Skip to main content

W&W Story: Elisha - A Mantle of Faith

Elisha: A Mantle of Faith[1]
Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with:
·         Welcoming the children
·         Explaining the space
·         Singing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know”

Story[2]

Once there was, a man named Elijah. He was a very old prophet. When it was about his time to go up to heaven, his successor, Elisha, went with him on a journey. Both men knew that soon Elijah would be gone. They walked through Jericho and Jordan. Finally, they crossed over the river Jordan. Elijah asked if there was anything that, he could do for Elisha. He asked for twice as much spirit that Elijah had.

Just than an angel of the Lord came on a chariot and took Elijah up to heaven. Elisha was so moved that he tore off his mantle, outer coat. Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle and put it on. When people saw Elisha with Elijah’s mantle, they knew that Elisha was with God and that he was now closely connected with God. Elisha went on to become a great prophet of God.

Wondering Questions

·         I wonder what it was like to be a prophet?
·         I wonder how Elisha felt being selected to be the next prophet?
·         I wonder what it was like to walk so far?
·         I wonder what it was like to see a chariot of the Lord?
·         I wonder what it was like to have such a special relationship with God?

Activity

Have the children find a chair around the table.
Explain to the children that they will make their own mantle of faith. Have them draw pictures on their mantles for places where they see God or how they can talk to God.
Have the children clean up their supplies, and take their story characters into the worship room.
Gather the children back in the circle. Continue with Children’s Worship and Wonder format and light the Christ candle, read scripture, pray, and sing the goodbye song.

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2: 8-14


[1]  Activity from Bible Story Activities, Volume 2, Christian Board of Publication, St. Louis, Mo.  1999.
[2] Story and Wonder Questions written by Kate West,  2005 using the NRSV
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Political vs. Partisan in Preaching

For years now, I have heard in preaching and clergy circles about being political in sermons; the good, the bad and those who state that church shouldn’t be political. There are workshops, books, and podcasts talking about politics in the church with a variety of opinions. What do people mean when they make the statement that the church shouldn’t be political? The IRS has the most say about the rules for the separation of church and state/politics. If your church wants to be tax exempt, there are rules: don’t endorse any candidate or party, if you allow one party to use your space, other political parties also must be allowed to use the space, etc. The UCC’s general counsel, Heather Kimmell, has a webinar on this topic if you’d like to hear a more detailed explanation which can be found on the UCC’s YouTube channel. Churches have gotten “creative” in how to get around this, often partnering with another non-profit group to give support to a particular group. The UCC is proud to claim...
Post a Comment
Read more

"And I Scream I'm Not Angry"

There's a Matchbox 20 song called "Angry." Part of the lyrics to the chorus are "and I scream that I'm not angry." It's a good song for when you're angry. But right now there is a burning furnace churning in my core and this song lyric does not fully capture my feelings. Maybe if I was going to sing/scream this in the privacy of my car it would be more along the lines of "and I scream that I'm not angry, I'm pissed as hell!!!" It has been a trying weekend. It is no longer good or healthy for me to be numb. It's time to fight is what comes out over and over again from my core. At the more "nicer" end of my spectrum of anger is just having a good old fashion temper tantrum - kicking, screaming and throwing myself in the floor. At the other end of my spectrum is me wanting to have my own "temple tantrum" similar to the one recorded in the Gospels - Jesus over turning the tables in the temple to make his point. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Day in the Life: A Minister and Forgiveness

 I shared in one of my last blogs that I had complaints lodged against me by a small group in my congregation. Most seem to have moved on after our group meeting, where I apologized for a lot of things - probably more then I should have had too. But I'm the professional in those settings so I did it.  I'm not being told, second hand, that two of those in that meeting want a one on one apology from me because what I said in the meeting wasn't good enough. This is the couple who cursed in my church, have flat out lied about me and have repeatedly stated that the only outcome they're willing to accept is my termination.  Let me explain why I won't be having a one on one meeting with this couple and I won't be giving any more apologies. First, lets start with the apology part. I have apologized for my actions - maybe my misinterpretations is a better term. Based off of their actions and words, I communicated with the proper board/committee and asked for consensus ab...
Post a Comment
Read more