Moses Leads the Israelites into the Wilderness

Children’s Chapel

September 24, 2017

Bible Reference: Exodus 16: 2-15

Theme: Moses Leads the Israelites into the Wilderness

·         Welcome: Welcome all and ask if we have any new friends. Introduce new friends.

·         Church Traditions and Liturgical Calendar:

Who can tell me what liturgical season we are in right now. If you take a look at our liturgical calendar you will see that we are right in the middle of Ordinary Time. The color we use for this time is green so you will see that the cloth on our Children’s Chapel altar is green. You will also notice that in big church the altar frontal, church dressings, and clergy stoles are green.  Who would like to move the arrow on our liturgical calendar? (Allow one child to come up to the calendar to move the arrow forward one week.) The arrow is now pointing to the sixteenth green square.

·          Lighting of candles

(As one adult lights the altar candles, say.) We light these candles to remind us that Christ is the light of the world. We also remember that God is always with us, that Jesus lives in our hearts and that we are inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before we begin our Bible lesson today, let us pray the Collect or prayer of the week.

·             Children’s Collect for September 24th:

Let Us Pray:

Heavenly Father, help us to not be worried about earthly things, but to love things that come from heaven. Even as we live with the things of this world help us to always remember that your love is forever and is what gives us peace and hope. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

·         Introduction: In today’s Bible story we will continue to read in the Old Testament book of Exodus about Moses and the Israelites. We remember from last week’s Bible story that Moses and the Israelites escaped from the Pharaoh’s army because God parted the Red Sea allowing them to cross to safety on the other side. The Israelites rejoiced in God’s provision, but as they traveled into the wilderness with Moses, they began to grumble. Let’s see what happens next.

·        Bible Story: Read Aloud: “The Jesus Storybook Bible” p. 100-103

With Children in grades 1-5, have several children volunteers read aloud to the others.

Bible Reference: Exodus 16: 2-5

·        Response: In the Bible story we just listened to, Moses led the Israelites into the wilderness where there was nothing to eat or drink. The further they went into the desert the Israelites began to complain to Moses about the conditions they were living in. I think I probably would be upset too that I had followed Moses into this land where I had nothing to eat or drink. How about you? You may start to think like the Israelites thought. If it were me I would definitely complain and say that perhaps it would have been better if I had just stayed in Egypt instead of following Moses. It’s easy to understand the Israelites and their frustration because we would feel the same way. The good news for the Israelites and for us too is that God knows this about us. He knows that we are not perfect, that we complain and grumble when we are uncomfortable. He knows we may even get angry with him, yet he loves us anyway. He loved the Israelites so much that he provided them with food and living water from heaven and took care of all of their needs. In the same way, God loves us and gave us his son who gives us spiritual food and living water that through him all of our needs are taken care of now and forever. Let us pray.

·    Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for providing for all of our needs even as we grumble and complain. Strengthen us in your love and help us to remember that even when we feel we are all alone, you are always with us. Amen

·        Response Activity will be provided.