Kepplewray - Burlington School

This afternoon we met the children from Burlington School who were at Keeplewray. We entertained them with an interactive nativity play which meant that some of the children got dress in the costumes and 'acted out' the story while Sarah read it and I directed the children on the stage. We had a great time and I hope the children did too. There was lots of laughs as the sheep went off on their own and did - sheep things. Following the play we introduced them to Gary who was doing his Christmas list and like all the assemblies we have done in December we showed the video of the nativity scene being blotted out by everything else from Christmas. We didn't have time to sing with the children as they had other things that they needed to be doing.

Sarah and I have had a rather busy December and we are now taking a rest, looking forward to spending time with our family over Christmas.

St Peters

This morning we travelled up to St Peters in Ireleth to take there assembly. We took Gary with us - it was his first visit to them so the children didn't quite know what to expect. We did our Christmas assembly for them that we have been doing for the past few weeks and showed the video about Christmas too. The children all joined in the singing of 'I wish it could be Christmas everyday' until the baby cried - some laughed others just fell silent as Sarah then explained the true meaning behind Christmas. I then just finished off the assembly by talking a bit more about what God did for us and how Jesus is the best present ever. We sang 'Inright Outright' to start and finished with 'Great Big God'

Croftlands Junior School

This morning we went to Croftlands Junior School to do our Christmas assembly. We had the whole school in for the assembly as normally there are a few year groups out swimming on Tuesdays. We sang a short song to start 'Great Big God' then we brought Gary on who was far too busy to talk to the children as he was doing his Christmas list and one for his mum. Sarah read the list which had toys, toys, toys, toys and more toys on it while his mums list had mince pies, turkey, chocolate x 100, more mince pies and sprouts. Sarah pointed out that Christmas was not all about what we get as presents or about how much we can eat - she then showed Gary and the children a video. It started with the nativity scene of Mary, Joseph and Jesus but other things blotted out the image as more and more things filled the screen. Finally a baby cried and the nativity scene slowly came back into view. Gary now realised what Christmas was all about and got so excited about it that he ran off to tell Mark. The assembly finished with a short word about the true meaning of Christmas and we sang 'Great Big God'

Keeplewray - Sir John Barrow School

Today we were up at Keeplewray Christian Centre in Broughton. We had been asked to entertain a group of school children and this afternoon it was the year 3 class from Sir John Barrow School. We took the stage set for the nativity and all the costumes we had and began to tell a story to the children - but as Sarah started I stopped her and said that the rest of the cast for the play hadn't turned up and that all the children would have to go back to school and do lessons - but Sarah said that maybe the children might like to help us. I didn't think they would want to but they did (we kind of hoped they would). So Sarah started the story of Christmas as I picked children out to be actors in the story. We moved around the room, with the sheep and shepherds, I played the part of the Roman Emperor as well as King Herod. Lots of laughing later we completed the story. Then we sang Away in a Manger before we brought out Gary. Now Gary was far to busy getting his list together to be bothered with the children however Sarah did make him watch a short video about Christmas. It is the same one we have shown to all our schools this year, the children sang along to the 'We wish it could be Christmas everyday' song until the baby cried and the nativity scene came back on. Gary threw his list away and ran off to tell Mark all about what he had learnt. I then finished off the session with a reminder of what Christmas is about. We sang 'Great big God' and said a prayer and the children left. We do it all again on Thursday with a different school.

Windermere Juniors

This morning we made our way up the lake to Windermere Juniors. At times we could have been in the lake as there was so much water about, with the road flooded in several places. Today was a special Christmas assembly for the children. We took Gary with us, although Gary has been before the new year 3 children had never seen him. We also sang 'So many ways to Praise the Lord' which was new to them. Gary came out and said hello to everyone and I mean everyone (as Gary does from time to time) however he was far too busy to talk as he was doing his Christmas list, but he was also doing one to help out his mum as well. His list mainly had toys on it, his mums list did have food on it which included chocolate x 100. Being too busy as he was Gary didn't want to talk to Sarah or the children - he had too much to do. Sarah pointed out that it was not really what Christmas was about and showed him and the children a short video. The video started off with a nativity and then that picture was blotted out by other things can are to do with Christmas but are not really that important. Finally the video ended with the nativity scene again. Sarah explained to Gary about Christmas, he got so excited about it that he threw his list away and went off to tell Mark all about it. Mark came back and talked to the children about Christmas then we sang 'Great Big God' said a prayer with them and finished with 'Shine'

Our Lady's School Dalton

This morning we took Gary to Our Lady's (for the first time) However he was rather too busy to talk to the children. He had his Christmas list to write which had toys, toys, toys and more toys on it. He was also doing a list for his mum to help her with getting ready for Christmas and that had mince pies, chocolate x 100 (Gary added that bit), mince pies, sprouts, turkey and sellotape. Sarah pointed out to Gary that Christmas was not all about what we get as presents or what we eat it was about a baby born in a stable called Jesus. To make her point clear to Gary she showed him and the rest of the school a video. The video showed a nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the stable - but other things got in the way of the scene and slowly the nativity scene got blotted out until that is a baby cried and the nativity scene faded back into view. Now Gary understood what Christmas was all about and ran off to tell Mark all about it.

Penny Bridge School

This afternoon we took Gary along to Penny Bridge School. However he was really too busy to talk to the children and Sarah as he was putting his Christmas list together, he was also putting things down to remind his mum. Sarah tried to get him to talk but he would not. So Sarah decided to show him and the rest of the children a video about Christmas. The video showed the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and Jesus then it was blotted out by other pictures that are to do with Christmas but really not that important. Final a baby cries and the nativity pictures fades into view. Sarah pointed out that this is the reason for Christmas, Gary was so excited he went off to find Mark to tell him. We also sang Inright Outright and Great Big God.

Croftlands Infant School

This afternoon we took Gary along to Croftlands Infant School but he
was too busy to talk to the children as he was writing a list for Christmas. He
was busy with a list for himself and one for his mum. On his list there were
lots of toys, however on his mums list there were things like sprouts,
sellotape, mince pies, chocolate, wrapping paper etc. Gary couldn't talk to the
children as he had to complete the lists in order to make Christmas really
special. Sarah pointed out to Gary and everyone else that you didn't need all
those things to make Christmas special Sarah told everyone what Christmas is really
all about. So Gary throw his list away and went off to tell Mark all about
Christmas

Low Furness School

This morning we took Gary along to Low Furness School but he was too busy to talk to the children as he was writing a list for Christmas. He was busy with a list for himself and one for his mum. On his list there were lots of toys, however on his mums list there were things like sprouts, sellotape, mince pies, chocolate, wrapping paper etc. Gary couldn't talk to the children as he had to complete the lists in order to make Christmas really special. Sarah pointed out to Gary and everyone else that you didn't need all those things to make Christmas special and showed him and everyone else a video about Christmas. The video started with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus then lots of other things covered over the picture and the music changed too and the baby Jesus picture got completely covered over then a baby cried - it was Jesus and he slowly faded back into shot. Sarah told everyone what Christmas is really all about. So Gary throw his list away and went off to tell Mark all about Christmas.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning we did an assembly for some of the children at Croftlands Juniors. Part of the school go off on Tuesday for swimming lessons so we only have about half the school. I had taken in some pieces of safety equipment, hard hat, cycle helmet, riding hat etc. The children explained to me that they are needed to protect us and keep us safe. I then read the account of Jesus calming the storm. And went on to explain that Jesus had the power and authority to tell the wind to stop, the rain to go away and the waves to be calm - and there by protecting his friends. And Jesus can still do that today, the disciples were afraid but Jesus spoke softly to calm them down. I asked if any of them get frightened and mentioned some things that have frightened me in the past but I said Jesus does protect us and looks after us. We concluded with 'Wonderful Lord'

Low Furness School

Today we took along Harry to help us do the assembly. The children have never seen him before so it was a bit of a surprise. He was very sad though as he had changed school and some of the children didn't really like him that much because he talked funny, and wore glasses and they laughed at his clothes which his mummy had bought for him from George. Sarah told him that it was not very nice what the children had said about him, and that they didn't really understand him, someone said it was because they were jealous of him because he was a bit different. Sarah concluded her talk with Harry by telling the children about the fruit of the Spirit and that how we should try to be as Jesus would want us to be. We sang 'So many ways' to start and finished with 'Shine'

St Marys RC School

Today we went to St Mary's RC School again. As this week is anti-bullying week we decided to do a sketch with Gary. Gary had a new boy in his class and some of the other children in the class had been calling him a name. Gary joined in too, but didn't realise that the name was making the new boy upset as it was a bit of 'verbal bullying' When Gary found out he was sad - as he had just followed the crowd. The children suggested to Gary that he might say sorry to him and explain that he didn't understand. He left to say sorry and invite the new boy round for tea and a play on his Wii. Sarah then concluded the assembly by talking to the children about what Jesus would expect us to do and be like with people. We sang 'Inright Outright' to start and 'Shine' to finish.

Leven Valley School

Today we went again to Leven Valley School. It is one of the smallest schools we go to but they surely sing out the songs. We started with 'Our God is a Great Big God', then went on to tell the story from Luke of the Good Samaritan - but in a modern way. The man was on a journey just the same as in Luke but on a train instead of a donkey. The children help to set the scene by chanting 'London' to 'Birmingham' done at the right speed it sounds like a train. Some of the children also get dressed up to help us in the story. We have a police man who walks right past the man on the train who is ill (I don't tell them that in Jesus' story he was mugged by robbers), next we have a nurse who has just completed night shift and is very hungry, now I add an extra passer by in the form of a Celeb who has just got engaged and is seeking fans. The Samaritan in my story is a 'hoodie' - and like the Samaritans of Jesus' day was a good person just mis-understood. He is the one who helps the man and even hands over his birthday money so the man can buy himself a new train ticket when he is feeling better. It has the same meaning as the story Jesus told except the people are ones the children can relate to. We finished with 'Shine' then Sarah closed the assembly with a prayer.

Our Ladys School, Dalton

Today we made our second visit to Our Lady's School, Dalton. We had a great time there with the children. We sang 'Inright Outright' before telling them the modern day version of the Good Samaritan - so instead of the man travelling by donkey he went by train, he took ill wasn't mugged by robbers. We also add an extra passer by to the story. Some of the children got the chance to dress up and so act out the various parts of the story. I concluded with a few examples of how we could help out people. To finish with we sang 'Shine' before I said a short prayer.

Church Walk School

We have just visited Ulverston Infants (Church Walk) School, for the first time this year. We did plan to go in September but due to illness we had to cancel. It was great to see them all again this morning - and to see the new starters as well. The theme we had decided upon was 'Being Special' I told the story from the Big Ministries book about Jesus calling Peter and Andrew. As the story is very interactive the children have to shout a response at key words during the story as well as perform an action. As always with this assembly we finish with 'Touch a Finger' The children and staff all joined in and enjoyed themselves. A great time.

Windermere Juniors

Today we made our first visit of the year to Windermere Juniors. First of all it was a beautiful drive up to Windermere. So to the assembly - we started by singing 'Inright Outright' then I went on to tell the story of Jesus calling his first disciples Peter and Andrew. The children at key points in the story had to shout out a response to it. The aim of the story was about being special to God no matter what we look like. We concluded the assembly with 'Touch a Finger'

St. Peters

Had a great time again today over at St. Peters in Ireleth. We introduced the children to 'Be Happy'. The theme for the assembly was about how Jesus looks after us. I had taken some safety equipment with me and the children explained what the various items could be used for. They all protect us in some way. I then went on to talk about the event when Jesus fell asleep in the boat and a storm blew up. His disciples became afraid but Jesus spoke to the waves and stilled the wind. The point I was making is that Jesus has the power to do just that - He can also calm our fears too. The assembly ended with singing 'Wonderful Lord'

Low Furness School

This morning we went to Low Furness School. We had been given a theme which was 'Keeping Safe' so after we had sung Great Big God I dressed up in a hard hat, goggles, gloves and a high viz jacket and asked what I might be. The children responded with various things. I then changed into something else and then changed again. However each person was wearing something that could keep them safe. I then went on to tell the story of Jesus and the storm. With the help of two boys who held up a blue sheet to represent the sea. The point I was making was that Jesus protects us from all kinds of things and although we have protection equipment for working on a building site, horse riding, bike riding etc Jesus can protect us in other ways like removing our stress before a test, taking away fear etc. We finished with Wonderful Lord.

Crazy Colours Party

This evening we held a Crazy Colours Party at Croftlands Infant School, we had a great time and I think the children enjoyed themselves as well. We played some party games, had face's painted, eat food and made a craft. We then sang some songs and had a short drama sketch about colour being lost from the world. The story was told of the Garden of Eden, and how sin entered the world. I then told the children about Jesus being the light of the world before ending the evening with Wonderful Lord.

Penny Bridge School

This afternoon we went to Penny Bridge School for the first time. We did the Good Samaritan story but we did it in a modern day way. We took costumes and dressed the children up to act out the various parts. As it was our first time we had needed to show the children the actions to the song 'Shine' however the children really got the hang of it and so did the staff. We really enjoyed our time there.

Pennington School

We paid another visit today to Pennington School. We told the story of the Good Samaritan but with a modern take. The man was on a train and took ill and a policeman, nurse and celeb went past before a Hoodie came to help. Now I know that there was only three in the story Jesus told (but we balance the boys and girls for the story) We sang Inright Outright which the new Reception Children really enjoyed then we sang Shine.

St. Peters Ireleth

This morning I went to St. Peters for the second time. Sarah was unable to come along with me due to another commitment. So I introduced the children to 'Inright Outright' and did the modern version of the Good Samaritan. The children loved the dressing up parts and had a great time listening to the story. The rest of the school all joined in with the train noise chant of 'London to Birmingham'. To finish we sang 'Shine'. It is a great pleasure to be able to share these great bible stories with children and to show how they can be applied to their lives, despite the stories being near 2000 years old.

Croftlands Schools

Today we went to both Croftlands Schools, the Juniors this morning and the Infants this afternoon. We told the story of the Good Samaritan - but with a bit of a modern twist to it. Instead of using the Priest, Levite and Samaritan of the parable we had a Policeman, Nurse, a Celeb Pop star and a hoodie. I know there was one extra in my story, it also took place on a train and the man was taken ill and not beaten up by thugs (too much beating up in the world today). The children chanted a response which kind of made the train sound as we told the story. At the end we encouraged the children to do something similar - perhaps helping someone who falls over in the playground. The story to the infants was the same but I told it in a much more simple way. We had a great time and I hope the children did too.

1st Duddon Cubs

We once again paid a visit to the cubs. We had a great time and I hope the boys did too. We had been asked to sing some of our songs and the cubs had made a list of the ones they liked the best. We didn't quite manage to sing them all but we sang most of them. Following the songs we told the story of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew. We have done this story several times in the past few weeks within school assemblies, but tonight we had taken some dress-up costumes for the cubs to act out some of the parts. Sarah read the story while I selected the actors for the various parts. We added a bit of humour to it in that Sarah said that in the boat there was Peter, Andrew and they were working with 'A net' so I chose 3 boys one for Peter, one for Andrew and one which I put a pink wig on and called them Annett! Much to Sarah's surprise when she looked up to see three in the boat so I explained - which then brought the laugh from the boys - you did need to be there but it was funny and it is one way that perhaps the boys might remember the story. It all finished normally and I concluded that we are all different and that Jesus' calls us no matter what we look like, sound like, smell like etc.

Following this we sang Touch a finger then went on to make some finger puppets so the boys could then retell the story. We encouraged them to make them as different as they could.

We then played some games with them before we finished with Shine and Wonderful Lord, during which the boys read out some prayers they had produced last week.

Well that is just a small flavour of what we did. It is great to be able to share God's good news with children and we Praise God every day that we are able to do so. May God Bless the boys and leaders of the cubs today.

Our Lady's Dalton

We have just done our very first assembly with the children of Our Lady's in Dalton. It must have been a little strange for the children to see two adults in their school that they had never seen before but the children soon warmed to us as we introduced ourselves to them as Sarah and Mark. I then asked them did they know which was which? this brought a laugh - We started the assembly with 'Our God is a Great Big God' and as it was the first time we had to teach them the actions. The children soon picked them up and joined in. The story Sarah did with the tomato puree - emptying it out onto a plate then watching the two children as they try to put it back in again. I then explained that our mouth and tongue can be a bit like that because we say things and once they are said we can not take them back again. I picked on a member of staff that we knew and shouted at her to demonstrate this to the children. I then read from James 3:5 which talks about the tongue. The assembly finished with 'Shine' and a prayer at the end.

Following the assembly they made bookings with us for November and December.

A Great start in another school Praise the Lord.

Low Furness School

Today we paid a visit to Low Furness School and told the story of how Jesus called his disciples. We explained to the children that it does not matter at all what we look like, sound like, smell like or what clothes we wear - we are all special in Jesus' eyes. We sang 'So many ways' and after the talk we sang 'Touch a finger'. It is great to see the children all joining in and singing the songs.

St. Marys School, Ulverston

This morning we paid our second visit to St. Marys in Ulverston. We introduced them to two new songs 'So many ways to praise the Lord' and 'Shine'. The theme of the assembly was the tongue and how we can sometimes say things that make a mess. To illustrate this a tube of tomato puree was used (recycle contents for tea later) a child was asked to empty it out onto a plate, which to the children was very funny. Even funnier was when I asked them to put it back into the tube! Because what we say out of our mouths can't be taken back - The verse from James 3:5 was read and explained to the children - '...the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great is set on fire by a small spark.'

Leven Valley

We did our first visit of the year to Leven Valley School today. We sang Our God is a Great Big God and I once again told the story of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew. As the story progressed the children had to respond to key words which they did with great enthusiasm. Once again we finished this assembly with Touch a Finger. It was great to share with the children of the school and we look forward to our next visit in a months time.

St. Peters

Today we paid a first time visit to St.Peters Ireleth. A small school in the village of Ireleth. We sang Great Big God, which the children seemed to pick up very quickly then I told the story of Peter and Andrew when Jesus called them - the children had to respond to certain trigger words and chant back a response which they found exciting. The story was finished by telling the children that we are all special no matter what we look like, smell like, dress like or do as a Jesus still loves us and wants us to follow him. We sang Touch a Finger to finish our part but were asked to sing Wonderful Lord as some of the children had been learning it at their newly form Christianity Club.

A great day Praise the Lord.

What a Busy Day

Well today has been a rather full day. We started with an assembly at St. Marys RC Ulverston at 9:05 then we went onto Pennington School for 10:15 followed by a meeting at St. Peters Ireleth and finaly found ourselves at Kepplewray for a meeting to talk about Christmas.

The two assemblies were based on the bible story of Jesus calling his first followers and we told the children that no matter what we look like, sound like and even smell like we are all special to God. We sang Great big God and Touch a finger.

Our meeting at Ireleth was to discuss with the head about taking assemblies and we start next week and will be doing them once every two weeks which is great news. I also managed to talk a bit about the fundays we do as well as Bible Explorer - watch this space!!

Onto Kepplewray - we have been asked by the staff to do something at Christmas time as a way of telling school children the real meaning behind Christmas so we have been booked for 4 days in December.

So we have had a great day today felling really Blessed and up lifted. Praise God.

Croftlands Schools

Had a great time today at both of the Croftlands Schools. We sang Our God is a Great Big God and I told them the story about Jesus calling Peter and Andrew. And that despite they were dirty, smelly, and not very nice to look at Jesus still wanted them to be His followers. I told the children it doesn't matter what we look like, smell like, etc we are special to God. We then finished with Touch a Finger which reminds us that we are special.

Low Furness School

Today was the first of this terms and in fact this years assemblies and we went to Low Furness School. The story we told was a modern day version of the Good Samaritan. Our story took place on a train from London to Birmingham which the children chanted as the story was told. The man in the story fell ill on the train and was pass by a policeman, a nurse, a pop star celeb and then a young hoodie came to his aid. It was still the same basic story but in a modern setting. The children enjoyed it as they chanted the London to Birmingham bit and as their friends got dressed up as the various characters.

A great start to the year I feel.

Calendar

Set up a Google Calendar which can be accessed via our website. It shows all the meetings, assemblies and events we are currently involved with, call back to it frequently to see all the up dated assembly dates etc.

Fancy Dress Day

Well it is Thursday and that means it is fancy dress day at holiday club. The children came in a variety of costumes from home made to shop bought. The KS2 children did really well and a number of them dressed up which was great however only a few of the KS1 children dressed up.

Tomorrow is the last day and the final part of the Joseph story followed by the picnic and water fight.

The children have really enjoyed themselves this week and we pray that they will also enjoy the last day tomorrow and come along to the Sunday service as well.

Day 2 Holiday Club Up Date

Well we had a good start yesterday with 30 children, today some were on holiday but we had 32!

The children and adults alike are having a great time. Gary has had a number of letters and jokes from the children. The games are going well as we are able to get them outside, crafts going well too. Tomorrow we have the fancy dress day which we hope will be as successful as todays wacky hat and hair day.

Continue to prayer for the children and leaders as well as Sarah and myself.

God Bless from St. Helens

Holiday Club Set up Day

Today was the set up day for the holiday club at St.Lukes. Everything was set in place and is working and ready for the kids to arrive in the morning. There are 50 children booked in already. We are all excited here and just can't wait to get started in the morning.

Please pray for the children and their parents for safety in the morning, also for the leaders involved particularly the team leaders as they will have the most contact with the children also for Sarah and me as we lead the team and the children.

This weeks Assemblies

Well we have taken on a new school this week - Leven Valley CE School and did an assembly there on Tuesday morning. The children loved seeing us and Gary was a big hit with the children and staff I think too! We have also done assemblies at Low Furness this week and I have been into Pennington School for the second week of Bible Explorer. Next week is half term and we are off down to St. Helens to run a holiday club for my parents church - Pyramid Rock - which we did up here back in 2007 for Croftlands and 2008 for Urswick - should be a good week with almost 50 children pre-booked into it.

Pray for the team down in St. Helens as well as Sarah and myself as we taken on this holiday club, Sarah still has a bit of a bad back which is a best painful and sometimes very un-comfortable. The wheel chair has broken down several times this week which could (if we let it) stress us out but we serve a Great BIG God and it is now fixed.

Great Day at Millom

Had a great day today over in Millom for the church's fun afternoon. Did a total of 5 shows during the afternoon, 3 magic shows, 1 Gary slot which led into an interactive bible story and 1 other interactive bible story.

The magic shows were designed to entertain families and towards the end of each one I increased the Christian theme until the last show which was all based on gospel illusions. The room we were in was full to the door each time with standing room only for most of them. During the final show I talked about the 4 points and explained that God loves us so much, but we do things wrong and that Christ died for us and we need to ask the question. A few people responded and took the card I offered someone talked to me and seemed very interested in what I had said.

All in all praise God for the afternoon for what seeds have been shown.

Easter Assemblies

This is a bit late - been to Spring Harvest and couldn't get a signal for Wi Fi The week before Spring Harvest Sarah and I did 4 Assemblies Monday at Pennington, Tuesday at Low Furness, Wednesday Croftlands Juniors and Thursday Croftlands Infants. We did the same talk to each school - Resurrection Eggs. The idea is that in each of the 12 eggs there is an object that relates to the Easter story Day 1 Donkey - which reminds us of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem Day 2 Silver coins - although there is only 3 of them it reminds us that Jesus was betrayed for 30 silver coins Day 3 Cup - which is to talk about the last supper Jesus had with His disciples Day 4 Hands - in fact they are praying hands to show us that Jesus prayed in the garden after His supper with the disciples Day 5 Leather - it looks like a shoe lace made of leather but it is to focus on the fact Jesus was beaten and whipped by the Romans Day 6 Crown of Thorns - although it is made of metal it serves to remind us that Jesus was forced to wear a crown of thorns as the Romans mocked Him as King of the Jews Day 7 Cross - the cross is made of nails which is a good way of talking about Jesus being nailed to the cross Day 8 Dice - the Romans gambled for His clothes and belongings Day 9 Spear - which represents the spear that was thrust into Jesus' side as He died Day 10 Cloth - Jesus was removed from the cross and wrapped up in a linen cloth Day 11 Stone - which is rather an odd shape but reminds us that a big stone was placed over the tomb Day 12 - as the space is blank and empty so the last egg is which is a reminder to us that on the Sunday Jesus rose from the dead and went back to the Father. Sarah and I were amazed at how much of the Easter story the children knew. Resurrection Eggs can be bought from www.onewayuk.com

Windermere Juniors - Easter Assembly

Yesterday we went once again up to Windermere Junior school to take part in their assembly. Our theme was Easter and Sarah and I had an eggcelent time and the assembly was eggcitting. That may give you a clue as to what the assembly was about - eggs. The egg is the symbol of new life and is used at Easter time to remind us of a 'New Life in Jesus'. We used what are called 'Resurrection Eggs' which are plastic eggs that contain a little object that is part of the Easter story. The children enjoyed it and even joined in when various objects came out of the eggs they told us what part they played in the story. We have 4 more assemblies next week on the same theme. Our prayer is for safety for the children during the Easter Holidays and that they will in the midst of chocolate Easter eggs remember why we have them in the first place.

Urswick Brownies

Last Night we went to Urswick Brownies and told them a little bit about what we do as Jester for Jesus. This will help towards their world faith badge. we told the story of Elijah and how he had to put all his trust in God to provide him with the food he needed and then how God provided that food firstly by the ravens then by the widow. The evening was a mix of songs, story telling, acting out, magic, crafts and games.

We hope that they all enjoyed themselves as we certainly did.

Assemblies this week

Church Walk Infants
On Monday we had our second visit to Church Walk School and took Scruff the Dog. The Theme for the assembly was senses given to us by the school. So Scruff had hear about a treasure of bones, so he went to look for them, then he dug (touched them), so he could smell them then he ate them. I linked these to God giving us all these senses to interact with His world. The kids loved it.

Low Furness School
On Tuesday we took the assembly at Low Furness. I did the same one as I did at Croftlands last week and told the Samuel story using a couple of children to help out as Samuel and Hannah. I managed to get the point across that no matter how old you are God can use you in a big way.

Croftlands Schools

It seems a long time since I posted a blog but that is partly due to me being out of action following an operation.

But things are getting back to normal now - that is if things are ever normal.

This week I have been into the two Croftlands Schools to take assemblies. I told them the story of Samuel and had some children dressed up acting out the characters. It was a bit of a story tester for Bible Explorer because will I have be physically out of action I have been preparing my stories and ordering props for Bible Explorer. The way the children respond is ?&$! well words can't describe it really you have to be there to see it. I count myself very lucky to be able to go in and take assemblies presenting the children with a biblical message. Two other schools have expressed an interest in us going in to take assemblies which again is God working ahead of us.

God Bless you for reading this and thank you again for your ever prayerful support for our ministry.

Mark and Sarah

What a good week.

Just finished the final bits to my sermon for Sunday - Joseph God intended it for good. What a great story it is, God remaining faithful to Abraham's promise of a nation if only we could have faith like that.

We have had a great week this week with assemblies at Croftlands Schools, followed by Christianity Club at Low Furness School and to finish off lesson 2 of Bible Explorer (which I'm still being trained in).

The assemblies have been about New Beginnings so we took Gary along who started a story in the middle and then at the end before eventually starting at the beginning which is in fact a very good place to start (you could write a song about that). We used the example of Zacchaeus and how he turned his life around and started again a new beginning.

My BX training is going well I had an hour or so with my trainer before watching her on Friday as she told the story of Moses - brilliantly. I can't wait to get into the schools an have a go myself so I'm rather busy collecting things together to use as props for my stories which I'll need to find boxes for - there might be a little space somewhere on the floor of the office I'll have to see if I can find it!!

God Bless you all this week.

New Year Catch Up

Well what can I say God is Good.



We are now firmly back into the swing of things following the Christmas break and enjoying every aspect of the work we are doing. We have a very full time-table of events and assemblies fill in between now and Easter, they range from school assemblies, to Christianity Clubs, Bible Explorer plus training as well as going to the Cubs at Dalton again - not to mention all the normal stuff we do week by week. Today we had a very positive chat with the headteacher of Ulverston Infants School (Church Walk) and we have a date for our first assembly there which is great. Mark started his Bible Explorer Training on Tuesday and has today been to watch lesson 1 of the 5 that make up the whole of the Old Testament - he is very excited about the training and indeed about becoming a Bible Explorer Instructor. Other news church have signed up to the E100 programme and that was started last week in Church with most people taking the books and saying that they would like to follow it. God is really working His purpose out - continue to pray for the work we are doing and check out the web site and facebook for updates and events throughout the year.