Planning - Anglican Diocese of Willochra

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Ecumenical Prayer Calendar

Things to keep in mind this week…

Planning ahead…

Planning

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Revised Common Lectionary (Year B)

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2020 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFusion Lent • Easter 2021

Lection Connection links current events with this week’s scriptures. Go to www.seasonsonline.ca and click on the link.

As listed in Pilgrim Prayer: The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Edited by Ester Pudjo Widiasih and Karen L. Bloomquist (Geneva World Council of Churches, 2018). https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle offers valuable aids for intercessory prayers, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others.

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Sunday, February 21 – Saturday, February 27 • 2021

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728

February 2021

January 2021S M T W T F S

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10 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 23

24/31 25 26 27 28 29 30

March 2021S M T W T F S

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14 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31

Lent 1

Purim (Judaism) ** Begins at sundown the day before.

Genesis 9:8–17 the focus for age-level

materialsPsalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15

See “In the Life of Your Community” on p. 26.Community conversationsIn each of the six weeks of Lent, there is an op-portunity to hear stories from the congrega-tion on ways people are advocating/working/living toward a better world. Look ahead, and make invitations in good time.

France, Germany, Monaco

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle



24 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFusion Lent • Easter 2021 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2020

Biblical Background • February 21, 2021Lent, Easter 2021Genesis 9:8–17 the focus in age-level materialsPsalm 25:1–101 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15

Signs of Promise

God, who has created all things, draw us into a closer relationship with you. When life’s waters threaten to overwhelm us, help us to trust that you are with us at all times. Re-orient us away from our poor choices and help us to choose life with you. Amen.

Water and God’s promises are key themes that weave through this week’s passages. After a great flood, God promises to safeguard the world and

to be in deep relationship with all creation. A psalmist trusts in God’s promises, and water is a sign of God’s promise and protection in the first letter of Peter. As Jesus emerges from the waters of baptism, God’s spirit rests on him – a sign of God’s promise.

Genesis 9:8–17 follows just after the well-known story of Noah who is best known for building a large boat on which he, his family, and representatives of all land animals would be saved from the floodwaters.

In this week’s passage, God promises to protect and never destroy the earth and makes a covenant with all creation. A rainbow is a sign, a reminder, of the promise. God wants to be in a deep and mutual relationship with all of creation.

Although God promises there will never be a flood that destroys Earth, today there are many devastating disasters. Tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, and other storms have resulted in a loss of life and significant damage to property and creation. How do we reconcile this promise with our modern-day realities? One way might be to continue to believe that God does not bring about this suffering. Rather, it is people’s apathy about creation and human choices that destabilize the environment.

This Season of Lent could, therefore, be a time to re-orient and reflect on how humans have failed God’s good creation. While humans may have destroyed parts of the environment, we may not be able to clean up the environment with only human wisdom – we need to rely on God’s wisdom to change our ways. Lent is a time of reflection of becoming closer to God and reflecting on God’s promises.

The story of Noah is often told to children, and we might wonder where is there good news in the destruction of a people? Perhaps this story is more about God’s promises, new beginnings, and creation care. Young children could likely relate to themes of being sorry for something they did, for doing something new, or doing something to take care of Earth. The story offers an opportunity to explore more about God-promises, regrets, and care for all of creation. God of the promise invites our trust.

The writer of Psalm 25:1–10 trusts God and seeks to orient their whole self to God. They make requests of God to teach, forgive, and not to remember past sins. This, too, is a story about being in relationship with God and relying on God’s help.

Overwhelmed by violence and being threatened, the people of 1 Peter 3:18–22 also rely on God’s help. The writer makes a clear connection between the waters of the flood and the waters of baptism and reminds us that water is a sign of God’s promise and protection. Baptism is a symbol of new beginnings.

Baptism that signifies cleansing and new beginnings is a central theme in Mark 1:9–15. As Jesus emerges from the waters of baptism, God’s Spirit comes as a sign of peace and promise. This same Spirit also urges Jesus into the wilderness. While Jesus struggles in the wilderness, he is not alone.

• • • • •Trusting and relying on God’s promises – even when life is difficult – is a key theme in this Bible passages. Trust and reliance on God are invited even after a devastating disaster, while waiting on God’s help, during times of violence, and during times of temptation. In all times, God invites us into a deeper relationship. During this Lenten season, how might you work to be closer to and more reliant on God?

2525Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2020 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFusion Lent • Easter 2021

Reflecting on the Word

Adapt and use for youth and adult studies, sermon seeds, lay worship teams.

Reflection and Focus • February 21, 2021 Lent, Easter 2021

Materials (option) song “I Will Be Your God” by Roddy Hamilton Seasons Songbook, vol. 4, # 29 on Sea- sons Music CD, vol. 4 (Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Down- loads, www.seasonsonline.ca.)

Connecting with life“I won’t do that, I promise!” or “I promise I’m telling the truth!” or “I promise and cross my heart!” are among the phrases one might hear lilting from young children; some-times in a singsong voice.

■ What phrases of promise did you utter as a young child?

■ Why do you think that naming promises might be important for young children?

■ What kinds of promises would you make for young children that you know?

ScriptureGenesis 9:8–17 After a devastating flood, God promises to care for and not harm people and the earth.

■ Why do you think that God would make such promises?The people receive this promise as they try to rebuild after significant trauma and devastation.

■ What might it be like to try to trust promises after devastation or trauma?

■ What promises do you think the church might make to people who have experienced devastation or trauma? In what ways might the church accompany people?

The promise to “never again,” comes after an action is mourned.

■ When have you regretted an action? How did you respond?

■ How do we show others that we are sorry?

Psalm 25:1–10 The psalmist trusts in God and tries to orient their whole self towards God.

■ What do you think it means to trust in God? How can we trust God more?

■ How might we orient ourselves towards God?

1 Peter 3:18–22 The people rely on God’s help for their lives.■ When have you asked God for help? What was the

outcome?

Mark 1:9–15 Jesus is baptized and God’s Spirit is present with him. In many church communities today, the community promises to support the person being baptized in their life and faith.

■ What promises do you think are important to make at baptism?

■ In what other ways might we support people in life and faith?

Connecting scripture and lifeSing (or read the lyrics) to the song “I Will Be Your God” by Roddy Hamilton (Seasons Songbook, vol. 4, #29 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 4). The lyrics are

“I will be your God, and you will be the people of the promise. Forever I will bless and give my life for you.”

■ What do you think it means to be “people of the promise”?

■ How might you go about your life this week, knowing that God has made sincere promises to care for you?

Focus for Worship, Learning, and ServingI know how rainbows are created. I understand the theory and science behind music. Even with this knowledge, somehow a rainbow bursting through clouds and the perfect song to underscore an emotion disorients me in the most wonderful of ways. Even at my lowest, such mo-ments can provide respite. I become lost in the grandeur and beauty of it all and my soul, for a divine moment, feels at home in God’s mysterious ways. As we go deeper into this week’s texts and the possible meanings, let it not take away from the grandeur of a rainbow and our need to find home and respite during this wilderness time.

Noah’s ark, water, and a rainbow are symbols that are ubiquitous in both church and popular culture. The pervasiveness of the story – from movies like Evan Almighty – to nursery school decorations, has domesticated a formative (and violent) narrative of our faith. After most of all living things are annihilated, God

introduces a covenant with the remnants, promising creation will not be destroyed again through water. The theme this service focuses on, and that reappears throughout Lent, is the notion that God’s covenant is not just with people, but with all creation. We are promised that no matter how fierce and destructive the storm, it will eventually end and not all will be lost. How might people who have lost everything in a storm feel about this text and this promise? What is a pastoral response to the people who were not able to make it onto the ark?

The main concern of the passage seems to be more about covenant and less about the people and parts of creation who have been left behind. What role do we have in upkeeping this covenant? And how will we do so in partnership and mutuality with the rest of creation?

For this week’s “In the Life of Your Community,” see p. 26.

www.seasonsonline.ca/order_products/


NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete, and add according to your local needs.

Prepare

Music Suggestions

A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at www.seasonsonline.ca. Click on Library; Seasons Music Information. Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate.

Gather

Worship Outline • February 21, 2021

Signs of Promise❑ Recruit volunteers needed for worship: two voices for

Mark 1:9–15.❑ Choose an option for hearing Genesis 9:8–17. For the

Bible story, arrange for a storyteller to present “A Dove’s Story” on p. 30. For after the reading, prepare two clear containers, one filled with clean water and the second filled with pieces of litter.

❑ Bring items for setting the worship space: advocacy signs/placards related to water. Place your baptismal font to the centre of the sanctuary, have available a con-tainer of water for pouring into the font.

❑ For moving into Genesis 9:8–17, prepare paper cloud shapes, bring markers and adhesive and plan a place where they can be displayed.

❑ For the community conversation, prepare a rainbow placard. You might also set up a station with art sup-

plies for people to make individual placards. Build your display of placards through the six weeks of Lent.

❑ You might choose to print Psalm 86 on or in your bulletin (in the Images to Project and Print folder). For back-ground to the art and artist, see “Connecting with the Art” on p. 12.

❑ Bring song such as “To You, O God (Refrain)” (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7, #17 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Print-ed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, www.seasonsonline.ca).

❑ Set stations as described on pp. 31–32.

River Running in You and MeIan Macdonald and Gordon Light; Seasons Songbook, vol. 8

Children of the SpiritMonica O’Brien, Gina Ogilvie; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7

Don’t Be AfraidJohn Bell; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7

To You, O God (Refrain)Marty Haugen; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7

God’s RainbowGod’s Rainbow; Seasons Songbook, vol. 1

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me GoGeorge Matheson

The Storm Is Passing OverCharles Albert Tindley

We Are a RainbowDavid Kai, Pat Mayberry

In the Life of Your Community Research major watersheds in your community. For more information, seewww.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/ecological-justice/reconciliation-in-the-watershedhttps://watersheddiscipleship.org

■ Through what major natural disasters have people in your community lived? What is their experience with water? Have they experienced survivors’ guilt?

■ How do people remember the stories of Noah’s Ark? Poll the congregation, especially the children and youth, to learn more about how people know and understand the story. Are there common threads in people’s interpretations?

You might decorate the sanctuary with advocacy signs re-lated to water. If you do not always have your baptismal font forward, consider moving it to the centre of the sanctu-ary, pouring and blessing the water after lighting the Christ Candle.

Call to worshipOne: Through healing waters, through troubled waters through still waters through dangerous waters through welcoming waters

All: God is with us.One: Come, let us worship.

Opening prayerWe are grateful, Creator, for sacred water that flows in our bodies and through the earth.Water is a powerful force that both creates and destroys, sustains and erodes, deposits and washes away.Yet, water is wasted, polluted, and ignored…Provide time for silence or insert some of the injustices around water in your community.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/swimmin-like-a-bird-mw0001542269

http://www.allmusic.com/album/swimmin-like-a-bird-mw0001542269

http://www.seasonsonline.ca/11/seasons_music_license_chart/

http://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/ecological-justice/reconciliation-in-the-watershed

http://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/ecological-justice/reconciliation-in-the-watershed

https://watersheddiscipleship.org/



Engage

Worship Outline • February 21, 2021In this time together may we seek ways to restore good rela-tions, and remember all the ways your gift of water is life. Amen.

Prayer of confessionInvite the people into a time of quiet reflection and medita-tion on the following questions:■ When have you been cast into the wilderness, away

from your comforts, strengths and supports?■ What has tempted you away from God’s life-giving

path?■ Who have been angels or messengers of God, during

your wilderness times?■ When have you forgotten God, and God’s covenant

with us all?

■ For what do you seek forgiveness?After a time of silence, continue:One: It is tempting to think we have all the answers.All: Forgive us, God, for the times we give in to

temptations and turn away from you.Lead us in your way, we pray. Amen.

Words of affirmation All: A rainbow reminds us and God of God’s promise.

God loves all creationwith a love that that is steadfast and true.God forgives usand sets us free to live.

One: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Opening the wordMark 1:9–15 A reading for two voices, or leader and congre-gational response A: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth,B: ...leaving home behind,A: and was baptized by John,B: ...proclaiming his faith. A: And the Spirit descended on him like a dove,B: ...acknowledging his call,A: and a voice came from Heaven B: ...recognizing his ancestry. A: He was then driven into the wilderness,B: …to consider it all.A: But when John was arrested, he came to GalileeB: ...assured of his purpose,A: to proclaim the good news,B: ...that this was the time of the fulfillment of God’s very

good adventure of love.A: So, the story begins again.

Moving into Genesis 9:8–17 the focus scripture for age-level materials in ENCORE

Display some paper cloud shapes. Invite the congregation

to identify issues in the world today that threaten to break our bonds with creation – climate change, political unrest, specific things in your immediate area that disrupt com-munity or the lives of individuals or other creatures. Label the clouds with these disruptive forces.

Choose from the following.Bible story Have a storyteller present the story “A Dove’s Story.”After the reading Prepare two clear containers, one filled with clean water and the second filled with pieces of litter.Share the story of where the water in the container comes (its immediate source, and the name of its watershed). How did it get to you, or how did you receive it? Is it readily accessible? Who has access to it, and who does not? Share the substances in the second pitcher. How do the elements in the second pitcher affect water and the surrounding environment? How does that, in turn, affect us? Remembering God’s covenant between us and every living creature of all flesh, how are we, and the pollutants that we have created, responding to God’s covenant? Of what do we need to repent? You might invite people to share in pairs or threes their thoughts on the final two questions.

Invite children, young people, and all who wish to move to the stations. Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word.

RespondSing or listen to a song such as “To You, O God” as people gather together again (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7, #17 on Seasons

Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, www.seasonsonline.ca).



Bless

Worship Outline • February 21, 2021

Community conversationIn each of the six weeks of Lent, there is an opportunity to hear stories from the congregation on ways people are advocating/work-ing/living toward a better world. The congregation is then invited to create a community placard with slogans/catchphrases on ac-tions or advocacy for a better world. Save all placards for the palm procession on March 28.

This week, have someone who has experienced the ex-tremes of water tell about their experience and what this story means to them as a result. Then invite the congregation into the conversation, inviting them to brainstorm slogans/catchwords of how we might advocate for protection of this watershed that provides life. Write responses on a rainbow shaped placard and display next to the cloud shapes formed earlier. You might set a station with art supplies for people to create placards during or after worship. Build your display of placards through the six weeks of Lent.

Prayers of the peopleTo you, O God, we pray.In you, O God, we trust.

For you, O God, we wait.Lead us, so that we may always follow in your way.Teach us so that we may remain steadfast and faithful.Remind us of our covenant,so that we may be a covenantal people, striving to care for all of creation as you care for us.

Where there is brokenness and discord in your creation... name parts of creation that are in unrest – environmental

and social.Where there is death and dying... name people, places and species that have died or are dying,

including endangered species.Where there is isolation, exile, and forced migration...name people, places, and species being displaced.Please send reminders of your love and, where possible, help us to be your messengers.Amen.

Prayer of dedication or offering prayerCreator God, in all that we do, all that we say, and all that we give, may we live out your covenant to care for all creation.Amen.

A Commissioning Adapted from Meister Eckhart

Love God in all things equally. For God is equally near to all creatures. And among these creatures God does not love any one person more than any other.God is all and is one. All things become nothing but God.

Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things.

If we spent enough time with the tiniest creature– even a caterpillar –we would never need sermons.So full of God is every creature.

Go and spend time in God’s Creationand in the amazing presence of God in all things.

Special Day Commentary

February 26 – Purim (Judaism)Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them, as detailed in the book of Esther. The word purim means “lots” or “dice” because Haman cast lots to determine on what day he would wipe out the Jew-ish community of Shushan. However, the intervention of Queen Esther and her Uncle Mordecai prevented this from happening.

The first day of the festival is spent fasting, to recall how Esther and the Jews fasted for three days. As night falls, Jews gather to read the book of Esther. People dress in costumes and hold noisemakers. Each time the villain Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregation erupts with

a great noise. Special foods – particularly a triangular-shaped pastry called Hamantaschen, or Haman’s pockets – are eaten as part of the great celebration.

The next morning, friends exchange gifts with one another and send gifts of charity. The scroll is read again during the worship service, and each time the villain Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregation makes noise.

Purim is a good time for both Jews and non-Jews to recall the consequences of anti-Semitism throughout history and to renew our commitment to putting an end to anti-Semitism and any ideology that justifies the oppression of people.


Poetry and Prose • February 21, 2021

Water as SacredAnne Saunders

In the Season of Lent, we hear the story of Noah and flood-waters that destroy. But this water also brings a new begin-ning and a new promise from God. When John baptizes Jesus in the water of the Jordan River, Jesus’ ordinary days ended. It marked the beginning of his ministry, which made possible a new relationship with God for all. What memories do you have of water? Some might think of the spring rains that help vegetables grow, water used for washing, walks in the rain, a lake or ocean, cooling down in summer swims, or a refreshing drink. Others might live in drought-prone or desert regions where water is scarce, or where water is polluted and a source of disease, or where flooding is feared.

Water as a sacred gift from the Creator The Indigenous peoples in Canada use the word “sacred,” when speaking of water. They respect water as a living thing. Let’s hear these words from Indigenous peoples:

“As Indigenous Peoples, we recognize, honour and respect Water as a sacred and powerful gift from the Creator. Water, the first living spirit on this earth, gives life to all creation. Water, powerful and pristine, is the lifeblood that sustains life for all peoples, lands and cre-ation. We know that by listening to the songs of the Water, all creation will continue to breathe. Our knowledge, laws and ways of life teach us to be responsible at all times in caring for this sacred gift that connects all life.” – Musqueam Territory Elder

“Water is the most life-sustaining gift on Mother Earth and is the interconnection among all living beings. Water sustains us, flows between us, flows within us, and replenishes us. Water is the blood of Mother Earth and, as such, cleanses not only herself but all living things. All life requires water and yet our global water supplies are quickly being dried up and polluted. The First Nations peoples of North America have a special relationship with water, built on our subsistence way of life that extends back thousands of years. Our trad-itional activities depend on water for transportation, for drinking, cleaning, purification, and provides habitat for the plants and animals we gather as medicines and foods. Our ability to access good water shapes these traditional activities and our relationships with our sur-roundings. As Indigenous peoples, First Nations recog-nize the sacredness of our water, the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of protecting our Water from pollution, drought and waste.

Water is the giver of all life and without clean water all life will perish.” – Statement from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) inCanada, 2018

Advocating for water Josephine Mandamin, an Anishin-aabe elder from the Wikwemikong First Nations in Ontario, founded the Mother Earth Water Walk movement in 2003. Josephine was concerned specifically about the increasing pollution of the lakes and rivers. For the Anishinaabe, water is a sacred gift from Mother Earth, and the grandmothers are responsible for leading people to pray for and protect it.

In 2003, Josephine walked the perimeter of Lake Superior, to bring attention to the need to protect and restore water. In the following 14 years, she walked an estimated 23,000 kilometres around all the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

When Josephine died in February 2019, Carolyn Bennett, the Canadian government Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations said that Josephine “taught all of us of the fragility of water and the risks that exist to the health and sustainability of our waterways… The important work she started through Mother Earth Water Walk and the Great Lakes Guardian Council lays the foundation for the future of the Great Lakes Waterways, and the next seven generations of water walkers and water warriors from across Turtle Island.”

Josephine’s grandniece, Autumn Peltier, continues advocating. In April 2019, 14-year-old Autumn was named Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek First Nation. Since the age of eight, Autumn has advocated for clean and sacred water, and in 2018 was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize.

Communities, countries and organization worldwide recognize the vulnerability of water. Observed since 1993, World Water Day (March 22) inspires people around the world to learn about freshwater issues and take action. The 2021 theme is “Valuing Water.” In addition, the United Nations declared the decade from 2018 to 2028 to be Water Action Decade. To learn about the issues, find resources and get ideas about taking action, go to https://www.worldwaterday.org/; https://wateractiondecade.org/.■ What does it mean to you, and your relationship with

Water, if you believe that it is a “sacred and powerful gift” from God? What is our responsibility to Water when its life-giving qualities are threatened?

https://www.worldwaterday.org/

https://www.worldwaterday.org/

https://wateractiondecade.org/


Bible Story • February 21, 2021

A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the Audio Stories folder.

A Dove’s Story Based on Genesis 9:8–17

I was in the dark for a long time, sitting on a beam in a corner of the ark. It was hot, sweaty, and noisy. So, when Noah came down and asked me to leave and find solid

ground, I was happy to do it. I searched and searched. It was so good to feel the wind on my wings. Finally, I found a plot of land, with a tree on it. I took a twig and returned it to Noah. He looked relieved.

Now, we are all back on land. The waters are gone. I could have flown away immediately, but I had come to care for Noah and his family. I wanted to stay nearby. The waters left a big mess. There was so much more work ahead for the land to be liveable again. We were all tired, but we got to work making nests, making a home.

One evening, not long after we exited the ark, something happened. The cool air got suddenly warm. The buzzing bugs were silent. The wind died. The clouds opened, and a beam of sun came through. Noah sat in its light. He was silently leaning forward. His head bobbed and nodded from time to time as if he was listening intently. When he looked up, a rainbow appeared. It stretched from one side of the sky to the other, vibrantly shining red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. For a moment, we all looked on. And then the moment passed. The air became cool again.

The bugs started to hum. The wind returned. But the rainbow stayed. It didn’t fade.

“What just happened, Father?” asked one of Noah’s sons. Noah cleared his throat. “God just spoke.” There was a pause. Everyone stopped.

“God has made a promise,” Noah started, “not just with us,” he looked at his family now gathered around him, “but with everything.” Noah looked past his family to the animals, the trees, and the land. He even glanced at me as I sat, watching, from a nearby tree.

“Never again will God cover everything in water. God loves the earth, and everything on it: every person, every plant, and every animal. Everything is included in God’s promise. You, me, and all future generations. Everything is included.” Noah’s eyes returned to the rainbow, still bowed overhead. “That,” said Noah, pointing, “is the sign of God’s promise.”

“That beautiful rainbow reminds us of God’s promise that love and peace are more powerful than anger and hurt. And every time the rainbow appears, the promise is remembered.”

“What do we do now?” asked one of Noah’s sons. Noah gave a small smile. “We’ll see,” he said.

Bible storyThe practice of storytellingMaterials recording of today’s story

“A Dove’s Story,” player, paper or drawing pads, crayons, pencils, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see; alternatively, arrange for a storyteller to present the story.

Directions1. Listen to the story “A Dove’s Story.”2. Use the art supplies to write or draw your response to the story.


Stations • February 21, 2021

Living, Learning, Growing as DisciplesThe following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church. Choose one or more practices, depending on your space and numbers. Display the directions.

For your convenience, instructions are formatted for printing and available in the Stations folder.

The article “Connecting with the Art” on page 12 provides some background to the two posters for Lent, Easter and some art engagement ideas for individuals and groups. You might choose to add an Art

Engagement station each week and choose one of the art engagement ideas.

Suitable for all agesworking together

Suitable for ages 12–adult

Becoming peacemakers The practice of creativityMaterials air-drying modelling clay,

paint, paintbrushes, access to the Internet, a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions A rainbow is a sign of peace and promise in this week’s reading from the book of Genesis. This week, you can also make a sign and symbol of peace and think of a commitment you can make to be a peacemaker.1. Reflect on what peace might mean to you. If you have access to the Internet, do

an online search to find out more about what peace means. You can also explore more about your church is doing about being peacemakers at home and around the world.

2. Based on your understandings of peace, create a symbol of peace using the model-ling clay.

3. Leave the clay at room temperature to let it air dry; use the instructions on the modelling clay package to determine how long it needs to dry. (On another date, after the clay is dry, you may want to paint your symbol of peace.)

Wandering in the wilderness The practice of contemplationMaterials Bibles, copies of Mark 1:9–

15 or display a large print version, large and shallow tray filled with sand, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions Jesus had been in the wilderness, or the “untamed places” for 40 days. While there, he was tempted. He was not alone in the wilderness; animals and angels were with him.1. Read Mark 1:9–15, the gospel reading for this week.2. In some contexts, wilderness is like a desert. Slowly trace your fingers through the

sand in the tray. Allow the sand to sift through your fingers. Pick up some of the sand and let it fall back into the tray.

3. As you allow your fingers to move through the sand, reflect on times when you may have felt that you were wandering through a wilderness in your own life, where you felt alone, or when you felt tempted. How did you get through this time? What did you do? What might you do if you feel tempted again? How might you try to avoid going through such times alone?

4. After reflecting, spend time in quiet prayer.


Stations • February 21, 2021

Suitable for ages 12–adult

Suitable for all ages

Lenten promises The practice of discipline

Materials recording of the song “How Then Shall I Live?” (#40 on Sea-sons Music CD, vol. 1, and available for purchase and download at Seasons MP3 Downloads, www.seasonsonline.ca), player, calendar dated from Feb 21 – April 4 (you can customize a calendar from online sites such as https://www.calendarlabs.com/printable-calendar.php), pens, pencil crayons, a copy of the directions dis-played where all can see

Directions The Season of Lent is a time when people might give up something; it is also a time when people might add something in their life to help explore their faith more. 1. Play the song “How Then Shall I Live” What do you hear in the song about how

we might live faithfully? (If recording not available move to #2.) 2. Consider some promises or commitments that you might make to yourself and

God for the Season of Lent about faithful living. You could consider something that will help you explore your faith, or to make the world a better place, or try to bring about more justice. (For example, the promise might be one of adding more prayer in your life, or reading, or an action.) Reflect on something that you can do every day during the season.

3. Write your commitments on the calendar and display at home in a place where you can easily refer to it.

Waters of change The practice of journeyMaterials Bring cups (enough for

each participant or four to five ar-ranged in a line). The first cup should be full of water. Display a copy of the directions for all to see.

DirectionsThe movement of water changes things: Waves change the patterns on the sand, rain changes empty fields to green crops, rivers change mountains into valleys, tears change hardened hearts into open minds. 1. As you pour the water from container to container, imagine a world that is changed

from despair to hope. 2. As you pour the water from container to container, imagine that you are the change

you wish to see. 3. What moves will you make to change things? Alternatively (especially if there are younger children in the group) 1. Form a circle. 2. Each person takes a cup.3. One person takes a cup that is half-full of water. This person pours the water into

the cup held by the person to their left, who in turn pours it into the cup of the person to their left and so on, around the circle. If time permits, invite people to complete the phrase, “I dream of a world flowing with….” (Depending on age groups represented, you might adapt the phrase.)

Rainbow note cards

Suitable for all ages

The practice of building communityMaterials art or notepaper folded into a greeting card, markers, crayons, pastels, pencils, copy of the directions displayed where all can see

Directions1. Use the art supplies to draw rainbows on the front of the papers. 2. Who do you know who might need a rainbow message of hope?3. Write a message and plan to deliver or mail your cards.4. Option Collect all cards from this station and give to your pastoral support team

to send to any who are sick, absent, or would appreciate a message from the con-gregation.

https://www.calendarlabs.com/printable-calendar.php

https://www.calendarlabs.com/printable-calendar.php



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a flo

od,”

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h he

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God

say

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big

boa

t to

keep

you

r fa

mily

and

the

ani

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oah

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ife

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ani

mal

s ca

me

in.

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n N

oah

and

all

his

fam

ily w

ere

safe

insi

de th

e bo

at to

o,

they

shu

t the

doo

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tart

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rai

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for

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and

day

s an

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he b

oat

rock

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floa

ting

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one

day

the

rai

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out,

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bega

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ll th

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shou

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yone

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od’s

prom

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will

alw

ays

be

with

you

.”

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th

at

day

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rain

bow

re

min

ds

us

of

God

’s w

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pr

omis

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ls o

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Ds o

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was

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and

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re

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perm

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arke

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vari

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dro

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clot

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rfac

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shin

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co

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for

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In

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od p

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re fo

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bow

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see

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alf o

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rom

our

pos

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on

the

eart

h. I

n th

is a

ctiv

ity,

you’

ll m

ake

your

ow

n ci

rcle

rai

nbow

s to

re

mem

ber

God

’s pr

omis

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1. U

se th

e m

arke

rs to

dec

orat

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th

side

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enti

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the

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ther

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cat

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indo

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a t

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just

ou

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ur h

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whe

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n ca

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the

sun

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hen

you

see

it, re

mem

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that

you

are

surr

ound

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y G

od’s

lovi

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rom

ise.

LE 2018 FUSION A - print.indd 45 2017-07-06 11:53:22 AM

In o

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Noa

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s fa

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p an

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w a

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nd

with

the

rai

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was

God

’s pr

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will

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ou.”

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we

see

a ra

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we

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m

ulti-

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id y

ou k

now

tha

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rain

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actu

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circ

le?

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can

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see

hal

f of t

he ra

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from

our

pos

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ou’ll

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Child

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Lea

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Feb

ruar

y 21

, 202

1

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFusion Lent • Easter 2021

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ood Lake Publishing Inc. 2020 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFusion SeasonsFusion Lent • Easter 2021

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activity

42 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2012 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2011

Activity Sheet • February 26, 2012

Fill in the rainbow sign of God’s promise of love for everyone by:1. Using crayons, pencils or markers to fill each section a

different rainbow shade – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple.

2. Cutting out small pieces of paper from magazines, in the shades of a rainbow – red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple. Glue them into each row accordingly.

3. Tearing small strips of tissue paper in rainbow shades and gluing them into the rainbow rows.

After filling in the rainbow shape, draw yourself, your family, friends, and pets around the rainbow. Everyone is included in God’s rainbow promise to love and care for all creation.

Everyone’s Under the Rainbow



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Copyright © W


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Planning - Anglican Diocese of Willochra

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