Anglican Elementary

8

Four Step Lesson Path

▫▫ This symbol will appear whenever preparation takes more than five minutes or whenever supplies are needed that are not included on the list of standard materials (on page 6).

LESSON 1

God’s Plan in CreationBible Basis: Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 7

Lesson Focus: God’s plan in Creation can be trusted.

Memory Verse: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:28

Understanding the BibleReconciling the details of Creation is sometimes a difficult issue in Christian circles. There are many different interpretations of the first two chapters of Genesis. This is partly because Genesis does not give ultra-detailed scientific explanations about the how of Creation. But the Bible leaves no doubt about the who of Creation: God Himself. And Scripture tells us that His creative work was done in a purposeful, orderly manner.

At the beginning, the universe was completely dark. The light on the first day was from a source known only to God. We might wonder how God created light without our present light sources, yet that is just what He did. God did not need the light for Himself, but it was necessary for making God’s creative works visible. The word light used in this passage is also used by Paul to illustrate God’s work in sin-darkened hearts to become a new creation.

On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon, and stars to function as light-bearers in a specific fashion. He gave them orderly movements so that they would govern our days and nights, seasons and years. God established a cycle of light and darkness perfectly suited for the creatures He later created.

Bible ResponseChildren will apply the story from Genesis 1:1-31 by planning ways they can trust God in their daily lives.

- Bible Discoveries, p. 4, pencils, Friends, Lesson 1 and Parent Link

Bible Activity ChoicesChildren will explore ways to understand that God’s plan in Creation can be trusted.

▫▫ Creation Collage: Paper; pencils; crayons; markers; pictures of sun, moon, and stars from magazines (if not using “Picture This” Early Bird Option)▫▫ Spider Web: Yarn, pictures of spider webs - Creation Match Game: Bible Discoveries, pp.

1–2, scissors, glue

Bible Study:Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 7Using the Bible and Bible Discoveries, children will study Genesis 1:1-31: God created with a plan.

▫▫ Bible Story: Bible Discoveries, pp. 1–2, Teaching AIds 2, 3, Bibles, pencils

- Bible Review: No materials needed - Memory Verse Practice: No materials needed

Bible ReadinessTo connect children’s life experiences with the Bible story of Creation, they will have an activity and discussion about mixed-up things.

- Bible Discoveries, p. 3, pencils

LESSON 1

Bible Basis: Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 79

Teacher DevotionalWhen Teaching the Bible to Elementary Students . . .Joining a new class can be di� cult for elementary children. Help them ease into the quarter by memorizing and using their names and telling them yours. Learning about God’s creation is a perfect way to launch a new class; kids are fascinated with nature. Use that fascination to help children get acquainted with your class and each other.

• Dedicate time for using the Discovery Pack name tags. Tie in the creation theme by stimulating conversation about the star shapes. Examples: Who’s seen a shooting star? How many stars do you think God made? What does a starry night make you think of?• Reinforce that we can trust God’s plan in Creation by reminding kids that God planned for them to be in your class this year. A� rm children by including a prayer of thanksgiving to God for their presence.• Help children gain trust in God’s plan of Creation by being trustworthy yourself. You’re a live example of God that they can relate to.

G od’s Plan in Creation

Early Bird OptionsFree yourself to greet children as they arrive by letting early arrivers use these independent activities.

Name Tags—To help the kids get to know each other, set out the name tags from Discovery Pack, Project A. The kids can punch out the name tags, � ll them out, and talk about them.

Unit Song—Set the scene by playing the PraisePac CD as background music while students arrive.

Attendance Chart—Use Teaching Aid 1 throughout the quarter to help your students appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. As your

students arrive, have them � ll in their names on the poster.Picture This—Set out magazines and scissors. Have children cut out

pictures of the sun, moon, and stars for use later in class.

Name Tags

Attendance Chart

Elementary/Upper Elementary

For Bonus PDF materials access the ReadMe.txt file on your PC or Mac for directions. All songs produced by Music Precedent, Ltd. Copyrighted material; all

rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this CD for local church use

or for use by the children participating in the Sunday school program

only. Publisher-owned photo by Gaylon Wampler.

Manufactured in China.

Includes downloadable

PDFs of lyrics, song sheets, and cards.

1. Unit 1 - God Created It All stereo2. Unit 1 - God Created It All instrumental3. Unit 2 - You Know My Heart stereo4. Unit 2 - You Know My Heart instrumental5. Unit 3 - I Have Confidence stereo6. Unit 3 - I Have Confidence instrumental

Reformed Essential 1: The one true God is the triune God of grace—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—whom alone we must worship and serve.

It all begins with God, no matter what “it” is. The belief in His pre-existence, creative initiative and sustaining in� uence throughout history is a primary mark of Judeo-Christian belief. In the � nal argument, it takes far more faith to believe that the intricacies of the universe sprang forth by accident than to believe in a pre-existent, all-powerful, all-creative, personal God whom alone is worthy of our adoration and praise.

Golden Thread:“But God made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding” (Jer. 10:12).

Stray Thread:Many students have been taught to disregard the biblical accounts of creation and, instead, believe the theory of evolution. Allowing high school students the intellectual freedom to seek the truth is essential. Do not be afraid to give them all the evidence, because God promises to lead them into all truth.

1104012_ETG-FSE.indb 9 12/28/11 12:33 PM

L1 Bible Readiness

LeSSon FoCuS: God’s plan in Creation can be trusted.

10

Link to Last Week

As your children arrive this morning, visit with them about friendships they may have from home, church, and school. Encourage them to get acquainted with each other. Share your excitement for all you will do together this coming year.

To connect children’s life experiences with the Bible story of Creation, they will have an activity and discussion about mixed-up things.

Materials:

- Bible Discoveries, p. 5 - Pencils

Begin with this activity and discussion to help the children begin thinking about how God’s plan in Creation can be trusted.

Before the children arrive in your classroom set up your room in a “mixed-up” fashion. As they arrive and notice that things seem to be out of place or mixed-up, give them a chance to talk with each other about why the room is this way. Ask the following question to begin the step.

.. Why do you think our room is mixed up? What seems out of place? Kids may respond with various ideas. Have them tell you specifically what they think is out of order.

Now give out pencils and Bible Discoveries for Lesson 1, and have the children turn to page 3. Let the kids work with a partner or small group to complete the page. Ask them to find and circle some funny things in the picture.

.. What things are mixed up in this picture? It’s day and night at the same time; green leaves are growing on a fall tree; the thermometer shows it’s too hot for snow; a tree is rainbow-striped; the boy is going swimming even though there is snow on the ground; the green bush has flowers; etc.

Allow enough time for all the children to have a chance to share. Then point out the box on the bottom of the page, and ask the children to write down something they named.

.. Do things like these mixed-up pictures really happen in nature? Why not? Let the children offer ideas. They may offer a variety of suggestions. Some children may say that it is because God made our world this way. Accept their answers.

It’s funny to see things so mixed up in nature. But it’s not so funny when we see things get mixed up in our lives. We all have things we worry about. There are things that happen that make us feel frustrated or things we’re afraid might go wrong.

.. How does it make you feel when some person or animal acts in a mixed-up way? Why? Some children will probably say that they are embarrassed by unusual behavior or curious as to why such a thing would happen. They may indicate that they don’t understand why someone would do something that seems to be mixed-up. Kids are usually quite aware of such different behavior.

.. What are some things that you worry about or feel mixed up about? To make it easier for the children to talk about this question, you might keep the kids in pairs or small groups for a sharing time. If the kids need help getting started sharing, ask them how things are going at school, at home, or with other activities. It’s typical for kids this age to openly talk about personal family matters. If a child tells sensitive information, remember to treat it with privacy outside your classroom. Give the children sufficient time to discuss their feelings and what they have observed.

Tie to the BibleWe know that sometimes things do get mixed up. But when we look around us and see all the living things it should help us to understand that these things didn’t just happen or they would be quite mixed up. Today we will be studying the plan God used in Creation and how it helps us trust Him.

L1


Bible Study:Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 7

With the children seated at a table, hand out Bibles, Bible Discoveries for Lesson 1, copies of the Bible Code Victors Reproducible (made before class), and pencils.

Work through the Bible Code Victors Reproducible to find John 3:16. Then use the information to find Genesis 1:27. When they have found the reference for Genesis 1:27, have them bookmark it for later use. Point out, using the Bible Overview Chart, that Genesis is the first book in the Old Testament. (Have the Bible Code Victors reproducible available throughout the quarter for students to use when finding a Bible verse.)

Today’s Bible story takes place at the very beginning of time—it’s the beginning

of the story.Ask the kids to turn to pages 1 and 2

in Bible Discoveries. Ask good readers to read the paragraphs aloud. Or, have all the children follow along as you read loud. When you get to the Bible symbol in Day 6, have the children find their bookmarked verse, Genesis 1:27, and read the verse aloud together. After talking about it, have children write the answer to the question on the blank. (For your convenience, the answer is shown below.) Continue reading to the end of the story, including reading the memory verse together. (The cutting and gluing activity will be done in Step 3 of the lesson.)

Using the Bible and Bible Discoveries, children will study Genesis 1:1-31: God created with a plan.

Materials:

Bible Story - Bible Discoveries, pp.

1–2 - Teaching Aid 2 ▫▫ Teaching Aid 3 - Bibles - Pencils

Bib

le Discoveries, p

p. 1-2

people

Memory Verse


12

L1

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

Memory Verse PracticeIn our memory verse, Isaiah talks about God always existing. That’s what the word everlasting means.

Divide the class in half and have them stand facing each other. The two groups alternate calling out phrases to each other in unison:

• Group 1: Do you not know?• Group 2: Have you not heard?• Group 1: The Lord is the everlasting God,• Group 2: The Creator of the ends of the earth.• Both: Isaiah 40:28

Isaiah 40:28

Bible Review Questions.. According to our memory

verse and the Bible story, who is the Creator and what did He create? (God alone is the Creator and He made the earth and everything on it.)

.. Why do you think God separated the water from the land before He put plants, animals, and people on the earth? (So the living things wouldn’t drown.)

.. How did God plan to give us light in the daytime and the nighttime? (He gave us the sun to give light in the daytime, and He gave us the moon for night. He also made the stars.)

.. Why do you think God created plants before He created animals? (So the animals would have food.)

.. Why do you think God created people last? (So everything would be in place for people to live safely; He made people to be special.)

.. Why doesn’t nature get mixed up—like the things we talked about earlier? (Because God created with an order and a plan. We can trust things in nature not to get mixed up because God created with a plan that can be trusted.)

Bible Review ActivityRead through each day of Creation again. After each day, ask the children to do a full-body motion that describes what God created on that day. For example, to represent what existed before Creation, the kids might pretend to float in weightless, empty space. For the creation of light on the first day, the kids might curl into a little ball (that’s “dark” inside) and then jump up to “explode” into light. To show the creation of water on the second day, the kids might pretend to be swimming. Encourage the kids to use their creativity to develop meaningful actions.

After the children make their suggestions, have the class choose one motion that best represents each day. Try to encourage the kids to choose motions that different children have created. Then when you get to that particular day, the child who created the motion is the leader to show everyone what to do. The leaders can stand in a line facing the rest of the class in order of the days of Creation. If you have a small class, each child could be responsible for leading the motions for two days. Then do all the motions in sequence as a class.


Bible Activity Choices

L1

Creation Match GameCreation Collage Spider Webs

- Glue - Bible Discoveries, pp. 1–2 - Scissors

Let the kids practice the days of Creation again by giving them a chance to put them in order.

Have the kids cut out the six pictures on page 3 of Bible Discoveries and figure out the correct order. Then let the kids glue the pictures on the numbered squares on pages 1 and 2.

- Paper - Pencils - Crayons - Markers▫▫ Pictures of sun, moon, and stars

from magazines

Let children create a collage showing God’s creative plan. Encourage them to write the memory verse, Isaiah 40:28, on the paper and add in pictures of the sun moon and stars. What other words would they add to the collage to tell what they are learning about God as Creator?

Children will be making collages throughout the unit. Create a display of them throughout the four weeks of the unit.

- Ball of yarn▫▫ Pictures of spider webs

This activity helps kids see the orderliness in God’s creation by examining the intricate pattern of a spider web.

While standing in a circle, the kids toss a ball of yarn back and forth. They should let it unroll as they toss it. Each time they catch the ball, they pass it around their back before tossing it on to the next person. The yarn strings crisscrossing the circle will resemble a spider web.

Have the kids gently step out of their web, leaving it on the floor. Have them compare it to the symmetry of real spider webs in pictures.

Children will explore ways to understand that God’s plan in Creation can be trusted.

To help the children explore the Bible story and what it shows us about God, choose the activity or activities that best fit your class, time, and space. The Spider Web needs a large open area for the children to play in.

Bible Response


14

L1

TAKE–HOMES

5 Friends, Lesson 1 and Parent Link

5 Bible Discoveries, Lesson 1

5 Discovery Pack name tags from Early Bird Options

Use this time to help the kids plan ways they can trust God during the coming week.

.. What are some ways we have seen God’s plan in Creation? (They should remember that God has created the world with a plan. Everything has a purpose and an order that can be trusted. The plants, animals, and people were all created according to God’s plan.)

.. How can knowing that God’s plan for Creation is trustworthy help you trust Him this week? (Let the kids have a few moments to think about this before responding. They may feel that God’s creation is enough reason to trust Him.)

Pass out pencils and Bible Discoveries. Ask the kids to turn to page 4 in Bible Discoveries. Then ask the kids to read the directions. They can write their own answers to the first two questions. Then read the prayer but ask them to wait before filling it in. Ask the following question first.

.. What would you like to trust God with this week? Give the kids a minute to think about their answers. Then have the kids write their thoughts to finish

the prayer at the bottom of page 4 in Bible Discoveries.

.. How do you think you can remember to trust God this week? (The kids may have ideas of their own or one from the Bible Discoveries page. If they need other ideas, begin brainstorming with some of the following: putting their Bible Discoveries page in a special spot so they will see it; when they see the person or thing they are worried about, remember that they can trust God; talk to their parents about what they are trusting God with. It can be a big step for elementary-age children to begin trusting God. You can help by encouraging them.)

Note: Save the cover wrap of Bible Discoveries. The map will be used in class during Lessons 9–10.

Prayer TimeOne way we can trust God is by talking to Him about our worries. Ask students to silently read their prayer from Bible Discoveries, page 4. Encourage them to trust God with their worry.

Finish with a class cheer, God’s plan in Creation can be trusted!

Children will apply the story from Genesis 1:1-31 by planning ways they can trust God in their daily lives.

Materials:

- Bible Discoveries, p. 4 - Pencils

Extra–Time ActivityHave children lay in a circle, pretending that they are outside looking at God’s creation. Play a game of Twenty Questions. Have one child think of something God made and give a clue, such as, “I’m looking at something God created, and it’s in the sky.” The other kids ask questions until the object is named.

Lesson 1

1-1042 1

In the BeginningBible Story from Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 7

Read the story. Think about which pictures show what God created each day. Cut out the pictures. Glue them on the right box.

The Bible tells us that long ago there was no world. No animals. No plants. No seas. No mountains. No sky. No people. There was nothing at all—except God.

But God had a plan. He planned a great world. He created that world step by step.

First God said, “Let there be light!” And right away there was light. Then God put dark and light in different places. He called the light “day” and the dark “night.”

There was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Next, God saw that water covered everything. God said, “Let there be sky! Let the sky keep apart the water above from the water below.” So water came together into clouds. Other water came together all over the earth.

There was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

Then God said, “Let there be dry ground!” And the water on the earth moved over so dry ground could be seen. God named the ground “land” and the water “seas.”

Next, God said, “Let there be plants!” And all kinds of plants started growing on the land. There were trees and bushes, vegetables and flowers, grass and moss.

There was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

2

EA R E T C

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:28

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the sky!” He put the sun in the sky for daytime. He put the moon in the sky for night. He also made the stars.

God made sure that day and night would always come. And God used the sun, moon, and stars to make the seasons—summer, fall, winter, spring.

There was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

Then God said, “Let there be fish and birds!” So all kinds of fish swam in the seas and rivers. All kinds of birds flew in the sky.

God told the fish and birds to keep on having more fish and birds. God wanted fish and birds to be all over the world.

There was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

Then God said, “Let there be animals!” God made tigers, monkeys, and snakes. He made cows, pigs, and sheep. He made dogs, cats, and rabbits. God made so many great animals!

At last the world was ready for the most special thing God had planned. Read Genesis 1:27. Now God created

_________________________________________________ .

God told them to take care of the world. He put them in charge of the fish, birds, and animals. He gave them things to eat.

God was happy. He saw that everything He had made was very good. There was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

All these things are funny to see in nature! But it’s not so funny when we feel mixed-up. Sometimes we feel worried or afraid.

What are some things you worry about?

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

But do things like this picture ever really happen?

Can you build a snowman when it’s really hot out? Can it be day and night at the same time? Can new leaves grow on a tree in the fall? Why not?

3

See how many mixed-up things

you can find in this picture.

4

q God cares about me. q God created everything

with a good plan.

q ______________________________

1. When I feel worried, I willremember . . .

q God wants me to tell Him about it.

Read each sentence. Think about how you would finish each one. Then check the boxes you agree with. Or write your own answer.

2. When I feel worried, I will . . .

q Talk to God about it.

q Talk to my parents or teacher.

q Say my memory verse as a hint not to worry.

q ______________________

________________

__________ 3. Dear God, I praise You for Your plan in creation! I’m glad I can trust You. Help me to trust You when I worry about

_______________________________________________

__________________________________________

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lesson 1Name Tag A

is a fu

n way

to get to kn

ow more

about God’s

creatio

n.

You can also

do it

right n

ow

with yo

ur friends.

Directions:

Finish the sentences on the

star name tag. Push the point of a pencil

through the X. You can hang the name tag

on a button on your shirt.

Or you can pin or tape your

name tag on.

My favorite

animal is:

___________

My favorite

food is:

___________Hi!I’m

____________________

My favorite fall

activity is:

___________

My favorite day of the year is:___________

My

favorite

seaso

n is:

___________

3

at the name tags

of kids in the room.

Have a great time

getting to know

the stars of your

class better!

From the rising of the sun With its warm daylight, To the rising of the moon In the cool, dark night, You can see many wonders God created in the sky. There’s an orderly plan That they all move by.

4

Lesson 1

What I learned about God this week: God’s plan in creation can be trusted.

Eric put his nose up to the window.

“I like the stars and the moon,” he

said.

“I like the sound of crickets, too.”

The boys lay back in their bunks.

Eric said, “I guess it’s nice to have

night.

It’s nice to have a big brother, too.”

Talk-a-Bit � Talk about why God made night. � Then finish this sentence: The thing I like best about night is ___________________________ .

Joey lay in bed listening to night

sounds.

Then he heard a different sound.

Eric was crying.

“What’s the matter?” Joey asked.

“It’s too dark in here,” said Eric.

“Why can’t the sun shine all the time?”

“God knew we needed to sleep,” Joey

said.

“Night is part of God’s special clock.”

Joey pulled back the curtains.

“Look at the stars and moon,” he said.

“After the sun sets, we can see them.”

2

God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. God liked the light He created.

God called the light “day.” He called the darkness “night.”

God created lights to shine. He made the sun for the day. He made the moon for the night. He also made stars. He made many, many stars.

God put the lights where they could light the world.

What if it were always dark? Would that be good? No! We could not see.

What if it were always light? Would that be good? No! We need a time to rest.

God created what we need. He made day and He made night. God’s creation of day night, sun, moon, and stars was good.

God Made Day and NightBible story from Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 111:2, 7

In the beginning, God lived. But there was nothing else. No people. No animals. No sun. No world. Nothing.

But God always was. Nobody made Him.

God wanted to make people. But in the beginning He made some things people would need.

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This Week’s Bible Memory Verse:Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:28

God made the sun for the day.

God made the moon for the night.

Pho

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4 1-1044

September – November Copyrighted material; permission required to reproduce.

Calling Verse � Help your child practice this week’s

memory verse by calling the phrases of the verse back and forth to each other.

#1: Do you not know?#2: Have you not heard?

#1: The Lord is the everlasting God,#2: the Creator of the ends of the earth.

#1:Isaiah 40:28

Lesson Focus: God’s plan in creation

can be trusted.

A Night Under the Stars � Plan an evening to go outside after

dark. Figure out what phase the moon is in. Tell what pictures you can imagine in the stars. Talk about God’s wisdom in creating the sun, moon, and stars.

Circle 10 things wrong in the picture. Thank God that His plan is just right.

Lay People, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons—Ministry in Our Church

In this Edition

This quarter investigates

Church Ministries

• Anglican Family Edition: Thanking

and Praying for Our Minister

• Coming up on the Church Calendar

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for Toddlers and

Preschoolers

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for Elementary Students

• Lighting the Lamp: Anglican activities for

Youth

September, 2012

TORCHpassing the

the angLiCan eDitiOn

suPPLeMent

Throughout their history, Anglicans have had bishops, priests (also known as presbyters), and deacons. According to The Catechism, (Offices of Instruction), in The Book of Common Prayer, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” Each is “to represent Christ and his Church” in the following ways:

n Lay PeoPLe – “to bear witness to Christ wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.”

n BishoPs – “particularity as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unit, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.”

n Priests – “particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.”

(Excerpted from 1979 BCP, p. 855-56.)

Every Christian has a ministry. Take some time this quarter to explore your ministry.

• Contemplate your gifts. Make two lists: “What I really enjoy doing” and “What I know I do well and what others have told me I do well.” Write 10 items on each list. Then analyze your lists. What relationships do you find between them? You could even ask a trusted friend to look at your lists and see what he or she notices.

2PASSING THE TORCH

• Read Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4:7-13. What does 1 Corinthians 12 imply about the importance of the various gifts? How do you see your gifts fitting into these passages?

• What is the ministry of the laity? How do you fit into that ministry with your gifts?

• Invite a priest or deacon to join you in discussion and give their understanding of ordination. How do they understand their particular ministry in the church? Ask them what they believe the ministry of the laity is. (Before your discussion, let them know the topic you want to discuss as well as the definitions you are using from The Book of Common Prayer.

• Continue to pray privately and with others about your ministry. Here is a prayer from page 256 of The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, to get you started.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful

people is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now for ever. Amen.

Bishop’s mitre (hat); bishop’s shepherd’s crook

3PASSING THE TORCH

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Take time this month for your family to recognize and honor your parish clergy (and family). You’ll need a time to plan, another time to prepare, and a third block of time to carry out your plan.

Planning Time• Begin with a prayer. One way of respecting and

honoring clergy is praying for them.• Talk together about which priest, deacon,

director of Christian education, or any other ordained or lay minister in your parish your family especially appreciates. (Or you may choose to do this for your bishop.) Emphasize that we are all ministers in our church, but some people are set apart for special ministries.

• Brainstorm a way your family can personally recognize and honor that leader. It may be a gift of baked goods, an invitation to lunch, a promise to pray for them, an offer to have their kids at your house along with a gift card for a “date night” for the minister and spouse, an invitation for a birthday celebration, etc. Be sure to include a “Thank you” card that has been created by your family.

A Time to PrepareSpend time preparing. Give each family member an age-appropriate task. Maybe it’s a baking time, getting a gift card, or making a card. Don’t forget to talk about how your family will send the thank-you item.

Time to GiftBegin with a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the minister and family. Then, as a family, share your gift with the clergy member. Back at home, as a family, be sure to continue to keep your minister in your prayers.

Prayer for the Diocese(from The Book of Common Prayer)

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop(s) [here add the Christian name of your bishop] and other clergy [here add the Christian name(s) of the ordained staff members at your parish], and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1979 BCP, p. 817

“thank You” time

Anglican Family Edition

Thank you for teaching us God’s Word

4PASSING THE TORCH

Coming Up on the Church Calendar

Early Christians organized their year to remember and celebrate the important events of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and the beginning of the Church. For more information, consult The Book of Common Prayer. Here are a few select events.

Ember Days – Sept. 19, 21, 22The early church used Ember Days for fasting and ordinations. Now, seminary students use Ember Days to write “Ember Letters” to their bishops updating them on their studies and spiritual lives. Ember Days occur four times a year on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the Ember Week. Ember Weeks are the week after Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14), after the third Sunday in Advent, after the first Sunday after Lent, and after Pentecost Sunday.

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist is celebrated September 21 on the Church Calendar. Matthew was a tax collector Jesus called away from his collection table and his wealth. Tax collectors were corrupt and deemed social outcasts. Later Jesus selected Matthew as one of the 12 apostles. As an apostle entrusted with spreading and preserving the Good News, Matthew wrote one of the four Gospels, for which he is called an evangelist. Traditional color used in churches is red for martyrdom.

Growing in Christian Fellowship: A theme for the Season after Pentecost. This focus is rooted in Acts 2:42. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” All Christians have ministries and are called to encourage each other in following Jesus.

St. Andrew, Apostle, is celebrated on November 30. Andrew, another apostle, is associated with joyful evangelism for telling his brother, Peter, about Jesus. A fisherman, Andrew followed Jesus to “fish” for people. A men’s organization, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, models itself on this apostle, and members commit to evangelism. Traditional color used in churches is red for martyrdom.

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5PASSING THE TORCH

Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Toddler/2s and Preschoolers

In Your Toddler/2 Classroom

September ActivitiesTie in to the theme of orders this month by talking about the Bible each week. After Talk

Time, show the Bible to your toddlers. Briefly talk about your clergy [call them by name] teaching the Word of God, the Bible. Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). Before class, tape some quarters or half dollars to the table using packing tape. Make copies of page 12 of this supplement. As a craft, let children make rubbings of the coins using scrap paper and crayons. Then let them color the picture as you tell the story of Matthew printed on the bottom of the page.

November ActivitiesReview how clergy teach the Word of

God, the Bible, as you introduce the Bible story. Clergy are God’s helpers, too. Set up an activity center on November 25 for St. Andrew’s Day. Cut out large fish shapes or gather large plastic fish. Have toddlers put the fish in a towel net while an adult or youth helper tells the following story: Andrew was a fisherman. He told his brother about Jesus. Jesus made Andrew an apostle. Andrew told many people about Jesus.

Lighting

the Lamp

Reproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition (Page 3 of this supplement).

October ActivitiesContinue the theme of the orders by

inviting a member of your clergy to visit your classroom to talk with the children in the activity centers. Encourage your priest or deacon to wear a stole.

One way to Grow in Christian Fellowship is to pray for each other. Take a picture of each family represented in your class or make copies from a pictorial directory. Each week, show a picture of one of your families and pray for that family as a class. (You may want to continue this through the year.)

Lighting

the LampAnglican Activities for Reaching Out

with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

In Your Preschool ClassroomReproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition

(Page 3 of this supplement).

September ActivitiesTie in to the theme of orders this month by talking about the Bible each week. As

you, show the Bible to your toddlers. Briefly talk about your clergy [call them by name] teaching the Word of God, the Bible.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). Since today’s lesson is about Matthew, just add a couple activities. As a Welcome Time Activity, create a money table by taping some quarters or half dollars to the table using packing tape. Let children make rubbings of the coins using scrap paper and crayons. Print out page 12 of this supplement as an additional Step 3 activity. Read the story and let the children color the page.

6PASSING THE TORCH

November ActivitiesReview how clergy [refer to your clergy by

name] teach the Word of God, the Bible, as you introduce the Bible story.

Set up a Step 3 center on November 25 for St. Andrew’s Day. Fill a shallow pan with paper fish shapes with a paperclip on each fish. Let children catch fish with a magnet on a string and unsharpened pencil while an adult or youth helper tells the following story: Andrew was a fisherman. He told his brother about Jesus. Jesus made Andrew an apostle. Andrew told many people about Jesus.

October ActivitiesContinue the theme of the orders by inviting a member of your clergy

to visit your classroom to talk with the children. Encourage your priest or deacon to wear a stole.

One way to Grow in Christian Fellowship is to pray for each other. Take a picture of each family represented in your class or make copies from a pictorial directory. Each week, show a picture of one of your families and pray for that family as a class as part of your worship time. (You may want to continue this through the year.)

7PASSING THE TORCH

Lighting

the LampAnglican Activities for Reaching Out

with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

In Your Early Elementary Classroom


October Activities November ActivitiesConclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about the objects and how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, share this story: andrew brought his brother Peter to meet Jesus. Peter and andrew were fishermen. Jesus told them that they would go fishing for people. Later, as an apostle, andrew “fished” many people for Jesus. Give each child a copy of the fish on page 14 of this supplement. Invite each child to write something about Jesus on the fish and share it with someone during the week.

Introduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Before class, make several copies of the heart template on page 13 of this supplement. Using the NIrV version of Romans 12:9-16, write one way of showing love on each heart. In class, let the children decorate the hearts. Read them together. Each week, have the class choose a heart and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

As part of your classroom worship, stand in a circle. Remind them that Jesus’ apostles taught the Word of God. Your clergy teach the Word of God. Pass a Bible around the circle. The person handing the Bible says, “The Word of the Lord.” The receiver responds, “Thanks be to God.”

September ActivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons, priests, and bishops. They teach God’s Word. They give Communion and baptize. Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and some Bible storybooks. Share the following story about Matthew: Matthew cheated people out of their money. Then Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him. Later Jesus chose Matthew as an apostle—to tell about Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the Bible. Have children draw pictures of what they know about Jesus using the storybooks as reference.

8 PASSING THE TORCH

Lighting

the Lamp

sePteMBer aCtivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons (they help serve communion and read the Gospel in the service), priests (worship, baptize and give Communion; teach God’s Word), and bishops (oversee other priests in the diocese). Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and Bibles. Share the following story about Matthew: Matthew cheated people out of their money. Then Jesus asked Matthew to follow Him. Later Jesus chose Matthew as an apostle—to tell about Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the Bible. Have children draw pictures of what they know about Jesus. Use the Bibles as reference.

OCtOBer aCtivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Before class, make several copies of the heart template on page 13 of this supplement. In class, read the NIrV version of Romans 12:9-16. Let the children write different ways of showing love to others on the heart. Each week, have the class choose a heart and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

As part of your classroom worship, stand in a circle. Remind them that Jesus’ apostles taught the Word of God. Your clergy teach the Word of God. Pass a Bible around the circle. The person handing the Bible says, “The Word of the Lord.” The receiver responds, “Thanks be to God.”

nOveMBer aCtivities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Make a “lake” of yogurt veggie dip and surround it with goldfish crackers. Provide celery or carrot stick fishing poles. As a Step 3 activity, share this story: Andrew brought his brother Peter to meet Jesus. Peter and Andrew were fishermen. Jesus told them that they would go fishing for people. Later, as an apostle, Andrew “fished” many people for Jesus. Let children dip their fishing poles in the dip, then in the crackers as you talk about what it might mean to fish for men.

In Your Elementary ClassroomReproduce and send home Anglican Family Edition

(Page 3 of this supplement).

Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Elementary-Aged Students

Kamehameha and EmmaWHERE THEY LIVED: HawaiiWHAT THEY DID:Kamehameha IV (1834–1863) and Emma (1836–1885) were the King and Queen of Hawaii. They invited Anglican missionaries to Hawaii. Kamehameha and Emma built St. Andrew’s Cathedral, several schools, and Queen’s Hospital. Kamehameha began the translation of The Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal into Hawaiian. St. Andrews continues the Hawaiian tradition today with a weekly service using Hawaiian language prayers, hymns, Scripture, and a sermon in English.

HEroES for CHrISt: ACtIvItYWrite “Jesus loves you” in Hawaiian on the board. Challenge children to learn how to say it, then tell it to others. They could also share the story of Kamehameha IV and Emma.

Hawaiian words: Lesû aloha oeSay it: Ee yeh SOO ah LOW ha oi

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Use on Nov. 25. Nov. 28 on the Church Calendar.

Heroes for Christ

9PASSING THE TORCH

Hero for Christ

In Your Upper Elementary Classroom


Lighting

the Lamp

Henry MartynWHEN HE LIVED: 1781–1812WHAT HE DID: Henry Martyn wanted to be a missionary in India. His rector, Charles Simeon, encouraged him. So Henry Martyn sailed for India. Henry showed much respect for the people of India. He listened to them, and they listened to him tell about Jesus. In India, Henry translated the New Testament and The Book of Common Prayer into Hindustani. Other scholars helped him with Persian and Arabic translations of the Bible. Henry Martyn also went to Persia (now known as Iran) to finish the Arabic Bible. At age 31, he died in Turkey while

being treated for an illness. His Bible translations helped many people find new life in Jesus.

Hero for Christ: ActivitySome languages do not have an alphabet. Translators have to create alphabets to translate the Bible into those languages. It’s like making a code. Have students create a simple code using a symbol for each letter of the alphabet. Then have them translate “God loves you” into their coded alphabet.

November Activities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to bring in a Bible, a clergy vestment, a communion cup, and a baptism shell and talk about how they are used in worship.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Make a “lake” of yogurt veggie dip and surround it with goldfish crackers. Provide celery and carrot stick fishing poles. As a Step 3 activity, read together John 1:35-42 and Luke 5:1-11. Let students dip their fishing poles in the dip, then in the crackers as you talk about what it might mean to fish for men.

September ActivitiesIntroduce your students to the ministry by creating a photo display of the deacons, priests, and bishops who serve your church. Introduce the theme by sharing: In our church, we have deacons (they help serve communion and read the Gospel in the service), priests (worship, baptize and give Communion; teach God’s Word), and bishops (oversee other priests in the diocese). Each week during prayer time, pray for the clergy of your church.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar). As a Step 3 activity, set out a piece of butcher paper, markers, and Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and create a rebus puzzle equation that shows Matthew’s change from lowest of the low to apostle.

October ActivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Have students read Romans 12:9-16. Have your preteens create a list of ways to show love to others. Each week, have the class choose one item from the list and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

Use this month to explore one of the duties of priests by looking at baptism in The Book of Common Prayer. Each week, talk about and say together a section of the Baptismal Covenant (1979 BCP p. 304).

(Use on Oct. 14 or 21; Oct. 19 on the Church Calendar)

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10PASSING THE TORCH

In your MIDDLE SCHOOL ClassroomLighting

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Anglican Activities for Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love to Youth

Sister Constance and Her Companions— Martyrs of Memphis Sister Constance was a gifted artist and teacher sent from the Community of St. Mary in Peekskill, New York to Memphis, Tennessee in 1873 to help start a school. She, along with other nuns, were invited by the Episcopal Bishop of Tennessee to assist him with a home for Civil War orphans as well as with a girl’s school.

In 1878, an epidemic of yellow fever struck the city (over 5,000 died). Constance, along with other nuns, stayed in the city to care for the sick and dying until they too died. She and Sisters Theda, Ruth, and Frances are often

called the “martyrs of Memphis” because they gave their lives serving Jesus.

Back in time Discussion:How do you think Constance and the others found the courage to do what they did? Read Philippians 1:21. How does that verse summarize the martyrs of Memphis?

sePteMBer aCtivitiesThroughout the month of September explore the different areas of ministry. Choose one of the following areas each week and look up the ordinations and the Scripture passage. What do they tell about that ministry? Pray for specific clergy in your church who are part of that ministry.

Bishop Hebrews 5:1-10Priest Ephesians 4:7, 11-16Deacon Acts 6:2-7All Christians Romans 12:1-8

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar) with a Step 3 activity using Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and talk about how Jesus sees the lowest of the low? What does that mean for each of us?

OCtOBer aCtivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Have students read Romans 12:9-16. Let the children write a list of ways to show love to others. Each week, have the class selectone item from the list and challenge them to use that method of showing love to others throughout the week.

Label butcher paper with All Christians/Deacons/Priests/Bishops. For the month of October, ask students to fill in Challenges, Commitments under each using the Prayer Book and Bible as resources. Add these as petitions as you pray for the clergy of your church.

nOveMBer aCtivities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to talk about their specific role in ministry.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Read Matthew 4:18-22 and John 1:35-42. Andrew stopped and yielded to God. He let God lead him in being a fisher of men. For the rest of his life Andrew continued to tell people about Jesus. Let teens go to separate areas of the room to consider their attitudes and actions they are ready to let go of to allow God to take control. Have students write a personal prayer about dropping that net and following Jesus to let God be in control and help them fish for men.

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Use on September 9

Back in time

Reproduce and send home

Anglican Family Edition (Page 3

of this supplement).

Lighting

the Lamp

11PASSING THE TORCH

September ActivitiesEmber Days on September 19, 21, and 22. The early church used Ember Days for fasting and ordinations. On Ember Days now, seminary students write “Ember Letters” to their Bishops updating them on their studies and spiritual lives. Write an Ember Letter to your leader or another significant adult in your life.

Celebrate St. Matthew on September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar) with a Step 3 activity using Bibles. Matthew wasn’t the kind of guy one would think Jesus would choose. He was a cheat—the lowest of the low. But Jesus chose him anyway. Matthew would later become an apostle and write a book of the Bible. Have students read Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13 and talk about how Jesus sees the lowest of the low. What does that mean for each of us? Conclude by praying the prayer on page 244 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer together.

October ActivitiesIntroduce Growing in Christian Fellowship. Study Acts 2:42 together throughout the month. As a class, come up with a month-long commitment to encourage each other in studying God’s Word together, meeting with each other for encouragement, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and spending time in prayer.

Throughout the month of October explore the different areas of ministry. Choose one of the following areas each week and look up the ordinations and the Scripture passage. What do they tell about that ministry? Pray for specific clergy in your church who are part of that ministry.

Bishop Hebrews 5:1-10Priest Ephesians 4:7, 11-16Deacon Acts 6:2-7All Christians Romans 12:1-8

November Activities Conclude the quarter theme of ministry by inviting in a member of your church’s clergy. Ask your visitor to talk about their specific role in ministry.

Talk about St. Andrew on November 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar). Read Matthew 4:18-22 and John 1:35-42. Andrew stopped and yielded to God. He let God lead him in being a fisher of men. For the rest of his life Andrew continued to tell people about Jesus. Let teens go to separate areas of the room to consider their attitudes and actions they are ready to let go of to allow God to take control. Have students write a personal prayer about dropping that net and following Jesus to let God be in control and help them fish for men.

Back in time

Use on November 11 or 18. November 14 on the Church Calendar.

In Your High School

Classroom

Bishop Samuel Seabury (1729–1796)On November 14, 1784, Samuel Seabury became the first consecrated North American Bishop. Prior to his consecration, any candidate for ordination in the New World had to travel to England. The trip would last around two years and included arduous sea voyages. Seabury was consecrated

by bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church rather than England because Seabury, as a citizen of the new United States, could not swear the required loyalty oath to the King. Charles Inglis was consecrated the first Anglican bishop in Canada. He is recognized in the Canadian Church Calendar on August 13.

Back in time: DiscussionAs you think about Samuel Seabury’s ministry as a bishop, think about your own bishop. How, as a

class, can you pray for your bishop? A starting place could be the prayer on page 817 of The Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

12PASSING THE TORCH

Matthew left his money table to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote the Book of Matthew in the

Bible. Matthew wrote about Jesus.

September 23 (September 21 on the Church Calendar)

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

St. Matthew’s Day

The Holy

Bible

13PASSING THE TORCHPermission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

Heart Pattern

Make copies of this heart. Write, or have children write, ways to show love based

on Romans 12:9-16.

October

14PASSING THE TORCH

fish PatternNovember 25 (November 30 on the Church Calendar)

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use only.

Make a copy of this pattern for each student. Have each child write or draw one thing about Jesus on the fish and

share it with someone.

ELEMENTARY

Teacher’s Guide

Each of the 13 lessons contains step-by-step instructions to help you prepare and teach, with Bible background, tips for teaching second and third graders, and a variety of activities to help your students learn and apply the Bible lesson.

One per teacher recommended.

Creative Teaching Aids

An essential resource for presenting the Bible lesson, this packet contains a variety of posters, games, 3D models, and puzzles, as well as an attendance chart, a music CD, and more.

One per class recommended.

Discovery Pack

This in-class student craft book is full of hands-on projects and crafts—like games, 3D booklets, pop-up cards, and mobiles—that are effective in reinforcing and applying the Bible lessons.

One per student recommended.

Friends

Equip parents with this weekly paper, which presents the Bible story, a contemporary story applying the Lesson Focus, activities, and a fun Family Faith section.


Passing the TorchMaking the Anglican Edition of Bible-in-Life work for you and your church takes little work through the help of this free online resource. Passing the Torch provides lesson tools for teachers, students, and family activities for growth in the Anglican tradition.

One per teacher recommended.

Bible Discoveries

This in-class student book provides second and third graders with interactive Bible stories that help develop basic Bible skills, life-application activities, and Bible review games. Plus a bonus cover-wrap includes the quarter’s Bible memory verses and a unique poster or activity.


The Anglican Edition for second and third graders presents a Sunday school experience that matches their growing independence and responsibility, along with their capacity to grasp the love of God within His Word, the Bible. The emphasis moves from learning Bible stories to actual Bible study.

Anglican Elementary

Documents

Transcript of Anglican Elementary