Hello Everyone! Welcome back to school after the half term break.

 

The teachers have been busy getting the school ready for those year groups who are going to be coming back to school in the next few weeks. I hope that you have had a nice break and are ready to get back to your learning.

 

Thank you for joining us for our collective worship today.

 

It's Mr Keep here.  May the Lord be with you.

We are Bishop Ridley, we are One Community, Learning & Growing Together, Sharing the Love of God.

 

Our Song for Today is called Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redmond

https://youtu.be/PnWKehsOXu8

Our Bible Story for Today is Luke 24:13-32. 

Our thought for the Day
The last time we were in school, it was just after Easter. That seems like a long time ago. I imagine that most people will have finished all of their Easter eggs a long time ago!

In the Christian calendar, there is a period which runs from:

 

• Easter Day (the day that Jesus died on the cross)

to

• Ascension (Jesus going up to Heaven)

and on to 

• Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit came down in the Apostles)

 

The Bible shows that this happens over 50 days. This time is actually less than the lock down and restrictions have been in place so far.

 

During this time, not long after Jesus had been crucified, two disciples were walking along the road towards a town called Emmaus. Have a look at this short animation which tells the story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUGRNhSwKw 

I wonder how we would feel if Jesus has been walking with us all this time even though we may not always have realised it. The two disciples were so joyful when they recognised Jesus.

 

I wonder which of your friends you have missed over the past few weeks?  I wonder if you are joyful if you are now able to see your friends or more members of your family now?

 

Our Time for Reflection 

For our reflection time today, let's read a poem. It's a famous one which you may have read before. As you read it think about how you can find encouragement during tough times. 

 

Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

 

Lets finish with The Lord's Prayer 

 

(You might like to listen to The Lord’s Prayer Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPuAtrwHYM )

 

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. 
Amen.