Leven Valley School

This morning Sarah and I did the last of our assemblies for this term.  As it is Easter we did our Easter assembly.  The children at Leven Valley School were rather excited as today is the last day of term.  To start the assembly we sang Inright Outright as there is a line in it that says Jesus cared for me when he died on Calvary.  After the song we introduced our eggy friend Benedict which is an egg shaped puppet, he has coloured ribbons sticking out of his head which the children can remove.  So after several egg changes of egg style yolks we cracked on with the assembly.  As a child removed the coloured ribbon a different part of the story of Easter came out, Benedict explained each one.  Then as the last ribbon came out and Benedict went away Sarah did a recap of the points with the children.  Sarah also explained about Easter eggs and why we have them.  We then sang God can do Anything and I then closed with a prayer.

Our Lady's School

This morning Sarah and I went to Our Lady's School to do our Easter assembly.  The children were very excited as today is the last day of term Sarah played on this by asking if they were egg cited for Easter.  To start with we sang Inright Outright then Sarah introduced Benedict our new puppet for Easter I say puppet he is an egg really.  In his head there are several ribbons which the children can pull out as Sarah directs the children Benedict explains what the colours represent.  We have green, purple, black, red, white, orange and gold coloured ribbons.  Green is for Palm Sunday, purple for a king, black for sin, red for blood, white for purity, orange for new dawn and gold for eternal life.  Sarah expanded on these as the assembly went on.  To finish off we sang God can do anything then I said a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning Sarah and I did our Easter assembly for the children at Broughton School.  We started with Inright Outright then Sarah introduced Benedict the eggy friend.  He has a number of tabs coming out of his head each one has a coloured ribbon which helps to tell the Easter story.  But to lead us into it there was an exchange of egg inspired jokes or should that be yolks?  We then cracked on with the assembly egg actly as planned.  Seven children helped to remove the ribbons from Benedict's head as Sarah called the colour out he told the children what each one represented, green for Palm Sunday, purple for royalty, black for sin, red for the blood of Jesus, white for empty tomb and folded grave clothes, orange for a new dawn -sun rise and finally gold for eternal life with Christ.  After Sarah did a recap of all the colours and reminded the children about Easter eggs and what they can represent.  To finish we sang God can do anything before I closed with a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning Sarah and I did our Easter assembly for the children at St Peters School.  We started with Inright Outright then Sarah introduced Benedict the eggy friend.  He has a number of tabs coming out of his head each one has a coloured ribbon which helps to tell the Easter story.  But to lead us into it there was an exchange of egg inspired jokes or should that be yolks?  We then cracked on with the assembly egg actly as planned.  Seven children helped to remove the ribbons from Benedict's head as Sarah called the colour out he told the children what each one represented, green for Palm Sunday, purple for royalty, black for sin, red for the blood of Jesus, white for empty tomb and folded grave clothes, orange for a new dawn -sun rise and finally gold for eternal life with Christ.  After Sarah did a recap of all the colours and reminded the children about Easter eggs and what they can represent.  To finish we sang God can do anything before I closed with a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I went over to Crosthwaite School with our Easter assembly.  To start with we sang Inright Outright, as it says Jesus cared for me when he died on Calvary.  To retell the Easter story we used an egg puppet called Benedict and had loads of eggy yolks in the assembly egg cept Sarah kept on poaching all of Benedict's before he could crack them.  The talk also involved coloured ribbons which 7 children held up during the assembly each one a different colour.  The colours represented a different aspect of the Easter story.  We had a green one for Palm Sunday, a purple one for royalty, a black one for sin, a red one for the blood of Jesus, a white one for the grave clothes also Jesus appeared in white later, an orange one to represent the sun a new dawn a new start and then a gold one for eternal life with Jesus.  Each of the ribbons were pulled out of the top of Benedict's head.  Sarah then did a recap of the 7 colours and reminded the children why we have Easter eggs. We then sang God can do Anything - like raising Jesus from the dead.  We closed the assembly after the song with a prayer. 

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I took our Easter assembly to Low Furness School.  We sang Inright Outright to begin with then we did the talk.  We used an egg puppet called Benedict and had loads of eggy yolks in the assembly egg cept Sarah kept on poaching all of Benedict's before he could crack them.  The talk also involved coloured ribbons which 7 children held up during the assembly each one a different colour.  The colours represented a different aspect of the Easter story.  We had a green one for Palm Sunday, a purple one for royalty, a black one for sin, a red one for the blood of Jesus, a white one for the grave clothes also Jesus appeared in white later, an orange one to represent the sun a new dawn a new start and then a gold one for eternal life with Jesus.  Each of the ribbons were pulled out of the top of Benedict's head.  Sarah then did a recap of the 7 colours and reminded the children why we have Easter eggs. We then sang God can do Anything - like raising Jesus from the dead.  We closed the assembly after the song with a prayer.

Pennington School

Yesterday afternoon Sarah and I did our Easter assembly at Pennington School.  We started by singing Inright Outright as it tells of Jesus cares for me when he died on Calvary.  We told the Easter story using an egg puppet, so we had loads of egg type yolks in it as well.  It involved the children as they held out coloured ribbons which represented the various events over Easter.  To finish off we sang God can do Anything.  Then I closed with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

Yesterday morning Sarah and I did the first of our Easter assemblies for the children of Penny Bridge Academy.  We started by singing Inright Outright as it tells of Jesus cares for me when he died on Calvary.  We told the Easter story using an egg puppet, so we had loads of egg type yolks in it as well.  It involved the children as they held out coloured ribbons which represented the various events over Easter.  To finish off we sang God can do Anything.  Then I closed with a prayer.

Lindal and Marton School

On Wednesday I was at Lindal and Marton School doing the assembly.  It was great to see all the children again.  To start off the assembly we sang Be Happy.  I then introduced the story which was Peter walking on the water to Jesus.  I told the story using a Bob Hartman version which required the children to respond to key words with an action.  Each line also repeated three times allowing a different expression to be used in the story.  After the story I asked the children what Peter had done - yes he walked on the water but he trusted Jesus.  I explained that living here in the Lake District we have loads of lakes (not just the ones caused by the floods) and it wouldn't be a good idea if while out on one of the lakes in a boat to step out of it - as Peter did.  Peter put his trust in Jesus, he was in a boat which could have been his fishing boat, he would have felt safe and comfortable in it, also he wold have know the lake as he had fished it all his life - so stepping out of that boat was something a bit scary.  I reminded the children that sometimes in life we need to do as Peter did - I don't mean walk on water but step out from the safe comfort of where we are and into something that is a bit scary like moving on in schools particularly going into a secondary school or as some of the children at the school did recently singing at Young Voices for the first time!  Peter was OK as long as he kept his eye on Jesus - as long as he trusted him.  We should trust him too to help us in difficult times and when we do we can Shine from the inside out - cue song.  After the song I said a short prayer to finish.

BX OT3 Broughton School

This afternoon I was at Broughton School for lesson 3 of Old Testament Bible Explorer.  This weeks lessons covers the stories of Joshua taking over the land promised to the Israelites by God, then into the 400 year period of the judges focusing in on 3 of them Deborah, Gideon and Samson.  It ends with the lovely story of Ruth.  The children enjoyed listening and joined in with the hand signs as well as taking part in some of the stories.  Next week a double lesson as we cover the kings, the exile and the great story of Esther.

St Marys RC School

This morning Sarah and I went to St Marys RC School for the assembly.  It is a great day here today a day upon which to be happy, so to start off the assembly Sarah introduced our first song which was Be Happy.  The children joined in the actions as we sang the song.  After the song Sarah introduced the story which was about Peter walking on the water to Jesus, she explained that there would be some actions to do as well.  I explained the actions and the key words to listen out for but if the children missed it the first time there was no problem as each line repeats three times.  The Story was from Matthew 14:22-33 but I was using a Bob Hartman version of it.  After the story Sarah talked to the children about it, she asked what Peter needed for him to walk on the water, someone said faith which was a great answer someone else said trust which is what came out from the story.  She explained that sometimes we need to do difficult things in life and we need to put our trust in Jesus like Peter did.  But as the story went on Peter took his eyes of Jesus and started to sink - but Jesus was there to help him up again.  She encouraged the children to trust God when they face things in life because when we do then we can start to shine out which was a cue for our next song Shine.  After the song Sarah said a short prayer.

Burlington School

This morning I was at Burlington School for the assembly.  I decided to take about trust with the children so after singing Be Happy I retold the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus using a Bob Hartman story.  The story repeated each line three times and also had a key word for the children to react to.  The idea is that each line of the story can be said in a different way to highlight what is being said.  After the story I talked about trust and about how Peter put his trust in Jesus when he stepped out the boat - his boat which he knew - onto the lake which he also knew very well.  He stepped out of the thing that was safe and secure and that he was familiar with.  I reminded the children that sometimes we need to step out in a similar way like when we move to a new school or something.  We should try to do as Peter did trust Jesus - but as Peter took his eye of him he sank - however Jesus was there on hand to save him....he will do the same for us.  To close we sang Shine then I said a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning I went along to St Peters School for the assembly.  The theme was love, so to start off we sang Great Big God then I told the story with pictures of Jesus in the temple aged 12.  I paused a few times to ask questions as I told the story.  I made the point that our parents love us like Mary loved Jesus but God loves us so much more.  To finish of the assembly we sang I Love You then I closed with a prayer followed by The Lords Prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning I was at Low Furness School for the assembly.  The theme was Mary's trust in God throughout her life.  So after singing Great Big God I retold the story of Jesus aged 12 in the Temple.  I focused in on the fact that Mary didn't understand Jesus' reply when he said I had to be in my fathers house.  I explained that throughout Mary's life many things would have happen that she didn't understand like his birth, the visits from wise men and shepherds, about his teachings and miracles and finally at the foot of his cross - she simply had to trust God in all things.  I linked this to things in our lives when we are called to do things that we don't understand we are to simply trust.  I talked about last year when we did a high ropes adventure thing and at the end you had to clip yourself onto a rope and step off this high platform into thin air - then you fell very fast but as you reached the ground you slowed down for a soft landing - we had to trust the rope would hold us.  To finish off we sang I love you as it says in it I need you and we all need God. I then closed with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I went to Church Walk School for the assembly.  We started with Be Happy and then I told the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus using one of Bob Hartman's books.  Each line in the story is repeated 3 times and there is a key word that the children can respond to with either an action or repeating the word.  After the story which brought a few laughs from the children Sarah talked about trust and about how Peter trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat in the first place.  She also pointed out that when Peter sank it was because he had taken his eye of Jesus.  She linked this to situations we find ourselves in during our life, times when things might be a bit difficult and she encouraged the children to put their trust in Jesus.  To finish off the assembly we sang Shine then Sarah closed with a prayer.

BX OT2 Broughton School

This afternoon I was over at Broughton School for the second lesson of Bible Explorer.  The children have heard the Moses story from their time in Egypt as slaves to the plagues, through the Red Sea and the law given to the law given a second time to the next generation and finishing on the edge of the promised land and Moses' death.  Next week we shall be looking at Joshua, the judges and Ruth.

Flookburgh School

This morning I went down to Flookburgh School for the assembly.  I started the assembly with Be Happy and then told the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus.  I used a Bob Hartman book to retell the story, each line repeated three times with a key word at the end of each line which the children responded to.  The children seemed to enjoy the story.  After the story I talked about it and asked what it was that Peter had that made him get out of the boat - trust was the answer.  I also talked about how Peter would have known all about his boat and about the water and he would have felt quite safe in his boat so to get out was a rather big thing to do.  I linked this with things that we sometimes need to do in life  like when we change school or perform on a stage or play a game for the school etc.  I reminded the children that Peter was safe as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus but when he looked away he started to sink.  We too should keep our eyes on Jesus and put our trust in him.  But as Peter sank down Jesus was there too to save him and he is also there for us in the same way.  We then sang Shine and I closed the assembly with a prayer.

Lindale School

This morning I went down to Lindale School for the assembly.  I was unsure if I would get there as just before I set off we had a fall of snow - big snow flakes were falling and it was sticking on the ground.  I got there.  To start of the assembly I explained about the snow and also about the great sunshine we have had too just recently (only a little bit though) which makes me happy so to start we sang Be Happy which was a new one for the children.  After that I told the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus and to do it I used the Bob Hartman book.  He came up with a great way of story telling in that you repeat each line 3 times but change the expression each time.  There is also a response word at the end of each line for the children to do an action to or repeat the word.  After the story I asked the children what Peter had done someone said they believed Jesus which was a great answer, then someone else said trusted him.  I explained that sometimes we need to move on from something we feel safe and secure with to something we are not so sure about.  Peter knew his boat very well he had been a fisherman all his life and he felt safe in it - so to step out of it onto the water - well that was something he was not so sure about.  Some of the children had been to Young Voices in Manchester on Monday so I asked did they feel a bit frightened by it - hands went up.  Also the year 6 children found out yesterday which secondary school they will be going to which is a bit scary too. I encouraged the children to trust in Jesus and if like Peter we start to sink then he will be there to help them up.  To finish off we sang Shine and I then closed with a prayer.

Croftlands Infants School

This is a slightly delayed post.
On Tuesday Sarah and I went to Croftlands Infants School to do the assembly.  To start with we sang Be Happy then I went on to tell them the story of Peter walking on the water using a Bob Hartman book.  It repeats each line three times so that you can change the expression of it each time if you wish.  It also has a key word that the children respond to.  The story telling went well with loads of laughs from the children.  Sarah then talked about the story by asking the children questions.  She asked the children what Peter did in stepping out of the boat - trusted Jesus.  She explained that sometimes we need to do something that might seem a bit scary like Peter walking on the water but we should do as Peter did fix our eyes on Jesus.  Then she asked what happened next - Peter started to sink - why - because he stopped trusting Jesus.  But then Jesus was there to help him back into the boat.  In short we should trust in Jesus.  To finish off we sang Shine, then Sarah closed with a prayer.