Our Student Worship Team led this morning’s elementary chapel service. After singing the national anthem, reciting the Lord’s Prayer and listening to the Land Acknowledgement, the Worship Team opened with a “new” song called “I Thank God”. Several Grade 7 and 8 students also went to the front to help with the actions. The second worship song was an old favourite, “Prince of Peace (You are Holy)” in which the boys and girls took turns to lead and echo.
After the time of praise, the Golden Dust Pan Award for the month of October was given to Grade 4A! This was to recognize the class with the neatest hooks, most orderly shoe placements and cleanest hallway area.
Next, the Grade 7 class presented their Bible verse, taken from Isaiah 40:27-28. Students lined up in rows and “peeled back” to let the next row recite part of the passage. At the end, the entire class was standing in one row at the front.
The Worship Team then led the audience in singing “One Way”. This is a familiar song and it really came alive during the chorus where there is some rapid clapping. The addition of the tambourine by one of the team members really added to the overall praise. This was followed by another song, “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. This song is meant to be a gentle ballad, proclaiming gratitude to our God. As a result, it is not an easy song to lead or sing as a group. However, the students and teachers filled the gym with praise, expressing their own joyous thanksgiving.
The musical worship set the tone for the “Teacher Interview” portion of the service. Mr. Pun shared about a time when he had to act justly and how he wears the breastplate of righteousness. He talked about his Grade 12 missions trip to the First Nations at Longlac. He shared how he had the wrong attitude going into the trip but God really changed his attitude by the end of the experience. He also shared that wearing a breastplate is about protecting the heart (along with other vital organs). We often hear things that “sound right or look right” but may not actually “be right”. To help us discern God’s truth, we need to spend time reading God’s word and praying. Protecting the heart is important because it affects our thoughts and actions which also has impact on others. To conclude, he shared some advice which is from King Solomon, taken from Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Finally, the Worship Team reintroduced “I Thank God” again before ending the service with the reading of the benediction.