16 May 2021

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Bible readings for today

RCL

• Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
• Psalms 1:1-6
• 1 John 5:9-13
• John 17:6-19

Ascension

• Acts 1:1-11
• Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
• Ephesians 1:15-23
• Luke 24:44-53

Collect

The heavens are open wide 
since Jesus our brother, our Redeemer, 
has entered through the veil. 
We thank you for his new and living way, 
by which we join the unnumbered millions 
who are with you forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Amen

Jesus' Ascension: John 17:6-19

Today's story looks at the words that Jesus prayed to his father before returning to heaven. 

Prayer Flip Book

I found this prayer flip book for helping guide young ones in ways to pray on the Teachers Pay Teachers website (you'll need to sign up for a free account) at this link.

"This is a flip book that I designed to help guide children with prayer. The front flaps each have a “reason” or the intention of their prayer, such as to pray for forgiveness. The back flaps each have prayer starters or suggestions. So, if a child wants to pray to ask for forgiveness, they can lift that flap and see some suggested ways to begin their prayer. You can use this flip book in any way that works for you!"

Questions

• Who is Jesus praying to?
• What do you think Jesus meant by 'I am no longer in the world, I am coming to you, but my followers are till in the world'?
• What are some good starters for praying?
• When do you usually pray?
• Why do we pray?

Prayer Spirals

This fun idea is from the Flamecreative website, based on this experiment on Carrots are Orange website

Blowing Bubbles

Blow bubbles and they have to pop them/catch them, try blowing from low down and blowing them up in the air. If it seems appropriate, you can mention that today we are thinking about Ascension day when Jesus went back up to heaven to be with God and we are blowing the bubbles up to the sky like Jesus going up to God.

Balloons Up!

You will need:

• A parachute
• Balloons

This is a parachute game, as you all stand round the parachute, holding on to the edge.  Lift up to fill up with air then add balloons and make them float up and hit the ceiling, make an air-mountain, try not to lose any of the balloons off the edge. Play other parachute game variations, if you have a favourite! 

Activities

• Jelly/Cream Sky Dessert (The Crafty Crow)
• Straw Rockets (Tip Junkie)
• Cut and Colour Printable (El Rincon da las Melli)
• Ascension Bubbles (Flame Creative Kids)
• Printable Paper Craft (Crafting the Word of God)

Media

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement, encouraging churches to pray from Ascension through to Pentecost

There are some fun prayer ideas in their Bright Ideas for Families pack