Welcome. It's Thursday, 23rd April 2020.
 
Good morning, everyone. May the Lord be with you.
 
Our song for today. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCEGDkdXOcM&feature=youtu.be

I picked this song to link in with our collective worship from yesterday. I loved the bright bold colours of Nebiyu Assefa’s painting. Did you notice the marks on Jesus’ hands and feet from his crucifixion? 

In our song today, the Watoto Children’s Choir sing that they “will go, we will be your hands and feet.” Christians believe that each of us has the opportunity to show the love and kindness which Jesus showed while he was alive on Earth as though we are his hands and feet.

 

Our Bible passage for today is 
The parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4: 30–32)

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

 

Our thought for the day
Now that we have returned from Easter, the weather is starting to feel warmer and the days are getting longer. It’s lighter in the morning and might still be light when we get ready to go to bed. Have you noticed that the trees are starting to grow more leaves and the plants are sprouting up through the soil? When I went for a walk with my family at the weekend, we noticed that some trees had lots of caterpillars on them.

These are all small signs that Spring has arrived. 

At the moment, we can’t spend much time walking around, because we need to protect ourselves and others from getting sick. Therefore, next time you go out, try to keep a close eye out for the little signs of Spring in your local area. You might see some beautiful flowers blooming, or you might notice that the weeds are growing in new places each day.

Each of these tiny changes is a reminder to Christians that God is the creator of the world. They help us remember that even though we may feel tiny, like the tiny mustard seed, we each have the ability to flourish and grow; to learn and to thrive. Each of us can impact on the world around us in a positive way, just like the mustard tree can grow to give shade and shelter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat_Field_with_Cypresses#/media/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Wheat_Field_with_Cypresses_(National_Gallery_version).jpg

 

A prayer for today
If you are saying your prayer with someone today, you might like to take turns reading or saying the short response in the prayer.

 

Dear God,
For lengthening days
and sunlight's warmth upon the soil

     We rejoice in the promise of Spring

For a snowdrop's beauty
reflecting its Creator's artistry
     We rejoice in the promise of Spring

For new born lambs
their joy and exuberance
     We rejoice in the promise of Spring

for all of creation
and the majesty of its Creator
     We rejoice in the promise of Spring

In Jesus’ name
Amen