BIG IDEA: God is the Creator of all things. God begins creating by separating light from dark, waters above from waters below, and the sea from land.

VOLUNTEER PREPARATION IN ADVANCE:

• This is a story you have probably heard many times, and the kids likely have, too. That said, the story of creation is beautiful in the retelling. Today, we want to emphasize that creation is still ongoing - God is creating every new morning and blossoming flower right before our very eyes. The world is being made new every moment and we are invited to be a part of it.
• Read Genesis 1, and spend some time with these questions:

• Is this a familiar passage to you? What parts of it speak meaningfully to you?
• How do you see God moving in creation?  

• As you prepare the space, spend some time in prayer, asking that we all would come to know the heights and depths of God’s love for us.

8:45 AM/4:45 PM WELCOME

• Play music from the bluetooth speaker, connecting to one of the linked Mission Kids playlists, or playing soft, calm music.
• Set up a tabletop activity: playdoh, puzzles, craft supplies.
• Families drop off children. One volunteer greets each child at the door by name.
• Engage with the children as they sit at the table or free play. Learn children’s names and help introduce them to one another as many of them are new to this room.

9:15 AM/5:15 PM TRANSITION AND CLEAN UP

To signify transition, lead in the following song…

When clean up is over, say loudly: “The Lord be with you!” and children will respond, “And also with you!”

9:20 AM/5:20 PM MUSIC TIME & EXPECTATIONS

• Gather the children on the carpet in a circle. We want everyone to see each other’s faces as this is the first day in our new classrooms!

• Use the “Golden Rules” document as a visual and discuss expectations.

• Provide instruments from the music basket if you’d like. Sing 2-3 of the songs from the “Mission Kids Sing Along” playlist found on the back of the binder.

9:40 AM/5:40 PM TEACHING TIME

• To signify transition, lead in the following finger play…

ASK: What’s your favorite thing to see when you look up at the sky?

SAY: Today, we’re going to go back to the very beginning of everything - even BEFORE the beginning of everything. Before the world even existed, God was. You may remember from last week that God is THREE people - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three people living in a loving relationship with one another, but there’s so much love in God’s self that it can’t be contained, it spills out into the world. That’s how everything was made!

SAY: That’s how ________ was made! And ________, and _________. (List all of their favorite parts of creation that they mentioned)

SAY: God made everything! And God still makes things. Every beautiful sunset and waterfall. Every butterfly and flower.

SAY: The very first thing that God made was light. God said “Let there be light!” and light appeared! The light was separated from the darkness and God called the light DAY and the dark NIGHT.

ASK: Do any of you remember the next thing God made?

SAY: Next, God made the heavens and the earth - the sky and the land. All the clouds above us and the ground beneath us. Big white fluffy clouds and dark gray stormy clouds.

ASK: I wonder what God will make to fill this world?

SAY: When you look up at the sky, and see the clouds moving, or the colors in a sunset—you're seeing part of the world God made. When you feel the ground under your feet, or run through the grass, or dig in the dirt, you're feeling part of what God made, too.

ASK: What’s your favorite thing to do when you play outside?

SAY: The heavens and the earth are like a big canvas, and God is painting beauty into them every day. God didn’t just make the sky and land a long time ago—God is still making them beautiful today! And God made this big beautiful world for us to play in and learn how much God loves us.

WONDER:

• I wonder what it was like when there was nothing at all except God?
• I wonder if you have ever been to the ocean? Or the mountains? What was it like?
• I wonder what God will make to fill this world?

• PRAY: Get into a posture that is comfortable for you to pray - bowing your head, closing your eyes, etc) Dear God, thank you for your word, and for the big story that tells us  of your love for us. We’re excited to learn more about you this year. We love you. Amen.

• SAY: Let’s all say the Lord’s Prayer together if you remember! (Pray through the Lord’s Prayer slowly.) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen!

9:45 AM/5:45 PM ACTIVITY & STORY TIME

• DO: ART: The Sky and the Sea

• Pass out sky & sea sheets, writing each child’s name on the back with a Sharpie.
• Pass out tissue paper scraps and glue and allow children to decorate the “sea” portion with the blue and white tissue scraps.
• Pass out markers and colored pencils for children to decorate the “sky” portion of the sheet.

• READ: While children work on their craft, read “God Creates” (pg. 18) from The Peace Table. Pause for questions and engagement while reading. Use the Wonder & Share questions on the opposite page as time and attention allow.  

10:20 AM/6:20 PM(ish) CHECK-OUT

• Before children leave, communion or blessings will be given to each in attendance.

• Children should put on shoes and art creations should be gathered.

• Parents will arrive at the room to pick up children. Ensure that all belongings are taken by the parent as they leave.

CLASSROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Return Mission Kids cart with all belongings and all supplies to St. Joseph’s Children’s Chapel. Make sure everything has a lid so it does not dry out!

• As this is a shared space, it is important that we are good stewards of each room and clean up before leaving. Return all toys and supplies to shelves and wipe down high-touched surfaces/toys with a sanitizing wipe.

• Vacuum floors and set trash bags in the hallway, if needed.