27.1.26

Reverend Mark led collective worship and talked to us about  a special day in the Christian calendar called Candlemas. The day also has another name - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - and this gives a clue as to the event that Christians remember at this time. On this feast day Christians read in the Bible about something that happened to Jesus as a young baby when his parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem. The events are described in St Luke's Gospel.

 

At the time of Jesus’ birth it was the custom to take the first boy born into a family to the Temple in Jerusalem, where the families would say thank you to God for the birth of the baby and offer the child to God.

Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple. There they met a very old man called Simeon.

Simeon was a good man and he seemed to be waiting for the baby Jesus, even expecting him.

He took Jesus very gently into his arms and said that Jesus was going to be a very special person. He was going to be like a bright light shining in the world. Then he blessed the baby and gave him back to his mother and father.

Mary and Joseph were amazed by what Simeon had said and wondered what the wise old man's words could mean.

Reverend Mark then lit the candle and we dimmed the lights in the room. He asked us to quietly observe the candle’s light. He explained how light can represent hope and goodness, and how even a small light can make a difference when there is darkness.

Some Christians light candles at Candlemas to help them remember Simeon's words about Jesus. Christians describe Jesus as 'the light of the world'. They try to follow the example of Jesus and live their lives as lights shining in the world.

Lighten our darkness,

Lord we pray;

And in your mercy defend us

From all perils and dangers of this night;

For the love of your only Son,

Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

 

14.1.26

Reverend Mark Led Collective Worship this week and talked to the children about Wisdom and Epiphany.

He asked us what we know about the three wise men.

- They followed a star to find baby Jesus.

- They came from the east.

- They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.

- They are sometimes called ‘the Magi’.

- Some people believe that Jesus was a little older when the wise men found him. This is because the Bible story speaks about them visiting a house rather than a stable.

Reverend Mark talked about how sometimes when we ask someone, “Are you OK?” the quick reply is, “Yes, I’m fine!” But often, that isn’t the whole story. Children (and adults) can say they’re fine even when they’re feeling sad, worried, or upset. It’s an easy response that avoids explaining how they really feel.

He encouraged the children to think about what’s behind those words. We’ve asked them to consider:

• Have you ever said you’re fine when you weren’t?
• How can we tell if someone might not be OK, even if they say they are?

Christians believe that God knows how we feel and cares deeply for us, and we reflect this care within our school community.

The children thought that in order to help people they could:

• Be thoughtful and kind.
• Use discernment—think about how others might really be feeling.
• Look for ways to help and support friends.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for keeping baby Jesus safe.

Thank you that you knew what was really going on in Herod’s heart.

Thank you that you are wise and know what is going on in our lives, too.

May we trust you to help and protect us.

Please help us to listen to others and to look for ways to help them.

Amen.

 

 

 

Reverend Mark led Collective Worship on Wednesday.  He talked about our value for the half term, forgiveness. 

 

He told us a true story about a lady called Corrie Ten Boom, who was a young woman in 1940 living with her parents and sisters.   The Ten Boom family were very happy together until the Second World War broke out. Soon, the family became concerned about some of the bad things that were going on. In 1940, soldiers marched into Corrie’s country, frightening and bullying people. The soldiers were especially unkind to the Jewish population. They hated these people so much that they marched them away from their homes and put them into horrible prison camps where they were treated badly.

One day, a Jewish woman with a baby in her arms came to Corrie’s house. ‘Please help me,’ she pleaded. ‘Can you hide my baby and me?’ The family showed compassion for this mother and her baby, and agreed to take them in. This was the beginning of Corrie and her family hiding many Jews. Sometimes, the family would hold a practice drill, a bit like the school fire drill. One of the family would press a buzzer and everyone would have to clear up and hide in the secret room as fast as they could. The aim was to be hidden in one minute. For a long time, the soldiers didn’t know that people were hiding in the house. God kept them safe.

However, one day, the soldiers found out what Corrie and her family were doing, and took them off to prison. At the time, there were six Jews hidden in the secret room, but the soldiers didn’t find them. Later, they were rescued from the room and escaped. The prison camp that Corrie ended up in was an awful place. However, she found that God was her hiding place even in prison. When she spoke to him in prayer and read the Bible that she had smuggled in, she found comfort and peace, which she shared with other people in the camp.

After many years Corrie was released from the prison camp. 

Corrie lived until she was 91 years old. After the war, she travelled around the world, explaining to people the importance of forgiveness and love.

Corrie forgave the people who had treated her and her family so badly.

Dear God,

Thank you for Corrie Ten Boom, and for all that she did to help others.

Please help us to stand up for those who are being treated badly in our world.

Amen.