Menu
SUNDAY-SCHOOL-2022-300x118

KIDS’ WEEKLY LESSONS & ACTIVITIES FROM BECKY

Sunday School  resumed September 17.

Howdy folks!
 
Pop quiz: I want you to stop for a moment and define these two words: FAIRNESS and GRACE.  What did you come up with? 
 
This Sunday, in Matthew 20, we hear Jesus tell us a story about a farmer who hired people to harvest his grapes.  Some started work in the morning and worked all day, but others were not hired until nearly sundown and worked only an hour.  How much do you think the farmer paid the workers who only put in an hour compared to those who worked a full day? 

By Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

 

The farmer pays all his workers an equal wage.  What the heck?!  We can just imagine Jesus’ disciples spluttering, “Jesus, that’s not FAIR!”  Many people think of FAIRNESS as meaning that everyone gets treated the same.  If you follow the rules, you avoid punishment.  People who work hard earn more money (and hence can buy more food, clothes, shelter, toys, treats) than those who are lazy.  FAIRNESS means getting what you deserve. 
 
But Jesus isn’t interested in fairness.  He’s interested in his family, in us.  Because if we, all of us sinners, were to get what we each deserve, Jesus would lose us, his family.  Paul explains “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23). 
 
Rather than being fair, the farmer offers GRACE.  GRACE happens in a situation where mercy and pardon are granted, when love and compassion are freely given.  Like the farmer, God grants GRACE to us, his sinful people, so that we can spend eternity together.  It’s not fair, and it’s not what we deserve; praise be to God!

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Body Shop – Sunday, September 24 12-2pm
    • Upcoming classes: Sundays, 12:10-2pm in the Teen Room
      • September 24
      • October 8
      • October 22
      • November 5
      • November 19
  • See Youth & Young Adults section below for other fun opportunities:
  • BJ Pumpkin Farm outing – Saturday, September 30, 2:30-4:30, especially for Body Shop, high school students, young adults, and their families.
  • Cosmic Glow Bowling – tentatively scheduled November 4
  • 9th Graders – Confirmation Prep sessions: Sundays from 7-8:30pm – for all 9th graders ready to affirm their faith. Meet in the CLC.  Bring your Bibles, a notebook and pen! 
    • October 1 – Choose memory verse, start banners
    • October 8 – Work on banners & faith statements
    • October 15 – Finish banners & faith statements
    • October 22 – Rehearse worship service & faith statements
  • Reformation Sunday, October 29 at 9am service – Affirmation of Faith; meet at 8:30am in basement with robes. Reception in atrium following service. 
  • Youth and Young Adult Gathering in New Orleans
    • Paperwork and $150 deposit due October 1
    • Upcoming meetings: Sundays, 10:10-11am (following the 9am service) in the chapel
      • October 15
      • November 12
    • Scrapbooking Fundraisers: Saturdays, October 7; January 13, 2024 & April 27
Get ready for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! 
What is the ELCA Youth Gathering?
Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation and fellowship known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through inspiring speakers, conversations with partners, Bible study and being immersed in the host city, young people will be inspired, challenged and called to live out their faith in their daily lives.
 
When is it, and will I be old enough to attend?
The ELCA Youth Gathering and Young Adult Gathering will be held July 16-20, 2024.  You must currently be between 7th grade and 34 years old to participate in the gathering.  Olivet will be concentrating on youth who are currently from 7th grade to young adults 24 years old.  However, if you are between 24 and 34 years old and interested in attending, please speak to Becky or Pastor Melissa!
 
How much does it cost?
Participants registering before November 1, 2023 will pay $375 for the gathering.  Please note that hotel, meal and travel costs are not included in this registration fee.  Congregations are encouraged to budget $50-60 per person, per day for meals and $175 /night + tax for a room. Typically, three individuals are assigned to a room.  Currently a roundtrip Amtrak ticket from Toledo is about $300 + tax, and a roundtrip plane ticket from Detroit is about $475 + tax.  This is why we are fundraising now! 

Related Posts