By Janette Haak

Today in the Sheepfold, the children heard different stories; however, they have one unifying theme.  The church motto at St. Luke Lutheran Church is Up, In and Out.  Today we will investigate Up during our Sheepfold as well as during the church service.

“I lift my eyes to the hills.  From whence does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Today’s verse is a great reminder to us of where we’re to look for help in our daily life.  We need help to stay focused on our journey.

The Pk3/4 & K heard about the colors of the church year.  This is a great way for your family to stay focused on the altar parchments in the sanctuary.  Make sure to check the altar colors and ask your child what it means.  One easy way to remember the colors is by using the phrase Big Bags of Power.  (BG-BGS-PWR= blue, green, black, gold, scarlet, purple, white, red.)

1st grade heard the story of One Thankful Man, Luke 17:11-19.  He was a man who looked to Jesus for help and remembered to thank him for taking care of him. 

2nd grade heard about Esther, a woman of great strength and courage who stayed focused on God thru a very difficult situation.

They both had to step out in faith and trust God to provide.

Choose one of the suggestions below to discuss with your family this week.

  • Study Big Bags of Power as a family.  You can go to   http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=452     for more detail about the colors or have your younger child talk about their craft which covers the colors of the church year.  (What color will we see the next week?)
  • Talk about a time when you had to take a step out in faith and trust that God was going to answer your prayers/take care of a situation. 
  • How can we stay focused on God and what is important?  When we get upset or worried about something… the first thing we need to do is pray and ask God for help. 

Choose a family Activity:

  • If you don’t already, keeping a simple family prayer journal is a great way to stay focused.  Write out prayer requests and when God answers them.  Writing out ways that God provides for your needs is a good reminder for everyone.  God always answers prayers, just not always the way we would like or as quickly as we would like. 
  • Remember to Bless your child/ren every morning and every night before they go to bed.  When they leave in morning, you can touch them and say, “God go before you, in you and flow out of you this day.”  At bedtime, you can say, “God Bless you tonight, keep his angels around you and give you a restful sleep.”

God Bless you and your family this week as you are reminded what it means to look to God and trust him for your lives.  Take a step in faith this week, knowing that God is in control and loves you.

The Sheepfold Staff