spin-off assemblies a series of 10 assembly ideas for ... · spin-off assemblies a series of 10...

© Spinnaker Trust 2005, 172 High Street, London, SE20 7QS Reg. Company No: 5503977, Reg. Charity No: 1111351

Spin-off assemblies a series of 10 assembly ideas

for collective worship

Spinnaker Trust 2005

Introducing this series

This series is about how we use words.

It's not about vocabulary - but it is about how words express our thoughts, feelings, emotions. It’s about how we

use words. We use words at home and the same word may mean something different at school. We use words in some places that we never use somewhere else or at another time. In particular, the way Christians use words

in their worship of God is important.

This series also explores the situations in life when words are not enough - when we can’t find the words to express what we really think or feel. What happens then? We hope that people can read our hearts or

understand our emotions. Christians believe that God hears our prayers, but also He sees into hearts - looking

for the thoughts and feelings we can't easily explain.

But Christians also believe that what we do say is important - especially to those around us. How else do people around us know that we care? This series aims to take the children on a journey to discover the importance of

what we say and how we say it, and the greater importance of learning to listen to the words, thoughts and

feelings of others.

And if we need to think about something more important than that, Christians believe we should take time to listen for God's words in today's noisy world.

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Programme for

Title Theme Bible content

1. Mouths and ears

It is better to listen than to talk. James 3:2-9

2. Wine tasting. How can we say one thing to one person and

the opposite to another?

James 3:11 NIV

3. The ventriloquist Who puts words into your mouth?

4. Do you really mean

it?

Do we really mean what we always say? Luke 19:1-10

Story of Zacchaeus

5. Moan, moan, moan!

Why is it we can usually find something to

moan about? The other story of the three bears.

Stop complaining!

Phil 2:14-15

6. Limericks A few words make a story.

7. When words are not

enough

It can difficult to put our thoughts or feelings

into words.

Romans 8:26

8. A man of few words

(pre-Christmas/advent)

Why are it that sometimes it takes us a long

time to and a lot of words to explain what we mean?

Luke 1:5-25

Zechariah is lost for words!

9. Greetings cards (The Christmas

story)

God’s message is not just for a short time – but forever.

Luke 2:1-20

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Assembly Title: 1. Mouths and ears

Theme: It’s better to listen than to talk.

Bible story/reference: James 3:2-9

The point the children are to go away with is that we need to listen perhaps more than we talk.

Resources:

• A large ear and a large mouth – cut out so that you could wear them. • Cards with the following: ear • Have some other letters that you can put in front or behind the word ‘ear’ to make the following:

y ear d ear ear n l ear n ear th n ear t ear s w ear b ear h ear

Introduction:

What is a rhyme? It’s where a word sounds the same – not necessarily all spelt the same.

eye and tie

Some words that are spelt the same will rhyme, and others may not:

ear year hear dear near pear tears earn earth wear bear learn

(With KS1 you might like to use a teddy bear as your hook, preferably one with a loose ear or two! “My teddy is like you and me .. how? Are we both furry? No. But we both have two ears and one mouth! Teddy bears can comfort you when you are sad. They are good at ‘listening’ to you.)

Main Content:

We all might look very different. We might not be the cleverest or fastest. But we are all the same. (Ask for some volunteers to hold the cards you have prepared.)

We all have ….. (ask the volunteers to make the words up)

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ears – gentle – you can’t easily upset someone with your ears!

h.ear - prepared to listen rather than share our own ideas d.ear – those that are dear to you – you listen to

ear.n – earn respect by being prepared to take the views of others

ear.th – a noisy place – lots of opinions/ideas. t.ear.s – sometimes we don’t listen or notice what others feel

n.ear – the nearer we get to people – the better we hear what they really feel w.ear – them out by always talking about you and what you can do

y.ear – a new term, a new school year – make it your motto to use your ears more!

l.earn – lots more to learn

(you may well think of some others)

So what would you rather have – a mouth or a pair of ears?

Old people sometimes used to say – you need two ears to listen twice as much as you speak.

This passage from the Bible says that listening is good but speaking is dangerous …

Paraphrased bible text: James 3:2-9 (you might want to get a child to read this, or you could have some act out parts e.g. the horse and rider, a captain on a ship. You could light a match to illustrate the spark. You might also play some music while you read:)

“We all make mistakes and do things we regret. If anyone wants to be perfect, the first thing he must do is control what he says.

If we can control what we say – we are likely to be able to control the rest of our lives too.

A horse rider put a bit into the mouths of horses to make them obey him, with it the rider can control the whole animal.

A ship may be huge and travel across the oceans, but the captain can steer the ship wherever he wants it to go using a very small rudder

The tongue is like that. It is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

Have you ever seen pictures of a huge forest fire – but it started by a small spark. And our tongues are also like fire, it can spoil every bit of you, just like a forest fire - it can set your whole life on fire.

In the zoo, circus or on a farm, there are all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea

have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. Our tongues can be as bad as a snakes

tongue - full of deadly poison. With our tongues we praise God and praise those around us. But with the same tongue we curse others men who, made in God's likeness, are no different from you and me.”

Pupils response/Outcomes/Prayer:

Think back to the Teddy Bear... they listen to us and they comfort us and they don't say anything bad. Who will you be a 'Teddy Bear' for today?

Get the children to listen really carefully and, perhaps, whisper this prayer:

Dear God, Help me to be quiet

To be quiet and to listen, To listen and to be still,

To be still and to be calm, Help me to listen to others.

Help me to listen to you.

Amen.

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Assembly Title: 2. Wine tasting

Theme: How can we say one thing to one person and the opposite to another?

Bible story/reference: James 3:11

The point the children are to go away with is that we are often ashamed of what we say in some situations,

especially behind people’s backs.

Resources:

• Two-sided cards for a simple quiz - what is the opposite of …… (set these across the age range) e.g.

black-white, happy-sad, hot-cold, slow-fast, teacher-pupil, confident-shy, rich-poor.

• A wine bottle

• Some large card ‘bottles’ shapes with these words on each side:

Good – Bad Kind - Nasty

Introduction:

1. Start the assembly with the quiz – get children out or ask the whole school:

“What is the opposite of ………” Gradually get more difficult so that you travel form KS1 to KS2.

2. Wine tasting. Show the children a wine bottle. Your parents may buy wine in the shops. The problem is, one

bottle of wine looks very much like another. So, how do they know what it is like? They read the description,

and look at who has made the wine to get an idea. However, it is not until they open the bottle and taste the wine that they really know what it is like. It is what is inside that counts. Are you the same on the inside as you

say on the outside? Or are you somebody quite different on the inside?

Main Content:

Story: About a girl who was not what she said she was like.

Story:

Karis was the new girl in school. She had moved over the summer holidays to Copperfield Primary in Surrey.

Karis was an easy going, kind and generous girl who rarely upset anyone, but she was also quiet and was finding it hard to settle in and make friends.

Class 5T were a lively bunch of children. Joti was the unofficial boss of class. Joti was the leader of ‘The Crew’

as she named them - the ‘cool’ gang of the class. She was a loud, tall and often bossy girl, but when Karis arrived in class that Autumn, Mrs Timmins paired Joti with up with her and asked her to help Karis settle in.

Now Karis was not the type of person that would be found in Joti’s type of gang.

However, Joti found helping Karis very easy. After all, she was bossy, Karis was quiet and respectful and

appreciated the help that Joti gave her. The two of them began to get on really well.

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At the end of the first week, everyone had to write a paragraph to recommend a good friend of theirs. Joti chose to write about Karis: ‘Karis is a very kind person. She is easy to get to know, she smiles a lot and is very

friendly. She is quiet but when you get to know her she is fun to be with. I would really recommend her as a

friend.’ Mrs Timmins was very pleased with Joti’s work and asked her to read it to the class. Joti shifted uneasily in her chair. What will ‘the crew’ think of me? She thought to herself. They will think I have gone soft.

There was nothing she could do though, Mrs Timmins had seen her work, there was no way of changing anything now. So she read it out in a dull voice and immediately slumped down into her seat.

Lunchtime couldn’t come quick enough for Joti. She hooked up with ‘the crew’ immediately and they marched boldly around the playground as usual, looking for innocent children to boss around and make fun of. Then

came crunch time. Judy from the crew taunted Joti: “Hey Joti, there’s your new best friend, Karis, why don’t you go and play nicely with her. You could talk about books and Barbie dolls. After all she is fun to be with”

Joti felt her stomach being tied in knots. She really liked Karis, but it would be very un-cool to hang out with her. The Crew would start making fun of her if she did. She really didn’t know what to do. Suddenly, as they

drew close by to Karis, Joti blurted out: ”Play with Karis, pa! No way, she’s so boring. I only said that stuff to impress Mrs Timmins!”

The Crew burst into laughter and passed by Karis, pointing and making fun. But the knot in Joti’s stomach was

still there. She glanced sheepishly at Karis as they moved by, wishing that she the ground would open up and

swallow her.


What sort of wine are you? Are people always taken in by the description? Or do they know something

about you that your teachers or parents don’t know?

Use the large bottles: Do you say that you are good when on the inside you are bad?

Read James 3:11

Explain how we can be two faced/hypocritical. We are often ashamed of what we say in some situations, especially behind their backs.

Christians believe that it is only God who can help them change on the inside.

Song: “Great great brill brill”, or another suitable for your school.

Dear God, When I am being rough – help me to be smooth.

When I feel I want to say something bitter – help me to say something sweet instead. When I want to be rude, help me to be polite and kind instead.

Always help me to be the better ‘opposite’. All the time.

Amen.

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Assembly Title: 3. Who puts the words in your mouth?

Theme: The ventriloquist

Bible story/reference: Numbers 22

The point the children are to go away with is that we cannot blame others for what we ourselves say – or the

way we say it. No one can ‘make us’ say what we do not wish to.

Resources:

• A puppet – preferably one with a mouth that moves.

Introduction:

Invite 2 or 3 children to help you. Give them a puppet (with moving mouth) and see if they can get the puppet

‘to talk’.

You might like to suggest that they get the puppet to talk – without their own mouth moving!

Perhaps get the school to vote on who they think was best!

Main Content: Ideas for presentation: • Use large or small puppets behind a screen. • Use 1 puppet on your arm to tell it with you (take a paragraph each) • Use pictures

Adapted from Numbers 22

“There was once a nasty King called Balak who was the king of a certain country. Normally he was happy but at the moment he was very unhappy. Downright miserable! And he was very afraid.

A huge, huge crowd of people had just arrived on the doorstep of his country and Balak did not like the idea

that they were there. He did not want to have battle with them and he certainly did not want to put up with

them. But how to get rid of them? And then he had a bright idea.

The king knew of a man whose name was Balaam. And Balaam was a strange man. People were afraid of him – he had the habit of saying that something terrible would happen – and it did! So Balak the king invited Balaam

invited to come and say something really horrible about all these people who were coming to live in his country; and that if he did as the king had asked; the king would reward him richly.

Well, when Balaam heard the message he was confused. Should he go or not? He did not like the idea of saying something horrible about all these people. But in the end, he liked the idea of being really important. So the

next morning he put a saddle on his donkey and took the road.

When they got to a particular part of the road, God sent an angel to stand right in the middle of the road.

Balaam did not see it but the donkey did – and it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

Then the angel stood in a narrow part of the road - between two walls. When the donkey saw the angel, she

pressed so close to the wall that she crushed Balaam's foot against it. Balaam was so angry that he beat the

donkey again.

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A third time the angel moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to

the right or to the left. Anyway, when the donkey saw the angel, she lay down on the road with Balaam sitting on top of her. He was so angry and he beat her again and again with his staff.

Then God did something amazing – he made the donkey talk.

"What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

Balaam was so angry that he talked back to the donkey: "You have made me look a fool! I have a good mind to

kill you right now."

But the donkey argued back. "How long have I been your donkey? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," said Balaam. And then God opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in

the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face down.

Then the angel asked Balaam, "Why have you beaten your donkey three times? I have come here to stop you

going and saying something bad about these people. If it wasn’t for the donkey I would certainly have killed you by now... but I would have let her live."

“Oh dear!” thought Balaam. “I have done the wrong thing. I must go home.”

But the angel told him to continue on his journey – but only to say what he was told. Nothing else!

And so Balaam did get to meet Balak – and even though Balak the king asked him to say horrible things – he didn’t! No one was going to put words into his mouth again– except God.


How often do you say things just because that is what others want you to say? Or because you think it is the right or ‘cool’ thing to say? How often do you say the things that you really think or want to say?

How often do you ‘think’ before you speak?

Dear God,

Teach me to be careful what I say ... how I say it ... when I say it. Help me to realise and learn that it is better, more important, to show my care in the way I speak to others.

Help me to understand that it is not my reputation that is important – but the feelings of others. Amen.

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Assembly Title: 4. Do you really mean it?

Theme: Do we really mean what we always say?

Bible story/reference: Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus

The point the children are to go away with is that we should be genuine and sincere in the things that we say.

Resources:

• Copies of the pictures produced by Amy Devlin – attached below

• Words printed on cards (optional)

Introduction:

Some words we use today are in fact the opposite of what we mean. For example:

Wicked Cool Bad Sick

Good (car) Lovely

You could give the opposite meanings (perhaps on OHP) and ask them to match them up. Generally – the tone or the way we say the word suggests its meaning. For example, if we say ‘good car’ in a sarcastic voice- we

mean the opposite. If we say “Wow, good car!” you can see what I mean.

Main Content:

Story of Zacchaeus. (based on Luke 19:1-8)

(Note: The children will need to repeat the words “Do you really mean it?” You can signal when they have to have to take part by using a card, bell or a gesture?) In the big city of Jericho there was a man whose name was Zacchaeus.

(picture 1) He was the chief tax collector. He was so very rich; he wore gold rings and a gold chain. Everyone could see he

was rich, but they also knew that he was rich because at the end of every day, when he counted the tax money that had been collected, he would keep a lot for himself.

“Do you really mean it?”

Yes I do – he would keep a lot of money for himself. (Picture 2)

So everybody hated him. Because he was rich. Because he was wealthy. Because he was a tax collector and

because he worked for the Roman army.

“Do you really mean it?” Yes I do – everybody hated him.

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Anyway, one day Jesus walked into the big city of Jericho. Zacchaeus had heard that Jesus had been friendly to other tax collectors and he wanted to see what Jesus was like. Trouble was that Zacchaeus was a short man,

and when he stood at the back of the crowd he could not see. And because everyone hated him, no one would

let him through. In fact, people would gladly push him out of the way. They did NOT like him. “Do you really mean it?”

I do! No-one liked him and no-one would let him through.

So Zacchaeus decided to run ahead because he knew that at the side of the road there was a sycamore-fig tree

with low, wide branches. So he decided to climb the tree in order to get a better view. (Picture 3)

“Do you really mean it?” Yes I do, he decided to climb the tree. It was an easy climb, and he settled on a branch to see if he could see

Jesus.

When Jesus reached the spot where Zacchaeus was up the tree, Jesus stopped and looked up and said to him,

(picture 4) "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."

“Do you really mean it?” asked Zacchaeus, not believing his ears. “Yes I do!” replied Jesus. “Come down straight away.”

But the crowd, who saw Jesus talking to Zacchaeus, were not happy. “Are you going to be a guest in his house? But he is a bad man, a rich cheat who is getting rich on our money! Do you really mean it?” they asked. (picture 5)

But Jesus had already walked off with Zacchaeus; they could see that Jesus meant it!

And you’d never guess what. Zacchaeus stood up and said to Jesus, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of

what I own to the poor people, and all those I have cheated out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

“Do you really mean it?” Asked Jesus “Yes I do,” said Zacchaeus.

And by the end of the day, (picture 6) Zacchaeus changed from being the most hated to the most popular man in Jericho.

“Do you really mean it?” Yes, I do – Zaccahaeus had had a real change of heart.


Matt 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’, ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Dear God, Thank you that you mean it when you say you care about everyone here.

When we offer help and friendship to those around us, help us to mean it too. Amen.

Amy Devlin © Spinnaker Trust www.spinnaker.org.uk Reg. Company No: 5503977, Reg. Charity No: 1111351

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Assembly Title: 5. Moan, moan, moan

Theme: The not so well known version of the story of the three bears.

Bible story/reference: Phil 2:14-15 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like

stars in the universe.

The point the children are to go away with is: if we want to ‘shine’ as a person, maybe we should stop moaning!

Resources: • Note: the following poem needs to be rehearsed well in order to be effective.

Introduction:

What kind of things do people complain about? Moan about? Ask for some comments on the following

categories:

weather, work,

cars, family,

food,

TV machines esp: computers

Main Content:

Explain that you are going to read the school a poem: entitled the ‘other’ story of the three bears.

Teach them the chorus: Moan, moan, moan, moan,

Moan, moan, moan, Moan, moan, moan, moan,

Moan, moan, moan. (perhaps get them to guess the last line!)

The ‘other’ story of the three bears.

Three bears lived alone in a wood

where they complained all the time, night and day, Nothing was right and nothing was good

they never had a kind word to say.

Whatever was done was inadequate, they took it in turns to complain

So you see they were not very happy, and relationships were very strained. And they said: Moan …

One day Goldilocks came to visit,

they were really upset she was there,

They complained that she was intruding, Especially as she wasn’t a bear.

So she offered to make them breakfast, porridge and coffee and toast,

But the bears were really unhappy;

they discussed what they hated the most. And they said: Moan …

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Then she offered to do all the housework,

to tidy and mend and clean, But the bears were moaning as usual,

she thought they were critical, mean.

So she said to the small bear “what’s your problem?”, why is everything I do so bad,

I could stay here and be like your helper, I would hope that at least you’d be glad.” But the small bear said: Moan …

Goldilocks looked sternly at mummy bear, who was sitting with her head in her paws,

“Why are you always looking so fed up, I’ve cleaned all the cupboards and floors.”

And she gave her a list of her efforts,

“I’ve made beds, cleaned the sink and the door.” But mummy bear moaned as usual,

“Call this clean, huh, it’s worse than before.” All she did was: Moan …

Daddy bear had been silent all morning, and he didn’t look very pleased,

Goldilocks was cleaning around him

and the dust in the air made him sneeze. “I’ve had enough!” stamped the girl,

“I can’t stand it. I’ve never met such fussy bears.” But as she stood there angry and crying

– the bears only moaned at her tears. And they continued to : Moan …

So finally Goldilocks acted,

in her grief she ran to the door, “I’m going right now to my own home

– I know I can’t take any more.” As she ran down the road the bears followed,

they could not understand why she’d fled

They didn’t think for a moment, it was because of all the bad things they had said.

So the lesson to learn is quite simple,

it is one that that the bears should have known

If they want someone to be friendly, they should decide, first of all, not to moan.


Read the Bible verse, twice, slowly if suitable.

Which would you rather be? Blameless, pure and shining like a star or crooked and depraved?

What things have you moaned about at home? Have you moaned about people in your class?

Do you moan about the food your mum cooks? Not very fair is it!

If we want to ‘shine’ as a person – perhaps we should stop moaning!

Dear God,

Help me not to moan too much - especially about people who are trying to do their best to help. But help me instead to shine like a star in this world.

Amen.

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Assembly Title: 6. Limericks

Theme: a few words make a story

Bible story/reference: treasure and the pearl Matthew 13

The point the children are to go away with is that saying something in a few words can make it memorable.

Resources:

• Examples of limericks

Introduction:

For KS2:

See if anyone knows what a limerick is

Try the m out with a couple of these (taken from the kingfisher book of Children’s Poetry) Maybe an image to go with them?

A sleeper from the Amazon Put nighties of his grandma’s on

The reason: That He was too fat

To get his own pyjamas on.

There once was a damsel named Jinx

Who when asked what she thought of the Sphinx Replied with a smile

“That old fraud by the Nile? I personally think that she stinks”

Try to create a limerick giving a start line (watch out for rhyming) e.g.

There once was a chap called Harry Who wanted to ….

He found it such fun To be all of …

That amazing ….

Or you could use a base of a known one.

For KS1:

You could use nursery rhymes see if they can guess it from a picture or fill in missing line. Nursery rhymes tell

stories in a similar way to limerick simply and quickly.

Main Content:

Limericks tell a story simply and quickly and in a way that can be remembered

Jesus told simply to help people understand about God and what heaven was like. Tell the parable of the pearl merchant from Matthew 13 v 45-6

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You can add the parable of the treasure hidden in a field.

The story can told straight using pictures from ‘Stories Jesus Told’ by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen pub. Marshall Pickering. Another version is in the Lion Beginners Bible P358.

Now turn it into a limerick:

There was once a man who sold treasure Which usually gave him no pleasure

But one day in the ground

Some treasure he found. Sold all and had joy beyond measure

Conclusion: The story was simple enough for people to remember that it was about a man who got rid of

everything for a single pearl. The children should understand that Christians believe God’s kingdom is worth

more than anything else.


Dear God

Thank you for the stories Jesus told.

They still help us to understand that we are special to you. Help us to learn that some things are of great value – especially things that please you and please others.

Amen.

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Assembly Title: 7 When words aren't enough

Theme: Sometimes it is difficult to put our thoughts or feelings into words. When this happens we can be

assured that God knows and understands us.

Bible story/reference: Romans 8:26 - The Spirit helps us in our weakness ….with groans that words cannot express.

The point the children are to go away with is that sometimes it is difficult to put our thoughts or feelings into words.

Introduction:

As children come into Assembly - play a track from Adiemus . For KS2: - Read from Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky - a poem full of nonsense….

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogroves,

And the mome raths outgrape.

What do the children think the poem means? What is a slivey tove? How do you gyre and gimble?

For KS1:

Use some made up words - or look at an example from Edward Lear Book of Nonsense? Made up words that families have ….. have ideas to share. (eg in the Kearley household, a 'nobby joe' is

the bit of bread you cut off the crust as you start a loaf - who knows why….!) OR:

Use a CD of baby noises. Play these to the children and explain that babies can’t put their thoughts and

feelings into words, so this is what they do. They find ways to tell you what they want. OR:

Sign language. Ask volunteers to come out and express different feelings with their actions using any other way than speaking: Happy/sad/angry/hungry/tired/toothache/lonely/scared etc.

Main Content:

Do you remember seeing Paula Radcliffe in the 2005 Olympic Games? Paula was running in the marathon - a 26 mile race. And she gave up. She was in tears after she had dropped out of the marathon in Athens - and she

couldn't explain what happened - she didn't have the words. She just didn't know what went wrong or how she

felt. Even the people around simply did not know what to say.

Sometimes, words just aren't enough for us or others. Something inside us wants to get out - but we can't express it - we don't really know how we feel or what we think. Have you ever been in the situation when you

are asked a question - and you just don't know how to answer the question?

Refer back to Adiemus - what language is being sung? The composer Karl Jenkins created a piece of music with an orchestra and human voice, but the words are often made up. Usually he used only one voice that has been recorded lots of times so that it sounds like a choir singing.

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Sometimes people feel like that when they talk to God. They can't find words to express themselves - its not that they don’t want to say anything, but there is an overwhelming feeling of not knowing what to say.

One of the first Christians, Paul, understood this. He wrote to the Christians who lived in Rome - encouraging them by telling them that God knew their hearts and minds and when they didn't know how to pray, God himself

would do it for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

That is why some people, when they pray - don't say anything……

Some people just want to be quiet..……. others like to light a candle (light a candle if this is appropriate in the school)

others like to dance, to paint a picture, to look at a sunset ……… it helps them to think about God in a way that words don't let them.

Christians believe that God understands what they want to say, however they express it.

Read Romans 8:26-27a

Pupils response/Outcomes/Prayer: Lots of people have their own secret languages - in their families or amongst friends. Sometimes with people we

know very well - we can almost know what they are thinking without saying anything!

Dear God

Thank you that you know what we are feeling inside. Thank you that you understand us too. Amen

OR:

Get the children to listen to some more music of Adiemus. Encourage them to close their eyes, to use the time to think - or to talk to God quietly in their heads.

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Assembly Title: 8. A man a few words Note: suitable as introduction to Christmas story – early December

Theme: Why is it that sometimes it takes us a long time and a lot of words to explain what we mean?

Bible story/reference: Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah is lost for words!

The point the children are to go away with is that blurting out the first words we think of, when we don’t understand or don’t believe something we have been told, can get us into real trouble.

Resources:

• Set of words or pictures illustrating: a man, a woman, the temple, candles, an angel, a baby, a family,

the word: ‘John’, a mouth

Introduction:

(Check first that this theme is appropriate in this particular school.)

It may be hard to imagine, but imagine what it would be like if you woke one day and found out that you could

not talk. You had completely lost your voice! I expect your mum might be really pleased. No doubt your teacher would appreciate it too!

Of course you would go and see a doctor, but I wonder if there is anything else you could do. (Comment about

the true story of a primary teacher who used a series of whistle commands to overcome loss of voice problem!)

OR:

Use a single puppet: You: Good morning Chewy* (puppet), how are you? (* or another puppet name!)

Puppet: mmm mmmm mmmm

You: Pardon? Puppet mmm mmm mmm

You: What does mm mmm mmm mean?

Puppet: mmm mmm You: (crossly) oh come on Chewy! (realising) Ooooh! You've lost your voice!

Puppet: mm mmm! You: How did you do that? Oh, you can't tell me!

Puppet: mmm (pointing to bag where his pocket ‘etch a sketch’ is and has written on it; 'I laughed at Beaky

(other puppet, friend) when he told me he was going to have a baby Beaky' You: You must have laughed an awful lot! It serves you right. Hey, our story today is about someone who

lost his voice because he didn't believe what an angel said to him...

Main Content:

Story: Miss out the words that are highlighted and show the pictures instead. The children could say the words (they may do this spontaneously anyway!) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a man named Zechariah (show man). His wife Elizabeth (show woman). They were good people – in fact – almost perfect – but the one problem for them was that they had no children and they were both quite old.

Now Zechariah was a priest and every now and then he would be the priest on duty at the temple – where people worshipped God. In the temple, his job would have been to go into the very quiet, special place where

only priests could go and light candles and make sure that the whole place was exactly the way it should be.

Anyway, he was in the temple, lighting candles and so on, when an angel from God came and stood in front

of him. Well, as you can imagine, when Zechariah saw the angel he was terrified.

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But the angel was very calm and said to him:

"Don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayers for a family and I am here to tell you that your wife will indeed

have a baby. And you must call him John. And he will be a real joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice

because of his birth, because he is going to be a very important spiritual leader of the country.”

But Zechariah just stood there – stunned.

"Surely this is impossible! How can I be certain? I mean, I’m an old man and my wife is no spring chicken - she’s

really old you know!"

The angel was not impressed and was cross with Zechariah. “I have come straight from God to tell you this amazing good news and here you are questioning me! Well, because you doubt me, you can be silent and you will not able to speak until your baby is born, simply because you did not believe my words.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and were wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

They were amazed that we he did eventually come out, he opened his mouth but could not speak to them. They thought he must have a great fright in the temple, for he kept making signs but he could not speak.

Anyway, Elizabeth became pregnant and when it was time her baby to be born, she had a son. Her

neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. After the

birth the family were going to have a naming ceremony and they all said, “You must name him after his father and call him ‘Zechariah’”.

But Elizabeth, the mother, spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."

They said to her, "That is stupid, there is no one among your relatives who has that name."

Then they all made signs to Zechariah, to find out what he would like to name the child. And he asked for

something to write on. "His name is John." He wrote in big letters.

Immediately Zechariah could speak. He opened his mouth, and did he speak? Oh yes! "Praise be to the Lord!” he shouted and on and on he spoke. And everyone was completely amazed at the events of that day.


Song: Great great brill brill

In the reflection time – explore these ideas with the children:

Who was John the Baptist? Explain - He came to prepare the way for Jesus.

As we prepare for Christmas, let's think about the amazing things that happened: God sent His Son

down to earth, putting him in Mary's tummy. God sent an angel to tell the shepherds... He sent Wise

men to worship Jesus. God sent His own son so that we can be friends with Him.

So let's not make the same mistake as Zechariah by not believing, and saying the first thing that comes into your head.

In the quiet, take a moment to think carefully about your response to what God did that first Christmas.

And / or … In our reflection today let’s think about the times when

� Sometimes I open my mouth and I am ashamed of what I say. � Sometimes I see something going on – and I keep quiet when I should speak up.

� Sometimes I am too loud.

� Sometimes I am not loud enough! Amen.

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Assembly Title: 9. Greetings cards

Theme: God’s message is not just for a short time but also forever

Bible story/reference: Christmas story Luke

The point the children are to go away with is that God’s gift of forgiveness through Jesus is forever.

Resources:

• Have examples of different types of cards, some with rhymes

• Cards for moving home, birth of baby boy, invitation, gift tag

Introduction:

When do you get cards? Note down suggestions. Show examples of types of cards.

Can you tell anything about the person from the cards given? Have a look at what gets written in the cards. If

you have got some pretty dreadful/funny rhymes in cards read a few out.

These cards are people’s way to show their friendship and love to me.

Main content:

We use different cards for different occasions

Using a series of envelopes with cards in to tell the Christmas story

� Moving Card – Mary and Joseph journey lack of room housed in a stable.

� Congratulations on baby boy – Mary gives birth to Jesus

� Invitation - Angels tell the shepherd and invite them come and see for themselves

� Gift tag - Gift for the world


� We love getting cards from friends an family

� What do we do after the events with the cards?

� We keep some e.g. wedding cards, cards for a birth

� Others we recycle or throw away or make things out of

� Gift tags kept until say thank you then binned

� God’s message doesn’t change what the angels said stay true.

Dear God, Thank you for your gift of Jesus and your message of forgiveness. Thank you that this gift lasts forever.

Amen.

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