Children’s Worship 03.07.21

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

 

Talent Uncovered

Based on: Matthew 25:14-29, Colossians 3:23

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

 

I remember hearing today’s story as a kid. The teacher wanted us to think about how we could use our own talents to serve God. But I knew I didn’t have any talent worth showing to anyone— nothing for a talent show, no sports skills, nothing that would cause anyone to say, “You are so talented!” I was simply ordinary. It took a while before I could figure out that serving God doesn’t require special abilities. What He really wants is for His children to use to the best of their ability what He has given to them.

 

Not needing to be “talented” is comforting! Colossians 3:23 asks us to focus on the process of living for God, not the end result, or the product. Whatever we do, let’s work at it with all our hearts, all our energy and all our love, because we are working for the God who loves us more than we can imagine.

 

Jesus told the parable of the talents to teach the value of service. Jesus told all who follow Him to be prepared for His return by serving Him. Throughout the book of Matthew, we see Jesus as the King who we can serve. Living for Jesus demands our very best. It’s the kind of service we give to the King who came to Earth to love us and make our salvation possible: King Jesus!

 

Debbie Barber

Senior Editor

 

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

Activity 1:  STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

 

Jesus had told His friends that He was going away someday. He wanted them to know what to do while He was gone. This is a story Jesus told to help His friends know what He wanted them to do.

 

Watch the video:

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

  • What did the first two servants do with the money they were given?
  • Why was the master angry with the servant he’d given one talent? (The servant did nothing to earn more money for the master.)
  • What do you think Jesus wanted people to learn from this story? (To use the talents and abilities God gives us. To be trustworthy and dependable. To always do our best.)

Each one of us is unique. There is no one else on Earth exactly like you. And no one else has the combination of talents and abilities God has given you. No one else can sing quite like you. No one else can play soccer exactly the way you do. You might already know the talents God has given you, or you might be just starting to discover them. But you can know for certain that God has made you in a wonderful way!

 

Read aloud Colossians 3:23. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

 

How does this verse tell you to work or use your abilities? (Work at it with all my heart. Do my work for the Lord.)  Whatever you do, you can do it for God. Construction workers can do their best work for God. Teachers and bus drivers can, too! Kids and grown-ups can serve God in everything they do! The next time you are sitting in class at school or doing your chores at home or playing basketball, remember that God has made you to do everything to the best of your abilities.

 

When we are working for the Lord, we try to do our best to love Him by serving others. God has given each of us some unique abilities. We can use the talents that God has given us to help others. Helping others is a way to show God that we love Him. Be ready to find ways that you can help serve someone this week.

 

When have you used a talent or ability to serve God?  Let’s pray and ask God to help us find a way to serve someone this week.

 

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 Chromatography Science Experiment

 

This looks like a fun science experiment to help children see that God has given each of us many hidden “talents” to share with others. This website does not emphasize that aspect of our lesson so you will have to relate it to the story and the theme of this lesson with an introduction.

 

You will need washable markers

Coffee filters

Shallow glasses of water

Paper plates or paper towels

Popsicle sticks or plastic straws (optional)

Tape

Coffee Filter Science | Easy Science Experiment for Toddlers

Introduction: 
God made each of us special and different with unique talents and abilities. God wants us to use these talents and abilities to serve Him while He is away from us in heaven.  Let’s try a little experiment to see what happens when we use our talents and abilities to serve God. Sometimes we don’t see anything happen right away but after a while we may notice how beautiful those things can become.      

     

RESPONSE ACTIVITY #2   Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

Let’s all show God that we love Him with all our heart by doing our best in everything we do this week and finding some way to use an ability or talent to serve God. 

 

(______________),  May you always remember how special you are to God and serve Him with your whole heart!

 

/by

Regathering Update 03.03.21

We have some great news to share with you today!

The Admin Elders have effected the regathering process and have begun planning steps to move us toward regathering for corporate worship. We will be working with ministry team leaders to coordinate the many details needed to do so safely. We anticipate this process taking many weeks and will communicate frequently with you as details become firm (i.e. timelines, expectations for safety guidelines, etc.). We do not have a target date yet, but you can expect to hear a joyful announcement from us when we do.

Please pray for the Lord to lead this planning and for the team (which includes the Admin Elders and Mark Essenburg)

Be blessed, and we look forward to sharing more with you as details come together.

The Regathering Team

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Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 02.28.21

A Note Before you Begin:

 

This service was prayerfully planned and coordinated with worship planner Derek Sterenberg  in conjunction with the pastors.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them. May the Lord bless you as you enter into his presence and give him praise. May we each be met, blessed,  challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples and disciple makers of Jesus Christ.

 

*If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties or notice any technical issues with this liturgy, please send a text message to Mark Essenburg whose phone number can be accessed through the Church Directory linked in your weekly email update. 

 

Call to Worship: 

The Call to Worship serves to focus our attention on the living God who is present with us; it calls us to position ourselves as those who are ready to worship and ready to receive from our Lord.

 

Read the following out loud as you fix your eyes on Jesus:

 

 

From Psalm 29 (NLT):
Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord strikes
with bolts of lightning.
The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with His presence and His peace.  Fix your eyes and the focus of your heart on Him.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

 

This is Amazing Grace

 

The Lord’s Greeting:

The Lord’s Greeting serves to remind us that we are in the presence of the living God. It makes space for him to greet us as our loving heavenly father who rules and reigns as the King over all and who is present with us as our loving heavenly father!

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read these words from Jesus out lout:

 

From John 10:10:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!

 

Greeting One Another:

It might feel a little odd doing this at home, but take time to say these words to greet each other, as you shake hands, hug or elbow bump.

 

Consider sending a greeting text message to a church family member.

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Everlasting God

 

O Praise the Name

 

Glorify Thy Name

Lyrics:

Jesus, we love you
we worship and adore you

glorify thy name in all the earth

glorify thy name

glorify thy name

glorify thy name in all the earth!

Spirit, we love you
we worship and adore you

glorify thy name in all the earth

glorify thy name

glorify thy name

glorify thy name in all the earth!

Father, we love you
we worship and adore you

glorify thy name in all the earth

glorify thy name

glorify thy name

glorify thy name in all the earth!

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

 

How has the Lord been at work in around you this week? Consider sharing your story with those around you or writing it down. Give glory to the Lord for the good work that He has done!

 

Take a few minutes to pray for our church family, our neighborhood, and the world as the Lord leads.

 

Consider asking a church family member how you can be in prayer for them or inviting a church family member to pray for you.

 

 

Regular Offering:

Support ministry at Gold Avenue Church by giving to the general fund (Click the picture for more giving options):

  1. Text:  send amount (number only, no extra symbols) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
  2. Give online at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online or give through PayPal here.
  3. Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 4950

Song of Preparation:

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.  Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and surrender your attention and heart to him as we transition and prepare to enter into His Word. 

 

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God

The Preaching of the Word:

Our current sermon series is written in connection to and alongside a helpful tool that we have developed called the Gospel Tool. Disciple Groups at Gold Avenue Church are working through lessons that are based upon the Gospel Tool, and we want to make this resource available to every listener. Click here to check out the Gospel Tool, the Visual Gospel overview, statements, & scriptures.

 

Before listening to this week’s sermon, please read the following questions and answers from the Heidelberg Catechism out loud:

 

Q & A 10
Q. Does God permit
such disobedience and rebellion
to go unpunished?

A. Certainly not.
God is terribly angry

with the sin we are born with
as well as the sins we personally commit.

As a just judge,
God will punish them both now and in eternity,1
having declared:

“Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey
all the things written in the book of the law.”2

 

1 Ex. 34:7; Ps. 5:4-6; Nah. 1:2; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; Heb. 9:27
2 Gal. 3:10; Deut. 27:26

 

Q & A 11
Q. But isn’t God also merciful?

A. God is certainly merciful,1
but also just.2
God’s justice demands

that sin, committed against his supreme majesty,
be punished with the supreme penalty—
eternal punishment of body and soul.3

 

1 Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8-9
2 Ex. 34:7; Deut. 7:9-11; Ps. 5:4-6; Heb. 10:30-31
3 Matt. 25:35-46

 

 

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

Song of Response:

The song of response gives opportunity to consider, apply, and respond what we’ve just heard from the Word. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and experienced and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond.

 

All I Have is Christ

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us the Lord to bless us to continue to walk in faithful obedience and to grow up into maturity.

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From Number 6: 24-26
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace

 

Closing Song: 

The Stand

/by

Children’s Worship 02.28.21

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

If you would like to do a daily lent reading plan as a family, the Jesus Storybook Bible has a great free printable one (that includes a fun paper chain) to use to count down!

DOWNLOAD HERE

 

It’s Not Fair!

Based on: Matthew 20:1-16, Romans 8:39

 

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

 

“That’s not FAIR!” I know it’s a wail I’ve heard (and made)! Everyone today, from kids to adults, seems to have the idea that some fairness exists out there that we’re missing out on; and if life were only fair, we would receive great benefits. But as a sinner who deserves eternal death and separation from God, I find great relief in knowing that I DON’T get what I deserve!

 

The Bible makes it clear that eternal life is a gift that results from God’s love and mercy. It’s a freebie that we don’t deserve! And there is no way we can ever work hard enough to earn it. God says that when Jesus died, He closed up the “works” place. There isn’t any more for us to do than to receive, rejoice and rest in the reality that Jesus paid it all— and nothing can separate us from such amazing love!

 

In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus ended the story in a way that must have surprised His listeners. The parable, along with many other teachings of Jesus, makes the point that God’s love and salvation are not based on our efforts. Through His teaching and in His life, death and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that God’s love is given according to His amazing generosity, not according to anything that we could ever do.

 

Mary Davis

Senior Editor

 

Activity 1:  STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

 

In today’s Bible story, some workers felt that they were treated VERY unfairly. Here’s what happened. Peter, the disciple who’d asked Jesus about forgiveness in last week’s story, wasn’t finished asking questions. So a while later, Peter asked Jesus a second question. He wanted to know how he and the disciples would be rewarded because they had left everything behind and followed Him (see Matthew 19:27).

 

Jesus answered Peter by telling him a story.  Let’s watch this video to see how Jesus answered Peter’s question.

 

Watch the video:

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

Jesus finished His story by saying, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Jesus’ disciples might have wondered what this parable meant. But we know there was something VERY important Jesus was trying to teach. The owner of the vineyard is like God. The workers who started early in the day are like God’s people who have been following Him for a long time. God is glad to love them and gives them salvation. The workers who started at the end of the day are like people who haven’t been following God for very long. But God is glad to love them and give them salvation, too!

 

In the story Jesus told, the owner of the vineyard was generous and paid each of his workers the same—no matter how long or short a time they had worked. God is like this generous owner! Jesus lived, died and came back to life so that we could be forgiven for our sin and receive God’s amazing love. There isn’t anything we can do to earn it! It’s God’s free gift.

  • How much did the owner of the vineyard pay each worker? (One denarius or silver coin. Why did some workers think they should have received more money? (They worked for a longer time than the others.)
  • How is God like the owner?
  • How would you describe God’s love for us?
  • What will you do because of God’s love for you?

 

Invite the children to pray thanking God for His generous love to them and asking God to help them show HIs generous love to others through them. 

 

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 

Three ways to make a grape bunch. You could write on the paper:  “God loves us a bunch,” or “We all share in God’s love,” or something like that. Pick one with the supplies you may have on hand. (Remember red and blue paint make purple.)

 

It doesn’t matter who we are, where we are or what we do! God promises to love us generously. No one is good enough to earn God’s love. He loves us all the same.

RESPONSE ACTIVITY #2   Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

God’s love for us is really amazing! No matter what happens in our lives, and no matter what we do, God will never stop loving us. Read Romans 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.       

 

(______________),  May you always remember how much God loves you.

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 02.21.21

A Note Before you Begin:

 

This service was prayerfully planned and coordinated with worship planner Marissa Walters  in conjunction with the pastors.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them. May the Lord bless you as you enter into his presence and give him praise. May we each be met, blessed,  challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples and disciple makers of Jesus Christ.

 

*If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties or notice any technical issues with this liturgy, please send a text message to Mark Essenburg whose phone number can be accessed through the Church Directory linked in your weekly email update. 

 

Call to Worship: 

The Call to Worship serves to focus our attention on the living God who is present with us; it calls us to position ourselves as those who are ready to worship and ready to receive from our Lord.

 

Read the following out loud as you fix your eyes on Jesus:

 

 

From Nehemiah 9:5b-6
Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.
Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with His presence and His peace.  Fix your eyes and the focus of your heart on Him.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

 

Sing to the King

 

The Lord’s Greeting:

The Lord’s Greeting serves to remind us that we are in the presence of the living God. It makes space for him to greet us as our loving heavenly father who rules and reigns as the King over all and who is present with us as our loving heavenly father!

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From Matthew 11:28-29:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

And From John 15:6:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 

Greeting One Another:

It might feel a little odd doing this at home, but take time to say these words to greet each other, as you shake hands, hug or elbow bump.

 

Consider sending a greeting text message to a church family member.

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Forever Reign

 

Your Great Name

 

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

This week we praise the Lord for the birth of Amara Mae Zuiderveen, born last weekend to Cody and Jessica Zuiderveen. Amara joins big brothers Hudson and Otto. We praise the Lord for the gift of Amara Mae and ask for His blessing over this family of 5 in the days and weeks ahead.

 

 

How has the Lord been at work in around you this week? Consider sharing your story with those around you or writing it down. Give glory to the Lord for the good work that He has done!

 

 

Take a few minutes to pray for our church family, for the Zuiderveen family, our neighborhood, and the world as the Lord leads.

 

Consider asking a church family member how you can be in prayer for them or inviting a church family member to pray for you.

 

 

Special Offering: Gold Avenue Church Van Fund

 

This month’s Special Offering: Gold Avenue Church Van Fund. We have been receiving offerings towards the Gold Avenue Church vans periodically throughout the year. The church vans are used for a variety of reasons such as Gold Rush and Sunday transportation. You can give to the special offering by:

 

1. Text: send amount space van (ex: 50 van) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely

2. Give online: select special from dropdown menu or type “van” in memo line

3. Check: write “van” in memo line

 

 

Regular Offering:

Support ministry at Gold Avenue Church by giving to the general fund (Click the picture for more giving options):

  1. Text:  send amount (number only, no extra symbols) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
  2. Give online at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online or give through PayPal here.
  3. Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 4950

Song of Preparation:

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.  Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and surrender your attention and heart to him as we transition and prepare to enter into His Word. 

 

Show Us Christ

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Our current sermon series is written in connection to and alongside a helpful tool that we have developed called the Gospel Tool. Disciple Groups at Gold Avenue Church are working through lessons that are based upon the Gospel Tool, and we want to make this resource available to every listener. Click here to check out the Gospel Tool, the Visual Gospel overview, statements, & scriptures.

 

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response gives opportunity to consider, apply, and respond what we’ve just heard from the Word. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and experienced and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond.

 

Great Are You Lord

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us the Lord to bless us to continue to walk in faithful obedience and to grow up into maturity.

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From Number 6: 24-26
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace

 

Closing Song: 

Go My Children With My Blessing

/by

Children’s Worship 02.21.21

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

If you would like to do a daily lent reading plan as a family, the Jesus Storybook Bible has a great free printable one (that includes a fun paper chain) to use to count down! 

DOWNLOAD HERE

Who, Me? Forgive?

Based on: Matthew 18:21-35  Luke 6:37

 

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

 

I confess. I don’t watch much TV. But what I’ve noticed from the snippets of reality TV shows I’ve seen (besides being so downright strange) is that the highest ratings seem to go to shows with the most vicious judges! In REAL reality, because of the good news that Jesus died and rose so that we can be forgiven, we are freed from cowering in fear before either human judges or God’s eternal judgment!

 

In our world today, the easiest attitude to take is one of judgment or even revenge. When judging others is so ingrained in us, how can we become better forgivers? Simply by remembering the grace and forgiveness God gave to us in Jesus. He has forgiven all of my sin—and I keep discovering new things I need forgiveness for! Because I’m so immensely forgiven, I can honor my forgiver best by forgiving others in the same way He forgave me.

 

In the story Jesus told about the forgiving king, there is an unmistakable parallel to Jesus Himself. King Jesus showed us what true love and forgiveness are by His death on the cross. Jesus paid the full price for our sin so that He could offer complete forgiveness to all who join His kingdom. Jesus is the true forgiving King.

 

Mary Davis

Senior Editor

 

Activity 1:  STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

Peter wanted to know when he could STOP forgiving someone. He was willing to forgive, but he thought there should be a limit! As I read Matthew 18:22  listen to hear Jesus’ answer.  “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” What do you think Jesus meant? When Jesus said to forgive 77 times He meant that we should forgive over and over again, not that we could forgive 77 times and then stop forgiving!

 

Jesus went on to tell a story to help Peter understand just how important forgiveness is. Let’s watch the story and see how God wants us to treat others when they do something wrong to us.

 

Watch the video:

 

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

In the story of the forgiving king, we see how important forgiveness is. This story reminds us that Jesus, the King sent to Earth, is the One who makes our forgiveness possible. Jesus showed that He can truly forgive us and make us part of God’s family. Jesus is the true forgiving King.

  • What important question did Peter ask Jesus? What was Jesus’ answer?
  • What did the king do when his servant couldn’t pay what he owed? What did the servant do to the person who owed him money?
  • Why do you think God wants us to forgive other people? (Because He has forgiven us. Because He loves other people.)
  • When might it be difficult to forgive someone else? (When they hurt our feelings. When we don’t want to forgive them. When they have hurt us too many times.)
  • What can you do the next time you find it difficult to forgive someone? (Ask for God’s help. Remember how many times God has forgiven me.)

 

Invite children to use the word “forgive” in prayer sentences that tell times they need God’s help in forgiving others.  Encourage kids not to say names of people they need to forgive but to say “a friend who copied me” or “a friend who was mean to me.”

 

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY

#1 Print and color activity page.

God wants us to treat others in the same wonderful, forgiving way He treats us. God’s forgiveness is the reason Jesus wanted Peter to discover that he should keep forgiving others!

 

I haven’t added up how many times God has forgiven me, but I know it’s a lot! God doesn’t keep track of how many times He forgives us. Read Luke 6:37 aloud. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” 

 

Keep on forgiving others—God NEVER stops forgiving you!

 

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

I’m so glad that God has chosen to forgive you and me. Remember to be quick to forgive others because God never stops forgiving us when we do wrong.

 

(______________),  May you always remember how much God has forgiven you so you, in 

 

turn, will be willing to forgive others as much.

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 02.14.21

A Note Before you Begin:

 

This service was prayerfully planned and coordinated with worship planner Kayleen Jasperse  in conjunction with the pastors.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them. May the Lord bless you as you enter into his presence and give him praise. May we each be met, blessed,  challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples and disciple makers of Jesus Christ.

 

*If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties or notice any technical issues with this liturgy, please send a text message to Mark Essenburg whose phone number can be accessed through the Church Directory linked in your weekly email update. 

 

Call to Worship: 

The Call to Worship serves to focus our attention on the living God who is present with us; it calls us to position ourselves as those who are ready to worship and ready to receive from our Lord.

 

Read the following out loud as you fix your eyes on Jesus:

 

 

 

From 1 John 3:1-3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with His presence and His peace.  Fix your eyes and the focus of your heart on Him.

 

Worshiping in Song:

 

Hosanna Praise is Rising

The Lord’s Greeting:

The Lord’s Greeting serves to remind us that we are in the presence of the living God. It makes space for him to greet us as our loving heavenly father who rules and reigns as the King over all and who is present with us as our loving heavenly father!

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From 2 John 1:3

 

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

 

Greeting One Another:

It might feel a little odd doing this at home, but take time to say these words to greet each other, as you shake hands, hug or elbow bump.

 

Consider sending a greeting text message to a church family member.

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Living Hope

 

The Wonderful Cross

 

Glorify thy Name

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

How has the Lord been at work this week? Consider sharing your story with those around you or writing it down. Give glory to the Lord for the good work that He has done!

 

 

Take a few minutes to pray for our church family, neighborhood, and the world as the Lord leads.

 

Consider asking a church family member how you can be in prayer for them or inviting a church family member to pray for you.

 

 

Regular Offering:

Support ministry at Gold Avenue Church by giving to the general fund (Click the picture for more giving options):

  1. Text:  send amount (number only, no extra symbols) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
  2. Give online at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online or give through PayPal here.
  3. Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 4950

 

Song of Preparation

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.  Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and surrender your attention and heart to him as we transition and prepare to enter into His Word. 

 

Spirit of the Living God

The Preaching of the Word:

Our current sermon series is written in connection to and alongside a helpful tool that we have developed called the Gospel Tool. Disciple Groups at Gold Avenue Church are working through lessons that are based upon the Gospel Tool, and we want to make this resource available to every listener. Click here to check out the Gospel Tool, the Visual Gospel overview, statements, & scriptures.

 

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response gives opportunity to consider, apply, and respond what we’ve just heard from the Word. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and experienced and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond. This song of response is taken from the blessing that the Lord gave His covenant people in the Old Testament, and it’s the blessing that’s been passed down to us as His people throughout the generations. Sing in response as you feel led.

 

The Blessing

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us the Lord to bless us to continue to walk in faithful obedience and to grow up into maturity.

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From Colossians 1:9b-14
May the Lord fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  and giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Closing Song: 

Glorify Thy Name

/by

Children’s Worship 02.14.21

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

 

Walking on Water

Based on: Matthew 14:22-36; 16:13-16

Isaiah 41:13

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

 

As I read the story of Peter walking on the water, I keep thinking of a friend who refuses to put his trust in Jesus. We’ve been through all the debates about who Jesus is and why we need to follow Him. This friend has witnessed answered prayers and has seen ways God has worked in other people’s lives.

 

Peter and the other disciples had seen much more evidence of who Jesus was: They had seen sick people made well, demons cast out, lives changed. Yet calling Jesus their Savior and Lord didn’t come easy for them either. When Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus told him that he understood that because God had revealed it to him.

So I continue to pray for my friend, and I encourage you to pray for your students and the other people around you, that they may come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

 

Jesus showed His power by walking on the water; and He told His disciples, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus used the name by which God was known and worshiped in Israel. God’s name expressed His dependable and faithful character. By using this name, Jesus was telling His disciples who He really was—God Himself! They could trust Him in every situation, and we can, too!

 

Activity 1:  STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

 

One day, Jesus fed thousands of people from a little boy’s lunch. It was amazing and busy! Then it was time for some peace and quiet. Jesus’ disciples climbed aboard their boat and set out for the other side of the lake. Jesus sent the crowd away and then went up on a mountain side by Himself to pray.

 

While the disciples were sailing across the lake, the wind came up. The water in the lake went from making little waves that slapped against the side of the boat to making BIG waves that kept them from getting anywhere at all!

 

As the wind rose and the waves got even bigger, the disciples had to pull down the sails and row hard to keep from tipping over and to stay headed in the right direction. As the waves crashed into the boat, they tried to bail out the water. How do you think the disciples felt?

 

Watch the video:

 

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Peter discovered that Jesus was powerful enough to walk on water and that Jesus loved him enough to protect him when he was afraid. We all feel afraid sometimes, too. But in every situation, we can trust Jesus to protect us.

 

Sometimes our lives are stormy—sometimes we have troubles or difficult problems. During these life storms, choose to trust Jesus. He is always ready to help you, just like He protected Peter. We can believe God’s promise in Isaiah 41:13 when we are afraid. 

 

Read the verse aloud:  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 

 

Jesus showed His power by walking on the water. When Jesus told His friends, “It is I. Don’t be afraid,” Jesus was telling them who He really was—God Himself! They could trust Him in every situation, and we can, too!

  • Why do you think Peter had the courage to step out of the boat and walk to Jesus?
  • What words would you use to describe Peter at the beginning of the story? At the end?
  • What amazing truth about Jesus did Peter discover?  (Jesus is the Savior, the Son of the living God. He could trust Jesus to help him in every situation.)
  • Let’s think about some time in our lives when we need to trust Jesus.  How can you show you trust Jesus to help you? Can we pray about that now?

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 

Here’s a link to a Peter walks on water craft. I liked this one because it can be manipulated by the children. 

You will need to print off the sea background and the figures.  (Cardstock preferred).

Sea-Background-Printable

Boat-Jesus-and-Peter-x-2-min

1 and ½ popsicle sticks

Tape

Scissors

Cardboard or a cutting mat

Craft knife

Markers

 

Print and color the pages.  Cut out the boat, Jesus and Peter. Cut slits where directions indicate in the boat and on the sea. Attach sticks to figures. Insert into slots and retell the story using figures, 

 

You can add a message on the page. Eg.  “ I can trust Jesus anytime!” Or Isaiah 41:13:  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 

Response Activity #2      Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

We can trust Jesus’ love and help because we know that He really is the one and only God! As we finish up this lesson, you can pray and ask Jesus to help you with any tough situations you face this week.

 

(______________),  I know that you can trust Jesus to love and help you in every situation!

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 02.07.21

A Note before you begin:

 

This service was prayerfully planned and coordinated with worship planner Derek Sterenberg  in conjunction with the pastors.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them. May the Lord bless you as you enter into his presence and give him praise. May we each be met, blessed,  challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples and disciple makers of Jesus Christ.

 

Call to Worship: 

The Call to Worship serves to focus our attention on the living God who is present with us; it calls us to position ourselves as those who are ready to worship and ready to receive from our Lord.

 

Read the following out loud as you fix your eyes on Jesus:

 

 

 

From Psalm 139:1-14
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.

 

You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

 

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

 

Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.

 

You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.

 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

 

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

 

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,

 

I know that full well.

 

 

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with His presence and His peace.  Fix your eyes and the focus of your heart on Him.

 

Worshiping in Song:

 

Hosanna Praise is Rising

The Lord’s Greeting:

The Lord’s Greeting serves to remind us that we are in the presence of the living God. It makes space for him to greet us as our loving heavenly father who rules and reigns as the King over all and who is present with us as our loving heavenly father!

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From 2 John 1:3

 

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

 

Greeting One Another:

It might feel a little odd doing this at home, but take time to say these words to greet each other, as you shake hands, hug or elbow bump.

 

Consider sending a greeting text message to a church family member.

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Goodness of God

 

Sovereign Over Us

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

How has the Lord been at work this week? Consider sharing your story with those around you or writing it down. Give glory to the Lord for the good work that He has done!

 

 

Take a few minutes to pray for our church family, neighborhood, and the world as the Lord leads.

 

Consider asking a church family member how you can be in prayer for them or inviting a church family member to pray for you.

 

 

Regular Offering:

Support ministry at Gold Avenue Church by giving to the general fund (Click the picture for more giving options):

  1. Text:  send amount (number only, no extra symbols) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
  2. Give online at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online or give through PayPal here.
  3. Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 4950

 

Song of Preparation

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.  Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and surrender your attention and heart to him as we transition and prepare to enter into His Word. 

 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

The Preaching of the Word:

Our current sermon series is written in connection to and alongside a helpful tool that we have developed called the Gospel Tool. Disciple Groups at Gold Avenue Church are working through lessons that are based upon the Gospel Tool, and we want to make this resource available to every listener. Click here to check out the Gospel Tool, the Visual Gospel overview, statements, & scriptures.

 

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Communion

If you are a baptized member of a church that declares Jesus is Lord, and if you are walking in the light and in pursuit of righteousness, we welcome and encourage you to join with us as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper! If you are not yet baptized or are not walking in the light, we encourage you to take some time to pray and reflect with the Lord or to confess and repent of your sins.  God’s Word promises that when we confess, he is faithful to forgive! We welcome baptized children of believers to the table as parents discern they are ready, and also invite you to pray blessing over your children who are not yet ready to partake. 

Song of Response:

The song of response gives opportunity to consider, apply, and respond what we’ve just heard from the Word and the Communion that we’ve just received. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and experienced and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond. Sing in response as you feel led.

 

Behold the Lamb

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us the Lord to bless us to continue to walk in faithful obedience and to grow up into maturity.

 

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

 

From Colossians 1:9b-14
May the Lord fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  and giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Closing Song: 

 

I Will Follow

/by

Children’s Worship 02.07.21

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

 

Which Soil Are You

Based on: Matthew 13:1-23

Galatians 5:22-23

 

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

Activity Four:  Bless your children 

 

EQUIP:  

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.) 

 

My fig tree grew beautiful leaves and put out fig buds this year. But not a single ripe fig came off that tree! It reminded me (uncomfortably) of myself: It’s easy to hang out with Christians and look like I’m about to make some fruit, but never produce any fruit! My purpose as a follower of God, however,  is not just to look good or appear to have potential. My purpose is to grow good fruit!

 

I’m so glad that MY part is to keep on living and growing, rooted in God. I can’t control what goes on around me, but I can stay rooted in God’s Word. I can look for what Jesus has planned for me, obey Him and then trust Him for the rest! HE nourishes me and tends me. If I am rooted, He will grow fruit—even in me!

 

Jesus told the story about the sower to describe what the results of the presence of the gospel of Christ in the world will be until the time of His return. Different people will respond to the gospel in very different ways. While there will be hard hearts, there will also be a fruitful harvest. Jesus, God’s Son, has given us everything we need to live and grow good fruit.

 

Mary Davis

Senior Editor (this curriculum) 

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Introduction:To read the children: 

 

  • What kind of fruit is your favorite?
  • The Bible says that we can grow good fruit in our lives. That doesn’t mean we are going to grow real roots or fruit. The good fruit the Bible talks about are the things we do when we pay attention to God’s Word.
  • Today we are going to talk about growing good fruit.

 

Whenever people heard that Jesus was coming, they crowded around to see Him and to listen to what He had to say! One day, there were so many people around Him on the shore of a lake that Jesus got onto a boat to teach. He told a special story, we call a parable, about a farmer, also called the sower, who was planting seeds. Let’s hear that story, too!

 

Watch the video:

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

At the end of the story about the sower, Jesus told about the different ways people are like the different soils and how they treat God’s Word. We can choose if we will be like hard, rocky, weedy or good soil. One day, Jesus will come back to be our King. Until then, He wants us to obey His Word and follow Him. As God’s Son, Jesus gives us everything we need to grow good fruit in our lives.

 

  • What is a parable? (A story that Jesus told.)
  • What were the four kinds of soil told in the parable of the sower? (Hard, rocky ground, weedy and good.)
  • What does it mean if someone is like hard or rocky soil? (They aren’t really listening to what the Bible says.)
  • What does being like good soil mean? (Being ready to hear and read the Bible. Looking for ways to do what the Bible says.)

 

When we listen and obey God’s Word, we are like the good soil. We are ready to grow good fruit. Growing good fruit means we show that we love God and others. When we let God’s Word take root in our lives, we will produce good fruit!

 

How has someone you know shown a fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23?

 

22 But the fruitu of the Spirit is love,v joy, peace,w patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.x 

How have you shown a fruit of the Spirit to someone?  Let’s pray and ask God to help us show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

 

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 

 

Sowing Seeds Bible Game

 

In this Parable of the Sower Bible Game, children sow seeds and get points for the seeds that land on good soil. This is a great reinforcing activity for The Parable of the Sower Bible Lesson.

You Will Need

  • Sowing Seeds Game Board (See Download Below).
  • You will need about 40 seeds (dried beans work well)
  • Cup
  • Blindfold

Instructions

Place the game board on a table. The first player places the seeds in his cup. Put the blindfold on them. Spin them around a couple of times then stop them in front of the board. Position their hand that is holding the cup over the game board. The player then scatters his seeds by turning over the cup and letting the seeds fall on the board. The player gets one point for every seed that lands on good soil. Each player takes a turn. The player with the most points wins.

Download Game Board. CGC_Farmer_and_Seeds_Template

from https://christiangamesandcrafts.com

 

Response Activity #2     

Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

 

God’s Word helps us in so many ways! Every day we can be ready to read it, think about it and do what it says. That’s how we let it take root in our lives and how we grow good fruit!

 

(______________), May you always let the Word of God grow in you and produce good fruit in 

 

your life, now when you are young, and later when you are older.,

 

/by