Activity: Spirit vs Letter
See if you can match the rules (letter of the law) with the reasoning behind them (spirit of the law). (Answers: a4, b2, c1, d3).
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Rules:
a. You must wear a seatbelt.
b. You must not hit your brother/sister.
c. You must go to bed on time.
d. You must pick your toys when you're done playing.

Reasons:
1. You need enough sleep to be healthy and happy.
2. It isn't kind to hurt people.
3. Everyone is safer when the floor is clean! 
4. It's important to be safe while riding in the car.

In our Bible story today, Jesus "broke" the rules because he was focused on the reasons. He and his disciples picked grain on the Sabbath because they were hungry and needed food, even though it was technically working instead of resting. Then, Jesus healed a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. Both actions fit with the spirit of the law-- being rested and restored-- but not the letter of the law-- don't work on the Sabbath.

Do you think Jesus did the right thing? Jesus shows us that sometimes you have to focus on helping people, even if it means breaking the rules.

Read the story in Luke 6:1-16 (no SPARK version) and discuss using these questions:

• Do you think Jesus was annoyed with the Pharisees?
• How do you think the man with the withered hand felt when he was healed?
• Have you ever tattled on someone doing something wrong like the Pharisees?
• Is it ever okay to break the rules? Can you give examples from your life? From the Bible? From history?

Pray together:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us rules to help us be safe, healthy, and happy. Help us to remember the reasons behind the rules and to care for other people in all we do. Help us find time to rest this week. Amen. ​

Sabbath/Work (Spirit & Truth Publishing)
This game is a variation of Red Light/Green Light. A leader stands at one end with their back turned, looking away from everyone else. When the leader says "Work" everyone moves forward (or if playing in a small room, dances or waves). When the leader says "Sabbath," everyone must freeze before the leader turns around and catches them! If you get caught, you're out. Last one left gets to be the new leader! 

Using our Hands (Be the Story Curriculum)
Brainstorm all the ways you use your hands on a daily basis. Think especially: what are ways we use our hands that are helpful and loving? Then, trace your hands on a piece of paper and decorate them. Write below, "My hands are small, but they can_______." Insert one of the good things you listed above. Remember to use the gifts God has given you for good! We can all follow Jesus to care for others. 

The Minnesota COVID numbers are down, allowing for some school classrooms to open again, along with restaurants and movie theaters. Glen Cary Lutheran will open for worship on Ash Wednesday.  Services will continue on Wednesdays throughout Lent. Sunday worship services will begin on Sunday, February 21st at 9:30 p.m.

• Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday Lenten Services will be at 7 p.m. on February 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24
• One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays beginning February 21, 2021. Sunday School families will meet for a half hour following each service.
• Online worship services will continue. Find us on Facebook, YouTube or connect with us through www.glencary.org. 

While worshipping in the church building, singing will be limited and the emphasis will be on prayer and confession and forgiveness.  Communion will be part of every Sunday worship service.  For those who are in a high risk category, participating with worship online is still recommended.  Worship will be live streamed on Facebook and then available for viewing any time after on 11:00 Sunday morning.

When the season of Lent ends, we will celebrate Easter Sunday worship outside in the south parking lot again. Please keep up to date with any changes that might occur because of changes with the virus.
 

Wednesday nights during Lent, beginning February 24, we will be resuming Tough Talks on the subject of racism and white supremacy. We will meet at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall with worship to follow at 7 pm. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required. If worship is moved online, the conversation will move to ZOOM. All are welcome to come learn and grow together. 

​Contact Pastor Kristina if you plan to attend  or have any questions (Khill@glencary.org).

Stop by the church office to pick up your packet if you haven't already. PLEASE discard any remaining 2020 envelopes.
 

After you read the story, talk with your families about these questions:

• What miracle did Jesus perform? How did the disciples react? How would you react?
• How do you think Jesus chose his disciples? Do you think others were disappointed that they weren't chosen?
• The disciples left everything behind to follow Jesus, including their jobs and family. How would you respond if you were in that position?
• How can we follow Jesus today, even though we don't see him? Pray together with your family for Jesus' guidance in your life-- include the needs of your family members. 

Sink or Float (PreK)
With Jesus, the disciples caught so many fish that their boat started to sink! Do an experiment to see if different household objects sink or float in water. Fill a bin, sink, or bathtub with water. Then, collect some items you want to investigate (e.g. apple, ball, fork, toys, wine cork, etc.) Put each item in the water and see what happens! Try using an empty bottle. With the cap on, what does it do? What about when you fill it with water? That's kind of what happened to the disciples' boat! 

Brainstormed Bookmark
Write down the ideas your family came up with for how to follow Jesus today. This may include things like reading your Bible (to hear what Jesus has to say!), being kinder to your siblings, donating some of your toys, or watching  church more often (until we can meet in person, of course). Pick your favorite one and write it on a notecard. Use that notecard as a bookmark or put it somewhere you can see it everyday-- put your idea into action this week and follow Jesus! 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activity
This past week our nation celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We remembered the faith and courage that it took him to do the right thing and stand up to racist practices in his community. Dr. King took the call to follow Jesus very seriously, just like the disciples we read about today! Take some time to talk about Dr. King's legacy together as a family. Check out a book or movie on the subject. Or, click here to watch an intergenerational event created by our neighbors at Nativity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis-- you can listen to speakers of all ages and races share their experiences and ideas for how to change the world! (There are also some cute children's books read during the recording-- its a little over an hour long).

Do you ever get angry?  What are some things that make you angry?  

There is a lot of anger in our world right now. This has led to people being mean and violent toward one another. Remember, its normal and okay to get mad sometimes; what matters is what you do with it. Just because we are angry, doesn't mean its okay to hurt people.  Can you think of some better ways to cope with anger?

Today we read a story about some people who were angry at Jesus. They were so mad, they chased him out of town! (In the non-PG/non-children's Bible version, they try to throw Jesus off a cliff. Definitely not a good response). Let's read together.

The Scripture lesson can be found in Luke 4:14-30 or in the SPARK Storybook Bible on p. 252. 

ThinkAccepted in Your Hometown
Jesus' neighbors had known him for a long time, and were surprised when he started preaching. Draw a map of your hometown. Mark the places you go to frequently (school, soccer field, park, friends' houses, etc.). What are some ways you can share God's love in each of these places?

Good News for the Poor
Take out a piece of paper and brainstorm ways your family can bring good news to the poor and sick like Jesus did. Is there someone you can pick up groceries for? Is there an organization you like that needs donations? Select one (or more) idea you have and put it into practice this week! 
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Anger Dice Game
Take turns rolling a die and answering the question next to the number you rolled.

1. Name someone you can talk to when you are feeling angry
2. What is something you can say when you are feeling angry?
3. Give a reason it is important to stay calm when you are feeling angry
4. Describe what not to do when you are feeling angry
5. Describe an anger warning sign you might feel when you're starting to get angry
6. Name a calm down strategy you can use when you are feeling angry

Breath Prayer
​Think of a name for God (Savior, Comforter, etc). Sit in a quiet place for a minute or two and start taking deep breaths: fill your belly with air, and then let it out. As you breathe in, say your name for God. As you breathe out, imagine your anger and stress leaving you. 

Happy New Year!  Join us for worship on our website or Facebook page.

Now that all the Christmas decorations are put away, we are in a new season of the church year called Epiphany. An epiphany is like a "lightbulb moment" when you suddenly realize something new. When Jesus comes into our world, we all see things in a new way! 

The theme of Epiphany is light. Remember in the Christmas story, how the wise men followed the star to where Jesus was born? Like the wise men, we can also follow the light of Jesus. 

Activity: Star Words
Draw and cut out a star on a piece of paper. Think of a word or phrase that you want to follow in this new year, such as peace, patience, or love. Hang your star (or stars, if you can't pick just one!) somewhere you will see it frequently, like your bathroom mirror. Throughout the year, let this star word guide you to be more like Jesus! 

Today we will learn more about Jesus by reading about his baptism. This is the event that began his ministry. Do you remember when you were baptized? 

Story: Read Luke 3:1-22, or in your SPARK Bible on page 242-245. 

• What do you think the water felt like? Cold, warm? Refreshing?
• How was Jesus' baptism different from your baptism? How was it the same? 
• John calls people to repent, to turn back to God and to change their lives. Why do you think he said that?
• What is your favorite part of this story?

Activity: Remember Your Baptism
Gather a pitcher of water and a bowl. Pour the water into the bowl-- as you do this, you can bless the water "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Dip your finger in the water, make the sign of the cross on each other's foreheads, and say, "You are a beloved child of God." Then invite each person to practice remembering their own baptism: dip your finger in the water, mark the sign of the cross on your own forehead, and say "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I am a child of God." You can do this everyday to remember who you are and how much God loves you! 

Activity: Dove Craft
On a white piece of paper, trace your hand. Cut it out, draw an eye on the thumb, and glue it to a piece of construction paper. Decorate the paper however you want; you may even draw Jesus being baptized! Write the words "The Holy Spirit came down at baptism" on the top. On the bottom, write "I am a child of God!"