From Tuthill House to Yours – Memorial Day
Remembering others, Serving others, and New Friends
By, Patty Cole
May 30, 2018
Memorial Day Weekend is a busy time for families. Perhaps you missed church on Sunday? If so, here is an explanation of what happened. Feel free to read it with your kids, then you can carry on the discussion during the week at home.
What happened during the Children’s Message on Sunday?
Well, Mrs. Cole went missing, so Mrs. Monahan had to start us off. Finally, Mrs. Cole came bursting into the sanctuary with armfuls of stuff! They talked about all the great things that the kids have going on: Next week is the Kids’ CROP Walk, which will end at the playground. June 10th is the day that the kids are on Fellowship; they will set up and cleanup, but will also have fun making the snacks! And VBC is right around the corner. We all met Moe the Sloth, who will be with us for the whole camp! Moe offered us a VERY SLOW prayer before we headed over to Tuthill House.
What did we do in church school on Sunday?
We discussed what Memorial Day is and how the day is connected to the church. Here are some key points:
- U.S. holiday to remember those who died while on active military duty.
- We also have Veteran’s Day in the fall- honors all (including those still alive)
- There will be a parade. Pastor Jim will do a prayer in front of the whole town. It is a serious ceremony and a lot of people pray.
- In church, we sometimes sing Patriotic songs: America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, National Anthem, etc.
- There are a lot of verses in the Bible that have to do with war, serving in the military, etc. Many service men and women are inspired by this one:
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
(John 15:13)
Did we make or do anything at church school?
Yes. But it is a surprise for the dads for Father’s Day! So, let’s just say it is both fun and serious at the same time, just like many of our dads!
How can we pray about this?
Start with this prayer, and add your own details:
Dear God, this week we had Memorial Day. We pray for the men and women who fought bravely for our freedom, that they are now in heaven with you. We also pray for their families and friends that are here on earth and are missing them. We pray that you are with the men and women who are in the military now and keep them safe. Amen.
What can we read in the Bible that relates to this week’s lessons?
If you Google search it, you will find a lot of references to war, soldiers and sacrifice in the Bible. This is the verse used in the teen class discussion this week:
John 15:12-17
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
