Our Lady's School

This morning Sarah and I went to Our Lady's School for the assembly - it was our last assembly of 2019.  We of course did our Christmas assembly.  Sarah started  by asking who had had chocolate for breakfast then she asked why - the answer was because it is the season of Advent.  Someone did answer Sarah's next question before she even asked it which was what Advent is.  So Sarah said as we wait for Christmas what really is it - she handed over to me to do my Christmas torn and restore illusion.  As each letter was removed from the word Christmas I asked if the children could give me a word about Christmas that started with that letter.  We had Santa, snow, stocking, Advent and angels, Mince pies, Mary and manger, tree, turkey and tinsel.  Which just left us with Chris - but who is that I asked.  So I gathered all the pieces together and started to fold them back into Christmas dropping a large piece on the floor as I did so which generated a laugh.  Then after making Christmas whole again I looked at the bit on the floor and got a child to pick it up and unfold it - it said Happy Birthday Jesus.  I got a great reaction from the children following this.  Sarah then pointed out that all the things the children had said are part of Christmas but the real reason for the season is the birth of Jesus and without him there would be no Christmas to celebrate.  Sarah asked the children on Christmas day when the open up their presents to not only say thank you to the person giving the present to them but to say thank you to God for sending Jesus into the world.  We then sang Rejoice with Us before Sarah finished with a prayer.

Lindal School

This morning I went to Lindal School to do our Christmas assembly.  It was great to see all the children and staff again.  To start with we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger afterwards I asked the children if they had had any chocolate today - hands went up so I asked if they had had it before breakfast - hands stayed up.  Next I asked them why, a few didn't know they just did they said, others said because it was from their Advent calendar.  I explained that Advent is a time of waiting - waiting for what though - Christmas.  I then did my Christmas torn and restored gospel illusion for the children were I remove letters from the word Christmas until we are left with just Chr.  Each time a letter is removed I ask the children to think of something to do with Christmas that starts with that letter.  I then restore Christmas and drop some paper on the floor as I do so - the children laughed thinking it was the removed letters but when the word Christmas is finally restored and the paper on the floor picked up and opened out it says Happy Birthday Jesus.  I went on to explain that without Jesus there would be no Christmas.  All the things the children said about Christmas do make it but without Jesus it would never have happened.  To finish we sang Rejoice with us then I finished the assembly with a prayer.

Leven Valley School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our Christmas assembly at Leven Valley School.  Sarah started the assembly by talking about chocolate and wanted to know how many children had had some either before breakfast or just after and why.  The answer was yes from most children and why because it is Advent.  She explained a little about Advent before handing over to me to talk about Christmas.  I did my torn and restore Christmas routine for the children and removed letters from the word Christmas and each time a letter was removed I asked the children for a word that started with the letters that was to do with Christmas so we had s - Santa, snow, snowman, etc all the way to the letter t leaving us with Chris - who is that I asked.  I then started to push all the removed pieces back together and dropping one as I did so -which generated a laugh for the children particularly when I said to them did you see that.  So I restored Christmas but what was on the floor, I asked the children if they thought the other letters were on the floor but much to their surprise it wasn't as the slip of paper said Happy Birthday Jesus.  Sarah then explained that without Jesus there would be no Christmas.  She also reminded the children that when they open their Christmas parcels on Christmas Day to not only say thank you to the person that gave them the present but to thank God for sending Jesus.  to finish off we sang Rejoice with us before Sarah said a prayer.

St Mary's RC School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our Christmas assembly at St Mary's RC School.  Sarah started the assembly by talking about chocolate and wanted to know how many children had had some either before breakfast or just after and why.  The answer was yes from most children and why because it is Advent.  She explained a little about Advent before handing over to me to talk about Christmas.  I did my torn and restore Christmas routine for the children and removed letters from the word Christmas and each time a letter was removed I asked the children for a word that started with the letters that was to do with Christmas so we had s - Santa, snow, snowman, etc all the way to the letter t leaving us with Chris - who is that I asked.  I then started to push all the removed pieces back together and dropping one as I did so -which generated a laugh for the children particularly when I said to them did you see that.  So I restored Christmas but what was on the floor, I asked the children if they thought the other letters were on the floor but much to their surprise it wasn't as the slip of paper said Happy Birthday Jesus.  Sarah then explained that without Jesus there would be no Christmas.  She also reminded the children that when they open their Christmas parcels on Christmas Day to not only say thank you to the person that gave them the present but to thank God for sending Jesus.  to finish off we sang Rejoice with us before Sarah said a prayer.

Dalton St Marys School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our Christmas assembly for the children at Dalton St Marys School.  It was great to see all the children again.  Sarah started off the assembly by asking who had had chocolate for breakfast - we did get a few different responses such as they had chocolate spread on toast, and Coco Pops - but in the end we got to the Advent bit which is what Sarah was asking about.  Having explained a little about what Advent is about, she handed over to me to explain a bit more about Christmas.  To help me I used the word Christmas printed on a slip of paper and started to one by one remove letters from it starting with the s then the a, m and finally t leaving just the word Chris.  Each letter I removed I asked if the children could suggest something that was part of Christmas that started with that letter so we had things like snow, Santa, Advent, mince pies, tree etc.  I reminded the children that all of these are part of Christmas but they are not the only things that make Christmas if they were then Christmas won't be Christmas.  I then started to restore Christmas pushing and folding the pieces together dropping one as I did so which generated a laugh from the children -then much to their surprise Christmas was all back together and the bit on the floor -well that was another slip of paper which said Happy Birthday Jesus.  Sarah then drew this bit to a close by talking about why we celebrate Christmas before introducing our song Rejoice with Us. After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Lindal and Marton School

This morning Sarah and I visited Lindal and Marton School to do our Christmas assembly.  Sarah started by asking the children if they had had chocolate for breakfast - which a few had.  She then asked why, we got a number of different answers but we eventually got because it is Advent.  She briefly explained what Advent is about before handing over to me.  I did my Christmas cut and restore routine which involves removing the letters from Christmas starting with the s all the way to the t.  For each letter I removed I asked the children to think of something that was to do with Christmas that started with that letter.  I then explained that all the things the children had said are to do with Christmas but if Christmas was only that the n we would spoil Christmas - just like I had done removing the letters.  I then asked the children if they thought I could restore Christmas so with some folding and pushing and dropping a piece on the floor (which I made a big deal about) which brought a laugh - I did restore Christmas.  Then pointing to the bit on the floor I got someone to hand it to me and when I opened it much to everyone's surprise it said Happy Birthday Jesus.  Sarah then drew the illustration to a close and explained that if we didn't have Jesus we won't have Christmas.  We then sang Rejoice with Us before Sarah finished with a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning Sarah and I went over the tops to Broughton School to do our Christmas assembly.  Sarah started the assembly by asking if anyone had had a chocolate before breakfast this morning, then she asked why.  A lot of hands went up in the school and the reasons why varied between it's Christmas, it's nearly Christmas to Advent.  Sarah explained that this time of year as we count down to the big day - Christmas is the season of Advent but it is a waiting season as that is what the word means.  She then handed over to me and I held up a slip of paper with the word Christmas on it.  As I talked about what Christmas is I removed one letter at a time until I was left with just Chris.  For each letter I asked the children to think about something that was to do with Christmas that started with that letter, so we had snow, snowmen, star, Santa, Advent, angel, mums, mince pies etc.  I explained that all of these things are part of Christmas but not the real reason for it so I suggested that we restored Christmas, then collecting all the pieces together and folding and folding - dropping a piece too - which generated a laugh - I then was able to restore the word Christmas which was rather a big surprise to most children.  But what about the bit on the floor, as I picked it up and opened it - it read Happy Birthday Jesus.  Sarah then rounded off the assembly by going over what I had said and introduced our Christmas song - Rejoice with Us after which she said a prayer.

St Peters School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our Christmas assembly for the children of St Peters School.  It was great to see all the children again.  Sarah started by asking if the children had had chocolate before breakfast - loads of hands went up.  So Sarah questioned the children further by asking why? - because it's Christmas came one reply, another it's advent.  She then explained a little about what Advent is and what it means before I did my tear and restore Christmas illusion and as I removed a letter from the word Christmas first the s then a, m, t leaving Chris left I asked the children to suggest what from Christmas began with each letter so we had Santa, snow, stable, advent, angel, manger, Mary etc  Once I went to restore the word a piece fell to the floor - which brought about a laugh however as I revealed the restore word the bit on the floor was picked up and out to read Happy Birthday Jesus which is the reason we have Christmas.  Sarah then explored this theme a bit more with the children before we sang Rejoice with us.  Sarah then finished with a prayer.

St Pius X School

This morning Sarah and I went to do an assembly at St Pius X School in Barrow, it was our first assembly at this school.  It was also the first of our Christmas assemblies so we were both very excited about our visit.  We had such a warm welcome into the school from both the children and the staff.  After being introduced we started our assembly with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger, which got everyone on their feet and warmed up.  As we are now in the season of Advent Sarah asked who had had chocolate for breakfast - some hands went up, she then handed over to me.  I had a slip of paper with the word Christmas on it in red and asked the children what is Christmas.  Then looking at the letters I started to remove them starting with the s, a, m, t and each time asked the children for a word about Christmas that started with each of the letters so we had Santa, stocking, advent, mince pies, Christmas tree etc then looking at what we had left - chris so I asked who is that?  All the things the children said are part of Christmas but if it was only that then we are not left with very much else.  I then decided to try and put Christmas back together except as I did so something fell onto the floor which caused the children to laugh so I carried on and much to their surprise I restored Christmas - and the paper on the floor said Happy Birthday Jesus - that is what Christmas is all about.  We then sang Rejoice with Us this Christmas.  Sarah finished off with a prayer at the end.

Coniston Primary School

This morning I went over to Coniston Primary School for the assembly.  It was great to see all the children again.  We started with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger which had a few children saying yesss as I announced it - think they like that one.  After the song I asked who has a friend - loads of hands went up.  I then explained that I was going to tell a story which has Jesus in it instead of a story Jesus told.  I told them the account of Jesus healing the lame man from Mark 2:1-12 using my square to cross prop as an aid to telling the story - I could bend and move it into different shapes as the story moved on.  After the story I asked the children what makes a good friend and got a few hands up and whatever they said I used to explain what being a friend is all about and encourage them to look out for their friends as well as each other, that way we can Shine from the inside out - cue song.  After the song I finished with a prayer.

St Pauls School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at St Pauls School in Barrow.  Their Christian value for this half term is hope and it fitted in very well with the story I was going to tell.  Sarah started the assembly by asking the children if they had friends - loads of hands went up.  In introducing the story to the children she explained that sometimes we read about stories Jesus told- which she asked if anyone knew what they what were called - parables came the answer and other times we have stories were Jesus does something today's story was one of them and it had four friends in it.  I then told the children the story of the man that Jesus healed in Mark 2:1-12.  The man was lame so couldn't walk so four friends carried him to Jesus - thinking about him he had no hope of ever doing anything because in the time of Jesus people like that had to beg for food and things.  The friends took him to the house and cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down to the feet of Jesus.  When Jesus saw him he healed him and the man got up and ran down the street his hope was restored.  To tell the story I used my square to cross prop and turned and bent it into various shapes for the different parts of the story.  Sarah then asked the children what makes a good friend and she expanded and explained whatever the children told her as she finished off the explanation she link into the song Shine.  After the song Sarah finished the assembly with a prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Pennington School.  Sarah started the assembly by asking the children who had a friend loads of hands went up.  She then said that the talk I was going to do was about friendship which just happened to be this half terms Christian value. Sarah also pointed out that in the Bible Jesus sometimes told stories which we call parables but today the story was one that Jesus was involved in.  I then told the story of the lame man who was carried by  4 friends on his bed to see Jesus from Mark 2:1-12.  I used my square to cross prop to help tell the story as I reshaped it into various shapes as the story moved on.  Sarah then asked the children about what makes a good friend and each answer she got she expanded on and explained to the children how they could be good friends. One child said it was koinonia which is Christian friendship.  To finish off we sang Shine again linking in to friendship.  Sarah then said a short prayer.

Newton School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Newton School.  Sarah started the assembly by asking about friends (not the TV show) and friendship groups as this linked into what I was going to tell a story about.  Sarah also pointed out that in the Bible Jesus sometimes told stories which we call parables but today the story was one that Jesus was involved in.  I then told the story of the lame man who was carried by  4 friends on his bed to see Jesus from Mark 2:1-12.  I used my square to cross prop to help tell the story as I reshaped it into various shapes as the story moved on.  Sarah then asked the children about what makes a good friend and each answer she got she expanded on and explained to the children how they could be good friends.  To finish off we sang Shine again linking in to friendship.  Sarah then said a short prayer.

Flookburgh School

This morning Sarah and I went to Flookburgh School to take the assembly.  We sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger to start the assembly off.  Then Sarah started by asking the children about friends which was to link into what I was going to talk about.  She also pointed out that sometimes we read stories about Jesus and what he did in the Bible and at other times we read stories Jesus told - today was a story about Jesus and what he did.  I then retold the story of the lame man from Mark 2:1-12 who was helped by four of his friends, who took him to see Jesus and he healed him.  As a visual aid I used my square to cross prop and moved it into various shapes as I told the story - getting some laughs along the way.  Sarah then expanded on what the friends did by asking the children what makes a good friend.  To finish off we sang Shine before Sarah said a short prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  It was lovely to see all the children again.  To start off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger then Sarah introduced the theme for the day which was friendship, she also pointed out that in the Bible some of the events about Jesus were real events and sometimes he told stories.  Today was a real event.  I then retold the story from Mark 2:1-12 about Jesus healing a man that was lame.  To help me I used my square to cross prop and moved it into different shapes and positions to tell the story - which caused the children to laugh at times.  Once the story was over Sarah talked to the children and asked them what makes a good friend- the children responded with loads of great answers.  We then sang Shine before Sarah finished with a prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Junior School.  It was great to see all the children again.  Sarah started the assembly by reminding the children that sometimes Jesus told stories - parables, then said that today the story we had for them was an event that actually happened.  I then used my square to cross prop, bending it into different shapes as I told the account of Jesus healing the lame man found in Mark 2:1-12.  The man was healed by Jesus and went out from the house running.  Sarah picked up on the idea that the man had 4 very good friends so asked the children what makes a good friend.  Sarah asked each child as they put their hand up and commented on what they said, we had things like showing kindness, helping someone out, trusting people.  Sarah linked what the children said into the song Shine.  After the song she finished with a prayer.

Burlington School

This morning Sarah and I went to Burlington School to do the assembly.  It was great to see all the children and staff again.  We started the assembly with God's Love is Bigger than a Burger after which Sarah asked the children about friends, this was a link into the story I was going to tell.  Sarah did point out that in the New Testament when we hear about Jesus there are times when Jesus told a story, she asked what they were called - parable came the answer but there are also stories like todays which were actual events.  It was about 4 special friends.  I then used my square to cross prop to tell the account from Mark 2:1-12 of Jesus healing a lame man.  I shaped the prop into various shapes as I retold the story, we had a house, a door, a window, a bed, steps etc.  After the story Sarah asked the children what makes a good friend.  She responded to the answers the children gave.  Then she made a link into our last song Shine. After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Low Furness School.  The theme for this half term is friendship, so after saying good morning and singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger, Sarah asked the children if they had any friends - loads of hands went up.  She then make a link into the story for today pointing out that Jesus told stories but this is something that actually happened.  I then used my square to cross prop to retell the story of the lame man being healed which is in Mark 2:1-12 it is the one were four friends of the man carry him to Jesus then lower him down through a hole the cut in the roof.  As a result of the loved they showed to their friend and because they had faith Jesus healed the man.  Sarah talked then about what it is that makes a good friend, the children put their hands up and said what they felt was a good friend.  To finish off we sang Shine then Sarah closed with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Penny Bridge Academy.  Sarah started by asking the children if they had any friends as this linked into the story I was going to tell them.  She also pointed out that in the stories we read about Jesus sometimes the events were real events and other times he told parables.  I then retold the story of the lame man that was lowered through the roof and to help me I used my square to cross prop.  I explained that Jesus healed the man when he saw the love and faith his friends showed to him.  Sarah then finished off by talking about what good friends do and what makes a good friend then she linked to the song Shine.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I went over to Crosthwaite School for the assembly.  To start off we sang God's Love is Bigger than a Burger, then Sarah asked the children if they had any friends as this linked into todays Bible story.  Sarah also pointed out that in the New Testament there are some stories which Jesus told and we call them parables but the story today was a real event.  I then used my square to cross prop to retell the story from Mark 2:1-12 were four friends lower their lame friend through a hole they cut in the roof.  I pointed out that Jesus healed the man because he could see the love that the friends had for the man as well as having great faith in Jesus.  Sarah then concluded by asking the children what makes a good friend and what kind of things should we do for our friends.  This linked with our final song Shine.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I were at Church Walk Primary School taking the assembly.  After singing God's Love is Bigger than a Burger I told the children a story about friendship.  I used my square to cross prop to retell the account of Jesus healing the lame man that was lowered through the room by his friends Mark 2:1-12.  The prop can be moved and shaped as you tell the story.  Jesus healed the man because of the faith he showed as well as the faith shown by the friends and not forgetting the love they showed too.  After the story I spoke a little about friends and friendships.  Sarah then finished off and led us into our second song Shine.  She then finished with a prayer. 

Priory Day

To has been Priory Day at Cartmel Priory and Sarah and I had been asked to front the event which had year 5 and 6 children from 6 local primary schools attending - there was over 130 children plus staff at the event.  The theme this year was about storing treasures in heaven and not on earth.  For our part we did an assembly style start to the morning when the children arrived, during this time we watched a video about the theme.  Then Sarah and I led the drama workshop where we read the story through again with the children and encouraged them to make a freeze frame of various scenes from the story.  We then build on the treasures in heaven bit during morning break time, then again at lunch time and also before the children left.  The children did other activities as well such as singing workshop, craft, prayer space, games and a treasure hunt moving round each one during the day.  All in all I feel we had a good day with the children.

NT BX Low Furness School

On Thursday afternoon I was once again at Low Furness School working with the year 5 and year 6 classes doing New Testament Bible Explorer.  It was the last lessons of the series which focused on the work of Paul and the spread of the gospel message across Asia and into Europe and finished with Paul in Rome.  I covered each of the missionary journeys Paul went on (briefly we could spend weeks on them otherwise) and some of the main events that happened like his imprisonment in Philippi and the ship wreck on his way to Rome.  I explained that the events are all recorded in Acts and that it doesn't say what happened to Paul in the end but history records that he died in prison.  But what he had done in his life time in taking the gospel message to the gentiles has had a lasting impact on the world, so much so that about 300 years after the events Rome made Christianity it's main religion and that is why we know about it here today.

Our Lady's School

On Thursday morning I went to do the assembly at Our Lady's School, it was the first visit since the start of the new school year and it was lovely to see all the children and staff again.  I started by asking who liked getting new things which led onto me talking about being in a new class with a new teacher and getting new books.  I then told the story of Zacchaeus and how having met with Jesus he became a new person.  After the story I made a reference back to new books and explained that in a book if we make a mistake we can turn over a new page and start again.  I said that all of us at some time in our lives make mistakes and if we do as Zacchaeus did - say sorry we too can start a new.  We then sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord after which I finished with a prayer.

Dalton St Mary's School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Dalton St Mary's School.  It was our first visit of the new school year and it was great to see all the children and the staff again after such a long time.  It was good to see all the new little ones as well.  Sarah started the assembly by asking about new things and went on to explain that I was going to tell a Bible story from the New Testament about a man... I started by saying what the man did that is he was a liar, a thief and a cheat who happened to work for the Romans - I did explain that the Romans ran the country where Jesus lived as they also ran our country many years ago at about the same time.  So this man was a Liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's - again I paused to explain that paying tax is not a bad thing to do but this man in the story took too much money.  Now one day Jesus was going to pass through the town where this man lived and Zacchaeus (that was his name) wanted to see him - well so did the rest of the town of Jericho where Zacchaeus lived but because he was a liar, a thief and a cheat worked for the Romans collecting tax's plus he was a vey short man he couldn't get his way to the front of the crowd.  Now as Jesus had come into the town through the top gate of the town he would have to go through  the bottom gate and Zacchaeus knew this.  So while the crowd all looked one way and shouted Jesu' name he went the other way and climbed up a tree and waited thinking no-one will see me in the tree.  Wrong Jesus did and asked him to come down as he wanted to go to his house for tea.  As Jesus and Zacchaeus went off the crowd started to complain why would Jesus want to go to the house for tea of someone who is a liar, a thief and a cheat that works for the Romans collecting tax's - they all followed and waited outside, some tried to look through the door, others peered through the cracks in the door. Then Jesus came out with Zacchaeus who looked at the faces in the crowd and said sorry for what he had done and he had decided to give half his wealth away and to pay back 4 times the amount he had cheated people out of.  Jesus announced to the crowd that today Zacchaeus had decided to make a new start.  Sarah then talked about ways in which we can make a new start as each day is a new day and we can put to one side all the things that have happened before and start again.  She also said that we all make mistakes at times and like in the story with Jesus we can start a fresh.  We finished off by singing So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before saying a prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon I was at Pennington School for the assembly.  As it was the first visit of the new school year I asked the children a number of questions that related to new things.  This led into me telling the story of Zacchaeus who having met Jesus decided to make a new start.  I pointed out that Zacchaeus had been a liar, a thief and a cheat and did take too much money of the people in tax's but once he had met Jesus he said sorry and made a new start.  I had earlier asked if the children had got new exercise books so I used the idea of turning over the page onto a new clean sheet to help illustrate the point.  Then we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before I said a prayer to finish.

NT BX Low Furness School

On Thursday afternoon I was once again at Low Furness School working with the year 5 and 6 class's doing New Testament Bible Explorer.  The stories this week were all from Acts following Jesus going back up into Heaven and the Holy Spirit coming down.  I talked about the persecution the followers went through and the fact that Stephen was stoned as a follower of Jesus, then there was the hunting down of the followers by Saul.  I also covered the story of Philip, Saul/Paul's conversion story and finally Peters vision which took the gospel to the non Jewish community.  Next week we focus on the work of Paul and his journeys.

Leven Valley School

On Thursday morning I went down to do the assembly at Leven Valley School.  As it was the first visit of the new school year I asked if the children had had a good summer holiday, then I went on to ask if anyone had done anything new over the summer - I had someone who went to a water park and other one had been to Spain and someone went on an aeroplane for the first time.  I then continued by asking about new things at school before asking what the key word was that I kept on using - it was new of course.  I then explained that I was going to tell a story from the New Testament about a man who made a new start following his meeting with Jesus.  The man had been a liar, a thief and a cheat before he met Jesus but afterwards his life was changed - it was of course Zacchaeus.  I went on to say that we too can make a new start if we ever do anything wrong we just have to say sorry and then we can turn over a new leaf like the page of an exercise book.  To finish we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord, then I said a prayer.

St Mary's RC School

On Thursday Sarah and I went to do the assembly at St Mary's RC school in Ulverston.  Sarah started by asking about their summer holidays and then went on to ask if anyone had anything new - this led into talking about new class's, new books, new uniform etc.  She then introduced the theme of our story which was about a man who made a new start.  I then told the story of Jesus' meeting with Zacchaeus and how he had been a liar, a thief and a cheat and that once he met with Jesus his life was changed and he made a new start.  Sarah then continued to talk about how we can do just the same sort of thing when for example we make a mistake if like Zacchaeus we say sorry we can start a new.  To finish we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before Sarah finished with a prayer.

Lindal and Marton School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Lindal and Marton School.  It was the first visit of the new school year so I asked the children some questions about new things, such as who was new to the school, who had a new teacher, a new classroom, new school uniform etc.  I then asked someone to tell me what the key word was 'new' of course.  I then explained that the story I had today was about a man who made a new start and the story is in the New Testament.  I started by saying the man was a liar, a thief and a cheat.  Plus he also worked for the Romans as a collector of tax's.  I did point out why the Romans were in his country and that collecting tax is not a bad thing as it helps to pay for things like in today's world it pays for education, healthcare etc.  So this man was a liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's he was also a short man - not very tall at all.  His name I said was Zacchaeus.  One day Jesus was passing through the town of Jericho where Zacchaeus lived and the crowds had gathered round to cheer Jesus on and listen to what he had to say.  I did ask if the children had ever been in a large crowd and asked if they got a bit frightened with everyone else pushing them about - I suggested the best place for them would be the front. Well Zacchaeus wanted to be at the front but because he was a liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's the crowd push him away.  Now Jericho I said had a wall round it and in the wall there were gates so to pass through the town Jesus entered through one gate and would leave through another gate - Zacchaeus knew this and knew which gate Jesus would leave by, so he ran on ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a tree and waited for Jesus to pass by that way he could see him.  Now Zacchaeus thought that being in the tree no-one would see him - wrong Jesus did and when he got to the tree asked him to come down as he wanted to go to his house for some food.  Well the crowd didn't like that at all they thought that Jesus should go to their house instead and not the house of a liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's.  As Jesus went with Zacchaeus the crowd gathered by the house and wanted to know what was going on, some tried to jump up at the window, others looked through the gaps in the door others listen at the door.  Then Jesus came out with Zacchaeus who looked round at the crowd and said sorry for what he had done and that he was going to give half of his wealth way to the poor and pay back 4 times the amount he had taken form people.  Jesus said that this day Zacchaeus had decided to make a fresh start - a new start.  After telling the story I explained that we should all try to make a new start when every we make a mistake or upset someone, if we say sorry then we can start a new.  Just like opening an exercise book on a new page.  To finish off we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord then I said a prayer.

St Peter's School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at St Peter's School. It was our first visit of this new school year.  We decided to talk about new things and link it into the story of Zacchaeus and how once he met with Jesus had a new start.  I told the story and stopped a various points to ask the children something or to explain a point about the story.  After the story Sarah talked about how we can all have a new start and that each day is a new day.  We then sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before finishing with a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer.

NT BX Lesson 3 Low Furness School

On Thursday afternoon I was once again at Low Furness School doing two lessons of New Testament Bible Explorer.  The stories covered included more of Jesus' teachings such as the lost parables, we heard how Jesus brought Lazarus back from death and how he transformed Zacchaeus's life.  Then into the final week of Jesus' life from the entrance he made into Jerusalem and cleared the temple, the last supper and onto be betrayed, denied, beaten and crucified.  Then resurrected on what we know today as Easter Sunday.  Next week we look at the day of Pentecost and the spread of the gospel to other parts.

Coniston Primary School

On Thursday I went to do our first assembly of the new school year at Coniston Primary School.  I started by asking if anyone had done anything or been away anywhere new, then asked who had new uniform, new shoes, if they were in a new classroom with a new teacher finally asked about a new headteacher various children put up their hands to the questions and everyone did for the last question.  I pointed out that there was a key word I kept on mentioning what was it? New! came the response.  I then went on to tell the story of Zacchaeus and how he was a liar, a thief and a cheat and worked for the Romans collecting tax's.  I did explain why he worked for the Romans and what paying tax's is for.  When a crowd gathered to see Jesus as he walked through their town Zacchaeus wanted to see him but because of what he was and what he had done in over charging on the tax plus he was a very short man the crowd pushed him away.  So running on a head he climbed a tree, thinking no-one will see me - but they did - Jesus stopped at the tree and asked him to come down as he wanted to visit him and eat some food.  The gathered crowd thought this was not fair after all Zacchaeus was a liar, a thief and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax's.  With Jesus now in Zacchaeus's house the crowd wanted to know what was going on they didn't need to wait long as Jesus and Zacchaeus came out and spoke to the crowd, Zacchaeus told them he would give away half of his wealth and pay back 4 times the amount he had stolen off people.  Jesus said that Zacchaeus had made a new start.  Following the story I encouraged the children to think about making a new start whenever they make a mistake, unset someone, do something wrong.  To finish with we sang So May Ways to Praise the Lord then said a prayer. 

St Pauls

This afternoon Sarah and I went to Barrow to do an assembly at St Pauls Junior School.  Sarah started by talking about new things and listed a few things that she likes that are new and asked if anyone had new school shoes for the start of the new term.  The talk about new things linked in with the story we had decided to do which was the Zacchaeus story.  So as I started I didn't at first tell the children who the man was in the story I simply introduced him as a liar, a thief and a cheat as well as someone who worked for the Romans - I did explain about the Romans in the time of Jesus and that Zacchaeus was a collector of tax's which I said was not a bad thing as it helps to pay for things but Zacchaeus over charged people and pocketed the rest.  So one day Jesus comes in to town and Zacchaeus wants to see him and so does the rest of the town but because of who he was and what he did and the fact that he was a very short man the crowd pushed him away.  So he ran on ahead to climb a tree, saying to himself no-one will see me up here - well he was wrong Jesus did who asked him to get down as he wanted to visit him for some food.  The crowd complained saying why does he want to eat with that man he's a liar, a thief and a cheat.  As the crowd gathered round the house Jesus came out with Zacchaeus who said sorry to them and that he was going to give away half his wealth and return money to people he had cheated.  Jesus said that this day Zacchaeus had decided to start a new.  Sarah concluded by talking about ways we can start a new when we make a mistake no matter how big or small it is.  We finished with So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before Sarah closed with a prayer. 

Lindale School

This morning Sarah and I went down to Lindale School for the assembly.  Sarah started by talking about new things such as new school shoes and uniform, new books new classroom etc.  This was linked to the story I was going to tell about a man who made a new start.  I started by saying he was a liar, a thief and a cheat and he also worked for the Romans -although I did explain that was because at the time of Jesus they were in the country, as well as all those things he was also a tax collector - again I explained about tax's and that they pay for our education, healthcare and things so paying them is good.  But this man was a liar, a thief and a cheat and he collected too much tax therefore he was a liar, a thief and a cheat (this phase came up several times).  One day Jesus was on his way into the town where Zacchaeus lived (that was his name by the way) and he wanted to see Jesus but couldn't as he was pushed away as he tried to get to the front of the crowd -oh didn't tell you he was a short man.  But Zacchaeus ran on ahead and climbed a tree thinking no-one would see him and he could see everything including Jesus but he was wrong Jesus stopped at the very tree and asked him to come down as he wanted to go to his house for some food.  This did not go down very well at all with the crowd as they didn't think that a liar, a thief and a cheat should share food with Jesus.  They all crowded round the house in hope they could hear what was being said.  Then the doors flew open there stood Jesus with Zacchaeus who announced to the waiting crowd that he was sorry and as a result was giving half his wealth away and giving back 7 times the amount of money he had stolen.  Jesus told the crowd that Zacchaeus had made a new start.  Sarah then talked to the children about how they can make a new start each day as what happened yesterday is over and we can move on.  To finish off we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord then Sarah finished with a prayer. 

Newton Primary School

Today I went to Newton Primary School for the assembly.  It was the first visit of the new school year, the children gave me such a warm welcome it was lovely.  As it was the first visit I asked the children about summer holidays and if they had done anything or been away somewhere new.  Lots of hands went up so I picked a few out.  I then asked about who had new school uniform and shoes and who was in a new class with a new teacher.  The point was I explained was because the story I had was about a man who had a fresh new start.  I started by saying he was a liar, a thief and a cheat a phase I as to repeat several times during the story. He also worked for the Romans - I explained why and was a tax collector - I did point out that is a good thing as today for example it helps pay for education, healthcare etc.  Anyway back to the story, Zacchaeus that was his name I said was also a very short man and went Jesus came into town people gathered to see him but because he was short and also a liar, a thief, a cheat, worked for the Romans and collected tax's he was pushed away.  So he ran on ahead and climbed a tree thinking no-one would see him in the tree - wrong Jesus saw him and asked him to come down as he wanted to eat a meal with him.  Well the crowd went mad What! they said Jesus is going to eat a meal with a liar, a cheat, a thief and someone who works for the Romans and a tax collector.  Jesus and Zacchaeus went off together into the house.  The crowd stood around perhaps wanting to see and hear what was going on in the house.  Then suddenly the doors flew open and there was Jesus with Zacchaeus who spoke and said he was sorry for what he had done and that he was going to give half of his money away to the poor and give back 7 times that which he had stolen.  Jesus told the waiting crowd that today Zacchaeus had started a new life with a fresh start.  I finished the story and explained that we can do the same as today is a new day at the start of a new week at the start of a new term of a new school year and whatever has happened before is in the past.  So to finish we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before I said a short prayer.

NT BX Lesson 2 Low Furness School

This afternoon I had the great privilege of working with the year 5 and 6 children at Low Furness school doing New Testament Bible Explorer.  I had two mixed classes during the afternoon and we started to look at the early ministry of Jesus after his baptism in the Jordan and 40 day and night in the wilderness Jesus was tempted by Satan - that was where we left off last week.  This week Jesus talks at night with Nicodemus about heaven as well as a woman from Samaria, was rejected by the people of his own town.  He then selected his 12 disciples and started to teach the people.  We saw him calm a storm, fill a crowd and get transfigured showing his glory to Peter, James and John.  That's was where we finished this week - next week Jesus heads south... to Jerusalem...

Flookburgh School

This morning I went to do the assembly down at Flookburgh School, it was the first visit of the new school year and it was great to see all the children and staff again.  I started by talking about new things and asked if anyone had done anything new over the summer - I got a few answers about places people had visited.  I then continued to ask about new things such as who had new shoes, new uniform, a new classroom and teacher as well as new exercise books.  This was leading up to me talking about a man who had a new start.  I didn't at first tell the children his name instead I introduced him as a thief, a lier and a cheat as well as someone who worked for the Romans and collected tax's - I did point out that the Romans occupied the land at that time like they did our country and that paying tax is a good thing as for example today it pays for education, healthcare etc.  Anyway back to the story Zacchaeus was the mans name I told the children.  One day Jesus was passing through the town where he lived and Zacchaeus really wanted to see him except the crowd wouldn't let him through as he was a thief, a lier and a cheat who worked for the Romans as a tax collector - he needed to be a the front as he was also a short man.  Zacchaeus ran ahead to climb a tree thinking from the tree I and see Jesus and no-one will see me - wrong Jesus could who asked him to come down as he wanted to eat with him at his house.  Well the crowd complained about this they didn't like the idea of Jesus eating at the house of a thief, a lier and a cheat who worked for the Romans collecting tax.  Later on at the house Zacchaeus came out with Jesus and announced that he was sorry for what he had done and was giving half his wealth away and repaying 7 times the amount he had cheated from people.  Jesus said that today Zacchaeus had made a fresh new start.  After the story I pointed out that we can all make a fresh new start in life at anytime, and at the start of a new day, new term, new year in school all that has gone before is in the past and we can do like Zacchaeus and start again.  We sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord to finish with then I closed with a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning Sarah and I went over to Broughton School.  It was our first visit of the new school year so it was good to see all the children and staff again as well as the new Reception class.  Sarah started by talking about things that are new and asked if anyone had done anything new over the summer, she then asked if anyone had new school shoes - someone said everything they had was new.  This linked into our talk, as Sarah introduce it as a man who made a new start.  I then told the story of Zacchaeus except I introduced him not as Zacchaeus but as a lier, cheat and a thief who also worked for the Romans and was a tax collector.  I explained why he worked for the Romans and that being a tax collector wasn't a bad thing as it helps to pay for things like today, education, healthcare etc. Anyway back to the story.  Zacchaeus charged people far more tax than he should have and he pocketed the reset.  As a result of what he did people didn't like Zacchaeus so when Jesus came into his town one day on his way somewhere else Zacchaeus wanted to see him - so did everyone else but as he was a rather short man he couldn't get to the front of the crowd as people pushed him out the way because of who he was.  He decided to climb a tree at the end of the road Jesus was waling down that way he could see Jesus and the leaves meant no-one could see him - wrong Jesus could and asked him to come down, as he wanted to eat a meal with him.  What! the crowd exclaimed Jesus is going to eat with him....Why? After the meal Zacchaeus along with Jesus spoke to the crowd, Zacchaeus said he was giving half he owned to the poor and would pay back 7 times the amount he had cheat people.  Jesus said that today Zacchaeus was a changed man he had made a new start.  Sarah then continued to talk about making new starts before we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  We finished with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  It was our first visit there since before the summer holidays, it was good to see all the children and staff again.  Sarah started by asking if the children had enjoyed summer and if anyone had done anything new - a few children responded with things like places they had been on holiday.  This linked into the assembly as I was going to tell the story of Zacchaeus and about how he made a new start.  I went through the various points of the story, stopping to explain things as I went along and getting some laughs as well.  Sarah then explained that at the start of a new school year everyone is starting a fresh with things and if like Zacchaeus we have done things wrong doing as he did and saying sorry then we too can move on and start again. We sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before saying a prayer to finish.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Junior School.  It was our first visit of the new school year so Sarah started by asking the children if they had had a good summer and if they had tried anything new - a few children offered answers.  She then explained that I was going to tell a story about a man who had a new experience.  I then told the story of Zacchaeus and how he was a cheat, lier and thief and that he worked for the Romans as a tax collector - I did point out that the Romans were looking after the land at the time and that being a collector of taxes is not a bad thing as they help to provide things like today our education, healthcare etc.  What made things bad was that Zacchaeus charged too much tax and pocketed the difference.  This made him very unpopular with the people of his town so when Jesus was passing through the town one day Zacchaeus couldn't get to see him as he was a short man the crowd won't let him through.  Climbing a tree thought Zacchaeus would mean I can see everything but no-one can see me - wrong Jesus saw him and asked him to come down as he was wanting to stay at his house for some food.   The crowd didn't like this idea at all and no doubt complained about it - Jesus eating food with someone that has done so many bad things.  As they gathered round the house Zacchaeus came out with Jesus and said sorry to them for what he had done and that he was going to give half of his wealth away to the poor and return 7 times the amount of money he had wrongly taken from people. Jesus announced to the waiting crowd that Zacchaeus was a changed man.  Sarah picked up on this idea and talked about how we can all have a new start in life and at the start of a new school year it is a good time to do so.  We then sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord and Sarah closed with a prayer.

BX NT Low Furness School

This afternoon I have been at Low Furness School working with the year 5 and year 6 class's doing New Testament Bible Explorer.  We covered the birth and early life of Jesus, having explained about what the Bible is and how it is made up that is one book of 66 different books split new and old testaments.  Along the way I taught the children the key words and hand signs.  Next week we start to look at the start of Jesus' ministry.

Burlington School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Burlington School.  It was so nice to see the children and staff again following the summer holidays.  Sarah started by talking about new things- new school year, new term, new books, new shoes etc. before handing over to me to tell a story.  I started by saying the story was about a man who is a cheat, thief and a lier and also someone who worked for the Romans - I did explain that the Romans during the time of Jesus were in charge of the whole land and this man collected the taxes - I also explained that paying taxes is not bad as it provides things like education, healthcare etc for us.  Anyway this man I continued who's name was Zacchaeus was not well liked because he charge people too much tax.  Jesus was passing through his town and Zacchaeus really wanted to see him but because of what he did and also he was not very tall the crowd wouldn't let him through.  I talked also about being in large crowds and getting pushed about as well.  So Zacchaeus climbed a tree at the end of the road thinking no-one would see him - wrong Jesus spotted him and asked him to come down as he wanted to eat a meal with him.  The crowd didn't like that idea one bit I said and started to complain, so as they gathered by the house to see/hear what was going on Jesus came out with Zacchaeus who announced that he was sorry and that he would give away half his wealth and give back money he had cheated people out off.  Jesus said that he had made a new start.  Sarah continued this theme talking about how we can make a new start at the beginning of the new school year.  To finish off we sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord then Sarah said a short prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I travelled over to Crosthwaite School for our first assembly with them this new school year.  We decided to talk about new starts, so Sarah talked as way of introduction about new things - shoes, books, uniform, classroom, teachers etc. before I took up the story.  I explained our story today had a man in it that was a cheat, a thief and a lier and also he worked for the Romans - I did have to explain that during Jesus' time in his country the Romans were in charge.  So this man worked for the Romans collecting taxes - I also needed to explain that collecting taxes is not something bad because today the money is used for health, education etc. but in Jesus' day this man cheated people by charging them more money so if he was meant to collect two coins say he collected four giving two to the Romans and keeping the other two.  His name was Zacchaeus I said and on this particular day Jesus was visiting his town and he wanted to see Jesus.  The thing was he was not well liked by people and he was not a very tall man so trying to push through to the front of the crowd was no use. Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a tree thinking the leaves would hide him from view - yes but not from Jesus who went straight up to the tree and asked him to come on down.  Jesus went with Zacchaeus into his house and had tea much to the disgust of the on looking crowd.  A little later they came out and Zacchaeus announced to the crowd that he was sorry and he was giving half his money away and giving back 7 times what he had stolen from people.  Jesus said that Zacchaeus was a new man.  Sarah then linked this to a fresh start like we have at the start of the new school year and what has gone before is in the past.  We then sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before finishing with a prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our first assembly of the new school year at Low Furness School.  It was lovely to back with the children and the staff in the school and to see all the new Reception children.  We started with So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before introducing the theme for the assembly which was respect in the Bible.  To do this we showed a clip from Finding Nemo - it features Nemo and his friends as they venture out into open water, Nemo's day tries to stop him but he continues out and touches a boat going against what his dad tells him to do.  I used this to talk about respect and linked into the 10 Commandments and in particular the one that talks about respecting your father and mother.  I expanded the verse to include anyone who is older than us and who is in authority.  Sarah also brought in that we should respect each other as well.  We then sang Shine before Sarah closed with a prayer. 

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do our first assembly at Penny Bridge Academy for the new school year.  It was lovely to see all the children again especially the new Reception class.  Sarah talked to start off about new things, like new shoes, new exercise books, new classrooms, new things in the class room.  This led on to me talking about Zacchaeus and how he had a new start in life.  I told the story without at first telling the children who I was talking about, I introduced him by saying he was a cheat, thief, lier and someone who worked for the Romans.  I did explain what that meant during the time of Jesus - I also explained that paying taxes is a good thing - providing we pay the right amount which today helps to pay for schools, health care etc.  Back to the story and the point.  Zacchaeus would charge people say twice as much tax as he should have and kept the rest for himself.  But one day Jesus was passing through his town and he really wanted to see him, now a large crowd had gathered in the town people who also wanted to see Jesus - I asked if the children had ever been in a large crowd and tried to see someone famous. Zacchaeus by now I had told the children his name had two problems one was what he had done and the other was he was not very tall both things prevented him from seeing Jesus why because he needed to be at the front but the crowd won't let him through because of what he had done.  So he ran on a head and climbed up a tree with loads of branches to cover him he could see Jesus and people couldn't see him....Wrong! Jesus walked straight up to the tree and asked him to come down - What! the crowd all asked - Jesus is going for tea to that man's house...Anyway something happened that day as sometime latter Jesus came out with Zacchaeus who announced that he was going to pay back 7 times the money he had cheated from people and give half his wealth to the poor.  Jesus replied that salvation had come to the house today.  Zacchaeus had made a fresh new start.  Sarah concluded the assembly by summing up what that can mean to everyone at the start of a new school year.  We then sang So Many Ways to Praise the Lord before Sarah closed with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our first assembly of the new school year, at Church Walk Primary School.  It was great to see all the children again and to welcome the new starters too.  Sarah started the assembly by talking about new things, like the new children, new shoes and clothes, new school books and even the new floor in the hall!  This led into a story about a man that had a new start.  I started to talk about a cheat, lier and a person that worked for the Romans collecting taxes.  I did explain that during the time of Jesus the Romans were in charge of the country and people were asked to collect the taxes - paying tax is good I said as it helps to provide us today with schools, healthcare etc (didn't want the children getting the wrong idea) But the man in the story I continued was taking way too much money of the people like he was asked to collect two coins - he'd collect four and keep two for himself for example. So when Jesus came to town as usual people were excited to see him.  I asked if the children had ever been in a large crowd waiting to see someone famous - some had.  But the think was I continued Zacchaeus - oh that was his name by the way I said was a very short man and couldn't see because of the crowd but they probably won't let him through any how.  So he ran ahead down the road to climb a tree, thinking the leaves would hide him - but no Jesus walked straight up to the tree and asked him to come down as he was going to go to his house for tea.  The crowd thought this was not on as they hadn't done the things Zacchaeus had done and Jesus wasn't going to their homes.  After sometime Jesus and Zacchaeus came out and a change had happened because Zacchaeus had decided to  make a fresh start by giving loads of money to the poor and paying back the money he had cheated from people.  Sarah finished off the assembly by explaining that we all have a chance to make a new start or a fresh start and as the new school term begins it is a chance for everyone to do that.  To finish off we sang God can do Anything - as nothing is too big or too small for God to do.  Sarah finished with a prayer.

Leven Valley School

This morning I went to do the final assembly of the year at Leven Valley School.  I didn't start with a song but went straight into the story.  I started by asking if anyone had ever moved house - loads of hands went up.  I then asked what it would be like if when they got home they were told that they were moving, and they had to fill a suitcase, get ready and move - but move to an unknown place - they didn't know where.  I linked this idea to the story of Abraham, I displayed a map to start with and explained where he lived and that he was a sheep farmer who lived in Ur - I made a play on words by saying Ur was over there somewhere and God said to him move from Ur over there to where over here (pointing to a different part of the hall) which is there and so on - the laughs built up as he did this a few times during the story.  I also mentioned the promise of loads of family as well that God made to Abraham.  I finished off with Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  As I draw the story to an end I encourage all the children that God would go with them when they moved up class, changed class room, teacher and when they went on to secondary school.  We then sang Great Big God and as an extra special treat for the year 6 children we did the Chicken Dance.  I finished with a prayer.

Our Lady's Dalton

This morning I went to do the final assembly of the year at Our Lady's Dalton.  I didn't start with a song but went straight into the story.  I started by asking if anyone had ever moved house - loads of hands went up.  I then asked what it would be like if when they got home they were told that they were moving, and they had to fill a suitcase, get ready and move - but move to an unknown place - they didn't know where.  I linked this idea to the story of Abraham, I displayed a map to start with and explained where he lived and that he was a sheep farmer who lived in Ur - I made a play on words by saying Ur was over there somewhere and God said to him move from Ur over there to where over here (pointing to a different part of the hall) which is there and so on - the laughs built up as he did this a few times during the story.  I also mentioned the promise of loads of family as well that God made to Abraham.  I finished off with Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  As I draw the story to an end I encourage all the children that God would go with them when they moved up class, changed class room, teacher and when they went on to secondary school.  We then sang Great Big God and as an extra special treat for the year 6 children we did the Chicken Dance.  I finished with a prayer.

ST Marys RC School Ulverston

This morning I went to do the final assembly of the year at St Marys RC school.  I didn't start with a song but went straight into the story.  I started by asking if anyone had ever moved house - loads of hands went up.  I then asked what it would be like if when they got home they were told that they were moving, and they had to fill a suitcase, get ready and move - but move to an unknown place - they didn't know where.  I linked this idea to the story of Abraham, I displayed a map to start with and explained where he lived and that he was a sheep farmer who lived in Ur - I made a play on words by saying Ur was over there somewhere and God said to him move from Ur over there to where over here (pointing to a different part of the hall) which is there and so on - the laughs built up as he did this a few times during the story.  I also mentioned the promise of loads of family as well that God made to Abraham.  I finished off with Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  As I draw the story to an end I encourage all the children that God would go with them when they moved up class, changed class room, teacher and when they went on to secondary school.  We then sang Great Big God and as an extra special treat for the year 6 children we did the Chicken Dance.  I finished with a prayer.

St Peters School

On Tuesday morning Sarah and I once again joined with members of the 2019 Transition Team for an assembly and then a lesson with year 6 at St Peters.  The assembly had a drama in it which was about a family that was on the move, so there was lots of rushing about and panic as the 'children' tried to get everything they needed for the long journey ahead - except they didn't know where they were going.  This links into the Abraham story and how he had to trust God and follow what he said.  Sarah explained that we all at some point or other move on and in the case of the children they move up the school and year 6 move to new schools.  We encouraged the children with the words from Joshua 1:8 which says Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  After singing Great Big God and saying a prayer the assembly finished and we then worked with the year 6 children and helped them as they think about the move they will make in September.

Burlington School

This afternoon the 2019 Transition team and myself were at Burlington School for an assembly and a lesson with the year 6 children.   For the assembly we did a short drama about a family that was on the move - it was a modern day take on the story of Abraham.  Afterwards the link between the story and the drama was explained as well as the link to the children in the school as they move on.  Afterwards we sang Great Big God as well as encouraging them with the words in Joshua 1:8 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  We then did a workshop for an hour or so with the year 6 children.

Pennington School

This morning I once again joined with the 2019 Transition team for an assembly and then a lesson with the year 6 children at Pennington school.  For the assembly we did a short drama about a family that was on the move - it was a modern day take on the story of Abraham.  Afterwards the link between the story and the drama was explained as well as the link to the children in the school as they move on.  Afterwards we sang Great Big God as well as encouraging them with the words in Joshua 1:8 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  We then did a workshop for an hour or so with the year 6 children.

Lindale School

This morning Sarah and I went to Lindale School for the assembly.  As Grace was free we also took her with us.  As this was going to be our last visit for this year we decided to talk about moving on, as each of us will do at some point in our lives and in the case of the children they will move through the school and the year 6 children on to secondary schools.  In other schools we have been telling via a drama the story of Abrahams move.  So all three of us did the drama, it was about a family that was moving and the panic to get everything just so and remembering to take everything too.  After the drama Sarah explained to the children what it was all about and talked to the children and encouraged them as they make the move forward not only through the school but on into new schools.  We displayed the words from Joshua 1:8 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  After this we sang Great Big God.  Then we finished with a prayer.

Sir John Barrow School

On Tuesday morning Sarah and I once again joined the 2019 Transition Team.  We were at Sir John Barrow School, to firstly do an assembly to the whole school  and then work with the year 6 children.  The assembly started with a drama which is a kind of modern take on the Abraham story in that a family was moving but they didn't know where to - rather like Abraham.  In the drama there was panic and running around as the two 'children' tried to pack a suitcase.  Afterwards we explained what was going on and encouraged the children as they move on either through the school or on into a new school.  We shared Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go...with the children.  We then sang Great Big God before finishing with a prayer.We spent about an hour with the year 6 children as we worked on a few issues they may face as they go into the new schools.  We gave them a booklet full of information that would be useful to them. After the assembly was over we spent about an hour with the year 6 children looking at various issues that might come up as they move on into their new schools. 

Newton Primary School

On Monday morning I joined the 2019 Transition Team at Newton Primary School, to firstly work with the year 6 children and then do an assembly to the whole school.  We spent about an hour with the year 6 children as we worked on a few issues they may face as they go into the new schools.  We gave them a booklet full of information that would be useful to them.  Then we did an assembly all about moving on.  We did a drama which is a kind of modern take on the Abraham story in that a family was moving but they didn't know where to - rather like Abraham.  In the drama there was panic and running around as the two 'children' tried to pack a suitcase.  Afterwards we explained what was going on and encouraged the children as they move on either through the school or on into a new school.  We shared Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go...with the children.  We then sang Great Big God before finishing with a prayer.

Flookburgh School

Last Thursday Sarah and I went to Flookburgh School for the assembly.  As Grace was free we also took her with us.  As this was going to be our last visit for this year we decided to talk about moving on, as each of us will do at some point in our lives and in the case of the children they will move through the school and the year 6 children on to secondary schools.  In other schools we have been telling via a drama the story of Abrahams move.  So all three of us did the drama, it was about a family that was moving and the panic to get everything just so and remembering to take everything too.  After the drama Sarah explained to the children what it was all about and talked to the children and encouraged them as they make the move forward not only through the school but on into new schools.  We displayed the words from Joshua 1:8 - Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  After this we sang Great Big God.  Then we finished with a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning Sarah and I were at Broughton School with the 2019 Transition Team.  We did an assembly to the whole school first then worked with the year 6 children giving them a booklet and helping them as they make the move to secondary school.  The assembly started with a drama about a family that was on the move, there was a lot of panic in the room as the 'children' ran about getting things to take with them on the journey - the panic resulted in loads of laughter from the children.  The drama linked into the Abraham story in that he was told to make a move the big difference was he didn't know where he was going to.  This was our final line - the children are all moving on this summer, some will move up the school while others off to new schools.  In the Abraham story God journeyed with him and we encouraged the children with the words from Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  We then sang Great Big God and finished with a prayer.  After the assembly we worked with the year 6 children for about an hour helping them face some of the issue they may come across when they get to their new school.

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon Sarah and I with the 2019 Transition team went to Penny Bridge to do the transition lesson and the assembly with the year 6 children.  The lesson went well as we hopefully helped the children think about their move to secondary school.  Our assembly was a bout a family that was moving and there was a little panic about what to take with them as they made the move.  It was linked to the Abraham story in that the family didn't know where they were going a bit like Abraham didn't.  At the end Sarah explained that we all move on in life and most of the time we know what is going to happen as we know where we are going such as when the children move up a year, change class room etc in the case of the year 6 move school.  Using the words of Joshua 1:8 to encourage the children that God will be with them as they move.  We then sang Great Big God before finishing with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  We started with Be Happy before I told the children the story of Abraham - how God told him to move to a new land.  Abraham trusted God and obeyed God.  I asked the children if they had ever moved house, relating back to times when I moved house as a child and then much older.  We all at some point move and we nearly all know where we are going which makes life a little easier.  But Abraham didn't know.  Sarah then linked this to moving within a school as we get older and move up through the school and in particular as the year 2 children go to the junior school.  We used the Joshua 1:8 verse to help encourage the children that God is with us and that we should be strong.  To finish off we sang Great Big God and finished with a prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning Sarah and I once again joined with the 2019 Transition team as we delivered an assembly followed by a lesson to the year 6 children at Croftlands Junior School.  The assembly was about a move a family was about to make - we acted out various roles and gathered bits and pieces to take with us only to ask at the end - Where are we going? - don't know came the reply.  The drama was based around the life of Abraham and we focused on the fact that he was told by God to move on but didn't know where he was going - but put all his faith and trust in God.  The children on the other hand do know where they are going after year 6 - so we tried to encourage them with the words God gave to Joshua in chapter 1 verse 8 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you wherever you go.  Following the assembly we did a lesson that was designed to help them as they make the move.

Coniston Primary School

This morning Sarah and I joined the 2019 Transition team to do an assembly and then a lesson with the year 6 children at Coniston Primary School.  We started off with a drama about a family that was moving, there was a bit of panic going on with the children as they tried to get everything they needed in the suit case.  Then one asked where they were going and the parent said don't know.  This was a take on the Abraham story when God told him to move to a new place.  The point was we all at some stage or another move on and Abraham didn't know where he was going but we very often we do.  God was with him as he travelled.  We talked to and encouraged the about the changes ahead of them and used the words from Joshua 1:8 as a way of reassuring them. We then sang Great Big God before finishing the assembly with a prayer.  We then went on to do a special lesson with the year 6 children about their move to secondary school.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I have been over to Crosthwaite School for the assembly.  We started by singing So Many Ways to Praise the Lord.  Then Sarah had the word fire on the screen all in flames and asked what the children thought about when they see or hear about fire a number of good responses came back.  I then retold the story of Pentecost partly using the Lion Storyteller Bible and adding to it as I went along.  Sarah then finished off by talking a bit more about the Holy Spirit before we sang our second song Shine.  To finish we said a prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I were part of the 2019 Transition team that went into Low Furness School to do the assembly and then a lesson with the year 6 children.  We started the assembly with a short comical drama about a family that was moving that day.  As the 'children' ran about collecting things to take the 'parent' reminding them what to get such as tooth brush - so they got a toilet brush and so it went on.  The final thing was them asking where they were going - the answer was - don't know.  This was of course the position Abraham found himself in when God asked him to move on.  Sarah then explained this to the children and pointed out that we all at some point in our lives need to move on and in school that means either moving up the school or in the case of year 6 on to a new school.  Now all the children know where they will be in September unlike Abraham who didn't know where he would end up - however he trusted God.  The verse from Joshua 1:8 was displayed which talks about being strong and courageous and not being afraid for God is with us wherever we go.  We then snag Great Big God before finishing with a prayer.  The team then worked with the year 6 children covering a range of issues they may face next year at secondary school.

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Penny Bridge Academy.  As it is very close to Pentecost we based our assembly on that theme.  Sarah started by talking about fire and asked the children what it can do, we had give light, burn things, give heat etc  I then used the Loin Storyteller Bible and paraphrased the story for the children adding in my own ideas as we went along.  After this Sarah summed up what the story said and linked in to the song Shine.  Then after the song finished the assembly with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I joined with members of the 2019 Transition team and did an assembly and then a lesson with the year 6 children to help them as they move on into secondary school.  The assembly started with a drama about a family that was moving- and there was lots of rushing about as the 'children' collected things to take with them before finally asking the all important question where are we going?  To have the reply - don't know!  This linked in with the Abraham story but can also link into the year 6 children except they know where they are going in September when they go to secondary school.  It was explained to all the children that in life we move on and sometimes the move can be a bit scary but God is with us all the time.  Using the words of Joshua 1:8 we finished this part of the assembly and moved on - to a song Great Big God.  After the song a prayer was said and the team then went to work with the year 6 children.

Flookburgh School

This morning I have been down to Flookburgh School to do the assembly.  It seems like ages since we last saw the children well before Easter, so to start off I asked if they had had a good Easter holiday and Easter weekend. The children had made some Easter gardens and they were still on display in the hall so I commented on them as this formed a link firstly to the song we were going to sing and also to my story.  So after singing Inright Outright I did a quick recap of the events around the first Easter and then told the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus.  When Jesus joined them they didn't realise it was him and to demonstrate this point I had some blurry pictures of celebs - I did explain that Jesus was all burry though.  As the story unfolded Jesus was going to go on but they asked him to stay and eat (still not knowing who he was) then when he broke the bread WOW! they realised it was him so they hot footed it back to Jerusalem to tell the others.  I made the point that it was what Jesus did that showed who he was, so I asked and encouraged the children to tell me what they might do to show Jesus and particularly his love.  After a number of suggestions and a few hints and dropping in the odd 'shine out' I said we were going to sing a song could they guess which one it was - Shine of course.  After the song I finished with a short prayer. 

St Pauls Junior School

This afternoon I have been to a new school to do an assembly St Pauls Junior School in Barrow, a few months ago I did New Testament Bible Explorer there with the year 5 and 6 classes.  The schools Christian value for this term is Endurance, so after being introduced I pointed out to the children their Christian calendar on the wall was still pointing to Easter so I asked if they had had a good Easter Holiday and a good Easter weekend and if they had had chocolate for breakfast on Easter Sunday - this was because I wanted to link the events of Easter to my first song and continue with what happened after.  The song was Inright Outright and after it I did a very quick recap of the main events and fast forwarded to Pentecost which is 50 days after Easter Sunday and this year is 9th June.  Following Pentecost the followers of Jesus started to tell more and more people about Jesus despite being laughed at, punished, beaten etc.  Then I continued there was one man who had never seen Jesus, heard Jesus speak - he started to travel about telling loads of people about Jesus and I read from one of his letters about the punishments he had endured during his life, he also said that he would push on and finish the race set before him - I then linked to the upcoming Coniston to Barrow and asked who was doing it explaining that you need to look to the finish line and the pie and peas at the end.  I then let slip the name of the man in the bible - Paul, but today we know him as St Paul.  I asked if that name was familiar to the children - it's the name of our school came the reply.  So I continued by saying if it wasn't for Paul's endurance we wouldn't be here today in St Pauls School, up the road from St Pauls Church and we would not know about Jesus at all.  I linked in the song Be Happy as it says I'll run this race and I will never stop, I'll follow Jesus til' the day I drop.  After singing the song I said a short prayer.

Broughton School

This morning I went over to Broughton School to do the assembly.  As is was before Easter when I last visited I asked the children if they had enjoyed the Easter holidays and then the long Easter weekend.  This led me to ask if they had eaten chocolate before breakfast on Easter Sunday.  To remind us what Easter is about and to link with my story we sang Inright Outright to start with, then I did a quick recap of the events of Easter moving towards the afternoon and evening of Easter day.  Two people, followers of Jesus were on their way home I said when they were joined by Jesus except they didn't realise it was him - to explain this I used some blurry images of celebs and asked the children to guess who they were.  Jesus asked why they were sad, they asked him where he'd been all weekend (or something like that) and why he hadn't seen or heard what had happened to their friend Jesus.  I continued by explaining that Jesus explained the events using the scriptures from hundreds of years before he was even born or the Old Testament as we know it.  I told the children they still didn't see Jesus, then as they got near to their house Jesus went on as if to go further but they invited him in for a bite to eat and as he broke the bread in front of them WOW! it's Jesus they shouted.  Then they hot footed it back to Jerusalem to tell the others they had seen Jesus.  The point I wanted to bring out was that when Jesus did something - brake the bread - they saw him.  So I asked what we could do to show Jesus and his love, the children suggested a number of things like getting people involved in a game, sharing things, being kind, helping people by opening doors etc.  I said that when we do these things we Shine from the inside out - cue for a song. after the song I finished with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning I went along to Croftlands Infant School to do the assembly.  It was our first visit since the Easter holidays and the Easter weekend so I started by asking if the children had had a good Easter and if they had had chocolate for breakfast on Easter Sunday. I said that I knew Easter seem such a long time ago now but I wanted to tell the children what happened next so before I did that we sang Inright Outright to remind us what Jesus did.  I then did a very quick recap of the story of Easter and then talked about the events that happened at 'teatime' on Easter Sunday, when two of Jesus' followers were walking home.  Jesus caught up with them and walked with them except they did realise it was him - I used some pictures of celebs that I had blurred the faces of to further explain my point - not that Jesus' face was blurry or anything...you get the idea.  Anyway as the arrived at the house Jesus was going to continue but they asked him to stay - and it was when He broke the bread that they realised who it was - they made a quick exit and ran back to tell the other followers in Jerusalem.  I made the point that it was what Jesus did that showed them who Jesus was, so I encouraged the children to do things that show Jesus, such as being kind and showing love.  I did ask them for some ideas too which they willingly gave me like watching TV with a friend, sharing toys and sweets, opening a door for someone, etc.  I said that when we do that we Shine from the inside out cue for a song.  After the song I finished off with a prayer.

Millom Community Funday

This afternoon I have been out and about as the Jester for Jesus entertaining the good people of Millom at the Network Centre for the Churches Community Funday.  I did two shows based on trust and faith using gospel illusions to draw out various aspects of trusting in an unseen yet ever present God, Using stories such as Noah, and David and along the way having fun to finally explaining the gospel message of Jesus Christ and how He died to take our sin away.  Had a great time hope everyone else did too. 

Coniston Primary School

This morning we have been up to Coniston Primary School to do the assembly.  To start off Sarah asked if they had had a good Easter holidays and if they had eaten chocolate for breakfast on Easter Sunday - this was to link in with the theme of our assembly. As a reminder of the events from Easter we sang Inright Outright before I did a quick recap of the story.  When I got to the Sunday and the empty tomb I carried on to say what happened later on that day when two of the followers of Jesus were on their way home to Emmaus and Jesus joined them - except they didn't realise it was him - to demonstrate this point I had three pictures of celebs with their faces a bit blurred out and asked if they could tell me who they were. Continuing with the story I told them how Jesus explained why what happened had happened and then later when they arrived at their village they asked Jesus in to eat with them. It was when Jesus broke the break in front of them that they realised it was him, they hot footed back to tell the others in Jerusalem.  I made the point that when Jesus did something they saw him and asked what we could do that would show Jesus. Sarah then took over and drew out some suggestions from the children as to what things they might do to show love, kindness etc. This, Sarah continued is Shinning Jesus out from the inside - cue song.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Lindale School

This morning Sarah and I travelled down to Lindale School for the assembly.  It was lovely to see all the children again as it seems likes ages since our last visit.  They still had an Easter display out which was great for us as our assembly was about what happened after Easter.  Sarah started by asking if the children had enjoyed the holidays and enjoyed Easter weekend asking how many of them had chocolate for breakfast on Easter Sunday.  As a reminder of Easter we sang Inright Outright - I then quickly did a recap of the events using the items on display in the school, the bowl to wash the feet, the bread and wine, the money purse of Judas, the cross and finally the words He is Risen.  Continuing the story of the events of the morning when the tomb was found to be open and Jesus' body not there I moved on to the afternoon and the two followers on the road to Emmaus.  As they went home Jesus joined them but they didn't realise it was him.  To demonstrate this I had three blurry images of celebs and the children had to guess who they were.  On with the story - as they moved along the road feeling sad Jesus asked why they were sad so they explained about what had happened - Jesus spoke saying wasn't that all meant to be then using scripture explained it all to them - they still didn't see who it was.  When they got to the house Jesus was going to continue on but as it was late they asked him to stay and eat and it was only when Jesus broke the bread did they see who he was.  The two followers hot footed it back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples they had seen Jesus.  I drew out the idea that they saw Jesus by what he did - in this case break the bread and asked how do people see Jesus in us, what can we do to show Jesus.  Sarah then encouraged the children to suggest ways they could be like Jesus so we had showing kindness, loving, helping people etc.  his linked in to singing Shine.  After the song Sarah related a story about someone who had been having a tough time with someone and they did something for that person which firstly took courage (which is the schools Christian value for this half term) but also shone out Jesus's love to that person.  She then finished with a prayer.