Flookburgh School

This morning I travelled down to Flookburgh School for the assembly.  I started by asking the children if they were brave - hands went up, I then asked if they were brave all the time - more hands went up!  Finally I asked if they were brave just some of the time this time I put my hand up and explained that I did something last week which was a little scary.  This I continued was linking in with the story I had prepared which is part of the Easter story but first we were going to sing Inright Outright as it reminds us that Jesus cared for us when he died.  After the song I ask if they thought chickens were brave as they played a part in the story - I also said the story had a bit of a long intro.  So I started with the intro and finally got to the story of Peter and the Rooster from the Lost Sheep Series.  As the pictures displayed and as I told the story the children laughed and also sat quietly as the story came to a sad end... I had previously explained that the story was a two part story with part one now and part two after Easter.  Once the story was finished I asked the children how they thought Peter felt during the story - with a little prompting we got sad, angry, up set etc.  I then talked about how he let his friend Jesus down and how we should look out of people as we go about our day who might need help with something or a bit of encouragement - so I encouraged the children to be brave and see what they could do to help - they might not be able to help but they could get someone else to help.  When we do that I continued we Shine for the inside out - cue for a song.  After the song I finished with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Infant School.  As the term is drawing towards Easter I wanted to tell part of the Easter story then follow it up after Easter with a second part so leaving today on a cliff hanger.... To start of we sang Inright Outright and I asked the children if they felt brave and if they felt brave all the time - a number of hands went up each time.  I then told the story of Peter and the Rooster from the Lost Sheep Series.  I also mentioned the story had a rather long intro and had chickens in it as well.  The story is about Peter not being so brave as he says that he wasn't a friend of Jesus.  At the end of the story I asked the children how they thought Peter might be feeling so we had several people saying sad but for different reasons, as well as angry and upset.  I then concluded by saying that sometimes we are not brave and we do things that might upset people a bit like Peter did but there are times when we do the right thing and stand up of people and when we do that we Shine from the inside out - cue for a song.  After the song I finished with a short prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

On Monday Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Croftlands Junior School.  As we are on the run up to Easter we had decided to tell a story which is part of the Easter story so we had part 1 of a 2 part story.  The story was about Peter saying that he wasn't a friend of Jesus, we used the Lost Sheep series story called 'Peter and the Rooster'  However before that Sarah asked if anyone was brave, then asked if they were brave all the time - she also asked if they thought chickens were brave because you guessed it the story had chickens in it.  By way of an intro to the theme we sang Inright Outright I then told the story and displayed visuals on the screen as I did so.  After the story Sarah asked about the feelings Peter might have had during this time and linked it into the feelings that we sometimes might have - like we might feel sad, angry, afraid and so on.  Then she asked what the children would do if they saw someone like that would they help or ignore them?  This came round to talking about us doing the right thing unlike Peter who denied that he even knew Jesus and she continued when we do  go out of our way to help people we Shine from the inside out - cue for a song.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Burlington School

This morning Sarah and I travelled over to Burlington School for the assembly. Sarah started by asking if the children thought they were brave, then asked if they were brave all the time - we had a number of very honest children putting their hands up and down.  Sarah continued to tell the children what we were going to talk about and it so happened that right at the front of the hall was a sign saying 'Be prepared' so introduced the theme of Easter and how people go themselves prepared for Easter.  Then we sang Inright Outright before Sarah introduced the story of Brave Peter - oh did I mention the chickens?  Oh yes they feature in the story too but are they brave?  I then told the story of Peter when he said that he didn't know Jesus using Peter and the Rooster story from the Lost Sheep Series - which had chickens in as well as a rooster - the story ends on a cliff hanger which we will conclude next time we visit...  Sarah then concluded the talk by asking about how Peter felt during this time so we had sad, mad, angry, disappointed etc  She then went on ask what they would do if they saw someone who was feeling a bit down the children offered some very good ideas.  Sarah then said that when we help others when they are feeling a bit low we Shine out Jesus - cue for a song.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Crosthwaite School

This afternoon Sarah and I were over at Crosthwaite school for the assembly.  We started by Sarah asking if the children thought they were brave or if they thought they weren't brave this was to link with the story later.  As we are in the run up to Easter and as our story was part 1 of 2 with the second part coming after Easter we sang Inright Outright.  Sarah then introduced the story Peter the Brave or Peter and the Rooster - oh yes the story had chickens in it too.  I told the story using the visuals from the Lost Sheep series - which is about Peter saying he didn't know Jesus not just the once but three times.  The story ended a bit sad but part 2 is to come after Easter.  Sarah then talked about how Peter might be feeling after what happened and asked the children for their thoughts on it.  She also pointed out that Peter wasn't very honest by saying he didn't know Jesus.  She encouraged the children to be brave and honest and to help people out and that way we shine out Jesus' love - cue for a song. 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.  Sarah started by asking if any of the children were brave and then asked if any of the children were not brave.  She then introduced the story which is part 1 of a story about Easter and part 2 will come after Easter.  It was about Brave Peter (Peter being one of the disciples of Jesus)  The real title of the story was Peter and the Rooster from the Lost Sheep series - or it had chickens in it as well.  The story was about Peter saying that he didn't know who Jesus was not once, not twice but three times.  It was left on a cliff hanger...to be concluded after Easter....Sarah summed up the story and asked what Peter might have felt like during this time,  She also brought out the fact that Peter wasn't honest and truthful about knowing Jesus (Honesty was the Christian value for this term)  She encouraged the children to be truthful and honest and to not run away from situations but help people this linked into our song Shine.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Penny Bridge Academy.  Our introduction started by Sarah talking about Easter so we sang to start Inright Outright.  Sarah then asked if the children were brave - this was to link into the story I was about to tell which had Brave Peter in it, or as the story was called Peter and the Rooster from the Lost Sheep series.  The children laughed along as I displayed the pictures and told the story.  Turns out that Peter was a bit of a chicken in the end - or the story had chickens in it as well.  The point was that Brave Peter was not brave at all.  The story was left on a cliff hanger as we will conclude it after Easter.  Sarah then summed up the story by talking about how Peter must have felt during the events of him saying he didn't know who Jesus was.  To finish off we sang Shine as Sarah encouraged the children not to be like Peter and be a chicken and shine out for Jesus.  She then closed with a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Church Walk Primary School.  It was great to see all the children and staff again.  As Sarah and I won't be seeing the children now until after Easter we did an assembly about part of the Easter story to be continued.... after Easter.  After singing Inright Outright Sarah introduced the idea of being brave as our Bible story was about Brave Peter who ran away from Jesus after he was arrested and then denied that he knew him 3 times (not so brave!)  We used the Lost Sheep visuals to tell the story which was called Peter and the Rooster.  There was more than just a rooster though as the story had chickens as well (and that wasn't just Peter!).  After the story Sarah summed up by asking the children what they thought Peter's emotions would have been during the story which generated a number of suggestions.  She pointed out that Peter hadn't been honest to either himself or Jesus when he denied knowing who he was.  The story will be concluded with Breakfast on the Beach after Easter.  To finish we sang Shine then I closed with a prayer. 

OT Mini 5 St Paul's School

This afternoon I have once again been working with the children of year 5 and 6 at St Paul's School Barrow as we have finished off OT Mini.  We have covered a number of great stories during the afternoon as we have looked at the scattering of Israel and the exile of Judah.  The story of Daniel as he rose to an important position within the kingdom and his time with the lions.  Then onto the story of Esther and how she saved her people then the return the rebuilding of the temple and the people and final the walls then...…. wait...….Christ as the Old Testament closes and makes way for the New Testament and Jesus.

Leven Valley School

This morning I went down to do the assembly at Leven Valley School.  It was the first visit to the school this year so it was great to see all the children again as well as the staff.  I started by talking about Christmas and New Year and asked if the children had had a good time - I know it seems like ages ago now but there was a link into the story later.  We then sang Be Happy and I explained afterwards that I was going to tell the children a story that Jesus told which was an earthly story but had a hidden or heavenly meaning to it.  I then went on to recall the story of the Lost Son or as my visuals called it The Wild Son Who Returned. Towards the end of the story I focused in on the dad who forgave the wild son for what he had done.  I then pointed out that Jesus came to earth to show us and to teach us more about God and Heaven and how we can get there and this story was one such story.  I then explained the meaning to the children in that the son is like us who do things wrong and the dad is like God who forgives us - we just need to say sorry.  We also need to forgive people that do wrong things to us - this idea comes out of what Jesus taught us and is also in the Lord's Prayer.  We then sang God Can do Anything and as we did I said that no wrong is too big or too small that God can't forgive us for.  I then finished with a prayer.

Our Lady's School

This morning I went to Our Lady's School in Dalton for the assembly.  It was our first visit of 2020 so I asked the children if they had had a good Christmas and New Year and if they had been to any parties or had family round during that time - there was a link here into something I was going to say later.  Our first song was Be Happy and after the song I told the story of the Lost Son or as the slides I was using for the visual aid called it The Wild Son Who Returned.  As I told the story I focused on the dad who forgave the son for the wrong he had done.  I then pointed out the reason Jesus came to earth was to teach us about God and Heaven and how we can get there.  The story is about forgiveness as the son is like us - people who do things wrong and the dad is like God who will forgive those who do wrong - we just need to say sorry.  But also we need to forgive those people who do wrong to us.  In the prayer that Jesus taught us I continued it says about forgive us as we forgive others the wrong we have done.  To link in with the final song I said that nothing is too big or too small that God can't forgive - after singing God Can do Anything I finished with a prayer.

St Mary's RC School

This morning I went to St Mary's RC School to do the assembly.  As it was the first visit of this year I asked the children if they had had a good Christmas and New Year - there was a link here into something I was going to say later.  Our first song was Be Happy and after the song I told the story of the Lost Son or as the slides I was using for the visual aid called it The Wild Son Who Returned.  As I told the story I focused on the dad who forgave the son for the wrong he had done.  I then pointed out the reason Jesus came to earth was to teach us about God and Heaven and how we can get there.  The story is about forgiveness as the son is like us - people who do things wrong and the dad is like God who will forgive those who do wrong - we just need to say sorry.  But also we need to forgive those people who do wrong to us.  In the prayer that Jesus taught us I continued it says about forgive us as we forgive others the wrong we have done.  To link in with the final song I said that nothing is too big or too small that God can't forgive - after singing God Can do Anything I finished with a prayer.

Dalton St Mary's

This afternoon Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Dalton St Mary's School.  As it was the first assembly of the new year for us Sarah opened the assembly by asking if everyone had had a good Christmas and New Year and if anyone had been to any parties.  She also asked the children what makes them happy - she asked a few children and we got a number of answers.  We then sang Be Happy.  After the song Sarah introduced the story I had prepared by reminding the children what parables are and that Jesus used them to teach us.  I then told the Lost Son story or the Wild Son Who Returned as the title on the slides I was using said.  I focused in on the dad in the story who forgave his son for the wrong he had done and explained that Jesus came to show us and teach us about God and Heaven and how we can get there - so I explained that the son is like us who do wrong things and the dad is like God who forgives us those wrongs - when we say sorry to him that is.  I also said that we should also be forgiving of those people who do wrong to us.  Sarah then expanded a little further this point by referring to the Lord's Prayer.  We then finished off the assembly with God Can Do Anything before she closed with a prayer and then the Lord's Prayer.

Lindal and Marton School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Lindal and Marton School.  It was our first visit of 2020.  So to start off Sarah asked if everyone had had a good Christmas and New Year, she also asked if anyone had been to parties over Christmas - this was to link in with the story I was going to tell later.  Sarah then asked what makes them happy and a few children responded this was to link with the song - Be Happy.  After the song I told the story of the Lost Son except the visuals I used called it The Wild Son Who Returned - which I think sounds better.  Sarah had mentioned to the children that I was going to tell the children one of Jesus' parables - an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  As I told the story I focused in on the forgiveness the dad showed to the son and reminded the children that Jesus came to tell us more about God and Heaven and what we need to do to get there.  As the dad forgave the son so in turn God forgives us for the wrong things we do, but we also need to forgive those that do wrong to us.  Sarah concluded this part and talked a little more about forgiveness before introducing our next song God Can Do Anything.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Broughton School.  To start off I asked the children about Christmas and New Year and if they had had any family get togethers or parties - it was to link with something I was going to say later during the story.  Our first song was Be Happy then I told the story of the Lost Son from Luke - although the visuals I used had the title The Wild Son Who Returned - which I thought sounds better.  I pointed out and reminded the children of the reason why Jesus came to earth in the first place and explained that these stories are everyday earthly stories but have a hidden heavenly meaning which I explained to the children.  Jesus came to show us what God was like as well as what Heaven is like and how we can get there.  The wild son of my story is like us who do things wrong and the dad of the story is like God who forgives us when we do wrong.  But we need also forgive others if they do wrong to us.  To finish off I reminded the children of the Lord's Prayer which has the words forgives us our wrongs as we forgive those that do wrong to us then after singing God Can Do Anything I finished with a prayer. 

St Peters School

This morning I went to do the assembly at St Peter's School.  It was our first visit this year and was so lovely to see all the children and staff after such a long time.  To start off I asked the children about Christmas and New Year - yes I know it was weeks ago and we are now in February! but it did link into something I was going to say later.  Our first song was Be Happy then I told the story of the Lost Son from Luke - although the visuals I used had the title The Wild Son Who Returned - which I thought sounds better.  I pointed out and reminded the children of the reason why Jesus came to earth in the first place and explained that these stories are everyday earthly stories but have a hidden heavenly meaning which I explained to the children.  Jesus came to show us what God was like as well as what Heaven is like and how we can get there.  The wild son of my story is like us who do things wrong and the dad of the story is like God who forgives us when we do wrong.  But we need also forgive others if they do wrong to us.  To finish off I pointed to the large version of the Lord's Prayer that is painted on the wall of the school then after singing God Can Do Anything I finished with a prayer and then we all said the Lord's Prayer. 

St Pius X School

This morning Sarah and I went to do an assembly at St Pius X School in Barrow.  It was lovely to see all the children and staff again we felt so welcomed into the school.  Sarah started by asking who was happy and what makes us happy - a few hands went up - this linked into our first song Be Happy.  After the song Sarah told the children that I was going to tell them a story from the New Testament - a story Jesus told - so she asked what we call these earthly stories with heavenly means - parables came the answer.  I then told the story of the Lost Son or as the visual aids said the Wild Son Who Returned.  After the story I pointed out that Jesus came to earth to show us the way to get to heaven by telling us about God as well as Heaven.  In the story the son is like us - people that do things wrong and the dad is like God who forgives us when we say sorry.  I also pointed out that we too need to forgive those people who do wrong to us.  Sarah then backed that up by talking about the Lord's Prayer and how it says forgive us our wrongs as we forgive those that do wrong to us.  To finish off we sang Shine then Sarah said a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer. 

OT Mini 4 St Paul's School

This afternoon at St Paul's with the year 5 and 6 children doing OT Mini lesson 4.  So we have had United Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, three  united kings and a whole bunch of others that ignored God.  Next week we round off the Old Testament with the exile of the two kingdoms, the return from exile and a young Jewish girl who saves her people... 

Coniston Primary School

This morning I travelled over to Coniston Primary School for the assembly.  It really was great to see all the children and staff again.  I started first by asking about Christmas and New Year and if the children had been to any parties or if they had had family get togethers.  Then we sang Be Happy and afterwards I told the parable of the Lost Son or the Wild Son who Returned (as the visual aids called it)  I pointed out to the children that Jesus often used parables to teach people and he used them to tell us what God is like, what Heaven is like and how we can get there.  I explained that in the story today the son is a bit like us - people that do things wrong and the dad is like God - forgives us when we do wrong (when we say sorry that is)  I further explained that Jesus came to earth to show us how we can be forgiven for what we do wrong and also that we should forgive people that do wrong to us.  We finished with God Can Do Anything as it says that nothing is too big for him and nothing is too small like the wrongs we do.  I finished with a prayer. 

St Paul's School Barrow

This afternoon Sarah and I have been to do the assembly at St Paul's School in Barrow.  Sarah started the assembly by saying how great it was to see the children after such a long time.  She then introduced the first song Be Happy by asking who was happy.  After the song I told the story of the Lost son or the Wild Son who Returned as the visual aid pictures I used called it, Sarah introduced it first by talking about parables and what they are.  As I told the story I focused in on the dad forgiving the son for what he had done and pointed out that Jesus came into the world so tell us and show us how to get to Heaven and forgiveness is a BIG part of that.  Saying sorry to God for what we have done as well as forgiving those that have done wrong to us.  Sarah concluded by talking about the Lord's Prayer and saying that with God nothing is impossible and God can do anything - so no matter how big or small the wrong is we have done God will forgive us we just need to say sorry.  There was a hint here at our second song God Can Do Anything.  After the song Sarah finished with a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer.  Then as it was a special day - a relaxed day as about 50 children were away at Young Voices and the rest of the children had been doing fun things all day - we introduced them to the ….. Chicken Dance!!!!!!

Lindale School

This morning Sarah and I went down to Lindale School for the assembly.  To start with we sang Be Happy then I told the story of the Wild Son who Returned - or as most people know it the parable of the Lost Son.  Sarah did remind the children what a parable is.  I used some pictures displayed on the screen to help tell the story.  I focused on the that that the da forgave the son for what he had done.  I then reminded the children why Jesus came to earth in the first place which was to teach us about God, Heaven and what we need to do to get to heaven.  I pointed out that the son in the parable is like us who do things wrong and the dad is like God who forgives us the things we do wrong we just need to say sorry.  But we also need to forgive people that do wrong to us.  Sarah concluded by reminding the children what the Lord's Prayer says about forgiveness.  She then introduced the next song which was God can do anything.  After the song she finished with a prayer.

Pennington School

This afternoon I went to Pennington School, it was my first visit of this year, so to start the assembly I asked everyone if they had had a good Christmas and New Year and if they stayed up late on New Years Eve - this was to link with the story I had for today.  To get us going we sang Be Happy, I then told the story of the Lost Son.  I made the theme about forgiveness and focused in on the dad who forgave his son for the wrongs he had done - in the same way God forgives us.  I explained that this was why Jesus came - to teach us about God, Heaven and how we can get there.  As well as forgiveness for our wrongs we must also forgive others that wrong us.  To finish with we sang God can do anything and I explained that do sin/wrong doing is too big or too small.  After the song I said a short prayer.

Newton Primary School

This morning I went to do the assembly at Newton Primary School.  I got such a warm welcome from the children as I arrived - it does seem like ages since I was last there.  I started the assembly by asking them about Christmas and New Year and if they had had any parties (link to story later).  Our first song we sang was Be Happy then I told the story of the Lost Son using some pictures as I did so.  When the son and dad had been reunited I explained that Jesus came to earth as a baby but when he grew up he started to tell us about God and Heaven and how we can get there.  This story is all about that and the dad is like God.  We all do stuff wrong and we should ask for forgiveness and I turn we should forgive people that do wrong to us.  God will forgive us when we ask but it all starts with us saying sorry.  To finish off we sang God can do anything as not matter how big or how small the wrong things we do are God can forgive them all.  I then closed with a short prayer.

OT Mini 3 St Paul's School

This afternoon I have been at St Paul's School in Barrow working with the year 5 and then the year 6 children doing OT Mini.  It was lesson 3 today and so we looked at the stories about Joshua as he led the people in to the land promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Following on we then did a quick tour through the book of Judges were we looked at 3 judges - Deborah, Gideon and then Samson.  To round off the lesson we covered the story of Ruth which sets us up nicely for the lesson next week when we look at the role of the first kings.

Flookburgh School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the assembly at Flookburgh School, it was our first visit since before Christmas - it was lovely to see all the children and staff again.  Sarah started by talking about Christmas and asked if everyone had had a good one and then asked who went to or had any parties over the Christmas time - this was to link in with the story later.  So after singing Be Happy I retold the story of the Lost Son except on the slide pictures I had it was called the Wild Son Who Returned.  The theme for the assembly was on forgiveness so I focused on the dad forgiving the son for spending all the money and pointed out that Jesus came to earth to show us how to get to heaven.  As the dad forgave the son so God forgives us the wrong we do - we need to say sorry.  But it also is the case that we need to forgive others that have done wrong to us.  Sarah concluded by talking about the words in the Lords Prayer, and that God is so great that he can do anything, anything at all.  After singing God Can Do Anything Sarah finished with a prayer followed by the Lord's Prayer.

Croftlands Junior School

This morning Sarah and I went to do our first assembly of the New Year at Croftlands Junior School.  Start started by asking about Christmas and talking about New Year and parties (as that played a part in our story today).  I then told the story of the lost son except it was called the wild son who returned.  To help with the story I used pictures as the story was told.  When the son came to his senses having looked at the pig food, I focused on the reaction of the dad who forgave him for what he had done.  It was forgiveness that I wanted to talk about with the children pointing out or reminding them that Jesus came to earth as a baby (that is what Christmas is all about) when he grew up and started his work he told people what God was like, what heaven is like and how we can get to heaven - it starts with saying sorry to God for the wrong we have done and God will forgive us.  In the same way we need to forgive those people that do wrong to us.  Sarah concluded the assembly by referring to the Lord's Prayer which says 'forgive us for what we have done wrong as we forgive others'  We then sang God Can Do Anything Sarah then closed with a prayer.

Croftlands Infant School

This morning I went along to Croftlands Infant School to do the assembly.  It was the first one of this New Year - it was lovely to see all the children again.  We started with Be Happy then I told them the story of the boy who asked his dad for money then went off and spent it all.  I used pictures to tell the story and at the end the boy returned home and his father forgave him for what he had done.  I explained that it was a story that Jesus told and that the dad is like God in that he forgives us the wrong things we do and so we should also forgive people that do wrong to us.  That was why Jesus came to earth as a baby grew up into a man and told us such great stories.  To finish with we sang Great Big God then I said a short prayer.

OT Mini 2 St Paul's School

This afternoon I had the great pleasure of being with the year 5 then year 6 children from St Paul's School in Barrow doing OT Mini.  It was lesson 2 therefore we were looking at some of the stories connected with Moses.  We heard about his birth and upbringing then on into adult life and forty years as a shepherd before his major encounter with God.  We then looked at the children of Israel's release from Egyptian slavery and the journey into the promise land except they didn't quiet make it thanks to the 10 spies that told false accounts of what the land was like.  Then we heard forty years later they return and we left them on the border ready for their first entry into the promised land.  Along our journey today we also heard about the giving of the law, the creation of the Tabernacle and the role of the priests, as well as the counting of the people, the forty years of wilderness wandering and the second counting and giving of the law.  Next week we look at the exploits of Joshua as he takes the lead into the land promised to them. 

Burlington School

This morning Sarah and I went over to Burlington School for the assembly.  It was great to see the children again after what seems such a long time.  Sarah open the assembly up by asking if the children had had a good Christmas and New Year and asking if anyone had been to a party during the Christmas holidays - hands went up - this was to link in with our story today.  We started by singing Be Happy before I told the story of the Wild Son who Returned Home - or the Lost Son.  I used various pictures to help me as I told the story and explained that when all the young sons money was gone so did his friends.  I linked it back to Christmas or whenever we have a party there is great excitement and you are on a real high but once it is finish we can sometimes sink down low.  As the story goes on the son started to feed some pigs and even considered eating their food - but he decided to go home.  Meanwhile back at home his dad is waiting for him and the speech the son had prepared didn't matter as his dad forgave him for what he had done.  I reminded the children why Jesus came in the first place - to tell us more about God and Heaven and about how we should live our lives so that we might also go to Heaven one day.  As the dad forgave the son so God forgives us for the wrongs we do, we just need to say sorry but also we need to forgive those who have done wrong to us.  Sarah summed up what I was saying and pointed out the words in the Lords Prayer about forgiveness.  We then sang God Can Do Anything as it says nothing is too big or too small like the things we do wrong being forgiven.  After the song she finished with a prayer followed by the Lords Prayer.

Crosthwaite Primary School

This afternoon Sarah and I travelled over to Crosthwaite Primary School for the assembly.  It seems ages since we last saw the children, so to start off Sarah asked if they had had a good Christmas and New Year and if they had been to many parties (this was a link to something later).  We started with Be Happy and afterwards I told the story of the lost son using some visual images on the screen when the son partied the money away I talked about the high and buzz you get at a party then the low and sometimes empty feeling afterwards.  I linked this to parties at Christmas and New Year celebrations.  Well the young son had a big low as all the money was gone and he was left with nothing except a job feeding pigs.  Deciding to go home his dad was waiting for him and welcomed him with open arms, the little speech he had prepared didn't matter his father forgave him.  Talking more on forgiveness I reminded the children that is what Jesus came to earth to do and through his teaching he taught us what God is like, what heaven is like and how we can get there and  it starts by saying sorry for  the wrong we have done and God forgiving us.  However we need to also forgive those that have wronged us.  To lead into the song God can Do anything Sarah said a bit more about forgiveness.  After the song Sarah said a short prayer before we all said the Lord's prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I went to do the first assembly of the new year at Low Furness School, it was great to see all the children again after the Christmas break.  Sarah started by asking if the children had had a good Christmas and if they had been to many parties (this was a link to part of the story of today).  We then sang Be Happy and afterwards I told the story of the lost son or as the visuals said the wild son that returned.  Using various visual aids on the screen I went through the story and when the young son wasted the dad's money on parties and things I paused and talked about the high and the buzz we get whenever we party or celebrate but then comes the low as everyone leaves.  The young son felt this and some as now all his money was gone.  While feeding the pigs to earn a few pennies he came to a decision that he would go home and ask his dad for a job.  Well all the time the boy had been away the dad was waiting for him and the son couldn't get his words out as his dad hugged him and welcomed him home and forgave him for what he had done.  I reminded the children that Jesus came to earth as a baby and grew to a man and taught us great things mainly about God and how we can get back to God by saying sorry and forgiven for what we have done, what we are doing and what we will do - like the dad in the story.  But it works both ways we also need to forgive anyone that has done wrong to us.  Sarah drew the assembly to a close before introducing the song God can do Anything as it says nothing is too big or too small just like the things we do wrong.  After the song we said the Lords Prayer together and Sarah finished off with a prayer.

Penny Bridge Academy

This afternoon I went to do the assembly at Penny Bridge.  It was my first visit of 2020 so after saying that I hoped they had had a good Christmas and New Year and if they had been to any parties (link to story later) over Christmas and things I told the story of the lost son.  I used some pictures to help with the story and pretended to party when the younger son went off and spent his fathers money.  When he was considering eating the pig food I said it would be like eating the school dinner leftovers - the baked beans, mixed in with cake and custard.  Back home the father was waiting and welcomed his son back who was forgiven by the father and the son said sorry.  I reminded the children why we have Christmas and that Jesus came to tell us more about God and how we can go to heaven.  I also reminded them that Jesus died for us too which is something that they will be looking at later on this term as we get near to Easter.  God forgives us the things we do wrong, have done wrong and will do wrong we just have to say sorry but in turn we should also forgive anyone who does wrong to us - I gave a few examples.  To round it all off we sang God can do Anything as nothing is too big for him and nothing is to small so when we think about stuff we have done he is able to forgive us those wrong things.  After the song I said a prayer.

Church Walk Primary School

This morning I was at Church Walk Primary School for our first assembly of 2020.  It was great to see the children and staff again after the Christmas holidays although it does seem so far away now.  I started with Be Happy then I told the story of the lost son, as I told the story I displayed pictures of the various parts of it.  I stopped the story when the young son came home and was forgiven by his father for what he had done - forgiveness was the theme for the assembly.  I explained that at Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus and as he grew up and started to tell stories and teach people he was showing us how we can get to heaven and about how we can be forgiven for the wrong things we have done or do or continue doing.  To finish off we sang God can do Anything and I linked this to forgiving us the wrongs we have done but we too must forgive those that wrong us as well.  I then closed with a prayer. 

OT Mini 1 St Paul's School

This afternoon I was at St Paul's School Barrow working firstly with the year 5 children then the year 6 doing OT Mini. We covered the story of creation, Adam and Eve covering the fall. Then on to Noah and the flood. Then onto the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and finally finishing off with Joseph. Hundreds of years of history, covering the beginnings of the Jewish people - God's chosen people. The children in both classes were great they got involved with the hand signs as well as the play acting of key characters within the stories. Next week on into Exodus and Moses.