Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 03.07.21

,

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.

 

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 103:1-13
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

 

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:

 

O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

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!”

 

 

 

Grace Unmeasured

 

Thank You Jesus

 

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.

 

 

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: 

 

Doxology

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 11.15.2020

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Kayleen in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples 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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 57:7-11

 

 

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

 

 

Let us worship our Faithful Lord!

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song. 

 

Great is Thy Faithfulness

 

 

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 1 Peter 1:2
To those who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

 

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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Adore

 

 

Your Great Name

 

 

 

Holy and Anointed One

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

Special Offering: PRMI Nicaragua

Once a month we take a special offering to support special causes the Deacons have prayerfully discerned. This month’s special offering is to support the ongoing work of our ministry partner PRMI and their work in Nicaragua.

 

In Nicaragua and other parts of Latin America, PRMI partners with Young Life to equip their leaders through the Dunamis Project training on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and cooperating with the Holy Spirit for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. They also host equipping seminars for pastors and other Christian leaders using the Dunamis Project materials. These six manuals are currently being translated into Spanish, with two complete and four in process. Your giving goes towards seeing this ministry continue the good work of equipping disciples and advancing the Kingdom of God in Nicaragua.

You can give to the special offering by:

1. Text:  send amount space “special” (ex: 50 special) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
2. Give online: at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online select special from dropdown menu or type “special” in memo line

3. Check: write “special” in memo line

 

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. 

 

Ancient Words

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond. Sing in response as you feel led.

 

Be Unto Your Name

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you!

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

He is Lord

 

 

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 11.8.20

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Derek in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples 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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 27:4-5

 

 

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

 

Let us worship the Lord!

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song. 

 

In Christ Alone with the Solid Rock

 

 

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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Everlasting God

 

 

Great Are You Lord

 

 

 

Glorify Thy Name

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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. 

 

Better is One Day

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word.

 

Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and the questions that have been posited. The following song is one of commitment and surrender to the Lord and to his priorities and purposes. Consider the posture of your heart as you sing, and join in as you’re ready to truly say: Take my Life, Lord! Let it be consecrated unto thee! 

 

Take My Life

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From Philippians 1:9-11

 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

Even So Come

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 11.1.2020

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Marissa in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

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

 

We will also be celebrating Communion together as part of this liturgy! Please make sure that you’ve got your elements ready so that you can join in!

 

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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 46:

 

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

 

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

 

He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

Let us worship the Lord Almighty!

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song. 

 

Lord Most High

 

 

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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Our Father

 

 

High and Lifted Up

 

 

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 yet 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 as His 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. 

 

 

 

Behold the Lamb

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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. 

 

Speak O Lord

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From Ephesians 3:16-21

 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

How Long, O Lord

 

 

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 10.25.20

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Kayleen in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples 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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 99:

 

The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the 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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

10,000 Reasons Bless the Lord

 

 

Your Great Name

 

Worthy of it All

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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. 

 

Refiner’s Fire

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From Ephesians 3:16-21

 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

Doxology

 

/by

Children’s Worship 10.25.20

,

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

 

God Leads the Way

Based on: Joshua 1; 3—4

 

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

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

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.) 

 

God is constantly at work leading His people through others. Joshua 1 opens with God abruptly recognizing Moses’ death and commanding the Israelites to cross the Jordan River. Highlighting the new leader links Joshua to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, the books of the law). There is no doubt the torch has been passed from Moses to Joshua. Throughout Exodus and Numbers, we see Joshua worked closely with Moses. In Exodus 24:13, he is referred to as Moses’ aide—his right-hand man. Moses continuously made prophetic hints toward Joshua’s future as a leader.

Prior to Numbers 13:16, Joshua was known as Hoshea, which means “salvation.” However, Moses changed his name to Yhowshuwa (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves” in Hebrew. This is appropriate to the call God placed on the life of Joshua. He was to be a witness to God’s saving power as he led God’s people into the Promised Land, reminding them at all times to trust, obey, and follow the Lord God.

When Moses laid hands on Joshua, the transition of leadership was complete. Joshua became “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Deuteronomy 34:9), drawing Moses’ life of leadership to a close. Joshua was prepared to follow God’s leading, and in turn model godly living for the nation of Israel.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

God’s people, the Israelites, were on a great journey. It all started in Egypt. God promised to take His people out of Egypt and to a new home where they’d be free to worship Him. To lead them out of Egypt, God had to help His people in a very special way. Do you remember what that special way was? Now, God is going to help them again in a special way. What do you think God is going to do this time?

 

Watch the video:

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Today in The Big God Story we saw how God led His people to the Promised Land. Throughout the journey God was with His people and performed many wonderful miracles. The people piled 12 large stones together as a way to remember God and tell His stories to their children.

 

I wonder … How would I feel if I saw a river split in half?

I wonder … What would I have said after entering the Promised Land?

I wonder … How does God lead me?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. 

 

I’m so thankful that God leads me. I want to trust in Him and follow Him. It’s such a blessing that we can praise God for who He is and bring our requests to Him in prayer.

 

Encourage children to respond with their own words if they’d like. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:  

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY:    ROCK THE PAINT AND/OR COLOR PAGE

 

Needed: small smooth stones or rocks, paint, paintbrushes. markers 

 

You can do this project very simply with what you have on hand or for a more involved and permanent rock here are some suggestions.

 

How to Paint Rocks to Achieve Success

Pick smooth, flat rocks. You can decorate any rock, but it’s harder to decorate ones with ridges. If you can’t find them in nature, the craft stores sell them as do home improvement centers.

 

Wash the rocks before decorating them. You want to remove dirt so that it doesn’t mess your design. You can wash several at once with dish soap and leave in a colander to drain and dry.

 

Seal the rock before painting on it. Use a clear brush on or spray sealer. This helps so that the rocks (which are porous) don’t suck the life out of your markers. Another option: prime with white paint to help the colors that you paint on top appear more vibrant.

 

Paint your design on top and use several coats . . . let dry between layers. Use an outdoor or multi-surface paint to help them hold up to the elements.

 

Use small brushes or a stylus to make small details and/or dots.

 

Use oil based paint pens and Sharpies to write on your rocks. Just make sure to let fully dry before any writing.

 

Finish off your rocks with a coat (or two or three) of Mod Podge Outdoor. This will help protect your beautiful painted rocks from the elements.

 

(Say) Joshua used stones from the Jordan River to remind the people what God had done for them and how he led them safely across the Jordan River. God still safely leads us today when we trust in HIm.  Let’s paint our stones with colors, words, or pictures that remind us about what God has done for us. 

 

If children cannot think of anything, suggest that they paint the words “God Leads”.  Some other things they might want to paint: rainbow, cross, flower, church, river with dry ground, etc..

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

 

Exodus 15:13 says, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

 

Explain that we can bless each other by speaking the following words:

 

May you trust that God will lead you and guide you with His unfailing love and amazing strength all of your life.

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 10.18.20

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Derek in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples 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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 117:

 

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song. 

 

Death Was Arrested

 

 

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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

Living Hope

 

 

What a Beautiful Name

 

Is He Worthy

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

Special Offering for October: Benevolence

Once a month we take a special offering to support special causes the Deacons have prayerfully discerned. This month’s special offering is the Gold Avenue Church Benevolence Fund. The definition of benevolence is a kind act or gift or the doing of kind things for others. This fund helps out our church family and neighborhood with needs based help such as groceries, bill pay assistance, etc.

The deacons receive requests and pray together about how to help each request.  There is a Deacon Referral Form if you click here. By doing this our church family is able to be the hands and feet of Christ to each other and to our neighbors.

You can give to the special offering by:

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

2. Give online: select special from dropdown menu or type “benevolence” in memo line
https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online

3. Check: write “benevolence” in memo line

 

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. 

 

The Stand

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

Doxology

 

/by

Children’s Worship 10.18.20

,

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

God Shows Us How to Live

Based on: Exodus 19—20

 

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

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

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.) 

 

God has always shown us how to live. Once He redeemed Israel from the land of Egypt, God formed the Mosaic covenant between Himself and His people. It began a new era in their history. God continued to fulfill the promises He made to His people through the Abrahamic covenant. But the Mosaic covenant gave the people the means by which they would be able to experience that promised blessing. This covenant established the standards of righteousness for God’s people—His holy nation.

 

Yahweh was the God of Israel, and the people were in relationship with Him. God gave His people a model for living through the Ten Commandments that enhanced their worship and service to Him. This covenant demanded not only that the Israelites conform to a set of laws, but also that their hearts be oriented toward God. When the people lived out the laws, their lives demonstrated the intimate relationship they shared with God. A holy nation living in worship and service to the Lord acts as a catalyst to bring the nations of the earth into relationship with Him.

The covenant between God and His people at Sinai was a foreshadowing of what was to come. His law was “our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). In Him our worship, and our service, are complete. As we follow the Lord, we model for others the relationship it’s possible to have with the Holy God.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

Did you know that God shows us the best way to live? He gave us the Holy Spirit, who is always with us, to remind us of who God is and what He has done. We can talk to God anytime and anywhere. We can pray and read the Bible, God’s Word, so we can learn more about knowing and worshipping Him. God loves us so much! He shows us how to live. In today’s Big God Story we hear how God gave instructions called The Ten Commandments so we know the best way to live and worship God.

 

Watch the video:

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Today in The Big God Story we heard how God came and spoke to His people. God told Moses the Ten Commandments so the Israelites would know the best way to live and how to worship and serve only Him.

 

I wonder … What did the Israelites think when they were waiting for God to come to them?

I wonder … Would I be scared if I heard the trumpets sound or the thunder and lightning?

I wonder … Who is someone in my life who shows me God’s way to live?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. 

 

Did God show the Israelites how to live in The Big God Story today? Children respond. Yes, He did! The Israelites praised God for choosing them to be His people. One thing God asks us to do is to worship only one God—Him! Let’s do that right now. Let’s worship God together. I’ll begin. “God, I will worship You; You are the one and only true God!” Encourage children to praise God with their own words. Close as the Holy Spirit directs you. Then continue the worship time with some singing.

 

Worship Songs:  Three songs about the 10 Commandments. Take your pick!

 

 

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY    

 

God gave the 10 Commandments to show us how to live and have a life that’s the best it can be. Let’s make this to remind ourselves how we can live to honor God.

 

Print and cut out the 10 Commandment foldable. Fold to make an old fashioned cootie-catcher.

 

If you need directions here’s a Youtube video to watch. 

Fold and have fun reviewing the 10 Commandments.

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

Read aloud Psalm 25:4: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.”

 

Explain that we can bless each other by speaking the following words:

 

May God show you where to go and teach you the way He wants you to live.

 

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 10.11.20

,

A Note before you begin:

 

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Marissa in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and brought further up and further in to the Kingdom of God. 

 

 

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 Him.

 

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

 

 

From Psalm 99:

 

The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.

 

Let us worship our Holy King who sits enthroned above!

 

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

 

 

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song. 

 

All Creatures of Our God and 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 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: 

 

“The Lord be with you!”

 

and in response: 

 

“and also with you!”

 

And if you’re alone:

 

“The Lord is with me!”

 

 

 

He is Exalted

 

 

This I Believe

 

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

 

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

 

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to? 

 

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.  

 

 

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

 

 

 

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. 

 

Refiner’s Fire

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

 

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

 

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

 

From Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

When We See Your Face

/by

Children’s Worship 10.11.20

,

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

God’s Care is Wonderful  

Based on Exodus 16

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

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

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.) 

 

Early into their journey out of Egypt, the Israelites were learning just how wonderful God’s care can be. But after only a month or so, they became disgruntled and began murmuring again against Moses and Aaron. Seemingly the people forgot the bondage, beatings, and misery of their forced labor as slaves. But God heard the complaints of His people. In His grace and mercy, each day the Lord sent nutritional provision. Psalm 78 tells us God opened the doors of the heavens and rained down grain—men ate the bread of angels (verses 23–25)! The word manna comes from the question the people asked that first morning, “What is it?” (in Hebrew, man-hu ). The manna came with the dew each morning and resembled a hearty seed.

The way in which the Lord provided the manna was a wonder-filled miracle. It was especially nutritious and was able to sustain an adult for an entire day’s journey. Manna, along with quail, was to be their food for the next 40 years, until the new generation entered the Promised Land. God gave clear instructions that the Israelites were to gather manna daily, but only as much as each person in the family could eat; no more, no less. His people were to wake up early, before the desert sun would melt the manna, and only gather enough for the day. On the sixth day, the people were instructed to gather twice as much in order to prepare for the Sabbath. Additionally, God instructed His people to place a jar of manna in the ark of the covenant to serve as a reminder of His wonderful provision.

God cares for me. He is my provider. He is my healer.

Take a moment to read through each of the above statements once more. Pause at the end of each sentence. How have you experienced God working in your life in relation to these statements? Do you need to be reminded of His provision and care for you? Is there an area of your life that needs His healing? Ask God to reveal more of Himself to you. Allow yourself to respond freely to Him in whatever posture of worship His Spirit directs.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

This part of The Big God Story begins right after the Israelites left slavery in Egypt. God parted the Red Sea (bring palms together and then spread them apart), and they walked right across and started their journey to the new land God promised would be their home. (Place left palm out flat, and with right hand, use two fingers to make walking motion across left palm.) Give children a minute to follow movements. God’s care for His people is wonderful!

Let’s learn about another way God showed His care for His people in today’s story.

 

Watch the video:

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Today in The Big God Story you heard about the wonderful way God provided food for His people. He took care of them by sending manna from heaven. God’s care for His people is always wonderful!

 

I wonder … What would I think if food fell from the sky?

I wonder … What did the manna look and smell like each morning?

I wonder … When was a time God cared for me?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. 

 

God is with us every day, and He never gets tired of caring for us in wonderful ways. Even when we complain or make the wrong choice, God is there, loving us and caring for us. I’m so thankful that God cares for me in wonderful ways. I’ll start our time of praise by telling God thank You for all the ways He cares for me. “Dear God, You’re wonderful! Thank You for caring for me in wonderful ways!” What would you like to praise God for right now? Encourage children to respond with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY    

 

Experience #1

Supplies:

Paper strips for a paper chain, 2-3 per child

Writing or drawing utensils

Tape

 

God cared for His people in a wonderful way. He caused food to fall from the sky so they’d have enough to eat while they continued their journey to the place God promised would be their new home.

 

What are wonderful ways God cares for you? When you wake up in the morning, how does God care for you? When you play and eat and learn during the day, how is God caring for you? Who are the people God has placed in your life that care for you? Who did God promise to send to care for us? God knows what you need, and He’s able to take care of your needs in wonderful ways. Use some of their ideas from the prayer time after the Wonder Questions, also.

 

Explain that children can take strips of paper and draw about a way or ways God cares for them. As they work, share a story about how God has cared for you. Consider sharing an example that helps the kids see that God’s care can come in miraculous and ordinary ways. Both circumstances are wonderful.

 

When children are finished drawing on the strips, begin to tape them together to form a paper chain. Ask anyone who is willing to share about his link(s) and how God has cared for him. When your chain is complete, hang it for everyone to see.

Experience #2

Supplies:

Enlarge and print the image below

Crayons or markers

Glue stick

Oyster Crackers or Cheerios or another whitish cereal

 
Directions: Color picture. With a glue stick paste the “manna” on the ground and in the basket.

 

God was so good to take care of the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. God sent manna for the people to gather and eat each day. God cares for us each day, too.

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

 

Kids, God is wonderful today and always, and He cares for us in wonderful ways.

 

Lead children in several rounds of the following call-and-response.

 

Leader: God is wonderful …

Children: today and always!

Leader: God always cares for us …

Children: in wonderful ways!

 

End by speaking the following Scripture and prayer over the group. Invite children to cup their hands and hold them out as if they’re receiving something. 

 

The Bible tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

 

May you know that God your Father loves you and will care for you in ways that are more wonderful than you can even imagine!

 

/by