Opening Prayer
Adapted from re:worship
As darkness gives way to light
and winter sleep to fresh beginnings,
We are reminded today
of the restoring love of God.
Like the green shoots of renewed life,
stirring beneath the soil,
We welcome an awakening
of the Spirit in our lives.
We return to God,
for God is gracious,
abounding in steadfast love.
We plant these seeds of hope
with open hearts.
Amen.
Open Up
Open Up
You heard the cry of our hearts
And You came down
Freely You gave us Your love
Showing us how
Make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is darkness
Let me shine light and…
May Your love
Cause us to open up
Cause us to open up our hearts
May Your light
Cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark
All that we do without love
It means nothing
Grant us the courage to give
As You’re calling
Hope for the hopeless
Your love is
Strength in our weakness
Your love is
May we love
As You love
Passing of the Peace
Take a moment to sow seeds of faith, hope & love by sending a text message to a friend who could use an encouraging message and/or folks from our Anchor & Hope community!
Kids Worship Song
Grow-Grow-Grow
Oh… Doo-doo-doo-doo!
Oh… Doo-doo-doo-doo!
Oh, oh, oh!
I wanna grow, grow, grow
In deeds and faith
Stronger — every day
Oh, oh, oh
I wanna know, know, know
My Savior King
You are… my everything
HEY!
My feet are standing
And my roots are planted
In the grace I’m given by You, Lord
My hands are reaching
As Your Spirit teaches me
To keep on, keep on growing in You more
Come live in me
Shine in me
Grow in me Lord
Kids Reflection
This story comes from Matthew 13:
That same day Jesus left the house and sat by the Sea of Galilee. 2 Large crowds gathered around him. So he got into a boat and sat down. All the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things using stories. He said, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. 4 He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. Birds came and ate it up. 5 Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 When the sun came up, it burned the plants. They dried up because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than what was planted. 9 Whoever has ears should listen.”
. . . .
18 “Listen! Here is the meaning of the story of the farmer. 19 People hear the message about the kingdom but do not understand it. Then the evil one comes. He steals what was planted in their hearts. Those people are like the seed planted on a path. 20 The seed that fell on rocky places is like other people. They hear the message and at once receive it with joy. 21 But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit. 23 But the seed that fell on good soil is like those who hear the message and understand it. They produce a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than the farmer planted.”
Watch the video for this story here:
Have a conversation with your kids about the following questions:
- What happened to the different seeds in this story?
- What do the different seeds represent?
- Who does the farmer represent?
- How can we be like the seeds in good soil?
God wants the whole world to know about the love of Jesus! That’s what our memory verse is all about!
- Ask your kids to show you their memory verse from John 3:16 with motions (text Ann Leong if you need help with motions!)
- John 3:16 says… For God so loved the world… that he gave his one and only Son… Anyone who believes in him… will not die… but will have eternal life.
Prayer for Illumination
Open our hearts, O God,
as we engage the words of Scripture,
so that our hearts may be fertile soil
in which You plant Your Living Word.
Amen.
Scripture Reflection
Read John 16:33 out loud:
(Jesus said)
I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Read through John 16:33 several times. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
What is the Spirit saying to you through this verse?
On PD’s hike he shows us the Torrey Pine tree, which grows from a tiny seed into an iconic symbol of San Diego. As we’ve mentioned, Reset Sunday is a time to rest deeply in a different kind of way, to take a pause, perhaps to engage the five senses, spend time with loved ones, and connect God through all of it. It’s also a time where we remember that we can rest because God never does.
In what ways are you caring for the “seed of eternity planted in (your) soul” today?
The Torrey Pine tree’s beautiful sculptural form is a testament to its ability to survive and even thrive in a harsh environment, despite the challenges thrown its way.
What kinds of challenges are you facing? What challenges are those around you facing? Take a moment to invite God’s presence into those challenges, perhaps asking for guidance, wisdom, and strength.
The Torrey Pine is deeply interconnected to its local ecosystem. Take a moment to think of your interconnections.
Who comes to mind this day? Take a moment to thank God for those that have helped you to be resilient. Then, take a moment to pray for those facing difficulties and ask God to reveal how you might be a source of help and encouragement to them.
Reap That Joy
Reap That Joy
We’ve sown in tears
We’ve sown in grief
We’ve scattered seeds of broken-hearted
Broken dreams
We’ve buried years
Of hurt down deep
But wait and see the winter frost
Will yield to spring
I know we’re gonna
I know we’re gonna
I know we’re gonna
I know we’re gonna
Reap that joy, reap that joy of the Lord
As long as you’re living
As long as you’re breathing
Don’t you ever stop
Don’t you ever give in
Reap that joy, reap that joy of the Lord
Reap that joy
We’ve planted pain
We’ll harvest hope
Isn’t darkness where the garden
Starts to grow
Up from the dirt
Up from the earth
There’ll be resurrection rising
Like a rose
There’ll be resurrection rising
Like a rose
I know He’s always working
Down underneath the surface
Whatever we buried
Will burst into life again
I know in heaven’s timing
We’re going back to Eden
Where all that we buried
Will burst into life again
Closing Blessing
Go in peace;
be of good courage,
hold fast to what is good,
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted,
help the afflicted,
honor all people,
love and serve the Lord.
May the blessing of God Almighty,
Creator, Christ, and Spirit,
go with us, today and forever.
Amen
Anchor & Hope Church 