Tag: Thursday

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, your love and mercy have no bounds. As we read the story today, inspire in us compassionate hearts, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

Those who followed Jesus Christ
were quite generous and nice;
Every day, they tried to meet
in each other’s homes to eat.

Just to help the ministry,
they would sell their property!
Sharing everything they had
made them feel extremely glad.

Meeting in the temple, too,
they invited all they knew.
For they wanted all to know
that the Lord God loved them so!

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: In what way do all Christians have a ministry to serve others?

Child: What are some of the ways that you like to show your love of God by helping your neighbors?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Loving God, you fill us with your love and compassion so that we might love one another as you have first loved us. Help us to treat others as we would like to be treated. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you always find ways to help and serve. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, give us the words that inspire us to care for others and be kind. Make us your servants, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

On Pentecost a great wind came,
on each disciple tongues of flame.
God’s Spirit came to give them power,
to speak his message at that hour.
People from around the world;
heard them speak in their own words.
In different languages they heard,
the startling promise of God’s Word.
This is what the Bible told
would happen, from the days of old:
“God will pour out his own Spirit;
He will speak so all can hear it!”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Tell me a time when someone couldn’t understand what you were trying to say to them. How did that feel?

Child: What are some of the ways that God helps us to communicate with others? What things would God want us to  keep in mind when we talk to other people?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Loving God, you shower us with your compassion and send us into the world you love so that all might know of your Son who died for us and gives us new life. Give us the words that others will hear this message and come to know your love in their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit open your ears to hear the good news of new life. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, Jesus promised his followers that he would return to earth again someday. Encourage us in our faith as we live in the here and now, patiently waiting for your Son’s return. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

When Jesus died and rose to life
   his friends still feared there'd be more strife.
They wanted to know the where and how:
   Will you fix all things right now?

But Jesus told them they must wait;
   The Spirit was coming, and would not be late.
Christ then surprised his closest friends
   When with the clouds he did ascend!

As up to heaven, Jesus rose,
   two angels came in snow-white clothes.
They told them all, “Christ will someday
   Come back to earth in this same way!”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Jesus promised that he would return again. Does anyone know when this will happen?

Child: What does it mean for us to wait for his return? How should we act in the meantime?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Loving God, as we wait for the last day when Jesus will return, help us to be hard at work. Grant us patience in our waiting, and the boldness to tell others about his love. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the Lord our God give you grace and peace as we await Jesus’ return. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, by your Word, make us aware of those who need our help. Help us to see where we can encourage others. By your Holy Spirit, give us compassion to serve those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

When they arrived in Galilee
    The followers of Christ could see
That Jesus was alive—not dead!
   Then Jesus spoke to them and said:
“God’s given all authority,
     In heaven and on earth, to me,
So travel here, and travel there,
And baptize people everywhere!
Teach all that I’ve commanded you,
And preach the gospel, pure and true.
Go out with courage, faithful friends,
And I’ll be with you ‘til the end.”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What would it be like to not know about God?

Child: Why does Jesus want people to trust and believe in him?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Amazing God, you have washed us in the waters of Baptism and claimed us as your own. Help us to share the loving relationship we have with you with everyone we meet -- so that they would know your joy as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

Because you belong to God, you can face anything with faith. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, by your Word, open our eyes to the world around. Help us to see where our neighbors need our help. By your Holy Spirit, give us compassion to serve in those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

One morning, Peter and his friends
Were tired as they could be;
They’d fished all night, but had not caught
One fish, nor two, nor three!
But then a stranger on the shore
Told them to cast their net
Back out again, where sure enough,
They found some seafood yet!
Who was this stranger on the shore?
Lord Jesus, it was he!
And after feeding all his friends,
He told them, “Follow me!”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What is your favorite thing to eat? How do you feel when you don’t have any food?

Child: How can we help people who don’t have enough to eat?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Loving God, there are so many that are hungry in this world. Help us to be like Jesus and to feed and nurture those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you be thankful for all the God has given, so that you would be generous to others. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, by your Word, open our eyes to the world around us. Help us to see the places where our neighbors need our help. By your Holy Spirit, give us compassion to serve those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

When Jesus rose to life again,
He came to meet with all his friends.
It gave the whole group quite a scare,
To see the Master standing there.

He told them all to touch and see.
“Spirits don’t have flesh like me.”
He even ate a piece of fish,
to show he was alive like this.

He told them what the Bible said,
That he would rise from being dead.
Witnesses who’d seen and heard,
He sent them out to spread his Word!

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What is a "witness"? Why does Jesus call us his witnesses?

Child: Why do you think that Jesus sent the disciples out to share the news that he was alive after he met with them?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Amazing God, you have shown us the many great things you have said and done. Help us to be your witnesses by telling others what we have seen and heard about you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the Lord empower you to share the good news of Jesus. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, open our eyes to the world around us. Help us to see the place where our neighbors need our help. By your Holy Spirit, give us compassion to serve those in need. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

“We saw Jesus! Did you know?
He showed up not long ago.”
Thomas wondered, deep in thought:
Could his friends be right? Or not?

Doubting, Thomas rubbed his beard.
That’s when Jesus just…appeared!
Thomas stared, and then he cried,
“But I thought that you had died!”

“Touch my hand and you will see,
That it’s really, truly me.”
Jesus said, “Have faith, my friend,
God will bless you in the end.”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: How do you think Thomas felt when he saw Jesus for himself? What thoughts might have been running through Thomas’ mind?

Child: Who could we pray for right now who needs some faith and hope?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God we give you thanks for the gift of Jesus, who brings us peace and light. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and bless us, so that we can be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the peace of Christ be with you! Amen.