Flookburgh School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Flookburgh School it was the last assembly of 2016.  I gave the children the choice of which song to start with and they picked - God's Love is Bigger than a Burger (great choice).  After the song I asked the children what time of year we were in - first hand up little boy said Advent, I did have a second question in case no one got it first time round - which was did you have chocolate before breakfast, that usually gets them thinking.  I explained that Advent is the time of year when we start to get ready and think about Christmas, it is a time of waiting.  I also said that I wasn't going to tell them the Christmas story as they know already but what I did show them was a video which was produced by the Bible Society which tells the story as a poem which has been set to some pictures.  The poem in the video has a repeating line which says "...turn sad into glad again..."  After the video is over I asked the children about the line to see if they picked up on it.  I then asked what makes our world sad - I got a number of answers mainly centred around war and fighting and falling out - I added one of my own about making a mess of the beautiful world God gave us to live in.  I then explained that God sent Jesus into the world to show us how to turn sad into glad again, in the way he lived his life showing love, kindness, compassion and being humble too.  Jesus showed us how to live our lives.  I also mentioned that without Jesus we won't celebrate Christmas which was a bit of a shock for some of the little ones at the front.  I encouraged them this Christmas time to spend a moment thinking about what Christmas is really all about amid the busy rushing around we all do as the day draws near, and also on Christmas morning as they open gifts and presents and say thank you to pause a moment an thank God for Jesus.  To close we sang our Christmas song Rejoice with Us.  After the song I closed with a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning I went over to Broughton School for the last assembly of the year with them.  To start off I asked the children which song they would like to sing and someone picked God's Love is Bigger than a Burger (good one)  I then explained that this time of year is Christmas time - yes - but we call it Advent which is the time that leads up to Christmas.  I told them that they know the Christmas story already and what it is all about so instead of me doing the talking I showed them a video which was a poem set to some pictures - all about Christmas.  In the clip there was a repeating line which said "...turn sad into glad..."  So I asked them what is it that makes our world sad - I got a number of very good answers from all kinds of fight and war to people not respecting the world around them.  I reminded them that Christmas is all about God sending Jesus into the world to show us how we should be.  Jesus showed love and compassion to everyone he met and through his teachings he told us how we should live our lives.  The school had a display up which said Jesus is the reason for the season so I pointed it out to them as I was talking to them.  I encouraged them to say thank you to God for sending Jesus to us like on Christmas morning when they were opening their presents, I also encouraged them to stop and consider Jesus amid the rushing about that leads up to Christmas day.  To finish we sang Rejoice with Us before I closed the assembly with a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning Sarah and I made our last visit of the year to St Peters School.  It was great to see all the children again, they were well and truly in the festive mood and looking forward to Christmas.  We started the assembly by asking what song they would like to sing first they picked Shine.  After the song we did a recap of the assembly we did two weeks ago before showing them a short video clip which tells the Christmas story with lovely pictures and a rather catchy poem.  After the clip I spoke to the children about it, there was a repeating phrase that came out several times which was "...turn what was bad in to glad once again..." I asked what is it that makes our world bad, I got several really good answers from fighting and war to people not respecting nature.  I explained that Jesus came to show us the way we can turn things around and change what is bad into glad.  By his love, kindness, compassion, humbleness he showed us how we should live our lives in the way God wants us to.  Sarah then introduced the final song which was our Christmas song Rejoice with Us.  After the song she closed the assembly with a prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I made our last visit for the year to Crosthwaite School.  We decided to do our Christmas assembly but to start with we sang My Lighthouse because last time we were at the school someone asked us about singing it.  We then showed the Christmas story video/poem which tells the story of the birth of Jesus and has a repeating line that says he turned sad into glad.  After the video I made a few remarks about this phrase and asked what makes our world bad - the children responded very well with things like war/fighting - falling out - destroying the woodlands - people who flea because of war - the lack of food.  I then explained that Jesus came into the world to help change that, he lived his life in a perfect way showing love and kindness to everyone he met even washing the feet of his disciples!  This is how he started to turn bad to glad.  It is why we celebrate at Christmas with such joy because it is the birth of Jesus.  I explained that without Jesus there would be now Christmas.  Sarah then introduced our Christmas song Rejoice with US.  After the song she closed the assembly with a prayer.

Low Furness School

This Morning Sarah and I went to do our last assembly for this year at Low Furness School.  We started by asking the children what song they would like to sing to start us off and they picked My Lighthouse.  After the song Sarah reminded the children about the assembly we had done two weeks ago and how we had talked about getting ready for Christmas.  Today we showed them a video about the Christmas story - it was a poem that had pictures with it and a line that kept on repeating "...to turn what was sad into glad once again..."  After the video clip I talked about what they had seen and I also repeated the words of the poem.  I explained that we live in a world that is a times sad and people do things that made it that way.  I asked the children for some thoughts - a number said fighting or war or fallings out (they had the idea) but as the video explained God set Jesus into the world to turn that sad into glad once again and that is why we celebrate at Christmas.  I mentioned that with out Jesus there would be no Christmas, I also said that last week when we said that in another school it shocked the children.  So we should be glad at Christmas time and be happy and joyful one of my all time favourite carols is Joy to the World and I told the children that I love to sing it.  Sarah then introduced our Christmas song Rejoice with us this Christmas and after she reminded the children about turning the sad into glad part of the poem before she closed the assembly with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This morning Sarah and I were at Penny Bridge doing our Christmas assembly.  We didn't start with a song as we wanted to show a video and to finish sing our Christmas song.  We first asked the children what time of year it was - we got the usual answers of Christmas, December - but then we got the answer we were looking for - Advent.  I explained that Advent is the time of year before Christmas when we wait and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I then asked who in the Christmas story needed to prepare to go and see Jesus, the children suggested a few people like Mary and the shepherds then we got the answer - the wise men.  I tried to explain just how far they had to travel in order to see Jesus and then asked what we needed to do to prepare for such a long journey, children offered suggestions like Ipad, food, drink, clothes - Sarah said SatNav as she couldn't navigate with just the stars.  Sarah then told the Babushka story which we pointed out wasn't in the Bible and was just a folk tale.  She wanted to see Jesus but was far to busy then she missed out.  I then played a video that I made a few years ago which starts with the nativity scene but then soon gets covered with all the other things to do with Christmas like, sellotape, turkey and other food, long cues and decorated house's finally ending with a baby crying and a return to the nativity scene once again.  I explained that all that the children had seen is to do with Christmas but the real reason we celebrate is because of the birth of Jesus, and we can so easily forget that as we rush around getting ready for Christmas.  We then sang Rejoice with Us before Sarah closed the assembly with a prayer.

Croftlands Infants School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do our Christmas assembly at Croftlands Infants.  We didn't start with a song as we wanted to sing Rejoice With Us this Christmas to end.  I asked the children what time of year it was - some said December, winter, Christmas - one girl said it was Advent.  I then asked who in the Christmas story made a very long journey to see Jesus.  One person said the three wise men which was the answer I was looking for.  I then talked a little bit about long journeys and how we need to be ready.  The wise men made good plans to see Jesus.  Sarah then told the story of Babushka and how she missed the point and couldn't see Jesus.  I explained that as we rush about before Christmas we can sometimes miss the point of Christmas - I said that if it wasn't for Jesus there would be no Christmas - this shocked the children a bit.  So I encouraged the children to take a moment to think about why we celebrate Christmas.  We then sang our song.  Sarah closed the assembly with a prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon Sarah and I visited Pennington School for our last assembly of the year with them.  We started by asking them what the time of year was - it is Advent but some said December, Christmas, winter which are all correct but it was Advent we wanted to talk about.  I explained that Advent is the time of year that comes before Christmas and is when we start to get ready and prepare for the birthday celebration of Jesus.  In Matthew chapter 2 some other people got ready and got prepared to celebrate this time it was the birth day of Jesus.  They travelled a long way to see him, I asked if they knew who I was talking about - the wise men.  I talked about what we need to do when we go on long journeys and how we need to get things ready.  Sarah then told the Babushka story and about how she missed seeing Jesus as she was too busy doing stuff.  I explained that we can be like that too as I showed them a video clip.  The video started with a nativity scene that was soon taken out by loads of other pictures all to do with Christmas.  I pointed out that all what the children had seen was about Christmas but they sometimes get in the way of the real reason we have Christmas because without Jesus there would be no Christmas the cue is in the name Christ - mas.  The wise men got ready to meet Jesus for the first time and they prepared well, so during the next few weeks we should stop and remember what it is we are doing.  To finish we sang Rejoice with Us.  Then Sarah closed with a prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning Sarah and I went along to Croftlands Junior School for the assembly.  We didn't start with a song but went straight in and asked the children what time of year it was, we got winter, December, Christmas as well as Advent - which is the answer we were looking for.  I then explained that Advent means a time of waiting, of preparing, as well as the time that leads to Christmas.  Next I asked questions about some of the characters that featured in the first Christmas story, a group of people who needed to prepare well and travel a long way to meet Jesus - I did ask the children who they thought I was talking about - it was of course the wise men.  I talked about what we might need to do to go on a long journey today like what we would need to take.  Sarah then told a story which is not in the bible it is in fact a myth - Babushka.  She missed out on seeing Jesus as she was far too busy doing other things.  I then played a video clip which I put  together years ago about how the real meaning of Christmas can get taken over by other things.  After the video I explained that without Jesus there would be no Christmas - the cue is in the name Christ - mas.  So in the run up to Christmas and the busy, busy way we seem to run around like headless chickens (or turkeys!) stop and press pause for a moment or two and remember why it is we are celebrating - the birth of Jesus.  After the talk we sang Rejoice with us this Christmas before we closed the assembly with a prayer.

St Mary's RC Ulverston

This morning I went to do our Christmas assembly at St Mary's in Ulverston.  Christmas had well and truly arrived at the school with all the children dressed in their Christmas jumpers.  After singing So Many Ways to Praise the Lord I talked about the time of year - I did ask the children about it first some said winter which is correct as December marks the start of winter.  I got the answer Advent from someone, I did point out to the children that I had been looking on their wall at a calendar of all the Christian holidays, Holy Days and festivals before the assembly started.  I explained that Advent is a time of getting ready and time of preparing for - Christmas.  I then asked about who in the Christmas story needed to get ready and prepare - straight away the answer the 3 wise men came back.  I went on to talk about the journey they needed to make in order to see Jesus, a journey that would have taken months and months as they lived so far away.  I asked if any of them had ever been on a long journey and what they needed to take for it.  This led me to tell the story of Baboushka which is a folk tale.  She missed out on the chance to see Jesus as she was far too busy doing stuff.  We can be like that too on the run up to Christmas and forget what it is all about.  So I encouraged the children to take time and stop and think about the things they are doing for Christmas and to remember why it is we celebrate in the first place.  To close we sang Rejoice with us and then said a short prayer.

BX OT5 Penny Bridge Academy

On Wednesday afternoon I did the final lesson of Bible Explorer at Penny Bridge.  The children all listened as I explained how the kingdom was split up and how some people got carried away and mixed up and the problems that caused later on in the Bible.  Then we heard how Judah was taken away into exile for 70 years.  Along the way I filled in the story with some of the characters out of the BIble like Daniel and Esther.  We ended with the return of the people and the rebuilding of Jerusalem from the Temple to the people then finally the walls and then - 400 of ..... nothing before Jesus entered on to the stage.  The children really got behind the stories and asked questions took part in all the hand signs too.

Burlington School

This morning Sarah and I went to Burlington School for the assembly.  We started with So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before talking about the time of year - advent.  I told the children about the wise men and how they needed to prepare very well for the long journey they would make to see Jesus.  I asked them about journeys they had made and about what sort of things they needed to take for such a trip.  I then handed over to Sarah who told the story of Baboushka which is a folk tale.  She missed out on the chance to see Jesus as she was far too busy doing stuff.  We can be like that too on the run up to Christmas and forget what it is all about.  So we encouraged the children to take time and stop and think about the things they are doing for Christmas and to remember why it is we celebrate in the first place.  To close we sang Rejoice with us and then said a short prayer.

St Peters School

This morning Sarah and I went to St Peters School for the assembly.  We started with So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before talking about the time of year - advent.  I told the children about the wise men and how they needed to prepare very well for the long journey they would make to see Jesus.  I asked them about journeys they had made and about what sort of things they needed to take for such a trip.  I then handed over to Sarah who told the story of Baboushka which is a folk tale.  She missed out on the chance to see Jesus as she was far too busy doing stuff.  We can be like that too on the run up to Christmas and forget what it is all about.  So we encouraged the children to take time and stop and think about the things they are doing for Christmas and to remember why it is we celebrate in the first place.  To close we sang Rejoice with us and then said a short prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to Low Furness School for the assembly.  The theme was Advent, so we talked a little about Advent after we had sung Great Big God.  We then looked at the wise men story and I talked about the distance they travelled to see Jesus - then asked the children if they had ever been on a long journey in a car, also what they needed for the trip.  The wise men had to travel nearly 1000 miles to see Jesus so they needed to be prepared.  Sarah then read the account of Baboushka we did point out that it wasn't true and just a tale.  She wasn't ready to go and see Jesus when the wise men came knocking, but then later changed her mind and went to find him but couldn't.  The point was we can all be too busy with Christmas preparations that we miss the whole point of it and forget the real reason we celebrate in the first place.  To finish we sang Rejoice With us this Christmas and Sarah closed with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning I went to Church Walk Primary School for the assembly.  We started by singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger before I told the children the story of Sarah's cat Millie.  Millie would sit on Sarah's knee and Sarah would stroke her and Millie would purr.  One day while this was happening Millie jumped down walked across the floor and did a massive poo on the carpet (the new carpet).  Then she walked back to Sarah jumped up onto her knee again expecting the same as before.  Sarah was not happy as Millie had made a mess.  Then Sarah got to thinking about it and us and we are like that (we don't poo on the carpet) but we do things wrong, make a mess and expect God to love us just the same as he always has, which he does as his love is so big link to the song.  I then told the prodigal son story and how when the son came  to go back home his father was there waiting for him with arms wide open ready to welcome him home again - God is like that father too.  I then explained the next song Inright Outright to the children in that God sent Jesus to us at Christmas and that is what Christmas is all about - God showing us his love in sending Jesus to care for us.  We sang the song and I then finished with a prayer.

BX OT4 Penny Bridge

On Wednesday afternoon I was with year 6 again at Penny Bridge school doing lesson 4 of Bible Explorer.  It was the start of the united kingdom with Saul, David and Solomon so I told these stories and children came out to help me tell them as they dressed in costume and played the parts very well.  We finished with the kingdom being divided and a lead into next week the exile.

St Mary's Dalton

On Wednesday morning Sarah and I visited St Mary's Dalton School for the assembly.  We decided to do our God's Love assembly so we were going to sing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger sung - which we had sung last time when we did the OCC assembly - so I talked a little about the shoe boxes and thanked the children for their contribution towards it this year.  After the song Sarah told the children about Millie her cat and how she would spend time sleeping and resting on Sarah's knee until one day she was quite happy on her knee jumped down walked across the room did a massive poo on the floor and came back to Sarah for more snuggle time.  She had made a right mess on Sarah's new carpet.  Sarah got to thinking about this and we are like that with God - he loves us and wants the best for us and we make a mess (we don't poo on the carpet though) and God will love us just the same as before.  She then told the story of the prodigal son and how he wasted all his fathers money and then went to feed the pigs.  He decided to go home and work for his dad as a servant but his dad was waiting for him with wide open arms.  God is like that father and his love is bigger than anything we could ever possibly imagine.  I then displayed John 3:16 and talked about Jesus coming to earth at Christmas time and how he lived upon earth and died on a cross for us - that shows us just how much God loves us.  This linked to the final song Inright Outright.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Lindel and Marton School

On Wednesday morning Sarah and I visited Lindel and Marton School for the assembly.  We decided to do our God's Love assembly so we were going to sing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger sung - which we had sung last time when we did the OCC assembly - so I talked a little about the shoe boxes and thanked the children for their contribution towards it this year.  After the song Sarah told the children about Millie her cat and how she would spend time sleeping and resting on Sarah's knee until one day she was quite happy on her knee jumped down walked across the room did a massive poo on the floor and came back to Sarah for more snuggle time.  She had made a right mess on Sarah's new carpet.  Sarah got to thinking about this and we are like that with God - he loves us and wants the best for us and we make a mess (we don't poo on the carpet though) and God will love us just the same as before.  She then told the story of the prodigal son and how he wasted all his fathers money and then went to feed the pigs.  He decided to go home and work for his dad as a servant but his dad was waiting for him with wide open arms.  God is like that father and his love is bigger than anything we could ever possibly imagine.  I then displayed John 3:16 and talked about Jesus coming to earth at Christmas time and how he lived upon earth and died on a cross for us - that shows us just how much God loves us.  This linked to the final song Inright Outright.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Leven Valley School

This morning Sarah and I visited Leven Valley School for the assembly.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Sarah told the story of Millie her cat when she did a massive poo on the floor.  The cat had been sat on Sarah's knee nice and comfy as Sarah stroked her then jumped down did the poo and came back for more of the same.  Sarah thought about it and realised that we are a bit like that with God - we do something wrong make a mess and expect him to continue to love us - which he does, as his love is so big.  She told  the story of the prodigal son and about how the father was waiting for the son to return - which he did after spending all the money and letting his father down big time.  But the father held out his arms in love to him.  I displayed John 3:16 on the screen and explained that God love the world so much he sent Jesus into it.  I linked this to our next song Inright Outright.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Our Lady's School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Our Lady's School and also pick up their shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  To start our assembly we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger which we did sing last time when we talked about shoe boxes with the children but today we wanted to tell the children just how much God loves them.  Sarah then told her cat story about Millie when she was just a kitten.  During a nice chilled out afternoon Sarah and Millie sat watching the television as Sarah stroked her she purred - as cat's do.  Suddenly Millie jumped down from Sarah's knee walked across the floor and did a massive poo on the new carpet, before walking back to Sarah jumping back onto her knee for more of the same chill time.  Well Sarah wasn't happy with Millie for the mess she had made, but then she thought it is a bit like us - we make a mess (we don't poo on the floor) and expect God to love us just the same as always - which he does.  His love is so big link to song that he loves us no matter what we do.  She then told the prodigal son story and mentioned how the son wasted all his fathers money and yet his father waited with arms open wide to receive his son back.  I then displayed John 3:16 and explained that God's love is so big that he sent Jesus to earth to save us, this linked with our next song Inright Outright.  After the song we closed the assembly with a short prayer.  I thanked the children for the 37 shoe boxes they had filled for us and explained that they were showing love to other people in doing what they had done.

BX OT 2 and 3 Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon I have been in the year 6 class of Penny Bridge Academy doing a double Bible Explorer lesson.  I have covered from Moses through to Ruth with Joshua and the Judges to fill it out.  All the children loved it which was great, one even said how much she enjoyed listening to the stories.  Next week on to the first king Saul, then to David and Solomon.

Broughton School

This morning I went over to Broughton School for the assembly.  It was my first visit of the new school term and was great to see all the children again.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then I told the story of Sarah's cat Millie.  Before Sarah met me 15 years or so ago, she had a cat (who is now 17).  Each day Sarah would come home from work and the cat would be waiting for her.  Once Sarah sat down the cat would join her and they would watch television together keeping each other company.  Well one day this is what was happening when Millie jumped down walked across the newly carpeted floor and did a massive poo in the corner before returning to Sarah's knee, fully expecting Sarah to continue as before.  This got Sarah thinking about us being a bit like the cat (we don't poo on the floor though) but we do make a mess and then come and expect God to continue to love us - which he does as his love is so big - link to song.  I then told the prodigal son story in short and said God is like the father who holds out his arms to us.  I linked this to the next song which was Inright Outright as it says Jesus cared for me when he died on Calvary, I displayed John 3:16 on the screen and read it through.  After the song we sang and I said a short prayer.  I then talked a little about how we can show love to others in filling a shoe box for a child that wouldn't be getting anything this year.

St Peters School

This morning I went to St Peters school to do an assembly and pick up their shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  after we had sung Great Big God I asked if anyone had ever told a lie - hands went up then I asked if anyone had done something wrong and blamed someone else - hands went up.  I then told the Adam and Eve story which generated a laugh particularly when I said that Adam and Eve had no clothes on.  The end of the story saw Adam blame Eve, Eve blame the snake.  I explained what happen next and how it is not right to lie and blame other people.  I then asked the children who it was that taught them to lie - nobody did it is part of human nature to therefore we need to try and be as honest as we can and when we do wrong own up and say sorry.  I then got the children to think about that before saying a short prayer.  I then thanked the children for their shoeboxes this year and said a prayer for the children who will be getting them.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to Low Furness School for the assembly.  Our theme this week was honesty.  Sarah started by asking the children who the first people in the bible were - she directed the question to the younger children mainly.  Then I told their story ending with Adam blaming Eve and Eve blaming the snake.  Sarah then went on to talk about them not being truthful and honest with God when he asked them who was to blame.  Adam and Eve face being thrown out of the special garden in Eden that God had made for them to live in.  To close the assembly we sang My Lighthouse and afterwards I did a short prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to Pennington School for the assembly.  We decided to talk about God's Love, so Sarah told her cat story - the one about Millie when she was small sitting on her knee then jumping down to do a massive poo on the floor - the new carpet actually before jumping back onto Sarah's knee for more cuddle time.  The cat fully expected Sarah to be alright with her doing such a massive poo on the floor.  Sarah got to thinking we are a bit like the cat - no we don't poo on the floor (do we??) but we do make a mess and then expect love back from God.  The thing is he does love us back and never stops loving us no matter  what we do or how much we hurt him.  This is like the story Jesus told of the prodigal son.  To round off our assembly we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then I said a short prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Penny Bridge.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger, then Sarah told her story about Millie her cat.  The would greet her each day as she came home from work and sit on her knee as they relaxed in front of the television.  Well one day this was happening and Millie jumped down walked across the room and did a massive poo on Sarah's new carpet - then expected to get back up on Sarah's knee for more Sarah and cat time - Sarah wasn't happy.  This reminded Sarah of us in a way, because we come close to God then go and make a mess of things and still come back to God.  Despite the mess we make of things God still loves us, link to the song we had sung to start.  Sarah then went on to tell the prodigal son story that Jesus told explaining that God is like the father who holds his arms open wide waiting for us to run to him.  I then displayed John 3:16 and talked a little about the love that God has for us in sending Jesus - linking this to Christmas which we will be celebrating in a few weeks time.  I then linked it to our next song Inright Outright.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Coniston Primary School

This morning I was at Coniston Primary School for the assembly.  I started by singing God's Love is Bigger than A Burger then told the story about Sarah's cat when it did a massive poo on the new carpet, then expected Sarah to show her love again.  I explained that this is a bit like us in that we do things wrong and yet come back to God and expect love from him, which we get as God love's us so much and wants the best for us.  I then told the prodigal son story before talking about Jesus and the love God had for us that he sent him to earth to us - I displayed John 3:16 as I spoke.  To finish off I explained that we would sing Inright Outright which tells of the love and care God has for each of us.  Then to close I said a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

Today I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  After singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger I told them the story of Sarah's cat Millie.  I used this story of when she did a massive poo on the carpet to explain just how much God loves us, because we make mistakes like Millie (we don't poo on the carpet though) and come back to God expecting him to love us again - which he does.  Linking with the song I said that God's love is so so big, it is bigger than anything we can ever imagine.  He loved us so much he even sent Jesus to us, I linked this with Inright Outright the song we sang next.  After this song I said a prayer to close the assembly

Croftlands Junior School

This morning I went to Croftlands Junior  School for the assembly. Not all  the school was in  as some were on a school trip.  So after singing God's love is bigger than a Burger, I told them about Millie Sarah's cat.  I explained that Sarah had a cat before I met her and they would sit together, and keep each other company.  One day Sarah was having a quiet time with the cat sat on her knee, when it jumped down and did a massive poo on her new carpet, then climbed back up onto her knee expecting Sarah to show it love again.  This is  bit like us and God, he loves us so much and yet we do things wrong (we don't poo on the carpet) and after we have done those things wrong we expect God to continue to love us - and he does!  I then told the prodigal son story in a brief form explaining that God is like the father in the story and he holds his arms wide open to us.  To bring the assembly to a close we sang Inright Outright as it talks about the care and the love God has for us in sending Jesus, I displayed the words of John 3:16 on the screen before we sang it.  I then closed the assembly with a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning I was once again at St Peters School this time for an OCC assembly.  We had forgotten about it on Wednesday when we visited the school, we should have done it a few weeks ago but we had to cancel that assembly.  To start the assembly we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  I then talked about shoe boxes and how they can have a big impact on the lives of children, I recalled a few stories of children receiving their boxes and the reaction they had - I wanted to show a video clip but with my main computer not working the old one I have been using wouldn't display the clip.  I went through what to put into a box as well as what not to put it.  I explained about the £3.00 cost as well.  I then got the children to sing Shine explaining that when we fill a shoe box with good things we are also filling it with love so we are shinning out God's love.  After the song I said a short prayer.

Flookburgh Primary School

Today Sarah and I went down to Flookburgh Primary School for the assembly.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger.  I then told them the story of Sarah's cat Millie that liked to sit on her knee when she lived on her own before I met her.  Well there was this one time when Sarah and Millie were together and Millie was on Sarah's knee but then got off walked to the other side of the room did a massive poo before getting back onto Sarah's knee.  Now Sarah's loves Millie but what about this time? - It is a bit like that with us and God - he loves us so much and yet we do things wrong and turn back to God to be loved some more (a bit like Millie)  I then mentioned the prodigal son story and talked about the son running away and yet the father never stopped looking for him - like God does with us.  God loves us so much he sent Jesus into the world - I displayed John 3:16 on the screen and talked about it before introducing our final song Inright Outright which talks about the care and the love Jesus has for us.  I closed then with a prayer.

BX OT1 Penny Bridge

This afternoon I have been at Penny Bridge school with the year 6 children doing Bible Explorer Old Testament with them.  It was my first visit to them doing BX so I was looking forward to working with a different school.  The children I felt really enjoyed the session and soon got into the role play that I include in the stories I tell.  Looking forward to doing more with them in the weeks to come.

Burlington School

This morning I went to do the first assembly of the new school year at Burlington School.  It was really good to see all the children and staff again after such a long time.  To start the assembly we sang Be Happy.  I then emptied the contains of my bag which contained a kinds of different things from wet suits to snow boots to gloves and life jackets I asked the children to thing what linked them all together.  The link was they all protect us, I then used an Andy Robb book to read the account of Jesus calming the storm.  Afterwards I linked the story and the objects by explaining that in life we have ups and downs and we need someone to help us and even protect us - the items can all help protect us but are not much use when we are worried about something like a test or exam.  The disciples were in a storm going up and down so they called on Jesus to help them and we can too.  I finished the assembly with Wonderful Lord.

St Peters School

This morning Sarah and I went along to St Peters School for the assembly.  We started by singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Sarah told the children a story about her cat Millie.  Sarah explained that when she got Millie she lived alone in a flat and the cat was good company for her, she would sit on Sarah's knee.  However one day the cat was on her knee then got down did a massive poo on the new carpet and then climbed back onto Sarah's need for comfort - Sarah as you could imagine wasn't happy.  She told the children this story and there was much laughter as you can guess at the very mention of poo - but Sarah explained that we are a bit like that (not doing a poo on the carpet) in that we do something wrong and turn back to God.  She talked about the prodigal son story that Jesus told and about how he wasted all the money then went back to his father.  Who opened his arms to him, at this point she got the children to stand up and put their arms out wide, then asked them to join up in rows, she explained that God's love is so much bigger and wider than that.  His love is so big that he allowed Jesus to come into the world to die for us.  She displayed John 3:16 on the screen and explained it to the children before introducing our next song Inright Outright.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I made our first visit of the new term to Crosthwaite School.  It was so great to see all the children and staff again after so long - it seemed ages since we were last there.  To start off the assembly we sang Be Happy I then lifted a number of odd items out of a bag and asked some of the younger children to hold them for me.  I explained that something links them all together - I had a hard hat, wet suit, snow boots, gardening gloves etc the link was they all help protect us.  Sarah then read the story of Jesus calming the storm.  I then explained the link between the story and the items, all the items protect us in some way and Jesus also protects us - you see the disciples were in the boat when the storm started and they called to Jesus for help.  In life we sometimes face difficult times and we go up and down a bit like in a storm, so I encouraged the children to do as the disciples did and call out help to Jesus.  Sarah told about Grace doing just that before a lesson and she really enjoyed the lesson, answering questions and things.  We closed with Wonderful Lord and Sarah said a prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to Low Furness School for the assembly.  The theme was on God's Love, so to start us off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger.  Sarah then told the children a real life story about something that happened in her life with her cat Millie.  She explained that when she lived alone she bought a cat to keep her company and be there to welcome her home after work.  Well one day the cat was sat on her knee and Sarah was gently brushing her, when the cat suddenly got up and  did a massive poo on Sarah's new carpet, before re-joining Sarah to once again be brushed.  Sarah explained to the children that is what God is like with us, we make mistakes and then expect God to welcome us back each time (just as Millie did) and because he loves us so much he does welcome us back.  She reminded the children of the assembly that the year 5/6 class did before half term about the lost son - who wasted all his dad's money then went back to his dad - and his dad welcomed him back with open arms.  She pointed out to the children the theme for the half term is Love and encouraged them to look at the board with bible verses on it.  She also read John 3:16.  To close we sang Inright Outright before I closed with a prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to Pennington School for the assembly.  After singing Be Happy I started to unpack a bag of items that were all different and yet had something in common.  I had a hard hat, wet suit, ear defenders, cycle helmet, gardening gloves, snow boots etc.  I asked the children what the common thing was - safety someone said which could have been right but I was looking for protection - someone else did get it.  Sarah then read the story of Jesus calming the storm from an Andy Robb book.  The link between the items and the story was simple, all the items can protect us in some way or another but sometimes in life we have ups and downs - it is a bit like a storm - some people call it the storms of life.  When faced with the real storm on the sea the disciples called out to Jesus for help - I encouraged the children to do the same if they say have a test, a music or dance exam, a tricky footie game to play, or are having a few friendship issues.  Sarah told the children about Grace and how she said a short prayer before her lesson a few weeks along and she came out feeling great about it.  To close we sang Wonderful Lord and during the instrumental Sarah prayed.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I went along to Church Walk Primary School to do an assembly.  It was great to see all the children again.  We started by singing Be Happy then I went on to display a number of items from my bag which included a life jacket, wet suit, hard hat, cycle helmet, builders gloves, Snow boots etc I did say that they had something in common and when I asked what it is safety came the reply - which is a great answer but not the one I was thinking of - protection was what I was looking for, all the items protect us in some way.  Sarah then read the account of Jesus calming the storm from an Andy Robb book.  I then explained the connection between the items and the story - all the items I had will protect us in some way - but in life there are good times and bad and we say it is a bit like a storm.  I then asked the children who the disciples turned to when they found themselves in the storm - Jesus - they called on him to help them.  I went on to say and we can do that too.  I told them about Grace in a lesson a few weeks ago - things hadn't gone well for her in the lesson before so as she went into the next lesson she asked for help in a short prayer - and then she was answering questions here there and everywhere.  To close off the assembly we introduced a new song My Lighthouse then Sarah closed with a prayer.

Leven Valley School

Just before lunch I was at Leven Valley School doing an assembly.  After singing God can do anything, I displayed the words of the Lord's Prayer on the screen.  I had highlighted the words Give us this day our daily bread, and asked if anyone knew what that meant.  One girl said it is not just about bread but all food - which was a great answer.  I explained that God provides us with all sorts of things and we should say thank you to him daily for them.  I had with me some soap, face cloth tooth brush and paste and asked how many people say thank you for these things.  I also had a clean shirt and asked about this.  I linked this with the idea that God gives us what we need and not what we want, on the run up to Christmas there are adverts already on the television about toys and things for Christmas - so I asked who says things like I want that and that and that and that.... I then told a brief account of George Muller who open up lots of homes for children who had nothing and how he thanked God for the food the children were about to eat - when in fact there was no food left to feed them.  But God had other ideas because both the baker and the milkman just happened to give the 300+ children what they needed that day.  George never once asked anyone for money to run his homes - he lived out those words Give us this day our daily bread.  That was a miracle from our God who is so big he holds us in his hands - cue song.  After the song I said a short prayer.

Our Lady's School

This morning I was with Lisa Smith doing an assembly for Operation Christmas Child at Our Lady's School in Dalton.  We started by singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Lisa showed a video clip of an advert which talked about love not being a big thing but a thousand little things.  She built on this as she explain why we do shoe boxes and send them to children around the world.  After this I suggested to the children some of the things they might like to put into a shoe box.  We then sang Shine and Lisa closed with a prayer.

St Mary's RC School

This morning I was joined once again by Lisa to do an Operation Christmas Child assembly at St Mary's RC in Ulverston.  We started the assembly with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger and then Lisa showed an Ad from a few years ago which started with a slogan that said Love isn't a big thing.  As the ad went on we saw a brother and a sister growing up until one got married and the ending slogan said Love is a thousand little things.  The children went through fun times, and had their ups and downs too. She linked this to filling a shoe box with love and that love really is a thousand little things.  I then went on to talk about what to put into a shoe box and we finished with Shine from the inside out before saying a prayer.

OT BX4 Low Furness School

This afternoon I was back at Low Furness School doing week 4 of Bible Explorer.  I wasn't able to do a lesson last week as something else was on in school but despite that the children had remembered all the hand signs from week 1 to 3 which was great.  We did the stories of Samuel, Eli, Saul, David and Solomon ending when the kingdom split.  Next week we finish the story.

St Mary's Dalton

This morning I went along to do an assembly at St Mary's Dalton.  After saying hello to the children I introduced them to a new song (for them not me) So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  I then asked for a boy and a girl to come and join me at the front.  I gave one of them a plate and the other a tube of toothpaste.  I then instructed them to draw a face with the toothpaste onto the plate - I did get a bit of a funny look when I said this from the two children.  I then encouraged them to do some more only this time I helped out and made a load of toothpaste come out making a messy everywhere.  This got a laugh from the children but an even bigger laugh was had when I asked them to put the toothpaste back into the tube.  What was the point of this - simple whenever we speak out a wrong or bad word from our mouth that's it we can't take it back like the toothpaste can't go back into the tube.  I then demonstrated this by shouting at a teacher (it was OK as he is a very good friend of mine) this too got a laugh until I said can I take those words back.  I brought a bible verse from James which talks about a small spark is all that is needed to start a big fire.  The fire can make a mess and destroy things just like a wrong word can to a person.  So I encouraged them to think about how they speak to each other and to adults they know.  To finish we sang Shine I then closed the assembly with a prayer.

Lindel and Marton School

This morning I was joined by Lisa at Lindel and Marton School for an Operation Christmas Child assembly.  To start off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then I explained about how to pack and fill a shoe box.  Lisa then talked about love being a thousand little things and not just a big thing and did this by showing a video clip from an advert.  To close off the assembly we sang Shine and Lisa closed with a prayer.

Newton Primary School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do an assembly at Newton Primary School.  We started by singing Be Happy then I opened my bag which was full of different things that can protect you.  I explained that the items were all different but they had something in common, some children said safety which was a great answer but I was looking for the word protection.  Sarah then read the story of Jesus calming the storm from a book by Andy Robb.  Afterwards I explained that all the items I had brought can protect us but in life we have ups and downs a bit like a storm.  Sometimes we are really happy and sometimes feel a bit down so I asked what do we do - I linked back to the disciples in the boat who called out to Jesus for help.  So I encouraged the children to do the same, I then introduced them to Wonderful Lord which talks about God being our shield and protector and He watches over us even when we are sleeping.  During the instrumental part Sarah said a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I were joined by Lisa when we did an Operation Christmas Child assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Lisa showed a video clip and talked to the children about love not being a big thing but a thousand little things.  I then explained about what to put into a shoe box before we sang Shine.  Sarah then closed the assembly with a prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning we did an Operation Christmas Child assembly at Croftlands Junior School.  I was joined by Lisa who told the children about love not being a big thing but a thousand little things, she did this with a TV ad from a few years ago.  I covered the part of the assembly that talks about what goes into a box.  To start the assembly off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger and to finish it we sang Shine.

OT BX 3 Low Furness School

This afternoon was the third Old Testament Lesson at Low Furness School.  It was about the time after Moses, so we covered Joshua and then into the Judges like Deborah, Gideon and Samson.  Then to finish off I did the story of Ruth which I always link to David and then to Jesus giving the reason why this little story has its own book in the Bible.

Lindale School

This morning I went down to Lindale School for the first assembly of the new school year.  The school have been looking at The Lords Prayer and taking each bit of it and looking at what it means during their Wednesday morning assemblies.  Today the part I was looking at was 'give us this day our daily bread'  So to start off the assembly we sang Great Big God I then displayed the Lords Prayer on the screen and explained what I was going to talk about.  Sarah had found a little story about a man called George Muller.  I told the children about how George was a Christian man who lived and died over 100 years ago, and that he opened up many schools and places to educate children and he did so without ever asking for money - he simply trusted in God to provide whatever was needed.  I retold what happened one morning when 300 children in one such school had no food to eat - George prayed and said thank you for the food we are about to eat - a knock came on the door it was the baker who had got up in the night for some reason and bake 3 extra batches of bread and took it to the school, next the milkman came in his cart had lost a wheel and the milk would go off if the children didn't drink it.  George trusted God for everything.  I pointed out that in the world today we have so much stuff and we say we want more but do we really need it?  I asked the children how often do they say I want this or that when really they don't need it at all.  I reminded the children that Christmas is coming and that we will be putting together a Christmas list of things we want/need.  Back to George and a song to finish off the assembly we have a Great Big God who holds us in his hands and a God that can do anything, anything at all, nothing is too big for him and nothing is too small - cue song.  After the song I closed with a prayer. 

Pennington School

This afternoon I went along to do the first assembly of this new term at Pennington School, it was also an Operation Christmas Child assembly, so I was joined by Lisa.  After singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger Lisa introduced the theme of the assembly and showed a video clip from a McDonalds advert which has the opening scene of two children and the words Love is not a big thing, the ad continues and we watch the children grow up they are in fact brother and sister finally the boy now a man comes to get married and his sister has been their with him all the way through and they have done little things for each other the whole lives, the ending phrase then says Love is a thousand little things.  Lisa used this idea to explain that when we send a shoe box it is like love being a thousand little things.  We as individuals can't change the world but our act of love can change the world of a child that receives a shoe box.  I then talked about how and what to pack into a shoe box and explain that when we do we Shine from the inside out - cue song.  Lisa closed the assembly with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

Today I went along to do the first assembly of this new term at Church Walk Primary School, it was also the first Operation Christmas Child assembly of this year so I was joined by Lisa.  After singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger Lisa introduced the theme of the assembly and showed a video clip from a McDonalds advert which has the opening scene of two children and the words Love is not a big thing, the ad continues and we watch the children grow up they are in fact brother and sister finally the boy now a man comes to get married and his sister has been their with him all the way through and they have done little things for each other the whole lives, the ending phrase then says Love is a thousand little things.  Lisa used this idea to explain that when we send a shoe box it is like love being a thousand little things.  We as individuals can't change the world but our act of love can change the world of a child that receives a shoe box.  I then talked about how and what to pack into a shoe box and explain that when we do we Shine from the inside out - cue song.  Lisa closed the assembly with a prayer.

Flookburgh School

This morning Sarah and I made our first visit of the new school year to Flookburgh School.  It was really great to see all the children and staff again following the summer holidays.  To start our assembly off we sang Be Happy.  I then showed the children a collection of objects I had taken with me things like a cycle hat, wet suit, gloves, snow shoes, hard hat etc  I got some of the children to either hold our wear the item, I asked if anyone could see the common connection between my rather odd collection of items - the answer was they all protect us in some way.  Sarah then read the account of Jesus calming the storm and I then explained the link between the objects and the story - they do all protect us and Jesus protected the disciples n the boat - and we do from time to time have up days when we are very happy and down days when we are not so happy - a bit like a storm at sea (link to bible passage) When faced with the storm the disciples called upon Jesus to help them - and so can we call on him when we need him to help us in some way.  I then explained we were going to sing Wonderful Lord which continues the theme of Jesus looking after us.

OT BX 2 Low Furness School

This afternoon I did the second lesson of Old Testament Bible Explorer with the year 5 and 6 children at Low Furness School.  We were in Egypt to start off with Moses and the children of Israel, I am trying very hard to call the people by their many names like Jacob's family, Josephs family, Hebrews, Jews, the Jewish people so that when the children hear these terms in other places they will know that they are one and the same people.  So we had Moses today and all about God bringing the people up out of Egypt towards the promised land.  We covered the Red Sea crossing, the Law, the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant, as well as the counting of the people, the spies sent into the land and then the forty year trek in the wilderness and finally the law a second time to a new generation of people and the death of Moses.  Next week the people move into the land under Joshua and then the Judges ending with Ruth.

St Peters

This morning I went along to St Peters for the first assembly of the new school term.  It was really lovely to see all the children again as well as their new headteacher.  I started the assembly with Be Happy, then opened a bag containing a lot of different things to wear.  Although the items were all different there was a common link between them so I asked the children to think about that as I removed the items from the bag and got some of the children to wear or hold them.  I had a wet suit, hard hat, gloves, snow boots, high viz jacket, ear defenders etc.  The common link was protection as one boy pointed out.  I then read the account of Jesus calming the storm and after explained the link between the items and the story - they all protect us in some way and help keep us safe and Jesus was in the boat and protected the disciples also.  I also explained that in life things can go really well for us and we are on a high and are happy (link to song) but there are times when we are not so high and things get us down and we are sad.  It is a bit like the waves on the sea and when a storm blows up I asked the children what the disciples did when they were in the storm - they asked Jesus for Help and he came to their rescue and saved and protected them, he can do that for us too when we are facing a difficult time for whatever reason.  I linked this to Wonderful Lord which we sang to finish off before closing with the Lord's Prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This morning I went along to Penny Bridge Academy to do the first assembly of the new school year.  After saying good morning and asking if the children had had a good summer we sang Be Happy.  After that I showed the children a collection of items that I had taken with me, there was a wet suit, cycle hat, 2 hard hats, gloves, snow boots, life jacket I had other things to.  I asked a few of the younger children to help hold the items.  I asked the rest of the school if they could see a connection with the items - someone said safety which was a good answer but not what I was thinking off - someone else then said protection.  I then read the calming of the storm story from Andy Robbs book 50 Weirdest Bible Stories.  Then I explained the connection between the story and the items - in life we sometimes have good days when we are so happy (link to song) and some days when we feel a bit sad and down - it is a bit like the waves on the sea in a storm (link to story).  When faced with the storm the disciples called HELP! - Jesus who was asleep at the time in the boat got up and calmed everyone down, as well as the sea and wind.  So I encouraged the children then whenever they find themselves in a down situation to do as the disciples did and call out help to Jesus.  I then linked this to the song Wonderful Lord.

Leven Valley School

This morning Sarah and I did our first assembly of the new school year at Leven Valley School.  We started with Be Happy before I emptied a bag of items in front of the children.  I did tell the children that all the items were different but had something in common there was  hard hats, cycle helmets, high viz jackets, life jackets, wet suits etc.  I asked the children what was common with the items - protection - they all help protect us in some way.  Sarah then read the storm of Jesus calming the storm and after I linked the items to the story in that in life we have ups and downs like in a storm and when we are down we might need someone to help protect us like the disciples did and Jesus was there to do that for them and he is still here today doing the same thing we only need to call to him.  I linked this also to Wonderful Lord which we sang to finish.

Our Lady's

This morning Sarah and I made our first visit of the new school year to Our Lady's in Dalton.  It was really good to see all the children again and the little ones from nursery joined us too.  We started our assembly time with Be Happy.  I then unpacked a bag full of rather odd items some I put on others got a laugh from the children I gave some of them to the children to wear.  All the items had a common theme though we had hard hats, cycle helmets, high viz jackets, life jackets, wet suits etc.  I asked the children what was common with the items - protection - they all help protect us in some way.  Sarah then read the storm of Jesus calming the storm and after I linked the items to the story in that in life we have ups and downs like in a storm and when we are down we might need someone to help protect us like the disciples did and Jesus was there to do that for them and he is still here today doing the same thing we only need to call to him.  I linked this also to Wonderful Lord which we sang to finish.

St Mary's RC Ulverston

This morning Sarah and I went along to St Mary's Ulverston for our first visit of the new school year.  It was really good to see all the children again.  One little girl looking at Sarah said 'you're the burger lady aren't you' being slightly confused Sarah enquired a little more 'you see that song God's Love is Bigger than a Burger!!!' simply brilliant.  To start off the assembly feeling very happy we sang Be Happy.  After the song I showed the children a collection of items which in some way had a common theme like  hard hat, cycle helmet, work gloves, ear defenders etc  they all help protect us.  Sarah then read a version of Jesus calming the storm and I then drew the link between the items and the story in that Jesus is there always to protect and look after his people.  It is the ups and downs of our lives like the storm and when we are up we are happy but when we are down and don't know what to do or where to turn Jesus is there waiting for us to call to him.  I linked what I was saying to Wonderful Lord song which we sang next.

BX OT1 Low Furness School

This afternoon I did the first of five Old Testament Bible Explorer lessons.  It was with the year 5/6 class at Low Furness School.  Last year the then year 5 had New Testament and when the realised I was back in school doing the Old Testament their teacher told me they couldn't wait to hear all about it.  It was also pretty special as one year 5 girl couldn't wait for me to go in and do the lesson - that was Martha our 9 year old daughter.  The lesson went very well with all the children participating in the lesson and with the hand signs.  Then when I said do you know what happened next all the children replied what! there was an awe as I said tell you next week.  Next week the story of Moses and the laws some of my favourite bits of the bible.

St Mary's Dalton

This morning Sarah and I went to St Mary's Dalton School to do the assembly.  This is a new school to us - we have done a couple of transition assemblies and lessons there before.  We started off with Be Happy which the children didn't know but joined in as the song went along.  I then showed the children a number of items that were all different but had a common theme - as I lifted them out the bag I got some of the younger children to wear the items which were things like -  hard hat, cycle helmet, work gloves, ear defenders etc The thing they all had in common was they help keep us safe but they all protect us in some way.  Sarah then retold the story of Jesus calming the storm from a book by And Robb.  I then linked the items that protect us to the protection and help we get from Jesus.  When things are going well we feel happy (link to song) but when things are not so well we are down - a bit like a storm at sea so I reminded the children that the disciples called out to Jesus in their storm and we can too.  I linked this to Wonderful Lord which we sang next.

Lindel and Marton School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our first assembly of the new school year at Lindel and Marton School.  It was great to see all the children again, looking happy and smiling as we arrived.  To start of the assembly we sang Be Happy then I went on to open my bag which was full of all sorts of things but they did one thing in common - the items were things like a wet suit, hard hat, cycle helmet, work gloves, ear defenders etc they all help keep us safe but they all protect us in some way.  Sarah then retold the story of Jesus calming the storm from a book by And Robb.  I then linked the items that protect us to the protection and help we get from Jesus.  When things are going well we feel happy (link to song) but when things are not so well we are down - a bit like a storm at sea so I reminded the children that the disciples called out to Jesus in their storm and we can too.  I linked this to Wonderful Lord which we sang next.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I did our first visit of the new school year to Croftlands Infant School.  It was lovely to see all the children again and be welcomed by them.  We sang Be Happy to start off and then I showed the children a whole load of things, I said that they were all different and did different things but they all had something in common.  So as I lifted the items out I explained what they were and asked some of the children to hold them - I had a life jacket, wet suit, hard hat, ear defenders, cycle hat, gloves, boots, high viz jacket.  When I asked what the common thing was someone said safety which was correct but not what I was looking for then someone said protection which was right - they all help to protect us.  Sarah then read an account of Jesus calming the storm and I then explained that Jesus is there to help look after and protect us because sometimes we have up days and we are very happy - that's why we sang Be Happy to start but there are times when we feel a bit sad and are down - perhaps we are having a tough time at school or with friends or a test!  The disciples in the story when faced with a storm called out to Jesus for Help and he calm the storm down.  I reminded the children that we too can call out to Jesus for help when we are in a storm of ups and downs.  We finished with Wonderful Lord and I explained that some of the words say about God being our shield and protector and he watches over us even when we sleep.  During the song I said a short prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning I went along to Croftlands Junior School for the first assembly of the new school year.  It was great to see all the children there as well as all the new year 3 children who have come up from the infants.  we started by singing Be Happy, I then showed the children a collection of items saying that they are all different but have one thing in common.  I asked if they could tell what it was they had in common - I had a life jacket and wetsuit, a high viz jacket, hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, ear defenders and boots also a cycle helmet.  Hands went up and the answer came that they all protect us in some way.  I explained that although these items are good at protecting our bodies Jesus can protect us in other ways.  I then used the Andy Robb 50 Weirdest Bible story book to tell the story of Jesus calming the storm.  I then explained that Jesus can help to calm the storms we might face during our time in school as we all have ups and downs - I reminded the children that the disciples in the midst of the storm called to Jesus for HELP! and we can too whenever we face difficulties at school or at home.  We finished with Wonderful Lord and I prayed in the middle for the children at the start of the new school year.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I along with Grace went to Low Furness School to do the assembly.  It was our first assembly of the new school year and it was great to see all the children again after the summer holidays.  Our theme was creation so after singing Creator God I talked about creation and displayed some pictures that explained what God did on each of the days until he rested on the 7th day.  Sarah then explained that God created a perfect world out of nothing, we had a large tub of Lego bricks on the floor and Sarah looked at them - then she spoke to them and said build a house - nothing happened - she saw there was a wheel in the box so said build a train - again nothing happened - ok make an animal - nothing.  We explained to the children that God spoke and things happened we call this creation as God make things from nothing.  We can make things as humans but we can't create like God can, I displayed a few pictures like tall buildings, cars, electrical products.  I then showed flowers that had been made from silk, foam and paper - yes they are flowers and yes they are like the ones God made but they are not living.  Next I showed some animals made from paper mache and again they look like animals God made but they are not living.  We linked this to the perfect, beautiful world that God created and said we should thank him for it every day I now displayed a view of the world from space.  To finish I displayed Genesis 1:31a God saw everything he had made, and it was very good.  We then sang Great Big God before Sarah closed the assembly with a prayer.

Polar Explorers Holiday Club Day 4

Today was fancy dress day - none of the children came in fancy dresses but they did come dressed as explorer's, some from the polar regions others from jungle a variety of ideas was presented to us today.  The judge had a tricky job deciding who the winners would be.  After the judging we moved on with the day's programme and looked at the story of Paul who was Saul and we discovered that it wasn't just his name that changed but his whole life after meeting with Jesus on his way to arrest the believers in Damascus.  We also introduced the bible memory verse which was from Psalm 119:105 'your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path' we explained what that means to the children.  Tomorrow is the last day when the children will be bringing back their polar base's on their paper plates, we award prizes to the winning team and the winning team table.  Then picnic and water fight finish the day off.

Polar Explorers Holiday Club Day 3

We might be giving the impression that we are at the South Pole during the Holiday Club at Urswick but there is nothing cold about it.  The children have warmed to the theme very well this year.  Today was our wacky hat day when they had been encouraged to come with a hat from either the south or north pole.  There was a number of very good ideas from the children.  The story today was Phillip and his meeting with the Ethiopian Official.  Tomorrow we look at Paul's story.  Another great day.

Polar Explorers Holiday Club Day 2

Another great day today.  It was good to see all the children come back for more fun and games today.  Our theme was based on Stephen today, he was just an ordinary man who was given an ordinary job to do serving food to people and in that job God used him.  This is what the children heard today.  We watched a video telling us the story and the intro drama had references to it too as well as the memory verse and then the children explored the issue a bit more in their reflection time towards the end of the morning.  The children even managed to get outside for a time playing games too.  Roll on tomorrow.

Polar Explorers Holiday Club Day 1

We had a good start today at the Polar Explorers Holiday Club in Urswick.  We looked at the story of Peter and talked with the children about some of the mistakes he had made when he was with Jesus like telling people he didn't know Jesus at all.  The key phrase for today was Never Too Many Mistakes - we all make mistakes but with the love of God through what Jesus did for us we can be forgiven.  In the reflection time the children came up with some thoughts on this and told us all about it at the end of the morning.  Everyone went home having had a great time.

Guardians of Ancora Final Day

We had a great time today at holiday club,  the children responded to the take home competition which had been to design a bible place/scene or a building from Ancora on a paper plate.  Then there was the singing, the story, the craft, the intro drama and not forgetting Stacey and Lacey the stars of the first session in the morning.  They brought the added humour and laughter to the morning.  We started on a high on Monday as we started off and finished on an equally high point - with I have to add no low points in between.  Our continued prayer is that the children who have been with us this week and have had an encounter of some sort or another with God, that they would over time revisit this week in their minds and re-encounter God as they do so and want to know more about him, so that he becomes like bread to them and they can feed on him and grow.  May God Bless everyone who has been involved this week.

Guardians of Ancora Holiday Club Day 4

Today at holiday club it was our fancy dress day, the children had been asked if they could come in a costume that was a bible character.  We had a number of different ones which was great one set of winners was for Samuel and Naomi - these two children just happened to be called Samuel and Naomi!  As it rained today the games had to go on inside, which was fine but by the end of the morning the hall was rather warm!  We also did a giant game of rock paper scissors in which the children played against each other the loser then had to stand behind the winner while they found someone else to play with - the result was two rather long lines and the ultimate play off.  The children had a great time.   Our story today was the healing of the man that was lowered through the roof.

Guardians of Ancora Holiday Club Day 3

I should have blogged this yesterday but I forgot.  We had a great day at holiday club yesterday.  It was our wacky hat day when children were encouraged to come with a hat that told a story.  We had all kinds of hats and many different stories from creation to Jesus ascending up into heaven to Noah's Ark.  It was a task and a half for our judge to make a decision who was the winner.  The story was the healing of the Roman Centurion's servant, which we introduced by using a drama then watched the story.  There was the usual round of singing, Stacey and Lacey came back again bringing with them the memory verse.

Guardians of Ancora Holiday Club Day 2

Today we had another great day at Holiday Club.  Most of the children came back and a few new ones came too.  Our two special guests came back as well all the way from New York - Stacey and Lacey helped us to remember the bible verse for the day.  We hear the story of Jesus bringing Jairus's daughter back to life and in the reflection zone time the children also heard the story of the lady that touched his cloak.  More stories, songs, crafts, games planned for tomorrow.

Guardians of Ancora Holiday Club Day 1

Had a fantastic time this morning at Croftlands with over 60 children as part of the Guardians of Ancora holiday club.  We did lots of singing, heard a bible story, had a memory verse, did games, had a craft session.  We never seemed to have stopped all morning it was so busy but then towards the end we went into groups and discussed what the story was about and the children reflected on what they had learnt during the morning.  These times are so special with children and all our group leaders and junior leaders worked with the children as they filled in a booklet.  Our prayer for the whole of this week is that children will have an encounter with God maybe for the first time.  So please pray for these youngsters and their group leaders too, as well as all the other adults that work in a supportive role at holiday club.

Broughton School

For our last assembly of this school year we went to Broughton School.  We started the assembly with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Sarah introduced the theme of the assembly by asking who could remember the previous assembly which was the transition one when we told the story of Daniel.  She asked what the other peoples names were.  The children almost got the names right - Sarah reminded them that it was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I then told their story using pictures to help me.  As I told the story though I did stop and ask the children a few questions.  Sarah then explained that God was with the three men as they stood in the furnace he looked after them and protected them - just as he continues to do today.  We displayed once again the Joshua verse 1:8 Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  Then we sang the Chicken Dance before Sarah closed the assembly with a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning we went to St Peters School for the assembly.  It was our last assembly of the school year with them we decided to follow up from the assembly we did previously and talk about the three friends of Daniel - that is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I told the story using some pictures and as I went along I asked the children some questions too.  Then I reminded them of the verse we had given them from Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  I explained that God would be with them as they went on up the school and off to a new school in the case of the year 6 children.  To start the assembly we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger and to close it we sang the Chicken Dance as a special treat to the year 6 children.  Sarah then said a prayer to finish. 

Then at 12:00 we had been invited by the year 6 children to their leavers lunch - it was a Star Wars themed lunch with picture displayed around the room, the theme tunes playing in the back ground.  The children had decided what they wanted to have and we finished it off with Star Wars themed ginger bread people and rice cake.  Sarah and I had a great time, it was lovely to be invited and feel a part of their end of year celebrations.

Low Furness School

Yesterday  we did our last assembly of the year at Low Furness School.  We started with God's Love is Bigger Than a Burger.  after that we told the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego which followed on from the transition assembly we had done.  To help tell the story I had some pictures to display.  I made the point that God's love was so big that he protected them from the fire and the fact that they stood up for what they believed in as well.  Sarah continued this theme as she reminded the children of the verse in Joshua which we had used for the transition assembly - Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  After this we sang as a special treat for the year 6 children the chicken Dance.  I then closed the assembly with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This morning I went to do the last assembly of the school year at Penny Bridge.  To start off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then I reminded the children about the last assembly which was the transition one about Daniel.  I wanted to tell the children about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they were mentioned in the previous assembly.  I talked about how they stood up to the king by not bowing down to his statue and that they were protected by God when they got thrown into the furnace.  I reminded the children of the verse from Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  Then as a special treat as it was the last time for year 6 we sang Chicken Dance.  I then closed with a prayer.

Flookburgh School

This morning Sarah and I made our last visit of this school year to Flookburgh School.  We decided to do our Daniel assembly so in advance of the assembly we asked for 4 children to help us out and wear a costume, then Sarah read the script and I play my usual part as the Babylonian.  After the drama Sarah talked about the move that year 6 will be making and everyone else in the school as they change year group.  The children were encouraged that God wold be with them as they moved up the years and in the case of year 6 moved school.  We displayed the Joshua 1:8 verse Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for I am with you wherever you go.  After this we sang Great Big God I then closed the assembly with a prayer.

Lindale School

This morning Sarah and I travelled down to Lindale School for the final assembly of the year with them.  We decided to continue the theme we have done recently about Daniel moving to Babylon so using some year 6 children to play the parts of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we retold the Daniel story.  Sarah narrated the story and spoke Daniel's words using the drama we wrote and I played my usual part as the Babylonian.  Sarah then spoke to the children about the moves they will be making in September either up the school or to secondary school.  She finished with the verse from Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  She then linked into the song Great Big God by saying that God is with us holding us in his hands if we are up high or down below - he is everywhere.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I went to Croftlands Infant School for our final assembly with them for this school year.  We didn't start with a song as we decided to tell the Daniel story like we have do in our transition assemblies.  So we used 4 children to play the parts of Daniel and his friends and I dressed up too as the Babylonian, Sarah told the story while I added in my parts too.  The children seemed to enjoy it and laughed in all the right places - so I repeated a few of the lines again just for the laugh.  After the drama Sarah talked to the children about the moves they will be making as one year moved to the next and as year 2 move to Croftlands Junior School.  She encouraged them by reminding them that God will be with them and used Joshua 1:8 verse - Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  Then we sang Great big God and as Sarah introduced it she explained that up high God is there and down low he is there too.  After the song I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Juniors on my own.  I had decided to do a follow on from the transition assembly we did last time.  So to start off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger I then explained that I was going to tell them who Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were as they had been featured in the assembly about Daniel last time.  I had some pictures to help tell the story.  As I displayed the picture of the three friends in the Fiery Furnace I asked someone to count the people they could see - 4 was the answer.  I then went onto explain that God was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and he was protecting them and looking out for them.  The song we had sung talks about God's love being big enough to handle all our doubts and fears. To close off the talk I displayed again the verse from Joshua 1:8 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  To finish the assembly we sang as a special treat for the year 6 children the Chicken Dance.  I then finished with a prayer.

Leven Valley School

On Thursday morning we went to do our final assembly of the year at Leven Valley School.  To start off we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  We then retold the Daniel story and used 4 children to play the parts of Daniel and friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  I told the story and played the part of a Babylonian too.  We basically did the drama we have done in several schools over the last few weeks and Sarah fed the lines to Daniel as I retold the story.  Sarah then at the end explained that year 6 children will be moving on to a big new school and they too will be a bit like Daniel as he had to get use to a new place - maybe got lost a few times, had new things to learn like the language, experienced new sounds and smells too.  She encouraged the children by explaining that God would be with them as he was with Daniel.  She also said that no matter if you are up high in a tall building or deep deep in the sea God is there looking after us as he holds us in his hands - cue song Great Big God.  After the song Sarah closed with a prayer.

Our Lady's School

On Thursday Sarah and I went to do our last assembly of the school year at Our Lady's School.  We started with a story - I retold the story of Peter - well not all of it we didn't have time, I picked out the highlights - but Peter didn't start off well so are they really highlights?  I covered his calling by Jesus, and his walking on the water.  I did explain that Peter was one who kept on opening his mouth and saying the wrong things.  Next his transfiguration gaff when I asked Jesus if they should build a  couple or three shelters.  Then the biggy - Peter saying he never knew Jesus after his arrest, despite Jesus saying he would do it and Peter saying he won't - he did!  Next the Sunday morning and seeing the empty tomb - then the breakfast on the beach when the now risen Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.  Then Peter was to open his mouth again - not for the last time - Pentecost when 3000 people joined them.  Sarah explained that Peter was just like us - he was an ordinary person nothing special, a person who like us made mistakes but Jesus forgave him those mistakes and used him in a might way lie on the day of Pentecost when 3000 became followers.  We sang Great Great Brill Brill as it has the line that says 'to have a friend like Jesus'  then as a special treat as it was the last assembly of the year we sang the Chicken Dance.  Sarah then closed with a prayer.

Broughton School

On Wednesday afternoon we went to do our transition assembly and lesson at Broughton School, we were joined by Vic and Emily.  The assembly was first and we did a little drama about Daniel and his move to Babylon.  In the drama we covered a number of issues that face Daniel in his new life in a new country, some of those issues will be similar to the things year 6 children will be facing as they move to their secondary school - like people getting lost, getting your name wrong, learning new lessons etc.  Daniel knew that God was with him and was protecting him. After the drama Vic explained to the children that God would be with them wherever they went as he was with Daniel.  There is a verse in Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for I am with you wherever you go.  Sarah then introduced the song saying that if we climb a high building God is their if we go down in a submarine to the deep sea he is there and he holds us in his hands - we sang Great Big God.  After the assembly we worked with the year 6 children were we looked at some of the big issues they might be facing as they go from a small school to a big secondary school.

Burlington School

On Wednesday this week we went to Burlington School with Vic and Tommy to do our transition assembly and lesson with the year 6 children.  The assembly was all about Daniel and his move to Babylon, we acted out a short drama to illustrate this.  A lot of the issues that faced Daniel and his friends the year 6 children would be facing as they went to secondary school, like Babylon was bigger than Jerusalem, they spoke differently, they needed to learn new things, there would have been new sounds and smells as well as people possibly getting their names wrong.  Daniel trusted God and was obedient to him and God protected him and look after him.  It was explained to the children that God is with us where ever we go as he was with Daniel so he is with us.  We displayed a verse from Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous do not be afraid for I am with you wherever you go.  Sarah introduced our song Great Big God as it says he holds us in his hands.  After the song we closed with a prayer.  We then worked with the year 6 children for an hour helping them to think about their move to secondary school and giving them some tips and advice on what to do in certain situations.

St Peter's School

On Wednesday this week Sarah and I went along to St Peter's school to do our assembly.  We decided to talk about Daniel so before I did the talk we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger.  I then retold the Daniel story about how he was taken as a teenager to Babylon and how he would have found it strange at first being in a new place.  I also talked about the different language as well as the different sounds and smells.  I also explained that he worked hard at his studies and was rewarded by bring told he could eat the kings food.  Daniel didn't want that as he was obedient to God as a Jew and ate only certain foods.  Then because of this he was given a high position in the palace.  Daniel went on to do even greater things because God was with him.  Sarah then linked that story to the year 6 children who will be moving on to a new school soon, she explained that their new school would be bigger, there would be new things to learn, that there will be different things to eat as well as new smells.  She linked back to Daniel and the fact that God was with him throughout all this time and God will be with all the children as they move on either to a new school or up a year in school.  God holds us in his hands.  Cue song, after the song Sarah closed with a prayer.

Coniston Primary School

This afternoon Sarah and I with Vic and Tommy have been to Coniston Primary School to do our transition assembly and then our lesson for the year 6 children.  Our assembly is all about Daniel and him moving to Babylon where he sees new things, hears new things is faced with new places to go and has to find his way around (a bit like going to a new school)but he knew that God was with him and looking out for him and protecting him.  Daniel obeyed God and as a result rose to a high place within the palace.  We told the story with a short drama and then Vic summed up some of the things that were said in the drama to link them to moving on into secondary school.  Sarah then linked it even more by introducing our song Great Big God - he holds us in his hands.  After the song Sarah closed the assemble with a prayer.  After the assembly we worked with the 8 year 6 children and talked to them about some of the BIG issues they might face at their new schools.  We gave them all a book to read which should help them to make the move.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to Low Furness School for the assembly.  We started the assembly by singing So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  Our theme was St Peter so I got together a number of pictures from the life of Peter starting with him being called by Jesus then through walking or should that be sinking on the water to his denial then reinstatement by Jesus following his resurrection through to Pentecost and him standing up tall proclaiming the gospel. Sarah explained that Peter was just an ordinary person much like ourselves who did make many mistakes, who also opened his mouth and said the wrong things at times but Jesus used him in a massive way as he started the church.  So to finish the assembly we sang Great Great Brill Brill as it says to have a friend like Jesus.  Sarah then closed with a prayer.