2/3 full with water. Place the card over the top of the glass, making sure that the whole of the rim is covered, and press down with one hand. Move your other hand down the glass, towards the bottom of it. Quickly turn the glass upside down over the basin, holidng the card in place and then, carefully, let go of the card. The card should stick, holding the water at bay!

Talk about how we can’t see the air pressure, but we know it must be working or the water would drop out. We can’t see God, but we know that he is there holding us up and supporting us too

3: David hits Goliath with a stone craft:

4: David and Goliath pop up

5: Activity sheet:

6: Backpack tags:

print off, colour in and attach to your back pack to remind you that God goes with you in to school.

Peace_BW_IndividualDownload

You-Are-Loved-Individual-BWDownload

Tag-Individual-BWDownload

7: Storybook of David and Goliath

Print off the story, cut up the pages and mix them up. Can you put the story in the right order?

8: Special Pencil

Heading back to school can be a challenging thing for our children to do. How can we remind our children that when they feel sad, or stuck or just need to know someone cares. Have a look at this pencil prayer..

9: Goliath cookies

You will need: a favourite cookie recipe or you could use this one (if you like peanut butter!)

• Half a cup of butter
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 1.5 cups of brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 6 cups of oats
• 2 cups chunky peanut butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup M&M’s
• 2.5 tbsp baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Beat together the butter and sugars. Blend in the eggs and vanilla, then add the peanut butter and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Space the cookies 4 inches apart onto a greased baking tray. Flatten with a fork to 2.5 inches in diameter. Bake 10 -12 mins. Cool for 1 min on a cooling rack.

Talk about how this cookie can be a reminder that God is bigger than all challenges.

10: Some bits for mum and dad too!!

*Deut 31:6 is a good verse to put up somewhere at home to remind you that God is with you..

*A resource from Parenting for faith to help you have conversations with your children and help you capture where God was and how your children connected with him in the midst of Covid-19.

“When I feel little like little David, You’re the power in me!

This song reminds us of how God faithfully gave his people courage in times of need and He will give us the courage we need too.

Equipment:
any kind of container - box or jar with a lid, cardboard, paper, pens.
Set up:
Put the container in front of you with a label that says 'worry box'.
Instructions:
Tear a piece of card or paper and write or draw the things that you are worried about on it.
When you are ready put your worry into the box, and as you do it imagine you are giving it to God. 

Dear God, you know that I often feel frightened at the moment. But I know that you have been with me, I know that you will be with us today and I know that you will be with me in the future. Give me courage to do the big things, the little things and the difficult things that will make a difference to someone else today. Amen