As a Boy Scout I learned a simple ethic from my scout leaders: Always leave the campsite cleaner than it was when I found it. I was taught that the campsite was not mine to do with as I wished, but a place I inhabited briefly on the condition I cared for it. I do not remember being taught the term “stewardship,” but what I learned while camping with my scout troop still serves as a valuable ethic for life: We inhabit this world only briefly, and it is not ours to do with as we wish.

~ From Practicing Reverence by Ross Smillie

In this week’s focus passage we read that Moses has come to the end of his earthly journey, but his great friendship and relationship with God will continue to have an impact. It will continue through a legacy of stories told and passed from generation to generation and through his mentorship of Joshua, a new leader “full of the spirit and wisdom” with which to lead his people. We can connect the story of Moses’ passing with our own humanity and to our own stories – lives lived that have been touched by what has been and that will effect what is to come. Our stories take on a different kind of significance when they are placed within the larger story and held by the community with affection and respect.

What are the ways that your story is connected to God’s story? What are your hopes for this connection and the way it will impact future generations?

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage
• Review article “Scripture from My Heart to Yours” (Ages 15-18)

• storytelling box (Ages 3-5) continued from October 2
• Unfolding fabric ritual (Ages 6-8) continued from October 2
• The Death of Moses: a Community Reading (Adult)
• Imagining the Story (Ages 15-18) resource sheet to experience text through art, silent reflection, and discussion. You may choose to view the movie “Freedom Writers” (scene selection, plot summary, and discussion questions included that connect the themes for this and next week).
• Option: use the paraphrase “Moses Sees A New Land” (p. 226) of the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A; also available as an mp3 and projectable art download)

• There are many options for exploring “willing relationship” such as blessing bags and voice recording (Ages 3-5); sculpture art and group book (Ages 6-8); congregational leader interviews and word art (Ages 9-11, Multiage); discerning our part in God’s story (Ages 12-14); thank you cards and movie engagement (Ages 15-18); faith timelines (Adult)
• Note: Hand Meditation (Adult resource sheet) could be used by any group of adults for a time of prayer and reflection

• Posters: “Moses,” “Mystic River,” and “Midsummer Night in Harlem,” are used to engage with the focus scripture. Ages 3-5 and 6-8 use figures from the Storytelling poster.
• Create a sculpture of God’s own unfolding story. Make a game of naming as many people as possible, and their loving actions. Write the names and actions on old sheets of newspaper. Invite the children to help you fold and glue newspaper into a stack to resemble the sculpture in the poster, Scale (Ages 6-8).
• Music: “Fill Us, God” (#14); “The Annointing” (# 5); “As Long as We Follow” (#17) “We Thank You God” (#22) on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 9 (also available as a downloadable mp3 purchase) are some of the songs featured in the various age level materials.

October 30: God With Us (Joshua 3: 7-17)

Joshua, Paul, and Jesus all act out a radical awareness of God being with them. Their lives of leadership challenge us to be attuned to the ways God acts through us. What rituals of meaning and God-centred identity give us courage and purpose? Where do we turn for spirit-centred leadership?

For SeasonsFusion (which inspires worship in a setting for all ages) see the Fusion blog and sign up to receive the SeasonsFusion tip of the week. In Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Fusion, page 25, you will find an idea for a Christmas Pageant with a difference – a Powerpoint telling of the age old story using art created by children and adults in your congregation.